Hey there!
Hope everyone had a good holiday! I will admit it...I was lazy. I enjoyed home and didn't even touch my running shoes...which I should've...but I don't think I will be home until my sister's graduation in May...so whatever. Can you believe that 2013 is almost over? That means a new year, a new you, a new start. I always hated the idea of making resolutions, but this year I have decided to share mine with you. Maybe this year, like this blog, telling people will help me keep with them.
So here it goes: My 2014 Resolutions
1) Run the Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon in February 2015
2) Get an agent
3) See at least one artistic thing a month (poetry open mic, movie, play, etc...)
4) Live in the now more
5) Feel healthy and fit again
I would like to point out something- I put no number on anything relating with my body. It seems to be that every year we resolve to lose x-amount of pounds and do we? How well does that work? I have many times said I would do that and then by the middle of January went..."eh...it's okay". I have decided that events work better for me than numbers. See- I want to run the 1/2 marathon in a good time...but I haven't decided that time yet. So while my goal may be just to finish, I will eventually have a "magic" number in my head that will push me. And to be in shape for a 1/2 marathon I will need to become fit and healthy again...which will require more than just running. But did I say how I was going to do it? No! Because that is something I can figure out on the way. I think (stay with me now...getting all philosophical on you) that it's about the journey not the result. If we resolve to lose x-amount of pounds, once we get there we will have the urge to just stop because we reached our goal. But if our goal is to be healthy, not only do we take stress off ourselves to reach a magic number, we will set ourselves up for healthy habits that will last beyond 2014. As for the others, that really is up to fate and money...but who knows, maybe I will be able to get both done this year :)
I hope you all had a happy holiday and that each of your New Year's is not only a happy celebration of 2013 but that your 2014 is prosperous and full of health and happiness. Thanks for reading and remember, we're in this together....even if we don't see each other in action.
Until next time, keep running strong!
Actress on the Run
Monday, December 30, 2013
Monday, December 23, 2013
Shopping Thoughts
Hey Everyone!
I am currently home for Christmas so I will try to keep this post shorter; this one won't be about running (I am still putting off the dreaded 7 mile run...) but more about an experience and an epiphany I had while shopping today.
Now- shopping with my sister and my mom is one of my favorite things to do. We always grab coffees, we try on things we don't need, and try to buy more useful than frivolous things. The mall was decorated for Christmas so it was super festive. And most of the day was fun...but I let a black spot get in my way.
Here's the story- I found the perfect jeans at American Eagle. They were the only pair in the store and online and they fit perfect! I know, sounds like such a black spot eh? Let me continue- these jeans, even though they are perfect, are a size bigger than I wanted to wear. But I am 24 now, I am trying to accept that I am no longer my high school size. They looked good, I looked good in them, perfect. And it was done. But the rest of the day...nothing looked good on me. I, at one point, actually said to my mom and sister that I looked like I was trying to squeeze into a toddler's dress and I don't know what about that statement hit me but when I got to the dressing room, I started crying. Like crying in public. People who know me who are reading this know I don't cry very easily...so this was a thing. I, in that moment, realized how horrible and mean I was being to myself. No one said I looked bad, they just didn't like the style on me. And it was hard going to store after store not looking good in anything I wanted to look good in. But me cutting down myself...I expect the world to do that. It kinda comes with the territory of being an actress. You learn just to trust your gut and believe in your work and to hell with the haters. But I wasn't even being criticized, it was like my high school self saying that I wasn't good enough. And to hear that from your own head is hard to hear. My sister and mom, of course, was wondering was wrong and I was embarrassed to tell them why. But I did and my mom said "We all have days like that" and later my sister said "You just have to stop doing that to yourself". And it was like a light bulb, like those things you knew you knew but you just needed help remembering.
I was reminded of how much I care about that damn number on the tag and how stupid it is to care. I mean, my goodness, it's different from each store! No wonder women and men are so self-conscious and worried and freaking out and doing crash diets...there is no bar. There is no set guideline. And it's stupid...I don't want to feel great in one store trying on stuff and then like shit in another because of sizing. And I know I need to exercise more and eat healthier. It's not my favorite thing but I need too not just for my job and to be competitive, but for me to feel confident. I am not longer gunning for a certain size...though I might still be aiming for a certain weight (we'll see) but I will now be aiming for feeling healthy. But would it kill the fashion world to have one set guideline? I mean really...if we can have rules for all the nation's I think we could decide on a standard for sizing...(rant over).
