Blog
#116: Rubik's Cube Reflection
As my friends and family know all too well, I’ve been trying to solve a LEGO Rubik’s cube without instructions ever since returning from South Korea last October. I thought that…
#115: Rule 3 Update: Pressure is a Privilege
I asked a mentor, “how do you know when to apply pressure?” He smiled, and said that’s a good, but difficult question. He emphasized the importance of gauging the situation in…
#104: 2024 Reflections
I begin the annual reflection process the reading the prior year reflection. I’m proud of my past-self for commitment to growth, passion for the process, and her outcomes to show…
#102: Thank You, Next
I once read that your twenties are the time to solidify health and fitness routines to give yourself the best chance to to keep up with them as the demands of life increase. As I…
#101: The Push I didn't know I Needed
For the last month or two, I struggled to figure out what I want to do with my month off of work. First, it was Australia. Then it was Boston to study for the GMAT. Then I said…
#100.5: THE List
I write most of my blog posts with a clear purpose - To work through my thoughts and feelings, and come to an understanding of how to move forward. In other words, intellectualize…
#100: The 300 Pound Deadlift & Other Accomplishments
As much as I’m a proponent of the idea that we ‘make’ time for what we want to do, as opposed to ‘having’ time, I realize that there’s an additional factor in the equation…
#99: Intent vs Impact
The most common debate across my relationships is the question of intent vs impact - which matters most? I stand firm that impact outweighs intent, but the goal of this post is to…
#98: The Program of Life
The Program of LifeMy job title is “Senior Financial Analyst,” but I [excel] by acting as a hybrid between technical program manager and financial analyst/manager. I’m ultimately…
#97: An Organized Thought Inbox [Not]
As I re-read earlier posts (something I rarely do), I’m disappointed in myself that I let others' opinions of the information I choose to share get to me. I purposefully share my…
#96: Self-Confidence
Self-ConfidenceArguably the most critical piece of my identity is predicated on my ‘play hard, work harder’ mentality, which is a silly version of the catch phrase “work hard…
#95: Productivity, Please
With all that I hope to accomplish in both my career and personal life, it’s easy to allow myself to become overwhelmed, or stuck between tasks without extremely clear short-term…
#91: Flojo Mojo (& the Revised Meaning of Life)
I’m exactly where I want to be in this moment: On the beach in Turks and Caicos, finally starting to understand what it means for me to live. As I read Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's…
#90: 2023 Reflections
I’m starting of the “2023 Reflections” with a quote from my 2022 Reflections blog post, that very much still applies, if not more now than ever before:I’m a firm believer in…
#89: I'm an Adult
I had an amazing time visiting my sister in college and seeing her ‘in her element.’ And, I finally understood that I am an adult. As I walked around the beautiful college campus…
#88: The Meaning of Life
Life was simpler when my primary purpose was to advance my career as quickly as possible. Although I’m generally more relaxed as I prioritize balance, I’m equally confused. For…
#87: Re-Booting Human
Last February, one of my close friends commented that I hadn’t been the same person I used to be for the previous 6-9 months as work took over my life. I knew he had my best…
#86: Processing
According to science, the challenge of a breakup is that we have to re-wire our brain with neural pathways to stop thinking about our former person, the experiences we had with…
#85: Tight vs Weak Muscles
When I convinced myself to take a break from the gym, I made a point to mention that I would evaluate whether or not I miss the gym, and if I think it’s something I should…
#84: Must to Play Hard to Work Harder
The first thing my manager said to me when I made it into the office “you’re going to Italy tomorrow! Are you excited?” I answered without thinking, “Honestly, I’m nervous about…
#83: Rule #2 Update
Original Post Date: 2023My infamous ‘rules to live by’ began one day when I made a joke that rule #1 of my life is that I refuse to get on the plane without knowing where the gym…
#82: Same Me, New Goals
Nearly a year ago, I set a few goals for myself – A few of the goals were life-long goals that I always had in mind and finally was ready to give them a shot, and a few of those…
#81: Rule #2
No matter how many times I get hurt, I take a few days (or hours) to be sad, and then I get right back up and begin again – this time with new learning to help me do better the…
#80: A Sprained Ankle... and Return of the Impostor Syndrome
Last Monday, I slipped on a piece of plastic and sprained my ankle. I was bound to be injured at some point, although it happened in a way I’d least expect it. As I was crossing…
#79 How do I know if I'm Falling Behind?
