Ohhhhhhhh hi! 😀
Despite the fact that I talk to you guys almost every day, I feel like things have started to get a little less personal here on Spoons… The shift was never really intentional, but between all the recipes, What I Ate Wednesdays, Thinking Out Louds, and Link Lovers Loves, there haven’t really been many days left over to talk about anything else. Oops.
Don’t get me wrong — I love having a blogging schedule so that I generally know what I’m posting and I’m not left scrambling for content — but it also means that I run the risk of distancing myself from you guys, which is not something I want since you guys are my favourite part of this whole blogging thing. I mean, what’s a blog without its readers? Nothing but a bunch of empty words and pretty pictures.
That being said, I do have one or two days per week that don’t really have anything scheduled, and since Monday just so happens to be one of those days, I thought I’d take the opportunity to bring you guys up to speed on some of the things that have been going on in my life lately… so let’s catch up.
Food…
Food has been good; almost too good actually. I’d go as far as to say that I may need an intervention soon because my sweet tooth has been out of control lately. Between all the baking, and the ice cream, and the chocolate… yeaaaaaaaah. Part of me feels like I should reel it in a little, but the other part of me loves just going with the flow and not thinking twice about what I eat. I know that many not exactly sound like the best approach to healthy living, but it’s actually a beautiful thing for someone who used to struggle with restrictive eating. The time for more moderation will come — I’m not getting off this train just yet.
Fitness…
Maybe it’s the extra sugar in my diet, but my energy has been through the roof lately. So much so that I’ve actually been thinking about joining a gym again. Kidding… kind of. I am looking in to getting a gym membership again, but for reasons a little more substantial than sugar highs. First, I miss strength training, and I’ve found that a gym environment was the only place I could really get a good strength workout in. Second, group classes — miss those too. Third, the atmosphere and the people. I sometimes get a little stir crazy during the day since I work from home, so having places to go to get out of the house during the day is a very good thing — bonus points for it being a community of people that I could potentially work with. Finally, I need a challenge and a change. While I love my walks, occasional runs, and general active lifestyle, I miss having something that really pushes and excites me. So yeah… looking into that one.
Body Image…
I’m not going to say too much about this here because I have an entire post on it coming up next week, but I put on a few pounds (guessing since I don’t weigh myself) over the winter and… I don’t actually hate it, nor am I stressing about, or even really planning on, losing it. But again… more on this next week.
Home…
Guess who’s been house shopping! But not for myself — for my parents. After 25+ years of living in the same house, Mom and Dad have decided that it’s finally time to move, and I’ve been tagging along with them on occasion to scope out some potential pads. Let’s just say that shopping for homes is far more enjoyable when you won’t be the one a) living there, and b) spending the money. That being said, I’m not too sure how I feel about the house I grew up in not really being my house anymore… Trying not to think about it for now.
School…
T minus two weeks until I officially graduate from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition with a certification in holistic health coaching. I can’t even believe that it’s already been a year since I made the decision to switch career paths and pursue holistic nutrition — it doesn’t seem anywhere near that long. I still remember going back and forth on the idea for months before committing to it, and I’m so glad that I finally did — this is definitely where my heart lies. I’m actually planning on going back and taking more courses in the fall, but for now, school’s out for summer 😀
Work…
… has been nuts. I don’t spend a lot of time talking about my job here on Spoons because it really has nothing to do with anything my blog is about, but I’ve been cutting back on the hours I devote to it in favour of spending more time on both my health coaching practice and Spoons. Both have been growing surprisingly well, and I can’t wait until I can finally integrate the two. But again… this’ll need a whole post of its own.
Love…
Distance sucks. That’s all I have to say about that 😡
I don’t really have any questions for you today, but I’m thinking about starting to do occasional Q&A posts, so if there’s anything you want to ask me, or anything you want me to address, leave it in the comments or shoot me an email! ([email protected]).
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Now that you mention it; we have been growing apart – while still communicating with you!
