New year, new me

As mentioned in my previous post, December DID fly by. Every early November, I eagerly anticipate the holiday season, but every year it's over before I know it and I feel like I didn't take enough time to enjoy it fully.

So what's new in my life you ask? Well...

I bit the bullet and made the decision to do something FOR ME. I signed up for a membership at Cross Fit City of Lakes. I wasn't getting the results I wanted with my diet plan and personal training program (nor was I all that enthused about it). I have been going at least 3x a week, but trying/aiming for 4. Being this is something I am paying for, I wanted to do it right – the whole shebang. With that being said, I am also following the recommended Paleo diet – ie – no grains, dairy, grains, processed foods or alcohol. My carbohydrate intake is coming from mostly vegetables, nuts and seeds and a little fruit. I fill up on healthy fats and proteins.

I know, I know… I’m on a “bandwagon” again. But, the more I talk to my trainer and the more I read about it, the more it made sense to me and the way I want to treat my body. I ‘officially’ started on December 1st and I have been feeling pretty great. I am loving the workouts and the diet. I am not feeling deprived, not having any terrible cravings either. The only time I crave grain carbs is when I have waitied too long to eat.

My clothes are fitting better, my confidence is gaining, and I am feeling stronger. I love how I leave every workout with nothing left to give - I push myself to the limit in every workout. I cannot say enough good things about CrossFit. Seriously ladies... I haven't felt this good about myself, this strong, this confident in a LONG time.

I am also working on keeping my mind open in regards to the diet - this is LIFE. Not a judgement on how strict I keep my Paleo diet. I do have a little dairy here and there, which I am trying to cut out as I have reason to believe that it negatively affects my skin (reintroduction to dairy after a week off = hellllooooo massive breakout!). I also allowed myself to indulge over the holidays, but am back on track now. I will give myself a cheat day/meal if I feel it is necessary or if there is a special event.

Nine days in to 2011 and things are looking up.

What are you looking forward to this year? Any new years resolutions?

Traditions

December is certainly going to fly by, I just know it. Today is only December 4th, but before we know it, it'll be New Years Eve.

I have yet to decorate the house and am totally in a mood to go balls to the walls crazy and totally deck the halls. But when I think about all the trinkets I want, I realize that it'd be a waste of money to buy them all now at full price. I could EASILY spend over $100 on cute snowmen, santas, penguins, trees and lights, but is that really practical when I'm already on a tight budget? Not so much. What I really need are some elementary kids making me construction paper chain decorations and popcorn garland.

The last two years though, I've always been at Target the days after Christmas and always talk myself out of buying the ridiculously discounted Christmas trinkets. This year my inner Chrimstas-ista will give in and BUY BUY BUY!

I am loving all the holiday shows that are on TV now. On Tuesday night, I was highly disappointed that Biggest Loser wasn't on until 8, but my night did a 180 when I realized that the Grinch (the cartoon version) was on instead. I LOVE the Grinch. It's hands down my FAVORITE Christmas cartoon. Next on the list is Mickey's Christmas Carol, followed by the Frosty saga.

Mickey's Christmas Carol brings back so many warming and loving memories with my family. We would ALWAYS watch it together every year and we were all so excited about it. Last year, because of the crummy weather that came through MN the day before Christmas Eve, I wasn't able to spend Christmas with my family. I was so upset. I had spent most of the day at work checking the weather (crossing my fingers for a miracle) and talking on the phone with my Dad getting weather updates. Coming to terms with the fact that I wouldn't be spending Christmas with my family was hard to swallow. I had to babysit that night, had a white knuckle hour drive to my house that night, and let it sink in that the drive to SD wasn't going to happen.

When I got home, I walked into a candle lit house, Kenny G Christmas music playing (my favorite), and my hunny sitting at our center island with two homemade ice cream sundaes for us. He was so sympathetic, so sweet, and took the time to go out in the crappy weather to buy me my favorites - the Kenny G CD, my favorite winter scented candle, and ice cream. Later that night we watched Mickey's Christmas Carol and of course I balled.

We spent Christmas with Nate's family and eventually made it to my family two days after Christmas. I am so thankful for how welcoming and caring his family was that year and continues to be. The whole experience really made me realize that it's not about the date, it's about the celebration and time with the people you spend it with.

Alright, enough sap for the day...

I have a feeling that today is going to slip away from me. I'd really like to go get a Christmas tree today, maybe some cheap decorations, return some stuff, yoga my body up and we've reserved Eclipse on RedBox.

What are your favorite Christmas shows and movies? What ever happened to the Garfield Christmas show? I loved that one.

Favorite Christmas song?

Favorite Holiday tradition?

Have a great weekend! For those of you in MN... enjoy the beautiful snow!