What’s The Worst That Could Happen?

January 4, 2016January 4, 2016 / ktbuchs87

What's The Worst That Could Happen? | Life Healthfully Lived Ahhh. A new year. Can you smell it? The resolutions, the goals, the promises, the hope. It’s all still pretty fresh just four days into 2016. I’m all about setting goals and intentions for a new year, but I want them to be something more fulfilling than lose weight, exercise more, be more organized. I want them to be specific. I want them to have steps that I can take to reach them.

I want them to be something that will make me and my life better.

So whether you call those resolutions, goals, or intentions, make sure you choose something to direct your attention at. It can really help motivate you to do new and better things.

Last year I chose a word to define my year. I picked one word and tried to make my decisions and choices with that word in mind. I chose passion and I think I did a fairly good job of putting passion into everything I did. I’m going to do a fairly similar thing this year, but instead of one word I’m going to use one question to frame my goals. What's The Worst That Could Happen? | Life Healthfully Lived

What’s the worst that could happen?

This isn’t a nonchalant “Eh, what the heck, let’s give this a go” type of attitude. I frequently don’t do things because I’m afraid of what might happen. Mainly failure. I hate to fail and that fear has held me back from trying or doing new things.

Not anymore. What's The Worst That Could Happen? | Life Healthfully Lived

I want to approach this year with the idea that even if I do fail at something it isn’t the end of the world. At least I tried something new. And there is a really good chance that I won’t fail, that I’ll excel at my new endeavor and find new strengths and happiness.

So with that in mind, what do I want to do this year?

Dive deeper into yoga (maybe even become certified)
Expand my writing (maybe even some non-fiction works)
Be stronger (physically and mentally)
Nurture face-to-face relationships (the internet is great but so is being with someone in persn)
Create new things (recipes, art, love…. anything)

There are plenty of things that I am ready to dive into and some of them scare me a little, but hey, what’s the worst that could happen?

What's The Worst That Could Happen? | Life Healthfully Lived

Ready for 2016?

What are you ready to try in 2016?

The Last 12 Months

December 28, 2015December 28, 2015 / ktbuchs87

It’s typical this time of year to look back and reflect on everything that happened over the last 12 months. Often when you start to do this, it doesn’t feel like much has happened. But once you get going you realize that you accomplished quite a few things. And even if you didn’t have a crazy productive year, I doubt any of you just sat in a room for 12 months staring at a wall.

The Last 12 Months | Life Healthfully Lived

Lot’s of sweaty runs down the Lake Shore Trail

You woke up every morning for 365 days. That’s something. You put on clothes (hopefully) and went about your routine for 365 days. That’s something. You fed yourself (mostly), moved around, were HUMAN for 365 days. That is definitely something.

Lot’s of sweaty runs down the Lake Shore Trail

I am a person who constantly downplays everything I do. If it isn’t huge or momentous, then it doesn’t really matter. I walk around telling myself that I am just an average person, nothing special, nothing horrible, just me.

I bet I made him run.

I don’t know if it’s my deep need to please other people or my aversion to bragging, but I have a hard time seeing all the great things I have done over a period of a year.

I kind of love this city

But not this year.

Remember way back at the beginning of the year when I chose a word to define 2015? I chose passion. While every single day of 2015 might not have been lived with passion, I did attack my goals with a new passion. It was tough at first to put myself out there and try new things. What if I failed? I hate failing and often have the mindset of if I can’t do it perfectly, I’m not going to do it at all. It took some work to get over that frame of mind, but towards the end of the year I started taking risks and doing new things because, why not?

Look at me being a mermaid!

What’s the worst that could happen?

People could say no or not like it but it wasn’t going to kill me. Clearly, I’m still here and I’m glad that I made the leaps of faith that I did because I have had some awesome opportunities this past year. I have really expanded my writing, tried new things with my fitness, and worked even more on choosing to accept my body as it is in this moment.

