2015 In Review

So I made it another year. Hooray!

In every good New Year's blog, I'm going to tell you the Top 10 things that happened this year.

1. I made it to my 1-year work anniversary at Best Buy.
2. I became a runner…ish. I completed three 5ks.
3. I lost a bunch of weight.
4. I lost some important people in my life - both my death and distance.
5. I moved into an apartment alone. The first time I've lived alone in 24 years. It is awesome.
6. I bought a car.
7. I got a nephew.

8. I traveled on both the east and west coasts.
9. I went through my first real breakup.
10. I celebrated  my Golden Birthday.

As you can see, not all of them were great. Actually, I would say a fourth of my year was me breaking down, figuring out the next step, and praying that I make it out alive.

And, I did. Hooray!

I'm so thankful for all my friends and family that stuck it out with me.
Here's to a great 2016.

~T

Part Two: Mental Health

It's Mental Health time - Part Two of how to reach overall health.

I just need a disclaimer - I'm no expert on this part either.
As a matter of fact, I'm probably overly emotional. A "high feeler" as some would say.

Mental health is so complex - anything can shift your view on life.
- a bad eating day
- a bad work day
- a bad customer service day
- a terrible email reply
- a day you're bloated
- a day you're tired

You get my point.

But my four ways to maintain my mental health are relatively simple...or so one would think.
All throughout my life, I've struggled with each part of these.

First, my church puts it in good perspective, you need four to seven like-minded people to hang out with. Now, that's not saying you should dismiss any acquaintances, anybody who needs a friend, or hanging out with people.

What it does mean, is you need find four to seven friends that you can turn to about anything.
Your work struggles.
Your boy struggles.
Your mom struggles.
Your work successes.
Your boy happiness.
Your mom love.

I have found this helps the most, because you can bounce ideas off of them.
These should be friends that tell you exactly what's up.
"Don't go back to your ex."
"Don't eat that piece of pizza"
"Come drink some wine with me."
They're also friends that know exactly when you need a hug.

The next two go hand in hand.
Me Time and God Time.
Those two independent times will leave you refreshed and redefined.
You can evaluate where you're struggling and spend time talking to the One who totally gets you.
You will be able to find the pearls of solitude and peace that being with people just can't give you.
Even as an extrovert, I find it extremely important to have that time.
Even if it's sitting with a glass of wine and a book or in a coffee shop with your Bible.
Get off your phone and get your thoughts together.

My final point is to learn.
Read, read to learn.
Travel, travel to explore.
Do something that will make you grow as a person.

When I first moved to the Twin Cities two and a half years ago, I was so naive. I had no clue how to get from point A to point B. I didn't know there were restaurants here and no where else. I had no clue that getting four miles across the city could take up to 45 minutes in the morning.

But I read up on the city. I joined a church, I joined Facebook groups, I joined social groups, I went with friends and networked. And I learned. Then I was able to navigate.

Ask anyone. The person I was two and a half years ago is definitely not the person I am today. It's part of maturing and growing. It's learning.

This winter, this has been by most unhealthy part.
But I'm working on it. Especially the Me/God Time.
It's a process.

<3XOT

Part One: Physical Health

As promised, to myself, I am going to break down the different kinds of health that you need to keep your body completely healthy.

I just need to put a disclaimer in here that I'm by no means a professional or good at any of it.
But I want to be, and that's what matters.

If you missed the word vomit blog that I posted at 2am the other, you can read it here.

So because I'm not mentally stable by any means this week, we're not going to start with that one.
Hello Holidays!!
Let's go with the physical health portion.

For me, there are two things that make up physical health: Food and exercise.
It has been nearly six weeks since I started my adventure into clean eating and strength training thank to Arbonne, Almond Buttered Abs, and my adventure partner ;)

First, I started the Arbonne 28-day Clean Eating Challenge.
It has been almost 6-weeks since I've had gluten, dairy, refined sugars, or fruit.
And that's ok, in that time I've lost all my cravings and have no desire to eat poorly again.

Let me take that back, I do want a cheeseburger - and I got one this weekend.
But I know how food fuels my body now and so I'm going to use that red meat, carbs and fat to power my workout Sunday morning before church.

Ok, so that's the thing. It's not about taking things out of my diet, it's about eating things that serve me. And that's step one to physical health.
You've got to put food in that will give you fuel.
You've got to put food in that's not processed or fake.
You've got to put your mind to it, suck it up, and just do it.

