Loving fall and some new changes!

Hello my lovelies!  It's been a busy week and weekend, but Sunday is dedicated to throwing open my windows, doing a little work and catching up on writing.  I am seriously loving this time of year and the gorgeous weather.  Are you guys ready to pull out your boots and scarves ? I am!

 

The change in the season also has me thinking.  You know how most of us get all pumped in the spring, start running and working out like crazy for bikini season? I've always wondered why that seems to stop for everyone just because fall rolls around.  Is it the time change? Is it the unending supply of pumpkin EVEYTHING?

 

Maybe it's just the fact that we know we don't have to be in outfits that show skin for the next 6 months.  Or the fact that leggings have stretchy waistbands and we forget what a real size feels like...

 

 

So this year, I'm taking a little bit of a different approach.  Okkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk, part if it has to do with the fact that I have to fit in a wedding dress.  The other part of it is, I want to be insanely healthy for 2013 going into 2014.  Here are a few changes I'm making for the fall that I hope will kick start some positive changes in my body.

 

1. Cut out the sugar!!!  To be honest, I'm not a huge sweets person, but I do love a salty/sweet combo.  My newest discovery of a great (and unhealthy) snack is Nutella and pretzels.  YUMMMM.  But Nutella has like 23 grams of sugar.  And I could pretty much eat with a spoon.  It's the devil!  So I had to throw out the jar.  It was a sad day in my trash can.  This will be especially hard to do because Jarrett lives on a diet of powdered donuts, diet Mountain Dew and anything chocolate.  Sigh...I can do it!

 

2. Go to the gym/run even when it's dark at 5:30.

 

 

If there is one thing I despise every year, it's "falling back".  UGGHGHGHHGHGHGHGHHG.  Sundown at 5:30 means I just want to get under a blanket and snooze on my couch.  Not this year. Must stay motivated.  My plan is to put multiple, offensive reminders on my calendar that say things like "GO TO SPIN Chubster." :)

 

3. Try to cut out some more gluten and do more paleo things.  I'm one of those peeps that while I won't deny myself some breadsticks here and there, I typically lean out when I eat more protein.  I've been doing a lot of research on cleaning up my diet and have referenced The Freckled Foodie blog a few times.  It's time to get serious about food.  I look at Rachael's results and I'm like "yeah, those stubborn 8 pounds I want to lose can be gone if I just eat better".  So with that, I'll be cooking a lot more of my own meals in the next few weeks.  I have not been doing that lately.  And I love when my stove looks like this:

 

 

4. Bone up on the Omega 3's.  Whether it's taking the capsules or just buying more fish, this is getting added to my diet now.  Again, reading other blogs has influenced this decision as something that's missing from my world.  While realizing that no capsule/vitamin/pill is a miracle pill, research has proved that taking this can seriously help with your gut.  And by gut, I mean gross issues with it.  Like bloating, cramping, IBS....I won't go into detail but it's a good thing.  (Thanks, Martha)

 

 

That's my plan starting this week.  I've already pre-cooked some healthy meals for this week, so I'm looking forward feeling even better in the next few weeks.  For all those times that I promised before and after pics, I haven't done them yet because to be honest, I'm still not happy with the progress.  I can definitely do better.  Let's see how at least 30 days of clean eating and working out impacts those picture finally.

 

10/31, you guys will see a side by side of today and a month from now...it's a promise!

 

Hope you all have a fabulous rest of your weekend!

 

Weekend Recap and Early Morning Workout!

 

Hey guys!  I've been missing from blog-world for a bit but I have good reason.  I had Friday off and my mom came into town and last night we had a birthday function so I haven't had a chance yet to recap all the fun things this weekend.  Here's a little look into what was one of the best weekends I've had in awhile.

 

I LOVE when my parents come to visit, but it's even more fun when my mom comes down and we can just do girly stuff.  She came down to do my bridal portraits.  Unfortunately, I can't post any of them (and I'm DYING to), so you'll have to wait until December.  But we kicked off the weekend with some good food.  If you're ever in Charleston., you MUST go at The Tattooed Moose.  Weird name, amazing food.  And they have duck fat fries.  I have no words :)

 

Saturday morning, I was excited to start the day and woke Mom up at 6:00 AM to go catch a sunrise on the beach (I know, we don't sleep in on weekends, that's just how we are). She and I both do some photography on the side and have been trying to do this every time she's here.  Here's a few shots of a beautiful morning:

 

Sun just coming up

 

Sun was up at this point, so gorgeous...

 



One of my favorite pictures, there was a memorial service on the beach and families were tossing flowers into the ocean, which would wash back up on the beach.  I didn't want to intrude on their privacy, but this was such a cool picture and very meaningful.

 

Working on my zoom techniques and manual settings.  Some 'shrooms by the beach.

 

What an awesome morning.  We went shopping for mom's MOB dress.  I think we found a few things, but Dillard's didn't have a ton of sizes, so no purchase this time.  But she looked beautiful in everything.

