Workout Wednesday, Why Not?!

Hey everyone! 

So for the first time ever, I'm going to link up for Workout Wednesday with SkinnyMeg. 

I'm a little shy in the blogging world, I guess you could say, but I thought, hell I've lost over 40 pounds since January 1 2013 on my own by working out and eating right, why shouldn't I put myself out there a bit more.

So here I am for the Link up!

(I'm happy to tears cause I just PR'd)

I've lost all my weight by using hand weights and my living room.

I do workouts like this one everyday usually while I watch an episode of my favorite show, which is why its timed at about 25 minutes for the whole run through.

Give it a go!

Here are some Links to show you how to do some of these exercises that might be a little less well known:

Reverse Crunch

Oblique Crunch

Inner Thigh Lifts

Bridge and Extended Leg Bridge

One Footed Bridges

Any others that you are unfamiliar with just ask and I will help you out!

I also use apps on my Iphone to aid with my workouts

C25K Free is the Free version of Couch to 5k It is awesome and will speak over your music to tell you what to do.

Sworkit is GREAT when you have some down time but don't know what workout to do, choose a target zone, workout style and time limit and away you go!

GeoMeasure lets you map out courses to see the distances they will be for you.

MapMyRun is  what I use in place of a Garmin Fitness watch, ( Help me, I'm poor -- name that movie!) It tracks your distance, your route, your pace, your calories, etc. It will speak over music as well and let you know distances, split paces and overall time. It also saves your workouts so you can see your improvements! Its free so its great for a starter off until I can afford the Garmin.

Thanks for stopping by! Questions, thoughts, comments? Lemme Know!

Have a Wonderful Workout Wednesday!

- J

Taco Popcorn

I'm a snacker.

I can control it, but during movies I have like a subconscious need to snack. 

Popcorn, thats my drug of choice.

Luckily, Fit And Active makes  more health conscious popcorn thats only 200 calories for the whole bag. But let's face it, plain ole popcorn can get mundane.

This is where Taco Popcorn comes into play. I remember my parents making this when I was younger, but the origin of it before that is unknown to me.

I do know its delicious, sounds weird, but delicious.

Taco Popcorn

(375 calories for this recipe)

1 Bag of Light Popcorn (Fit&Active is what I use)

Spray Butter (zero calories!)

1tsp of taco seasoning

1/2 cup light shredded mozzarella 

Preheat over to 350.

Pop popcorn according to package directions.

Cover a baking sheet in tinfoil. Spread popped kernels on sheet leaving out the un-popped pieces. Spray popcorn with spray butter, sprinkle taco seasoning all over popcorn, spread shredded cheese all over.

Bake for 5-8 minutes until cheese is melted.

Enjoy!

(also great with cinnamon instead of taco seasoning and mini marshmallows instead of cheese for a sweeter treat)

This is a nice treat to have with a movie, I had this for my supper tonight while the hubby enjoyed a peanut butter protein shake as we watched our movie. 

So proud of him! He just started making his shake then told me that was his supper for the night! So I was the one left to fend for myself! Ha!

Whats your favorite popcorn toppings?

-J

Summer Beauty Must Haves!

With summer finally upon us (for real it should never snow in May, thats just ridiculous - go home Kansas, You're drunk) everyone needs to pay more attention to their hair and make up products. 

Here are a few of of my favorite must haves, especially for summer months!

FakeBake AirBrush Spray - a great touch up for spray tanners also great when you need to even out tan lines, the nozzle and the sprayer is 360, so that means that no matter what angle you hold it at the nozzle won't clog!

Norvell Pro-Long Moisturizing Lotion - Great for all sorts of tanners, lotion has a tint to it so it keeps your color looking good longer also helps with spray tans not 'flaking' off of dry skin.

Norvell 4 Faces - the BEST face spray, will tan your face, cover up 'coon eyes'. Hell my dad wears a hat 365 days a year and has an awful forehead tan, and for my wedding he so graciously let his little girl use this on his face to even out his tan. 

