MIA

It's been quite a while since I wrote on this blog. I've had good reasons! First things first is we moved across the country to a very small town in Missouri. On top of my husband starting medical school and me figuring out life here, I am expecting!

Sooo where does that leave fitness? Well, I am on limited activity as of right now. I can't run, jump, or do much. I try to get to the gym at least 2-4 times a week but I've also been throwing up so much that I am still losing weight. So honestly I am not too concerned with sweating it off since I am not gaining anything. My weight fluctuates between 152-157 right now. That means 10 pounds to pre pregnancy weight. I do not condone barfing as a means to lose weight and I KNOW it's not healthy but to be that close is a crazy thing. I guess that means you can see how much I've been barfing. Yikes!!

My eating is not that great either but I have to eat what stays down. Today that was tater tots. That babe sure loves carbs haha

I probably won't be updating  much but I will be updating my family blog if you are interested. I talk about all things life, will probably throw in some good food, my exercise, and whatever else I am feeling. The site is manda-adams@blogspot.com.

Blogging Break

I guess I should just admit it, I am taking a break. Not from exercise but from blogging both here and on my family blog. Hopefully I will be back soon!

Here we go

Taking a blogging break was actually really nice for me. I miss documenting my progress but I needed a break. Some clarity to help me get other people out of my head and just to focus on me. To tell myself that I am doing enough, I am being enough, because I am enough! I was getting too involved in the blog world and it needed to end.

Currently weighing in at 168.2. Reallllllly hoping to hit 150's by the end of the month. It's a stretch but a goal!

Best part of my workouts lately is that my husband is doing them with me. 2 years into this whole ordeal (1 year of that spent being pregnant) and he finally has jumped on board the healthy train with me. I think it's an understatement when I say I LOVEEEEEE it. Yes, that much.

We got passes to golds gym and purchased a months worth of day care. Every day we get a date and it's fantastic! Plus we are working hard together and it's bringing us closer together. Seriously, the best.

I will leave this crazy random post with a picture of November to now. Makes me realize just how far I've come because whenever I look in the mirror I keep seeing the old me. This is helping me see the new me.

I'm still here

The reason I started this blog was to be able to keep myself motivated and to talk about one of my biggest passions in life: healthy eating and exercise. I wanted to have a space to share my thoughts about it all. I used to talk about it on my family blog but decided starting a second blog would be better because well... I wanted to talk about it a lot! Since hurting my knee a lot has changed for me. In between three injuries, my husband graduating, all of us getting sick,  having the most amount of orders in my shop ever, and me hurting my back, we moved.

Eating and exercising took a back seat to it all. Once we got settled we bought gym passes and daycare so we could hit it hard. It's exhausting juggling 6 healthy meals a day, work schedules, running a business, gym time, and family time but we are doing it. Slowly we are getting into a routine and hopefully I'll be back blogging about it all. I know only like one person even reads this but I hope to help motivate anyone who does!

No slip headbands!

Some of you may know that I have a little business making mostly children accessories and items. Well someone asked me if I sold no slip headbands and so I figured it out and decided to start selling them.

Let me tell you what. Best thing I've ever done. Seriously I LOVE them and even if I don't sell any I am so glad I made some for myself. Never been happier with a headband before. Especially while doing insanity and running.

I am doing a little giveaway! Check out my facebook page and enter to win 3 free ones if you please :) Share on your blog and let me know you shared if you want a bonus entry. Right now a 2 pack is only $6! Can't beat that!

I am woman

Well I had a huge pity party. Just for myself. Party of one. I felt so dang bad for myself that I was injured again! I think I was becoming too obsessed with my body image and the whole shebang because seriously, I was freaking out about gaining weight. We went rock climbing (what a smart idea. You hurt yourself so go do something that will hurt you more HA! It was still fun though) 

I saw these pictures and just. about. DIED! I picked out every flaw. Look at my round face! My bulging stomach! And don't even look at my butt and legs in that harness!! I seriously wanted to die and erase them all from my husbands phone. 

I had to really think and reflect on why I was being so hard on myself. I seriously have some issues. I am a woman. I birthed a freaking human for crying out loud! Doesn't that mean I deserve a billion awards and for no one to look at me and think I've gotten bigger? Doesn't it mean I deserve to feel confident of my new body instead of ashamed of it? Because seriously, I have been anything but proud of what my body has been through and for that I feel ashamed. 

