Back in the saddle again....

Life has been super busy for me the past few weeks. Between both girls fighting contagious illnesses I've been full on mommy mode and not so much HLC. I'm not complaining about it mind you.I love being mommy and the past 2 weeks have given me lots of down time and extra snuggles and cuddles with my girls that if healthy, they would never allow. I'll take it. Still though, I'm over all the germs and the sick days and not having much of a life outside of our house which has been our annoying prison it seems. We're busting out soon though.

I've officially signed up for my first 5k next month! It's been over a year since my last 5k and my husband has done 3!! I'm so ready to start running more and now that I have a better understanding of my Plantar Fasciitis, I know I can pace myself and manage it far better. I won't allow it to stop me so much as before. Between my PT tips and my YL Oils, I've totally got this.

Totally worth sharing as it has been the best treatment I've found in over 2 years of dealing with this.

Love sharing my testimonies with Young Living Essential oils, they have been MAJOR life changers for our family. From allergies, colds, cleaning, cooking to our pets even. We use them for everything. I'll be doing a giveaway soon on my FB page(The Healthy Living Chick) since I've been gaining new people lately. Make sure you check it out. I may even do another giveaway here on my blog come December, just in time for Christmas! So stay tuned for that as well.


Happy Saturday- Britt The HLC

Starting Anew.

   I've been sitting here for an hour now willing the keyboard to type something worth reading, lame right? I feel so out of place and out of focus on restarting this blog. Yet, if I'm honest (Which on here is always), I also spent a bit of time yesterday rereading it from the very beginning and felt very proud of it.


I took it for granted as an outlet and fun way of keeping myself accountable!




Re-reading all the milestones, the fails and victory's. Reading about the things I finally accepted about myself and to see the transition of me FINALLY letting go of needless insecurities and feeling like I could conquer any challenge, it's empowering and humbling to read my thoughts from then.




So I've decided to keep with the old themes. I like them, they fit. Not to mention I'm pretty sure they will keep me motivated as life enters a new routine and chapter in my household next week. You can read all about my ideas Here .




Also, be sure to check out my pages above. I've added a few including information about Young Living Essential Oils. They are a huge part of our home and I love them so much and believe in the products as well that I'm now a distributor. Ask me for my testimony anytime, I love sharing with people what they have done for me and my family!




Also, be sure to check out my HLC FB Page for updates, random thoughts and special things.




Okay, I'm officially rambling now. Some things never change sadly.....




In closing, THANK YOU for being here. For taking the time to read my blog means more than you know to this average joe-schmoe .




Enjoy your Sunday,
Britt The HLC

Sweeping out the cobwebs....

Believe it or not, I'm still alive.

Sorry for being MIA but life has been beyond busy.

6 months preggo and gearing up for the holiday season. I think it's time to get back to the blog-life. I've missed it.

Things are still going great pregnancy wise. I'm having a GIRL ! My niche this pregnancy has been cooking, much to my hubby's pleasure and expanding waistline. I'm still unable to gain weight no matter how much I eat or do. I was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes and that has made me have to modify my usual diet which honestly, I find to be pretty neat. I refuse to let it get me down or limit my love of food. :)

I'm sure I'll be adding more recipes than usual in the next couple of posts.

I'm doing a lot of walking and taking advantage of the non Fall weather, although I wish it would get colder. Texas is just not season friendly and has a mind fo it's own. Halloween isn't a huge event in our household, we carve pumpkins and go to our Church's Trunk or Treat but Avery is still too little to go trick or treating and in my opinion, doesn't need all that candy!

Is there anything you are looking forward to during Halloween and November? Do you celebrate Halloween? Decorate? Have traditions? Share them here.

XOXO,
Britt The HLC

Did You Hear The News?!

So I've been away, busy with life. I am so excited to get back to blogging and sharing some things I've come to love and realize on my Healthy Living journey. Things around here are going to be a bit busy(er)....

HEALTHY LIVING CHICK IS PREGNANT!

I feel like a broken record since Evan announced it on FB after a sweet reveal to our family and then of course on twitter and the family blog but I am just now getting around to announcing it here. (Never had to worry about that with Avery since it was before all the social media stuff) So yes, after 6 months of trying we finally got what we have been praying for! Come late Dec/early Jan our family will welcome Baby #2 or "gummy bear" as Avery calls him/her.

I'm finally getting over the worst of the symptoms and I've only lost 5.5lbs but I am feeling great and baby is doing amazingly. We are just so excited!!

