Temptation, Thy Name Is.....

Bitch. Your name is BITCH. That's all I have to say to you. Ugh! Why, Temptation??? Why?! Why must you rear your ugly head, when all I want to do is be good, and be successful? But there you are... seductive, tantalizing, taunting... (shit, I could write a romance novel lol). 

So, as you may or may not know, Halloween was just a few days ago. And temptation (along with a severe dose of stress) kicked into high gear and whooped my ass. As it stands, I still have a massive quantity of Halloween candy at my house, but I only gave in the one day. I bought so much for trick-or-treaters... that didn't even show up. The nerve. But, what's a girl to do? First? Give in and have several pieces... because stress and temptation are two sides to an evil coin. But second? I gave a ton of it away to a coworker whose kids didn't get to do much trick-or-treating due to her youngest getting sick. Next? Push it on hubby... what?? He's not the one on a diet (no matter how much he should be). Also? Give to the kids (sparingly... don't want anyone throwing up). 

SO here's what I have decided to do. I really like what Karen over at Adipose Diet has been doing with weekly goals... it's simple, but each week, you can look back and see how you did. And you know, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery (or something like that). So, without further ado!


Blog: 2 times to get back into the swing of things. Maybe a recipe once a week? But I want to post on Wednesday's... Maybe a weigh in Wednesday like Desiree over at Finding the Skinny Geek Within?
Vlog: Film 3 videos, and post at least twice a week. Seems like Monday's and Thursdays are good days. You can check out my YouTube channel here!
Book: I really miss reading! I need to start a new book (I have several to choose from)
Diet: No more cheating, back on track. Track with MFP at least 4 days this week
Fitness: Try to find some good core exercises that won't hurt the hell out of my back. I'm going to wait until after the first of the year to do anything very hard core... so I will stock pile, try things out, find out what works, and get ready for the 1st of Jan.

Wednesday Weigh-In: 167 (just in case I decide to keep this up).

What's a Girl to Do?

Good morning guys!

If you have been with me since the beginning (if you have, thank you so much!) then you know that I have been through a constant struggle with exercise. I could walk around town, I could exercise in my living room, I could go to the high school track and walk/job and flip a tire (didn't know they had that until the other day!) or many other things. But I don't, I haven't and it bothers me. I've lost close to 30 lbs. I should be feeling good enough to start doing something. 

Ain't that the truth??

Want to know a secret? I'm so lazy. Oh my good gracious, am I lazy! I have so many friends (Karen and Desiree are my two biggest inspirations as far as working out goes) that bust their ass as often as they can, and are getting out there and DOING IT! What do I do? I cheer them on! I love these ladies, and I want them to be happy and succeed in their efforts. Then what do I do? I sit in front of the TV and be lazy. 

Why am I telling you this? Won't this affect the way you view me? Well, first of all, I seriously hope not! But I'm hoping to hear how you get motivated! I will say this... I'm motivated to do something up to the point of actually doing it lol. I need to know, what is that OOMPH! that gets you off the couch and doing something? 

I would like to be at my goal weight by my anniversary which is in March... I only have about 20 lbs(ish) more to lose, And I think this will help... but I need a push. Tell me what makes you get up and do something.

Long time no see....

I'm sorry that I haven't posted in a while... I had planned to post twice a week, but you know how plans go. See, I've been getting my shit straight. It's harder than you would think. I'm also working more on my YouTube Channel, and that takes more time than I realized. 

So let's shoot straight for a few minutes. I was getting super frustrated because I had stalled. I mean STALLED. I stayed within the same 4 lbs for 2 months. I hate that! But in searching for the reason why, and talking with all my smart friends, I discovered something. I needed to check what the hell I was eating. I hadn't been tracking in months, I mean, why would I need to? I'm eating low carb. Pretty much a no brainer, right? No. 

Unfortunately, while I was eating low carb, I was also eating toooooo much! Usually you don't need to track your calories, but most would recommend tracking your food for the sake of keeping an eye on your Macros (Fat, Protein and Carbohydrates). One of my big problems was dry roasted peanuts. They are only 3 net carbs in them (Total Carbs minus Fiber or Sugar Alcohols). However, that's for a 1 oz serving. I was grabbing a bowl, and eating probably 4 or 5 servings, or more. Yikes!

Also, I was nibbling everything at work. I mean, what's to say that these are bad: a little cornbread here, you know, just a pinch, or a few crumbs of cake (from every pan) or a small tiny amount of potatoes..... you get the idea. However, when you take a small portion (lets say enough for a bite) from each pan, and you are cutting 6 pans for the patients, then guess what? You've had 6 bites or about 1 piece. Not to mention all the other things nibbled through out 8 hours. Oh yeah, and eating two meals there on top of it all. So I cut that shit out too. I still eat the two meals, but I don't nibble anymore. It's sooo hard too lol... 

