I'm currently in Lexington, Kentucky, enjoying a relaxing long weekend with one of my close friends and our pups. We're staying at a beautiful, sprawling horse farm and spending our days catching up, hiking the hills, and eating homecooked meals. Just a few of my favorite things.
Lexington is about a six-hour drive from Chicago and a perfect escape from the city. It's also known as the "Horse Capital of the World," which means a great deal to me because I love horses. I always have, and I always will. In the sixth grade, my dream was to be a jockey and work on a Thoroughbred farm. My siblings still make fun of the horse figurines on the dresser of my childhood bedroom. And, I completely relate to Tina Belcher in all episodes of Bob's Burgers but especially in "The Horse Rider-er" episode in Season 6. Tina Belcher is my homegirl.
My new friend
My baby (with some icicles on her after she took a swim in the creek)
This weekend also marks the end of the holiday season. New Year's Eve is tomorrow and it's time to reflect on all the things I should be grateful for. What a crazy year it's been: I got PMP-certified, finished planning a wedding, married my soulmate, went on an epic honeymoon, started a new role at my company, and hired a career coach. I learned a lot about myself. I learned to say "no" to the things that no longer serve me, and I learned to say "yes" to the things that fuel my creativity.
One personal thing that I'm really proud of this year is my health and wellness. (Except for this month. This month I totally ate like crap because Christmas cookies are everywhere. Why is it that the holidays obliterate all my willpower and routine.) Overall, I finally feel like I have a better relationship with my weight and self-image. I try to focus on eating nutritiously over listening to my cravings, and I prioritize my workouts. But even though the things I eat now are healthier and cleaner, I still struggle with portion control. My goal for 2018 is to practice eating until I'm 80% full. I'm going to need a lot of practice because I currently have no idea what eating to 80% full feels like. Usually being "full" means I can no longer move and someone needs to roll me out the door.
Changing my habits little by little each day can make a big difference in the long-run. I need to remember my own advice when I try to make healthy choices. Starting January 1st...For now, I'm still on vacation.
Wishing everyone health and happiness in the new year!
The delicious home-cooked meal that I ate until I was 110% full
The cheese plate I made (extra cheese, please)