Book Review #1

I'm addicted to words. Any kinds of words. They are full of knowledge and sometimes useless facts, but regardless I'm addicted. So to kick off my first book review, I wanted to talk about two books I was completely surprised with.

1. Gone Girl- Gillian Flynn

2. Room- Emma Donoghue 

I'm going to be completely absurd here and drive those with OCD nuts. Only because I'm going to review number 2 first. :) 

Room- Emma Donoghue

I was recommended this book by one of my professors, but I was reluctant to pick it up. I finally did when I found it at one of my favourite used book stores Bearly Used Books in Parry Sound, Ontario (This place is heaven on earth for book lovers). Emma wrote the book after reading about the Fritzl Case, which involved way more kids than her book. The book is narrated by a 5-year-old named Jack. He was born in the "room" and believes that what he sees on TV is not reality (yes, their captor was 'nice' enough to give them a TV) and what's inside the room is reality. Without ruining the plot, the book is based around Jack and Ma finding a way to escape their captor. What unveils is quite clever.

What I loved about this book is that I didn't feel like I was reading a novel. I felt like I was reading a memoir of Jack and his mother. To me that makes a good fiction novel. I love that that Emma didn't over exaggerate the situation or create unrealistic events. Overall I think this is a great book for those who don't mind reading a bit into the scarier corners of life, but don't want to accept the reality of those corners.

Gone Girl- Gillian Flynn 

OMG.

That's it. That's all I have to say about this book.

Who am I kidding- I am RAVING about this. I was pretty skeptical when one of my best friends Under The Blush told me I had to read it. She's got great taste in books, but sometimes fiction just rubs me the wrong way. I was wrong, she was right. I read 3/4 of the book in one night just so I could catch the film.

Before I even discuss the plot, the way this book was written is brilliant. Gillian goes back and forth between the Husband's realtime experiences/flashbacks and the diary of the wife that was written before these events. Because of this I found myself trying to flip forward to figure out the story (don't do that...you'll ruin the surprises).

The plot centres itself around a wife who goes missing and a husband whose concern seems
non-existent. The plot twists are endless and shocking. I can't say anymore simply because of that reason. I was constantly mustering up ideas on how/why it all happened, but each new twist put my ideas to shame.

I must say, the ending could have been better. However, I have to give her credit because I don't know how she would topped her plot twists. Overall.... AMAZING and could definitely happen in real life, which is a bonus.

Tip: Read this before you watch the movie.


What are your thoughts on these books? Do you have any recommendations for me? 

Feed Your Mind Not Your Job

Strength.  Such a strong word (no pun intended...haha), but so misused. I take pride in improving the strength of my body, but more importantly I take pride in the strength of my brain.

I've sifted through these thoughts a million times trying to decide how I can feed what feels like an addiction. Lately, these thoughts have been taking over my mind the way the sun takes over a fresh ice-cream cone. It began to fuel feelings of stress and anger. A sense of melting. My mind was feeling dehydrated.

I found my hydration. I realized quickly that I wasn't giving my mind what it needed during the one activity that takes up most of my days. My job. This has happened 3 times in total now and I haven't figured it out until now.

If you are anything like me, you NEED a job that fuels your mind all time. Not a job that you can learn and get comfortable with mediocre challenges. You need a job that is a constant challenge. I get stuck in the melting ice-cream feeling when I can't admit I'm finally beyond where I'm at.

Where I'm going with this is DON'T let your job run your life. Unless its your passion, you should never let your job take over. Wait....if it's your passion, it will NEVER feel like a job. Therefore it can never take over like the hot sun.

Right now I'm working extremely hard to not let the hot sun take over my life. The problem is that when you are passionate about something people WILL tear you down, especially in the office. But I'm learning quickly that no matter how intimidated, how uncomfortable and how jealous people get of you for being strong....EMBRACE it. Take every single thing they say and dream it into more strength and exhale their negativity. You will become stronger than before and find the strength to move beyond the job closer to your passion.

Take pride in constantly wanting to learn and improve yourself. Take pride in loving to fuel your mind. Use the haters as your number one motivation to be even better. Never be afraid to walk away when you need more. Embrace your strength; mind, body & soul.

4 Ways I fuel My Mind Outside Of My Job

1. Research

2. Exotics

3. Criminology

4. Freud's Psychology: Dreams

How do you fuel your mind outside of your job?

Tips For Beginners At The Gym

So you finally joined a gym...

Congratulations, you just made the best decision ever.

Before I get into some tips, I just wanted to say that I've been through all of this myself and watched others go through it. Joining a gym can be extremely intimidating. Over the past week I've heard people talking in the change room about how some days they come in and walk back out because they get scared. CONFIDENCE is key here, but it's hard to build. You must remember that everyone is there to accomplish a goal just like you. Even now, years later I still get intimidated. But I just find my own place, turn on my music and completely zone out. 

