I Found Love

It's okay... and I have a total crush on (hardcore obsession) with a dance show and all the new tunes it introduces.  (Is it cheating to link up with two blogs at once?  I am just so excited about this cover song I wanted to share it with as many people as possible!  Link With Neely for It's Okay Thursdays and Danielle for Current Crush)

Okay so let me start out by saying how ridiculously excited I am that So You Think You Can Dance is back!!! I am so beyond obsessed with the show not just because of its amazing dancers and the routines that evoke more emotion that the most eloquent poem, but also because the show always introduces me to my favorite music. The first official live show did not disappoint. The first small group dance and song was easily my favorite from the episode. Hello lover!



Uhh, aren't you just dying? It totally gives me chills!!!!

Now don't get me wrong, Rihanna can sing, but Jessie J took this song to a whole new level for me. Acoustic covers do this to me a lot. Something about being raw with just a guitar (and maybe a piano and a maraca) is just music to my ears (pun intended)!

Anyhoo... Is anyone else out there in blog land totally obsessed with SYTYCD? Who do you think will be America's favorite male and female dancers this year? They are just too good for me to make up my mind just yet, but I can't wait to watch the season unfold. Check out everything SYTYCD here and be sure to tune in a week from Wednesday (they are taking the 4th off) to have your socks rocked!

Oh oh oh, I almost forgot, National Dance Day is July 28th! Learn the routines here and dance dance dance! Last year in Downtown Phoenix there was a flash mob! Search the web for what's going on in your area! Too much fun not to join in!

Happy Thursday!

What If...

...I were thinner?  This is a question I ask myself all the time. 

What if I were thinner? Would I make a better first impression? Would my day be better without the tugging of tight pants? Would I feel more myself? Would I be happier?

I know I am not alone with these questions, even though sometimes I look around and think that everyone else always seems so comfortable in their own skin. We all want to be the best version of ourselves, and for most of us, part of that means losing a few extra pounds.  For me, that also means being healthier and fitter.  I discussed my feelings about being strong vs. being skinny in this post a couple weeks back.  I whole-heartedly believe what I said.  The problem I have is commitment.  For some reason, I have a super-hard time committing to my own health.  I know all the right things to do.  I would be an awesome life/health coach.  I love to read about health trends and how to lose weight in a healthy fashion and catalog it all away in my brain.  For some reason though, when it comes to using that information, I often put my weigh and my health on the back-burner.

 I'm not afraid to say (no, actually I am terrified to say) that I have about 70 pounds to lose to be at the weight I was when I left for college 9 years ago.  70 pounds will also put me in a healthy weight range for my height and build.  That is a 10 year old. 

I am carrying around a 10 year old on my ass and thighs.  Not good.  Not good at all! There is no way I am ever going to run a half marathon carrying a 5th grader.  A newborn or toddler, maybe, but not a 5th grader.

So I have decided to really make a change.  To amp myself up I have been pinning workouts,  reading blogs about people who have already lost large amounts of weight and scooping up every health magazine I come across.  I don't want to ask "What If" anymore. (I mean hello, that is the point of this little ol' blog right?) 

Here are some great blogs to give you workout ideas, eating plans and encouragement.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/body-transformation-clean-eating-made-her-a-model.html

http://lauramustloseweight.com/

Cachedhttp://muffintop-less.tumblr.com/

http://undressedskeleton.tumblr.com/



The thing is, I know that being fit and healthy will never be something I deem a mistake.  It will never turn into an "Oh Well" it will only turn into a "Hells yeah!". 

So here come the ask... Who wants to help me?  Maybe that means joining me in my weight loss venture because you have an extra 1st grader hanging onto you and checking in on each other when we don't want to go to the gym or that brownie looks mighty tempting.  Maybe you can give me tips to add to my mental file.  Maybe you have been there and want to share your experience.  Maybe it's sharing this blog with your readers so they can find comfort in taking on the battle of the bulge together.  Whatever it is, help me, so that one day, I will no longer ask "what if" and maybe together we can help the millions of women that also struggle with their weight.  (That seems like a big statement, but who knows right?)