My friends and I went to one of the more popular bars in Seattle to celebrate the third 25th birthday of the friend group. The other two friends (couple) that are 25 announced…
#78: Current Fitness Goals
Even though my lifting goals are nearly always been about building strength, I’d by lying if I said I wasn’t excited about the prospect of building muscle and improving my…
#77: Michelle makes her own decisions??
I’m incredibly proud of where I come from and how I was fortunate in every way possible growing up. I always felt safe, loved, prioritized, and so much more. My dad went out of…
#76: To Hike or not to Hike? To share or not to Share?
Since I was a child, I wondered what it would be like to be in a cloud. Who hasn’t? I’d look out the airplane window and wish that I could just hop across the sky as if the clouds…
#75: Fragile
TL;DR: I do my best to make resiliency and learning seem like second nature, because that’s what society wants from me. If I succeed, people will think I have some kind of magic…
#74: Too much but Never Enough
There was a time a few months ago that I couldn’t have been happier, but I felt it wear away slowly. I’m back to having (almost) everything that I could ever want at surface…
#73: Chelle on Vacation
As I savored my last beach walk in Turks and Caicos this morning, post-workout, latte in hand, Kelly Clarkson’s “The Champion” playing through my engraved airpods, I felt 100%…
#72: 2022 Reflections
I’m a firm believer in continuously working toward a set of goals, so I’m not much for new year’s resolutions, as I said last year. Nonetheless, I’ll never miss a chance for…
#71: Seriously, Trust the Process
Before I get into it today, I have to get one thing off my chest. Just because I don’t take up my entire airplane seat is NOT an excuse for someone to take up half my space. I’m…
#70: Life in Pink
I used to think that pink was obnoxiously girly. One of my close friends is obsessed with pink, and I didn’t understand it until recently. After she left Seattle, my life began…
#69: It's Burnout, Baby
My brain takes at least few hours to be fully functional at work these days. No matter what time I sit down at my desk in the morning, it takes ~1.5 hours before there’s any…
#68: The Life Plan
Consider this a formal warning that what I write next is going to scare the hell out of both of us. Thanks to recommendations from several friends, I read the Defining Decade and…
#67: Taking Responsibility
On paper, the last six weeks were the most intense series of unfortunate events so far in my short-ish lifetime. I worked twice as many hours as usual intense pressure three times…
#66 Mindf*ck today, crisis averted tomorrow
I want to say that I wish I had words to describe how I feel, but the reality is that I know exactly how to describe what I feel. Rather, I can’t find the energy to put the words…
#65: The thing about me and dating...
Since graduating college 1.5 years ago, I thought I had my life together. I thought I was doing well at work, keeping up with friends, staying consistent in the gym, being…
#64: Untitled
I became so focused on getting ahead in my career and fitness that I didn’t leave room to enjoy things that don’t serve my larger goals. I’m taking myself too seriously. Each time…
#63: My first half marathon was a way to run away. This time, I'm running toward something more.