I am a woman! I am proud of my self. I have given up my body to bring another person into this world. She doesn't care what I look like or my pant size. She cares about me and how much I love and take care of her. That. Is. All. 

I don't want her to get a negative image about her. If I talk bad about myself what does that say to her? I love my body and have had a really good weekend realizing that I look DANG good and I am ok with how I look! 

Loooooove her to pieces!

This is what I saw on the scale this morning. I am reaching my goals the healthy way and I am pretty dang proud of that! (Yes I have flinestone feet.)

I'm Out

A week ago I was all smiles and taking these pictures:

This was me as of yesterday...

(yessss I have a messy home but we are moving and I don't care)

Here are the details. 1 hurt rotator cuff, 1 hurt bicep cuff (different shoulders), 1 knee with tendonitis or what the doc calls jumpers knee. 

I am down. wayyyy down. Pretty upset about not even being able to do anything. I hurt my left shoulder doing Jillian in Feb. Now I've jacked everything up. 

No insanity, no running, squats, weights, jumping jacks, nothing. 

I can't even talk about it. I'm emotional and upset. I can't go back to who I was. I just can't. Exercise is a part of my every single day. I don' tenjoy  my rest days and now I am forced to take a lot of them. 

I start physical therapy Monday and barely talked my doctor into letting me run my 5k next weekend. 

How do you deal with so much injury?? I seriously feel extremely down. 

Reality Check

I have this terrible habit. It's a very hard habit to break. I look at how far I have to go instead of how far I have come. This happened last time I lost weight and it's happening again.

Instead of thinking good job! You are fitting into a pair of pre pregnancy jeans I think well look at all the other jeans I still can't wear or these ones are still tight. I look at all the chubbiness I still have instead of how much of it I have lost.

So in honor of starting week 3 of insanity and having another fit test, I thought I would take a progression shot. Man was I sure surprised.

I decided to make yet another collage comparing my before and during. The left pictures are Jan 1st 2013 and the right ones are from today 4/7/2013.

Talk about a real reality check. Yes I still have a longggg way to go. (I want my six pack back DANG IT!) but I have really made some strides and have changed so so so much!

I have to remember how far I've come! Getting back into shape is not only a physical challenge but it's an emotional and mental challenge as well. It's a tough journey but so far I am loving it!

Reunited and it feels so good!

You guys. 

I can't even take the smile off my face. 

Do you see what I see? 

No, not the dorky smile, dirty mirror or carpets, or flip flops. 

Say it with me: 

Pre. Pregnancy. Jeans. 

Size 9  and they fit!! 

I was a size 16 post baby.

"reunited and it feels so good..."

Attention

I've been getting frustrated at my body lately. I have been busting my butt so I can finally slip on those pre pregnancy jeans. Still not even close. I have been working so so so hard and hoping in the next few months that it will happen. I still push myself everyday and feel like I am not getting anywhere fast.

Then I had a few people within the same day tell me they notice a difference. Talk about a boost of confidence and motivation! I don't need people to compliment me but it sure was nice to hear that people can see all my hard work. It is paying off even if I don't see it!

I really need to focus on inches lost rather than then number on the scale. I am still at a solid 174. Up two pounds since starting insanity. I read a good article here  about why you gain when you start a new program. I am SO grateful to have read that and hope to see those 2 pounds go away and more come off.

I am motivated, I have the desire, and I want to keep pushing! So for those of you reading this, you look awesome and keep going! We can reach our goals :)

Insanity (mostly) week 1

I realize there is still a day left of insanity I have to accomplish for this week BUT I just have to share how my week has been so far.

See this picture below?

This is only a little smidgen of how my week has been. Hair bows, binky clips, bow ties, bows, bows bows, bows and so on. I have been extremely busy with Easter this week in my shop and I love it! 

Best part is somehow I have still found time to work out in between all the sewing and hot gluing. 

I seriously feel amazing after finishing this week. Life isn't going to slow down much and I will still have a million reasons to not workout but you know what? I do it anyways and always feel better afterwards. 

