i just ate a piece of pie. and ate pizza... and your both sitting here.... and im sorry mary for shoving ie in your face..


xxoxoxoxoo

'Ello Loves!

So, for the last two days, I really did not feel like going to the gym. But, I did. And today, while on the elliptical, the little devil on my shoulder kept trying to convince me to get off, do something easier, etc... but I didn't. I stuck with it and finished my time. And afterwards, I actually did feel a little energized and good. I think I'm getting the hang of it all. (That being said, I might go right back to loathing it on Monday, but still!)

I can't even tell you guys how good it feels to put so much effort, determination, discipline, sacrifice, and heart into something, and reap the benefits. It's how I feel about saving money too (same nouns), because it really is getting exactly out of something what you put in. School is comparable, but I enjoy it too much to consider it a sacrifice as of right now. It just feels really good, that's all.

I have to tell you both, this blog was an incredible idea and I feel so inspired and like this is really going to happen for me and all of us. I'm thinking that in about 5-6 months, I will be at my long term goal, and my shorter term goal will come in about three months, and I know you two will probably have met your goals by then, so I was wondering if we could still have this blog... even if I'm the one writing most of the time. I hope we will, because it has REALLY helped me. I have never felt so supported and not alone in this weight loss thing before. I appreciate you guys.
love you both, sisterfriends.

MTA

THURSDAY

Hello loves,

B: Total cereal, coffee
L: Banana
D: Lean ground beef burger with feta and HOMEMADE Taziki sauce and sauted veggies in a whole wheat pita
S: Smart Food popcorn

I LOVED this dinner. It's packed with protein and super low cal! Taziki sauce I used non fat greek yogurt, 1 tbs of extra virgin olive oil, dill, 1/2 cucumber, lots of garlic.

Gym is going really well. I can feel myself getting stronger and stronger. Today I was just thinking, I'm just so baffled at what my body can do.

Mary, I had an idea for you. I know you ae saying you don't really enjoy the gym. Today I worked out really hard and then did a cool down with soft music, really relaxing music and then stretches. This might add another 10 minutes to your routine, but you could use it to look forward to. It could maybe be a motivation. ??

A

Problem w/ Breakfast

Hello ladies,

So I've been having a problem. I have never been much of an early morning eater. Even when I was all about the junk food, I would rarely eat breakfast, and if I did it was awhile after I actually woke up.

Now that I'm going to the gym, I know it's important for me to start healthy and well, but I'm telling you guys, it makes me sick. Lately, after I get off the elliptical I feel like I'm going to throw up, and I can feel the food just sticking to my stomach. I've tried protein bars, fruit (which is not enough, I know), and the only thing that I can feel remotely good with is a reduced fat cheese stick, which is good but I know it doesn't have a lot of substance in terms of being all I eat in the morning.

And this is not all in my head. the other day on the elliptical, I really thought I was going to get ill (sorry for the gross out). I drink a lot of water when I work out -- think that has something to do with it?

What should I do?

Anyway, I am still on track so that's a good thing! I think I'm going to have my sugary snack tonight or tomorrow night. :)

I am so proud of all of us. I love you and I know that without you two, I seriously could not do this. Thank you.

<3MTA

Wednesday

Hellooo...

Today
B: A variation of Kate's smoothie- 1/2 cup greek style yogurt, raspberries, 1/2 banana
and one piece of toast

L: Salad with yogurt dressing, tons of veggies,
100 cal pack of cookies and really small amount of milk, about 4 sips

D: Well I'm planning on making goat cheese chicken Best Life Diet Recipe. This should be the menu for the day.

I've been doing a lot of thinking on my growing up and I am realizing that my mom was just so wrapped up in her own life she didn't take the time to teach me many things. One of them was how to be healthy. I missed out on childhood in many ways, but this is one lesson I really haven't learned until now. I'm so sick of yo-yo dieting and I'm hoping I can really change my life for good. When I have kids I really want to be a healthy mom that teaches them how to be healthy.

I'm upping my goal. I was going for 129. I'm 5 lbs away from that. But I'm going to tack on the last 9 and go for 120. It's been so long that I've been steadily under 130 I've been hovering around it for a long time. With this lifestyle change I was really timid about setting a big goal, but I now know that I can really do it. It's been three weeks and I have no desire to give up. Usually by now I'd have lost a little weight and gone off, gained some and I'd be looking to lose weight again soon. Now I know this is here for good, and I'm not afraid of the big goal.

When we started this I was 142 with a BMI of 24.8 (.1 away from overweight for my height (5'3.5'') ( Normal weight 18.5-24.9)
The next week was 137.5 BMI 24.0
Next week 136 BMI 23.7
This week 134 BMI 23.4

I was shooting for 129 but I think I'll be happier at 120 BMI 20.9

Anyways I just thought I'd tell you guys about my increased goals. I'm so much more confident than I have been. Thank you for your support. This is a demon I've been fighting for so long and you girls are such a strength in pursuing this goal.

<3
A

Almost Wednesday

So I've been doing 25 on the elliptical and 35 on the treadmill this week, and oh my dear lord -- what a workout! I am a sweaty mess! But it is going well, except I still sort of hate it ;) Healthy eating is going splendidly as well. And Joey is a dear. Even though he eats delicious, naughty things in front of me.

Saturday and Tuesday all three of us should bring healthy meals (since they're potlucks) so we can all stick together!

You know what is good motivation for me? The fact that if I had stayed on this lifestyle when I had lost the weight before the wedding, I would probably be at or near my goal weight right now. I just imagine my future self thanking my present self for all the hard work, lol. Seriously though, focusing on the future is really helpful.

I need to go grocery shopping, for sure. The kitchen is running low. It drives me crazy because I try to buy for my mom too, but it's a useless endeavor... Anyway, that's all what's going on now.

And Ash, my gym CDs are awesome. :D

Love you both so so much. You both help me so much. (Kate, btw, thanks for the info on the eel sauce Saturday night. You are amazingly well informed. You would totally be my lifeline if I were on a game show.)

Mary Mouse

Tuesday was weigh day, Monday usually but out of town...

So I lost two pounds.

I was extremely excited about this because I was so nervous going away that I'd be in trouble to gain. I made really good choices while there. A couple temptations, but overall enough to lose 7,000 more nasty calories, YAY!

Workouts have been going fantastically well. I LOVE this workout you reccommended, Kate. I'm still not sure I'm getting enough cardio, but when I was getting tons of cardio I wasn't losing any weight so I think I'm going to stick to this for now. By the way I looked up online about weight training vs. cardio and it said weight training is a gift that keeps on giving because as you build muscle, the more muscle you have the more calories you burn when not working out. So i'm trying to keep a balance between the two. I used the jump rope today at the gym and woah, that works! I couldn't believe how hard it was to keep it going for 50 jumps!