So, as you might remember (unless you are a new reader, in which case, here is the post) I decided after Easter to get my ass in gear for reals. From Jan 1 to Easter, I piddly-farted around and only lost about 7 lbs or so. In 4 months?? Unacceptable. Easter was the turning point. I started walking at work, I started really cutting out crap foods. I lost a few inches, but not really any weight... but that's ok. Then I started eating Low Carb/High Fat. Why am I retelling you all this? It's mostly for me. It's been a long journey. Where am I at today?

This is actually right after I started eating Low Carb/HighFat

Well, I no longer really count Jan 1 as my starting date, even though I did lose a few pounds. I'm counting Easter (well, 4/22 which was a few days later) as my starting date. What has happened since then? I've lost 25 1/4" off my whole body, and I've lost 20 lbs. :) I still have a ways to go, but with you guys cheering me on, I can't go wrong! Thank you all!

Ch-Ch-Ch-CHIA!

Who remembers "the pottery that grows?" I've wanted one for years! The elephant one especially (my love for elephants is a little scary lol). But I have recently been reading that Chia seeds are amazing little dudes with lots to offer! I am really not the best at explaining how amazing these are, so check it out here. 

So why am I telling you this? I am trying to find ways to incorporate Chia seeds into my diet. I really have to. You don't understand. I bought 2 lbs at Sam's Club. They must be used! lol Did I mention a little goes a long way? Most recipes only call for like... a tablespoon or two. 

I am currently playing with different versions of Chia Pudding. It's pretty basic really. You take some coconut (or almond) milk, cocoa powder, sweetener, Chia (of course) and some vanilla and mix. If you want exact portions, let me know, and I will post the actual recipe. I'm also looking at some Chia crackers... I haven't tried them yet, so idk how it will turn out. 

So what about you? Have you tried Chia? What are your thoughts?

Let me know in the comments below!

2 Steps Forward, 1 Step Back

Anyone remember that song? I can't remember the rest, but that is exactly what is going on at the moment. After my last slide (and the one before) I recommitted hardcore, and actually broke my stall, I think. However, while I was at a friends house, circumstances way beyond my control became a great learning experience. 

See, I may have mentioned, I live in Oklahoma. The water from the tap SUCKS here. In my own home, sometimes it smells like bleach, sometimes like sulfur. Always nasty though. So we have filtered water. That's just what you do. So anyway, we go to a friends house, we were running late, so I didn't have a drink with me (I usually take tea). I have also been stricken with allergies for the last few weeks, so my throat is sore and I've been coughing a lot. 

Needless to say, I needed to drink something. I was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Water (so strongly smelling of bleach that I actually checked under the counter to make sure there wasn't a spill) and Pepsi, my arch-nemesis. *SIGH* Ya'll, I went for the Pepsi. We were there for several hours, so I actually had 3 altogether. I'm not proud, but I'm also not trying to make excuses either. It happened, and now I have to move on.

But what that did to me the next day (yesterday) is that it made me crave crap! I ended up not being prepared with my diet, and decided to eat a bunch of crud. Potatoes being the worst of it. I don't know how this will affect me, scale wise, but I am aware of it, and I need to proceed with caution. 

The next few days will be a battle, but I'm prepared to face it. But as I said, I've learned from this experience! No matter what I do, I need to have my own drink with me, that way I won't be stuck in this situation again! Lesson Learned!

I hope you all have a good Monday! Let's crush this week, shall we? Take it, and make it our own!

Slide..... Again?!

So... here we go again... another story about how my fraking willpower is non-existent. I have no clue what is going on with me guys! I start my week out smooth, and then just *BLAM* Hand me some damn carbs. I will say that this time, I didn't gain (Shocked? ME TOO!). However, I will never lose weight if I keep cheating. I started over again today. Only one slip up, but not a full on slide into carb evil.

Here's to accountability!

Middle Earth Update

So, I wasn't intending on writing anything today, since I had just posted a few days ago, but I thought "what the hell, I want to share my progress" lol. So here we go!

Strider (aka Aragorn) scouts ahead and finds an elf-stone on The Last Bridge. He believes it is a token of safety. Company crosses the River Hoarwell/Mitheithel.

I have officially reached the Last Bridge. I have 100 miles to go before I reach Rivendell, which I hope to achieve in September. 

So far, since May 1st, I have walked 358.1 miles. Isn't that just freaking astounding??? I can't even believe it! Thank you so much for coming along with me!