FIVE YEARS!!!

So….we are just a few days away from March and I realized that this is only my second post for the YEAR! Can you believe it? I am sucking at this whole blogging regularly thing lately.

I have been blogging for 5 years now and what started as a nearly daily occurrence has dwindled to a once a month thing, sometimes even less frequently. That’s just life I guess. When I first started out (FIVE YEARS AGO- seriously cannot believe that!) I had a lot more focus and my writing had purpose- to keep me accountable. Now, I am much more set in my ways. My lifestyle is just that, it is ingrained into me. Yeah, some days (weeks) are better than others but even at my worst I am far better off than I was five years ago. My friends call it ‘health conscious’ and I love that term. Even my ‘junk food’ or ‘off days’ look nothing like the crap I used to put in my body on the regular before I knew better.

I can say without a doubt that blogging has changed my life for the better. Because of it I found my support group, the world’s best cheerleaders, and some of the most amazing friends. My community, both online and in real life, is amazing. It has allowed me to open up and connect with others that share my interests and struggles that I otherwise would have never met. That right there is priceless.

I lost weight, yes, but it was so much more than that. I gained my health back. I added years to my life. I ADDED LIFE TO MY YEARS! I stopped being so fucking afraid of everything. I stopped hating myself. I stopped feeling ashamed and embarrassed of how I looked or how I thought others perceived me. I found acceptance, self-love and I did so without having to lose weight first. I fell in love with me at one of my heaviest weights and was able to continue that through my lowest weight and every weight in between.

The adventures….oh there have been so many! Fitbloggin’, weekend trips, hiking with friends, slow rides, running races (still can’t get over this) including and most special to my heart – the Ragnar Relay in Cape Cod. Heck- I was even in a magazine!!! (And a book). Me. The girl that wasn’t sure she could do much of anything has ended up doing more than she could have imagined.

When I started writing five years ago I doubt this is what I had pictured for my future self. I am not even sure I believed that was capable of changing my life but I knew I had to try. My life literally depended on it.  And I knew that I needed to ask for help, I wouldn’t be able to do it on my own. And that is what I did. I asked you to help me, to support me, to listen, to lend me advice and input and you did. And for that I am eternally grateful.

It has been five years.

Five amazingly wonderful, empowering, heartbreaking, humbling, fan-fucking-tastic years. It’s been everything I had hoped for and more. I feel like I have learned more about myself and about life over these past five years than I had in the 33 previous. There is so much growth that happens through openness. I can only hope that these next five years bring me as much love and happiness as the last.

Again, thank you for your love and support and for coming here and reading. It means more than you will ever know.

Love and hugs,

Dacia

xoxoxox

I've Got Denver On My Mind

I’m so excited to be heading off to Denver tomorrow for Fitbloggin’!!! This will be my third year attending. This conference is always a big highlight of my year. It is a time to see my people, most of which I only see once a year at this conference, try new things, and to spend a long weekend really getting to know myself better. Fitbloggin’ is a very introspective experience for me. And yes, believe it or not, I can always use more time to be introspective. I always come away from this conference slightly changed and super motivated about my life and the path I am on. I don’t expect this year to be any different, either.

A few of my favorite memories from Fitbloggin' 2013 and 2014

In addition to the conference sessions and events I am planning on doing some fun things around Denver while I am there. Here is a quick rundown.

BEER

You know I will be hitting up some breweries while I am there. Portland (FB 2013) was a great city for breweries and I am thinking Denver will be just as good for me. My plan is one a day: Thursday - Great Divide, Friday – Breckenridge, and Saturday – Renegade Brewing for their 4^th anniversary block party. Knowing all that I have planned and the time it will take me to acclimate to life above sea level, I am trying to stay conservative with my beer consumption. I am planning on hitting these breweries with friends, friends that will share flights and beers with me so I can try new stuff and at the same time not get wasted.

FOOD

If you know me in real life then you know that when I travel I come prepared with a list of restaurants and markets in the area I am staying where I can grab some really good vegan eats.  The tops of my list of must eats: Native Foods Café (which I have dined at in LA and cannot wait to go back!), Watercourse Foods (I am hoping to dine here Friday night) and Beet Box Bakery because….vegan doughnuts. You know that is a must for me!

