It's been a little while since my last post, and I really want to get back into the routine of writing more regularly!

Stress of the wedding has started to get to me.  I've been putting off some of the more intimidating wedding projects and by doing so it's made me procrastinate on basically everything in my life.

Luckily for me I have amazing friends who came over and helped make 140 s'more kits for wedding favors.  They look amazing and I am so excited for our guests to receive such a personalized gifty :).  We had a fun night full of laughter and conversation, and I cannot express how much I love my friends!!! 

The next day we hiked the ski hill and checked out the ceremony location that Cody and I chose.  It is truly magical up there on the mountain and I am hoping with all I've got for beautiful summer weather to celebrate our marriage day.

The mixture of wonderful friends and a great hike made me stop and think.  I've been really critical of myself over the past little while, kind of giving up hope on myself.  I'm frustrated by my lack of energy, resulting in no workouts and no food prep.  Though I'm still mostly making healthy choices, I've been giving in to some temptation and while temporarily satisfying, it's mostly really disappointing to eat something I know isn't good for me.  I reflected on what I've been eating lately and realized one of the reasons I'm having such negative progress is my lack of food intake!  Because of the no food prep I've been eating less and it has definitely impacted my prior gains.

So...  For my 4 day week I am going to focus on the following:

• Food prep!!!  Have snacks and meals available.
• Daily exercise, whatever is appealing.
• Get more sleep!

In other news, my no tomato plan has been going well!  I have been able to avoid my two faves, ketchup and salsa, but every day I long for ketchup on my sweet potatoes.

XO - Michelle

Calming Down & Back in the Kitchen!

Wedding countdown is at 18 freaking days today.  In some ways that feels really short, and in other ways really long.

To say I am feeling pretty amped up would be an understatement.  I stayed up past midnight on Sunday night searching the internet for the *perfect* colour of baker's twine for the s'more kits...  I'm not good with being wired and busy all the time, so I decided I really need to practice a few daily routines to make sure I don't get rundown and wind up sick or sad.

I am going to make damn sure I get to bed and actually get to sleep before 10.  Chamomile tea or a warm almond milk, comfortable temperature room, bedtime routine, deep breathing.  This is SO important!

Next is to make sure I get in some sort of activity every day.  A walk, some stretching, an actual workout, a bike ride.  Something!  A time just for me, to clear my mind.  No thinking of anything except how pretty it is outside or how good the movement is for me.

Another thing I need to do for my sanity is to work on something wedding every day.  That sounds weird and obsessive but if I don't do some small task I think I'll feel like I'm falling behind.  The s'more wedding favors are a huge undertaking so they are something I'm going to chip away at daily, among other things.

Lastly is the obvious, stay hydrated and fed. 

I haven't been taking the time to prep cook but last night I finally cooked up a whole tray of chicken breasts, some sweet potatoes, and some gluten free macaroni.  This takes care of at least a portion of my breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.  I also baked a really delicious snack option, click here for recipe!!  Once I got cooking I felt so happy!!  Love being in the kitchen :) cooking and baking are two things I should not neglect. 

XO - Michelle

Focusing On My Face

Yep, that's right... I am focusing on my face.

That sounds funny, but let me explain.  My face keeps breaking out and it is really starting to drive me nuts!  I don't want to have to wear layers of foundation and concealer, I want to be fresh faced!  My doctor put me back on tetracycline and it maybe is helping a bit, but what about the next time I go off of it?

My brother and my mom have had great results from cutting out tomatoes, and unfortunately I think that's my next step.  While I'm normally up for the challenge of giving something up in the name of health, this one hurts.  I don't actually like tomatoes by themselves, but I count on ketchup and salsa to jazz up almost every meal that I eat.

I've decided to make it a 19 day challenge, since that will take us to wedding day!!!  For the next 19 days, no tomato products.  Sigh...  In light of this, I've been trying to think of other condiments that I can use to replace my usual staples.  So far I've thought of guacamole, Amazing Dad's Honey Garlic BBQ Sauce, rice vinegar & lime juice, and hummus.  These sound like delicious alternatives and I think I can do this!!!

In the spirit of cutting things out, I'm also challenging myself to consume no gluten, dairy, or white sugar.  I am excited to see what kind of results I have with this new plan and if all goes well, I'll show you before and after face pics, makeup free.... YIKES!

XO - Michelle

Recap of Weekly Goals for July 7 - 13 & Finding Some Focus

Good Morning!

 

Well our Calgary weekend was a flurry of activity.  From shopping to visiting to wedding attendance to travel it was quite a whirlwind.  

 

I was not in the happiest state of mind when my alarm went off this morning... that is, until I remembered that CODY COMES HOME TODAY!!!  I'm so excited to see him, even if it is only for a day.  He gets to carry on to Kelowna for his stag this week/weekend.  I only am a little sad about our short visit since I know he's going to have such a great time... and since my own stagette is this weekend :) WOOHOO! 

 

RECAP OF WEEKLY GOALS FOR JULY 7 - 13

1. Prepare some snacks for Calgary road trip - I did prepare some snacks!  And they helped very much on the way there.  Unfortunately I feel the need to admit that my inner fat kid made a bit of an appearance and I enjoyed some delicious, bloat-able food.
2. Stick to new workout schedule - No.  Oh dear!  I rebelled against it instantly.  I did get activity in, but not as scheduled and not every day.  I did lose some stomach fat but... I think after Calgary it might be back...
3. Apple cider vinegar with dinner - I only did this for maaaybe 2 nights.  I really really need to get back into this though because I notice a huge, negative difference without it.
4. Early to bed!!! - I did decently well with this one!
5. Work on wedding tasks for a little bit each day - Yep.  Things are rolling with all my little projects :)

This week I've decided to choose more of a general focus rather than making specific goals.  I think it's basically the same as weekly goals with different wording, but it feels refreshing!

MINI FOCUSES: 

• establish a bedtime routine
• reduce stomach bloating
• daily movement
• clean eating

 MAIN FOCUS:

• to feel healthy, fit, and energized so I have fun and don't feel draggy during my stagette!

Well, I had better get back to counting down until Cody's plane arrives, and then counting down until work is over.  These are pretty important tasks ;)

XO - Michelle