Remember that one time I wrote about my favorite workout excuses?
Yeah, they've been bouncing off of my lips for awhile now. I'm always "trying to get healthier" and I put in minimal effort. I'm trying to put in more than that, but then I get tired. It's dumb.
Then this new job happened along with some amazing schedule changes.
I now only work 4 days a week - leaving me with 3 days to sign up for workout classes.
I arrive at work about an hour early, perfect to walk at least a mile.
I have enough money to afford to sign up for unlimited dance classes.
I tried an amazing class in October, from an amazing Groupon deal. I could only go twice because my schedule decided to switch in between.
The class left me bruised and wayyy too sore. For the first time, I had endorphins from working out and I felt..sexy.
I'm now addicted to Pole Dancing Aerobics.
You don't even know how amazing it is. Before I let my friend talk me into the class I was like "damn, I gotta be a hardcore dancer to be able to do that stuff. Hang upside down? Yeah right!"
Then I went to class and WOO BOY! We're all awkward and laughing at ourselves because we keep sliding down the poles. Dang girl dang, I've got a new-found respect for strippers and go go dancers. Lemme tell you!
But here I go! On Thursday, I get my first real paycheck and I'm going to buy an unlimited month's membership. And I'm going to prioritize classes into my schedule.
So why is this a Wedding Wednesday post you might ask?
Well, for starters...I'm getting that wedding bod. Then throw in there the thought that this is making me way more confident in my sex appeal at home. Maybe I'll even have some crazy dance moves to show my future firefighter husband on our honeymoon ;)
How are you getting into shape for your wedding?
P.s. I'm guest posting on Dreams and Colour today about having a job vs a career. Check it out!
Everyone always tells me "Oh my gosh, how do you work 3 jobs / sleep only 4-5 hours a night / stay skinny / always be happy / etc" and it always comes back to one thing. You could say it's my attitude and my positive outlook on life, but I think on an even deeper level it is determination.
I am determined each day for different things. If I am determined to do something I will do it. Isn't that how life works? Some people claim not to have the drive or determination, when really it is just that they don't care about that one thing they are doing. It's not wrong, it's just why they don't have that drive.
I've been trying to eat healthy but by trying I mean I've been talking about doing it, eating healthy maybe once a week, exercising once a week and calling it a day.
This is my determined face earlier today. And my weird arm.
But suddenly I am determined. Maybe it's because I am back to working one job (mostly, I am working at Bdubs sometimes, too). Maybe it's for some unrelated reason but I'm doing it!
Having a set schedule makes it easier. When I never knew what I was doing I would not be planning ahead for food, exercise, etc. But now I have a set schedule.
Drinking water like a person who drinks water (note, that person is not usually me)
Mon: Leave for work by 545, work 8-4, chiropractor at 6 and then go home. This week I've been asleep by 11, but I know that I will probably start falling asleep earlier.
At school, I have to stay for lunch, forcing me to pack food. If you know me you know I don't like to cook and I don't like to prep (unless I am super motivated) because I never know what I am going to want to eat, it takes too much time, wah wah wah.
Then there came Fresh and Easy. If you don't have a Fresh and Easy, I am actually sad for you. You don't know what you're missing out on. Also, Fresh and Easy is not paying me for a post like this, I am just obsessed. It is like the song, Effin Easy!
It's been my favorite grocery store for awhile, and often I will stop by on my way home from the chiro and pick something up to pop into the oven when I get home. Oh yeah, did I mention it is all preprepped stuff!! Most of it isn't cooked but it is prepared in seasoning/sauces, etc and all you have to do is put it in a cooking vestibule, set a timer and cook! I particularly love their stuffed salmon...2 pieces prepared for 8 bucks.
From the F&E website
I'm in.
On Sunday, I went determined to get some food to prep. Then I found the lunch section. I knew it was there, but I thought it was like most places and you could only get lunch specials at lunch time. Heck no! Fresh and Easy is EASY so you can get it for anytime and stock up.
I did and then some. I got dinners for the week, drinks, etc. I spent about 60 bucks but so far it has way been worth it.
Monday: Mom packed me a lunch cause she's cute, but I sent Iman to work with a wrap and some snacks. I cooked BBQ pork (F&E) and Smokey Corn on the Cob (F&E). I added in Velveeta Mac and Cheese but for the day that was about $15. Dinner fed 4 of us btw, even though it said serving for 2.
Tuesday: I packed Iman and I each a lunch special. One salad, one side, a drink. I added in some extra fruit for me and hummus for Iman. For dinner we had Herb Chix (F&E), green vegetable medly (F&E) and mashed potatoes. Once again, it said serving for 2, but we had enough for 4. My brother had school so I get to take a portion today for lunch. Total: $20
Wednesday: I packed us each lunch specials again. Iman bowls so he will eat something at the bowling alley. I got stuck in LA so I stole internet from Ihop and ate an omelette. Our total is still only probably around $30. Considering it would usually be more and Iman doesn't usually eat at work...this is a total plus!
Today: My lunch is leftovers from Tuesday and Iman has the day off. He is going to a friend's graduation so he will probably eat with him. Dinner is going to be salmon burgers (F&E) and some side dish.