SOOOOO that's all for me. LOVE YOU!

-A

Oh I forgot to update my menus lately,

but today was

B- whole grain waffles, coffee
L- oops...
D: salad with tons of veggies, oil and vinegar dressing litttle feta and whole wheat spaghetti with lean ground beef.

I'm contemplating a little desert right now. Either a 100 calorie cookie pack or a weight watchers ice cream sandwich.

Tomorrow I'm making a Kate's Smoothie with Greek Yogurt for breakfast!

Sushi Dilemma

Hey ladies,

So last night I went out with E and R and we ended up at a Sushi place. Now, I like Sushi, but I wasn't really in the mood.

So, I saw on the menu they had broiled chicken rolled with carrots and some other green vegetable. I thought "Perfect! Sounds very healthy!" I ordered it, and was good to go. Well, I was starving too, by the way.

So it came out and there was eel sauce all over the chicken rolls. Now, I had no idea what it was, and I wasn't about to start wiping it off the chicken, so I had no choice but to eat it.

So I know eel sauce isn't horrible, but it has A LOT of sugar in it. I was disappointed, and although it was good, I would have been happier if I could have controlled how much sauce was on the chicken. So I learned a lesson: even if the menu does not say there will be sauce (at least I didn't think it did!), as a rule, ask for sauce on the side!!

Love you ladies. <3

And, thank you so much for all the encouragement. :) You guys rock.

MTA

i need to shave, but in the mean time heres my post!

First of all, ASHLEIGH… you are strong…
As and the dad says, the root of discontent is comparison to evil…
So… your not in a good place, it will be over soon and a serving or 5 of fries wont kill you… Well maybe later when your at the gym you might feel it a bit, but… your doing GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And 3 lbs…. that’s 9,000 calories gone!

MARY,
Oh my gosh! That is insane… you are committed and good for you!
Xoxoxoxo : )


Well for me…
This has been an interesting week. Ivy went to vet, we were told she had Cushing’s desises and was really sick and we were going to have to put her down… Blood work came back, shes healthy as can be, but has dog anxiety that’s causing her to act weird.. So that’s good news, my dog just needs some therapy. The house sale fell through. The buyers had financing, and everything was going great, but they walked because they found another home they liked better. If we were to go after them it could take months in the courts and my parents just want the house sold…So its back on the market, and School has officially raped me… I am just so over whelmed its insane… How does this translate to food?
Well for some reason I have been eating better?
I am sad because my work out has once again been sacrificed. Like this morning I am doing home work instead of cardio with my mom… AHAHH.
Food seems to not be the issue, which is strange, but the wine is. My dad and I have been having a glass a night lately when we have our little hang time… But that’s a lot of extra calories im drinking I don’t normally…
I was thinking this week that so many “ godly” people talk all about restraint sexually, not drinking, not doing drugs…because these are all “sin”. What I find highly ironic is gluttony is just as big a sin as any other and I think it’s the most widespread un addressed thing in the book. If you think about it I think its probly one of the most important. Why would God give us all these commands to help protect us, but for some reason just lift any on food? If he talks about our bodies being our temples then why would we not binge drink, not smoke packs a day, not have 50 sexuall parteners, and then fall off the horse and abuse our body with food? It seems ironic to me, and I just had never though about that until this week for some reason. I think that’s why this week food has been not as sever as an issue for me… It somehow has become spiritual to me. I know this sound weird. But I never really think about everything I eat. So many people in this world are lucky if they get one square meal aday and I just power tourque food in and don’t think of how my body was designed… Its just made me realize that everything is a reflection of our condition and our hearts… Anytime any activity or behavior is not in moderation, regardless of what it is, it is not healthy…. And of course there’s times in our lives where things are going to be unbalanced for a period of time, because they have to in order to get things done, or for circumstances we cant control… But that’s my new focus… Being healthy because that’s what God has called me to do, take care of what he has given me….

Hoping for stronger strength like my friend MTA!

Well, I'm super excited about Mary's accomplishment. That being said, it gives me some renewed motivation.

Today marks 3 weeks for us since this blog began. As many studies and people say "it takes 21 days to break a habit."

Well, at 21 days I feel really good and want this to be lifestyle. Instead of some days saying "I'm going to be really strict on myself with food" and a few days later saying "screw it, I'll eat anything and everything"

I must say this trip has been really hard. I don't talk about it very much, but my mom and I have a lot of issues and they seem to come out when we spend extended amounts of time together. It's diffiult here when I'm surrounded my tempting foods, and I'm really stressed out by my mother and I'm in a place that's not my home and I'm away from everything stable to not indulge. As Mary said though, she has Dexter Sundays and there's tempting food all around her and she pictures her goal to avoid indulging. I wish I had that will power.

The day started off well, Total Bran cereal and half a banana. Lunch was out to eat and had a grilled chicken wrap with fries. I know this was a big mistake. I knew it at the time but I did it anyway. I actually didn't feel horrible, because I feel that I've been doing really well here and I wanted a little indulgence. And that was okay, but not the best. Then back here later on the chip bowl came out again and I had a few. At dinner I watched myself and only had salad and some roasted vegetables. Skipping desert was no challenge.

But chips and fries? Ugh. I feel uncomfortable. And I think it's important to note when I'm feeling bad on this lifestyle chance just as it is when I'm feeling good. BEcause these are the moments I need to try to stop having. When you reach a time period like 3 weeks, I think your mind starts rationalizing and wanting what it's longing for. But I'm trying to look at this as a reason to change. Every day I won't be perfect, but I can use it as motivation to do better tomorrow and the next day and so on.

Being at home is SO much easier. I do the grocery shopping, I make the meals, I plan the meals daily. Here, it's like I'm stressed and provided bad things. I know I can still control myself just as if I were at home, I just am not as well.

ANYWAYS, my mom is driving me bananas. I guess this is a conversation more for home. If only I could change her and make her come up to reality for a few minutes I would be so much happier.

Actually, now ANYWAYS, I'm going to go because I'm sure you're both very sick of reading this ridiculously long post.

Kudos to Mary! And. that. is. all.

A

So...

Hey ladies,

MTA here.

Well, I've lost 15 pounds. To be honest, I'm kind of not telling a lot of people... I think just because last time I did and then it all fell to crap, you know? I just don't want the bottom to fall out and feel like a jackass again. I know that isn't very positive, and I do think this time is different. I am going to keep going until my goal, I know this. I've been doing well and I'm proud of myself.

