Things that make me happy

Happy Sunday y'all!  I'm sure not ready for Monday at all.  I've had too much fun and enjoyed myself all weekend.  Since it's Sunday and this is usually my day to relax and reflect on life, I started thinking about what makes me really happy.  I have a ton to be happy about right now.  I'm getting married in 2 months (EEK, I'm hoping I have everything done!), I have a wonderful man in my life, and I couldn't ask for a more supportive family.  But when it comes to everyday life, I started thinking today about what really completes me.  Some are serious, and some are funny, but as long as I have all of these things happening, I'm a happy girl.

 

So here's 10 things that make me happy!  These are not in any particular order, so don't judge me :)

 

1.  Celebrity gossip.  I'm ADDICTED to gossip mags and E! news.  As long as I can get a peek into someone else's fabulous life, I'm pretty thrilled.  I will always follow the happenings of Britney Spears, any one of the Kardashians, and Beyoncé.  I will never retire from reading about famous people....

 

 

 2.  Family. I love my parents, sister, my granny, aunts and uncles and love the fact that I'm about to join another family.  There's nothing that makes me happier than sitting around, just talking and laughing and enjoying the company of family.  Although we may drive each other crazy at times, we still love each other.  This is one of my favorite pictures of me and my dad. 

 

 

3.  My girlfriends! I seriously don't know what I would do without these girls.  I have a lot of them, many that now live far away, but they keep me sane.  We love to east sushi, drink wine and goof off.  They have done nothing but support me this year as I've prepared for my wedding.  In fact, they support me no matter what.  And I couldn't be happier to have each and every one of them in my life. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 4.  My kitty. I know, I know...I'm the crazy cat lady.  But Tinkles really is cute, even if she still does bite and scratch at times.  I love her little furry butt.  She also head-butts me like crazy, which is her real way of saying "I love you, mom".  Or, "please pet me right NOW"

 

 

 5. Sandra Bullock.  This probably goes with number 1, but I think she is incredibly talented, strong, and funny.  She managed to deal with her public divorce (to a LOSER by the way) in a really classy way, as well as adopt a son, raise him on her own, and keep on working.  She's also strikingly beautiful and not a size 2.  I love her.  She rocks.  And she's over 40 and looks like this:

 

 

 6. Breaking a sweat.  I know that's a little weird to say, because not everyone feels complete by hitting the gym. I truly live for getting in a hard workout and feeling like I've accomplished something great.  It's officially a part of my lifestyle and if I miss a session, I really try to make up for it.  But yes, I would say working out is one of my favorite things to do. 

 

7. WINE.  I really don't have much to say about wine, other than I love a big glass of it.  White, red, sparkling, it really doesn't matter.  LOVE WINE.

 

 

 

 8.  A pretty sunset.  My mom and I have this thing where if we see one at night, we call each other.  It will always make me think of her.  This is picture from Mykonos, Greece of one of the most amazing days of my life, followed by the most beautiful sunsets in the world.  I wish I could have called my mom that day, but I know she was thinking about me as I was thinking of her.

 

 

 9. Re-reading the classics.  I've read The Great Gatsby more times than I can remember.  Catcher in The Rye. Lord of the Flies.  I had an English teacher in high school that instilled this love of the classics. You just don't find things written like they were a long time ago.

 

10. Last but not least, I can't leave this guy out.  I really am lucky when it comes to Jarrett.  He's my rock when I'm freaking out.  He's my best friend.  He protects me.  He talks me down off the ledge a lot.  He supports me no matter what I'm going through.  We've been through tough times, but we always manage to work through them.  And for that, he's my favorite.

 

 

What truly makes you happy?  Can you sit down and think of 10 things?  This post took me about 30 minutes to write, meaning, I think I really know in my soul what makes me super happy in life.

 

Hope you guys have a great start to your week!

 

Throwback Thursday!

What up y'all!  This week has flown by SO fast and I'm super stoked that it's almost Friday. 

So I started seeing #tbt a few weeks ago, and I'm slow on the uptake , so I was like.....tbt? Tbt......Turn back time? like Cher did?

 

 

I finally got wise and saw everyone's old school pictures and was like OOOOOOOOOOOOH it's Throwback Thursday.  Duh.

 

So I decided to turn back time and show some eye opening photos of myself. 

