Like Hell

It feels as though I have been submerged into the underworld today because it is a disgusting 100 degrees here in Good Old Michigan. I am not a summer girl anyway although I am doing my darndest to enjoy the summer this year in spite of that being it is our last "single summer." However this is just too much!

So I am going to enjoy this delicious Iced coffee I just made in my cute little mason jar with my adorable Aqua straw and retreat into my air conditioning and pretend that it is November!

Stay cool!

Iced Coffee to Cool me down

I'm On A boat

Had a beautiful day out on the lake with the future Mr. , one of my younger brothers and his future Mrs.


It was gorgeous, did some swimming, some reading and a lot of relaxing! Hope everyone had a beautiful day in the sun!

Jesse and Meg

Perfection

Meg and Me

Me and my love

Book Nook

There are few things in this world that provide the level of comfort that a good book does. They are able to transport you anywhere at anytime. Whether it is a romantic interlude with Mr.Darcy, a civil rights march , a play reading with four sisters by the name of March or even what a day in the life of a dog is like;  a good book can show you a whole new world.The problem is, is that there are so many life changing, earth moving, tear jerking, wonderful, amazing books out there and so little time. In a world full of obligation it is hard to carve out the time it takes to curl up with a book, a blanket and a hot cup of coffee/tea. My perfect day would consist of a stormy day, a pumpkin latte and a beautiful book cuddled up on a cozy couch. I can not think of one day like that I have ever had but I am pretty confident that if that were to ever happen it would be complete perfection. With so little time and so many books I find it to be most efficient to read books that will make you laugh, cry and fall in love all at once. Whether it is a good no thinking, beach read which is not just fun but absolutely necessary or a thought provoking, view changing novel; I'm no book snob a good read is a good read. This is my pursuit of finding books that are everything I just described and more.

So Because this blog is about my life there will most definitely include BOOKS! So for my first book review let me tell you about this completely absorbing book but let me begin with a warning that if you have anything to do, any sleep to get, and laundry to be done... this is not the book for you! Once I began I could not put it down.

Divergent is about a sixteen year old girl named Beatrice who is living in a dystopian world where it is "faction before family." There are five factions: Abnegation who put others needs before their own and are truly selfless this is also the faction Beatrice was born into. The Dauntless who are brave and fearless, The Erudite who have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, Amity who are peaceful and the Candor who are honest, at times brutally so. Before Choosing day, which is when the sixteen year olds from all factions decide where they want to dedicate themselves to they are submitted to a series of simulations that help to determine where their heart and personality lies and which faction they are best suited to. There are many who of course remain in the faction they were born to, however their are others who choose to switch factions and with that switch they choose to forsake their family forever. 

During testing Beatrice finds out that rather then having the traits of one faction, she has the traits of at least three of the factions. This is dangerous for reasons Beatrice does not understand but she is forced into silence for fear of her life. At choosing day Beatrice forsakes her faction and her family when she chooses to join the brave and fearless Dauntless faction. 

After choosing Dauntless Beatrice becomes known as Triss and she leaves more then her name behind her. The Dauntless have an intense and competitive initiation process where only 10 of the pledges will be accepted and all the others will be forced out and become one of the social outcasts called the factionless and be resigned to live a life of solitude and poverty. 

Divergent hooks you from the very beginning and you become truly invested in the characters and their lives. It is one of the books I could not put down but was sad when it ended. It is full of action and friendship, even a little romance. I don't want to give too much of this amazing book away so read it for yourself and trust me you will not be disappointed! 

Couch to 5K.... Day One

I DID IT! That's right I am excited about Day numero uno of the beginner running program from couch to 5K. I know that to all many seasoned runners this is child's play but for me the girl who told all of my friends that if they ever saw me running to call 911 immediately because something was desperately wrong ..... this is HUGE!

And what is even more surprising you might ask? I wasn't miserable and I didn't hate it! Now granted I have been walking about 4 miles 3 to 4 days a week so maybe this was just the natural progression of my fitness goals but I was fully expecting to have to call Ryan half way through and have him transport me to the nearest emergency room. Not only did I not end up in the ER there were also several times when the buzzer signaled it was time to stop running and start walking, and I think I possibly had an identity crises because I actually thought to myself... I could keep running! Thats right this short leg, chubby girl who has always been terrified to run, actually thought those exact words. Now lets not get crazy about this by the last running sequence I was ready to be done but the fact that I didn't quit and didn't let myself hate it just because I thought I would is pretty huge for me!


