Monday, December 2, 2013

Celebration!!!

**Warning you will need tissues**

My sister Ashley has been struggling with infertility since early 2009. Ashley and her husband Michael decided to get licensed to foster and April of last year their lives were changed forever! 
After only being licensed for about a week they got the phone call of their lives!! Four children needed a home and fast! I still remember this day! 
You can catch up here!
That post marked the very beginning of this journey, that not only changed Ashley & Michael's lives but mine as well!

Ashley wrote a book about all of her struggles through infertility if you are interested you can see that here!
Ashley has been blogging through these journeys, she started this blog "Putting God First Place" before she started fostering, she wrote on this blog for years! After getting her very first placement she started a new blog that would be more fitting to her "Fostering Love At Home" this blog really takes you through this journey of fostering!

These past 19 months have been amazing! 
Instead of remembering the day they met the kids, they will now remember the day that they became a family! Although they have been a family this entire time, it is now official!!
They are Adopted!!!


No more waiting, no more uncertainties, they are going to be a family forever!!
What more could we ask for??

November 23 was National Adoption Day and since my sister and brother in laws story is so touching in many ways, they were featured on the local news here in Kentucky! It is so awesome that a story like this got some local coverage! You can see that segment here!
 I hope that it opens people's eyes to fostering children and even to adopting within our country!

Going through this process with my sister and brother in law has just opened my eyes to so many possibilities and I would just hate for people in our community to be close minded when it comes to these children!
Friday afternoon, the news crew told my sister and brother in law that they were such a blessing to these children my sister instantly replied with, "No, these children are a blessing to us!" 
These children are good children that deserve nothing but the best and to know that my family is doing that for them is the best feeling in the world!! To see the smiles on these kids faces every morning and to know that we have made such an impact in their lives is so amazing to me!!
I feel very blessed to have been involved in this journey, these children are so special each in their own way and I am the lucky one that gets to be called their Aunt!

Congratulations to the happy family!!! 
Officially "The Wells" Family!!

Sunday, November 3, 2013

It's Over

Well my 31 day Challenge is over and you know I am definitely enjoying that load being lifted off my shoulders! At the end I was struggling so bad, with my leg being messed up and with writing everyday! I fell behind many times but always wrote a post!
I decided to buy the Grey Dress from my StitchFix and ladies it looks great on me!! I am just loving it! 

Here is a picture of me all dressed up and 4lbs lighter!!!

I absolutely love this dress I tried mix matching it with other scarfs to add more color and it works with pretty much any color!! I love it!!
I feel really great too, I feel like I get full faster which may just be my mind telling to stop eating because I have been working on my portion control!
All in all I just feel really great, I am even noticing a little change in my stomach and it has given me a new found burst of confidence!! It has given me a purpose and motivation to keep going!
Plus my friend is getting married in May and I'm a bridesmaid!!!
I will still be working out and watching my diet until then to make sure I am looking good walking down that aisle!! I will be updating weekly about my progress, exercises and weight loss! 
Please continue to go down this journey with me!!

Never give up!! It's easier to keep going then to keep starting over!!!

Pre-School Fun

Alyssa got accepted into Pre-School it was a shock because school had already started and was actually 4 weeks in when we got the phone call. I met with her teacher, got her enrolled and all ready to go!
Thankfully, her school is being very flexible, so when my work schedule is crazy I still get to spend time with Alyssa!
Alyssa is loving school! She rides the bus to school and gets to play with all of her new friends, and she absolutely loves her teacher!!
Most days I go pick her up and spend time with her before I go to work but sometimes she rides the bus home! I am so proud of her and super excited at how much she is enjoying it!!
I went to Once Upon A Child and got her a bunch of super cute clothes to wear! I'm telling you this little girl as cuter clothes than I do! 
About 90% she looks more put together and stylish than me!!
Here are some pictures of her awesome outfits for school!! I will live vicariously through her!  :)

Alyssa's 1st Day of Pre-School!

