My fitness story

I said I wanted to write more about my life (outside of design). I just hope its worth reading!!

Where to start....I have struggled with my body image ever since I can remember. I was never overweight based on the BMI chart but because I am so short petite it showed whenever I gained even a pound or two. I used to play tennis in high school which kept me active and I attempted to work out in college when I bought the gym "classes" pass but that tapered off after I moved off campus. At the time I thought I was "fat" and now I look back at those pictures and wish I looked like that again. I guess its all about perspective.

I know I gained the "freshman 15" and never really tried very hard to take it back off. It seemed as though I gained weight every year through college. VT actually has a very active, fit campus but I was so tempted by all of the amazing food and with all of the late nights I wasn't really doing my body good. It was a downhill spiral until finally I looked in the mirror and decided I DID NOT like what I was seeing. All of a sudden I was very uncomfortable in my clothes and especially a swim suit. I'm sure there were times when the number on the scale dropped but as a whole I had to buy larger clothes every few seasons.

After graduating, getting married, moving to Richmond and getting settled in, my friend Laura invited myself and some of my church friends to take a Zumba class that was super cheap on Groupon. I was so excited because it was my favorite class at VT and everywhere I has looked at in Richmond was so expensive. So what did I have to lose? Well, Laura and I consistently went and when the Groupon ran out we had a big decision to make. The price was going to go wayyy up so we decided to look elsewhere. It turned out we found another deal for an unlimited gym membership. We gave that a shot and I immediately knew that was it. Once that 3-month offer ran out we both chose to become members!

Meanwhile, I found out about the Tone it Up Bikini Series challenge through social media. I invited some friends to do it with me and Gabby and Veronica stepped up to the plate. This challenge was very daunting because not only were we supposed to workout twice a day but we had to record all of our meals. So each night we would email each other with our workouts and food. BUT THIS WORKED because I didn't want to tell them that I drank a coke and ate a brownie and sat on the couch watching tv! NO! I wanted to be proud of what I did. And we were able to share advice and stories. We were also encouraged to take before pictures (which I have) and measurements. And I was amazed when I started losing inches and pounds. However, this was just too much to keep up with and we were unable to consistently continue after the challenge ended.


The following winter was hard because I felt like I lost a lot of my progress. My pants were fitting tighter and I just felt bad. I felt bloated and tired and had no confidence. I was just hiding under all my layers.

This year I decided to give the Bikini Series another try and really commit myself to sticking with it. I took the plunge and bought the nutrition plan. This time I lost 8lbs and numerous inches and have kept it off. Now eating healthy and working out is part of my weekly routine. I've gone 5 months without coke. Of course I still indulge and maybe more than I should but I know that my motivating friends will keep me in check.

(source)

Plus Karena and Katrina are fabulous trainers and I love the tone it up community. Its like one big girl party :) The workout videos are fun and there are a lot to choose from so that keeps it interesting. They are always posting new content and it's FREE! But how do I stay motivated when I get in a slump?

(livelifehappy.com)

-encouragement (from my husband, family, friends and co-workers.)

-accountability (I have a fitness instagram account. I post my check-ins there and connect with other tone it up girls to help keep them accountable)

-the gear (I got those awesome teal Asics and Tone it Up yoga mat *pictured at top* last Christmas so of course I want to put those to good use)

So here are my favorite workouts
-Cardio: Zumba!!! ALWAYS (and my new favorites are Pound and Hitty Bitty Bikini)
-Arms: Bikini Arms Routine by TIU
-Abs: The Best Ab Routine by TIU
-Booty and Thighs: Malibooty workout by TIU
-Stretching/Flexibility :Yoga

and my next journey??? The Fit for Fall Challenge!!! Who wants to do it with me??

(toneitup.com)

Blogtember- Catching Up!!

I am behind on the Blogtember topics so I am going to try and catch up in the next few days. Some posts I will lump together. Ready, set, go:

Monday, September 9: Take this short personality test and respond to your results. (at the end, find the detailed profile of your personality account - click "click to view" under "You" and "self awareness and personal growth." You can even google your type and find more info on it!)

Famous People that are ENFJ's:

-Abraham Lincoln
-Diane Sawyer
-Oprah Winfrey
-Ronald Reagan

-Martin Luther King Jr.

I know there is a lot to read below but I thought it was interesting to find out more about myself. Some things I definitely agree with and some I am not sure fit me, but just read what you feel like.

