How are you starting your New Year?

The New Year is a funny time isn't it?  Suddenly the gym is bustling with new members, and everyone seems to be tackling every project and to do list that has been sitting idle for too long.  This year I was a little more proactive than I have been in years prior.  I decided to keep my holiday celebrations (and treats....cookies, chocolates, and all of the things that I usually overdo......and I mean REALLY) under control.  I'm so glad that I did, because so far, the month of January has been incredibly busy for me, and I *gasp* have only made it to the gym a few times.  This is very unusual for me, and within a few weeks, I will be seamlessly back in my workout routine.  If you fall out of your workout routine, just remember that it happens to all of us at one time or another, ant that if you continue to eat in a mindful way, you will be more than ok at the end of it.

Wishing you happiness, health, and all the best in the New Year.

Megan

Planning for success:)

The holidays are always a tough time for me, work is amazingly busy ( no complaints here!  I'm counting my blessings) and there are so many delicious cakes and cookies, and treats everywhere.  I usually find myself running from place to place, and packing some of the most boring lunches of the year, because I'm a little too busy to do much else.  This year I decided to treat myself to Freshology, which delivers fresh, healthy organic meals......and will help keep me on track during this busy season.  What do you do to stay on track?

Stay gorgeous and healthy,

Megan

Imaginary transformations......

My mind doesn't stop working even after I leave my job as a stylist.....so many time, when I'm out to dinner, or taking a walk with the dogs, I see women on the street and instantly my mind begins to create a slightly different image for them.  I picture a different shade of lipstick, a sleeker hairstyle........and perhaps a more natural haircolor.  My favorite thing is to send people away from the salon after showing them that they are indeed more beautiful than they thought....it's my joy, and my passion, and my mind is always thinking of ways to do it......

New beginnings.

Yesterday was my last day at a place that has been wonderful to me for the last 4 years.  I have loved the place, and the people there, and have spent most of my career thus far there.  It's always a funny feeling leaving people and places when you still love so many things about them, but the time has come to move on.  I truly think that most of the discord in my own life, has happened because I waited to make certain changes for a long time past when I should have.  There are so many ideas and possibilities in my future, and changes in environment always seem to bring wonderful things in my life.  Here's to 4 wonderful years, and now........a right and brilliant fresh start!

xoxo,

Missfittgirl

Recognizing the moment where you know something...

Intuition is huge.  If something makes you stop, your stomach suddenly ties up in knots, and you just suddenly feel off......well, then you just may want to listen.  You already know you took a wrong turn, and the sooner you turn around so that you can get back on track, the better.  I think that many times in my life, when I do feel that I have made a mistake, I say......hmmmmm, I never saw that coming, but the truth is, I saw it coming every time, and I chose to close my eyes instead.

Have a beautiful day, I'm off to fly:)

Megan

On being consistent....

Years ago (and I mean decades ago, when I was in my teens:) I took private tennis lessons in my hometown, and had a sweet, energetic and positive tennis teacher named Tammy.  Tammy taught me one of the most valuable lessons that I have EVER learned in my life, and it had nothing to do with tennis.

One morning, at the start of my 7am lesson, I looked across the court at Tammy, and just marveled at how she was cheerfully and energetically striding across the court, so early in the morning.  No complaints, no saying: "I'm not a morning person" but instead just so.....consistent and positive.  At 17 years of age, I knew enough to know that this was not the norm, and most people had much more varying moods than she......so I asked her, how are you always in such a good mood?

Her answer surprised me.....she said she wasn't always, but that she worked hard to maintain a positive exterior, and by being positive on the outside, she was actually able to shift some of the feelings on the inside.  She said it was important for her to be the same, consistent person for her work and daily life, in order to get the most done.  I have always remembered this, and it was such a valuable lesson.  Of course I'm free to feel what I feel, but there is a time and a place for everything....and when you are working to help someone else with something, it's important to make that time theirs, instead of focusing on you.  :)  Of course some days it's more difficult than others, but it's amazing how much other people will appreciate your consistently good attitude in life.