ACTIVITY

Now Fitbloggin’ itself is like half workouts - half sessions and I have plans to participate in some during the conference like Zumba, Glider Yoga, Yoga on the Roof, Posture Fit and Jump Fitness (my favorite from 2013). But I am also planning on including some additional activity as well. Heather and I (whom are leading the small group discussion with Thea) are going to a Friday morning Empowerment Vinyasa class at Sol Shine Yoga Studio and then a Sound Healing & Restorative Yoga workshop at the Body Mind Energy Center on Saturday. When I lived in San Antonio I used to go to sound healing workshops and LOVED them. I haven’t found anything comparable in Pensacola so I jumped at the chance to do this while in Denver. Also, the empowerment yoga class and the studio itself had great descriptions posted - I was hooked….

About the studio: At Sol Shine you are encouraged to AUTHENTICALLY be yourself. We offer up this urban sanctuary for YOU to mold your mind and body into your ideal vessel for RADICAL SELF-LOVE. Our mission is to provide a non-judgmental, supportive and inspiring community for students of all levels to flourish in.

About the class: This high-vibrational power vinyasa class will leave you feeling strong and empowered in mind, body and spirit. You will build heat as you flow breath to movement. Modifications will be cued so everyone has the opportunity to explore their edge. Some yoga experience is recommended.

See, amazing right? I cannot wait!

In addition to all of these conference and non-conference activities and outings there is something else I am super excited and nervous about but I am not going to spill the beans just yet….you’ll have to wait and see what happens in Denver that takes me COMPLETELY outside of my comfort zone!

Love and hugs,

Dacia

xoxoxox

Four Years...

When I think back on my life four years ago it almost feels like I am watching a home movie but of someone else’s life. That can’t be me. That person I see is so different from the person I am today. And I don’t just mean the weight thing. The weight loss thing is secondary, at best, to the story of transformation that has occurred between then and now.

If you asked me to describe the person I was back then I would probably say something like ‘I was someone that was scared, ashamed, hopeless, sick and was overwhelmed with the feeling of defeat’. Today, well today I feel the complete opposite way. I feel full of hope. I am confident, proud, scared at times (but for different reasons- like stepping outside of my comfort zone), and healthy. I am happy.

It’s not to say that I haven’t always lived the good life. I have always had so much to be grateful for; a good job, a roof over my head, loving friends and family.  I've never had to want for much, definitely never for a necessity. But back then, I took so much for granted and I squandered away this amazing gift (life) because I was weak (physically and mentally), I was afraid, for the most part I was clueless and because I wasn't my number one priority. I lost my identity and sense of self and was just aimless. And it wasn't just because of my weight, my weight just added to the mess. I had made a series of decisions in my life (career-wise, relationship-wise) that left me feeling less than thrilled with where I was. *No blame here (well, maybe a little blame on myself) because, honestly, at the time I always thought I was making the best, the right decisions, for myself and my family. And of course I am thankful now for those series of ‘missteps’ because they led me here. But my point is there were many factors in my life, in addition to or aside from the weight thing, that made me the person I was four years ago.

Like I have said many times before (sorry to sound like a broken record) if weight gain was the only  problem then weight loss would have been the solution. But for me, that wasn't necessarily true. Weight gain may have been an issue but I strongly believe it was a side effect of years of not giving a crap about myself. And why didn't I care about me? Because I was miserable over my circumstances. And why was I miserable? Because I felt like a failure in work, my marriage, pretty much life. And why did I feel like a failure? Because I had a job not a career, a marriage that was unsalvageable…etc., etc.

You see I can keep asking questions and get closer and closer to the root of the problem. And that root cause is what made me the person I was. I had so many issues because of those underlying problems (emotional eating, low self-worth) that even if I fixed the surface issues (or what I call the side effects) I would still have ended up feeling weak, scared, ashamed and hopeless.

I wanted to change my life. I wanted to be healthy. I wanted to be active. I wanted to be a participant in my own life. Most importantly, I wanted to live.

I needed to take a good hard look at my life and let the overhaul process begin. It was time to take ownership of where I was in life, acknowledge that I could not change the past and the circumstances that led me there, accept all the mistakes I had made, and move the eff on.

It was time for me to identify the areas in which I was unhappy and make changes to rectify that.

Bitching and moaning, although it is one of my favorite pastimes, wouldn't get me anywhere. It would never change anything. It was nothing more than wasted breath. I needed, for once in my life, to take some action.

