Memorial Day Festivities

Heellloooooooooo Bloggies!  It is Tuesday and who's excited to be back at work?  Not this gal, but I did have a VERY nice Holiday weekend, despite the fact that I had to work on Saturday.  Thank you to the soldiers for making it happen, we're very blessed to have your strength, support and our freedom in this Country! 

I really don't have weight loss news to post, because I didn't hit it as hard as I usually do this past week.  I only worked out 3 days and I didn't watch what I ate, but I'm definitely back at it today. 

Over the weekend, I went out and enjoyed myself with friends, went and saw The Avengers, drank $1 margaritas, primed/painted the cornhole boards that I have been making for my husband for his B-day that is in a week and a half, detailed my car (inside and out), and lounged in a pool.  It was good times!!

Here are some photos from this past weekend.

This is my friend Kerie and I after drinking some delicious margaritas. 

This was before I went out, I thought I'd get a decent pic of myself and the hair, AND look I am finally getting some color and by color I mean freckles.  LOL



Here is a fun fact-This is what happens to Brynn's hair when Daddy is in charge.  LMAO

Hah, what a hot mess!

Aw, that's better.  This is what she looks like under Mommy's supervision.  :)

Ugh, those big blue eyes just kill me!

And lastly, Brynnie out enjoying her first time in the pool.  This is her first bathing suit, it is blue with red cherries, ruffles, and a whole lot of cuteness!  I LOVE cherries and ladybugs on baby clothes.  The sun hat didn't match, but I had to protect her head somehow. 

Have a great week everyone!!!!

Mo-tiv-a-tion! TGIF

I am SO freakin' excited it's Friday! 

Not that I don't have to work tomorrow (because I DO), but at least management will be gone!  Ding-Dong the bitch is gone.  :) 

So, here's what has happened since Monday.  Really the most exciting portion is that I think I found a new job if they can pay me enough.  I had an interview yesterday and it sounded pretty promising, AND I have a second interview next week.  It will still be in sales and I will still have to work every other Saturday, but at least I would work 7-5pm and be at home M-F by 5:15pm!!!!  It would be the FIRST job that I have had where I would have that typical 8am-5pm type job and feel NORMAL.  I always get so jealous of people going home for the day when I am usually on my lunch break.

Any who, it will be a nice change!

Yesterday I had a day off and MOMMA AND BRYNNIE WENT SHOPPING!  I bought my first pair of SKINNY JEANS!  I tried them on just to see what they would look like and DAMN, I thought they looked good, so they were in my bag.  Skinny jeans for the aspiring Skinny Gal.  It definitely made my day!  Plus, I bought all size 16's.  When I started this journey in Feb I was a size 20-sometimes 22. 

I am ONE size from being the national average size for a female!  My ultimate goal is a size 8, so I have a ways to go still. 

The best things about this weekend:

1. IT'S FLIPPIN' PAY DAY!!!
2. Even though I have to work on Saturday, I get Sunday and Monday off.  WHOO-HOO-2 days off in a role.
3. Shawn and I are having a date night on Saturday and we talked like we were going to go see The Avengers (My inner nerd is dying to come out) and then we're going to have some adult time with friends at a bar somewheres.
4. I may end up at the KY lake this weekend with family on Sunday or Monday.
5. I am buying Brynn's first bathing suit today.
6. I'm buying a new bathing suit for myself...  EEEK!  My suit from last year is literally falling off my body.
7. I also got an invite to hang at my besties pool at some point if I don't plan on going to the lake.   

Let's share some motivation! 

I haven't done well with dieting, partially because I think my lady parts are taking over my cravings and such this week along with some bloating.  I have been so hungry this week.....  I am probably going to end up maintaining for the week.  Which is fine with me.  So, in light of the occasion, here is a funny photo I found.

And some hotness and the most motivating words I hear occasionally:

Have a GREAT Holiday weekend!



Monday Results

So it's Monday.  I didn't feel like I even remotely had a weekend, but I am here and functioning. 

