Weekend Wrap Up

I hope everyone had a GREAT weekend and that you are keeping warm with the Artic Front that has impacted so much of the United States.  It's a toasty 28 degrees here in Texas!

This weekend was the first weekend in a LONG time that we didn't have one thing planned and it was a very nice break.  We did manage to get a few things accomplished, but really just enjoyed our time together.

I did a few jalks in this weekend and my Lil Man went with me and I only had to ask him ONCE!  Best jalking partner EVER!!!

 

Also, I was able to try out my Fitbit and I must say I'm LOVING it!  I'm especially loving it on the days that I hit my 10 THOUSAND step goal, but on the days I don't, I feel like a big bum.

The best part about Sundays in our home is that Big D always serves us breakfast in bed.  He definitely knows the way to my heart, feed me and tell me I'm pretty!  

 

I've decided to focus on ONE word this year instead of having resolutions and I chose the word "GIVE".  Give more to those I love, give more to strangers, and never, ever give up!  I think I can do it!

 

We have been living in plumbing hell and the contractors will be out tomorrow to layout a timeline for construction.  All other projects will be put on hold until the upstairs bathroom and plumbing issues are completed!  I'm sure my Lil Man is so ready to have his bathroom back and I am SO ready for him to have it back!  BOYS... UGH!!!

We did manage to complete a small project this weekend that I will be sharing this week, so be on the look out!

This post was a crazy, chaotic, mixed up post, but that's my life... Beautiful chaos and I love it!

 

OHHHH!!! And if you have not heard this song, get on it now!

 

Have an awesome week and check back for our latest project!

 

INSTAGRAM/PINTEREST

Advocare Cleanse RESULTS

It's the Monday after a vacation and it's been a rough one!  I finally have a minute to update on my cleanse.

If you didn't know, I have been doing the Advocare 10-Day Herbal Cleanse to help jump start a healthier diet and to get the scale moving again. I LoVe food and eating is my downfall. Life is short, eat the cupcake!  Being a Carb Whore and a Margarita Momma, I was nervous about the cleanse; however, I was confident that I could do anything for 10 days! We ALL can do anything for 10 DAYS!

I ordered the cleanse online and when it came in the mail (the very next day), I did a bit of research to prep meals and get ready for the next 10 days.

If you aren't familiar with Clean Eating or you need help prepping, get on Pinterest now or check on these RECIPES!

Clean Eating isn't miserable and there are SO MANY options!  What I like best about this cleanse is YOU CAN EAT!  I did really well eating clean, but did cheat every morning by using a tablespoon of creamer in my coffee.  I'm not perfect, what can I say?!

My thoughts on my Cleanse...
Day 1-3 are the toughest. I was tired and not really myself.

Day 4-7 are definitely better.  

Day 8-10 are the easiest!  You forget you are on a cleanse, because you feel so good!

My Tips...

Fiber Drink - Order the Peaches & Cream and chug it quickly with a full glass of water.

Keep your Fridge STOCKED and be prepared food-wise.

Don't eat out!  You can't eat out often and expect this to work for you.  If someone else is prepping your food, you have ZERO control.  Know what you're eating.

If you are scared you are going to be running to the bathroom every 5 seconds - you will NOT. This is a gentle cleanse!

My Results:

I lost 8 pounds total and I was VERY happy with the results, because I felt better.  The calendar and monthly visitor worked against me, but I am still so happy with my results.  Total so far, I'm down 29 pounds!!!  I missed my margaritas and my sweets, but know that if I continue calorie counting and using moderation then I will continue to see progress.

If you have tried the cleanse and it didn't work for you, did you give it your all?!  Did you truly eat clean?!  If you want something bad enough, you will do it!  Otherwise, you'll make an excuse!

 

INSTAGRAM/PINTEREST

Advocare 10-Day Cleanse

Happy Monday!