-321 squats later-

TAKE IT EASY

If you are just starting out, don't over do it. Plan to go a couple times a week not 5-6. Work your way up to being able to handle more. Your body has to heal after each workout, so make sure you are tuned in to what your body is telling you. Start small and work your way up. If you injure yourself, you are going to set yourself back from your goal. 

IT'S NOT A RUNWAY

When you are first starting PLEASE don't go around thinking you should be wearing all the skimpy tank tops, cut offs and leggings. There are a ton of people who go to the gym JUST to wear those clothes- they likely have no idea what they are doing. Wear what you are comfortable in and something you won't be fiddling with. The last thing you want to worry about at the gym is if your ass is hanging out (see below).

credit: google images

DON'T BE A CARDIO BUNNY! 

Some people hate cardio, but some people LOVE cardio. Please just don't buy a gym membership to run on the treadmill... It won't do anything for you. Indulge in cardio, but switch it up as much as possible.

I recommend doing a 5-10 minute warm up on a bike or tread mill before lifting. If you are trying to lose weight then 20-30 minutes more after your training.

LIFT THINGS UP & PUT THEM DOWN

- your new best friends- it's okay to hoard them-

It's huge myth that if you are a girl and you lift something heavy and put it back down you will look like a man. WRONG! Weight lifting burns calories and depletes your energy. So when you put your bunny ears on after, you should be tapping into your secondary source of energy- BODY FAT. Biggest pet peeve- people who pick up the biggest weight possible, just to drop it back to the floor. So don't do that. It'll only make you look ridiculous.

FORM FORM FORM

I can't say this enough. If you can't get your form right, you aren't doing anything. In fact you will likely hurt yourself. Google up images of the exercise you are trying to do and watch some videos. Practice the form in your bedroom in front of a mirror to save yourself some embarrassment at that gym. 

**I was trying to find a picture for here- but just click here **

RESEARCH

Talk to other people you know, connect with bloggers and read what you can about how to achieve your goals. Make sure you stay away from information regarding "weight loss pills" and anything that suggests rapid weight loss or "miracles". Losing weight to keep it off happens at a slow rate (about 1-2lbs per week). But the more you talk to others, the more it will benefit you. 

MAKE GOALS

You probably already have an idea of your big goal- if you don't...get one. Keep your big goal in mind, but give yourself smaller targets. Make a monthly goal and weekly goals. These will help keep you on track for your big goal and will give you a sense of accomplishment. 

CHALLENGE YOURSELF

Every work out challenge yourself. Push your self to do one more minute of cardio, one more set of weights, one more rep, or a new exercise. If you aren't throwing up or passed out, you can do it! 

MAKE IT FUN

Most importantly you need to make working out fun and you need to enjoy it. There will be days that it won't feel fun, but make it fun. Bring a friend, change up your Ipod or just remember that end goal. 

- bouncy fun in between ab sets -

The fitness lifestyle has so much to offer. There is a lot to learn, but I will make sure to post more details about how I overcame the intimidation and gained my confidence to be at the gym. I will support you all in the best way that I can. 

Feel free to ask me any questions in the comments below or my email if you want to keep it personal.

...Happiness Is NOT A Destination;

Far too often do I hear people speak of how they are "unhappy" with their lives. Even I was a culprit of this unhealthy interpretation of feelings. It took a long time for me to understand that happiness is NOT a destination. I've said it before to people and they look at me with a blank stare coupled with thoughts of me being insane. But I promise you that after this explanation, if even just for a day you try this, you will never consider yourself to be "unhappy" in your life.

Now don't get me wrong, we all have unhappy moments. For instance, just the other day I realized I need to buy new weight lifting gloves since mine are starting to fall apart. I know... first world problems here. However, this was an unhappy moment for me because I really like my gloves and know I can't purchase the same ones again. Obviously, there are worst moments that all make us unhappy... the loss of a loved one, a terrible job, a break up, or just an unwelcome change to our lives. Learning to cope with all of these issues has been a struggle for me, until recently.

The secret is in the feeling of the moment, not in what you THINK is going to make you happy. We watch overrated girly films and watch people struggle through their issues. When they reach the end of their story we get the "happy ending" and attribute that to our own lives. DON'T! Instead, start learning to indulge in every ounce of happy that you get no what moment you are in. Cherish those moments and realize that a "happy ending" doesn't exist, simply because happiness exists at all times not at a final destination.

The picture above is from a weekend at the cottage. In that moment I indulged myself in happiness and captured it. I'm working on trying to embrace more of these moments myself, and dig the happiness out of the unhappy even when it seems impossible. I'm learning to DREAM about the positive and to EXHALE the negative.

This blog will be my home for touching on those moments, sharing tips/opinions and inspiring others to embrace their lives.

How do you chase your dreams while exhaling?