Milestones and the Journey Awaiting...

Last week my husband and I celebrated 5 years of marriage together. The past 5 years have been some of the best so far in my life! I feel more whole and complete than ever before. What is sad to me is throughout the first 3-4 years of our marriage I couldn't tell you how much negativity I encountered regarding marriage. Now don't get me wrong, I think the people who were sharing the negativity, didn't exactly realize they were being so pessimistic. Just a few examples of some of the things I've heard:
"Oh you just wait until after the first year when the honey moon stage wears off!"
"How long have you been married? Oh just wait until the 3 year mark! You may not be so happy then"
"Oh man 5 years is when it gets bad, just wait til you get to that 5 year mark!"
"Add a kid in the mix and tell me how happy you are"
"Oh, you're married?...are you happy?"

It is so disheartening to hear so many people speak this way, it wasn't just a few people here and there, I got a comment like this at least twice/week while working at the gym coming into contact with so many people. I also have friends who are terrified to get married because they are told to "settle" because they are no longer 20 years old. Who put an age on when one can marry? whether you're 19 or 65 don't ever settle for anyone less than who God has for your life. I am no expert on marriage, but I do know that there are so many moving parts. You have to be 100% in it. Some say its a 50/50 relationship, I truly believe its 100/100. People say "you're not the person I married", I honestly hope I'm not the person my husband married 5 years ago. I would hope that in the last 5 years we have grown together, changed together, matured together and grown to love and respect one another even more.  In the back of my mind I've been "waiting" for that HUGE fight everyone says I'll have eventually, and who knows maybe we will, but for right now, it hasn't happened yet. When you hold an open line of communication with your spouse you are setting yourself up for success. I have been so blessed to have had so many positive role models in my life when it comes to marriage and parenting. All you can do is your very best and keep striving to be better and better each day.

Now back to fitness right!? Our anniversary consisted of a solid gym date followed by lunch, a nice long walk, some cheesecake factory cheesecake and ended with some rented movies and our fluffy couch while Dakota was in daycare. We planned our day to allow for whatever we wanted to eat, but not before we got a solid lift session in. Now I'm not saying be strict and go binge, that is not a healthy practice. Eat what you want, but in moderation. I crave cheese its, cheesecake and pizza just like everyone else, but it is not something that will get me where I want to be. I can't eat whatever I'm craving and complain I still look the same. Make the conscious decision to move forward, take control of your body and your health. Gain the confidence you need to uplift yourself and others and realize it takes time. Justin and I decided to extend our clean eating challenge for the unforeseeable future while scheduling a cheat meal every 10 days. It isn't sensible to give myself a fitness/weight goal and only give myself 2 weeks to get there. It took longer than 2 weeks to put it on, so its going to take longer than 2 weeks to get it off. When you take the time to eat right and exercise you're going to change your body for the long term. there are no quick fixes. A friend of mine sent me a quote today that I will leave with you. This can pertain to any goal you have, fitness or non-fitness. No one can force you to make the right decision. Only you can.