You guys, I am unbelievably excited! This week I hopped on my scale, and guess what?

 2.5

Happies

1. I got a little break from work this week, and as much as I love my job, I think it was needed. I was feeling super busy all the time! This week gave me some time to wind down and focus on some stuff around my house instead.
2. I went and visited with my grandparents on Tuesday afternoon and it was great! Growing up, I would only get to see them once (twice if I was lucky) a year, and I missed them terribly. As much as I would say that I wanted to live near them when I grew up, we all never really imagined that it would happen. I'm so glad that I can go and see them whenever I want now, and it makes not being able to see my parents and siblings that much more bearable!
3. Today I'm going to get myself an iced latte, go shopping with a gift card, and then hang out with my sister-in-law! That sounds like a pretty great day to me!
4. Also, can't forget to mention the eighty degree weather we've been having this week! It's been so nice, my trees are leafing out, everything is green, and it smells like summer. Some years it takes almost until July for the weather to start feeling like this, but this spring has been amazing so far!
5. One more thing, that I almost forgot to mention, I made my goal weight loss for the month! (four days early too!) I'm now only five pounds away from reaching my goal weight! That will put me at the weight I was when I got married, and it's been about four and a half years since I've seen that number. Now I just have to stay focused and keep eating right and working out, and I'm sure I'll see that number in no time.

Yay for sunshine!

Crappies

1. My dog was running as fast as he could around my yard yesterday (which, for those of you that don't know border collies, that's very fast!), and he ran right into my foot as I was walking by! I have giant bruise on the top of my foot now and it hurts when I move it. This is the second time he's done this to me in the year I've had him, and I am not amused!
2. My in-laws went out of town on a two week vacation, and even though it was much deserved on their end, and they're keeping in touch by email, I'm missing them! Kind of a weak crappy, but a crappy nonetheless. Two weeks is longer than we usually go without seeing them, but I'm glad they're having a good time on their trip.

Well, I'm always glad for weeks that are more good than bad!

I hope you all have a happy Friday, and a great weekend!

P.S.-Don't forget to enter for your chance to win an LED Tooth Whitening System!

Happies

1. I woke up to sunshine this morning, and in my opinion, there is just nothing better than a beautiful, sunny Friday! Gets my weekend started off on the right foot. 
2. People are starting to notice that I've lost weight! It takes a little while after I start noticing before other people do too, but it's such a nice boost to hear it when they do. It gives me some extra motivation!
3. Like I mentioned on Wednesday, I got a really great opportunity! Now, I will tell you that it is a product review, but I won't tell you what for. I'm super excited about it though, and like I said, it may or may not be coming with my very first giveaway. So keep an eye out for that, because it will be coming soon!
4. I discovered that I pretty much rock at SuperMario Kart for the Wii! Ok, well maybe I don't completely rock, but I did get the most points out of the group (the group being me, Dane, and a friend of ours). It was a lot of fun, and it was a nice middle-of-the-week breather. It's not very often these days that we hang out with friends during the week, and I would like to change that.
5. Pear Blossom is tomorrow! (That would be my race) I'm excited, but it starts at seven in the morning, so I have to be up early! It will be good though, and I'm hoping that I get a decent time. (And by decent, I mean I hope I beat the walkers, that's how slow I am!)

Crappies

1. My hair is needing a trim in a bad way! I have so many split ends, that it's not even funny. But, being the over spender that I am, I spent my extra money for the month already. And yes, I know we're not even quite half way through! So, I will either have to do a trade (which I probably could because my friend does my hair) or I will have to wait until next month. Hello two weeks of buns! 
2. Before my 5k tomorrow (!) I have to go get registered today. To do this, I need a postcard that they mail to me, and I usually get it a few days before registration day. Well, last night it dawned on me that I haven't gotten it yet! I'm waiting to check my mail before I go, and I'm hoping I get it today. This is the fourth year in a row I've ran in one of this festival's races, and there hasn't ever been a problem, so hopefully it isn't too big of a pain.
3. Right now, I still haven't worked out, or showered, or done anything I needed to this morning, and I still have to take my honey his lunch before I drive several towns over to get my race registration packet. So I probably should go, and wish you all a very happy weekend! 

