Life Beyond the Scale.

I don’t know about you, but I hate the scale. You strip down as far as you can: shoes, chunky rings, belt. How much weight will this padded bra add? It doesn't matter what you’re wearing, because the moment we decide we’re getting on the darn thing is the same moment we become obsessed with a number - a number which often dictates how we (especially as women) feel about our outward appearance. I'm not going to lie (Ahem... anymore) about my weight or live in fear of the scale... the two times a year I might get on one!

So here are my numbers: I’m 25. I weigh 149 pounds and stand barefoot at almost 5 feet 8 inches tall. My jeans are size 8. My dress pants are size 10. Dresses, I’m a 6. So, while these numbers might sound tiny to some and gigantic to others... they're me. I can either own them or remain obsessive about them.

Full disclosure: I would like to look similar to the 130 lbs, size 4, high-school version of myself again. But, I also want to remain healthy. I'm just not meant to be a size 2. I want to look like a woman. God made me ridiculously curvy and I refuse (as well as often actively reject) feeling like this body isn’t good enough.

Currently, I balance two jobs that I love. One, as a Director for the After-School Care program at a Catholic elementary school in Denver and two, as a server at a grille near Washington Park. So, on average I work about 45 hours a week. I have date nights with my girl friends. There’s trivia Wednesdays - which always turn out an amazing crew. I’m single, so I go on a lot of dates and meet interesting men. My other priorities are going to Mass, dancing... sweating at the Body Barre, hitting the treadmill twice a week, and doing laundry. Up at 6:15am – Down at 11:00pm. As you can imagine, not all of those things happen. However, the scary thing is: most of them do.

I am dedicated to transforming myself into the best version that I can be (Matthew Kelly shout out!): physically, mentally (read any books lately? Not really!) and spiritually. This blog will track my journey. I’m going to post my work-out plan, include updates on what works for me and what didn't. Throw in some recipes: how much Tahini do you need in homemade hummus? I’ll let you know when I figure it out! In the end, I hope it’s a light-hearted, humorous, and fitness-filled road to Miss Colorado United States 2014.

I’m calling this blog The Balance Bean for several reasons: life is a juggling act – like trying to stay on a balance beam. I’m balancing paying the bills, furthering my career, searching for my future husband, getting fit, and making yummy hummus recipes as a Pescetarian poser (more on that later). Just in case you didn't know, hummus is made out of beans. Yes, I do have an absurd amount of garbanzo beans in my kitchen cabinet. - TM

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Thanks @BenKendrick for your mad editorial skills and advice!