5 Reasons to Run

It is snowing today, like accumulation of 1-3 inches snowing. Unfortunately this weather is bringing my spirits down too, I mean, there one can only handle so many pictures of a snow-covered rotunda in March!

That being said, this snow is not going to change when beach week happens or the fact that I am not confident traipsing around in a bikini right now. Since that's still the case and I am pretty sure I am not alone in this (aka I've already had countless conversations about this topic with friends and sorority sisters), I am going to start a bit of a Project Fit campaign for myself because those two half marathons aren't going to run themselves! My exercise routine is going to focus primarily on running, but I will add in other exercises as well so that the plan is more well-rounded.

I am focusing on running because I do want to run two half marathons by October, and also because there are so many benefits to running!

ONE: Strong Muscles

There is no doubt that running is a great workout. This is especially helpful if the area of your body that you aren't comfortable with is your lower half (like me!). If you run outdoors, work towards getting to a point where you embrace running hills!

TWO: Weight Loss

You will absolutely shed some weight when you run. However, if the scale doesn't always reflect this, don't worry. Look in the mirror! As you get in better shape, the fat will turn into muscle and we all know that muscle is denser (weighs more) than fat!

THREE: Disease Prevention

Running brings down your blood flood, makes your heart healthier, boosts your immune system, and can even reduce your chance of some cancers. It's sort of like a jumpstart for your body that is 100% natural and healthy

FOUR: Stress Relief

Exercise releases endorphins, Elle Woods taught us that. Going for a run can help relieve stress and put you in a better mood. If you've ever gone for a good run, I am sure you've felt a "runner's high," that euphoric feeling that comes after a run. I know, it sounds weird, but it's a real thing and it becomes addicting.

FIVE: Time To Think

I love running because I get to clear my head, listen to music and just be lost in myself. I have always preferred running alone, though I enjoy running with friends too. If you're someone who is busy all the time, scheduling in 45 minutes to go for a run can provide you with a nice break from hectic life and it will help relieve stress, it's a win-win!

Who else is getting in shape this Spring? I'd love to know what y'all are doing so I can keep up with your journey, too!

xoxo,

SSP

Overcoming Embarrassment

To have embarrassing moments is to be human. It shows that you've lived a bit and stumbled (sometimes literally) along the way. The trick is to take those moments in stride and not worry about them, to overcome that situation and move on with your life. 

 I am an expert living through these situations. Without a doubt, I am one of the biggest klutzes I know and I definitely say the wrong thing or end up in an awkward situation more often than I'd like to. This wouldn't be a problem if I could simply move on, but I really struggle with that. Seriously, I am up writing this post at 12:42am because I couldn't sleep thinking about one of these situations. So what did I do? I grabbed my phone and discovered that a quick google search had no good solutions. Come on internet, someone has to have a guide for getting over this! Then I realized, I am totally capable of doing it on my own and so is everyone else. Sure I can get caught up in the emotion and what I perceive to be embarrassment that should result in me moving to the Arctic or at least transferring colleges, but that doesn't have to happen. Just follow a couple of easy steps to getting over your anxiety:

has this happened to you? keep reading...

1. Keep your head high: I tend to kind of burrow in my shell when faced with an uncomfortable situation. If you can keep going as if nothing happens, people will think nothing has happened...the power of perception, people!

2. Laugh it off: You are not the first nor the last to be in a situation like the one you're in, regardless of what it is. Think of it as you would if your friend was in that position, chances are, it is probably comical and/or ironic that this happened.

3. Own it: Guess what? It happened. Whatever it is that you are running over a million times in your head will not change if you keep thinking about it, so don't. Move on with your life and focus on more important things like, who's gonna win Juan Pablo's heart on The Bachelor.

