So, it's been approximately 48 hours since I've gotten engaged and reality has barely set in. With a June wedding in mind, there is so much to book, organize, plan and more of a need than ever TO GET IN SHAPE! If I wasn't motivated before, I sure am now!!! I have 6 months to be in the best shape of my life, and I'm thankful I had started this blog a couple weeks ago. This blog will now be focused on my wedding, and getting fit for it! I will need support, and advice, and pretty much any tips you readers' have! I feel blessed to be at this point in my life knowing I am graduating college, getting married to a wonderful man, and starting a job all within the next 7 months.
Just to give a quick update of the past 48 hours I'll break it down into 3 sections. 1) The Proposal. 2) The Aftermath. 3) Wedding Dress Shopping!!!
The Proposal
It has been a tradition for the past few Christmases that Kyle and I order Hot Box Pizza (delicious), watch Christmas movies, and exchange presents. This year was very similar....I went to Kyle's, we ordered pizza, and started exchanging presents. I was very fortunate to receive 3 additional presents prior to an engagement ring (I may or may not be slightly spoiled). After we were "done" he said he had one more for after dinner. I wasn't really feeling the pizza so he decided it was time for the last present. He told me to close my eyes and then told me to come over to check out my present (he was hunched over something). When I stood up to walk over, he got up on one knee. He told me he loved our traditions and wanted to have many more new ones; he loved me will all his heart; and hoped it was the last Christmas we'd ever have to spend a part. I said yes, followed by "is this real life??", and then cried uncontrollably (slightly embarrassing). My ring is GORGEOUS by the way - round brilliant with diamonds on the side :)
The Aftermath
Immediately following the hugging, etc, I called my mom. She didn't answer...of course. So I called my dad, who was thrilled and told me my mom was out exercising (she's the fit one in the family). I then called my brother, also no answer. I pretty much failed contacting family. I then called friends, some ran over, some I texted, lots of crying, chaos, etc. I am blessed to have great friends who came, bought champagne, Flying Cupcake, and even toasted to Kyle and I's happiness. I went back to Delta Gamma and was welcomed by girls taking pictures on their cell phone, sharing stories, and everyone checking out the ring. It was great to see the support of so many friends!
Wedding Dress Shopping
The next day was actually the day I went home for Christmas break, which was good to see my parents, but sad to leave Kyle for a few weeks. We decided that Saturday (today) would be wedding dress shopping. We were "shocked", kind of, that it takes 4-6 months to get a dress, and then alterations are another 2-3 months...which a wedding in 6 months means you need a dress like 3 months ago...
So I spent my day starting at 8am going to the IMA (Indianapolis Museum of Art), followed by a trip down 86th Street (with bridal boutiques on all sides of the street) looking. I went to Nancy's Bridal, Brides by Demetrios and David's Bridal to get a feel for specialty boutiques and somewhat "mass produced" gowns.
I won't lie, I was skeptical about David's Bridal so decided to go there last. With no luck at Nancy's or Bride by Demetrios, we went to David's Bridal. I was lucky to get Tameka, who was SOOO patient and helpful. She allowed me to pick out my own dresses but then would pull her own and everytime I found something I liked she would compile a big list of my "dream dress components" and finally, the last dress (like 30...no joke...later) was it! I'm not giving details, other than it is PERFECT and I couldn't be happier. I want those involved in my wedding to be surprised and see a true reaction from everyone at one time!
I can't wait!!
My New Diet
Of course, wedding dress shopping leads to some insecurities coming out...so I'm on a strict, low carb, one dessert a day, LOTS of fruits and veggies, and a limit to eating out. I was eating out left and right, and even though they were "healthy", it still has high sodium and preservatives regardless. I've been jump roping and 8-minute-abbing as well :)
The goal is to be inspired (yes to be inspired), to run a marathon (all 26.2 miles) April 30 in Louisville with two friends, Rachel and Katie. Hopefully over break I can see if my body will be up for the challenge. I'm optimistic, but again need all of your support!
I'll continue to leave updates on a daily basis - but now I have more to blog about :) Enjoy your weekend everyone!!
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Thursday, December 16, 2010
I'm Getting Married?!?!?!