It’s fantabulously awesome that you’ve followed your heart in pursuing what you’re passionate about. I can’t believe you’re all done already.
We’re similar on our views on the sugar in our diet; countless of times I’ve considered it necessary to cut back – yet I know deep inside that I’ll only end up unhappy.
We’re only getting your “Body Image” post next week and you hint at it now!? Gahhh!
I’ve always wanted to see a photo of you and J (right?).. will that ever be happening?
Ehhh I don’t think so — at least not anytime soon while we’re still dealing with the distance 😥 Relationships are too fragile and I would rather keep them private — sorry!
Ahh this post was like having a lovely little chat with you this afternoon! 🙂 Sounds like things are swell, and I’m so happy to hear that. I’m so with you on the sugar high. These past weeks have involved lots o’ ice cream, cookies, and dried fruit (that’s healthy, right??). I’m cool with it though— I need all that fuel for exciting senior events 😉
Congrats on finishing your courses. I would be interested in hearing your thoughts on the program. I have also been thinking about joining a gym again but just can’t seem to find one with some beginner classes that fit my schedule. Good luck on the house and gym search!
Kate!!! You started a blog! EEE! So excited for you 😀
Thanks Amanda! Still working through the newbie glitches 🙂
Love your little life lately recap 🙂 So nice to know what’s going on with bloggers you love reading every day!
I can totally relate about distance stinking. Since Tim and I have gotten engaged he has been gone for 6 out of 9 weeks!
Anyways I’m glad to know everything is going well Amanda. I really enjoyed your more personal post and getting to know you better. 🙂
Hey girl, love the post. About the fitness thing, I would HIGHLY recommend CrossFit. It is pricey but it is so fun and the friends, support and sense of community that you make are priceless. Its totally customizable to your current fitness level and it really changes one’s mindset about exercise being something you have to do to look good and stay in shape to something that is actually really fun and something you look forward to with the added bonus that it keeps you healthy. CrossFit changes from “What my body looks like” to “What can my body do”. It was the last thing I did in my eating disorder recovery to fully appreciate my body. Just my own opinion 🙂
THE best post I read today. I love getting to know you more on a personal level. It is hard to summarize things into a quick/short read, too, so I’m glad you hit all the good points. :o) There are times I have bad “body image” days, but I don’t believe I’d want to lose what I’ve gained either. I kind of missed having curves?
And I really have you to thank for A LOT of my progress. I’d really like to start our e-mails up again. I miss you!!
YES we really need to talk because you’ve said so many exciting things about graduating and integrating your education with the blog, which is SO interesting to me and I need details. It sounds like you’re doing really well, my friend, and I am glad to hear it! Plus you look beautiful in that picture!
I can’t wait until you’ve officially graduated from your IIN stuff – honestly, I can’t think of a better person to be a health coach. You’re a fantastic listener, you give great advice, you have the experience, knowledge and the know-how when it comes to health, you’re sensible, you’re an awesome friend – yup, you will be great at this 🙂
Woot for not stressing over added weight! It’s so freeing, isn’t it?
Aww gushing. Love you, lady <3
I’d love to know what a holistic health coach does! It sounds really interesting and something that I might like to do!! If you could explain what the schooling was like – what kind of classes did you take, how long are most programs, what are the job opportunities like after you graduate – that would be so cool! 🙂
I’m so excited for you to graduate – congrats! When I graduated in 2012, I wasn’t allowed to practice health coaching (stupid restrictions from my old job), so it was not super exciting. But I hope you do something to celebrate and start out with a bang!
On joining a gym, are there any in-person bootcamps near you? I quit my gym a few months ago, and have been going to an in-person bootcamp – really minimal, no equipment, we meet in a parking garage and the instructor is a former Paratrooper. It’s amazing, the community is great, and it’s a killer workout. Just a thought 🙂
I’ve actually never really looked into the bootcamp thing, but I think I’ll be sticking to something a little less intense to start off with because some bootcamps can be craaaaazy.