Today, I start the 10 Day Advocare Cleanse and we'll see how it goes.  I've never done a cleanse, so I'm a bit nervous; however, I'm super excited to see the results of the cleanse and clean eating.

Check back in 10 days for my thoughts and my results.

Get up and GET MoViNG!!!

INSTAGRAM/PINTEREST

Knock, Knock! Who's There?? (My Love for ZuMBA!)

**The post below was originally posted in April 2011 and I'm updating it for this week's Workout Wednesday.
The reason i've decided to repost this is, looking back at how much I loved Zumba it still amazes me how far I came while having fun. It amazes me! Exercise can be fun! Zumba changed my energy level, my body and my heart. I was BORN TO DANCE! After doing Zumba 3 times a week for many, many months, my instructor moved her class to the dreaded... GYM! *GASP* I have a fear of the gym, a fear of being judged and an insecure mind. I quit immediately! I stopped working out all together and continued with an awful diet filled with salads loaded with ranch dressing and ended up in the same place I began.

And that brings us to the present... I'm not a girl you will find in a gym, but I'm not the girl who wants to remain tired and unhealthy either. You HAVE to figure out what works for you, you have to change your diet and you have to get moving. It doesn't happen overnight, but it will happen if you change your lifestyle!**

It’s Me… I’m HERE!! I know, I know... I have been MIA forever. *sigh* I have a tendency to get on these "kicks" where I am SUPER, CRAZY passionate about something until something ELSE takes over! {It’s a good/bad thing & a habit I'm trying to break} Does that ever happen to you??

I am channeling my creative juices into a different direction, but I AM working on combining the things I enjoy so much. I miss blogging, I miss blogland and I miss (SUPER MISS) reading everyone’s updates… BIG TIME!!

As for now and the past few months, I have been completely focused on something new, something fun, & something that allows me to be creative (but not crafty), something that is a completely different direction... my NEW passion… ZUMBA!!

(NOTICE: It is a BIG deal, I mean MAJOR, that I posted the picture below.)

This is why I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Zumba! It was NOT my plan to lose weight, inches and tone up in ways I just didn’t realize I could, when I started Zumba. I wanted something in my life that was fun, something different than what I had done before and something that just allowed you to be free for a short period of time everyday. However, when I looked at the above photos side-by-side and shared with friends, I could not believe the benefits that Zumba offered. I had no idea that I was working the muscles that I was; I just thought I was dancing and having fun. Who knew?! A girlfriend said to me, “If I had that type of improvement, I’d be posting these pics everywhere!” Really? I just couldn’t! My first thoughts… “Look at that before picture…Was that really me? Did I really allow myself to get to “that” place?” I was so embarrassed and ashamed of where I was that I could not even see where I am now. I should be proud and slooooowly day by day, I am becoming more proud of what I am accomplishing and that I am feeling like “ME” again!

Zumba did this! I am blessed with a Zumba instructor who is a breast cancer fighter and survivor and is beyond encouraging and a group of family/friends who want nothing more than for me to be the best “Me” that I can be.

Yes, I will be back and I’m beyond excited to share all of the projects I have been hiding and the ideas that I have in-store. I am still SUCH a craft-a-holic & have so many FuN & Spectacular projects that I just canNOT wait to share!!!

*Tiffany

INSTAGRAM/PINTEREST

Favorite Things Friday - Fitness Edition

These are a few of my FAVORITE things to get me MOVING!

1. Saucony - I Love, Love these running shoes!!!  They are light and comfortable and are the best I have tried so far.  I've had less shin splints and because of that, I'm not changing!

2. Mio - I have tried both the Garmin and the Mio watches and I would still choose my Mio... Hands Down!  It does exactly what I need it to do, for the things I do.  It calculates distance, pace, calories burned, steps and your heart rate (without one of those insane belts)!  You can't connect it to the computer like the Garmin, but I didn't need that feature.  I need to know how many steps I took, how many calories I burned and how fast my butt was moving.  It works for me!  I still have both watches on the counter and grab the Mio every.single.time!  