I will say the one thing I love about being pregnant is how much I crave fruits and veggies. It's insane. With Avery I ate salads and fuji apples nonstop and so far with this pregnancy it's mexican food and honeycrisp apples (and yes it has to be honeycrisp, not any other kind). My running is on hold for now which saddens me but with the Texas heat it's a small blessing and I get my morning walks in and by the time I'm home, I'm just as sweaty as if I had run 3miles. :)

Good things are coming!

-Britt The HLC

Living Life.

Ever since I started HLC I set out on a serious mission. To actually practice what I was preaching! Living Healthy, Living Life, Living Free. Three very easy (or seemingly easy) rules to live by to live a full, happy, healthy and regret free life. Right? Add in a blog for accountability purposes and Ta-Da!

In the 9 months of my transition I have hit several high and low points (I am human after all) but the biggest thing was that I am sticking to it! Do I blog all the time? No. Do I benge eat or do crazy diets? No. Do I exercises every day? Not close. However. Do I eat healthier and make better food choices? Yes. Do I guilt myself for having dessert? No. Do I exercise regularly? Yes.

It's all about your perspective and your ambition. Setting realistic goals and reminding yourself that it's okay to go at it on your rules and at your pace. It doesn't matter if your blog doesn't look as cool as others you read, it's not about how many followers you have, how often you post, if you don't count calories, join a gym, follow a workout routine or if you only run 3 days a week.

Do it for YOU. Do what makes YOU happy.

Alright well, enough beating around the bush...

In the part of living free and figuring out a way to help my goals for this chapter of living a healthy lifestyle I made a bucket list...yes, a bucket list. I made one years back in an old journal and every once in awhile when I stumble upon it I have been able to add the dates to the events after I cross it off the list and that feeling, as quick and seemingly nonimportant makes me so happy and feel accomplished.

A bucket list doesn't have to necessarily be these HUGE events, they can be small goals or dreams that you set out to obtain. It can be a vision board you visually see everyday, a small checklist you check often, anything you wish to make it.

Mine is simply an updated list from my old list I made in 2003. Once I accomplish something from the list, I take a photo (if applicable) and write an entry about it. Like my latest accomplishment on my bucket list.

I wanna know: If YOU had a bucket list, what would be on it?

Britt The HLC

HLC goes Blonde.

Literally.

After years and years (well, okay 9) of asking or offering to let me try going blonde, I took Evan up almost as a dare or "yeah, that'd be fun for summer" thing and I have to say....I'm totally liking this.  I've always thought of trying to go drastic from my dark hair, I mean I was blonde the first 3 years of my life and was pretty cute. I can rock an auburn do with burgundy highlights like no other especially with short hair.

This time around though I put complete faith in a long time friend who also happens to be my stylist and for once (she told me last time to lose some weight before I chop my hair so short, ha) she said "Let's try it out" so off I went after Megans wedding to get my hair chopped off and to lighten my hair a shade or two (since I have no desire to go full blonde in one day). When I got to the salon though we decided to do all over highlights and low lights and test it out for a month. Again, I love it. I'm super excited to go back and get more blonde put in and test it out for the summer. The old me would never take such a bold risk, let alone feel so confident simply over a hair cut.

So far I've gotten positive feedback and only my mothers semi "ohh, well, that's new". I even ran into an ex at the grocery store and he didn't know who I was!!! (which was awesome)

What do YOU think?

Here we go!

Rockin' the foil...

Goodbye 6 inches!!!

TA Da!

Hmmmm

Oh Yeah!

Have you ever taken a risk with your appearance to make yourself feel good?

Living Free,
Britt the HLC

8 months later....

8 months ago I made a choice.

I made myself a priority. I put my health, my happiness, my self esteem and my well being into prospective. I started making different and new types of sacrifices, I got educated, got focused, got involved with activities that helped motivate me. I let go of unhealthy friendships and relationships and in the process have met some amazing new friends and connections.

I still have a way to go to reach some personal goals but after 8 months...



I am HAPPY. I am HEALTHY. I am FREE.

1st time I have EVER felt good in a dress in almost 6 years!

My amazing Husband, so supportive and inspiring with his own journey to living healthy.(42lbs down)

This is what HLC is all about.

I was in a friends wedding this weekend and during the whole process of helping her plan and make this wedding happen I noticed a lot of differences in the old me verses the new me. The old me would never have agreed to wear a dress like these. I would have requested being covered head to toe and in something not flesh colored. The shoes were also foreign to me with towering heels, bright glitter and a lot of sex appeal. (pain, oh they were painful to wear). The old me would have cried over how insecure I felt and would have been miserable the entire day. Not happy, smiling and feeling amazing in front of a church full of people. The old me would have headed for the wine and cake at the reception and sat in the far corner of the room with a plate full of food; not skip them both and just enjoy being with friends. Oh the old me would have been miserable and left early and felt guilty days later.

