Hi guys! How’s your day going?? I’m so glad ya’ll liked the solo spin workout 
Have fun with it!
Things are frantic but bueno over here…. WE’RE OFFICIALLY GOING TO THE BAHAMAS!!!
I’m a little ridiculously stoked.
It’s gonna be glorious!!! We’re not leaving until May, but I’m already on the lookout for some guest posts in addition to the once daily posting I’ll be doing. If you have a fun idea for a post, please send it my way and I’ll see what we can hook up 
Mayjah thanks to Heather for booking our trip!
This afternoon, I was hankering for a salad beast and without any raw crackers around for some crunch, I had another idea….
MILLET CROUTONS!
“Oh no, you didn’t!”
Oh yes, yes I did 
To go with said beast, I broiled some cut-up millet in a small baking dish, sprayed with olive oil (from the misto) and seasoned with oregano, sea salt and garlic. Why have I not done this before?? Expect many millet croutons in the future
After a few training appointments, I braved my first run post-half marathon and post-injury hiatus. Even though I was apprehensive, it actually went well! I walked/ran for 4 miles and made sure to keep my pace around 9:00—I looked down once and I was pacing 7:30. Oops! I blame it on the killer playlist It felt sooooooo dang good to get my legs moving again.
Replenishment:
Cullen juice with:
-2 small apples
-1 beet
-6 honking carrots
-a ginger nub
I’m off to make some homemade Indian food… hopefully it’s face-rocking
Have a wonderful night!
xoxo,
Gina
Something to think: Today, while I was laying by the pool, I couldn’t help but overhear the college girls next to me totally bashing themselves. It was almost a contest between them: who could say the worse thing possible. They were talking about their bodies, their workouts, eating habits, etc. (one of them was also sunbathing using Pam nonstick cooking spray, but that’s beside the point) and while I won’t write what they were saying, I will say that it made me feel horrible inside. Life is too short to be anything but proud of yourself. I know, I know, easier said than done…. there was definitely a time where nothing was good enough for me.
Looking back, I know now that all of the time I spent obsessing and trying to be “perfect” was a total waste. Also, looking back at pictures from that time, when I was so unhappy with how I looked/ate/worked out/etc, I looked beautiful. And so do these girls… the only ugly thing about them was what they were saying.
You are all amazing, FIT, gorgeous and intelligent..and best of all, YOU’RE ALIVE! Don’t waste your time thinking badly about yourself—remind yourself of all of the people (myself included) who think the world of you. Next time a bad thought crosses your mind, picture my goofy face and how bummed I would be to hear you talking or thinking badly about yourself. Cliché but true: You’re the only “you” you’ve got. Love it and own it. <3
Speech ovahhhhh
Hi, I'm Gina. Welcome to The Fitnessista! I love blogging about my adventures as a new mom, military wife and fitness instructor, as well as sharing new workouts and recipes. Check out the About page for more info - thanks for stopping by!
thanks for the words about being kind to ourselves. seriously, i went to a college that was notorious for skinny, beautiful girls and i fell into the pressure traps of thinking negative thoughts as well. GRRR! What a waste of such a wonderful time in our lives, now that I am so old (30, ha!) I feel so much more comfortable with myself and able to appreciate all of the good things I have to offer in life (skinnier now than i ever was due to giving up worrying about it). p.s. i have a good tip about bahamas if you haven’t already booked hotel. if you want to enjoy all of the amenities of the Atlantis resort, but not pay the prices there is a hotel you can stay at and it includes free day passes to the Atlantis (a 2 minute walk) i forget name now, but if you haven’t booked accomodations yet I can look it up and send it on to you!
Love your ‘something to think about’ today. And yay for booking the holiday!
So true! My mom is handicapped with severe arthritis and even though I’m not always happy with how my body looks and I want to improve it, every day I am grateful that I can get out of bed and walk and swim and hike. My mom can’t do any of those things and I am so grateful for my able body.
Always love reading your blog as part of my morning wake-up ritual
You’re always so positive and fun, it totally sets such a happy and optimistic start to my day! So I totally agree with everything you said.
Also, so psyched for you that you’ll be going to the Bahamas… of all the random places I’ve been, I’ve always soo wanted to go there! I know you’ll have an awesome time!
Your thoughts today mean a lot to me. I used to be a negative self talker- until I realized EXACTLY how lucky I am to be alive. Losing my mom has oddly enough made me a better person in so many ways- one of which includes being good to myself.