I don't know if I am ready to say I am excited to do it again tomorrow, I would in all honesty much rather grab my awesome book I am reading (book review to come!) and go lay outside and read. But I will say that I was much happier for having done it and I am going to use that as motivation for tomorrow.

Hope you all had a beautiful, kick butt day like I did!

Confession

Ok so Confession today I did not have time to workout, and when I say I didn't have time I mean I could not drag my oversized booty out of bed before work and after work I had plans.

Monkey Lips

But my plans were FABULOUS plans! My friend Katlin was in town from New York and it was the last day before she had to head back to the big apple. So when I had to decide between my first day of from couch to 5k and seeing the BFF..... I went with the BFF!

Katlin and I have been friends since junior year of high school and we have had a million laughs, a few nights we don't remember and tons of nights we will NEVER forget. We have been there for each other through heartbreaks, unrequited love, deaths , births, moves, and so much more. We have had our ups and downs but at the end of the day we are always there for each other. Hope you had a beautiful day with some beautiful friends! Safe trip back to NYC Kate, see you in October!

Yeah, we love each other 

I'm Back

I am back from my hiatus, I have missed blogging. I wish I had some reason to give to explain why I have been MIA since april but the only word that came to mind when trying to think of one was OVERWHELMED.

One of the biggest challenges that has presented itself to me this time around is getting over the fear of really seriously trying, giving it my all and still failing. In the past when I was making half hearted attempts  (we all know how well those turn out!) it was so easy to say oh well it didn't work but I wasn't really trying anyway. Well this time around I have been exercising, eating right and I am stuck! I am down 20 pounds and yeah I know, that is awesome but when you have about 55 pounds left and you see the scale stuck, 20 pounds seems like nothing. But it isn't so much that stuck part that scares me, it was the what if I work my butt off figuratively and my butt stays big anyway literally!

Daddy and I

Well you know what I have decided.... It won't! It isn't happening as quickly as I want it to, it isn't as easy as I wish it was and I am still not 5'10 and 110 pounds (crazy that I didn't gain 10 inches and lose 60 pounds in 2 months I know!) With our wedding fast approaching I am giving myself permission to let go of this fantasy that I am going to be able to get my "dream body" by October. Fitness and Nutrition is a life long journey and it isn't going to adhere to my wedding schedule (RUDE!)

I also have decided that this little blog, is not going to be a weight loss blog. It just isn't who I am, it is a part of who I am and it will still have a place here but it isn't going to be the blog entirely. I am so much more then my jean size or that number on the scale that is currently refusing to budge. I am a girl who can not wait to go from Miss to Mrs, who adores her brothers and laughs DAILY with my mother. I still like to call my dad, daddy from time to time and I still get afraid of the dark sometimes when I am home alone. I love to read, in fact I am a tad obsessed, music is my drug and Mr. Darcy makes me swoon. I am extremely self conscious about my height and wear heels faithfully even when it kills my feet. I love coffee even though I wish I liked tea better and I am slightly crazy about pumpkin, I live for the rainy days , the fall and winter. I will be a happy girl if when we buy a home it has a fireplace. My goal in life is to be a mother and I am convinced that is why I am here. I have no career ambitions and I have become OK with that, it doesn't mean I am lazy or have no drive it just means it isn't my thang. I have a passion for baking and cooking, healthy and otherwise. Oh something else you should know about me, I am a crier. I seriously cry over movies, occasionally songs, I am a compassionate crier and have even been know to cry over t.v commercials.

My mom is a riot

But long story short I am back, hopefully for good because this is a place for me to just simply be me. Which is currently a chubby little short girl just trying to live a beautiful life and become the best me that I can be! Thanks for sticking by me, a couple of you even contacted me with encouragement, and I just want you to know how much it meant to me and what a huge factor it was in me not giving up.

My bestie Nicole and I

Check back tomorrow for my first day of from couch to 5k...... (cue the dun ... dun.... duuuuuun)

Inspiration

On October 6th I will be marrying the love of my life, Ryan

The Future Mr.

On that day I want to look and feel beautiful and I think that comes with confidence and self-love. When you love yourself you radiate happiness which translates to beautiful. I know that to feel my best I need to feel healthy, and even though I know I will probably not be at my goal weight yet ( I find this sensible and realistic rather then me being negative) I need to know that I did my very best and worked my hardest to get there. 

Looking AMAZING in my dress is also a pretty good motivation too!

THE DRESS!

