National Cat Day

Did you know that it was National Cat Day yesterday?!

Did you also know that it was National Oatmeal Day, too?! Jeesh, throw a national Cinnamon Day in with that and you would've been able to call that Mollie's Favorite Day of the Year!

I certainly celebrated last night with a big plate of broccoli and eggs. (Hello Zone Diet...to come in a later blog, I'm sure.) I somehow snagged Beebs long enough to get my phone and have her take a very flattering picture (of her) with me.

She was obviously in "cheese" mode.

Now, I know that a lot...a loooot of people aren't cat fans and they continue to make fun of people who are. I'm an "all animals" type of person, but cats have a particularly special place in my heart.

Especially Beebs. I adopted her, what is coming up on, 3 years ago. She was there for me when I first moved to Ames & was super lonely, through tough times with previous relationships, and makes me laugh when I need it most...she always knows when I'm not feeling well or am sad.

She almost always comes to visit me when I'm going to the "bathroom." And always lets me know when she's out of food by meowing (she has thee softest meow) and swatting my legs as I walk by.

At night, she waits until Collin is pretty much asleep and comes up and cuddles on the other side of me. She doesn't stay all night unless Collin isn't there so she can have her own side of the bed. But as soon as the alarm goes off, and if we don't get up right away, she's walking all over us to get us to shut it off!

She also likes:

Dresser drawers

Doing gymnastics while laying on the floor with her paws touching something (couch, chair, my 6 Pack Bag, ect.)

Cheese...any type of cheese

Corn Chips

Popcorn

Spaghetti

Doing hot laps

Climbing

Long naps in Mr. Collin's spot

Treats

Sleeping upside down

Rubbing her face on my computer screen

Walking across my computer as I'm working

Strings to any piece of clothing

Plastic bags

Gift bows

Anything with a bell

21 Favorites!

1. Nike Pro Spandex

So easy to move in at CF.

2. St. Ives Lotion

I always put this on after I shower. It helps me skin stay moisturized!

3. Oatmeal

Obsessed! With a little bit of chocolate protein powder & cinnamon--YUM! It is National Oatmeal Day, today! :)

4. Buckle tank tops

So comfortable and they go with everything!

5. Herbalife Tea and Aloe

Heavenly & healthy!

6. Cinnamon

Pure obsession

7. Old photos

History has always been something I love to learn about. Seeing how things have changed over time is so cool & to be able to look back to what my family looked like and the things they did is insightful.

8. Burlesque

One of the best movies of my life. Heller!

9. Green

My favorite color, always.

10. Stargazer lillies or white mums

No cliche roses here. 

11. The best paid entertainment I have ever seen: (hands down) Cirque du soleil's "O"

Jaw on the floor and completely breath-taking. I would go over and over again! I highly suggest seeing this show if you're in Vegas.

12. Chipotle's chicken or veggie bowl

If I want to go out to eat...here it be.

13. 6-Pack Bag

Probably the best investment my boyfriend has ever made for me. It helps me stay accountable and is so easy to organize.

14. VS Noir or Acqua Di Gioia

Two of the best perfumes of my life. I like a lot of them, buuuut these two take the cake.

15. Song(s) that make me move no matter what: Celebrate, Turn Down For What, or Happy!

Let's be honest, I could "move" to any song!

16. Favorite TV series that I could constantly watch on rerun: Full House

Let the nostalgia set in.

17. Windex

I literally clean EVERYTHING with this stuff! 

18. Jim Rohn

He's so great. He has taught me so muuuuuch. (In his voice)

19. Earrings

No necklaces, no braces...simply earrings.

20. Nature Sound: Distant Thunder

So soothing and comforting. Especially if you don't have any plans and can stay in with the windows open and listen to it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-yu4NoS1HM

21. Bath & Body Works (3-wick) Candles

Totally a guilty pleasure...they smell so good!

How Mornings Start

Have you ever wondered WHY on Earth I get up at 4:40 AM 4 to 5 days a week? I know I've text some of you at odd hours of the morning...

We-he-he-he-ellll...

This is my time to get my workout done. Done. Over. Don't have to worry about it later in the day when I'm super tired after work or meeting with customers. It's actually a GREAT way to start the day! Habits, people, good habits!

Collin and I wake up, he eats 2 blocks worth of food and I eat 1. (Macros: Protein, carbs, fat)

**1 Block = 7g protein, 9g carbs, and 1.5g of fat**  x 2 for Mr. C

It really depends on your size and mass. I eat less than Collin because I'm obviously smaller than him, and...he's just a beast. Not that I'm not a beast...But if you check out his squat photo below, you'll understand. The guy bends the barbell with how much he can lift! 