Secondly, I've started working out.
Like über working out.
I have friends with 6-packs. Both guys and girls.
Ok ok, it's not about the look, but it's fun to work towards.

My big goal is to run a marathon.
Probably like next year.
Which means I need to continue to train.
Grow muscles, grow endurance, burn the crazy.

What that is going to entail is a lot of obsession.
Not eating the same things at Christmas.
Working out each day I get the chance.
And when people scoff at me or tell me it'll never last, I must keep my chin up, run to my support system and use it as a time to reach my goals.

When it comes to obsession, I'm sure it seems a little unhealthy.
So am I harming myself by obsessing…I'm not sure...

Then I was running and was playing the Substance Church podcast from "Healthy Holiday" and part one was about how to worship God with your body.
That He actually asks up and shows us the way to worship through fitness.
And that you need a few good friends to push you to worship through fitness.
Listen to it here.

It's been an amazing journey over the past six weeks.
No matter how many waves of health I've gone through, this journey has been tremendously different than any of the others.
I'm hoping to keep this up.
With some good food and good support.

<3XOT

Overall Health - Can I Really Be Superwoman?

You know when you have a million things on your mind?
And you have a million things on your to do list?
And you have a bunch of people relying on you?

How do you do it all?
How do you become superwoman?

You take care of yourself.
You take care of your physical health.
You take care of your mental health.
You take care of your spiritual health.

I look back at last week and I sing "This Girl is on Fire" at the top of my lungs. My week consisted of coordinating for a Sunday shoot, prepping for youth group, connecting with friends, working out as often as I can, heading to Duluth for a film festival (and back the same day), and doing a Christmas bar crawl. Among other things.

This week, I ended up losing five more pounds, even though my cleanse is over.
That's the physical health.
I have continued to follow *most of* the rules. I have been eating nighttime snacks and my portion sizes haven't been that great, but I'm continuing to put wonderful foods in my body. And that has allowed me to do wonderful things.

Then, I took the ultimate physical health healing.
I went to my old Landlady, the sweetest woman in all the Twin Cities.
She adjusted me, massaged my knots, and guided me through some relaxing acupuncture.
You can find out more here.

It was a two hour session, where I was there.
No phone, no television, no computer. I was there.
My body was healed from the strain I've been putting on it, both physically and mentally.
My body had a chance to refresh.
Dr. Heidi taught me how and why my muscles felt the way they did and guided me through.

Which helps after weeks like this:
Where it seems like sometimes I'm running out of time.
Like sometimes I'm giving only 90% to someone or splitting my time unfairly.
Like sometimes I'm going to run out of time, or literally run around like a chicken with my head cut off.

The part of the week that I love the most is my connection with friends and loved ones.
That's the mental health.
My friends encourage me. They fight for me. They comfort me. They love me.
My friends help me process what's happening in my life - the good, the bad, the ugly.
My friends make me go out on pub crawls and dance like no one's watching.
My friends give me good food, good times, and good company.

I have heard some great sermons over the last couple weeks that remind me it's ok to not be superwoman and that it doesn't all happen at the same time.
That's the spiritual health.
I also have wonderful people in my life.
People who remind me that God is bigger than any of my tasks.
And I have prayer.
That reminds me that there is someone out there that is so much bigger than I am and has all my goals, to-do lists, projects, meetings, appointments, financials, plans, in His hands.

I'm still busy. I'm still running. I'm still to-do-ing.
But I'm taking care of myself.
I am Superwoman.

<3XOT

PS: I'll be breaking down each of these categories and sharing material that helps us all lead a healthier life!

It's Not Over

I know uber healthy lifestyles aren't for everyone.
I know people don't get why you choose not to eat gluten, or you choose to pass up cookies.
I know that it's hard and sort of expensive.
I know getting to the gym, even three times a week, is hard.
I also know that it works.

This is the difference from when I was at my biggest point in high school - then I got on the clean eating train, exercise became a part of my routine, and I learned how to mentally and physically fuel my body.

The journey I took this past month was another amazing addition to my life.
My 28 days of this Arbonne Cleanse has really paid off.
I got my "Earth Energy" back (I'm coining that phrase, because "clean eating" sounds too mainstream. And also I want to become a hippie.)

If you think that clean eating isn't the biggest part of your health, let me tell you the results.
And, If you don't believe me, this girl knows too.

If you didn't click on that blog above, do it. It's more in depth of what this Arbonne cleanse was.
Check it out.