So, like you may already know, last week I jumped back on the workout wagon! I've been feeling like garbage all winter long, and I'm determined to get fit for summer! I've had some questions about what I'm doing to work out, so I thought I would share it with you!

I really want to focus on strength training, and so that's been a big part of it. I'm not doing any super heavy lifting or anything, and I will probably have to up my weights/intensity at some point, but for now, this is what I'm doing.

Source: bikinibodymommy.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: youtube.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: backonpointe.tumblr.com via Amy on Pinterest

Some of these probably look familiar, huh? Yes, I had them as a part of my Oh, How Pinteresting a couple weeks ago. I've been doing them on Wednesdays and Saturdays. I also do more for my ab set, usually a lot of boats and planks (normal and side), until I really feel it! I also throw in some more for my lower body, like some extra sets of squats and lunges, and some more arm work with weights. I've been adding a little bit each week, because I don't want things start getting too much easier.

I have some at home dvds too, that I can do if I want to switch things up. I'm a really big fan of the Biggest Loser workouts. I have a Bob Harper yoga, and Jillian Michaels last chance. They are both good ones for strength training! I also have the Supreme 90 Day System set of dvds. I've never done P90X, but I think these are similar, at least in idea. They are very intense intervals of weights and fast cardio movements. I tried to follow the system last summer and then quit after two weeks, but they are great to split up and use as my upper or lower body workouts!

Source: 27.media.tumblr.com via Amy on Pinterest

Even though my main goal is to get really toned, I still have to do cardio to lose some of this fat! As some of you know, I'm training for my third 5k run. I sign up for the same one every year, and it seems to be the only thing that really motivates me to get running! Or working out at all. At least this year, that seems to be the case. So the program I've been following is from Fitness magazine, and you can find it here.

I end up training three days a week, doing a combination of walking and walking/jogging intervals. (Let me just say that it is a whole lot easier than the training program I followed for my ten mile run last year!) Then, I have my two days of cross training (my strength training days) and two rest days. I do my ab workout everyday except rest days. It's a pretty easy program to follow, and I'm really liking it so far.

Food wise, I've been doing a low carb diet/lifestyle change. I'm not following anything specific, I'm just trying to follow the "no white" rule. It usually seems to work pretty well for me, and I would love to be able to stick to it for good! Or at least only have those white foods on occasion. The biggest benefit I get from eating this way, is the fact that I have to replace the starches in my meals with fruits and vegetables, and that makes such a difference in how I feel! I'm really liking it, and I hope it's something I can continue to do long term.

I'm also currently in the middle of a No Dessert March challenge!

Source: snuzzy.com via Amy on Pinterest

It really hasn't been too hard, and I think it's been totally worth it. Sugar is just not my friend, both in weight-loss terms, and in how I feel physically.

Right at first, I felt like I was doing everything right, but it I wasn't seeing a lot of results! The scale just wasn't budging, and I didn't notice any of my clothes fitting better either. I was starting to get a little discouraged. There's nothing worse than busting your backside, and having nothing to show for it!

The last few days though, I've started to notice some changes! Like my arms being more toned, some ab definition, and the scale finally starting to move! I'm pretty happy about it, and even though it doesn't seem like much, I'll go for the small victories. I hope to start seeing more of a change in how my clothes fit soon. I bought those pink skinnies I've been wanting, but they are a little too tight for me to be comfortable wearing them in public. I don't care as much about the scale, as I do getting into those pants! Ha!

So there you have it, my workouts and how I'm eating. I hope it was informative, and inspiring to some of you to get your own workout on! If you're anything like me, and the diet always "starts on Monday" then hopefully this will get you active today!

Have a great week everybody, and a special thank you to all of my new followers! I'm glad to have you all reading along!

