A Short Goodbye...and a big 'ELLO!

Well, well, well, this may be my last post here on the ol’ Blogspot and it’s for a very good reason.  

While this platform was able to host numerous words, thoughts, and ramblings, it does not quite have the capacity to withstand all of my craziness, passion, and energy.

I will be moving my brain and excitement to another stage: a website!  My very own domain in cyberspace…I feel like a wireless sorceress just thinking about it.

I found while writing I wanted to share what I made for dinner last night…

and an awesome at-home workout…

and what kind of peanut butter makes your taste buds feel like they’re being hugged.  

So I attempted to change the template, the sidebars, the features, the colors, the format...all in an effort to FIT it all. 

Well turns out I know nothing about the internet, websites, or how the heck to do what I was trying to do.  I did acknowledge from all this tomfoolery that I needed something more.  It made sense (in my virtually confused blonde brain) because what I was currently using was, well, free.  

Maybe THAT’S why people opt for websites…because they can do more with it…ohhhhh.

So I turned to a friend of nearly 20 years who is absolutely killin’ it in the realm of cyber activity and she was, in a word, superwoman.  She took my thoughts, my images, my ideas, and my energy and translated it into a stage of virtual awesomeness.  Krista, you vivacious, witty, brilliant brunette, thank YOU.

So what’s this website? 

www.whenthetanfades.com

(really changed things up I know)

I look forward to seeing you all on the other side of the browser where you will find photos, recipes, workouts, inspiration, and yes, this here blog.  I can’t thank you enough for reading my whimsical thoughts and hope you will continue to frolick with me:)

Tenacious or Tacky? A message of female strength I just can't lift.

I recently watched a short video that promoted female power, hard work, and success.  

I cringed the entire time.

While the intended message was something I get pretty freaking pumped about and like to encourage myself, the delivery was something I couldn't stop shaking my ponytail at.

The title of the video was “Bitch in Business” and was a musical parody of the popular pop song “All about that Bass.” 

(watch it here, please note language not suitable with kiddos in the room).

I suppose it was intended to endorse gender equality, encourage strong female leadership in the professional/business world, and address the issue that women who take the bull by the horns are often called the big ol’ B word. 

Some of the lyrics state, “gettin’ called bitch means I’m doing something right” as well as “you say babies are for girls, business is for boys, try telling that to my stay-at-home *uck toy.”  The video also included the female actresses (dressed in professional office attire) grabbing their body parts to emphasize the message and some of their points.

I know this is a favored mindset in pop-culture (and I may be in the minority for thinking this) but I can’t quite think of a worse way to promote female leadership.  

To state that a woman who chooses to use these words, is unapologetic, and gets called a *itch is a role model is, to me, horribly unintelligent, short-sighted, and cheap.  

There is a difference between being strong-willed and crass.  A difference between being influential and forceful.  A difference between being someone you unfortunately remember and someone you don’t want to forget.

The opposition that the women in this parody combat sound like horrible professionals as well.  The video states that they call their female colleagues derogatory names, ask them to overlook prompted questions, and negatively suggest that they use alternative tones when speaking. 

To my ears and eyes, the video is portraying two sides of the same uninspiring “professional.”

There is a way to achieve professional success that does not include either of the personalities described above.  A way that does not include crude behavior, negative opinions of the opposite sex, or vulgar words. 

This is not a suggestion to be prude or uptight.  It’s a suggestion to teach ourselves (and ESPECIALLY those following in our footsteps) that success, wealth, position, and prosperity is best attained with hard work, integrity, intelligence, poise, and respect. 

That to apologize is sometimes necessary.  

That being a kind human is not submissive, it’s respectful.  

That using articulate, insightful, and intelligent words is far more honorable than using expletives and grabbing private body parts.

Before you may ask, I know full well what it's like to live and work in a professional space very much like what this video illustrates.  I am currently 1 of 2 females in a sales office with 16 men.  90% of the time I'm the only female in a boardroom with a dozen males and have conversations with the opposite sex FAR more often than my own.

I get it, I'm not naive.

What I don't understand is the mentality that the females in the video describe.  That they feel they need to use lewd, unattractive vocabulary to promote equality.  That they feel being apologetic at times is unacceptable and being "hard" or a "badass bitch" is inspiring.

I hope my future children don't aspire to a be a "bad ass *itch who doesn't give a sh*t " but that's just me.  I hope they don't think that women have two options: meekly submit or forcefully oppose.  I hope that they don't think that resisting a viewpoint is best matched by using the same measures of their opposition. 

