Death by Fitness Challenge...

It's been nearly two full hours since returning from my spin class and I just realized how out of shape I am - as the soreness begins to creep up to the tips of my fingers! I've also succumbed to the pressures of instagram's #transformationtuesday and have taken body shots of myself (no I will not be posting them - UNLESS I get skinny). But I did decide that added to this 23 days of thankfulness, I should add 23 days of fitness to stop the aging process!

Maybe you, like I, keep saying I'll eat less carbs....

I won't drink anymore..

ok I won't drink during the week...

ok I won't drink alone.....f*ck it, pass the wine.

So instead of cutting all the things I love cold turkey, I will start with at least committing to the gym and more activity. Join me internet friends!  :::in Spartan commander voice::: 

Although in reality, all I want is some cake right now.

Anyway, I am attending an awesome gym (Urge fitness - Ewing, NJ) and 3x a week, I know I will be there for an amazing Zumba, Spin or Dance Party class, but the weekends are the hardest for me to get in some fitness and not reach for a cupcake or a glass of wine.....or both.  So I'm working on this Power of Three thing and since yesterday started the 30 day squat challenge AND 3 mile a day challenge. Now before I get all Richard Simmons on you, let's stay positive.

FYI, youngin's this is Richard Simmons aka god of spandex shorts.

And here is the squat challenge! P.s. the 3 mile challenge can be walking/running.

Hope some of you get started, if not here's my list of the day.

Day #2 - I am thankful for:

1. You- All of 149 of you that bothered to read my first post yesterday. Thank you, you rock.

2. My sister, Madeleine - who without I would have no one to compete against for the most awesome Velez family member. AND who I contemplated leaving off the list again so she'd continue to read posts. 

3. Visine - which I've been addicted to since I started using contacts but now more than ever.

4. My boss - who is really trying to make me a better person.

5. Dinner Service - I'm so blessed to work where they provide me with dinner. I get to go to the gym and come home and scarf a delicious FREE meal.

6. Nic Campbell - Who was the first person to shout me out on my road rage during my first job recruiting. I saw this video yesterday about this crazy road rage battle and have not been able to stop thinking about it. 

7. Avocados - They make my life better. Try these.

8. Makaya Jackson - who despite our distance, always manages to check in with me and make me smile.

9. Renata Ruiz - who unexpectedly came to visit today a midst her busy schedule.

10. Orange is the New Black - which ignited an odd obsession with prison life in me. Yes, I follow her on Twitter and Facebook now. lol

Never did I ever....

Never did I ever, think I'd start blogging again. 

After an entirely too long of hiatus, here I am....starting this up again.

 :::waits for parade::::

It is October 1st and my 30th birthday is 23 days away. And for the last 29 years of my life, I have been so ridiculously spoiled with costume parties, pinatas, hangovers and lots of cake...this year though is it's own beast. I don't know what it is about 30, I actually thought it was going to skip me, but I do feel a slight mid-life crisis approaching.

Suddenly, I'm mourning all the things I didn't do like living abroad in Europe (at 23 I was determined to make that happen) or finishing my Master's (I've been "starting" grad school since age 22) or maybe missing my high school reunion (nah, I never actually thought I'd go to that).

Nevertheless, I realized that work stress, wedding planning stress, money stress, being fat stress could easily make 30 even more daunting. So, I've decided that for the next 23 days, I will not throw a pity party, instead I will be ridiculously thankful for all that has been my last 29 years...and maybe just maybe attempt some good deeds. So because I'm still on an endorphin high from the gym, I'll start with a list.

Day #1 - I am thankful for:

1. Netflix - which is has become my haven.
2. Dance Parties - at my new gym, to remind me how I miss my past life as a Zumba instructor.
3. My Mom - who has learned to pet Alana...a lot.
4. My Fiance, Christian - that I wonder daily if he really knows what he got himself into.
5. My dog, Alana - who is the happiest in the world when u utter the word "walk".
6. My coworker, Ivy - who is planning my wedding for me.
7. My cellphone - which is probably radiating cancer to me, but for now, I can't live without
8. Yelp - because it makes me feel like a VIP.
9. Dove Conditioner - Best smelling and softest hair product ever, especially after the gym.
10. My Dad - who taught me how to put air in a tire via phone yesterday