That moment when...

Today I had one of those moments that no one wants to have.

I really want to share it with you all so that you understand I too am a real person.

Here I go.

“I didn’t know a girl like that  could lift like that.”

Yes, that’s what I heard today while at the gym. To put it nicely, it broke my heart. 

*note although my music may be loud I’m most definitely not deaf*

Even worse is that it was said by a professor from the Exercise Science department.

What the actual f does that mean?

I am too fat?

  Too muscular?  

Not feminine enough?

 Incapable? 

Different than the stereotype created by the fitness industry? 

That I am not good enough to workout at the gym? 

So I did what any dignified lady would do and I finished my set and walked out with my head held high.

NEWSFLASH: I do NOT deserve to be treated like that.

I have come too far to regress to feeling different and that I am not good enough.

I am a boss. 

I am beautiful. 

I am strong.  

I may not be a size 2, but damn straight I am fit and to me that's worth more than anyone's opinion of me.

What would you have done?  Has this happened to you?

Feeling strong,

C

Ed Camp -Literacy Edition

It has been an insane last couple of weeks in case you haven’t noticed due to my lack of blog posts.  Over the last nine months I have been working with the Central Minnesota Reading Council as well as the university education department to organize this event and it finally happened this past Saturday.

EdCamp: (n.) An un-conference that is organized to fit your needs for your teaching career and classroom; an event that focuses on current trends and learning tools that will enhance your confidence and overall teaching skills.

Here are some snapshots of the breakout sessions. 

All I can say is THANK YOU!

This event taught me a lot about myself.  I take on too much.  I try to make everyone happy even though it does not always work in my favor.  I can’t say no to people.  I like to make sure everything is perfect.

Like these darn centerpieces. 

So needless to say I got no sleep on Friday night in anticipation for this event, but I am proud to report everything went off without a hitch.

Also, Aunt Kim came up all the way from LaCrosse to attend.  It meant so much to have a happy smiling face in the crowd at EdCamp.

And of course we had a great Aunt/Niece Date on Friday night in preparation.

I am so glad that it went off without a hitch and that I was a part of it, but let me tell you I am SO glad it’s over. A huge weight has been lifted off of my shoulders and I feel like I have so much more time to do things I love (this week especially) like: meal prep, workout, go for a run, and of course BLOG. 

Until next time, 

C

Marnita's Table

There is no font that can adequately describe or explain my experience with Marnita’s Table tonight. IT WAS ASTONISHING!

In my Intercultural Communications class I have already been exposed to a wide variety of experiences and opinions in regards to multicultural students and how to best communicate with them. I can’t believe it has only been two weeks.

I’ll be honest when I got the email about this event I was not all that thrilled.  It was three hours long on a Wednesday night, the menu wasn’t published, and I didn’t really get what I was supposed to get out of it.  I don’t enjoy attending meal style events because I am always worried about over eating…but tonight I did great.  I even left a few minutes early to avoid eating dessert.  (Points for CB)

So let me start with the event.  Here I go!  They opened the doors at 6 pm exactly and insert glorious smell here.  I can’t describe how delicious it smelled. Every table was adorned with food from all over the world.  No one was from the same ethnic group and no one knew each other.

 The purpose of this event was to encourage communication between cultures and to break cliques on campus.  All I can say is it worked!  Marnita was loud and totally in charge of the chaos.  We were not allowed to sit with anyone that we knew.  We had to talk to new people, try all of the food, and intermingle and find our commonalities.

After dinner we participated in a discussion on how to break cultural stigmas on campus and then ended with a candle ceremony.  The ceremony was truly breathtaking.  We all got a candle and spread our light with others.

I learned so much and I can’t wait to continue to work with this wonderful organization.  

Like them on Facebook to get more information!

C

Sometimes life happens

We all have slip ups.  F- ups. And sometimes life just happens.

That was this weekend.  I did totally awesome up until Saturday night when I went out with some friends for game night and well I ate a few too many fresh, gooey, warm from the oven chocolate chip cookies.  I am ready to get myself back on track tomorrow. 

Today my mom came up for a last minute EdCamp decoration delivery.  Much, much more to come on EdCamp this weekend. Along with my birthday pie she brought dips from Brine’s for snacks during the game. WTF mom?  Why?  She knows how much I love both of those things… oh well.  Life is all about balance.  

So as we were eating said pie and dip I meal prepped EVERYTHING for the entire week.  