Sunday is my weigh in and measurement day, so I weighed in and measured.  I may have gotten 1/2" off my tummy over the week, but given that I only lost 1/2", I really didn't see the point in posting ALL of my measurements this week.  Just know that I lost a 1/2" in my body.  I did move from 205 lbs to 203 lbs.  Another 2 lb loss this week which makes me smile.  I wanted 3-4lbs, but with all the stress eating I did last week, I will flippin' take a 2lb loss and run with it!!!! 

So, my totals from the beginning of the year are now at 31.4lbs and 38".  Not too bad, not too bad at all I say. 

AND DAMNIT, I am SO flippin' close to being under 200 lbs!

I CAN NOT WAIT!  This is the thinnest I have been in 5 years.  Once I hit 200 lbs my next goal is to hit 175 lbs, and then of course 150 lbs.  Ultimately, I'd love to be at 140lbs.  That's usually a size 8 for me.  In my mind, that is a healthy size for myself, even though my BMI size should be between 107-136lbs.

THERE'S NO WAY!  LOL

When I was 125 lbs in college, I was a size 3 and felt like I was skin and bones, but 107lbs????  I also did not eat hardly at all to maintain my 125 lbs....  That doesn't seem very healthy to me.  Those silly experts.....

THEEEEEEEERREEEE's my results!  Happy Funday-Monday.

 

    

Motivational Saturday?

Well, I usually don't wait this long to post things, but I have been so busy/frustrated this week that I haven't had time to hop in and type something up.

Let me just say that I despise my work even more now that my boss passed away.

They are enforcing rules on us that are just ridiculous.  One of the reasons I have stuck it out as long as I have with my current employment is because the hours are so flexible and it works with my mom watching Brynn.  So, on Tuesday, they lay down the rule that we have to work two nights which are now 12-9p a week, three days 9-6p, and we have mandatory every other weekends scheduled for us.  If we can not work that weekend, we can either take a vacation day or see if someone on the other weekend shift team will switch us.  IT SUCKS! 

So, that happened Tuesday.  On Wednesday I come in and receive an email that my Campus Director is going to possibly REJECT my already APPROVED vacation time in the last week of June, because it happens to fall on a "critical enrollment period" for the school.  Basically, I work for a college that will start students up to two weeks late into their classes and we're expected to encourage them to do so with a smile on our face.  :-S  <---There's my smiley face when I have to start students up that late!!  It literally makes me sick to my tummy. 

My time was approved by my boss that passed away and THANKFULLY I saved his approval email from last March, BUT apparently his approval was tossed out the door when he passed. 

Anyways, my director finally approved it since my "extenuating circumstance" was that I had a planned/paid family vacation.  Then he wanted me to commit to my goal for our June start and he reminded me that I still needed to make my planned goal even though I had a vacation planned.  SERIOUSLY?

He also sent this hateful email out to the entire recruitment team about how we shouldn't "inappropriately" request time off the 2 weeks before our starts and the 2 weeks after.  That's 4 weeks and we have 4 starts a year, which means we can not request time off without what they feel is a "valid" reason for 16 weeks out of 52 in a year.  We also have to be at every orientation which is another 4 weeks in the year, so 20 weeks out of 52 in a year are blocked off for us.  Isn't that great?

I think it's been the longest week I have ever had at work.  I am completely drained with hate and I am NOT a hateful person.  Every day I just feel SO tired.  It takes all I have to drag myself out of bed to come to work. 

I am trying ever so hard to make a change.  Work is a big part of life for me, and if it's not working for me, then I need to move on.  I hate being unhappy.  It's just not my character. 

Has anyone else ever experienced a bad manager or policy at work?  Please share and make me feel slightly better about where I am at.  :)

On to the great things about my bloggy.  :)  I unfortunately lost some focus through all the bullshit I have gone through this week, but I am still doing well toward my goals.  I'm probably not going to hit my 5 lbs loss, but I have lost about 3 so far this week.  So maybe 4 by Monday????  Hopefully??? 

