Apartment Tour: Welcome!

Well since I've lived at my place for nearly 8 months now, I thought I would share my humble abode with you all! I've lived with my friend Maria for almost 3 years now (in two different places). We met in college in a marketing class we had together and have been friends and roommates pretty much since (well minus a year post-college).  I'd also love to see where you all live so you should consider doing a tour of your place as well. :-)

Welcome to Apartment 102

This is my Bedroom! 

Bathroom Art work

And if your curious, this is my roommate & I in California.
(She's also my frequent travel buddy!)

And that's it. Thanks for stopping by! :-)

Life as it goes....

Wow I have not updated this thing in ages. My apologies for lack of detailed updates. I shall give you a more detailed outline of current happenings in my life. 

I have a new job in advertising/marketing.

I'm learning a lot and nearly every day there is a new challenge. It's definitely way different from what I was doing before but I'm glad I made the move to "the next step" and am getting a lot of great experience under my belt. 

I have an official boyfriend, Matt, who is THE BEST.

Matt and I met at our mutual friend, Jess' graduation party back in May. He went to grad school with Jess and also went to undergrad college with Jess' boyfriend, Carl, back in Michigan. Jess and I went to high school together. Pretty cute, eh? When I first met Matt, I had no idea that he was interested in me, he didn't really have much game and therefor wasn't very flirtatious towards me. But, there was a reason why we both stuck around until the end of the night after everyone left. Matt asked me for number, well actually, he asked if I wanted to "hang out sometime" and then I asked him if he wanted my number. Our first date was at The Cafeteria in uptown, followed by his first experience with Tea Garden and a stroll around Lake of the Isles ending with a romantical sit down under the stars at Lake Calhoun. And, I actually kissed him on the first date, something I have never done before! And now we've been dating ever since and he's definitely the best guy I've ever dated. I scored big time! :-) 

I'm running a 5K this weekend. 

Despite me running the 5K this weekend, I have not been good about working out. I've gained 5 lbs since meeting Matt and have totally lost my drive for working out and eating super healthy. And I feel gross. So, now I begin the trek again. I would REALLY love to loose  an additional15 pounds. It's going to be a slow process but Matt and I are going to try and keep each other motivated. My work schedule now is completely different (i.e. I have less time to cook/work out, more of a commute to work) so I need to find a way to adjust to my new lifestyle.

I've pretty much accomplished all of the goals I wanted to this year. Next year, I'll have new goals and I do have an idea of what I want to do but I do not have a compiled list thus far. Of course I will share more towards the end of the year, with reflections on this year and all. 

So many updates, so little time.....

Well, I have abonded my blog again...sorry folks! Life is crazy...but crazy GOOD. Let's recap the past month and a half:

• I got a NEW JOB!! I am super happy to announce that I am now in my dream career field....Advertising!!  After three weeks of interviewing, I accepted a position to be an Account Executive (also known as an AE) at an advertising agency. My client is one of the top fortune 50 companies in the U.S. and I will be working in the following three account areas: Aerospace, Construction Home Improvement Marketing (CHIM), and Optical. I will have so much to learn but I am so excited and grateful for this new opportunity. Basically, as an AE, I am the liason between the agency and the client so I will be meeting with clients, making sure their needs are being met from everything from estimating costs for projects, re-launch or new product launches, package designs and everything else that goes with execution of an advertising campaign. I will also get to travel, attend conferences and eventually do some public speaking when I feel comfortable. It's a real big girl job but I couldn't be happier. I start on July 11th and will be sure to update after my first week on the job.

• I went on a West Coast Road Trip!! I have always wanted to go on a West Coast Road trip and the opportunity presented itself to me last minute so off I went! I actually just got back this past Tuesday night. I will update a detailed blog post about my adventures out west SOON!


• I met somone! And he is really great but that's all I will say for now. :)

How did I get so lucky with all of these things going on? Well, I strongly believe in karma and if you put good into the world, the world will be good back to you.

I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe fourth of July weekend! Until next time....

My first 5K

Pre Run at Minnehaha Falls!

