Sleep

I haven't had much time for sleep lately. Actually, it has been nearly impossible to get more than 3-4 hours in one night for almost 3 weeks now. Not entirely due to a lack of trying though. Many nights I will fall asleep early enough, but wake up mid-night with some worry on my mind and never be able to fall back asleep.

Today, I finally have a morning where I have no where to be until 9am (this is a miracle in my book). However, I was still awake by 5:30 because I simply couldn't sleep. Darn it!

I have been noticing how much of an impact sleep (or lack thereof) has on my health - nearly as much as food & fitness, actually. Without a proper night's rest, my body (and probably yours too) simply cannot function at its peak. Not only has my brain been in complete zombie mode for the past few weeks, but I absolutely struggle to get moving, especially at the gym. Workouts that used to be easy for me are very difficult, and problems at work that use to take no effort are now grueling. In addition to this, I am finding myself more emotional, worrisome, stressed, and irritable - and who wants that?

Through my research of the Whole 30 Program and really striving to be strict about health over the next few weeks (during my journey to nationals in Washington DC), I am learning how food has a profound effect on one's sleep. According to my research, when we eat foods that don't agree with our bodies it actually does have the tendency to keep us up at night. With the right, healthy, whole foods, our bodies are able to rest more easily without interruption.

This is more motivation to stay on track - I need sleep, darn it!

The pageant is in less than 7 weeks now. I will strive to get some good food, activity, and rest for my body to prepare me for the magnificent adventure of the national competition!

Eating Whole 30

I've been saying for weeks that I'm going to start another "Whole 30," but my social life keeps allowing me to make excuses (woe is me). I started fresh again today by waking up early to prepare proper meals so I wouldn't get stuck at work making excuses such as, "Well I'm starving, and its only one cookie ... [one cookie as big as my head, but its still just one]." Ooops.

I've been great all day, but now the hard part begins ... dinner time! Dun dun dun.

I'm meeting someone at a new restaurant in a few minutes (he says its great, I've never been), and little miss adventurous me loooooves trying new food. So how do I stick to my Whole 30 guns while still enjoying the yum yums? With will power, of course!

The reason I love Paleo and the Whole 30 program is because it keeps my body in shape -- not what everyone might consider the "perfect" shape (whatever that even is), but the shape that is suitable for my body type and preference. Additionally, it gives me energy, helps me sleep better, makes me feel good all around, and because there is a way to eat alongside the "guidelines" of Whole 30 without feeling deprived no matter what restaurant I scurry off to for the evening.

I'm writing this blog post partly because I'm excited about nearly finishing Day One and being one day closer to completing another Whole 30 challenge, and partly because I needed to get this out there to the world to encourage me to stick to the plan.

I can do this - here I go! Yum yum yum :)

An Uplifting Sisterhood

My life is full of many blessings, and I am grateful for the prosperity and good fortune I have experienced this year. However, that doesn't mean I am living without my own versions of challenge and hardship.

Yesterday was an unexpectedly difficult day for me, where I suddenly felt many of the things I was excited about vanishing before my eyes. It is easy to become sad, disheartened, and even lose confidence in oneself when things don't work out the way we once hoped. For hours yesterday I felt frustrated, sad, angry, and hopeless, wondering what I could have done better. I felt as if I was left to tackle the world entirely on my own, but as an unconfident Ashley.

I wasn't.

What I realized during this moment of weakness is how much love and goodness there is beyond the let-downs, if only we give ourselves the opportunity to see them. I had a pageant event last night with some women very close to me who reminded me that I am amazing just the way I am, and being myself is absolutely good enough -- always.

Why is this remarkable?

Because of the incredible sisterhood and example shown by these strong, confident and powerful women. My pageant sisters within the Miss United States Organization go out of their way to lift each other up. And by doing so last night, they helped to reinstill the confidence I had briefly lost.

Pageantry truly is about so much more than a pretty girl with a shiny crown. It is about banding together to lift, encourage, and support each other. We all work toward the common goals of confidence and happiness, and to receive that support yesterday was something that reminded me how special my pageant family is, and how blessed my life is.

Everyone goes through tough circumstances. However, no matter what hardships we're dealing with in life, we are never left to tackle the heartache on our own. By recognizing the many blessings that still remain, and understanding how truly amazing you are, there isn't a thing or person in the world who can take away your confidence or powerful self.

Today is May 1st. Its a new day, a new month, and a new beginning. I am empowered to be the best Ashley I can be every day, but today, more than ever, I want to conquer the world not by myself, but with the love and support of the many wonderful people in my life. At the end of the day, everything happens for a reason. If I have faith and believe that I am exactly where I am meant to be, then there is absolutely nothing to fear.

We are all perfect and amazing just the way we are - and that's all we need to be!