I feel the same way about eating poorly and skipping workouts though- that is not treating myself well either, which is probably why it is often so easy for me to eat well and work out 5 times a week. I learned to always love myself and appreciate how blessed I am.
First, PAM?! Guh-ross.
Second, just went back and read the posts you linked to about loving one’s body. Awesome.
I used to be a slave to the gym (and counting calories), and sometimes I catch myself slipping back to that mind set. Thanks for the reminder that LIFE IS FOR LIVING!
Gina, your outlook on life is so positive, and I’m really glad that among all the horrible role models in life for girls, there are women like you! I too am really bothered by others’ negative self talk and wish that we could all appreciate how lucky we are to have healthy, strong bodies.
Gina, great post! First, about the vacation & awsome millet croutons, but mostly about the bashing negative self talk. I think every girl needs to hear your kind & inspiring words. I also wanted to take the time to thank you for introducing so many of us to all the amazing healthy foods and workouts that you have done this past year or so. I would have never tried raw coaco or goji berries if it weren’t for you. Thank you!
Such a good point on the loving yourself! Its something I need to constantly remind myself to override my perfectionist-tendancies. Life is too short to worry about non-important things like cellulite, etc. And here’s to all the people in my life that support me and think I’m perfectly imperfect:)
Thank you for reminding me that I am beautiful as I am and should be loving my body for all the great things it can do! You are amazing Gina!
PAM? Yuck! What was she thinking?? Well I guess my baby oil last summer was not much better..oops.
Your speech at the end almost made me cry..so sweet, and so true. I am guilty of being way too hard on myself. Striving for perfection is a daily thought! Thank you for your words..
congrats on the vacation plans-how fun! i would love to do a guest post for you……talk about what it is like to be healthy and fit and FORTY
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Have fun in the Bahamas. I wish I could go, too.
Also, you’re right about those girls. They probably are beautiful (except for what they were saying). They just need to see it for themselves (and cut out the Pam Cooking Spray. Ouch!).
Oh my goodness Gina, I just loved your “something to think about” today. You echoed the words in my own head after you described those girls. Your blog is just so uplifting and honest- it’s refreshing fo sho.. sidenote and completely unrelated, but my bf is also in the Air Force, so I always enjoy your mentions of the pilot.:) Ps. if you’re ever in the D.C. area, please let me know!
have fun on your trip!
i can’t believe someone was tanning with pam…omg. i am pale as they come so that freaked me out ha! i imagined what would happen to me…hospital. when i was in acapulco my soph year of college spring break my friend put carrott oil on her face to tan and blistered!! on her face!! ahh it was horrible!! ok done with my crazy sun rant:)
Aw Gina! I loved that little rant
And I know–girls beat themselves up so much! It’s so sad. And every negative comment just makes them that much “uglier”, and makes me feel that much more uncomfortable! Hate talk just isn’t necessary!
PUMPED FOR YOU THAT YOU’LL BE SUNBATHING IN THE BAHAMAS THOUGH!!!!! JEALOUSSSSS!
THANK YOU for being the voice out there to so positively keep reminding people what life is about! This literally brought tears to my eyes and was a much needed wake up call. Thank you!!
you are seriously the best ever! thanks for the pep talk
also – millet croutons will be in my salad tonight!! awesome idea!
Howdy! Quick question for you!! When you say 6 honking carrots, are you using carrot sticks or a full carrot? I ask because I just finally bought a juicer and one large apple, one large carrot, and one large pear made one pint… and a half!!!! I couldn’t imagine how much six carrots would make!!!
yes, 6 giant carrots
Does that mean my juicer is doing something wrong? Sorry virgin territory here!!
hahah no i think i just drink a lot of juice.. my juice glasses i drink out of are pretty giant and i re-fill them a couple of times
Haha ok! Whew!
I have seriously cut down on the “fat talk” since entering the blog world. I feel much better about myself. We all have those days, but I try not to dwell on it. Now I worry more about who’s running faster than me (everyone) than who’s skinnier than me. LOL P.S. I can honestly say I will probably NEVER look down and see a 7:30 pace. I was thrilled!!! to achieve a 9:37 pace in yesterday’s 5k.
I dont know if they would fit in to your guidelines for eating but Trader Joes sells crunchy green beans that are amazing as a salad topper. Try them!
i have tried them and they’re awesome! my mom and i finished a bag off together last time we saw a movie