So exciting news….I ran my VERY FIRST 5K two weeks ago! It was pretty random and a coworker and I decided to sign up a week and a half before the event. It all started when I ran around the lake by my house (3 miles) without stopping. At that point, I decided I was ready for a 5K. So I asked my coworker if she wanted to join and we signed up. We decided to do the MN AIDS Run for the Ribbon event. They are a nonprofit agency dedicated to stopping HIV through prevention, advocacy, awareness and services. Awesome cause!

It was the COOLEST experience ever! I ended up running by myself for it as my coworker and I ran at different speeds. In the beginning, the fog horn blows and everyone starts running. There’s also a full audience of people cheering you on with signs and encouragement! During the race, I only stopped twice towards the end (after the 3 mile mark) because I was getting a side ache. As I was reaching the finish line, everyone was cheering me on and putting their hands out for high-fives. I was running solo so EVERYONE, like 150 people at least, were looking at ME! The energy was amazing!

Right when I stopped running I felt like I was going to throw up – I think it was because I was so used to the gravity of running since I barely stopped and kept pushing myself to run. The feeling only lasted for a few minutes and I felt better once I drank some water and cooled off. They had tons of vendors giving out tons of free stuff (juice, snacks, first aid kits, little knick knacks, etc.).

And because I loved it SO much, I am doing another 5K next month! Eventually, I would love to do a marathon but I’ll be taking baby steps for now.

On a final note, I have had some exciting opportunities and things that have come up that I am super excited about it. I truly believe now more than ever that if you are good person and do good things, good thing will happen to you. I am feeling hopeful about a lot of things lately and in the next few weeks, I hope to share what’s been going on. I don’t want to jinx anything!

Happy (almost) Friday!

Two days of Apple Cider Vinegar

Sounds delicious, eh? This was my BEST friend for two days.

Well it wasn’t terrible but it wasn’t great.

About a month ago I was talking to a co-worker (who has also lost a lot of weight and looks awesome) about how she got over her weight loss plateau (where your body stalls and doesn’t want to lose any more weight). She told me about this two day plateau breaker/detox diet and I thought I’d try it out. I was finally brave enough to go at it this past week. I started it Tuesday and on Thursday I finally was able to have REAL FOOD again.

Let me preface this first by saying that last week I actually think I may have already broken my plateau by eating pretty much raw/organic, lean meats, veggies/fruits, almonds, non-fat dairy yogurt, whole grain oatmeal, etc. Basically, I researched fat burning foods and ate all of those. I did this all of last week along with a pretty intense workout schedule and actually LOST WEIGHT AGAIN!  TWO POUNDS! So I really think that is the way to go for a more lasting diet.

According to my co-worker, the plateau breaker/detox diet just causes your body to switch itself up so it’s easier to start losing weight again. It’s a good refocusing tool for after the holidays, before swimsuit season, etc. I have tried to look this diet up online but have not found it yet so I don’t even know what it’s called…if you find anything on it, let me know.

So let me talk about my two day experience with this diet:

LOTS of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV).  This is going to be TMI but I’m going to tell you anyway. ACV did have an effect on my bowels. After every ACV encounter, I did both the #1 and the #2. That’s a lot of #1s and #2s in two days! Day 1 had way more #2s though. HAHA. Also on day 1 I went to bed super early so I wouldn’t have to think of food (sad) but I still managed to take my workout class.  I also felt like the ACV filled me up making me feel full but not bloated. I did not experience a stomach ache or any other negative side effects. You can look up the effects of ACV and how it has been used for weight loss, there are tons of articles. From what I have found:

For thousands of years, vinegar has been used for weight loss. White vinegar (and perhaps other types) might help people feel full. A 2005 study of 12 people found that those who ate a piece of bread along with small amounts of white vinegar felt fuller and more satisfied than those who just ate the bread.  

While the results of these studies are promising, they are all preliminary. Many were done on animals or on cells in a lab. The human studies have been small. Before we will truly know whether vinegar has any health benefits, much larger studies are needed.