Since I missed Motivational Friday, we'll have Motivational Saturday today.

What a great saying!!!!

Hotness!!  I want to look that good in a bikini, and heck, I probably would hula hoop too by the lake if I looked that smokin' hot!  LOL  Who does this?   

Happy Saturday everyone!  Think of me while I sit here at work and waste away.

          

Results-Before/After Pics

So, I'm sure there are a few people on here wondering how my results are going with my weight loss, so I thought I would share.  :)

Let me just say I had a ton of peeps over the weekend at the wedding ask me how much weight I have lost. 

IS THAT NOT THE BEST FEELING EVER?  That motivates me more than ANYTHING!

April 23, 2012
Waist: 39 1/2"  
Calves: 17"
Neck: 12 1/2" 
Thigh: 23 1/2" 
Arm: 12 1/2"
Chest: 40"  
Hips: 43 1/2"
Weight: 210.4 
___________________

(Week 3)

May 14, 2012
Waist: 38" -1 1/2"
Calves: 17"
Neck: 12 1/2" 
Thigh: 24"  + 1/2"
Arm: 12 1/2"
Chest: 39"   -1"
Hips: 43 1/2"
Weight: 205lbs  -5.4
___________________
TOTALS (Week 5): -5.4lbs and -2 1/2"==TOTAL since starting TF:  9.6 lbs and 20 1/2"

TOTAL since Jan 23rd (the day I decided to change my life) =  29.4lbs and 37 1/2"

I usually lose weight so much faster than the pace I am going, but I feel SO much thinner everyday.  I know it's because I am building muscle and toning.  Both my arms and legs are looking so much more defined.  I also think I went through a small plateau around week 4.  

As of right now, the next "event" we have lined up is Shawn's Birthday bash on June 9th, SO I should be able to bust out a ton of workouts and really hit it hard the next couple of weeks.  I am ONLY 5 lbs from my next goal. 

I told myself in the shower this morning that I was going to strive and push to lose or come close to 5 lbs this week.  I know that typically weight loss shouldn't exceed 2 pounds per week, and I have done great with that so far, BUT if it's so unhealthy, then why are there shows like The Biggest Loser, to where contestants are losing 10 pounds in a week???  

So, here we go.  I am going to reveal my 5 week before and afters from doing Turbo Fire.  Hopefully, you will be able to see a difference.  If you have a weak stomach, you may not want to continue reading this post.  I can't say that either picture is probably what you want to see, BUT it's a work in progress and hopefully someday soon I will not be so nervous with posting these after I feel like I am closer to the size I want to be.  Regardless, I am still proud of how far I have came this year and my results with Turbo Fire and Shakeology.  

So give me a little credit here.  Both pictures were before working out and I don't wear make-up or really care what I look like while I am working out.  There's no point when I am just going to get dirty anyways.

 

I personally didn't realize how far I have came until I compared these pictures.  I knew that I had felt thinner and better about myself, but this just shows that through hard work you can get the results you want. 

And I will leave you with a decent picture from the wedding on Saturday of Shawn and I.  I love my hubs!!  :) 

Have a great Monday everyone!



Out of CONTROL

I never thought being a Mom would keep me so busy.   I honestly can't remember the last time I SAT DOWN and watched a movie without interruptions.  Hell, the last time I made it out to an actual movie at the theater was when Twilight came out and my mom begged me to go with her back in Octoberish?  I could have thought of other movies I would have rather seen.  Before that it was seeing Bridesmaids when it was out in theaters around May of last year. 

Ever since I came back to work from maternity leave, I have been so OUT OF CONTROL busy on the weekends.  We have had some kind of Birthday party, wedding, friend get-together, karaoke contest, holiday event, cookout, etc.- EVERY weekend since the beginning of the year. 

I am finally exhausted with it!  Does it ever stop?

