tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77840864777125820792024-02-23T01:46:10.295-06:00Paula's PoundsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466556284943332769noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784086477712582079.post-22079178439761398142017-04-26T10:10:00.000-05:002017-04-26T10:20:19.281-05:00THE 💜 PURPLE 💜<div>
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Let me start off by saying if you haven't heard of the purple mattress yet, you've got to *STOP RIGHT NOW* and watch this before continuing to read this post:<br />
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THE PURPLE MATTRESS COMMERCIAL: <a href="https://youtu.be/4BvwpjaGZCQ" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">https://youtu.be/4BvwpjaGZCQ</a></div>
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Hokay, so, as you've probably already guessed, I purchased the purple mattress. I purchased the queen size at $999.<br />
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I was so excited about it I decided to document the mattresses arrival, the egg test, and my thoughts on the mattress after owning it for 6+ weeks. </div>
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<b>Mattress arrival video: </b></div>
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<a href="https://youtu.be/un2dTT-SVx8">https://youtu.be/un2dTT-SVx8</a></div>
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<b>10 day review and official "EGG TEST" </b></div>
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<a href="https://youtu.be/htvfpGWzxSs">https://youtu.be/htvfpGWzxSs</a></div>
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<b>Final thoughts... </b></div>
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<a href="https://youtu.be/zNfIBIN3ATo">https://youtu.be/zNfIBIN3ATo</a></div>
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To be honest, I've never wanted to love an item as much as I wanted to love the purple. The creativity. That marketing team. That commercial. all of it - BRILLIANT.<br />
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However, as a side sleeper, it just wasn't the mattress for me. It was too firm, and ended up giving me some intense shoulder and hip pain - and I couldn't handle it anymore (after 57 day trial) so I ended up calling a local nonprofit who came and picked up the mattress for me. Then I completed the one page donation/return form from Purple and emailed it over to them. By the end of the week, I had my complete refund. What a great return experience.<br />
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After that experience, I went ahead and went to a brick and mortar mattress stores, Mattress Firm and Mattress King, to find my perfect mattress.<br />
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I listened to the salesman's advice, brought in my own pillow, and laid on each bed for no less than 20 minutes at a time, spending at least 5 minutes on each of my sides, playing on my phone, acting like it was my real bed at home. I probably went to each of the two stores at least five different times to lay on different beds. Initially, I wanted to invest in the $3500 queen Tempurpedic cloud - but realized I could find something that I loved just as much for probably half of that cost.<br />
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I read online and learned a lot about mattresses. Like how one company can create one mattress and make it look different - then sell it to different stores and call it two different things, and price it two different ways. Frustrating. So I ended up falling in love with basically the same bed at two different stores. From that point, it was just a matter of negotiating price and seeing who could give me the best deal/extras/warranty.<br />
Y'all know me. I'm ALL about saving the $$.<br />
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I decided on a <a href="http://www.mattressfirm.com/sealy/posturepedic-hybrid-elite-kingsthorne-14.5%22-plush-mattress/mfi113201.html" target="_blank">Sealy Hybrid Kingsthorne Queen Mattress</a>. It was $1500 less than the Tempurpedic (within my budget), and felt like a dream. I kept going back to it every time and ultimately decided it was my body's way of telling me that was the one I wanted.<br />
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Anyways, after talking to both stores about the price, I decided to go with Mattress Firm, as they were willing to give me a free pillow, $10 delivery, and could beat Mattress King's price by about $200. Plus, their warranty and return policies were pretty great.<br />
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Before making the purchase, I decided to stop into a different Mattress Firm store in my city than the one I had been shopping at, just to make sure I was getting the best deal.<br />
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The bed was originally priced at $2100. It was on sale for $1800.<br />
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When I went into the second store, I did what I always do - tell the salesman I just wanna chill out for a while, then I went to lay on the Kingsthorne bed for about 20 minutes. During that time, the salesman came up to me and said "what do I have to do to get this bed out the door to you today?" and I replied with "Give me your very best deal!"<br />
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He came back about 5 minutes later and said "okay, ma'am - we can get you this bed, today only, for $1300.00" an extra $500 off. Score.<br />
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I told the salesman that I would be back later and I wanted to think about it. After work, I went back to my original store and told them about what the other store was offering, and they matched it. They also knocked the delivery off, and even gave me a second free fancy pillow.<br />
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I signed everything, made the payment, and two days later my mattress was delivered to my home.<br />
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Now, $1300 seemed like a lot to me. The purple was $300 less, and my old mattress from college was only like $550 for the set! I was afraid at first, but I realized that I spend so much time in my life sleeping that it was fine for me to invest in a strong, long-lasting, well-designed mattress.<br />
.... and I've never looked back.<br />
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My new mattress has far exceeded my expectations. I've been sleeping on it since October and it's been AMAZING. I sleep so comfortably. I never stir up in the middle of the night because i'm in pain. I never wake up in the morning and don't feel rested. That mattress was worth every penny!<br />
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So, there you have it! Got the purple, hated it, returned it, shopped around, and purchased the Sealy Kingsthorne Elite Hybrid - and I've never been happier!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466556284943332769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784086477712582079.post-31570233421967198752017-01-15T21:48:00.001-06:002017-01-15T22:38:24.983-06:00#phoenixthelionkittyMeet Phoenix, my best friend. 🐱<div>"Who rescued who" - Tulsa SPCA<br><div>Almost four years old. </div><div>Loves napping, chasing toy mice 🐭, cuddling, and patio sitting. </div><div>Forever-shedding. </div><div>#itssofluffyimgonnadie</div><div><br><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_vbOZE9uDR6TlLWB1k19xEM-LKI089a450OTQCEif8NGNS6W_sNreEBtnZAu1-bdC6V827zgZu-nqq-Kv-ceowI_BE1B0GTrAJP5rZEJLT880I6ssXPdW823YTx6JC8EVwA0Z2-y92m6J/s640/blogger-image-202664002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_vbOZE9uDR6TlLWB1k19xEM-LKI089a450OTQCEif8NGNS6W_sNreEBtnZAu1-bdC6V827zgZu-nqq-Kv-ceowI_BE1B0GTrAJP5rZEJLT880I6ssXPdW823YTx6JC8EVwA0Z2-y92m6J/s640/blogger-image-202664002.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnla-qph1JxcXRG8RmElRCb73eTM61OJ38EL-yaQ0od_euQPCh3HZ3WwjX64Ph3_NBfUjX8pTmh0_dJzeDfEIugmfsB1dZmR7BucQEWyCXCgSwROQFmf3cTNjmwGqNMnAZJHf__ucMDh_Q/s640/blogger-image--2105694275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjehvVWPr_kpA1BxEn59vOwj9ZoJJduNzt9uzFxdDezHWtBiZOKWAmXfjt_WHgmj65OyaL4-YfQhHuMeBsxMxVwOTrXzzEsIogtZInwsFbcQfZTHor7ujzcpw910N2YkFRvuRgDOwNwPlsE/s640/blogger-image--28827588.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">...to be continued...</div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466556284943332769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784086477712582079.post-79405613097263778592017-01-15T00:13:00.001-06:002017-01-15T00:15:20.219-06:0023 emotions people feel but can't explain..<ol>