Alright, if you have made it this far, thank you.  The anxiety I feel as I am about to post this is enormous, but I hope that it will be worth it! 

As always, thanks for reading!

Dressing Up Takes More Than A Fresh Shirt

"All you have to do is put on a fresh shirt", Carrie says to Big in the Sex and the City 2 Movie.

Carrie, sick of spending nights at home with take-out, is coaxing Big into attending a movie premiere with her and her friends.  All you have to do is put on a fresh shirt. Seriously?  That's it?   For a split second I was hit with jealousy.   After a long day at work, all a man has to do is put on a fresh shirt to be ready for a glamourous night out.  Then I started thinking about getting ready for a big night; the time it takes, the tools, the decisions, the hair, the makeup, the grooming... and the jealously disappeared just as quickly as it reared it's ugly head.

I love to get ready, maybe not every day for work, but for events and special occassions- absolutely! I always feel my very best when I have put some effort into looking great.  Don't you ever watch an award show and just think, "ugh, I wish I could get ready for that". 

Here are a few of my favorite personal glamourous moments.

Okay, okay, the one with the crown wasn't glamourous at all, I just thought it was a little funny!

Now don't get me wrong, on a Sunday you will typically find me in yoga pants and a top knot.  I wish I could muster the energy to look glamourous everyday like the many fashion bloggers I follow, but I just can't give up the sleep. Sometimes if I put all this effort into getting ready and no one sees it, I'm almost a little depressed about it.  However, until I become a full-time writer (like Carrie), a SAHM, trophy wife or a very successful something, (any of the above would be fine!) I will settle for occassional moments of glamour, and the pure joy of getting ready for them. 

Guess Who Got A Makeover

Who doesn't love a makeover? Don't you just love the new look?! 
I do! I do! 

A big thank you to Daryl at Roots, Wings And Other Things for her design genius!  She took my abstract description and turned it into something beautiful! 

Check out her blog where she not only shows off her design skill, but also shares about her fabulous jonts around the globe! 

And grab the new button over there on the side bar!

Quote Of The Week

A Pinterest find

I think it's important to remember we don't have to be the roaring lion to be courageous.  SOmetimes courage is just getting up and trying again.  Happy Monday everyone!

My Life Lately In Pictures

Life has been pretty great lately.  Sure, I've had my fair share of bumps the last couple weeks, but here is a little peek at my life (only the great stuff) via pictures from my IPhone.  Enjoy!

1. I've spent a lot of time on the road the last couple weeks.  This seems to be my view a lot lately!2. This is my (my boyfriends) lover-face, Cali.  I call her my little angel face because she is such a trouble maker.  How could you be mad at that face?  3. The boyfriend and I spending some time on the beach. 4. Wheelchair soccer at summer camp.  This game is as intense as the World Cup, our kiddos are brutal yet so inspiring. 5. Camp in the pines.  Loved spending days cut off from the world.  6. Dinner in San Marcos and I just loved the menu. 7. I love me some beach time and try to get it as often as possible. 8. Feelin' like a vixen with my red lips and top.

I just wish I would have taken better pictures at the fair.  Deep fried kool aide deserves a photo!  What does your life look like lately?

Dance Doesn't End When Your Knees Give Out

Today I want to share about something I really love.  Like love down to my core.  Just like SJP in Girls Just Want To Have Fun, I love to dance.

Dance begins very early and if your lucky it lives  in your soul forever.

Just because you can't kick your nose anymore doesn't mean dance won't always run through your veins.  I am always reminded of this whenever I see anything dance related.  It's common for me to get chills or tear-up when I am watching So You Think You Can Dance or the latest dance movie. 
It's the way that a movement can match so perfectly with a sound  that evoke intense emotion.  I
This video (yes, it is a clip from a silly dance movie) really sums up my feelings about why we dance.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bdYc8x3SF6w" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

For some, dance is a hobby.  For some, it is a career.  For many, it is a passion.  For me, it is my soul.  My knees forced me to slow down (to a near halt).  Now I dance for exercise, for fun and in the car.  I never miss an opportunity to watch an amazing dancer. 

