My story

So, who wears sneakers and fingerpaints??

Hi, I'm Kat & I'm just your average [just entered her 30s] gal trying to balance a full time job, semi-healthy eating, exercise, a hubby, friends, family, and fingerpainting. I don't have any kids yet except this guy..but technically he's 77 so he's really not a kid?. ..

Jaeden the super pug!

I'm a newlywed, just married on 5.5.12, who met my hubs at the gym, go figure! We decided on a destination wedding to Sandals- Grande Antigua and enjoyed our honeymoon there...I seriously wanted to never come back! Now, we're enjoying our newly married life... & dodging the ol' "so, when are the kids comin'?" as best we can.

Overlooking the English Harbour in Antigua

Our Weddingmoon in Antigua was fabu!

(profesh photos by the awesome Reid @12-1 photography)

Our last night in Antigua - happy but sad face

As far back as I can remember, I've been an art nut who loves to do anything as long as it involves creativity. I have more of an affinity for bright, poppy colors, and anything modern. I went to school and received a degree in Graphic Design (insert "ya-hoo!") but ended up graduating 1 month post-9/11, boo...and didn't persue that as a career. I've continued enjoying contemporary art...I realized that I couldn't keep up with the digital world (nor do so financially since I'm not a baller-baller) so I stick to contemporary art .. painting with acrylics, using charcoal and pencil, and dabblin' with water colors when I feel froggy. I enjoy doing it freelance for local art shows and also for commissioned pieces as well. (you can see my work in the art tab link ;)

Me at my first art show[ing] circa 2008

My family (shot by my brother)

Keeping fit isn't easy...you just have to balance fitness with eating right atleast 80% of the time and you're golden! [insert lightbulb moment.] I make sure to workout atleast 5-6 days a week and incorporate running, crosstraining, and stretching/yoga throughout the week. I am currently focused on training towards 6 consecutive half marathons starting in November and then I'll see about contemplating a full mary in 2013. (I said "I'll see" ;)

Rewinding a bit: Like many people, I've yo-yo'ed through the years with diets, quick fixes and different workouts that were supposed to 'work.'

I've been down the road of fat burners and get-fit-quick diets that would work at first, and then L-B's would just back back on. I ended up discovering that doing it the hard way, the healthy way, though proper eating and working out was KEY! I haven't felt as fit and healthy as I do now and it was all from hard work and remaining active along with watching my food intake and enjoying splurges here and there (not regularly.) There was no quick-fix or magic pill. Once I realized that and did it all naturally, it all came together and I've maintained being healthy/fit for the past 2 years most recently.

I stay motivated with other bloggers who have been through my kind of journey along with fitness personalities like Shaun T who push me to do my very best....and to know that my very best is sometimes harder to reach but attainable!

Before: 2008 After: wedding day 2012

Before: 2009 After: 2012

After: Lil miss active

My lessons-learned that got me into shape:

1) You get what you give - if you want to be able to do 10 minute workouts twice a week you might see small results but not really much. If you put a lot more into your workouts, you'll get it back tenfold!
2) You have to change things up every once in a while - your body will plateau and when it does, you need to change things up! Find a new workout: TRX, Crossfit variations, Insanity, plyometrics, running, spinning, step...there's so much to choose from! Even DVD versions!
3) You can cheat, just not every day - ice cream isn't a good daily dessert, but good maybe once every month or so
4) Substitute versus giving up: I made sure to substitute fro yo instead of ice cream...almond milk instead of regular milk...crystal light instead of Tang...you can't take it all away or you'll feel completely cheated with no reward in sight!
5) Make it fun! Get outside and do things with your peeps! It can be a dodgeball fight or swimming in springs, multi task and enjoy QT while getting fit!

Now my addiction is being active and if that keeps me healthy, then I'll take that over all of the other things I could be doing any day! I find happiness through appreciating all the life and love God has given me and know that he's given me this chance to tell my story and help others in any way I can (this goes for art too.) I just know that if I can do it, being 25+ lbs overweight, smoking and with asthma...and turn into what I have today, anyone who wants to put in the effort can definitely do it!

Me, now

I've been running off and on and just became semi-serious about it with 6 half marathons being done in 6 months and moving on to a full marathon this year! I'm also asthmatic, which has proven to be a challenge for me, but I have worked to be sure I manage it well and push myself without it impacting that condition. Since Gasparilla, I've humbled up and am now focused on training & breathing right!

I'm also studying to take my NASM Certified Personal Trainer exam this summer so that I can pursue that avenue with fitness and help motivate others to live a healthier and fit life - as injury-free as possible!

I just keep running, and running, and running...

This blog is a place for me to insert my inner brain chatter & keep myself accountable for my workouts, eating habits, living life to its fullest and even finishing art projects that I need to get done. Hopefully I can make others laugh and think and pass on things I've learned along the way (versus the hard way.) I look forward to meeting new peeps online and in real life that share the same interests and passions. Maybe my story might ignite motivation within others; I know that if I can come from where I was before and be where I am now, anybody can, for reals!