25 Get To Know Me Q&A

1. When was the last time you cried? Monday (3/19/18) 
2. Do you have kids? No
3. If you were another person, would you be a friend of yourself? Yes.
4. Do you use sarcasm a lot? Uhhhh... NO! :)
5. What's the first thing you notice about people? Their eyes and/or smile.
6. What is your eye color? Hazel.
7. Scary movie or happy endings? Happy endings. I am definitely a romantic comedy girl. 
8. Favorite smells? Certain colognes. Roses (I know.) Citrus or earthy smells.
9. What's the furthest you've been away from home? I studied abroad in Spain for three weeks.
10. Do you have any special talents? Mmmm... I talk a lot. 
11. Do you have any pets? No.
12. Do you have any siblings? Yes. 3 brothers, 1 sister, and 2 step-sisters.
13. What do you want to be when you grow up? Young at heart. Happy & healthy.
14. How tall are you? 5'2"
15. How many countries have you visited? 4 - Spain, Portugal, Mexico, & Jamaica
16. What was your favorite/worst subject in high school? Favorite - English/Literature & Worst - Math
17. How would you describe your fashion sense? I try, but seek help from my friends. 
18. How many boyfriends have you had? Ummm... three. These are all high school and after. One I was engaged to, one I married/divorced, and one I was talking with about marriage.  
19. Favorite memory from childhood? How do you choose just one? Weird. Overall I would say camping the 4th of July week with my family. We'd play board games, swim, see fireworks, ride our bikes, and more. 
20. What is one of your bad habits? I watch too much TV. I drink Diet Coke and not enough water. I order pizza way too much. 

 Answer one of the questions above in the comments so I can know something about you! 

~Stephanie~

Negative Thoughts to Gratitude Thoughts

As my work day ended, the comparison and negative thoughts began. No one should do the comparison game or think negatively about themselves. We should be full of the good things. We should be full of love, encouragement, gratitude, and beauty. 

So as I sat down to relax and watch This Is Us I shifted my focus from the negative to feelings of gratitude. I may have cried. Between This Is Us and feeling so full of gratitude it couldn't be helped.  

As I began to switch my negative thoughts to gratitude thoughts, my friends A and C came to mind. We've been friends for years, but these past three through it all. They've loved me. Encouraged me. Cried with me. Listened to me. Laughed with me. Called me out when I needed it and so much more. 

My eyes may be leaking now as I write this and think about them. I am grateful that C works with me a few months out of the year. Even if she scares me sometimes as she pokes her head over the cubicle wall or gives me "the look" to check my attitude. I am grateful for our laughs, dancing, tears, long conversations, fears, and having each others back. 

I love them and so grateful to have them for friends. And the point of all of this is to say as I thought over my gratitude for having these two amazing, beautiful women in my life the negative and lonely thoughts went away. It changed my attitude and I may have sent them a love you snap. 

If you have these negative thoughts stop, look around and think about the things you are grateful for in life. There are so many things. 

~Stephanie~

Rolling Downhill

My food the past week and a half was not good. The last week of February, I had prepped salads for lunch all week and a couple for dinner. However, Monday after my first few bites I felt nauseas and threw my salad away. Unfortunately after that I couldn't stomach the thought of eating a salad. On top of this I woke up with a cold on Tuesday morning. I ended up ordering in most of the week, which was not a good thing.

It was also a busy week and I did not get to bed at a decent time. I woke up late and exhausted almost every morning. So on top of not eating nutritiously, I was not getting my workouts in for the week. This combination of not eating well and not working out is equivalent to a baby who is tired and fighting a nap.  I may have been cranky and craving carbs and sweets. 

It ends up being a vicious cycle. On my way home last week I was thinking about how I needed a workout, but I was so tired. I was exhausted and not eating nutritiously, which continues the cycle of not feeling well and being tired. I was headed downhill and needed to slow my roll. Thankfully I had prepared my favorite chili for the week and I had a workout with Lyndsey on Wednesday night. 

While my food and workouts were not great this week I was able to slow my roll. I may have rolled downhill a little bit, but I am picking myself back up. This week I have my second favorite meal prepared for lunches and a bagged salad for dinner. I am more prepared this week and beginning to climb back up the hill. Again! It isn't easy, but it is worth it.

Monday - 30 minute walk/run

Tuesday - 60 minute strength (Tuesday)

Wednesday - Rest

Thursday - 30-40 minute Tabata

Friday - 30 minute walk/run

Saturday - 90 minute strength 

Sunday - Rest

I won't lie. I am a little uneasy putting this out there for everyone to see, but it gives me some accountability. Plus my goal is 4 or more workouts a week. This week at work will be crazy, but hopefully having a plan will help. Time to get 'er done!

~Stephanie~