Catching up

Whoa! A year passed really quickly!! I can't believe all the neglect I've allowed my little space on the Internets to have. This past year has been trying, exciting, happy, devastating and full of so much personal growth. 

While I'm not ready to open up about the past year quite yet, I will someday.

First, I guess getting it out there and typing this out loud will make it real and I can't turn back after I hit post. Well, I can, but I won't. In the past 7 months I've gained 20 pounds! It feels good to get that off my chest. I've hidden myself more from the world the past few months because my self esteem is just so far from what it used to be.

Don't get me wrong, I don't hate the way I look physically, I just don't love it. The thing I hate about it is that, my overall health is affected. I can still run. I can still lift (heavy) weights. I can still complete plenty of Jillian Michaels DVDs. I just don't do it often enough.

When I lost 22 lbs back from August '09 to April '10, I felt AMAZING! I couldn't believe I had done it! Me! The girl who didn't realize how out of shape she had gotten until a camping trip and walking a 1/4 of a mile(out of a measly 1 mile hiking loop) made her hyperventilate. That was the moment I knew I had to do something for my health and myself. I knew I was the only one that could change my life and I had to put in the hardwork to get it done. 

I maintained my lowest weight(+ or - 3 pounds) for about a year. Then slowly gained about 10 back. I was still working out hard 4-5 days a week. I put on a significant amount of muscle in that time as well. I basically only ran a couple of times a month, and instead, I was hitting the stairmaster a lot(Hello Miss New Booty!!) I still felt good about myself with the 10+ pounds.  I maintained that weight for a couple more years.

Then in September of last year, things got a little "difficult". I had a lot on my plate. The boyfriend suggested we bowl and after a few times, I was hooked. We got our own balls and shoes and started going 3-5 times a week. Every time we went, I would drink at least 2 or 3 beers. Before I knew it, I was above my 2009 starting weight and working out took the backseat. I still went to the gym a few times a week, but wasn't having "quality" workouts.

Around Christmas, I had to go and buy new jeans because NOTHING in my closet fit. Even that didn't push me into needing to drop the extra lbs I had gained. Then, we decided to go to Vegas and I said that I would lose some weight before we left....because....I'm turning 30(!!!) and I don't want to feel negatively about myself when I do. 

So, we leave for Vegas the 3rd weekend in April! Giving me just over 4 weeks to get my groove back. I'm on day 2 of early morning workouts (and NO BOOZE!) with 4 running sessions a week. I know what makes me happy and I know what makes me healthy. 

Here's to a Happier, Healthier Me!!!

Back On Day 2

Well, I survived day 1. Day 2 started at 3:05 this morning. I'm sure I'll be tired later, but it's only a half hour earlier than normal.

Today's workout:
3.1 mile run in 29:14
Legs(circuits with shoulder work & cardio in the mix)
Finished with 15 minutes of elliptical

Food yesterday was great. I was actually slightly below my calorie goal, but my macros were on point. Where I am more focused on my macros, I am thrilled with the food yesterday.

These pics are a couple of weeks old. I'm so pleased with how much muscle I've been able to build in the past few months. My body is shaping up quite nicely.

The thing I've struggled with the past few weeks are accepting the changes. I've loved seeing the changes in my arms and legs, but my waist line is changing because of my legs/booty changing. My stomach looks like it sticks out further in the front and not as "flat" as it normally is. But that's not the case. It's because my booty is lifting and shaping and my love handles are going down. My stomach hasn't gone down much though. If that even makes sense. It's so hard to describe

Anyways, overall I'm happy,  but this new body is taking some getting used to.

Back To It!

I've been so lazy and eating a lot of garbage lately. Birthday week for me is over and it's time to get my shit together. I woke up and weighed this morning. 141.2 When I lost weight and got fit for the first time in my adult life, my starting weight was 142. My lowest weight since has been 121. Seeing the 141.2 wasn't much of of a shock actually. I knew it wasn't going to be pretty. I've been hanging between 130 and 135 for almost 2 years now. This past few weeks all hell has broken loose. I am still working out 3-5 days a week, but not prepping like I should. Today I am back at it. Tracking my food and continuing my workouts. Today's workout: 25 minutes sprint HIIT 40 on, 20 off, 30 on, 30 off Biceps, triceps and some ab work Finished off with 25 minutes on the stepmill Total time 1 hour 40 minutes and 851 calories burned It was a sweaty workout and pretty tough. Food wise I have everything packed and my gallon of water with me at all times. I will be weighing in every Tuesday, but plan to blog daily or every other day. I've found blogging keeps me on track to my goals.

Update Of All Updates!

Life is good. Work is good. That's all. Ha! Yeah right, I am a big mouth who loves to talk. So, lets just dive in head first. Back in December one of the besties challenged me and another best to a clean eating challenge. We would eat clean all week and get one cheat a week. It was just the kick in the pants I needed. I made it through with just a couple of small slip ups. I started to see and feel some really good changes happening. My motivation was through the roof. I was working out 6 days a week. I was lifting a lot and doing a little cardio. My weight only changed slightly, but my measurements were going down. So, I was pleased. Then, January 1 happened. I had a dramatic start to the year. I got sick with a pretty rough head cold. I let excuses creep and clean eating took a back seat. Thankfulky, that didn't last long. This changing body of mine definitely takes some getting used to at times. I do love it though. Changing my eating habits has definitely improved all aspects of my life. I am more energized. I am happier and more positive. I am seeing great changes. I plan on being here tomorrow to talk about iifym. I have only been counting macros for 2 days, but so far so good.