Except for one thing: 

Wednesday I get this bright idea that I should run 1.5 miles all over my VERY hilly neighborhood while pushing my 15 pound child in her stroller. Then after a meeting I had in the evening I ever so smartly decided to complete my insanity for the day. Can you say dumb?! Note to self: don't ever, never ever run your fastest mile while pushing the stroller and then attempt a 40 minute workout. You will die. And fall on the floor the last 10 minutes of insanity because your legs are shaking. 

Other than that my week has gone well and I've made it through each day successfully. 

If anyone is thinking of trying insanity I wouldn't just jump right in if you have never worked out. I mean you could, but it's super hard and I am just glad my body is somewhat used to being pushed to it's limits and then some. 

Now, everyone have a fab Easter weekend! Eat some treats (you know I am) and remember what the day is really for! 

Liebster Award

I was nominated by my cute blog friend Ashley over at Work That Ash. Basically we are best blog friends... or I just decided we are because I think she is wonderful and inspiring so you should go check out her blog! 

Basically this award is to help other bloggers get to know your blog and to pass it on to other bloggers! 

First let me tell you a little bit about myself. 

1. I was born and raised in Utah. I love it here! I am nervous to move out to Missouri to start med school with my husband but am also very excited. If I die in a tornado though I will haunt my husband for the rest of his life. (I am terrified or tornadoes! haha) 

2. Our daughter is Oakley Rae and she is the light of our lives. I get super emotional just talking about her because she saved me. I never knew love, happiness, joy, or peace until she came into it. I don't know why I was so blessed to have a baby when others are not but I don't take a day for granted. Love that little stinker. 

3. I've traveled a lot in my life. I was blessed to be taken on many vacations growing up. I've been to a lot of states and a few different countries! 

4. I have two different sized thumbs. It's the truth. I can't post a picture right now because well, how would I take the picture. The thumb on my right hand looks like a toe and freaks people out. No it didn't get chopped off. Baby I was born this way. (gaga anyone?) 

5. I graduated from Weber State University in 2012 while I was 20 weeks pregnant in Family Studies. Very fitting I guess. But really I loved my degree and the knowledge it equipped me with to become a better parent. 

6. I wish a lot of times that I would have majored in dance. I should have just followed my heart and done it. Instead I just taught little kids dance. Loved it!

7. I got married May 4th 2010 to a boy I didn't think I would even be super close friends with because we weren't interested in one another at all. Funny how things work out.

8. I hate to clean. There I said it. I hate hate hate it. Yes I enjoy having a clean home but I will choose just about anything over chores. SO you guessed it, my house is a disaster right now. 

9. I recently started a little business and I love it. A year ago I could hardly work a sewing machine and didn't even know how to crochet and now I sell the items I make. I am self taught on everything I do! 

10. If a recipe has more than about 4-5 items in it you can bet I probably won't make it. Ain't nobody got time for that. 

11. I am a TV-aholic. But I am recovering (kinda). 

I love fun questions and my cute husband helped me answer these (some of his answers were hilarious). I put both my answers and what he thought would be my answer. What a cute guy. 

1. Where is your favorite place to visit?

Mine: Park City   Aust says : St George. Definitely top two places in the world. Also if you don't know what those are they are in Utah and just about the best places in the world. 

2. What is your guilty pleasure?

Mine: Well lately it's been eating treats aka brownies. Yum!  Austin says: Dexter. Yes, I admit it, I watch dexter so there. 

3. Where is your favorite place to shop?

Mine: Rue 21, for some reason their pants fit my body shape the best. Aust says: Sears only because I've been to sears twice in the last 2 weeks to look at HRM so I guess it's now my favorite? 

4. If you could buy anything at this moment what would it be?

Mine: A nice Heart Rate Monitor, lots of cute shoes and workout clothes.  Aust says: What wouldn't you buy? haha but he said a house. ehhh I would probably buy clothes ;) 

5. Who is your inspiration?

Mine: I am inspired by so many people. I couldn't just name one I don't think. Aust says: Himself haha

6. What is your favorite T.V. show? 

Mine: Grey's Anatomy  Austin says: some dumb reality show

Nothing beats out greys in my book. I am obsessed with that show. 

7. If you could be one person for a day who would it be?

Mine: I said Oprah because she has a crap ton of money and can do whatever she wants. 

