It's okay to take a break, but feels great to be back in the game.

Hey all! After a long (and much needed) break over the holidays, I'm back!

I took this holiday season as an opportunity to focus more on friends, family, and food than getting into the gym. Sometimes it's not all about working out, but more about moderation and priorities - and that's okay!

I have no more dearly-loved holidays than Thanksgiving and Christmas. I. Love. Food. I love holiday food! It's one of those times of the year where I get to enjoy things that are typically not part of my diet.
Oven roasted turkey, super creamy mashed potatoes, spinach dip, clam dip, buffalo dip, so many dips it's unreal! Love me a good dip.

When I first started my journey, I was strictly counting calories. I needed to! At that point, I was wholly uneducated in accurate caloric intake and what my body needed. It's okay to calorie count in the beginning. It gives you an idea of your ideal portion sizes, meals per day, etc. Once you get the hang of things, it's easier (and faster) to eyeball things. Everything in moderation! That was the idea this holiday season.

After each holiday meal I noticed something. I didn't have as much on my plate as years past. I wasn't going back for seconds...or thirds...or fourths (oh yeahhh). I knew what my body needed, and that consisted of delicious home-cooked meals from grandma's secret recipes, surrounded by family and great conversation. I was happy, I was full, and I didn't feel restricted. My moderation was becoming my norm.

Except for clam dip. That sh*t's like crack. Don't even try to make me limit my clam dip intake. I only make it once a year, and all rules are off once I have a bag of kettle cooked potato chips in my hand.

Long story short. I made it through the holidays without feeling like I've lost all the progress I made. Sure, I didn't make it to the gym, but the gym's not going anywhere. I didn't dedicate myself to exercise like I have in months past, but that's okay. I spent time with loved ones, they were my priority. Instead of counting reps or calories, I loosely moderated what was going on my plate without thinking about it to much.

And guess what? Going back to the gym this month wasn't as scary as it once was. In fact, I now feel more in charge of myself than ever. KT and I are back in the swing of things in the weight room...weather permitting. Currently covered in snow and the roads are crap! Michigan winter is upon us.

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday season!