 

Me, 3 years ago, with short hair (WHICH I LOVE, will be cutting it after the wedding) super slim, training for my first half marathon.  I felt healthy, super fit, and was ready to take on the world. 

 

 

 Probably about 25 pounds later...

 

 

 December 2012, RIGHT before we got engaged this year.  First of all...Jarrett looks like a lumberjack.  Second of all...what am I doing with my hand?  Third...I'm pretty sure I was only working out MAYBE once a week...when I was teaching spin.  Those jeans were pulled so tight at the button that I probably needed a rubber band.  And that shirt is an XL.  I didn't weigh then, but I'm pretty sure I was close to 170, maybe more.

 

Ok now this picture REALLY makes me sharply inhale and shake my head....February 2013...costume party with some friends, AMAZING night, but WOW, this really put things into perspective...

 

 

I mean, that looks like sausage stuffed into a bright orange casing.  I feel like I had a Kim Kardashian butt going on, but not in a good way, in a flabby, dimply way.  My boobs were resting on my gut...I remember seeing this picture of myself and crying. 

 

I was sluggish, tired, and putting bad food in my body.  I drank a lot of beer.  I kept watching my jeans get tighter and tighter and was mystified.  It's so funny that when you put on weight, you don't really notice it, and you're like totally stumped when your clothes no longer fit.  LIKE DUH, you're eating bad and not working out.  Not that hard.  And I am a fitness instructor. 

 

Let's fast forward to today!

 

Tonight's WOD at the gym involved pulling a sled with a ton of weight on it.  I pulled 195 pounds and then pushed it back 3 times.  It was all I could stand, but I had a blast AND have the picture to prove it.

 

 

I LOVE THIS PICTURE.  I finally am developing some shoulder definition.  My legs are the smallest they have been in awhile, and toned, not jiggly.  I'm about 14 pounds lighter.  There are days where someone is like "BURPEES!" and I throw myself on the ground with a newfound determination.  Because I like what I see, I want more, and I want to go further.  I'm eating lots of veggies, lean meats, and good carbs.  Do I enjoy a beer or some wine here and there? Absolutely! But I don't shovel in whatever I want to anymore. 

 

 

Even my face looks different!   

 

The other day, one of my friends was like "You know, it's not like you weighed 200 plus pounds and had a ton to lose".  This is very true.  But 170 was a number I never dreamed of seeing.  I wasn't happy with me.  I didn't feel good in my own skin.  I felt my former athlete dying to break out, meanwhile, I was smothering her with food, depression, and booze.  Not a proud moment in my life. 

 

 My point is, you can look back, but there is no turning back.  When I see these pictures of myself, I don't ever want to look like that again.  Done and DONE!

 

Happy TBT you guys! OH and check out my new workout tank that I just got! SUPER CUTE, can't wait to wear it for my Friday workout!

 

 

Weekend Recap and How to Food Prep...like a boss

Hey y'all!  Sigh, it's Monday.  It's a rainy, muggy day here in Charleston, but I'm up and at 'em and ready for the gym.  Karen kinda blew through, but didn't really do much:

 

 

We headed back up to Columbia, SC this weekend for one more home football game before we go on the road until November.  Jarrett's best friend joined us and we had SUCH a blast.  I love weekends where you have such a good time that you're pretty much depressed about it on both Sunday and Monday. 

 

Those boys had fun...

 

 

I managed to make some pretty decent food decisions while tailgating (like a boss) this weekend.  Lots of veggies and kabobs.  YUM and right up my gluten-free alley!

 

Speaking of food, I definitely have gotten into prepping on Sundays for the rest of the week.  I don't always do the best job, but this week, I definitely have a plan.  I even put things in containers and stuff so that making lunch wouldn't be a pain in the morning.  Remember how I told you guys that work was providing us breakfast and lunch all the time?  That just ended, so I have to start bringing lunch again, but I'm happy because I don't have to stare at a wrap/sandwich every day.  I think that may be how I possibly gained about 4 pounds back of the 14 I had lost.

THAT'S RIGHT....14 pounds down (well 10 now, but that 4 is coming off soon).  Pretty happy with that number.  But there's always room for improvement.

 

So how do you food prep when trying to eat really clean?  It's pretty easy, but you may want to budget for it.  Here's some tips on having a few pre-planned meals:

 

1. Buy up some potatos....sweet, yukons, red, whatever works for you.  I've bought baking potatos recently and started topping them with fresh veggies.  Steam it all up in the microwave and you have a delicous dinner. 