Challenges....

“Challenge is a dragon with a gift in its mouth. Tame the dragon and the gift is yours.” Noela Evans

You can do anything you set your mind to......

Good morning:)  The wonderful thing about life, is that it can change in an instant.....at any time, and your ability to absorb, process and act on these changes is what determines how happy you can be.  Sometimes the easiest thing to do when something comes in your direction that is unexpected (or unwanted) is to feel upset, or to ask yourself whether it's fair.....but once things are happening.....why bother?  Oftentimes the question of why is asked over and over in a situation where a change is eminent, and someone is dragging their heels in regard to the change.  Over and over I have heard people in relationships that have ended ask why the other person did what they did, and the only thing that really matters is why you did what you did.  You are the piece of the puzzle that moves forward one more step, not the things that you leave behind.  Change is often a little frightening, because it's the unknown, but you should always remember that you've done beautifully up till now, and you will continue to do so in the next step......it just might take a little fine tuning.  It's funny how when you look back at what you did, you actually made a decision......and put changes into the works, because you chose to be yourself, as true as you could be....and if that has brought about a change, then you can trust that it's a much needed one!

Stay gorgeous and healthy!

Megan

Change is good?

I think that in my life, change has usually been a good thing, although at the time, I have not always enjoyed it.  Sometimes it reaches out and startles me when I am not expecting it, but somehow, I always seem to make it work.  A major change happened today, and now I feel a little displaced and wonder just where I will end up?  But I have to trust, change is good.

Liking time by myself.......

I think that the more I appreciate and enjoy spending time by myself, the better the quality of people I surround myself with.  This month has been a little off, because my allergies have exhausted me...but I haven't minded all of the time I have had by myself, it's actually been rather nice.  When you like your own company....you're really never alone:)

Stay healthy and gorgeous,

Megan

Only you can find your motivation.....what is it?

What motivates you to stay (or get in better) shape?  Sometimes people ask me to motivate them, and the truth is.....motivation, if at all worthwhile must come from within.  My motivation has changed over the years.  When I was in my early 20's my motivation came from trying to have an amazing body to meet guys......in my 30's, it has changed.  It's still about having a great body, hopefully even better than I had when I was in my twenties....although I can't lie, I just don't feel as focused on impressing guys, I just want to look good, period.  I also find motivation in how much I enjoy the end result of feeling strong and capable.  When some physical task arises, even though I stand at a petite five foot five, I am usually more than able to handle the task.  Pushing the airplane I just flew back into her spot, no problem.....climbing up on the wing of an aircraft to pour gas back into the tank after checking it for sediment and water....done.  I love the feeling of doing what ever needs to be done, instead of hoping that someone else can do it for me. I have to say though.....most people will act as though vanity is a bad thing, but if at least some of your reasons for staying in shape are not based on the exterior......what you actually see......I bet you will have a very tough time actually getting motivated.  There's nothing wrong with taking pride in your appearance....

Stay gorgeous and healthy....

Megan

Allergies!

Hi everyone, sorry for falling off the face of the earth last week!  This fall has been the worst yet for my allergies, and I couldn't muster up the energy for much of anything.  They seem a little better now, I even managed a workout yesterday, but I am not back to 100 percent.  Today I am going to take my second Flying lesson and I am very excited!  I'm rested, and ready to learn.  I'm pretty sure that today we'll be going over some pre flight stuff, working on ATC transmissions and doing some touch and goes.

I would love it if you would take the time to send me your questions or comments.  It is so much more fun for me to write in response to something, and to know that you are out there:)

Stay gorgeous and healthy,

Megan

My first flight......

Cruising at 2500 feet.........clear skies ahead....

