Motivational Monday-Why Not YOU?

Happy Monday y'all! I don't know about you, but I am SO excited that the month of April starts tomorrow! C'mon warmer temps where are you?

Last week I read this post from one of my favorite bloggers. Katie not only went to the Jillian Michaels' Maximize Your Life tour but, she got to meet the powerhouse trainer! I had only watched like 1 episode of the Biggest Loser, but I had my preconceived notions about Jillian and had zero interest in going to this show. After reading Katie's post however, my mind was quickly changed. I got online that night and bought tickets for the show later that week.

I can honestly say that it was one of THE MOST motivational nights I've ever experienced.  Jillian talked about being "stuck" in your life, your relationships, your job, your weight, etc. Then she explained that changing these situations is a simple task. Simple but not easy. She spoke about how nothing worth having is going to be easy but it will be worth it. The she said something that resonated with me in a BIG way.

"Why NOT you?"

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I have lived a lot of my life being what felt like the "2nd place" girl. I watched "prettier" girls get asked out, "funnier" people get invited to social events, "more talented" people get the dance jobs I wanted. I started to believe that I didn't deserve these things. That they'd never happen because I wasn't pretty enough, funny enough, talented enough, or whatever.


When I heard the statement above, I honestly fought back tears. Why NOT me?  Why couldn't I be the one who was the life of the party, the pretty girl, the one who got the job?  Why NOT me to be the one who gets what I want out of life.

This all being said, I've decided to start doing something that scares me and really spend some time figuring out what it is I want out of life. I spent this past weekend looking up different fitness certification programs, nutrition programs, and jobs in the health and fitness industry. I also found out that I possibly have a new, exciting opportunity coming my way.  More on this when it's 100%!  

So now I ask, why not YOU? Because I know that most of my readers are not strangers but my lovely friends and family, are YALL going for everything that you want out of life? Are you living your life to its fullest and deepest potential. Because you ALL deserve to. You ALL deserve to be happy and to do the things that make you happy.

Now that this post has turned into a confessional that would rival a Real World contestant, I hope that my words can someday touch someone else. 

I challenge all of you this week to really think about what it is you want out of life and then take 1 step towards that goal.

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Wishlist Wednesday

I turn 30 exactly 1 month from today!  Eek!  While I'm still chiseling away at my 30 Before 30 list, I thought it would be fun to come up with a wishlist for the big day.  I mean hey, a gal can dream right?

1. Spiralizer

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I've been seeing those all over Pinterest and Instagram.  I love experimenting in the kitchen (hello, zucchini noodles) and I think this is the perfect addition to my kitchen gadget collection.

2. Jewels

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I have wanted the Courtney Bib for some time now.  I would totally pair this with a LBD or a simple white tee.

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I saw these Neon Totem Drops today on Ashley's blog and fell in love. Mad, passionate, deep love I tell ya!

3. Concert tickets

I don't really think this needs an explanation.  I mean, just look at him.

The rest of the list includes a beach vacation, a Vegas vacation, XM radio, an extended trip to Texas, and mass amounts of Rosa's, Taco Villa, Chick-fil-a, and Casa Ole #fatkid

Linking up today with the lovely Shanna!

#1800MinuteChallenge

So obvs y'all are familiar with Erin (if you're not, go get acquainted) which means you read this post today.  She and a few other bloggers have come up with the #1800minutechallenge and I couldn't be more excited! I joined immediately after reading her post.

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The idea of the #1800minutechallenge is that you commit to being active for 1,800 minutes between April 1 and May 31. Easy peasy right?! C'mon yall, that averages out to about 30 minutes a day.  Anyone can do that!  The easiest way? Walk 15 minutes away from your house, turn around, and walk back-BAM 30 minutes for the day is done. You can read more about the challenge (and the awesome prize) here.

Here are a few workout ideas to get you, and me, motivated:
Treadmill Walking Workout

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Sometimes you don't feel like running, biking, or getting on that eliptical.  That's ok!  Check out this great Treadmill Walking Workout and get moving!

Spin Class or RPM

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I started taking an RPM class SWAT in Kalamazoo and I LOVE it!  It's an intense workout for sure but you definitely feel accomplished when you cross that imaginary finish line. If your local gym offers a spin or RPM class I urge you to get your cute little butt in there today!

Zumba

According to this site, Zumba can burn anywhere from 350-650 calories and hour!  I spent a whole summer taking Zumba about 6 years ago. Yes, I felt a little silly. Yes, the moves made me feel a little like a stripper. Yes, I had a great butt when it was all over.  Seriously, the music is fun and if you grab a few girlfriends then it's one big dance party!

Barre class

Like I said yesterday, my favorite workout at the moment is barre class.  Maybe it's because I've been a dancer my entire life and the barre feels like home, maybe it's because I like the instant gratification of the burn, or maybe it's because I feel like this workout actually works, but I look forward to every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday when I get to go to class.

The Sunday Sads

DON'T leave y'all!  You are in the right place, just a new look!  Whitney did such a fabulous job designing my blog.  I told her I loved it so much I wanted to give it a hug. I'm sure that freaked her out, but hey, the lady gives good blog.

It's no secret that I used to be Sunday's biggest fan!  For several years, Sundays consisted of mimosas, brunch, Bloody Marys, drinks, appetizers, more drinks, pizza, and a bedtime that rivaled Saturday night's.  I'm amazed at how quickly I used to jump out of bed Monday morning, ready to face the week after a Sunday Funday.  That was just a short year ago!  These days, my Sundays consist of the grocery store, breakfast (note-NOT boozy brunch but actual breakfast at an actual breakfast time), a possible workout, laundry, and meal prep for the week. Just thinking about my Sunday makes me exhausted!  I mean weren't Sundays invented as a day of rest?