<li style="margin: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';"></span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText-Bold'; font-weight: bold;">Sonder</span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">: The realization that each passerby has a life as vivid and complex as your own.<br>
</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';"></span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText-Bold'; font-weight: bold;">Opia</span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">: The ambiguous intensity of looking someone in the eye, which can feel simultaneously invasive and vulnerable. </span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';"></span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText-Bold'; font-weight: bold;">Monachopsis:</span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';"> The subtle but persistent feeling of being out of place.<br>
</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';"></span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText-Bold'; font-weight: bold;">Énouement</span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">: The bittersweetness of having arrived in the future, seeing how things turn out, but not being able to tell your past self.<br>
</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';"></span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText-Bold'; font-weight: bold;">Vellichor</span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">: The strange wistfulness of used bookshops.<br>
</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';"></span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText-Bold'; font-weight: bold;">Rubatosis</span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">: The unsettling awareness of your own heartbeat.<br>
</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';"></span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText-Bold'; font-weight: bold;">Kenopsia</span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">: The eerie, forlorn atmosphere of a place that is usually bustling with people but is now abandoned and quiet.<br>
</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';"></span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText-Bold'; font-weight: bold;">Mauerbauertraurigkeit</span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">: The inexplicable urge to push people away, even close friends who you really like.<br>
</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';"></span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText-Bold'; font-weight: bold;">Jouska</span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">: A hypothetical conversation that you compulsively play out in your head.<br>
</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';"></span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText-Bold'; font-weight: bold;">Chrysalism</span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">: The amniotic tranquility of being indoors during a thunderstorm.<br>
</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';"></span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText-Bold'; font-weight: bold;">Vemödalen</span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">: The frustration of photographic something amazing when thousands of identical photos already exist.<br>
</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';"></span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText-Bold'; font-weight: bold;">Anecdoche</span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">: A conversation in which everyone is talking, but nobody is listening<br>
</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';"></span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText-Bold'; font-weight: bold;">Ellipsism</span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">: A sadness that you’ll never be able to know how history will turn out.<br>
</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';"></span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText-Bold'; font-weight: bold;">Kuebiko: </span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">A state of exhaustion inspired by acts of senseless violence.<br>
</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';"></span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText-Bold'; font-weight: bold;">Lachesism</span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">: The desire to be struck by disaster – to survive a plane crash, or to lose everything in a fire.<br>
</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';"></span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText-Bold'; font-weight: bold;">Exulansis</span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">: The tendency to give up trying to talk about an experience because people are unable to relate to it.<br>
</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';"></span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText-Bold'; font-weight: bold;">Adronitis</span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">: Frustration with how long it takes to get to know someone.<br>
</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';"></span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText-Bold'; font-weight: bold;">Rückkehrunruhe</span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">: The feeling of returning home after an immersive trip only to find it fading rapidly from your awareness.<br>
</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';"></span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText-Bold'; font-weight: bold;">Nodus Tollens:</span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';"> The realization that the plot of your life doesn’t make sense to you anymore.<br>
</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';"></span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText-Bold'; font-weight: bold;">Onism</span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">: The frustration of being stuck in just one body, that inhabits only one place at a time.<br>
</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';"></span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText-Bold'; font-weight: bold;">Liberosis</span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">: The desire to care less about things.<br>
</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';"></span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText-Bold'; font-weight: bold;">Altschmerz</span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">: Weariness with the same old issues that you’ve always had – the same boring flaws and anxieties that you’ve been gnawing on for years.<br>