Source: WebMD

There’s also an article at the Mayo Clinc’s website that says there’s little scientific evidence showing that it helps curb appetite and burn fat. So take what you will from both sides of the argument.

HOWEVER, I can tell you from my experience, ACV definitely cleansed me and definitely made me feel full. There were some moments between meals where I did get a hungry feeling but if you look at the diet, it’s VERY low calorie and I think without the ACV, I would have felt like I was starving.

So did I think this diet broke my plateau? It’s hard to say. I lost two pounds last week working hard at the gym and also eating very little processed food. Then I just noticed this morning I lost another pound.  So perhaps it is working but the next few weeks will really tell me. Also, I am  thinking that because I am focusing on tightening and toning by taking 4-5 one hour Body Works (weight/strength training class), I am also building muscle so perhaps I will start to gain weight or not see any weight loss at all? Regardless I am now 11 pounds from my goal weight. Those 11 pounds are going to be KILLER!

And now, here onto the detox/plateau breaker diet:

Shopping List

Mrs Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar (Found only at upscale food stores like Lunds/Byerlys)

2 grapefruit

4 protein bars (I used South Beach Diet's chocolate raspberry bars)

Bag of Spinach

Fat Free dressing of your choice

1 cucumber

2 6oz portions of chicken

2 6oz portions of fish, your choice (I used tilapia)

1 cup freshly chopped parsley

2 TBSP of olive oil to be used any at time you wish (at least 1 TSP a day) - I used this on the chicken/fish

1 TSP of salt to be used at any time you wish (at least 1/2 TSP/day) - Again, I used this on the chicken/fish

Pack of Crystal Light to go (I used the tea ones)

80oz water a day

Meal Plan: (Days 1 and 2 are the exact same)

Breakfast	1 grapefruit
Snack 1	One Protein Bar
	1 TBSP ACV w/Crystal Light (I used 17oz bottles for this)
Lunch	Chicken with 1/4 cup Parsley
	2 cups Spinach with 1 TBSP of fat free dressing
	1 TBSP ACV mixed with the dressing
Snack 2	Cucumbers (I mixed this with the salad)
	1 TBSP ACV w/Crystal Light
	One Protein Bar
Dinner	Fish with 1/4 cup Parsley
	2 cups Spinach with 1 TBSP of fat free dressing
	1 TBSP ACV mixed with the dressing

You can use oil and salt how you wish – I added them on top of the chicken and fish.

You must drink 80oz water/day (Crystal light drinks count as a portion of this water)

And a few disclaimers:

You can only do the plateau breaker diet for 2 days otherwise your body will go into an anorexic state. You must wait at least a month if you want to try it again. Also, some people’s stomachs don’t agree with the apple cider vinegar, if this is you, STOP the diet.

DO NOT drink the ACV straight – it will eat your teeth.

If any of you decide to try this, let me know how it works for you. Also, if you have any questions leave a comment in my blog!

There are a lot more exciting things going on right now that I will talk about in my next blog post. I should never neglect my blog for this long again. Too much to update about!

Have a good weekend everyone.

Recipe:Lighter Baked Macaroni and Cheese

YUM! I’ve had a craving for macaroni and cheese and I finally got around to making this last night (in the midst of my chaotic life) and it definitely fulfilled my craving! This recipe can be found here. Again, it’s from my favorite healthy cooking blog, Gina’s Skinny Recipes.

I owe a huge update next week. I know I’ve been complaining a lot about how crazy my life is but it is truly insane. I would love to sit on my butt one day after work without doing anything or going anywhere. I didn’t go to the gym for a week, which is the first time that has happened since October when I joined. Me giving up the gym for a week? That IS insane! Well I did go lastnight and it felt great (but I ate like crap because we had a pot luck at work yesterday). I’ve lost focus for a week and I’m back in action starting today. Last 13 pounds……here. I. go! (again)

Here’s hoping I only work 12 hours today so I can make it to Body Works class tonight.

Chaotic. Stressful. Busy.

Those are the three words that describe my life right about now. Currently updating this on my lunch break. AM I CRAZY? No, I just didn’t want you all to think I forgot about my sa-weet blog.