So this blog post is a little different than the others...but will lead me to a new theme!!! I'm getting married!!! Kyle proposed to me tonight around 6PM at his house during our Christmas present exchange. Needless to say, a diamond ring beats any present I got him! It's a strange, yet very exciting feeling to be engaged. I feel so grown up, yet young at the same time. I can't believe that approximately 6 months (yes 6 months) from now I'll be married and starting my life with someone in Philadelphia, PA. The next 6 months brings a lot of changes: a marriage, moving cross country, graduating college, buying an apartment, paying bills, etc, etc.
In honor of the original intent of my blogging theme, the next 6 months will be my diet/exercise routine/wedding planning/ struggles with all of them! I feel like the next 6 months will be the most stressful but exciting time of my life. And I couldn't feel more blessed than to be sharing this all with Kyle! My friends and I are debating between running a full or mini-marathon on April 30 in Lousiville, KY followed by attending the Kentucky Derby May 7. We really want to do a real marathon, and what great shape would I be in if I could do that?? So I need some encouragement, via this blog, on all things wedding and training for a marathon.
Give me your opinions, let me know your thoughts, because I am now getting married and couldn't be more excited and motivated!!!
In honor of the original intent of my blogging theme, the next 6 months will be my diet/exercise routine/wedding planning/ struggles with all of them! I feel like the next 6 months will be the most stressful but exciting time of my life. And I couldn't feel more blessed than to be sharing this all with Kyle! My friends and I are debating between running a full or mini-marathon on April 30 in Lousiville, KY followed by attending the Kentucky Derby May 7. We really want to do a real marathon, and what great shape would I be in if I could do that?? So I need some encouragement, via this blog, on all things wedding and training for a marathon.
Give me your opinions, let me know your thoughts, because I am now getting married and couldn't be more excited and motivated!!!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
My Pledge to All of You
Today is my last day in the Fall semester as a senior in college (SCARY!!). Basically, in five months I will be graduating and moving away to explore bigger and better things. Today - I learned one of those bigger/better things in my Organizational Behavior class. I pledge now, to never eat a McDonald's hamburger ever again.
You think I'm joking? Today, for some reason (I really don't remember the relevance to the class) we looked at another blog! The blog encourages sharing, so this isn't stealing someone else's idea I promise! Let me recap it for you:
The Hamburger: Karen Hanrahan purchased a McDonald's hamburger in 1996. In 2008 she reposted a picture of the same hamburger. Granted, we are going off of good-faith that it is the same hamburger, but let's choose to believe her for a minute.
On the right is the new burger from 2008 she purchased, on the left is the burger from 1996. You can see the discoloration and a slight crumbling from one to the next, but it's pretty identical. Gross.
So what does that mean for your body and my blog?? Well - in order to be fit, it's common sense to not eat fast food. But I think it's better to understand WHY you shouldn't eat fast food. Sure it's high in sodium (bloating...), has many artificial ingredients, and carbs aren't good for you anyway. Plus all the oil and grease can't be good for your arteries. But what about those preservatives?? Imagine that hamburger you ate, still in your stomach 12 years later! What doesn't leave your body through the daily life cycle is still sitting, as a hamburger, in your stomach.
If you were wanting one more push to stop eating out (and by eating out, I'm referring to foods high in preservatives, sodium and grease...) I hope this helps!
Cutting fast food from your diet can surely cause weight loss by itself! When I look back on my education at Butler University (probably to the dismay of my mom and dad), I won't remember the Foreign Corrupt Policy Act, Equity Theories, or the Retailing Communication Mix - but I will remember that McDonald's $1 double cheeseburger will still be in my stomach 12 years later....and I'm not going to do it anymore! That's my pledge to you.
If you want to make that pledge - leave it as a comment :)
You think I'm joking? Today, for some reason (I really don't remember the relevance to the class) we looked at another blog! The blog encourages sharing, so this isn't stealing someone else's idea I promise! Let me recap it for you:
The Hamburger: Karen Hanrahan purchased a McDonald's hamburger in 1996. In 2008 she reposted a picture of the same hamburger. Granted, we are going off of good-faith that it is the same hamburger, but let's choose to believe her for a minute.