Every choice I made came with consequences. Not all of them bad but sometimes they weren't great. I  had to learn how to make concessions and be ok with the fact that it couldn't always be exactly what I wanted all the time. I had constraints and I had to be understanding of that.

My transformation, my weight loss journey, my revolution or recreation, whatever the hell you want to call it, came because I finally had the understanding and enough strength to be introspective, to take ownership and to take action.

So when February 20^th rolls around I get a chance to reflect back on that date in 2011 and what happened then that triggered all of this. Because of those changes and because of the realization I made in that moment and, of course, the hundreds of other realizations I made along the way, I am able now to be thankful for the person I am, the person I was, and the person I will be. I am still, and will always be, a work in progress. But I am now someone who can live (like actively live) and enjoy their life and can continue to make changes and alter my path in order to continue to do so. And that my friends, took four years to get me here. Yes, I may look very different on the outside but I am far and beyond, a million times over different on the inside. And that, to me, will always be the biggest and best transformation of all.

Thank you all for being here with me. Guiding and supporting me along the way. To those of you that have been here every step of the way- you will never know how much that has meant to me, you are my pillars of strength. To the people I have met because of blogging/social media- thank you for being my beacons of hope. I cannot wait to see what the next year brings. Thank you for being a part of this crazy journey with me.

Love and hugs,

Always.

Dacia

Xoxoxoxoxo

P.S. I wrote this in my journal on February 20^th (my actually four year blogiversary which is also the date I decided to take my life back) and was only now able to type it up to post. Sorry for the delay. 

90% Baby Goats

Once in awhile I am Inspired to write something meaningful, maybe even a bit insightful. You get a glimpse of the thoughts in my head or my struggles or even my reaction to my 'victories'. There's depth and meaning. Complete honesty.  I love those posts and I feel proud of myself for having a bit of courage to be able to write openly and of course I feel amazing if something I say encourages, inspires or comforts someone else.

But as you know, this blog is not filled with those posts. Those posts are the 10% that make up MRTG. For the most part my blog is 'fluff' pieces, writing from the surface - what I'm training for and how it's going, what I did over the weekend, wedding plans, puppy life, gardens, etc.

Do you know why? Because this blog is 100% reflective of me. I always write with my authentic voice.

And my authentic voice just happens to be 10% introspective , 90% surface because that is me. In real life.

I am that person that will (sometimes) remember to be encouraging and uplifting and be good friend. But most of the time I am baby goats and fluffy puppies. That's just who I am.

Would I like to have a blog where it is 100% inspirational/introspective posts? Of course. But in order to do so I would only be able to write every few months. Because I am just not that person with a mind filled with deep thoughts. They don't consume me. Posts like that just happen randomly, I can't force them.

And maybe that blog (that would be comprised of 5-10 great posts a year) would be better than what I have now. I'm sure of it actually.

It might even be great.

But it wouldn't be me. Not fully, at least. And that is not what I want. I want to be 100% Dacia all the time, fluffy puppies and super cute baby goats and all that jazz. I want to be true and authentic and write what is me...even if it's not great. Even if it is mediocre at best. I may never conquer the interwebs or become a household name (for those few houses discussing bloggers over dinner) but at least I know I have stayed true to myself and my voice. Whatever that my be.

Don't get me wrong, I love the inspirational stuff. The posts that leave you questioning life or your path or push you to kick ass and take names. They are the shit. But honestly though, couldn't we all use a bit more baby goats???


Love and hugs,

Dacia 
xoxoxox

Best baby goat video of all time....

Two More Days!!!

Yep, just two more days until the half marathon....

I am sorry for the fact that it is really the only thing I've talked/written about these past few months. I know it may not seem like a big deal to most but to me has felt like a huge undertaking. Having taken so much time off from running and having two surgeries over the past 11ish months I never thought this is where I would be.  But I felt good enough in the spring/early summer to start running again and then with some added motivation by being asked to be on a Ragnar relay team (check out our FB page and team website) ...well, somehow I ended up here.

Two days away from my fourth half marathon.

And 10 weeks and two days away from my fifth...

That's right,  I am signed up for half marathon number five (the Louisiana half marathon in Baton Rouge on January 18th) as well as the Gulf Coast half marathon in April (which I ran in 2013) for number six. All helping me train up for Ragnar Cape Cod on the weekend of May 8th.

