2015 Goal: Pure Happiness

2014 was a very tough year for me. I went through a lot of things, hit some pretty bad low's and had also some amazing memories. I had gained a significant deal of weight during the second semester of last year, my sophomore year, and I felt so unbelievably uncomfortable in my own skin. It was horrible. When summer came, I wanted to stay as far away from all of the things I enjoyed, like going to the beach specifically. I wore long pants almost every day, and most days hated myself and how I looked. I started doing CrossFit and I loved it! Some people from my community opened up a local CrossFit gym and they built an awesome community that I felt immediately comfortable in. I was so proud of my body for being so strong and being able to do CrossFit, and I also felt a little badass.

CrossFit RailTrail

 

My issues with my body and food have been going on for so much longer than I have ever realized once I began to think about when all of this started. My second semester last year was so terrible because I began to use food as a crutch and gained all of the weight because my binge eating became the worst it's ever been. I had also stopped going to the gym at this time, just being busy, lazy, and very involved with my new relationship, which is SO WONDERFUL and was not the reason why I was miserable, just a combination of many things. 

I went into this past semester with a better attitude but still pretty uncomfortable. I had my sweetheart back, which was wonderful (he was far away all summer on an internship and being away from him for months was hard) and it was a new semester that I would be going to the gym and working hard on feeling and looking better. I made progress but the most was after this winter break. 

I began to read Cameron Diaz's The Body Book (bought for me by my lovely boyfriend) which is an amazing book (I'm not kidding, really amazing!) outlining three main parts of having a wholesome and healthy body, the first being Nutrition, second being Movement, and the third regarding Mind. 

I have not even finished the book yet but I am already raving about it, it is wonderful! It has truly helped me transform myself into a healthy positive outlook on food and all of the different macronutrients (carbs, proteins, and fats) as well as vitamins and minerals. I used to be so afraid of eating carbs because of the carbs=bad attitude I used to have. Now I have been eating whole grains, oats, or rice with every single meal and I have never felt better! Just in this past month I have seen so much improvement in my mind and body and I am so impressed with myself thus far. 

Not the prettiest photos, but some examples of what I eat on a daily basis, the mush on the bottom two plates is oatmeal with some parmesean cheese mixed into it. I know how bizarre that sounds but it's delicious! It tastes like risotto almost.

Now, the challenge will be staying on this positive mindset and continuing to grow and just become better and better as well as happier. It is a lengthy story and I have left out a few parts, but I believe I am on the right track to becoming who I truly want to be. This year is dedicated to growth and setting myself on the right track to become the woman who I truly want to be.

xoxo

Samantha

Why am I beginning this blog?

Hello blogger world! My name is Samantha Rose, hence the name of my blog! I like to think I am blooming or blossoming into myself, therefore Rose in Bloom. I am twenty years old, soon to be twenty-one. I go to school at a private college in western MA. I love white and pink wine. Red is okay. I love love loveee a good cup of coffee. My music preferences vary from month to month, even sometimes week to week. Frank Sinatra, Nora Jones, Ingrid Michaelson, Sara Bareilles, Michael Bublé, Kings of Leon, Colbie Caillat, Jason Mraz, Train, Bruce Springsteen, and The Beatles are among some of my favorites. I love a good Romantic Comedy. Sometimes I'm completely irrational but I just can't help it. I get angry quickly, but in two minutes I will probably forget why. I am a hopeless romantic head-over-heels in love with my best friend. 

He is my sweetheart (I'm smiling stupidly as I think about him while I write this). Sorry for the large assortment of pictures, he's just so darn cute. Sappy books, to me, are the best books. I have a terrible habit of twirling my hair. I love to sing, it is one of my favorite things to do. 

I am a self proclaimed health nut but I am still learning more and more about health and wellness. I love to exercise, most of the time, but sometimes I am just downright lazy. I will probably write posts further regarding this, but I am slowly becoming more comfortable with myself and my body.

I wouldn't necessarily say I struggled with an eating disorder, but I have struggled with body image, food, and binge eating for years. In the past year or so it has gotten the worst it has ever been, but that is partly why I am writing this blog. 

I am on a journey to find peace, my own inner bliss, which I believe will also be found through exploring and expressing my thoughts, whether it be online in a blog, or just through writing.  

Happy New Year to everyone by the way! My goal for 2015 is to become happy, so unbelievably happy. I want to love myself, all of myself. I don't want to hold anything back. I don't want to think about what other think of me, I don't want to think of judgement or feel uncomfortable with myself. I just want to live my life, and love it. Cheers to a brand new year and a brand new blog! 

xoxo

Samantha