Is Strong really the New Skinny?

Go on Instagram and search any of the fitness related hashtags (#fitspo, #fitfam, #fitness, etc...) or accounts. There are a ridiculous amount of them and they are insane. Training tips. Meal prep. Bangin' bodies. Motivational quotes. I sometimes find myself falling into that rabbit hole and have to crawl my way out, sometimes with inspiration and sometimes feeling like a fat beast.

Lately all the rage in the fitness (and dare I say mainstream) world seems to be that "Strong is the new skinny" or "Fit > skinny." This new frame of mind should make me happy. It's something I have always thought actually, but now seems to be gaining some momentum with everyone else. I never wanted to be a skinny-mini;  I wanted a toned, chiseled frame. Although, I do have an athletic build, I constantly struggle with the way I look and accepting my body because it isn't what I want it to be. Having this new change in direction of what is attractive should work for me to some degree with body-image issues, right? Well...I'm not so sure about that.

Almost a New Yorker!

I have lived in New York City for nine and three quarter years now. (Can you believe it? Who would've thought!!)  I am about three months away from hitting my ten year anniversary, therefore making me a New Yorker. Don't you know once you live here for ten years, its official?! Heck, maybe I will even have a party for myself. If I can make it here, I can make it anywhere, right? That's the age old saying, isn't it? Well, NYC, our relationship has had some bumps and bruises along the way, but you know I heart you.

Having lived here for so long, I have picked up on the many wacky and outrageous nuances this city offers. (But not a lot of the lingo. (Never!) Sorry, but pop, gym shoes, and waiting IN line are here to stay.) There is so much to be thankful for and to love in this great metropolis and I feel lucky quite often for living here and getting to experience it all. Sometimes I will catch myself in a moment here (running parallel to the statue of liberty, a big snowstorm and seeing the beauty of Central Park, etc...) and have to pinch myself and ask "Do I seriously live in New York?" It's that good.

That one time...

A friend sent me this picture the other day and I literally laughed out loud. You see, I had a very similar experience the first (and only...and last) time I had a pot brownie. Never again. NEVER.

I can look back and laugh at it now but when I had my first pot brownie and tweaked the fuck out, I was terrified. And paranoid. And insane. I actually can't believe I have never written about my experience before because although I was slightly embarrassed by my reaction to it, it was just so beyond ridiculous that I still can't believe it happened.

So here's the story of that one time I had a pot brownie...

Sports have Shaped Me

Most people that know me well know that sports are an important part of my life. They always have and always will be. I truly believe that all the sports I played when I was younger and the lessons and skills they have taught me have shaped me to be the woman I am today. This is something I am very proud of because I believe that playing sports has made me a strong, independent woman.

This week I attended an event for work at Madison Square Garden for National Girls and Women in Sports Day. Myself and other coaches in my school chaperoned 35 of our female athletes to this event where professional females spoke to our students and sat on a panel and answered questions for our girls. The girls got to see a female nutritionist who works with NFL and MLS teams, a former WNBA player, a college Athletic Director and a high school athletic director. Sports have obviously been an integral part of all these women's lives and they wanted to share their experiences with our girls and show them what sports had afforded for them as women and as professionals today.

Thought Catalog Had Me Thinking!

So this is a post I've been wanting to write for a few weeks now, but just didn't have it in me. I didn't know if I had the words or even the courage to write it all out. And then today, as I do everyday, I was reading Thought Catalog. And as I do everyday, I found an article that I think "damn, is this person in my head?" Sometimes these articles are about dating and relationships, sometimes random New York (or Chicago) observations, and sometimes self-image. Today, I found one particular article about self-image that resonated with me so freaking much. It was as if I could have written it myself. The article, written by an anonymous author was very personal and very honest. I know that many of you know me personally so there is no anonymity for what I am about to write here. However, at the end of the day, this blog is mine and the content is for ME. Sure other people (family, friends, and even strangers) read it and get a peak into my life and into my brain, but it is also a diary of sorts and since my current funk has been a part of my life lately, it should belong on here in one way or another.  

Crushin' on my FitBit

I made this meme myself and it is cracking me up!

So guess what guys? I have a new crush. And his name is FitBit. Fitbit Flex. We've only been together a few days now, but I'm crushin' for sure. Since we've been introduced, he hasn't left my side, so I guess you could say things are getting pretty serious.

Mr. Flex comes with me everywhere I go and I listen to everything he tells me. He's pretty knowledgeable and encourages me to stay active and fit (as if I really need that anyway). The only time we are apart is when I tire him out and he has to recharge. Pretty standard.

But anyway, for serious, I recently got a new FitBit and I love it. After hemming and hawing over one for almost six months, I finally caved and bought one. For the lovely price of $99.99 (this price is why I waited to pull the trigger on this purchase), my new piece of jewelry tracks my daily steps, distance traveled, calories burned, and even my sleep patterns. I'm in heaven.

Memory Jar: Hate the Name, LOVE the idea

Idea of the Jar

So far 2014 has been all about me. (More or less.) I've been all about trying to better myself and make myself happier. Me, me, me. It's been about trying to be more positive mentally and although it continues to be a constant struggle I will not roll over and be complacent. So when I saw this article yesterday on Elite Daily about a memory jar, I was inspired to make this year more memorable and special for myself. 

I had never heard of a memory jar before (and frankly, I don't like the name of it at all so if you have a better one, please let me know in the comments), but I LOVED the idea of it. The jar's purpose is to "Challenge yourself to collect your best moments all year and then empty the jar on New Years Eve." As we know, I love a good challenge, so of course I wanted to take this on.