Alyssa Riding the Bus!!

A couple different outfits that she wore since school started!


An some more....


She is adorable I love her so much! I am very blessed to be able to buy her clothes and super blessed that she can pretty much pull off anything!! 
Stylish toddler coming at ya!!

Are your children more stylish than you? 
Do you wish you could wear/pull off your child's style??

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Day 31- Stitch Fix Time

This worked out perfectly!

I weighed myself this morning and weighed exactly 188.2 which is....
 -4.0lbs since Oct. 1st

You can loose weight and I am living proof! 
You don't have to hit the gym everyday and you don't have to workout like a maniac, I used simple and easy techniques both in and out of my home and look at me I lost 4lbs in 1 month!!

This deserves some celebration!!
It's Stitch Fix time ladies!!

For those of you that don't know what Stitch Fix is, here is a little intro.....Stitch Fix is a company that sends you 5 items in the mail, based on a style profile you make on there website. You get to try on the items in the privacy of your own home and then decide if you want to buy them or send them back! 
It is a little pricey but it is tons of fun and I love it! It is so convenient so all you mommas out there that don't have a lot of time!! I would suggest trying it at least once!

So here it goes......

Option #1
This is a charcoal gray sweater dress! I really love this dress it is a tad bit too short for me though!

Option #2
This green shirt is so cute I love how it layers in the front. The fabric is super soft and comfy I just don't know if I could wear it daily its a bit dressy!

Option #3
Not a fan of this sweater! My sister called it the "Rachel Berry" sweater hehe! No thanks!

Option #4
I kinda love this shirt! I loved it more before I looked at this picture, it doesn't really compliment me as much as I felt like it did! But still a cute shirt!

Option #5
This vest is cute, it was kinda heavy feeling though! 
It was a bit snug when zipped up but I do really like it!

I have actually not decided what I am keeping yet, I don't think this stitch fix showed my personality or style so its a very tough decision! 
What do you all think? What should I keep and what should I send back??

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Day 30- Sit-up Challenge

Today I focused on doing sit ups!
I was super lazy all day until nobody was home then I decided to do some work!!

I started off with 50 sit-ups, I then tried to do some planks, and squats.
I did a couple planks but then my leg started hurting, but I did a good amount of squats!




I am going to do better tomorrow...promise!!

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Day 29- The Final Countdown

As I wrote the title for this blog I was singing it in my head!!
I feel like I'm in the home stretch. 
Its game time, push yourself, for this last week make it count ladies!!

My victory of losing 3.8lbs has got me amped up and ready to take on the world however my leg is still hurting!
This morning Alyssa fell on my legs and I gasped in pain! After that, I could barely walk up the stairs! I am not sure what is going on but it hurts!  :/

Instead of me just sitting around the house saying my leg hurts, I am going to try and do more ab workouts that way I'm resting my leg but still working out!!


Come on ladies Week 5 here we come!!!

Monday, October 28, 2013

Day 28- Week 5

Hello ladies!! So here we are at Week 5 how is everybody doing?? 

I have some great news to share with all of you all!!

So in my post for Friday you can check that out here Being Accountable I wrote that I had lost 1.4 lbs well ladies this morning I weighed myself and I weighed in at 188.4 lbs.
How awesome is that!! I am soo excited to start my week off right with this great achievement!!
Yes ladies it is an achievement!!
Weight loss is better than weight gain!!!

Week 5 
Total weight loss is....
3.8lbs

My goal is to make that number go up before Nov. 1 

I'm not going to say a specific number of pounds I want to loose, I'm just saying it would be great to loose more! 
We will see on the final weigh in on November 1st so please make sure you tune back in!!

I leave you with this ladies.....warning it's kinda gross!!