So, for the next 6 months I will do my best to not make this an all-running-all-the-time blog. Because honestly, that really isn't what my life is all about. It's just that most days it is the easiest/fastest thing to write about. I promise, I will try harder to do something else- something more interesting- that I can discuss here on the blog.

One would think that having a puppy would make my life interesting, which it does, but not in a blog content kind of way. At least not yet. Life right now is middle of the night walks and battling with the teething, hyper puppy. It's overwhelming but at least only for like 20 minutes at a time. Then he is exhausted and passes out. For like 20 minutes. And the cycle continues...

On a completely unrelated note, is anyone else feeling ready for the holidays? I cannot wait. We have family spending Thanksgiving with us and then a nice two week break for the winter holiday and in between a 6 day trip to Ft. Lauderdale. Oh, and I forgot- technically half marathon 5 will be in December when I go to St. Pete to walk a half with my friend Heather. I am super excited about being able to walk with her! It will definitely be the most fun half marathon EVER!

Well, that's about all I have time for today. I am a ball of nerves and excitement. Cannot wait for Sunday morning!!!

The force is strong...still standing a week past Halloween!

Love and hugs,
Dacia
xoxoxoxox

I'm Going to Fitbloggin'

Oh sweet baby goats! Fitbloggin’ is just around the corner and man, am I excited.

Last year I attended my first Fitbloggin’ conference (my first blogging conference period) and it was life changing. I know, you may be thinking that I am over exaggerating but I am not. That weekend, those people, what I learned (about myself and others and life) really shifted my perspective.

I mean look here- at my first post after the conference. I wrote that on the plane ride home and it perfectly captured how I felt (and still feel) afterwards.

It was amazing.

And in a week I get to do it all again.

And I know it will be awesome. Even though it truly sucks that some of my favorite people won’t be attending this year’s conference I am super excited to see both old friends and new and meet some more fantabulous people face to face for the first time.

It’s going to be ahhhhhhhh-mazing! Legendary, even.

Now last year, I was super excited about attending my first fitbloggin because I knew it would be such an incredible experience but also because it was held in Portland. In case you didn’t know, Portland is pretty much filled with all things vegan and home to like a billion amazing craft breweries. I was in heaven. I ate all the food and drank all the beer.  Which of course made my experience even more memorable ;)

This year, Fitbloggin is in Savannah, GA. I’ve been there once (twice if you count a quick two day stop) but living in the south I know what to expect.  And I don’t mean that in a bad way. I just know that life in Savannah is different than life in Portland.  There won’t be amazing vegan treats at every other storefront and too many breweries to visit in one trip.  (Yeah, Portland was awesome) BUT, there will be ghost tours, and amazing historic neighborhoods, and of course there will still be awesome foods (all the non-vegans will be in heaven) and there will be craft beers. Trust me, I am already planning out all the restaurants and breweries and bars I want to visit.

AND more importantly than all the eating and drinking (yes, I did just type that) there will be amazing group sessions and workouts and a million laughs (and knowing me, some tears) and so many of the best hugs you could ever receive. And it will be awesome.

I cannot wait to see my roomies, my friends, Roni (who is just amazing to watch in action) and create so many amazing memories.

And on that note- it appears that we will be ghost touring in style in a double decker hearse. BOOM! That’s just how we roll!

Man, where is my fast forward button? Can it just be June 25^th already????

Some of my favorite pics from last year...

My favourite Brit, Sarah

I'm going to miss Dani soooo much. Thankful we got to see each other in February! 

Even if I explained it, it wouldn't make sense...

I am coming for more hugs, Steve!

Fitbloggin' won't be the same without Erika!

 

Love and hugs,

Dacia

xoxoxoxox

Some Days

I'm writing this on my phone while nestled under the blankets on my hotel room bed. I am in Houston for the weekend. One of my bestest friends, Monica, from San Antonio graciously drove up here to spend the weekend doing girl stuff with me. Yesterday we hit the outlets in Cypress and I basically bought a, very much needed, new wardrobe. I packed an empty dufflebag (just like I did for Fitbloggin last year) and it is already full. In my defense, it's not a very big dufflebag but it really is stuffed to the brim with new clothes ;)

E told me it looks like there is a body in there. Trust me, no body. Just a crap ton of clothes and a pair of red chucks :)

Anywho, as I spent my evening lounging in pjs, talking hockey and watching the Tonight Show with Monica it really hit me just how lucky I am to have this opportunity to be here. And by here I mean, Houston spending time with my friend I haven't seen in over a year. I'm very lucky on this account.