Happies

1. The sun decided to stick around most of this week! It's been amazing. I thought it was supposed to rain today, but if it is, it's not happening this morning. I see a mix of sun and clouds, but I'll take it!
2. I decided it was time to bust out my sunless tanner yesterday. I'm sick of my winter pasty skin, and this nicer weather makes me want to have tan skin! I'm not a big fan of tanning beds (skin cancer!) but I've been thinking about using, them maybe just a few times before summer. This from the girl who has spent the last couple of years being mostly pasty white and slathered in sunscreen. Well last summer, I ended up doing some laying out outside, and now I've got the tanning booth bug. Maybe if I keep using my sunless tanner, I can avoid it. I do feel better already, after just one use!
3. Finally saw the scale budge this week. I'm down two pounds! Woot, woot! After two weeks of working out, and eating really healthy, something had to give. I was getting pretty annoyed, but I guess sometimes it takes a little bit for the working out to kick in. Now, only thirteen (ish) more to go.
4. I've started planning a baby shower! It's a bit early (ok, it's a lot early) because it won't be until August, but I wanted to get a jump on it. There are just so many cute ideas, and I absolutely love planning parties! It's one of my favorite things to do. I'm already using Pinterest, and writing up lists! I tend to get a little over excited, I know. But this gives me a lot of time, and I will be able to slowly purchase the all of the things I want for it. It's going to be so much fun, and I can't wait!

Crappies

1. I used a spray on sunless tanner, and I apparently need to start using some towels or something, because it got all over my floor! Now, there's nothing wrong with my floor, but the bottoms of my feet are completely orange! They look ridiculous. I need to go buy a good pumice stone and some lemons, because otherwise I won't be able to wear flip flops anytime soon.
2. I ran out of half and half for my coffee yesterday, and forgot to go buy more. So no coffee for me this morning until I run to the store! Or, maybe I'll just go buy myself a latte instead...hmm, actually that sounds like a happy to me!
3. Poor Dane finally caught my cold. You would think that he would have gotten it by now, since I had three times over this last winter, but colds are funny like that I guess. Luckily, I don't think he had it quite as bad as I did last time, and he hasn't had to miss work. This weekend will probably be spent in though, with lots of couch and Netflix time!

P.S. In regards to the whole Google Reader fiasco, if you would like to follow me at Bloglovin', you can click the icon below my picture on the sidebar, or click here. I had already been planning on switching all of my subscriptions there anyways, so this seems like a good time to do that, even though I see them all through Blogger, and not the G.R. Anyways, if for some reason it looks like I'm not following you anymore through GFC, that's why!

Yesterday I got on my scale and week one....was a success! I lost 1.4 lbs. which was pretty much my goal, and pretty impressive since I felt like I had totally failed all weekend long. We had a series of get togethers going on Saturday that made it about impossible to "diet," although I could have opted for healthier choices almost every time and I didn't. Once I fall off the wagon so badly it takes me a few days to get back on track, so I was a bit surprised when the scale showed some progress.

Now, I know some people are very anti-scale, but I find mine to be a very useful tool. I can't just judge by how my body is feeling. I can feel slimmer and then step on to see that I've gained two pounds, or I can lose two pounds but feel totally bloated and fat! It's very easy for me to convince myself that if I just "try to eat healthier" and I'm having a good day, that I'm losing weight. When actually I'm gaining! So I like to see clear results and know for sure whether or not I am having any progress. I don't obsess over it or anything like that, I just weigh in once a week to make sure I'm headed in the right direction.

Two things I would like to work on this week are drinking more water, and logging a little more work out time. Last week I did alright as far as exercise I thought, but looking back I think I only walked a couple of times and went to yoga once. I was being a total slacker and I've skipped my last two yoga classes, so my goal is to make sure I go this week. I've also gotten into the bad habit of drinking most of my water at work. Which means that I'm not drinking very much at all! So I'm making myself drink a glass right now as I sit here writing.

I hope that the good results I had from last week will push me through this one too. I know that the more I lose the harder it will be to shed those pounds, so I'm hoping that I can keep the motivation to keep going. I guess I'll find out if I did next week! 