After we eat, we head to CrossFit at 5:22. It NEVER fails, we always end up in the car at 5:22AM, when we, ideally, would like to be at CrossFit by then. Ha. Go us!

And then from there...here is a summary of what we do...

Starting at the top and going to the right:

1. Collin just hanging out before his max squat.
2. Push ups with two of my friends/a couple people who keep me going and laughing through tough workouts, Bret and Kylee! Apparently, there must've been a lot of push ups in that workout, I ended up going to a different modification.
3. Collin being a ninja on the box jumps (24" for guys, 20" for gals)
4. (Down below Collin's box jump) Tabata Abs with Mitch! He wasn't have the hibberty jibberties that day!
5. (Bottom) Tabata dead bugs (abs) with the class! Collin's face says it all!
6. The big photo. Thrusters. Normally, you wouldn't dare find me in a hoodie during a CrossFit workout. But this was one COLD morning in October and the workout included running outside for an extended period of time. So there it be.

Back to thrusters...I used to HATE HATE HATE these. Turns out, I only hated them because of my back always hurting. But learning proper form and stretching has helped a ton. Now, I don't mind them. They aren't any more fun than they were before, but I would say that my attitude about them has improved. That may not seem like a lot of weight compared to what Collin has on his bar (for a different lift), but the total weight on the bar is considered Rx (the most) for females for that workout. 

After everyone finishes, high fives, says what their favorite and most hated part of the workout was, we head home and get ready for the day. I only take about an hour and a half of 24 hours out of my day to improve my strength and endurance...and be with some of my best friends! I love it. It's like waking up to go hang out with family you haven't seen in forever (when, really, I see them 4 to 5 days a week)!

I have become so much stronger physically and mentally/emotionally because of this form of exercise. I was so scared in the beginning. Now, nothing is impossible to me. I know people make fun of the habits of CrossFitter's, but in all honesty, I am more prepared for every day tasks that my body could be put through...It's addicting (in a good way). I've stopped worrying about being a skinny stick of a girl and have become focused on being strong/building my muscles, and doing crazy things, like handstand push ups!

I love how we start the day. It really sets a good tempo for the rest of the day! 

Copy & Paste...My Version.

Have you checked out http://www.threesixtyfiveblog.com/ yet?

Stephanie is a great, long-time friend of mine! She always has great blogs...even the super short ones that are just explained in photos! The following was copy & pasted from her blog and I created my own answers. Super fun! It makes you realize what you're really focused on in life: positive/happy or negative/unhappy!

Making : 

Tremendous progress in life. 

Cooking : 

A lot of things I would have never even thought about trying...eggs, green peppers, onions, turkey burgers, quinoa, cauliflower, oatmeal, ect.

Drinking :
Water and pomegranate tea. Needing a lot of hydration after this AM's workout!

Reading : The Compound Effect! 

Wanting :
A shopping trip soon!

Looking:
For more cute {homemade} ideas for my next Halloween costumes, coming at ya this weekend!

Playing:
all kinds of music. Nothing slow. Upbeat, bass "dropping" music really gets me pumped!

Wasting:
Nothing. I would have been able to say "spinach" before the last few weeks, but lately I have been putting a cup and a half of spinach in my AM protein shake! Weird color, but you can't taste it! :)

Sewing:
 I need to get lessons from my ma!

Wishing:
I knew what day and how soon I was going to be able to get butterfly pull ups and a muscle up. 

Enjoying:
the new CHANGES in my life. I am so lucky to be OK, happy, and excited about change. Jobs, workouts, eating habits/diet, meeting new people, trying new foods, ect.

Waiting:
for the weekend! 

Liking:
gum. Seriously, I have been going through so many packs lately! 

Wondering:
What the holidays will be like this year. And where I will go for my birthday in March!

Loving:
where I live. It is so central and quaint. I am so thankful Collin opened up his home to Beebs & I.

Hoping:
For another tattoo in the near future. This one will be very meaningful, as well.

Marveling:
how lucky I am to have such great people that surround me. Starting off with a person (Collin) with a great attitude as soon as I wake up in the morning, to my friends supporting eachother at the gym, to the friendly faces I see every day, and so on.

Smelling:
Cold pomegranate tea. YUMMO!

