Way tooooo Long

Hey all you readers.  Sorry this post has taken so long.  After fall break I really didnt have the time to commit to my goals and Josh and I couldnt find the time to go to the gym together so I lost all motivation and once again, didnt stick to my goals.

But now I have help!! So this will be the first time I am going to try adding a "supplement" to my diet to try to achieve maximum weight loss and look really good by spring break.  No, I am not about to take diet pills, but I have found out about this thing called ViSalus.  The company's products are all natural and are proven to have results including weight loss, reduce and reverse high cholesterol, reverse diabetes, and so much more!  Doctors are even prescribing ViSalus to their patients who need health in their lives.

So how it works.... There are many different programs and packages that ViSalus offers to help you reach your goal.  That is one thing that I love about the company is that they try to help everyone reach their goals, physically and financially.  The most common supplement is a powder that is mixed in really whatever you like, but is commonly known as the milkshake powder.  You can buy stuff for one shake a day (to help you maintain or just get some nutrition), two shakes a day (to help you lose weight), and then you can add some other products they have on the the shakes like hunger suppressants, vitamins, some flavors, and more.  You replace up to two meals a day with these milkshakes and pretty much automatically lose weight!  I know, meal replacement sounds bad, but you are getting soooooo many of the nutrients that you need that really only your calorie intake is down which is a good thing.  If you want any more info about that then visit the company's website and check them out for yourself!

I want to tell you about my personal goals and then you can keep checking in for more updates!  I have decided to do two shakes a day.  So far, from the shakes I have sampled, I LOVE strawberry banana.  The powder is a sweet cream flavor so really can be mixed with anything and still be delicious!  I have also tried a chocolate which was pretty tasty but I liked the fruit better.  There are over 300 flavors and you get to choose how to mix your shake.  My order should be here tomorrow meaning I get to start the challenge on Friday! I am so excited!  So now for my goals... I have 90 days for this challenge and my current weight is 178.  (Gasp, she just shared her weight on the internet).  Well I dont care cause that is my current weight and that is coming down! My goal is to lose 40 pounds over the next 30 days.  Seems like a lot but I know I can do it!!  I have been down to 153 before and felt awesome and that was just from working out for like 3 months so I know I can do it this way too and have even more success!  For the first 30 days I will be at home, not on campus and will have no access to a gym.  Meaning, I will run when I can (probably not much) and wont be doing a lot of working out.  But after that, I will be back on campus and Josh and I are teaming back up for our weekly workouts!  My challenge will end on March 8!  At that date, I will probably cut back to one shake a day and just go from there.  90 days of eating one meal a day and 2 shakes, plus some healthy snacks along the way.  I CAN DO THIS!  I am going to try and make that one meal a day really count and try some new recipes and just get back to enjoying the taste and flavor of the food I am putting in to my body.  Exciting right?!? Well it all starts soon so stay tuned.  I will probably be posting updates about every week! HERE WE GO!!!!!

Getting back in the saddle

Well, as you have noticed I havent posted in a while.  Fall break really got me out of my focus of where I want to be and I have just kinda let go.  Not meaning to of course, but sometimes it just happens.  I got really caught up in how good food tasted and I just want to eat all the time.  It has been really hard and so dumb.  Daniel has been calling me out a lot, which sometimes makes me sad, but I am sad at myself because I know he is right.  And this week has been especially bad because it is my girlie week that I just dont care.  Also, school, man it is hard.  I feel like the work I have to do is never going to end.  This week especially has just been overload.  Oh, and, I am now a Mary Kay Consultant so add that to my plate.  Meetings, tests, quizzes, banquets, ortho appointments, work, work, work, school, programs... it just isnt going to end this week.  And it goes in to next week before I will be done so it is discouraging not knowing really when I am going to have time to squeeze in the work out.  I really want to go I just have to stay on top of everything so I really just dont know.  I am very excited about next semester and the prospect of being able to work out during the day or even in the morning since my classes will be so much better. I am taking an online class and that means I only have 3 classroom classes which is awesome! Anyway, I just thought I would give you the update.  It is really hard, I have no idea if I have gained weight back or not, and I dont know what the near future will hold.  But I can tell you that I am not giving up, I am just trying to get back on and keep going. 

