Finding balance...

In the months leading up to our wedding, I decided to count macros and really focus on body fat loss and muscle gain, also to lose those last few stubborn pounds to look my best on the big day. I found that counting macros was an incredibly effective way to fine-tune my eating habits and properly fuel my body for workouts... it worked so well that it became sort of an addiction, as I've heard that tends to happen. When something works and you see results, you want to keep seeing those results.

The problem with counting macros is everything for your entire day is mapped out. If someone wants to grab appetizers and drinks after work, well... no-can-do. I've already allotted this many grams of fats, carbs and protein for my day, and that would just throw it off... It was a strict way of eating that just made social gatherings a hazard, and enjoyment often was the sacrifice. But with something as big as a wedding, and looking your absolute best for that big day, friends seemed to understand the sacrifices I was making... as long as they were short term and I was at the very least going to enjoy myself on my wedding day...

My wedding day was amazing and I absolutely ate what I wanted that day and enjoyed every minute of it. Even on my honeymoon I put the calorie count app away and didn't use it the entire time we were in Kauai. We just simply enjoyed healthy foods and some not-so-healthy foods, and made sure to do fun activities that got us the exercise we needed. I managed to maintain my lowest weight (same weight I was on my wedding day) the entire time we were on our honeymoon with little to no effort, and that was a good feeling.

It has been about 3 weeks since we've returned from the honeymoon and with the holidays coming up I am finding myself at a crossroads. Do I start counting macros again and tackle the last 7 lbs during the holiday season? OR do I enjoy myself, possibly putting a few pounds on, but not too many, and try to tackle what I can assume will be the last 10 lbs at the beginning of the year? Enjoying food and time with family without feeling like I'm trapped in a cage of restrictions might be a pretty good way to go, and it's quite possible I can still make healthy choices and not even gain any weight... I just don't think I'm ready for another couple months of super-restricted eating habits that make everyone around me feel awkward and sensitive to my choices.

Counting macros works, and someday I may return to it, but enjoying myself and truly immersing myself in the holidays this year sounds like a good way to go. And who knows, maybe I will find some great healthy holiday recipes to keep me on track without feeling deprived or in a sugar coma! :P

I'm Engaged!!!!!!!

Our San Francisco trip couldn't have gone any better.

Thursday night we arrived at our hotel, got all of our belongings into the room and went to sleep. The following day (Valentines Day) we decided to go for a long run from our hotel in the Fisherman's Wharf to the Golden Gate Bridge. It was such a beautiful day, running along the water watching the fog roll in towards the bridge.

After our run, we got some lunch and went back to the hotel to shower and get ready for the afternoon/evening. Dave had instructed me to get very dressed up because he wanted to take Valentines Day portraits with the Golden Gate in the background.

A few hours later we were all dressed up and ready to go. We drove out over the bridge to our usual "lookout spot" over above Sausalito.... but the fog had completely engulfed the bridge. We could barely even see it when we were driving on it! Dave was extremely disappointed. Me being the (slightly) unsuspecting girlfriend I said "Well, at least we've taken pictures here before... it's not the end of the world!" -- But that didn't stop Dave. He had a plan B, so we drove back over the bridge and to the Palace of Fine Arts - which is equally as stunning.

As the sun was setting, Dave set up his camera and stood next to me for a couple of photos....

Then he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him!!!!!

Of course I said YES.

Let the wedding planning begin!!!

After calling all of our nearest and dearest friends and family, we sent out a few photos showing our pure excitement... and the ring of course!

The fun wasn't even over then. Dave had planned a very romantic dinner on this little island off of Pier 39, where we celebrated our engagement over a bottle of wine, dinner and a delicious chocolate dessert with the cutest message on it....

I could definitely get used to being a fiancé.

This was by far the best day of my life, and I am so thankful that Dave is so well prepared and managed to find a way to document his adorable proposal. I can't wait to become Mrs. Cox!