lessons lately.

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Ah, what an amazing week it’s been. Spring is in the air, fun things are happening, and I’ve just been all sorts of thankful lately.

I’ve also been doing quite a lot of…oh, how do you say, pondering about life. But who am I kidding? I’m always doing that 😛 Lately, that has looked a bit like…

1) Did you know that awe is awesome for your health? Sometimes I find myself in awe of the dumbest, most insignificant things (I can’t even imagine how I’ll react when I finally start to travel more, ha). But I really want to make it a point to be even more observant of the world around me. Not just nature/sights, but conversations. “Average” moments. Even the tiniest of miracles and surprises.

2) I want/need to start acknowledging my story more. I always discredit it because it’s nothing special - what I’ve “been through” is the same as most other people. Fear. Insecurity. Anxiety. Heartbreak. The same old, same old.

But last week I got a message from a reader that left me nearly in tears because I could so deeply relate. It brought back so many old emotions, and I realized how thankful I was for certain experiences (no matter how difficult they were) because I could empathize with her and maybe shed at least an ounce of hope on her situation.

I’m rambling. But I guess what I’m saying is that even though my experiences/story is similar to so many others, I’m the only one who can tell mine. That transparency, though, it ain’t so easy…

3) Being an adult rocks. Yeah yeah, technically I’ve been an adult for 10 years. But over the past year I really feel like an adult, and it’s awesome. It’s not so much feeling old - it’s feeling comfortable in my own skin, more in control of my destiny, and much easier to let go of the things that don’t actually matter.

4) Flexible dieting is where it is AT. I can’t believe I let myself think that bread, cheese, and even quinoa were “bad” for me at one point. Seriously, that’s not cool.
(left - avocado toast. right - a bowl of awesomeness from Roast Kitchen)

5) I need a personal mission statement. I may or may not be working on it already 😉 The other day I read an article about creating your own mission statement, and I actually got sort of pissed at myself that I didn’t think to do it before. Basically it’s a compilation of your core values, goals, etc. Now that I think about it, I should do a separate post about this - yes?

6) You’re (I’m) never ever EVER too old or too far along to break a bad habit. Same goes for starting a new (good) one.

7) I have a feeling that by this time next year, my life is going to look drastically different. Do you ever feel that way…?

8) I’m a sucker for a good inside joke. The more we have, the more I probably like you.

9) Always ALWAYS sleep on your decisions (when possible). Give a few weeks for the bigger ones. Personal example - if I did not do this, I would own the adorable-but-not-good-decision of a bunny rabbit right about now.

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What’s a lesson you’ve learned lately? With me on any of these?

 

it is well | 4.27.15.

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it is well || girlmeetslife.com

it is well {with my soul}

I actually just posted this on Instagram this morning, but figured I’d share it here as well. This is something that has been on my heart and mind all weekend…

Sometimes I feel like it would easier if this wasn’t true - if life just happened “to us” and that was that. But the truth is that we all have a bigger + fuller purpose - it’s just a matter if we choose to accept it. Saying yes isn’t always comfortable or easy (currently learning that), but look at the lives of people around you who fully know their identity and calling, and living accordingly. It’s not because they’re part of some elite group, it’s because they just said “yes.” (I’m thankful to be surrounded by a ridiculous number of those people, ha.) That goal/idea/life you think about all the time is there for a reason, so what are you going to do with it?

it is well {with my body}

Real talk - I’m working on gaining muscle + losing a few extra pounds before summer. I’m always hesitant to say that because I feel like a) I’m always saying that (ha) and b) it’s almost become taboo in the blog world. It’s like, is it possible to love your body + feel beautiful, and still want to make some changes? I personally think yes, and that’s what I’m doing. Especially since I’ve been getting into fitness more than ever, I want my hard work to pay off!

You guys have seen me go through the whole Paleo journey late last year - doing the Whole30 then trying to maintain a Paleo-esque style of eating for a while after that. While I definitely got a lot out of doing Whole30 and think it’s an amazing program, over the past few months I’ve learned that a Paleo style of eating actually isn’t for me. Health-wise, I think it’s amazing, and probably the closest to how one should eat (I’m not an expert, though, so don’t quote me on that). But the honest truth is that I love carbs and sugar way too much, and I’d rather be “less healthy” in those areas than forfeit what I truly believe is one of life’s greatest pleasures - eating!

So what’s my plan? I’ve been doing the whole “eat whatever I want in moderation” thing, AKA Flexible Dieting. And you know what? It’s working! And not just in the area of losing weight. I feel great - physically, mentally, emotionally, etc. I’m not saying that you can’t feel that way on a more specific eating style, but I’ve realized that this is what works best for me.

For the first time I started tracking my meals so I have at least some sort of accountability. I’m using MyFitnessPal, and it’s been really helpful. I’m not really focusing on meeting my macros 100% (yet) because I’m just trying to get out of the whole clean eating mentality. If Flexible Dieting is something you’re interested in learning more about I highly suggest checking out my girl Brittany Lesser - she’s my guru 😉

I’ll probably be posting more about this! Is that something you guys are interested in?

Any other flexible dieters out there?

workout recap | 4.13.15.

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Weekly Workout Recap | GirlMeetsLife.com

So I missed a couple of weeks’ workout recaps - oops! I’ll pick up with this past week…

Monday 4/6 - 35 minutes Stair Master, 20 minutes weights
Tuesday 4/7 - 45 minute SoulCycle class
Wednesday 4/8 - off
Thursday 4/9 - 45 minute SoulCycle class
Friday 4/10 - 45 minute SoulCycle class
Saturday 4/11 - off
Sunday 4/12 - off

So as much as I love SoulCycle, I’m really going to focus on switching up my workouts more over the next few weeks (I typically try to keep SC to one class a week, but clearly failed on that this past week, ha). I use ClassPass, so I really have no excuse to not be trying more new classes!