So I am pretty much 75% moved into my new place. I’ll be grabbing the odds and ends this weekend with the help of the fam. Both places are a mess and I have been living out of boxes this whole week. We moved the big stuff on Sunday so I spent the first night there Sunday night, kind of weird but the new place is so nice and I love it. I can’t wait until we can start decorating! My favorite part by far.

Also, work has been CRAZY. I have been/will be working minimum 10-12 hours a day this week and then when I get home I get to either A) move stuff from my old place into the new place or B) organize my things in the new place. Needless to say, I have been exhausted and stressed. I’ve lost my focus on working out this week which I HATE. I want to go to the gym SO bad but after work and then moving and organizing, there is NO way. I moved for about 8 hours on Sunday with minimal breaks and eating. I’m sure that alone burned at least 2,000 calories. Did I mention I have 13 pounds to go on my goal weight? (Granted I like how I look at that weight.) I’ve still ate pretty healthy or pretty minimal this week because I’m completely focused on moving right now. Stress is a great diet! Oh, and we still have to clean and scrub out the old place. *pulls hair out*

I hate living out of boxes and I hate how disorganized and chaotic my life is right now but it could be worse. I could be moving back into my parents’ house and not have a job so in hindsight, I am thankful.

I will update next week with the hopes of a more positive update. JUST. BREATHE.

New place, new things.

Let’s talk decorations shall we?

After tons of phone calls and coordination, my friend Ashley volunteered to help me move two snazzy  couches (with her moms huge truck) to my new place. We puzzled stacked them on top of each other like so:

I purchased these babies from Craig’s List! Lauren you would be proud. =) The owner got these from Slumberland and they are only a year old. They are microfiber and stain guarded. Here they are in the new digs:

They are actually darker than they look in the picture, more of a light tan color. The patterned pillows aren’t something I’d normally buy but they came with couches (not really my style). I will probably end up replacing with them with better patterned pillows eventually.

So yay for somewhat new stuff snagged for a great deal! More posts like this to come.

Four Years from Thirty

Homemade "Happy Birthday" sign by yours truely.

Oh. My. Gosh.

On Sunday I officially turned 26. Last Saturday night I had about 10ish of my favorite girl friends over and we dined on White and Pink Sangria….I made Caprese salad bites and chocolate covered strawberries and had some Pita bread and hummus for everyone. My roommates got me gorgeous fresh flowers, balloons, annnnndddd Skinny Red Velvet Cupcakes!! And then I received two bottles of white wine (my favorite) from two friends. Everyone was so thoughtful and it was a lovely evening. We then met up with a few other friends and danced the night away at the local bars.

So, turning 26 has made me realize several things:

{1}  For one, I have the most amazing friends a girl could ask for. I feel SO incredibly lucky to have so many great people in my life.

{2} I’m happy and proud to be the independent woman that I am. I think I turned out alright and I can give full credit to my parents for making me realize that I have to actually work for what I have. I can also thank them for their support during all of the (good and bad) decisions I have made in my life that have made me become the person that I am today.

{3} I am thankful for where I am at in life. I have a job, the friends, the fam….I pretty much have it all overall. And I am less weight now then what I was in high school. SCORE!

{4} Thank god that social standard for getting married and having kids has changed to those things happening later in life with most people. At my age my mom was married for two years and pregnant with me. No way in hell could I imagine that being the same for me at my age. There’s still way too much I want to accomplish and places I want to see before I’m all settled. When I was younger I thought by the age of 25, I would have already of found that one person..I remember telling myself that. But now I think forever is a really long time to spend with someone so I’ve upped that standard to age 30 now. Which I mean I shouldn’t really have a standard like that in the first place because there’s no way I would ever settle but I’m hoping someone will come around by then.  ;)

So there it is. Reflections on getting older.

April is a crazy month for me and these next two weeks are going to be absolutely insane. I’m moving a couch/loveseat tomorrow morning with a friend and then we are having one last party at our old place before we move next weekend.