I don't usually highlight something that doesn't have to do with fitness, peanut butter, or food but this really struck me and warranted rambling.  

And it does have something to do with our little fitness world.  Time and again I see a woman describing herself as a "badass bitch who doesn't give a *uck what other people think." (usually in relation to women with muscle "fighting" stereotypes).  You're not fighting, you're using vocabulary that makes you look unintelligent.  Pony up, understand people have different viewpoints, and rock what your momma gave you because YOU love it.  Not because other people don't.

I hope more women (and men) realize that we're human.  That yes inequality exists (in the weight room and in the boardroom) but you're not doing any favors to your intended cause by opposing it in a disrespectful way.

Grab your heels, sneakers, purses, briefcases, and brains and realize that there's something better than being a bad ass *itch and it's called being an intelligent human.

Dessert, Wine, and a GPS- how to plan on making 2015 one heckofa year.

I don’t want to miss the opportunity to write about the New Year since everyone and their mom (hi ma!) likes to offer some kind of insight around this time:

New Year, New You.  

Resolutions to Change Your Life.  

How to Make 2015 YOUR Year.

The thing is, I don’t know how to change your life.  I’ve got my own over here I’m trying to figure out.  I could tell you 5 foods to eat in 2015, how to get rid of those love handles, or what kind of bikini bottom to wear onstage but I don’t know if that’s what you need.  

I have no idea what will make you happier or more successful in 2015.

That’s going to take some work on your end. 

I took a look at 15 (I couldn’t quite handle 2, 015) things that could potentially enhance my quality of life in  the New Year.  I already know I’m probably going to tackle a career change, plan a wedding, apply for house mortgages, and car loans so what small things can I implement that will make these big changes enjoyable?

These are mine, yours will be different.  

I am Courtney, an easily anxious, energetic woman that really enjoys peanut butter and procrastinates showering. We are different and your goals will, and should, be different.  

These will change my life, yours will change yours.

1. Buy a $30 bottle of wine.  

I am 27 and I work hard.  I am going to cheers myself with a quality beverage and enjoy the flavors of the best fruit known to mankind.

2. Write.

I love this shite...words and finding out where they should go.  However, I think of it in a way similar to cleaning- hard to get started but loving the result.  Ello swiffer.

3. Make (with an OVEN and/or STOVE) dinner once a week.  

I typically grab oats, egg whites, or the leftover chicken my fiancé has made for dinner.  I feel a sense of nourished accomplishment when I put something together that takes more than a microwave.  So call me Julia and hand me that spatula, I’m going to do it.

4. Buy and use skin cream. 

 I’m Irish and I tanned in artificial UV rays for about 5 years. ‘nough said.

5. Go out to dinner by myself.  

I want to sit and enjoy my company.  If you see a blond ponytail giggling to herself over lobster tail, just walk by (and perhaps give a heads up about the butter on my chin.)

6. Check my voicemail.  

I have a voicemail notification 99% of the time.  And I don’t check it.  I literally look at a little red notification 364 days out of the year.  And it gives me anxiety.  JUST CHECK IT.

7. Eat a dessert that isn’t non/low fat.  

I always opt for the lighter option- I will eat something that can be considered “decadent” by a grownup palate in 2015.

8. Stretch.  

In the grocery line, at the bank, watching TV.  I’m more comfortable when I do…it’s time to straddle, squat, lean, and lower and it's time to do it regularly.

9. Write letters.  

I love sending and getting paper freaking envelopes.  I’m sharpening my quill now.

10. Date my fiancé.  

The best thing in my entire life was falling in love with this big, friendly giant of a man…I will date him in the new year and I will date him hard.

11. Clean my car.  

Even once would be more than what it got in 2014.

12. Smile at strangers.  

For a cheerful person I usually give the guy looking my way the most unattractive look I can muster.  Chill, he’s probably looking at the corvette behind you, just smile.

13. Get gas before the tank light comes on.  

I know how much better I feel when I do yet I NEVER do.  Why? Irving here I come.

14. Play with my dog.  

I pet her, snuggle her, and Instagram her, but I don’t often PLAY.  She is only here for so long and legitimately only cares about 1 thing- loving us.  Time to make that tail wag.

15. Trust my GPS.  

I usually think I am smarter than GoogleMaps.  I’m not and I get lost and angry.  2015 will be the year of direction (heh).