I wanted to write this because with Christmas and all the other holidays that are happening (and happened) this December I am willing to bet that more than a few of us are feeling discouraged. Not only by lack of exercise but by how we feel. Maybe even guilt for eating what we wanted. But I want to encourage you (and I) to stop feeling that way. So we ate to much, we'll will eat healthier at the next meal. Feeling sluggish? Take a walk! Or even just move around a bit. And let's start thing about the new year a little earlier and start setting goals that are a little more attainable (New Year's Resolutions will be a different post). And if you want to connect, PLEASE Facebook me! Or message me through my actor's page. Or leave a comment. Maybe I can help you. Hell, maybe you can help me. But let's just remember that we are worth so much more than that stupid number on our tags. And just think- if we can get into a mental mindset of health instead of skinny...who can and could we influence? Our children? Our friends? Family? Co-workers? Just a thought...
I won't be advertising this on Facebook- it seems a little downer for right before Christmas. So, Merry Christmas to everyone! And to those who celebrate Kwanzaa, Happy Kwanzaa! And to those who celebrated Hanukkah, happy belated Hanukkah! And to those who don't celebrate at all...Season's Greetings! May you all be by loved ones during this time.
Until next time, keep running (and just generally being)strong!
Actress on the Run
P.S.
After my confession to my sister and mom, I later found cute clothes at the last store we went too...just think of what a mindset change can do :)
I am currently home for Christmas so I will try to keep this post shorter; this one won't be about running (I am still putting off the dreaded 7 mile run...) but more about an experience and an epiphany I had while shopping today.
Now- shopping with my sister and my mom is one of my favorite things to do. We always grab coffees, we try on things we don't need, and try to buy more useful than frivolous things. The mall was decorated for Christmas so it was super festive. And most of the day was fun...but I let a black spot get in my way.
Here's the story- I found the perfect jeans at American Eagle. They were the only pair in the store and online and they fit perfect! I know, sounds like such a black spot eh? Let me continue- these jeans, even though they are perfect, are a size bigger than I wanted to wear. But I am 24 now, I am trying to accept that I am no longer my high school size. They looked good, I looked good in them, perfect. And it was done. But the rest of the day...nothing looked good on me. I, at one point, actually said to my mom and sister that I looked like I was trying to squeeze into a toddler's dress and I don't know what about that statement hit me but when I got to the dressing room, I started crying. Like crying in public. People who know me who are reading this know I don't cry very easily...so this was a thing. I, in that moment, realized how horrible and mean I was being to myself. No one said I looked bad, they just didn't like the style on me. And it was hard going to store after store not looking good in anything I wanted to look good in. But me cutting down myself...I expect the world to do that. It kinda comes with the territory of being an actress. You learn just to trust your gut and believe in your work and to hell with the haters. But I wasn't even being criticized, it was like my high school self saying that I wasn't good enough. And to hear that from your own head is hard to hear. My sister and mom, of course, was wondering was wrong and I was embarrassed to tell them why. But I did and my mom said "We all have days like that" and later my sister said "You just have to stop doing that to yourself". And it was like a light bulb, like those things you knew you knew but you just needed help remembering.
I was reminded of how much I care about that damn number on the tag and how stupid it is to care. I mean, my goodness, it's different from each store! No wonder women and men are so self-conscious and worried and freaking out and doing crash diets...there is no bar. There is no set guideline. And it's stupid...I don't want to feel great in one store trying on stuff and then like shit in another because of sizing. And I know I need to exercise more and eat healthier. It's not my favorite thing but I need too not just for my job and to be competitive, but for me to feel confident. I am not longer gunning for a certain size...though I might still be aiming for a certain weight (we'll see) but I will now be aiming for feeling healthy. But would it kill the fashion world to have one set guideline? I mean really...if we can have rules for all the nation's I think we could decide on a standard for sizing...(rant over).
I wanted to write this because with Christmas and all the other holidays that are happening (and happened) this December I am willing to bet that more than a few of us are feeling discouraged. Not only by lack of exercise but by how we feel. Maybe even guilt for eating what we wanted. But I want to encourage you (and I) to stop feeling that way. So we ate to much, we'll will eat healthier at the next meal. Feeling sluggish? Take a walk! Or even just move around a bit. And let's start thing about the new year a little earlier and start setting goals that are a little more attainable (New Year's Resolutions will be a different post). And if you want to connect, PLEASE Facebook me! Or message me through my actor's page. Or leave a comment. Maybe I can help you. Hell, maybe you can help me. But let's just remember that we are worth so much more than that stupid number on our tags. And just think- if we can get into a mental mindset of health instead of skinny...who can and could we influence? Our children? Our friends? Family? Co-workers? Just a thought...
I won't be advertising this on Facebook- it seems a little downer for right before Christmas. So, Merry Christmas to everyone! And to those who celebrate Kwanzaa, Happy Kwanzaa! And to those who celebrated Hanukkah, happy belated Hanukkah! And to those who don't celebrate at all...Season's Greetings! May you all be by loved ones during this time.
