Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Putting the Pieces Together

I'm sitting here looking in the mirror, and for the first time, I'm not thinking about how disappointed I am in what I see. Instead, I am excited about what changes are yet to come.  The changes that I know are coming.  I can see a better, healthier, stronger version of myself forming underneath the exterior. And that girl is just waiting to burst out.  I'm putting in the work, I have the motivation, the dedication and now, my mind is in the right place.  Having a positive outlook can do more for you than any diet you are on or any workout you can do.  A positive mind pushes you to get to the gym.... it wants you to put the right fuel in to your body...  it lets you see the positive changes you are making, not the negative things you are still unhappy with. This time is different because my mind is in it,,,, I have all the pieces, just got to keep putting them together.



My stats right now... I'm at 165 lbs.  This is the heaviest I have ever been.  And that's ok.... It's the heaviest I will ever be again. I feel really good right now. I just started week 3 back in the gym.  I'm seeing subtle changes and for that I'm excited. I can't wait for everyone to start seeing them! Hold on yall.... this is going to be fun.


Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Two and a half years later..... REALLY?

Holy crap... has it really been 2.5 years since my last post?  SOOOOOOO much has happened.  It seems like it's been a lifetime.  And well, it kinda has been.

My biggest change, you ask???? (this was the news I had talked about before).... well, here he is!



Lucas Gene!  His middle name is after my Dad's middle name.  He was born November 8, 2013.  This guy is a MESS!  He keeps me running.... constantly.  He's so fun and has spiced up my life like I never imagined.

My whole reason for living is these 3 guys!  And they are the best reason to get myself healthy.


This is my 2nd week back in the gym.  I've had some major health issues going on which I will share soon.  I'm excited to get this rolling again.  And I'm determined to make this the LAST first time back in the gym.  I am determined to get my body in the shape I've always known it could be!  I'm not happy with where I am right now, but I'm not going to get discouraged or impatient... I'm just going to do it.  I know it will take time, hard work and dedication, and I'm just going to do it.  I am excited to use this blog as a diary.  I'm hoping it will keep me accountable and motivated.  I'm stronger than I was yesterday... in more ways than just working out.

Thanks for joining me on this journey to getting my life back.

PS... I will be making some changes to the blog to update it, so thanks for your understanding!

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Getting Back in the Saddle... Damn Holidays!

I hope you all had a VERY Merry Christmas!! Mine was the best ever! especially with Liam!   He was so much fun this year!!

Ok.... well, the holidays got me.  The temptation on pumpkin pie was too much for me to resist. (oh, and the wine).  But that's ok... I'm back.  I went to the gym today and really kicked my own butt.  I did a really hard leg workout and was barely able to walk down the stairs.  And trust me, I'm going to really be hurting tomorrow! I also finished it out with about 20 minutes of yoga that I did on my own.

It's so funny... eating a piece of pie you would think would make you happy.  And although it does for about 30 seconds, I feel like crap afterwards.  And when I go and workout, I feel great for the rest of the day.  I need to remember that.  How did you do over the holidays?

My workout:





Friday, December 14, 2012

Drink Water = Lose Weight!!

We all know that we can't live without water.  But did you know that just by simply drinking more of it, you could lose weight?  You can!  It is the most simple and easy thing you can do.

How Much Water?  First, you need to find out how much water you need per day.  Here is an equation that you can use to get a general idea of how much water you should be drinking.  There are varying opinions, but this is a good guideline to use. (Always talk to your doctor about how much water is right for you, your body, and activity levels).

    TIP:  If you are working out, you will need to add 2-3 more 8oz glasses of water to replenish what your body uses during a workout.  **"A study found that people who were dehydrated did three to five fewer reps while they were strength training: turns out, dehydration affects a hormone that is essential for building strong muscles. To make sure this doesn't happen to you, remember to drink an ounce of water for every 10 pounds of body weight about one or two hours before you exercise."**read article here.
   

Drink 8oz-16oz of water before every meal (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).  What this will do is fill you up so that you are not in danger of over-eating.  It will also "remind" you that you are trying to lose weight and eat healthier, and it will take the place of those sodas, juices and other liquid calories.

Ice please!! Drink your water cold!  When you drink cold water, your body has to use calories to bring the water to your body's temperature.  You burn calories, just by drinking cold water!! Now, this isn't a TON of calories, but hey... a calorie is a calorie, right!  And they add up over time.



When life gives you lemons... PUT THEM IN YOUR WATER!

Drinking a glass of WARM lemon water in the morning is one of the best things you can do.   Why?!?


Benefits:

BALANCES pH: Drinking lemon water everyday will reduce your body’s overall acidity. Lemon is one of the most alkaline foods you can find. Lemons contain citric acid but once the body metabolizes it, it doesn't create acidity in your body.  Bodies that are more alkaline are more healthy and will help keep you from getting sick!

WEIGHT LOSS:   Lemons are high in pectin fiber.  This will help those fight hunger cravings. Studies show that people who maintain a more alkaline diet lose weight faster.

DIGESTIONLemons aide your body in digestion.  They help rid the body of toxins. It makes the liver produce more bile which is an acid that is required for digestion. 

DIURETIC: Lemons make you need to urinate more, which helps to purify your body. Toxins are released at a faster rate which helps keep your urinary tract healthy.

SKIN:  Lemons contain vitamin C which will help to decrease wrinkles and blemishes. Lemon water purges toxins from the blood which helps keep skin clear as well. It can actually be applied directly to scars to help reduce their appearance.