5lbs of Fat vs 5lbs of Muscle

Day 27- Dress Up Dinner

I don't know what I did to my left leg but it is just killing me!
I worked all morning and when I got home I was frustrated! The reason is not important!
When I got home my sister and her family went out to dinner together so Alyssa & I were left having dinner together! I did not mind at all after dealing with people all day it's nice to have peace and quiet every once in a while! So I decided to do something fun!! 

I have been going to this encouragement class at church every week and somebody mentioned that they do Dress Up Dinners with there children, where they all dress up in there fancy clothes and have a very nice fancy dinner! That is when you use your best manners and best plate ware!
Its a really great way to "teach" your children table manners and how to act in a restaurant.

I just thought it would be fun to do with Alyssa, so I said, "Do you wanna have a dress up dinner?" and she said yes so I told her to go pick out her prettiest dress and I put on one of my dresses we both put lipstick on and got out our candles!

I heated up some leftovers and put them on plates for us sat down with Alyssa and had us a fancy dinner! I even put on some music for us to dine too!

It was so much fun, I just loved it!

Here are some pictures.....

Our delicious leftovers!!

My pretty girl!!

My cute family!!

After dinner we went downstairs and cuddled up on the sofa and watched a movie together!! 

It was the perfect evening for me to unwind after work and spend some quality time with Alyssa!
Even though I didn't workout it was just a great day!!!

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Day 26- My Day Of Rest

I have just been taking it easy today! An man do I need it!
My legs are killin' me!!

Actually this is weird because my right leg is a little sore but nothing too noticeable 
BUT 
my left leg is absolutely killing me every time I put pressure on it, every time I walk, I just feel it in my left leg!
I don't know if I pulled something in my leg or what but earlier I just laid on the sofa, heated up my corn bag and just massaged my legs with it, I was in soo much pain!

See, this is what happens when I think I'm a champion!! 

I felt so great after Friday's exercise but I have been feelin' it since then!
Maybe I did too much too soon! I didn't think I was but maybe!

Tomorrow I have to work but just in the morning so I'm hoping to do some sit-ups with my Stability Ball when I get home!!

I've gotta keep my momentum going!!!

Friday, October 25, 2013

Day 25- I'm Feelin' Great!

I have been pushing myself to kick this challenge in the butt and today that is exactly what I did!!
It was rather chilly this morning but I didn't let that stop me!
I threw on my yoga pants,shirt and my sweater jumped into my car and drive to The Big Four Bridge!

I went by myself which didn't stop me either, I don't mind walking/running alone, I just put in my ear buds and jam out to Pandora!

Today I did not listen to my fav station Glee Cast I actually listened to Boyce Avenue which are awesome if you haven't heard of them! They are an upcoming band they do a lot of covers but they sound great and I love them!!

At one point the music was just really mellow and I needed something a little more up beat to keep me going so I switched to my Bulletproof Station. This station is crazy but very upbeat! I really love it this is my "Gettin' stuff done station" It was made from the UK Singer La Roux which I love as well! She sings the song Bulletproof! Obviously! Hehe!

Anyways those were my go to stations today! I did a mix-up of jogging and walking all the way up the ramp and over the bridge then back down. I then walked across the parking lot and got some water and took a small 5 minute break then did it again! Up the ramp and across the bridge and then back down!
This time I did not stop and pause my workout! 

Here is a picture of me before I left....

Here is what I did....

This was really awesome!! I don't know why but I just had so much motivation and drive to jog/walk the bridge twice! I didn't plan on doing that but when I got there I was on my way back from my first round and was like I'm gonna go again! It just felt right to do it twice!!

After I was done I just felt so pumped and happy! I felt like I had achieved a goal! 

I just felt so good and proud of myself!!

This feeling is awesome, have you ladies ever gotten this feeling??

If not, how do you feel after working out!

Day 24- Being Accountable

In Wednesday's post I told you all that I had a very busy day planned for Thursday but was planning on using my TV time wisely! 
Well GUESS WHAT?!?