This week brought about an unpleasant turn of events which means, once again, I am on a diet! That dirty word that (most) all women dread and spend their lives obsessing over. At least mine seems to anyway. I have spent most of the last four years (all of my marriage to date) dealing with weight issues. As a teenager I dealt with most of the problems that a lot of girls do, low self-esteem, constantly picking my body apart, and what not. Then right after high school I got married, moved 500 miles away from most of my friends and family, and packed on 30 lbs. in nine months! I am 5'3" and I stayed pretty consistently between 115-120 lbs. as a teenager, and by the time my one year wedding anniversary rolled around I weighed at least 155 lbs! I say at least because I didn't have regular access to a scale, and I was big enough to know that I didn't want to know how bad it had gotten.

After not having school, and a job, and sports to help keep me trim, and depression keeping me completely unmotivated, I'm really not surprised I gained as much as I did. It was fall of 2009 that I decided to do something about it. I got a gym membership and started following the Weight Watchers program. I lost several pounds very quickly and within a couple of weeks I was down to 143. And that's where I stayed. For another year. I just wasn't very good with the whole dieting thing. Working out I could do. I have always liked to be fit, and sports were always fun. I ran my first 5k that year and it was a blast! But ask me to give up food and I just have to say no.

I am a self realized sugar addict, an emotional eater, a binge-er, and just a general food lover. I have almost no self control! And the problem isn't that I don't like the good stuff, because I do. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, all that healthy food that we're supposed to eat, I do. And I like it. But, I LOVE the bad stuff! Anything with sugar, (white) bread, butter, oil, salt, lots of calories, and lots of flavor, and I just have no self control. If I like it, I eat and eat it until I am completely stuffed.  And as terribly bad as I know it is, and I really do know, McDonald's is one of my favorite fast food places. But, it's not just fast food and over processed packaged stuff, it's homemade baked goods, biscuits, cakes, cookies, cobblers, and any comfort food you can think of. And it's a good thing I just ate breakfast or I would be in my kitchen right now binging! Ha!

In the fall of 2009 my best friend Kayla got engaged, so that meant I wanted to look as good for her wedding as possible. That winter I lost, very slowly, about 13 lbs. It took several months and a lot of struggle but I did it. I felt great and I felt more like my old self, even though I was still heavier and I didn't make my original goal to reach 120-125. But, I was happy with how I looked at the wedding in June of 2011, and I thought that I would be able to maintain it no problem. Then, later down the road, I could hop back on the diet wagon and lose that last five to ten pounds, because really? What's five or ten pounds?

Well, over the last year and a half I have put back on almost all of those 13 lbs. I weighed myself a few days ago and I am back up to 140! Now some people I know would say "Oh brother! 140?? That's nothing, you look fine!" But for me it's not fine. I know I'm not as petite as some, but 5'3" still falls under petite, and at this weight I am walking that line between healthy and overweight for my height. I am not comfortable in my skin at this weight, and I want to be. But mostly I want to reach a healthy weight and maintain it, because all of this yo-yoing these past few years is not good for my body at all. I thought I had it figured out last time, but I guess I didn't, and I now I am dreading the struggle that comes with that ugly four letter word.

Today is day three of my diet, but I'm hoping this time it becomes more of a lifestyle change. I already still use some of the tools and tricks I used to. I use small plates when I eat, I only use stevia in my daily coffee, I order espresso drinks nonfat and half sweet, and I drink water at work instead of soda. I guess now though I have to step it up, and I'm only going to do it for ten weeks. My goal is to lose 15 lbs in those ten weeks, and I'm planning on ending it there whether I am successful or not. I figure if I am really diligent, that should be very doable, and if I fall a little shy of that number, I'll be o.k. with it. The real challenge though will be keeping it off. Apparently it's not as easy as I thought it was, and I will be ending literally days before the holidays begin! But I think I will be able to find that balance, to still have to foods that I love so much, but in moderation so that I don't derail myself.

I know that I have a struggle ahead, but I'm confident I can do it though, because I want to be the healthiest I can be. And hopefully this time it sticks!