My results:
1. I lost 11.5 pounds and 8 inches throughout my body. I even went down a pants size, completely.
2. I have energy. Like, lots of energy. Very rarely do I get the 2:00 blues. If I do, it's because I've had little sleep. And I just chug a fizz stick and get on with my day.
3. My body is happy with me. I'm preforming better in the gym and building muscles all over. The Phytosport has hydrated me and the protein powder has helped me recover.

I'll spare you the before and after pictures of me in my underwear, but I'll show you if you care to see! I still have more goals to accomplish, but I'm so happy at my progress.

I wish to remain with these healthy habits and keep my body getting healthier and stronger.
I'll slowly enter the healthy things back in: Fruit, peanut butter, vinegar, soy - minimally.
Then I'll use processed food, dairy, alcohol, and gluten for special occasions.
Why lose this feeling??

No more glass of wine each night, no more late night snacks.
I can't go back to that lifestyle. I've worked too hard and have too many people rooting for me.

Keeping the principles that I learned during my challenge and the info my Arbonne sponsor gave me will be a key to success.
It's going to be a decision I have to make every day when I wake up.
But I'm up for the challenge.

There were so many comments "What CAN you eat?" or "You're no fun." but I know that it's worth it. (And if you follow me on Pinterest, you know theres TONS I can eat.)

I believe I have some great support behind me.

I'm thankful for friends that can understand me and push me to have these healthy habits.
I'm thankful for this amazing body that God has given me.
I'm thankful I will be able to continue to grow stronger and healthier.

Overall, this cleanse was fun and amazing — and it's a wonder what the body can do when you put your heart and soul into it.

<3XOT

Be kind.

This week the story is kindness.

Paris attacks and the whole deal with ISIS has shaken me this week.

World events don't normally get to me. 

I don't normally listen to the news.

But I've been thinking about how much hate is in the world. 

And in me.

I need to be kind. 

The point of this cleanse was to clear everything - mind, body and soul. 

In this book I'm reading "Daring Greatly" by Brene Brown, she touches on the point of practicing gratitude. "For those welcoming the experience, the shudder of vulnerability that accompanies joy is an invitation to practice gratitude, to acknowledge how truly grateful we are for the person, the beauty, the connection, or simply the moment before us." 

Sometimes I get so wrapped up in myself and my ways that I forget other people have their own way of doing things, their own way of looking and dressing, and their own way of believing. And that doesn't make them wrong and that doesn't mean I get to hate on them. 

Lately I've not been so kind.

Not to myself or others. 

So I started doing this thing. 

In the mornings, I look in the mirror and I pray "Thank you God for the health that I'm putting into my body, and the health that is coming out. To do good works for You and Your people. Help me to remember to love myself and others today."

And when I forget that mantra and I'm mean, I say "Tricia, be nice. There's enough hate in the world, you don't need to add to it."

Those are the mantra that is reminding me to be whole-hearted and kind. 

It's working. 

I'm starting to be kind. Er. 

I'm still human.

<3XOT

So Fresh and Clean (Clean)

Trying on clothes at the end of the week - a week where you felt lazy, fat, and unfit - isn't always the best time to try on clothes.

But I had to.

And I have gone down a pants size! 

I'm 1/3 the size I was when I graduated high school. 

Well, in the pants at least. 

I'm most excited about this because it's coming off naturally. 

I've been "healthy" for the last 4-5 years. 

I make more health-conscious decisions, exercise for fun, etc.

What started this health kick was my involvement with Arbonne products.

What I like about the products is that they are all natural. No chemicals.

Not only in their nutrition line, but their lotions and cosmetics. 

So most recently, in the last 6 months or so, I've tried to switch my life to a holistic life.

That 80% of the products I use are natural (and certified natural, not labeled).

That most of the food I eat is homemade from the earth, made at a restaurant, or whole foods. 

That the medicine I use is herbal or essential oils. 

I want my life and my body to be pure. 

Some weeks you'll have good weeks, sometimes you won't.

This week was hard for a couple reasons. 

One, I pulled my oblique playing with kids. 

Which is incredibly stupid. 

But when I'm in pain, I don't eat. 

So I didn't eat all my calories for the day because I had no appetite. 

Which led to less energy and more pain. 

Finally, I'm back into it. 

My body is healing.
Naturally.

I'm making intentions to eat all my calories (which, in turn, is all my nutrients) every day. 

I can't wait to see what this week holds.

I can't wait to get back to the gym.

I can't wait to be cleansed and whole. 

It's all a journey, but from my experience the fresh, natural, clean way to do it has been by far the best way for me.

<3XOT