Category: Life

  • Valentine’s Day Confession: The (Good and Bad) Reality of Being Single as a Pringle

    Valentine’s Day Confession: The (Good and Bad) Reality of Being Single as a Pringle

    “Are you dating anyone?”

    Ah, the dreaded question at every family party or catch up with a friend that has me thinking on my feet – will it be a witty response about my pure singleness, or a serious rundown of my near nonexistent flings on dating apps? Ask me and find out! 😉

    Valentine’s Day is upon us, and yesterday was also Self Love Day (did you catch my 13 Days of Self Love campaign on Instagram?). So, I found this a perfect time to shed some light and real talk on this whole single thing as a twenty-something in the thick of it.

    First, I’m going to admit that loving ourselves in an ongoing, every day process. You don’t just wake up one day and love yourself – you work at it just like you work at a fitness routine or healthy lifestyle – it’s a process that ebbs and flows.

    And that process as a single person comes with serious highs, but also serious lows. One day, you’re a proud, independent woman who doesn’t need a man – and the next, you’re crying over some dude. It’s a daily struggle.

    I don’t mean ‘struggle’ to be severe, but I do mean to say that it is not always easy. Don’t get me wrong, I know relationships aren’t easy either. But going it alone can put you up against some potentially dark and lonely times that you must dig yourself out of (girlfriends are the best, am I right?). But, on the other end, it also can mean a whole lot of self-growth and strength you never knew you had – beautiful right?

    I recently talked to a friend of mine about dating. I entered the conversation thinking I had it all figured out (see above: you’re a proud, independent woman who doesn’t need a man), but I ended the conversation realizing yes, I definitely crave that feeling of love sometimes… and that’s okay.

    I came to the realization that it’s okay to feel alone sometimes, crave that feeling of love from someone, or be a proud independent at any given moment – these are just the natural feelings of a single person (at least, in my opinion). I have no proof of this besides the fact that I am living proof of this.

    And I also came to the realization being single doesn’t mean you have to love every second of it – but it does mean you have to love yourself like crazy. Hence: my Self Love campaign! It also means you have to surround yourself with amazing people who lift you up and love you. So this Valentine’s Day, I’m grabbing a glass of wine (maybe two), some close friends, and toasting to the journey of love – whatever path that may be for all of us (single or not).

    Happy Valentine’s Day and Self Love Day! XOXO, Your Favorite “Single as a Pringle” Gal

    PS – Does this resonate with you? Let me know so I don’t feel like a vulnerable single who just put it all out there. K thanks!

  • This Year’s Resolution: Practicing Forgiveness

    This Year’s Resolution: Practicing Forgiveness

    It’s New Year’s resolutions time, which has me shamefully recalling a whole lot of old resolutions focused on my weight or appearance (sigh). In reflecting on this past year, I’m envisioning 2019 being a whole lot different in many ways. And right now, it’s time to get real.

    I’ve made a lot of progress this past year around my body and self-love, but there’s always growth to be made. And while I’ve made strides to love my body for what it is, it was hard this year to not get fixated on it. I’ve lost weight and people have taken notice – but I’ve realized that’s a really empty feeling to lean on. Because at the end of the day, you’re standing there with yourself – but if you’re so focused on your appearance that can leave a lot of emptiness, right? It’s so important to have pride in other areas of your life and recognize yourself as more than just your body – because we are all SO much more than that. That was a huge reminder for me this year.

    I consider myself a body positive blogger, but what I’ve learned is that doesn’t mean I’m perfect and have all my shit worked out – I certainly don’t. I have moments of insecurity, doubt, unhappiness – you name it. But it only makes me stronger in the end, and only makes me want to come out fighting for body positivity and self-love in the world even harder.

    I’ve seen so many terrible, terrible things happening with body image, especially on social media – like people fat shaming and skinny shaming others constantly. It makes me sick when other people take their own insecurities out on other people (which I really think is true).

    I’m proud of myself for taking one of my huge insecurities and flipping it on its head to inspire and motivate others to love themselves. I am. But I’m also not proud of myself for these sometimes looming feelings I have or not writing about it often enough – I think to myself, “I’m a body image blogger, darn it!”