Just breathe……

Recipe: Pasta with Asparagus

 

I made this ahh-mazing meal last night courtesy of Gina’s Skinny Recipes. It’s so delicious and healthy. Gina used spaghetti noodles but I only had penne noodles lying around so I used that instead. It makes four meals too..bonus!

Check out the recipe here.

I burned 3,498 calories last week so I lost one pound. That means 14 lbs to go!!

I’ve altered my eating habits a bit to focus more on eating fresh foods and protein which are great fat burning foods. (With the exception of today and yesterday, working 13 hours a day will alter your eating habits in not good ways...I will update more on that next week, ugh.)

Anyway, did you also know that canola and extra virgin olive oil contain healthy fats and burn fat away? I was always afraid to have them because of the fat content but it’s OK for you in moderation from my understanding. I’m eating more lean meats, hard boiled eggs or nuts instead of crackers for a snack, more filling breakfasts such as peanut butter toast with bananas. I’m also going to start making smoothies with fresh fruit, Fiber One yogurt and ice. YUM.

Eat. Pray. Love.

So I had a really awesome weekend. Friday night I reconnected with an old friend from college (I hadn’t seen her since December) and we had dinner together and it was so nice to catch up with her!

Saturday I reconnected with another old friend who I hadn’t seen for a few months as well and we had dinner with one of my girl friends. So, that’s FOUR friends that I have reconnected with this year so far!

After that, my friend and I watched half of the movie, Eat, Pray, Love (we then met up with some other friends and went bowling, saw a burlesque show and listened to rock and swing music – which was super sweet).

On Sunday I finished watching Eat, Pray, Love and I must say that movie is seriously amazing. There is so much inspiration and wonderful quotes in that movie. I REALLY wish I could get the courage to leave my life behind for a few months (I don’t think I could do a whole year) and just travel and experience something completely new. I mean I really love to travel but Elizabeth’s journey (played by Julia Roberts) as a newly divorced woman really makes me examine my own life and the things that are important to me.

She talks about the “The Physics of the Quest” in which the whole movie is based off of. She says that it is: “A force in nature governed by laws as real as the laws of gravity. The rule of Quest Physics goes something like this: If you're brave enough to leave behind everything familiar and comforting, which can be anything from your house to bitter, old resentments, and set out on a truth-seeking journey, either externally or internally, and if you are truly willing to regard everything that happens to you on that journey as a clue and if you accept everyone you meet along the way as a teacher and if you are prepared, most of all, to face and forgive some very difficult realities about yourself, then the truth will not be withheld from you.”

I need to experience this quest.

I’ve thought about the three elements that relate to this movie and how I already am/would incorporate them into my life. Here they are:

{Eat}

Obviously I love to cook. I mean really love. But I should experience with more ethnic foods (made healthy for now, of course) and I love trying out new restaurants, especially when the weather is nice. There are so many lovely mom and pop restaurants around my area I need to visit! Anybody want to be my date?

{Pray}

I was asked to go to church on Sunday morning actually (not sure how likely it was really going to happen) but I decided to go to my Body Works + Abs class and do the Stairmaster instead. I do not go to church regularly which makes me feel kind of uneasy because there is a universalist church one block from my house which I have only gone to twice since I’ve lived at my current place for two years. I once went there for Buddhist meditation – it was kind of neat and definitely makes me want to experiment with different religions, but not necessarily pick one to become (perhaps that will come later in life). I was born and raised Catholic – went to weekly religion classes, received communion and confirmation, the whole works. But the only time I revert back to my Catholicism is on Christmas and Easter with my family. My goal is to experience different religions and go to some sort of service at least once a month. I know I could use some spiritual guidance in my life.

{Love}

This one is so complicated and jumbled for me. Elizabeth says so many great things about Love, and not just romantic love but loving those around you, even strangers less fortunate than you. I need to get back into volunteering and I will be doing some volunteer work soon. While in India, Elizabeth writes an email back home that says if she were home she’d be planning a stupid, expensive birthday party and “you’d all be buying me gifts and bottles of wine” but why not help a little girl named Tutti and her family in India because “we must take care of our families wherever we find them. When you set out in the world to help yourself, sometimes you end up helping Tutti.”

