The Beauty Aspect

The Beauty Aspect. Part One

Every “bride” wants to look and feel their best on their wedding day. There’s no way around it and at first I was sooooo anti this sentiment. I wanted to be me....not anyone else but as the days got closer (200 and some to go at the time) I started playing with the idea that I should be getting my butt into shape. The main areas I wanted to get toned were the same target areas my dress accentuated. I had bought it before the holidays and finally received it after. and when I tried it on, the damn thing was so snug I almost went into a panicky depression. I know...I know...I shouldn’t have tried it on first thing after the holiday season. But c’mon...you too wouldn’t *wait to try on your dream dress after it finally arrived either? *By the way, that time between ‘saying yes to the dress’ and waiting for it to actually show up is a true test in patience and filled with anxiety ridden anxiousness. I didn’t only want to look amaze balls for this day but I wanted to feel and look the way I used to in general. I know at 38 I’ll never look as I did when I was 18 or even 28 for that matter but nor do I want too. However; I do, want to feel beautiful in my own skin....especially on my wedding day. When I first moved cross-country I was a size 6. Before the big move, my bicycle was my main mode of transportation. I lived in a town where that was feasible and other than that and walking occasionally, I really didn’t have a strict exercise regimen. Granted, I didn’t just ride my bike to get me places. I rode it out of pure leisure and pleasure. So I guess looking back, I was exercising my butt off-just not in the traditional gym sense. Four years later, I was a size 10. I finally realized how big I had gotten when a major clothing store was telling me a size 10 was a plus size. Now, I’m not saying there is anything wrong with that size. Really, there isn’t. Size 10 isn’t huge! Not to mention, women are gorgeous at any shape! They can kick ass at size 24 just as easily at size 2. Be a bad ass on the inside first and foremost! If you don’t have that, it really doesn’t matter what size you are. I’ve also had issues with my *appearance in the past and I’m alright with not being enemies with food now. Eating is a favorite past time. Gummy bears are a vice and chocolate looks at me with pleading, attention seeking eyes. I give in sometimes. I make poor choices too but nowadays, I don’t feel so terrible about indulging occasionally. So much guilt comes with an uncomfortable size. I literally wore pants all the time because I hated my thighs rubbing together. Not because of the weight. I was alright with my size. I wasn’t over the moon about it but I wasn’t heartbroken or going back to my younger insecure self. I just hated the way it felt. Like a fly that won’t leave you alone or someone who is invading your personal space or an itch you can scratch. That kind of annoyance. Happily and surprisingly (because I just realized this the other day) my legs no longer rub together. *Most of the time being older and wiser is astounding. You couldn’t pay me to go back in time. Well, maybe just that once...to never give the louse of a high school boyfriend a second chance after he broke up with me. Couple loving food with working all the time and living in place where biking was nonexistent and you get weight gain. I got weight gain. I also joke that being stressed out and broke are “super diets” so if you really wanna shed some lbs without any work put into it, start there. Although I really don’t recommend it. I can attest to both and my findings are this: that shit sucks! It did push start the odyssey of progression though and I would be a fraud to say otherwise. You’re stressed: workout. It clears your head. You’re broke: workout to cure the boredom. Bonus: that small grocery trip out...it’s all you’ll get for a bit. Eat lightly. 😂🤦🏻‍♀️🙋🏻‍♀️ I didn’t/don’t have the money to splurge on a gym membership. You know: bills, responsibilities, life. But since starting an exercise regimen, I’ve since realized I don’t need a gym to workout. They kinda seem like a rip off at this point and most gym rats I know are the worst types of people. A lot of fake and ego driven souls hang at the gym...ugh, no thanks. I had my fill of that already. What I do I need? Well, I have the weights. I have a yoga mat and I have quick access to trails galore. I also have a smartphone and the internet. As you can tell, I need choices. As said in prior post, Pinterest in the last year has become like a very creative and all knowing best friend. Specifically speaking of getting in shape, this app has particularly brought me great joy. I swear I should get paid to be a Pinterest spokesperson. My arms are taking shape! My butt is lifting. I can do yoga positions I never thought possible. My flexibility and balance game are strong with this one and now with only a short time to go before the official ‘I Do’ day, I’ve never been so excited or happy to see myself in the mirror. I know that sounds like I’m an ego maniac too but I’m not. I promise. It’s taking a considerably long time and some extremely sad lessons to recognize myself in a worthy light. In addition to seeing visible changes, I’ve relaxed on the notion that I have to to go HAM everyday. Before it was a priority. First thing in the morning-workout. Before coffee. Before anything. Now, it’s every other day and at no set time, as long as it gets done. I will agree exercising in the morning did/does give me a boost in energy and mood but sometimes I need my coffee and a moment to wake up before I do anything! Hey, I’m human. Eh, truly me ‘just doing it’ is more important than all the details. Right? I will tell you this, my body craves working out now. I’m not kidding! It’s become a nagging parent or partner making sure I do this one thing every day or every other day at least. “Did you workout today?” “Yes.” “Carry on.” “Did you work out today?” “No.” “Why not? Are you? When are going to? You should