On the Healthy Living Soapbox

The other day my best friend demanded that I teach her my healthy living ways. Now, I’m the first to admit I wasn’t always so healthy. Up until around January, working out was something I had to do because it was necessary if I wanted to lose weight. That’s the mindset that I began my fitness journey with. Jordan, don’t have that cookie! You’re never gonna lose weight if you have it. Jordan, get your booty to the gym! How do you ever expect to lose weight if you’re this lazy?!

But then something happened. Some inner working I had been longing for finally clicked, and exercise and healthy eating became something I got to do, rather than had to do. And that’s when the weight finally started coming off. I exercised everyday because it made me feel good, and I ate healthy because I needed powerful fuel to get me through my work outs.

And I’ve continued this healthy lifestyle. People comment on my weight loss a lot, and while I am excited about fitting into old clothes and looking in the mirror and thinking “Damn girl!,” I’m mostly excited that I’ve become fully committed to making healthy life choices. And I figure if I can inspire one person to do the same, my purpose is fulfilled.

So, that’s what brings me to this blog post: what is it specifically that I love about exercise and healthy eating? This was a question I hadn’t really pondered, aside from the broad “I like the way it makes me feel.” In true Happy List fashion, I’ve compiled a list of the reasons why I have become nearly obsessive with health and wellness:

1. I love getting creative about my meals. My mom always keeps the kitchen stocked with fresh fruits and veggies, and I love being able to put them together. Last week I had egg whites with avocado, spinach, and tomatoes, and last night I made myself tomato and carrot juice. Eating only fresh foods allows me to make colorful and healthy combinations.
2. That feeling when you think your heart might pound out of your chest? I live for it. I love challenging my body and finding out it is capable of doing things I never would have guessed. If someone told me 6 months ago that I would be running regularly (and loving it), I would have laughed in their faces. But now I am addicted to the adrenaline rush. Runner’s high is such a true thing.
3. It helps me sleep. My mom has terrible insomnia, and in the fall I was getting early hints of it—not being able to sleep longer than an hour, sleeping the whole night but waking up exhausted—but when I’m jammin’ on my exercise and eating healthy routine, I sleep soundly through the night.
4. “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands.” Enough said.
5. I feel good about myself.

So there you have it. I'm so happy with the changes I've made, and I definitely wouldn't have been able to make them without the inspiration of the blogging community. :)

Time for some exercise!

The Semester in Review

I literally cannot believe the spring semester is over. Time sure flies.

So here's my breakdown:

This semester was by far my worst

and conclusively my best

semester I've had as a student at Cal.

Why the worst, you ask?

I battled minor depression (but I admit it, so I feel like that's a positive thing)

My beloved grandpa passed away

My three best friends were 21 and could go fun places without me

Becoming president of my sorority was in a lot of ways a huge mistake and it was really really hard on me at first (and continues to be, but I have learned to handle it better)

Why the best, then?

I rocked all my midterms/papers (earned an A on every single one!)

I finally FINALLY made exercise a part of my life. It's not something I have to do; it's something I want to do. It's helped me lose some weight, but most importantly it has helped me love my body

My sister Kendall got into almost all the schools she applied to, and I'm so excited to say she'll be joining me in the Pac 10 next year! Bears > Huskies ;)

I've begun to navigate my way around this blogging world, and I've found such an amazing support system and endless source of entertainment

But most of all, I've figured out how to be me in this world.

Despite the tears and stress of this semester, I am grateful for it all. I hope I never go through so many tough things at one time every again, but I will also be forever glad I learned so much about myself.

I am so excited about all the prospects of senior year! Lighter course load, getting a job, being 21, and making the most of the last year of the best time of my life. I am enjoying summer so far, but cannot wait for senior year to be here already.

Problem Solving

In my last post I mentioned how I pulled a muscle, which I was super super bummed about! This is the first time in my life that I've actually stayed dedicated to working out, and I've definitely seen results. The fact that I wasn't going to be able to run was really making me sad. I even had a dream that I had gained 10 pounds. I know I sound like a crazy, weight-obsessed person, but truthfully I'm just really committed to workin' on my fitness.

So I gave myself two days off and got antsy for the gym. I went for a run on Wednesday and the pain in my muscle was even worse. Bummer. So I asked around about what I could do. Everyone said to ice and heat the muscle, which I had been doing. Then I realized, hey, why don't I find a workout that won't tug on that specific muscle? Aha! The stairmaster! So I tried it out yesterday to much success! I can get a productive workout in without running.

Sometimes all it takes is a little problem-solving.

Arts and crafts aren't just for kids!

Today I proved that with a little art project. A few weeks ago I stumbled upon an adorable notebook in Urban Outfitters, and its message (Stop and Smell the Flowers) inspired me to make a journal. Since I have a habit of earmarking things in fitness journals (ie recipes I want to try, work outs I want to attempt, etc), I decided I should start compiling all of these things into one place. So, my little fitness journal was born.

All it took was the notebook (which doesn't have to be a fancy one...a cheapo from Walgreens will definitely suffice), some magazines (which I had collected over probably six months), and some sort of adhesive--I used rubber cement because it's easier to work with than a glue stick, and I'm lazy.

The journal isn't done yet (because when is a journal ever done, really?), but so far I have an ongoing brainstorm about why I want to lose weight, some recipes I am going to make when I go home for spring break (which of course I will share on the blog), and some fitness tips/moves I want to try. I am hoping this journal will help me stay fit and on the right track, especially because I just ordered this little number and want to look fab in it by the time summer rolls around.

Can't wait to continue adding to it!

Be well,

Jordan