You see, some days I get really sad because I have yet to make a really good girl friend in Pensacola. It's been over a year since I moved there and I still haven't found anyone to be my FL Monica or Jaime or any of my other amazing friends I've made throughout life. Yes, I have E and he is a great friend but he is a boy and boys stink at certain situations. There are definitely times where I just need a girlfriend's help/wisdom/comraderie. 

It is nice that I do have places like FB and twitter where I can catch up on (stalk) the happenings of my friend's lives all over the country and am able to still feel connected. That's awesome. But it's just not the same. It's close, but not quite.

And I think, as I get older, making new friends gets harder mainly because I don't have kids. Most people my age do. And although having children is an amazing blessing it certainly changes the dynamic of your life. I'm not saying I wouldn't/couldn't be friends with someone with kids- my BFF has a son and I still love her ;) - but it makes it hard to form a tight bond with someone when their free time is quite limited. Especially for a new friend.

Sorry, I don't mean this to sound like a 'poor Dacia pity post', I don't. It's just that some days I really feel the void of lacking girlfriend friendship in Pensacola. And I feel so many people can probably relate to this, especially those like me that move around the country frequently. 

But most days. Well most days I am flooded with gratitude for the amazing people already in my life. Being able to take trips to Houston or Philly or New Orleans to visit them. To be able to see 'mah people' at Fitbloggin. To be able to connect to others through social media and blogging. To have an amazing community that I am so fortunate to be a part of. It's beyond awesome. And I know this. 

But yeah, some days (because I am a human being and not a robot) I miss the in person companionship I have had in other cities I've lived in. 

I keep telling myself that it took 7 months before I met Monica in San Antonio so maybe some day soon I will find my Pensacola BFF. 

And if you're local you should know I am accepting applications in case you are interested. It's an easy process; a few interviews, background check, government security clearance. You know pretty standard friend application stuff ;) 

I hope you all are having an amazing weekend. 

I promise I am spending more time being grateful for the two days I get to spend with Monica versus being sad over the months apart until the next time we see each other.

Love and hugs,

Dacia

xoxoxox

Five Things Friday

1)      I am so fortunate and grateful for all of the opportunities I have gotten to travel this year. E and I have already made two trips over to NOLA and a trip to Nashville. We even had a little stay-cation last weekend when we headed over to Pensacola Beach (I live downtown, two bridges/ 8 miles away from the beach) for our Valentine’s Day getaway. We couldn’t have asked for better weather or more beautiful accommodations. It was pretty awesome.

 

I also have a whole lotta trips coming up on the horizon and I couldn’t be more excited! I am off to Houston next week for a girl’s weekend with one of my dearest friends, Monica. The following weekend E and I are heading south for Phillies spring training. We will be hitting Sarasota, Clearwater and Tampa all in just three days- that will be a bit crazy and a whole bunch of fun. Early April I head to Anaheim for EIGHT DAYS for a work conference. Super excited to see all of my west coast peeps and hopefully set up a meet up or two. Then in early May E and I head to Atlanta for the weekend to see Arcade Fire and hopefully hang with some friends there too. Then the big one, the trip I have been anxiously waiting for- I’m going home to Philly….and taking E with me. He has never been so of course we will be doing a lot of sightseeing, hit some breweries and, of course, catch a Phillies game at CBP! That is May 21-26^th- I cannot wait to see my family and my bestest friend Jaime. It’s been too long!

Ahhhh-  and I cannot forget Fitbloggin’ 14 in Savannah the last weekend of June.

Also in discussion- a trip to south Florida and possibly (hopefully) a second trip to Atlanta but this time with Jaime!