Here's what I did last night before crashing:

1. I worked until 6pm
2. Drove home 
3. Changed clothes
4. Cleaned the new-old stove that my hubby had.  Ours finally quit and he had a spare (2-3 yr old) stove at his parents from his previous marriage.
5. Edited pictures from the baby shower I did last weekend until Shawn had the stove hooked up and running.
6. Cooked supper (Tilipia and some butter noodles)
7. Folded some clothes
8. Ate supper
9. Edited some more photos while Shawn ate and I held Brynn while she slept
10. Fed Brynn
11. Worked out to some TF 45/10 stretch for an hour
12. Played with Brynn
13. Took the trash out
14. Emptied and refilled the dishwasher
15. Washed all of Brynn's 20-something bottles in the house by hand
16. Did 2 loads of laundry
17. Put the sheets back onto the bed
18. Fed Brynn again and changed diaper
19. Played with Brynn some more until it was near 11:30pm (since she was wide awake).
20. FINALLY CRASHED AT 11:45pm 

I sometimes feel like I need a hot pink cape that has the Super Woman logo on the back of it!  And yes, it would be hot pink and not red.  I just roll like that!

It's pretty amazing that I don't weigh a buck-ten with how busy I am.  I guess it's because I love food too much!

I don't think there is ANYTHING anyone can tell you to prepare you for having a child.  

I think it makes it exceptionally harder for me seeing that I DO everything around the house and have 1 full time job and 2 part time extras for extra spending money.  WHAT WAS I THINKING?  

So here's what's planned for this weekend:

• Rehearsal dinner tonight for the wedding Shawn is in tomorrow
• Getting the yard mowed
• Cleaning the bathrooms
• Vacuuming the entire house
• Laundry
• An all day wedding on Saturday in which I am the photographer for and Shawn is in the actual wedding and singing 2 of the main reception songs
• Finding a gift for my mother for Mother's Day
• A possible mother's day cookout at my parents on Sunday for Mother's Day. 
• And hopefully keeping my sanity through all of that!!!!   

Who needs some MO-TIV-A-TION?  

THIS GAL SURE DOES! 

Actually, I have done a fabulous job this week with my weight loss.  I lost the weight I gained from last week and I think I have lost some more inches finally.  I'll have that exciting post on Monday for my readers.  :)

Today's quote is so fitting.  I was frustrated last week from my lack of progress on weight.  Thankfully, I picked myself back up this week!  Regardless of your results, keep pushing yourself....  You WILL find success through your hard work and efforts.  ---->

   

NEVER GIVE UP!  Period! 

 

<<<<  ------  I want all of that!  That to me is the perfect body shape.  Whoever this lady is, she has some BEAUTIFUL curves! 

That's all for today!

XOXO

-Skinny Gal.....  Somewhere.

I am NOT a morning person

Here's a fun-bitchy confession for ya:

I am THAT person at work that I'd rather not talk to someone until I have had at least 1-2 cups of coffee. 

Once I have some caffeine in my system, I am OK to talk to whomever. 

First off, if you talk to me in the mornings I may not remember what you have told me, because all I am thinking about is my morning coffee and NOT your conversation.

I'm not grouchy or mean about it.  I have a VERY friendly demeanor regardless of how sleepy I am.  I'm also very personable and easy to talk to.  Sometimes it just seems like certain people I work with just watch for me to come in every day so they can have something to do to consume their time at work.

You know those people.  The ones that want to talk to you regardless of how busy you are, if you are eating, or trying to use the restroom, etc, etc.  They walk by your cubicle to SEARCH for something to talk to you about, and/or just tell you random crap about their personal life that you would rather not hear about.

Then there are the other individuals that will jump over a hurdle and break their leg to say "Hello" to you in the morning, AND they always have to follow up with, "How are you?" 

UGH! 

Ok..........  I'm ok with small talk, just NOT first thing in the morning!!   It's always been my opinion that a person that asks, "How are you?" either doesn't REALLY care to hear your reply and they think they are just being friendly OR they are nosey and want to get some good gossip on ya.

I always just follow up with "Good" and continue to make my coffee without opening up additional questions or comments. 

There are two ladies at work that will get on your ever lasting nerve and will talk your ear off regardless of what you are doing.