So what does that mean for your body and my blog?? Well - in order to be fit, it's common sense to not eat fast food. But I think it's better to understand WHY you shouldn't eat fast food. Sure it's high in sodium (bloating...), has many artificial ingredients, and carbs aren't good for you anyway. Plus all the oil and grease can't be good for your arteries. But what about those preservatives?? Imagine that hamburger you ate, still in your stomach 12 years later! What doesn't leave your body through the daily life cycle is still sitting, as a hamburger, in your stomach.
If you were wanting one more push to stop eating out (and by eating out, I'm referring to foods high in preservatives, sodium and grease...) I hope this helps!
Cutting fast food from your diet can surely cause weight loss by itself! When I look back on my education at Butler University (probably to the dismay of my mom and dad), I won't remember the Foreign Corrupt Policy Act, Equity Theories, or the Retailing Communication Mix - but I will remember that McDonald's $1 double cheeseburger will still be in my stomach 12 years later....and I'm not going to do it anymore! That's my pledge to you.
If you want to make that pledge - leave it as a comment :)
Monday, December 6, 2010
Random Act of Kindness
So, this blog has turned from fitness/health to giving back and helping others (my real passion in life). But ultimately, giving back allows me to be at peace and working out becomes that much more enjoyable. When I am in a bad mood, it's when I'm least likely to go work out. When I'm motivated and happy, I somehow find a way to make it to the HRC, outside for a jog, or just in a large room to jump rope :).
So what does a person do with all of that deodorant and boxes of tissue?? I thought it'd be good to donate it to The Coburn Place Safe Haven - a domestic violence shelter about 5 minutes from Butler University.
The Coburn Place helps women and their children start a new life, free from danger. But, to leave a marriage like that, most women leave everything behind and must start completely from nothing. Everything from clothing to personal hygiene supplies to bedding are needed again. It is from community donations that these women are allowed to start a new life. I thought that donating deodorant and tissues would be a great addition to the supply closet at The Coburn Place.
I encourage all of you to look for local domestic violence shelters in your community and go through an old closet, take a trip to Walmart, or look through your medicine cabinet and donate some items. Sometimes donating product is more valuable than donating money anyway.
Leave some comments if you make a donation :) We'd love to hear your stories! Look forward to more updates tomorrow!
I am currently working on my honors thesis for Butler's honors program. It's a marketing study concerning consumer behavior. I am analyzing the thought processes involved in purchasing low involvement products - like deodorant and a box of tissues. I went to Walmart a few weeks ago and spent $440 on deodorant and tissues. I bought over 68 varieties of deodorant. Needless to say, it was an embarrassing trip to Walmart with a lot of stares. I set it up to look like a store and everything!
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Tis the Season for Giving
I'd like to apologize for not being a daily blogger as promised - but I think I may have been too optimistic on how exciting my daily life is. But, the last few days I have been working on getting back mentally and physically in shape, and I'm proud to share some of my achievements and give you all some ideas as well!
Kyle's brother, Tyler, gave his sister and Kyle gift cards to Kiva as a Christmas present. Kiva is an organization that does micro-lending. Basically, you donate $25, $50, $100, etc to an entrepreneur abroad who will repay you over the course of a little over a year. It's one of the best ways to donate, because you pick a specific person whose job inspires/interests you, AND you get paid back. I donated almost 8 months ago to a woman who weaves quilts and drapes and she has repaid me $15 of my $25. This morning, I thought I should use that $15 and add $10 more to a different entrepreneur.
Meet Marlenis from Nicaragua.
She makes and sells jewelry and has requested $700 to help her purchase gold-plated anklets, earrings, men's perfume, and hair straightening cream. She has had 3 previous Kiva loans and repaid them all on time (not that I'm worried if I don't get my $25 back in 14 months...but I like the principle of the matter).
I chose Marlenis because I wanted to help someone making jewelry and someone in Central America, so Marlenis was a great pick!
Kyle's sister, Becky, now donates regularly to Kiva through her blog Better Life Bags. If you're interested check it out!!
