We are very happy to share another awesome entry from guest blogger, Darcy Lucas of Mission Fitness in Glastonbury, CT.  We hope you enjoy (and take to heart) her advice for putting some positive focus on your health during this crazy season!  If you are fortunate to live within a reasonable distance to try a bootcamp at Mission Fitness, I highly recommend!   In fact, most of us at the studio go – so call us up and we’ll go with you!!!  It is a tough season….. and you are only one workout away from a good mood!  (I think I read that on Darcy’s Facebook page once).

From Darcy….

“All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think we become.” ~Buddha

It is very easy to let yourself go over the holidays.  However, if you have a wedding coming up you have NO TIME to go backwards with your goals!  However, we all know the challenges of the Holiday Season.  Your schedule starts to fill up, you may have family or money stresses, there are temptations everywhere you turn, and the holiday spirit fills the air.  So many of us already have it in our heads, “I always put on a few pounds this time of year”.  What if we started to think differently?  What if we challenged ourselves to get through the holidays healthier and stronger than ever?  And we know with that we would also be stronger MENTALLY!  If you can get through this time of the year, you can most likely get through anytime.  Change your way of thinking and your mindset.  PICTURE yourself coming out of this season looking and feeling better than ever!  When you want to skip that workout or OVER indulge in the Holiday “cheer”, picture yourself walking down the aisle.  What do you want to feel like?  Look like?

So why not make it your challenge this season?  That does not mean you are not going to be able to ENJOY the season, or even indulge in the season.  Everything in moderation, and stay consistent with your workouts.  Here are some tips to stay healthy this season:

*FIND A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER TO GET ON BOARD WITH YOU.  HOLD EACHOTHER ACCOUNTABLE & SHARE TIPS, SUCCESSES AND CHALLENGES  WITH ONE ANOTHER. HOW ABOUT A CONTEST WITH A NICE PRIZE AT THE END?  DO IT WITH YOUR WHOLE FAMILY, OR MAKE EVERYONE AWARE OF YOUR GOALS. THAT WAY YOU WILL BE SURROUNDED BY PEOPLE ON THE SAME PAGE & WATCHING YOU!

*COMMIT TO A SCHEDULED FITNESS CLASS, PERSONAL TRAINING OR SPORTS TEAM.  JUST SIGNING UP FOR A GYM MEMBERSHIP DOES GURANTEE YOU WILL GO. 

*DRINK LOTS OF WATER.  OFTEN TIMES THE FEELING OF BEING “HUNGRY” IS MISTAKEN FOR BEING THIRSTY.  STAY HYDRATED FOR THE MANY HEALTH BENEFITS, ALONG WITH STAYING FULL.

*DO NOT DENY YOURSELF OF THE FOOD YOU LOVE.  EAT IT IN MODERATION & TAKE TIME TO ENJOY IT.  INSTEAD OF A BIG PIECE OF CAKE, HAVE A FEW BITES!

*PICK AND CHOOSE WHICH PARTIES TO ATTEND.  YOU MAY GET A LOT OF INVITES THROUGH WORK AND FRIENDS.  YOU DO NOT NEED TO ATTEND EVERY ONE.  CHOOSE WHICH ONES MEAN THE MOST TO YOU.

At mission FITNESS we have a family of clients who hold each other accountable to workouts.  If you miss your usual class, you will be sure to get a few inquiries, “where were you Sunday?”.  We also have a Weight Loss Contest coming soon.  This is a great way to be held accountable, and to gain support from the many others who surround you.

It really can’t be said enough, how much I love my job!  Yes, I love everything about being inspired to pick up a camera and create an image.  Yes, I love weddings.  Yes, I love shooting families and babies.  BUT, beyond that, what I really love about my job is that as a photographer, I often become a family historian. And, in the case of Baby Lily, this is true as it was just a couple of years ago when I photographed her mother and father’s wedding.  Then, the most precious newborn session….. some sessions in between, and now,  unbelievably, it is already time for her first birthday!