3. BondiBand - Hello!  How FUN are these headbands?!  They are not only fun, but the are functional.  Go to www.bondiband.com and get you a few... They are AWESOME!!!  They are non-slip, hold your hair back, keeps your earbuds in and they are just freakin' fabulous!!!

4. Old Navy Active Wear - If you follow me on Instagram, you already know that I have an obsession with Old Navy Active Wear.  The Compression Capris are AMAZEBALLS!!!  The best part?!  They aren't see through like most active wear... HELLOOOOO SQUATS!!!  Go get you some TODAY and Thank me later.

5. 5 Gum - It keeps me going on my Jalks (Jog/Walks) and I never go without it.  It's tough to carry a water bottle, but chewing gum does the trick.  BTW - I ONLY chew green gum.  I'm weird like that!

What are some of YOUR favorite things?!

Have a Fabulous Friday!!!

It's Monday - Get Moving!

This weekend was my sorority's annual Girls Get-a-Way Weekend in Galveston (Oh Galveston) and we soaked up the sun at the beach.  We enjoy the sun, the laughs, the junk food and the booze!  Good Times, Great Friends and Girly Gossip... I love, love spending time with my Sisters!

(Cheers to the Freakin' Weekend)

 

(Toes in the Sand and a Beer in my hand)

 

(If only I was as long and lean as my shadow!)

 

Unfortunately, a fabulous girls weekend also means that I did not get one workout in and for the first time in more than 2 MONTHS I didn't not log my food in MyFitnessPal.  It's hard to log, when your days consisted mostly of frozen margaritas and carrots with Love Dip and your enjoying every minute of it!

The good thing?!  It's Monday and it's time to start again.  Time to get back on track.  Time to get moving.  It's as easy as that!  No one is perfect, we will all fall at some point, but you can always start again.  Don't give up!

I am ready for a new day and ready to get back on track!  Get up and get moving now!  It makes a difference and I'm slowly seeing it every single day.

Have a great week!

Weekly Goals

Last Week Update: I did a great job achieving MOST of the goals I set for myself last week. Unfortunately, I had a procedure done on Wednesday and was not up to a full workout on Wednesday Thursday or Friday. With that said I didn't just sit on my butt, I got moving... for a little bit.

Here are the goals I set for myself last week... This week, I will try to achieve them once again... ALL OF THEM!!

1st Goal and probably the most important to me: Record everything!  You canNOT out exercise a bad diet, so recording everything is a BIG deal for me.  It helps me keep track!  I love the phrase, "If you Bite it, Write it!" and i'll be doing just that.

Download the MyFitnessPal app... It's FREE!  NO EXCUSES!

Guess what else My Fitness Pal does... Tracks your weightloss!  I weigh every Saturday and record it on My Fitness Pal.  Weighing every single day WILL make you CRAZY... Don't do it!!!  This Saturday I hit 20 pounds... WHOO HOO!

Speaking of excuses... IF only they burned calories, but they don't!  This week my 2nd Goal is to get in 3 workouts that burn a minimum of 500 calories.  It's not as easy as you think!  Every workout might feel like you are burning a gazillion calories (and I wish you were), but your not.  Bummer, I know!  With the help of my Mio and Garmin, I am brought quickly back to reality.

Water is VERY important and Goal 3 this week is to continue to drink a minimum of 8 glasses a day.

Along with my 3 workouts, Goal 4 will be get in two Yoga sessions.  Yoga is GREAT!

 

After a Holiday Weekend, Goal 5 is to get my butt back on track!  I LOVE this reminder!  No matter what, you can ALWAYS get back on track. 

 

I am linking up with Jess over at Operation Skinny Jeans for this week's Weekly Goals Link Party! 

This is a great reminder that if you fall of track, set a few achievable goals for yourself and you're right back on!

Weekly Goals

Setting ACHIEVABLE Goals is key to Success!

