Fall-fornia

If you're a Californian than you know our falls are different than most states. Typically we spend September and most of October pretending it's as chilly as other states but in all actuality it is ,like today, 80 degrees and definitely shorts weather. We have a couple cooler days around high 60s and low 70s and you'll catch us in a sweater or flannel trying to get the most out of the season and saying brr. But we have our yearly rituals that makes it as fall as it can possibly be. Obviously dressing up the porch to seem nice and cozy. This year since the kids are getting older I am trying to get more into decorating for Halloween. I found some purple string lights and got some command hooks to hang them in the front door window and then added some bat stickers to make it more spooky. We've taken our yearly trip to the pumpkin farm, picked and carved our pumpkins and have them already to be lit up for the holiday. And then we have a beautiful array of fall-esque pumpkins to stay thru Thanksgiving as well. This is definitely my favorite time of the year, there is just something so heart warming about being cuddled up and cozy on the couch and having all the ones you love aside you.

The meals in fall are just so much more indulging as well. Theres nothing like a nice bowl of soup or something baked in the oven. Tonight we are having a taco bake. So instead of the ordinary tacos, I will be mixing the grout beef with some tomatoes, peppers and cheese and baking it together in the oven to do on top of tacos. For myself I will just be having them on lettuce but it is still going to be so tasty. Fall is also a time for me that I can really hammer down on my diet. For some reason summer was real rough for me this year. As some of you know, I have been on a weight loss journey since having Easton 3 years ago. I lost a significant amount of weight and had the best will power when it came to my lifestyle. You'd never catch me slipping on my "diet" because it was more than a diet to me...it was just the way I lived. I did super strict keto until the holidays last year (which has never been an issue for me in the past). I think I just got comfortable with myself, I was so happy...I went from a size 16 pant to a size 4 and started to ease up on my restrictions that I'd given myself. One thing led to another and next thing I knew I was eating all the carbs and was right back in my old ways of just not knowing when to stop. I don't ever measure any of my success by weight because a number will never show my hard work. Ive worked out 4-5 days a week consistently (minus the 2 weeks I had the rona) for 3 years and it really shows. So needless to say, I am working on regaining my motivation to stay on track with my eating because the depressive state food puts me in is just not worth it. Being healthy, having energy, and feeling good in my own skin is much more than the short term satisfaction from food. If you are reading this and you're thinking "Oh, its just one more meal, one more serving, one more cheat..I will start tomorrow" LET THIS BE YOUR MOTIVATION. I enjoy looking cute in fall clothes more than I do in summer clothes...ANY SEASON is a great season to love yourself. Why wait? Keto isn't for you? That's ok too...find something that is and stick with it. Be the best version of YOU and love every minute of it.

2020 effected us all in so many ways, it's gotten so many of us down for some reasons we may not even know...but what I know is that we can get ourselves back up. We can be better than we once were. Finding happiness sometimes takes a little effort. Get outside, read a book, lift some weights, TAKE A BATH. Whatever it is, find that piece of you that you've been missing and love every second. Life is far too short.

I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13