4. You aren't that important: One more thing, this is a big deal to you, but probably not to anyone else. And if they really have the time to dedicate to thinking about the awkward situation- a) they need to pick up a new hobby b) they're just as awkward c) you thinking about it, doesn't change it.

just because this is adorable

Seriously, this happens to all of us. This is the third consecutive semester that I have had a class and discussion (actually, techincally this semester we have a once-a-week intensive seminar) with one guy and I literally just learned his name in class today (yesterday? most of y'all are probably asleep while I'm writing this). The best part? He didn't know mine either. See, it was a quick awkward name exchange and then we moved on with our lives. So move on with your life, awkward as it may be, and live it to the fullest without caring about how others are judging you! Disclaimer: I mean judge you for being awkward, this is not an excuse to give up showering or be a b**ch 24/7.

So, live life, embarrassing moments and all. How do y'all overcome embarrassing situations?

xoxo,

SSP

2014 Resolutions

Happy 2014, y'all!!!

I hope everyone had an amazing time on New Year's Eve, I know I had...great plans. Yeah, unfortunately, I was too tired to go out when the time came so I ended up introducing my momma to "North and South" (that miniseries I watch on repeat) and spent the night cuddling with Luther, my black lab.

Now I am back at school to take a J-Term class on Political and Social Thought in Modern China and then recruitment and spring classes will start right after that. Sometimes I wish I'd take a breather, but I don't regret this at all!

I promised a post of my New Year's Resolutions and the delayed posting of them has given me some time to think. Self-improvement is necessary and healthy, but it can be hard to do, and sometimes we overcommit (story of my life). My resolutions are pretty big picture, seeing as I do have a 22 by 22 list to follow as well. So, without further ado, here are my 2014 resolutions, let's see if I can stick with them!

1) take a "me day" once a month

  This may seem small picture, but in fact it is not. The only way that I will maintain my sanity and still get to do everything I want to do is to understand when to let go. This can be a day of watching TV in my pajamas, going to get coffee with a friend, or just doing whatever it is that I want to do that day. I sometimes get the chance to decompress at night, but planning this once a month will hopefully prevent me from burning out.

2) be more positive

I think this one is directly linked to my exercise (and therefore #3) and these attitudinal changes tend to be harder to implement. Essentially, I just need to more consciously think good thoughts and try to reduce stress...both of which will be aided by exercise.

3) be smart about exercise

I want to run more and further, therefore I need to be realistic about my feet. I have several problems with them and while I can still run, I need to train smarter. Adding in some other cross-training exercises would be great too. This is less of a commitment to exercising as it is to doing it in a healthy way that prevents me from hurting myself and my progress.

4) finish my 22 by 22 list!

This is self-explanatory and I will be so happy once I've done it.
5) be confident in myself

I am definitely one to worry about how people perceive me and I wish that wasn't always the case. This year I really want to work on what I talked about in this post and focus on being happy with who I am and what I have. There is always room for improvement, but writing this down is definitely going to be a helpful reminder.

6) build my blog

I have come to really love blogging over this past year and while I definitely fail to give it as much attention as I could, so I am going to try that now. On that note, there are no words to thank you enough for your support and for reading my blog this past year!!!

I am planning to write these down somewhere and frame them or something so that I am reminded of them and how much I want to accomplish them. If anyone has any solutions for a way to remind myself, I would love to hear them! What are your resolutions?

xoxo,

SSP

Preparing to Resolve

I am writing this post while watching the Clippers game on Christmas night and y'all will be reading it when I am crammed in a car like a sardine on my way up to Utica. I guess a blogger just has to prep some blog posts whenever she gets a chance right? On the note of the NBA, I just don't see how these short-sleeve jerseys are comfortable for the guys to wear...and they certainly aren't attractive. Anyways...

With the new year coming up around the corner, it is that time of the year where we make promises that we tend to forget about halfway through January. Why is it that we struggle so hard to make realistic resolutions each year? Well, I am no expert, but I have some ideas as to why I tend to mess them up and here are some guidelines to make a few resolutions that will actually stick this year.

{via}

Make it...