    But what I’m working on moving into 2019 is forgiveness.

    Forgive your body for gaining a couple pounds over the holidays, because it meant spending quality time with the people you love and the numbers don’t matter. Forgive yourself for putting something on the back burner, because you’re allowed to live your life and find your passions your own way.

    In the back half of 2018, I pretty much completely stopped writing for my blog. I had so many other things on my mind and prioritized other things – like fitness/running a triathlon, taking care of myself and mental health, spending time with friends, working, traveling, relaxing, etc. And while I sometimes want to smack myself and go, “Ugh, Kenzie. You need to work on your blog more, what are you doing?!” I’m choosing forgiveness. I’m choosing to forgive myself from taking a little hiatus, because I’m allowed to live my life. I’m allowed to live out my passions, and it’s not always going to be picture perfect or give me inspiration to write every day. And that’s okay.

    Spending time reflecting has me realizing how much pressure there really is in this world – pressure to have a “perfect” life, have a ton of money, have a perfectly DIY’ed home, have a perfect blog, have a boyfriend/fiancé/husband, look amazing in a swimsuit – okay, maybe this is what I’m seeing but I think everyone else is seeing it on their social media feeds, too. There’s pressure all around us, and it can be completely anxiety inducing at times. And this applies to the blogging world too, as there are a lot of “picture perfect” or seemingly “better” bloggers out there that might mess with your mind.

    But I have to go back and think about WHY I’m doing things, and ask myself, “Am I doing it to be this perfect blogger?” I don’t want to live like that – I want to live MY life for me (and recognize it’s okay to feel a little lost in that sometimes). For a while, I had nothing that was really speaking to me so I didn’t write for a bit. I can forgive myself for that, because that pressure I’m putting on myself to be this amazing blogger is for what? I started my blog because I wanted to empower people to love themselves, educate them on body image, and write. I can still do that in my everyday life, through my Instagram, in person, or privately, but not necessarily write things publicly every week to be a good “blogger.” So that’s what I’m doing – forgiving myself – and remembering everyone is on their own journey.

    I have serious goals for myself in 2019 – one of them is to continue writing for my blog more frequently. But I also want to start a podcast, go on more dates, keep pushing fitness goals, get promoted at work… the list goes on. But while I have so many things I want to work on, I also want to forgive myself if things aren’t PERFECTLY met, because that’s life. So whatever inspires you in the moment, makes you feel good, moves you closer to your goals, do it! And don’t do it for the gram… do it for YOU.

    Cheers to a happy and healthy 2019! What are your resolutions?

    XOXO, Kenzie

  • The Curve Confessionals: Callie

    The Curve Confessionals: Callie

    About the interview: Throughout my life, my older sister Callie has always been a role model to me in a lot of ways. And when it comes to her body, Callie has always had a certain confidence that I really admire. I can’t think of a time where Callie has not rocked her body and size, no matter what weight she was at. Callie and I are currently roommates in an apartment in Chicago, and over the past year we’ve both made some serious changes to our lifestyles and fitness routines to better our health, which she talks about in our interview. In addition to that, she’s got some great insight on finding confidence and self love. Check it all out in our full interview below!

    CC: What’s YOUR body image story?