</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0px; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal; font-family: '.SF UI Text'; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';"></span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText-Bold'; font-weight: bold;">Occhiolism</span><span style="font-family: '.SFUIText';">: The awareness of the smallness of your perspective.</span></li></ol>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466556284943332769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784086477712582079.post-57796350585675233682017-01-01T01:14:00.001-06:002017-01-01T01:14:12.607-06:002017<div>2016 has been a year of challenge - of HEARTBREAK, of change, of growth, of enlightenment, and ultimately - of WHOLENESS. </div><div><br></div><div>I started 2016 with a heart full of hope. A recent engagement, a new job, a beautiful home, talk of a family, etc. All the things in life that I thought that I wanted. </div><div>And at the end of 2016, I still have a heart full of hope, but of a different kind - knowing that I gave all of that up (and I would do it again in a heartbeat) to become the person that I am right now. </div><div><br></div><div>This year will not only be remembered by the breakdown of my relationship with my partner of over 5 & 1/2 years, nor by the sudden and harsh disconnect from my mother - but will be remembered by how 2016 changed me. </div><div><br></div><div>2016 defined me in ways I feel unable to truly explain - ways that I feel have reshaped me entirely. Molded me. Allowed me to see and focus on my value, my worth, my relationships, my future. </div><div><br></div><div>2016 has taught me patience, courage, understanding, willpower, boundaries, tolerance, balance, growth, and self-respect. Those and a million other things. And I am still learning. </div><div><br></div><div>2016 has shown me my weaknesses and my strengths. It has shown me, trial after trial, that I am strong enough - not only to persevere, but to learn to be a better, more well-rounded, more compassionate, deeper-loving, genuine person. </div><div><br></div><div>So, to 2016 - thank you for teaching me what it is to feel the shipwreck, and to have the courage, determination, will, passion, and ability to move forward. To learn, lean into the changes that come, and take steps towards a better, healthier (mentally and physically), more complete and self-aware "me." </div><div><br></div><div>Letting go will generate a sense of emptiness at the beginning, one that can be difficult to live with. Nevertheless, strength resides in our capability to face this emptiness and transform it into wholeness. To overcome fears of doubt and unfamiliarity.</div><div><br></div><div>And so, 2016, I'm so incredibly ready to let you go. </div><div><br></div><div>I know I am strong because I’m ready to know what lies outside my comfort zone. I’m ready for freedom and I’m riding this roller coaster with an open heart and mind.</div><div><br></div><div>2017: The year of Paula. Bring it on!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466556284943332769noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784086477712582079.post-56460431338527334432016-10-12T00:04:00.001-05:002016-10-12T00:04:56.381-05:00THe BREAK-up BREAK-through<div>Real talk. </div><div>I have spent nearly the last 5 1/2 years of my life with a man (ex fiancé) who did not find me physically attractive (the way two people who are IN LOVE should...) and would never truly commit to me because of it. </div><div>Yes, we were intimate occasionally (less and less as time went on) but he definitely made it clear that (and I quote!!!!) </div><div>*he motions to stomach/hips/middle area* "this" is not working for him. </div><div>So I left. (At the start of summer) </div><div>I packed what I could, sold him my share of our beautiful dream home, and moved into a tiny apartment. </div><div>Life, huh? 😒 so over it, haha! </div><div>Leaving was the best choice I've ever made for myself. </div><div><br></div><div>I've had body issues my whole life. I've always struggled with my weight, and have always had a lot of physical fat on my body.</div><div><br></div><div>I originally started the dietbet with my bestie Jessica, in January at 194pounds. Knowing I wanted to look good for my fiancé and future wedding. I lost weight for me. I felt good, fell in love with spin, etc - but it wasn't enough. </div><div><br></div><div><b><i>At least not for him. </i></b></div><div><br></div><div>I've resented my body for a long time.. </div><div>For failing me. </div><div>For never being "good" enough. </div><div>For always being the "big" friend.</div><div>For being the reason he wouldn't want me (I've got smarts and personality... But this belly and thighs!) </div><div><br></div><div>But today..... </div><div>Today...</div><div>I weighed in at 160. </div><div>And I hit that number for ME. </div><div>Not for my shallow ex.</div><div>Not for my "future wedding" </div><div><br></div><div>But because my BFF and I set out on a journey together, through this group, to make outselves better, healthier, happier people. </div><div><br></div><div>I still don't love my body. </div><div>I'm still a size 10/12 and I still have a lot of FAT to lose (most important) and about 20 more pounds (give or take) to get to my "healthy/goal" weight... </div><div><br></div><div>But for the VERY time in this whole journey, I took my weigh-out photos and I don't hate my body - rather, I'm looking forward to the CONTINUOUS journey and changes that are happenin not only in my life right now, but in my body that will hopefully make me a better, stronger, healthier, and happier person - just like I set out to do. </div><div><br></div><div>So thank you, Brandi Laughlin and my awsome ML dietbet friends - for always being there, encouraging, sharing, and loving. </div><div>We can do... No.... WE DID THIS! 😍 </div><div><br></div><div>(Pardon my crappy lighting and messy apartment... Still trying to organize...😒😒 - but hey, it hides my celluliteeeeee! 🎉WIN!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQJ7n9rHry6ThlmLoC30max5T_IBmXrqw6hwEuWQT4M3g8WkywVkreQ4xpnAoLB-v9j5bsr6OC550q1vb9MrcmTL56J3mTRkvM-BjvpQDbO6HM2RfwpsE-G9LRYm1mOqliQHar5FdGV8q/s640/blogger-image-1216232674.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQJ7n9rHry6ThlmLoC30max5T_IBmXrqw6hwEuWQT4M3g8WkywVkreQ4xpnAoLB-v9j5bsr6OC550q1vb9MrcmTL56J3mTRkvM-BjvpQDbO6HM2RfwpsE-G9LRYm1mOqliQHar5FdGV8q/s640/blogger-image-1216232674.jpg"></a></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466556284943332769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784086477712582079.post-11407549338227260692016-06-27T18:17:00.001-05:002016-06-27T18:17:31.301-05:00Boxes & TearsAs I sit here, unfolding and taping boxes together to put the contents of my life in, I want to cry but the tears seem to get stuck. <div><br><div>Life is continuing -<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> but I cannot understand nor can I process what I am doing or the surroundings and situation that I currently find myself in. </span></div><div><br></div><div>Denial. </div><div><br></div><div>Two months ago I was making us dinner, folding our laundry, planning date nights, dreaming of vacations, wondering when we might be able to start a family in the home we bought together....and thinking about OUR future.</div><div><br></div><div>Today, I said on my living room floor unpacking, unfolding, taping, and preparing boxes so that I alone can move forward with MY future. </div><div><br></div><div>My future. </div><div>My solo departure. </div><div><br></div><div>The path that now no longer includes my beautiful home, the man that I love, the pets I treated as mine, or the set of cookware gifted to us by family. </div><div><br></div><div>I feel sorry for myself.</div><div>Sorry that I dreamed big.</div><div>Sorry that my wishes are no longer reality.</div><div>Sorry that the future I was building fell apart.</div><div>Sorry that I should've known better.</div><div>Sorry that I didn't see it coming.</div><div>Sorry that I'm barely functioning - faking and soaking in the last minutes in this home but knowing tomorrow may change everything. </div><div><br></div><div>I'm afraid. </div><div>Terrified.</div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The hardest part isnt walking away from a relationship that isn't working. </span></div><div><br></div><div>The hardest part was stepping forward, small step by small step, towards a completely unknown future. Simply s<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">itting in my living room, folding, taping, and setting up boxes to put the contents of my life in so that I can start this new future without my best friend. </span></div><div><br></div><div>I know I should do this. </div><div>I know I can do it.</div><div>I know eventually I will be OK.</div><div><br></div><div>Right now, as I sit on the soft carpet lit by the sun of the big picture windows in my living room, I can't help but tear up and wish it all wasn't happening... </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixb1qgB2vD_kDAqgv7BK33V2wN-pKx20trZeF4Ouh9juwww-t7yKAK313tnjmKpS5hdhEt6ISXIz8JQaqcA3F4-TQec3yCr8g5aSSec9CdsK-EjHvLlYFm-26QcLUwRs9w9iaS3N5TdIzx/s640/blogger-image--265786604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixb1qgB2vD_kDAqgv7BK33V2wN-pKx20trZeF4Ouh9juwww-t7yKAK313tnjmKpS5hdhEt6ISXIz8JQaqcA3F4-TQec3yCr8g5aSSec9CdsK-EjHvLlYFm-26QcLUwRs9w9iaS3N5TdIzx/s640/blogger-image--265786604.