HELLO December
Why HELLO December!?!?! I feel like I say it every month, but I’ll say it again…Where is time going? I swear that time did not go this fast when I was younger. Maybe it’s old age..maybe it’s just that life is really good…whatever it is sometimes I feel like it is flashing by and I have no way of making the moments slow down. Anyone else?
Christmas is a few weeks away…2023 is right behind it…This month is always A LOT whether it is with travel, family, food, the booze, parties, and of course the holidays. It can be a stressful and emotional time for a lot of people, so it is important this month to continue to take care of yourself. For me, I stay on track emotionally and physically, but just doing me, like I do every other month of the year, but also give myself a lot of GRACE too, because this month is always a little more indulgent than others, so I do my best to just let go of my usual control and be present and live life, because Christmas has always been so important to me and my Dad. I’ve already cried once, when my Mom sent photos of the decorated house in Nantucket…LOL! The same decorations have been up since I was a baby and it just brings up all the emotions!
But I’m ready for it all, because I do love this time of year! I also love the start of a new month and one especially that is filled with festivity, holiday parties, good food, silly too sugary holiday cocktails. There is a lot of fun to be had! So let’s enjoy it…let’s celebrate it all…let’s GO!
GUT HEALTH
My gut has been a mess and it is beyond FRUSTRATING! Over the past month or so, I feel like it is rebelling against me! There has been a lot of bloating and constipation and it has been making me feel miserable, which has also been affecting my skin and overall well-being. Lately, I just haven’t felt pretty in my own skin, so I am working on getting that beautiful, glowing, happy Katie back. It all starts from the inside, so it’s time to dive deep into the root of my gut and get her functioning right again.
When your gut isn’t functioning properly it can make things a little icky, so I have been doing a lot of research, watching what I eat and what is making me feel good and not feel good, trying to give myself some grace, stress less, eat more, move daily, being open to try new things, and reaching out to the professionals.
My gut health is so IMPORTANT to me, especially after all the damage I put it through from years of restriction and over-exercising. I know that with some hard work and professional advice I will get back to feeling myself, so I have faith and I am going to trust the process. Stay tuned, because I do love to talk about my gut and my health journey, because I know that I am NOT alone with these issues.
WORKOUTS
Nothing new to report here…
I am getting stronger and lifting heavier weights while at the gym. That strength feels DAMN good!
I am walking the most I have ever walked. Walking is SO underrated! Those beach walks with Lucy are my meditation and I truly enjoy every minute of it.
I still go to The Works at least three times a week and damn do these workouts feel good! If I am feeling extra energized or don’t want to be in the cooler temperatures, I may do 4 classes a week, but I have learned from the past that too much of it can really leave me drained.
Also working on trying to get out and run more! The weather has been so beautiful and when I do run it feels fantastic, so I am trying to come up with a plan, or even sign up for a race to keep me motivated, but I am not sure what I want yet, so that is up in the air and I run when I want to run.
BOOKS
It’s been a while since I have read a bad book, but lately my luck has not been good. THREE books in a row that were MEH. How is that possible? They were either too long, too short, the storyline was weak, I could go on, but instead I will just give you the three that I read and did NOT like!
Please also note that I am also one who does not give up on a book. It is really hard for me to quit one when I am even 50 pages into it, so I suffer through it until the end. I always hope the course of the book will change…sigh!
I am now currently reading Home Front by Kristin Hannah, who has ALWAYS been a favorite of mine. Her books are just so well written, emotional, fulfilling, and just good, so I am hoping this one goes as well as her others. Stay tuned…
FOOD
Oh the food…I will be honest with you and say that I am going through one of those phases where I am bored with food and yet also frustrated with food, because it’s been wreaking some havoc on my tummy, so I am trying to figure out the root of the cause! I am working on eating a variety of foods…less nut butters (because they can really plug you up), more fiber, more protein, more of the foods that can help things move along! I also realize that I am still trying to control things, so I need to let go and just be! For a control freak like me, this is sometimes easier said than done, but I am working on it.
But with that being said, I received a very generous and delicious package from Simply Grass Fed and I have been making some delicious meals with their products! I love meat as you know and it is an easy way for me to get a lot of protein, especially when it is sourced right. Simply Grass Fed beef is pasture raised and 100% grass fed and finished. It's free of GMOs, hormones, and antibiotics, so basically, you are eating the most natural beef a small farm can produce!
You can check out the recipe for this “Simple Deconstructed Burger Plate” HERE!
WEDDING PLANNING
It’s FINALLY happening and slowly but surely the pieces are coming together one day at a time! We are officially 156 days away from our wedding. I promise to write more about this next week, because a post about our relationship and engagement is something I have been wanting to do for a long time, but the timing never really felt right, so I didn’t force it. But now it feels right, so I am going to open up about it and see what happens!
I know that I am in the social media business and this space is always about sharing and being open about ALL THE THINGS, but my relationship with Shannon has been kind of hush hush. Yes, I do a lot of lovey dovey posts about us, but I have never told our story, just talked about US, and what the future looks like for us as we plan a wedding. I think I am a little scared, superstitious, and maybe even feeling a little bit vulnerable about it. To me it’s very emotional, but the timing feels right to spill the beans!
Let’s get in the Christmas spirit and have some fun this month!
xoxo
