“The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.”

- Michael Altshuler

 And so it begins…I am about to turn 29, and usher in the last year of my 20’s. No other birthday has felt quite like this one. I’m not dreading it by any means, birthdays equal presents and cake after all, but it has given me pause to sit back and say “where did the time go?”

My 20’s have been a great decade. Full of growth, change, lots of mistakes, lessons learned, heartbreak, love, an engagement, a wedding, a first house, grad school, new jobs, a career path and on and on and on.

I don’t fear getting older. Sure, I see a few lines creeping around my eyes that didn’t used to be there, but one thing you learn as time goes on is that 30, 40 or even 50, really is not old. Age is just a number, youth is a feeling. I do get scared, however, by the pace at which time just seems to disappear. Poof you’re 18, poof you’re 22, poof you’re 30. I’m trying to hold on tight…

Yet, I know I have to roll with the punches, time will pass, and I have to make of it what I can. It does feel pretty good to stare down 29 {basically 30} and know that I am in the best place of my life. Twenty eight was a fabulous year, a turning point really. A year I stopped and thought about want I really, really wanted out of life. I did some deep thinking, set some goals, and here’s the real kicker, I got off my ass and DID SOMETHING to achieve them. I wanted to be really fit, so I got my rear in gear. I wanted a new job, so I went out and found one. And everything else just seemed to fall into place {funny how that happens when you’re happy}…

I’ve never felt better about myself, never more secure in who I am, and what I am doing in life. Life’s not perfect, I’m certainly not perfect, I’m a little crazy, I’m really impatient, and sometimes I get very worked up over sporting events {I almost had a heart attack during the Super Bowl}, but hell, at least I’m passionate.

So without further delay….Welcome 29! I’m pretty sure you and I are going to have a lot of fun together. So, let’s officially kick off this Farewell to 20′s Tour…last stop THIRTY…

{Father and Daughter}

{If you really, really, know me then this picture makes total sense…I’m the blond kid in the yellow shirt yelling}

Do you have a “milestone” birthday approaching? How are you handling it?

This will be my last BodyBugg themed post {but don’t worry, not my last fitness/weight loss/healthy living post}. Why? Well for a few reasons…I reached and exceeded my goal, I’m in a maintenance mindset now, and I don’t use the BodyBugg on a regular basis anymore. Wondering WTF a BodyBugg is? Read here.

Unlike the movie 28 Weeks Later, this story is not a scary one. It’s a happy one. A positive one. One where I realize just what I am actually capable of. A few months ago I felt I had reached a place where I did not need to wear the BB everyday. I knew what I needed to eat {and not eat} and I knew what my daily activity needed to be. That’s the great thing about making fitness, and healthy eating, a lifestyle; it just becomes, well, your life.

It’s been just under seven months since I survived my first {very hungry} day tracking my calories and wearing the BodyBugg. As hard as the adjustment was at the beginning I never thought of it as a diet…this was a makeover. I completely changed the way I eat and the way I work out…and now it’s just how I do things….every darn day.

Of course, exceeding my goal doesn’t mean the work is over. It’s  actually really only half the story. I know that my new lifestyle will be a constant work in progress. Not a day goes by that I am not conscious about what I am putting into my body and what I am doing to be active.

Lost 3o+ pounds {the scale stopped going down about 8 weeks ago, but I continued to lose inches}

Went from a size 10/12 to a size 2

Less than 15% body fat

In the best shape of my life…

…but you know what they say…a picture’s worth a 1,000 words…

My Top Tips {aka Brie’s Rules}:

Calories In

• Drink TONS of water {I shoot for 100oz/day}
• Make easy, healthier, calorie-saving substitutions {think feta instead of cheddar, salsa instead of fatty dips, vodka and diet soda instead of beer or wine}
• Don’t drink your calories {stay away from juices, soda, certain coffee drinks. Most don’t add much/anything in the way of nutrition. Save your calories for actual food}
• Clean eating is key {you’re calories will go farther with fruits, veggies, and unprocessed foods!}
• Greens, greens, greens {leafy green veggies are your best friend. Think Spinach, Arugula, and different kinds of lettuces}
• Measure out your ingredients and food {it’s really easy to over-indulge when you don’t realize how many calories you just consumed}
• At first you WILL feel hungry while your body adjusts and that’s OK {stay strong!}
• Really look at how many calories are in some of your favorite treats/snacks/indulgences {it may be just enough to scare you off of them}
• Keep a food log {be completely honest and open with yourself about what you eat}