I did, not as good as I would've liked to but I did use it!

I came home and put Alyssa to bed and began to get ready to sit down for my weekly obsession Scandal
during the first commercial I was like Ohh Crap I'm suppose to be doing at least sit-ups....then I was like ugh I don't feel like it!

BUT....on the second commercial I got up and got my stability ball and started doing sit-ups!!!

I tried to do sit-ups during all of the commercials after that but sometimes it didn't happen because my sister and I were having an important conversation! 

But when I went to bed I did feel good for keeping my word and holding myself accountable!!

I weighed myself on Tuesday weighing in at 190.8 so I had gained .4 from the previous week, well ladies guess what.....Today when I woke up I weighed myself and I am very excited to say I am weighing in at 189.4

It is only 1.4 lb difference but hey it's only Friday, I still have 4 days before the next week starts off and the most important thing is....it's progress!

Celebrate the little things ladies!!

I have been trying really hard the past couple days to keep myself motivated and to push myself to work out even if I didn't feel like it!

This is my favorite fitness saying.....it is 100% the truth


Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Day 23- Low Impact Cardio

After writing my Excuses, Excuses Post I felt so motivated to kick this challenge in the butt!!
So I went upstairs after jamming out to some Glee Cast music and said I'm bringing down the house!
Round 1- I started my workout with an Ab Buster Video you can find that link HERE


It was not even that intense but the workouts you do take a lot of strength which I just don't have. I was sweating within the first 20 minutes! It was hardcore but I will say, this was the 2nd time I have done this video an honestly I was doing better than the 1st time!

This video took 24 minutes. I took a short rest, ate lunch and hydrated myself!
Round 2- I started a Low Cardio Video you can find that link HERE


This is the 2nd time I have done this video as well! 
This video gets you moving! The exercises in this video just attack my legs! They have you doing these lunges that just burn my legs and I mean 15 seconds into it and I'm shaky! There are a couple of spots were I had to stop doing them early because they hurt so bad! 
Maybe I should stretch before this video :/

In this video you do 7 different exercises in 10 minutes BUT you do 3 reps!
It is a 30 minute video and it has kicked my butt. I just don't have any strength!!

Tomorrow I have to work in the morning and I have a class to go to at 6pm so I will not be able to workout completely. But, Scandal comes on at 10pm, I'm hoping to do some sit-ups or push-ups during commercials!

We have to work with what we have am I right ladies??

Day 22- Excuses, Excuses

I just want to say that when it comes to working out everybody has excuses on why they couldn't work out!
I am full of them you can clearly see that here on my blog!


Honestly I could be working out right now but I am writing this post! 

I care about this blog and I care about my health, do I want to workout heck no really ladies, who actually wants to work out?

Do I need to to become more healthy heck yes!!

But there are a lot of excuses or reasons on why I have been failing tremendously this week!

It is sad when you look at this past week and realize you didn't do as good as you wanted to!

My problem is that in the moment I always think oh well I will just workout longer tomorrow to make up for missing today but in all reality I don't! I say I will eat out tonight but then I will eat healthy the rest of the week and then I wont.

I have a fast food addiction and it wins 90% of the time!
I don't have a lot of time to prepare meals and even less time to cook meals!

I did really awesome in making that chili but after 3 days I didn't want to eat it anymore! I ended up throwing more than half of it away!
That was pre-made and healthy it should have been easy for me to grab on the go but it wasn't!

All I can really say is that yes I fail many times and yes I have a lot of reasons excuses on my I am not or did not work out but that does not stop me!! Maybe for a couple days but I want to be healthy and loose weight and no matter if it takes me 1 years or 1 month eventually it will happen!!
We can do what we can do!

Don't beat yourselves up ladies, it will be okay!

Today I am motivated to kick this challenge in the butt!!

Who's with me!!! No more excuses!!