I am going to be completely honest and say, this weekend was an EPIC FAIL! I didn't workout, I ate poorly. Basically everything I should not have done, I did. I am very disappointed in myself and this set back but instead of slipping into my old behaviors permanently I am re-focusing and ready to get back on track and kick it into high gear tomorrow. I hope you all had a beautiful weekend and remember if you slipped into bad habits, or got a little lax in your regime don't let it stick! In the big picture, it was only two days, not a reason to give it all up. Get back on track tomorrow, eat extra clean, take the stairs... It will be OK! Have a beautiful Monday morning tomorrow  you are in control of your body, your mind and nothing else.... so use it to your advantage!

On My way

I have lost 13 pounds! 

A statement like that can only ever be made in the color pink. It just looks happy and exciting! 

Its not a lot, I don't see a change physically yet. But I do feel better about myself, the fact that I am trying to be better has done wonders for my mood. I am closer then I was yesterday and I am lapping everyone on the couch so just keep going!

Hungry Girl

Eating Healthy is so vital to not just weight loss but overall health. So much of todays food is processed crap that includes more chemicals then actual ingredients. I LOVE to cook and bake, it is a huge passion of mine and helps to relax me. I hope to include more recipes/food porn pictures. I don't ever usually follow recipes, I find great recipes and then adapt them to fit my taste, dietary needs (I am a vegetarian for 6 years now!) etc. but there are a few great sources of inspiration I could not keep to myself. Which is why I am listing below my favorite places to find healthy recipes. Remember a little planning goes a long way in keeping you on track! Plan ahead, prep ahead make a menu and stick to it. It has been the number one way I have been able to eat healthy! Hope you enjoy and I hope you have a beautiful day!!!!!

1) http://www.skinnytaste.com/ .... I LOVE THIS SITE! Seriously if you only check out one site this is my favorite!

2) Eatingwell.com

3) http://www.hungry-girl.com/

New Direction

I know this blog is new but my weight loss journey is not. So I feel as though I am in a rut, not really reaching my full potential. I have been pretty good for a month now and have only lost 10 pounds. I need a push, I need a new routine. I tend to do best if I wright things down, I am a creature of habit so hopefully putting it down will make it easy to follow and hard to quit! This article is what inspired me to reevaluate my routine... http://fabfitfun.com/8-well-meaning-workout-strategies-that-backfire-2


Monday: Morning Workout - 12 Minute Bodyrock video
               Evening Workout -  60 Minutes cardio
                                               Bodyrock bonus abs video

Tuesday: Morning Workout- 12 Minute Bodyrock Video
                Evening Workout- 60 Minutes cardio
                                               20 Minutes arm work


Wednesday: Morning Workout- 20 Minute Turbojam
                     Evening Workout- 60 Minute Cardio
                                                   12 Minute Bodyrock


Thursday: Morning Workout- 30 Minute Yoga
                 Evening Workout- 60 Minute cardio


Friday: Morning Workout- 12 Minute Bodyrock video
            Evening Workout- 60 Minute Cardio
                                          Bodyrock bonus abs video
                                          Bodyrock bonus butt video

Saturday: 12 Minute Bodyrock video
                20 Minute Arm Work


Sunday: Active Rest Day



So what do you guys think? What are you doing to keep your routine fresh and challenging?

Hope you all had a beautiful day!

      
                                          
      

OFF

Ok so first things first... I am alive! I made it through the workout last night... yay me! But full disclosure here... I was a little overzealous when committing to that workout ... so I modified it to fit my needs. I would like to think that this was the right thing to do and not a crutch but I can talk myself into pretty much anything so please feel free to tell me how you feel about it. The workout was courtesy of bodyrock.com and it went as follows

1) Burpees

2)High Knees

3)Scissor Lunge

4)Elevated plank knee tucks (alternate left and right leg)

5)Touch floor jumping jacks

6)Overhead lunge and Kick (left Leg)

7)Tuck Jumps

8)Overhead Lunge and Kick (Right Leg)..... because I don't want one super awesome leg and one super not so awesome leg

9)Criss Cross Reach through Abs (alternate Left and right)

10) High Knees

Alright so this workout was supposed to be 50 reps each and 500 High knees, this is how it got its name 1000 rep dream body workout .... with that being said It was a little  a lot out of my ability so I paired it down to a beginner level of 10 reps each and 100 high knees, I followed it up with a 2 mile brisk walk. Opinion time was it lame to pair it down? I feel like I got a good workout but I definitely think that next time I am going to aim for 25 reps and 250 high knees.