Calories Out

• Ditch long, slow cardio for interval training {Switching up speed and intensity throughout your workout is much more effective than sitting on the elliptical for an hour at the same level}
• Run, run, and run some more {The BodyBugg showed that no workout burned more calories per minute than a good old fashioned run}
• Circuit train {this is CRUCIAL! Circuit training helps build key calorie-burning lean muscles, keeps you from getting bored with the same old thing, and provides a heart-pumping cardio workout}
• Strength train {this goes hand in hand with the above. You need to build muscle.}

Mentality

• Let go of all your pre-conceived notions about what you are, or are not, capable of {most of that is just bullshit we hold onto as an excuse for why we can’t achieve something….really it’s because we are not fully prepared to do the work it takes}
• Take it day by day, week by week and month by month {don’t think about how far off the finish line to your goal seems. Just go step by step. Suddenly you will realize you’ve made it a day, then a week, then a month…soon you are half way there}
• Make fitness and healthy eating a priority {don’t have time for the gym? Really? I know it can be tough with work, social life, kids, housework etc, BUT…how much of that is an excuse? Couldn’t you watch one less TV show, sacrifice 30 minutes of sleep, plan/prepare health meals ahead of time, spread out your chores better…?? Bottom line is MAKE THE TIME}
• Take pride in getting in your workouts and eating right {that good feeling you get will be stronger than any craving or fatigue}

Need to catch up on the whole story?

Week 1 (including a full explanation of the BodyBugg)

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4 & 5

Week 6 & 7

Week 12

Thank you to everyone who has supported me and stuck with me as I chronicled this journey! Your encouragement has meant so much!

Between starting a new job, taking another trip out west, and keeping up with the three F’s (friends, family, fitness, duh), life has been happily busy.

Don’t worry, I have missed you all, I’ve missed blogging, I’ve missed writing, and just typing out these few short paragraphs feels good.

Here’s a brief photo dump to catch you up on the last 2 months.

{B worked so hard for a week to rip up all the remaining carpet and put dow new flooring}

{The majesty of a misty morning in Monterey, CA}

{Oh Napa, I wish I knew how to quit you…}

{Family}

Tell me, tell me, what have you been up to?

Lately, however, I’ve been feeling  like my usual workouts have become a little too easy.

Believe me, I love seeing how my fitness level has improved, but it’s important to mix things up so your muscles don’t get too comfortable. I love this 5×50 workout because it really pushes your muscles {that may be comfortable at 20 reps} to complete all 50 reps.

Complete 50 reps of each of the following:

Sumo Squats (keep your hands behind your head while you squat)

Jumping Jacks

Mountain Climbers

Push ups

Crunches

REPEAT THE WHOLE SEQUENCE 5 TIMES

Have a happy workout!

When I realized I was getting into unfamiliar territory {i.e. clothing sizes I had never even dreamed of seeing before} I knew my reward, out of necessity, would have to be one of the clothing variety, but I needed to wait till I no longer wanted to loose more weight.  

Well {drum roll please}, I think it’s safe to say I. Am. Done. I’ve made it!

There really is no down side to losing a bunch of weight, but if there was one, it would be the clothing problem. You see, when you drop 30 pounds, and a good portion of your body fat, even your leggings, workout clothes, and T-shirts are too big {I know, cry me a river!}.

Replacing an entire wardrobe of clothing, some of which I’ve had since college, is an expensive undertaking {especially when you have my taste}. It’s going to be a slow process, but with Fall knocking on my door, I won’t be able to survive on the few stretchy dresses I have managed to {sort of} still be able to wear.

Hard work, and achieved goals, deserve a REWARD!

So without further ado, meet the newest addition to my closet:

J. Crew Schoolboy Blazer in navy

Isn’t she pretty {the blazer, that is}? In a classic cut and color, it is the perfect item to splurge on. It also doesn’t hurt that J. Crew has a 25% off promotion going on right now! I look forward to many fall and winter outings in this puppy!