1. Realistic: It seems so simple, but it is so important. You will not suddenly have time to make it to the gym every day this year, so don't try it. Try for 3-4 times a week and if it is looking like you can go more often, then increase it!

2. Meaningful: If you aren't super committed, you won't do it. It takes 30 days to make a habit, and if you are approaching that in a nonchalant manner, it will show, and your goal won't be accomplished.

3. Okay to Mess Up: We all hiccup now and then so roll with the punches. The reason you are making this resolution is because you are trying to improve yourself and no one said it was going to be easy.

4. A Conscious Effort: Don't forget about your goals. Write it down or reflect on it at night. Do something to get yourself thinking about this goal.

5. A Reality: You can do it! As long as you are making a goal that you can both achieve and one that you care about, it will happen with a little determination. No one said it was going to be easy, but it will be worth it.

Personally, I am starting to work on my list of goals now. I think that 3 is a reasonable limit. I already have my 22 by 22 list to accomplish by October, but my goals for New Years this year are going to be a bit more substantial than cooking certain foods or buying pajamas :)

What are your goals? Any goal making tips I should add?

xoxo,

SSP

22 by 22

HI! I'm 21 today!!!! I really wanted to do something for my 21st that would be meaningful to me and so I decided that I would take a page from Mackenzie Horan and do a list. Now mine is not quite as intense as her 101 in 1001, but I thought a 22 by 22 would be a good idea. Anyways, I am posting it here and later this week I will add a tab to the blog so that y'all can keep up with my progress.

turning 21 with some of my favorite ladies at Gold Cup

1. Get in Shape

2. Read 13 books just for fun

3. Feel like I've made a difference in my community

4. Manage money and balance my budget for the rest of the year

5. Hold a conversation in Spanish with a Native speaker

5. Learn to fly fish

7. Consign some old clothing (use money made towards #22)

8. Figure out my favorite "big girl" drink

9. Get a pajama set 

10. Develop a daily routine

11. Host a dinner party

12. Spend a Day Downtown (in DC)

13. Hike Old Rag (traumatic experience last time I did this when I was 12...)

14. Read Anna Karenina (it will happen one of these days)

15. Make 10 pinterest recipie dishes

16. Snail Mail Coorespondence

17. Make business cards

18. Blog 4 times/week

19. Raise $1000 for Relay for Life

20. Make an at-home face mask

21.Visit a friend at a different college

22. Put $10 in savings every time I check one off and then invest in something I love for my 22nd Birthday 

Do any of you have a list?

xoxo,

SSP

Back To School Resolutions

Oh right...I blog. Sorryyyyy for my absence but life has been crazy busy. There is just something about the first week of class that demands you to have no free time and as many coffee dates and meetings as humanly possible. Seriously, my little and I were texting about getting lunch and she went to one place four times since classes have started...craziness!
Anyways, this hectic schedule got me thinking. Being involved is great and I totally encourage everyone to do it. I actually am working on a new outlook this year. Obviously my transition to UVA was tough and I didn't throw myself into the experience as much as I wished I had and now I am aiming to make up for lost time. 
Get involved, meet people, develop relationships, take classes you are interested in and love college. I realize that sentence sounds simple, but until you don't work on it, you really have no appreciation for how crucial those steps are.

First day of my 3rd Year!!!

yeah, roomie and I match...casual

I am planning to be busier, more active, and happier this year. I believe in New Year's Resolutions, but I also believe that resolutions are a personal thing that can come around at any time. This year I am making a couple for myself based on the academic calendar and I encourage everyone to do the same:

Sugar Snap Pearls' Resolutions:

Raise $1000 for Relay for Life

Run 2 half-marathons (messed up feet are a no-go for the full thing)

Give back to the community through service

Learn conversational Spanish

Become more fiscally responsible

Blog 4x a week...yay

Get my class reading done ahead of time

Make a firm academic/future plan

Finish decorating the apartment!!!

What are your school year resolutions?

xoxo,

SSP