Yesterday I had one of the most incredible experiences of my life, I took my first flying lesson, and took the controls of a Cessna 172 in the air.  For some reason, I kept thinking that I would get nervous, or that I should get nervous, but I never did, I just felt excited the entire time.   I can't say that I ever thought that I would be up there, flying a plane.....but when I flew a few weeks ago, it really reminded me of my brother Ian, who was a pilot.  Ian died almost eight years ago, but somehow in my heart, it's always just yesterday...... He was my best friend, and more of a "golden boy" than I could ever try to properly express with words.....just one of those people who is almost too good to be true, and an incredible pilot.  When I was in the sky, in the co-pilots seat (not actually co-piloting of course) on a Cape Air flight the other week, it really made me think of him, and I loved that, so I decided to fly again.

Walking to the airplane hanger from the car was the beginning of my day, and I looked at the tiny planes with anticipation and excitement.  I met my instructor Andrew, who had just completed a pre-flight check, and we started settling into the plane in preparation for our flight.  He had a friendly and patient demeanor, yet also a quiet confidence which made me feel good, when I'm learning something new, it really matters how the information is conveyed, and I could instantly tell he was knowledgeable, without a hint of talking down, just what a great instructor should be. He gave me a headset, which I fumbled around trying to plug in....isn't it funny how hard everything seems the first day of anything?  Even adjusting my seatbelt was awkward.....practice, practice.  We moved onto the runway for takeoff and Andrew showed me how to control the plane with my feet, gently pressing on the pedals to keep it smooth and steady as we lined up for takeoff.  He also showed me how to adjust the throttle to decrease our speed.......there were so many gauges in the cockpit.....and every one of them looked foreign to me, yet I knew that within a few weeks that would probably all change.

Once we were in the air, Andrew showed me how to adjust the trim of the airplane, so that you can maintain a steady flight altitude, without constant pressure on the yoke.  We also practiced some basic turns, and Andrew reminded me to "check for other planes" before making a turn.....other planes!!!!  Oh my gosh, I'm FLYING!  Amazing!

I think the part which was a little scary, was descending for a landing.  Even though intellectually it makes sense to decrease your elevation for a landing, there is something really scary about gliding toward the landing strip!  We landed, then taxied back in just the way we left, then pushed the plane manually back, and tied it down.  It was an amazing experience, and I can't wait for my next lesson.  Andrew made my first logbook entry for me, and in the excitement of the day.....I managed to leave my logbook at the airport!

Stay gorgeous and healthy, and live your dreams!

Megan

being your own "cup of tea..."

This isn't the plane I flew.....but someday:)

You can be so many things in life, but one thing that I've learned (and to a certain point, am constantly learning again and again) is that the most important way to be, is the way that truly makes you happy.  Not ego happy, like the way that you feel when you buy something new......but deep down, authentically happy and joyful....like a child if that's still possible?  It's a funny feeling for me, the more that I decide to do what I really want, and follow my heart.....the more I realize I am not everyone's cup of tea!  When you start living just for you, and not to please other people, you just don't please other people all the time!  The choices you make, and the experiences you have are yours, and yours alone.

I guess, to a point, I've realized that I'm a little unconventional.  The name Missfittgirl.......comes from me, and of course, there is a reason.  I'm an adventurous tomboy, who loves to try new things, and am very capable, I think I can do just about anything that I set my mind to:  flying a plane, racing mountain bikes, taming unruly horses (ok, maybe just trying to tame them....but I was never scared doing it:), I'm also freakishly strong, and determined like a Marine when it comes to my weight training, and exercise in general.......and then I have another side, that loves beauty, and all of the wonderful things that come with it.  Whatever I am, I find that the more I become, and the higher I reach.....the more aware I am of some sideways glances telling me to be a little quieter with my laugh, stop reaching for the sky, and act more like a lady?  I'm choosing to focus on what I want, in fact.....I think I'll put on my David Clark pilot's headset and tune out all that noise.......because who came up with that definition of a lady?  I'm writing my own right now...........

Stay gorgeous and healthy,

Megan

I like trying things that I'm afraid of....

I think it makes me a stronger person.....and, I'm a little bit afraid...of many things!  Today I'm taking my first flying lesson, and I'm afraid, but excited too.  It looks like a beautiful day to fly, I just have to figure out how I'm going to get myself to the airport...:)  Have a great day everyone!   Stay healthy and gorgeous! Megan