Happy New Year

Creating a Rock Solid Plan for 2013

According to a recent article in the magazine Experience Life, Creating a Rock Solid Fitness Plan can really be broken down into a science.  Although this blog entry is related to setting a fitness/health plan, you could really use this approach for setting any goal. Personally, I am totally motivated by goals and love health so I just can’t help but to share what I have learned from this very informative article.

Step One: Start by creating a big picture approach that aligns with your lifestyle, passions, and goals. You can do this by creating a mission statement that clearly articulates exactly what you want to accomplish in the short (0-3 months) and long term (3 months to a year). The goal here is to take something vague and make it concrete. Your mission statement will serve as the road map for your success.  It’s what the article refers to as “your true north toward which every workout, meal, food choice, and recovery session should ultimately lead.”

In the business world, many executives use SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely) goals as a way to have a clear agenda that maximizes their return on investment. Your goal should also “light your board,” in other words, create energy or buzz for you every time to read it. Your goal has to be full of passion or it won’t work.  

Step Two: Take inventory of where you are now.  Write down what you have right now and what you are missing. For example, when I would prepare to be in pageants and a big part of that is creating fitness goals, I would take my measurements long with a before photo and post it in my closet.  I have a large closet and get dressed in it every morning and undress every evening so it is a great location to serve as a daily reminder.  I have also, at times, posted it on my refrigerator and in my car.  You choose your best location. Other things to take inventory on are: things that have worked for you in the past, any injuries or obstacles, and available resources. At this stage, I highly recommend that you go public with your goal.  I post it around my house, tell friends and family, and even post it in my cubical at work.

Step Three: Create an action plan. Please do not try the “get fit quick” plan; this will not work long term. For me, creating a weekly and monthly plan works best.  I start by looking at week one and outlining what I will do physically each day as well as creating a menu. More specific details about my plan can be found in the previous blog entry entitled Girl, You Got This.

Step Four: Record your progress.  Just like in the business world, nothing holds weight without data. Log your exercise activities, meals consumed, calories burned, etc.  By keeping track of your progress you can acknowledge your challenges as well as celebrate your achievements.

Step Five: Manage your time.  I’m not sure about you but one of my top reasons for not exercising is lack of time. One recommendation is to break your day up into fifteen minute increments.  Depending on the contents of your mission statement, you may not need huge amounts of time to make progress. As a mother and full time professional, finding time can be a sincere challenge.  If you too battle hectic schedules, you may need to get creative.  I have weekly staff meetings with various direct reports.  One strategy that has worked for me is to turn those meetings into “walking” meetings.  If the weather permits, we walk and talk our way around downtown for the duration of our meeting.  If weather is bad and your building has a gym, take your meeting to the treadmills.  Another suggestion is just to do laps around the building.  There is a lot of research that proves that physical movement promotes and stimulates better thinking.

Step Six- Reassess and recommit to your goals on a quarterly basis.  Whether you meet, exceed, or fall a little short of meeting your goals, it is always important to reassess your goals, the strategy to achieve them, and recommit. 

I have found that after I accomplish a goal, I tend to fall off the wagon.  For me, it’s okay to give myself a little break but it’s just as important to create the next goal to stay motivated.  Competing in Mrs. Colorado for several years really kept me on track as it related to fitness and other related self-improvement goals.  My next goal is to train and compete in the Run like a Diva Half Marathon next September on the east coast.  My sister is turning 40 this summer and we have our calendars marked to train, meet, race our hearts out (in cute Lulu Lemon outfits of course) and yes, “Run like Divas!”

To learn more about the Run like a Diva race series, visit http://www.runlikeadiva.com/  When you finish the race, you even get a tiara and feather boa!

 

Merry Christmas

The phrase Merry Christmas or Happy Christmas has a magical outcome. Christmas wishes and messages endow us an eternal joy, everlasting happiness and never ending cheerfulness. A warm, bright and beautiful Christmas wish to your friends, family, loved and dear ones can make the Christmas occasion special. Our wish for your Christmas day is a prayer, which extends love, peace and harmony.

 

The best Christmas wish and message comes from the heart. From our heart to yours, Merry Christmas wishes with the blessings that you touch your dreams and attain your aspirations.  We wish you a merry and blessed Christmas.

Christmas is the Time of Year I Cherish Most

Christmas is the time of year I cherish.  As I sit here by my fireplace and look at the beautiful Christmas tree my family and I decorated, I feel so blessed to have this amazing life. The holiday season is a time for appreciation, gratitude, giving, and celebrating life.