    Callie: I’ve honestly been pretty comfortable and confident in my body since I was young. I’ve always been kind of in the middle ground (never the skinniest, or most muscular) but always felt comfortable with my shape and actually have liked it most of the time! I was never the girl who carefully chose what I ate or worked out everyday. I pretty much eat whatever I want and workout when I’m feeling inspired (which is sporadic at best), but it’s something that people in my life have always loved about me; I’m just me, take it or leave it. I’ve definitely gone through some weight fluctuations throughout my life, I got much curvier in college and then dropped some weight after college but have stayed pretty steady (probably thanks to having a little bit of height) and most of my friends and family don’t take a ton of notice because these changes have never been super drastic. It’s been pretty recently (over the last year or so) that I’ve really started to think more about my health/lifestyle and body because I just was not feeling as confident or good about my body as I used to. This really peaked these last few months. I put on some weight, and while most of my friends and family haven’t really noticed (even when I’ve probed) I started to notice some little things…. My clothes were a little tighter than I prefer, I was a little more sluggish and tired than usual and I just felt bigger than I’ve ever been, and this was not the normal fluctuation that I was used to. I started thinking it was just one of my normal little gains but I think part of it is (sadly) that I’m getting older, so it’s more important than ever that I’m conscientious of my health habits because they have way more of an impact on my body now than when I was 20. This is COMPLETELY overwhelming to me because I’ve always been someone that if I wanted to lose 5 pounds, I could do it pretty easily and I never really had to have a “plan” or think about my habits too hard but I knew that I had to commit to making a major change if I wanted to see results this time. Living with Kenzie, I saw the healthy choices she was making and her transformation, and finally had the thought “if she can do it, so can I!” The gym that I was inconsistently going to near my work was doing a “6 week challenge” starting in February with meal plans & workout incentives and, after some consideration, I signed up! This was the kickstart to my lifestyle change… I followed the meal plan pretty closely and was working out 4-5 times per week and believe it or not… I was seeing results! I ended up losing 11 pounds in 6 weeks and felt AMAZING. I fit into clothes that hadn’t fit me for the last year and could see a huge difference in my body and my energy levels. I’ve continued making healthy choices, working out regularly and holding myself accountable and I feel better than ever! It’s been so motivating and just makes me want to keep going!
    CC: Why is body image/self love/self acceptance important to you?
    Callie: Self acceptance and self love are so important to me because I have always been one of those girls who never let my body image get me down. Of course, I’ve had my insecurities, like anyone else, but overall I think I’ve maintained a pretty positive attitude about my body and I’m really proud of that! I think it’s helped me to accept that I will never be the “tiny” girl of the group, I’m just me and there are a lot of things to love about my body!
    CC: What has been your biggest body image struggle (or one you’ve witnessed)?
    Callie: One struggle I’ve had (that I’m just starting to realize) is that whenever I’ve gone on a workout kick in the past, it’s been just to lose weight, look better, fit into my tight jeans—but never for my own health and wellness. I think it’s important to focus on how working out makes you feel physically and mentally and finding the workout that makes you feel at your best.  From witnessing friends and family go through body transformations, that is the ONLY way I’ve seen it work. They find something that inspires them like yoga, Shred415, Orange Theory, Pure Barre or whatever and just make it a part of their routine. That’s something that has always overwhelmed me because I’ve just never been a workout junkie and I never thought I would be. I am, by no means, the person in class lifting the heaviest weights or running the fastest, but I’ve found myself craving workouts. I think it’s important to find a workout that is the best fit for YOU. I’ve found that Shred415 has really been a saving grace for me because it’s a mix of running, lifting and aerobics and the atmosphere is extremely welcoming. In the past, I would have to force myself to get to the gym and only went because I felt like I should… I truly think it’s about finding the workout and atmosphere that makes you feel good and keeps you coming back!
    CC: What’s one thing you’d say to your younger, middle school aged self if you could go back? Or to younger girls today?
    Callie: I would say that there is not ONE beautiful. I think in middle school/high school, girls are just so hyper focused on following the latest trends, being the prettiest, and having the best body… but what the hell does that even mean?? All the women in my life have completely different bodies; some are curvy, while others are athletic and muscular, while others are tall and thin– and I think they’re all beautiful in their own way! As you get older, you learn that everyone is SO different and that’s what makes the world go round.
    CC: What do you do to love your body?
    Callie: I surround myself with people who not only accept me but lift me up. My friends and family have always supported and encouraged me whether it’s through a compliment about my outfit or pushing me to run a marathon, their support gives me so much confidence and their love helps me to love my body. I’ve also continued to play volleyball into adulthood which I really think has helped me to see that even though I’m not in the athletic shape I was in high school… I still got it! That makes me proud of my body and the skills I possess. Another thing that I do to love my body (that I think can be good and bad) is listen to my body. I’m not a natural born runner but I’ve pushed myself in some long distance races. In training and the races, I did what my body was capable of. I never pressured myself to get a certain time or do something my body couldn’t handle. I listen to my body– some days I feel like I could run a half marathon and other days I can barely run a mile, but that’s okay, my body deserves a break sometimes!
  • The Curve Confessionals: Jenna

    The Curve Confessionals: Jenna

    About the interview: Jenna and I first met as youngsters in middle school, and have grown closer and closer over the years. She’s about as cute as a button, and in our interview honestly shares her own triumphs with being petite and finding confidence. She’s a superb role model to her younger siblings, and shares some incredible thoughts on my questions during our interview. Read on for some major feels and inspo!