Did I ever mention that I'm a certified Norvell Spray Tan Master? I rock out some mean spray tans. Norvell is my favorite line of Spray Tan and they have great maintenance products

Aussie Moist 3 Minute Miracle - deep conditioning is a must! Especially if you are out in the sun or in the pool a lot. This stuff saves lives, like thousands, it will bring every last strand of your hair back to life.

It's a 10 Leave In Conditioner With Keratin - Keratin is the protein that your hair is made of, so if your hair is taking a beating it only makes sense to give it back what it loses. If you have kids, spray their hair with this and comb it through before they get in the pool, it will help prevent that nappy hair tangle they get and if they have lighter colored hair it will help their hair from turning colors from chlorine.

Revlon Photoready BB Cream - this is great as a makeup base, it has broad spectrum protection with SPF 30, helps match skin tones when applied and is very light and airy on your face.

Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Face Powder - This is my go to face powder, its light, its mineral wear, so it doesn't clog my pores, provides great coverage and doesn't make me break out. 

Cargo Water Proof Blush - Its summer, sweat and pools are more common in your life now and if 90% of your make up is waterproof, why shouldn't your blush be too? I love the color of this one its called "Los Cabos" its my favorite shade of blush, a nice warm melon coral color I'd say.

Coola Organic Suncare Moisturizer/Sunscreen - Broad Spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen face moisturizer. Nuff Said.

Supergoop Anti-Aging Eye cream - Broad Spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen under eye cream. I use this around my eyes and on my eyelids and the Coola all over my face, before bed and before make up.

Whats your favorite summer products?

Any questions or comments on these products, ask away!

- J

SouthWest Lasagna

When it comes to cooking, I like to be creative, make new dishes but most importantly I like to make things that taste damn good.

Today was one of those days, I didn't quite know what I wanted to make so I just started looking around and pulling out things that sounded good, thus SouthWest Lasagna was born.

It was so good the hubby gobbled his up and asked that this become a normal meal in our household.

Heres how ya make it!

(this right here is one serving)

SouthWest Lasagna

(Only 356 calories per serving!)

6 Lasagna Noodles

1/2 Cup Alfredo Sauce

2 TBSP of SunDried Tomato Pesto

1/2 Cup Shredded Mozzarella 

3 oz of Chicken Breast chopped up

2 strips of Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon

Chopped Green Pepper

Chopped Onion 

Preheat oven to 375.

Begin boiling noodles. 

Cook Chicken and Bacon.

When Chicken and Bacon are done cooking, chop up each and keep separate. In a small bowl mix together Alfredo sauce and tomato pesto, set aside. 

When Noodles are done cooking, remove from heat, drain.

In the bottom of a baking dish spread out one spoonful of the sauce you made.

Lay out three noodles, so they are not overlapping. Spoon sauce and spread over each noodle. Sprinkle each noodle with bacon, chicken, green pepper, onion and cheese.

Top with another noodle, so you have created a sandwich style noodle. (each strip is one serving, so this recipe makes 3 servings) On top of the noodles spread remander of sauce between all three of them, sprinkle with remaining cheese. Garnish with as much green pepper and onion as you'd like. 

Bake for 15 minutes.

Enjoy!

Let me know what you think of my food baby!

-J

BirchBox! -- May!

Monthly I receive this awesome little package in the mail called BirchBox. Its a 10$ monthly subscription and it is filled with awesome little samples of girly things!

To see more of Birch box view these:

First BirchBox

April's BirchBox

Now back to this month's

This package included:

Hail Merry Chocolate Macaroons - they are raw, vegan, gluten-free and made with natural and organic ingredients, only! For a girl who's watching calories and loves chocolate, these were great!! I actually opened the box after my run and ate these lil scrumdiddlyumpsious macaroons as my post workout snack! They were soooo good. Gahhh  yummy. I need more of them now.