Little changes, results from little choices have truly made me who I am today and I am so amazed that I have let 8 months go by and I'm still sticking with this! I'm happy. I'm truly happy and I'm learning that the old me was focused and dwelt on the wrong priorities and used every excuse to not look at herself in the mirror and face the music on how bad she was treating herself.

It's not about the weight, in fact, the less I dwell on it, the easier it is to lose (14lbs down). The less I worry about all the non important keys of losing weight and gaining confidence the more happy I am in my own skin. The more confidence I have and the more I realize how truly blessed I am.

Have you ever had an "aha!" moment about yourself?

Body Image Tuesday

I haven't done one of these posts in awhile, yikes. Quite awhile.

I love how honest I can be here, like my little domain of truth and honesty that I block off my negative thoughts and excuses from that I find myself bickering with internally everyday. You all know what I am talking about, don't deny it.

So true story......

I've gained 13lbs. Oh yeah, out of nowhere I'd say but at the same time...I've slacked off big time with my normal regime of eating better, sleeping more and not drinking soda. Add in I'm on 2 new medications and there you have it. 13lbs.

I will also say  that despite this little news shocker, I'm totally OKAY with it. I'm not crying about it, feeling guilty or down. I feel great about how I look and yes, I can tell in some of my newer clothes that I need to get back to my healthier eating and living habits but it's just a different stand point than I used to do when I gained a bit of weight or suddenly couldn't seem to lose weight.

I have accepted who I am and what my body looks like and no longer having the stress of those unrealistic thoughts and weight goals has been such a sweet relief and an amazing turn around for me!!

Don't get me wrong though, it's spring. My butt will be in the gym more and running more with the warmer temps, not too mention....swimsuit season? Hello!

At Cracker Barrel, my one weakness for food.

It's safe to say that for me, Healthy living has become a bit different than I once thought and scoffed about it being. 8 months of little changes have had a HUGE impact on my self image, my food knowledge and even friendships. It's not about the number on the scale, what you eat or don't eat, how often or not often you work out....it's just about making the attempt, finding what works for you and trying new things before quitting and NEVER losing focus on your goals.

What works for you?

Britt The HLC

More Tea Please. -NOM NOM Wed.

Okay, seriously...I'm becoming a bit obsessed with tea lately.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a Texan so sweet tea is practically in my veins but I've been trying new varieties of Hot tea and Cold with my Kuerig and I'm seeing such a difference in my energy and nerves by the end of a busy day.

A few of my faves:
TAZO- Awake, Calm & Zen
YOGI- Green tea Goji Berry, Green tea Blueberry Slim life
LIPTON- Spiced Chai & Blackberry
CELESTIAL- Sleepy time, Wild Berry Zinger and Blueberry


My Ultimate Cup of Tea though is Lavender tea. So good and it's just what I crave at the end of the day once the house is quiet and I'm not busy doing super mom/ wife duties.

Seriously, find this stuff and be amazed!

I still like my morning cup of coffee and I no longer miss Starbucks or the money I was throwing away on their overpriced crack fixes since I got my Kuerig. But the more I looked into Tea...the better the facts set me into slowly switching my daily amount of Coffee and Caffeine in general. According to the American Dietetic Association, a cup of tea contains an average of 40 mg of caffeine, compared to 85 mg as found in a cup of freshly brewed coffee.

Not too mention the studies that have shown that just a few cups of tea a day can reduce your risk of certain cancers.  Unfortunately, iced tea doesn't necessary provide the same health benefits as brewed tea. Which again as a Texan makes it weird to drink hot tea in the middle of the day but I love the aroma from my hot tea and add how good it taste, how quickly it relaxes me and the health perks...I'm adjusting easily. :)

Question time: What's something you've switched in order to be healthier?

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood...

Today, it was 80*.

80*... in Feb. Thanks Texas, for staying weird as usual. Come hell or high water I will be running tomorrow after my 2 doctor appointments and if my foot doctor won't allow me to run, I may glare him down in a battle of wills.....in my head anyways.

I'm so tired of not being able to do ANYTHING. I can tell how much not being active is effecting my mood and energy. This week has just been emotionally draining and I feel tired and cranky. Even after having a picnic lunch at the park today with Evan and Avery and soaking up the sunshine it just made me sad that I couldn't put on my running gear and just take off.

Soon....very, very soon.


Running makes me happy, it truly does. Never thought I would say that. HA.

Another thing that makes me happy is this team right here.....

Oh yeah, Spring Training started today and I am so excited!!!! This seasons going to be amazing and I am ready to hit the ball park and cheer on my guys.

I'm so excited!