So, 15 down, more to go. I can do this. <3

Love you both.

10/23 DC

So I feel like writing about this will help me have some more clarity.

Yesterday was travel day. It started out with me and my oatmeal. Headed to the airport mom wanted to eat at Chili's. I had a bowl of soup and side salad. No problems here. On the plane no snacks, all's well. Get to Aunt Pat's and she puts out corn chips and dip. I thought to myself, I can certainly just have a few and that'll be fine. I saw the bag said 10 chips is a serving and I thought, maybe 10 would be fine. Well I don't think I had more than 10, but the point is that it just wasn't good. This is not something I would eat at home (since this whole thing began) and I only had it because it was right in front of me. At dinner is was roasted pork and salad with lots of veggies and oil and vinegar dressing. I don't particularly like pork on a normal day and I wasn't sure how it ranked health wise so I had salad and some of the roasted veggies on top of the pork. But there was the bread basket right in front of me and I rationalized having one piece of bread wouldn't be so bad. And then I took a half of another piece. I know this all wouldn't be terrible if I was at my goal weight, but the truth is, I'm not yet. And I'm not happy about it so today I've been trying to do much better.

This morning came downstaiirs and made my own Weight Control Oatmeal again. Had some coffee. Then when Aunt Pat said what would everyone like for lunch? I jumped in on going to the store to pick some stuff. Grabbed all kinds of veggies and fruits. And some soup. Came home and had some broccoli soup (not much, a serving was 1 cup and I probably had less than that) then took a squash microwaved it and spritzed it with I can't Belive It's not butter and took a serving of raisins and that was my lunch! (thanks Kate for the squash idea, it was super filling!)

So I'm just trying to get used to the whole thing. There should be no excuse to have something completely unhealthy. If I'm in the grocery store I have learned to resist buying it. If I'm at even my favorite restaurant (Chili's!!) I've learned to not order it. But if it's right in front of me, I indulge. So I just need to build up my strength to resist it. It's like the last piece of the puzzle that I'm missing.

Then we went on a long walk in the park, surrounded by trees with falling leaves bright red and green in color. What a lovely place!

I love you both. I'm so proud of all we're accomplishing here. The strength I get from you both is great. I love reading your posts and comments.

Getting Better

So things are coming more naturally, in terms of eating well and working out. I think less about eating crappy food and am getting more used to this lifestyle. I have been doing 20 minutes on the elliptical and 40 on the treadmill. Next week I am going to do 25 on the elliptical and 35 on the treadmill. I just want to keep pushing it, but not pushing it too much.

I still don't feel *awesome* after working out, which is kind of frustrating. I mean, I feel a little better, but not in that way I hear people talk about it. You know, how some people say "I can't imagine not working out! I'm addicted to it" -- I wish I could feel that way! To be honest, if I never had to work out again, I wouldn't - lol. Just being honest. I mean, I do it, and I have gone 5 days a week all month, but ya do what you have to :) Eventually when I get to my maintaining my weight, I hope to be down to three or four days a week.

Anyway, everything is going well. :) I'm happy and I feel like I'm going to keep this up!

The only negative is I got a research paper back and got a 90 on it. I know, logically, that a 90 is an A and a good grade, but I just feel really disappointed in the grade and I'm worried that I'll get a B. I just really want to get straight A's for this semester -- that's my goal. I guess I can do what I can do, and I will just work that much harder! I really think I can do this. (Sorry for the off topic rambling... not really fitness related.)

Love you both so much.

M <3

A little better?

So I heeded Kate's expert advice today. Although I didn't see this post until mid day so here was my menu:

B: whole grain waffles sugar free syrup, coffee with sugar free syrup
L: Salad with lots of veggies, yogurt ranch, two servings of sun chips
D: Grilled Grouper topped with small amount of feta and green beans
S: Lots of raisins

So hoping this is a little better...but I don't know how keeping his up during the trip wlll go

Kate, anymore ideas on healthier meals is appreciated. I don't have a freaking clue what to do with vegetables.

<3

Heres an idea!

PROCESSED FOOD = NAUGHTY even if it is whole grain….

I can only speak from my experience, but the whole grain isn’t the problem… It’s the amount of carbs your in taking compared to the amount of veggies, fruits and protein…. Lets take a look at this day as an example…. Just things to look for….

2 whole grain waffles with sugar free syrup-
- Just beceasue it is whole grain doesn’t mean its low calorie… Many times these are considerably higher calorie… Atkins products that advertise low carb are not your friend either, b/c they are working of the notion low carb is more important than low fat/calorie/ and most importantly saturated fat.
- If you can find low cal waffles or if these are low cal I think this is just fine…
• Point of concern- This is a very processed meal, there is little to no nutrients, so add a serving of fruit like berries to get some antioxidents, vitamins, exct. …

L: Grilled cheese (low fat cheese, whole wheat bread)
- Not bad, low calorie…. But lacks any nutrients… little to no vitamins, foliate, folic acid….exct….

D: Healthy salad with yogurt ranch, lots of veggies
- Great! But you have little to no carbs…. Ill exsplain in a bit
S: 100 cal pack snack, weight watcher ice cream sandwich
- Fab !

**** Ok exsplination… The way this meal plan is structures is not ideal, for getting the most bang for your buck…. The first half of the day is all processed food, that consists of carbs, carbs, and a measly amount of protein….
Ideal meals consist of
4oz lean protein ( i.e. if having steak, 4 oz is size of deck of playing cards…. Chicken a little larger not much though.)
Or a serving of lean lunch meat, cheese stick, greek yourgurt such as chobani ( ist the only really low fat one)

Then fill up on veggies… if breakfast have a serving of fruit… becarful with fruit thoug casue it can be high calorie if in juice or smoothies….jucie bad!
Then have a smallllllll serving of carbs with every meal… This will make sure you don’t feal tired but will keep you from crashing…

When you eat high carb, doenst matter if its whole grain or not… Your body breaks it down into sugar… Whole grains just take longer.... This is not ideal for any diet… The lower sugar ones diet is, the healthier it is on your body… If diabetes runs in your family this is something to be vigilant about…

So break down:

Ideal meal:
20% lean low fat protein
60-70% veggies
10-20% whole grains

My mom will even attest to this. When shes on weight watchers she can eat the same amount of calories week 1 and week 2, but if on week 1 she eats more veggies, and week 2 eats more carbs, week 2 she generally never loses much if any weight…

Lunch idea Try: getting an acorn squash poke it with a fork, microwave for 5 minutes… squirt with I can believe its not butter, a cheese stick, and a glass of skim milk for lunch… you will be so frisking full, its maybe 350 calories for the whole meal…. And the calcium is great for you as well as the milk will keep you full… by saving those calories you then can afford a healthier, more nutrient rich snack such as some celery stuffed with a skinny cow cheese ( 35 calories) and a 100 calorie pack or a serving of sun chips with it… NOT PEANUT BUTTER! Peanut beuuter is good fat, but not a dieters friend! Stuff it with peanut butter and you are looking at a minimum of ( 150 calories ++++) ….

