Running = Therapy

Ever since I started doing Nutirsystem, I have also started working out a little bit more. I started out doing Jillian Michaels, which is an amazing program and I'm seeing positive results, I just wanted a little bit more.

I started running again. I was a pretty avid runner in high school and I loved doing it, but between classes, friends, a boyfriend-eventual husband, planning a wedding, moving, I got off track a little bit. I'm the first to admit that I haven't been the best at working out in the past year, but I'm happy to say that thanks to Nutrisystem, I have gotten somewhat back on track. I even downloaded an app that will help me train for a 5k. Which I love.

When I came back from my first day of running I felt alive again. I felt stronger than I had felt in a long time. The more I ran, the stronger I felt. The more I ran, the calmer I was at night and slept better. I started to remember the way I felt when I was in high school and when I ran. I enjoyed it, but it also helped with my overall thinking. After I came back from running, I was on a running high and decided to seriously consider a goal that I have thought about for a very long time. I want to run a half marathon in 2014. This is something that I have been considering for a while. My dad has run two marathons and I'm no where near ready for that, but a half, doable.

Have you ever ran a half marathon? Marathon? Any advice for a first timer?

Nutrisystem Week 2

 

Week 2 was a whole lot better!

Oh my goodness I feel so much better about this system. I figure I just needed to get over the emotional part of doing Nutrisystem. My body is doing a lot better, but it was my mind that needed a little more work. The food is still tasting good and I'm still running at least 3 times a week.

I'm still happy I'm doing this. If you recall in my last post, it took me a little while to get used to the idea of Nutrisystem. It is a change in your life, but if you embrace it and you are passionate about it, you will definitely see results.

This weeks loss: 2 pounds. Total weight loss: 6 pounds.

I'm not dropping weight like crazy and I do have to keep reminding myself that it takes a little longer for women. Especially if you aren't working out all the time. I'm happy with that number. Plus just doing this is really helping me feel better about myself and helping me with my portions and that's what I really wanted.

Staying strong!

I Want

I've been thinking a lot about my blog lately. I've been worried about numbers, who has or hasn't read my blog, and what I need to post. After talking it over with my husband, I have come to the conclusion that none of that needs to matter. I do care about all of that, but Rome wasn't built in a day. Over the past few weeks I have just dreading over how many people haven't been reading my blog. I can only attempt to explain why this means so much to mean. The only way I can express the way I feel is in small sentences, so please bare with me.

I want my blog to mean something.
I want to get up knowing that people read what I write every day.
I want to create something that is worth people's time to read.
I want to create a spot in the big internet world where people can come and know that this is a safe place. They can trust me and what I write.
I want to attend blog conference and bond with other girls who are and have been in the place that I am.
I want to build new friendships.

Am I the only one who feels this way? Sometimes I feel like I'm all alone in this blog world, even though there are so many different people with different views.

With all of that being said, the conversation that I had with my husband turned into what we can do to make these dreams a reality. So there is going to be some changes around this blog. Positive and good changes, but changes none the less. I'm excited.

Nutrisystem Week 1

It has been one week since we have started Nutrisystem and the results have been pretty promising, however that does not mean that this week was easy going and care free. It was hard for me to adjust.

When it comes to eating, I'm doing ok. I have a hard time not eating when I'm at work when people bring food in for everyone. Plus every Friday, my boss brings in doughnuts! So the first week food wise was hard for me. The one thing I am proud of is the way I've been balancing when I go off the system. I feel bad for eating things like a doughnut, but I balanced it by going running when I got home. So I'm happy that I'm doing this early on.

When it comes to exercising, it's hard for me. When I'm all done with work, I'm exhausted. In my job, I have to be happy while talking for 2 hours each tour, which I do two of. I also walk a good chunk of the tour. When I get home, I'm emotionally and physically exhausted. But I have started running again, which I'm excited to report. I downloaded an app on my phone to help me with my running. It's called Couch to 5k, it helps you run 30 minutes for 3 days a week. It's a mix of jogging and walking. I've done it before and really enjoyed it so I'm happy that I'm starting it again.

So far for me I have lost 4 pounds. Which I have to admit, when I saw that, I was pretty excited. I'm very proud of myself.

For Myke, he has lost 11 pounds (dumb guys who lose weight like crazy! Plus he rides he bike every single day).

Week 1 was hard, but I'm still going!

October Birchbox

 

Beauty Buzz

 

 

October Birchbox theme was Beauty Buzz, they put together some of their favorite products together. After seeing the sneek peek video (that they have every month on their YouTube channel) I was excited to see what I would get. They also had a Birchbox find, something in the mass market that Birchbox loves. 

Benefit Fake Up. I have seen this all over Instagram and their website and I was intrigued to try it. I usually get a little nervous trying new stuff, but Birchbox has helped me with that nerve. I have been using it every day since I got it and I love it. I like that it is a concealer and moisturizer in one.

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser and Cloth. I saw this in the video and I was super excited to try it! Oh my lanta I loved it!! I loved the way it felt on my skin and I liked how I used a cloth instead of my hands.