1. You look absolutely gorgeous in that picture! Jealous! 2. Congratulations! (Well 2 weeks early congratulations! Haha) I have two years of undergrad left so I’m quite envious of your two weeks.
Love the life update, hun! Sounds like things are a-ok, minus the long distance thing. Distance sucks. Period. And nothing makes it easier ha. Staying busy is helpful to a point, but it doesn’t completely fill the gap….which is probably a good thing, since it would probably be a questionable relationship if it did haha. Always here if you need to vent! And I’m with you on the sugar thing, too. Eat way “too much” and am also completely over it. I’m happy being me now, and if that means too much sugar, I’m happy with the extra pounds 🙂
Loved catching up, girl…we need to get those emails started up again :D! I’m so excited for you that you are graduating so soon- I still remember you debating whether to go into it, and it seems like a few weeks ago…time really flies! I’m with you about going with the flow with eating- that’s definitely the attitude I’ve adopted during my stay in London & Paris and I’m not going to lie- life is so much more enjoyable!
I think I owe you an e-mail 😯 I’m half-asleep right now, but I’ll get on that tomorrow <3
I love the updates! CONGRATS on your upcoming graduation! Also…distance is about to be back in my love life too…I feel your pain. 🙁
Ohh my diet has been crap as well this weekend. With all the late-night ballet performances, I’ve had to stop at fast food joints to quiet my grumbling belly.
Congrats on your – almost- graduation!! I wish I was you… I still have three more years of high school before the “real fun” begins. :p
My parents are selling the house they’ve been in for the last 28 years and it was definitely sad, but they’ve already bought their new house and seeing them so excited about it helped me realize they need the new adventure!
Congrats on graduating with your new certificate from Institute of Integrative Nutrition. I have my bachelors and masters in education. I have to say I don’t want to go back to school for anything else. Good for you for wanting to continue to take classes.
Good luck with your last two weeks! I have always been interested in the holistic progam, I am a Registered Dietitian and curious to how our curriculums vary.
I can’t wait to see what your holistic coaching brings to spoons! What an amazing journey your are about to embark on!
I graduated from IIN in February! I did not know you were in school. I’d love to chat and connect about HC, it can be so helpful to have a group of like-minded people for post graduation. Best of luck!
I couldn’t agree more! I’d love to connect with ya 😀
I totally get on sugar “kicks,” too. That being said… I think there is something to honoring those cravings and enjoying the moment (even if it lasts a little longer than we would consider “healthy). Coming from the Intuitive Eating side of it, you’ll likely tap out when your body has truly had enough. Go with the flow for now! You sound like you’re in a really great place!
Congrats on graduating sooon!! As someone who is getting a degree in something not health/nutrition related as I would like, I’m considering pursuing something like IIN after graduation. I would love for you to do a post in the future based on your experience with it and maybe tell us what opportunities it opens up for you!
And long distance…it sucks. Really bad. I’m a little over 3 weeks into a long distance relationship and it feels like forever already. I have a ways to go haha
It was great catching up! A gym membership is something I’ve been considering; although, not right at this moment. I was thinking about joining after the babies were born and are a little older. It’s going to be hard to workout with both of them when Justin’s not around, so I mostly want to do it, so I can take advantage of the gym childcare. This way I know they’re taken care of and I can get my workout in with no worries and no interruptions. We’ll see…
I know a lot of mommas who do that and speak really highly of it, so it’s definitely worth checking out!
It’s neat to get to know the girl behind the blog! Congrats on the upcoming graduation!! So exciting! I hear you about the distance thing… My boyfriend and I were long distance just until recently. Now we live together ( only as of June 1st) and I think the distance made us appreciate each other’s company that much more. Can’t wait to read your body image post!!!
Lately I have been SO stir crazy at home that I can’t be at home! My once (maybe twice) per week morning at the coffee shop has turned into a nearly daily habit. And not just Mon-Fri, but I made a trip to the coffee shop Saturday and Sunday too. The downfall of working from home sometimes…
Thank you for the update and reconnecting with us. I was feeling the disconnect a bit, but I am super excited for the posts you have coming up that will elaborate on what you shared with us on this one. 🙂
Looks like things have been going great with you! I would love to know more about your job… I don’t think I know what you do. 😉 Happy Monday!