Cargo Water Resistant Blush- Ahhh I love blush, and this color is super cute! Hold the phone, its water proof??? Just what a sweaty running girl needs!!! I can't wait  to use this, and for real the packaging is super cute!

Coola SPF 30 Cucumber Face Moisturizer - Another one of my big loves in life, moisturizer. I'm rough on my face, for real, I wear makeup all day, I wash my face twice at night then moisturize, then wake up wash my face again and re-moisturize!  It even has evening primrose in it (thats great for anti-aging)!

Kerastase First Step Shampoo - This shampoo is designed to boost colored hair and moisturize dry strands. It has built in UV filters to keep color looking great. I can't wait to try this stuff in the shower tonight, I have high hopes for it! The ingredient list makes me like it already!

Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel - an organic based sensitive peel used to exfoliate and brighten. Another thing I love! I feel like this BirchBox was hand picked for me this month, its so great, when I wash my face every night I always use a mask of some sort and I can't wait to use this yummy smelling one tonight!

BirchBox is one of my favorite investments and it is always a surprise as to what is inside! And you never get the same thing twice! So in love with BirchBox, sorry hubs!

-J

Keeping Up With The Jones's

Well we are not the Jones's but heres a rundown of what's new in the Solt household. 

Life has been pretty plain jane around here. It's pretty weird, actually, our lives are usually never this uneventful. 

Oh well.

We both have been super busy with work lately and our poor little fur baby, Cali the Chihuahua, has been having accidents since we haven't been home as much to let her out. She's the type of dog that cannot go outside unless she is on a leash, she will run away and never look back. Trust me, chasing her down the road is zero fun. None, zip, zilch - actually I think it's relatable to one of the levels of hell. With high hopes to change things I bought her " PetZoom Indoor Pet Park Pet Potty ". It looks like a patch of grass and it has a tray that all the liquid collects into and then you just dump it in the toilet. She is still unsure of the thing right now, she just sits on it and stares at me. 

For real, its kinda creepy.

She just sits. No potty, no nothing. I swear she just started holding it till I get home.

Special, special puppy :/ 

The hubs and I are are anxiously awaiting our trip at the end of the month to Kansas City. It's going to be a great time, we are going to see my sister and her hub and my adorable niece and her new house! It's also the weekend of my first 5k! I'm pretty excited, then the hubs and I are going to enjoy the city and do some shopping and spend some good quality time together. I'm going to be brave and venture into the changing rooms and try on some clothing, maybe even a bathing suit, having lost 40lbs so far this year makes my courage level a little higher, but we will see. It will me such a good time though! We are also awaiting July 7th, that will be our one year wedding anniversary, AHHH, wow time really does fly past your eyes. We are going to stay a few nights in a nice hotel, wine and dine and hit the casino. Not to exciting, aye?

Neither one of us have EVER been to a casino, so were going to have a little fun and share the same dream of hitting it big with a few thousand other people.

Wah Wah Wah

Next week I'm going to get my hair done and spend a girls day with my mom. I love hanging out with my mom, we never fail to have a good time and its been a long time since we have went out and just did a girls thing. It's going to have some special treats in it for her as part of my mothers day gift to her as well. My moms pretty excited too, my sister lives 3 hours away and I'm the only child that lives minutes away, and well I'm the baby of the family, so mom still likes time with her 'baby'. Getting my hair done will be fabulous! Being a stylist, I'm extremely picky with how my hair looks and who touches it, luckily a girl I went to cosmo school with lives less then an hour away, so I go to her. We were taught the same way so when I say how I want something done, she totally gets it. It's a real relief. 

Ya'll are out their probably snoring away by now, I told you it has been pretty mediocre around here. As every thing I have going on approaches hopefully excitement will find its way back to my life.

HA!

But I want to leave you on some positive notes, here are two of my current favorite motivational quotes:

Here's to a Mediocre Monday!

