Finding Contentment

Over the past year, everything in my life has been kind of up in the air. It took me a long time to transition from being a full time student into being a full time employee and now finally a part time employee. This past year has been odd for me and hard for me to ever get adjusted. However, when I decided to live at home for this past year, I knew I wanted to get my health back in order.

 

Throughout university, it was tremendously hard to find time to get all my school and volunteer work done, nevermind exercise. Occasionally I would workout with Sarah or go for a jog (fall and spring) but was never consistent. My body image and self esteem quickly plummeted. I feel jiggly, unfit, and generally unhappy when I looked in the mirror. I let the pounds creep on and it quickly started to effect me mentally.

 

Considering how much I have struggled with my weight and self esteem throughout my life, I knew I had to make my health a priority again. For the first month, I hated exercising and I would dread it all day. But I made myself do it and stick with it even when I had no desire. I always felt SO good after I worked out. I quickly sensed my body changing,  getting stronger and fitter. My mental state rapidly changed as well. I can finally look in the mirror and feel proud and much more fit.

 

I have only lost 5 lbs since I began this journey last fall but I have also gained a lot of muscle. My main goal isn't to be super skinny but rather to be fit, strong, happy, and healthy. To push my body to its limits, to keep improving and challenging myself, and to always do my best. I am a much happier and more positive person when I have my health in check. When I focus on nourishing and caring for my body.

 

Some days I get frustrated and wish that I could drop more weight or workout longer or burn more calories. I have to keep reminding myself that this is MY journey and it will be a lot different from other peoples. My metabolism is slow, therefore it makes it a lot harder for me to lose weight and I have to make sure my diet is always on point. However, I am making time for exercise and I am focusing more on what I put into my body and that's all that matters.

 

 Im writing this to remind myself (and you!) that no one is perfect. All we can do is choose to love ourselves enough to allow for failure to happen and have the determination to get right back up and keep on pushing through. The rewards are much greater than the risks, stay focused and committed. Be content and satisfied with who you are and always be the best you possible every single day.

 

Happy hump day everyone! ;)

Weekends are meant for...

Once again, it's Monday. Another weekend has come and gone way too quickly for my liking and a fresh week is upon us. I must admit that this past weekend was a pretty great one for me. I love weekends with a good mixture of plans and relaxing.

 

 

 

On Friday, my oldest sister Ashley (hi Ash!) came home for the weekend. She arrived Friday evening around 6 and we had a belated birthday supper for her. My Grandma Cook came out to the farm for supper and Brandon was here once he was off work. We had steak, baked potatoes, mushrooms, salad, and angel food cake for dessert. It was delicious! We then just hung out and visited since mom had to go to bed early since she worked Saturday morning.

 

On Saturday, Brandon and I were up and out of the house by 8:30. We were on the road to Winnipeg to see a Jets vs. Sens game. Brandon is a diehard Sens fan and was super excited to see his team play (even if we were cheering for the visiting team). All the way to Winnipeg, he had a huge smile plastered across his face and I'm pretty sure he loved every minute of the game. It was a lot of fun, other than getting booed at when I walked down the hall to the bathroom ha! After the game, we grabbed a quick bite to eat and then were on the road home again. We wanted to get home in good time so we could play some games and have drinks with my family when we got home. My family LOVES playing board games! We played games (and I drank 3/4's of a bottle of wine, oops!) and then we headed to bed. 

There you go babe, your picture is on the blog ;)

On Sunday, we had waffles with strawberries for breakfast and then headed out for a walk since it was +3 finally! In Manitoba, winter has been crazy cold and snowy this year since December. To say that I am excited for spring and summer would be an understatement. After our walk, my sister packed up and headed back to Winnipeg. I had a quick nap, did a workout, and headed in to Brandon's house for supper. We went over to his grandparents to help them shovel out their pathway and their patio. They were so appreciative and we stayed around for supper and to watch a bit of curling. They really enjoy having company and I am always glad to spend quality time with family!