What will change your life?  What will make your days easier or more fulfilling?  What will allow you to breathe a bit more and worry a little less?

We all have the big goals, the life changing events, and the monumental moments.  To help us enjoy, appreciate, and feel GOOD in the everyday I suggest taking a look at the Little.  The small stuff.  The mundane. 

I can see the appeal of those articles promising to change your life…but they don’t know you.  They don’t know what needs changing.  Take a little lookski at yourself and don’t stress about making it the best year of your life…let’s just start with making it pretty damn good.

Planking with a Puppy on Your Head

I pushed an ear out of my mouth and attempted to wipe a dripping line of slobber off my neck.

WOOOF!

She was relentless.  I was too.

I stiffened my plank as a paw landed on my shoulder blade.  She nudged, I held on.  15 seconds left.

A headbutt to the face then a literal butt to the face.

The timer hit my goal and I dropped to the ground, much to her excitement.  The barking began and got aggressively louder as I walked to the dumbbell on my living room floor.

 I realized the slobber was not unique to my neck and my hand slipped on the wet piece of metal. 

Seinfeld was on as a hopeful distraction to the bouncing ball of fur.  A load of laundry was in the wash. Sweet potatoes in the oven.  If all went as planned I would finish my workout as the timer went off and would fold laundry while they cooled.

It didn't and the oven began to buzz mid squat.

The smell of taters putting the pawed princess in a spud-induced frenzy.

Sweets out, back to the squat, barking resuming.

This was far, far from the workout I had planned for this particular Tuesday.  I had my gym bag packed the night prior, exercise plan from my coach printed, and pre-workout consumed at perfect timing.

But life is not perfect and I was home bound after the work day, my plan to hit the gym dismantled.

Sigh.

This is an overworked theme and one that’s been exhausted by Health and Fitness magazines, personal trainers, and exercise bloggers.  But…I will venture- sometimes I get asked the question, “how do you find the time?”

My helpful answer is sometimes, I don’t.

Sometimes I literally do not have time in my 24 hours to go to the gym for the workout I have planned.  Sometimes the tricks, tips, and suggestions by aforementioned sources do not work. 

Sometimes your kid gets sick and you need to pick them up early, feed them antibiotics on the hour, and get to the second kid’s school just in time for them to start throwing up in your Volvo.

Sometimes you have meetings until 7pm, a phone call with a crying friend that lasts until 9 and use the last ten minutes before your head hits the pillow to toss something in your piehole before you perish.

Sometimes you have a 12 hour work day, a doctor’s appointment at lunch, and get your car inspected before you get (another) ticket.

In my opinion, these aren't excuses, they’re life.  Other posts and articles may say there are NO excuses.  I say sometimes you don’t have the damn time.

What I have found, is that you may not have the time for your workout.  

But you do have the time to do something.  

Unless you are strapped to a chair with a straightjacket for 24 hours, there is usually time in your day to do something.

What is something?  For the day described above, something was a plank/squat duet while cooking sweet potatoes, doing laundry, watching Seinfeld, and being home for a puppy that was alone all day.

Something may be 10 quick air squats in the bathroom at work.

Something may be lunging down the hall in your office building.

Something may be going up and down the stairs 5 times every other hour.

Something may be parking in the furthest spot in the ginormous mall parking lot while you’re doing last minute holiday shopping.

Maybe it’s 10 pushups while making dinner.  Or tricep dips on your kitchen chair while sending emails.  Or stretching your hamstrings while waiting for your dog to pee.

My point is, there is ALWAYS time to do something to enhance your health. 

It may not be the leg workout you had planned.  It may not be 30 minutes of high intensity intervals.  It may not be the 5k you were planning on crushing. 

I am obviously an advocate for planned exercise regimens.  I think they're great and very effective.  I think everyone should have a "plan" of some sort.

But life often has a change in plans.  Life doesn't always fully understand I need a hack squat machine to build my derriere.

There are excuses, there are reasons to not go to the gym or accomplish your desired exercise.

There are not, however, reasons to fully and completely abandon your body as a vessel that can move.

Implement something in a day full of life's everythings.

Whether it's a sick kid, a doctor's appointment, a crying friend, or a 15 hour work day, comically acknowledge there's always something you can do.

Even if, there's a puppy on your head.

