So, it's been a while...

I know it's been a REALLY long time since I've updated, but #sorrynotsorry I have been SO busy working.

I'm still working both of my jobs, so I haven't really had a lot of free time and when I do have free time it's usually spent snuggled up to my sweet husband! I might be downgrading to one job in the near future, but for now... I am still going to be hella busy. :)

SO, for fitness updates, I have lost 32 lbs total. Woop woop! I'm getting closer and closer to that -37 mark. I have decided to go ahead and try to lose down to 140 instead of 145, so I'll actually have  12 more lbs to go. Oh well, it will happen.

I've started focusing more on running, and can actually hold my own pretty well. Each time I run I challenge myself more and I go further and faster. It makes me really happy to see this progress. I'm also noticing a lot more muscle definition in my legs and arms! Abs to come soon, I hope.. if I get ever get this last layer of chub off. :) I will admit it's a lot harder to get to the gym now that I'm working 6 days a week, sometimes 14 hour days between the two jobs. But, at least since I work at the gym I can work out at work!

So, for my life update...

Brad and I are doing very well :) Like I said, I'm still working at both places. Sunday night at our mandatory meeting at Tilly's they announced that I am employee of the month! Go me! I really love working there. It has it's challenges like any other job, but I am truly happy there. Things are the same at the gym, it's not a lot to do, but the people are nice and I love being able to give people advice and help with fitness. 

Bradley and I were blessed with our first niece this month! Little miss Kyleigh Braiden <3 What a doll. We can't wait to meet her (if we can ever get home!) this year. Not much else has really happened, because we don't have a whole lot of time to do things! We both work a lot.

Oh well, at least absence makes the heart grow fonder & we appreciate the time we DO have together.

Tomorrow I will try to remember to upload some pictures of the past few months! I work only a half day tomorrow, so maybe after I catch on some housework I will be able to do so :)

I hope everyone has a fabulous week!

xoxo

So, it's been busy...

I haven't blogged in a hot minute, and for that I am sorry. BUT I have been working like cray cray ova here. I got a second job at the Navy Gym (wooo Navy Fitness!) and it has been super buy since I started both jobs. I've done well balancing my working out with the job, but the past week in my laws are here and I only worked out twice. Oops. Back to normal again!

SO, I just wanted to share with you my little victory that I am proud of.

Yesterday I walked out of my house in a bikini for the first time with CONFIDENCE. Bradley and I went paddle boating and I wore my bathing suit. I was a little scared at first, but after I was all girly and took like 50000000 pictures of myself to see how "fat" I looked, I realized I didn't look or feel fat at all!

This is me in January 2012. Big & not so happy.

This is me, May 28, 2012. Lounging happy & proud in my bikini :)

hard work pays off!

SO,

the moral of the story here is that hard work does pay off. I am so happy with my results and cannot wait to see how far I go!

No more slacking!

Hey everyone!

So, yep, I didn't update last week! Oops!

I have only lost .8 lbs in the last 2 weeks. Sucks for me, but I'm not gonna lie, I got a big head and slacked a little. I have been taking advantage of the fact that my metabolism is very high for the first time in my life, and I've been snacking more and slacking on working out because I wasn't gaining. Well, that stopped this week. I'm back on my normal eating & exercise routine!

Hallelujah for good friends, family, and inspiration. 

So, we have an exciting weekend coming up!

Tomorrow is my 21st birthday!

Hayyy!

We aren't going out and getting drunk or anything crazy at all.

I think we are going to wait until Friday because Brad doesn't work Saturday and Dark Shadows comes out Friday! SO, Friday we will go to the movie tavern here & have dinner and a movie. :) So excited! I can't wait!

This is my motto for every day this weekend!

Hope you guys have a fabulous rest of the week and weekend!

xoxo

Weigh In!

Hey hey ya'll!

I'm pleased to announce that I have lost 1.2 lbs since last week, bringing my loss up to 25.2 lbs! Haaaay!

I am really proud and excited! :D I'm glad now that I took my deadline away and just changed my lifestyle to be healthy! My new lifestyle is awesome, and I love it.  This is going to be a short update, because I have to get my hiney to the gym!

I will try to update again before my next weigh in, but I won't make any promises!

Weigh In!

Hey hey ya'll!