All fancy at Jodie’s wedding

And I did it all with a passion that I don’t think I’ve used before. Nothing is going to be handed to me and instead of sitting around and whining or saying that I’m nothing special, I chose to get up and make new paths for myself.

I make a good bed

I hope that as you look back on your 2015 you are able to see all of the amazing things that you accomplished. Even if you didn’t scale a mountain, solve world hunger, or star in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, you still did things that changed your life and brought you to this moment.

Apple Picking in October in like 60 degree weather.

I haven’t chosen a word for 2016 yet, but I will soon and I hope you’ll join me. Enjoy the last few days of 2015 and get ready for another awesome 12 months!

Happy New Year from us weirdos!

I Am Thankful For…

November 23, 2015November 23, 2015 / ktbuchs87

My husband who always loves me, even when I’m being crazy and weird which is more often than not. Who works hard to provide for me and always puts my happiness before his. Without him, I wouldn’t be half the person I am now. I Am Thankful For... | Life Healthfully Lived

My family who has shaped my very being. They know me better than anyone on this planet and support me in everything I do. They have taught me how to love and live and I cannot imagine me without them. I Am Thankful For... | Life Healthfully Lived

My Faith which is the driving force behind every decision I make, every action I take, every word I speak, and the source of my hope and love. God is good all the time and all the time God is good. I Am Thankful For... | Life Healthfully Lived

My basic needs which are unfailingly met. I have never ever wanted for food, shelter, or clothing. I have never wondered where my next meal was coming from, where I would be sleeping at night, and I have the luxury of opening my closet and choosing from a variety of clothes. Not everyone gets that security.

My freedom which has cost me absolutely nothing but instead others have paid for with their lives. I can say what I want, believe what I want, and pursue my happiness because of the simple fact that I am an American. In a world that is wrought with pain and strife, where people are oppressed and killed for their beliefs and opinions, freedom is no small matter. I Am Thankful For... | Life Healthfully Lived

My dreams that propel me to do new and sometimes scary things. Having a dream can be tough but so worth it. And having people behind you to support those dreams? That is something to be even more thankful for.

I could go on and on with things that I am thankful for because I am beyond blessed. I know it’s cliche to think about all the things we have gratitude for this week, but these are things that I give thanks for every single day. I often take these things for granted because they are so simple. But for those that don’t have them, they mean the world. I Am Thankful For... | Life Healthfully Lived

Take some time this holiday season and be thankful for the little things you never think about. They might seem small, but they mean so much.

Happy (almost) Thanksgiving everyone!

Secret Confession Of A Health And Food Blogger

November 16, 2015November 16, 2015 / ktbuchs87

Friday night. The weekend is finally here and I’ve finished dinner and I’m vegging on the couch watching Netflix. I know, I’m pretty much a wild and crazy party animal. I’m not quite ready to go to bed yet, I stay up like an hour past my bedtime on the weekends which is usually 9:30. Again, party animal.

And it happens.

That little nagging voice in the back of my head. You want to eat something, Katie. You want to munch on something salty, crunchy, sweet, whatever you can get your hands on. You want to keep reaching your hand into the bowl or bag or whatever large vessel you can fill. You want to keep eating even though you’re not really hungry, you’re just bored.

Every weekend is the same routine. I know it’s coming. I know exactly what will happen. I’ll pretend like I can’t hear that annoying little voice, but I know I will eventually give in. Because I don’t have any control over this situation. I have no power here. I’m stuck and always will be.

Right?

Nope. That is so not true. I’ve tricked myself into thinking that I can’t beat this habit. That it is somehow a part of my being, the way I am put together, and there is no fighting it. It is so much easier to stay stuck and feign that I’m weak against that little voice. That voice that is really just me.

I’ve gotten into the habit of telling others that they have the motivation and willpower they need to overcome situations like this when it comes to their health. But I’ve somehow convinced myself it doesn’t apply to me. Pot calling the kettle black much?

