Self Employment || Week 1!

Where do I even start?

The past seven days have been a whirlwind. I'm trying to live in the present moment, pay extra attention to my emotions, remind myself that it's ok to be a beginner, and document this new transition as much as possible via iPhone pics, Instagram, and good old fashioned journaling because I know it's something I'll want to look back on once I've made it through to the other side.

Friday, August 29th was my last day working full-time at the zoo. I put in my two months notice back in June, so it's not like the day snuck up on me, but it was still unsettling and bittersweet to leave my coworker-friends and the department I called home for almost a year and a half. I'd like to say that I drove out of the parking lot for the last time in a riot of glory, with fireworks and a Beyonce power anthem blasting on the stereo, but it was more of a contained, "WTF is happening," uncomfortably normal feeling afternoon. I felt similar to the days I graduated college and grad school--excited to be moving on to the next, highly anticipated chapter of life, but sad to be leaving memories and important people behind.

I am one hundred percent certain that I'm making the right life choices with perfect timing, and I literally can't believe how lucky I am for all the forces/opportunities/people that have guided me to this point. I don't know exactly where my path is leading, but I know that I'm heading in the right direction and I have no doubt that I'll be successful in whatever I end up doing. In fact, as much as I'm terrified of failure...I think what TRULY petrifies and paralyzes me is the concept of success. I'm used to the struggle, the grind, the process, and I'm scared that things are going to happen too fast for me to handle. At the same time, I am impatient and want to accomplish ALL THE THINGS all at once, immediately. Yeah I'm kind of a mess.

I think my first official week of self-employment can be divided into two phases: the north woods Wisconsin Labor Day retreat, and the return to "reality."

Phase one: Wisconsin

Over the past eight months or so, I've made some amazing real life friends through my health and fitness account on Instagram. It's kind of like online dating, but for fun, active, supportive girlfriends who completely GET you, and this community is what has allowed me to establish my own small health and fitness business and quit my job to pursue my dreams. 

This past winter, my Chicago friend Kathleen and I both individually connected with Kaite, who is a teacher living in a small town in northern Wisconsin. Like, as far north as you can get. Kathleen and I had been throwing around the idea of hitting the road and driving up to visit Kaite all summer, and we decided to just make it happen! 

Make it happen. My mantra for 2014.

Kaite lives in Bayfield, a tiny, gorgeous, welcoming lakeside community. We spent Labor Day weekend hanging out, being as active as possible, drinking wine, having adventures, eating delicious food, and wandering the wooded hills. It was a perfect weekend, especially since all three of us are going through some sort of life or emotional transition right now and needed some downtime to reconnect to ourselves and essentially use each other for therapy.

I've become so used to living in the city that I didn't even know how much I've been missing the outdoors. Being able to walk out the door and hike into the woods or down to the water is a simple luxury that makes me feel like myself, and as much as I love Chicago, and as much as I've grown accustomed to the hustle of the city, this past weekend was a jolting wake-up call.

I'm completely in love with Lake Superior. At least the summer version.

After an incredible weekend of trees, water, fresh air, and outdoor dining, it was a bit of a shock to come back to the city.

Phase 2: New Reality

Not gonna lie, my new reality is kind of fabulous.

But at the same time, it's coming as a complete shock to my system. Growing pains!

I don't have to wake up and get out the door at a certain time. I don't have to feel pressured to be productive on my side-biz's every night and weekend, because they are no longer on the side. I no longer have to feel fragmented and pulled in too many directions. I DON'T HAVE TO PACK A LUNCH! I can plan my day to suit my energy levels. But I am 100% responsible for my success, income, and responsibilities.

I'm giving myself the entire month of September to get organized, set goals, resurrect my poor neglected Etsy shop, and figure out what I want to accomplish in the remaining months of the year. My best friend and sister in law are getting married the last two weekends of the month, so I'm also excited to be able to focus on their big days!

Every day I feel a little more like myself. I'm working on figuring out a routine, making giant to-do lists, prioritizing what needs to happen, and the roller coaster of anxiety/excitement and terror/joy is slowwwwly starting to equalize. I just want to feel calm again!! For now though, I'm overwhelmed.

Overwhelmed with anticipation for the projects that I'm going to be able to finally tackle.
Overwhelmed with fear that I'm not going to be able to make enough money to live the life I imagine.
Overwhelmed with vulnerability because I'm finally putting myself out there.
Overwhelmed with gratitude for the people in my life who have enveloped me with love and support.