8. Where is your dream vacation?

Mine: Italy. I've dreamed of going there forever and a day. Austin says: Somewhere with a beach. That is definitely my second choice! 

9. What song are you really into right now?

Mine: Mumford and Sons. The entire album. Anddd that new Rihanna song Stay. Austin says: That mumford and whatever. 

10.  What annoys you?

Mine: Rude people (Like that lady who literally took the cardigan out of my hands at old navy today and just walked off. Oh I was going to freak!) Dirty socks in my front room (cough husbands socks cough)  Austin Says: What doesn't annoy you? Yeahhhh apparently I get annoyed a lot or something?

11. What would your super power be?

Mine: I said I would want to be Katniss. Austins says that she isn't a super power and I said well she should be. I basically have a girl crush on Jennifer Lawrence... ok way off topic. I would go invisible! 

Now for my questions: 

1. What is your favorite thing about where you live? 

2. If you could have any job what would you do? 

3. What is the best vacation you have ever been on? 

4. What is something quirky about you that not a lot of people know? 

5. What is your favorite movie and why? 

6. Who is your celebrity crush? 

7. What is your least favorite food? 

8. Favorite place to go eat? 

9. Favorite ice cream flavor? (maybe I just really like food posts ok!?) 

10. Morning or night person? 

11. Favorite Sport? 

I nominate: 

Hallie @ Penguins, Pasta, & Polka Dots 

Nichole @ Casa de Crews

Emily @ Running Like A Mother

Sonya @ Healthy Sew 

Meredith @ Is This Thing On?
Emily @ Osborne

Insanity

Right after I was given the all clear to start working out I started insanity. I think that was the absolute worst idea I have ever had. I hadn't worked out in 5 months before that time and I foolishly thought I could just jump right in and complete the 60 days. I needed to start slow. So I completed about a week and realized I wasn't ready physically or mentally. 

So I did little workouts here and there to get my body back. I will give Jillian Michaels credit. She got my body ready to start insanity. 

February I completed the 30 day shred. Loved it. Felt great afterwards and saw good results. 

March (I know it's not over haha oh well) I (almost) completed ripped in 30 and you know what? I look the same. My measurements are the same. I don't even understand how in the world that is possible but whatever. 

SO I decided instead of waiting until next monday to start insanity I would start last night. And so I did. 

I compared my fit test scores from the first time I did it months ago and I more than doubled some of them. Felt great knowing that even if my body doesn't want to let it go I am getting stronger. 

I will be blogging about my whole experience. The good, the bad, the hard, and the triumphs. 

Completing day two and actually doing the entire workout was amazing. Before I could barely get through the warm up. Now I am right there with everyone all the way to the stretching at the end. Definitely feel like I am in beast mode. 

My sister gets married June 28th. I have a dance recital June 8th (yes I still take an alumni class. Let me tell you, trying to leap with an extra 35 pounds is not even remotely easy.) Basically June is when I need to be rockin! 

Recap of my weekend: 

Ate this delicious homemade burrito topped with lettuce and avocado. 

Bought these amazingly comfortable running shoes. Makes running a million times better. 

Drank this delicious berry, banana, and vanilla creme protein shake. Yummy!  

My husband and I thought we would have a major cheat weekend. So we had pizza with our friends on Saturday and got a bunch of candy that we never ever ever ever buy. Well we both ate like 4 pieces (I got diet dr shasta) and we were done. We've been eating so good that candy made us sick! So our cheat weekend turned into a not so cheat weekend. 

I love salad. Especially with lots of veggies and chicken. 

Here is to the next 60 days of hard work and eating right! 

Nursing

This post involves nursing. You know when you are pregnant and you gain a lot of weight and you looked like a beached whale? No? Just me? Anyways, everyone and their dog and their grandmas dog tells you that nursing will help you lose weight. So, a flame of hope rises up inside you and you get really excited that maybe these extra 50 pounds will fall off easier than you thought. All it takes is your little babe nursing to slim right back down. Right? Everyone has heard that!? Well I am here to tell you... WRONG! I was given such false hope. Yes I know I was on bedrest but I still thought I might AT LEAST lose 10-20 pounds of water weight. I mean after all, I was beyond swollen. Especially after I had miss Oakley. I looked like they pumped half the Atlantic ocean into my veins. Yes it was bad and we all got a good laugh about it. 

