The former half.

Or, maybe I'll title this "initial recap of 2017." Ugh, this sounds like a work email. It's almost mid-december (what). and... it's crazy to think another year is about to be over, but at the same time it's kinda exciting? Or more so, exciting to think about what has happened in the past 12 months? (and also crazy to think 12 months is not really that much long as it seems)... Obviously this post is a little incoherent/pure word vomit thoughts. So what did I accomplish in 2017? Lots of damn things. Lost some holiday weight in January Gained it all back lol during a bachelorette party Start to become a little more in tune with how diet affects health (especially those ugly migraines...) Had quite a few wakeup calls in regards to health: back spasms, hella migraines, cold and then the flu, etc. The list goes on Attempted the Whole 30. Or should I call it Half 30? Read a lot more than what I'm used to Used alternative medicine efforts to lea...

Here is a stereotypical blog post for Thanksgiving. It will include words such as “blessed,” “grateful,” and “family.” But on a more serious note, sometimes Thanksgiving is a fun time of year.   It’s an opportunity to be thankful and spend time with loved ones. Family time is a mixed bag of feelings. It’s nice to see everyone and spend time, but sometimes you’re also tip-toeing around delicate egg shells and people and their egos and shit. It is a little sad though that we need a holiday to do this at least once a year. And it is very sad that this is actually a National day of Mourning for a population of the country.

Or Hurley. The baby that came after Jackie Pfl. It was October 2014, and I felt like a badass buying a 2015 car. I knew you were the one the minute I saw you on the showroom floor. Your sleekness, your keyless entry, your alloy wheels. Thank you for getting me all over the bay, and through the scary inclines of San Francisco. Where most sedans don't fit, you easily squeezed in. Thanks for holding all my shit as Marlo and I drove you from the Bay to PDX. I loved everything about you. Thank you for getting me through new adventures and experiences.

Dear almost #twentyfine- year-old, The beauty of getting older is you have fewer effs to give. Your priorities for the upcoming year (or the rest of your life) are simple: You deserve to be happy, healthy, and selfish. Love your body and treat it right. It deserves better. Honor your feelings and be more mentally aware. When it comes to the income generator, strive for meaningful work. Pride, prestige, or money shouldn't rule you. But financial freedom is important, so get your shit together. Love, You

How does that saying go, "Clear eyes, full hearts"? I almost thought it was "Clear head, clear eyes, full hearts." Regardless of how it goes, that's how I feel. For the past 3 weekends, I have been traveling for leisure. It's been a good (and spendy) experience. There's something about being outside the office or your daily schedule, that brings random epiphanies to mind. How did I end up traveling for the past 3 weekends? What started as a long family weekend, somehow spiraled into a longer family week with mini trips here and there to see friends. Just because. I feel like the me from 2 years ago would be raising eyebrows and scoffing. Taking PTO? Just because? To see friends & family with no agenda? Cue something about changing values, shifting priorities and slight indifference toward my income generator. Anyhoo, it was a good time to take some time off. Actually, it was a GREAT time to take time off. Reminded me of former flames...

For the past two weeks, I have tried to eat as clean as possible (borderline Whole30 diet). While I am proud of myself, a few days of cheat meals have prompted me to start over this month long challenge. Even if it was a few cheat meals here and there, my body definitely is feeling it. It always amazes and frustrates me how gaining weight and accumulating debt have the same base behaviors. Onto a clean Spring.

"We [animals] eat to live, these guys live to eat... For humans, enough is never enough!" - Over The Hedge Food holds such a special place in my heart. It's present at every special occasion: family gatherings, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, or just because. It can bring comfort and joy. Some of my fondest memories are centered around food. An amazing meal could possibly even bring me to tears. But lately, food hasn't been creating the best memories for me. Heart burn, acid reflux, migraines, etc. I don't think these are one-off situations. I find it to be such cruel irony that the things we like to eat are the things that make us sick. " FOOD is the most widely abused anti-anxiety drug in America, and EXERCISE is the most potent yet underutilized antidepressant." -Bill Phillips I'm at an interesting point in my life (and for the year) where I want to improve my health. The "what" isn't anything new, but it'...

It's the end of February. It's Mardi Gras. Tomorrow is March. One more month in this quarter (which quarter depends on your fiscal year). What the hell. Top of mind? Exasperated that I gained my weight back (wtf, self). And tomorrow is the beginning of Lent. First off, I don't remember the last time I was a serious Catholic. But this is a great time to practice some restraint and contemplate giving something up. What would it be? Social media? (Facebook is the main culprit) Carbs? Sugar? Would I eat clean for 40 days? Also, if it's Mardi Gras, does that mean I can indulge in something? What if I'm not hungry for it. So many random thoughts.

Some may define "selfishness" as a vice, while others may define "selflessness" as a virtue. How altruistic, after all, to put your needs aside for others. Altruistic or stupid? Whoops, there goes that lack of a filter again. Valentine's Day is all about showing affection to the true love in your life, whether it be your significant others or close family and friends (wtf, "Galentine's Day.") But what about showing love to yourself? And why should it just be restricted to a single day? Self love, or being selfish, is necessary sometimes. I truly believe in taking care of yourself first and foremost, before helping others. This aligns with my current resolutions. More blurbs another time...

How is it almost February? It's cool, I'm not freaking out too much. Not much regret on my end, as I'm trying to stick to my goals for the year. What are they, you ask? Uhh.. that's a much longer story for another time. Just had to put out there that I'm trying my hardest to stay on track. I have and will slip sometimes, but as long as I'm consistent most of the time, that helps, right? Not to mention the added pressure of time. It's almost February. Which is 6 months away from August. Which is my birthday month! Which is when I turn 29. Which is one year away from 30. Where I need to become an adult?! Insert stressed-out emoji.

Happy New Year! ...Wait, did I wish you that already? Oy, my memory. It's been my first official week of focusing on my health. It's not enough to focus on it, but I also have a few things in work: a dietbet, a Beachbody health challenge, etc. There are a few key reminders that have kept popping up throughout the week, and I wanted to list them here: Eat healthy. Has anyone seen the "Poo In You" video on Youtube? No, just me and my potty training niece? Well then. Anyway, the video shows how your body absorbs the nutrients from what you eat. Vegetables and fruits are important! Get off the scale. You know what's hard? Eating healthy. You know what's also hard? Resisting the urge to get on the scale every damn hour. This meme holds truth, but we need to calm down on this. Stop with the self shaming. This will be one of many times this is discussed. It is WAY to easy to use self shaming, self bullying as motivation or encouragement to get you...

This time last year, I made a pledge to myself to get healthy and lose weight.   I told myself - 365 days, 365 chances.  What can you accomplish in a year? What a year. It was full of motivational, cheesy, and honest fitness-related memes and quotes.  I learned to change up my workout routine every few months, and even set mini goals for myself, such as attempting one race per month during the spring and summer. I watched my calories, tried to focus on quality vs quantity.  Kept only healthy snacks in my house (the junk food would only last about 20 hours really, before I ate it all). I didn't just change the physical environment, but I modified social media as well: I followed so many fitness-related accounts on Instagram. They inspired me to try new healthy meals or do a new arm workout. I even created my own health-related Instagram account! (Note: it is poorly maintained. Perhaps like my health).  I took progress pictures, signed ...