Out of Routine

Well, today started fall break and I am now in Concord with my awesome cousin, Melissa!  I've officially lost 10 pounds and it feels great! I have been buckling my belt on the 2nd hole instead of struggling to get it on the 1st and I just feel so awesome! I am really excited about doing some shopping this weekend and spending some time with my family. 

It will be really hard to stay in my routine though.  Going from eating right for 3 weeks and working out almost every day to not knowing when I'm going to be able to run and having to eat on someone else's schedule is tough. I'm going to try really hard to maintain what I have done this week and not fall back in a hole over the next five days. 

In old news, the last few days have been good.  Daniel came to the gym with Josh and me last night and it was sooooo fun.  He is so handsome!  I have the best support system.  Also, I've done well on all my assignments so far and I am very excited to have a few days of break. 

I really wish my roommate Jessica was with me right now because I want to go ring shopping with her :( But I know she is having a blast with her family and needs this time too.  She is so amazing and I am gonna really miss her this week.  I'm also gonna miss my other two roommate, Shelby and Caroline!  We really are like a family and I love them all dearly. 

Off to watch a movie with my cousin though! Excited for tomorrow, a day with my Papaw and Nana! 

Losing track...

So I am starting to lose track of the days so I figured from now on I will just title them with something from my day.  So speaking of losing track, I totally didnt realize today was Thursday and missed spin class this morning.  Super sad.  Then at work, I lost track of time and stayed a little longer than I expected.  It is so easy to lose track of what we are planning and it is true in fitness too.  I have really been losing my focus a little because I just want to be where I want and not where I am.  But I have to stay on track or I will never get there.  Not that I havent been doing well with everything, but just more of a "why am I doing this again?" "Am I ever really going to get there or is this all for nothing?" kinda thing.  I know I can do it, I REALLY DO!  I just need to remind myself every once in a while.

So for starters, I had a really great workout with Josh tonight.  He pushed me really hard and I know I will be super sore tomorrow but it was really fun.  I really like working my legs, kinda weird but I do.  And on Saturday IM RUNNING A 5K!  This will be my third 5K ever and I've done all of them in roughly the past year.  I think I told Josh false information today by mistake but in my previous two races I was able to run a 5K in under 33 minutes.  Although, I never really pushed myself like I have been recently.  So My goal is to do it in under 30.  I really hope I can make it and finish strong.  After all, the proceeds are going to Cancer Research! What a great way to spend my Saturday morning!

Also, I had a really great night with Daniel tonight! Sometimes we get on a One Tree Hill kick (my favorite TV show) and he actually gets in to the shows.  He has let me watch them for 2 days in a row now so I am very excited about it.  He is so sweet.  I am so lucky (have I said that recently?)!  Anyway, off to bed now for a new day tomorrow! 

Days 10, 11, 12, and 13

Woops... So one reason I havent been blogging is because I have been really really bad this weekend.  I feel bad about that.  BUT I have still lost another 2 pounds since I weighed last.  I know it isnt a whole lot but at least my weight went down instead of up in the past few days with no working out.  Today was much much better.  I got new running shoes today and I am so so excited about them. I just cant wait for tomorrow so I can go running! 

Also, all my tests I was stressing about... I got a 95, 97, 103, and 104! WOW.  Super pumped! 

Not too much else has been happening this weekend.  I got a lot of time to just spend relaxing with my amazing boyfriend and it was such a blessing.  He is such a sweet, caring, smart, and just all around perfect guy!  I'm the luckiest girl in the world! 

Sorry it was short but that is all.  I will try to get better about blogging.