Our Tree

My family has a tradition of giving ornaments as gifts.  My mother gave me an ornament every year and I now give my boys a special ornament each year.  My plan is that they will eventually have a box of ornaments that carry special memories of their childhood, just like I have.  I give this gift (an ornament) on the night before Christmas. I have each of my little boys sit down with their hands out and eyes closed.  I gently place the specially wrapped box in their hands and watch them open their gift.  I then explain why the ornament is significant and why I want them to have it.  Even though this gift is the most insignificant gift they receive each year as far as monetary value, my heart explodes with love when I watch their little faces light up as they unwrap their newest addition to their collection.  It is at this moment every year that I remember that it is the simple gifts in life that are the most precious.

One of the things I started doing a few years ago is labeling my Christmas ornaments. I create a small label that I can hide on the inside or bottom of the ornament.  I label who gave it to me and the year.  One of my favorite pass times during the holiday season is to pour a glass of wine and look at all my beautiful ornaments while reminiscing about all the wonderful memories I have been blessed to have.



This is an ornament that my Aunt made for my husband and I.  We were pregnant with our first child Hunter in this photo.  The ornament in the background is a photo of my sister and I as little girls. My mom gave me this ornament in 1983.  These are the types of ornaments that makes me smile.

 

Gorgeous Skin for the Holidays and New Year

The holidays are here, and that means your schedule is filling up fast, with parties, dinners, and other seasonal get-togethers. During my year as Mrs. Colorado, I have been so fortunate to be under the care of Dr. Terkonda and his amazing assistant, Heather Eckert at the Longmont Clinic.  I know these types of professional services can typically be pricey but if you do have the time and pocket book, it is well worth it.  I highly recommend any of their services, they are fabulous!

I am the first person to admit that “treats” like professional skincare services are fabulous but have to be when the timing is right financially.  If it’s not the right timing for you, this may be a good thing to put on your wish list for some time after the holiday season. Start saving now and think of it as a new beginning (and treat) to start off the New Year.  

In the meantime, here are some great tips I found online to make sure your skin maintains a healthy, gorgeous glow while you keep up with your hectic schedule.

Exercise Nothing says "healthy glow" like the rosy cheeks you have after a jog, trip to the gym, or bike ride. And exercise has other benefits during the holidays, too. It's a terrific stress reliever and mood elevator, and improves your cardiovascular health. That's all good news this time of year.

Cleanse gently Cold air outdoors and over-heated homes and offices can leave winter skin dry and itchy, so it's extra important to treat it with TLC. Gentle cleansers like Cetaphil It won't strip your skin of its natural protective oils or emollients, and it maintains your skin's natural pH balance.

Moisturize Winter skin is thirsty skin, and that means you'll need to moisturize. And don't be surprised if you have to reapply your moisturizer several times a day. Make sure you look for a cream with SPF for moderate protection against damaging UVA and UVB rays that are responsible for premature lines and wrinkles, even in winter.

Drink Lots of Water I am not really a “water drinker” but boy does it make a difference in my skin and also the way I feel.  If you’re not naturally a water lover, try adding fresh lemons, limes, and even herbs.  A favorite on mine is adding one fresh lemon wedge and sliced cucumbers to a large glass of water.  Delicious!

Bundle up
Keeping your skin covered, with gloves, a hat, and a scarf, when you go outdoors can help protect it from the harsh winter weather.

 

Musclemania Figure Championships

Judging My First Fitness Contest

Something that is on my personal “bucket list” is training for and competing in a fitness contest.  It was no surprise hat when my dear friend Tiffany Yee, owner of Body Statement Gym asked me if I’d be interested in being a judge for a fitness show that I was literally jumping in the air because I was so excited!

I was so honored and excited to be a judge at the Musclemania Figure Championships this past month.  Watching those men and women walk on that stage brought tears to my eyes because I knew the amount of heart, soul, dedication, and determination it took to get there.  Many of the female contestants were in their 40’s and had several children.  I was so proud of each and every one of them for making health and fitness a priority.  What a great role modeling they were being for their children.

The next competition will be in April 2013.  Hmmmm…. Does this Mrs. Colorado have what it takes to get competition ready? I wonder if I’ll be crossing off another item from the ole bucket list.

Meet the Judges

I love working out with my children and of course, little Ms. Tiffany!

 

Dancing with the Stars at Denver Language School

Dancing with the Stars

I have watched the show Dancing with the Stars for years now and was so thrilled when I was asked to be a judge for a Dancing with the Stars gala for Denver Language School (DLS) on November 17^th at the Four Seasons Hotel.  This was a fundraiser for DLS a Chinese and Spanish immersion program.