Lily is a beautiful little girl – very mellow and sweet.  One must be a pretty mellow little person to allow their tiny bottom into a wicker bicycle basket!  Love how her feet stick out!  Thanks to my friend and neighboring business owner, Karen at So G Coffee (insert – BEST COFFEE EVER!!!!!) for letting us stop her in the middle of her bike ride to use this bike!!! 

Congratulations Lily and happy birthday!
 

Happy Birthday Luke!!  You are one of the happiest babies we know!

LOVE this hat!

Nicole and Jeremy had a beautiful wedding day.  Their ceremony at St. James Church in Manchester incorporated some traditional Filipino customs which made their celebration unique.  We left St. James to go to The State Capital in downtown Hartford for formal photos.  Then, off to The Hartford Marriott Downtown for a rockin’ reception, courtesy of DJ Sam of Atmosphere Productions.  Between Sam, Michelle and her amazing team at the Marriott, the unobtrusive video style of Fran Gagnon of Fran Gagnon Films, and guests who loved to get their groove on, the reception was perfect!

And can you believe that family friends are responsible for these amazing flowers!!!  They did them themselves and they were amazing! 

Jeremy, you may hate me for this, but I HAD to put this photo in!!!! 

 Thanks again for having Helen and I be a part of your day.  We had a blast.  You guys are full of energy, life and love!

 Cake - Modern Pastry – Hartford

 Dress Allure Bridal from Stylish Impressions of Farmington 

 Hair and Makeup by Beauty Entourage of Newington  

I am thinking about how much I love my job today because it was a very special day.  Jenn and Luke got married.  And, eventually, I will blog all about their special day.  But, for now, I will sit in my post-wedding glow (letting my caffeine buzz and adrenaline high drain before I can sleep) and reflect on my day…

Today, when I arrived at the hotel where the girls were getting ready, I could walk in and hug half of the room.  I love these girls… and their parents and sisters and cousins and friends!  Jenn would be the fifth girl in the hotel room whose wedding I had photographed.  Today when I met the boys before the ceremony, not only did I know most of the groomsmen, but there were two special little boys in the bridal party, too.   I have been blessed to be a part of the two ring bearer’s life since I photographed them in their mommy’s bellies.  I took their newborn photos, I took their one year photos and now I got to photograph them spinning, dancing and hugging their way across the Society Room dance floor in their little tuxedos.

Today I got to hang out with friends…. and I still get to call it work!   Now, THAT is a reason to love my job!  

Congrats Luke and Jenn!  Thank you for making me a part of your family.

Helen grabbed a quick shot of me with the girls….. 

Liz was a part of what I call my old life – when up until around 2002, I was working in a very corporate job in which I performed well, but never enjoyed.  She is a creative spirit herself and I think she really understood my suffering – though we never discussed it in so many words.  She knew that I needed a break from the grind and we would regularly enjoy conversations that had NOTHING to do with our work.  We each weathered through some difficult breakups, life changes and frustrations as we really grew into the people we are today.  It was one of my greatest joys to leave that job and re-gain my creative soul, but it saddened me not to have my daily office visits from my friend Liz.  And, as life got busier and busier, I found we hadn’t seen each other in years.

So, when I got a call from Liz about photographing her wedding, it was exciting in a lot of ways.  Firstly, I couldn’t be more excited for my friend to have finally found “the one.”  I could tell from her description of James that he is the perfect partner for her.  Secondly, it meant a chance to re-connect with someone whose friendship I truly valued and missed.  It was so incredible to watch Liz and James interact together.  James really loves my friend.  And, for that, I really love James!  Of course, James has other qualities (besides merely loving Liz) that make him wonderful, too!  But, that IS my favorite quality!

I can not wait for your wedding!  It is right around the corner!  So, until we convene again for another root beer vodka and club (yes, thanks Liz, for I am now hooked, too), enjoy your engagement photos.  I hope that I was able to really capture the laughter and the joy between you two.