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Day 21- Let's Be Honest Here

I wake up every morning and get Alyssa ready for school, then we walk out to the end of the street where her bus picks her up, I am in my pjs every morning and no I am not ashamed! I am just not a morning person! While Alyssa was eating breakfast this morning.....I fell asleep on the couch! 
How in the world do people wake up at 7am and get dressed for the day, brush their teeth and start their day all before breakfast?
That is so challenging!
I stayed in my pjs until Ashley wanted me to go somewhere with her, then I just threw on a pair of jeans and a sweater. 
Ashley was looking all cute in some yoga pants, so when we got home I was like ohh man we should do some Zumba since your all dressed to workout!

She responded with yea lets do it!

So I went downstairs and threw on my pajama pants again!
Ashley thought I was crazy to work out in my pjs but listen here ladies, why in the world am I going to get dressed in workout clothes to workout when I have on comfy pjs?
Bottom line is this....
I had to get ready to go out with Ashley, I would've gotten dressed to workout and then had to get ready for work!
I am not changing my clothes 3 times!
I would've stayed in my pjs earlier but Ash said no just go throw some jeans on and so that's exactly what I did!

Ladies, do not be ashamed or embarrassed by what you workout in all that matters is that your working out!!

Plus, your going to get all hot and sweaty anyway and have to shower why even get dressed?

I am not ashamed, this is what I wore during Zumba today!!


It does not  matter how you look or what your wearing....all your doing is working out! That's the most important thing anyway!

So tell me.....

Whats the craziest thing you've worn while working out??

Monday, October 21, 2013

Day 20- Take Care Of Yourself

Ya know how yesterday I said I took a day of rest for myself? Well if you haven't read my post yet you can get to it from HERE
In yesterdays post I wrote about how I was so sore from my workouts that I decided to take a day of rest for myself! 
Well that was a physical rest day!
Today I took a mental rest day!
I am talking about caring for yourself mind, body and soul.
Some people have a day off and sit on the couch watching tv all day, I want you to know that is A OK with me!! I have done that numerous times and still do it numerous times, when I can!
But today I was able to go to church!! I have been going to this new church for a couple months (I think) off and on due to my schedule.
It was just so awesome I just felt so relaxed and refreshed when I got home! I was just so excited to be able to go to church!
I was even more excited to find out that Natalie Grant was a special guest at my church and actually lead our worship!!
How cool is that?!?
I was so happy and just felt so at ease with everything!
I did have to work that night but I didn't let that rain on my parade, I don't mind working Sundays as long as I get to go to church!
Actually, my church has a Saturday night service as well so if I can't make it on Sunday I can always go on Saturdays!
If you don't go to church that is fine you can refresh your body other ways!

Here are some tips on how to refresh yourself from Maria Shriver:
1. Get Rid of the Guilt
2. Spend Time Wisely
3. Splurge For Something Special
4. Be A Tourist, In Your Own Town
5. Delegate and De-Stress Throughout the Day

You can read more about these HERE

These are some really good tips! I always feel a little guilty when I take time for myself, especially since I work such crazy hours I feel like I should be with Alyssa more than anything!

Usually, on my days off I don't even get dressed, I just lounge around in my Pjs until I have to leave the house then I decide to get dressed! There's nothing wrong with that!!

The main thing is that we have to take care of ourselves before we even try to take care of others!!!

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Day 19- I'm Soo Sore

After my two days of workouts with my stability ball and zumba videos I am soo sore!
My legs have been sore after running or riding a bike but the exercises in these videos are leg strength and ab workouts.
My abs are sore, my legs are sore. I feel like I'm falling apart!

I decided to make Saturday my day of rest!

I did not workout at all today and I did not feel guilty!

I did laundry, cleaned my basement and even went to Mulberry Orchards with my sister and her kiddos!

It was really nice although it rained pretty much all day yesterday we still went to the Orchard and picked out pumpkins and my sister bought apples for apple crisp!!