I need help! Questions..

Today my menu was

B: 2 whole grain waffles with sugar free syrup
L: Grilled cheese (low fat cheese, whole wheat bread)
D: Healthy salad with yogurt ranch, lots of veggies
S: 100 cal pack snack, weight watcher ice cream sandwich


So, do you guys think I'm having too much whole grain? Many days I'll have whole wheat toast for breakfast and then I feel bad if I'm having whole wheat pasta or crackers later on in the day. I don't know what the appropriate amount of grains is when you're trying to lose weight.

Next, issue: I still have 7lbs till my goal weight. And I wouldn't be too sad if it was even more like 9 or 10 more. Is doing the Jessica Simpson workout too much weight training? I feel like I'm building great muscle already, I mean I have been doing lots of weight training since I came back from the honeymoon. This workout combines weight training with cardio so in one trip to the gym I'm working my legs, arms, and abs in strength training and on the treadmill 3 times 8 minutes each. But since I still have the weight to lose, is this too much strength and not enough cardio? I don't want to get bulky, I want to be thinner and firmer...I'm just confused...

And finally, I'm going out of town Thursday. I'll be gone thursday-tuesday in Washington DC. I'm bringing protein bars and oatmeal butI don't think I can really bring any other healthy foods. I'm so worried about going out to eat all of the time and being tempted. But not only this, it's so hard to find remotely healthy things at restaurants. We'll be staying with my great Aunt Pat so hopefully the meals she makes for us are healthy...but what if they're not? I'm going to be missing one day of workout only for this trip, but I know we'll be doing tons of walking in the city so I'm not worried about that.

I'll write down everything I eat and try to get on the internet, I don't know if I'll have wireless so if I don't I'll report and comments and everything when I come back.

But what are your ladies' idea with these questions? Any help is greatly appreciated!

Love love love.

There's no reason to title this post "ACCEPTED" but I'm going to anyway.

SO friends, today was a great day! But I didn't allow my triumph to give me a reason to go crazy with food. Be proud!

Monday is my weigh in day and I lost 1.5 lb, not overly thirlled but I was pretty happy with this. I figure, this is a healthy weight loss per week, so I should be happy I didn't gain any.

Food:
B: 2 pieces whole wheat bread
L: Apple
D: GUILTLESS buffallo chicken sandwhich, bowl of broccoli cheese soup, about 15 chips

I looked it up before we went to Chilis, because we all know this is where my weakness is strongest. So Broccoli cheese soup only has 210 cals, A guiltless buffallo chicken sandwich has only 390 cals with only 7 grams of fast VS. Regular 1170 and 71 grams of fat. CAN YOU BELIEVE this? I know the fried is much tastier, but I just don't think I could ever justify this again. It's INSANE, it's a whole day's worth of food. And over a day's worth of fat for someone on a 2000 cal a day diet.

Workouts are going great, today I got major endorphines from it.

LOVE YOU BOTH!!

:)

MTA <3

So, I did 20 on the elliptical and 40 on the treadmill today. I know that sounds miniscule (especially compared to getting into GRAD SCHOOL!!! WOOT WOOT!). but I am just so proud of myself for challenging myself to do better and work harder each week. I rock ;)

So everything else on the western front is swell. Feeling much better!

k8 to the izzzle

correction...In biology, ketosis (pronounced /kɪˈtəʊsɪs/) is a state of the organism characterised by elevated levels of ketone bodies in the blood, occurring when the liver converts fat into fatty acids and ketone bodies (which can be used for energy as an alternative to glucose).

This is what happens when your no longer eating carbs or sugars and your body starts doing the afore mentioned...

When in a state of Ketosos, you loos weight much more rapidly, but it often comes right back once you start eating carbs or sugars...

The atkins, zone and south beach diet all work on some sort of this...south beach being the healthyist... and only utilizezes it for the first phase...

about callories... Do eat over 1100 calories...but many people underestimate what they eat... if your eating under 1100 calories, your going to feel it, and its going to feel like death, youll be tired, and cranky...

As for me im am also saying screw the scale and am just trying to think about health... This week i ate great, but i noticed while i was eating low cal, i was eating high sugar and my stomache showed it instantly... like the surface fat just piled on the abbs, that have been so slowly in the maiking...

p.s. i ate a doughnut yesterday at church
p.p.s. im eating a scone now... i need to google a low fat pumpkin scone recipe asap... ill let yo ladies know if i find one.

: )

Viva la Health!

Frustrated

So, I 've been working so hard and the numbers on the scale just aren't moving like I want them to be.

To be honest, this is usually the point that I give up and say "screw this" and move on. I really don't want to do that now. I just have to keep on keepin' on and know that as long as I am making good choices in terms of exercise and nutrition, I will lose the weight. Sometimes slow and steady wins the race.... right??

Every week I am trying to up my exercise levels, and I am trying to focus on being as dedicated as possible. It is just frustrating to not see the results I want. I mean, watching Celebrity Fit Club and other shows like that.... people lose around 10 pounds a week- I just don't see how that is possible. Unless you worked out for eight hours a day, every day. I think it sets up unrealistic expectations for people working to lose weight in normal circumstances.

Joey thinks I should only weigh myself every two weeks, rather than every week. What do you guys think? I think he may be right. I just know I am doing the right things, you know? And I don't want to mess it up. I mean, I'm at the gym for an hour, five days a week, and eating very healthy. Next week I'm doing 20 minutes on the elliptical and 40 on the treadmill, so I am definitely trying. I just have to be patient.

Thank God for Saturdays and Sundays, though. Definitely recharging.

And other than this, I am doing very well. I am so loving this weather. My AC is off and windows are open. I really don't have much to complain about, so I should probably stop. But, writing this helps get it out and not go binge on Oreos or something, lol. Honestly, I am really proud of myself. I'm doing a good job. And I know that, so screw Mr. Scale. :)

Marinator.

Doing good, but losing steam.