 

This week, I am working Wednesday and Friday and I am job shadowing an occupational therapist in Brandon on Thursday. Otherwise, I am busy purging a bunch of my stuff that I don't use or need and I hope to tackle some of my crafting ideas I have pinned on Pinterest! Now I'm off to workout and snuggle this little cutie some more :)
 

 

Have a great Monday & week everyone! :)

Glorification of Busy

Lately, I have been struggling. To keep sane over the next couple months while I wait for answers on my schooling and also since I am only working 2 days a week. I feel like people these days are so focused on filling up there schedules to the max that everyone is in a constant frenzied, rushed state. I am guilty of this as well. In high school it was rugby, 4-H, and time spent with friends. During university, it was copious amounts of school work and studying mixed with volunteering as much as possible. Now during this "in between" phase, where I unexpectedly have a couple months with a very free schedule, I am at a loss of what to do with all of my spare time.

At first, I felt really frustrated and depressed. I am someone who likes to keep busy and focused on a goal. Brandon often tells me that I am too rigid and stick to plans way too much. He begs me to be someone who goes with the flow more and just enjoys the moment. Its a fair complaint really. I like having plans, whether it be a plan for what I'm doing each day or a big plan for my future. I have mentioned to him that I dont not want to think of marriage, buying a home, or starting a family until I'm done school. I guess, I have always had a plan set out for myself. I always kind of pictured my life a certain way and it scares me to stray from that grand plan.

Essentially, I am always so busy planning my life that I forgot to really live it.

It does suck that I am in limbo right now. I would like to be working lots while I can and before I go back to school. But its okay to slow down once in awhile and just live. For example, this morning I slept in until 8:30, woke up and made myself a nice breakfast, cleaned and organized my room,  did laundry, and cuddled with my pets. This afternoon I plan on working out, going for a walk in this winter wonderland with missy, and having a relaxing bubble bath. I am not sitting around watching endless hours of t.v. or sleeping all day. I am getting things done I have wanted to do for awhile and I am focusing on being my happiest, healthiest self.

I hope from now on I can be more content with being spontaneous and just letting life happen like it is supposed to. Everything has a way of working itself out.

Currently...

I always love reading other blogger's "currently" posts and it's been awhile since I've wrote one, so I thought what the heck. Plus, I like to keep track of all the things I've been up to so I can look back and remember the amazing books I read or the things I am excited about during that time!

reading: I am STILL waiting for Allegiant but Brandon is taking forever to finish it hehe. However, I just finished reading Silver Girl by Elin Hilderbrand and now I am reading The Fault in our Stars by John Green. I cannot get enough of reading lately! I love reading on my lunch breaks, in the bath tub, and before bed especially :)

eating: to be honest, I have been craving naughty foods a lot lately. Last night it was mini eggs and 5cent candies and today I was craving chocolate timbits and poutine. However, I've been pretty good about controlling my cravings and so far have not given into those desires. Also, I made this amazing taco soup this week and it is to die for!

loving: HIIT workouts, coffee, sleeping in, time spent with Brandon, Farm Heroes (how embarassing), and the chance for new opportunities!

watching: Hart of Dixie! I haven't watched it since Season 3 started up and I have been binge watching it while I am staying in town where there is wifi. It's one of those shows that I can't get enough of like Heartland, One Tree Hill, and New Girl (which I also need to catch up on).

looking forward to: finding out about an interview for Occupational, the possibility of job shadowing an OT in the near future, a possible second part time job at a greenhouse, and NICE WEATHER! The weather is so brutal in Manitoba right now, tomorrow is March and I just heard on the radio that we are not supposed to get above zero until April. I need to catch a plane to Mexico stat!

thinking about: how I am excited for a lazy, relaxing weekend with Brandon. Possibly have a date night or supper with one of our best friends, watch some movies/shows, play games, cook, and just hang out.

Here's to a great weekend and happy March everyone! :)

I am a university graduate.

Happy hump day everyone! ;)

Something super exciting happened yesterday, I received my degree in the mail! I am a university graduate... I cant believe it!

I feel like it was just yesterday that I graduated from high school but somehow I earned my bachelor of arts already. In a way, I was a bit disappointed that I cant have a "bachelor of kinesiology". My university just upgraded the kin department last year allowing for a faculty of kinesiology officially. Meaning that since I had already completed 2 years of my degree and I couldn't get a bachelor of kin technically. However its all good since my major is declared as kinesiology. Also, I still consider myself a "kinesiology", it sounds fancy eh?

