Weekly Health Update no. 2

 

Fitness

This week I unfortunately did not do as well as I'd hoped. Instead of working out 6 days a week I bumped it down to 5, but only worked out 3. 

Monday - NYC Ballet (55 min.) 

Tuesday - 30 Day Shred (23 min.)

Wednesday - Tae Bo (35 min.)

Thursday - Pilates (20 min.)

Friday - Rest

Saturday - Rest

Sunday - Tae Bo (55 min.)

   

My best workout was on Monday with the NYC Ballet. I really felt great after this workout, but my week seemed to go downhill from there. Working out 6 days a week just wasn't realistic with my schedule, but I am very disappointed that I only completed 3. I'm not going to beat myself up about it...just going to do better next week! 

Nutrition 

This week I tried to keep a food diary, but that didn't really work too great. I did log the foods that I ate during the day at work, but in the evenings I would forget. I ate fairly well, but I have a confession -- I have zero control when it comes to Easter candy. Zip. Zilch. Nada! Tomorrow I will begin logging my food on SparkPeople.com and will hopefully be able to stick to a solid plan.

Next Week's Motivating Picture 

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 Blake Lively - Svelte muscles, beautiful femininity.

  

Weight/Measurements

I have not weighed myself since I first started my fitness regimen, so I have no idea how I am doing. I have been told by several people that I look "skinnier", but quite frankly that could just be from figure flattering clothes. However, I am happy to report that my shirts are feeling a bit looser in the arm area, and my pants are fitting a bit better. I plan on doing my first weigh-in next for Sunday's report. Wish me luck! :) 

Wrap-Up  

This weekend I saw my friend Anna at church, and she asked me how things were going. I reeeeally wish I could have told her that they were going fantastic, but instead I confessed to her about the Easter candy that is lurking in my house. While I was a bit bummed about my report, this is exactly why I am posting about my progress! I need this accountability! So Anna, thank you for checking in on me! This week wasn't by best, but I am looking forward to the upcoming week's plan! :)

It's Friiiiiiiday!

Click here to play!

1.   Something that makes me a great friend is... if I'm being honest here, then I have to admit that I don't feel like I am that great of a friend. I tend to be super busy and don't really have time to do much or talk much. :( To all of my friends, I am sorry.

2.  I am always, always planning something. There's a song by The Academy is... and the lyrics go "I make plans to break plans and I'm planning something big." Well, that was me in high school. I was literally always planning something that would most likely never happen. I am happy to report that I'm still planning things, but they are actually happening. :)

3.  I am not good at being patient. When I want something, I tend to want it now. Whether it's law school, a vacation, or even just getting from point a to point b, I can be very impatient. (Not my greatest quality)

4.  If I had to describe myself in 3 words, they would be organized, passionate, and dreamer.     

5.  Something I'm really cheap about is jewelry. I'm not a "give my diamonds" type of girl. I'd rather piratical, inexpensive jewelry. (Although one day, I hope to receive a lovely Tiffany blue box... ;) )   

6.  Something I'm willing to splurge on is present shopping for anyone but myself. I'm a most definitely a giver, and I just love buying presents for other people. :) For Christmas, once I everyone on my list is checked off, I just can't help but think of more people to add...it's addicting!

7.  I would trade my life   for to save my husband's life in a heartbeat.

 

I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend! :)

Wordless Wednesday

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A Second Solo Trip

As I've written about before, I work for a disaster preparedness and relief company in Charleston, SC. Every now and again I have the opportunity to travel to emergency preparedness conferences around the country.

Last month, I attended my first solo conference in Loveland, Colorado.

And in July, I'll be attending my second solo show -- in New Orleans!!! :) That's right, I'm headed back to my home, Louisiana! YAY!!!!

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Last summer, I went to Nola with a co-worker to attend a national disaster preparedness conference, and had a great experience. While the show wasn't as good as we thought it would be, I was able to meet up with family and friends. :)

My two little cousins, Matt and Micah

This year I'll be going alone, and after the show I'm heading to Lafayette to spend some much needed time with my loved ones! Not only this, but I'll be attending a concert with some of my best girlfriends. But it's not just any concert...

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Recognize these guys?? :)

That's right -- I'm going to see New Kids on the Block and the Backstreet Boys!
(aka NKOTBSB)

Now, I was never really a fan of BSB thanks to my true loves, Nsync. However, I am super excited to see these guys in concert. When I was around 6 years old my Mom took me to see New Kids, and it was so awesome! I mean, I feel asleep, but still! (Want to know my excuse? My "love" for Joey was just too much, so I got tired. No kidding, I told someone that. At 6 years old. Bahaha.)

Has anyone seen either group in concert? If so, did you like it? I am so excited for this trip, and so thankful to work for a company that keeps sending me home to Louisiana! :)

It's Monday Y'all!

Got my dreams, got my life, got my love
Got my friends, got the sunshine above
Why am I making this hard on myself?
When there's so many beautiful reasons I have to be happy.

* I know I'm a little late, but I finally watched Black Swan! I've been wanting to see this for the longest time, especially since it's on my movie list, but I have to say that I'm a bit indifferent. Yes, it was a good movie and I liked it, but it was severely "messed up" on so many levels. I don't want to give anything away, so I wont say too much. I'm a romcom type of girl and this just wasn't up my alley. I do see why Natalie Portman won the Academy Award for Best Actress...wow was she great! 

