When Your Wedding Workout Plan Is Put On Hiatus by Vanessa Larkey

I hate to write about this, but it's on my mind. 

Working out. Getting in shape. Eating right. Fitting into the dress. 

It's something I think most engaged couples think about. All eyes (and cameras) are on you -- why not look your absolute best? 

For the past two years I've made healthy living a big part of my life. I started working out on the regular, and incorporating more vegetables into my diet. The result? I lost a bunch of weight and gained muscle. Funny how that works, isn't it? 

People took notice, too. When I would run into people I hadn't seen in a while their first reaction was usually, "Wow! You've lost so much weight! What are you doing/what did you change?" As I became healthier, not only could I open a jar a pickles (once a difficult task that involved knives and hot water), but my anxiety lessened, and I was able to get a restful 8 hours of sleep a night.  

Over the past two months I've had a pretty intense work schedule. Not only have I neglected my blog, I've neglected my health, too. While on the road we ate a lot of fast food, and well, I wasn't exactly motivated to work out while travelling. The result? I've gained some weight back. Not exactly the thing you want happening 3 months before your wedding -- especially if you've already bought a dress. 

The past two months have been the complete opposite for Peter. He bikes 100 KM a week for work, hits the gym, and maintains a mostly vegan diet. So! Starting today, actually starting tomorrow because I ate this today, I'm becoming hardcore. What does that mean? Eating as healthy and vegan as I possibly can, and working out 4 -5 times a week. Peter and I both want to look good in our photos, but more importantly, we want to be as healthy as we can we start on this new chapter in our lives together. So, while I'm upset at my setback this summer, I'm up for the challenge of turning things around. 

 

Honeymoon Booked! by Vanessa Larkey

Sorry for the lack of posts lately. It’s not that I haven’t had a lot to write about, it’s just I’ve been travelling a lot for work and haven’t had time to collect my thoughts and put them into a word document. Also, Stranger Things. Have you watched that!?!?! If not, I recommend you do it now.

No spoilers! 

No spoilers! 

 Anyway! I digress.

 As I mentioned in my digression (SORRY!) I’ve been on the road for most of July/August and haven’t had a lot of time to blog or, you know, plan the wedding. In the middle of last week I had a burst of inspiration, hunkered Peter down and we booked the flights for our honeymoon. Is it wedding related? Kinda. It’s been a while since I’ve had a vacation and, who doesn’t like planning a trip?  

Except, choosing a location is a lot harder than you think. Europe? Would love to, but we want to honeymoon in the winter and Europe isn’t exactly a tropical paradise, especially in January. I thought Thailand would be pretty cool, but Peter vetoed it. He hasn’t travelled a lot, and wasn’t into such an exotic locale. Mexico or Aruba? All-inclusive vacays can be fun, but we were both looking for something with a bit adventure. Costa Rica? Peter was concerned about the language barrier. California? Not about that life (for a honeymoon, at least).

Ultimately, we decided on Hawaii. I found flights for $600 (tax and baggage included) using the site cheapair.com to Honolulu and we booked immediately. Friends that have visited the islands have warned that it can be expensive, but we’re determined to honeymoon on a budget. We’ll stay in Airbnb’s and use the Aeroplan Points I’ve collected throughout the summer for car rentals.

  When I told my Mom we booked our flights she said, “I am so excited for you! I think this will be your very best trip. According to Elvis Presley, Hawaii was his favourite place, and he travelled all over the world.”

Did I fact check that? Hell no. But if it’s good enough for the King of Rock (according to my Mom) it’s good enough for me.