Why do I dance? 
To this day, I am happiest barefoot on the dance floor.
I have always used dance as a way to deal with things that I couldn't express emotionally.
On my worst days I still find open space and a loud speaker and just dance by myself.  Maybe it's on top of my bed like Kirsten Dunst in Bring It On or maybe it's in the middle of a vacant barn like in Footloose or maybe it's a solo performance in the living room like Napoleon Dynamite.  Wherever I am, I just leave my day, good or bad, on the floor.

I can't help but move.  If I hear music, chances are some part of me is bouncing to the beat. 
When I hear a song that is full of emotion I always start choreographing in my head.
When I'm happy I just can't help but dance.

Do you have something that just lives in your soul? Please, please, please share!

Current Crush: Work Clothes

Holy Macaroni am I crushing!  So, I decided to link up with Danielle at Framed Frosting (Doesn't the title make you think of something absolutely adorable? Well she is- check her out!) to share about my recent obsession.  Work Clothes.

I know, it's weird to be really excited about new outfits for work.  It's not like I just got my first "big girl" job or something.  I have been a working adult for over 5 years.  But all of a sudden I love shopping for work clothes.  I have been playing with color a lot more than I ever have before and these days, I just love getting dressed for work.  Does this mean I am becoming more of an adult?  Here are a few pics I've been using as inspiration on my shopping trips (thanks Pinterest).   And by the way, if you are looking for affordable, but super cute work wear, Check out New York and Company.  A friend introduced me a few months ago and it has become my number one stop for new work outfits.  Plus right now they are having an super- fantastic-uber sale! 

Women That Inspire Wednesday - A day late, but what's new?

Maybe it's because I love that she lets the world in on her life, good and bad.
Maybe it's because she is the type of business woman I always believed I would be (but have yet to become).
Maybe it's because she has found a way to balance career success with family success.
Maybe it's because she is a fighter.
Maybe it's because she is dedicated to helping other woman find success.
Maybe it's because she is taking over the world one cocktail at a time.

Whatever it is, Bethenny Frankel is one of the women I am most fascinated by and thus she is this week's Woman that Inspires!

Bethenny Frankel

“The business of being happy requires making a conscious choice. People think being happy will
just happen to them someday, if only they do this or that right. But it doesn't - you have to choose it.
You choose happiness, you don't wait for it to choose you.” - Bethenny Frankel

So I finally remembered to record Bethenny's new talk show yesterday.  As I pressed play on the DVR list I was a little worried.  What if I didn't dig it?  Would it end my mogul crush?  Well let me tell you ladies, Bethenny didn't disappoint.  The show is awesome!  It is honest and and talks about the things that aren't always out in the open.  She answers tough questions with humor and class.  Do yourself a favor and tune in.

Her talk show aside, this woman is the epitome of what I try to be every day.  A driven fighter.  A creative entrepreneur.  An inspiring writer. A passionate female supporter. A caring and loving mother and wife. A woman that speaks her mind and doesn't get stepped on. 

She has written books, started a hugely successful company that has developed into an empire and she has not only survived but thrived and maintained her dignity on reality television.  What can't this woman do? 

If you don't know and love her, get to know and love her.  Put on your Skinnygirl shape wear, sip a skinnygirl cocktail and watch Bethenny on her talk show.  It's sure to be a fabulous experience.

And hey, if you'd like to be a guest blogger for Women that Inspire Wednesday, shoot me an email, I would la-la-la-love to have you!

Summa Summa Summa Time

Yes, that is the familiar scent of sunscreen and tanning oil.  Today was the official start of summer! 

Even though I live on the surface of the sun, I just la-la-la-love summer!  It's hot (and sometimes a little miserable), but there is just something so wonderful about shorts and flip flops.  (Well, in Arizona it's pretty much always flip flop weather.) Bring on the beach trips, the ice cream cones, the days spent poolside, the shaved ice and the slip and slides (you know you miss them), baseball games and sand volleyball.

Hello Summer!  I'm so happy to see you!

