March 2014

See her?

And her?

Can you believe she though she needed to trim her thighs?  She wasn't really happy with the way she looked.  She still had fat days.  

After being overweight my whole life, I was happy that I was finally skinny but, I didn't think I looked good enough.  I was a size 7, about 111 pounds with a 27.5 inch waist.  I still thought I wasn't good enough.  

In this picture I was sucking my stomach in because I thought I looked fat....

I had serious issues.  

• I was a size 7 but, it wasn't a size 5...
• I was horrified when I saw my weight on the scale jump too much...{I was afraid of becoming fat again}
• I weighed myself 2-3 times A DAY
• I could see my heart beating through my chest
• My hair was super thin

The weird thing is that I'd look at photos and I was horrified.  I knew that I was too skinny,  I knew I needed to gain weight, I knew that there was something wrong with me,but, I could shake off those feelings in under 30 seconds.  I could go back to rationalizing it all.  

Honestly I don't know why I'm writing this post.  I think that after 2 years I need to admit that I struggled (and still struggle) with a serious issue.  

This is a picture I took today. 

In this picture I see someone who weighs 30 pounds too much.  I see jiggly thighs, and a flabby stomach.  But, I see progress.  I see muscle, I see strength.  I honestly took this picture because I was happy that my upper body was starting to get as big as my lower body and I was starting to feel symmetrical.  

I have come a long way and I have a long way to go but, I'll get there, slowly and surely.  One day I'll be 100% 75% happy with the way I look {because I don't believe anyone's 100% happy with their body}.  But until that time I'll work towards my goals in a healthy way.  

Dance Mom Survival Guide

2 of my daughters dance.

And if any of your kids dance then you know, recital time is here.  Recitals mean many things, makeup, hair, costumes, finding things for your kids to do backstage.  I've put together a simple recital guide.  Let's start from the top down.

Hair
I suck at hair. I'm horrible at it.  One of the best tips I recently received was to wet your daughter's hair before putting it in a ponytail.  I personally don't like the doughnut bun makers but, many people swear by them.  Pack extra hair supplies for backstage

Make-up
Unless you are told to buy a certain brand, I suggest getting it at the dollar store.  I get the girls' there.  They have  lipstick, eye shadow, blush, everything.  It's especially a great idea if you're only going to use it for recitals.  Make sure to pack extra for backstage, especially lipstick.

Costumes
Invest in a garment bag,  They make actually sell them at the dollar store too.  Put all your costumes on hangers and then put all the accessories (hair pieces, tights, etc) in a bag with the class labeled on it.  If you child has multiple dances a nude camisole leotard is a good idea.  This way they don't have to get completely naked when they change costumes.  

Shoes
Make sure they are clean.  I normally throw the ballet shoes in the washer.  (My girls' are canvas.  Do NOT do this with leather ballet shoes.)  Double check before you leave the house they have have 2 of each of their shoes.  We dump out dance bags and repack them before we leave.

I think that's everything to do with hair, makeup and costumes.  Your studio should give you a list of necessary supplies but, if I forgot anything let me know in the comments!

Now onto backstage stuff.  These tips will make the backstage moms SUPER happy.  I know that it would make me happy if all parents did this.  

Pack your kid some snacks and something to do.  Does your child have food allergies?  Let the backstage mom know!  Kids share snacks.  

Snack tips:

• Nothing sticky
• Nothing gooey
• Nothing messy
• Nothing greasy,  
• No colored drinks.  

Sunny and Mo have pretzels, crackers and water.  I don't pack chips (greasy fingers + expensive costumes = NO GOOD), or fruit snacks (if someone sits on it, it'll stick to their butt and be really hard to get off), or juice (juice = stains).  It's only 3ish hours.  If they can't survive on water and a couple snacks for that long then there's something wrong.  

Some other good options would be:

• Rice cakes
• Pumpkin seeds
• Popcorn (unbuttered)
• Hard granola bars

My best piece of advice if you're a backstage mom?  Chill out.  Clear your mind of anything that might bother or upset you.  The dressing rooms of recitals are loud, crazy, chaotic, and hectic.  I like to do my workout in the morning before the show and forget about everything that is weighing on my mind.

The most important thing tho?  Let your kids know that you're proud of them, let them know how well they did (even if they messed up), and show that you are their biggest supporter.  They will be nervous and possibly scared.  Before her first dance she told me that she wanted to go home and she didn't want to be there anymore.  Reassure them that everything will be okay.  