Until next time, keep running (and just generally being)strong!
Actress on the Run
P.S.
After my confession to my sister and mom, I later found cute clothes at the last store we went too...just think of what a mindset change can do :)
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Cold Weather
Hey guys!
Well-a little bit has happened since I last wrote; nothing much but it's something. I had a birthday (Woo! 24!) had an audition which felt good...so regardless that's good right? And I ran and danced! So...that's been my week and a half. Oh! And I got to go home for Thanksgiving...so that was nice.
Anyways...run today! It was a short one but I must say it kicked my butt a little. Why? Ice. Snow. And I don't have grippy shoes so I was going super slow...or at least it felt super slow. But I felt okay because I was running to a dance studio to work on a dance I'm choreographing (I dance-now you know!). But while I wasn't concerned about my workout so to speak I began to realize that I need to make some changes mentally. I am not in bad shape by any means but I am not in "dancer" shape, which is important to me. What that really means is that I am lacking the flexibility I once had and the upper body strength I once enjoyed; this is not a hard fix though. But there is something else...maybe I just notice it more because I am one year closer to a "quarter-life crisis"...which I am pretty sure mine will probably last more than a year so hey, maybe I am getting a head start!
But I digress- I notice that I am not as fearless as I once was. Running on ice? Be careful but still go full boar. Dancing? I was constantly throwing myself around, landing (usually) ungracefully but with a power and passion that made up for it. And I feel like its gone now. Not necessarily the passion and drive...but I am unsure of how to do this in an "adult" way. I know the damage I am doing to my body now so I am trying to keep it so I can keep doing what I want to it for longer. I don't know how to think about that...should I consider it like putting money into a race car? You know each week it's going to get battered but you just keep going and putting money in because it will still do what you want? I mean-if I had sponsors I would do all of it because I could afford to fix myself. Right now though...that's not always the first priority. That was another thing- should you invest in yourself first? I was at a briefing this week that said yes...but he was talking financially. I mean artistically- do I invest in my artistic endeavors first and then pay bills? How do I do that? I am bad at the paycheck to paycheck thing...I worked a part-time job in college on top of all my classwork so I would have money...I didn't understand how anyone else couldn't have a job. But anyways- these are some things to think about. I hope you all stay warm!
Until next time-keep running strong!
Actress on the Run
Well-a little bit has happened since I last wrote; nothing much but it's something. I had a birthday (Woo! 24!) had an audition which felt good...so regardless that's good right? And I ran and danced! So...that's been my week and a half. Oh! And I got to go home for Thanksgiving...so that was nice.
Anyways...run today! It was a short one but I must say it kicked my butt a little. Why? Ice. Snow. And I don't have grippy shoes so I was going super slow...or at least it felt super slow. But I felt okay because I was running to a dance studio to work on a dance I'm choreographing (I dance-now you know!). But while I wasn't concerned about my workout so to speak I began to realize that I need to make some changes mentally. I am not in bad shape by any means but I am not in "dancer" shape, which is important to me. What that really means is that I am lacking the flexibility I once had and the upper body strength I once enjoyed; this is not a hard fix though. But there is something else...maybe I just notice it more because I am one year closer to a "quarter-life crisis"...which I am pretty sure mine will probably last more than a year so hey, maybe I am getting a head start!
But I digress- I notice that I am not as fearless as I once was. Running on ice? Be careful but still go full boar. Dancing? I was constantly throwing myself around, landing (usually) ungracefully but with a power and passion that made up for it. And I feel like its gone now. Not necessarily the passion and drive...but I am unsure of how to do this in an "adult" way. I know the damage I am doing to my body now so I am trying to keep it so I can keep doing what I want to it for longer. I don't know how to think about that...should I consider it like putting money into a race car? You know each week it's going to get battered but you just keep going and putting money in because it will still do what you want? I mean-if I had sponsors I would do all of it because I could afford to fix myself. Right now though...that's not always the first priority. That was another thing- should you invest in yourself first? I was at a briefing this week that said yes...but he was talking financially. I mean artistically- do I invest in my artistic endeavors first and then pay bills? How do I do that? I am bad at the paycheck to paycheck thing...I worked a part-time job in college on top of all my classwork so I would have money...I didn't understand how anyone else couldn't have a job. But anyways- these are some things to think about. I hope you all stay warm!
 |
| I need to remember this-do you? |
Until next time-keep running strong!
Actress on the Run
Monday, December 2, 2013
10k runs and giving to ourselves and others...I guess that title will work...
Hello everyone!