Day 8 & 9

Welp, Sorry again... I'm really trying not to slack but it is so hard!! So yesterday was WAY better than day 7.  I woke up and went to spin-n-sculpt (taught by my lovely roomie) and felt awesome after.  It was really challenging but it felt good.  Then I had my stats test and I got a 104!! I was so proud of myself.  Then I kept on studying for my accounting test (grade still TBD) and had to come back for duty right after so no more workout.  The food part of the day was ok but not my best.  My lovely boyfriend, Daniel, knows how much I LOVE Dr. Pepper and decided to surprise me with one at dinner (he didnt know how serious I was about the no soda thing, but he does now).  Duty was fine and then after I got to spend a little time with my love.

Today was really really great!! I woke up to breakfast with my roomie and we just enjoyed some good conversation (and pancakes).  Then I went to class to find out my test grade and they werent graded yet so that was sad but then I got some extra time all to myself between classes to chill a little.  Went to tax and then it was all weekend!! I got to spend some quality time with Daniel today.  We went to Valle Crucis Park to hammock but it was really cold and windy so we ended up just coming back to my dorm and watching house hunters.  It was so fun.  Sometimes I dream that the houses they are looking at are my choice and have an unlimited budget.  I found the perfect house tonight for $415,000.  It was a 5 bedroom, 4 bath with an updated kitchen (double oven and island), a HUGE walk in closet, an awesome master suite and just a really adorable house.  Luckily I have my dad to build me my dream house when im ready :) Anyway, then I ran some errands and went to the grocery store.  I spent more than I wanted to but I got lots of healthy options and im really excited about packing my lunch in the upcoming weeks.  Then I went to Panera for dinner (my favorite) and got some soup to match the lovely winter weather we are having.  Watched a few more episodes of house hunters and then went over to Daniel's house to watch madmen with the guys.  I miss that so much and I am so glad I got to tonight and will get to again tomorrow.  Unfortunately, no work out today.  Possibly tomorrow but I have to work early in the morning, followed by watch the app game with Daniel, and setup, and madmen, so not sure... might be Sunday.  However, I am not using this time to counteract what I have already accomplished by eating crap.  Im keeping that good while I miss a few workouts.  Check back tomorrow for more news (and the App score)!

Day 7

Today has really had some up and downs.  The ups?  According to my wii I have lost 4 lbs :) and I think I did really well on my finance test this morning.  Also, Church was really great tonight. 

The downs?  I havent done any sort of working out today.  I didnt get to run or go to the gym because I have 2 major tests tomorrow.  Stats 2 and Intermediate Accounting 2.  No fun.  Also, my Pastor hit it dead on when he said "have you ever just felt like you are walking alone?"  Well I do.  I know I have tons of people surrounding me all the time and they are there to listen but I just feel like our conversations are so superficial.  It's a hi, how are you? but no one really cares how you actually are.  See I've been really stressed out lately, not just because of the new workout that I am doing but from school, my job as an RA, my job at Hound Ears (which I havent been to in over a week), and tutoring (in a subject that I dont remember) plus balancing Praise Team and all of our obligations and Church.  Its very overwhelming.  I guess sometimes I just want someone to notice that im not myself and ask me if im ok and tell me that everything will be ok.  Maybe even just let me cry because I dont think it will be ok.  But no one seems to notice.  Even the most important people in my life just seem like its all ok.  Then I come home and someone has vandalized my locator board (my RA board telling my residents where I am).  I know I am strong and I can overcome things but sometimes I just want someone to want to know what is happening, you know? 

So my day... not so good overall.  Tomorrow hopefully will be better but its looking like the same thing over again.  2 tests, lots of studying, hopefully a morning workout, and then on duty...