I’m waking up this morning feeling absolute disappointment in myself --- yesterday (and the day before) was one of those days. I managed to stay gluten free (with the exception of…
#62: I have way too many posts to keep coming up with creative titles
Written 9/1/22. As I talk to more people in their early-ish 20s, I learn that most of us are “figuring ourselves out.” We’re learning what we want out of a career, romantic…
#61: An Actual Fitness Post
It’s been a WHILE since the last fitness post, probably because fitness has become a habit rather than a priority while I focus on improving other aspects of my life such as…
#60: Michelle 2.0
Original Post Date: August 2022Although I'm officially single for the first time in 4 years, my goals and remain the same. I still work, workout, call my parents, and spend time…
#59: 'Impulsive' and Proud
We often don’t consider how much motivation, hard work and effort is required each day until we take a step back to consider it (mentioned in earlier posts). I rarely think twice…
#58: Re-Learning to Ride a Bike (and other Cheesy Analogies
When a romantic relationship ends, I know that it’s important to process feelings. Unlucky for me, “feeling my feelings” is not my strength. By the time a relationship ends, I’ve…
#57: Has Work Gone to my Head?
It’s no secret that I’m an obsessive person. I get hyper-fixated on one goal and it overtakes my life. It sometimes feels like it would be more difficult for me to lead a balanced…
#56: Life Update
(Written 6/1/22)Hi. How are you? It’s been awhile since I’ve made the time to post, or felt like I had something to share. I’m skipping the life updates for now. They come later…
#55: Some girls go blonde... I'm running a half marathon
Some girls dye their hair blonde in times of crisis. Unfortunately, blonde hair doesn’t suit me. Fortunately, my hair dresser would never let that happen. Instead, I spontaneously…
#52: Using Goals to Improve Mental Health
It’s no secret that my mental health could be better. I hinted at it in my last post, and then proceeded to pour my feelings out by writing few angry posts that I debated sharing…
#51: Sober March Results
The Seattle social scene is either drinking, hiking or skiing. We all know I can’t ski, and it rains too much to hike for half the year, so you do the math. We drink during the…
#50: Life Lately
**I wrote this a month ago and am posting now. I almost didn’t post because it sounds like I’m whining. I recognize how lucky I am that this is my life – and say that I’m…
#49: How do I Stay Motivated? Hint: I don't
Since I began sharing more of my life on social media, I’ve been asked more than once how I stay motivated. I wish I had an inspiring response, but the truth is that I don’t have…
#48: Episode 3: Tracking your food? Are you making one of these food tracking mistakes?
If you’re serious about achieving your fitness goals, I HIGHLY encourage tracking what you eat. Those who track their food are X% more likely to succeed. If you track what you…
#47: The Effect of being an "Influencer" & an Announcement!
Nothing about my workout routine or eating habits has changed since I started sharing my life on social media, but I’m well aware that I voluntarily put my life under a…
#46: In the Zone
I’m so engrossed in my work that I don’t even realize my team went to lunch and came back an hour later. Each time I figure out a piece of the “puzzle,” my it feels like my brain…
#44: Everything to know about Protein
What is protein?Protein is one of the three macronutrients (protein, carbs and fats). No matter how much or how little muscle you have, your body must receive protein from your…
#43: The 5 Major Energies
As I was going through my existential crisis a few weeks ago (it happens every other month, don’t worry), I came across an article that talked about the 5 different energies. I…
#42: Episode 2: How to Pick a Workout and use Progressive Overload
Welcome back to the series Everything you need to know about fitness. You committed to working out 2 days a week for the next month. That’s great, and you’re showing up to the…
#41: Go-Forward Plan: Re-Focusing Energy on Myself
Even though my life seems to be going well on the outside lately, something felt off. I’m a fortunate person. Nothing is wrong. I love my work, I have amazing friends, and I love…
#40: "Micro-Procrastination" and "Eating into the Abyss"
My work is manageable compared to the rest of my team. I have nothing to be worried about with my friends. I still make time for the gym. I don’t have anything to be stressed…
#39: Everything you need to know about fitness: Episode 1: Get Started
Hi! I couldn’t be more excited that you’re here for my series “Everything you need to know about Fitness.” I have SO much information to share—My Instagram videos will be the…
#38: My announcement: Here to help you and push myself!