Waiting and A Trail of Thoughts

I hate waiting. 
I hate waiting in lines.
I hate waiting at stop lights. 
I hate waiting for Christmas morning.
And I hate waiting to hear potentially big news. 

Because of this, I don't really like surprises or keeping secrets either. I especially hate knowing that there is a surprise coming.  Pure agony. That is why I have been so quiet these last couple weeks (oh and I have hardly had time to breathe between emergencies, too much car travel, vacation, overtime at work, stress and just plain being exhausted). I am waiting, with as much patience as I can muster, to share the things that are going on in my life with you all! 

It's true, I am not that good at keeping my own secrets.  Hello, I share my most embarrassing moments with the world!  I am like a steel trap when it comes to keeping other people's secrets, but when it comes to by own, I just want to share!  In high school, I always told boys that I had a crush on them. I often tell people what I got them as a gift before they open it. Worst of all, I regularly just say whatever I am thinking (insert foot in mouth).  I have mentioned I have some big things in the works.  REALLY BIG things. I just don't want to talk about them and jinx anything.  It has been really hard for me!  Really hard! I just want to type everything that has been going on and what I think about it. But, I really want things to work out.  When I finally have definite answers I will hopefully share some fan-FREAKING-tastic news with everyone!

In the meantime, I am just going to keep thinking happy thoughts and hope that the reason I have had to wait so long is because what I am waiting for is totally worth the wait!  Let's just say, if my life were a game of Chutes and Ladders, I am a couple spaces away from the really big ladder, I just have to be careful I don't fall short and take a chute back a level.  Cryptic enough?

That brings me to another thought.  Everything happens for a reason.  I have always believed this to be true, but something happened about a week ago that renewed my conviction.  It didn't happen to me, so it is not my story to share. Let's just say, I am thankful on so many levels that it happened and that everything turned out how it did.  Sometimes wake-up calls come in painful forms, but they make things better in the long run. 

Sometimes things happen, and there is no eloquent way to say this, but those things really suck!  A lot of the time it takes some time for the things we see as life's troubles to reveal their positive aftershock.  Sometimes, it just takes a few hours.  Either way, I feel very strongly, that everything happens for a reason.  Even the worst situations. 

Which brings me to another thought.  Life is short. Live it.  Don't waste a moment.  You don't know how many moments you have.  Live every day to the fullest and create your best life.  Go for your dreams and don't waste a second on regret. 

That's what I have to say for today.  Don't worry, I'll just be here... waiting.

Quote of the Week

Remember how I mentioned big things in store?  Well, they are still in the works.  In the meantime, here's a quote for the week. 

This seems particularly fitting for me this week!

While I Am Out...

Holy macaroni, there some big changes in store for this little blog of mine!  I just got a sneak peak of the new design (yes, I totally caved and paid someone to do it for me.  Let's face it, it doesn't seem likely that I will have the time to learn the skills to make my own right now.)  The deign is so fabulous though, I can't wait to share it with all of you!  I am hoping to unveil it next week! 

In the meantime, I am headed off to camp again for a few days.  I know I mentioned how much I love camp, but seriously, It. Is. Awesome.  For anyone that doesn't know, I work for a nonprofit health organization.  My main job is fundraising, but for two glorious weeks, the fundraising chaos is infused with a few days of camp.  Camp reminds me why I do what I do.  It reminds me why I work long hours and weekends.  It inspires me and reminds me how incredibly blessed I am. 

I wish I could share every moment with you, so I am going to try my very best to capture a little of the magic and share it with you next week. 

While I am out the next couple days, I want to hear what and who inspires you!  Leave me some love to read when I get back!

Infinite Possibilities

I may have mentioned before that I am often inspired to reevaluate something in my life after seeing a movie or listening to a great song.  Today I was inspired by the most unlikely of movies because of infinite possible futures.  Let me explain...

Here we are ringing in 2011

One of my dearest friends, Meggan, and I had planned a little movie girls date.  We both tend to have fairly hectic schedules.  Meggan is a very successful hair stylist, (I've mentioned her before here) and happily married to a wonderful man (Joe).  They are always up to something.  Couple her busy life with my all-consuming job and we don't have as much time together as we would like. 