*Cheers*

-J

Just A Fat Girl Who Decided To Run

As I've lost weight, I post it to Facebook. Pictures, updates, what I'm doing and anything motivational, never with any intentions to do anything more than keep my own spirits up. But the craziest thing happend as I lose more, all these people are coming out of the wood work and asking me for help with their workouts and how to lose weight, and they call me an 

inspiration.

Who Me?

I never thought of myself as an inspiration, I still don't. I don't get it, really.

 I'm just a run of the mill fat girl who decided to get healthy. 

I'm just a fat girl who was tired of being sad at the reflection I saw.

I'm just a fat girl who works out every day.

I'm just a fat girl who learned to eat clean.

I'm just a fat girl who became motivated.

I'm just a fat girl who was done settling for the number on the scale.

I'm just a fat girl who decided to run.

I don't think I'm anything special. I mean don't get me wrong I am more than proud of myself, my progress is amazing and feels even better. But the "following" I've gotten is just plain crazy. I have one girl who messaged me and asked me if I'd go for a walk with her to help kick start her weight loss journey, how could I say no? I told her sure!! Why not, she wants me to "teach" her everything I've learned along the way, and I am more then happy too. If she wants my help I will give it to her, If she wants my support, she's got it. I support any one and every one with their choice to better their lives for a healthier them. I even have people who want me to go grocery shopping with them to show them how to read labels better, pick out clean foods and show them better options.

Hell

My own husband, the lazy  unmotivated man he is, Is going to start Couch To 5K, tonight. He wants to start running with me. He wants to run 5K's with me. I kid you not, when he told me all that I could have fell over right where I stood. But I'm proud of him, I'm going to run my normal 2-3 miles Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday and go through the C25K program with him Monday, Wednesday and Fridays and we are going to go for just leisure walks on the days he doesn't run. I'm so happy for him, and he came to it all on his own term. I 'inspired' him. So he says. I totally support him in this and I will be SOOOO glad to have a running buddy.

Even a girl I went to high school with, and haven't seen her since, wants to run with me sometime. Which in all reality is quite the honor. She is an amazing gal, she ran cross country in HS and now she runs half marathons. She told me once in a comment on a status of mine that she saw me as an 'inspiration' because I don't let anything keep me from going on my run. Running is like my second job, If I were to miss a day, I would be so extremely disappointed in myself, and I would feel as if I had let everyone else down. When she told me that though, I got chills, because even though we aren't close friends any more or even in the same town, it made me feel good. She has been there encouraging me and giving me awesome advice, every time I've asked. She has been supportive, even when I didn't ask her too. She is just that amazing of a person. And every 'like', comment or encouraging/supportive word she's given me, echo's in my mind when I run. I tell myself not to give up, and then I see everyone else's supportive words in my mind and suddenly the run doesn't phase me anymore. She is a big part of the reason I have absolutely ZERO problem with going for a walk with one gal, going grocery shopping with another to help teach them to read labels and pick out good foods or even just offering encouraging words to those starting their journey.

I feel so blessed to have all this love and support from those who see me as 'inspiring' to those that are my friends and family. 

I mean after all, I'm just a fat girl who decided to run.

-J

Let's Get Tipsy

With any weight loss journey, there are always little tips and tricks along the way that can aid in your progress. Today I'm going to share with you some of the ones I personally use and that have helped provide me with results. I tried not to state the obvious, that so many people and places constantly regurgitate at the world, so here we go.

• Read The Label - Read them all, see what you are putting into your body, see the calories, see the trans fat, see the serving size. Make your self aware of what you put in your mouth.

• Look Up The Calories - Eating out? No problem, most restaurants, especially chain ones, have the nutritional information on the website or in store. Never be scared to ask!

• Count Calories - Keep track of how many calories you do eat, try to stay around a certain amount. What ever works for you. I stay between 1200 and 1500 calories a day.

