The Downhill Slope
Hey everyone! How’s your Friday treating you?? Hope you’re having a great day <3 LOVED all of the purse links. Thank you for encouraging my supreme shopping addiction 😉
I’M IN ORLANDO!
Scamp is so excited because Viesa is here, too.
He keeps trying to kiss her on the mouth. Bella is his friend, but Viesa is his GIRLfriend 😀
As soon as I got on I-4 this morning, I knew I made the right decision coming here. Walking into my aunt’s house and being surrounded by memories instead of empty walls and desert-colored uniforms, a wave of relief washed over me.
These past few days have been emotionally and physically exhausting, but the good news is that I’m now on the downhill slope. I’m here! 😀 All I have left is to get settled and start this new little adventure.
I’m off to unpack, chill for a second, head to yoga and then meeting some blog friends for a legendary dinner 🙂
See ya later <3
xoxo,
Gina
Upcoming:
-Next Food Blog Star entry #1
Something to read: A guest post from Kaitlin! 🙂
Hi, Fitnessista readers! My name is Kaitlin and I blog over at Kaitlin With Honey. I’m a fairly new blogger (I started in June) but have long been a healthy living blog reader. So, when Gina put out the call for guest bloggers, I jumped at the chance. Coincidentally, taking chances is what I’m writing about here.
This past weekend, I ran a 10K. To some, this race is nothing. To me, though, it was a milestone. You see, I am not a natural runner. Not. At. All.
Less than a year ago, the idea of running even a mile would have seemed laughable to me. Even though, at that point, I had reached a weight and level of fitness I felt truly proud of, I was still skeptical of running. Back then, to think of running meant flashing back to desperately failed attempts at completing "the mile" in high school.
When 2010 hit, though, I decided that I was going to take this challenge head-on. I wanted something to work toward and running seemed to be both a lofty goal and one worthy of a year-long project. And really, taking a chance on running meant taking a chance on myself, which felt important.
To me, that’s what it’s all about: taking chances. I’ll skip over the months of training, the (happily few) moments of self-doubt and the (happily many) moments of exhilaration at my own abilities. I just want to tell you that, when I crossed the finish line this past Sunday, I have never felt happier, prouder, or more certain that taking that chance was the smartest thing I’ve ever done.
So, now what? I knew that as soon as I’d completed a 10K, I’d want to try something else. This is not to say I’m abandoning running by any means (I’ve signed up for two more 10Ks in 2010 alone!). I’m just thinking that my recent success means it’s time to face something else I never thought I’d want to try again: yoga.
I know – the horror! I almost can’t believe that I’m admitting, on Gina’s blog, to my deep-seated mistrust in all things OM.
Yoga is something I haven’t tried in a long time and is a practice that I gave up on long before giving it a fair chance. But, if I’ve learned anything from running, it’s that taking a chance in something I feared gave me a kind of confidence in myself that I never knew was possible.
So, you know, maybe I’ll never be a natural at yoga – but I’ll never know if I don’t try, right?
Trying new things isn’t just about fitness, either. It can be about anything! I think it’s so easy to fall into ruts once we become comfortable. I found an almond butter that I loved and ate it consistently for a year. Finally, after months of reading about so many other nut butters, I started trying a bunch of others. Now I have eight in my kitchen.
Okay, that might not be the best example. I went a little overboard on the nut butters.
No, but really, it can be about anything. Have you long wanted to pick up photography but don’t know the first thing about cameras? Find and take a class. Been noticing a guy at Starbucks? Talk to him, even if it means you need your friends to push you to do so, like Gina did. It can even be attempting to bake a batch of cookies in spite of your fear that you’re going to burn your house down. Just try something new today! Even if you think you might fail – heck, even if you do fail! – you just pick yourself back up and try again.
I promise, you won’t be sorry.
(Unless you really DO burn your house down. In that case… you never read this post.)
Now, where can I find a yoga mat?