Since my work schedule is crazy hectic this week after rest time and playtime Alyssa & I carved our pumpkins!!

Here are some pictures....

This was the 1st pumpkin Alyssa picked!
I told her to get a bigger one that way we could carve them 

This pumpkin is much better.....as you can see!
Yes her pumpkin has eyelashes!!

Here is my pumpkin!! I forgot to take a before picture but here is the after!
Yes I just had to make me a GLEE Pumpkin!!
Nothing else seemed to fit my personality!!

So, although I did not work out today I did some hard labor....
Laundry
Cleaning My Basement
Picking Out/Up Pumpkins

It was a great day spent with family!!

Friday, October 18, 2013

Day 18- Zumba

Today I started working out to my youtube videos again using my stability ball, but after a while I decided to do Zumba!


I started Zumba For Beginners you can find that video right.....HERE

It was really awesome, I loved it!!

This was the first time I ahd watched this video and I was able to keep up with the movements as they were doing them! It was really fun and they play energetic music to keep you going!!

I use to have Zumba for the Wii but it was very fast paced and I could not keep up with it. I actually did not want to do Zumba again because I could not keep up but this video was awesome and I would highly recommend it!!

I will say that they have some hip movements that I did not do, a lot of thrusting!!

While they were doing that I just walked in place!

I have been rocking it the past 2 days I worked out for some seemed like forever yesterday and then was right back at it today!! 

I don't know why but I am feeling very awesome!

It has just been a great week!!!

How are you all doing out there ladies??

Day 17- Using My Stability Ball

I have had this stability ball for probably 2 years and it has been collecting dust in my closet! Until, today I finally got it out and used it.


I don't have anything like P90X or T25 
Honestly I have just been wigging it! 
I have been looking up videos on YouTube and that's what I have been using for my workouts!

The first video I used was from HASFit
You can find the video....HERE

Honestly I LOVE this guy he was really good at explaining all the movements.
I did find a couple of them to be very challenging so after this video I started looked up beginner videos.
I really want to start using my stability ball more regularly that way I have no excuse I can workout in and out of the home!
I worked out to a couple different videos you can find them....

Beginner Exercise Ball Workout....HERE

Total Body Exercise Ball Workout.....HERE

Ball Ab Busters.......HERE

Out of all of these videos I would say that the last one Ball Ab Busters was the most intense!!

Honestly I fell so many times that I am not sure if I'm sore form falling or sore from the actual workout!!


But I will say these either way I'm sore and either way I'm still working out!!!

You have to take that first step ladies!!

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Day 16- Week 3

So yesterday was the beginning of Week 3 and sadly I gained .4 lbs but honestly life has been so crazy I have not been dieting or even working out!
I received a phone call last week stating that Alyssa got accepted into Head Start! It was super exciting but I have been so busy trying to figure everything out.
I only had a couple days to decide what to do.
My sister Ashley is her nanny so she watches Alyssa while I'm at work, so I had to make sure that if I'm at work she would be able to get Alyssa to and from school without causing her much inconvenience.
My work schedule is extremely crazy and unreliable so if Alyssa's school schedule and my sisters schedule did not mesh well together then Alyssa would not be able to go to school.
But thankfully everything has been working out perfectly!!
I have been waking up with her, getting her ready for school and then picking her up early so I can spend time with her before I go to work. Unfortunately I have been on nights all week so I don't get to spend a lot of time with her but some is better than none!

Here is a picture of her on her first day of school!

Anyway, with all of this craziness going on I have not been very good during my ME time!
After I drop Alyssa off for school I have 3 1/2 hours all to myself which I have not been spending wisely!
Honestly, I have just been exhausted!
Today I went school shopping for Alyssa, since I thought she wasn't going to school I didn't buy anything. Last week I bought her a cute outfit for her 1st day (shown in above picture) along with a backpack. Since she is going to school I wanted to make sure she had plenty of clothes that would fit her throughout the year! 