So anyway, we planned to have a Friday night movie date.  We had decided to go see Snow White and the Huntsman, but as luck would have it, I was seduced by a nail technician temptress, that promised me my toes and nails wouldn't take more than 45 minutes. (An hour and 15 minutes later) I called Meggan en route to the theater and told her I was running late.  She told me she was already there and rattled off a list of our remaining options.  Rough week at the movies.  The most appealing flick turned out to be Men In Black 3.  What the heck.  I hadn't seen an MIB movie in years. I had always enjoyed them, but never felt compelled watch them often.  We spent time catching up and ordering food.  (Side note:  If you have never been to a full service movie theater, the kind that serves cocktails and all kinds of food, don't go.  Regular movie theaters will never be the same again and you will be ruined.)  The movie started and I wasn't expecting much.

To my surprise, the movie was very insightful. I was entertained. I'd be lying if I said I didn't tear up a bit (but then, I cry in movies a lot... and during TV shows and during talent shows... everything).  Without giving too much away, I can say the movie made me think about infinite number of possibilities in life and the incredible number of things that have to fall into place for something to work out.  Sometimes successes are like their own little miracle.

I started thinking about some of the possibilities that are out there for me right now.  I have some really exciting things in the works right now.  For everything to work out, things will have to fall into place just perfectly.  (Keep your fingers crossed for me over the next couple of weeks and send me a little good juju if you can spare it!) 

It all goes back to one of my strongest beliefs; everything happens for a reason. Call it Gods plan, luck or coincidence if you want.  I have always believed that life eventually works out just as it should, provided you are true to yourself and follow your heart.  Its those times that I let myself go to a negative place or I try to be something I'm not that I get off course.   Lately, I have been really focused on being my truest self and doing the things that make me happy and it seems to be paying off.

Who knows, if I hadn't been coaxed into that pedicure, I might have seen Snow White and the Huntsman.  Who knows how that could have turned out!

Cut off

I'm keeping this one short and sweet!  I was cut off from civilization or rather social and online media for 2.5 days and it was both a blessing and a burden.  For one, do you have any idea how many blogs I need to read to get caught up with my favorites?  I had no access to Facebook, Twitter, Email, Internet or even cell service.  I spent most of my week at a camp for disabled kids.  It was an amazing and inspiring couple of days, but I'm glad to be sleeping in my own bed tonight.  I will be heading back again on Sunday for a few more days so forgive me if I am a little M.I.A. (not the singer) this week.  I will set up a few blogs to post, but you won't know unless you follow me!  Click that little follow button so you don't miss any of the action.  I will share about camp after I recover!

Women That Inspire Wednesday

It’s my favorite day of the week!!!! WEDNESDAY!  Why Wednesday? Because I get to share about an inspiring woman.  

This week I was all set on a woman.  I had started writing and everything, then I heard a speech at the MTV Movie Awards.  Don’t worry, I will go back to the other woman I chose next week, but this week lets talk about the lovely Emma Stone.



I have loved miss Emma since her debut in Superbad.  Maybe it’s because she is an Arizonan like myself.  She drew up in Scottsdale performing in productions at a local theatre.  She persuaded her parents to move to Los Angeles by creating a power point she called , “Project Hollywood” when she was just 15.  From there she spent her days auditioning and her evenings home schooling with her mother. Since then she hasn’t looked back.

I love how she has tried a lot of different types of roles and pulled each one off flawlessly.  Who doesn’t love her in Crazy, Stupid, Love, Zombieland or The Help.  As far as movies go, we are going to see Emma around for a long time because of her versatility and onscreen confidence.  And girlfriend can pull off just about any hair color!

   

She’s also pretty darn fashionable too!

What I love most about Emma is that she seems to have a good grip on who she is.  She’s got the courage to be funny and the confidence to risk looking like an idiot (Check out her chic fro and braces in Ghosts of Girlfriends Past).