• Forget Pop - I don't know about you but I like food, so I would much rather eat my calories then drink them. Plus pop is bad for you, especially diet ones. Try to drink alot of water, you will fill fuller and its good for your skin and body. If plain water is to boring try the calorie free water enhancers in the drink mix isle, or my personal favorite, UnSweet tea!

• Get Moving - Excersise is everything, now I don't mean you have to spend hours at the gym each day, unless you want to, but to aid to any weight loss adventure or healthy lifestyle, try to incorperate atleast 30 minutes of activity to your day. It can be walking the dog, biking around town, a workout dvd, playing wii sports, or even just dancing around while you clean. I like to do ab workouts while I watch tv at night.

• Take Pictures / Record Measurements - Keep track so you can see your progress! Take a begining picture and then in a couple weeks, take another, in the same clothes. Take a before, during and after shot. Also record your measurements in inches and your actual weight with each picture. Its such great motivation to see how much your body really does change!!

• Set Goals, Short And Long Term - Set yourself a goal of how much you want to lose over all. Like in 6 months, a year or 2 years, whatever! But also set short term goals along the way. Like how much you want to lose each month. Or even how many sit ups you can do, or how fast you run a certain course.

• Limit Eating Out - Fast food is the fastest way to rack up unwanted calories and grease with out even knowing it. They don't pay attention to portion sizes or which ingrediant is better for you so what seems like a healthy option is really a calorie monster in disguise.

• Eat Sitting Down - You digest better when you are sitting down, vs standing up. You are also less likely to overeat if you avoid TV while eating as well. Eat slowly and drink water during your meal, you will find it easier to tell when your full this way.

• Eat Breakfast EVERYDAY - When you skip breakfast to "save calories" you are really actually hindering your progress. Your body will go into starvation mode and feed off of its muscles aswell as stored fats and your metabolism will slow WAY down to reserve energy! There are PLENTY of healthy options out there for breakfast that are filling and will jump start your metabolism!! I like to have whole wheat/ light Ego Waffles with Light Maple Syrup. I can have two waffles with syrup for 170 calories!!!

• Give Into Cravings - It is totally okay to eat sweets or 'crap food', every now and then. But the key is moderation and proportion. If you don't give into your cravings every now and then you are more likely to binge later.

• Don't Reward Yourself With Food - You are not a dog. After a walk or a workout, don't reward yourself with a treat. You can have a treat of course but don't make it a reward and take into consideration if that 'treat' is going to undo all of your hard work you just put it.

• Swap - Start saving calories but swapping out for the low fat, low carb, low sodium, sugar free and light versions of foods. Try 1% or Skim Milk vs Whole or 2%. Little changes here and there can really add up in the long run.

• Sleep - Try to get 6-8 hours of sleep. The more sleep you get, the more energy you will have to be active the next day, and it gives your body plenty of time to do the things it does at night, like digestion.

• Take Hot Baths - Take hot baths, with epson salt if possible. The epson salt will relax sore muscles and help draw toxins out of your body. The hot or even just warm water will help with relaxation and to draw out toxins also.

• Eat Yogurt or Take Probiotics - Either eat a yogurt with live cultures or take a daily probiotic, this will aid in proper digestion and will reduce belly buldge and bloat.

• Don't Drink Your Calories - Like I said about pop same goes for all sugary drinks and adult beverages. I would much rather eat my calories then to not knowingly consume half of them by throwing back a few drinksw. Try to limit your intakes or make swaps for lower calorie alternatives.

• You Don't NEED a Gym - if you have access to a gym then great! But don't think that that is a mandatory thing to have to lose weight. Their are plenty of at home excersises or dvd's that you can use as well. I personally have lost over 40lbs and have not stepped into a gym once.

I hope these will help some of you on your journey towards a better lifestyle. Just remember little changes are important just like big things.

If you have any great tips, please share!

- J

Good Morning Ha-Ha-Haters

For some reason, no matter what you are doing or how well you are doing it there will ALWAYS be haters.