I love being able to give back, and I find that when I start thinking of others that I truly am my happiest. I hope that this holiday season, people take the time to give back - whether locally or internationally.
Kyle's brother, Tyler, gave his sister and Kyle gift cards to Kiva as a Christmas present. Kiva is an organization that does micro-lending. Basically, you donate $25, $50, $100, etc to an entrepreneur abroad who will repay you over the course of a little over a year. It's one of the best ways to donate, because you pick a specific person whose job inspires/interests you, AND you get paid back. I donated almost 8 months ago to a woman who weaves quilts and drapes and she has repaid me $15 of my $25. This morning, I thought I should use that $15 and add $10 more to a different entrepreneur.
Meet Marlenis from Nicaragua.
She makes and sells jewelry and has requested $700 to help her purchase gold-plated anklets, earrings, men's perfume, and hair straightening cream. She has had 3 previous Kiva loans and repaid them all on time (not that I'm worried if I don't get my $25 back in 14 months...but I like the principle of the matter).
I chose Marlenis because I wanted to help someone making jewelry and someone in Central America, so Marlenis was a great pick!
Kyle's sister, Becky, now donates regularly to Kiva through her blog Better Life Bags. If you're interested check it out!!
I love being able to give back, and I find that when I start thinking of others that I truly am my happiest. I hope that this holiday season, people take the time to give back - whether locally or internationally.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Winter is Upon Us
Thanks to everyone who has started reading my blog! It's been motivation for me, and hopefully for some of you as well. It's great to see how this has allowed me to catch up with old friends, reach out to new ones, and inspire others to get back in shape! But instead of just sharing my workouts each day (because who wants to read that??), I'm hoping to add some new facts about staying healthy this winter.
Of course, my first official day of getting back in shape, the weather decides it doesn't want to cooperate. For my 8am class, it was about 55 degrees (which I considered warm), and by 5pm when I wanted to work out it was snowy/rainy/dark/freezing all in one. Now, before this blog, I would have just said "You know what, it's cold, and I'd rather just stay inside, get some work done, and work out tomorrow." But thanks to all of you readers, I knew I HAD to work out today! So, I drove (all 2 minutes, but hey at least I went to work out...) to the HRC at Butler and did 30 minutes of cardio and 8 minute abs. I've been all about 8 minute abs - and for those of you who are unfamiliar with this great little ab exercise - check out the YouTube video and you can do it in your living room or anywhere! Yes, it is old school (I'd say 1980s or 1990s), but it is easy and you will feel the burn the next morning! Plus, you can do it everyday and who doesn't have 8 minutes???
I'm all about working out quickly and efficiently, and I'm sure everyone feels that way - and when I heard this next "fun fitness fact" I had to share it with everyone. In fact, you can spot me in the HRC with Katie McCabe and Rachel Gold doing this next exercise: Did you know that 10 minutes of moderate jump rope = 30 minutes of jogging? Think about how much time that saves you! But - want to know the catch (because there is always a catch)? Jumping rope is actually really hard. My calves were BURNING! I couldn't go 10 minutes straight - mostly because of my lack of coordination (hence why I ran, and never attempted a sport with hand/eye coordination). I bought my jump rope at Target for $4.99. I recommend if you're trying to do something new, and something you can do inside, go buy a jump rope!
Tomorrow will hopefully be some new, exciting work out and fitness tip!
Of course, my first official day of getting back in shape, the weather decides it doesn't want to cooperate. For my 8am class, it was about 55 degrees (which I considered warm), and by 5pm when I wanted to work out it was snowy/rainy/dark/freezing all in one. Now, before this blog, I would have just said "You know what, it's cold, and I'd rather just stay inside, get some work done, and work out tomorrow." But thanks to all of you readers, I knew I HAD to work out today! So, I drove (all 2 minutes, but hey at least I went to work out...) to the HRC at Butler and did 30 minutes of cardio and 8 minute abs. I've been all about 8 minute abs - and for those of you who are unfamiliar with this great little ab exercise - check out the YouTube video and you can do it in your living room or anywhere! Yes, it is old school (I'd say 1980s or 1990s), but it is easy and you will feel the burn the next morning! Plus, you can do it everyday and who doesn't have 8 minutes???
