March 8, 2012 · 8:06 PM

What I Wore Today {A Taste of Spring}

Today we had a nice taste of spring weather … it was 74 degrees this afternoon! As a result, I decided to actually change out of my gross work clothes before running errands. I opted for one of the girlier shirts I purchased last year, it has ruffles and flowers on it…GASP!

Floral Shirt: Forever 21 (last year)
Jeans: H&M
Sweater: Target (You’ll see it on my a lot…it’s comfy)

Close up of my shirt…it might be the “girliest” thing I own.

I gotta stay true to who I am….Chucks on muh feet!

 I’m actually looking forward to buying new clothes for the spring and summer this year…and becoming a little more girlie in the process.

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March 6, 2012 · 10:22 PM

Looking At The Big Picture

I know I have spent a lot of time on here calling myself a slacker…and honestly, sometimes I truly feel like one. However, when I look back at how far I have come and how despite not really working out for the past few months I have maintained my weight, I’m actually very successful.

When I started doing P90X and Insanity, I knew it wasn’t a level of working out that I wanted to maintain forever. I don’t think my body would like me very much if I did that everyday with no true breaks. I knew I wanted to reach a point where I could workout 2-3 days a week and just eat healthy to maintain a normal, healthy weight for my height and age. I knew I’d eventually hit the point of needing balance…between workouts, nutrition, life and work…cause let’s face it, there are just not enough hours in the day for all of these things on a regular basis.

I am proud, that as the 3 year mark approaches, I am still on my journey. I have reached my goal, lost over 100lbs, maintained my progress and I’m planning new and exciting ways to improve myself. I am proud that I have been able to inspire others to improve themselves and change the bad habits that they hated for so long. I’m proud of my hard work and determination to see this through and finally achieve something that I thought was just a dream.

Every now and then we should all stop to reflect on the great things that we have achieved. It’s so easy to dwell on the negative or get hung up on the slip ups we made along the way. I know first hand how hard it is to stay positive sometimes, but keep your focus not on how many times you trip and fall, but on how many times you get back up, dust yourself off, and keeping moving on.

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March 1, 2012 · 8:40 AM

Trying Something New

Recently, a few of the ladies I follow on twitter have been doing a “What I Wore” blog each day and I found myself enjoying it and wanting to participate. The issue? a) I didn’t feel my blog was built for posts like that and b) well…I’m a jeans and t-shirt kinda girl.

I started thinking about these two things and I realized that there is no reason why I can’t dress “cute” every now and then. Most times I’m headed to work and I don’t wear anything good to go there as it would just get ruined. However, if I go out to run errands at night or on my day off, I can put a little effort into my attire. The other thing I started thinking about was that I can fit that kind of stuff into my blog. It’s part of my journey and I am able to fit into clothes I like now because I have busted my butt and lost all of the weight I felt I always needed to cover up under baggy, shapeless clothing and sweaters.

So, here are three outfits I wore this week. I seem to be attracted to stripes lately (probably because overweight people and stripes were always a no-no). I’m taking baby steps with this stuff and to be honest, the victory is in the fact that I’m not wearing a sports or Star Wars t-shirt.

I wore this Saturday night to a neighbors house for a get together.

Animal Print Shirt from Forever 21 purchased 2-years ago
Black cardigan from Target purchased this year
I wore a pair of dark wash jeans and boots with this. 

I wore this on Sunday to go grocery shopping.

Striped shirt – purchased at Target last week.
Grey sweater – purchased at Target a few months ago.
Jeans from Charlotte Russe purchased last year.
Shoes which you can’t see are a pair of grey Converse (my favorites) 

Yesterday outfit was worn to do some training at work, for a trip the mall and lunch with my husband.

V-neck t-shirt from Target – purchased this year.
Striped sweater from Target – purchased the other day.
White scarf – purchased at Five Below
Jeans from H&M – given to me by a friend to serve as goal jeans (they sat on a shelf in my closet for a long time!)
Purse – I believe I bought that at Target 3 years ago. 
Shoes – which you can’t see are a pair of UGGS – I know, I know…they’re comfy and it was chilly so get over it! 

Here you have it….my attempts at putting some effort into my attire. To some, this is super casual but to me, it’s slightly out of my junior high school boy comfort zone. Maybe some day you will see a major pop of color, a skirt and some heels….but don’t hold your breath on that one.