I got stuck by one this morning while I was making coffee.  She wanted to talk to me about my photography business and went on about how good I was and that I should start charging more, blah, blah, blah.

Can we get the STFU truck up in here to run her cotton ball head over????

Cotton balls are what I call older ladies that cut their hair short, curl it, and poof it out as big as it will go....

I HATE driving behind a cotton ball!  It's THE WORST!  You can always see their big ol' head of hair and know they are driving slow, because they are old.   

Ok, so back on subject here.  There's really no rhyme or reason to this post.  I just NEED/WANT coffee before anyone says anything to me in the mornings.  I look forward to drinking a cup of coffee every morning and so when someone stalls me from doing so, I get a little fiesty about it! 

What is your confession???  OHHHHH, I also confess that I love Justin Bieber's new song "Boyfriend".  Bring on the Bieber Fever-baby!   

:)  Confessions are kind of fun...  I might start doing them once a week or month.

Cheers!

 



      

New Projects

What fun would it be if I always talked about losing weight???? 

Actually, I don't have great results to post this week.  I gained a couple pounds back.

Can I just say how TOTALLY frustrating it is to work out 6 days this past week, have absolutely no results to post, and actually GAIN some weight back with NO inches lost.  :(  <----Yes, picture my sad face, because that is exactly how I feel today in regards to my Skinny Gal Diaries. 

My only confession is that I didn't do well with documenting what I ate like I usually do every week.  I did eat conservatively, but not the best of food.  So, in the end the pot luck lunch, P.F. Changs, and Qudoba did me in for the week. 

Those bastards! 

Anyways, so I decided to shift focus on some of my cool projects I have been working on.  As I stated in previous post, I started my own photography business back in October last year, because I couldn't ever get a photographer to call me back for Brynn's newborn pictures.  This past weekend I did a shoot of a baby shower and took a few photos of Brynn. 

Here are a few of the baby shower: 
   

I love this one of Mommy and Daddy to baby Wyatt

Daddy helping preggo Momma with cutting the cake.

This photo is of the Momma to be with her sister and mother's hands. 

That's a few of the ones I have edited so far.  I LOVED her dress and it was great for color since I like to add light and color to all my photos. 

Some photographers like to wash everything out and make the picture lighter than it should be, but I like to make the photos as vibrant and as close to the actual picture as I can without changing the way the photo looks. 

I HATE it when photographers make the color of some one's eyes a different color than what they actually are!!  It's just a lie.... 

THE PHOTO IS A LIE PEOPLE!!   

I typically will add additional color and lighting to the scenery and sometimes clothing.  I do like to add lighting, but not the entire picture to where it changes the way some one's face looks.     

Here are the few I took of Brynnie.  It was one of those days where Brynn wanted to be extremely clingy to Mommy and so she wouldn't smile, look at the camera, or give me anything to really work with, BUT sometimes I think the non-posed pictures are even better than the ones that are posed.  Plus, I think my daughter is beautiful any way you take her (happy, sad, overly needy, etc.)  and at any angle (of course I am very biased since she is my first kiddo).   

Here's the best part about the pictures of Brynn........  I can finally say I have been fully domesticated!!!  With the help of my mother, I sewed and made the dress she is wearing.  I also make most of Brynn's bows, so I did these as well.  :)

I think this has became my new favorite picture of Brynn.  She has that look of defeat on her face, because I took a whirly wind (??  that's what my Mom kept calling it) thing from her so she would look up at my camera. 

She has the most beautiful eyes.  They are VERY blue and have a white star burst to them on the inside surrounding the pupil.  She also has some very full eyelashes that she inherited from Daddy.  :)

And, Hello, how cute is that dress????    

OMG, I can't stop looking at this one!

  

 



Another great one.  The sunbeam was SO pretty on this one. 

Here's a good one of the dress!!!

In this one she was talking to the plant.  Can you tell they were having a great conversation? 

The "No, Mommy, I am NOT smiling for you!" 

Get that camera out of my face!