I don’t see Emma Stone taking the path of other young starlets like Lindsey Lohan or Paris Hilton. She is the type of strong young woman that I hope my sisters grow to look up to. (Aren’t they cute little nuggets?) She is always encouraging her fans to be themselves.

“Confidence is the only key. I know a lot of people who aren't traditionally 'beautiful' - not symmetrical or perfect-bodied or perfect-skinned. But none of that matters because all that shines through is their confidence, humor and comfort with themselves. I can't think of any better representation of beauty than someone who is unafraid to be herself.”

With quotes like these, it’s no wonder that MTV gave her the very first Trailblazers Award.  Her her engaging and honestly grateful acceptance speech is what made me name her this week’s Woman that Inspires. 

Her eyes already glistened with emotion as she took the stage, she proceeded to impress me with her words of wisdom that I imagine really impacted her many young fans.

"So, I looked up the actual definition of trailblazer, and it means someone who blazes a trail to be followed by others. And that's an honor to hear you're being associated with a concept like that. The only thing I can hope that an award inspires is originality,because the trailblazers I've looked up to and been inspired by are people like Gilda Radner and Bill Murray and John Candy and Charlie Chaplin and the Beatles and J.D. Salinger. Lorne Michaels, who reminds me the importance of comedy, and Cameron Crowe, whose work consistently reminds me of why I want to be an actor. "Those people are my creative trailblazers, but I'm not following any of their paths, and what's incredible about them is they help make me want to be more myself because they're all originals, and I hope that you'll find your trailblazers. And, trust me, I do not need to be one of them. I probably shouldn't be one of them, but that you'll continue to harness your own originality and what makes you unique 'cause I know that when you're a teenager — sometimes when you're an adult — what sets you apart can sometimes feel like a burden and it's not. And a lot of the time, it's what makes you great. I am deeply touched and grateful for this.”

Emma, thank you for being both a trailblazer and an inspiration.  I hope all of us young ladies can take a cue from your confidence and grace!

Quote Of The Week

 

No one is perfect. 

Can you imagine how boring life would be if we were?

Embrace your flaws and fill the gaps with good intentions.

What Is Beautiful? What Is Healthy?

Typically I don't engage in issue debates on Facebook.  Last week, I read a post about a segment on the Today Show.  You can watch the segment and read the article here.  My feelings about the post and the conversation that ensued has stuck with me for a few days so I decided to write about it. 

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/47616510/ns/today-style/

Now, I want to say that I believe everyone has a right to their opinion. I am not trying to call this woman out or make anyone else "mad" at her.   I typically try my best to understand a persons opinion, but in this case, I think there is a bigger issue.

The woman that posted about the segment was disturbed that "curvy" women were being promoted.  She believed that the show was telling the country that "feeling good" about yourself is more important than the risks of obesity.  She also seemed irritated that the show "slammed" those that are skinny and go to the gym and are not plus sized.  She also discussed plus sized women being applauded for wearing skimpy clothing and "skinny" girls being judged for it.  Her main concern was promoting health over obesity.

As a woman that has been on both sides of the issue, in the modeling industry (waaaaaay back when I was a teenager, had no hips and was made of almost entirely muscle) and now a "plus size" woman, that is fighting to lose weight, feel good in my own skin and maintain a healthy lifestyle, this was my response:

"Strong is the new skinny. As women, we can't always just choose to be skinny, but we can choose to be strong by fueling our bodies with vitamin rich foods, regular exercise and a healthy body image. As far as wearing revealing clothing, I applaud women for wearing what they are comfortable in. At the end of the day, “slutty” is slutty no matter the size on the tag. Ultimately, take care of the body that you have as best you can and be confident with it. It’s the only one you’ve got."

I wrote this before watching the clip.  Since watching it, I feel even more passionate about my statement.  Wouldn't it be nice if we were all born with great metabolisms and "skinny" genes? (No, I don't mean denim!)  I apologize if I go on a little bit of a rant here, but these are my thoughts.