Wearing:
Black slacks, a turquoise tank, a gray blazer, and black pumps. Hellooo business woman!

Following:
The first thing that comes to my mind for these things!

Noticing:
The improvements I have made as a person in the last 6 months!

Knowing:
that hard work pays off. I am extremely excited for today and for the future.

Thinking:
about our honeymoon constantly. However, my body does not reflect this ;)

Bookmarking:
Business attire dresses that are super sexy, but very elegant!

Giggling:
has always been my expertise. One specific instance, recently...Collin trying to put me in an Herbalife box...and not giving up. 

Feeling:
Successful

Lazy Sunday's According to Beebs...

And LITERALLY, every other day of the week! Beebs is Italian, if you didn't know. So if you find some misspelled words, sound them out with an Italian accent. 

First, mum sits down to do "work" on her computer with my biscuit blanket...

I watch from my favorite rug in the bedroom...plotting my next move...

Zen, no matter if she's ready or not, I snuggle up on my biscuit blanket...even if her foot is under me. Either way, I must face away from her.

Zen my mum thinks I'm "photo ready"...not today, mum, not today! Secretly, every Saturday night, I throw huge ragers with the neighborhood & alley cats. E-magine the shadoobie box I have to clean before she returns—I'm exhausteeeeed!

I'm so glad I'm still facing away from her...e-magine za photos she would get if I faced her!

Oh, zat iz a good shot of me, mum.

Time to do my usual, 5 meenit, rotation so I can tiger-snooze. You know.

Competing...From A Beginner's Perspective

I remember how sweaty my hands were watching the competitors at the MAT Games in Des Moines, IA. I was so eager to be on the floor with the athletes doing the event. I wish I had signed up to compete, but had never done a CrossFit competition before...and it was a 3-day competition! As soon as I got home, I looked up the next, 1-day competition. There was one near by...in the next 3 weeks!

Now, that may seem like a long time. BUT, most competitors practice when the workouts come out. (At least one workout from the event is posted ahead of time. Sometimes more, depending the length of the event.) So 3 weeks was SOON. I planned to practice. I promise, I did. It seemed like the days "got away from me." Typical excuse.

I strategized with a CrossFit coach and mentally prepared myself.

The day came quickly...It was nerve-racking to see all of the different people. Muscly women, tall bulky men, short skinny people...I always had a prejudgement of each. I'm human...SHOCKER. Turns out, don't underestimate the short or skinny people! Dang!

Anyways...I haven't competed for anything since the high school dance team days. I loved the feeling of competing. I thrived from it. I absolutely looooved the rush. So I was ready to do that again. I mean, when you're 24, there's not much you can do as far as competition and being a part of something with such...

The first workout was great. Collin was my partner (this whole competition was a partner competition.) We faced eachother for the first WOD, and alternated a certain amount of certain moves...i.e. cleans, back squats, shoulder to over head, snatches, ect. I'd say we whooped it with one of the fastest times in our division.

The second workout was by ourselves but they added the two partners' scores together. It was 1 minute of as many power cleans as possible. OUCH. Seriously...this is when I remember my arms starting to swell. SWELL. You couldn't tell I had wrists! Then you had a 10 second transition to get to the "rig" (pull up bar) and do a "dead hang" for one minute...or as long as you could. Might seem easy, until you do X amount of super fast power cleans. My hands were numb and I am a chalk abuser when it comes to preparing my hands for anything metal. I reached into the chalk bucket to prepare myself for the dead hang...WITH ONLY 10 SECONDS, MIND YOU...and there was NO chalk. Mental buzz kill, WHAM! Ok cool, soooo let's get creative. Ok, no, there's no getting creative as the judge following me was hurrying me to get to the bar. I wasn't sure of the best position to stay still and to get that 60 seconds under my belt. The thoughts going through my head were numbing my hands...I think it was something like, "so many people are staring at me right now," "I'm going to go demolish one of those protein muffins when I get done here," "I wonder how the guy on the other side of the rig is doing (there was 2 people: 1 guy, 1 girl, on the rig at one time), "I wonder if I should adjust my hands, my fingers hurt," "man, 60 seconds is SLOW," THEN I opened my eyes..."I bet that guy is enjoying his donut and Diet Pepsi (ew)," "Shoot, do I cross my feet?" And I looked up to see 3 of my 5 fingers still clenched to the bar...I could hear one of the CrossFit coaches from the gym I go to telling me to bend my arms and squeeze my hands tighter...Just when I went to do that, BOOM. I fell. I looked at the clock, disappointed, only making it to 50 of the 60 seconds...10 seconds left, really? I beat myself up pretty bad after that point. Sometime later coming to, I gave myself a pep talk..."Dude, you lasted longer than some people! And you made it to a heavier weighted clean than others! There's nothing to be bummed about. This day is about learning!"

