It’s been one month post-Mrs. Utah pageant. Wonder what’s stuck and what hasn’t from it all?
What’s Stuck:
Eyelash Extensions. Love them, love them. Originally sponsored by the lovely Linda Bledsoe of Absolutely Fab-u-lash, but now I splurge to keep them up. I look like I have an extra set of lashes on with mascara all the time on the top lashes and I don’t have to ever wash it off. Worth the splurge. It does take about 2 hours for the retouches, but Linda and I listen to audio books or talks by favorites such as Wayne Dyer, so it’s relaxing and inspiring. Especially fun for camping weekends, swim days, and feeling/looking awake at early morning workouts.
Weight Training with Liz Rosenbaum. Now I only train with her 1x a week and follow a routine she designed for me at the Gym. Love her and what she does for me too much to stop. If I could I’d keep going 3x a week though, I’ve noticed a slight decrease in muscle tone, unfortunately…sad to say.
Make up/Hair. Pre-pageant I got fully ready for church/going out/meetings, not for home, now I make much more of an everyday effort (eyelash extensions help) I’m also getting way faster at doing my hair which helps. Still have my hair extensions, they should last another 5 months or so…love it still. Feel great when I take the time. Shaping/defining lips and eyebrows more now…love Mac eyeshadow, studio fix, bronzer, but I use a variety of brands, Wet & Wild lip pencil has been a fav since college, love Neutrogena make up and Great Lash mascara for my lower lashes
Wardrobe. I have made an effort to find great clothes and accessories for Summer that I feel happy in… I don’t wear sweats/lounge wear ever. If I wear a casual t-shirt I wear jewelry with it…loving a bit of glamour!
Supplements. I was sooo religious about supplements and now I am most days, I still take Fish Oil, Emergen “C”, Calcium/Mag, Collodial Silver, Liquid Collodial Minerals (Nature’s Sunshine Brand)
Skin Care I have always been extra good to my skin, but with pageant I increased facials to monthly/bi-monthly and did a 7-layer skin peel a month before, now I’m back to my regular routine of getting facials quarterly and maintaining great skin with using 50 SPF daily on my face and using high quality European brands from Rosa Weber in Provo. She also recommends using a plain yogurt mask 2x a day for about 5-10 min, I do it sometimes to restore pH balance and smoothness. I also use Frownies a couple times a week, to retrain muscles, I’ve used them for 6 months and am totally converted!
Constant Learning/Growth, I was constantly listening to books in the car, while I worked out, and was very thirsty for information about how to maintain positive mental/emotional energy. I turned to audio by Heather Madder, Cherie Burton, Carol Tuttle, Wayne Dyer, and Marianne Williamson… I still enjoy keeping an audio presentation on in my car or home when possible, but I also listen to more music now.
Platform, “Empowering Women to Fulfill their Dreams in Business” I still live my platform, did before the pageant, continue to play in my passion! Opportunities to do so have increased and expanded, great rewards and blessings have come my way, including speaking at BYU-Idaho as a guest for their student conference, and feature in BusinessQ magazine. We have a set date for our Fall Startup Princess Utah conference, Sept 26th!!
Dependency upon God. While I was utterly and completely in surrender mode during the 3 months pre-pageant/training, I still feel close to Him and am doing what I feel needed to maintain spiritual strength and continual growth.
Overall Peace and Gratitude for the Journey…where I was, where I transformed, where I am now and where I will be because of the experience. Humility that God provided the way, the mentors, the growth, and joy!
What Hasn’t Stuck:
Discipline. Sad to admit, but I was so darn committed pre-pageant and now I’m really struggling with purpose/reason/the “why” and give in to temptation way too much. This has had adverse effect with my sleep, diet, exercise, and beyond…
As a result I’m more tired now and I don’t feel as vibrantly healthy and strong. I am not maintaining my strict diet of no gluten, no processed, no sugar… and I’m suffering. I’m irregular with my commitment to eat the way I know is best/right/optimal and it’s a bit disappointing and discouraging! Weight is up and down from pageant day, still fit in my skinny jeans though. I was really obsessed before, weighing myself constantly now I’m more relaxed about it, but ultimately I know where I feel best.
This month I’ll be hiking a lot and enjoying the outdoors, so I hope to get myself back to a place of pure energy and vibrant health. I will have to be very strict about my sleep routine and diet, but when I keep in mind the benefits and how I feel when I do what I know works best, I am confident results will come…
What I’m sacrificing for the extra splurging: Having my house cleaned once a month. I know it’s a hard trade but the lashes and extra spending on clothes/make up/etc. has been worth it, but I’m going to create a way to do both!
Any tips for regaining discipline?? 
Girl, you’re insane! And I mean that in a good way.
I’m so motivated by the high standard you’ve set for yourself. I got my first massage today (woohoo!) and it was amazing! I came out of there feeling like I needed to make so many healthful changes. But my husband had bought me a Hardees biscuit, so what could I do? 
Hi Sarah,
Honestly through these past months when I take time/focus to treat myself well in health, beauty, sleep, exercise, etc. it doesn’t feel insane, it feels–right, peaceful, joyful because I see myself glowing and when we “glow” we can’t help but reach out to share our love and light with others more fully. Interesting how when you give to yourself you instantly reach to give to others. 
So great that you’re treating yourself like the princess you are. You deserve regular massages, perhaps a trade is going to develop where that is possible. Most of my services have been developed through trades. LOVE IT.
Kelly,
Your pre-pageant life-style was pretty rigorous. Don’t feel bad if you can’t keep up the standard. I think it’s hard to eat 100% healthy when you have little kids all around you who want grahm crackers and string cheese. A cheaper way to go with the eyelashes is to get them dyed. I tried it and loved it. It only takes about 10 minutes too. I’m all about saving time and money !