They even created a website for the event where viewers could "meet" the dancers and “judges!”  The bios were pretty impressive and a bit comical.  As a judge, I certainly had my work cut out for me to decide the winner for the Critic’s Choice award.  You can visit the website at www.DancingDLS.org.
A few chosen faculty members, teachers and parents were asked to be the "stars" of the event. A professional dance company volunteered their time to be the "professional dancers."  The best part was that my queen sister Christina and her husband John Sasha were competitors!

My Queen Sister Christina Sasha and Her Beautiful Family

As a judge, I had twelve performances to judge. The contestants are vying for three separate awards: Best in Show (determined by the audiences $10/votes), People's Choice (determined by the dancer who brought in the most money PRIOR to the show) and CRITIC'S CHOICE which you three judges will decide!!

A little different than Dancing with the Stars on TV, we didn’t have you throw up 1 - 10 scores, instead my job was to give a 20 - 30 second comments after each performance. There was a score sheet for each dancer that I captured notes as I watched the performance.
The categories were:
1. Originality
2. Creativity
3. Crowd Appeal
4. Difficulty
5. In Sync/Partnership/Connection

The pressure was on as we had to decide the 3rd place, runner up and winner – all were presented a trophy. 

Preparing for this event was so fun.  I spent hours watching "Dancing with the Stars" (on line) to get a feel for the kinds of things I might say....things like "You danced with your heart..., great movement/footwork..., you have natural grace, that was deliciously dreamy, so artistic in detail, what an interpretation..."  This event was so fun!!  I also have to add that our little Mrs. Sasha won first place in several categories!  Really, I wasn’t surprised, because I knew my sister was competitive and completely fabulous. 

The Brass Ring Event- The Wild Life Experience

I was lucky enough to be invited to join a wonderful event that occurred at the Wild Life Experience in early November, The Brass Ring event.  This magical evening was to honor the founders of the Wild Life Experience, a couple who have given so much to this nonprofit.  

I was so impressed with the organization that must have occurred to pull off such an extravagant event. From the moment we stepped foot on the property, hospitality surrounded us. We were greeted with a Champaign and beautifully crafted appetizers severed on silver platters. The wild life surrounded us with life sized giraffe’s and lions, acrobatic dancers, jugglers, and more.  The sound of African drums filled the air and fire pits were everywhere.  I felt so lucky to be part of an event that was not only magical but for such a good cause.

If you have never visited the Wild Life Experience in Parker, I highly recommend it. It’s geared for families of all ages and is sure to leave you wanting more.

 

One of the nice things about attending events as Mrs. Colorado is that you can always bring a guest. My dear mom Sandy attended this fun event with me.

I was lucky enough to model this beautiful men's watch during the silent auction portion of the evening.

 

5280 & Womens Edition

Grab your copy of the the recent editions of 5280 and Womens Edition to see Courtney Graham, Mrs. Colorado 2012 in Dr. Raj TerKonda's Advertisment.

Bhumi Brush

Thank you to Bhumi Brushes for providing a beautiful set of brushes to Mrs. Colorado 2012, Courtney Graham.

Visit their website at http://bhumimakeupbrushes.com/

 

Thank you Kari Kisch.

Mrs. America Vicki Sarber

What a stunning picture of your Mrs. America, Vicki Sarber. 

This would be a great time to meet her:

I’m Vicki Sarber and my husband Greg and I are lifelong Alaskans. We have been blissfully married for 12 years and choose to live and raise our three vibrant children in the small fishing community of Homer Alaska…Halibut Capital of the World! On any given day expect to see us at the beach, fishing, clamming, bird watching, skiing, snow machining or volunteering alongside our fellow neighbors for whatever project is in need.

I am an A.S.I.D. interior designer by profession and am certified in the decorative artistry of faux painting and floral design. I also have the pleasure of doing voice and TV spots for our local networks. That being said, I have happily taken leave from the design world to enjoy what matters most….my family. Life goes by so quickly, I don’t want to miss a minute with Jackson, 9; Vianne, 8 and Pinky who is very 2! That’s why it’s an easy decision to be a devoted wife, stay at home mom and home school teacher.

Greg and I believe firmly that being a parent is the hardest and most important thing we will ever do in life. Our children are gifts to the world! Too many of them are not reaching their potential by not having a safe, loving and stable family. It is our duty to protect and advocate for all children, they are our most valuable resource and our best chance for a great tomorrow! Listen to the dreams of our children, lift them up on eagles wings and watch them soar…..let us always put family first!