(BTW, I am so guilty of planning my birthday this weekend but perhaps next year I will think differently.)

I feel so blessed to have the friends and family I do in my life (although I do which I could be closer to my extended my family – summer goal!) I have the most amazing friends I could ask for so it’s important for me to keep those friendships strong and reconnect with the ones I don’t see as often. I have been single for three years and as am vastly approaching year 26 (this weekend, eek) I think I should have experienced more love in my past. My last relationship lasted a year and a half, which is the longest one I’ve ever had, and looking back on that experience, I don’t think I ever truly was in love and it definitely was not a beautiful loving relationship like it should have been. So, it makes me feel sort of weird that I’m (almost) 26 and never have been in love. I mean I have dated a lot and I have learned so much about myself through dating and I am thankful for that. I know love will come at the right time, for all of us.

"People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that's what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that is holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life.”

P.S.: Sorry this is so long but I felt compelled and inspired to write.

The Catch 22 of finding that right career

I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels the way I feel when it comes to finding that right career. We want something where we’re making more money but then we also want a job we are happy in, enjoy doing, etc.

But what happens when the job you want is very limited and very competitive (I mean, the job market is already really competitive but some areas are more competitive than others)?

I’m reaching a crossroads in my career life and need to start making some big decisions as to where I want to go. Anyone who knows me, knows I hate making big decisions. They bring me anxiety and make me feel uncomfortable. I also get scared of change where as some people really embrace change; I wish I could be more like that.

What I do know is that I really, really, want to get into the marketing communications field. I have been in it before and I do get marketing communications related projects in my current position. I am technically in merchandising right now which correlates with marketing (so that’s good) but those projects are far and few between. Since January, I’ve probably had something about once a month.

However, there are a few opportunities that have presented themselves within my current company this week. Job #1 is definitely not what I want (it’s not even in marketing communications) and is one of the most stressful jobs in the company – not even joking.  Job #2 I would maybe consider but is still not in the marketing communications area but I could get those types of projects with that job.  Both jobs pay more but Job #2 is a little bit less per year.  I know I could do both jobs and with my extensive (almost ridiculous) about of experience I have and the amount of years I’ve been with company, I could get promoted pretty easily to either. And I’m not trying to sound self absorbed here; HR knows I want to move up and they know my experience with the company.

But I’m not deciding quite yet. I decided to wait it out a little longer to see if something that is more what I want opens up. I have a few connections and it’s not like I’ve been at my current entry level job forever –it’s been one year, five months. On top of that, it’s not like I haven’t tried to move up. I’ve already have had TWO interviews scheduled for TWO jobs this year that I REALLY wanted. One got cancelled due to a hiring freeze and the other I was thisclose to getting and was one of the top two candidates but the other was chosen due to her having more web design/social networking experience. Craptastic!

I have my job shadow/tour for the advertising/communications agency in the beginning of April and we’ll see what they say about any opportunities there.

I would feel horrible if I took a job that I took to make more money and then two months later a job that I would love opened up but I couldn’t apply for it because I already took on another job. I feel some sort of promotion will come this year but I just need to ride the wave and be patient.

Drinking & Bridesmaid Dress Shopping (not at the same time)

So one of the reasons I started this blog is so that I can take accountability for my actions and be honest with myself and all of you followers.  So here it is…. I broke my “No drinking in March” promise that I made to myself. Ugh. I was doing so well too not giving into any temptations.



Beer and Hockey? Yes please?!

It all started Friday night when I went to a work event. One of our vendors got us a suite at a hockey game with complimentary beer, wine and food. Well I had the food which was not good for me, and a few beers. But I had never been in a suite before and I’m at a hockey game so I felt like I had to and I gave into temptation.

Then Saturday night I ended up going out with some friends and someone in the group wanted to buy us shots so I ended up drinking then too. Well a little more than four shots. Try five beers, two mixed drinks and then the four shots. Ugh. Sunday was horrible because I was so tired/hung over which caused me to miss the gym. And theeeen I had go to try on bridesmaid dresses feeling all bloated and crappy. My dress ended up being two sizes bigger than I would have liked but I’m hoping that by the time they come in mid-May, I’ll be down those two sizes and then I’ll just get alterations. But seriously, that’s probably going to be the motivating factor for me to be focused from now until Mid May.