 

Saturday afternoon was super girly and fun.  I did a trial run with my hair, and my hair stylist Maryann brought her super cute 8 week old baby Remington. I love the smell of baby and all their cuddly sounds.  So sweet. I digress.... My best friend Ashley joined us to help with photos and was a TROOPER.  Thanks to her, I will not need to have my dress dry cleaned before the wedding.  She was amazing.  She made a gorgeous bouquet of red roses for me.  I tell ya, I have good friends and family and this weekend made me realize that even more.  Super thankful for all of them.

 

Sunday we went shopping and just enjoyed each other's company until is was time for her to drive back home.  I have to admit, I was so sad to see my mom get in her car.  We had such a great time.  A few tears were shed.  But we have a shower coming up in a few weeks and I'll get to see her then.

 

That was my weekend.  What did you guys do this weekend?

 

This morning I taught spin for the first time ever.  I got real excited at the sight of these after such a long time!

 

 

It was a great class and I followed up with about 15 minutes of weights and abs.  Every time I teach early, I am always kicking myself for not getting up early EVERY SINGLE DAY and getting my workout in.  That may be a new goal this fall.  While I loved all my portraits this weekend, there is some arm and just overall toning that will be in the cards in the next few weeks.  But so far, still loving the weight loss progress. And I am really jealous of the 5 AM club that I read so much about because they get to go home after work most days and NOT work out while I try to motivate myself after work. 

 

There's finally a little touch of fall in the air, so I'm hitting the showers, putting some cinnamon in my coffee and heading to work 

 

Happy Tuesday you guys! 

 

Anger is a good motivator to not be angry anymore

Let me honest with you guys.  I started to write this post about 10 times and it pretty much started like this:

 

as;dlfjkasl;dkfjasl;dkfjasl;dkfjasdl;fkjasldkfjasld;fkjasdlfjads;lfkjads;

 

AKA...raging river of furious words and venting.

 

Every time I started the post, I would stop, sigh, delete...and then try to re-word how I was feeling.

 

To explain how I was feeling, I let something really small take me down.  As in should have kept my cool, not let it bother me, just kept on going.  But I didn't.  And I threw myself into work, meetings, responsibilities to take my mind off of it. 

 

When I got home today, I had this excited feeling of opening up my laptop and just letting out all my anger and frustration.  I thought about putting my Carrie Bradshaw hat on and just letting the words flow.

 

 

But as I sat here and struggled to articulate a decent post, I changed direction completely.  I did something I've been doing lately when I just need a sign or some inspiration.  I went and read other blogs for a bit.  I hopped over to Brandi's AKA Mama Laughlin's blog and re-read her post from last week called "Don't Let Hate Breed Hate".  This post was so amazing.  A woman that read her blog and struggled with her own weight issues admitted to being a hater.  Of being jealous of ML's weight loss and the amazing accomplishments in her life.  The best part of this post is the response that Mama Laughlin gave.  It was one of true class and character.  Rather than get angry and not be understanding, she offered encouragement.  In a world where so many women tear each other down, she took the high road.  I read this again tonight for the second time and realized that sometimes in life, you just have to step back and let things go.  You can't be angry at every person or thing that doesn't "get" you.  You have to be you, but you have to handle things with grace and positivity. 

 

I hopped over to my friend Beth's blog at That Little Spark and read today's post (again, because I read this during coffee/me time this morning).  A lot of you already know that Beth re-designed my blog and did an amazing job.  Since then, we've become good buddies and some days I read her posts and I'm like "we were separated at birth and share a brain?".  And she is SUPER sweet.  Girlfriend tried to send me a thank you card for working with her, but it got returned in the mail to her, but that's a good person right there. 

 

Anyway, I digress, but her post today was about not letting the "ants" in life take you down.  And I love this quote from her post and feel like I should Pinterest-it up on a palette and hang it on my wall it was so good:

 

"In the midst of all of life's frustrations, I'm thankful for the fight inside me to keep going."

 

That was deep and awesome...Thanks Beth!

 

So after reading both posts and gaining a little perspective, I grabbed my running shoes and headed out the door.  My walk started off at a fast pace (because I was still mad).  I had so many thoughts and my feet were trying to go one direction, so 10 minutes of coming close to looking like a mall walker, I broke into a good run.  It lasted for 45 minutes.  And in that 45 minutes, I had some things happen to me that just made me smile and I felt the heaviness start to lift off my shoulders little by little.

 

I passed a lady and her yorkie on the running path.  As much as she tried to restrain that dog, that little stinker broke away from the leash and ran towards me like I was its long lost best friend.  And she licked me all OVER the face.  I did not care at all.  In fact, I wanted to steal her and bring her home with me.

 

A serious looking cyclist-type passed me on his bike.  I heard him coming the first time and was able to get out of his way.  On the way back, I heard a bicycle bell and expected it to be a little girl with pink streamers and a basket on the handlebar.  Nope, same guy.  Seeing him be all serious with his tiny little bell made me giggle.