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 A special thank you to Jac, Beth and Amy for inspiring me to put forth a little effort. It’s time I realize I don’t have to hide behind clothing and I can use it to show off all of my hard work.

P.S. – I have no idea why some of my captions wouldn’t center on this post. All of my setting seem correct on here, but I’m late for work and can’t fight with it anymore. Sorry.

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February 28, 2012 · 8:14 AM

Is It Hot In Here, Or Is It Just Me?

Last night was my second Bikram Yoga class, and I was really looking forward to it. I have been under tremendous amounts of stress lately and this has become a treat that my body and mind both deserve.

This week we headed to class learning from the prior weeks mistakes. We brought a large towel to drape over our mats to prevent us from slipping on our sweat and we got to class earlier to secure a good spot, in the back, on the opposite side of the room from the steam output. Unfortunately, we missed out the prime back row spots, well my friend did, as I snagged the last one but she was brave and moved herself up to the front row. (So she could admire herself in the mirror, I’m sure)

Class began and man, let me tell you, I think the heat was cranked up to 1,005 instead of 105 degrees. It. Was. HOT.

The sweat immediately started pouring off of me and no matter how often I stopped to wipe down, I was drenched again within seconds. I don’t know if I didn’t take in enough calories early in the day or if the amount of stress I’ve been feeling had taken that much of a toll, but I kept getting light-headed and had to come out poses quite a few times to recover.

Normally, I would be self-concious having to stop but what I love about this class is that the instructor constantly reminds you to listen to your body and do what it tells you. Mine was telling me to rest, so that’s what I did.

Just like last week, the standing balance poses ended just as I thought I couldn’t take another minute and the floor poses began. I welcome this break like you wouldn’t believe. Maybe it’s cause I’m tall and heat raises, but laying on the floor felt like I had just hit the lotto and I could feel a temperature difference.

By the end of class my mind was clear, my body was stretched and I felt like a new person. (Not to mention my tank top and shorts were soaked and there wasn’t a dry spot on either towel….eww) It was once again a wonderful feeling to just let all of my worries go for 90-minutes and focus on nothing more than the mind and the breath.

I have one more class next week at the current studio. The other day, I received a Groupon for a different studio and we have until tonight to decide if we will take advantage of it and commit to another 10 classes.

Namaste.

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February 20, 2012 · 11:21 PM

A Night of Bikram Yoga

The other night, my neighbor, the lovely @Melysa_S,  sent me a text message asking if I would be interested in joining her for a 90-min Bikram Yoga session. I found that I got excited about the chance to try something new, and then a sense of fear took over. If you have followed this blog for a while, you know I have a phobia or group workouts. I loathe working out around people so the thought of not only leaving my comfort zone, but doing it in a 105 degree F room scared me….big time!

So what is Bikram Yoga? Well…

  • It’s done in a 105 F room with 40% humidity.
  • It consists of 26 “asanas” or postures and two breathing exercises that are done twice in a row.
  • It’s 90 minutes long.
  • The combination of heat and postures are supposed to be good for blood circulation, delivering more oxygen to joints, muscles and organs.
  • Sweating is supposed to be detoxifying.

This all intrigued me as did the need to de-stress, so I found the courage to say yes and started looking at info on-line to prepare myself. From everything I read, hydration and towels were the most important things, as well as going to class with an empty stomach.

Upon arriving at the studio, we signed in, quickly changed and entered the room. I knew it would be hot in there, but I wasn’t prepared for the wall of heat that smacked me. We found the last two spots in the back of the room (of course mine was under the pipe that fed the steam into the room), settled in and began to stretch.

The instructor was really nice and I was grateful that I had experience with YogaX so I knew some of the poses. I was also happy many of them were balance poses as those are the ones I like the best.

There were a few times the heat started to get to me, but I wiped the sweat off my brow, took a little water and got back in it.

Class was split into a standing a segment and a floor segment. I was very relieved when we switched to floor work because it gave my head a chance to rest from the lightheadedness that was beginning to take over.

Ultimately, it was an amazing workout. I had a great experience, felt a ton of stress melt off of me and I look forward to two more weeks of it, since we purchased a 3-class pack for only $25!

If you are interested in what kind of poses we did, here is a graphic I found that has all 26.

If you have ever contemplated trying Bikram Yoga, I say go for it! I’m so happy I stepped out of my comfort zone and gave it a try!