Monday Night Musings

I have not been around in forever, but lately, I have so much on my mind.

My parents divorce is finalized and sometimes I catch myself wondering when I will feel better or even okay with it. I still have so many conflicting feelings that I really don't know how to deal with! Ahhhh..drives me nuts!

Is it January yet? I haven't much enjoyed the holiday season the past few years. I always feel better once January hits and the holiday stress is over with. I enjoy the family time and the parties. It's just...the stress of the perfect gift, having to pass on one party for another, feeling like the significance of thanksgiving and Christmas are completely lost in today's society...that make it less enjoyable.

I have mastered the AM gym going! I get up 4-5 days a week at 3:30 or 4 AM to go to the gym. Most weeks it is easy. Some weeks my body craves sleeeepp!! I don't beat myself up on the weeks I don't go as much, I just do better the next week!

There are so many awesome people at my gym. I love all the "good morning" and "have a nice day" comments! It really brightens my day!

When did I become such an introvert? I used to be so outgoing. Now, I tend to be really shy. I have no idea what and when this happened, but I am determined to change it!

My food choices have been less than stellar for a while. Although it was accompanied by ZERO weight gain!! Hallelujah! I am right back on track.

This girl! She makes me laugh!!!

This guy! He makes me laugh too! He reminds me of the little engine that could in this picture...'I think I can. I think I can.'

This is about 6 years difference! I was approximately 160-170 in the photo on the left and 130 in the photo on the right!

Alright, that's all I got! I have a feeling I will be back sooner rather than alter!

What's new with you?

What's on your mind?

Life Lately...

Almost 2 months has passed since my last post. Yikes! I would like to post more, but holy crap life gets in the way of that sometimes.

I haven't given up on the healthy lifestyle. I just added more and changed my schedule up quite a bit, which leads little to no time to blog.

Currently, this is a typical day or me:

3:30AM Alarm goes off and I am out of bed. Trying to avoid the snooze button these days.

3:35-3:55AM Get dressed, brush teeth, grab gym bag, make pre workout drink and get out the door.

4:00AM At the gym ready to workout.

4:00AM-5:30AM weights and cardio.

5:30AM-6:20AM Shower and get ready at the gym.

6:30-8:10AM Get the boyfriend out the door to work, prep meals for the day, tidy the house, feed dogs, play with dogs, let dogs potty/walk the dogs, fill fish tanks with water, pack water and meals for work, and leave for work

8:30-5:15 work. Throughout the day I eat 3 meals.

5:15-5:30 drive home from work

5:30-9(or 10:30ish) clean house, make and eat dinner, clean up dinner, watch a little TV, play with dogs, feed dogs, Instagram/read blogs/play on Internet. Plan workout for the next day, pack gym bag(i get ready for the day at the gym), eat before bed snack, read and hopefully fall asleep at a decent time.

Geesh! No wonder why I am so tired some days.

Because I can't resist, I leave you with pictures of my sweet dogs!

Always guarding her pig ears, but never finishing it! Haha. Girl cracks me up!!

Currant Creek AKA picture overload

This past weekend the man and I took a 4 day trip to Currant Creek Reservoir in Utah.

I love camping with my little family so much.

On the way up, we stopped to get some drinks. I tried pellegrino for the first time and didn't really care or it.

Abigail sat with Chad most of the way up. Isn't she adorable?

After we got set up, we played a quick game of dominoes, and by quick game I mean I got my ass handed to me...in 3 moves! Yikes!

Next stop was getting fire wood. By far my least favorite camping duty.

The view from our favorite spot is incredible. Especially when the sun is setting or rising. Sadly, I got zero pictures of either.

Finally it was time for some wine out of a box. I sure am a classy lady.

Putting the "ass" in "class" right there. Oh and you can kind of see the sunset.

The moon was crazy bright every night. I went outside to let the pups go potty at 2 AM and it looked more like 10 at night. It was awesome!

We watched rush hour before bed. Didnt I catch Chris Tucker's and Jackie Chan's faces perfectly? Haha. (Side note: I kept saying Chris Rock and Bruce Lee crack me up in this movie. Uhh, yeah....I am dumb sometimes.)

Daddy's little girl, for sure!

We got up Saturday and headed back to salt lake for a wedding that night.

Sadly, I didn't take any pictures at the wedding. The bride looked gorgeous and I am so happy for the couple!

After the wedding, we headed back up the mountain. My brother and his girlfriend(who I adore) were waiting for us. No pictures of them this weekend though. Boo! I am lame!

Between fetch and swimming, it is safe to say our boy had more fun than anyone.

He has only gotten out of bed 1 time since yesterday. I love sleepy Lenny, so cute!

Food was pretty darn good this weekend.

Breakfast was eggs, turkey bacon, pancakes, and fruit
Lunch was salad with chicken
Dinner was steak or chicken and salad
Snacks were green juice(homemade), Greek yogurt with cereal and fruit, carrots, and some cheez-it's hopped in my mouth.

Overall we had a blast this weekend.

Do you go camping?
We go about 6 times a year.
What is your favorite part of camping?
I love just hanging out with our little family and the relaxation of it all!