Lame sauce.

I was out for my run, in the pouring rain I might add. Thats real dedication. Yeah I'm patting myself on the back, "so what, wanna fight about it?"

And the song Good Morning By Chamillionaire on and the part that goes : 

" All the haters hate that, 'cause they hate to see you be successful"

And for some reason tonight it just stuck in my head  and got me thinking..

When I first began my weight loss journey, I was very strict on myself. I didn't eat anything that was remotely bad, until I knew I had retrained myself to watch and control portions. I am too that point now of course. But on the hubby's birthday at the beginning of February one of my sister-in-laws was here and we had just gotten back from a heavy supper and they were sitting down to cheesecake that the hub's mom had made him. No big deal, but me, I didn't want any, and most importantly I didn't NEED any. I could see the oil pooling on top, too many calories for me. But they asked if I wanted any, I said no thanks, and the hub announced that I was dieting. The sister-in-law retorted snotty like "ugh why can't you just be happy with yourself".

On the inside I just snapped, I was so utterly pissed, but I kept to myself.

First of all, why at all does it concern her what I do with my life and for that means my body. Next, I am happy with myself, I am happy with the self that has gotten off her lazy ass and made changes in her life to better herself. I am happy with the self that runs in any and all weather conditions. I am happy with the self that eats veggies and fruits instead of greasy fries and candy bars. I am happy with the self that on that day was down over 15 pounds. I am happy with myself. I am beyond proud of myself for doing what people doubted me in, I am proud that I'm being successful on my journey to better myself and become a runner. I am proud of the self that held her tongue in that moment and didn't dish out the verbally lashing that was being scripted in my head.

Don't judge someone because they are making a lifestyle change to better themselves. You have no clue what drives them to do what they are doing. Offer words of encouragement to build up people not words to tear them down.

The only thing I can think of as to why she said that remark is that she's jealous of my decision to better myself and the fact that I was being successful.

It still to this day irks me. And that song brought back the memories, but as I ran and the music played these words buzzed out of my earbuds :

"And I admit it, I'm really 'bout to show you how I doIf you know you a hater, this dedicated to youYou hatin' my last move, I'm way on my next moveSee they hate to see you to be successful

I wanna show all of my haters love, this song's for youIf you acted like me, and I was in your shoes I'd probably hate on me too."
And suddenly I didn't care any more, because I'm successful and I'm just going to brush of the negativity and disrespect. I'm going to keep doing me.
Do what your doing regardless of who supports you or tries to bring you down. They will never change but you've already gotten up off the couch and put the effort in to the movement, so GOOD JOB, I AM PROUD OF YOU. I SUPPORT YOU. I KNOW YOU CAN DO THIS, I KNOW YOU WILL DO THIS. SO GO, GO OUT THERE AND BE SUCCESSFUL. GIVE ALL THE HATERS THE FINGER AND YOU ROCK YOUR LIFE.I AM HERE FOR YOU WHEN NO ONE ELSE IS. I'm here for you because I have haters, but I'm going to let them be my motivators.
I'm gonna show all of my haters love, this posts for you.So I wave to you likeGood Morning Ha-Ha Haters.Good Morning

-J

Fabulous Forty

A large T-shirt that was the right size,now just hangs off of me---a hoodie that was a little snug also just hangs off me as well.

The photo in the tie dye was Friday the 3rd and it was the day that I hit my 40 lbs GONE weight mark!

Rounds of applause and cheers

Im in awe, like for real people, Never would I have thought that I would actually lose the weight I wanted and let alone be this successful  I mean come on 40lbs in 4 months? 123 days? Im so utterly proud of my self and the changes I've seen in my body and the changes I know are yet to come.

I'm one of those girls who has always been a little bigger, an average size girl, not the skinny twig that wears a size 0.

 For real how is zero a size?

Thats not a measurement, its a lack there of.

What ev's.