Preserving Your Hot Cross Buns- 5 tips to beat those holiday hangovers

I woke up yesterday with a full stomach, slight headache, and the furthest thing from any kind of pep in my step.  After a groan and a sigh, I clomped to the shower and turned it on with as much gusto as a slug on a summer sidewalk.  The next endeavor of putting on makeup, pulling a brush through my hair, and finding something other than drawstrings to put on my body was almost too much for my Monday self to handle.

Yesterday morning I was giving no kind of thanks to Thanksgiving.  

While the treats were delicious, the company incredible, and the laughs plentiful; my body was camped out in Struggle City.  I am used to treating my body like a machine- with timers, schedules, and well planned sustenance.  This blonde machine got unplugged the past few days and it’s taking its grand ol’ time to get back up to speed.

That puffy, fatigued feeling?  The one that makes you feel like a polar bear in slow motion?  We know it all too well during these festive months.  Instead of turning the entire season into a sleepy, sugared slumber, here are some tips I've learned to push through those ham hangovers and hot toddy haze.

1. Get over it.

You know what makes a headache worse? Thinking about it.  Put your britches on and get your little sugarplum in gear.  We all experience this food induced fuzziness- man-up and realize how gosh darn lucky you are to power through it.  Ya done?

2. H2-hOhoho.

That diet coke with crushed ice is quite possibly the best tasting beverage following a night of vino and midnight nachos but it’s not going to quench that thirst or de-puff those cheeks (north and south).  Grab the water the second your little chimichanga wakes up and don’t stop.

3. Move that nutcracker.

One of the hardest things to do when you’re feeling full is to well, get up.  Slap on the sneaks, get the Pandora playlist going, and just MOVE.  It doesn’t have to be an Olympic lift, a 5k PR, or even longer than 20 minutes.  Just get your body back in the rhythm of doing something more than lying horizontally.

4. Eat.

Huh? But I just did.  A lot.  And for a while. 

I have found it hugely beneficial to start with a very clean, healthy meal the morning after festive indulgence.  Remind your palate that there’s more to life than pie crust and beer (right?)  Don’t starve it and don’t continue to stuff it.  Find that eating equilibrium once again.

5. Early to Bed, Early to Rise…makes a woman healthy, wealthy, and forget about pies.

Sleep is the best makeup known to mankind.  Forget Covergirl or Neutrogena, good ol’ REM is where it’s at.  Hit the hay early and wake up rested.  Your skin, stomach, and head will thank you.

So...that’s what I've seen work in my experiences with merriment. 

There is no time like the holidays for food, fun, and indulgence.  But before you feel like a stale piece of fruitcake, take the steps to maintain the bodily balance you deserve.  There’s already one guy rockin’ a belly like a bowl full of jelly, no need for two;)

Bikinis and Belly Laughs- A Look Into the Life of One of the World's Best Frolickers

Kristy Leconte.  

This girl makes me smile. As we interviewed each other, I happily and eagerly realized that this lady is right up my alley- passionate, dedicated, friendly, ambitious, and adds a :) at least once per email.

Kristy is an IFPA Pro Bikini Athlete. For those who don't know, the IFPA is a Professional Division in Natural Bodybuilding- after earning her placement at the Yorton Cup (think World Cup or Stanley Cup with more muscle and less pale skin) she can now confidently say she is one of the top 5 Bikini Athletes in the world. Holy macaroni.

But wait, there's more.  A whole lot more.

She is a coach, a trainer, a motivator, a wife, an inspiration, and one hell of a hardworking woman.  Need proof? Be sure to check out her website/blog at kristyleconte.com for a glimpse at what this superwoman does.  I got the chance to speak with her and hear a little bit more about what it's like to walk in the heels (and sneakers!) of this brunette bombshell.

*CC: I feel like you must wake up at 3am to accomplish all you seem to do!  Walk us through a day in the life of Kristy!

KL: Ha that’s about right.  I have always been a person that packs as much, if not too much, into the day.   A normal day goes like so:

3:00am alarm and kisses from my boxer, Bevo, gets me up.

3:30am I am running out the door stuffing meal one in my face as I balance my lunch bag, gym bag, and purse in hand.  (hot mess)

4:00am- 6:00am Workout and shower

6:30am- 12:30pm Clients

12:30pm -4:30 pm I work the desk at the gym and answer email from clients.

4:30pm -7:00pm clients

7:30pm- Home to spend time with Bevo or the Husband

9 pm to 9:30- Bed time! 10:30 is a late night for me.