Thursday:
B: 2 pieces of whole wheat toast
L: Salad with veggies, yogurt dressing
D: Whole wheat spaghetti with turkey meat
S: Vivano protein fruit smoothie, Healthy Choice Icecream bar

Friday:
B: 2 pieces of whole wheat toast
L: Low fat cheese on Wasa Fiber Crisp Bread, Cottage cheese, Fruit smoothie
D: Whole wheat spaghetti plain with a dash of parmesan
S: Sun chips

Saturday:
B: Oatmeal
L: Cup of Broccoli Soup, 1/2 Frontega Chicken sandwich from Panera
D: Small salad, and Tilapia!!!!! (Aren't you guys so proud? I'm branching out to healthier things, and fish was never never never on my menu, but I know it's super low cal and healthy, so I did it! I'm really excited.)

Hey, do you guys know what amount of fat and calories per day I should be getting? I have no idea how to figure that out.

Sugary Snack Day

'ello loves! MTA here.

I did well today. The elliptical is still kickin' my arse. For real. I am such a sweaty mess after 15 minutes. Gosh, that sounds so pathetic. I still walk for 45 minutes.

So my mom hasn't been feeling well and called me and asked me to pick up some pretzels for her so I stopped at hess. I was drawn to the candy aisle. Well, my cheat day wasn't supposed to be until Friday, but since I could feel the craving and desire, I decided it would be okay if I had my cheat snack today and then not Friday (obviously). So, I had a small package of Sour Patch Kids, and then was fine. And that is my cheat for this week, so I don't feel bad. This makes me feel so good, because my old pattern would have binged or whatever, but I just accepted that it was my cheat snack, and I am proud of myself.

Anyway, that's all. <3

Thank you guys for reading this and caring about me.

Tuesday

Today:

B: Oatmeal
L: Pb&J and one serving Sunchips
D: South Beach Diet Recipe: Goat cheese chicken and roasted vegetables

Yesterday

B: One piece of toast and Protein Drink
L: Toasted piece of bread with cheese and a salad with low fat feta and yogurt dressing, cucumbers, tomatoes
D: Evos Chicken Wrap and Air Fries
Two oz of Rum, and Diet Caffeine Free Coke

Sunday:
B: Oatmeal
L: Apple with low fat peanutbutter, whole wheat wrap
D: Salad with low fat feta, yogurt dressing, cucumbers, tomatoes, a few croutons

Some Help...

So I need some pumping-up music for the gym... something fun and lively. I don't listen to a lot of that kind of stuff (lol), so the little I have I am getting sick of...


Suggestions???

Thanks ladies...

Mar

Elliptical

Hello loves,

I did 45 on the treadmill and 15 on the elliptical today (instead of 15 on the bike) and holy cannoli I burned off a lot of calories!

I'm a smidgen frustrated because I don't leave the gym all smiles and energetic and ecstatic like other people I know, mostly I am just glad it's over with -- is that horrible? I mean, I don't hate every second of it, I just wouldn't mind doing something else, lol. BUT, the important thing is I am doing the work, and I will see the benefits. I went M - F last week and plan on doing the same this week.

I'm still eating well, but I think I'm drinking too much Diet Coke, and I know it isn't good for me or the diet so I want to cut back... but it's hard. I will give it a sincere effort though.

Kate, the lowfat cheese sticks are such a good idea and so good! I'm loving them! And Ash, the reduced fat peanut butter on weight watchers bread is so good too.

I feel like I'm doing this in the healthiest way I ever have - fruit, cheese, protein bars, lean cuisines, weight watchers bread, etc. I'm happy. My body feels good.

Love you guys.

mondays

Sorry I have been out of the loop gals…. I am so happy reading all of our posts.. Not just because of the good, but because they are honest and heartfelt. I love you guys and am soo inspired by what is happening here. This is crazy who would have though that some little blog would be the cause of great change in all of our lives… Well I feel like this week has brought with it so much… Much as in events, not food related… So instead of being bulimic here comes the emotional vomit.
1. We had some people back in our house for a 2nd time, and they seem serious. Thus, if they buy the house we will have to be out in a month. I am not even processing this fact. My selfish side is praying we can just stay in the house until I graduate, but I have a feeling this would just be to conivient.
2. School is over whelming, and just want it all to be over with..But if it were it would mean I would be looking for a job, which could put me where ever the job is. And im not ready to accept the fact I may have to leave my sunny, warm, happy place on this little peninsula on a peninsula in a glorious place called florida.
3. I have a hacking chough with flem….the flem keeps accumulating and day bay day its getting flemmyer…
4. I only exercised 3 times last week : (
5. I only lost a measly pound
6. F’ing cheesecake got the best of me
7. But on a more positive note I am 3,000 calories lighter, and on my way….. Plus, your stories keep me mindful of how hard you are working, and that I can do this too. I don’t quite have the same issue with food as much as I do with discipline…. Its like I stay around the same weight because im so critical of myself and If I gain more than 3-5 pounds I just cut out all crap. The down fall to this is, I never get where I want to because I think, well im only 5-9 pounds from where Id ideally like to be. So then I eat a goodie…i.e. bloody piece of cheesecake. I think my body is just so used to being this weight that to loose anything I have to soooo shock it, and kick its ass. Other than that mishap with the cake, I ate really well last week. I went out on Sunday with Ruschelle and her BF and ate great out, steamed Chinese water spinage, and seafood clay pot…its cooked in a oyster sauce, and pretty low cal, just loaded with sodium…but you do what you can… well, this wasn’t as uplifting as it could have been but sometimes you just got to say….WTF…
Love, love, love.

Monday weigh day..

Last Monday I weighed myself and was shocked to see I had put on 3lbs since two weeks before. I mean I guess I wasn't utterly shocked, since I could it piling on which is why I even brought this whole thing up.

So today I weighed in one week later which I think will from now on be my weigh in day. Well those 3 extra pounds were gone plus 1.5 more! So I'm excited, but I'm trying not to get too pumped because I know a lot of factors could have attributed to it and it's more about how I feel than the specific weight. And if I'm looking at that I feel GREAT, knowing I'm treating my body right day by day.

:) :)

A

Introspection.. (A)

So I'm just going to be completely vulnerable and honest here:

I've been doing some introspection on my relationship with food. I've been thinking about how I ate growing up and how that's affected my relationship with food. My mom was always working, and would make reallly easy, fatt foods ie. macaroni and cheese from a box, chicken fingers, spaghetti, etc. this was what I grew up eating all of the time. No veggies, no fruit. And on the weekends we almost always went to Dunkin Donuts or Hardees and many times throughout the week we'd have Taco Bell or Burger King. I never realized what an effect this has had on me.

It was around my freshman year of high school I started to battle my weight. I was not heavy or overweight, but I became friends with a girl who was weight obsessed and told me I should be too. So here's where the battle began. I starved myself for a good year and a half, down to about 106 I remember at my lowest weight ( about the same height I am now). Then, when I stopped being friends with her I balanced out at a healthier weight, but went back to my not so good eating habits.