*Cue horrible 80's music*



That's not fair, I love 80's music and it's not all THAT bad....



I'm so excited and I just can't hide it
I'm about to lose control and I think I like it
I'm so excited and I just can't hide it
And I know I know I know I know I know I want you

We shouldn't even think about tomorrow
Sweet memories will last for long long time
We'll have a good time, Baby, don't do worry
And if we're still playin' around boy that's just fine.





Update later for the reveal!


 

See, I'll even share a picture of my excited face.

Actually, Avery took this at random during lunch yesterday and I just found it on my phone haha.

Happy Tuesday,

Britt The HLC

Hot Chocolate 5k Re-Cap!

I've been meaning to re-cap since Saturday night but I was waiting for more pictures to become available and for my official results but it appears they were never taken during the race and I'm waiting for customer relations to get back to me to see about getting it all fixed.

Of course in true Texas style, we had 70 degree weather in the beginning of the week then down to low 50's the rest so we didn't think much of the weather for the 7:30am start time. However, Friday brought an Arctic front and the temp went from upper 50's to low 30's with the wind chill in the teens!!! Needless to say it was all about the layers for the 5k.

6:00am and Evan and I were out the door and off to pick up my friend Beth then on the road to Dallas (35-40 minute drive). I drove and we came up with a plan of action for where to meet at the end, what play list to jam too and strategies and enjoyed the non-traffic commute for once. Jinxed ourselves as we merged onto 30 to see a parking lot!!!! So I exited and we took a back way thanks to Beth's phone and parked in the very front row of gate 5 with 11 minutes to spare!!!

SIDE NOTE-Apparently several exits to fair park were closed and there was an accident so LOTS of people were stuck in traffic and missed the start time. However, reading through all the rude and complaint comments on the site and FB I must say, I don't see how the race sponsors or PR people could have known it would happen and they tried to communicate best they could and let people know the time they could arrive to still race the 5k. The fact that people assumed they should have postponed the race until everyone arrived is dumb. Plan ahead folks, arrive early and seek alternate routes, plain and simple.

So anyway, we made our way to our corrals and stretched and tried to stay warm. The dj was playing pumped up music and then they were off. It took us 12 minutes to get from Corral G to the start line so it added 10minutes to my time for my runkeeper app.

                                                        Making our way to the Corrals
                         (I forgot to put my glasses up and ended up wearing them while I raced, opps!)

Where's the start line? (Wayyyyyyy up there)

Evan stayed with me the first half mile before I shooed him on. I never saw him again haha, he's in better shape and condition than I am and I wanted him to enjoy himself. Not only that but for me, running is so relaxing and freeing so once I get into the music and set my pace I just kinda...zone out.

I was making good time and for once, was passing people in my intervals but I was also not doing my breathing right and as cold as it was (I forgot my gloves too) I was winded by the time I got to the 2nd mile. After a small breather on a bridge to take a picture I suddenly had lost all my steam. Thankfully, the volunteers were amazing and when I got to the 2nd water station they were cracking me up and I shuffled my play list to get more motivated to keep going.

"Running a red light" Ba Dum Dum

Downtown Dallas and Fair Park.

After the 2nd mile I literally struggled. I kept my intervals but seemed to just be moving at a snail pace. Then suddenly a song came on I hadn't heard in forever and I suddenly had some momentum. Does anyone ever get that way with music? So help me the following 3 songs were fast paced and had me grooving and then before I knew it I was no longer 5 minutes under my "goal pace" but only 2 minutes behind and I could breath without hurting so much. The only discomfort I had was my hands and my left foot was burning for some reason. I crossed the finish line at 50:01 to my favorite Devotchka song blaring in my head and a smile on my face. As I started walking and searching for Evan and Beth, I was grabbed from behind by my sweet husband who started cheering for me and hugging me like crazy and for some ridiculous reason I just leaned into him and started crying.

Do not ask me why I cried. I know a 5k is nothing big and is easy peasy compared to a half or full marathon but I ran this 5k more than I've ran any time in my training. I stuck with it when I was ready to quit at mile 2 and I finally finished a personal goal for myself this year that I really and in all honesty have been making far too many excuses on not fully committing to last year when I had other opportunities to do one.

                                                                  We Did it!

Why you always come prepared for cold weather!!!

He was just a bit excited/ happy for me.

Challenge accepted & completed.

After we completed our race it was off to the automobile building to enjoy some chocolate fondue and hot chocolate, you know, the main reason so many people signed up for the race to begin with!!! The lines were fast moving and the volunteers were yet again, super helpful. Here's the photographic proof....

                                                            The awesome Volunteers!!

                                                                         YUMMY!

 Enjoying my treats                                   Giant Chocolate fountain!