NaBloPoMo For the Week of May 9th to 15th

Second week of NaBloPoMo Photo Theme.  The photos this week were a bit difficult for me.  But, here's what I came up with.  I promise I will be back soon with some new recipes and health & fitness related posts.  My mind has been blank recently.  If you have any topics you'd like me to cover leave a comment!

Saturday, May 9, 2015

Photo: Light

Sunday, May 10, 2015

Photo: Three

Monday, May 11, 2015

Do you ever secretly snap pictures without the subject knowing? Tell us about a secret shot you've taken.

Occasionally.  It's normally when I'm at the beach.  I take pictures of people who are doing something interesting.  Mo told me that she photographs people all the time without them knowing.  The last person I shot without them knowing was a few months ago, the fog was really thick at the beach and I took a picture of a person walking to me.

Photo: Close

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

What is the hardest subject to photograph?

People.  I have a hard time photographing people.  I did wedding photography for a while and hated it.  Loved the paycheck but, I had a hard time with it.

Photo: Far

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Do you sometimes make recipes due to the accompanying photo?

Yes, all the time.  You eat with your eyes first.  If it's pretty or appetizing, I'll read the accompanying recipe.

Photo: Bokeh

Thursday, May 14, 2015

What place do you want to visit based solely on beautiful photographs that you've seen?

Fiji.  It's so pretty!  The crystal blue water, the gorgeous scenery, I don't just want to visit I want to move there.

Photo: Sun Flare

Friday, May 15, 2015

Have you ever developed a crush on someone due to a photograph?

Nope.  That's just weird.

                        Photo: Black and White                      

#ConquerEverything

The mind is an amazing thing.  It can turn on you so quick.  Something good can become bad, and something bad can become good in a flash.  

Every Storm Runs Out of Rain....

Photo Credit: Global News & Ted Morgan

I was in a really low place mentally for a few months.  It seemed like nothing was working out, nothing was going right, and honestly, I felt horrible about myself.  I was miserable.  

My husband was a real trooper through all of this and I love him for it.  He listened to my cry, whine, bitch, and complain.  I know (even though he won't admit it) that he thought I was miserable because of him, and because of the kids.  Do you know how hard it is to explain to someone that everything outside of your mind makes you happy but, YOU don't make you happy?  Birds made me happy, nature, tv, the girls, him, they all made me happy.  I was just unhappy with the person I was.  I kinda thought I was having a midlife crisis.  

One day he looked at me and said, "the problem is that you want to do it all."  Later on my way to the gym I passed a sign for the local watersports rental place.  I started thinking about how much I wanted to go SUPing (Stand Up Paddleboarding).  And in that split second everything cleared up for me.  I realized my husband was right.  I DID DO want to do it all.  I want to do it all because finally I'm fit enough to and I have the time to.  I'm not trying to find myself, I've FOUND myself.  I've found the new, healthy, brave, me.  After so many years lacking the confidence to do things, I finally have it and I'm ready to conquer everything.

Maybe I'll make that my hashtag for 2015.  #ConquerEverything  How does that sound?  

I'm not going to let anything stop me.  I've got things planned for 2015.  A bunch of different life paths I want to explore this year.  #CantStopMe (This hashtag thing is fun!)

Sometimes, all it takes is a mental flip.  Try to find the "glass half full" way to think about something. And I'll leave you with a few quotes.  This one is one of my personal favorites.

"Every storm runs, runs out of rain

Just like every dark night turns into day

Every heartache will fade away

Just like every storm runs, runs out of rain"

What happened to make you realize your potential?

2015 Plans

Today is the day when alot of people make their New Year's Resolution(s).  How many times have you heard yourself saying "This year I'm going to....."

• Lose weight?
• Exercise more?
• Eat healthier?
• Quit smoking?

These are actually some of the most common resolutions according to 5 News KSFM/KXNW and USA.gov (click the link to see their full lists.)

A few years ago I made a resolution to stop making resolutions.  I think that honestly, resolutions are meant to fail.  45% of Americans usually make resolutions.  Only 8% actaully achieve their resolution.  This is according to StatisticBrain.com and the University of Scranton. Journal of Clinical Psychology.  So many people fail at keeping their resolutions that they have named a day "Fail Friday", which is the day that most people give up.  

Instead of resolutions I set goals.  Here's my list of goals for 2015.

