Inspiration: Glamazon

Good afternoon, mes belles :)

After a short weekend break and a seven hour drive, I'm back in Wooster, Ohio attempting to continue my lifestyle changes. It's not as easy without a kitchen at hand, and I'm finding that I need a lot more inspiration to keep it up.

As you all may or may not know, I've become a huge fan of RuPaul's Drag Race this summer, and I've watched every episode from every season (and the untucked episodes) and I'm pretty obsessed. I find it to be hilarious, educational, and really inspiring. RuPaul has a song called Glamazon, and it gives me the inspiration to get up and go get the body I want. Take a listen! RuPaul, my queen, has a gorgeous body and is proud to be in her own skin, which is truly my goal with this entire shift in my lifestyle.

Listening to this song continues to remind me that I'm not doing this for anyone else…I'm doing it for myself in order to look like I want to look. Sometimes it's really hard to resist the urge to eat things like pizza or doughnuts, especially when I'm traveling or even when I'm at school. It can also be difficult to resist eating constantly, so I curve it by keeping lots of fruit and veggies around to snack on and getting rid of the junk food.

Another inspiration is this quote by Emma Watson.

I'm not at this point of comfortability with my figure or appearance, but I'm learning that it's okay. It's also okay if I slip up and eat pizza, if I don't go to the gym over the weekend, or if I don't feel up to doing my full workout one day. This is all okay, as long as I keep working hard to reach my goals. I want this change to be positive, happy, and healthy, not full of body shaming and negativity. 

I'm already starting to notice some changes in my body, and it's only inspiring my to keep going. I feel so much better: I sleep better, I have more energy, and I don't have constant mood swings like I used to-I'm happy. 

I want to thank all of the people who are reading this, because you make me want to keep going. I've gotten so much positive feedback and it's only been a few days. You are all so inspiring and positive, and it means more to me than you will ever know. 

It's time for the gym now--I hope you all have a lovely day. 

xoxo

gracie 

Adventures in Avocado

Today marks day number two of my complete life transformation. I must say, I feel amazing. My body and mind are so very happy. It's very nice to be in Boone for the week, surrounded by family and friends, mountains, and the Highland Games. This weekend is the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, and I have stayed in town to conduct anthropological research for my senior thesis. This has also made me very happy because I love my major and I love doing research and learning about new people and places and things. This has been one exciting week!

This morning I woke up and made myself another superfood smoothie. I used blackberries, raspberries, yogurt, and nonfat milk. It turned out to be so thick that I ate it out of a bowl with a spoon, and it tasted just like a bowl of ice cream! Then I ate a banana and an apple with peanut butter for a little added protein, and set out for the Games.

After two hours of walking around with my press pass (super official!) I went to the gym and started my workout. Today I got to drink my pre-workout powder before I started, and I really think it did a lot of good. I felt so energized before and during my workout, and even after I was finished. I followed up with my post-workout powder, which is the first time I've been able to use both in one day, and it made me feel great. This new routine is making me crave healthier, more nutritious food, and today I was really inspired by a recipe I found on Pinterest, for "Homesick Toast".

Instead of rye toast I used gluten free rice cakes, and didn't add any cheese.

I mashed together the lime juice and the entire avocado, then added cumin and crushed red pepper. Once it was mushed to a smooth consistency, I spread it over two rice cakes, topped with salt and pepper and a sprig of cilantro, and enjoyed my tasty meal outside on the deck overlooking the mountains. 

What a beautiful life this is, friends. There are so many things to be thankful for. Today I am thankful for my body, because it is the only one I'll ever have and it's so nice to take care of it the way it deserves. Blessings, mes chéris. 

xoxo 

gracie 

Getting a positive body image, the healthy way

Body image. For most young women, this is difficult. With the media creating impossible beauty standards, women (and men) are feeling the need to fit into a size 0 box of contemporary "beauty" or "perfection."

I've fallen into this trap just like everyone else, and it's taken a while to realize that I want to be fit and healthy--for myself--not to meet a social ideal.

For the last year or so I've had the mentality that I can eat whatever I want in large quantities and it won't have any consequence on my body, size, or overall health. Because of this blind ignorance I have gained 25 pounds since starting college two years ago. I'm 5'7" and a size 6, so no I am not fat, but I'm also not where I want to be with my weight, and I'm not healthy.

I went to the gym a couple of weeks ago and felt horrible after. I thought I was having a heart attack. I'm 20 years old. I shouldn't feel this way. This was the turning point on fitness. I decided that I never wanted to feel that lethargic and pathetically out of shape again in my life. My mom is in better shape than me, and she's 40 years older than I am. Do the math.

Last night my mom was saying things to me about my diet that I didn't want to hear. Basically, what I eat will have consequences on my body. This was the turning point on my diet. Gone are the days of cheesy roll ups at Taco Bell, or baskets of mozzarella sticks, or french fries, and generally eating bread and cheese in some form at every meal. I feel my body saying "STOP THE MADNESS I CANNOT PROCESS THIS FOOD ANYMORE" and it's time for me to listen. This is the only body I'll ever have, and it's time for me to start really taking care of it.

This morning I woke up craving the gym. I've been visiting my parents for a week now and haven't been going to the gym like I was back in Wooster. So I got my workout gear on and headed to town. I went through my workout routine, adding a few things in to make up for the last week of lethargy. After I left, I went to the local GNC to pick up some supplements to help get the lean body I'm looking for.

 The small container in the front is a pre-workout supplement that helps create lean muscles and gives your body the energy and motivation necessary to get a good workout in. It is mixed in the blender bottle and consumed 15-20 minutes before you begin your workout. I'm looking forward to trying it out tomorrow.

The larger container is a post workout powder designed especially for women. It also helps to create lean muscles by building them back after you use them working out. It also boosts your metabolism and converts fat to energy, replaces electrolytes to keep your body hydrated, and promotes overall health and wellbeing. It can be mixed with almost any cold beverage and consumed 15-20 minutes after working out. Today, I mixed it up in a superfood smoothie...

This superfood smoothie consists of frozen raspberries, 1/2 of a banana, ice, greek yogurt, non fat milk, and two scoops of the post workout powder. It was delicious and filling! 

I'm looking forward to starting a healthier life that will make me better overall. I'll blog about my exercises and my food from the day as I go, and I'm so excited to share my journey with anyone who will listen. 

xoxo

gracie