Beth and I being goofy.

My husbands version of goofy. :)

Needless to say, when the Hot Chocolate 5k comes back, we will be there, no doubt about it! Very well organized, the volunteers were super helpful and sweet and a big thanks to the vendors, Dallas PD and everyone else involved in this fun 5k experience.

I'm so glad Evan did this with me and Beth, he is so hooked now. He wants to go get a new pair of running shoes from Run On! or Lukes soon and asked to run with me now.

After the race and goodies we decided to leave and head back to Denton thinking it was noon but it wasn't even 9:30!!! haha. So we stopped at Cracker Barrel for a celebratory breakfast where I ate the most amazing feast ever!!

  ohhhh yeah, Sweet potato pancakes with cinnamon butter, scrambled egg whites and bacon. BLISS!

I'll be sure to add any pictures of the 3 of us if Brightroom caught us in action. There's my re-cap. I'd suggest anyone wanting to do a 5k or 15k to give this one a try. :)

Get up and get running,

Britt The HLC



Patience is Key

I know I said earlier how I would keep Evan and I's TTC stuff mainly in the Family Blog but tonight I just feel that it's more fitting on the HLC.

Many of you lovolies know Evan and I have been going for baby #2 for a few months now. We're in no rush by any means and we're okay if it doesn't happen as easily as it did with our other two pregnancies. I have my fears, Evan has his. I have my stress days of thinking this whole process is just for the birds while Evan has no complaints on the whole process so to speak. :)

2 weeks ago I went in for my annual "HOORAY I'M FEMALE" visit as I like to call it. It was with a new OB/GYN since we can't go to our amazing Dr. Emmet since we moved. I went to this person based on how many of my friends suggested her and how much they like her and I found out why. Dr. Dooley was super sweet and we had a nice talk before I had to strip down to that oh so trendy paper sack they call a gown. I had my exam which had a few jokes told and laughter in the room (I can't stand the quiet during those type of routine exams and usually make jokes to make it more relaxed, she was all for it) and then after I dressed we went back to more serious conversation.

I have had two miscarriages before having Avery and I never opted to have them tested or anything to see why they happened. The first one I had, I didn't even know I was pregnant until I was having the miscarriage (around 6wks). I was also young and not with Evan and in a dumb phase of life as I refer to it. With our first pregnancy, we had no issues whatsoever and it was during my second sonogram that they told us there was no heartbeat (10wks3days) I pretty much went into this numb daze and remember going home and waiting for Evan to come in the bedroom before losing it, not because I lost the baby, I was in complete denial throughout that horrible 5 days of letting nature take it's course, but because I felt that I had failed him. Not just Evan, my whole family, my friends. I refused to accept that we had lost the baby and opted out of a DNC. To this day I regret that decision due to what it put Evan and I through.

Dr. Dooley went over my medical history, my pregnancy issues with Avery and the notes on our first pregnancy and sent me to get a very thorough and detailed lab diagnostic done on me as well as a sonogram to make sure nothing was amiss. It was a 4 hour process. I gave 11 vials of blood and had the not so friendly sonogram done and have been patiently waiting for our follow up appointment on the 23rd in which she asked that Evan be at as she will go over the results. She pretty much told me there won't be anything she wont know about my body when the results come in. Even with that being done I was in the process of ovulating and she said to "Go for it now". So we will also be tested to see if this is our month to get a Positive test. If we are not PG, we will put it on hold until May.

So many things have changed for us since we had Avery. It's been 3 years of positive changes BECAUSE of her. The way we slept, ate, drove, and lived did a crazy 180 because we suddenly had this amazing baby girl and we wanted her to have the best and that included her way of viewing the world. After all the complications we had during her pregnancy and the hours I spent on bed rest. it made me seriously figure things out for myself on the type of changes I needed to make.

I eat healthier now, I sleep when I can, I drink more water, I work out and run a lot, I'm very active.
Which is where I think some of my nerves in getting pregnant come from.  The risk of miscarrying is of course there, the medical issues that will surely happen again are as well but more so in my head is the thoughts that becoming pregnant will mean no more gym, no more running and eating nonstop. I know I can do classes and light training but overall, this healthy lifestyle I have adapted to is about to change a lot!
Dumb of me to fret over, I'm sure.

With that said and swirling in my head, I also can't help but get giddy at the thought of looking like this again.

Can you see me with a belly like that doing a 5k? I can. May be one of the last to cross that finish line but if I was healthy and had the go ahead from my Dr. I'd so do it.

Guess we'll just wait and see what 2012 bring us.

XOXO-

Britt The HLC

Dear Self....