Royal Image Boutique and Denver Tux

 

It's that time of year - parties, food, friends and family.  When you need to find the perfect dress please visit one of the Mrs. Colorado Sponsors - The Royal Image Boutique.  The stunning boutique can satitisfy all your holiday party needs from dresses, shoes and ear rings.  Stop in!  www.royalimageboutique.com

This is a perfect time to stop into Denver Tux and rent or purchase a holiday tux.  The friendly staff will be able to help find the perfect look for your events.  Visit them in Lakewood.  www.denvertux.com

Family Traditions

Family Traditions

One of my favorite childhood memories is around carving pumpkins.  My sister and I would jump in the car and go with my parents to pick out the best pumpkins in the world. We would look for things like originality, color, shape, and quality of stem. We weren’t necessarily looking for the most perfect pumpkin; it was more around picking a pumpkin that spoke to us.

As a mom, I have carried that tradition to my family. Picking out and carving pumpkins was delightful this year. I loved sitting back and watching the madness of seeds flying around, markers all over the place, and laughter as things don’t quite go as planned. Best of all, I love watching the smiles on my children's faces, knowing that they too are creating traditions.

I have gotten in the habit of journaling my favorite memories so that they will hopefully carry on for generations to follow. What are some of your most beloved family traditions?

Interview Suit Ideas

One of the easiest parts of the competition is interview. Why do I say that statement? Because it is all about you. No one knows you better than yourself and that is the goal of the personal interview, to share yourself with the judges. The interview competition starts with looking like the Mrs. Colorado 2013.

A great form fitting sheath dress, add amazing shoes and maybe a statement piece of jewelry. Done! Here is what you ask yourself once you have the suit on your body, 'Do I feel like Mrs. Colorado 2013?' Based on your answer, you are either done or not. Happy hunting! Also follow Mrs. Colorado Pinterest Boards for more ideas.  www.mrscolorado.com

The Queen's Team- Race for the Cure

Race for the Cure in Denver

My third and final Race for the Cure in Colorado 2012! What an honor it has been to be part of three Race for the Cure events right here in Colorado.  This morning was the largest and coldest of them all at a low of 37 degrees.  My face, fingers, and toes were so incredibly numb from the cold air but boy was it fun! I was invited to speak at the Survivor’s breakfast at 6:20am.  We then ran the 5k competitive race at 7am and took part in the Inspiration 5k walk at 8am.  Thank you to all of the contestants and friends who joined the Queen’s Team! I appreciate each and every one of you!

My Dear Friends

My Partner in Crime

After my Speech- Brrr It Was Cold!

A Morning with Colorado and Company

A Morning with Colorado and Company

It was an exciting morning as I was invited to be a guest on the 9 News show Colorado and Company.  As Mrs. Colorado, I am fortunate to have amazing sponsors and one of them is the famous Dr. Raj Terkonda.

A true specialist – Dr. Raj TerKonda specializes in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the face and neck. He is one of a handful of surgeons in Colorado who have completed a fellowship in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery and is double board certified by both the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology. He is also a Fellow of the prestigious American College of Surgeons (FACS). Dr. TerKonda gives his patients comprehensive care of the face, ranging from from noninvasive procedures such botox and fillers to full surgical rejuvenation for the aging face. He also performs reconstructive surgery for facial injuries, deformities, and skin cancers.

Dr. Terkonda recently received the 2011 Patients’ Choice award. This award honors physicians who have made a difference in the lives of patients. Each year hundreds of thousands of patients rate their doctors and those doctors who have near perfect scores on these patient evaluations are selected for the patients’ choice award. Only 5% of all physicians in the US recieve this honor.

In all of my thirty five years, I have never had compliments on my skin like I do today. I was the lady who used bar soap as my facial regiment.  I know, horrifying! After only 3 months of using Dr. Terkonda’s facial recommendations, I have had numerous people stop me and compliment me on the texture and glow of my skin.  Thank you Dr. Terkonda for making me feel so confident about my skin!

Look for his ad with my photo in this month’s 5280 Magazine!!

The Amazing Staff of Dr. Raj Terkonda

Emily Stark and I at the Studio

 

A Princess Party

I was so excited to be invited to attend our dear friend's daughter’s fourth birthday party. It was a Princess Party at a puppet theater in Littleton. Being a mother of two boys, I jumped at the opportunity to spend a morning with little girls in princess dresses. I presented each girl with a sparkling tiara and each little boy with a King's crown. My oldest son helped me get ready and even escorted me to the party. It was so cute. I was so honored to be part of a fabulous princess party!

