Decorating. Travel. Fitness.

I've been in my new home for 1 month now - and it's incredible!  Brian surprised me with some awesome decorations for my wall, which we hung up yesterday, so I am all set now.

Everything feels warm and happy - I couldn't imagine a more perfect place to be.

1 week ago, Yessica and I bought our tickets to Italy when prices took a HUGE dip!  We are leaving in just over 5 months - wow!  Flying into Rome, and exploring as much of Italy as possible.  My family has a ton of history there, so I am looking forward to seeing and learning more about that.

I'm also on my fitness like crazy!  Brian and I are on this journey together, so we started our own wee fitstagram:  @Brilea_fit - Yes, couples IG accounts are a little lame, but this helps keep both of us accountable, and motivated - so we are lame together.  haha.  I switched from doing online training at The Dungeon because I found I was just making excuse after excuse to not go in - so this is my first week back to normal in-gym training and I haven't missed a session yet!  Even more exciting, is that I am seeing some major changes in my body - and still getting stronger.  A few months ago, we started assisted muscle-ups using a false grip and resistance bands to help get up there.  One of the resistance bands I had been using broke during another session - leaving two instead of three.  I thought that would be it until Jamie brought in another one - but she had other plans.  Instead of stopping there, she had me try with the 2 bands.  I couldn't even kind of get up there.  Haha.  I was failed time after time and it all felt completely pointless - until one time, when I was finally able to get my arm up.  Within 2 weeks, I got my other arm up - and was finally able to start pulling myself up!  I'm not lifting myself all the way up at this point, but I am closer than I ever have been before.  I feel strong - and I feel confident.

So - here is to adventures and major changes!  I am declaring right here that I've remembered why I started this journey, and I am determined to make the next 8 weeks incredible as I fight my way towards the fitness level I'd like to be at.  Going from this to being healthy is just that; it's a fight. - It is a decision each day to prep my meals, drink a gallon of water, say no to the thing I am craving - unless it's a cheat meal - and to make each scheduled workout!

With the huge amount of support and love from my trainer - Jamie, Team Dungeon, my fantastic boyfriend, and from amazing friends like Kaite (seriously follow her on IG @fromchubba2hubba), Juanita, Toni, and my giiiirl Jessica - I know that I can rock this out - exactly as I have in the past.

I look forward to checking in with you guys each week to let you know how I'm doing as well.

I'd also like to thank all of you for following my journey over the past few years.  Life has changed a ton - but it is so incredibly beautiful. <3

In other news - blue whales are so enormous that a human being could swim through their largest veins. (Check out more cool facts here).

-jennilea

My New Home < 3

A 500 square ft. studio apartment is my new home!  Yep - I took that step to get my first place all on my own.  I moved in almost a week ago (taking me 1 day to fully unpack), and I love it more than I ever thought I would.

With the help of my older sister, Nicoleon, I was able to decorate it so nicely!  She also gave me the brilliant idea to remove the doors from my huge closet so I could put a bed in and BOOM: I've got a bedroom.  As you enter the studio, I have a pretty nicely sized living area where there is a very clear dining section just next to the kitchen - which is also perfectly sized!  I have a fire place, which is way fancy.  Puppy loves it too; He is also becoming a bit of a guard dog.  Not vicious by any sense of the word, but when people even pass the door, he runs up to it - occasionally barking too.  I thought this would be something I hate, but it really gives me an even greater sense of safety.

My boyfriend is actually pretty close by too.  In fact, he lives just two buildings down!  Talk about saving gas money!  Haha.  I am also much closer to work - cutting my commute down by 10-15 minutes.

Overall, I really love my new home.  It's clean all the time - and I am able to meal prep without my tupperware going missing.  I also only purchased meal plan appropriate items, to guarantee I have no other options.  I am doing super well with this whole fitness thing these days.

Other fun things - Cobie turned 1 on April 25th.  He was freshly groomed and enjoyed a piece of puppy birthday "cake" to celebrate!  Every day I love this pup even more.  He is a super genius and just amazes me with how quickly he picks things up.  His latest trick being "roll over."

Last update has to do with running!  I got super into running a few years ago - and I'm back at it again!  Brian and I have started the Couch to 5k running program.  We are in week 2 and nailing it!  Today, I am going to begin tracking our distance.  I am so excited to see the progress we make - and to get back up to running 7+ miles!

Lots of fun new things to look forward to in life.  :]

In other news: May 29th is National Put Your Pillow On Your Refrigerator Day!  I trust you will all be celebrating accordingly on this day.
(For other fun holidays, click here.)

-jennilea