Inspiration NOT Thinspiration

I have been totally MIA and I apologize.

I went to my parents' for a long weekend for my grandfather's funeral and internment, which did not happen. That's another story for another day.

Today I stumbled across this article:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/08/thinspiration-blogs_n_1264459.html?page=1

It made me sick, but I know that we have a huge problem in this society. We think that being skinny, model thin, "perfect," with no blemishes, etc. is what makes us a woman and beautiful. First and foremost, most models are close to 6 feet tall. It is easier to look thin when you're that tall than when you are 5 feet tall. But, we all know that these magazines and advertisements are airbrushed. No matter what way you slice the cake, and please eat the cake, they aren't realistic. I am a huge fan of new mantras that I have seen: Strong is the new Skinny. So much better.

I know that I am in the process of losing weight, although I am doing it in a healthful manner and for more than just outward beauty. My insides need to be healthy. My grandparents' both died from heart related issues. That might only be one pat of my genetic makeup, but of my four biological grandparents, that's 50%.

I know that I will never weight 120 pounds, and I don't think I would want to be there. I know that I have wide hips and big boobs and I am okay with that. I don't have a goal weight, I'd like to wear a size 8 again. That's all. I'm not that far, but most of all, I want to be healthy. I want to lift my groceries and not feel over exerted. I want to chase after something and not be out of breath. When I'm ready for children, I want my body to be healthy for it.

I really like this pin I made a few weeks ago:

Source: piccsy.com via Lindsay on Pinterest

Is It Bad...

That I only drink water and coffee?

Is that totally weird?

Occasionally I have tea, and on Saturdays, I have a soda, yeah seriously, one.

I'm just feeling like I'm the only one.

Kinda like Dierks Bentley in:

Anyway, today is my day off from the gym.

I noticed yesterday, while working on my "lats" that they look pretty good in the mirror.

That's good. I think.

I did the Step Mill along with my treadmill and some walking.

It felt good, I hope it works other parts of my legs.

Sometimes, I think I have to lay off the running.

If I crosstrain a little bit, I am thinking that I will be less likely to injure myself.

I'm feeling kind of brave, so I'm thinking I'm going to post two photos.

One from the end of June and one from now of me in my bathing suit.

I hope there is some change.

On the left is June, the right is now.

I think I'm looking better.

My Favorite Healthy Things

These are some of my favorite healthy things and why I love them.

ONE:

running

via

I love running. It is my favorite workout. Its so hard on my joints, but it is my absolute favorite. I love running on the treadmill and outside, but my allergies have made outside running more and more difficult. So, indoors it is. Anyone can run. And you don't have to run fast. Just run.

TWO:

water

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I'd be lying if I told you I only drink water BUT I mostly drink water. Especially during the week. During the week it is coffee in the morning and water. That's it. I don't need any other beverages. I've given up my diet soda habit, and I only treat myself to soda on the weekends. I like my water super cold, and I ALWAYS have some with me.

THREE:

carrots

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I love carrots. Baby carrots are so portable and easy to snack on. The crunch replaces chips and crackers. I like them plain, personally, but they are good with hummus or ranch dressing (in moderation).

FOUR:

spinach

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I love spinach. It is excellent in salads, I kind of even like eating it plain. I'm very strange.

FIVE:

apples

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There's nothing better than a crunchy, crispy apple. Red Delicious and Pink Lady apples are my favorite, but I will eat any.

SIX:

blueberries

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These are my favorite berries. I love all berries, but I could eat that whole container. I try to hold back, but I love eating them. Delicious!

SEVEN:

heirloom tomatoes

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I love tomatoes, and if I had to pick a favorite, it would be heirloom. I know that the odd colors make them look strange, but they are DELICIOUS. And since they come in so many colors they really make salads and things look so lovely.

These are my favorite healthy things, I usually eat, drink, or do these things everyday.

Busy as a Bumblebee....

What a busy weekend and Monday.

Did I do anything, you ask?

Absolutely not. Unless you consider going to the gym, cleaning, decorating my Relay for Life pole, going to church, more gym, grocery shopping, work, doctor's appointment, and gym. Did I miss anything? I probably did.

Anyway, I'm perfectly healthy, in case you wanted to know.

Another thing, that maybe you didn't want to know, I hope you aren't eating or thinking about eating. I sweat, A LOT when I workout. I should take a photo, but I do not bring my camera with me to the gym. We've always joked with my cousin that we know he is related to my uncle (his mom's brother and my mom's brother) because they both sweat profusely. Guess what? I can join the club too. Too much information, sorry?

I have no photos today, this is boring. I apologize.

Adios.

wash your mouth out with soap, try and keep it clean

If you know me well, you know that curse words don't just roll off my tongue like they do for most people. In fact, I really have to think about cursing and therefore normally I don't. It takes more effort. However, this post is not about the mouth of a trucker or a sailor, or of a 24-year-old lady. It is about my eating. I have been trying so hard to eat well. I've been writing down what I eat, not for the purpose of counting calories (okay, maybe a little bit, because I really want to know), but I want to know what's going in. What makes me feel full, what doesn't. What do I enjoy, what is ho hum.

With all that being said, I'm really trying to eat more real food. By real, I mean, it doesn't come in a box. I've done okay. Clearly it isn't a cold turkey situation. I've been eating lots of fruit and veggies, and trying my best to make sure dinners are healthy and feature less preservatives. I hate milk, I only use it for cereal, so I bought some almond milk and I'll see how that goes. I'm thinking some kind of smoothie tomorrow for breakfast, if it happens I'll tell you about it. Although it would have to include strawberries, bananas, almond milk, and spinach. I don't have anything else for it. Oh well, we shall see.

I'm also thinking the almond milk will taste great in my coffee. We shall see. Soymilk is only okay, but I'm really hoping this almond milk will suffice. No photos, I know, which makes for a boring post. Sorry. Well, here is an adorable photo of my cousin Hannah to end with:

Oh and by the way, check out my sister's blog. She's not going to be able to update all the time, but while she works at Shoshone Base Camp, part of Lutherhaven, in Idaho, you'll see tons of neat stuff.

I guess I have to

I really wanted to blog but now I feel too lazy, and I am actually pretty tired. I've been expanding my blog reading abilities. I've moved from the girly fashion ones, and the funny this is my crazy/silly/abnormal/fill in the blank life ones and now am looking at fitness blogs. I am definitely on the fence on how I feel about fitness aspects. When I lost weight before I definitely didn't have the most tone that a person could really want. I did watch my eating and did lots of running and walking and light strength training. I lost it pretty quickly and I was happy. In Maryland, I gained weight, but under Chris's expertise I should lift heavy weights. I've ready that lifting any weights is good but I did not think that heavy weights was the way to go. I've been really looking at different blogs on what is good and what isn't. I think it is a personal preference. Although, Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred has really buffed up my arms, but that's it. That's really all I have to say. I'm sleepy.