Out of nowhere, something small will hit me and make me extremely happy, like being able to eat lunch at home, going to the fabric store at 9am before the crowds, or taking Saturday off to relax and "waste time" reading and thinking.

This is a massive and extremely personal shift in my career and life. I've worked and wished and waited and yearned for this moment to arrive for so long, and now that it's finally here I don't even know what to do with myself. But I'm figuring it out one day at a time, and I am going to share my journey every step of the way.

Be careful what you wish for, 'cause you just might get it.

PiYo home workout review!

Several weeks ago I started a new home workout program called PiYo. I absolutely love it and have been running monthly 30-day online accountability groups with other ladies who are equally obsessed, and we're having an absolute blast! The 21 Day Fix will always be my fave, but it's fun to host groups that are a little more laid back and less strict on the nutrition front. 

What is PiYo?

PiYo is a low-impact, high intensity workout program that uses yoga and Pilates inspired moves to build lean muscle, burn fat, and increase flexibility. It's dynamic and bodyweight-based so you don't need any equipment, but it's definitely harder than it seems and will challenge you in the best possible way! PiYo is perfect if you don't have the patience or attention span for yoga, but still want the benefits of increased flexibility and all-over muscle tone. 

If you want to watch the promo video, you can  click here. Be warned, it's cheesy....but you get the idea.

PiYo classes have been taught live in gyms for a while, but the at-home version was just released in June. It was created by one of my biggest motivational and fitness idols Chalene Johnson, who has a no-nonsense yet friendly and supportive approach that I love, so I was really looking forward to this release!

The kit comes with three DVD's plus a bonus workout, and includes 11 total routines that range from 20-45 minutes long and target every part of your body. I love the variety of these workouts. Some are more "yoga flow" style, some are more strength based (think squats, pushups, and lunges!), and some are this ridiculous combo of everything plus crazy breakdance style moves that push your limits and will leave you dripping in sweat! There is literally no other type of workout like this out there.

"Drench" is the longest and most challenging workout, and in 45 minutes I burn over 350 calories, the equivalent of a THREE MILE RUN without having to leave the house or pound the pavement! Oh and the endorphin afterglow of PiYo is unparalleled. You finish each workout feeling insanely blissed out and happy!

PiYo Workout Review

ALIGN: THE FUNDAMENTALS

This workout breaks down the most important and effective moves in the program to help you perfect your form and get the best results possible.

DEFINE: LOWER BODY

Get your sleekest and leanest legs ever as you lengthen and strengthen your entire lower body from your glutes and hamstrings to your calves.

DEFINE: UPPER BODY

Use this incredibly effective workout to start chiseling away at your upper body to shape your arms, carve out your triceps, and sculpt sexy shoulders.

SWEAT

A traditional PiYo workout that incorporates effective dynamic conditioning, fast-paced cardio yoga-flows, and bodyweight resistance strength training to help sculpt your entire body!

CORE

This ab-centric workout hits your powerhouse from every angle. You'll build a strong core; flat, sculpted abs and obliques; and a strong, sexy back.

STRENGTH INTERVALS

Twenty-five minutes is all you need of this nonstop body-carving, calorie-incinerating workout that uses no weights, no equipment, and gives you no bulk!

DRENCH

This endurance workout maximizes fat burning while it works every muscle in your body. It will not only leave you drenched, it will kick-start your metabolism as you scorch away the fat.

SCULPT

This workout uses varying tempos to keep your muscles under tension for different periods of time. This generates muscular endurance and metabolic changes that will totally transform your figure.

BUNS

Focused on the glutes, this workout is designed to lift, redefine, and tighten the entire backside of your body for the perfect tight and round butt.

Plus you get two surprise workouts!

The program is designed to run for 60 days and comes with two different calendar guides that tell you which workout to do every day. One calendar is for beginners, and one is for more advanced levels. I haven't been religiously following the guides, but I've been fitting in all the workouts 3-5 times a week alongside my normal workout routine that includes running, weights circuits, HIIT circuits, and spin class. I have to say that PiYo is an AMAZING addition to my routine and really balances everything else out! I'm really injury prone, especially when I run more than a couple times a week, so I love knowing that I'm giving my body a well-deserved stretch while gaining strength at the same time.

It also comes with a nutrition guide with a comprehensive and easy to follow clean eating plan. 

Who is PiYo for?

I would say PiYo is for you if you...

• like Pilates and yoga, but struggle with sticking to a routine
• want to gain flexibility and stretch more, but lack the attention span or focus
• are a complete fitness beginner
• have knee or joint problems and want a low-impact workout that will still burn major calories
• are a runner, swimmer, triathlete, or fitness enthusiast who wants to add some cross-training to avoid injury and improve performance

Aaaaand a fitness review post  wouldn't be complete without my signature 5:30 am crazy hair, bleary eyed before-and-after selfie!