If you haven’t noticed by now, I’m officially doing the social media thing. I was hesitant for a few weeks because I was worried what people would think of me, or that I would…
#37: In the Zone
I’m so engrossed designing a new process and report detailing costs from different business segments that I don’t even realize my team goes to lunch and comes back an hour later…
#37: Is it ok not to know? I don't know.
I’m so grateful for the last few weeks of vacation. I needed the distance to be rested and recharge. It’s amazing how much more I appreciate a vacation now that days off are so…
#36: A Self Indulgent Reflection of 2021
Reflecting on the last year is cheesy, but I spend so much time with my nose to the ground that I enjoy indulging myself reflection around my birthday and the holidays. A year…
#35: Given the chance, wouldn't we all be influencers?
I’m careful to preface that I’m not an influencer and I never will be, but I have to admit that “never” isn’t necessarily true. If I was given the chance to be recognized or…
#34: Bugs Crawling on my Skin
When I first started working out, “earning my shower” was a great way to reward myself for making it through a workout and feel accomplished. I still love the feeling of showering…
#33: Purely Experimental: No Processed Food for a Week
I know that a HUGE part of how I’ve been feeling recently has to do with diet. By diet, I don’t mean my lack of weight loss progress or inability to keep my macros. I mean the…
#32: Burned out and not doing enough
Two years ago, in my offline personal journal, I wrote, “I saw a meme that said ‘I wish my toxic personality trait was going to the gym.’ I want that to be me.” At least I know I…
#31: The Holy Grail of Weight Loss
Nutrisystem is the holy grail of weight loss for me. I concluded that it works because 1. the food tastes good. 2. It removes all the decision that create risk, but not the fun…
#30 Why is my Relationship with Food so Terrible?
I’ve had a bad relationship with food for as long as I can remember, but I've never been able to understand why. It's particularly difficult right now as I struggle to meet my…
#29: I Need more than a Coach
I thought that a coach would fix my problems with eating and exercising as long as I trust the process. I knew I would have to put in the work, but I thought she would make it as…
#28: Gaining Weight on a Diet
I’ve been working with my coach for a month now, so it’s a natural time to evaluate my progress… or lack thereof. I wasn’t putting my best foot forward for the first week, and…
#27: Do I need to Forgive myself or am I making an Excuse?
The title says it all—I’m struggling with this in my life with eating, the gym, and probably other aspects of my life too.Eating: If you’ve talked to me recently, you know that my…
#26: Calorie Counting
Although calorie counting comes with many negative connotations (usually associated with eating disorders), it’s an effective way to track eating habits to lose, gain or maintain…
#25: Why did I get a Coach?
I started working with a coach about two weeks ago. My thoughts on personal training haven’t changed, but she’s helping me figure out the safest way to lose the few pounds, so I…
#24: Lifting is Masculine?