I was recently on a cleaning spree with Evan when I came across a box of letters and photos from high school. I sat for awhile laughing at some of the letters to friends I wrote, magazine clippings of Jake Gylenhal, Josh Hartnett and my geek crush Josh Groban when I found a CD with my senior pictures on it....

            

90's perm                                                 Age 10                                                    Just smile.

To be honest, looking at my younger pictures is hard for me. I hardly had friends and in the majority of them I have 1 of 2 looks, one where I have this huge false smile on my face and the other where I look sad or upset with having a camera in my face. My how that seems like a lifetime ago.....

Just before I started my Senior year, I had a breast reduction surgery that truly was what I wanted. Besides the fact that I needed to lose weight and I had medical issues due to the weight I was. I  wanted to fit in, I wanted to feel pretty and accepted, I wanted to be healthy and stay in school without constantly being sent home due to my medical issues.

To sum up a sad and pointless story....I had my Senior pictures re-done in Feb of my senior year and the pictures were Amazing. I was smiling in them, I was posing and not hiding myself, I even had my best friend be in a few with me. I look so relaxed and just comfortable and I didn't cry about them to my mom. I remember printing so many of them out and handing them out to people I knew and even Evan, who was a sweet friend of mine with no romantic feelings yet surfaced. I think that stage of my youth I felt good in my skin for the first time and started to make my way into the world with my head high and yet...I still felt overweight, I felt "Fat".

So there I was, sitting in my fave pj's, no make-up on, hair in a messy bun laughing at these pictures with my husband and proclaiming "GOD, look how thin I am!! Look at my skin! I want to be this thin again..." and internally scoffing at my younger self for being so silly and for thinking I wasn't beautiful or worth much. It doesn't take much to feel good about yourself....believe me. It's a process, a journey you hate at first and then even more when you realize...YOUR PERFECT AS YOU ARE!

I know we all do this to ourselves on bad days, I know people struggle with it. Lord knows I did a lot growing up pretty much until I turned 18 and started dating Evan. But once I realized I was beautiful for a multitude of reasons and a lot of them being on the inside....I let my true self show and that's attractive. I also think Evan saved me from myself....he saved me from a dangerous place in my life and he did it by starting off as my friend and by telling me flat out the choices I was making in my life were making me ugly. He wasn't the only one back then who had said as much to me but he was the one whose voice caught my attention. How I love him for that hard conversation. (long back story for that to make sense, sorry)

Still though, when you feel good about yourself it shows in so many GOOD ways and when you love someone who allows you to be yourself and brings the best of you out....you just get more attractive when you embrace who you are.

So to my Self (Past, Present & future):

-ALWAYS REMEMBER-

You are Beautiful. You may not feel it everyday, you may not act it on occasion but trust me. You are perfect the way you are. You are a woman capable of obtaining any goal you set before yourself. You are an amazing wife to a man who adores you for everything you are and a mom to one outstanding little girl who also brings out the best of you. BE PATIENT with her and remember to remind her always that she is beautiful by being unique in her individuality. Remember that diets only make you cranky, water is your friend and the gym makes you feel like a rock star so don't be so afraid of it. Running in the early morning suits you best because you get to clear your head and get a good quiet time in too. The scale lies, it always has and you realized this at 22 so don't bother going by it, in fact keep on not allowing them in your home all together. Your a strong christian who has a brilliant smile and contagious laugh to go with your awesome sense of humor. You choose to be positive rather than negative about things and your friends find you to be loyal and always there when they need you. You love musicals and British movies, your a history geek and a foodie at heart (you caught the microwave on fire, who does that?!) and you still believe you will be able to convince your husband to eat and love tofu. You are creative and crafty when you don't talk yourself out of doing something along those lines, you also tend to second guess yourself entirely too much. You are doing good for yourself by realizing your worth it and so is your family. Keep it up!!!

Something New

So I had a funny discussion with Evan about how much money we are wasting a month by NOT going to the gym. We hate wasting anything but money is a HUGE thing we cling to when we can. With 2 huge trips in  motion this year I definitely do not want to waste a penny!!

So I got up this morning and took myself to the gym. And am now feeling the effects of not going. I also forgot how good it always feels when you leave the gym a sweaty mess.

 I think I am more sore from trying out the Zumba2 fitness on my friends wii yesterday too. 45minutes and 228 calories later I was achy, sweaty and panting for breath!!! LOVE IT! Since I take care of her daughter after school I'll be able to do this Zumba everyday for an hour. SCORE.

Fun music and the belt holds the controller so it can sense if your movements match the dancer. Needless to say I didn't score high but I still got a workout. Anyone else try it?

Hopefully, I get myself out the door in the morning and go for a real jog, cold weather be danged, it's time to get my winter body out that door!

