I was going to wait to bring this up, but that wouldn't feel right and I could use your motivation, so guess what?
We're going to the Arnold! I found out this week that my application was accepted and I'll be competing in the bikini division!
The competition is March 2-5 in Ohio, which is exactly a week before my 30th birthday. I'm pretty excited to send my twenties off in a big way and I'm excited for this prep. Before anyone is concerned about my health and coming off of one prep to start another, don't worry, I have an appointment with my doctor for a full blood panel and check up, but so far no one is concerned. However, we are responsible people, so I'll make sure that my GP is up to date, and maybe I'll try and get bloodwork done at the beginning and end of prep to see what changes occur.
So, why the disappearance for a few days? I found out about the Arnold on Monday or Tuesday, and it kind of hit me like a truck. I don't entirely understand their application process, but I wasn't really thinking I'd be headed to Ohio this year. So, when I got the good news it took a minute to digest. We've also got a lot on our plate with some other future ventures that we are looking into tackling in the next year, and all around I found myself a bit overwhelmed. I can be a basket case of an anxious person, and one of my tactics is to just quietly wait it out, so....that's what I did. I focused on deciding about another prep (which will go through the holidays) and after a few days, I am so frickin' ready to go.
We'll talk more about that for sure, but before this goes too long I wanted to bring up self-care. I am SO bad about self-care, but am getting better, and I encourage you to really look at whether or not you are giving yourself the opportunity to truly relax and recharge, even for a just a few minutes. I know that running outside in the morning, taking bubble baths or just reading a book are all great ways for me to unplug, so I've been trying to incorporate them into my day more often. Kids obviously require a lot of focus, but I also waste a shit ton of my day on my phone, and I'm pretty sure just the brightness alone makes me grumpy.So, I'm going to work on reducing phone use around the family, while upping my reading of books around Ryker, and I mean the one's with no pictures. My little copycat wants to do everything we do, so I figure I'll let him see me doing more reading, we'll spend more of our days on outdoor walks. Improving my flexibility will only help my posing, I'll also be trying to increase my time spent on recovery, with RomWod, stretching and rolling out with my foam roller.
I like that a new prep is kind of like a New Year, I've got resolutions and all. But who needs a new program or a New Year for that? It's a new Thursday! Yay! Now decide on even just the tiniest of things that you'll commit to improving for yourself. Be gentle with yourself.
On the note of being gentler, I have to bring up the cutest little addition to our home!
My dear friend, Christi, is the only person besides Vic, and at points even more than Vic, she has the ability to look at me and say something and I know the words are so true and are coming from somewhere so special. She was there for the birth of both of our children, and her support and love leading up to their births and afterwards will make her a part of the Kassel Family forever and always.
When I was in a truly crazy labor with Cora, she offered some lavender oil for my belly to help during contractions, and I LOVED it. I buy essential oil lotions, essential oil bath bubbles and so on...but I've never just bought essential oils because of the price. Christi had a special going with a $25 gift card, and so I finally jumped aboard and got myself a starter kit with Young Living. I've been diffusing their Christmas Spirit oil, until I remembered how amazing Peppermint can be for your overall mindset, so I decided to do Peppermint Oil with just a bit of the Christmas Spirit. Just imagine the minty, cheerful uplifting scent of peppermint mixed with oranges, cinnamon and spruce. Dude. I'm a total sucker for plug-ins around the house, but this has changed the ball game. I'm really excited to learn more about Thieves and using it around the house. Is Crunchy Christina coming back? I think so! I'd greatly appreciate any insight on oils you may have!
And finally, I always share the links and codes for the awesome companies that I'm working with. Considering we'll be traveling to Ohio for the Arnold, and that I'll be working with my Coach and all, my relationships with 1st Phorm, DedFit and YoungLiving are that much more exciting for me. If you've been considering any of their products or haven't taken a chance to look yet, please do! And please let me know if you have any questions about anything! Shout out to my hubby for being so supportive and damn near losing his mind with pride and happiness when he found out I was going to compete at the Arnold. He's pushed me to get involved and follow my dreams, and we're doing it, friends!
I promise to speak to you again soon, I won't disappear! Thank you for all of your support!
1stphorm.com/christina for free shipping and the supplements that keep me on track! (Current obsession, cinnamon cookie batter Level1 or the lemonade BCAA's mixed with vanilla Phormula1 and Ignition!)
dedfitshop.com use the code Christina for 10% off the comfiest clothes, EVER! The all black line is super legit.
youngliving.com It's easier (and cheaper!) to sign up to order oils as a distributor!
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