I can say no. I have total control over my own thoughts and feelings and emotions. I know this because I have done it before. There are days when I lack the motivation to go for a run or workout just because I’m lazy. But I’m able to power through those roadblocks and do what I know is best for me. So I know this isn’t a problem of not being able to exert control over my bad habits.

It’s me being a whiny baby and not WANTING to change. Some weird part of me finds comfort in those late night binges. It’s a way to be that person I was so many years ago when my whole day was a binge of unhealthy food.

I’ve talked before about how change is scary and hard for me, but it’s something I should embrace. I’ve talked about how motivation is something that has to be renewed every day. Well, it’s time to stop just talking about it and actually do it. Because I’m tired of letting a little voice control a part of me. A bad habit doesn’t get to dictate what I do.

So there it is out in the open. My little secret, my stuck-in-a-rut problem for everyone to see. Sure, it’s a little nerve-wracking to share it with the whole internet, but I know I’m not the only one who struggles with things like this. I’m human and even though health and food and all that is “my thing” I still have setbacks and things to work on. I probably always will, but it’s better to face them with the help and support of others rather than alone late at night.

Maybe this post can spark something in one of you. Maybe it can help change the habit you know is a problem that you’ve told yourself you can’t fix.

You can. Of course you can. I can too.

Ready?

Birthday Recap and Some Thoughts

November 9, 2015November 9, 2015 / ktbuchs87 / 3 Comments

Happy Monday everyone! I hope that you had an awesome weekend and are enjoying your fall thus far!

I thought I would do a little recap of my birthday last weekend because it was actually really awesome and I could not have asked for a better day. The one thing I told Adam that I wanted was for him to plan the day. I didn’t want to make any decisions or schedule anything, I wanted it done for me. It’s nice every once in awhile to have someone do all the decision making for you.

So Halloween morning after we both woke up and did a quick Fitness Blender workout, we headed out to breakfast. I had been wanting to try a place called Yolk for awhile so that’s where we went. It was delicious! They had amazing coffee that tasted almost like chocolate and the food was great. Adam decided to try a little bit of everything and I had an awesome California omelet complete with avocado.

After breakfast, we headed to the farmers market because it was the last day that it was going to be outdoors. It was kind of pouring rain right when we got there, so we only did a quick lap through, got Adam a donut, and then moved on. From there, Adam took me downtown and told me that we were going to go clothes shopping for me. I have been needing new fall/winter clothes for a long time, so this was a really nice surprise. Plus, how many husbands take their wife out on a shopping spree?!

Birthday Recap and Some Thoughts | Life Healthfully Lived

Almond Milk Latte of my dreams…

We hit up a few stores on State Street where I bought all the flannel and found some awesome new boots. You can never have too many boots, right? After a few hours of shopping both our energies were dropping so we decided to take a break and get some coffee. We found a Peet’s Coffee around the corner and I decided to try an almond milk latte because my sister is always raving about them. Good choice because it was awesome. After we were caffeinated we shopped for a little longer and then decided to head home and chill for the rest of the day.

These tacos were amazing… still working on that tortilla recipe, so look for that soon!

Once we took the world’s longest bus ride home (rain and Halloween apparently make for lots of traffic) we hung out, watched some movies, and ate homemade tacos. It was pretty much the best way to end my birthday. Oh, and I decided to be “crazy” and dyed my hair a reddish-brownish-slightly purplish color. It’s awesome and I love it.

During…

After!

As I was looking back over my birthday extravaganza, I realized I was really happy. Not because I had an awesome day or got cool clothes and shoes or ate delicious food but because I was really and truly happy. I am content with where I am in life and confident in the things I am doing to go the places I want in the future. I want for nothing, I have an amazing support system in my family and my husband, and I am blessed beyond belief.

Birthday kisses from Dot

Maybe it was turning 28 or maybe it was knowing that things change and I don’t have to feel stuck or down in whatever situation I face. Either way, I’m in a very good place both physically and mentally and I am going to enjoy it!