This week, I've decided to set a few goals for myself... We'll see how it goes.

1st Goal and probably the most important to me: Record everything!  You canNOT out exercise a bad diet, so recording everything is a BIG deal for me.  It helps me keep track!  I love the phrase, "If you Bite it, Write it!" and i'll be doing just that.

Download the MyFitnessPal app... It's FREE!  NO EXCUSES!

Speaking of excuses... IF only they burned calories, but they don't!  This week my 2nd Goal is to get in 3 workouts that burn a minimum of 500 calories.  It's not as easy as you think!  Every workout might feel like you are burning a gazillion calories (and I wish you were), but your not.  Bummer, I know!  With the help of my Mio and Garmin, I am brought quickly back to reality.

Water is VERY important and Goal 3 this week is to continue to drink a minimum of 8 glasses a day.

Along with my 3 workouts, Goal 4 will be get in two Yoga sessions.  Yoga is GREAT!

 

After a Holiday Weekend, Goal 5 is to get my butt back on track!  I LOVE this reminder!  No matter what, you can ALWAYS get back on track. 

 

I am linking up with Jess over at Operation Skinny Jeans for this week's Weekly Goals Link Party! 

This is a great reminder that if you fall of track, set a few achievable goals for yourself and you're right back on!

Life is Not a Competition

I want to start this post with saying that I AM a fan of friendly competition.  I enjoy it.  A sports game, a board game, a Spelling Bee... Bring it!  There is NOTHING wrong with a little friendly competition. 

Now... here's something that I've noticed lately.  It has become obvious to me that more and more people are comparing their lives to others.  They see a blog update about something fabulous going on and then get upset that it didn't happen for them.  When did we stop expressing happiness for others?!

  Then there are THOSE posts, we've ALL seen them, the fairytale, fantasyland living Facebook posts.

Do you REALLY think that people are going to share ALL of their ups and downs with you?!  HECK NO!  They want you to see the good, they want to embellish their lives and it's NOT to make it appear to you that things are better than they are, I think it's to make THEMSELVES believe that things aren't really how they are.

Let me say, sharing the downs in life is not as enjoyable as sharing the ups, but it's LIFE and that is what life is!  Full of UPS and DOWNS!  They mold you and make you who you are... BE PROUD OF THEM!

If you are motivated by what others are doing and get discouraged because you are not achieving the same results, traveling the same destinations, building the same house, rocking the same body or driving the same cars, STOP IT RIGHT NOW!  You WILL end up disappointed.  Refocus, because someone will ALWAYS have more and always appear to be better off than you, ALWAYS and let's face it... the things that you have right now in your life are the things that you prayed for at one time.  Enjoy them, because life is to damn short to live miserably!

My Best Friend has been on a workout kick for the last year and let me tell you... She is a BEAST!  Her workouts are tough and she gives them ALL SHE HAS!  I am motivated by her enthusiasm... I am not motivated by her results (even though I am SO FREAKING PROUD) and let me tell you why.  I will not achieve the same results as her, in the same amount of time and I will not get through the workouts she does in one piece and you know what, THAT IS OKAY!  I will give my workouts all that I have and I WILL obtain results if I stay focused.

Life is truly the journey and not the destination.  I'm learning this daily.  Life is NOT a competition... Stop trying to do better than others, stop trying to achieve their results, stop trying to be what they are.  The only person you should try to be better than, is the person you were yesterday.  If you do this, YOU HAVE SUCCEEDED!

Comparing yourself to others will only make you realize your own imperfections and insecurities.  REFOCUS!

Be proud of who you are!  Be proud of your ups AND downs!  Be proud that you are YOU and there is NO ONE else that could EVER compare!