    CC: What’s YOUR body image story?

    J: Hmmm… Well I fall into the “petite” category, I was always the smallest in the class, the tiniest baby, still don’t understand what a “percentile” is… you get the point. Growing up I was super sensitive of how short and small I was. I will never forget the day I came home crying in first grade: we learned a fact that the size of your heartis the size of your fist typically. Some kid in class turned to me and said, “Wow yours is pretty small then!” He likely didn’t mean it as an insult. My short-already sensitive about my size- seven-year-old self- took that as he told me “I was a mean person with a small heart.” I was often the butt of a lot of jokes, although most were playful, but I always wanted to be taller. Especially when the sport I chose to stick with was…basketball. Needless to say my basketball career never made it past 7th grade. I am not sure when I finally began to accept my height… Maybe it was the fact that I have been 5’1 since the 7th grade? But I know now it’s nothing I can change. I spend money getting things hemmed and scan shops for petite sections, but being little is what makes me, me.

    CC: Why is body image/self love/self acceptance important to you?

    J: It is important to me for many reasons, one big one is I have a sister who is about to enter high school. When we were growing up, we obviously had the media and some Internet, but with Instagram it creates a whole new realm of fake. Photoshop is real, normal people use it for their pictures to alter their body, not even just celebrities. It creates this completely altered reality that people (like my sister) likely believe to be true.

    CC: What has been your biggest body image struggle (or one you’ve witnessed)?

    J: Finding health and wellness in college- I gained a lot of weight when I went to college, and for me having such a small frame, the weight really showed. I didn’t know at the time that I had gotten bigger and my clothes weren’t fitting–I was pretty much enjoying college and super happy at the time. I don’t regret it for a second because I was having fun, and it taught me the importance of truly taking care of myself on so many levels. I learned I could no longer rely on my metabolism—especially when on an all bagel/pizza/ramen diet.

    CC: What has been your biggest body image victory (or one you’ve witnessed)?

    J: Cleaning my act up in college, being active and finding work outs I enjoy doing—not to lose weight, but because I genuinely enjoy doing them.

    CC: Have you always loved your body? How do you keep that confidence?

    J: To be honest I don’t think I have ever “loved” my body. I have never disliked it, but I want to be at a point where I love my body because I worked for it.

    CC: If you haven’t, how have you worked to get there?

    J: I am my happiest self when I am working out and eating healthy. I am not someone that works out 7, or even 5 days a week—I don’t think I’ll ever be, at least not in the near future. I love cooking in general, especially healthy meals, and how I feel afterwards makes me genuinely so happy. I strive to do both more and more—in my photo here I had worked out and cooked healthy meals for a while leading up to that family vacation. I felt so ready for my bikini pictures, and loved how confident my sister was, too.

    CC: Do you compare yourself to other girls a lot/feel pressure to look a certain way at times? Why do you think you do?

    J: I don’t think I feel pressure to look a certain way now, but I’ll certainly look at things girls wear on instagram like friends or bloggers I follow, and find myself wishing I could wear something like they’re wearing. I simply wouldn’t wear what they were because I know I would not look “as good as” them.

    CC: What’s one thing you’d say to your younger, middle school aged self if you could go back? Or to younger girls today?

    J: Be confident- I am working on my confidence every day. If it would have started a younger age… I can’t help but to think how much more confident I would be now. Don’t be afraid to wear clothes different than your friends, play sports different than your friends, etc. Do YOU. Also, not everyone has a thigh gap, it’s simply just how people were made. Oh, and one more thing. Weight is a number-it’s about how your clothes fit, and most importantly how you feel. Don’t ever compare your weight to somebody else’s. It’s a waste of time–you and someone else’s body frame are incomparable!