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466556284943332769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784086477712582079.post-49563378392995344702016-05-01T19:36:00.001-05:002016-05-01T19:36:40.428-05:00What are these!?Hello there, strong legs! <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYpWCOV5qlZ-Q5Sx_AHF7LQNdkmR8ZQbrJMqQsRfLuApXfBZ83Ix4y0xeHmhpc57tepTWJa8HsXfQg7KD-gzUKZqDTr4iizW1vAT-3y7O7RXTF1cd1x16cHhkezKo28yv8_Xnfo-NhyUzS/s640/blogger-image-114325005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYpWCOV5qlZ-Q5Sx_AHF7LQNdkmR8ZQbrJMqQsRfLuApXfBZ83Ix4y0xeHmhpc57tepTWJa8HsXfQg7KD-gzUKZqDTr4iizW1vAT-3y7O7RXTF1cd1x16cHhkezKo28yv8_Xnfo-NhyUzS/s640/blogger-image-114325005.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-GWKJ3CeYhAPtaPH-OW-loCHBu0mKnJG06zJbl2HyvY_vILLsJlCTID4IYP_Vin5ui5QOcio-Q5HjxI7mqzXelPNuNNQpNvWChzwM3GI_6xOKDnNVBtrMm_IVbML5Ht5Io-tvUo_mjT3/s640/blogger-image--498710318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-GWKJ3CeYhAPtaPH-OW-loCHBu0mKnJG06zJbl2HyvY_vILLsJlCTID4IYP_Vin5ui5QOcio-Q5HjxI7mqzXelPNuNNQpNvWChzwM3GI_6xOKDnNVBtrMm_IVbML5Ht5Io-tvUo_mjT3/s640/blogger-image--498710318.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's great to see you! </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466556284943332769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784086477712582079.post-57835944198327924312016-04-28T19:39:00.001-05:002016-04-28T19:40:24.518-05:00Progress......not quite perfection. <div><br></div><div>Results and results. </div><div>And as long as I keep eating well and staying active, I know I will hit my goals! </div><div><br></div><div>Before: Feb 3 2016</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigc_G_gA-TTVEt_lULR4cytcMsLYNi3hyPSamUPZ-AgD5txr1xM8m42TzljmhdX4am-rykJ5Dnd16PypyPTo0UIzS7aboBLxbb1U9gf-7fOAsY5sqWoYZ_Ag6nbF0UKNYnrju6XbxdsQ84/s640/blogger-image-1437407141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigc_G_gA-TTVEt_lULR4cytcMsLYNi3hyPSamUPZ-AgD5txr1xM8m42TzljmhdX4am-rykJ5Dnd16PypyPTo0UIzS7aboBLxbb1U9gf-7fOAsY5sqWoYZ_Ag6nbF0UKNYnrju6XbxdsQ84/s640/blogger-image-1437407141.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Current: April 28, 2016 </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Oby_va46flr3K-4sGiqpDjtSM-DbtF_Pp10ZF0Iv9guaslDVabQ84DGggh3b8LjW1vFMk5KrgjIi372n9SGlEvyVRQp9fy5ggoqvFXvSFasrU3cx_YihvfxZKvSz9lSL3rPP0osTBuj9/s640/blogger-image-1339564866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Oby_va46flr3K-4sGiqpDjtSM-DbtF_Pp10ZF0Iv9guaslDVabQ84DGggh3b8LjW1vFMk5KrgjIi372n9SGlEvyVRQp9fy5ggoqvFXvSFasrU3cx_YihvfxZKvSz9lSL3rPP0osTBuj9/s640/blogger-image-1339564866.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">--------------</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Goal: 145-150, TONED. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy8Q6ettOUWYE9nxvCfkiz_UOgagGYDfaQyQaSy0BT3jyva2VmwNyReVR6Cxzgk08TLztzaGvfwxIlVEnLPNOVQJvuUfVeiGoxzbyCIFBLsdZpqhwq6CNBLSKK-rc1cQgcu_L66M5L-Dhv/s640/blogger-image-1945393445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy8Q6ettOUWYE9nxvCfkiz_UOgagGYDfaQyQaSy0BT3jyva2VmwNyReVR6Cxzgk08TLztzaGvfwxIlVEnLPNOVQJvuUfVeiGoxzbyCIFBLsdZpqhwq6CNBLSKK-rc1cQgcu_L66M5L-Dhv/s640/blogger-image-1945393445.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmfTVJF7wViUUk59SSByVg4gxjgQYAj6tW_spbn5GFHF7vom_VqAex_I1YmzHSaBCF4Ud9_qWIlLkxfVLN_96mp2KBl47JedeZ8SWs7TpAq4HQbjlzB3BIChqIM2OKynpV95oqcR8KaG24/s640/blogger-image-335808441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmfTVJF7wViUUk59SSByVg4gxjgQYAj6tW_spbn5GFHF7vom_VqAex_I1YmzHSaBCF4Ud9_qWIlLkxfVLN_96mp2KBl47JedeZ8SWs7TpAq4HQbjlzB3BIChqIM2OKynpV95oqcR8KaG24/s640/blogger-image-335808441.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigTknlofFI5N82Ldjvc6woriUZyBUAW694EMNsXj0_1-s5utfBK55GzHHwDTMqQSnnnmAnCUw3156Db6zJINK-UhgnPt5sQqQZz5SjjUYiitcHGHUbpPZS19oNFB-CUc-yw1dm-7fykDFH/s640/blogger-image-2064943275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigTknlofFI5N82Ldjvc6woriUZyBUAW694EMNsXj0_1-s5utfBK55GzHHwDTMqQSnnnmAnCUw3156Db6zJINK-UhgnPt5sQqQZz5SjjUYiitcHGHUbpPZS19oNFB-CUc-yw1dm-7fykDFH/s640/blogger-image-2064943275.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdsc0lVBKY_CI98a8dJ9_ZV7oUCmwP1yrjKB13j66Cdb8wpjw62tng6cRhtUvQWwZe3osGV0oreYY0grOW9JWlmgqJaS17U6Usr_jihIw-wOreKhH5JbQtre-q3e-VaEe91zzYr9-Pjz9E/s640/blogger-image-1507333450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdsc0lVBKY_CI98a8dJ9_ZV7oUCmwP1yrjKB13j66Cdb8wpjw62tng6cRhtUvQWwZe3osGV0oreYY0grOW9JWlmgqJaS17U6Usr_jihIw-wOreKhH5JbQtre-q3e-VaEe91zzYr9-Pjz9E/s640/blogger-image-1507333450.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466556284943332769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784086477712582079.post-58136207390837990332016-04-27T20:19:00.001-05:002016-04-27T20:42:22.979-05:00Transformation by spinI've been losing weight on and off for years. I've restricted my calories, I've taken prescription pills, I've taken walks, I have done Boot Camp, i've tried to pure barre, i've done yoga... And the list goes on and on. <div>Now, the thing about being in an unhealthy mindset is the fact that getting healthy is very hard. Workouts for me have never been enjoyable, even though I have done then because it is the right thing to do to take care of my body. But working out, no matter how you do it, especially when you're overweight, tired, and unhealthy, is HARD. </div><div><br></div><div>But recently, I have found my HAPPY-HARD. That one workout that completely changes your life. A work out that fits your style, personality, schedule, and ability--</div><div>The kind of work out that is hard and pushes you to your limits. </div><div><br></div><div>The kind of workout that leaves your entire body, head to toe, soaking wet from sweat.</div><div><br></div><div>The kind of workout that is hard, but that makes you strive for more.</div><div><br></div><div>The kind of workout that leaves you in tears (of joy) because you pushed so hard- harder than you thought you could.</div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The kind of workout that encourages you, through seeing results, to keep coming back.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">For me, that workout is SPIN. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I took my very first spin class last month, and immediately fell in love. It is challenging, fun, invigorating, sweaty, and everything that a workout should be.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I don't dread going.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I don't try to get out of it by making up excuses or by saying oh well I can just go tomorrow…</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I don't even mind going alone.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5O1QyuUD0gOzXV9r-tPib8pvqShGp7s3Pub6dshoCErsAt-JpsV6-KVttuAKBezbUqDEWsdARSqaY9_ACEGhjuuByM40JeNgpYk51tPF8GtbdDmNYhIdBp97KoclrTNYEwxSJAMVFvTd/s640/blogger-image-1497641656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5O1QyuUD0gOzXV9r-tPib8pvqShGp7s3Pub6dshoCErsAt-JpsV6-KVttuAKBezbUqDEWsdARSqaY9_ACEGhjuuByM40JeNgpYk51tPF8GtbdDmNYhIdBp97KoclrTNYEwxSJAMVFvTd/s640/blogger-image-1497641656.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">And when it's over, I feel like a completely new, different, strong, and incredible person that is truly changing my body! </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">So, speaking of that change, I figured I would show you my pre-spin body compared to my current body. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> So here it is…</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpycj-XeNZEBP1WzXVS6j5B2i-5mdf-D0PcWhlTyzAUywwpyADKVirGaQjFcBxVzqYN-G1X-C9rSIP3WJfeMGS_cvI_33QUHSvtGLuml7_HZRoU0ODEkEpidyKJHpRImVyH-kEefr6Q6rb/s640/blogger-image-248687463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpycj-XeNZEBP1WzXVS6j5B2i-5mdf-D0PcWhlTyzAUywwpyADKVirGaQjFcBxVzqYN-G1X-C9rSIP3WJfeMGS_cvI_33QUHSvtGLuml7_HZRoU0ODEkEpidyKJHpRImVyH-kEefr6Q6rb/s640/blogger-image-248687463.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div>I still have a lot of work to do. I still have cellulite, and a large percentage of fat on my body...</div><div><br></div><div>The point is that I can see changes. Visible ones. My stomach and my thighs and my arms and my chest (wimp wompppp) are all shrinking. </div><div><br></div><div>I feel strong. My legs feel strong. My arms feel strong.</div><div> </div><div>Let me say that again... </div><div>I feel strong.