And I'm off!

Currently on DAY4 of the paleo challenge I'm doing for the month of February. I don't want to say I'm doing it for just 30 days...which I'm not because there are only 28 days this month. However, I would like to take some newly learned habits from the challenge and continue to use those in my everyday lifestyle. So far, so good. Eating wise, I feel so much better already. I haven't been hungry. The toughest part of this challenge was the grocery shopping. Really taking notice of each and every ingredient of everything I was buying was extremely difficult, especially when you don't know what some of the ingredients even are. Instead, I stuck to everything fresh and raw. It's safer that way.

Meats, eggs, veggies, fruits, nuts, seeds. Yup, that's pretty much the sum of it. Of course, I'm starting to find more recipes and more ways to make meals to keep it interesting so I don't lose track and want to quit. It is nice knowing that I can still use a lot of my Tone It Up Nutrition Plan and Pinterest of course is addicting, as we all know. 

It's nice having friends around me that are doing paleo or even some kind of clean eating challenge with me. A few that I work with decided to jump on it with me, as well as some of my amazing TIU sisters. Caileigh and Jules are doing a clean eating month as well, so that is nice having them nearby to keep me determined! 

Still trying to figure out portion sizes. As of now, I'm still sticking to the TIU way of sizing, but adding more vegetables into my meal. Hey, unlimited, right? I guess I'm combining my Tone It Up knowledge with something new, cause once committed, always committed!

Haven't gotten into the swing of Instagram again, but once I do, I'll try to post every meal. If you don't follow me already, I'm @holligrams :)

Happy Monday!!!!!!

On A New Mission

After my workout Sunday night, I realized that when it comes to pull ups, I am extremely weak. The only reason I knew was because I thought, well let me just try one. Pretty much, I was just hanging there, couldn't even figure out how to get up. So what did I decide to do? MAKE IT A GOAL! I don't know if giving myself a month is a lot of time or to little, but by the end of February, my goal is to do at least one pull up. I was given a strategy by a friend on how to work my back muscles and be able to get those pull ups on a roll.

Definitely took me a few tries to get it right. I had to adjust my feet, back, posture and my weight a few times. I knew I wasn't doing it right when I felt a little pain in my lower back. 

So, now that I'm a "pro" at bent over barbell rows, I am sure that within time, I will be a pro at pull ups. Don't be afraid to try new things. It's what keeps you strong and makes life entertaining. I can't strive enough about setting new goals. Don't let life get ahead of you! Keep at it! 

Love Your Body

The day everyone has been waiting for has arrived. Not just a new year, but the Tone It Up Love Your Body Challenge. Today is a planning kind of day. Goals whether their short term or long term, naming things you love about your body. What do you want to change? How do you plan to do it? 

Planning equals success! I have printed out the blog with all the details of this challenge, gone through and highlighted. I have a new chart for my measurements that I take every Monday. I have my workouts printed and ready to add to my TIU workout binder. I have my mini notebook for daily workouts, moods, quotes, foods, etc. 

List of goals are complete! I have some that I always want to work on. Some that I don't spend enough time doing. One that I am always trying to better is, me being happy for me! I focus so much on others and their happiness that sometimes I forget about myself. Others being happy makes me happy? That shouldn't be right. I deserve it just as much. This means more "me" time. A little less on the computer or my phone. I may just start leaving my phone at home when I'm out with Chris. I am always pushing him aside, getting on here and talking to everyone else. I think we all deserve a little "me" time. Thirty minutes before bed for reading or  writing and a little tea time. Perfect way to relax and end the night. I think I only get this here and there. More so because I'm spending it online. Others, obviously I have stated before. I know everyone is writing up their list right now!

And of course, you have to love yourself. We deserve compliments daily! To many times, we're looking at the negative things in our lives. So, what do you love about your body?

I love my eyes, smile, long legs, skin tone and booty. I found this hard because I don't want to sound coincided, but that's not what it's about. Love yourself and compliment yourself as much as you would others. You deserve it! 

So, who is ready? Love new challenges, because it just means new people. I have a few I am working with to hold accountability. Love how my phone is blowing up with TIU girls numbers. Thank you K&K for yet another way for us to all come together, motivate and inspire!

Good Bye 2012

Another year has come to an end. Finally, I can say that I have accomplished something or completed my "resolutions". Let's start with my blog. I began this fresh in 2012, to get a jump start to my journey. "And Then I Woke Up." Well, now I am wide awake and ready to take on another year. Resolution #1 complete! Can 2013 possibly top 2012?

2012 changed my life. Mentally, physically. I have learned what is important, and number one is my health. Thanks to Tone It Up and the amazing sisterhood that has been created, it was much easier for me to reach my goals. I don't know where I would be with out this team...well, probably still sitting around, waiting for things to change on their own. I was looking through old pictures today from the past five years. My weight was not consistent. 

This one caught my eye. Not my good days.

I can't believe I was at my highest weight of 172 lbs the beginning of this year. For an obsessive picture taker, I didn't take a single photo of me for the first three months of the year. I will never get back to that again. So glad I've come this far. I am so thankful for all the support I have received and the friends I have made through the journey. This next year is only going to bring bigger and better things. Time to buckle down a little harder and get exactly where I want to be.