 

And the last thing that put things in perspective tonight was turning the corner to come home, looking up...and seeing a full moon.  I had to smile and shake my head at the thought of God putting that up there for me to see on the last part of my run.  And at that moment, what I went through today didn't seem quite so bad after all. 

 

I always said that this blog would be a positive space and I plan to keep it that way.  Even though I may post about how things my drive me crazy (like Matt Lauer or people forgetting how to drive when it rains), I can't let anger seep into this space I've created.  People have told me how proud they are of me.  How much I've inspired them.  How they wait on my post to appear in their Facebook feed.  It's an honor to keep writing and being accountable to my friends, old and new.  Anger motivated me to be productive today and it also motivated me to not be angry for longer than I needed to. 

And with that, I let it go. 

 

Night y'all!

 

It's DEFINITELY a Monday

Hey guys! I'm back after yet another weekend of...you got it, FOOTBALL!  Are y'all tired of it yet? After 3 weeks on the road, getting dirty in dusty parking lots and smelling of beer all day (not me, everyone else around me), I'm ready to get a pedicure, a massage, and eat some swanky salad with goat cheese and pine nuts  No more hotdogs or hamburgers for a bit.

 

Anyway, nothing special about this post today.  It's going to super random.  Most of it will be about how challenged I am and how I don't love Mondays. 

 

 

I'll start off with saying that yes, I'm still a new blogger, and yes, I struggle my butt off sometimes.  Like the fact that I was commenting like a crazy person on all my fave blogs lately but wouldn't get any reply emails.  And I was all sad because I thought my comments were lost forever to the interwebs...this was how I was feeling...

 

 

Today, I decided to check my gmail, because I never check it and LO AND BEHOLD, there are all my blog emails from Mama Laughlin, Katelyn at Imperfect Perfection, Nerky Meg, Beth Bradford (blog design queen!), Jessica from Carpe the Sangria, Jenna from Jenna Rae Everyday and Holly Stanfield.  I mean, really, I am challenged.  BUT I did take the time and effort to respond to all of THEIR emails to let them know I'm not super rude.  I'm just kind of special when it comes to certain areas of my life.  Sigh...Monday brain lapse...moving on.

 

My work laptop has decided to go on the fritz and not function properly.  It stops working for 30 minutes at a time at random points during the day.  And then I get the spinny circle, and it taunts me, and then I have to shut it ALL down, sometime twice.  And it's usually during something important.  Like work. 

 

In MORE work news, the company I work for has started catering our lunches everyday.  So that sounds awesome and all (and it is) until they place out a giant box of these:

 

SO truth be told, I don't really have much of a sweet tooth, but it's close to lady time and I could eat bout 10 of these cookies.  OR get mad about something dumb and then crush them all in my hands and throw them in the air like confetti.  Aren't hormones AWESOME!?!?!??! (Jarrett just read this and probably decided to stay with his brother the rest of the week)

 

But I managed to keep it in control and just have 1.  And not throw things.  Good job. 

 

I heard someone use the phrase today "that's arrowing out"....meaning "that's erring out" and was really tempted to correct them.  Like really?  Are you a Google map pointing to something???Grammatical things like that in a professional environment drive me insane in the membrane.  I think it's all beacuse my world history teacher in high school used to say "Be PACIFIC when you answer your questions".....Um, no, that's an ocean, not an adjective.  That crap has haunted me for 15+ years.   If you guys want a really awesome post about grammar issues, go read The Alot over at Hyperbole and a Half...... awesome and love her drawings.  Also check out the post on The Sneaky Hate Spiral.  That could totally qualify for a Monday post.

 

 SO that was a taste of my Monday.  Nothing huge, just little annoyances.  How do you combat annoying things that could somehow ruin your day?

I ward off Mondays the following ways:

 

Work out!!

 

 

Putting on some new lotion from Bath and Bodyworks.  Have y'all smelled this Pink Chiffon? It smells like a unicorn crossed with a Care Bear.  Simply fantastic.

 

 

 Wine ALWAYS helps...

 

 

 Flowers are nice too.  I love mums in the fall, they are my fave...I didn't even buy these, just seeing them at the BI-LO made me happy...

 

 

 Last but not least, being reminded that all bad days can turn out great.  As I pulled into my condo tonight, this was the sky after a bad thunderstorm.  Amazing.  Love that even the worst days are just a day. 

 

 

 Hope you all had a better Monday than I had.  Exciting things ahead this week because I'll be getting my bridal portrait done this weekend (thanks, Mom) and I can't wait to show some sneak peaks.  No dress shots obviously, but if some cute face pictures turn out ok, I'll post up one or two.  Meanwhile, you'll just have to wait until December 15th like the rest of the world.

 

At least today is over with.  Let's get on with the rest of the week.  Night y'all!