It is weird coming home to a home that’s not really home. My family moved to a new city during my freshman year of college, so the first time I was in the new house was over winter break of that year… it was weird. I didn’t know which light switches went to which lights, or how to work the (2!) ovens, or how to get anywhere, or where I shouldn’t go at night… it was all a little surreal. And a little confusing.
I’ve also been considering getting a gym membership… luckily summer memberships to our (really awesome) university gym are really cheap for students, so that’s probably what I’d go with. I think I need some kind of strength work occasionally… and dare I say I’ve been thinking about CrossFit? o.0
I still have visions of getting crushed by barbells, so no Crossfit for me for a while. But I think it’s always great to try new things if you’re thinking about it! You may end up loving it.
I would Luke to hear about your program a bit. What you liked , what you didn’t and how you juggled school with everything else in your life.
Sounds like everything is moving in a positive direction! That’s all we can ask for!
love this post!!! It’s nice to see what’s actually going on behind the scenes with spoons. Gotta feel that blogger connection! But you already know this 🙂
Amazing that you graduate in two weeks! I bet the year has flown by – it is quite scary actually how quickly time is going! I really love group exercise classes too especially zumba (guilty pleasure…) and I am enjoying strengthing it up! I really enjoyed reading this post of yours Amanda 🙂
It’s crazy scary! I swear it was just Christmas! And now it’s almost July 😯
Congrats on the graduation! I’ve gained a few pounds too, I’m not stressing over it either. I’m going to start eating healthier and using my gym membership. I’m rather enjoying the recipes you post, haha. They all look delish. I hope you have a great Monday!
So my parents still live in the same house for the last 30 something years. I used to hate the idea of them ever selling my childhood home but as I get older, I am a bit more removed and a bit more understanding when to comes to the thought should they ever decide to down-size…Oh yes, distance sucks in the love department. As we know….And I hope you join a gym. I miss group classes as well sometimes and even this past weekend I decided I need a spin class in my life.
Yay on the nutrition certification! I am looking around to get a similar certification in the next few years. Sounds like things are going pretty well 🙂
Ok so this is T-minus 2 weeks early but CONGRATS girl!!! Like they say, “do what you love and you will never work a day in your life”! So looking forward to hearing more about your health coaching practice.
I’ve been toying around with joining my old gym again too – while I do love P90X, i do miss the peeps!
Glad to catch up with ya, Q/A posts sound awesome! And so does that upcoming body image post!
Oh my goodness, you mentioned work. That never happens. Haha – I think everyone is just as curious as I am about that. My work these days has been crazy too. My boss is a cranky grouch. 😉
Thanks for catching up. It’s always good to hear how it’s going.
Speaking of your “job”, what is it? I’ve always wondered… And congrats on IIN graduation! I finished last year! Are you doing the second year that they offer or one of the other schools that accept their credits? I haven’t done the second year IIN, but I hear it’s better than the main program! However, I’ve been looking at the MUIH graduate programs and am finding them to be more intriguing. Whatever you do best of luck and I hope you enjoy your summer vacation!! Oh and have you seen The Fault in Our Stars yet???? I still haven’t made it but I’m “dying” (has super bad pun) to go…
We have a family business that I help manage, so it’s a lot of errands and paperwork. As for the second year of IIN… I’m not entirely sure yet. I was thinking about doing CSNN first since it focuses more on nutrition and I’ve heard really good things about it, but I may eventually do the second year of IIN as well — can never have too much schooling, right? 🙂 And nope to TFIOS, but I heard it was really good!
I’m so excited for your holistic nutrition certification! That’s seriously such an accomplishment, and more than a teeny tiny bit jealous 🙂
And yes, distance sucks. Rawrrrrr.
But your blog is something I look forward to reading everyday! So, all good things, all good things, yes?? 🙂
Happy Monday!