Take a risk.  Work hard. Earn your reward!

As a runner, I do, however, have some complaints about my fellow Croftonians {people who live in Crofton, duh}. There’s just a few things we could all do to make the hood an even more running friendly place.

Dear Neighbors:

1. Set your sprinkler so it doesn’t go over the sidewalk. The concrete does not need to be watered and neither do I.

2. Ladies, if you are walking side by side with your strollers please move to single file when you see me coming towards you. I get that you need your Mom bonding, but just because you birthed a child does not give you sole rights to the sidewalk. When you don’t move, you force me either onto the treaturous, uneven grass {hello, sprained ankle} or out into the unpredictable traffic of the street {hello, car accident}.

3. For those of you behind the wheel, please stop at the actual stop sign before you sneak up to make your right or left turn. Otherwise,  you give me a heart attack because I don’t think you are going to stop AT ALL. And if you are going to be gracious and slow down to let me cross, please indicate this {small hand wave} so we don’t do the will-you-or-won’t-you-hit-me-with-your-car-dance.

4. Going for family walks is cute, and sweet, and I’m happy to see you are actually getting your children outdoors, BUT if you have small toddlers, who aren’t in a stroller, make sure they stay close to you. Trying to dodge the movements of a three-year-old {I’d rather not run them over} is like trying to figure out where a pinball is going to bounce.

5. For the love of you know what, please pick up stuff off the sidewalk in front of your house…bikes, toys, large branches…we’ve had some crazy storms that have blown all sorts of stuff all sorts of place. Get it off the sidewalk! I’m out for a run, not a hurdles event {this white girl can’t jump}.

6. I appreciate that you have to cut your grass, nobody wants to be the creepy-neighbor-whose-grass-is-way-too-long, but try, try, TRY to avoid spraying me with your clippings or asphyxiating me with the exhaust from your 20-year-old mower {BTW, they have actually manufactured lawn mowers since 1979, look into it}.

 Ok, PSA over. Bottom line?

Believe me, we are taking enough shit from our angry, aching joints…

Happy running!

Coincidentally, we had plans to go to my parents house for dinner and drinks. Since it was the sight of our beautiful nuptials, it was extra special to make the short trip across the Bay Bridge to Momma and Poppa McFadden’s. We soaked up the nostalgia and reminisced about what a special day it was. How can the time have gone so quickly?

If you have been reading this blog, you probably know that my parents dock is one of the most special places to me. It’s the sight of many childhood memories, it’s where B proposed, and it provided part of the backdrop for our I Do’s.

On Saturday, the view from the dock, was phenomenal. It really made me stop and appreciate all of the wonderful things in my life. I’m so lucky to have so much to celebrate - another wedding milestone, time spent with my parents, and breathtaking-renews-your-faith-in-the-world-weather.

{Dad’s Mai Thai’s are a staple of any weekend evening spent with my parents}

{Shhh, don’t tell B, but my favorite kisses of the evening came from little, baby Bitsy!}

What do you have to celebrate?

If you’ve been around these parts before, you may recall that I started this little blog as a creative outlet to share my passions {for fitness, running, style, nail polish, you know all the important things} and my journey to find “the recipe for a beautiful life.” In the 10 months I have been posting, a lot has changed and this blog has been such a wonderful way for me to share all the ups and downs, the BS, and the happy stuff along the way. I’ve talked about deciding when to have children, shared some of my wedding, kept you in the loop on my weight loss, and posted about some great trips. Life has been good…

 …and now I have had the most fabulous week. I’ve had the most fabulous past few months really, but it’s all culminated in these past few days. Have you ever stopped and thought for a second “wow, I’ve made it.” Have you ever felt like everything you worked for, all the “dues” you paid, all the blood, sweat, and tears shed, have paid off? That’s how I feel RIGHT NOW.

At 28 – six years into my post-collegiate career, two years into my marriage, and four months into a healthy lifestyle overhaul - I feel like everything is right. All those grad school classes at night, all those past relationship hiccups, all those days I wanted to lie fetal on the floor of the gym {because sometimes it just sucks that bad} were WORTH it…1,000,000 times over!