It had been about a month since I had drank in the first place, so that’s pretty good.

I’m hoping to finish out March strong with no drinking.

The good news is I burned 2578 calories last week and I worked out for two hours lastnight along with FOUR loads of laundry. Phew!!

Websites I ♥ for weight loss.

I often find myself looking at these three websites A LOT throughout my journey. They help me stay focused and motivated and allow me to keep track of my progress.

The Activity Calculator

Simply enter in your weight and the amount of time you did an activity and it calculates the approximate amount of calories you burn. It even has activities such a cleaning and plumbing. LOL.

Gina’s Skinny Recipes

Gina has all of your favorite recipes made healthy! It is made for Weight Watcher users and although I am not technically on Weight Watchers, I make a lot of recipes from here! My favorite is her recipe for Black Bean Brownies. Eating brownies on diet? HECK YEAH!

Calories Needed for Goal Weight

Enter in your current and goal weights; your level of activity and it will calculate how many calories you should be eating per day and how long it will take for you to healthily achieve your goal weight.

Oh, and Happy St. Patrick’s Day! ♣ I am not Irish and will not be celebrating. Not because I’m not Irish but because I have chosen to remain sober for the month of March. Who needs empty calories anyway!

Officially down 30 LBS!

Yes, 3-0! OMG!!

Last week I burned 2400 calories! My goal is 2000 calories a week – and that doesn’t include the 15-20 mins/3 times a week of lifting weights/ab work at work.

I ate like crap yesterday which is a rarity and my first time eating craptastic since my Cali trip, which was a month ago. Gee, I sure mention that a lot….maybe I should do a blog post to document my trip with photos? Perhaps.

I definitely made up for my bad day yesterday. Today was a good day. I never document what I eat, I just eat really healthy but today is an exception! And maybe you can get a good idea of what I eat.

Meal	Food	Work Outs for Today
Breakfast	• Oatmeal & Coffee (190)	15 mins weights - 50
Snack 1	• Trader Joes Multi Grain Crackers & Light Laughing cow cheese wedge (200)	40 mins walking - 125 (I walked to & from the gym)
Lunch	• Spinach Salad w/dried cranberries, turkey, Red Fat Motz cheese & Raspberry Vinaigrette (200?) • Fiber One Chocolate & Oats Bar (140) • Medium Orange (65)	1 hour Body Works + Abs - 500
Snack 2	• Mixed Candy (150) (NAUGHTY!)
Dinner	• 2 Chicken Fajitas (320) • Milk (110)
Snack 3	• Pear (100)
Total Calories Consumed	1475
Total Calories Burned		675

And honestly, I usually don't work out THIS much in a typical day but I felt bad about yesterday. And I just realized I went over my caloric intake by 100 calories. Woops. Well the good news is, I'm down to 800 calories "consumed" today after all of that.

P.S. If your curious, yesterday consisted of crappy church food (brown beans, potatoes, shredded pork sandwich & brownie – but I had one serving of each..yay!), sour patch kids, chex mix, 2 chocolate marshmallow eggs (my favorite Easter candy!), an orange & fiber one bar. BLAH!

But anyway, I am on my steady 1.5-2 lbs/week goal right now and I am so happy! I definitely reached my plateau 5 lbs ago and felt like I was at that weight FOREVER and now its melting off. I just hope it stays like this! Does anyone know how many plateaus you have to go through? Or is there just one? I might talk numbers when I get to my goal weight but I will tell you that before this journey, I was at my highest weight EVER! It was sickening.

I am trying on bridesmaid dresses this coming Sunday and I have a little anxiety about it. I have about 15 lbs to go (granted I look good in a bikini by then) and hopefully I will be there by May (just before swimsuit season!) and obviously I’ll be there by the wedding which is in October. But still, the anxiety is killing me! I will survive though.