So I've been sitting here trying to figure out what to call this post, because it's going to be full of random things. I have lots on my mind that I just need to put out there, so be prepared for some bouncing around...
First, I want to start off with my trip to the spa last week. Can you say heaven? Yall, if you haven't been to Spa Reveil in the Domain, you need to go. For real. I purchased one of the package deals, and I had a $20 off coupon...so the price was not too shabby. With any service you book, you get to use all of the amenities - locker room, showers, sauna, sanctuary lounge, etc. So when you go, be prepared to take your time and stay a while (oh, and if they ask - tell 'em I referred ya!). Anyways, that morning I got up and told my husband to not expect me for a few hours. He said not to worry, to relax, and just let him know when I made it and when I was heading home. So that's exactly what I did. I packed a bag with a change of clothes and a protein bar, and I left. When I got to the spa, I was like Heck YES.
I parked in one of the "spa only" parking spots like a fancy lady, and headed inside. When I made it into the locker room, I changed into my robe and slippers, turned my phone off and left it in the locker, and went to the lounge to wait. After my massage (which I'm pretty sure I drooled on the floor during), pedicure, and everything else - I decided to go check out the sauna, aka "hammam". It's this dark room with tile all around the ceiling and floor, and marble slabs that you sit on. I wrapped up in a towel, set the timer for 20 minutes, and went inside for what would be the most glorious 20 minutes of my day. All you can hear is the sound of relaxing music piping in, the soft sound of the steam starting to fill the room, and the occasional drip of water. I closed my eyes, breathed deeply, and just let go. I didn't think about work, my business, what all I had to do, or anything else...just what was going on in that moment. After a few minutes, I opened my eyes and all I could see was a foggy mist, and beads of sweat pouring off of me. I closed my eyes again and made a promise to myself - that no matter what happens in the future or how crazy life gets, I will always take care of myself. After I left the sauna, I took a shower and used loads of the shampoo and stuff in there just because I could. It was great, and much needed. Note to self: always have a spa day in the budget.
The week after that was pretty crazy. I had two Christmas parties at work to plan, and I needed to finish shopping. I'll admit, that promise I had made to myself went to the way-side a bit. I let the stress of everything get to me, and I turned to food for comfort. I only missed a couple days of working out though, so it wasn't a complete sabotage. I made it through the week, and ended it with a Boot Camp Christmas Party. I was a little nervous to go, but I went because I knew my friends would be there. I literally sat in the parking lot for 45 minutes playing on my phone before I went in though, because I didn't want to walk in to a room full of people by myself (neeeerd alert!). It may not seem like it online, but I'm really shy in person. I don't like being in front of people, and I get really nervous in big crowds. Anyway, I made it in, and had a blast! My coach was there, along with all my friends and tons of other "campers".
Love all of you! :)
I had a great time, and this was a much needed fun night after such a crazy week! What I didn't expect was the random people coming up to me and saying, "I follow your blog...I'm a huge fan on Facebook...You're the reason I keep going!". I was a bit speechless when this happened. Afterwards, I felt like a total jerk because I realized I just kinda stood there when these people were trying to talk to me. I promise it was purely because I didn't know what to say!!!! I'm just a normal person, who happened to start a Facebook page, and a blog to try and show friends and family what I was doing to lose the fluff...I didn't intend on inspiring anybody or for it all to blow up like it has. But dadgum, it's pretty dang cool! I still don't get why I inspire people, but I'm just gonna keep on being me...and if that helps you in any way, then I am so glad!! I figure if I can spark a fire in one person's life, then sharing my journey is alllll worth it. :) And if you ever see me out in public, please don't be afraid to say hi to me - I promise I'm not a snob, just quiet!!
After I got home, I watched a Dr. Phil episode then went to bed. I didn't wake up until 10:51! I haven't slept in that late in YEARS, didn't know I could still do that. When I got up, the hubs had already cleaned the kitchen...score! Maybe I need to sleep in more often.
:-P I made us some breakfast (or, brunch I guess), and got started on cleaning up around the house. We decided to decorate a gingerbread house together, and this is how it turned out...
Note: the gingerbread man is now a woman - hence the boobs (courtesy of the hubs)
After that, we got ready and headed to town to meet my family for supper and to walk around the square in downtown Georgetown. If you're in the area and haven't done it yet, go check it out - it's really pretty with all the lights! :) We even stopped to take a pic together in front of a cute little church (don't kill me for posting this Joel)...
Next thing I knew, it was Sunday already. I got up, conquered HEB, and went back home. I finished up with laundry and cleaning, wrapped a few presents, helped my hubby with some woodwork (homemade gifts), and then parked it on the couch...for a looooong time. I watched a movie, played games on my phone, and ate half a bag of white chocolate chips. Then I ate pizza. And I drank two vanilla cokes. Yup.
Now it's Monday. And Christmas is in 3 days. Holy moly. I think next year, I will just take the whole month of December off, and dedicate it to decorating, shopping, and wrapping presents. :) One can dream, right? I've still got to get one more gift, wrap a few things, and make a ton of white chocolate peppermint bark tonight (and yes, I fully plan on eating some-quality control peeps). We are heading out tomorrow night to head to Louisiana to visit my in-laws, and then coming back on Friday to do Christmas with my side of the family.
After that, I will be in full-on work-mode (not work work, but for my business...I have a full-time job, and I run a business - yes, I'm crazy). I've got a huge 2-day bridal show, a wedding, two wedding consultations, and another wedding show all planned for January. After that, I've got weddings booked every month through June (except February...which I'm hoping will be filled with Valentine's Day orders?).
How am I going to do it all? Good question...I will just have to figure things out as I go. You can only plan ahead so much, and then you just have to hope for the best.
There are lots of things going on in my life at this moment that are hard for me to believe...I own and operate my own business (which has been a dream for years), I'm going to be buying a house with my hubs (hopefully) next year, and I only have a year and 3 months to be a "20 something". I don't have my life all "figured out" right now, and I dont know if I ever will. All I know is that I'm chasing my dreams, and I'm trying not to lose myself in the process. That being said, I have been doing alot of thinking about my health/fitness goals for next year. Instead of having one huge goal that I'd like to obtain by the end of the year, I have lots of little ones...that I've broken up into 12-week phases:
Phase 1 (January-March):
- fix relationship with food
- get in the habit of tracking in myfitnesspal more consistently
- don't keep foods in the house that can trigger a binge
- learn that food is fuel, not therapy
- lose all fluff gained over the holidays
- finish reading The Power of Now
- stop worrying about what other people think
- fix form on exercises
Phase 2 (April-June):
- get below 22% body fat
- get stronger
- increase weight amounts in boot camp
- add in one day per week for solid weight lifting
- start training for BattleFrog
- go stand-up paddleboarding in a bikini...without shorts
Phase 3 (July-September):
- build more muscles
- increase weight amounts in boot camp again
- increase weight amounts on weight lifting days
- assess macros/calories; look for any possible necessary changes in eating habits
- be able to do at least 5 pull-ups
Phase 4 (October-December):
- get below 18% body fat
- go on a vacation with my hubs
- kick butt in the Austin Texas BattleFrog Obstacle Race 15K (scary? heck yes. bring it.)
Since it will be my last year to be in my 20's, I plan on living the crap out of it.
I will be completely transparent...sharing successes and failures, ups and downs, screw-ups and wins. I've got big plans, and I can't wait to share them with yall! Thank you to each and everyone one of you for even showing an interest in what I'm up to, supporting me through this whole year, and being there to listen to my crazy self. Your support and encouragement means more to me than you'll ever know.
Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year Yall!!