Is life perfect? Hell no, and it will never be, but I refer you to one of my all time favorite quotes in this situation:

“Think Happy. Be Happy.”

Like I said in this post {aparently I am making a habit of writing sappy, happy posts lately}, positivity is contagious, so take some of mine and run with it!

At the very least go paint your nails a fabulous shade like this one. Never fails to put a smile on my face…

If you are a new reader, thank you for stopping by! I hope you will come back and join in on the fun again!

Have a super fabulous weekend!

Ever since their heartbreaking 1997 post-season run, I have wished, and hoped, to see my beloved Orioles back in October baseball. It has not been in the cards for 14 {FOURTEEN} painful-losing-season-filled years.

Last Thursday, B and I went to the O’s game against the Yankees. Anyone who’s been to a Yankees game at Camden Yards, in the last decade-plus, knows that it can be deadly to root for the home team. You’re often far outnumbered, usually out cheered, and end up leaving embarrassed. Despite all this, we really wanted to go. Not only has this been a great season, but they were unveiling the new Cal Ripken statue, and I couldn’t miss the chance to celebrate my biggest sports hero. So we went…

The ballpark was PACKED like I hadn’t seen in years - packed with a sea of Orange and Black {I think there were 2 Yankees fans in my whole section}. It was MAGICAL {Orioles Magic!}. The atmosphere, and electricity, in the crowd reminded me why I love sports, and baseball, so much. I may have almost lost my sanity when Pedro Strop let the Yanks come back to tie it, but the temporary craziness was so worth it when Adam Jones hit that go-ahead home run. I think I cried. I know I jumped up and down, screamed my fool head off, and high fived every other O’s fan in a 10 foot radius.

Great seats and a beautiful night for baseball!

When I wrote For Love of the Game {Part 1}, after going to Opening Day, I said “everyone is in first place on Opening Day and sometimes baseball dreams do come true.” Well, here we are in September and last Thursday night, I left Camden Yards with my team in first place.

There’s a Pennant race in Baltimore, Hon!

To top it all off, after hundreds of O’s games, I finally got my picture with the Bird! Talk about a dream come true…

Who’s ready for October baseball?

If you follow me on social media you have probably seen me bitch cry talk about my poor, poor strained ankle and post pictures like this beauty…

The tendon that runs down the outer side of my calf and into my foot has had enough. It doesn’t feel like running or jumping anymore.

For the past week and a half I have not been able to do my normal workouts. And. It’s. Been. Rough. I’m not good at “taking it easy.” I’m not good at “resting.” The worst part of the whole thing is I was in SUCH a good place. I was running my fastest times ever.  I was running 10+ miles. I was jump roping like it took no effort at all. Then BAM, I went from ankle…to cankle.

I’ve been worried about what this freaking tendonitis will do not just for my fitness level, but also my weight loss progress/maintenance. You see, after working SO hard to lose all this weight and get to this point, I still haven’t quite wrapped my brain around dropping 4 dress sizes. My mind needs to catch up with my body. Sure, I look in the mirror and see a thin(ner) person. I put on small clothing and it magically fits, but in my head it’s a different story. I still feel like I am one missed run away from rewinding the clock {and the scale} 90 days.

So you can imagine how 10 missed runs must make me feel…anxious…annoyed…fat…hey, I didn’t say these were rational feelings and I can sometimes be slightly dramatic {as evidenced by the title of this post}.

I’ve been trying to take care of my ankle, and as I type this, it is much better, but still not 100%. I miss running. I miss the confidence it gives me. I miss the therapeutic “me time.” I miss seeing the improvement week to week. When I drive past strangers running in my neighborhood, I find myself compelled to roll down the window and yell “appreciate your properly functioning ankles!”  or “I hate you because you can!” or other {borderline} crazy-person outbursts.

For now I’m trying to keep the crazy in check and do the workouts I can {Dear Lord, thank you for creating lap pools}. Big props to my super-rational-minded-can’t-understand-why-I’m-freaking-out husband for putting up with me the last 10 days!

How did you make it through an injury?