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hurray for orlando! and i’m so glad to meet kaitlin…i remember when i was a new blogger!
I love that your puppers are dating. We do the same with our cat and my sister’s cat. My cat is older so I say she is a “cougar” and my mom always gets confused and says “Yes, she is a puma.”
Good luck with your transition, just remember to have patience with yourself during a time with some many changes =)
YAY!! Glad you made it there safely, and it already sounds like you’re settling in well! What a great story by Kaitlin – very inspiring! 🙂
I moved to Orlando in November and absolutely love it! Welcome to FL and hope you enjoy your time here!
http://www.JsEverydayFashion.com
Yey!! Best of luck!!!
My yorkie always tries to kiss my parent’s dog on the lips too! haha, they are charmers 😉
Hooray Gina! It can only go up from here.
Kaitlin – I ALWAYS dreaded “the mile” in HS. I would never run it. Ever. Now I can run 2 miles and not even think twice about it. Not much, but an accomplishment for someone who 2 years ago was out of breath just walking up a flight of stairs.
WELCOME!!!!! I’m so looking forward to tonight, it should be stellar! Love the guest post too, very cute. I saw your tweet about guest-posting but I was too chicken. Next time I will!
New things can be so *scary*. I sort-of recently started learning aerial dance and it blows my mind that I’ve stuck with it. It’s painful, it’s humbling, and exercising (no pun intended) massive patience is a must. But I know it will be worth it in the end to be able to do the things I see my instructors do!
yay for feeling fabulous about your new adventure! 🙂
thanks for introducing us to Kaitlin – I’m off to read her blog now! XO
The countdown to “the time” is always the worst. Once you get into your routine, it’s SO much better. I think you totally made the right decision to stay with family. Being alone at such an emotional time is freaking tough. Sending good vibes your way!
P.S. KC is getting a Trader Joe’s next year. Another reason why you should move there!
thank you!
whaaat?! good to know! i hope we find out where we’re going soon
I just heard about KC getting a Trader Joe’s, too!! (it sounds like they’re getting TWO in the area?!) I’m so excited because I travel there for work all the time! It’s about time they got one!! 😀
Yes! I heard they are getting on the MO side and one on the KS side! SO excited!
Gina I’m so glad you made it safely! And you are so right, you are on the downhill slope which is so much easier than the uphill climb! This probably sounds so lame, but I think you are truly amazing and strong for going through situations like this. I barely make it a day without seeing my husband, I can’t imagine being without him for longer than that. So please know that you have a friend in MN cheering you on with whatever you do from here on out.
Kaitlin-great guest blog, and yes, we all need to take chances now and then. I did when I met my husband: I am not forward at all, but I was with him and it paid off 🙂 I’m off to check out your blog.
I’m so happy you *know* this was the right decision for you. I love when that happens. Have fun at yoga and Seasons tonight, and I’ll see you tomorrow!
So glad you’re safe and sound with a supportive family. Let us know how the Pilot is. Someone was in front of me in school pickup line with Arizona tag; go figure. Glad the doggies are happy now too.
So glad you are in Orlando and happy! 🙂
Congrats!! Hope you settle in well!
Glad you made it safely! I’m excited for you – I’m happy you’re choosing to do something good for YOURSELF during what’s probably a really rough time for you.
Awwww a new life. I bet you’re going to have a lot of fun there. PLUS you can go Disneyworld anytime you want (if money permits:)
YES!!! (my uncle works there, so he hooks it up haha)
I’m SO proud of you Gina. You are such a strong woman, and you definitely made the right decision!
thank you friend <3
Glad you had a safe trip! 😀 Love that photo of Viesa. Great guest post as well!
glad to hear you made it to Orlando safely and that you will be surrounded by such great love and support and that means we get to see your smiley face more often! Have a great time tonight.
