I’ve noticed this common narrative in the #transformationtuesday and #weightloss communities that is so toxic. This idea that having an ideal body = happiness. I understand why people may say that because the truth is progress = happiness and exercise also releases a bunch of endorphins which makes you happy. This is great!!! However, that feeling is temporary and it’s not sustainable. You can be fat and love yourself. When I weighed almost 250 pounds I was happier than I am today at 185. (I’m working on that though, I deserve to be just as happy!) & that’s completely normal and good! You can also be thin and absolutely love yourself!! Yes!!! That’s amazing. My point is, weight & body type is not going to magically make you this unstoppable and happy person if there’s a bigger/deeper issue under the surface: do you love yourself? Do you wake up, look at yourself, and think “I love my body for all it is now and I cannot wait to see what it can do for me in the future”? Do you think positive thoughts to those stretch marks on your inner thighs or that chub on your belly? If not, I really hope you start. Being confident in the body that you have NOW is crucial to being healthy and having whatever your personal “ideal” body is. Because that looks different for everyone and each way is okay. I can not tell you how many times I skipped having fun with my friends while they swam or went on intimidating hikes. I didn’t love myself!!! I wasn’t comfortable. But that had NOTHING to do with my body and EVERYTHING to do with my perspective. I’m still not where I want to be but you can bet on it that I’m going to get up, show up, and love myself during the process. Love & admire the vessel that you are in. Hold yourself dearly and get out there and go on that scary hike, intimidating pool party, or nerve racking photoshoot. You will thank yourself later & I know you can do it. (at Plum Restaurants)

Warning: I’m about to be real vulnerable. I’ve been going through a moment as of late. Demotivation has been holding me captive over this holiday season. I know that seasons definitely affect my empath energy & it can be hard when you have SO many incredible things you want to do but demotivation holding me hostage makes everything seem so impossible. 😓 In a way to counteract this horrible spiral, today I wrote out a list of small things I wanted to accomplish. This post was one of them actually. So simple, yet so powerful especially for me at this time when simple tasks can feel huge. I was successful today!!!! I checked off every small task on that list: I scheduled a massage appointment, sent out important emails, organized my workout plan for today, and made this vulnerable post. Today I won. Really, the main point of this post was to make myself feel better but I also wanted to share it because I know so many others feel this way especially around this time of year. That list really helped me today & the point is, conquering the day can mean checking off a simple list, no matter how small. I’m grateful for this beautiful day & the rest of the days to come. Let’s conquer 2018 together. 👊🏻💜 (at Starbucks Reserve, Roastery and Tasting Room)

“Instead of condemning people, let’s try to understand them. Let’s try to figure out why they do what they do. That’s a lot more profitable and intriguing than criticism; and it breeds sympathy, tolerance and kindness. To know all is to forgive all. As Dr. Johnson said: ‘God himself, sir, does not propose to judge man until the end of his days.’ Why should you and I?” - good ol Dale Carnegie spitting some truth. It’s important to remember that at the end of the day, judgment and criticism does not manifest itself into anything positive or self sufficient, it only breeds more judgment and criticism. Let us let go of these helpless habits and strengthen our mind to start focusing on greater topics.