</div><div>And dedicated. </div><div><br></div><div>It's about FREAKING TIME! 😜 </div><div><br></div><div>And for me, the thing about feeling strong and challenged, makes this a workout that I enjoy so much. One that I can actually stick with it...</div><div>And hopefully... </div><div>No... </div><div>DEFINITELY, I will keep those changes coming.</div><div><br></div><div>💜🚴🏼</div><div><br></div><div>Ps. If you're in/near Tulsa and ever want to join me, let me know! Your first class is FREE! </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466556284943332769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784086477712582079.post-34009846194088972832016-04-08T22:43:00.001-05:002016-04-08T22:43:08.669-05:00Jeans<div>GUYSSSSSSSS! 😳😳😳</div><div>These jeans! Old Navy size 10!!</div><div><br></div><div>I started in a tight 13/14 from maurices in January! BOOOOM!!</div><div><br></div><div>(We all know ON runs a little larger, but I'm good with size 10ish... Or even size 11/12! </div><div><br></div><div>Feeling good! Moving towards my goals! Not there yet but progress is so awesome in keeping me motivated! </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYxlkMtTgGbBdSAK6KdniTPuZw3b5SSbtx6dpmGJdaDJFxh028euc9_otde7PvoecASQNlUazYbUDtzsc_AQROG4pK5zebix19aUTeR1453inDPOvdCWTMUEsEKX-Rj-s9ioZluI6JVUNJ/s640/blogger-image--1780570621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYxlkMtTgGbBdSAK6KdniTPuZw3b5SSbtx6dpmGJdaDJFxh028euc9_otde7PvoecASQNlUazYbUDtzsc_AQROG4pK5zebix19aUTeR1453inDPOvdCWTMUEsEKX-Rj-s9ioZluI6JVUNJ/s640/blogger-image--1780570621.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXOnz45qnI_5qfLkxoVspduU_oNe_kn5OMLLS5yP9dLELgFfKZHR8gcifUMmsfY_fon7jIuD4uXPFzkFJrGT_g-iYf07Ap3IV1Jg8OcwpbdBaCi1GMcFFLEmFsGfVFqNJnZTyAn5R06pa/s640/blogger-image-386451939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXOnz45qnI_5qfLkxoVspduU_oNe_kn5OMLLS5yP9dLELgFfKZHR8gcifUMmsfY_fon7jIuD4uXPFzkFJrGT_g-iYf07Ap3IV1Jg8OcwpbdBaCi1GMcFFLEmFsGfVFqNJnZTyAn5R06pa/s640/blogger-image-386451939.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466556284943332769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784086477712582079.post-44964954485938173482016-04-02T00:42:00.001-05:002016-04-02T00:42:15.456-05:00Which watch is right for me??<div>Y'<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">all! I've had 5 fitness watches in the last 3 months. 😒😒 Buy, try, return, repeat. </span></div><div><br></div><div>(Polar FT40, polar f4, Apple watch, garmin vivoactive, polar m400, polar a360) </div><div><br></div><div>I haven't found one I'm truly happy with.... <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Until now! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div>I'm obsessed with my new polar A360 and HRM strap! Finally I found something I love and that does everything I MUST HAVE:</div><div><br></div><div>- Daily activity (calories and steps/distance - approximation is ok, nothing is super accurate...yet!)</div><div><br></div><div>- Waterproof (like for real, why is this not a thing in most everyday fitness watches?!) </div><div><br></div><div>- Wrist optical HRM is constant, but works with polar h7 chest strap for workouts</div><div><br></div><div>...Which gives me.... </div><div><br></div><div>- ACCURATE caloric burn count while working out (unlike Fitbit who is in a couple lawsuits right now because of its inaccuracy) </div><div><br></div><div>- Ability to display notifications from my phone (optional feature you can turn on/off) </div><div><br></div><div>- Vibrates to remind me to "get moving" (keeps me motivated and reminds me to walk around when I've. Been sitting too long!)</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div>-----</div><div>BONUSES</div><div>1) tracks sleep (Also, nothing is super accurate, but it's neat to analyze from day to day!) </div><div><br></div><div>2) an AMAZING, user-friendly app that is easy to sync with (unlike garmin) - I seriously love the polar flow app!! </div><div><br></div><div>3) ability to change strap - the watch center is removable so you can switch band! Hey, I'm ok with optional variety! </div><div><br></div><div>4) modern looking watch design :) </div><div>-----</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGG8TLnA3OjfmvPl-jUhEMsUrhfp7Mi3o5znXsM-wd5ZJ0q54lOLu0sViiy2lJyJjAN_6XmD7g-mo1cPGHJ2wSoNnOr06fq9uoyNSFhF_84cU1N4a40lkBNLWJAtj_7MfsU9xjQ63thm1J/s640/blogger-image-2079013066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGG8TLnA3OjfmvPl-jUhEMsUrhfp7Mi3o5znXsM-wd5ZJ0q54lOLu0sViiy2lJyJjAN_6XmD7g-mo1cPGHJ2wSoNnOr06fq9uoyNSFhF_84cU1N4a40lkBNLWJAtj_7MfsU9xjQ63thm1J/s640/blogger-image-2079013066.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>All in all, right now I'm in love 😍😍</div><div><br></div><div>Tomorrow I take spin class with my trusty (and old) polar FT40 HRM watch/strap. And yes, I will wear both watches 😂</div><div>We will see how it compares on calorie count. </div><div>If it does as it says, I WILL MARRY THIS WATCH. 😍😍😘😘 </div><div><br></div><div>Just thought y'all might wanna know - since I've been seeing posts about HRMs and I've done a ton of research and read thousands of reviews and tried out 5 or 6! :) </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466556284943332769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784086477712582079.post-60961001900966183862016-03-24T09:56:00.001-05:002016-04-02T00:45:35.078-05:00Spin ClassI've heard a lot of things about spin class - 91% of those things being horror stories where people swear that they will never go back, worst workout ever, etc.<div><br></div><div>I've been needing to get into a cardio heavy routine lately to ramp-up my weight loss and I remembered I had purchased a 2 week cycling class at a Panhellenic auction almost a year ago. I dug around some old papers and BOOM! There it was. A shiny new "2 weeks of spin classes" certificate that was set to expire in 2.5 weeks. </div><div>So.... Why not start now, right!? </div><div>And that's what I did. </div><div><br></div><div>I was nervous. I didn't know what to do, how to act, or even what to wear. I asked a few people for basic info, but just felt like I was diving head first into this fitnes genre that I knew nothing about. </div><div><br></div><div>I showed up on Wednesday, March 23 after work (5:30pm) to Physiques by Monique - the spin studio in Brookside here in Tulsa. Class started at 5:45.</div><div><br></div><div>The room was beautiful, inviting, and not at all scary - but for some reason my stomach was filled with nerves! </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbm4n876folf5fc7NsTDEqr3Qx8UzShxA0a4QJ5wqPy_08lk03dNKZkFrZmZOUVhtWqcopjNa9ZPIb1ATTZMpyO_hRtBhnnEhDwLhlniaeBjOx57OVkfzef1WCAh3u2iL9M9omQvi2ZnVw/s640/blogger-image--1140027010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbm4n876folf5fc7NsTDEqr3Qx8UzShxA0a4QJ5wqPy_08lk03dNKZkFrZmZOUVhtWqcopjNa9ZPIb1ATTZMpyO_hRtBhnnEhDwLhlniaeBjOx57OVkfzef1WCAh3u2iL9M9omQvi2ZnVw/s640/blogger-image--1140027010.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>I expressed my "newness" - how I was totally clueless, and that I wanted to sit in the back and do my own thing -- cause come on.., if I couldn't hack it no one would notice, right!? </div><div><br></div><div>Only 5 people were registered for the class - so that made it better. I picked a bike and then the<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> assistant helped me get my seat and handlebars set up, gave me a towel and a gel seat cushion, and gave me a crash course on hand positions, "in/out of the saddle", and showed me the brake. 😐 </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">My first class was "hip/hop spin" and it was different than I expected. I guess I don't know what I expected actually - but the music was fun, it was fast-paced, and I could do basically everything the teacher was instructing us to do. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I did sit "in the saddle" (on the seat) for one song where they were up.. But I blame that due to a squeaky and embarrassing bike. 😉</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The spin class itself didn't bother me much. I'm used to high-cardio activities. However, around the 25 minute mark I was feeling anxious for the class to be over. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">45 minutes of good music, cycling legs, and good cardio I was finished. