Determined. To Be…

…a runner, a sister, a lover…living a fit and happy life.

Tag Archives: sisters


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Sometimes, you prioritize.

Sometimes, you prioritize.

…when you sleep in slightly before teaching (nursing a sick M back to health with extra cuddles? sign me up) rather than squeezing in some much-missed running. Because, sometimes you priorize, and a sick love is more important than an extra 30 mins of cardio any day.

…when you schedule a barre ‘fitdate’ (with this girl!), sign up to (finally) take a class ‘as homework,’ or simply need a ‘me’ hour at the barre and *again* nix running, you prioritize. Because sometimes you remind yourself – again – that quality trumps quantity and one rushed run won’t be any better (or any good at all!) than one, strong ‘comeback’ run another day instead.

I am continually a student in this quest for balance between my own workouts, the workouts I teach at the studio, and making sure I create the right mix for myself that is smarter, not harder and not doing something ‘just’ to do it, or because I planned to do it. I vow to prioritize, learn to embrace flexibility and that one less run, workout, etc, won’t be a dealbreaker. Prioritize. 

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…when you choose to answer that phone call from your sister even if your hands are in the middle of making dinner, because if it’s a call, it’s usually important. To then be greeted by a FaceTime chat with the most beautiful niece in the world? The right priority, at the right time. Especially when you say ‘I love you!’ and she says’ wuv ooo!’ and you melt into a trillion pieces. <3

…when you choose to clear the decks of and all weekday plans (even if that means also midweek date night in) for sister dinner, because sisters sometimes trump *even* that midweek bit of ‘us’ time I love so much, because my sisters are my soul, and sometimes the need to be together is even stronger, and right now is one of those times. Sisters unite. Forever. <3

…when you (sadly) realize how much less you prioritized sisterhood for a good portion of 2012, and never want to feel that regret again.

It’s hard to admit when you don’t prioritize something you actually really do feel is one of the most important things *to* prioritize. But I did for a bit. Life got so busy and something had to give, and it ended up being sisters, and well, the wrong thing to ‘let’ give. Not going to happen again. I promise, sisters.

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I never realized how rigid I can actually be sometimes when it comes to my schedule and my routine. I thought I had squashed the rigidity when it comes to my routine (I have, to an extent) but in letting that go a little bit and taking a step back to prioritize, it’s already feeling like a wonderful, empowering, and happy change. In my quest to BE this year, which also includes being balanced, prioritizing has, and will continue to be, a huge way for me to BE the best I can be, for myself, my sisters my (future) husband, and all of those around me, from friends, to clients, to co-workers.

Because sometimes, you prioritize. And it’s always, ALWAYS worth it.

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Wordless Wednesday (almost)…the holidays, in pictures.

This is the first year that my family has staggered the holidays in such a perfect way that we’ve not only had a chance to see each other in various family settings (baking cookies with my sisters, niece and mom, celebrating Christmas at my dad’s with my sisters and niece, celebrating with M’s family, and finally, hosting Christmas at our house for the first time ever, with my sister Jess and Scott and my mom – sans grandparents who weren’t feeling well, though we did get a ‘virtual’ visit via Skype!), it’s felt busy-ish but not rushed, savored, not blurry, and with the right level of balance I am striving for right now. In a word, this holiday so far has been: perfect.

So I give you an almost wordless Wednesday, the holidays, in pictures. Cheers!

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Showering my niece in the girliest of girly clothes, and she *had* to model them for us. She is *such* a girl! <3

Showering my niece in the girliest of girly clothes, and she *had* to model them for us. She is *such* a girl! <3

Celebrating Christmas bestie-style. A long time coming!

Celebrating Christmas bestie-style. A long time coming!

Moments of Isabel sprinkled throughout the weekend. And when she reaches for a hug and a kiss, it's evident that she has a heart just like her namesake, my Nonna. SO loving (just like my sister Jen, too!) <3

Moments of Isabel sprinkled throughout the weekend. And when she reaches for a hug and a kiss, it’s evident that she has a heart just like her namesake, my Nonna. SO loving (just like my sister Jen, too!) <3

Capturing some family shots. I LOVE the picture I captured of my dad gathering Isabel up into a giant 'dad hug' and kiss.

Capturing some family shots. I LOVE the picture I captured of my dad gathering Isabel up into a giant ‘dad hug’ and kiss.

The holidays wouldn't even be complete without some fitdates with besties and my 'kindred' Meaghan, and lots and lots of barre n9ne action!

The holidays wouldn’t even be complete without some fitdates with besties and my ‘kindred’ Meaghan, and lots and lots of barre n9ne action!