2)      HOCKEY, HOCKEY, HOCKEY!!!!    I love hockey, it’s definitely my favorite sport to watch. I hope one day I can learn how to skate and get out on the ice too! But in the meanwhile I am perfectly content with going to hockey games (and of course watching the US in the Olympics) and watching them on TV. E and I went to a whole bunch of Pensacola Ice Flyers games this year as well as a real NHL game- Avalanche v Predators when we were in Nashville. He is a super huge hockey fan and has been to 9 different NHL arenas (me, only two) and goes to almost all of the local games. When I found out I was definitely going to Anaheim the first thing I did was check the Ducks and the Kings schedules. No home games for the Kings while I am in Cali but two home games for the Ducks. So….I got tickets for both and invited two of my friends, Kiki and Annabel,  to join me. I am super pumped!

On my bucket list is to one day go to the Winter Classic. This year, January 1, 2015, the game is scheduled to be Flyers v Caps in DC. I am a Flyers fan, E is a Caps fan. My fingers are crossed that we can make it out there for this game. I know it is still pretty far out but a girl can dream, right?

3)      Yesterday I had my second personal training session. It was awesome. I still can’t do crunches but I was able to do three exercises again which I did last week, plank, boat pose, and Russian twists, with a little bit of improvement in the boat pose and Russian twists. The plank still sucked. But, to be fair, I was never very good at plank. Lol!

The workout was primarily weights (both machines and free weights) with a bit of cardio thrown in there just to get the heart rate up. It was good. This session as well as last week’s session was kind of setting the benchmark to see where my ability level is and determine what I can and cannot do. Going forward our sessions will be a mix of weights and cardio with the main focus on building muscle to help get my fat burn rate up. Sounds good to me. Happy to finally be getting my confidence back as things get easier and there is less pain after. Progress!

Oh and I am still doing the Couch to 5K program, just at my own rate. I think this was my third week and I just finished W2/D2 on Wednesday. Eh, I am not too concerned about the timing. I am not in a rush to finish the program. I am just using it to get used to running again.

4)      I just had my one year anniversary at the university and therefore needed to complete my one year performance evaluation with my boss. It went really, really well! Not only did my boss write some really amazing things about me in there but he also included feedback from other people I work with. It was nice to read that my peers think so highly of me. I mean, I think I am pretty awesome but it’s nice to know others do, too ;)

 

5)      You know, yesterday was a pretty big day for me. As you probably saw, it was my three year blogiversary. Three years ago I not only started a blog (thanks mostly to my BFF Jaime) but I also committed to change my life. I had hit my breaking point just a few days prior and I was finally able to recognize what had become of my life. It was bad, even though I still managed to keep a smile on my face, the reality of what my life had become had finally started to sink in. I was miserable. I was sick, tired all the time, everything hurt. It was just not at all the life I wanted. And I was FINALLY ready to step up to the plate and take responsibility for the actions that led me there and FINALLY ready to take the actions needed to change. And I needed to hold myself accountable for making those changes. Blogging helped. Twitter helped. Facebook helped. I shared everything; the good, the bad, and the ugly, along the way and somehow managed to end up here. Sadly, I don’t think I stressed this point enough yesterday- I would not have ended up here if it wasn’t for the amazing my support group which has somehow grown exponentially over the last three years. I am lucky. I know this and am thankful for it every day. I couldn’t have done this on my own. You have given me hope, inspiration, guidance, camaraderie, pride, happiness, love, a sense of worth, and motivation for days. You are my rock through all this. A big, huge, ginormous thank you to you!

 

Happy Friday my loves!

xoxoxox-

Dacia

My Three Year Blogiversary!

It’s been three years (THREE YEARS!!!) since I started blogging, since I committed to change my life, to lose weight, to get healthy, to become less couch-potato-y. THREE YEARS!

WOW!

Like super wow!

I cannot believe how much has changed in three years!

Obviously the big ones; moving to Florida, the end of my marriage, and of course losing an entire person’s worth of weight.

Of course those are just the really crazy big life altering ones. There was a ton of smaller, but yet also meaningful and important, changes as well.

I became a vegan (10/08/11) and haven’t looked back since

I ran.

For the first time in a really long time, I ran.

I ran a mile. Then a 5K. Then a couple more 5Ks. Then I worked my way up from there to a half marathon. 

I ran three of those.

I tried every group fitness class I could find; boxing, kickboxing, boot camp, Bikram yoga, hot yoga, gentle yoga, yin yoga, kundalini yoga, yoga for athletes, aerial yoga (you get the point, right- lots of yoga), pilates, nia, journey dance, tai chi, qigong, Zumba, spin, barre, and even more boot camp.