Me and the Birthday Girl

Come Join Me This Sunday, October 7th at the Race for the Cure

Race for the Cure at the Garden of the Gods

In Colorado Springs

With my dear friend Shauna, in Aspen- We ran a 10k

 Come Join the Races, Oct 7^th 2012- Let’s Fight Breast Cancer Together

I have been fortunate enough to have been given the opportunity to speak and participate in several Susan G Komen Race for the Cure events in Colorado this summer/fall.  As many of you know, our family was impacted with the horrific disease, breast cancer.   Breast cancer does not discriminate, it does not have to run in your family to be contracted, and it can touch anyone of us.

Please join me this Sunday, October 7^th 2012 as we walk to fight breast cancer.  I will be speaking at 6:20am during the Survivor Breakfast, will run the 7am competitive 5k, and then will walk the 5k.  Please come and participate in all or one of the events. Please contact me and let me know which race you’ll be attending so that I can give you our meeting location. 

• To register, please visit:  http://www.komendenver.org/site/PageServer?pagename=rfcd_race_homepage

• Click on the Register button

• Click on Join a Team

• Type in The Queen Team as the team name and then Mrs. Colorado as the Company Name

Thank you in advance for your participation and I can’t wait to see you there!

Pink Hugs and Good Wishes,

Mrs. Colorado 2012

A Great Weekend Supporting A Great Cause

A Great Weekend Supporting A Great Cause

We had a great time at the Stop Child Trafficking Now (SCTNow) race this past weekend.  SCTNow was formed to make an impact in the fight against child sex trafficking—A problem that has been deemed as a growing issue in our nation, and nations around the world—one that needs every voice and every nation to rise against it.

SCTNow seeks to protect and deliver children from this heinous crime, by focusing funding on efforts on stopping the demand (buyers, predators, traffickers).

SCTNow believes that focusing efforts on stopping the demand has the power to interrupt the cycle of supply, demand, and distribution, resulting in fewer predators, and ultimately fewer victims.

SCTNow realizes that while a focus on the demand is necessary, child trafficking is a complex, multi-faceted issue requiring a comprehensive response. SCTNow’s Partnership Program funds other non-profit organizations providing shelter, care and victim services.

A huge thank you to the ladies who were able to attend!! Even though I did not WIN the stiletto race, it was still fun!!

To learn more, please visit: http://www.sctnow.org/

With Some of the Fabulous Mrs.Colorado 2012 Contestants

 

The Wonderful Chocolate Gala

On behalf of the Rocky Mountain Childhood Cancer Foundation (RMCCF),  Emily and I were blessed to attend the First Annual Chocolate Gala.  This event assisted funding to help families with children diagnosed with cancer.  All proceeds from this event help the organization support local Colorado families in their time of need and it is a foundation that I fell in love with.

That evening, we viewed fabulous silent auction items and listened to heartfelt stories from families who were personally devastated by cancer.  My favorite speaker was the young man in the photograph below (19 years old).  I first met him when I stood at the entrance of the Gala, greeting guests as they entered. He approached me and asked to take his photo with me.  I did not know who he was at the time but was delighted by his request.  We began talking and he shared that he was the keynote speaker of the event.  He also shared how nervous he was to speak in front of such a large crowd.  I gave him a hug and told him that I knew he’d be great. 

With the Keynote Speaker, A True Hero

Emily and I sat at our table and enjoyed the scrumptious dinner, good conversation, and entertainment.  Then it was time for the program and the young man I early spoke with walked gracefully to the podium.  His words flowed with ease and confidence and I was proud of him.  He then told his story of how he was diagnosed with brain cancer at the age of 17; he was a senior in high school.  My heart immediately felt heavy and the lump in my throat throbbed.  He spoke so calmly and smoothly as he gave personal details about his battle with cancer. I couldn’t help looking at his family who sat at the table next to me and just thought, I have no idea how they have dealt with this pain.  The thought of watching you child suffer is just heart wrenching. He was truly a hero to me, standing up there with so much courage. In his speech, he explained that his mother had to quit her job to take him to chemotherapy every day. They were behind on their mortgage and bills were piling up. He then shared that this is where the RMCCF stepped in and helped his family with the burden of trying to make their monthly payments like the mortgage, electric bill, heat, car payment, gas, etc.  I am happy to say that this young hero is in remission and enjoying life.

The teams at RMCCF are trained to step in and make a decision and move quickly to help ease some of the financial stress that families find themselves in at this devastating time of their lives.  If you are interested in donating money to families struggling with their child who has cancer here in the Denver area or would like to learn more about this foundation, I encourage you to visit the link below. This is an organization that I will personally be supporting forever.
To learn more, please visit: http://rmccfsite.org/