We call them Mom and Dad.

I guess my parents aren't so bad. Actually, I know they aren't so bad. 

It has taken me a long time to say that, but I honestly know now that everything my parents have kept me from doing or encouraged me to do were only because they had my best interest at heart. Growing up with parents who have stayed together the whole twenty years of my life is not only a healthy aspect to my life, but a blessing as well. I can remember my friends in high school not enjoying trying to decide which house to stay at on the weekends or worrying about which parent to invite to some cheerleading events. I never had that problem. 

But even if my parents were split apart, I know both of them would truly love me, my brother, and my sister just the same. 

Dad - StepDad - Foster Dad - Grandfather  Dad,  

I think we can all say that our "Dad" can be a little annoying, over-protective, and just plain weird at times. But have you ever thought that he was actually our age once? Like me, you probably don't want to think about it. So, he probably knows a lot more about life than we do. More than likely, he has gone through a situation at least twice. 

What is it really that our Dad does for us? He's a director. He's a protector. He's compassionate. He's wise. He's courageous. 

Mom - StepMom - Foster Mom - , Grandmother Mom, 
I think we call all agree that our mothers have a little tendency to worry too much, call us too much, and ask too many questions. But what we don't see about them is that it's their nature to do these things. Sometimes, they don't even know they're doing them. 
"She is worth far more than rubies." Proverbs 31
What is it really that our mother does for us? She's a teacher. She's a lover. She's gentle. She's patient. She loves us more than we'll ever know. 

So, thanks mom and dad for always loving, guiding, and NEVER giving up on me. 

Fitness.

I know, I know. You're probably saying, "Nobody wants to hear about fitness." And I was the same exact way a year ago. It wasn't until the second semester of my freshman year that I realized how much my body was changing. 
In high school, I remember not having to worry about what I ate and how much I was working out. And I definitely took that for granted. In college, I also started eating anything and didn't worry about it. But, I didn't work out near as much as I did in high school. Now, as a twenty year old woman with thighs and hips, I started realizing that my body will never be like it was in high school. Ladies, it happens to everyone...it's okay. Chances are the girl beside you in the gym is working out because she gained her freshman fifteen as well. 

If you're like I was a year ago and are ready to make a change, here's some encouragement and tips to get you started. 

1. Set your goals high. Higher goals will help you know how hard to work for it. 
2. Have patience. Nothing comes easy. Especially trying to get back into a healthier lifestyle. 
3. Think about your results along the way. So what you didn't make your goals that day, or week? Think about all of the goals you've reached so far. Just don't let that one slip become a habit. 
4. Ask a friend to do it with you. Admit it...it's always better with a friend beside you. Encouraging you along the way.
5. Get out of those bad habits. Trade an ice cream for a banana. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Drink water instead of coke, or beer. 
6. Keep track of everything. Write it all down. Even the little things. Like, doing one hundred crunches before bed. 
7. Rest. Sometimes, it can be overwhelming. Take a few days to rest your body. Your body definitely deserves it. 
8. Never Give Up. Such an overused statement. But it's true. If you do give up, you're back exactly where you started. In the end, not giving up is worth it when you get the results you worked so hard for.  

Why I run?
Well, believe it or not, I used to hate running because I was made to in high school. But I have found out that running two to three miles a day does way more than help you lose weight. 
1. It can help prevent high blood pressure. For some of us who have a background of high blood pressure in our families, like me, you want to help prevent that. 
2. When you run, your body releases chemicals which helps you feel more happy. 
See more.... at http://www.pinterest.com/pin/54043264253019977/

Don't try to get back in shape for other people. Do it for yourself. If you're healthy, you will ultimately feel better all around. So, start a plan today. Join a gym. Your body is forever changing. 

What does it mean?

I debated on what to write about for my first blog this morning. I even googled what I should put into the 'About Me' section on my page. So, the only subject I could come up with is to explain a little bit about my blog title. 

What does Chasing the Sunset mean to me? 
I've always been the independent girl who has never had a steady boyfriend, who has always ventured out on her own, and who has basically wanted to be everything that popped into my head even for maybe two minutes. 
I recently joined Instagram because I am a social media nerd and I came across a picture (found at bottom of page) someone posted of the beach. The caption said, 'Chasing the Sunset'. I immediately thought to myself that the caption HAD to be my title for my blog. 
So, no I did not make this up because I have such a creative way for blog titles. 
But, instead, I used the title because I feel like it explains a little aspect of everyone's lives including my own. 
All of us are chasing something, right? Whether it's a dream, a successful job, to lose twenty pounds before spring break, to become a better person, to quit your bad habits, to make a higher GPA this semester, a relationship, or even (for those new parents out there) a two year old that is crawling everywhere and eating everything. 
People say not to chase after things. People say to let those things just...come to you. But I think differently. Chase. 
What is life without having dreams and high expectations? 
I once posted a quote on Instagram that struck me as one of the best... "To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people just exist." - Oscar Wilde
Now, who says that everything comes easy? Because I know it sure doesn't, but that doesn't give anyone the right to give up on whatever they're chasing. Patience is key. 

I said all that because I am not writing this blog for entertainment. Yes, I hope someone can take something from it. But, more importantly, so people can relate to it. Whether you're a twenty year old trying to find your place in this world or a fifty year old just trying to get by, there will be slow days while chasing the sunset. And that is why this blog will be based on random dreams or things that pop into my head for two minutes and I feel like writing about them. So I can show people that in the end, chasing the sunset is worth it. 

The way I see it, there are two kinds of sunsets. There are those that set, but never come up. And there are those that set, but always rise again. 

What kind of sunset are you chasing?