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February 19, 2012 · 6:37 PM

Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells

Today I finally had some time to catch up on Fitness Magazine. While flipping through the pages of the March 2012 edition, I stumbled upon a mouthwatering photo for this recipe. I knew as soon as I saw it, I had to try it and I’m very happy with the end result and I thought I would share with those of you who take the time to check out my blog.

(Plus, lets be honest…I haven’t exactly been full of content lately so a little “filler” is needed around here. Photo pictured is my end result and I know the bread is not the healthiest but the Italian in me can’t resist a piece when sauce is involved.)

Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells
recipe from Fitness Magazine – March 2012

Makes: 4 servings
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients:

18 Jumbo Pasta Shells
1.5 teaspoons olive oil
1/4 medium onion, finely chopped
4oz fresh chorizo, crumbled
15oz can of crushed tomatoes
3/4 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt, plus additional for seasoning
1/4 teaspoon pepper, plus additional for seasoning
Olive oil cooking spray
2 cups baby spinach, finely chopped
1 cup low-fat ricotta
1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella
1 egg white, lightly beaten

Directions:

1. Cook shells according to package directions; rinse under cold water, drain and pat dry.

2. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and chorizo and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Drain all but 1.5 teaspoons of drippings and return pan to stove. Add tomatoes and sugar and season with salt and pepper to taste; simmer until sauce is slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Set aside.

3. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and coat a baking dish with cooking spray.

4. Combine spinach, cheeses, egg white and 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper in a large bowl. Spoon half the tomato sauce into the prepared dish. Stuff each shell with a heaping tablespoon of filling and arrange stuffed shells to fit in the baking dish. Spoon remaining sauce over the shells and cover with aluminum foil. Bake until pasta is cooked through and sauce begins to bubble, about 30 minutes. Let rest 5-10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts per serving:

449 calories, 24 g protein, 46 g carbs, 18 g fat (7.4 saturated), 4 g fiber

Enjoy!

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February 6, 2012 · 7:30 PM

Think Less & Live More

This is my new outlook on fitness.

I have been stuck in this awful rut of over thinking what I have and have not been doing. I’ve been dwelling on the negative instead of the positive, and that my friends is no bueno.

For so long I’ve been fixated on reaching my goals and doing what I had to do to reach them. Well, you know what? I reached them and I guess I hit that point of not really knowing what to do next.

I had nothing to focus on anymore and found myself wandering around, trying to find happiness in what was familiar but not really what I needed anymore. Now, don’t me wrong. I’m not saying I don’t need to work out daily, or that I wouldn’t benefit from it. What I am saying, is that the need and want wasn’t really there anymore. Part of me wanted to see if I could maintain the goals I achieved without the “beast mode” level of fitness I had become accustomed to….and you now what? I did…and it’s a great feeling.

From here on out I want to take things day by day. I want to enjoy whats around me and just go with the flow of the mood I’m in. I don’t want to plan every workout in advance. I want to just do what I feel like doing that day.

Some people may think that’s crazy and to them I say, to each their own. I will have my guidelines for the 3 days a week I plan on working out and I will just pick from the workout DVD collections I have to fill the needs of that day. Some days it might be P90X or Insanity, others running or yoga.

At this point of my journey I believe my nutrition is the most important part, and it’s the area I have gained the most progress in. To me, it was the hardest to get under control and while I will indulge in kettle chips, Five Guys and ice cream from time to time, I am no where near, nor could I ever return to the fast food fiend I once was.

So…from here on out, I vow to (over) think less & live more, because if I can’t enjoy the goals I have obtained, what’s the point?

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January 30, 2012 · 8:09 AM

How Did We Get Here?

This is question I believe many people ask themselves at any given point in life. It can apply to fitness, love, friendship, finances, marriage, relationships and parenthood.

A series of individual events, strung together, can lead you down a road that you never imagined walking down.

Is that a bad thing?

No. I don’t believe it is.

As cliche as it sounds, I believe that everything happens for a reason. I believe that people come into your life for a reason, events happen for a reason and what doesn’t kill you, can only make you stronger. You just have to be willing to take on the new role, learn the lessons being given to you and embrace that change can be good for the soul.

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*In an attempt to bring this blog back to life, future posts may not only relate to physical fitness. I feel that this is a journey about getting mentally fit as well, and I’m finally at a point where I am comfortable sharing some more of myself….unsensored.*

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January 30, 2012 · 1:11 AM

I Deserve To Be Happy, Dammit!

