Still a Pinterest Addict & Wonderful Words

It's no secret I still have an unhealthy addiction to Pinterest. If you haven't fallen victim to the magical and life-changing time suck that is Pinterest, I respect you immensely and also feel really bad for you. I might go a few weeks without going to the site, then one visit gets me completely addicted again. I could spend hours on there planning my wedding that doesn't exist, decorating my house with items I can't afford and wishing every outfit I pinned could magically appear in my closet. It's the best and worst thing that's ever happened to me.

As a lover of writing, words, reading and quotations, I could spend hours perusing the quotes on Pinterest alone. I love the feeling of finding a really great quote or poem and when I find one that really speaks to my life, it's like hitting the jackpot.

Where was I going with this?

 

Oh, right. I wanted to share some of my favorite recent inspirational words and poetry finds. After all, I hope it isn't just me who feels like this week has d...r...a..g...g...e...d on, so I'm sure we could all use some inspiration.



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I love her, but this quote really struck me. People are always going to criticize you, but as a female I feel like we get especially criticized for being true to ourselves and our feelings. I know I've experienced a lot of this and her message to not let anyone or anything take those things away from us is so important.

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I loved this and we all need reminding sometimes that we are perfectly fine the way we are. I especially loved the "Sometimes I make a lot of mistakes" line.

Couldn't find a source, but here it is on Pinterest.

First of all, if you haven't seen the movie "We Bought a Zoo," you absolutely have to watch it. I can't remember ever seeing a movie that made me feel as inspired and overjoyed as this one did. I cried a lot; some were sad tears, but then most were happy and joyful tears. This is my favorite quote from the movie.

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Such romantic, yet simple words. I really look forward to feeling this way again someday.

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The importance of keeping things in perspective...it makes such a big difference when we are going through a difficult time in life.


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I've seen a lot of his poetry and quotes on Pinterest lately and I loved everything I've found. I found this poem to be so sweet and honest.

 

Tell me...

 

Are you still addicted to Pinterest or are you over it? What do you find yourself pinning the most?

Staying on Track

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It's hard to believe it's already been over a month since I wrote this post telling you I was getting back on the fitness train. The last few weeks have flown by and I'm happy to report that I haven't fallen off!

The last month has consisted of healthier eating, regular exercise, more activity and better choices overall. I feel great and I'm so glad I'm finally back to where I want to be. I've made several claims over the last few years about getting back in shape, eating better, changing my diet, etc., but I feel like I am more committed this time than ever before.

You may be wondering...what makes this time different than all the others?

-- I haven't been thinking of myself as being on a diet. I'm simply trying to make better choices and finding what works for me.

-- I haven't set some unreasonable goal to lose this many pounds by this date. The weight will go down if I'm doing things right. That's enough to keep me going.

-- I haven't been working out 4 times a week because I feel like I have to, but because I know I'll enjoy the challenge once I get going and feel great afterward.

-- I haven't been dreading the gym and looking for excuses not to go. I've found once I got back in the routine and stopped thinking of the gym as a negative activity, I made it a priority and actually want to go every day.

-- I haven't committed to a trendy diet plan that makes me feel like I am starving myself. I still treat myself and go a little off track some days, but I don't use that as an excuse to fall of the wagon completely.

-- I'm not looking for a "quick fix" for any of the changes I want to make. I know that I'm not going to get where I want to be if I don't put in the time and work.

-- I'm mixing it up. Getting into a workout rut is the biggest cause of me falling off the wagon before. I am still running at least 3 times/week to get ready for the 5K, but I make sure to mix it up with the stairmaster or elliptical on nights I don't run. I've taken up yoga on Saturday mornings to add a whole new element to my fitness routine. I'm making sure to keep up with my strength training so I can continue to tone my back, chest and arms. I'll never get bored at this rate!

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It's been just over a month and although I didn't weigh myself at the start of this and I don't "weigh-in" every week, I know I've lost at least a few pounds. My clothes fit better and clothes I didn't feel comfortable in a month ago now fit great.

I'm currently stuck at a 2.5 mile run and need to build up to a 5K before September 22nd, so that is the only specific goal I have going on right now. By simply running 3-4 times a week I've already seen a huge difference in my body and that is all the motivation I need to keep it up. I've also made a totally random and awesome cardio playlist and I've found this makes a huge difference! I'll have to share that with you in another post because I'm always looking for good songs to add to it.

I still drink and eat out on the weekends, but I'm trying to make better decisions when I do that. I love beer, but that doesn't mean I have to drink it everytime I go out, so I've been sticking to flavored vodka and soda water for the most part unless I'm at a place where (1) the beer selection is too good to pass up or (2) I'm watching sports or hanging out with my guy friends at the dive bar we go to. I've also cut back on how much I eat when I do eat out. Just because I order something not-so-healthy, doesn't mean I have to eat the whole thing.

The best part of all of this is that I haven't been frustrated by a strict, hard-to-maintain diet. I'm enjoying the healthier lifestyle and the times I treat myself to something sweet or unhealthy are truly a treat, rather than just another unhealthy meal or snack. I'm feeling great and excited to keep up with these new habits!

Tell me...

What helps you stay on track? What are you doing to stay in shape?

Quotes from Downtown Orlando

I had another wild, crazy and super fun weekend with friends. I'm still processing all the fun and not-so-smart decisions I made, so I will fill you in soon! In the meantime, you all know by now that I am a freak magnet whenever I go downtown and this weekend there were plenty of examples of that! I leave you with the creepiest/most hilarious/weirdest things that were said to me in bars over the weekend. Enjoy and thank goodness you weren't victimized.

Exhibit A: "I'm sorry to bother you, but I wanted to tell you I think you have the most beautiful smile." Well, that was friendly and completely non-creepy, so I say "thank you!" and turn back to my friends. A few minutes go by and he creeps up from behind and whispers in my ear, "It's just your smile is so inncocent...it really just makes me want to take advantage of you." Well, that got weird.

Exhibit B: From a random guy as he walked out of the bar: "You...you're bad." I obviously laugh and say, "Huh?" He responds by telling me, "You're aura is bad" and keeps on walking out never to be seen again.

Exhibit C: After helping a guy drunk out of his mind find his watch in the bar, he gave me a creepy long hug, then proceeded to pull three bottles of hot sauce out of his pants pocket. I asked him why he had so much hot sauce in his pocket and he said, "I just...I really like hot sauce."

Exhibit D: I didn't know if this guy was trying to hit on me or not at the time, but 5 minutes after meeting him, he said, "You still haven't told me why you're still single." I told him to ask my ex boyfriends, that I didn't have an answer for him.

The same guy proceeded to spray beer all over me later in the night because I was hanging out with his friend and he was apparently jealous. When my roommate yelled at him and asked him why he did that, he simply said "Because she shouldn't be with him. They look awful together!" Rude.

I'm sure alcohol plays a big role in all of this, but where do they come up with this stuff? I'm sure you've been there too...what's the weirdest thing you've experienced while out with your girlfriends?