Food, Fitness, & Holiday Expectations...

Thanksgiving, Christmas, holiday cheer, the holiday aroma that fills every waking breath of air... It’s MY FAVORITE. I love the holidays. I mean what’s not to love? They make me feel like a little kiddo again to be honest and I love that. The holidays are a time I have grown to value so much more now that I am older. The holidays are one of the few times I have the opportunity to travel home and spend quality time with the people I love and miss dearly most of the year. I get to catch up, take a break from school/daily stress, eat all the homemade goodies, cut down a Christmas tree & drink all the homemade apple cider. It’s truly the best. Nothing warms my heart more. It’s a time where I feel an overwhelming amount of thankfulness, even more than I already do everyday. You are probably wondering where I am going with all of this and why I’m telling you how much I love the holidays. This brings me to today’s blog post. On social media, television, the internet, everywhere honestly, there is a huge stigma around being fit, staying in control, not overdoing it,  staying on track, etc. during the holidays. Everyone has something to say about it and let me be honest, it’s EXHAUSTING. I scroll through my news feed and everyone seems to be justifying their actions, their food intake, missing a workout, posting calorie comparisons... the list goes on forrr freakkinnngg eveerrr!!!!!!!! Those should be the absolute LAST things on your mind!!!!! My goodness people. WHY, WHY, WHY are you making such a wonderful time of year so un-cheerful???? Those comparisons, justifications, the I need to be in control mentality, it’s not okay. It makes other people feel guilty for enjoying the holiday season LIKE THEY SHOULD, like a normal human being should!! The holidays are so much more than food and fitness. You miss a workout? You eat a huge a** piece of raspberry pie? (You can bet your booty that’ll be me). You drink your weight in apple cider or wine? You eat a boat load of ham? SO WHAT!!! Those things, they’re minuscule. The gym will always be there. Healthier options will always be there. Your aunt's homemade pie. Warm apple cider from the cider mill. Spending the day on the couch watching Christmas movies and drinking hot cocoa with your fam bam. That stuff won’t. It won’t always be there. That stuff is once a year. Those moments are precious memories. Giggles. Snuggles. Intimate conversations. Yummy warm pie. Those are moments, feelings, and memories that you can’t get back. Sure, you might be thinking there’s always next year? What if there’s not? Are you willing to risk all of those precious moments for a frickin workout, to count your calories, to feel so anxious and on edge you can’t enjoy yourself??? Because I sure as hell am not and I really hope you aren’t either. I love fitness. I love eating nutritiously. I love pushing myself and working hard. Those are all things I genuinely love to do, but they’re not who I am and they will never take over who I aspire to be. I’m a whole lot more than fitness and the food I put into my body.

I am a girl who loves her family, friends, and puppers more than anything.

I am a girl who loves date night with her boyfriend.

I am a girl who strives to make each day count.

I am girl invested in creating meaningful relationships with those around me.

I am a girl who loves Thai food.

I am a girl who sucks at singing but doesn’t give a darn because you bet I’m gonna sing my lil heart out in the car or the shower or wherever I please really.

I am a girl who takes pride in her schoolwork and any job I acquire. 

I am a girl that loves the beach. 

I’m a girl who loves to adventure.

I am a girl who loves watching the sunrise and sunset.

I am a girl who wants to make a difference and change this world.

I am a girl who fights for what she believes in.

All of those things are what defines me and makes me Mik.

Not food.

Not fitness. As the holiday season approaches, I encourage you to be present. Appreciate everything. Make memories. Truly be where you are and enjoy what you are doing at that very moment. If that means putting away your food scales, deleting my fitness pal, staying off of social media, missing the gym a few times, DO IT. Do not miss out on a single second because you are worried about those silly things. There is a time and place for fitness and nutrition. Do not skimp out on food because you are worried about losing progress. Do not choose the gym over time with your family and friends. That’s silly.

BE PRESENT. Make memories. Spend quality time with the people you love. Eat the pie. Drink the wine. Watch all the Christmas movies in your Christmas socks snuggled up on the couch with your puppers and fam. Don’t restrict. Don't obsessively weigh yourself. Don’t over exercise. Stop the justification. Let go of the “I am in control” mindset. Instead, be mindful. Practice moderation. Practice a healthy/maintainable lifestyle. Don’t beat yourself up over missed workouts or extra calories. Life is too short. Don’t lose sight of what’s really important. Wishing you all the most amazing holiday season filled with lots of love, laughter, good conversation, yummy food, and endless memories. Stay thankful my friends. <3 

-Mik