POP Beauty Aqua Lacquer. I put this on right as I got it. It felt really good on my lips and I liked that I have a gloss that also helps hydrate my lips.

Birchbox find: Chap Stick. This chap stick is my new favorite thing. This chap stick is supposed to help hydrate your lips when you wear lipstick. I tried it out on Sunday and I cannot tell you how amazing it was that my lipstick not only stayed on, but my lips did not even crack one bit. They were soft and smooth the entire day. I will buy this and wear it every time I wear lipstick.

I also got a cool paper that said if I buy gimmie Brow from I get 50 Birch points. Awesome :)

Nutrisystem

This is a subject that I'm actually a little hesitant to write about. I simply ask that you be kind in your comments. Myke and I have started Nutrisystem. This is something we had discussed for a while now and we finally took the plunge. We have both gained weight since we got married, so we have decided to take the plunge, we literally just started Sunday.

Nutrisystem sends you 28 days of meals, breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and desserts. We then throw in power fuel foods and smart carbs. Those are a mix of certain foods like yogurts, fruits, veggies, and eggs. Our plan is to set up the foods to eat during the week and write it down what we eat.
My goal is to loose 30 pounds. This will get me down to my high school weight and a little bit more. My main reason for doing this is to make me feel good about myself. I'm sick of seeing my tummy the way it is now and think back to high school when I had a flat tummy and good looking legs. I miss those days and I'm still young enough to get those days back.
We got our meals on Saturday and we couldn't help but laugh. These big boxes just came in with all of this food. The boxes were just so big it was comical.

Airport 101

I have flown many times in my life, mostly from So Cal to Nor Cal. Most of the time I'm by myself. I think our of our 5 years together Myke and I have flown once together, although we've picked each other up enough times. When I was 14, my sister and I were flying across the country by ourselves. My aunt and uncle, who are world travelers, took us under their wing. They drove us to the airport and taught us every little thing that could help us have an easier flight. I still think about them to this day whenever I fly.

Wear your bigger closed toe shoes. Some say you should wear flip flops-to get through security faster. The reason why my aunt and uncle said to wear closed toe shoes was because the plane can sometimes be cooler than the airport. Especially if you are going on a longer flight. Also you didn't want to run the risk of hitting your toe against other shoes or the seat in front of you. Depends on your personal preference-I go closed toe TOMS all the way.

Wear a sweater/blazer on the flight. Again, sometimes it gets cold on the flight. This last flight I wore my blazer for two reasons, I always get cold on planes and I didn't want the blazer to get wrinkled.

Invest in a good carry-on bag. I love my carry-on bag. I got it from my mom about a year ago. The brand is Vera Bradley. Great quality and ever better designs. I love it. It's also good for short weekend getaways or a bag to bring with a change of clothes. I also like that it has a little compartment for me to put my wallet, so I don't have to carry my big purse with me. (Note the one in the picture, isn't the Vera Bradley, I wasn't carrying a lot on the flight so I opted for smaller one.)

If it's a long flight, bring small toothpaste/toothbrush. I don't do this for every single flight, but when I was flying to Australia in college I did bring one. Mostly because I knew I was going to be sleeping on the flight and I didn't want to enter Australia with bad breath. I usually bring mints and gum with me anyway, gum especially to help my poor ears.

Again, if it's a long flight, wear comfy clothes. I do that even if my flight is short I try to wear jeans that are not super tight or pants that I know are cozy, but I don't wear sweatpants. The only time I have ever worn sweats on a flight was a late flight in college.

Just a few little words of advice. I know there is a lot of other advice out there, but these are the big ones at least for me. Been on my mind especially since I've been doing a lot flying lately.

Do you have airport advice?

Me Vs. Lipstick

Let's talk about about lipstick.

I don't like lipstick. Not kidding. I don't like it. I wore it when I was younger in plays and dance recitals, so I guess it's just the memory of being really young and licking my lips accidentally and getting an awful taste in my mouth.

When I was getting married, my mother, knowing my full dislike of lipstick talked to me and explained that lipstick may be a good idea on the big day. I remember rolling my eyes, but then she said I could put lip gloss over it if I really wanted to. She took me to her friend and told her to give me a good solid lipstick that blended with my lips. We picked one and I put it on and I have to admit, I liked it. It was a little glossy, so I was good. The color was Pure by Lip Shine. It even has an SPF of 15 which was awesome. I tried looking for it online, but I can't find it.

Now that I'm trying to be more of an adult, I have become a little obsessed with finding a good lipstick for me to wear. I love the Lip Shine, but I wanted to find something a little more hydrating for my lips, since they dry out so much. Usually I put Chapstick on my lips before I put any type of lipstick or lip gloss on my lips.

There is no denying that I'm a tad obsessed with Birchbox. Anyway, they sent me a few lipsticks that I've tried and liked, but wouldn't really wear every single day. Until they sent me Model Co Party Proof lipstick, color Peony. I put it on and I actually felt grown up and comfortable. I was in love.

I loved it so much I just purchased the classic Model Co lipsticks from Birchbox. I'm planning on purchasing the other neutral colors as well.

Is there a lipstick/lip gloss/lip stain that you like? Do you have a go to? I would love to hear!