Friday: I have the day off so I will probably bring Iman some lunch and maybe we will go out for dinner.
Saturday: We will probably eat out.
Sunday: Football food, my mom will probably have something amazing cooked that we will eat Sunday night.
It's not all healthy all day, but hey! It's something. My sweet intake has gone down too. WHAT IS THIS WORLD COMING TO?
Anyway, in addition to being in love with F&E, I also am excited about taking a Vanpool. I have decided to pay to ride in one of these because it will be cheaper than the 80 miles a day driving JUST to work and home equaling 4 or so hours in traffic. Vanpool time = 2.5 hours. I love the carpool lane.
As if that wasn't cool enough, it drops off about 2 miles from my work 45 minutes before work. Early morning cardio? Heck yes! Look at me being all active. Then I'd just take a 20 minute bus ride back to the drop off stop.
I am so resourceful.
Also, got a totally awesome notebook to make a lesson plan folder. Can't wait to show you!
How is your Thursday?
P.s. Sorry for the almost 1000 word ramble, I just LOVE this place. lol
Today's meeting of Workout Haters Anonymous (WHA) is now in session. Our topic will be your favorite workout excuses. Who'd like to speak first?
Hi, my name's Raewyn and I hate working out.
This is the dialogue running through my head right now because all I can think of are excuses as to why I absolutely cannot, for any reason work out. Let's face the reality - I'm bad at staying motivated and listening to my dialogue. But last night I got my back adjusted and I'm using it as yet another stop for me to get back on my working out train. I just want to be healthy. Do you hear that brain/body/workout hater inside of me? I just want to be healthy!!!
To get them out of my head, and as a laugh...here are my favorite workout/unhealthy excuses.
1. I'm making healthier decisions. That count's, right?
2. Wearing heels to work counts as calf exercises, right?
3. I'm serving tonight, so I will just run around the restaurant acting like we're really busy!
4. I have a really fast metabolism, so I can eat this 1,000 calorie burger.
5. It's easier to eat food at Buffalo Wild Wings.
6. We went to Ohio State - We walk everywhere! (Mine and Ari's old fave)
7. Working out doesn't give me endorphins.
8. Warrior Queens love themselves as they are
9. I didn't charge my mp3 player.
10. I don't work out.
Aaaand now let's think about how silly all of those are!! I should be making healthier decisions and applauding myself for them, not using them as an excuse to be unhealthy...Okay...the heels one, I actually semi-believe to be true...When I serve and it's slow I definitely stand around on my phone instead of running around the restaurant...fast metabolism or not, that burger is not doing anything positive for me...It is easier to eat at bdubs, but I could get a salad...I don't walk everywhere anymore. I want to, but I do something else instead...I bet if I truly tried to work out I would feel those mothereffin endorphins...loving myself as I am and wanting to make myself feel better go hand in hand, Warrior Queens...My mp3 player is my 2nd weakest excuse...and the weakest? The flat out refusal to work out.
Now that we cleared the air...today is a new day. Time to get crackin'!
P.S. Did I happen to mention that one time when I had a 24 Hour Fitness pass my friend and I told this guy we couldn't go to the beach because we were working. The two of us decided to go to the gym and were happily ellyptical-ing until we saw him there (he was a personal trainer). We then hid behind the machines, laughing hysterically for 2 minutes before peacing out to get 99 cent cupcakes down the street. Total Gym Time: 10 minutes. Cupcakes: 1 Raewyn: 0
It's never been my intention to make this blog about looks or anything like that. When people hear I want to start my own magazine they say "Oh! Like Seventeen?"
No.
I don't want my magazine/blog to be about looks, fashion, getting the guy, mainstream things, etc...there are already countless magazines that do that.
I want my magazine to be more similar to BYou [which, pardon me for a moment but scared me because I want to change the world, I don't want someone else to...]. But then I stopped having my little hissyfit in my head and realized that...I just want to change the world anyway I can.
I join and volunteer with nonprofits because I want to help. I write articles that I think are meaningful, and I try my best to be supportive in everything. There is a niche for me - even though the magazine may have the same ideas as me, we are not one and the same, nor would our magazines be one and the same. [[Thanks daddy for reminding me of that!!]]
While coming to that realization, I also realized that avoiding talking about looks and body image did not benefit me or my readers. I am still a human being - a female human being who has spent her life being bombarded with society telling me to care about my looks. So, of course I do. Ignoring this is like pushing it under the rug.
I was skeptical at first about posting about my journey to getting healthier [[think of the wording. Not losing weight or being fat...those are the words they want us to use. No, I'm using this warrior queen word called HEALTHY. It is different for every person.]]. But I posted my Wanted: An Accountability Partner post on Friday because I was fed up with my own lack of motivation.
I got some support for it! Woooo hoooo!! Then today I saw Brittney's Reality Check and decided to just go for it! Do it!
Of course, I'm starting this my bday week and when I'm going to Vegas, but that's okay.
I am holding myself accountable for all of my choices and actions. Only I can make changes in my life, only I can control the outcome because I control my reaction.
Raewyn