I understand that everyone is different and even after the baby and I had only lost 8 pounds (she was 6.2) everyone then started telling me that it takes a while for the last 10 pounds to come off. Well let me tell you something hunny, I had about 10+30 pounds that won't come off. 

6 weeks post partum hit and I started working out. I could hardly even do high knees without jumping. I cried many many many tears of sadness because I was at my strongest and weakest all within the same year. I went from a size 4 to a size 16 in only a matter of months. Talk about depressing. 

But you know what? I did it all for my little baby. She is worth every extra pound and stretch mark. 

I miss nursing. I really do. Do I like finally feeling a little more comfortable in my skin? Absolutely! But I sure do miss it. Being heavier is not comfortable. I could hardly touch my toes or do much because I had extra weight every where holding me back but I loved being able to nurse my baby. 

You know what else? I have lost 13 pounds in 3 weeks. Yes you read that right. 13 freakin pounds! 

Basically to sum up this insanely random post is this: Nursing is wonderful. Having a baby is wonderful. Next time I won't get my hopes up when I can't lose the baby weight and hopefully this post helps someone else who is struggling with the same thing. (Or is it just my body who won't lose while nursing?!)

Sick of seeing pictures of my baby yet? haha I just love her! 

Runners High

Before I got pregnant I completed my first 5k. I know that doesn't seem like a lot to some people but to me it was a freakin miracle. I've always hated running. I had never ran over 1.5 miles in my life and the only reason I did so was because of volleyball conditioning.

Well I am training for a 5k again and let me tell you, I have finally felt that runners high. To push through your limits and go farther than you think you could go is amazing. No I am not running 12 miles (yet) but I am working my way up to that 3.2 miles. I am almost there!

Today I ran over 2 miles in record time for me. My stupid gps on my phone keeps going out so I am going to have to break down and buy something that works better because I can't stand not knowing how fast I am running my miles. Drive. Me. Crazy.

I also wore my cute new outfit I purchased for my 5k for only $18 bucks! I am still in the search for shoes but I only have so much money to work with and can't bear the though of buying new shoes and heart rate monitor right now.

Now, go get your bums to JCP and buy some cute workout gear. Makes running that much more fun! 

Much needed motivation!

Well I am now down 8 pounds since I stopped nursing. Talk about an awesome feeling after months of trying to lose just one pound. I lost 8 in 2 weeks! My highest weight was 194. I was stuck at 184-186 for what felt like forever. I am now rocking 177 and fitting back into some size 8 clothes. Something I never thought was possible. All my jeans are falling off me but my hips don't quite fit into my pre pregnancy pants yet so it looks like I get to go shopping.

My chest has also gotten smaller since I stopped nursing which I actually like. Going from a B to a DD (too much information? Oh well haha) was really hard! None of my shirts fit me right. Now that they have gone down a little I can start wearing more of my closet again instead of the same five shirts over and over.

I even put on a skirt I haven't worn over a year and was able to zip and snap it over my hips! Talk about a big confidence boost. It really helped me to stop being in a slump and want to work hard so I can rock that skirt to church in a few weeks.

Overall I am loving being able to feel my body getting stronger. I couldn't even do high knees when I started working out in October and now I can do them for a minute plus and still do the rest of my workout. Wahoo!

And now a picture of my cute baby since I keep posting pictureless posts and those are boringggggg

She is the reason I live and breath. This little girl has changed my whole life and I want to be healthy for her. It's not about being skinny and having a hot body (although achieving that is a plus). It's about showing her that being healthy and active is important and so she will know that her mom will be around for a very long time because she is choosing to live a healthy lifestyle! 

Lacking

Isn't it just ironic how when I couldn't work out (ie: nursing, 6 week recovery, hurt shoulder) I had all the motivation in the world. I probably could have gone and ran a marathon any of those times with the anticipation of my next sweat sesh. Ok I exaggerate but you get the idea on how I was dying to workout.

Now that I am capable of doing basically anything I want, besides some shoulder and knee stuff, I have about no desire. On a scale of 1-10 I have a -5. It's that bad.

I lost 6 pounds the week I stopped nursing. So all those people who said nursing would help me lose weight can eat there words because I GAINED weight nursing. Yes, even with healthy eating and light exercise. My body hates me. I digress.