"ENFJs often find themselves in occupations that require good interpersonal skills to establish productive collaboration as well as to establish or maintain effective work process. ENFJs one of the most “universal” personality types and they build successful careers in a broad range of organizations and occupations. There are many ENFJs found among mid- and high-rank management roles. Sales, various social services, counseling, teaching, healthcare, community care as well as legal and paralegal services are just some of the examples of favourable occupations for ENFJs."- source

"Popular hobbies for the ENFJ include organizing social events, reading, the arts, museums, storytelling, listening to music, writing, and gourmet cooking." - source

All of this information came directly from http://www.personalitypage.com/ENFJ.html

"ENFJ's tend to be more reserved about exposing themselves than other extraverted types. Although they may have strongly-felt beliefs, they're likely to refrain from expressing them if doing so would interfere with bringing out the best in others. Because their strongest interest lies in being a catalyst of change in other people, they're likely to interact with others on their own level, in a chameleon-like manner, rather than as individuals."

"Which is not to say that the ENFJ does not have opinions. ENFJs have definite values and opinions which they're able to express clearly and succinctly. These beliefs will be expressed as long as they're not too personal. ENFJ is in many ways expressive and open, but is more focused on being responsive and supportive of others. When faced with a conflict between a strongly-held value and serving another person's need, they are highly likely to value the other person's needs."

"People love ENFJs. They are fun to be with, and truly understand and love people. They are typically very straight-forward and honest. Usually ENFJs exude a lot of self-confidence, and have a great amount of ability to do many different things. They are generally bright, full of potential, energetic and fast-paced. They are usually good at anything which captures their interest."

"ENFJs like for things to be well-organized, and will work hard at maintaining structure and resolving ambiguity. They have a tendency to be fussy, especially with their home environments."

"In general, ENFJs are charming, warm, gracious, creative and diverse individuals with richly developed insights into what makes other people tick. This special ability to see growth potential in others combined with a genuine drive to help people makes the ENFJ a truly valued individual. As giving and caring as the ENFJ is, they need to remember to value their own needs as well as the needs of others."

What is your personality type? Do you share the same one as me?

Guess what day it is??

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Haha...I couldn't resist!

I don't normally post when I don't have a specific topic but it has been a strange week so far and I need to share some things. It also just so happens to be Random Wednesday with the lovely Shanna!!

1. I had a flat tire Monday morning. Tim's cousin Joey saved the day. He came and put my spare tire on and even came to the garage with me to get it fixed :)
2. Tim's phone broke and he has been without one since Sunday...lets just say I DO NOT like when I can't get it touch with him.
3. I lost my watch yesterday....and I am embarrassed to say that after looking EVERYWHERE including our trash, I found it right where it belonged.
4. After so much hype about wanting to go the Band Perry concert, I missed it...it's going on as I am typing this actually. Oh well, still planning to see Darius Rucker.
5. Artie had his first trip to Virginia Tech's campus and HE LOVED IT! We took him to Burruss and the Duck Pond. He chased the ducks right into the water :)

We got him a hokie bandana!

He is on a leash, you just can't see it!

Some other things not related to this week...

1. Everything is happening on October 19th! Seriously.... we have been invited to 2 weddings on that day, its my Grannys birthday, its when the So You Think You Can Dance tour is coming to VA Beach and it's when Highpoint Market starts!!
2. I have been in a baking/cooking mood lately. I made chocolate chip banana bread, homemade chips (in the microwave) and Gabby and I fixed Mexican Black Bean Soup and 7up biscuits. I think its because fall is coming. I also want to make some homemade ice cream before it cools down. Got any good recipes??
3. I hit 300 followers on Bloglovin :) YAY! I LOVE YOU GUYS! You are the best!!
4. School is starting soon...and I want to go back! If you are in college, soak it all in because you will miss it!!

That's all for now! Happy Hump Day :)

A very special wedding

On July 20, two of our very special friends got married and Tim and I got to stand by their side. Olivia and Chad were both part of our wedding and I couldn't wait for their time to come. They truly are a selfless couple and deserve the best. We have gotten to see their relationship grow over the years and now they are finally newlyweds.

They had a beautiful evening ceremony by the river followed by dinner and LOTS of dancing. It rained about 2 hours before the wedding but Olivia kept her cool and even though it was muddy, the rain did stop before the ceremony (I would have freaked out). Olivia was a stunning bride and I am so honored that she asked me to be a bridesmaid. 

I forgot my camera (again) not that I would have had time to take pictures but my sister did so that is what I have to show you. Also if you want to see more from my friend Denise's wedding, check out her photographers blog post.

I did get two pictures on my phone before the wedding!

Me and the bride before the bridal luncheon

Me and the bride getting ready for her big day :)

Ceremony on the river

Me and the hubby lookin' sharp ;)

Me and the GORGEOUS bride

All of the ladies!

The huge bridal party!

First dance

Cutting the cake

We love you guys and wish you all of the happiness in the world!

and a few pics with Olivia and Chad from our wedding!

Meet Artie!

