Eating Right and Exercising with Small kids.

I have many friends that keep asking me " Kristen how in the world did you lose so much weight after having three kids?"  Well, It was not easy but anyone can change their lives for the better and become more healthy. Remember not to get mad at yourself for occasionally having a treat or enjoying food. Food is such a beautiful part of life so enjoy it but learn to make it good for your body and mind as well

After having my first daughter, I was overweight, depressed and had no energy. I took a lot of things for granted and even took the ones I loved for granted. That all changed when I lost my parents to Cancer. I realized that what we put into our bodies and how we exercise our minds and spiritual well being is such an important part of finding peace. I found that through exercise, I could slow my mind as if to meditate while moving.  I had always been able to do this while swimming laps but I now am able to do this while running.

My running time is mine no one can take it away, nothing can make me stop doing it. I find time everyday with or without kids to enjoy this now peaceful event.  If you are not in good enough shape to run long distance than walk .  If you have to take little ones they get restless than give them an activity to do while sitting.  My kids love the tiny magnet drawing pads or etch-a-sketch pads. I even made them small chalk boards.  I also let them listen to disney music through my smart phone when they are being especially restless. Little ones love to engage in conversation so if your walking take the opportunity to see everything around you and ask your kids what they see or give them something to examine such as a leaf. We have even seen small garden snakes on our walks which is always exciting.

If you don't have the equipment to exercise with small kids I strongly advise you to invest in a good jogging stroller, hand weights, a yoga mat for sit ups or yoga, a bike trailer, bike and a good exercise video program for rainy days.  You could also sign up for a gym that has a daycare for your kids I go to the gym everyday except Sunday during the winter months.  Below is a bike I invested in and it has paid for itself with the gas money I have saved not to mention all the smiles it has created. This bike is called a Madsen and it literally holds up to 4 kids as you can see my youngest is in a car seat strapped in with seatbelts.  Paying more money for good equipment is well worth the investment.  Looking back on stroller choices I wish I had bought a Bob jogger instead of the one I have. Well made equipment lasts so much longer and is worth the money and will most likely save you money in the long run if you use it.

Food choices are such an important part of life.  No one can force you to consume something if you don't want to, so taking certain foods out of the house is sometimes necessary.  I used to stock my pantry with chips and refined grains along with sugary cereal and candy.  Occasionally I still buy these things but when I start to have problems consuming to many poor food choices I take them out of my house and discontinue buying them for a while.   This takes self control I was so proud of myself this Easter after I threw out the extra cupcakes and cookies. I knew I would be the one munching on them so I got rid of them and into the garbage all those sugary fatty calories went.

I know for certain that my choices in health have affected my kids.  They witness me taking time for myself everyday to do something good for my mind and body. My oldest daughter is now 6 and she regularly says oh is this food good for my body or Mommie if I eat too much of this it will make me feel bad. If I instill this knowledge of self awareness and health conscious decision making into my kids lives now they will continue these habits into their adult lives.

My next and last point for this post is very important and I hope that if you gained anything from my writing this post it is this:  No matter what size you are today or what you think you look like you are loved and you should show yourself love.  Stop saying I'm to fat, to short, to this or that.  You are a person worth loving and a friend to someone or a Mom to someone or a Wife to someone and the calories you burn are not equal to the person you are.  Find a routine that works for you in your situation. Stop comparing yourself to other women.  You may think that because I model, I have no idea what it feels like to see thin women in magazines and want to be like that.  Your wrong.  Because I model, I am compared to other thin women who are all gorgeous and rejected by casting directors on a daily basis because they don't think I am thin enough or young enough or this or that.  However, my reality is: I am beautiful and I finally realized it even if I don't always have the right look for someone else's standards.

My first Runway show.

So I had a wonderful opportunity to be part of a runway show here in SLC.  It was the RAW Couture show that is held annually for up and coming designers in the area. I was lucky because I had met Olga a designer while helping out at a high school student showcase at the SLCC. I gave her my contact info and two of her models flaked out on her the day of her showcase. So she called me and said can you please walk and I thought oh yes yes yes I can so I did  and it was a blast.  I love runway I want to do runway every week but alas that is impossible.
Some of you are probably thinking well this girls is brand new why in the world would anyone think she can walk without training.  Well I had been practicing for quite some time reading and watching instructional videos but I think what really gave me the confidence and ability is my background in theatre. I love putting on a show and  acting is important in runway  you have to put forth  an attitude that sort of reflects the garment that is being displayed. I critique myself after everything I do and I know I will do much better the next time around but for a first this was pretty well done/  I really hope I get a character piece one of these days I would rock it.

Ryan Housten took this image at the show these are Olga Assayah's designs

https://www.facebook.com/ZaiyaCollection
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ryan-Houston-Photography/195057250539649

I'm no longer with Stars Talent Studio I am now represented...

I made a somewhat hard decision the other day.  I gave up representation by Stars Talent Studio.  I still think the owner is a great lady and highly recommend the agency to individuals who do not know how to find their own work as well as to those who need classes for self esteem and confidence building.  Plain and simple if I stayed with Stars I would have been kept on the back burner forever and I was not willing to be set there not by anyone.
Two days after leaving Stars I was picked up by NIYA Casting Network.  They have already sent me to 3 castings   NIYA is a great team to work with and  although I can not tell you the ins and outs of their methods, I do know she cares about me and that is very important to know that your agent is looking out for your best interest.