I bought a bike…and then another…and then another. And then I started to commute to work by bike. (wish I could do this now)

I went to concerts, plays, and musicals.

I kayaked and paddle boarded

I learned how to swim properly….and then completed my first triathlon

I ate a whole lotta new to me foods. Most of which I loved. (Eat more kale, people!)

I went to Fitbloggin’ and spent an amazing weekend with my soul mates

I went to New Orleans for the first time ever and have since gone back four times!

I went to Nashville and Portland and Daytona/St. Augustine and home to Philly.

I was by my mom’s side through her double mastectomy

I lost friends and family, all too soon

I lost my doggies, too, also too soon

I started grad school….again

I started two new jobs and was lucky to make the most amazing friends and fabulous coworkers at both!

I have drank countless beers and totally became a beer snob, which I am completely ok with

I have laughed until I cried

I felt defeated but most times I felt victorious

I went on adventures

I stopped being so damn scared of life, stopped passively sitting on the sidelines watching life pass me by and made something of it. I made this life the one I always wanted.

I made the most amazing group of friends through blogging and social media and thankfully I have had the honor to meet so many of them in real life. (and I can’t wait to meet the rest of you- I owe you lots of hugs)

But most importantly of all of the changes that have taken place over the last three years…

I feel in love…

With me.

I am absolutely, positively certain that without that acceptance and self-love I never would have gotten to this point in my life where I am healthy and happy. I found that acceptance early on in my journey (thanks mostly to a group of amazing women I met in SA) and it made all the difference. I had big dreams but for the first time in my life I was able to take the actions necessary to make them materialize. I put my needs, my health, my goals first because I knew/know that I AM WORTH IT! I am worthy of love and happiness and a healthy and active life.

And so are you.

We all are worthy of our dreams and the life we wish for.

I hope you know that.

Because you are awesome!

As is!

So, what’s in store for me now? Who knows for sure?

What I hope for though is a year filled with joy and adventure, time with friends and loved ones. A year being active and social and truly embracing everything this crazy life has to offer. Who knows exactly where I will be a year from now. But as long as I continue to love myself, accept myself, and put myself first I know this next year will be incredible!

Thank you all for being a part of my journey!

Love and big giant bear hugs,

Dacia

xoxoxo

The "New" Me...

I am in the midst of changing my name. The divorce was finalized weeks ago, the documents from which changed me back to my maiden name, but I only just changed my driver’s license yesterday. I had been waiting for a window of a few weeks where I wouldn’t be traveling so I didn’t need to be worried that my ID and credit card names didn’t match and cause problems. Yesterday I changed both my license and social security card and updated my name on my auto loan, credit card, and notified my landlord of the change too.

Today it was the bank. New debit card. New checks. The name on both accounts and the safety deposit box has been updated.

So I got the big ones out of the way. Everything else that needs to be changed isn’t quite as urgent.

Well, that’s not 100% true. I need to update my name at work; payroll, my tax forms, get a new ID, and of course all my insurance stuff too. But I need my new social security card first so all of those are on hold until that comes in.

If I am being honest here, which I always strive to be when I write, I am not upset by the whole changing of the name thing. I am not sad. I am not filled with longing or regret of the life that is now in my past. I am, however, annoyed by how many things have my name on it and a bit regretful I changed my name in the first place. You’d be amazed how many things have your name on them…not just the obvious ones- bank accounts, credit cards, ID either. Pretty much everything we do involves the use of our name.

Everything.

I changed my name on Facebook but forgot I needed to change it on my google+/Gmail account.

And my email signature.

And my yahoo account for my fantasy football.

And on every app on my phone.

And my groupon account.

And PayPal.

Oh, and my co-op membership.

iTunes.

My blog.

My cellphone.

Everything!

It’s like a never ending list.

And I am sure there are things I haven’t even thought of yet. One day I will stumble upon them and roll my eyes and sigh heavily as I make the change. It’s inevitable.

I am doing the best I can to keep a list of what has been changed and what still needs to be changed. I am hoping I will have the bulk of these changes made by the end of the week.

I am just ready to be Dacia Root 100% of the time.

I mean, I am Dacia Root. There’s no doubt about that.

Just don’t ask to see my blood donor card….it’s filled with lies and false identities ;)

For now, rant about name change over…

There are far worse things in life than having to sit on hold and fax in paperwork. I am still definitely one of the lucky ones. For that, I am truly grateful.