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I was hot. I was sweaty. I had tomato-face. And I was proud - that I actually did the entire workout, with limited modification! </span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">You know how it goes... </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">You don't want to show up to workout but you do it anyways. </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Then you want to back out and leave but the workout starts.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Then you get in the zone until 1/2 or 3/4 of the way trough you look at the clock (big mistake lol) and then long for it to be over.......</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">........And then it is. </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">And you feel great!! </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">45 minutes, 800+ calories, and one big smile later, I had completed my first spin class. </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPc9SAI8cDvaaIK6L7AxNZQaN2ITaGa119ZLJRrkO7yZXWkm-KKonxLuLXx18vM1azv3FMD-PyH7dY8eZOTyRLD-xZaiflfNvkfKig4WtOCjiHeGmb3zRWVS11CiFZFnKVmDcCmOfgKoz/s640/blogger-image--1653682026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPc9SAI8cDvaaIK6L7AxNZQaN2ITaGa119ZLJRrkO7yZXWkm-KKonxLuLXx18vM1azv3FMD-PyH7dY8eZOTyRLD-xZaiflfNvkfKig4WtOCjiHeGmb3zRWVS11CiFZFnKVmDcCmOfgKoz/s640/blogger-image--1653682026.jpg"></a></div></div><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">The cool down was some yoga stretches which I enjoyed. But I noticed when I got off of my bike I was dizzy. Probably just from "new workout" anxiety and then serious cardio. Who knows. </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">I centered myself, stretched, and then finished up by wiping my bike off with a Clorox wipe. </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">I didn't feel any pain or soreness after. I got home, felt good, had a bit to eat, relaxed, and then went to bed. </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">The next morning I woke up feeling good and still proud of my first spin workout. </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">I did, however, have a semi-sore bum form the bike seat. They say it goes away though. I hope. Talk about pain 😂😂 the seat pain was worse than the workout! LOL </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">At about 3pm the next day I realized my thighs, which had previously felt nothing, started screaming with soreness. It's a good hurt, but pain nonetheless. But hey - at least my problem area thighs got a good workout! </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">I went back for day two - this time hip hop with more "out of the saddle" and more riding to the fast-beat of the songs. </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Again I was nervous but went for it - and it went well! It was hard the second day to adjust to riding with a sore butt, but it was manageable. I also suffered through the thigh soreness (which is way worse now) but still managed to do more work than yesterday. Along with the regular cycling and resistance, we added hand weights to this workout - so my whole body got a good dose of what a spin class should be! I even burned over 100 more calories than I did at spin yesterday!</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgktN60sSTYqpnmpgGpZ-yYtfflY9bF1HfHEC-vo6rKs24NcwlOcmf_tKJkJyy9KQCPQ8WQAz3UEfGb-_gCux_3O6hgd7L96WPSnlOeMNfdY6u7RNc7TlPodU2rN69cAeGZHMcDAIbZGr7M/s640/blogger-image-1806266496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgktN60sSTYqpnmpgGpZ-yYtfflY9bF1HfHEC-vo6rKs24NcwlOcmf_tKJkJyy9KQCPQ8WQAz3UEfGb-_gCux_3O6hgd7L96WPSnlOeMNfdY6u7RNc7TlPodU2rN69cAeGZHMcDAIbZGr7M/s640/blogger-image-1806266496.jpg"></a></div><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">All in all, I would say spin has been an interesting - but good - experience. I love that it's a new way for my body to workout and break bad habits that I have. </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">If you ever wanna try out the class, just let me know. You get your first class for free! </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466556284943332769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784086477712582079.post-31371953742702351602016-03-11T19:26:00.001-06:002016-03-11T19:26:11.160-06:00And so it continues..Month 2 - 2016 is officially over, and so is my first month of the TRANSFORMER dietbet. <div>I'm not as impressed with the second month results (as I was with the first before/after photos), but I am down to 175 (from 179) and I'm hoping to keep that number decreasing. </div><div><br></div><div>I did notice some subtle changes in my stomach and face - which is good - but I'm ready to really kill it this month for the second transformer! Brin on the results!</div><div><br></div><div>Left: 181lbs, February 6th</div><div>Right: 175lbs, March 8th </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU6CoA2PRDBPQFYZ35D9M4vbaIzBXBoF0bYjWUwIVlBAkv_avkGzhNv_XhxQqbcHZvCX77PexWRZwvKJj8zOwyyfZEwYEoba8GRJwH7C4kVT3tPPIJNu75tJEYTjneYbkM_ubhPxN5D0fn/s640/blogger-image--1509893949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU6CoA2PRDBPQFYZ35D9M4vbaIzBXBoF0bYjWUwIVlBAkv_avkGzhNv_XhxQqbcHZvCX77PexWRZwvKJj8zOwyyfZEwYEoba8GRJwH7C4kVT3tPPIJNu75tJEYTjneYbkM_ubhPxN5D0fn/s640/blogger-image--1509893949.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>I'm basically our of a size 14 again and snug into a 12! Hoping to feel very comfortable in a size 12 by the end of this transformer bet (first week in April) </div><div><br></div><div>Wish me luck! 💪🏼</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466556284943332769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784086477712582079.post-44818397777217253192016-03-09T11:20:00.001-06:002016-03-09T11:20:44.505-06:00THIS DRESS 💃🏼<div>When a dress that was skin tight this past fall now has a good two inches of room.......... You know you're doing something right! 😍😍 </div><div><br></div><div>I still have a long ways to go but feeling good today for hitting my first transformer goal after the dietbet and realizing this dress fits perfectly again (but not for long!)</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhje9ZABTN4qtrZUGfdqSNZ85LzfjUKFmL-fC3TgHpPIEkeMQgyI6rTJGyL0YtTGmh6N-JrIzbsN0j9FcItx0IGSKv0P6dl1yh4wjq8u6nfUwyp1NTzzpJenkkOS2cBUDNJiGjkO0BPHIll/s640/blogger-image-802759615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhje9ZABTN4qtrZUGfdqSNZ85LzfjUKFmL-fC3TgHpPIEkeMQgyI6rTJGyL0YtTGmh6N-JrIzbsN0j9FcItx0IGSKv0P6dl1yh4wjq8u6nfUwyp1NTzzpJenkkOS2cBUDNJiGjkO0BPHIll/s640/blogger-image-802759615.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466556284943332769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784086477712582079.post-35879465113524257672016-02-20T16:08:00.004-06:002016-02-28T16:13:16.840-06:00SPARK<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Let's talk energy. </span><br>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Normally.. Every day between two and 3 o'clock I start crashing. </span><br>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span>
It doesn't matter if I had coffee earlier that morning, if I've had a light day of work and shouldn't feel tired, or if I even skipped out on carbohydrates for lunch.. I always feel sleepy and sluggish and tired in the afternoon. I start yawning like crazy… And I start losing focus on my work or whatever I'm doing. Do you know the feeling? I feel like I always become somewhat useless in the mid afternoon.<br>
<br>
In the past couple years, I've tried what everyone has tried. I've tried Redbull, I've taken many a five hour energy shot, i've made sure to take extra vitamins, i've even tried some other products like plexus sticks, herbalife tea concentrate, and Arbonne fizz sticks - nothing really worked. The ones that did give me a boost of caffeine made my body freak out when it wore off, and then I feel even worse off than when I decided to drink it in the first place - not good.<br>
On average… I can probably drink nearly a pot of coffee before I really start feeling any effects. I guess my body just isn't as sensitive as normal people's to caffeine.<br>
<br>
