An Important Exercise To Do Before the New Year
How would you answer these questions?
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Presented by AG1:
I’m a sucker for a fresh start, and a firm supporter of the notion that we all have the opportunity to begin again at any moment. Still — with the start of a new year comes a new chapter. A new chapter that many — myself included — use to jumpstart (or reignite) habits. One of my go-to activities as I turn the page is keep, stop, and start.
What do you want to keep doing?
What do you want to stop doing?
What do you want to start doing?
I’ll go first:
KEEP: Strength Training
2024 was the year of strength for me, thanks to Future. It felt great to get back to a place for the first time since 2017 where I’m regularly lifting heavy using barbells. So, I want to most definitely keep this momentum up. Strength goals for the new year include landing three consecutive pull-ups, pressing 100 pounds overhead, and some intentional posterior work to help prevent injury on the run.
STOP: Deadline Mentality
As a career journalist, I thrive on a deadline. That means that, for example, this newsletter often gets written on Thursdays. My goal for 2025 is to be better about getting ahead, using both time blocking (and Notion) so that I’m not working up to the wire so regularly. This is important to me because it will make me less anxious, and also empower me to create better content (speaking about more than the newsletter, to the podcast and beyond) in the long run.
START: Setting An Alarm Again
Since the pandemic, I’ve been Team No Alarm (high five!). I’ve loved the relaxed approach to my morning routine, but candidly sometimes when I get up on the later side — things that I like doing and help me be a better me start to fall by the wayside. So! I’m going to get back to setting my morning alarm, in hopes that I can get back to checking the box on things that make me feel good, from breath work to journaling. Super curious: What time do you get up in the morning, and have you made any changes since the pandemic?
(BONUS) START: Dating
I can’t believe I’m typing this, but part of me feels like doing so is manifestation/helps me stay accountable. In 2024, I found the time to log 1,425 miles (that’s something like 200+ hours running) but spent … one-tenth of that dating (spoiler alert: That’s an exaggeration).
Editor’s Note: I am not good with numbers.
Welp, nothing changes if nothing changes. So! I’m making some intentional plans to shift that in 2025 through a pact with other single girlfriends — and a few more carefully laid plans. To be clear: I love my life. I’m content on my own and appreciate my independence. AND, I’m looking forward to sharing it with someone else. Both can be true.
SO, TELL ME: What falls into these categories for you?
Happy holidays, all! Thank you again for igniting my joy and giving me more to celebrate this season.
Keep hurdling,
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK
Gear I’m Loving: Goodr Deja Vu Daydream
Love this newer style from Goodr, and appreciate that these are stylish enough to wear around town as well as functional for the run (no bounce, polarized). You’ll be hard pressed to find anything within this price point that does the same.
I’m Listening To: Mel Robbins on The Oprah Podcast
It’s kind of awesome to hear someone as well known as Mel have a moment, feeling so grateful for the chance to sit down with one of her idols. A great conversation detailing her “let them” philosophy, a big topic for her upcoming book The Let Them Theory.
Prompt I’m Loving: Where is one place you want to travel to in 2025?
Quote I’m Loving: “You can’t control how you feel. But you can always choose how you act.” — Mel Robbins
Thanks to AG1 — the daily foundational nutrition supplement that supports whole-body health — for supporting Hurdle.
I gave AG1 a try years ago because I was tired of taking so many supplements. I wanted a single solution that supports my entire body and covers my nutritional bases. I was also after better gut health, a boost in energy, and wanted to consume something that actually tastes good. So, you could only imagine how geeked I was to find that Ag1 checked all of those boxes.
In a recent study, AG1 revealed that participants had the same feelings of energy, focus, and supported digestion that I’ve had using AG1. For example, after 60 days, 91% of participants in a research study noticed they needed less coffee; after 90 days, 97% of study participants felt their digestion improved.
I shake up AG1 every morning after my workout, and it makes me feel energized. Plus, I’m confident knowing that I’m doing something good for my body by giving it the nutrition I deserve — including 75 whole food-sourced ingredients, prebiotics, probiotics, adaptogens, and superfoods.
If you want to take ownership of your health going into a new year, it starts with AG1. Try AG1 and get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D3/K2 AND five free AG1 travel packs with your first purchase. Go to drinkAG1.com/hurdle.
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Another (weekly) Hurdle conquered. Catch you guys next week.
We will need date updates ofc
I also went back to setting an alarm at the start of this school year. I’d become way too chill (even as a natural early riser) with my wake up time. Great decision!