Lately it feels like Monday-Friday takes FOR-EV-ER, Saturday goes by in a flash, and Sunday is here before we know it.  It never fails, every Sunday around 4:00 I get a little depressed.  I mean, here all I want is a few measly days of relaxation and out of nowhere, BAM, the work week is ready to start again! I was discussing this with a few ladies over drinks last week, and one of them dubbed this feeling the Sunday Sads. The Sunday Sads happen when you are DREADING Monday morning, the work week ahead, and anything else not involving Friday night and Saturday. Think about it.  It totally makes sense.

So in an effort to NOT have the Sunday Sads, I've decided to focus on what I'm looking forward to this week.

1. New recipes

Image via Peanut Butter Fingers

During my meal prep yesterday, I made my own version of this BBQ Chicken Salad and I can't wait to have this for lunch Monday morning. Be sure to check out the original recipe here.

2. Barre class

Image via Kalamazoo Barre

I have been doing barre 2-3 times a week for about a month now and I am SO happy to be back in the studio.  I always get so excited to go to class and even though I TOTALLY feel the burn for days afterwards, it is so worth it! Such a fantastic workout with even more fantastic ladies. If you live in the Kalamazoo area be sure to check out The Barre Studio of Kalamazoo!

3. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Reunion & Southern Charm

Image via Huffington Post

These ladies have had some SERIOUS drama but for some reason, I can't quit watching.  Plus Kyle and Yolanda are just too entertaining. Miss Yolanda Foster might be my new girl crush.

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I know this show will probably only last 1 season but I will love it until the finale. I mean, hello, I still have Most Eligible Dallas on my DVR and we all know what a train wreck that was! All of these men boys are on the Hot Mess Express. I mean honestly, how much Peter Pan Syndrome can you take?  But nonetheless, I love me some Cameran Eubanks.  She was my favorite on the Real World San Diego and she gives a whole lot of straight shooting to these southern boys! 

Yes, my 3 happy thoughts for the week might be small, but at least they are giving me a reason to not give in to the Sunday Sads.

Times they are a changin'

New things are happening over here at HH&GE!  I asked the fabulous Whitney to give le blog a pretty little makeover.  I am so excited to see what she comes up with.  Stay tuned...

March Goals and a 30 Before 30 Update

Needless to say I jumped off the blogging train for awhile!  Instead of boring y'all with tales of the frozen tundra known as Michigan, we'll just jump right in with something new.  Shay is one of my favorite bloggers.  She's funny, creative, and not to mention gorgeous!  One of my favorite posts that she writes is her Monthly Goals.  She writes goals about her home, photography business, fitness, marriage, etc.  Since moving up north I have found myself to be a little unfocused on my goals so I have decided to jump on Shay's bandwagon and start setting monthly goals for myself.  And since I seem to struggle with regular posts on this here blog, why not share them with you?

March Goals

Work out 5X a week

Re-focus my budget using the cash envelop system

Write at least 5 blog posts

Contact someone about a blog design

Keep the house clean by cleaning a little each day

Plan 2 romantic dates with Michigan

I like this goal setting plan so much that I even talked Casey into setting some with me that pertain to our relationship.  We have a date tonight to get these started.

Since my 30 birthday is creeping around the corner, I thought I'd let you guys know where I stand with my 30 Before 30 list.

30 Before 30

1.     Run a 5K (Running the Color Run on April 12)

2.     Take a class at a paint/wine place (need to do this)

3.     Take a cooking class (need to do this)

4.     Gain at least 30 blog readers/followers (I'm at 5 so if you're reading this just click the follow button to your right, thanks!)

5.     Pay off my credit card debt (Almost done)

6.     Do a 3-5 day juice cleanse (you can read about my 3 day cleanse here)

7.     Take a spin class (done and now I'm addicted!  I go twice a week)

8.     Volunteer for a program that works with special needs children (need to do this)

9.     Go to a college football game (Done; Actually my sweet friend Sheana reminded me that the 2 of us had gone to a USC game when I lived in L.A! My memory is shot)

10. Visit a vineyard and drink wine (you can read about my trip here)

11. Write a blog entry about Katie and her legacy (still need to do this)

12. Buy both parents something nice that they’d never buy for themselves (I think I did this at Christmas)

13.  Find a job that I enjoy and gives me fulfillment (found a great job)

14. Be content with my body in a bikini (ugh, STILL working on this)

15. Send out 1 handwritten card once a week for a month (need to do this)

16. Take Michigan to a big country concert (need to do this; gotta find the time to do this)

17. Learn how to make good ol Southern Fried Chicken (need to do this)

18. Make a double car payment (need to do this)

19. Finish reading The Secret (starting again tonight)

20. Learn how to make the perfect Bloody Mary (done, if I do say so myself)

21. Learn how to budget my income (working on this)

22. Visit a brewery (done)

23. Go to a pumpkin patch and carve punkins for our house (done but without the carving)

24. Cook 1 new recipe a week for 1 month (need to do this)

25. Not spend any money for 5 days (who let me write this one???)

26. Go to at least 3 good, big name concerts (not as easy to do this as it was in Dallas…..seeing Bruno Mars in June)

27. Read the Great Gatsby (need to do this)

28. Eat a raw diet for 3 days  (done; I want to do it again with different recipes)

29. Send out Christmas cards (done; They were so cute)

30. ?????? (this one is a secret but I will for sure let yall know if when it happens)