Here’s the breakdown:

Breakfasts

Kodiak Cakes with banana and PB2

Quiche with Canadian bacon, spinach, and mushrooms

Lunches

Meatloaf a side of berries and cottage cheese

Veggie Burger

Dinners

Pot roast with potatoes and carrots

Pork Chop with potato and broccoli

Crab Cakes with a veg and cottage cheese

I know it may not sound very fun and exciting, but I am pumped.  I don’t think I’ve ever been this prepared going into a new week.

What does your week look like?

C

This Girl Can

For every girl who: 

• thinks they aren’t good enough
• doesn’t think they can do it
• is scared to try 
• feels uncomfortable trying something new
• doesn't want to be alone
• needs some extra motivation
• who isn’t comfortable in their own skin
• feels like they aren’t a part of something

Here’s your chance.

Get your butt to the gym and change your life!

The only person standing in your way is the person in the mirror.

#Transormationtuesday

Then-

Now-

DO SOMETHING!

C

Run Club

I am so excited and honored to announce that I am one of the hosts of a run club for the Stillwater/Mahtomedi area.  

Bailey pitched the idea to Katie and I this morning and we've already got a few people signed up for the Gopher Badger Half Marathon.  Check out the link here.

We will be sending out a training schedule in the next few weeks for all those who are interested.

Please consider doing this race if you've ever even considered running a race of any distance.  This group will be very low pressure and casual.  There are people signed up already from all different exercise styles and abilities so there's no excuse to not join. :) 

Check out Bailey's blog post for more details!

Please, please, please ask me if you have ANY questions or are interested!

I am sure there will be cute group shirts involved...so yet another reason to do it.

C

Healthy Birthday

Yesterday was my 21st birthday. Amidst the hustle of work, picking Annie up from the airport, saying bye to Katie it was a crazy yet incredibly fun weekend. It definitely included a few drinks, lots of food, fun, and lots of dancing. There were parts that should've been healthier, but ya know I heard the statement "you only turn 21 once" and I lives it up a little. 

Here's the photo recap:

Today Annie and I drove back to school. It's good being back at school, but I'm not necessarily thrilled to have class tomorrow....

We opened roomie presents today when we got back and Maria gave me a great workout bag with this fun custom tag :) 

And Annie got me this fun race bib and medal holder! 

I am so grateful for my amazing friends and family. They gave me a wonderful 21st :) 

Here's to a new healthy day tomorrow! 

Until then, 

C

Deals on Deals on Deals

Today I ran some errands after going through the Sunday paper and it was MAGICAL!

I found some absolutely amazing deals and who would I be if I didn’t share them with all of my favorite readers.

Stop #1 Walmart

Get your in shape tushy to your nearest Walmart with these coupons.  All of the items were on sale before the coupons and the gel packets also had $1 off coupons on them that you could use with the BOGO! Score.

I hadn’t tried the protein shakes before and I was definitely hesitant, but they were not bad.  I got the vanilla flavor and it really tastes like a liquefied Starbucks drink minus the coffee.  So for less than $4 for a four pack I’d say it was a good buy.

Stop #2 Target

In case you missed the advertisement there is a $10 off $50 athletic purchase coupon.

All of their adorable printed leggings are on sale for $15. 

Tanks range between $10-$16.

Sports bras are $10.

In case you missed my Instagram post today I’ll give you a recap.  Katie met me at the gym today for LEG DAY! Woot woot. After we went out for protein shakes and naturally did some last minute pre-London shopping.  I don’t know what I am going to do without this crazy girl in a couple of weeks. 

Until tomorrow,

C

Resolutions

If you regularly read any health and fitness blogs you know everyone is posting their goals and resolutions for the New Year and here I am jumping on the bandwagon.

There is no part about living a healthy lifestyle that is “easy”.

It takes time, tons of preparation, dedication, and strength.  But in retrospect that’s exactly why I am doing this.  Not because it’s easy because it is CHANGING my life!

In previous years I was very concerned about what everyone else thought about me, how much the scale told me I weighed, how I thought I looked, but why?

I have come to realize that I am my own worst critic and my biggest resolution for this year is to keep a positive body image. 

I am not fat.  I am not “not good enough”.

I am STRONG.  I am HEALTHY. I am AMAZING!

Here we go my list for 2015:

1)      Realize how amazing I really am.

2)      Use the Instagram hashtag #365daysofhealth and post a picture a day of something I do that is changing my own life for the better or making my day bright. Follow me at cbrine for updates!

3)      Only weigh in and take progress pictures on the last day of each month.

4)      Finish another marathon sub 5:30 (Twin Cities, October 2015)

5)      Follow IIFYM religiously for the entire year.

6)      Complete a 7 day detox

7)       Do a month of Pescaterian or Vegetarian.

What are your resolutions?

C