So last month, when I was doing a Dietbet, a lot of people said that they loved Advocare SPARK. A couple of people offered to give me samples and woman even sent me a box in a flavor that she did not like. I got samples of the different flavors and decided to give them a try. I had watermelon, grape, mandarin orange, green apple, and mango strawberry.<br>
<br>
It's pretty simple. They come in a little stick package (they also come in a canister), and you mix it with water and drink it. Some of the flavors I'll probably never try again because they just weren't my thing, but some of the flavors were incredible. I literally want to drink three or four in a row because they are so delicious.<br>
<br>
My favorite flavors are the mandarin orange (I really love orange and citrus drinks) and the fruit punch (yummmm!) I actually just made some fruit punch spark about half an hour ago. SO GOOD.<div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2LpsWAzFcMK0u1XnM2Hq-Nnvo2T7Oe5tAVj7T0lwwlT6TLFl011muDDf6Kifq76oTblz6O0xA0I1f2YmzFURSGDWxIGDfdOJVjvLwkYd71FbcXebXxXcvS8_8Tlk6q29vMDbDYec4o2H/s640/blogger-image-692231881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2LpsWAzFcMK0u1XnM2Hq-Nnvo2T7Oe5tAVj7T0lwwlT6TLFl011muDDf6Kifq76oTblz6O0xA0I1f2YmzFURSGDWxIGDfdOJVjvLwkYd71FbcXebXxXcvS8_8Tlk6q29vMDbDYec4o2H/s640/blogger-image-692231881.jpg"></a></div><br>
For me, the strange thing about spark that I don't get with other energy drinks, is the fact that I never really feel the energy come on. It's not like it hits me like a brick wall and then I come crashing down.<br>
<br>
It's just, well, one minute I am yawning and getting sleepy and groggy… I drink my spark... and then all of a sudden I have energy again. It's not enough to make me feel jittery (like phentermine did), but is just the right amount to kind of wake me up, get my head focused, and get me through the rest of the evening or afternoon.<br>
<br>I love the sample so much I decided to sign up without a care so that I can save 20% off of all of my products. Don't think I'll ever drink another energy drink again after trying spark. It really is the most incredible product.<br>
Signing up as a distributor or hobbyist is just a $79 fee. That includes three boxes of spark, which are normally $25 each --- so it's literally like you're buying three boxes of spark to save 20% (or more) off of everything else for the rest of your life.<br>
<br>
If you want to try some spark, let me know and I'm happy to send you a sample.<br>
<br>
ALSO -- If you're interested in signing up as a distributor for the discount or to start selling it, please let me know! I'm willing to bet that if you try spark once, you'll definitely buy again.<br>
<br>Anyways… That's pretty much all I have to say… I just really enjoy the products and I thought I would share with you. :) feel free to let me know if you have any questions!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3AclMcQTp2wwneRt4JezLiaQEuVk4mID_rCt0xUtixCKuTcDWxOEWIYy1forbNOSTVbG7zfES7JFaUU4nY-IFwOuupWVTfaWCY7RhuIWFYXOwRrtyWEqY3eBpEAwpyyNiw_lb63pHLkT/s640/blogger-image-116831796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3AclMcQTp2wwneRt4JezLiaQEuVk4mID_rCt0xUtixCKuTcDWxOEWIYy1forbNOSTVbG7zfES7JFaUU4nY-IFwOuupWVTfaWCY7RhuIWFYXOwRrtyWEqY3eBpEAwpyyNiw_lb63pHLkT/s640/blogger-image-116831796.jpg"></a></div><br>
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<br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466556284943332769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784086477712582079.post-22545020405423252622016-02-18T21:14:00.001-06:002016-02-20T13:19:11.985-06:0010 Day Cleanse: Results<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Soooo.... I decided that this body of mine could use a cleansing! </span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">So I'm doing the Advocare 10 Day</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> Cleanse</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">. I've done it before and when I really follow it I get great results. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I did the cleanse in January and lost a total of 7.4 pounds. The weight loss was great and all, but what made all the difference for me was my before/after photo! 😳😳😳 I definitely feel healthier, and less bloated and fatty. </span></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">BEFORE (left): Jan 6th, 2016</span></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">AFTER (right): Feb 4, 2016 </span></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijrn5zkMUqG5xggsb13kA6pstAtUPIM1RnrcV2wQgxUfw9-WmMBy6MtsORmdI3maZ-sQ5UT2xGgduhn9KhC1WJ_AAONvGfK0PbhGb0Xq-xY_GHEpO_kf_O_uSTYYsmCJZjfW3G6oUIFfuI/s640/blogger-image--775482960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijrn5zkMUqG5xggsb13kA6pstAtUPIM1RnrcV2wQgxUfw9-WmMBy6MtsORmdI3maZ-sQ5UT2xGgduhn9KhC1WJ_AAONvGfK0PbhGb0Xq-xY_GHEpO_kf_O_uSTYYsmCJZjfW3G6oUIFfuI/s640/blogger-image--775482960.jpg"></a></div></span></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">So about this cleanse... </span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I prefer this one to others because it's not expensive ($36.95) and includes everything you need to complete the 10 days. The dietary restrictions are rough if your used to eating crap but that's why it works. Basically, you need to stay away from sugar, white carbs, caffeine & dairy. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I've also enjoyed some of their other supplements like Spark (energy drink? and Catalyst which are amino acids that help maintain your muscle mass & help your body burn fat instead of muscle (I've had issues with losing muscle in the past!) </span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Also--- w</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">ith Advocare, you have the option of becoming a distributor for just $79.99. With that comes a 20% discount on products. That $79 also gets you three boxes of spark! YUM! </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I chose to go ahead and sign up seeing as I love multiple products and can now get them at a discount. It's not for everyone but I thought it made the most sense for me. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">In the past, I've had some friends do the cleanse with me & I would love that this time around as well!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">If you think about doing it or trying some of the products, think of signing up as a distributor. And if you do, I'll throw in the cleanse for</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">FREE!</i><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> So $79.99 will get you the distributor kit with 3 boxes of Spark (energy drink), 20% off all your future products, and the cleanse. (Great value if you want to do the cleanse anyways & try the energy drink)</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">If you want something more extensive, they have a</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> <b>24 day challenge kit</b> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> that pretty much just starts after the 10 day cleanse ends. I have 3 days left of my cleanse and then 14 days of different vitamins and supplements for the other half of the challenge.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><a href="https://www.advocare.com/160230954">https://www.advocare.com/160230954</a></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I'm very excited and hope to see just as much of a result as I did in January. Stick around - I'll let you know how it goes! </span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466556284943332769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784086477712582079.post-10016285920592096872016-02-18T15:47:00.001-06:002016-02-18T19:47:34.504-06:00THIS TIME...If you've read here before or even if you haven't, I'll give you a quick recap about me.....<br><div>