SO, since last week I have lost (drumroll please) 2.6 lbs! Yeaaahh baby!
My total loss is now 24 lbs. Ahhh, amazing. I only have 13 lbs to go!

I have posted my results thus far on facebook, but why not post them here too?

 

- Jan 4               - April 17

So, this is like my last week of TF, and these are my results so far! I feel amazing, and cannot wait to continue on my journey.  For the next month, I am in BEAST MODE! Holllla!

xoxo

Weigh In!

Heyyy!

It's Wednesday, and you know what this means! Weigh in!

Since last week I have lost 1.4 lbs! My loss is 21.4 lbs. :) 

I am so excited! Only 15.4 to go, and I am going to knock it off fastttt. Or so I hope...

So, this past weekend we went to Alabama for Easter! I love my home town so much. I miss my family all the time. We had a great time seeing family! 

On the way down to AL

I got my belly button pierced too! It was my -20lb reward, and it was AWESOME!

Belly Button! Pierced by Silas Carroll @ Aces and Eights tattoo!

I love it. It wasn't as painful as I thought it would be, but boy does it itch now! I am supposed to clean it 5x a day, and even on the trip home I stopped and washed it a ton.

We had some sleeeepy pups on the way back and the first day back in VA. They were so worn out but they LOVED seeing their puppy frans at grandma's house. :) 

So, I'm gonna finish this& hopefully I will blog again before next Wednesday!

Sweepy boys!

that's all I have for now, when I get more pics sent from fam I'll upload! :)

xoxo

HOLLLAAAAA

Who has lost TWENTY POUNDS AND HAS TWO THUMBS?

This girl. Right here.

I have lost .8 lbs since my last entry meaning I have lost TWENTY POUNDS EXACTLY.

Words cannot express the happiness I feel!

I have 18 pounds to go and I am at my goal! What up! I am so happy. So so happy!

Hard work pays off!

So, this weekend my husband and I are going to Alabama for Easter and I am very excited! My dad really wanted us to come celebrate Easter at his house, so we decided to take a mini vaca and go to Bama! We will only be there for a few days, and we have really only made time for family, so please don't be upset if we can't see you! We will be back in June, and for a little longer so that will be more time to see everyone! I have a job interview tomorrow right before we leave too! Pray that I get it, because I for reals need a job. Being a stay at home wife is fun, but not for me, haha. I need a job!

I am bringing my TF with me to AL and I will keep up with that, and try to run with B while we are there, but we will have no gym access. :( So, let's pray these lbs stay off while we're there!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Wednesday!

xoxo

Wednesday Weight

Happy Wednesday Everyone! It's the middle of the week, yay!

So, I have lost 1.8 pounds since last week, which brings my total loss to 19.2 LBS! Hay girl hay!

I am halfway! 19 was my halfway mark!

I am anxiously waiting this 20 lb mark,  because I want my second reward! I changed it, and am getting my belly button pierced instead! What up! I have always wanted it done, and I am finally going to do it. Self confidence is a beautiful thing. :)

I'm not going to post a long entry today, just wanted to update you on my loss :)

Hope everyone has a great Wednesday!

xoxo

Obviously I have no filter...

I'm about to do a hardcore rant.

I have worked very VERY hard to be where I am at right now.

None of it was easy at first. I miss certain foods, and sometimes I am complaining in my head the entire time I am working out. My body is always sore. I am exhausted by 8pm and ready to go to bed. I usually have to shower twice a day which makes my skin dry and itchy and no amount of lotion is a savior for that. I don't do some things I want to do because I make time to go to the gym and work out.

BUT YA KNOW WHAT?

 

It's ALL worth it. It's easier now to avoid nasty food and pick up something healthy to snack on. I feel amazing after I work out and I'm tired and sweaty because I know that I just kicked my body's ass, and am on my way to a healthier me. One day I won't have to work AS hard (still will work, though) to be healthy, thin, fit, whatever you want to call it. I am working my way to a healthier me, and even though sometimes it REALLY REALLY sucks, it doesn't matter. It's something that I REALLY wanted and I worked for it. I didn't take a pill, or starve myself. I learned healthy eating habits, and got active. I owe that to myself, my husband, my future kids and the rest of my family. I owe it to myself. 