Day 6

Hey Blog readers! Sorry about yesterday.  I remembered at 11:30pm that I hadnt finished my tax homework and I wasnt able to blog last night.  But I will fill you in on my yesterday.  I went for a run with my sister, Leslie, which was so fun.  I havent worked out with her since we played lacrosse together like 6-7 years ago.  We ran from Los Arcoiris all the way to the Wendy's light and back in about 16 minutes.  Right as we started making our way back it started raining and we got drenched!  But it was really fun.  We ended up having to come back to my place and change before dinner and Praise Team (the best thing in the world).  So I think I have told you all that I am on the Praise Team at my church.  We practice every Tuesday night and just have fun enjoying each others' company.  Last night we did something a little different and we just got together to talk and then went for pizza.  I know what youre thinking, "Oh no, dont eat that!" But its ok.  I only ate 1 cheese stick and refrained from the rest.  Then after that I went to the gym.  It was my first night going without Josh so I was a little nervous but he left me a voicemail of everything to do.  Stupid me deleted the message after I listened to it and I think I forgot to do 1 of the exercises but all in all I did really well.  I pushed myself to do what he would make me do even though I totally could have just slacked off.  And in turn, my arms still hurt, along with my abs, and my legs... totally body workout.  All in all yesterday was a great day.  Today though... not so much. More info in my next post after the day has finished!

Day 5

Wow, Almost a week... almost... Today I started to get a blister on my foot (Josh says because my shoes suck) and blisters on my hands (stupid weights).  They hurt.  And my upper body is so sore from yesterday and guess what? Josh made me do triceps and chest stuff today... SO SORE!  But, I am starting to feel like me.  Like the girl Junior year who went to the gym every day after school to work out.  It's really tough... and I want my body to stop making me hurt and toughen up already but I know it will.  I'm just gonna stay motivated and push through it. 

In other news, I had the first half of my Finance test today and I think I did awesome! The second part is Wednesday so I might know by Friday how I did.  And now I have an intermediate Accounting test to start studying for... this week should be interesting.  I hope you all have a wonderful week.  And remember, you have to start somewhere!  So why not today?

Day 4

Wow, what can I say about today.  IT WAS AWESOME!! It started just the way I wanted with an awesome word from our guest, Pastor Jeff Smith.  I am so thankful that my promise is greater than my pain.  I will keep pursuing my promise cause I want it! It was truly a blessing to be in service this morning at Cornerstone Summit.  If you dont know me, I have been attending Cornerstone Summit for a little over 2 years now and I am on the Praise and Worship team.  It really is like my second family and I love everything about it.  When im not at service I feel like I have missed out, and I probably have because our Pastor, Reggie Hunt, has such an anointing on his life.  After service I decided to skip the expensive meal and just come eat leftovers.  So Chicken with a side of strawberries and a banana was perfect.  I also realized that I do not eat enough of my leftovers because I threw away so much food today from the past coupe weeks.  I need to get better about that.  Then I met with my friend Mallory to help her with stats.  I was really doubting that I could get everything that I wanted to get done today in before I was on duty but somehow it all worked out.  I did my laundry, vacuumed, did the dishes all while she was there and then after she left I went for a run.  Same track as Friday but I really pushed myself to run more.  I ran almost the whole thing this time.  And I set a time goal and completed it!  Under 20 minutes from the winkler stairs and back.  Then I did some much needed studying and folded my warm laundry before going to meet Josh at the gym.  I was really excited about being back in the gym but also nervous for what he was going to make me do.  It really wasnt that bad.  We did shoulders and back today, along with abs and pull ups (with the help of the machine).  I was really tired when I got back though but I had to keep going and tutor my friend and then guess what? Duty... again... for the third night in a row.  Shocker!

So I have some pictures for your viewing pleasure so you get a better understanding of where I am coming from.  The first one is a Picture of me, my older sister, and mom my.  This was my junior year of High School and I was so comfortable with my self and my body.  My jeans fit so great and I just loved the way I looked.  The second picture is also from Junior Year but it was at the very end at prom.  That was a great night and every better, I felt awesome and skinny and beautiful in my dress.  The last picture is probably accurate of what I would look like if I were to put on that dress again.  I was big, bloated, and so unattractive.  I was uncomfortable with myself and who I was and im just trying to find my way back to the Junior Year me (or smaller).  So here goes nothing!