Brunch is most definitely going to become a new tradition for Christmas! It was delish! Menu: mini bagels, cream cheese and lox, crackers and cheese, stuffed mushrooms, craisin/walnut/apple/spinach salad, potato leek soup, and for 'dessert' - greek yogurt with pear/apple/pomegranate seeds, walnuts, granola and flax (a yogurt 'bar'!), and the best cinnamon rolls I have EVER had (thank you sis!!), topped off with prosecco/mimosas!

Brunch is most definitely going to become a new tradition for Christmas! It was delish! Menu: mini bagels, cream cheese and lox, crackers and cheese, stuffed mushrooms, craisin/walnut/apple/spinach salad, potato leek soup, and for ‘dessert’ – greek yogurt with pear/apple/pomegranate seeds, walnuts, granola and flax (a yogurt ‘bar’!), and the best cinnamon rolls I have EVER had (thank you sis!!), topped off with prosecco/mimosas!

A few candids/bloopers always make it fun ;-)

A few candids/bloopers always make it fun ;-)


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FEF: volume II

Awhile back, I waxed poetic blogged about it being ‘finally effing Friday’ (hello longer than LONG week and chock to the brim with activity!) and today? It feels warranted to celebrate FEF yet again.

Because it’s been another doozy. Mostly in a good way. Just one of those weeks where I felt like M and I were ships passing in the night (we had one meal together this week, and tonight won’t even have that!). And not even so much because I fell back on my motto to simplify either, just a week where M had lots of meetings after work and I had several evening plans as well. But in the choas of this week comes a few very fabulous things I am loving. So, celebrate, shall we?

I am loving sister dinners.

As part of my quest to make more room in my life for what matters most, sister dinners was a top priority. These nights are so special and NEEDED for the three of us, to really connect as sisters, without our men, or families, or anyone, around, just us. Being silly. Sharing in a glass of wine (something my sister Jen rarely gets a chance to do!). Laughing. Venting. Catching up.

And sometimes a special guest joins us to make it that much more perfect. This Wednesday was sister dinner WITH that special guest…my niece Isabel. She is at SUCH a fun age, and she melted me into a million pieces with her running full speed in for a hug, her kiss on the lips and how she says ‘hi auntie’ in the cutest little voice I have ever heard. She’s also a fan of the selfie and we took many of those to capture the night. My most favorite collage of all time below :-)

Sister dinners…worth the busy week to cram in and do right.

I am loving my expanding role in barre n9ne.

Another reason my week was so busy – but in a valued, good way (just so happened that everything got planned for the same week, M’s busy week and mine, the perfect storm for ships passing in the night!), was a long-awaited meeting of the b9 minds (LOL. That would be me, Jess and Tanya) to discuss even more ways to make barre n9ne better, bigger, and stronger. My sister and I are officially taking on more of a marketing/PR/social media role at the studio to help make this happen and I couldn’t be more excited.

Melding my passion with what I’m good at (PR/social media)? Perfection.

And, helping even more with the 60 day challenge, refining it further, helping clients be successful? A dream.

Bringing in new events, features, and classes and teaching even more? Words cannot describe.

And, I am loving looking back at the past four (!) years since I began my journey anew. 

You see, Tara at Relative Evolutions asked me to write a guest post for her on my evolution, from then, until now (she’s had quite the journey herself, and I am so proud of her, and happy to see where she is now!!). And it’s taken me weeks and weeks of ruminating on just how I wanted to capture it, and the inspiration to put it all together. Here is the finished piece, and I am so proud of it, and my journey. I don’t write on the topic nearly as much, but it just makes my heart happy, proud, and filled with gratitude about my life now.

So, while I am celebrating FEF fervently today, I am feeling grateful (albeit relieved the week is nearing an end). And I am feeling so fortunate to be surrounded by those I care about. Because this weekend? It’s Friendsgiving, folks. Third annual, and it’s going to be the best one yet ;) Hope you have a fabulous weekend, shaking off a long week, and enjoying a much deserved weekend! Cheers!


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An update on simplifying.

It’s been a few weeks of reallyreallyreally focusing on simplifying. Everything. Life. My schedule. My workouts. Every.thing.

And I just gotta say, I already feel so much more at ease, more relaxed and with more time. Not even literal time so much as time to breathe, observe, notice things that I wouldn’t if I were crazily jumping from one planned thing to the next.

Like when M hugs me extra tight on his long days at the office (Tuesdays, when he gets home after 8), or the ability to really focus on putting together a ‘refreshed’ b9 class with just a few teeny tweaks that sometimes make *all* the difference (I always change my classes up, everysingletime, but taking time to step back and do something just *slightly* differently has felt like a treat!). Or looking at my calendar for the weekend and realizing I don’t have ONE thing I HAVE to do. Just stuff I *want* to do.  This weekend was BLISS because of that. One of the most fun, fulfilling, enjoyable weekends in a long time.