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Do you find it difficult to keep your workouts varied? How do you usually switch things up?

 

workout recap | 3.28.15.

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Weekly Workout Recap | GirlMeetsLife.com

I’m going to rewind to last week since I skipped it, although as you’ll see there wasn’t much to report… 😉

Sunday 3/15 - off
Monday 3/16 - off
Tuesday 3/17 - 45 minute SoulCycle class
Wednesday - 3/18 off
Thursday 3/19 - off
Friday 3/20 - off
Saturday 3/21 - off

I was still getting over being sick during this week - which was taking WAY longer than it normally does - so I was doing everything possible to get better. Unfortunately that meant exercise had to go (with the exception of that one spin class), but I really think it helped me to finally recover.

Sunday 3/22 - 30 minutes treadmill sprint intervals, 15 minutes strength training
Monday 3/23 - Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred video
Tuesday 3/24 - 30 minutes treadmill sprint intervals
Wednesday 3/25 - off
Thursday 3/26 - 45 minute Peloton spin class
Friday 3/27 - off
Saturday 3/28 - 45 minute SoulCycle class

Thankfully I’m back to feeling 100%, and it was great to get back to regular workouts. I’m switching it up with some new (supposedly tough) classes next week, so I will let you know how they go!

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Do you typically do the same workout(s)? How often do you try to switch it up?

eats & moves.

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Poor little GML gets so neglected when I’ve had a busy week. These past 7+ days have definitely been that, as I was out of town last weekend for Devoted Conference, then came back and began a work transition. Will explain that more later. All good (great!) things, for sure. And then of course after a long day, my evening of choice looks less like blogging and more like curling up in a ball watching Scandal. Finally made it to season 4, like a boss.

ANYWAY. Excuses done. Here’s an old school healthy living blog post - recapping some of my meals + workouts from the past week or so.

Weekly Workout Recap | GirlMeetsLife.com

Sunday March 1 - off
Monday March 2 - 30 minutes Stair Master + 15 minutes strength training
Tuesday March 3 - 45 minute Peloton spin class
Wednesday March 4 - 45 minute SoulCycle class
Thursday March 5 - off
Friday March 6 - off
Saturday March 7 - off
Sunday March 8 - off
Monday March 9 - 45 minute BFX spin class
Tuesday March 10 - 45 minute SoulCycle class
Wednesday March 11 - off (sick)
Thursday March 12 - off (sick)
Friday March 13 - off (sick)
Saturday March 14 - 45 minute SoulCycle class

Clearly there has been more “off” days than not, but life happens. And getting sick happens (ugh). Thankfully I think I nipped that in the bud before it got any worse, thanks to lots of water, cold medicine, and Juice Press Ginger Fireball.

As for the eats front, it’s looked a bit like…

eats

1) Chick fil A, which we may have gotten more than once while away last weekend.

2) Lightened Up Bang Bang Shrimp via How Sweet Eats. Jessica’s recipes are always incredible, and this one did not disappoint!

3) Easy Chickpea & Vegetable Curry over quinoa. I’ve never made anything like this before, and it turned out SO good. I’m definitely going to be making it again.

4) A big ol’ kale salad with grilled chicken. I joked on Instagram about not liking kale, which is generally true, but this salad was actually pretty bomb.

5) One of my favorite breakfast/brunch meals - the Brooke’s Breakfast Bowl from St. Balmain.

6) Still on that pancake kick. Gluten free jumbo banana pancake topped with Justin’s HONEY almond butter. Swoon.

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How was your week? Any highlights?

style: sporty spice.

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I’ve mentioned before how I never used to pay much attention to wearing “cute” workout clothes. I was that person who was perfectly fine wearing a big old college t-shirt with gym shorts and calling it a day. Not that there’s anything wrong with that 😉

Over the past few months, though, I’ve found myself becoming the activewear junkie I swore I’d never be. I never realized what a huge difference the right, good quality activewear can make! And I’m not just talking about for the actual purpose of exercising.

Discovering that I actually enjoy fitness classes has really made all the difference. Using ClassPass and going to SoulCycle over the past few months has been the first time I can truly say I started to love working out. It has given me a confidence I never got from just going to the gym and doing the normal “30 minutes cardio, 30 minutes weights.” And with that, I want how I feel in my clothes to match the confidence I get from working out. Especially considering I work from home and often wear activewear all day long.

Unfortunately I’ve come to learn that the high quality activewear doesn’t usually do my bank account any favors. BUT, as I’ve always tried to do with my style/wardrobe as a whole, I’ve found the the key is balancing the pricier pieces with less expensive ones, and learning which are worth investing more into.

For example, I’ve found that it’s much easier to get decent workout tops that are less expensive. I love the activewear sections at stores like TJ Maxx, Forever 21, and Old Navy. I scored this Calvin Klein top from Marshall’s.

Calvin Klein activewear

Calvin Klein activewear

Calvin Klein activewear

Bottoms are where I’m okay with spending a bit more. I’m really picky when it comes to the fit of workout shorts/pants because they must be super comfortable or it will bother me the entire time I’m working out. Some of my favorite brands for great workout pants are Athleta, Bandier, and Crane & Lion.

Despite the trendy look of these Lululemon leggings, they are actually ridiculously comfortable and great quality. They’re also cute enough to just wear out and about!

(I’m not seeing these on the Lulu website, but I got them in a their store just 2 weeks ago.)

Lululemon mesh leggings

My girl friends and I refer to embracing this look as “Sporty Spicing” it. I mean, hey, if it’s perfectly acceptable to wear comfy clothes and still look/feel cute, I’m entirely in favor of that.

{photos by Sam Ruby}

What’s your favorite activewear brand?