If you have wondering why I have been absent, its because we got a dog...finally!! Gilligan fell through and we were really upset but now I know its because we were meant to have Artie!! We adopted him last Wednesday and we couldn't be more excited!!

We believe he is a dachshund and beagle mix. They weren't sure of his exact age but they estimated him to be about a year old. So, we will celebrate his birthday on the day we got him: July 10th!

Enough talk...I'm sure you just want to see pictures, right? Most of them are from my phone...sorry!

Artie's 1st Bath!!

After his bath...he loves that pineapple!

Sweet baby!

Sleeping in his bed

Playing with his gator he picked out at Petco

Sleeping with his gator

We love you Artie :)

I have to take him for his 1st vet visit tomorrow...wish me luck!

Will share his adoption story and more about him very soon!!

Marriage Series- Learning and Growth

Ashley @ It Is What You Make It // Kalyn @ Love.Laughter.HappilyEverAfter  // Mallory @ From California to Kansas // Karla @ Forever Newly Wedded // Maggie @ A Weaving of Grace 

Samantha @ Designer in Teal // Veronica @ Passion.Pink.Pearls // Kaitlyn @ Wifessionals // Emily @ Newlywed Moments // Callie @ My Something New With You

Today we will continue the marriage series with Part 3: What Have You Learned From The Unexpected and How Have You Grown As A Couple. Last week we had to discuss the hard moments of marriage so far and the week before we shared the funny and happy times.

I think this is a great topic to share for dating couples and brides to be. I am sharing these personal experiences relevant to my marriage but I certainly don't know everything there is to know. I hope that this series has been inspiring to you so far. I cannot wait to recap our anniversary next week (which happens to be MY BIRTHDAY). 

First of all, what was the unexpected? One major thing that I never thought we would have so much of already is car troubles. Both of cars seemed to be in the shop constantly. How can I really learn from this when its something I can't control?? Well, it has actually made me realize that I am a grown up (darn...haha) and I have to do the responsible thing by fixing the problems our cars have had even if that means throwing away spending A LOT of money in the process. Before I was a Mrs. if I had car problems, my parents would step in and help out. Now the hubby and I have to be sure to budget wisely so that we can save enough money for emergencies like these. I have to give major props to him for keeping us on track with budget. Even though we have had some hiccups with expenses (like the car troubles) he makes sure we are saving money and not spending on things we don't really need.

Another (sort of) unexpected thing has been the job searches. When we got married last June, neither of us had a job. Yikes, right? Tim was going to be in graduate school for another year and I had an internship lined up but nothing permanent. I am not going to lie to you...I was scared. My internship kept getting pushed back to start later and later and I ended up with nothing to do for over a month. I wasn't complaining too much because it was nice to go to the pool or just spend my days as I pleased but our wedding money would last but so long. I started to get really worried when I found out that my internship in fact couldn't turn into a full time job. I felt like I had already searched every firm in Richmond and was losing hope. In the end, I obviously found Courtney's job opening and believe me it was such a blessing. It only got better from there. Tim was able to work part time while in school and now we both have full time jobs!! This experience made me learn to just hand things over to Him and the good will come in His timing. It took a lot of prayers and worrying but God provided for us. Now we are workin' on those school loans!

One last thing that was actually kind of expected, but I learned a lot from was "the holidays". Luckily, our families live really close by to each other because we are high school sweet hearts and from the same town. I knew we were going to have to come up with a game plan for splitting the time between both families. I think we did really well but it took a lot of listening and understand each other and finding out the most important moments in each family's traditions for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I learned that as long as we are together, everything will work out and that family time is so precious!!

I think all of these things have helped shape me even in such a short amount of time and have definitely caused us to grow as a couple. Tim and I have been dating since November of 2005 so we already know each other really well.....Therefore we may not have seen as much growth as "newer" couples. With all that being said, I do think that our communication is stronger. 

I love that we get to spend EVERY day together. In our dating relationship, there were lots of times we had to be apart for school and that helped us to grow as a couple but I am SO thankful to have my best friend by my side forever. 

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Celebrating One Year with my Best Friend

One year ago: June 9, 2012

Today is the day that I patiently awaited walking down the aisle

that I laughed and prayed with my best girl friends

that I put on my white dress and cowgirl boots

that we had our first kiss as husband and wife

that we ate the best barbeque, mac & cheese and cake

yup...he got it all over my face

that we took so many fun and sweet pictures

that we danced the night away

that I hugged everyone that I possibly could and thanked them for being a part of our day

that I gazed at my left ring finger as it was now complete with a wedding band

that all of my hard work became my dream come true (with the help of family and friends)

that we drove away for our honeymoon

 (and I changed dresses :)

One year ago I married my best friend. Happy Anniversary Timothy! I LOVE YOU!

If you are wondering how we are celebrating, you will just have to wait until our anniversary recap in our marriage series.