JUMPING ON THE BANDWAGON: TONE IT UP BIKINI SERIES

So I decided to take the plunge and join in on the Tone It Up Bikini Series. I've heard about the tone it up trainers Karena and Katrina before, and have watched a few of their videos on youtube. I love their "beach fitness" theme, but their work-outs just never stuck with me.  Since I am finally focused on my fitness and they have an eight-week bikini series going on, I thought this would be the perfect time to join. I've been running a lot lately and get plenty of cardio, but I've been lacking in toning my body and building muscle. And since I am a lover of planning, making to-do list, and carrying them out I thought this would be perfect to keep me on track. Hello Beach Body, I am excited to see what you look like!

I feel like I'm going to go all out with this series. I'm going to eat a lot cleaner and train like a beast. I've gotten some protein supplements for water, am taking daily vitamins, and am looking into getting some type of nutrition bars. Who am I turning into? I am happy to say that I started the first day off great with a 40+ minute cardio session (mixture of elliptical and running). I also threw in some lunges, planks, and push-ups. I honestly feel great ladies, but this is just the beginning. I will definitely be posting some before and after pictures.

Is anyone else participating in the bikini series?

HAPPY ONE YEAR (ANNIVERSARY)

Today is a pretty special day. Today is me and J's one year anniversary! This past year of my life has been really great, and a big reason was because he was apart of it. This guy never fails to make me happy. We have enjoyed a many of good times together this past year. From sleeping in, to renting endless movies on redbox, to traveling to do some wine tasting in Mexico. He is seriously, the sweetest and most caring person I know. I learn so much from him each and every day.  He is also one of my biggest supporters (along with my family). To be completely honest, usually at the one year point I am over being in a relationship. But it's definitely different this time around. I find myself falling in love with him more and more each day. I know this next year will be just as amazing as the first. I am looking forward to many more adventures and good times with him.

For my anniversary gift, I was given the sweetest and most thoughtful present ever; A film camera! One of my '23 before 24 goals' is to get into photography.  And now I have the tools to do so. He has even offered to help me out. So I am thinking this upcoming weekend we will spend some time shooting. He knew this was on my list and bought this for me. This is what I mean when I say he supports all my goals. I love my sweet sweet man.

I'M BECOMING MORE AMAZING

This weekend wasn't perfect, but it was definitely good. Each week I am surprising myself more and more, and just proving that I am quite the superwoman. Being able to accomplish things and actually see the progress is such an amazing feeling. I love it!

First thing first: I ran over 6.5 miles this weekend. Yes, non-stop! I've finally ran a 10k and then some. This has truly been a work in progress. I remember I could hardly run for 20 minutes when I first started my running journey. Back in October 2012, I was finally able to run a 5k. And in December, I finally entered my first 5k race. Well, now I can finally say I've reached my next goal of a 10k! It feels great. I'm now trying to find a 10k race to enter within the next few weeks. And thens whats next after that? Hmm...a half-marathon maybe? Just Maybe. Oh, and I must say how much I love the runkeeper app! I highly recommend it to fellow runners, and anyone needing help sticking to a training plan.

How else am I amazing you say? Lets just say I kicked butt at work today. Not only did I wake up this morning at 4:45am this morning to drive up to work from San Diego, but I made it to work nice and early. And after getting bombarded with a lot of things to do, I over-shot my office time and headed into the field about 20 minutes late. But did I let that ruin my day? Nope, this little lady got everything done AND then some. I didn't let my lack of sleep ruin my day either. But now that I am home, its time for me to sleep. Superwoman needs her rest too!

Maybe, the only thing I wasn't amazing at these past few days was being a good girlfriend. I thank God for giving me such a loving and amazing boyfriend. Thanks to it being that time of the month, my hormones were so out of act. Lets just say I was acting cray cray! But he put up with it and even just laughed with me when we both realized how ridiculous I was being. The poor guy still catered to my every need this weekend (buying me chocolate, renting netflix movies, and holding me tight). He is too good to me. But like I said, superwoman has her days too.

NEW LOOK

Who have I become? Hipster glasses, red lipstick, and extensions? Yes, 2013 is definitely my year of change. I've been changing various areas of my life, and I like it! I'm trying new things and figuring out what works best for me. I'm kind of excited about wearing extensions. This weekend I gave my clip-ins a little test run. And they turned out well, but they need to be dyed darker before I start really wearing them. I can't wait for all the cool hairstyles I will be able to wear with my long hair. Anyone have any tips for blending and wearing extensions?