 

2.  Buy some fruit you can freeze for smoothies or snacks.  One of my all time faves is frozen grapes.  They are a great snack.  You can also freeze whole bananas for protein shakes.  Who knew!

 

 

3. Crockpots are awesome. Make a whole chicken in your crockpot, save the broth, and then shred up the chicken.  Right there, you have broth for soup, and chicken for quesadillas, casseroles, and whatever meal your little heart desires.  This week I'm making turkey chili.  This can also be used in enchiladas or as taco salad meat over fresh veggies and salsa.  If you don't own a slow cooker, go out and get yourself one.  You'll use it ALL THE TIME.

 

 

4. Make up individual baggies so you don't overindulge.  We all know that it's really easy to eat your favorite foods, but don't go to the extreme.  Back before I was trying to lose weight, I would scout out Publix for buy one get one potato chips or pretzels.  They would be gone in like 2 days.  I just ate them when I wanted to because they were there.  DON'T DO IT! (plus chose a healthier snack than chips).  Put you snack in zip lock bags, use them over and over, save the environment and maybe shed some pounds. 

 

5. Try to pack a lunch every day.  I mean come on, this one is common sense.  Lots of money will be saved and you don't have to worry about the potential for unhealthy meals if you are the one preparing them.  (Unless you're bringing leftover pizza all the time).

 

 

What do you do to prepare for the week? Do you shop on Sundays for a healthy week full of dinners? Do you allow yourself one night to go out?

 

Happy Monday you guys! New workout posts are on their way this week.  I did a five minute plank this weekend during a plank contest and HOLY LAWD, did it hurt, but in a good way.  Until then, enjoy some healthy meals and start your week off right.

 

It's really only Wednesday...

We all know what day it is.  It's been a really tough week and I've battled to make it this far.  Between three days at work, I've already put in over 30 hours.  Late night emails.  Early morning emails.  Lack of sleep thinking about all the things.  It's been exhausting.  I don't have the energy to post up that Geico camel.  I was so tired at dinner tonight that I almost fell asleep IN my margarita.  I'm seriously amazed that I'm awake to write this post because it's almost double digits, and I've been up since 4:00.  Looking and smelling a little rough at this point in the day!

 

The best part about having supportive friends and family is when they do things like send you awesomeness in the mail that you're not expecting...like this:

 

 

Thanks to my sister Jessica, I will display this prominently on my desk tomorrow for the remainder of my life.  She's pretty awesome.  Best. sister. ever!

 

Now besides it being Hump Day, it's also Workout Wednesday!!!

 

 

 With SkinnyMeg!!!!! Finally linking up and hoping to make it a party each week!  Check out one of my fave Texas bloggers.  She's preggers, runs half marathons, and is in the gym more than you are. 

 

WOD: 10/2/2013

 

Warm up: 3 laps outside while carrying a medicine ball! Find a track and go do it!

 

If you really want to get warm, you can also try doing Burpees (barfees) to "Roxanne" by The Police.  Every time you hear "Roxxxxannnnne"...do a burpee.  Gets pretty crazy at the end!  I kept wanting to tell Sting to lock it up about putting on the red light around burpee #12.

 

Today's WOD was a 2 part circuit:

 

1. 5 RFT (rounds for time) 50 high knees followed by 10 sit ups (legs crossed Indian-style). 

 

(I finished first, felt great!)

 

2. EMOM (Every minute on the minute) 20 jumping jacks, 15 mountain climbers, and 10 pushups.  Like real ones, all the way down, and back up.  Repeat 8-10 times.  I think we got in 9 or 10 rounds.

 

Finisher: 5 minute of wall sits. 

 

How do you get through your hump day? Or just your tough days in general? Do you pour some booze or do you get your sweat on? Or do you do both and in what order?

 

Happy Wednesday you guys! May your Thursday bring you happy thoughts towards the weekend.

 

OH and before I go, a quick get well to my friend Stef's cat. (I know, cat lover, sorrrrrrrrrrrry).  Her kitty dislocated her elbow today and had to go to the emergency vet.  Her cat and my cat are related.  Tink (my cat) is Teeny's niece.  Laugh all you want, but we love our furry friends.

 

Get well soon Aunt Teeny Weeny!