1.  Compete - Due to issues beyond my control, my hopes of competing in 2014 didn't happen.  But, this year I have a few competitions planned, the first one being in May.  
2. Do more yoga -- I miss yoga.  It seriously helps my mind and muscles.  
3. Get another certification -- I'm thinking either Holistic Nutrition, yoga, or a specialized training certification.
4. Go on more adventures -- Random day trips to the beach, or museums.  Maybe a weekend trip somewhere.
5. Give more memories instead of gifts -- This is alot like goal #5 but, it's more for special occasions and are planned.
6. Try new things -- Aerial yoga?  Pole fitness?  Scuba diving?  These are all on my list of things to try.  
7. Spend more time outside --   I feel like I'm not as in touch with nature as I used to be.  I don't spend enough time in the sunshine, enjoying the outdoors and I want to change that this year.

Goodbye 2014!

I'm not going to lie, I'm happy that 2014 is done.  The last 3 months I really haven't been in a very good place mentally.  

This year hasn't been all bad though.  I started this blog, we had a fun family vacation, I got to watch my girls compete, and they had a wonderful Christmas.  

I have some big plans {and possibly, changes} planned for 2015.  I have goals, hopes, and dreams that I plan on making happen.  {I think I say that every year though.}

So, I'm happy to say, "GOODBYE 2014!  HELLO 2015!"

Tomorrow I'll let you in on my goal list for 2015.

Never Thought I'd Be Called This!

I am so honored to be nominated by Farrah from FairyBurger for the Very Inspirational Blogger Award.  When I first started this blog I did it so I would have a place to write down my ideas and thoughts.  I also did it to journal my progress.

So here's the deal.  The rules are: Thank and link to the person who nominated you.  List the rules.  Share seven facts about yourself and nominate 15 other blogs you enjoy, then comment on their posts to let them know you have nominated them.

So, 7 facts about me.

1. I'm a breakfast junkie -- I could eat breakfast items for every meal.  I never get tired of them.  There are so many options!
2. I've lived in the same city for 4 years and I have no friends -- The only local friends I have are Ken and the kids.
3. Sometimes I feel scrawny -- Weird, huh?  Occasionally I  look at myself in the mirror and I feel like I look twiggy.  
4. I'm an overplanner -- My vacation is planned by Christmas, I do a monthly menu every month, and I'm trying to plan out my 2015 competition schedule, among other things.  
5. My dream house is in the middle of nowhere -- I want to buy a house on a huge piece of land and have a small farm.  
6. My dream job is to be a puppeteer -- I would LOVE to be on Sesame Street.  I've wanted to do this since I was a kid.  I also want to be an architect and own an ice cream shop.
7.  I used to be a professional photographer -- Yep.  Can't tell from the photos I post now but, I used to do weddings and food photography.  Food and nature photography are still passions of mine, my professional camera is just being wonky.

Some samples of my past work:

So, I'm supposed to nominate 15 people.  But honestly, Farrah nominated all of my possibilities!  So, I'll open it up to y'all.  Tell me 7 things about yourself. 

I Am More...

When I first started this blog a month and a half ago I was dead set on making it about me and my competition journey.  I had my other blog, The Fat Free Queen, where I could talk about my personal life.  Soon I realized that I no longer connected with the Fat Free Queen.  I have become the Fit Beach Babe.  This is truly who I am.  And the Fit Beach Babe is more than an up and coming bikini competitor.  I'm a wife, a business owner, a teacher, and most importantly, a mom.    

So, with that being said.  Let's talk about my weekend.  My oldest, Kaylee, is 11 and a competitive swimmer.  She honestly wants to be the next Michael Phelps.  Both Saturday and Sunday were spent at a 2 day swim meet.  

Saturday got rained out after her first race.  Sunday was a bit better.  She got 3 out of her 5 races in before the thunder forced us out of the pool.  She won first in the 100 meter backstroke, 2nd in the 50 meter freestyle {she actually swam this race without goggles because they fell off when she dove in}, and 4th in the 50 meter butterfly.  I'm so proud of her.  

I'm so lucky that my kids like to be active.  Kaylee is a swimmer, Mo cheers, and Sunny has switched from dance to gymnastics.  It's not often that I have to force my kids to exercise.  They support me and push me, just like I support them and push them.  

Do you wish your kids got more exercise but can't sign them up for a sport or healthy after school activity?  Here's a tip:  UNPLUG THE ELECTRONICS!  When my kids have been stuck in front of the tv one too many hours I kick them out of the house and tell them they have to play for atleast 60 minutes.  

You can also:

• Take them to the park or playground
• Go swimming
• Run up and down the stairs for 10-15 minutes
• Have them do a 30 minute circuit at home in the living room.  (push-ups, sit-ups, planks, jumping jacks)

Here's something simple to remember when it comes to kids

It's just that simple.  Do your kids do a sport?  How do your kids stay active??