FINDING THAT 'PERFECT' BALANCE

Since I have already accomplished so much this year, I have gained an incredible sense of confidence. This confidence has been growing and makes me want to keep kicking-butt and continue working on each area of my life. In a sense, I feel like super woman. But the truth is, there just aren't enough hours in the day.  I work full-time, am trying to study/stay on top of my new job, training for a 10k, devote time to jesus, and am in a semi-long distance relationship. I want to (and try to) get so much done everyday, but I just can't.  And in return I am just not getting that much out of each activity that I am doing. Each one feels kind of rushed, and I don't feel as dedicated or focused on each one. The honest truth is I need more help on this balancing act I try to do each day. I came up with a master plan a few weeks ago, and I kind of forgot about it. But this week I am implementing it, because I so desperately need it. Below are my rules to my master plan. If you have are having trouble balancing everything in your life, try using this plan. That way you get a perfectly balanced dose in each area of your life.

1. On each week day I will complete two activities in my free-time. And I will set aside 30-45 minutes for each activity.
2. On each weekend day (for me I consider that Friday, Saturday, Sunday) I will focus on one activity and devote a longer period of time to that activity (1-2 hours).
3. Every Sunday I will plan out a weekly schedule of which activities I would like to complete.

At the moment I only have three activities that I want to focus on: studying for work, jesus/devotional time, and working-out. I'm sure other things will come up in my future. But at the moment those are the three things that are important to me. My schedule for this week is:

Sunday:

1 activity: Jesus Time (I watched a 1.5 hour long service online, read my bible, and daily devotion)

Monday: 

2 activities: work studying & jesus time

Tuesday: 

2 activities: running 1.5 miles & jesus time

Wednesday:

2 activities: work studying &  running 3 miles

Thursday:

2 activities: jesus time & work studying

Friday:

1 activity: running medium distance (5-7 miles)

Saturday:

1 activity: work studying

I really believe writing it out like this will definitely help me. I will update about my progress and sticking to this schedule.  Happy Sunday!

NEW FRAMES

Last week I finally received my new frames from firmoo. I'm in love with them! They fit my face just perfectly, and give me a refreshing look. I was so over my old glasses. I feel like they made me look too dorky, and just weren't stylish enough. To top it off, when I took pictures they made me look like my eyes were closed. I am happy to have a new pair of glasses to go with my new age, and my new style. What a great deal for only $26.00! I highly recommend firmoo. You can get my frames here.

WEEKEND WRAP-UP & APRIL JOY

What a truly beautiful and blessed weekend I had! I spent my three day weekend down in San Diego with my boy. It was such a blessing to be able to spend so much time together. Usually, he is busy with school and work. But we definitely took advantage of his spring break and my three day weekend. We packed in so much fun and activities. We ran errands, worked-out, went dancing downtown, went shopping, traveled to TJ to visit his family, went to church, made dinner, and lots of other things in between. I honestly never wanted it to end. I still have a smile on my face because this weekend was that good. I'm definitely going to enjoy my new schedule and all my three day weekends.

This weekend was truly special because it was Easter Sunday. To be completely honest, I haven't been celebrating Easter these past few years. But since I have renewed my faith, I definitely wanted to do more this year. This year I made it a priority to attend church. What was more exciting was that J came with me. I thought he would be nervous or scared, but he said "I'd go anywhere with you baby". Because easter services were so packed, we had to sit outside in a tent and watch the service by TV. But he didn't complain or judge. And as I raised my hands to sing and praise the lord, he took one of my hands and kissed it. What a beautiful gesture, that meant so much to me. The whole day I felt so happy and blessed by Jesus. Easter means so much to me now, and will always be. Jesus being resurrected is such a big deal. My savior died on the cross and rose again so that my sins could be forgiven. That is truly a love unlike any other.

And now it is April and its another chance to better and renew myself. I feel like I am going through a steady state of progression and its quite lovely. I love seeing the progress I am making, and I feel so very proud. I have no new goals this month, I just wish to continue working on my old goals. That is, I want to continue running, spending time with Jesus, and doing the best I can at work. Hello spring and reaching my goals!