But I have tried fad diet, shakes, wraps and those workout dvd's with matching diets and blah blah blah. Nothing ever stuck, nothing was working for me. Like no joke I started Insanity 3 times and never could make it past the seventh day. It wasn't that I couldn't do the exercise, I was capable of it but for some reason I couldn't get my heart and soul in to it.

I felt like a failure. 

I did.

I cried, a lot.

I was so miserable and upset with myself, I had never been this big in my life and I couldn't believe I had let all this extra weight sneak up on me. I was disgusted with the way I looked and that nothing I tried gave me the results I wanted instantly. 

Yeah I lost 5lbs here or there but it always found its way back, because I kept giving up.

Then all of a sudden, one day I was talking to my mom and she said to me "You didn't put it on overnight, it's not gonna go away overnight" and of course I've always knew that, but then hearing it at that point it my life just changed everything. 

And then I set out, I set out to make a plan, to make changes, to not let myself fail.

New years was upon me and I decided that this year, this effing year was going to be my year. Nothing, and I meant nothing, heaven nor hell, come drought or high waters, I was damned determined to be successful this time.

So I started researching and scanning the internet and pinterest, of course, for tips on weight loss, recipes, programs, and blogs of others who had or were making a similar journey.

And through all that I stumbled up a 5k race called The Color Run, and damn I thought that looks like a freaking good time.

So I decided that my new years goal this year was to run a 5k and not only run one but to make a change in my lifestyle to live a healthier life and better myself.

Thats exactly what I'm doing.

I watch what I eat, I count calories, and I read every damn food label.

I work out, not a few times a week, every damn day.

I cut out all the crap in my house, for real I grabbed a trash bag and went through cabinets and the fridge and threw away anything that could hinder my progress. I researched clean eating and good foods for my body, I opened my mind to trying new foods and replacing the shit I was eating that was making me miserable and let my body thrive on the good stuff.

The way I see crap food is like the mean popular girl in high school, you want it so so bad and for brief moments you feel good among them but no matter what at the end of the day, they make you feel like shit.

Why this time is different, Im not a 100% sure of.

I just made the decision to work my heart out, to make this one count, to make this year the best one yet.

 And I had motivation, the hubby, never commented on my weight or anything, he loved me, every last miserably disgusting pound of me. But every time I told him I wanted to start this fad diet or that fad diet or so on, he started being less supportive, because he knew just as well as I did that I wasn't going to stick with it. That that product in a week would be in the grave yard of supplements and fads in the junk cabinet. 

And that struck a nerve.

I wanted to be successful, and I thought I'll try this healthy eating, and Couch to 5k program and I'm going to prove him wrong, but most importantly, I was going to prove me wrong.

So it began, and I made it through the first week, the first month, half way, two months, and then I had completed the 5k program,

WHAT?

I had lost 20lbs at this point and Couldn't of been more proud.

So I decided hell I'll do the program again, and I did, and I lost 14 more pounds.

Through out this journey, probably four weeks into this year, four weeks into my journey, I knew then that this was going to be the time when things worked out. This weight loss adventure clicked.

I had found the right path and for once I was equipped with all the right tools.

The hub?

He was so freaking proud and after the fist week of working out, he told me that, he supported me 1,010%, he encouraged me, he cheered me on, he made me feel so freaking good. 

Then I began to see the changes, I saw that I was capable, that I can and will do this, it may be a long journey. But Its my journey and I'm going to make the most out of it.

Yes sometimes I have bad days, yes I eat junk on occasion, but I do it in moderation, I watch the portions, I do trade offs with myself.

I'll tell myself, yeah you can have that ice cream sandwhich (skinny cow, of course) but why don't you do a little extra on abs tonight.

That works for me.

Thats the big hitter right there, 

it works for ME

its MY journey

I'M losing weight for MYSELF.

I stopped doing every last thing that others were doing. I stopped following their plans to a T and began doing things that worked for ME.