Then freshman year of college was a battle because the dorm food was insanely unhealthy. I would eat french fries almost every day that ended in Y. Followed by pizza, all the ranch you could imagine, some sandwhiches, always on white bread, biscuits and gravy and fruit loops, donuts, hash browns for breakfast, chicken patties and chicken fingers (any way they could find to fry chicken). This didn't catch up to me that year, but it sure did the next.

Sophomore year was in the apartment so I made a lot of $1 Tostino's pizzas for dinner and some cereal for breakfast. This year I did not eat nearly as poorly as I had in the dorm, but I was also not walking all over campus all day, I was now driving to and from class. This is when the weight started pouring on. Then the summer came, appendix out, cutting off exercise completely for a few months and boom, up to my highest weight 158. So in a time span of 4 years I had gone from 106 to 158. A difference of 52 pounds. 182,000 calories. WOW!

So I'm not writing this for any reason except to finally get it out there into the universe: I have an unhealthy relationship with food. It's either all or nothing. I'll either restrict my caloric intake so much to the point of starvation, or eat anything and everything I want. This is extremely embarrassing for me to admit, girls. I'm starting to look at this and think I'm the equivalent of a functioning alcoholic, because even the people closest to me don't know I have this issue. This morning Gordo took me to breakfast and I just started blurting all of this stuff out. ( by the way I had a bowl of oatmeal with raisins and coffee, so no break downs here.)

I've never thought of this unhealthy cycle the way I am now. I'm realizing that if I don't break it now, I probably never will. My grandpa's drug has always been food, and if I'm being honest, I think it's mine too. If I've had a depressing day I will want to go to Chili's to ease that pain. Ex. After my GRE we went to Chili's, I was so upset, crying on the way over and then had bacon cheese fries, dipped in ranch, covered in salt, a fruity drink and a fried boneless buffalo salad covered in cheese and more ranch. I wasn't crying anymore and I felt so much better.

I'm sharing because I feel that in order for this healthier lifestyle to be achieved, I have to address the facts. I also feel that being vulnerable and honest with you both can enable you to help me more when you know where I'm honestly coming from. It's something I deal with completely internally because I've been too much in denial to even talk about it. So I think at this point, I really do want to lose weight but my ultimate goal is to get in a healthier position with food.
I don't want to attach so much emotion to it.
I want to eat for nourishment most of the time and not for pleasure

Thank you for being there and understanding me. This week has been one of the greatest in relation to food. If I could eat like this from here on out I think I would be a much healthier and happier person.

Lalala

Hello friends. Mar here :)

The last couple days have been great -- I went to the gym Thursday and Friday, and on Friday I kicked it up a notch on the cardio, so that was good. I had my bad cheat snack on Friday - a pack of Starbursts. I like eating oranges though because they're so sweet and tangy they seem like candy. Today and tomorrow are my off days for the gym. I'm thinking next week I could go 45 minutes on the treadmill and 15 on the elliptical and work up from there.

I got a little discouraged when I weighed myself just because I haven't lost what I wanted, I mean, I have lost some, but I just want instant gratification... but I realize that weight loss isn't instant or easy and I just have to keep up with my healthy habits and keep looking up, and toward the future. I'm proud of myself because I didn't allow the discouragement to ruin my eating... which is normally what happens. I'm proud of all of us, really.

I've been eating a lot of fruit, lean cuisines, protein bars, and other healthy stuff. I can't believe how much better I feel -- lighter and I have more energy. I'm looking forward to starting the elliptical and challenging myself a little bit more.

Anyway, that's it for now. Love you both!!

Updates

Well, ladies where are your updates for the past two days??

Yesterday:

My interview so I was a little hesitant to eat a big breakfast. I had some of that coffee and half a piece of toast.

For lunch I had Panera: Half a chicken sandwich and a cup of broccoli soup. (With a piece of bread)

I kind of sort of skipped dinner. I was just so full from this lunch that by the time I was hungry it was 9:00 pm and I didn't want to eat that late.

The day before:
3 miles at the gym again, this time 34 minutes. I was so hard this day I think because of the jessica simpson workout the day before which kicked my ass. By the time I was on the elliptical 15 hours later, my body was not very excited.

Breakfast: Smoothie: 1 banana, 1/2 low fat yogurt, a couple berries

Lunch: grilled cheese with whole wheat bread and low fat cheese

Dinner: Small salad with a very small amount of dressing and feta, cucumbers, tomatoes and a small helping of Ziti with low fat cheese, low fat ground beef

SOOOOO that's the story. What's going on with you guys?

Really excited...

MTA here. :)

Workout and eating..

SO I tried the workout. Kate, this is exactly what I've been needing. My heart rate was up the whole time, I felt like I had a personal trainer there with me. It was AMAZING. So this week I've done it once. I'm planning on working it into my routine. So I'm doing everything the same and this workout once this week. Then I'm hoping to up it to twice next week then three times and then four to where I'll do it 4 times a week. This is my new goal as far as the workout. I'm SO excited.

I usually get the munchies at night, but this workout has got me thinking there's no way I want to ruin all the hard work I put in.

I did do the omellette for Breakfast like I thought, but it ended up being brunch. So then for dinner I had another Best Life Diet recipe- A whole wheat wrap with brown rice and black beans. (I added a little low fat cheese and sour cream, made it much more enjoyable.) And I had ONE serving of sun chips.

Thanks for both of your support, this is really helping so much.

A

Jessica's workout

I just looked up all of the exercises I didn't understand for the Dukes of Hazzard workout and here's all the explanations, just in case you were interested, Mary. Also, up for Kate. I figured you knew them all, but I thought I'd post it anyway.

1. Lying Dumbbell Triceps Extension: 2 – 3 sets of 20 – 24 reps

Lie on bench and position dumbbells over head with arms extended.

Lower dumbbells by bending elbow until they are to sides of head. Extend arm. Repeat.

With arms fully extended, dumbbells can be brought to upper chest between repetitions as needed to allow for relative release of tension in muscles.

2. 2 – 3 sets per leg, 12 reps per set (per leg)

Facing forward with your torso straight, step one foot backward about 18 to 24 inches.

Immediately bend the knees and descend onto the front leg, allowing the back knee to come close to the ground.

Keep the weight on the front heel and maintain a straight torso.

Push back up with the back foot and return to the standing position.