And lastly......  I love the coloring of this one!

I hope everyone is having a great Monday!



Buffalo Chicken Cheese Ball

Buffalo Chicken Cheese Ball

Ingredients

1 cup of cooked chicken

2 scallions, thinly sliced

1/4 cup of crumbled blue cheese

1/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese

1/4 cup of Ranch dressing

1/2- 4 oz can of diced jalapenos-minced, cut to small pieces

1/2 tbls of Frank's red hot sauce (buffalo)-- maybe more if you like it really spicy

1 cup of cheddar cheese for coating the outside of cheese ball

Directions:  Mix top ingredients together very well and form ball.  Cover the outside with cheddar cheese.

You can use whatever you want into the dip.  I liked the carrots and celery better than the crackers with this particular cheese ball. 

TGIF-Motivational Friday

Thank goodness it's Friday!  It's been a LONG week.  On Monday I had to wake up at 4 am with only 4 hours of sleep and drive up to Indy for Tom's funeral.  Of course, it was an emotional day and I spent 7 hours in a car.  I did happen to splurge with a co-worker and run downtown to P.F. Changs, in which I ate too much and not the healthiest food.  That one meal set me back for the week on my weight loss, so I am hoping that I can at least pull out something positive from this week. 

I still have worked out every day this week, including one day I took a break from Turbo Fire and did a 3 mile-1/2 walk, 1/2 run (It was the first time I have ran in 6 years!!!).  Even Monday after the 7 hour car ride, I forced myself to do TF 45 since I felt tight from the drive. 

Today we have a potluck in memory of Tom at work.  He worked at our school for 22 years, so he left a lot of memories with all of us.

I made two very unhealthy cheese balls for the event.  One was so good that I had a hard time not sampling it-last night.  I will post the recipes either later today or on Monday.  I made a Buffalo Chicken Cheese Ball.... What?  Did someone say Buffalo Chicken???  I am seriously a Buffalo Chicken whore, I could eat it any way as long as it has that tasty sauce on it!!!  I also made my usual Hawaiian Cheese Ball too. 

So with that said, I MUST remain strong today with all the yummy food around here.  Work usually sabotages me every week, at least this time it's for a good reason and purpose.

Anyways, let's get some motivation up in here!!!!  Yep!  So true--->

<-----  Wow, I WANT that!  Maybe not that thin, but definitely that defined!  Girl has got it going on!!!! 

Yep, I agree with this one too.--->

I love the hip cut on both men and women.  It's that spot in the abs that makes the "V" to your sweet spot on your lower tummy.  :)  That's the best way I can describe it.  It's just a SEXY location and points down to the right direction.  LOL.  Alright, maybe that is too far, but between that and back muscles, they just do it for me!  I am determined to have these some day!  :)  HEY!  I am dreaming big here, and when you set goals and dream big, you can make it happen! 

   

Have a great weekend! 

-Skinny Gal.....  Somewhere. 

A Positive Influence

So, after reading Mama Laughlin's criticism on the Internet about how working out makes her a bad parent (blah, blah, blah), I thought I'd talk about how working out can be a position influence on your kiddos. 

First off, I am an avid reader and follower of Mama Laughlin.  She actually inspired me to start my own blog.  Not that she even knows who I am and I'm pretty sure she doesn't follow me.  Anyways, you can read her entertaining blog- HERE.  She is a Mommy of two adorable boys, she just ran her first half marathon, and is great at inspiring people to get off the couch and get moving.  She is also pretty funny, which I enjoy as well. 

Any who, some haters found at this link --Get a life people!-- said that she didn't care for her children and is a bad parent, because she is more into losing weight and herself than taking care of them.

I have two children (one full-time, one part-time), and I work out at least 45 mins every day with no excuses.  I also actually have 3 jobs (One full time job that pays the big bucks and all of our bills in our home, I started a photography business about 6 months ago that is starting to pick up, and I just became a Beachbody coach/consultant).  Does that make me a bad parent too? 