 

So for all you people who complain and get pissed off because you're tired of seeing people who are HAPPY WITH THEIR BODIES show it off, you can plant a nice big one on my behind. DO something about it. Don't just complain. 

 

I did something about it, and I'm happier than I've ever been. No, I haven't made it to my goal yet, but I'm a lot closer than I was when I was sitting on the computer complaining and feeling bad and angry at myself.

 

It's YOUR life, make the right choices.

 

Goodies!

Happy Saturday! It's been what seems like a super long weekend, and I don't mind! :) 

I hope everyone has had a great weekend so far.

I saw the Hunger Games on Thursday night/Friday morning, but I will save that for another day :) Today is for my Mother in Law and  few other people who have asked me what kind of foods I have been eating..

SO, I am going to make a list of a lot of different things I eat and how I prepare them!

Breakfast foods:

Special K (Cinnamon Raisin Pecan)

Thomas Light English Muffin (100 cal)

Butterball Low Sodium Turkey Bacon

Land O Lakes Natural Brown eggs

PB2

Ezekial 4:9 Bread (Cinnamon Raisin)

I usually combine at least two of those things! Brad always reminds me a big breakfast is important!

Lunch:

 Nature's Own flat bread (with chicken/some kind of meat) (100 cal)

Salad (2 cups romaine lettuce, delifresh lunch meat, Sargento Artisan Blends Parmesan Cheese, Texas toast garlic and butter croutons, and light ceasar dressing.)

Healthy Choice Chicken and Rice Soup (with a "grilled cheese" flatbread.)

Dinner Main's:

Lean Steak (usually seasoned with Wildtree seasoning, grilled or broiled)

Tyson All Natural Chicken Breasts

Coleson's Catch Tilapia

Contessa Shrimp

Sides:
Success Boil in a Bag Rice

Asparagus

Broccoli

Corn

Busch's Low Sodium Black Beans

Salad (small version of the lunch salad)

Baked Potato (small russet)

(all produce is fresh except black beans)

Snacks:

Luna Bars

Yoplait Light yogurt

Protein Shake (with Almond Milk Unsweetened)

PB2 & Gala Apple

Banana

Orange

Carrots & Free Ranch

Special K Cracker Chips

Air Popped Popcorn

Sargento Light String Cheese

Kale Chips

 Odwalla bars

Skinny Cow Ice Cream Sandwich

Drinks:

WATER WATER WATER

Crystal Light Peach Tea Packet (add to water)

Unsweetened Almond Milk

Chocolate Silk

So, that's a little bit of what I eat! Obviously I didn't include the servings, but you can look them up or ask me and I will give you the info about them! My Fitness Pal is a great way to look up/scan foods to see their nutritional value and monitor your calorie intake! It has helped me so much!

I hope maybe you can get some ideas for some delicious food, and thanks to those who recommended some of the above to me!

 

 

 

Wednesday Weigh In!

Hello hello! I have good news today. I have lost 1.8 pounds this week! Yayayay!

This makes me super happy.

I've been spending a lot of my time reading this past week.. I am officially obsessed with the Hunger Games. Like, pretty much all I have to say is Edward Cullen who? Peeta. Peeta Mellark. I love him!

If you are also into the Hunger Games, you know what I'm talking about. Sigh. He's a dream boat when it comes to fictional characters. I'm happy too, because my husband likes the books as well. He is reading the first one, because I finished it in like 5 hours the other day. I finished Catching Fire last night and I am dying to go get Mockingjay today. I am sad though, because I know once I finish this it will be over. :(  I want to ration it. Sigh. We are def going to see the movie this weekend too. I'm thinking midnight showing? Yep.

Enough of that though, back to business.

I'm honing in on my last week of the second month of Turbo Fire, and I am still in love.

I got a little burned out this month because it felt a lot more routine than the last month, but I am still enjoying it. I've given my body a little bit of a break and I feel much better! I substitute time in the gym with some time walking in the park with the fam (hub & pups) or playing ball with Apollo. It's nice to be able to do outdoor sports again. As for the 5k I'm supposed to be training for... well, I haven't started. Haha. I'm a little scared to actually. I have had a lot of problems with my knees like my whole life, and I am pretty there is some little part of me that subconsciously makes excuses to not run so that I don't injure myself. I'm working on it though. :)

Anyway, I hope everyone has a great rest of the week & weekend! I will more than likely be back with a Hunger Games update after the movie! :):)

xoxo

Spring is in the air! (Finally, pictures??)