3. Treadmill – 8 minutes at 6.5 mph

4. Bicep Curl from a Lunge Position

Stand with your feet hip-distance apart, holding one dumbbell in each hand. Move into a lunge position by placing your right foot forward and your left foot back. Bend both knees slightly. Keep your right foot flat and pointing forward, but lift your left heel so you are on the ball of your left foot. Squeeze your abdominal and glute muscles.

Step 2

Bend your right knee and lower your body toward the floor. Stop when your right knee is one inch from the ground. At the same time you lower your body, lower your arms with your palms facing upward, but do not let your elbows lock.

Step 3

Keep squeezing your core muscles as you hold the lunge for two seconds.

Step 4

Breathe out as your raise your body back up and curl your arms up toward your shoulders. Keep your back straight without leaning forward or backward. Right knee should be above your right ankle.

5. Preparation

Grasp dumbbells in front of thighs with elbows slightly bent. Bend over with hips and knees bent slightly.

Execution

Raise upper arms to sides until elbows are shoulder height. Maintain elbows' height above or equal to wrists. Lower and repeat.

Comments

Maintain slight bend through elbows (10° to 30° angle) throughout movement. At top of movement, elbows (not necessarily dumbbells) should be directly lateral to shoulders since elbows are slightly bent forward. Dumbbells are raised by shoulder abduction, not external rotation. As elbows drops lower than wrists, front deltoids become primary mover instead of lateral deltoids.

5. Lateral Raise from a Lunge Position (swith leg position) 1 set of 18 reps
This superset is done for 3 sets

Grab an exercise band and stand in lunge position with your left foot forward on the middle of the band, arms at your sides. Lower yourself until your left thigh is parallel to the floor. Exhale and slowly raise your arms out to the sides (A). Stop when they reach shoulder height (B). Do all reps, then switch legs.

6. Treadmill – 8 minutes at 6.5 mph

7. Incline Crunches: 15 – 20 reps

Hook feet under foot brace and lie supine on incline board with hips bent. Hold plate on chest with both hands or use no weight.

Execution

Flex waist to raise upper torso from bench. Keep low back on bench and raise torso up as high as possible. Return until back of shoulders contact padded incline board. Repeat.

8. Prone Kneeling Leg Extensions 2 – 3 sets per leg x 18 reps per set

Step 1: Begin on all fours; arms and knees are shoulder-width apart, both hips facing the floor, back flat (ensuring there is no sagging of the lower back).

Step 2: Keeping the stomach firm, lift the right leg to horizontal, locking the knees and squeezing all of the muscles in the leg and rear.

Step 3: Raise the opposite arm so it is fully extended in alignment with the ear, forming a straight line from the fingers to the toes. Hold for two seconds, change sides. Do two sets of 10 repetitions on each side.

9. Treadmill: 5 – 8 minuts of cool down

10. Forward Lunges: 2 – 3 sets x 10 – 20 reps

11. Traveling Lunges: These are just lunges but instead of staying in place you walk across the room. If this is too easy, try doing it holding a pair of dumbbells at your side.

ONE serving is the accomplisment for this post.

I haven't read the other posts yet because I have to catch up! So here goes:

Yesterday:

Did 3 miles on the elliptical in 33 minutes again. Didn't have time to go farther because of my hair appt.

B: Oatmeal with Protein Coffee (Kate, I already told Mary about this, it's great. There's about 150 cals in this drink, it's Bolthouse Farms. But it's coffee, so gets me awake and it has 10 grams of protein. Great before working out!)
L: Peanut butter and Jelly and ONE SERVING of sunchips. 15 chips. Put them in a bag and went. So crazy how little one serving is. But I'm trying to teach myself to eat just one serving at a time.
D: Whole wheat spaghetti with a little olive oil.
S: Low fat cheese stick, one tiny chocolate, 2 crackers with non fat feta on top

The day before:

Gym- weights and three mile elliptical in 33 minutes
B: 2 pieces of whole wheat toast
L: Protein Bar and applesauce
D: Grilled chicken with artichokes, lemons and capers. When I get home I'll write up this recipe for you guys, it's SO good, from the Best Life Diet.
S: Low fat cheese stick, one weight watchers ice cream cup.

So now that that's done, I'm loving this blog. I think throughout the day about my food choices knowing I have to report, and it's helping me so much. I'm really thankful we're able to do this and be there for each other. I think this is the help I needed to finally get back on track. Tomorrow I'll take my picture and post it.

K- I'm going to try the Jessica Simpson routine. I have to look up pictures or descriptions because I don't really know how to do it all.

Today for breakfast I'm about to have an eggwhite omelette with feta and tomatoes! And coffee probably. Will update the rest later. LOVE you both!

A

i just ate 1/2 A piece of cheesecake...my parents brought it home, why, oh why? it was chocolatly and beautiful... It looked like someone had spent the better half of there day creating this masterpeice. Well, i guess that replaces my cheat. I was very proud, monday night i was watching monday night football ( amazing game by the way) all by my lonesome... And i resisted the Killians Red that was calling my name in the fridge. It was redish and would have a great head when poured into my little pilsner glass sitting and staring at me on the counter... i put the glass in my dirrty pan soaking in the sink, so i would have to go wash it if i wanted to drink it... it worked...

I know kinda rediculase, but you have no idea what ill do for food. A few weeks ago i went to Krispy Kreme, and got a dozn and took them over to my grandmas, well she sent home half a dozn with me. I brought them home and put the whole box in the garbage. Later that night, pulling one out of the box..... thats in the garbage.... had to wet them down, destroy the box, and thrown them in the out side box.... I swear they put crack in thoose things...

Hump Day - MTA

So I've been doing really well with eating healthy and working out - I've gone the last three days (MTW). Not that I love it, but it isn't horrible either. I listen to Jason a lot :). I like Planet Fitness because there are a lot of older people that don't seem to judge or check people out... for the most part, at least, lol. It is nice, though, to not have to surrounded by hardcore fitness people who grunt and stuff (basically Matt Avramidis...).

So, I talked to Ash about this but Kate I wanted your advice too. I have been having some trouble with good healthy lunches while I'm at school - things that are quick, portable, and healthy. Ash suggested whole wheat bread, low fat peanut butter and fruit on top (like mangoes or bananas) and I thought that was an amazing idea (thanks love!). Do you have any others - either of you?

I still have to take before pictures (shudder) and I will be getting to that soon.

Also this website looks really helpful for workouts : http://www.self.com/fitness/workouts/

That's all for today. Love you girls. Lots.

oh my gosh i worked out so hard today...

sigh... so i worked out taody and it was fab, do you think im over doing it?