How Rude!! (Rant)

Recently I was chatting with a friend through messenger whom I haven't talked to in a LONG time. We'll call her "Rude Friend" or RF for short. After a pleasant 15 minutes of catching up with one another RF made a comment about how good I looked these days. "You know Britt, you look better now than you did in high school and most women after they have kids really let themselves go which has been a fear of mine."
okay.....I should mention that RF is currently pregnant with her first child,
So I laughed her comment off and thanked her. She asked me how much I had lost since having Avery and I was honest in telling her that I lost close to 42lbs but I gained back 30 of it and am trying to get to a healthy average for my body type.

RF:"Oh, wow. That's awesome. Wait, don't you have a "Healthy Living" blog or something I saw on FB?"
Me: "Yes, I have 2 blogs I maintain for fun."
RF: "Don't you think it's wrong to promote a lifestyle you're not doing good at?'
Me: "What do you mean by that?"
RF: "I just mean, and don't take this wrong but I mean like, you're still overweight...how can you blog about living healthy when you obviously are not doing anything to change your weight and stuff...like, I guess I haven't seen you really doing anything other than a few pictures of you in workout stuff and I know you told _____ about doing a 5k soon"
Me: "That's a little rude, we haven't seen each other in almost 3 years since you guys moved away and you just got done saying how much better I look now than in high school? Have you read my blog at all?"
RF: "No, I just saw your FB page about it..sorry..I mean I guess I just don't understand why you'd put yourself out there like that when you don't look.....I dunno how to word it without it sounding horrible...you get what I mean though, right?"
Me: "No, not really."

At this point I was kinda disgusted with the entire conversation and used Avery as an excuse to leave the chat. Am I wrong or was she way out of line?!

*Hops on soapbox*
Look folks, I know I am no skinny minnie and guess what, I'm NEVER going to be one. Don't have a desire to be either since my entire life I've always been a little bigger than most girls. I have hips, I have boobs, God gave them to me because he knew I could handle it. Granted, I got rid of some of the boobs thanks to surgery but I still have more than most. It took me sadly, years to figure out I was perfectly fine the way I looked. I embrace my body as MINE and so what if I have a pouch or stretch marks from having a child or I don't look like a VS runway model. My husband loves me as I am, my daughter looks up to me looking the way I do and I feel good in this body! I let way too many people put me down in my teen years for not being or looking like a certain type. I was bullied for years and it robbed me of some good oppourtunities in life and if my blog can help someone out there see that it's okay to be who they are as long as they feel good just by making healthy living choices everyday then I've succeeded in my goal for this blog.
-End Rant

I've never claimed this blog was an entire thing on losing weight, it's part of my Healthy Living journey/transition sure, but is it my main focus and what this blog is for? Not even close. If you read my blog (the few awesome people you are) then you'll recall one of my earliest entries was how I am not Promoting losing weight or diet fades....not going to find it here...

Healthy Living Chick represents 3 key things....
Living Healthy- Exercises, eating healthy, making healthy choices daily, switching one bad habit with a healthy alternative, cooking smarter, educating yourself etc.
Living Life- I'm a wife and a mommy, I'm balancing those two jobs with a little me time mixed in with a part time job...I'm busy!
Living Free- Accepting and acknowledging who you are and being happy with that! God made us individuals for a darn good reason and thanks to societys sick standards girls and woman (men too) these days feel the need to be in a certain stereo type or body type to feel desired or accepted and it's just not right. Embrace your curves, love your flaws and remember that you can be healthy and happy without being miserable or unhappy.

 Whatever happened to the Disney rule of thumb? "If you can't say nothing nice, don't say anything at all?"

-HLC

Back in Action.

North Carolina was amazing.

I hiked some ridiculous hills.

I saw some brilliant Fall Colors.

I spent more time outdoors than I have in a year!

But Texas is forever my home.

Soooo glad to be back home.

Update soon,

HLC

First 5k!!

If this weekend could have been any busier, I may have had to call in from life tomorrow!


Well, I'm here. Which can only mean one thing. I SURVIVED MY FIRST 5k! :)


I must say I had such a blast! The people were great, the weather was perfect and aside from a little mud, the trail was awesome (concrete, gravel, mud, grass, small hills and more!). I wish I had taken more pictures that entire morning but I only got one of Michelle and I after the race while we were snacking on some yummy Panera Bread bagels.

I got up at 6:15am, showered, ate a banana and then got nervous. I probably tried on 9 different tops and judged myself in the mirror about each one before settling on my oh so comfy and over worn laps for little ones tee to go with my running Capri's. Then it was go time! I walked to the race since it was being hosted at the park close to my home, I used that 10min walk as a pump it up time and warm-up with some good pacing and funky music.