Day 3

Well today got off to an interesting start by being woken up at 1:45 am for an incident.  See, Im an RA and that is just my luck.  So after the incident was over it took me a little while to go to sleep... probably around 3:45 or so. Then, because im just such a great RA, I made breakfast for all my residents.  I only had about 8 come, which is understandable because it was from 9-11am and there was a home football game today.  So anyway, I made pancakes and muffins for then and also had a choice of chocolate chip, strawberry, blueberry, or banana in the pancakes.  A lot of them decided to eat a chocolate chip pancake with strawberries on top.  So then I tried it and they were delicious! I ended up eating 2 around 10:45.  And about 9:15 when I thought no one was going to show up I had a strawberry muffin and some strawberries.  So my morning wasnt too awesome as far as the eating goes.  But I decided to count my breakfast as lunch too since it was at awkward times.  Then, before the awesome Appalachian State Game against Chattanooga (final score 14-12 App) I decided to take a nap because I was soooo tired.  Meaning, no workout for me today :(  My legs are still very sore from working out with Josh and my abs and lower back are kind of sore from running yesterday.  I know, Im a wimp right now, but Josh would tell you that everyone has to start somewhere.  So tomorrow will be better!  Im planning on running in the afternoon and the doing homework all evening.  Sometimes there just isnt enough time in a day to get everything you want to do accomplished.  Im working on that and many other things. 

Day 2

So technically, today is day 2.  I just posted day 1 to let you know what happened yesterday and how I was feeling when this whole thing started.  So as for day 1 exercise... it kicked my butt!  My legs are really sore (even more so now after running) and I found out my arms are super weak.  But it is ok! Josh Jirgal told me yesterday that everyone has to start somewhere! SO TRUE! I mean, why did I think I could just go in the weight room and be able to lift like I used to... wrong!  So anyway, today was great.  I feel really motivated about keeping this going!  However, I stepped on a scale today and almost cried.  My wii told me that it had been 213 days since I had last used the Fit (which is always how I weigh).  So yeah... rude awakening as to just how bad off I really am.  But you know what, I'm not gonna let it get me down.  I also ran outside today for the first time as an App student.  It was so fun! I ended up running from Winkler hall down stadium drive and all the way to the hardees light after the convocation, then I walked around the back side of the convocation center, and then ran to the bottom of stadium drive.  And yes, I walked up stadium to Winkler.  Josh told me I need to run a mile a day for a week so I am going to try really hard to do it. But for not running in a probably a year (long distance), I think today went pretty well.  Tomorrow there is an App State Football game so hopefully I will be able to get a mile in sometime... 

Day 1

Hello Readers! 

Today when I woke up I didnt feel like me.  I felt heavy and unmotivated and really bad about the person I have let myself become over the past few years.  My Junior year of high school I was working out, eating right and lost about 25 lbs. because of it.  Since then I have gained all 25 lbs. back and probably gained an additional 20 lbs.  For all of you out there they have weight problems, you know how it feels to not feel right about your body and have low self-esteem.  Well all that changes today!  Some of us think, well I'm already too fat and I cant change, or I'm just too lazy, or I don't need to be in shape, but that isn't true!  You can do it if you want it bad enough, and today I woke up and realized that I want it, BAD!  I am starting this blog to let all of you out there know that it is possible and I am going to prove it.  I talked to my good friend Josh Jirgal and he is going to help me get the exercise part down, and I'm using the fundamentals that my friend Halee Hartley taught me about eating.  I am so blessed to have people in my life that are supporting me and encouraging me through this! So down at the bottom of this blog I am going to be posting everything I eat (or drink, if it is not water) in a calendar and everything I do for exercise in another calendar.  This way you can know how to do it yourself if you want, or give me pointers on how to eat better if you are already in great shape.  I will also be updating you on weight loss during my daily posts (if I weigh that day).  Like I said, it is going to be hard, but I'm not gonna give up!  This is my life and I want to live it to the fullest!