COFFEE PROBLEMS:  Drinking a glass of warm lemon water has also shown a reduction in coffee cravings.  Some even say that it gives them a bigger boost than a cup of coffee.... we will have to see about this one.


**TIP:  If you are worried about the daily use of lemons on your teeth enamel, use a straw to minimize the contact of the lemon with your teeth.

We all know that water is good for us... so DRINK IT!  And you might just lose a few pounds while your at it!!




Thursday, December 13, 2012

My Cleanse Wrap-Up


I finished my cleanse!  Sorry I haven't written in the past few days.  I got sick and then forgot to update my blog.  Ok.... here is my Cleanse Wrap- Up!

Day 5....
.... was on Friday... and I'm the kind of girl that loves a bottle glass of wine or a couple of beers, everyday especially on the weekends.  And I was getting ready for Liam's Christmas party on Saturday.... so I cheated!  I know, I know.  I did it to myself.  I wasn't that bad, but I did eat a couple cookies and some chocolate and maybe a couple chicken nuggets and definitely some miller lite.  But it's ok, I'll do better tomorrow.

Day 6-9
I did really well with my food.  I even threw in a few workouts.  I did get a little stomach bug, but I continued with my good eating.

Day 10 (Last Day!)
I wish I could report that I ended my cleanse with a bang... but I didn't.  :(  I was out shopping all day so I stopped and got fast food.  I did stay in my calorie count for the day... it just wasn't "cleansing food."

So the result... I LOST 5 POUNDS!   I am really happy with myself!  I know I could have probably lost more, but I am still happy with the result.  It jump started my "good eating" habits and I will continue to eat well.  Just not so strict. That's really all I have for right now. 

My opinions on the cleanse... I think it's a good way to get yourself used to eating well.  When I ate the bad food, my stomach hurt because it wasn't used to having processed foods.  It makes me not want to eat all that crap anymore.  So now I can get back on my workout routine and continue with my weight-loss journey. 

Friday, December 7, 2012

Cleanse: Day 4 & Down 4 Pounds!

You read that right!!!! I have lost 4 pounds in 4 days!! I am SOOOO excited!!!  I woke up this morning (Day 5) and was feeling a little... "eh", but then I stepped on the scale!! I am down 4 pounds since I started this cleanse on Monday!! I had the burst of motivation that I was really needing so I ate my fruit for breakfast and ran to the gym!!  (Well, I didn't literally run to the gym, I drove., I wasn't THAT motivated, hehe)  I feel great!! I'm just so happy right now.  I know that the scale is not what matters... but it sure is nice to see that number keep going down!! 

Sorry I didn't write yesterday, just got busy with life stuff! (I'll play catch up).  My day was pretty normal but I did have an AWESOME lunch that I wanted to share!  I got the inspiration from here off of pinterest, but made it my own.



Balsamic Chicken Lettuce Wraps

What you need:
-4 Romaine Lettuce Leaves
-4oz of Chicken (I still had leftover chicken from my recipe I made the other day)
-1/4 cup walnuts
-1/4 of an apple, chopped into small pieces
-Sprinkle of Craisins
-Balsamic Vinegar (about 1/2 Tbl on each leaf)

Directions:
1.  Shred chicken and put in leaf.
2.  Add walnuts, apples, craisins and then sprinkle with balsamic vinegar.
** Would be awesome to add in chopped grapes and feta cheese! I will do that next time when I'm not on my cleanse.)

Super simple and so good!!  My whole lunch (all 4 leaves) was about 200 calories!!  This eating healthy thing is really not bad and it's working!!  HOLLA!

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Cleanse: Day 3

You know how I was so energetic yesterday?  Well, today I couldn't get out of bed!  Not because of the cleanse, but my 2 year old was up all night getting sick. Poor little guy!  But I still did really good today! 

I wanted to share with you my dinner that I had tonight!  Although... it definitely looks more like a dessert!!


This is my super simple and super yummy shake.  It's awesome, because I feel like I'm cheating when I drink it, and I'm not!!  All it is, is one scoop of Syntha-6 chocolate protein powder, handful of strawberries, water and ice.... blend well and that's it!!  You could add in bananas, blueberries, raspberries... pretty much anything!  Now, there are many variations.. but since I'm on my cleanse, I can't have dairy.  You could mix it with milk or just greek yogurt instead of the water.  But this is less calories and still delicious!

Here's what my day looked like:

Breakfast:
Fiber Drink... YAY! I don't have to drink this for the next 4 days!!
Bowl of fruit and 3 hard-boiled eggs.

Snack:
Hummas and Rice Cakes 

Lunch:
My usual chicken salad.

Snack:

Edamame!!! This is THE best snack in the whole wide world!!  I get a whole box of them at Costco for $8.99.  They are in 12 individual steam bags.  So, you just have to throw them in the microwave for 3 minutes, sprinkle a little sea salt and your done!  They only have 140 calories and 12g of protein!!  These are so good for you and they are as easy to eat as a bag of chips... without the love handles!!! 

Dinner:
 Protein Shake: Syntha 6 protein power in chocolate, strawberries, water and ice. 
 
Workout:
Since little man was sick and my husband didn't get home until close to 8:00, I did a small workout at home.  I did some yoga, pushups and crunches.  At least it was something!

Well, I've made it through Day 3!  I made it to Day 4 last time, so let's see how tomorrow goes!