Met up with Michelle who looked so adorable in all her "Yeah, I'm pregnant!" glow as we decided our best way to tackle this 5k and started chit chatting with a few fellow runners she knew from her running class (Seriously thinking of joining one). Since Michelle is pregnant we decided to just have fun and walk the entire 5k rather than the 1-mile walk, although Michelle did assure me over and over again to just "Go for it if you feel the need!" but to be honest I was just excited that I was there and actually completing something I set out to do!!!!

We chatted about running goals, past experiences, friends, relationships, church, faith and pregnancy stuff and enjoyed a wonderful cool morning with not a cloud in the sky. So amazing and so needed. It truly just fueled my fire to be more active in the jogging community. There's a 5k this weekend in Denton but I'm not going to do it due to previous plans but I am very much looking forward to the Reindeer Romp and Turkey Trot.

My official end time was 49min 50sec http://http://www.eteamz.com/racechiptiming/files/joj.htm#20

Yeah, for walking the entire thing I'm pretty proud of myself. Come next month when E and I do a Thanksgiving run...I'll be running the 5k so we'll see how I improve from then. :)

I must also mention that as soon as I walked back home, I changed shirts and socks and made my way back out the door to the Texas State Fair and did not return home until after midnight! That's 16 hours on my feet (meh, take off maybe 2 hours for sitting) and in steady motion.

My calves hate me today. I mean H-A-T-E me. I love it. HA

Let the addiciton take flight, I love this extra energy!

-HLC

Free For All Friday

Crazy week for my family. Lots of things happening so I'm off a bit, forgive? Sure ya do.
I will say that I am super excited because my very FIRST 5k is tomorrow with a sweet friend of mine. Expect a awesome entry this weekend on that. Very much achieving a personal goal this weekend. One of many...


It's October already! Sheesh, time is flying by. I'm excited about decorating this weekend and getting ready for A's Halloween as I will be in NC with my sister who had a BEAUTIFUL baby girl today!!! (Check out the deets on my family blog)

October Running Mix- Enjoy and Share! (Yes, I'm in a old school vibe mixed with my indie tone)

1. "Monster Mash" - Bobby "Boris" Pickett & The Crypt Kickers
2. "Here Comes The Sun" - The Beatles
3. "Sexy and I know it" - LMFAO
4. "Kick Drum Heart" - The Avett Brothers
5. "Chop & Change" - The Black Keys
6. "This is Halloween" - Citizens of Halloween, Nightmare Before Christmas
7. "Runaway Baby" - Bruno Mars
8. "Call it what you want" - Foster the People
9. "Love Shack" - B-52's
10. "Feel Good Inc." - Gorilliaz
11. "11th Dimension" - Julian Casablancas
12. "Read My Mind" - The Killers
13. "You're Not Stubborn" - Two Door Cinema Club
14. "You Get What You Give" - New Radicals
15. "500 miles"- The Proclaimers
16. "Larger Than Life" - Backstreet Boys
17. "Sweet Dreams (are Made of this) - Eurythmics
18. "How it Ends" - DeVotchKa

Very random songs I put together but it seems to fit my life right now as well as my workouts. My runs are weird since I seem to be more treadmill then free run lately which makes me sad. Just me being lazy and not getting up when I should. Tsk...Tsk...

I truly don't have much to touch on. I will say, I plan on adding a few more quotes and noteworthy things I've stumbled upon lately as well as FINALLY getting some recipes going on with some pictures. Who doesn't like food sharing?!

Enjoy your Friday and be sure to check back this weekend (Sunday).
- The HLC

Que Rocky Music.....

First run in over a week due to being under the weather but MAN ALIVE! I feel so good right now. I doubt there is a better feeling then right after a workout, you just feel at such a peak and like the pain and soreness will be worth it the next day :).

My goal is to do a 5k in under 40min, right now I average about 55min so it's a work in progress especially since I am only running at 1-2min intervals between 3 minutes of walking. Just taking it day by day. I'm doing so much better than I thought I would be a year ago (With a 6 month hiatus).

What workout do you do to pump yourself? What are some exercises goals you have conquered?

Also, any Mommy's out there with a jogging stroller? I am in serious talks of getting one within the next 3 weeks to take A out and about with me (so I can go out more and not wait on E to be home). Any recommendations?

I know I have a few new recipes to share with you guys and I meant to post them for Nom Nom Wednesday but I didn't get time. I'll share them later tonight. If you know of any good healthy and easy to make recipes, please share some. I'm looking for some new ones.

I'll also post Septembers running mix up tonight as well.

Stay Healthy!

-HLC