Don't let the time it takes to achieve the goal stop you from going after it, the time will pass anyways, and in a year are you going to look back and say I wish I would of started then or are you going to say Damn, look how far I've come.

How great it is to feel proud of yourself on your journey.

- J

Post Workout Protein Packed Snack

Through out my weight loss and work out journey I have learned how important it is to feed your body the right stuff at the right time!

After my workouts I try to eat within 1-2 hours, I usually come in in at the hour or hour and a half mark, and I always try to fuel up on good proteins. Its usually cottage cheese, string cheese or lunch meat. I always try to find new ways to spice it up and thus my newest fave, Turkey Rolls.

You'll need spray butter (0 calories), A pack of lunch meat, I use the 

90 calorie packs, and three Light, Reduced Fat Cheese Sticks.

First lay out the meat, three slices overlapping and place a cheese stick on one side. Roll the cheese stick up in the meat, burrito style, folding in your ends as well.

Heat skillet medium heat, spray lightly with spray butter. Place your rolls in heated up skillet, spray tops with spray butter. Let cook for a few minutes, then flip. Continue to flip/roll them around the skillet till each side is lightly browned.

Viloa!

Mhmmmmm.

Yummmmmy

For real melty cheese in turkey :D

Happy Happy Happy.

Enjoy!

-J

Motivated and Dedicated

Ever since I began my personal weight loss journey in January of 2013, and have been getting great results, I am constantly asked, what I'm doing, what I eat, and most importantly, how I stay motivated.

Now I'll give you a brief run down of my progress.

January 1, 2013 - Began.

February 22, 2013 - 20lbs lost

March 27, 2013 - 30lbs lost

April 26, 2013 - 36lbs lost

May 1, 2013 - total of 38lbs lost since start day.

November 2012 ------------------ April 2013

Slow and steady, always losing never gaining.

Now as for motivation.

I weigh my self every morning, mainly to remind myself how far I have already come and that I am capable of going as far as I choose. I celebrate every single ounce or pound I lose because that shows progress. I never let only losing 2 ounces hinder my attitude, I take it in stride.

I keep the lock screen on my Iphone as a picture or a motivational quote, so every time I check my phone or it goes off, thats the first thing I see. 

I post every last bit of my journey to Facebook and I'm lucky enough to have a great support line of friends and family who comment or like my pictures or statuses and that support and encouragement feels AMAZZZING!

I treat myself, every time I meat a mini goal, I go buy new tights or head bands or even go out for frozen yogurt! I like it cause I feel I earned a new whatever by hard work.

I push myself to workout no matter how bad I feel, no matter how small the workout it is, I tell myself that its better than nothing and I will feel better knowing I did it vs regret not doing it.

I take pictures and compare them side by side to old pictures to show myself my progress and that I am perfectly capable of achieving my goal.

I try on old clothes, and there is no better feeling then when pants or a shirt are so loose they are just hanging off you and you are swimming in the fabric. Take a picture too, remind your self of that feeling.

I keep pictures of workouts on my phone to do when I'm at a standstill at work or out of town for in my down time.

I walk the dog instead of just chaining her outside.

I enter any biggest loser or whatever contests my gym or groups are holding, I love me some competition!

I talk openly about my journey and what I'm doing.

I feel accountable now, after always posting to facebook, I now have quite a few people who have told me that I inspire them and well I can't let them down and most importantly I can't let myself down!!

I want to help anyone who asks me to, Im more then happy to share my knowledge or what I'm doing to anyone who asks, and i will support and encourage you in any way possible.

I stare at myself in the mirror every morning and tell myself one thing that I like about my changing body.

Hold yourself accountable for your progress, no matter what the time is going to pass anyways so why not do something to better yourself daily! You have the power to change your thoughts, think positive and happy and you will feel better about anything!

If you would like support, encouragement or help getting started on your journey, feel free to message me or email me and I will help you in any way I possibly can!!!

Good luck!

- J