Why oh why can't I find my motivation or get my groove back? I don't even care to sit on the couch and eat cookies. I just don't want to work out after a long day. I am feeling so lazy!

I have been doing my workouts but not enjoying them one tiny little bit. Maybe I've had an over load of Jillian Michaels. Who knows.

All I know is that once I dropped back into the 170's I think my mind automatically thought I am doing good. I don't need to work out everyday.

So blogland, give me some of your favorite workouts because if I have to listen to Jillian Michaels one more time I might break my TV.

new shoes

I'm getting back into running and let me tell you... I'm slow. My mile is in 11 minutes. Yeah, embarrassing. But I live in a very hilly area so i blame that. Amazingly I can run 1.5 miles without stopping. That's a start. My goal is to run a 5k on April 20th and a 10k sometime in June. That sounds like death because I hate running but it's still a goal... Anyways my question for anyone reading this, what shoes should I buy?? I am in need of some good ones because I'm hoping to put a lot of miles on them!!

Etsy Shop

Here is my etsy shop.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/SprinklesWithACherry

 I also post a lot on my face book page :) 

https://www.facebook.com/SprinklesWithACherry

So scary to do this. I am way out of my comfort zone but I did it!

Making Progress

I have been insanely busy! I have always dreamed of opening up a little etsy shop and selling things I create. I am no professional but I do enjoy sewing and crocheting. So, I did it! It was scary and has been nerve racking but I have a few orders already and am loving it.

As far as working out I have kinda put it on the back burner. But starting to tomorrow I will be right back at it! Here is my progress so far.

Although it's pretty embarrassing to post these it's also crazy to see the changes. And I was even bigger before my Jan 1 picture. I was just way too embarrassed to remember what I looked like. Seriously, I can't even believe how big I was.

Crazy week

I can't even believe it's already Saturday. This week flew by and you know what? I did EXCELLENT on my eating. So good that last night when I ate some yummy but oh so bad for you hot wings, it made me sick. I hadn't had that much sodium or anything fried in a while. I love getting to that point in my eating because that means I crave things less and I do a lot better.

This week I was offered birthday cake, ice cream, chips, dr. pepper, m&m's, cupcakes, many many baked goodies, chocolate covered strawberries, and delicious bread. Plus I went out to chilis.

I ate from the lighter menu at Chilis for under 600 calories. I chose the dr pepper 10, had the smallest piece of birthday cake at my dads and brothers birthday and the rest I turned down! Yes, even the chocolate covered strawberry. I know, I am crazy.

I believe all things in moderation. It is OK to eat treats I just don't think you need something sweet everyday. I look back at how much I have changed over the past few weeks and how much better I feel about myself.

I am in control of me. Not my cravings. I can say no and sometimes say yes. It is a liberating feeling! Plus, I feel like I am sleeping better, I have more energy and I am not dragging. We are what we eat :)

One of the biggest things I am teaching myself this week that ONE bad meal won't make you bigger just like ONE good meal won't make you smaller. It's all about hard work and changing your lifestyle. No diets around here. I feel confident in me and you know what? I tried on a pair of 10's at Old Navy yesterday and I could of gone smaller. Now that is a wonderful feeling. Going from a 14/16 to a loose 10 is motivation for me to keep working hard.

Courtesy of pinterest

It's the truth! Put down the cookie, pick up your fruits and veggies and see the changes happen. I sure am! 

Healthy Treat

(So this same post is on our family blog. I know, how lame. But I am not brave enough to share this blog with everyone I know. Unless you know how to find the link I haven't shared it. Maybe one day.)

I am eating really healthy but I still love my treats. Like really love my treats so it's hard for me to just give up my sweets. Good thing is there are recipes out there that taste delicious but are still healthy. I found this on pinterest. I believe the original is found here.

You will need:

2 older bananas
1 cup quick oats

additional: whatever you want! I did chocolate chips and a little cinnamon. You can add nuts, raisins, craisins, basically whatever you desire.

Heat oven to 350. Spray cookie sheet (DON'T FORGET THIS PART!) Bake for 15 minutes.

Eat them all because all you will be eating is 2 bananas and 2 servings oatmeal. What up! (Yes, I watch How I Met Your Mother wayyyy too much.) Even my husband liked them and that is saying something!

