In my 30s, I’ve decided that the number on the scale doesn’t matter.  I’ve realized how much I love and appreciate good food, beer and wine.  I want to feel good about myself, but not live hungry on the elliptical.  All of these realizations mean I’ve put on a bit of weight and it turns out that I’m okay with 145 pounds.  My body is comfortable with 145 pounds.  I do not have to work at 145 pounds.

I eat balanced, healthy diet, but I could cut back on the gummy snakes (they’re even better in Australia!) and beer.  Let’s be honest, I’m probably not going to.   Since we’ve been in Australia, I’ve put on a layer of beer padding that I’d prefer to get rid of before my wedding in Hawaii.  So here is the plan:

• Maintain my current diet, but maybe cut back on snakes and beer a bit.
• Start exercising.  Spending our first 6 weeks in Australia in a hotel without a gym really set some bad habits in Australia.  I need to get back on the fitness bandwagon.  Evenings that I work from my St. Kilda Road office, I’ll be sure to get in some cardio and yoga/Pilates.
• Keep having fun.

That’s it, that’s the plan.  Nice. Easy.  Achievable.  The end result will be that I’ll look as good for my wedding as I did for my sister’s.  If you’d like to come along for the ride or need an accountability partner, join me on myfitnespal.  My screen name is hantrobus.

I’m not going to share before and after pictures here or on myfitnesspal.  I’m not going to share measurements along the way.  I find these things to be incredibly private; I also think before and after pictures are very fake.  I mean, I can look 10 pounds lighter in 30 seconds by sucking my gut in, standing in good posture and changing my outfit.

And remember, we eat less to look good in our clothes; we workout to look good out of our clothes.

This morning, as I stood drinking my coffee admiring the beach from my new near beach front apartment, I was once again inspired to become a beach runner. I got out my handy-dandy smartphone and downloaded an app recommended by a friend called 5k runner. 3 days a week, 30 minutes at a time for 8 weeks, mixing walking with running to build stamina. Day 1 wasn’t so bad (it was mostly walking!).

If a girl is going to take up running, this is the place to do it!

Happy first day of August.  I cannot believe that summer is 2/3 of the way over already!  I have had a lot of intentions to tone up and drop a few pounds this summer, but instead I’ve eaten well, enjoyed chilled white wine and kept my shorts on at the lake.

So, now seems like as good of a time as any to start a new challenge.

The fiancé and I both need a bit of a tone up, so he’s in too.  Along with the exercises, you’ll notice in the notes that I am also on a 30 day no “junk food” challenge.  “Junk food” is defined as any food that contains unknown, unnatural, or unpronounceable ingredients, including processed, refined or bleached foods.  Basically, if I can’t figure out how to make it, I can’t eat it.  The fiancé says he’s in at home, but he’s still eating crap food at work.

So far, we are nailing day 1!

One weekend early in the summer, I was staying at my parents house and my mom told me about her new nighttime beauty process, which was to clean her face with oils.  She had me examine her skin very closely, and it was perfect and beautiful.  When we were getting ready for bed, she came into my bathroom and said, “You should try it; we’ll do it together.”  I’ve got to be honest, I was nervous because my skin is so oily already, but my mom and I have the exact same skin.  So I gave it a shot, and then she mixed up a 3 oz bottle for me and I promised to give it a 2 week try.  At the end of the 2 week trial period, I was sold!  I wish I had taken before and after pictures, but I didn’t really go in as a believer.  Never again will I stop with this as my nighttime beauty process, so you’ll just have to trust me on this one.

At this point, you must be wondering what we are using. Below are the steps to mixing up an Olive Oil skin cleanser.

• 3 oz bottle
• Funnel
• Olive Oil
• Castor Oil
• Tea Tree Oil or Essential Oil of your choosing

The mixture that I use is 50% Olive Oil and 50% Castor Oil.

Then add about 20 drops of the essential oil of your choosing; I like Tea Tree because it is good for acne prone skin.  Even before this, I was putting Tea Tree directly on pimples to dry them out.

Shake before each use.  Pour about a quarter size amount of the oil mixture into your clean palm and massage into your face for about 2-3 minutes.  Run your water as hot as your hands can stand and get your wash cloth very damp.  Place hot, wet wash cloth over your face until it cools, repeat 2 – 3 additional times.  This acts as a steam facial, really allowing the oils to deep clean your pores.

If your finding that your skin is oily or still breaking out, try using more Castor Oil in your mixture.  Or if your skin is much drier, try increasing your ratio of Olive Oil.  Since my mom taught me about this, I’ve done a lot of research.  Google “Olive Oil Cleansing Method,” you’ll be amazed by what you find.  Even acne.org is on board!

Some of these sites will say that you do not need to use a moisturizer; my Mom and I both still do.  I like BeautiControl’s Defend & Restore Night Cream.

Go on, give it the old 2 week try.  I promise, you’ll be impressed!

Glasses | Prada, Shirt | The Limited, Dress | American Eagle, Shoes | Target, Jewelry | Tiffany & Co. and boho|punk, Eye shadow | After Midnight by BeautiControl