Congrats on the move! Orlando is great. I lived there for 6 years. Enjoy it! 🙂
This was a sonderful guest post! Thank you for sharing your story 🙂
Glad you made it! And you sound so excited to be there. 🙂
YAY!! Glad you had a safe trip! Have fun embarking on this new chapter in your life!
I’m so happy for you! Change is freaking HARD, but you are handling it like a champion! Congratulations on making it to Orlando and on making the best decision for YOU.
And now I’m going to go click on hundreds of purse links.
Awesome you are made it Gina!
Hi Kaitlin! I also am a new bloggie.:) I look forward to checking in with you! Nice to get the intorudction. 🙂
So happy for you! I love the monkey shot, too:)
YAY Orlando! 🙂 I can think of tons of good places to eat if you are ever looking – our favorite Indian is Aashirwad over by Wet n Wild, they have a crazy lunch buffet 🙂 Hope to meet you and some of the other Orlando bloggers some day!
This guest blog came at the absolutely most perfect time. I just signed up for my first 5K. I know it’s not much, but I gotta start somewhere, right. I’m a 42 year old mother of 6 kids (all teenagers) and everyone (especially my hubby) in my household encourages me to do things that make me feel better for myself. I feel like I have the support of the world with them. Kaitlin, thank you for the encouragement and Gina, good luck with the move.
This makes me miss Orlando so much – it’s been too long since I’ve been down there!
Glad you got there safe and sound, and even more glad you are happy! You deserve the best.
Enjoy your dinner out…I am sure a fun night out with friends will help
you unwind a bit. You deserve it after your moving madness.
I love how we both move on the same day! Good luck with everything in Orlando 🙂
Hi Kaitlin – congrats on taking on a big challenge, and succeeding! I’m new in the blogosphere, too and one of the topics near and dear to my heart is facing scary things to find the positive in them (hint: it doesn’t always mean success). For you it was running, for me it was mountain biking and then a slew of other things. One of my mantras is “How many calories does fear burn??” I completed my first Half Ironman triathlon this year, something I thought was way out of my league. Stop by if you’re needing a little inspiration to get over your next hurdle! Great post!!
I’m glad you made it to Orlando. Moving is so very stressful. I hope the shopping, food and family you’ll have in Orlando will help distract you during this hard season in your life. Best wishes to you and the Pilot!
Aww have fun at dinner! It will be good for you to be around family and friends while the Pilot is away 🙂
Yeah! Cheers to you on your new adventure!
Aw, I love Orlando – especially Disney! I hope you have a great time! 😀
PS – Kaitlin, your guest post was awesome! You are such a talented writer. Congrats on the 10K – very inspirational! 🙂
Great guest post!
And I hope you enjoy Orlando!!!
Yay for being in Orlando! It’s so gorgeous there, I wish you all the best 🙂
What great inspiration Kaitlin!!! I recently signed up for a half marathon!! ahhh!! I’m excited and nervous at the same time, so I know exactly what you went through. As for the nut butters, I’m trying to get out of my almond butter rut right now, lol
Have fun with yoga. Just remember to breathe!!
I am so glad everything is coming together for you! I was in the same boat about a month ago.
I am sooo happy you made it! Thanks for sharing your story Kaitlin! You are epic!
Yay Gina, so happy that you’re arrived and are living it up and doing your thing and meeting up with friends! That’s the best!
Caitlin, so happy you’ve found yoga. I have been a yoga teacher for 10 years and it has changed my life in so many ways, both on and off the mat.
Have a great weekend to both of you!
🙂
Hi,
I’ve been reading your blog for a while now so thought I’d finally comment and wish you all the best with this move. I hope you won’t mind that I included you in my blog roll at my new blog 🙂
Yay I’m so glad you’re so happy with your decision to move to Orlando! Good luck with the transition. 🙂
Kaitlin – congrats on doing the 10K! I’ve been running for two years, but I’m still too scared to sign up for a race. This makes me want to finally take the plunge!!
Glad you’re settled in, hon. I def know it was the right choice. <3