just do it now and get it over with. You’ll Feel better when it’s done. Did you do it yet?” It goes on until the workout is actually completed and the nagging parent/partner wins and to be honest, they are right. I do feel better and I’m glad I did it. With that said, my gift to you is “Bride-To-Be-money saver number three.” Thrifty Tip Three: A gym membership can be costly and when you’re trying to watch over everything you make and account for everything you spend, paying money for something you can be resourceful about is an unnecessary added expense. Look at it this way. Wouldn’t you rather spend money on something towards your wedding or you on your day for that matter over something you literally can do without any money involved. Cut it out and get creative. I use You Tube and Pinterest to learn what I need to learn and follow classes for free. Real talk. Yoga is crazy expensive. It never used to be but with popularity comes the price spike. Don’t even get me started on the subject of organic. It’s filled with opinions but I’ll save that for another section. We’re talking matrimony right now. Priorities. Organic will wait. Yoga nowadays and in my opinion, has also turned into a dating scene or fashion statement rather than a place for personal growth and practice. I stopped checking spots out because they all ended up being the same. Oh the good ole days. “These pants are how much? That mat cost what? Hey, buddy....I’m trying to work on my downward facing dog-not get a date for next Friday night.” I recommend “Yoga with Adrien” on You Tube. She is fantastic and she offers a variety of classes in all levels. You can also choose how long you want each class. Feel like a quick stretch? She offers 15 minute sessions. Want something longer? No worries, she’s got that too. Best part...it’s all freaking free. Heck yea! I love free! Don’t you? Another place to find oodles of free physical activity....the outside. Yup, people I said it and some of you are probably replying back, “Duh.” In my defense though...you would be surprised this isn’t on the radar for many. I get weather can prevent outdoor activities or that possibly you live in a place not so keen on folks being outside but most towns, cities, rural areas, or suburbs come with parks or neighborhoods or at least a road. You get my point. Even when I lived where biking was a no go, I still hiked and went on walks. It doesn’t hurt enjoying nature so if you absolutely dread that, don’t do it. Don’t do anything that makes you miserable. You’ll just end up on a hamster wheel accomplishing nothing. Just get outside. No one says you have to hike to a waterfall or sit under a shady tree but do go be a part of a space that isn’t your home. Pinterest, Pinterest, Pinterest...oh how I love thee. You, and your incredible self bestowing a wealth of information on me. How ever can I repay you? Here I go again pitching them like they are paying me to! Hmmm....can you get paid to actually do that? Seriously. If you don’t have a Pinterest account, get one! It has everything and I mean everything on it. Most days I love Pinterest more than any other social site. My exercise board is ‘pinned’ to the brim with: suggestions, examples, how to’s and routines. The ‘Book and Insta can be exhausting and draining at times. Pinterest is the adult version of my childhood encyclopedia collection and those books were heavily highlighted. It’s a rabbit hole of curiosity and if you’re a newbie to this app, give yourself a few hours to explore. You won’t just stop with one post. I’ve learned as much weight and cardio training and have been taught as many yoga moves as I would if I paid for a personal trainer or special classes. I haven’t pay a dime and getting to this size without having to open my wallet isn’t something I’m willing to change. My already equipped gym was just waiting on me. I had the weights but if you don’t, you could probably find a pair for less than $20. Check out thrift stores, sales, and outlets. You can also get innovative and use heavy household objects. Yoga mats and yoga accessories are by choice and can also be found at thrift stores, yard sales, on sale or at outlet stores for half the cost. You can easily get by with a towel and carpet while in jammies too. Make it how you want it. Lastly, a combo of a few things. Make water your friend. You will pee a lot but you’ll be glowing and see results quicker. I’ve also found Apple Cider Vinegar is not only filled with a plethora of health benefits but it too speeds up the weight loss process. One shot mixed with water before bed works miracles. No joke. Cut out unhealthy late night eating...and as much as possible. Don’t go crazy but why work your ass off sweating to the oldies, if all you are going to do is destroy it with poor food choices. Kinda counterproductive, don’t you think? Walk everywhere you can. For instance, you have to run an errand that involves parking, park further out or farther away from your destination. If you have a choice between the elevator, escalator, stairs or walking? Choose the stairs or walk whenever possible. Mark my words...these small changes can create BIG CHANGES. All it takes is starting. You deserve good habits too! The bridal journey doesn’t have to be a complete 180 or a drastic measure in trying to measure up. You are beautiful and so is this process. You will run into mishaps along way but come your big day, hopefully those mishaps will just be stories you can tell to your guests. You don’t have to break the bank or your soul to get that “bridal glow.” When it is all said and done, you are getting married to a person you love, respect and want to share a future with. On their end, they feel the same....no amount of money invested will change that-unless that’s what you want, of course. But then again, you wouldn’t be reading a blog about thrifty wedding planning if you did. Enjoy you and this adventure. It’s yours for the taking. Until next time, folks. Stay tuned for part two. It’s all about skin, nails, and hair!