1. Yes, obesity is a HUGE (pun intended) problem.  Yes, we should all do everything we can to eat healthy and stay active.  But, was the Today Show promoting obesity?  Absolutely not.  In fact, when I tried to find the clip, I went to their health page.  There was nothing except articles encouraging healthy eating and ways to maintain a healthy active lifestyle.  So I checked the Style page.  Ah-ha!  This was not a health story at all.  The woman never encourages women to be "fat" or unhealthy.  She mentions she is on her own journey of health.  No one should strive to be "fat", but if you have extra junk in the trunk, you can be on a journey to health while still loving your body.  Think how much more you'll love it if you drop a few lbs!

2.  The woman featured is a plus-sized fashion blogger.  She is not wearing a skimpy bathing suit.  It is a high-waisted two piece with ample coverage of the girls and the goods.  None of the women photographed were wearing "skimpy" things at all.  Like I said I applaud women for being so comfortable in their skin that they can wear floss and a couple of "titty-tassels".  I can't even imagine having that enough confidence or exhibitionism to pull that off, no matter the size of my clothes.

3. As a women, there is a lot of pressure to have and maintain a perfect body. But my perfect, is not your perfect. I am always sad when I see a woman that doesn't feel she can be completely herself because she isn't comfortable with the shell she lives in (thin or curvy).  I have felt uncomfortable in my body at both 120 pounds and 220 pounds.  Even just typing those numbers makes me uncomfortable.  I try everyday to be comfortable in my own skin and make the most of it.  Some days I falter and eat like crap or don't go to the gym.  Some days I feel great.  It's a constant struggle. 

4. The Today show never slammed "skinny" girls that go to the gym.  In fact, it encouraged being healthy, but health doesn't look the same on every body.  You can be physically fit and still be a large girl. 

Please don't misunderstand me.  I think being healthy is a lifestyle that requires nutritious eating, daily activity and equally important, a healthy self image.  Every day the media is talking about who has "gotten fat" and who is "too skinny".  This runs over into our daily lives and we make it a habit to decide who is "fat" or "too skinny".  Why?  

I try my best to not judge a woman's body thin or curvy.  I think loving your body is hard enough without other peoples opinions weighing in on it.  In the end, my response remain, "Women can't always choose to be skinny, but they can choose to be strong (healthy)." 

Lets all choose to be healthy and support each other on our quest, instead of judging curvy or thin women for feeling good in their own skin.

Speading the Love

Hello lovers!  It has taken me a few days to get caught up on this, but I am thrilled to announce Oh Wells Instead Of What Ifs was nominated for a Leibster Blog Award.  (See it over there on my sidebar?)  Isn't it cute?!  Marci over at Waking Up To This nominated me and I am so flattered!  Be sure to check out and follow Marci's blog.  She is stylish momma of adorable Asher.  She has great personal style and tips as well as great healthy recipes.

Here's how it works. The Liebster Award is for blogs with less than 200 followers.  Basically it's a way to share with the world some of the super-fabulous lesser known blogs out there! Check out my my five nominees! 

To sweeten the deal, I am going to throw in a "sweet" giveaway.  What is it?  I guess you'll have to enter to find out.  All you have to do to enter is follow my blog and comment below.  For additional entries, follow any of the blogs listed on this post and post another comment!  I promise, when you find out what the giveaway is you'll be sorry that you didn't enter! 

What to do once you receive the award:

• Thank the amaze-balls person who nominated you
• Link back to the blogger who nominated you to show them some love back
• Copy and past the blog award on to your blog
• Nominate and pass on the award on to 5 other bloggers with less then 200 followers
• Let them know how flattered you are by posting on their blog!

Living Life Lovely- Katie and Liz have an eye for fabulous when it comes to all aspects of life!
That Certain Je ne Sais Quoi- Molly is so funny and so insightful. Her posts always make me laugh out loud!
Fulfilling a Ubiquitous Need- Elisa is a twenty-something navigating through life.  Take the ride with her!
Jane and Lola Beauty Blog- Great beauty tips and product reviews!
Sports Radical- this one seems a little from "left field", but it's a sports blog that makes you that tells it like it is.  These guys love a little conflict, so challenge them and be sure to check out their "interviews" with fictional characters.

Don't forget to leave me some love and you might just get something sweet!