I needed this

Uhhh this definitely slapped me in the face. How foolish I am to let a number make me feel worthless. 

You know what made me feel good today? Doing more reps in my workout than I did yesterday. THAT is what I should be focusing on, not a silly number. 

An example of my daily eats

I have learned the best way for my body to be healthy and to keep up my metabolism is to eat 5-6 meals a day. It is not easy to eat that much with a baby. Time goes by so so quickly and before I realize it some days I haven't eaten in 5 or 6 hours. 

I have started writing down everything that goes in my mouth. I tried to use My Fitness Pal. It is a great app but I get impatient with it and give up after a few days. I found out what works best for me is to get out my note book and write down the times and what I eat. Plus I track my water. It holds me accountable and lets me look back at what I've done. 

Today I got up at 7:45 and I try my hardest to eat breakfast within an hour of that. Doesn't always happen with a baby but I try! 

I usually have 1 cup oatmeal with a spoonful of raw honey and and handful of craisins. Some days I use agave, honey, cinnamon, or a couple chocolate chips to keep it sweet but still healthy. I also do two egg whites with one who egg. Fills me right up and starts my day off right! 

Carbs: Oatmeal

Protein: Egg Whites

Fat: Egg Yolk

About 2-3 hours later I have my  mid morning snack. This can be just about anything! I try to eat a protein, carb and fat in every single meal and snack. Today I ate a cheese stick and 90 calorie granola bar. Other days I eat an apple with peanut butter, almonds and a fruit, yogurt and veggies, cottage cheese and fruit, and so on. 

 Lunch is always my hardest meal. I never know what to eat. I love asparagus and quesadillas so I stuck with that. The quesadilla is a fresh only 5 ingredient tortilla with cheese and black beans. I roasted some asparagus in the oven with some salt garlic salt, and olive oil. (Today I used butter because I am out of olive oil but you do what you can). 

Protein: Black beans

Carbs: Tortilla

Fat: Cheese

I went on a run today after lunch with Oakley. Holy crap was I slow. Pushing a stroller around a hilly neighborhood is SO hard. I did a mile in 14 minutes but I blame it on the stroller/hills. 

For my afternoon snack I had a protein shake, carrots, cucumber, and a little ranch. I missed out on a little carbs but it was post workout and it was what sounded good. 

For dinner I made Lemon Garlic Tilapia. I can post recipe if wanted. It was some of the best fish ever. We had broccoli and brown rice with it. Seriously so so so amazing. 

For tonight I have level 2 of Jillian to finish and I will probably have a protein smoothie with fruit. YUM!

And just for fun I thought I would post a pic of 

me and my Oakley girl! 

My frustration with losing weight

I love working out. It's not just something I do every once and a while. It is a part of my every day life whether it be 15 minutes or an hour I always try to find time to do at least 10 pushups, 30 jumping jacks, and 30 crunches. Some days that happens right before bed but hey, at least it happens.

I workout because it makes me feel good. I crave the high I get from finishing a hard workout, dripping in sweat, and feeling accomplished.

I also enjoy working out because I love to see results. I love to see my body change form my hard work.

Before I got pregnant, I dropped 30 pounds fast. I worked out 6-7 days a week and my body responded well.

Now post baby, I still work out 6-7 days a week and guess what? I am not dropping any pounds. Yes you read that correctly. I know before I said I lost 13 pounds (Take into account that my baby weight 6lbs so half of that was her). Well I somehow gained 5 over the weekend with only 1 cheat day.

Can I just scream out loud?! I am so frustrated. 5 months post partum and I weigh the same as the day I left the hospital. How is that even fair?

I work so hard!

To top it all off I hurt my rotator cuff so doing any shoulder exercises in the last week was a big no-no. I did more normal exercise last night and it's sad to see how much I've regressed in the last week.

I have really cracked down on my eating since seeing that 186 jump back on the scale. I was doing good about 85% of the time before but now its 100%. No more of this garbage.

The old me would have said forget this and just eaten more crap because I feel bad about myself. The me now wants to buckle down and figure this crap out. I will not be big this summer. I just won't.

I know it's terrible to compare yourselves to other but I have friends who have had babies the same time as me who eat like CRAP and hardly work out and somehow they lose 5-10 pounds without trying. Seriously? Not even fair.