I've been doing a PiYo workout at least 3 times a week for the past six weeks, and the consistency has given me some great results! I wasn't sure what to expect because although PiYo is tough and will definitely get your heart rate up, it's definitely not as intense as my favorite crazy HIIT or cardio interval workouts. But my core, arms, and lower body are noticeably more defined, my upper body strength is CRAZY (hello pushups and planks), and I feel a lot more flexible and balanced overall! Oh, and my run times are decreasing, spin class feels easier, I can do twenty pushups on my toes, and I can hold a plank or mountain climbers for TWICE as long as I could before. 

I will be running fitness accountability groups online starting the first Monday of every month because I love sharing this program and motivating women to establish and maintain healthy habits and see the results and self confidence that I've experienced on my own journey! 

In my Challenge Groups I provide daily inspirational posts, meal plans, healthy recipes, one-on-one support, check-ins to hold you accountable, and we end up building a really encouraging and fun community of like-minded women.  I don't care what your background is or what your goals are--as long as you are willing to take a chance on making a positive change and doing something for YOU, I'd be happy to help you out and be your cheerleader, drill sergeant, life coach, friend, whoever you need me to be. The first step towards making a healthy lifestyle change is the hardest, but after that it just gets fun!

You can also reach out and email me if you have any questions.

I look forward to hearing from you, and I can't wait to be your new workout buddy!

xo Anna

BBQ chicken chopped salad

How is it Sunday night already? Weekends always go too fast, no matter how much or how little we have on the schedule. This weekend was a much needed low-key break from the summer craziness! Ben and I saw Guardians of the Galaxy, went out for our weekly froyo trip, cleaned and organized the apartment, stopped by our local wine shop for their free Sunday tasting, and finally made it to church for the first time since .....Easter?? I'm so happy I don't have to work on Sundays any more! 

Speaking of work, I'm officially down to my last two weeks at the zoo before launching out on my own. It is exciting, surreal, and starting to kind of freak me out, but I'm doing my best to enjoy this phase of life and trust that everything will work out! I know for certain that I'm headed in the right direction, I have the support of everyone who matters in my life, I truly do believe in myself, and heck--we never really know what the future will bring so why not pursue what makes you happy? 

Nothing is for certain, so don't ever settle for a life that is leaving you aching for something more. Write down what you want to ultimately achieve, do some work, and get out of that comfort zone! I'm looking forward to blogging more and focusing on my Etsy shop which has been languishing in neglect all summer! So many exciting projects and goals that I want to transfer from my mind into reality. 

So that's my quick life update! Let's get to the recipe!

Giant "more is more" dinner salads are apparently becoming a thing in our household. They are just so fresh and tasty, and a perfect way to take advantage of all the summer produce!

Like all my recipes these days, this dinner is fast, easy, and not really a recipe at all. Just keep adding all the produce in your fridge or anything else you think might go well with the flavors! (Blue cheese? Hard boiled egg? Leftover pulled pork?) 

Salads are like a blank canvas, and I love creating delicious works of art.

Oh, and this salad is husband approved. It's extremely hearty and you can eat a ginormous portion because it's mostly veggies! The BBQ Vinaigrette is maybe the best part.

BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad

Serves 3-4

Ingredients

-2 heads of romaine, chopped into bite size pieces

-3 chicken breasts, diced

-Seasoning for the chicken (I used a BBQ seasoning mix plus Chipotle Mrs. Dash)

-Bacon! (As much as you want. I've been loving the uncured nitrate-free thick cut bacon at Aldi!)

-1 ear of sweet corn (you can slice off the kernels raw, if it's fresh!)

-1 can white beans (or black beans)

-1 avocado

-Tomatoes

-Red onion

-Other random veggies that you love

-Cilantro

BBQ Vinaigrette

-1/4 cup BBQ sauce (I was going to make my own, but then got lazy and used Sweet Baby Ray's)

-1/4 cup apple cider vinegar (Bragg's is the best)

-2T olive oil

-a big squirt of yellow mustard

Cook the bacon until desired level of crispiness, then set aside to drain. Leave half the bacon grease in the pan, season the chicken, and saute the chicken in the hot grease until browned and cooked through. Chop all your veggies, and then shake all the vinaigrette ingredients together in a jar. Assemble all salad ingredients, drizzle with vinaigrette, and enjoy with a bold red wine!