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* We've had our kittens, Torre and Abigail, for a little over a week now and I think they are finally starting to feel comfortable in our home. So comfortable in fact that one of them decided to jump into the toilet! Usually we have all bathroom doors closed, but apparently we forgot to shut one. All of a sudden we heard a big splash, and out walked a soaked kitty. :) I am hoping this does not happen often. 

* I found this picture the other day on We Heart It and just fell in love.

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Isn't it lovely?

* Thank you guys for the support I received on yesterday's post! It was my first health update and I am just so encouraged by all of you! :)

* Last week I was craving pasta salad, so I began to just throw a bunch of ingredients together. To my surprise it turned out great! This may already be a recipe somewhere, but here's the recipe to what I did.

1 - Box of Tri-Color Rotini Pasta

1 - Large cucumber, diced
4 - Roma tomatoes, diced
3/4 cup - Feta Cheese crumbles
1/2 cup - pepperonis, diced
3/4 cup - Fat Free Italian Dressing
Salt and Tony's to taste 

- Boil noodles until cooked. Rinse with cold water, set aside.
- Combine all ingredients into bowl with noodles.
- Chill for about an hour.

That's it!!! It was so easy and was so delicious! The only really unhealthy thing in this recipe is the noodles, but in moderation it's perfect. :)

Happy Monday darlings!

Weekly Health Update no. 1

Fitness

 

This week was my first week with a workout schedule, and I must say that I am pretty proud of myself. I mapped out my entire week, and stuck to it! Here's how my week went:

Monday - 30 Day Shred (23 min.)

Tuesday - NYC Ballet (55 min.)

Wednesday - Tae Bo (55 min.)

Thursday - Pilates (20 min.)

Friday - 30 Day Shred

Saturday - Rest

Sunday - Tae Bo (55 min.) and 30 Day Shred (from Friday, 23 min.)

Each workout is entirely different, but I'd have to say my favorite is Tae Bo. This workout seriously kicks my behind, but in an amazing way. I know I've only been working out for one week, but I am already feeling so much better. A major factor in me sticking to this schedule was my husband being out of town all week.  (When he's home I just can't help but love on him) This upcoming week he'll be home, but I am determined to stick to it! 

Nutrition

This week I focused on making healthy choices, but I wasn't too strict. If I wanted to eat some candy, I did. However, I also ate incredibly healthy dinners (can we say chicken fajitas on wheat tortillas?) and my typical boring healthy lunch. (A sandwich on white wheat, baked chips, and yogurt.) Since this was my first week working out I didn't want to immediately begin my SparkPeople regimen. I will say that working out has made me go "Why in the world did I just work out for an hour if I am going to eat ice cream?!?!" So, that's good. :) Next week I will begin to keep a food journal. 

Next Week's Motivating Picture

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Hilary Swank - long, lean, and muscular. Strong. I love this picture.

Weight/Measurements

While I have weighed myself to know where I am starting, I will not be posting this number. The main reason is that I just don't want all the world to know my weight, but moreover I'd rather this journey not be about the number on the scale. This will be about my body's transformation and my health. I did take "Week One" pictures, but will not be posting those until I have some lovely "after" shots! :) My plan is to try my absolute hardest to not weigh myself every week. I have learned from the past that this will either discourage me or make me overly happy. (The overly happy part results into the mindset of "Oh, I lost 5 lbs. and I can afford to eat bad for one day." No, not happening this time!)

New Goal?

I have been thinking about creating a new goal that will keep me motivated on this journey. I tend to stay focused right out of the gate, but typically slack off. Besides all of the perks of being healthy and fit, I feel like I need a little something extra. So, here's what I've come up with:

On July 30th, I will post a picture of myself in a bathing suit  (Eeeek.) Whether it's a one or two piece, I'm not sure yet. (Does it really matter? Just the word bathing suit makes me nervous) BUT, what I do know is that this will most definitely keep my head in the game. What do y'all think?

Wrap-Up

That's all I've got! I'll be back next Sunday with more (hopefully great) updates! 

Happy, Happy Friday!

Click here to play along! :)

1.   The best prank I ever pulled was nada. I am a terrible liar and can never pull anything off. In high school on one April 1st I told my Dad that I was pregnant...but that didn't go over too well! (I was most definitely joking) 

2.  The best prank ever pulled on me was  usually happens on a daily basis. I am very gullible and tend to fall for the craziest stories. I can't really think of one prank that was just amazing...

3.  A day without love, smiling, and God is a day wasted.

4.  The most important things in life are the people in it. People who genuinely care about your well-being make all the difference in the world.

5.  I dream of many, many things like: traveling to Italy, living in NYC, going to law school, having babies, adopting children, meeting my sponsor kids, saving the world...the list going on and on.

6.  I dread Monday mornings. There's just something about this day and time that really irks my nerves.

7.  A discovery I made this week was that I CAN stick to a schedule as long as I plan it carefully. I was able to do all of my schoolwork, workout, clean the house, read, play with my kittens AND attend my full-time job -- all without too much stress. :)

**My hubs has been gone since Monday for work, and I am picking him up from the airport in a few hours!!! :) I am so excited that I could literally skip up and down the hallway at work! :)

Happy Friday lovelies! I'll be back Sunday with my fitness update!