But I am doing this to be healthy so if this is the weight and size I stay for the rest of my life, at least it will be a healthy one!

Late Valentines

Tonight my husband and I went out for Valentines. I was making sure I was eating well because I knew we were going somewhere full of calories and carbs... and I wouldn't be able to say no. Well of course he took me to Brick Oven. Think pizza, salad, garlic bread, homemade rootbeer, and pasta. Andddd our meal came with a cookie. Eeeep!

I wanted to enjoy our night out together and not worry. So I indulged. We walked around the mall and got me workout pants for Valentines (woop woop). Plus he took me to jamba juice afterwards as a "healthier" dessert. I really wanted to just call it a night and get a cupcake but we enjoyed our jamba.

Afterwards we rented a movie and I changed into my new workout capris and got to work!

This workout is hard. I love that it's short when it's late at night but still super hard.

Oh pinterest. I love how you give me the options of getting in a fun workout that is different and challenging.

Favorite exercise

If you can't get into the gym, which many can't, the best place to work out is at home. It has been a challenge but it has worked for me. We don't own a treadmill or any gym equipment besides the basics. I have 5lb and 10lb weights, stretch bands, and DVDs. That is it! When the weather cooperates I go running outside (which is not happening this winter with a 5 month old.)

Really though, if you can spare between 8-10 dollars go out and buy a Jillian DVD. My favs are the 30 days shred and ripped in 30. It gives great results and kick starts your weight loss/toning.


The first time I did it I took before and after measurements and pictures. This is super embarrassing but since no one reads this anyways I am going to post my before and afters PRE baby.

My Story

I have always been a curvy girl, or as many has said "bigger boned". That being said I have always been an athletic girl. I have always played sports and danced. One thing that really has always been out of control for me is food. I thought I could eat whatever I want and keep in shape. Wrong!

I grew up feeling extremely self conscious about my weight and size. Being the tallest sister with the most curves was a hard pill to swallow. I never realized that I wasn't over weight growing up. I just had an extreme skewed view of myself. So when I really started to get bigger, my mind always thought I was that way.

I stayed small through the first 2 years of college and then the weight piled on. I got married and even more weight piled on. I was up to my highest number in my life and realized I couldn't live like this anymore.

So I got the Jillian Michaels 30 day shred and worked my butt off. I lost a lot in inches and found my love for exercise again. I craved more. I wanted to be the healthiest I had ever been. So I got a personal trainer (when we had money, ha!) and I worked hard.

I ate extremely clean and only had one cheat meal a week. I exercised 6 days a week and was dropping weight and gaining muscle like crazy. I ran my first 5K, I almost had a 6 pack, was at my lowest weight since high school and felt great.

Then, I got pregnant. I was ecstatic. I wanted a healthy pregnancy. I wanted to be the one who worked hard and bounced back. I made it up to 20 weeks working out 5-6 days a week and had only gained 8 pounds by 22 weeks being pregnant. My body started going into preterm labor and I was put on bedrest until I was 35 weeks pregnant. By the time I was able to get moving again I was so big I couldn't do much. I walked and walked but it didn't undue any damage that was already done. I was 50 pounds heavier. 194 pounds.

How did I ever let myself become this big? How did I throw out everything I had educated myself on about food just because I was stuck on the couch? Don't get me wrong, I love a good treat but I indulged every.single.day. Why oh why?

My baby is 5 months old and I have lost 13 pounds all at home. I have had to go in and out of exercising due to nursing and injury but I am back at it full swing. I was not one of those lucky girls who just gained a bunch of baby weight. I gained real weight that is making me work hard to get off. Lesson learned the hard way.

So here is my journey to lose the weight, again!

Graduation trip 2007

College 2008 

Cruise 2009 

Engagements 2010

Christmas 2010 at my heaviest prepregnancy

August 2011 During my 30 days

Dec 2011 Cruise. Sorry for all the cruise pics but these are the only ones I got at my fittest. 

And then September 2012 6 days before my due date.

This is me Jan 2013. I have been working hard. The number on the scale doesn't reflect all my hard work but things are changing I tell ya! 

I obviously don't consider myself fat. I have to rid that word from my vocabulary. I am out of shape and not confident with my body. So all I can do is work hard to make a change.