Although I have been getting a lot done in my personal life, unfortunately my challenge has been pushed aside!
I feel very discouraged about that!
I will say that I am very happy I didn't gain my 2 lbs back, but I still need some motivation for me to use my time wisely and get my workouts in before Alyssa gets out of school and before I go into work.

I need some motivation ladies!!

I have been giving a lot of advice, but haven't been getting much advice. 
Please leave some advice in the comments and let me know how you motivate yourselves into working out!!

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Day 15 -I'm A.......

Last night I was at work and I was getting so stressed out that I finally reached a point where I said I'm done!
I was hungry and wanted to eat dinner. I wanted more than a salad with lite dressing I wanted more than a veggie wrap! I wanted to have a big fat juicy burger!
That is a major issue in my life!!

Hello Everybody! My name is Andrea and I'm a stress eater!


I don't know what it is but if I'm having a really hard day, snuggling up on the couch with some warm chocolate chip cookies just helps me cam down!  I love being healthy and eating healthy but I miss all of my junk food! 
I don't care what you all say those 100 calorie brownies do not taste as good as real brownies!
I know that I have a problem and that is something that I am working through.
The main thing here is to accept your flaws and try to work through them.
Ladies, nobody here is perfect!
I definitely don't try to act like I am perfect I have many many flaws especially when it comes to eating!

But hey, this is what this challenge is all about overcoming my struggles and living a more healthy lifestyle!

Ladies and Gents why don't you take a picture of yourself and share your struggles with me!
We can help each other and keep each other accountable!!

Monday, October 14, 2013

Day 14- Fighting Temptations

How do I fight temptation??  Here is the best and honest answer that I can give you.......I don't!!

Do I want to be healthy....Yes 
Do I want to loose weight....Yes 

I want to eat better foods and make healthier choices but at the same I love me some chocolate, cookies, cake and fast food!
I don't want to shelter myself when it comes to food.
I do believe that portion control is a big factor in this as well.
Do I go to McDonalds and get a McDouble Yes and to me that is fine 1 burger may not be the healthiest choice but its still fine in my book.
You don't see me eating Big Macs left and right. I'm not ordering 20 piece McNuggets everyday or even every week. 
It is all about portion control!

Everything is healthy in moderation!
Milk is healthy for you, but if you drink too much of it, it can be bad for you as well!

Here is my advice and actually many of my friends have given me the same advice!

Try working out 3-4 times a week, and dieting 4-5 days a week
If you are craving something then eat it, just don't go crazy!

1. Do Something Else 
When watching your fave TV series, don't sit through the commercials. Fold the laundry – do some sit-ups or step-ups. If you have a bowl of popcorn with you while you watch, you won't even notice that you have already gobbled up the entire container.
2. Follow the One Serving Rule
If you're literally drooling over the thought of ice cream – keep individual servings on hand and make it a rule to have one serving only!
3. Learn To Read Your Mind
If you've just had a light dinner and your mind is telling you to sample a piece of chocolate cake – that's just a food fix telling you what to do and not a real hunger pang!
4. Stop and Smell Your Food
Sometimes, even the aromatic smell of what's cookin' on the kitchen is enough to make you feel full.
5. Drink Water
Slurp one serving of soup or drink up a glass of water before eating lunch or dinner – this will make you feel fuller, faster.

These are some great tips ladies!
Give it a try and let me know what worked best for you!

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Day 13- Yummy & Healthy Snacks

All of the recipes that I share with you come from Kelly at Eat Yourself Skinny!

Here are a couple of snacks that are good for on the go or when you have the mid day munchies!!

The recipes that I am sharing with you today, I plan on making myself very soon!
Not only do they look absolutely delicious but they are healthy too!
You know what that says to me...Guilt Free Snacks!!