*CC: I feel far more stress/pressure now before a show than in my first year of competing as a newbie- can you relate to this at all?

KL: Yes! My first prep I didn’t have a coach and I didn’t know anyone else that was doing or prepping for a show.  I had no expectations of where I should be each week and I had nothing  to compare it to.  My second show I prepped in the summer! I thought it would be a piece of cake… I could just BBQ everything and have tons of veggies.  I was wrong! I forgot about the ice cream and the social events where you just want to have a glass of wine.  

THEN I won my IFPA Pro card…  I felt like I had to be better so the pressure was on.  I had all these stage pictures of myself that I had to be better than.  It was a good stress but a stress none the less. The one positive thing about the pressure is you learn a lot about yourself.  There were moments I would be fighting back tears because I was at my limit, but a few minutes later I would do a little self talk/ check in and they I would feel great and think WOW my booty or abs are looking AMAZING.

There are also times where my inner critic starts telling me If I don’t do well I will let my clients and sponsors down.  (No I don’t worry about my family and friends because they have loved me through worst things) :) But I put the pressure on myself because I think of myself as a leader/ role model to my clients.   I want to show them that hard work really does pay off.  Then I’m reminded that my clients don’t care if I win or place dead last.  They are proud of me for just doing this sport. So then I relax a little and look at my abs again! Ha

*CC: What does your husband do for a living? Does he share any of your health/fitness passions?  How does he feel about you competing?

KL: My husbands works in a shipping warehouse.  He is one of the best athletes I have ever known.  I actually look up to him a lot,  (and it’s not just because he’s a foot taller than me).  He still plays Flag football on weekends and can walk into the gym after not working out for months and  squat over 500lbs.

As for how he feels about me competing, he's happy with whatever makes me happy.  I don’t push my eating habits on him.  If he wants pizza he can get pizza.  He also understands If I don’t eat in time I get a cranky. He does enjoying teasing me about staying up pass 9pm. (He’s a night owl).

*CC: I’ve been asked by many people, “are the other girls nice at the shows?” What have you experienced and how would you answer that?

KL: Unfortunately, there are always one or two ladies that have a sucky outlook on life.  Ha… Just like every area of life, there will always be those people that are insecure with who they are and they let one thing define them.  If the show doesn’t go their way they cut down everyone else to make themselves feel better.  

But not everyone is like that.  Not even those people are ALWAYS like that.  I’ve learned that once you know a person's WHY it’s easier to understand where they are coming from.  It doesn’t mean they are right… but as Taylor Swift say… “Shake. Shake. Shake. Shake. Shake it off” 

There are some people there that are truly amazing.  I have met great people by doing shows. These people, like yourself, have helped me learn something about myself and grow as a person. :) It’s really how you chose to handle the negative….

*CC: What is your favorite non-physical characteristic about yourself?

KL: My laugh… When I’m taken by surprise by a joke or something it's really big!

*CC: What is one non-physical characteristic about yourself you wish you could change?

KL: My anxiety/ need to be in control.  This has been something I have been working on for about 7 years really.  I used to be on medication for anxiety and depression.  About 5 years ago I stop taking them and started doing a lot of self- growth things.  (If you see my blog/ facebook I’m kinda a hippy about these topics).  I listen to podcast, read, and write to help me understand why I’m feeling the need to be in control and why I have anxiety.  Also, on my day off one of my favorite things is to let my husband be in control of the day. :) ha I know it seems little but we just get in the car and go without a plan… it’s very peaceful.

*CC: What’s next for you? What are your 1, 5, and 10 year goals?

KL: 1 year- Buy a house. Build my blog and business more.

5 year- Have at least 1 rugrat to chase around.

10 year- To have a network of business women to work with, teach and learn from,  and help make each others goals come true.

*CC: And now, rapid fire fun, just pick one!

Chocolate or vanilla protein powder? 

Chocolate

In the theater- Romcom or Thriller? 

Romcom- the laugh thing! :)

Ice cream or nachos? 

nachos

Squat or lunge? 

Squats

M&Ms or Sour Patch Kids? 

Peanut M&M… sooooo good

Treadmill or track? 

Treadmill

Spandex shorts or capris? 

Capris

Red or White wine? 

RED!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pandora or ipod? 

Fitness Radio, it’s an app without commercials and great mixes

Back or shoulder workout? 

Shoulders

Heels or flip flops?  

Both! :)

Mexican or Italian?  

Mexican

Underamour or Nike?  

Nike