There are some days I feel like I want and need more time with Brynn, BUT I have been overweight for 6 years now, and I am finally putting an end to it.  It's important to me, my family, and it DOES send a VERY positive message to your children. 

I would like to someday see my children have children and if I don't take care of myself now, that may not happen! 

Here are some fun facts:

• Two out of three individuals are overweight in America
• More than 1/3 of children or adolescents are overweight or obese
• According to the national statistics, I live in the FATTEST city in America-Evansville, IN 

I'll be damned if I let me children go through the troubles of obesity or being overweight while growing up.  I've been there and it isn't fun! 

With my step-daughter, Samantha, I really don't have much say in what she eats and does.   She doesn't eat well (mainly mac and cheese, grilled cheese, hot dogs, and sugar, sugar, sugar).  She also doesn't seem to want to stick to any physical activity.  She started soccer and quit after one season, because she only wanted the participation trophy and just here recently she started karate for maybe 2 months and quit.  She is only 7 years old, and I try to remind myself that, but I just fear that her actions and eating habits will catch up to her some day.  I am hoping she will grow out of her picky eating phase.  If you don't feed her what she wants (the list of crap above), she just doesn't eat.  I've gotten to the point where I've given up with her eating habits, and so I just let Shawn feed her now.  Shawn is a horrible eater as well, and I somewhat feel like his influence hasn't helped. He'll side with her, WHICH IS WHY HE FEEDS HER NOW.  :)

With Brynn, so far she seems like she is going to be a really good eater.  She likes all the fruits and veggies I give her and she may make a face, but she will at least eat them.  At least I will have ONE person in the house to eat healthy food with me!!  :)

I have some photos to share that just proves that working out in front of your children can be a positive influence!!!    

This is Brynnie, she has one hell of a plank going on. 

She can actually do a better plank and hold it longer than I can. 

I'm jealous!  She's always trying to out do me.

It's no wonder that her tummy is shrinking faster than mine.  That over achiever! 

Here she is already picking up the resistance bands. 

LOL 

Hey, Mommy does it!   Why can't she?

I actually have two sets of bands.  I'll work on my Tone 30 from Turbo Fire, while she drools on this old set.

And lastly, Grandpa keeps working toward having her as his lil' golfer, so here she is with his golfing hat on.

I personally don't care for golfing, but if she's active then I'll be happy regardless.

Cute little stinker!  I swear, she's such a ham.  She instantly starts to smile when I pick up my camera phone.  

It's like -- SHE..... JUST.....  KNOWS!  :) 

I love my baby more than ANYTHING!!  If I ever felt like working out became a problem with her OR if I felt like I was "neglecting her", I would drop the time spent working out or lessen my time spent on my workouts. 

Typically, my hour of working out is her time with daddy.  So, she isn't neglected and for the most part she chills with her toys or in her activity center until either I am finished or if she gets upset, then daddy comes to the rescue and spends time with her.  

If I am at home working out with just her and I there and she just happens to get upset, then I stop my TF DVD and say, "Well, at least I got 20 mins in, or 30, or hell, even 15 mins is a step in the right direction."  

As parents, we all want what's best for our kiddos.  I think my biggest fear with doing Turbo Fire is that Brynn will grow up wanting to kick and punch other kids.  LOL 

BUT HEY, I know that exercising in front of her shows that:  A). Mommy cares about her body and her health, B). Mommy cares about being able to run around in the backyard and play with Brynnie  C). Mommy is being a position role model in hopes that Brynnie will some day care about her health and fitness.  D).  Mommy has hopes that through exercising in front of Brynnie that she will always be an active child and get involved in various activities.  

Thanks all!  :)  Happy Thursday everyone!   

I got your back Mama L!

        

Bourbon Chicken Kabobs

Bourbon Chicken Kabobs

These to me tasted like bourbon chicken that you get from the Chinese places at the malls and such.  It wasn't what I was going for, since I was just throwing things together and this is what came out.  :)  I wouldn't be able to tell you the nutrition aspect of it like I usually do, since everyone can cut however many little pieces of chicken they wanted onto their kabob sticks.  I can't imagine it would be too terribly bad for you though. 