Original Post Date: September 2021I think many people agree that lifting is inherently masculine. Men are encouraged, or even expected, to lift weights, while women are pushed…
#24: How have my Opinions Changed? (vs #2, #3 and #4)
As I read over my old posts, I notice that some of my philosophies have changed in the last 6-7 months, and I’m sure they will change again in the future. I added an asterisk (*)…
#23: My Goal is to Achieve my Goal
Nearly immediately after realizing that I was eating for comfort a few weeks ago, I changed my habits. (It’s not always that easy.) Each time I reached for a snack, I stopped to…
#22: Dear Future Employer
Original Post Date: September 2021Several people made a comment that I should be worried about the personal information I’m posting internet for anyone to read. They’re right that…
#21: My Personality is more than I thought
It hit me yesterday that the only time I feel at peace here is when I’m writing this blog. Don’t get me wrong, Seattle life is going as well as it possibly could, but that’s…
#20: Seattle Culture… LOL, JK it's Body Dysmorphia
Most people in Seattle are passionate about outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, paddle boarding etc., but it seems that very few people have a passion for fitness beyond…
#19: Relaxing into Discomfort... Instead of Eating my way out
I’ve struggled with food every time I’ve moved to a new city, and I can feel myself starting to struggle now. I just ate 8 cookies a few minutes ago, and it’s not the first or…
#18: My Entire Personality... Not that everyone needs to know
Let’s face it, working out is my entire f***ing personality. Especially these days, I’m either asleep, eating, thinking about eating, at work, meeting new people or at the gym…
#17: Risk vs. Reward: If I hurt myself, it should be doing what I Love
Original Post Date: 2021Every time I max out a lift, my family tells me that I shouldn’t lift so much weight so that I don't hurt myself. This hurts me. I appreciate that they…
#16: Honest Hiking Review
I did my first hike in Washington this weekend—Which also happens to be my 3rd of 4th hike in total. (Don’t tell that to the rest of Seattle or I won’t fit in here.) We were…
#15: Update: I Guess I'm an Adult now
Now that it’s been a week of full-time work in the office, I understand so much more of how my parents feel at the end of the work day and why they reacted to me in certain ways……
#14: Finding a New Home (AKA Gym)
This past week was my first week in Seattle. Naturally, my priority was to find a gym. I was hoping for a Lifetime or an Equinox, but I’m not willing to commute 45 min to Bellevue…
#13: Finding Time for the Gym as a Full-Time Adult
Monday will be my first day of work, which means I can no longer waltz into the gym for an hour and a half lift. I’m grateful for all the freedom I’ve had this past year to build…
#12: Yes, I'm Self-Obsessed.
The short answer is yes. For goodness’ sake, I have a blog dedicated to all things fitness and wellness in my life. And yes, it's major cringe. Sorry Jennifer. So far, I’ve…
#11: Do I Need to Rest or am I Lazy?
A few months ago, I was so overwhelmed with finishing the semester early that I wasn’t eating enough or in the right mindset to make progress in the gym. It’s frustrating enough…
#10: I'm not Unique
Original Post Date: 2021I share the link to this blog on my social media about once every two months, which would be next to nothing if I were trying to gain a substantial…
#9: Eating Habits and Body Image
I’m finally going to talk about my eating habits and body image in detail. I’ve had problematic eating habits since middle school: I used to starve myself the week before getting…
#8: My Thoughts on Personal Training
I preface these thoughts with a reminder of my place in the fitness world: I have no fitness certifications, nor am I a competitor of any sort. I’m healthy, I have the bank…
#7: How does Stress Affect my Fitness?
As you can probably tell by the lack of recent posts, it was a stressful few months as I pushed myself to do my best work and take an extra class senior year (on top of the stress…
#6: Not an Influencer
The more time I spend lifting, the more passionate I become. It’s my entire personality these days. (That’s a topic for another day.) Ever since I lost weight, people started…
#5: Not Enough
Original Post Date: March 2021You know that feeling at the end of a busy day when you’re tired, but the tiredness indicates that you were productive and accomplished the goals of…
#4: The Boys Club Quest*
Original Post Date: Summer 2021I’m lucky that I haven't experienced gender inequality as much as other women, even in my own family, but I know that it exists and I'm sensitive to…
#3: Why do I Workout?*
Original Post Date: February 2021As a teenager, I remember scrolling through pictures of female bodybuilders on Instagram and admiring their muscle definition and strength. I…
#2: Addicted to the Gym or Afraid of Losing Progress?*
Original Post Date: February 2021It's 3pm and I'm suddenly competing with Sesame Street's Oscar the grouch. Plans for the remainder of the day are influx. I snap at my mom for…
#1: What does it mean to be "In Good Shape?"
The obvious answer is that being fit is different for each person, especially considering age and gender. Some people consider being “fit” to be looking a certain way, while…
Thoughts on Pre-Workout
Since I started lifting, taking pre-workout was a foreign concept to me. I knew how sensitive my body was to caffeine and I didn’t want to develop an addiction or increase my…