I LOVE SPRING!

Oh, do I love spring! It is all over!

It makes me happy to be able to wear shorts and skirts again. Sigh. We've been taking the puppies to the park and on long walks so they can "sunbathe". They are presh. I think today the hubster and I might rent a paddle boat and go out on the water for a bit! Yay!

So, down to business.
I have not gained or lost any since last week. I'm okay with that though! I went to the doctor the other day for a bladder infection (ew) and it was a surprisingly good visit! She was very interested in my weight loss and asked all kinds of questions and said all the things I needed to hear! I was concerned about my progress and if I was going too slow or not, but she said I was right on track for healthy weight loss! She also said because I am losing slower (normal, whatever) I have a better chance of it staying off! So that makes me super super happy. She also said not to freak out that my scale hasn't changed in a while because since I am doing a lot of weight training, I am gaining a lot of muscle which weighs more than fat. So, that it is quite possible that I have lost up to 20lbs of fat, and gained more muscle. Woohoo! I am a happy camper. One more tid bit of information that she gave me was that people often think that drinking protein shakes will make them gain weight (which I drink every time I lift weights), but in fact not getting enough protein will cause you to gain weight. She said drinking a protein shake everyday would help me lose (but I don't really like them enough to have one everyday) and that I should have at least 40mg of protein after a good weight lifting session. So, there's some food for thought for those of you who have been on the fence about protein shakes/bars. 

I am feeling pretty good.

For those of you who didn't see this on facebook (which I'm sure you all did) here is a picture of me from December 2011 and one from March 2012. I am shocked at the difference, and it has encouraged me to keep working my butt off!
Despite my gut and embarrassment I am  posting these pictures too!

There is obv some serious difference here, which was a good motivation for me.

I apparently deleted my "official" March picture, which is why you get the weird cropped, censored one, haha.

 

 

I feel good about my results so far, but I still have a ways to go. 
I better just publish this post before I change my mind and take my pictures off! Ahh!


Have a good week!
xoxo

Strength in numbers?

Hello hello!

Sorry I have been slacking. We've been really busy, and had company this past week... so, that's my excuse. Deal with it ;)

So, I am happy to say that (when I was supposed to update on Wednesday) my loss has grown to 15.6 lbs! Woohoo.

Now for the confusing part, because isn't there always a confusing part?

I was talking to a friend the other day and we were talking abut our "diets" and our calorie intake and she was literally astonished at how little I was eating a day, which I thought was normal for my activity level.. She is also a Beach Body user, and she directed me to the "calorie intake" portion of their website where I input all of my information and activity level and blah blah blah and it showed me that I needed to DOUBLE my calorie intake. My first thought was, "that will never happen, I can barely eat what I eat now." but I decided to give it a try. 

After the first couple days I felt amazing and would sneak  little peeks on the scale and see little ounces dropping off.. but then I started to feel similar to how I felt before I started this get fit thing. (Keep in mind I can't even come CLOSE to the doubling of my calories, I probably eat about 300 more a day than I was before) So, I started to get worried because I don't like that feeling. I've noticed that I've been adding ounces instead of steadily dropping them like I have been the past two months.. so, I don't know if this is my body adjusting to not "starving" or what, but it's making me a little uneasy. I am going to give it a little longer to see if things change. If anyone has any information or advice on this, I would really appreciate it! I am super confused and feel at a loss.

In other news, I'm in my second month of TF and after next month I am going to start a new program. I can't decide if I want to try P90X or Insanity. I need to also make time to train for a 5k. I'm a little nervous about running my first 5k, but I am a little excited because we are doing "Run For Your Lives" which is no regular 5k. It's a ZOMBIE INFESTED 5K! I am very excited about this!! 

So, yeah. that's about all for now.

I'll keep you updated! Thanks for all the views and encouragement!

xoxo

Here's to a new outlook!

Good Morning! It's Friday! Yay!

I have been doing some major thinking and contemplating the past few days, and I've come to a conclusion that I am happy and at peace with.

I am taking away my "deadline" to lose my weight.  I know some people won't agree with it, or feel like I'm slacking and getting lazy, but that's not the case. I am confident in my decision.