Ingredients

1-1.5 lbs of raw chicken tenders

4 tbls of low sodium soy sauce

3 tbls of Jack Daniels (honey smokehouse) barbecue sauce

2 tbls of olive or canola oil

1/4 tsp of powder garlic

1/4 tsp of pepper

Cut and clean up raw chicken tenders.  I am pretty anal about cleaning up my bird before eating it, it has to have all fat, skin, and any visible veins and such removed.  I probably waste a lot of good meat on it, but I'd rather do that than crunch down on something that will make me feel sick.  It's a texture thing I guess.

Mix together all the other ingredients.  Put aside 1/3 of the solution in a cup.  Use the remaining 2/3's of the solution as a marinade in the fridge for 30 mins.  

You may have to make more of the marinade if you have more chicken.  

Take the marinaded chicken out and put the pieces of chicken onto the kabob sticks.  I have metal ones, but you can use wooden as well.  

You may need to coat your grill with Pam to keep the chicken from sticking.

Cook on second shelf of your grill (if you have a second shelf) so the the heat isn't direct.  

Flip every 5 mins until cooked and each time you flip them, make sure to coat some more sauce on them for a ton of flavor and tenderness.  

 

ENJOY!

Update

Results from Sunday.  I lost 5 lbs this past week and only 1/2" in my tummy, BUT I am feeling thinner every day and I think the weight I did lose are in areas I don't measure.  So, it's going somewhere.  :)  I give some MAJOR credit to Shakeology this week.  It was my first full week being on Shake-o and everything they advertise about it is TRUE.  It kept me full, I felt great, and I didn't crave ANYTHING (since the shake is full of nutrients that your body needs and doesn't get on a normal basis).  For those of you who read my blog and might be interested in learning more or buying it, I wrote post on Shakeology- here.    

I had a fast paced weekend to the point where I had a hard time keeping up with everything.  So, I wanted to share some of the pictures.  I'm really sad that picnik.com closed down, because it was the photo editor I use to lighten pictures and so they picture quality looks like crap, but at least you can get the point.

I bought my first curling wand on Friday and I LOVE IT!  IT ABSOLUTELY ROCKS!  I decided to go with the fluffy half way up hair on Saturday for the Bachorette/Bachelor party that I attended.  Here are some photos of the do!

Look at that head of hair of mine!  lol  I have medium thick hair and when I curl it,,,, WOW....  It gets big, BUT I am a southern gal and I like it that way.  I'm also big on hair accessories, so I put in a tiny hot pink bow in as well.  I think someone asked me while we were out if I put one of my daughter's bows in my hair, but it's actually all me... I didn't steal from my daughter's bow pile, I have my own.  :)   

Just a close up....  I felt like the make-up was rockin' along with everything else for Saturday.  Not that I am conceded, but I'm starting to feel better about the way that I look and more confident. 

Shawn and I haven't taken a photo together in a very long time, so I made him take one with me.  He's not the best with pictures and he has a hard time keeping his eyes open, but luckily we got one that's close enough to having his eyes open.  lol

I'm doing the super cheese in this one, but I was having a great time out with all my friends.  CJ and I are the first two coaches in Team Lollapaloser for my Beachbody group.  I'm super excited to have CJ as one of my coaches, he's energetic, fun, outspoken, and is totally committed to doing the P90X challenge.  I'm lucky to have him!!

ANNNNNDDD!  I wanted to show a TWO week difference with doing Turbo Fire and Shake-O.

Hopefully, you can tell which one is the before and which one is the after.  I've notice my tummy pouch is getting smaller from the two week progress as well as my core (all around) and chest.  Even though it doesn't look like it, I am the same distance in both pictures from the mirror, I did have 5 inch heels on in the black top, so that might be the difference and the lighting was better in the first one.  No photo editing other than to crop out my nasty vanity.  :)  Let me know what you think, can you tell the difference?