I know my blog hasn’t had a lot of content lately and I know that my tone hasn’t been very positive, but I guess everyone goes through it at some point or another. Depression isn’t fun, but it is a reality.

After falling off the wagon with the Shred about two weeks ago, and hitting a mental low this past week, I’ve decided that I have to get myself back on track with my workouts. I owe it to myself and I’m only cheating myself  by not doing it.

My daily workouts brought me happiness. I felt accomplished after doing them and feeling how strong I was. I mentally had a place to focus energy and they would bring a sense of calm to my day. They were a natural Xanax for me, I suppose.

I need this happiness in my life. I need a place to focus my energy and I need to feel calm.

The weight I have lost over the past few years is my greatest accomplishment, with the exception of the two beautiful children my husband and I brought into this world. What sets my weight loss apart is that I did it on my own. No one could make me work out and eat the proper foods. I had to make the choice to wake up everyday and do what I needed to do to become the healthy person my children deserve.

During the trying times in life, they help me focus and remain a calm, well balanced person.

I know it’s not going to be easy to get back into a groove. I know I have a huge mental struggle ahead of me, but I was strong enough to do it once, so I’m sure I’m strong enough to do it again.

From this moment on, I’m dusting myself off (again) and getting myself back on track….because I deserve to be happy, dammit!

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January 29, 2012 · 11:25 PM

Something Different For This Blog…

Normally this blog is about my journey with fitness, but I’m changing it up a bit. I am a self admitted slacker in this field lately and was just tagged in this by SpellsBadBarbie from With Glitter In Her Veins.

Hope you enjoy this little change of pace…I’m hoping this will be fun.

The Rules:

  • Post these rules
  • You must post 11 random things about yourself
  • Answer the questions set for you in their post
  • Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer
  • Go to their blog and tell them you’ve tagged them
  • No stuff in the tagging section about you are tagged if you are reading this. You legitimately have to tag 11 people!

11 Random Things About Me:

1. I am an only child.

2. I do not know how to walk in heels without feeling like I am going to fall over and break something.

3. I do NOT own a skirt. (Yes you read that correctly)

4. As a child, I dreamed of becoming a fashion designer. (Funny cause I lack a sense of fashion now)

5. Pizza is my favorite meal.

6. I can be a total dork at times.

7. Laughter is the key to my heart.

8. I am currently addicted to jalapeno flavored kettle chips.

9. I actually enjoy long drives by myself because I like the time it gives me to think.

10. Twitter has introduced me to some of the greatest people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting.

11. Traveling is what I truly long to do.

11 Questions From SpellsBadBarbie:

1. What are your top three favorite books? Right now, I just finished the Hunger Games series and really enjoyed that. I’m also a fan of Alice of Wonderland and the kid in me loves anything Dr. Seuss.

2. What is your drink of choice? If we are talking non-alcoholic, Water. If we are talking alcohol, give me a cold Yuengling Light, please.

3. Who is the one person that gets you? I don’t really get myself right now.

4. If you could choose your last meal, what would it be? P-I-Z-Z-A with a side of Kingy’s chips

5. PC or Mac? Tough call as I use both. I’m gonna plead the 5th here.

6. Describe your favorite day. I’m gonna go with right this minute. I haven’t laughed this hard in a long time. Plus my husband is still alive. (Just kidding)

7. What one song brings back the most powerful memory? “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley. It’s our wedding song and one of the happiest days of my life.

8. If there was one wrong you could right, what would it be? Lack of communication.

9. What is the accomplishment you are most proud? My weight loss. Outside of my two beautiful children, it is the one thing I am truly proud of. It is something I never thought I could do and I achieved on my own.

10. What characteristic do you find most attractive in others? Sense. Of. Humor.

11. What is the one career you would like to try? I thought about becoming a personal trainer last year. I also tried my hand a party planning and enjoyed it.

11 Questions For The Friends I Tag:

1. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

2. What is your favorite childhood memory?

3. List 2 goals you have for this year.

4. What makes you happy, no matter how bad of a mood you are in?

5. Do you have a hobby? If so, what is it?

6. Guilty Pleasure?

7. Name 5 songs on your iPod you would be embarrassed for people to know about.

8. Favorite Movie?

9. Item you can’t live without? (Cellphone is not an acceptable answer…no one can live without them.)

10. What do you currently drive? What’s your dream vehicle?

11. Android or iPhone?

I hope you enjoyed reading this. I don’t have 11 people to tag so feel free to join in and tag me on twitter to read it! @bronc787

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