More times than not during the past two months I have gotten overly upset/stressed over not being able to make my deadline. I have lost sight of what this is really about. Of course it's about losing weight and feeling better about myself, but it's more than that. It's about living a healthier lifestyle, and maintaining it. So, that's why I am removing my deadline. I don't want to try to maintain this lifestyle stressed out and crying over gained ounces or obsessing over what I eat compared to how much I exercise. I am going to continue doing what I have been doing every day, and hopefully without the extra stress of meeting such a huge goal this will be a little easier on my mind.

When I started this, I had one goal on my mind. Skinny. Skinny. Skinny. All I wanted was to be skinny. I'm realizing now, that I don't just wanna be skinny. I want to be healthy and strong! Of course I do want to be thinner than I am, but that's not the only goal here. I want to continue to live a healthy lifestyle even after my goals are met, and I feel that if I focus more on the lifestyle part than the "oh my gosh am I losing weight fast enough" part, that will be easier for me. 

I'm still going to post weekly results but that won't be the main focus anymore.

Thanks for all the support that I've received so far, it really is encouraging.

Here's to a new outlook!

xoxo,

Weigh in!

Happy Wednesday! (For those of you not being bombarded by rain and storms!)

It's totally ick and rainy here. Ew. To make it better, I decided to go grocery shopping without B, and it was rainy and full of old grumpy people. :( Boo.

SO! On to business. dundundun I am at a loss of: 13.6 pounds! Yay! That's two pounds since last week! Seven this month! I still have until the 4th to lose the last three, even though that's not super likely, but I am very pleased with my loss this month!

I can't wait to see what I will lose next month! Woohoo!

Since I have gotten over my fear of the gym, I have been going every day! We are turning into old people with our routines! When B comes home we usually play with the dogs and take care of any errands we have until about 5, and then we eat dinner, go to the gym, come home, shower, and then go to bed! We are so old. Haha. Oh well! We love our life & routine.

I would like to ask for some prayers for mine and Brad's family. We have a couple members of our family who are pretty sick and need some prayer. So, if that's ya thing and you wanna spread some love, pray for us!

xoxo

 

All For You

So, today I would like dedicate this post to my sweet husband. :)

I have done really well so far with the weight loss journey, and I really don't think I would be as far as I am if it wasn't for him. He is SO encouraging, and so supportive of everything I have ever wanted to do, and he never fails to make me feel better when I'm slacking. It takes one single look or word out of his mouth for me to regain the confidence I have in myself. He's always right there to push me along, and let me know when I'm being silly. I love him SO much, and not many things make my heart warmer than hearing him tell me, "baby I'm proud of you". Sometimes I get super discouraged and down if I haven't lost, or don't feel like I'm making enough progress and he is right there to remind me how far I've come. He reminds me every day how far I've come, and how much farther I will go. Isn't he just amazing?

So, babe, I love you! I am thankful for you, and I don't know where I'd be without you in all areas of my life, not just this weight loss journey! Given the choice of you and anyone else, I'd always choose you. A million times!

to the furthest star and back!

xoxo

Weigh in, what up!

Hola! So, it's Wednesday again! Time for me to weigh in.

Since last week, I've only lost 8oz. Bah, I know. But, it's okay, because I am down 11.6 lbs! Yay! This month my goal was to lose 11 pounds. I've lost 5 so far, so I've done alright, but not as good as I hoped. I'm glad I gave myself an extra month to get complete these goals now!

I find it really hard sometimes when I don't lose (or gain), or I don't lost much (like this week) I get really sad. The other day I almost didn't get in a good workout because I was sad and depressed. But you know what, I have to keep reminding myself that everyone is different. Some people lose weight faster and some lose slower. I happen to be slower, and I'm okay with that. It's my body, and I am okay with how it works. I have lost 11.6 lbs. That's better than if I hadn't lost any at all right? I feel amazing about myself, and I won't let minor setbacks change that. So there, emotions!

Since I have started going to the gym, I am literally obsessed. I look forward to going every day now! Crazy, I know, but I do! I like the added energy (and lack of energy at night for sleep) that it gives me. Sigh. I am pretty happy with my life these days! All the changes are for the BETTER! :)

Anyway, it's afternoon snack time! See ya soon!

xoxo

Fear Versus DREAMS

So, before I talk about anything here I just wanna be excited and make something clear...