Now, I thought the 2nd workout would be the worst. Well, #3 (the final) was about to punch me right in the face. Collin and I were to start with 150 single jump ropes, followed by 12-9-6-3 of the following (each of us had to do all of the reps): dead lifts, man maker wall balls (BARF), kettle bell swings, with a cash out of 150 single unders with a 10 minute time cap. Every time we got to deadlifts, we had to take off or put on weight depending who's turn it was. Collin's weight obviously heavier than my weight. This guy was tough...Man maker wall balls...woof. Basically, these are doing a burpee onto a wall ball and then getting up to throw the wall ball at a target. If you didn't hit the target, the judge would "no rep" you...meaning you had to do it again and the first one didn't count towards your total.

I told someone recently that one has to be sort of sick and twisted (in a good way) to enjoy CrossFit at a competitive level. Depending on the gym, even in the every day workouts...we do some crazy stuff! I love it. I am so glad I did that competition. I know Collin is, too. We came out on top, tying with another team for 1st place. The tie-breaker was whichever team had more 1st places in the events. The other couple, unfortunately, got us there. So we received 2nd place. I'm plenty pleased with it, considering we DIDN'T practice any of it. (Trust me, I learned my lesson here).

I can't wait to compete again!

Cooler Days

Costume #2 of the year: Barbie & Ken

Beautiful color changes

Blair & I at the Herbalife Costume Party! Blair is a huge inspiration to me. She is so sweet and is a beast at CrossFit.

Learning from those who have become very successful and willing to share their journey.

Celebrating with people from all over the U.S. 

Although I am truly a SUMMER GIRL, I do enjoy this time of year. I love the seasonal change and the chipperness (is that word?) in the atmosphere. Right before the holiday season(s) begin, there is something wonderful that happens in the world. The colors of the trees/plants, those who exercise outside, start to come inside, the fall clothes layering, the excitement of cooler days (I'm a weirdo and LOVE a good HOT summer day...I grew up as a "pool rat"...can you tell? :) ) However, here is to scarves, hot tea/cocoa, snuggling, seasonal candles, family gatherings, and Michael Buble playing in every store!

Inspired.

Our dream boards: consisting of pictures of things we really want to work hard for. Some fun, some outrageous, and some very simple life wants/needs.

Top: Collin's goal board. He has a lot more detail than I do. I just got mine! I'm working on it!
Bottom: My goal board. Simple and necessary. I look at this multiple times DAILY.

My newly married friend, Stephanie Reed, inspired me to make and share this list of goals I have set.

Collin and I each have our own marker boards in our bedroom...sectioned out into different aspects of life: business, financial, physical, spiritual, lifestyle, ect.

Then we sectioned each off starting with weekly, monthly, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, 5 years, and 10 years. I mean, we are thinking BIG. With different trainings we go to, the Personal Development we read and listen to, we realize that we can have WHATEVER we want in life. Literally, whatever we want. To be financially free, ride in an air balloon over the Eiffle Tower, spend a week in Hawaii (JUNE 2015!), go to MAC school (to learn to do make up with MAC), buy a pent house in LAS VEGAS...I LOVE Vegas, guys, swim with Sharks in Australia, build and own my own animal shelter, open a Casa Herbalife in the U.S., get my Level 1 to instruct CrossFit, real diamond pumps when I hit President's Team in Herbalife, buy a road bike, own my own floral shop, a fish tank as one of my bedroom walls, my own walk-in closet, learn to speak French, be a public speaker, write my own book, and so much more! Some little and some insanely outrageous!

But in order to have whatever I want, I have to practice small daily disciplines...
1. Budget
2. Talk to 8 new people/day
3. 10 (daily) affirmations
4. 30 Min. of Personal Development
5. 5 Things I am thankful for every day {saying them out loud}
6. Accountability (partner)/(Collin)
7. Meditating/stretching
8. Applying my gratitude and what I read or listened to for Personal Development
9. Walking into the gym with a "I can" or "I will" mindset.
10. Following my meal plan to a T. 5 meals. Breakfast, AM Snack, Lunch, PM Snack, Supper.