Now onto the present day. Today was such an OFF DAY! Have you ever had one of those? What am I saying we all have those, we probably have one of those at least once a week. Well today I had a headache when I woke up so good morning bad start. Then I had something to do after work which always throws me off completely. So instead of coming home making my healthy dinner and working out, Ryan and I went and saw a wedding venue (by the way total success so venue is booked!) by the time we got done with everything it was 7pm and we were starving! So we went to dinner and although I didn't gorge myself or anything I would not necessarily categorize the meal as healthy... veggie quesadilla anyone? By the way I just said quesadilla like they do in Napoleon Dynamite and I am willing to bet you are all doing it to now right this very moment. Anyway I digress, then when I got home Ryan had to get to bed for a nap (3rd shift should be illegal) and I had to get his lunch ready, do laundry, clean the kitchen and of course watch Glee and Orange County housewives. I was obviously WAY to busy to workout... right? WRONG! I went and did one of the bodyrock videos that was only 12 minutes long but super intense and although I would have like to do more today I am very proud of myself that I did some rather then none! So next time it is one of those off days remember even if it is just taking the stairs or doing pushups/high knees/ sit ups during commercials, or walking the dog some is better then none and you will not ever regret being active.

If you haven't worked out yet today do the same 12 minute workout I did (I posted it below!) You can find a free interval timer at http://www.speedbagforum.com/timer.html And no excuses! I don't have the uggi ball either I just did all the exercises without it! 

Hope you had a beautiful day today!

Ouch...

Today I am sore. To give you a picture of how sore I am let me tell you that this morning I dropped a fax at work and I seriously contemplated leaving it right there where it fell because the idea of bending down to get it seemed completely unbearable. 

I found an awesome leg work out on pinterest yesterday and I tried it out and man am I feeling it!



Give it a go and you will not be disappointed.

I also ate really well today. For breakfast I had some oatmeal and I am proud to report that I stuck to just some good old fashion cinnamon and completely resisted the brown sugar in all its oh so deliciously gooey glory. Some grapes for snack. Lunch was a salad and dinner was yummy vegetarian chicken parmesan and a side salad super easy and super delicious take a look (don't judge me with the cheese I measured it!)

I am currently trying to pump myself up to do my very first bodyrock workout, it is killer looking. It also appears to be way out of my ability and is most definitely out of my comfort zone but I am going to give it a go anyway. And for those of you who have never heard of bodyrock... SERIOUSLY??? You will love it! Check them out at www.bodyrock.com they are also on facebook and youtube. They are inspiring and helpful and there is a great community on facebook full of support.

Check in with me tomorrow first of all to make sure I survived the work out and also because I will tell you all about the workout I am doing tonight, Because I AM GOING TO DO IT! (sorry just a little self motivation there) .  I am feeling very little engine that could right now

                                                                    Ain't that the truth!

The Beginning

“‎Live with intention. Walk to the edge. Listen Hard. Practice wellness. PLay with abondon. Laugh. Choose with no regrets. Appreciate your friends. Continue to learn. Do what you love. Live as if this is all there is” 
― Dr. Seuss

For too many years now I have been living a half life and I am the only person to blame for it. I go throughout my days not just thinking but obsessing about what I am eating, what I am not eating, what I am doing to lose weight, What I am not doing to lose weight... I am starting to think that you understand what I am trying to say so we will move on. 

Anyway I can not tell you how many trips I have not taken, how many days at the beach I have turned down, how many times I have ruined a perfectly good date night with tears and a bad attitude all because I dislike who I am. 

The problem is up until now my effort to change has been minimal at best. Oh sure there have been weeks where my diet was decent, there have been days where I actually pushed myself during a workout but overall I have given up not just on my body but on my life. As a twenty something with the best of life ahead of me is that not that saddest most pathetic thing you have ever heard? In all reality it is selfish and wasteful. Everyday that is given to me is a blessing and privilege that so many are denied. 

So this is my attempt, my beginning of a new life. A life that I am going to make beautiful. I know there will be tears, there will be struggles and failures. I will fall on my butt except this time instead of making a nest out of my fears and self doubt so I can settle into my self loathing comfortably, I will use this as a way to help pull me up. 

Now I know this is seeming extremely self-indulgent and I swear that this is not a pity party. This will document the good, the bad, the ugly and the in between. This will be about me growing as a person but also about what makes me tick, what make it all worth it. There will be Exercise, Recipes, Books, Friends, Wedding Planning (eek!) family and so much more. Because I am trying to learn that there is so much more to me then the size of my jeans. So stick around and follow me on this journey .... It should be an adventure.... Welcome to my blog, Welcome to my beautiful life!