I MADE MY FIRST GOAL!

I have lost 10.8 lbs! 10 lbs was my first goal, and I FINALLY MADE IT.

Sigh. I am so relieved, and so much more motivated now. 

I also am very proud of myself because last night I went to the Gym and worked out in public... for the first.time.ever. I was so scared to go and work out in front of people, and now I am already itching to go back! I am so happy. I did the stationary bike, and I loved it. Happy happy day!

So, I wanna share a couple things that have really helped me with snacking and managing to stay within my calorie ranges..

I just recently discovered PB2, and let me just say it is AMAZING!

It has only 45 calories per serving. It's a little weird at first, because it's powdered and you have to mix it with water, but there is no difference it the taste or texture once it's mixed. Delicious. I can't wait to try the chocolate.

These are simply amazing. I could not find Luna bars ANYWHERE in my part of Virginia, so my wonderful friend Whitney mailed me some and I LOVE them.  I eat one every other day as a snack during the day.

 

When I first started this I had salad pretty much everyday for lunch, and it wasn't super filling. So, I found this deli meat. It's 45-50 calories per serving (6 slices) depending on the type. I LOVE to cut this up and put it on my salad. it adds a little more substance and I found it makes me feel fuller longer. I also love to put it in wraps! Yummo!

So, I am just still on such a high from my weigh in this morning. Such a happy camper.

I've gotta go do some TF now. It's a HIIT day, so I gotta get a ton of energy!!

Thanks for all the support!

xoxo

Happy Valentine's Day!! :)

Yay! It's VALENTINE'S DAY!

I am so excited!! I love Valentine's day. I'm happy to say that I am NOT getting chocolate or icky fat treats! :)

But, I did get something equally as amazing for this special holiday,

  Wooo! My husband got me this beautiful Volkswagon Rabbit for Valentine's day. My heart melts. <3 He is so amazing!

Tonight we are going to go eat Mexican (taco salad for me, and I'm gonna take it light!) and then we're going to the movies! I wanted to see the Vow, but I have heard from like EVERYONE that is stinks big time. SO, I think we are going to see Safe House. Woop woop!

 What are YOU doing for Valentine's Day?

Onto other things,

I have lost 3lbs this month so far! Woop woop! 9.4 down! Only .6 til I get to my first goal! I am PUMPED!!! Go me, go me! I really must say though that I would never be this far without the support of my friends & family. Thank you all SO MUCH. I love you!!

Okay, I just wanted to do a quick update. I'll update again tomorrow with me weekly weigh in, which might not change too much since it's just a day, but whatev!

Have an AMAZING day today! Tell someone you LOVE them! 

Weighing in on Wednesday!

Why  HELLLOO bloggers & friends! 

I am SO SO proud to announce that I have currently lost 8.4 POUNDS! Yeah baby!

That means this week (since last 

Wed) I have lost 2 pounds!

Hellooo, results! Now THAT is what I am talking about. Totally glad that I started Turbofire.

THANK YOU Whitney Tomlin for talking me into it & being an AMAZING accountability friend! You are awesome! :)

I've had a great past week. I feel amazing about everything! 

My goal was to lose 11 (now 9) pounds this month, 10 in March and 10 in April. That would put me WAY ahead of my finish line, and give me time to decide if I need/want to lose more before summertime! I already feel so much better about myself, I can't even imagine how I'll feel at the end of this month. Can I get a woohoo?

I can't even stress enough the mindset that you have to have to be able to accomplish your goals! I thought I could do it all by myself in Guam, but I couldn't! MyFitnessPal has helped me with my calorie intake SO much. You wouldn't believe how easy it is to slip up and not pay attention, and MFP has helped me so much. TurboFire has straight up kicked my ASS! In a GREAT way! Which btw, has gotten so much firmer since starting TF, haha. I LOVE waking up and working out now. I tried to do it at night, but I just didn't have the energy. I do it at 8:30 am now and I feel great all day. If you want a SERIOUS workout, and you are ready to get FIT I seriously recommend you try TurboFire. :)

So, over the next few days I am going to compile a list of recipes, and post them in another tab on my blog! Keep an eye out!!

I love this saying. I saw it on pinterest, and this is def what Operation Make Yourself is all about!

I have taken charge! Have you?

xoxo