~Veggie Pizza Rolls~
See more at: http://www.eat-yourself-skinny.com/2013/10/veggie-pizza-rolls.html#sthash.nSE6eiwM.dpuf

Here is the recipe!
Here are the stats:
Serving Size: 2 pizza rolls + 1 Tbsp marinara  Calories: 147  Fat: 6g  Carbs: 14.2g  Fiber: 0.7g  Protein: 7g
WW Points+: 4 pts -



~Skinny Buffalo Chicken Bites~
- See more at: http://www.eat-yourself-skinny.com/2013/01/skinny-buffalo-chicken-bites.html#sthash.RgE8HzsQ.dpuf

Here is the recipe!
Here are the stats:
Serving Size: 3 balls  Calories: 126  Fat: 4g  Carbs: 9.3g  Fiber: 0.3g  Protein: 11.9g  
WW Points+: 3 pts -


I will let you all know when I make these what I think of them but Kelly has had many compliments! These are the 2 things that I would be more likely to snack on, but hey every bodies different!
Go check out Kelly's page for some more delicious recipes!! 

Let me know what you find!!

Day 12- Boo At the Zoo

Last night I felt as if I was a chicken running around with my head cut off! I had to work until 4pm, go pick up Alyssa, go to the bank and then get home to get Alyssa all dressed up in her Halloween costume because we went to the Zoo!!

I did not use my running app because there was so much going on, we stopped very frequently so I am unsure of the distance but it was a good walk! We went up and down hills and around corners we walked from the very beginning to the very end!!

Every year the Louisville Zoo throws a huge Halloween event with booths setup for trick or treaters as well as different characters to take your picture with! It was tons of fun!

Here are a couple pictures from our adventure!!

As you can see Alyssa was Strawberry Shortcake!

My Strawberry & I

Alyssa, her friends, Batman & Bat Woman

Alyssa, her friends & Luigi

Alyssa & a Minion  (Her favorite "little man")

Alyssa, her friends, Spiderman, and Wonder Woman

Alyssa, her friend, Tinkerbell & Peter Pan

This was a great way to spend time with Alyssa doing something fun and also to get off the couch and get some exercise!!

This Halloween you should take your children trick or treating and just walk with them! 

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Day 11- Busy Busy Busy

When you have a very busy life and schedule it is hard to work out on a daily basis!
Lets be honest here its hard to workout even a couple days a week!
But I have found that if I do things with Alyssa then its easier to workout because we are also spending time together, so I don't feel as bad like I'm choosing to workout rather than hang out with her!

A couple days ago I put her in the stroller and walked on Big Four Bridge, she loves going to the bridge so I know that is a good way to 1. Hang out with Alyssa and 2. Get exercise

My favorite thing to do is spend the mornings with Alyssa then while she is taking a rest time/nap then I can get a quick workout in and then be able to spend the afternoon with her too!
That really only happens on my days off and unfortunately sometimes not even then because I have a lot of stuff to do on my days off!
Fun Fact!!
Did you know.....children need 60 minutes of physical activity every day.

If a child needs at least 60 minutes how much do you think we need as adults?

Here are some ideas on how to get everyone off the couch and out the door from our friends at Lets Move.
Have a hula hooping contest for the whole family
Set up a badminton or volleyball net in your backyard and challenge your child to a match
Get out your jump ropes and play double dutch in the driveway
Take your bikes to a local trail or ride around the neighborhood
Sign up for a family activity class for anything from yoga to dance lessons

Another fun thing do to with your kids is to play Xbox 360 Kinect or Wii 
with either of these game consoles you can move freely and play really fun games! You may surprise yourself, you could be having so much fun that you forget your even working out!

If you have a small baby Parenting.com has some great workout ideas that may work for you!
You can check them out here!

There are a lot of choices for you to get in a workout even if its just walking through the grocery store or even a park or neighborhood!

It can be as little as 25 minutes a day and as much as an hour a day, it doesn't matter as long as your doing something!

Stay strong ladies!!