Charming

This is just one of the many reasons why I love my husband: 

(Mark snuck this on to my grocery list)

For us, it's always been the simple things, the little gestures - they go a long way to maintaining the love, respect, and sillyness in our marriage! 
-Linds

Goals

It seems I took a brief hiatus from blogging. I'm not sure if it was lack of motivation from being sick for so long, or just a general unwillingness to share, but it seems the writing bug is trickling back so I thought I'd jump on it while the energy is here. 

Today I would like to discuss my fitness goals for this year. 

#1: Squat 160lbs (1 rep max)
#2: 20 full push-ups consecutively 
#3: 1 complete unassisted pull-up 

I am also continuing with my no french fries (almost 2 full years, and still going strong), and have added no potato chips to the docket as well. 

In addition, in order to maintain better body positivity, I have decided that I am only allowing myself to jump on the scale to weigh myself once a month (in an attempt to avoid negative feelings when I see the scale fluctuate a pound or two), and I will be taking progress pictures on the 1st of every month. Unfortunately, I missed January 1 (remember, I was sick for two months straight) however, here are my progress pictures for February and March 2017. I can honestly barely tell a difference, yet I am approx 4lbs heavier in the March 2017 photos.  

(February 1, 2017)

(March 1, 2017) 

My fitness regime is currently following along with Fitness Blender's FBFit program. I do 5 days a week of varying lower body, upper body, cardio, abs, stretching, etc. I also walk 5 days a week approx. 20-40 mins a day with my furry trainer (up and downhill), and I play volleyball 2 to 3 times per week for approx 2 hrs a day.

I am trying to stick with relatively "clean" eating habits, but this is the area I tend to struggle most with. I am however, choosing lots of chicken, veggies, and rice for dinner times, and a lot of veggies and hummus or fruit and yogurt for snack times.

Where are you at in your fitness lifestyle?
-Linds

Negativity

I can be a very negative person...and that's okay. 

But, I think it is finally time that I face this reality. 

It used to only be Mark that would point out the fact that I can have a very negative mind-set (usually in the middle of some sort of petty disagreement). However, lately I have had a few people "jokingly" comment on how pessimistic or defeated my attitude is. A couple times it has simply been in relation to my lack of feeling fufilled at work, or after a lousy night at volleyball, but other times it seems to just be a "vibe" I give off to people.

Everytime someone makes a comment, I can't help but feel a bit of a reality check. I used to think I was so good at keeping my internal struggles closed off from others so that I didn't seem weak or vulnerable, but it seems there are cracks in my armour.  So I am summoning up the courage to say some things aloud - who says I must hide anyway?  

I do not always feel happy, but I'm definitely not always sad.

I don't know if I'm on the right career path, but I like my job...but it just feels like a job.

Sometimes I feel worthless, yet no one has ever said those words to me.

I judge my body...and my mind.

Sometimes my highs are way to high - I hate arrogance.

I  don't make friends easily but, I wish I meant more to people.

I believe jealousy is a positive quality.

These are all tough things for me to say "out loud." I know that what I feel is okay to feel, because it's part of what makes me who I am. I am however, struggling to maintain trust and confidence in myself and others, and therefore I think it probably couldn't hurt to look for guidance/support.

-Linds