Happy December! I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving (and if your Jewish- I hope Hanukkah is going well!) . Well, today was a big running day- it was 10k day (6 miles). The last time I ran a 10k was my first race 3 years ago in Worthington, MN and it was a race. I am proud to say that I was only 6 minutes slower than then...I completed it in 1 hour and 4 minutes. So yay!
Now that we are done with the month of thankfulness we are moving into the month of giving. And so on my run today I was thinking about this a little bit (like I've stated in earlier posts during runs I kind of go blissfully blank) and I am had that realization of how lucky and blessed I am. And now writing this I am thinking of how can I spread some cheer? I mean I could pull a Buddy the Elf and sing loudly for all to hear (Brace yourselves- Christmas jokes are coming).
And yet again Ms. Lawrence popped into my head and I realized something. See, she discussed with the producers and directors of the Hunger Games and told them while she realized Katiniss should be more underfed she was concerned about the young girls watching the movie and wanted to give them a good role model to look up too and a role model who looked real. And I think that is to admirable and worth posting about. And I realized that the season of giving is also about giving to ourselves. Think about it- what if we just got healthy, not super skinny, not 'lets-do-this-cayenne-pepper-and-water-diet', just healthy. Think of the health risks we reduce just by going walking. I understand that quite a few people hate running and find it jarring. And it is- I'm not saying everyone should start training for a 1/2 marathon like I am. But there is a lot to be healthy for- family, friends, ourselves...it's worth it. And a lot of people just need inspiration. So I encourage you to find your inspiration. My epiphany came while running today-while I want to be in great shape for what I do, I also want to be in shape for me. Not for my boyfriend, not for the future directors hiring me, for me. And when you give a gift like that to yourself....it ends up giving to others too.
So, try to give yourself the gift of health and also give a bit of yourself to strangers as well. I need to work on both of these myself...we can do it together. And if we are happier with ourselves we are more cheerful and then we are easier to be around which then spreads cheer elsewhere (thought I wasn't going to connect back did you- TANGENT COMPLETE AND MADE RELEVANT!)
On a side note: While I think I discussed running gear in an earlier post- I'm posting a picture of what I wore today running (it was 36 degrees out today). I chose to wear brighter colors because: A)They make me happy B)I will be seen easily so the chance of being hit reduces a bit (side note to the side note: JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE WEARING BRIGHT COLORS DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN BE OBLIVIOUS AND IGNORE TRAFFIC LAWS!) I tend to wear a little less than I probably should but I heat up a bit when running so just take that into consideration. But it's an idea for anyone who needs one...
Okay-first December post done. I always hope that these won't get long winded but they tend to do so. I just hope that you find them , if nothing else, entertaining. Hopefully some of you will find it inspiring. But please feel free to comment and tell me about your journey. Or what you think. Or don't-it's your prerogative. Just do take my advice with a grain of salt and ask your doctor before doing anything I may suggest- I'm an actress, not a trained dietitian or doctor..There- that should cover my legal behind now. Anyways- have a great day, probably be blogging later this week (short run so probably shorter post...maybe...no promises...) Thanks for reading!
Until next time- keep running strong!
Actress on the Run
Happy December! I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving (and if your Jewish- I hope Hanukkah is going well!) . Well, today was a big running day- it was 10k day (6 miles). The last time I ran a 10k was my first race 3 years ago in Worthington, MN and it was a race. I am proud to say that I was only 6 minutes slower than then...I completed it in 1 hour and 4 minutes. So yay!
Now that we are done with the month of thankfulness we are moving into the month of giving. And so on my run today I was thinking about this a little bit (like I've stated in earlier posts during runs I kind of go blissfully blank) and I am had that realization of how lucky and blessed I am. And now writing this I am thinking of how can I spread some cheer? I mean I could pull a Buddy the Elf and sing loudly for all to hear (Brace yourselves- Christmas jokes are coming).
 | ||
| See what I mean about being blessed? What a view! |
So, try to give yourself the gift of health and also give a bit of yourself to strangers as well. I need to work on both of these myself...we can do it together. And if we are happier with ourselves we are more cheerful and then we are easier to be around which then spreads cheer elsewhere (thought I wasn't going to connect back did you- TANGENT COMPLETE AND MADE RELEVANT!)
On a side note: While I think I discussed running gear in an earlier post- I'm posting a picture of what I wore today running (it was 36 degrees out today). I chose to wear brighter colors because: A)They make me happy B)I will be seen easily so the chance of being hit reduces a bit (side note to the side note: JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE WEARING BRIGHT COLORS DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN BE OBLIVIOUS AND IGNORE TRAFFIC LAWS!) I tend to wear a little less than I probably should but I heat up a bit when running so just take that into consideration. But it's an idea for anyone who needs one...
 |
| Post run-please excuse the red face |
Until next time- keep running strong!
Actress on the Run
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