A month ago, I felt jammed into a corner and overscheduled in every sense of the word. And the worst part was that I did that to myself. Nobody did it for me. 

I realized that I was making plan after plan, I was the one taking that initiative and I guess, taking the initiative perhaps a wee bit too far and not prioritizing enough.

I was shortchanging life by trying to do too much. Counterproductive, much? 

And as I sit here thinking about the things I want to do, that I’m inspired to do, it conjures up all sorts of other things I’d love to fit into my life naturally, with the freed up time I have (and no, not to then go and overschedule myself again!).  See the friends that mean the most to me. Make my workouts as intentional as possible, not out of ‘have to’ or ‘need to,’ continue to expand my repertoire of yum foodie creations with my latest obsessions – lentils, butternut squash, dates. (pinterest, come to me!). Finish that book I started in Mexico. See my sisters regularly (check! sister dinner this week and hopefully becoming a weekly or bi-weekly thing ongoing).  And, plan that marriage I keep ruminating about.

It’s sad to me that I was so scheduled that I was missing out on things that I most wanted to do. And I never really want to fall into that trap again. Who’s with me on this quest for simplicity? Join me, will you? Do one thing to simplify your week this week, or conversely, DON’T do one thing to simplify your week this week. What is it?


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Thankful things Friday

As I have been trying my best to participate in the 40 days of thankfulness challenge on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram this month, I thought it would be fitting to share a few things I’m thankful for on this Friday (FINALLY EFFING FRIDAY, I should say – longest.week.ever.)

First up? I’m thankful to have the best boyfriend fiancee ever. <–still getting used to this. I hate the word fiancee, actually, but it does sound like a wonderful ‘upgrade’ from boyfriend, doesn’t it? Since he is so much *more* than that. I honestly don’t think there is a day that doesn’t go by that he doesn’t surprise me in some way, show me love in a unique or even, funny, way, or make me laugh hysterically.

On the ‘one-month’o-versary’ since we got engaged (like that moniker?!).Last night, when I got home from teaching my third barre n9ne class on the day (#nevergetsold #b94lyf!), as I was attempting to make my ‘ice cream reward’ (Oikos frozen greek yogurt vanilla, with a spoonful of Chobani vanilla chocolate chip yogurt, a few strawberries and a sprinkle of M&Ms!), he pulled me into his arms and hugged me, kissed my cheek and said, ‘you are the most beautiful, smart, loving, hot woman in the world, did you know that?’ Swoon. (and he says this to me quite often, of some variation, but in the most unforeseen moments. #thebest).  And this morning? As I was rushing out of the shower (yes, we do shower together most days – TMI, perhaps, but with such a huge tub, it just makes sense, right? And it’s our morning time together before we start our days!), trying to skirt around him as he was all soapy, he lathers soap all over me and laughs, ‘see, now you can’t get out! you’re all soapy!’ wise guy. 

:-)

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My sisters.

Duh, this is a no brainer, right? But seriously, we had the best time on Monday at a long-awaited ‘sister dinner.’ Just us three. No distractions. Not even the best niece in the world. Just us. Out to dinner, wine, chit-chat. Catching up on our lives, talking about Jess’s marathon, Jen’s foray into her new job, and well, marriage ideas ;-) We giggled. We finished each other’s sentences (and Jen’s wine hehe). We bitched. (nothing bad, just stuff that only us sisters would get amongst ourselves about random things!). We just had fun together. And it is one more step closer as I simplify and make more time for those I care so much about. Like my sisters and my niece.

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Mexico. 

Today is my last day of work until 10/29. Wheeeee! M and I are heading to Playa del Carmen at the uber early time of 5:30 am on Monday to celebrate this girl’s wedding!! We are staying Monday-Friday and her wedding is on Wednesday. Beyond that? Not planning a damn thing. Beach, books, talking, sleeping, enjoying. Perhaps a run or two. Perhaps a barre n9ne-for-one, but beyond that, simplicity.

This is the first vacation that M and I have gone on together, alone. We’ve traveled together quite a bit over the course of our 2+ years together and I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to do that, but this time? It’s just us (oh and a wedding to attend hehe and celebration to be had hehe!). I couldn’t be more thrilled.

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Happy weekend AND week ahead, friends. Do something to simplify this week, mmk? And I’ll be sure to drink a glass of wine or 17 next week for all of you suckers stuck at work (sorry, I couldn’t resist!). Cheers!

I’ll take chair #3 please :-)

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