Anyways, the feeling I got yesterday... an overwhelming feeling of pride and joy was unbelievable. It makes all those days of immense stress and pressure worth it. It makes those days stuffed full of paper writing, textbook reading, assignment doing, and too many group projects worth it!

There were many times I wanted to quit. Many times I doubted my abilities and struggled to keep afloat. Days that I just wanted to be a kid again and not grow up. But I am thankful that I stuck with it. It is an accomplishment that can never be taken away from me. I will frame it and I will cherish it! Here's to hoping I have a masters degree to frame beside it in a few short years!  :)

Life Lately...

I must admit that blogging has taken a back burner lately in my life. To be honest, I was considering deleting this blog all together. However, I enjoy looking back on my posts and reliving moments or memories that I would of otherwise forgot about. The main reason why I started blogging is so that I would have an outlet to express myself, to connect with others, and to share ideas, projects and thoughts. It really shouldn't matter how many people read it or what people think of my blog, cause it's something I enjoy doing. It is hard to keep up with it since my internet at home sucks and I was really busy for the past few months. So we will see what happens with this blog over the next few months.

Anyways, I thought I would write an update on what's new in my life lately. It feels like January and February just flew by and I can't believe it's almost March. It may be because I was working 5-6 days a week 40+ hours. However, now I am primarily only working at my one job (2 days a week) which isn't really enough. I feel like there is no happy medium. I took a year off from school so I could work and save up, so I just wish that I could be working more but it's not the end of the world. This week, I am only working Monday and Wednesday and I am kind of at a loss for what to spend my days doing. I enjoy being productive and busy. I got into a routine of working all day and finding time to accomplish stuff at night such as working out.

To be honest, I am hoping that the next couple months fly by as well. I applied for the Masters program in Occupational Therapy for this upcoming August. I find out if I get an interview at the end of March and the interview will be in April. I am getting impatient and just want to know what I will be up to come fall time. If I don't get into OT, I need to have another plan in place which is stressful. I never knew that being an adult would come with so many tough decisions, too much stress for me to handle. 

It is tough for me not having a plan in place and not knowing what is happening in my future. Brandon just got a promotion at work which gives him full time employment at a higher rate of pay in a stable position. I am very excited for him and proud of him, however it may mean that he is unable to move with me for my schooling! If anything, I hope these next few months teach me a bit about patience and just trusting in the process. Trust that things will work out whether I do or don't get into school. It's honestly so hard for me to just let go and have faith that things will work out. Over the next couple months, I will try my best to enjoy a bit more down time and do things that I have been putting off since I was busy before.

Also, it's February 25th and it's still -25 degrees and snowy in Manitoba. To say I'm over winter, would be an understatement. I cannot wait until spring!!

I'm done rambling now and I'm off to get in a good sweat session to relieve some of this stress. I hope you all have a great rest of your week! :)

Look at the positive side

I'm sure I have mentioned in earlier blog posts that I have been working lots lately. Since I am taking the year off school, I figure I may as well make good use of my time and save up as much as possible. Lately, it just seems like too much. I am working 6 days a week between 2 different jobs. Not to much that I have to drive 45 minutes to and from work every day. It takes a lot out of me and I am in dire need of a day or two off to relax and unwind. I love time to myself. I love the feeling of being organized and prepared, something I rarely feel lately. 

Most days, I just wish for a nap but instead I make myself put on my workout clothes and be active. By the end of the days though, I am completely drained. Last night, I don't even recall when or how I fell asleep. I virtually fell into my bed and the rest is very unclear to me. I know this is just one season in my life and I am thankful for both of my jobs. I'm just craving a break. I want to be more creative and I have a billion DIY projects I want to tackle, I just don't have the time or energy. I am proud of myself however for sticking with my exercise and healthy eating goals (for the most part). 

Life is all about finding balance and seeing the good in every situation. While it's easy for me to complain about how tired I am lately, it's a lot easier to be thankful and grateful for everything wonderful I have in my life. I just must remember to breathe, every once in awhile.