And do you really want to get to the "Finish Line" before everyone else?!  :)

Calorie Counting - Doing It Right

After having my May 1st Meltdown (yeah, that’s what we'll call it), I was looking over my log on My Fitness Pal and something stood out to me. Something SMALL! My calorie count was that something small! I have my calorie intake set at 1348 calories a day, which isn’t bad… Right? WRONG! Pairing this intake of calories with my workout routine was leaving me averaging about 1,000 calories a day. HELLOOO! Hungry Tummy! Starving body! SLOW Metabolism! This might just be the reason that my weight-loss was only 1.5 pounds in 3 and half weeks. Starvation does not work! Your body needs fuel and requires fuel in order to function properly!  Period.

Here is the summary of my Net Calories (Pay no attention to Fat Girl Fridays – they are my well-deserved cheat days and I ALWAYS stay below 1,500 calories that day. I earned it!)

Want to know something else? My Fitness Pal LIES! It LIES! I know what you’re thinking… Uhhhh… Excuse me?!

I hate to break the news to you, but you will not be the projected weight MFP tells you that you will be in 5 weeks, you will be the weight you work for, the weight you earn! Do NOT use My Fitness Pal as your lifeline, use it as a guideline to help make you aware of what you are feeding your body.

Do not intake below 1,200 calories a day and the more you burn, the more you will need to eat. This is what I forgot to do and my body suffered. Moderation is key, starvation is killer! The better you eat, the better you feel.

I’m going to use my advice and increase my caloric intake on the days that I increase my movement and I will continue to drink a minimum of 80 ounces of water a day. I have hope that it will make a difference.

Until then, today is Fat Girl Friday and I am going to drink it up! (And yes, I DO include this in my calorie count.)

Whatever you decide to do today, be your best!

Wednesday Weigh-In = BIG, FAT FAIL

My May 1st – Wednesday Weigh-in went something like this…

If you were in my bathroom that morning, you would have seen me BAWL my eyes out. If you were my Best Friend, you would have received my sad, sad, sad texts messages. If you were my husband, you would have tried everything in your power to make me feel better, to let me know that I was in fact the most beautiful woman in the world to him, even when I didn’t feel beautiful to anyone (I'm a lucky, lucky girl).  As a matter of fact, you don’t even want to KNOW what I see when I look in the mirror… It’s awful and I know that, I’ve just felt this was for a VERY long time and change doesn’t happen overnight.  I'm working on it... I am!

I had not been on the scale in almost 4 weeks, because I was becoming obsessed with weighing and ending up disappointed every single time there wasn’t any movement. It’s MADNESS, It’s CRAZINESS, It’s an OBSESSION!

I recognized this and made the decision on my own to stay off the scale for a few weeks, while continuing my calorie counting and workouts. Now, let me say, I’m a BIG girl.  I've always been a big girl and my workouts aren’t your typical workouts.  I can’t run or jog a continuous mile, I can't lift a millions pounds, and I sure as hell can't do a set of burpees (well, I can... they just aren't pretty... Like AT ALL!).  BUT my workouts are tough on me and I give it my very best.  I sweat and I swear a LOT! I have the mouth of a sailor… Don’t judge!

Back to May 1st… the awful May 1st! I woke up, received the sweetest “Good Luck” text message from my Bestie and went to weigh.  Are you FREAKING kidding me?!  *Sigh*

I had only lost 1.5 POUNDS in THREE and a HALF weeks… Are you freaking kidding me right now?! SERIOUSLY!!! 1.5 POUNDS, I mean what is that anyway?!

It’s a fail, a BIG FAT FAIL… or so I thought. As my Bestie and hubby were quick to remind me, my body shape is changing and I feel better… THAT is change! It’s not the change I was hoping for on the scale, but it’s CHANGE!  They are right.

I looked over my calorie counting log and it hit me in the face… I wasn’t eating bad, but I wasn’t eating enough! My body was STARVING!

Who knew?!

Stay tuned… On Friday, I will touch on my calorie intake/outtake, where I was coming in, what it was and wasn’t doing for my body and what changes I HAVE to make to get healthy and remember...

Well, margaritas are actually my best friend, but water is good too!  I kid, I kid... Kind of!