I'm all about working out quickly and efficiently, and I'm sure everyone feels that way - and when I heard this next "fun fitness fact" I had to share it with everyone. In fact, you can spot me in the HRC with Katie McCabe and Rachel Gold doing this next exercise: Did you know that 10 minutes of moderate jump rope = 30 minutes of jogging? Think about how much time that saves you! But - want to know the catch (because there is always a catch)? Jumping rope is actually really hard. My calves were BURNING! I couldn't go 10 minutes straight - mostly because of my lack of coordination (hence why I ran, and never attempted a sport with hand/eye coordination). I bought my jump rope at Target for $4.99. I recommend if you're trying to do something new, and something you can do inside, go buy a jump rope!
Tomorrow will hopefully be some new, exciting work out and fitness tip!
Monday, November 29, 2010
My Story
So I decided to start blogging today. I've recently been all about social media - with a new Twitter account (@alicia6565) and everything. I thought for a long time about what I would blog about: What was I passionate about? What am I struggling with? And being healthy and exercising has been the most recent struggle for me.
See, I ran cross-country and track since the seventh grade (and now I'm a senior in college) all the way up to my freshman year at college. I was always fit - I could run a mile in 5:07, an 800m in 2:28, and run 13 miles like it was nothing. Now I struggle to run 20 minutes without feeling like I'm going to keel over. Plus, it goes without saying college isn't typically the healthiest lifestyle a person leads...late nights, lack of motivation to exercise, being over-programmed, work, school - gets to be too much.
I'm starting to realize that to be who I want to be, I need to get back into who I was before college. Back to the runner who didn't mind 6am practice, full day of school, and a hard workout in the afternoon. I loved having friends to workout with on a regular basis, who held me accountable, and pushed me to be a great runner. I'm not saying I need to be back in 5 minute mile fitness, but I think, like most of you reading my blog, everyone needs to be moderately fit - it just takes discipline and motivation.
I hope that through my blog, not only will it be a daily reminder to me that I need to be fit, but it will inspire others to as well. This isn't a weight loss program. It's not a self-help blog. This is just my journey to get back to who I was at my peak fitness - healthy, energized, and could eat anything. Like my coach used to say, "If the furnace is hot - anything will burn." I wish I had that type of metabolism now...
So follow me daily to hear some tips and stories as I reminisce of times when I was "Once A Runner" (which I am currently reading thanks to a Barnes and Noble gift card I just acquired...). Who knows what this blog will eventually turn into, but hopefully it's a constant reminder that staying fit is not easy if you don't have others to share it with!
"Run hard. Dream big."
See, I ran cross-country and track since the seventh grade (and now I'm a senior in college) all the way up to my freshman year at college. I was always fit - I could run a mile in 5:07, an 800m in 2:28, and run 13 miles like it was nothing. Now I struggle to run 20 minutes without feeling like I'm going to keel over. Plus, it goes without saying college isn't typically the healthiest lifestyle a person leads...late nights, lack of motivation to exercise, being over-programmed, work, school - gets to be too much.
I'm starting to realize that to be who I want to be, I need to get back into who I was before college. Back to the runner who didn't mind 6am practice, full day of school, and a hard workout in the afternoon. I loved having friends to workout with on a regular basis, who held me accountable, and pushed me to be a great runner. I'm not saying I need to be back in 5 minute mile fitness, but I think, like most of you reading my blog, everyone needs to be moderately fit - it just takes discipline and motivation.
I hope that through my blog, not only will it be a daily reminder to me that I need to be fit, but it will inspire others to as well. This isn't a weight loss program. It's not a self-help blog. This is just my journey to get back to who I was at my peak fitness - healthy, energized, and could eat anything. Like my coach used to say, "If the furnace is hot - anything will burn." I wish I had that type of metabolism now...
So follow me daily to hear some tips and stories as I reminisce of times when I was "Once A Runner" (which I am currently reading thanks to a Barnes and Noble gift card I just acquired...). Who knows what this blog will eventually turn into, but hopefully it's a constant reminder that staying fit is not easy if you don't have others to share it with!
"Run hard. Dream big."
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