I’M DONE! It’s crazy, and really hasn’t even sunk in 24 hours later. But yesterday around 10:15am, I finished my last final, and with that my MBA. Wow did time fly by! My mom is coming down from Seattle on Thursday, and actual graduation is Saturday.
So I think you know what this means.. lots of celebrating? .. well yes that too, but also a reflective, how much as changed, you can never predict what will happen, post.. I’ll do my best to keep it short, however excessively sweet 
LIFE
I arrived in Arizona (July 2008) for Grad School. I was in pretty good shape, then proceeded to not walk into a gym for 7 months, eat unhealthy, not take care of my body and get all sorts of unhealthy while attempting (and failing) to manage stress during my first two trimesters of grad school. Don’t get me wrong, I was having a blast.. but all things Fitness at that point were definitely failures.
Sometime in March I went and watched my first Fitness/Figure/BB competition, called up my now trainer Scott two days later and yes.. the rest is history. But seriously, even a year ago I never would have predicted the impact getting into competitive fitness would have on my life. For me, it wasn’t just about the achievement of getting on stage, but how much I learned about myself, the confidence I gained, and the passion, and as it turns out, career-path I discovered in the process.
It’s just so funny how things progress, evolve and magically seen to come together in the end, like pieces of a puzzle falling into place. I had a whole long stream-of-events post written out, but I think that would bore you. It’s so easy to say, ‘if I hadn’t done this,’ ‘gone there,’ ‘run into them,’ my whole life would have been different. But it is true, and it constantly amazes me. One of my favorite yoga teachers always talks about how we are exactly where we’re meant to be at any given moment, because every moment had to happen just as it did for us to arrive there (ok I’m paraphrasing, he says it way more poetically, but you get the gist). I just love that. I like to think that although we are in control of each decision we make moving forward, there’s no need to stress about the past, because even what we consider to have been “mistakes” is what allows us to move forward as more knowledgeable, stronger, more confident people.
FITNESS
All is lovely. Since coming to the conclusion that it’s the “responsible” thing not to compete this summer, I’ve been just going with the Flow, literally and figuratively. I’m stepped up cardio and been HIITing (pun so intended) the treadmill, getting in boxing where I can, and been very happy to fit Yoga back into the plan. I’ve of course still been lifting, but not as intensely (weight-wise) as I was previously. I gotta be honest, sometimes I feel like I look at weights and carbs and I put on mass, haha.. not complaining, because it’s great when necessary, but I’m only 5’4″.. time to lean out a bit! So basically that means good ole ‘fake it till you make it’ with cardio haha
NUTRITION
The week’s started out very well. I’ve been eating 95% clean (that 5% goes to the Blueberry Martini I had yesterday prior to dinner at a fancy steak house), and feeling great. A few highlights..
I’m having a minor obsession with protein pancakes topped with FitNutz PB..
First, a Plain & Simple Protein Pancake (made with Muscle Gauge Cake Batter or Rocky Road Protein Isolate), sprinkled with 1 tbsp FitNutz PB, drizzle with Calorie-Free Maple syrup..
And another..
Then Tuesday’s breakfast was Oatmeal topped with 1 tbsp Fitnutz + ~2 tbsp Calorie-Free Maple Syrup to make a syrup..
Monday we went to a nice Steak House for a celebratory dinner. I order the Ahi Tuna.. and they gave me the whole darn fish..
So it made a reappearance for lunch today..
There have been Green Protein Monsters (this one was Berry Vega + 2 oz Spinach + UVAB + Ice, topped with Goji Berries)..
And Ezekiel Bread topped with Humnut (1 tbsp Hummus + 1 tbsp Nutritional Yeast + H20), Artichokamole and Tofu (not pretty, but certainly tasty)..
And tonight,l ike always, all I wanted post-crazy-yoga-sweat-session, was a big salad.. this was just Mixed Greens with Sweet Potato and TJ’s Chickenless-Shreds..
FUN
And the winner of the PB Coconut Butter is…
Jody of Fit at 52! Congrats!!
Busy day tomorrow. Starting off with Power Yoga, then Leg day with my trainer, then picking up the keys to my new place!
Happy Hump-Day everyone!
Fun Links
Congrats to Jodi
And congrats to you, Alyson!!!!!!
GReat post, can’t wait to chat about it all in person on THurs!
xox
Congrats on finishing! I’m sure it feels fabulous.
Woohoo on finishing. I bet you feel like a big weight has been lifted off your shoulders. The blueberry martini sounds interesting. Couldn’t be all that bad – had blueberries right??
Congrats on the MBA!
I’m also going to enjoy my summer and not worry about competing. It will always be there.
Congrats! So happy for you… this post just feels so relaxed and joyous, you def made the right decision about competing!
CONGRATS!
Oh wow! Your recreation looks awesome–ahi tuna is one of my faves!
congrats on your MBA girl! what an accomplishment! you sound so happy!!! that ahi tuna…wowza they really did give you the whole fish! haha I LOVE left overs, soemtimes I ike to go to restaurants, where I KNOW the portion will be huge so i can have leftovers the next day!!
I tried the fitnutz PB and wasn’t a huge fan of it…maybe I shouuld try mixing it with skim or almond milk and not water to give it some more rich flavor??! love the protein cakes though! as always!!
Congratulations, Alyson! I love reading Nourished Fitness and can’t wait to hear more about your upcoming endeavors.
Wow that was one HUGE Ahi Tuna dish! Lots of tasty inspirations. Congratulations on your MBA and all the best for a wonderful career.
Congrats! It is amazing ho our lives direct right where we are intended to be
I certainly didn’t think I would be in nursing school with a two year old daughter at age 25. But, I love school and I would not want to live a single day without my little girl 
WOW!!!! Thank you for my win! I hope I don’t eat it all in one serving!!!!! YUM!
Huge congrats on your graduation! I have so much repsect for your goals & I only wish I knew “then” what I know now!
OK, I am ready to eat something with that PB!
Can’t wait to hear about your new place!
Alyson- many congrats on a great accomplishment! Your ahi tuna looks so delicious! Can you help me with your plain and simple protein pancake recipe? I tried it last weekend and they did not turn out looking anything like yours and I’m sure tasting nothing like yours either. How long do you mix the ingredients? I hand mixed mine – maybe that was the issue. Maybe I need to get the egg whites to be stiff? Your pancakes always look so yummy!! Help! Congrats again!
Congrats!!!! I never would have guessed that you were a newbie at figure competitions. You look amazing.
And I’m sure a summer off will be nice. I know when I’m training for a marathon I miss leisurly workouts… like my yoga!
Congrats on your MBA! So exciting
Loving the looks of the protein pancake….where do you get muscle gauge cake mix?
Wow, I have the same feelings about my journey training for my first competition! I thought at first it had a beginning and an end. But I learned it’s such a healthy lifestyle and like you learned a lot about myself. Totally a life changing experience! Did you find out if you’re able to come to the potluck? I’d love if you were there to share your knowledge and creativity! Maybe you can get a few clients too!
what an amazing journey! congrats on this new chapter
I’m so impressed with your abilities to reflect.
I got my (undergrad) degree five months ago and still don’t have anything coherent to say about the experience!
Congrats! What a relief it must be! Enjoy spending time with your mom!
Congrats on being finished… what an accomplishment! no more papers or studying for tests. I might be a little jealous