Still to this day, I have no idea how I got so lucky to have met Karena and Katrina. They are constantly doing so much for us and are such amazing trainers and friends. California was the best time of my life. I have gone on many times about it, mostly because I get so excited and start rambling, but I'll spare you....this time. I met my trainers! I experienced this trip with three beautiful girls that are now my best friends! I met so many gorgeous SoCal girls! One experience I will never forget. A time that pushed me over the edge to make me even stronger and more confident.

Hello Colorado! Still can't believe I moved across country? Well, I did and I love it! There is so much to do and I cannot wait to do it all. Hiking will have to wait til more around the spring, when the ground isn't so mushy. Looking forward to snowboarding or skiing here soon. I'm ready to not roll down the hill. Time to conquer the slopes. Had a few meetups so far with fellow TIU sisters. Can you believe how many girls are located here? There are currently 105 members in the Colorado group in the community. So far, I have had the privilege to meet 12 of those ladies. I know a weekend of fun is in store here soon. Ready to plan! 

My baby sister got engaged! She has one lucky guy, that's for sure. I cannot wait til May when I get to stand by her side. On top of that, not to long after, my best friend got engaged as well. Come September, not only will I be her Maid of Honor as well, but we'll get to celebrate 19 years of friendship. I am so overwhelmed with excitement...and lots of planning, but mostly excitement. This is going to be one year full of love!

So what's next for 2013? Well, speaking of engagements. Haha, no, I'm not engaged...yet. But, Chris and I will be celebrating seven years together in April. We're training for a half marathon sometime in the spring. I am planning to do the Rock n Roll half marathon in October. I'll be starting the year with a new job. This year is my ten year high school reunion. Am I going? Yeah, I am not sure about that yet. I will break my plateau I am stuck on and reach my ultimate goal. Time to push a little harder. I will get my boyfriend to stop chewing with his mouth open as he is currently chomping in the other room. It's distracting my thinking. I will be journaling my daily moods, feelings, quotes, workouts, meals in nothing but an old school notebook. Sometimes the old fashioned ways are the best, but I'll use my blog more to share it all. I'll post weekly updates of my measurements to my blog. Yes, my blog, out there for everyone to see. Is this girl serious?! 

So, to sum up and ask again, can 2013 possibly top 2012? I'd say, it's what you make of it. If I think it will be better, then by golly, Holli, it will be. 

Just a little walk down 2012 memory lane.

New Years 2012

March 2012

April 2012

May 2012

July 2012

August 2012

August 2012

September 2012

October 2012

November 2012

Who else is ready to take on another year! Bring it, 2013!

Always Smile

Did you get your workout in this morning? I had the most difficult time getting out of bed today. Not only was I beyond freezing, with the covers over my head, and breathing that lovely morning breath into my hands, but I had a headache continuing on from last night. However, I couldn't let that stop me. Once I downed a bottle of water and finished my cardio, my headache was gone. No regrets here! Just knew I had to get it done. My bridesmaid dress is on it's way and I know that once that is here, I will have to really kick butt...but why wait til then to step it up a bit? And in just a few days, I get to do my first Tone It Up Valentine's Day Challenge! Are you signed up?

So, I still to this day cannot understand how I have been blessed to have gotten to know such amazing women from all across the country. Whether it's a letter, card, email, text, phone call, Skype, Twitter, or Facebook, or now just a trip down the road, I know I have a Tone It Up sister right there.

Today, I received a beautiful letter from such a beautiful friend. In the envelope, she attached multiple quotes for me to hang through out my apartment. My absolute favorite was one that she made herself....including the TIU colors. Of course I noticed.

It's an absolute coincidence, because I just got done talking about decorating our bathroom yesterday as a spa theme, and I wanted to put a motivational quote into a frame and have it near the mirror. How perfect that Samantha sent these just at the right moment. I was beginning to struggle a bit this week, trying to stay positive, but having a difficult time with it. These arrived at the right moment to lift my spirits back up. Chris said, "Are you going to hang those all over our bathroom mirror?" Nope. Just all over our apartment. Thank you so much, Samantha! You have an amazing soul!

Merry Christmas

Woke up this morning to a white Christmas! First one since I was a child. Made sticky buns for breakfast, baked chocolate chip cookies and a chocolate pie, and the ham is currently in the oven. Definitely, just going to enjoy the day and the food. I'll worry about it tomorrow at the gym!

I hope you all are having a wonderful day with friends and family! Remember why we're celebrating today. I am so thankful for the life I have been given and am so blessed to have my little family to celebrate today with. Merry Christmas to you all and happy birthday, Jesus! May you all have a safe and beautiful day!

Christmas morning on Skype w/ Mommy & Daddy!

    

"I've Had The Time of My Life"

We have been waiting for the day that the recap of our California trip would be posted. IT'S FINALLY HERE! I am so blessed to have been able to take on this experience. It still seems like it was just a dream. This video was so fun to watch, to relive in the moment. I definitely laughed and cried through the whole thing. Thank you K&K and Stephen for giving this to us and letting us be able to share our experience with our friends, family and our fellow TIU sisters! I am so thankful for 2012. Definitely the best year of my life. I have made a change for the better. Physically, emotionally, and so many inspiring women have helped me through. My TIU sisters are more to me now than just a community, they are my friends. It's one big sisterhood....a Tone It Up sorority. It's been a blessing to have met so many beautiful ladies so far from the community and I cannot wait to meet so many more! 

And thanks to Katrina and Karena, I now have three new best friends. Three women I had the experience to share a bond with and which I will cherish forever. I love you, Sophie, Laura and Elle!