Create your own FACEinHOLE

i just have to keep this in mind

Create your own FACEinHOLE

Monday Funday

So this week has been pretty good for me… I find it all to funny , at our current state not one of us has the same bad behavior. Ashleigh eats but works out, Mary sort of eats, and sort of works out, and I eat or don’t eat and don’t work out.. Hahah, well as for the food. I have been disciplined since we decided to make a pact. Sunday: powerbar breakfast, lunch humas avocado wrap with tea ( had boba so sue me), and for dinner I had one of my berry protein surprise shakes. Today: Shake, burrito surprise, with egg whites, snack, cup of pink grapefruit, and for dinner: im not there yet. But in the mean time a Gun man has been running around USF, so I didn’t go to class and have bene doing homework all day. I got stir crazy turned on fit tv and did an all star work out, and then abbs with Gilad. I looked like an idiot and I smell awesome. Still haven’t showered since the stink started yesterday Mary… hahaha. Well let me lay out the current stats and goals:
Currently:
weight: 129
Hips: 36
Butt: 37
Waist: 27
Bust: 33 ½
Thighs: 22 1/2
Goal:
Weight: 120
Hips: 35
Butt:36
Waist: 25
Bust: dont shrink please!
Thighs: just toned up


Shake Recipe:
2 packets of 25 calorie swiss miss coco
1 cup low fat Greek yogurt ( I recommend chobani, highest protein and lowest fat and calorie)
Frozen berries of choice..i use blueberries bc I have loads
A splash of skim milk for liquid….blend…once blended add 4-6 ice cubes depending personal prefrance…
Feel free to swich out 1/2/ block tofu for higher protein, and creamyer taste.

Using chobani and 25 calorie swiss miss, this weighs in @ 200-220 calories including berries. Great for breakfast!




Comments for my loves:

Mary:
I really thing the idea of UNO cheat item is serious!…. If your cut out for only one item a week go for it. But I would suggest investing in some low calorie, low fat frozen yogurt ( 130 calories per ½ cup), and there’s these fig Newton crisp bars, that taste like apple pie and only have 100 calories… That way your cheat meal, is a real treat! You can eat some goodies every day! And they should tie you over when you get an inkling for goodies : )

Ashleigh:
Here is what Jessica Simpson did to train for that Dukes of Hazzard..
Let’s take a look at one of Jessica Simpson’s leg routines:
Jessica goes through a light warm up on the treadmill, a walk increased to a slight jog for 5 – 10 minutes.
Jessica would start with three sets of dumbbell rows while in the squat position for 20 – 24 reps per set.
This would be followed by 3 sets of bodyweight squats.
Jessica Simpson’s Dukes of Hazzard workout routine would continue as follows:
Lying Dumbbell Triceps Extension: 2 – 3 sets of 20 – 24 reps
Reverse Lunges: 2 – 3 sets per leg, 12 reps per set (per leg)
Treadmill – 8 minutes at 6.5 mph
Bicep Curl from a Lunge Position 1 set of 18 reps. This is supersetted with
Lateral Raise from a Lunge Position (swith leg position) 1 set of 18 repsThis superset is done for 3 sets
Treadmill – 8 minutes at 6.5 mph
Incline Crunches: 15 – 20 reps
Prone Kneeling Leg Extensions: 2 – 3 sets per leg x 18 reps per set
Treadmill: 5 – 8 minuts of cool down
Forward Lunges: 2 – 3 sets x 10 – 20 reps
Traveling Lunges: These are just lunges but instead of staying in place you walk across the room. If this is too easy, try doing it holding a pair of dumbbells at your side.

Her trainers main quote, “ If man made it, don’t eat it.” So I guess my shopping the outside of the grocery store plan is a good idea.


p.s. more recipes will be on there way! I must run though…
~Kate ~
xxxooxoxo

Elizabeth weighs in ;)

Hi you two.

What I've had the hardest time with is portion control. The gym is not a problem for me, I actually really enjoy it. But writing down what I eat everyday with accountability to you both I know for sure will help me keep track of what I eat. A lot of times I get discouraged and find my solace in a bag of junk. SO, I'm starting to track it now. After this post I'm on the way to the grocery store to shop "the outside of the store."

Yesterday's food:

B: Egg white omelette with Feta and tomatoes, two pieces of whole wheat toast

L: Chicken hot pocket and applesauce

D: English muffin with cheese, sauce and two pepperonis

S: two oreos with a tiny bit of milk.

Today I went to the gym and did 3 miles on the eliptical in 33 minutes and after did my weight training. I've been doing the 3 miles since summer, so tomorrow I think I'll up it a little higher.

I need Kate's ideas on food. I'm going to try to make the green beans like you said tonight with dinner. I can't remember what the protein shake had in it. Greek yogurt and berries? Is there anything else?

Thanks for all of the help both of you ladies!

AE

Goals and Such

Hey ladies, Mary here.

So I just wanted to spell out my goals. The first and most important being health and happiness, especially in terms of my body. I've been unhappy with it and yo-yoing for so long now and it is time to change that.

I will be going to the gym for an hour five days a week. I will also be eating well, but not obsessing over my caloric intake like a nutjob. Also, I am allowing myself one cheat item a week (whether it be candy or ice cream or chips or whatever) but the portion has to be small so there is no "bingeing". And I will only be weighing myself once a week.

Lastly, I want to stick to this. I want to be in control of my weight and my body and feel good about myself. I want you guys to be honest and keep me accountable. If I do well and keep to my gym schedule and healthy eating for one month, I will reward myself with a gift of some sort. This month, you ask? http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31271233 This mug from Etsy. TO DIE FOR. I want it. I will get it. ;)

Anyway, that it all for now. I've done well for today and I love you both so so much and I am so grateful to have such friends. <3

I went to the gym this morning :) and it wasn't horrible, but I didn't love it either. I did 45 on the treadmill and 15 on the bike, but I want to keep uping my speed and endurance.

The First of Many

Dear loves,

I shall begin this journey with a disclaimer.....

* ***I cant and will not be anal retentive about spell check, thus there may be quite a few spelling errors... I pray youll still love me for my flaws.... Just think i love you all reguardless of the cellulite on your ass, i have it to, but just think...this could be another flaw, like cellulite.... And cellutlite isnt even a flaw, its quirk. *****

This weeks goal...

1. pictures must be taken of us in some form of clothing... No specifics are required, just clothing of sorts. Please keep in mind this will be set private, but this is not to be cheeky or naked in any way so please keep your pants on... I think it would be highly effective if you frown in the pictures also, because thats what they do in the magazines... Frowny face, im porky...

2. Get some recipes, and work out plan layed out, and define goals. This week we must get out goals defined if nothing else, so i expect a post!

I love you all and hope to see you post soon!