Love and hugs-

Dacia (Root)

P.S. I have a new blog name. I am going to make a big change. Soon. Well, just as soon as I figure out the actual process. So stay tuned!

FMM: All About the Blog

It’s been awhile since I have participated in Friend Makin’ Mondays- I’m not even sure I have since I started this new blog- but I loved these questions and wanted to share with you my responses. Plus I just spent most of my weekend in NOLA with Kenlie (more on that later, so stay tuned) so I am definitely feeling quite inclined to participate in something that is important to her.

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section over at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Make sure you share your link over at All the Weigh so everyone can see your responses. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

All about the Blog

1.       How long have you been blogging? I started blogging in February of 2011- so about 32 months, give or take. This blog, however, is relatively new still. I have only been Run. Ride. Repeat. since August of 2012.

 

2.       What is the overwhelming theme of your blog? At first I think the idea behind this blog was for me to share my adventures in running, cycling and any other type of fun active stuff- you know, kind of moving away from the weight loss theme of my previous blog. I was changing my focus and my life and I wanted a blog that better reflected that. Now though, I think the theme of my blog is just all things Dacia. I pretty much write about anything/everything in my life and so far no one has really complained about the lack of dedicated running/riding posts lately so that’s good.

 

 

3.       Have you connected with people in person after meeting them through blogging? YES! And I love it! I attended Fitbloggin’ this past June and I met so many wonderful people there that I had ‘known’ for so long (and met a ton that I hadn’t known, too, which was equally awesome) and it was the best thing. I have been lucky to have met other bloggers here in town as well as through my travels back home and when I was in Boston and even this weekend in NOLA and have been able to share alot of one on one time, which is great. Being able to meet people that I have connected with on so many levels, people that inspire me and motivate me, people that have been my light at the end of the tunnel is pretty freaking amazing!

 

Feed Me I'm Cranky, Brooke: Not on a Diet and me at Fitbloggin' 2013  

Bein' E-Rizzy, me and Feed Me I'm Cranky also from FB 13!

13.1 Miles to Disney and me just before Color Me Rad in Mobile

 



With the beautiful All the Weigh in New Orleans

 

4.       What do you enjoy most about blogging?  Most- that’s a tough one. I would say I really love blogging because it’s a place for me to be myself, an outlet for all the random crap inside my head, for the support and for this wonderful community of friends blogging has led me too. It’s awesome!

5.       How often do you blog? Probably not enough. Not nearly as much as most other bloggers. I aim for a few times a week. Sometimes I only get in one post, sometimes I can squeeze in 4 or 5. It really depends on how busy I am and the fact that I rarely post on the weekends doesn’t help. I know I should write more frequently, and I want to, but it really isn’t my first priority- you know?

 

6.       Share one thing that you don’t like about blogging. Personally, sometimes it is hard for people who don’t know me (and sometimes even those who do) in real life to sense the tone I am writing in. That’s true for everything though right? Texts, emails, etc. it is hard to gauge the writers tone. So sometimes I worry people misconstrue what I am meaning. But that is life and unless I want to do all video blogs I really can’t change that.

 

 

7.       Do you talk about your blog in everyday life? Yes and no. I mean, it isn’t a secret but I don’t really talk about it with everyone. All of my friends know about it and some even read it but a lot of my coworkers and probably most of my family don’t.

 

8.       What is the coolest and most unexpected thing that has happened to you as a result of blogging? I lost 125 pounds and made some of the most amazing friends along the way. I have found self-love and acceptance. I am the happiest I have ever been. I am strong, adventurous and willing to take risks. I am living an active and healthy life. And all of these things happened because I started blogging.

 

 

9.       Are there topics that are off-limits on your blog? If so, name a few… I will openly discuss pretty much anything on the blog that pertains to me. I try to not talk about anyone else though. With permission I have talked about my family and my mom’s cancer. I will probably never discuss private details of my marriage, or any relationships for that matter, since those are not mine to share. You can ask me anything Dacia related and more than likely I will tell you. :)

 

10.   If you could accomplish one thing through your blog before the end of this year, what would you want to accomplish?  This is a tough one. I would like to be able to help people the way others have helped me so that is always an underlying goal of pretty much everything I do.  Other than that, I have some ideas but nothing I have set in stone.