I'm A 27-year-old Oklahoma girl that has been battling with her weight basically since she was like 10 years old. </div><div><br></div><div>I gained weight through my preteen and teen years… I got up to my highest weight, 210 pounds, my junior year in high school. I decided to change it… So I ate salad basically every single day and made sure to walk for an hour every single day after school while on the phone with my friend. </div><div><br></div><div>In 2006, when I got to college, I weighed about 180 pounds. I got busy with normal college stuff… Drinking my calories instead of eating them… Walking all over campus.. And being busy in general. I got down to about 165 pounds without even trying or realizing. </div><div><br></div><div>I basically yo-yo'd all the way through college. Up to 195, down to 170, up to 185, down to 168, back up to 180, etc. etc. </div><div><br></div><div>After college, in 2013 I sought the help of a doctor because I was desperate to lose weight. They put me on an appetite suppressant - phentermine. I didn't do much research and I didn't really have much direction but since I got them from a doctor I thought nothing of it.<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> They gave me a TON energy, they helped me eat less, and I began lose weight till I hit my lowest weight of 143lbs (most days I was 145-147). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Life was good..... Until it wasn't. I wasn't exercising exercising and I was seriously under eating (maybe 500 calories a day for 3-4 months straight) which isn't a healthy combo. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I didn't think I needed the pills anymore (especially after they made me tweak out hardcore) so I stopped taking them & I managed my weight for a little while and then slowly it just creeped up to where I am now.......Here.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Last fall I was back up to 194 according to my doctors office, and by the first of the year I was down to about 187. I basically gained back the 40lbs that I lost. </span></div><div><br></div><div>I gained it all back because I </div><div>- stopped eating healthy whole foods</div><div>- started eating big, carefree portions </div><div>- started eating out </div><div>- stopped tracking my food </div><div>- started snacking on junk whenever </div><div>- stopped going to the gym </div><div><br></div><div>Gaining and losing weight is a terrible cycle to feel stuck in. </div>
<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">It's true, I'm overweight. I'm un-healthy. I'm tired of it. Tired of feeling like I live on a never ending loop. I've probably lost & gained The same 45 or 50 pounds every single year for the last 10 years. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I'm like this giant hamster on this freaking spinning wheel that just doesn't stop, except for breaks of waxy doughnuts, pizza lunchables, & self pity. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I wanna scream I JUST WANT TO BE FIT ALREADY!!!! That's just not logical though. It's not an overnight thing, it's the rest of my life thing. And if this is going to be for the rest of my life, then I need to get it under control now, before I can't anymore.</span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font>
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So I'm fat again working on getting fit again.....and I hope you will follow me along as I try to get myself to a place where I'm happy, inside & out! <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I want to get to that girl that Ive always wanted to be..... The girl that loves being active & eating healthy. I want to feel/look awesome & powerful & motivated. That will be me. 💪🏼👊🏼</span></div></div>
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And to all you out there that have read & followed along on my roller coaster of a journey, I appreciate all the motivation you give me everyday even after me being gone for so long. It's hard to put yourself out there for all to see and you make it easy to do so, so Thanks for that!</div>
<br>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466556284943332769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784086477712582079.post-67929688158858279922015-05-30T23:48:00.001-05:002015-05-30T23:48:17.869-05:00My waxy weaknessEver have that one food that you just can't seem to ever live life without? (You know I'm NOT EVEN exaggerating) <div><br></div><div>Your first "go to" when you're having a bad/crappy day? </div><div><br></div><div>The item you spot in the grocery store - and you have to get it off the shelf?</div><div><br></div><div>The food you know is HORRID (like fuh reallll) but you still gotta eat it? </div><div><br></div><div>I do.. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJA9pKtNbO1-lP1vrtkdeaL0-DhaqGwQNyWcNchi9RrLTvlUB1FzNtFxD8JdZR75X65FXLzsKwRHDZd7vnlY1xC2ANiXIflZOl_nuktUb7feLPfMDXN6butUF9ZTpL1ZZU9Pxyy5VBqcvh/s640/blogger-image--263315283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJA9pKtNbO1-lP1vrtkdeaL0-DhaqGwQNyWcNchi9RrLTvlUB1FzNtFxD8JdZR75X65FXLzsKwRHDZd7vnlY1xC2ANiXIflZOl_nuktUb7feLPfMDXN6butUF9ZTpL1ZZU9Pxyy5VBqcvh/s640/blogger-image--263315283.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>It's these damn frosted donuts! </div><div>Everywhere! </div><div><br></div><div>I see them at the end of every store checkout line and sometimes even on random end caps. </div><div><br></div><div>Every time I walk by those yellow cake doughnuts, frosted in chocolate (ok ok, we all know its brown wax!!) they scream my name and say "PAULA! PICK US! WE'RE DELICIOUS!!" </div><div><br></div><div>....and I listened to them. Way more than I should. </div><div><br></div><div>Lots of times I could sit and literally eat almost a whole bag.</div><div>Other times I could eat an entire bag and then purge so I would feel less crappy after. </div><div>Sometimes I would be on a quick run to the store and would grab the individual size and eat them ....all (6)... on the way home from the grocery store.... BEFORE eating dinner! </div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div>I ate t<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">hem on days I felt sad/mad/fat or bloated from being a girl. Or if i just wanted something sweet. </span></div><div><br></div><div><b>BAD CHOICES!!!</b></div><div>Every last one of them. </div><div><br></div><div>Today, I passed TWO different brands of them today - and walked right by them. I even had to turn around the first time to take a photo! </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8AL1wuEVyJ_2gjocgprLVuhdgyGi7IRpIAGKYBIbGs1eXl0kO35NDqgJugMBnu8g8AH3XafpCelqzYrpwEOQIF5L0Fn5P1Yw8lLfClc03rzAIwMBUegbxOojZQI48r0NK0_o9vxofA4qF/s640/blogger-image-360630270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8AL1wuEVyJ_2gjocgprLVuhdgyGi7IRpIAGKYBIbGs1eXl0kO35NDqgJugMBnu8g8AH3XafpCelqzYrpwEOQIF5L0Fn5P1Yw8lLfClc03rzAIwMBUegbxOojZQI48r0NK0_o9vxofA4qF/s640/blogger-image-360630270.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I know,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It might not seen like that big of a deal to you, but you may understand more if it was YOUR weakness food. Maybe it's Reese's. Or Mac and cheese. Or baked bread - who knows. It could be anything. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Sometimes I do let my desires/cravings get the best of me...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>But today, I didn't. </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><i>And I'm proud of myself for that. </i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Two days down of my new lifestyle.... And I've got the rest of my life to go! </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466556284943332769noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784086477712582079.post-33389047153594090792015-05-29T14:10:00.003-05:002015-05-29T14:19:20.600-05:00Hey guys - i'm not dead!<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I know. I <strike>kindof </strike> absolutely stopped my love affair with the blogging scene for a long time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">OK - a REALLY long time........... OVER A YEAR! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Why...? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I don't really know.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wondering whats been going on over the last year? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Let me tell you... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1) <b>I bought a house</b> - <i>I'll share more about this later =)</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2) <b>I gained back *insert evil music here*</b> </span><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>38-ish pounds</b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b> that I had lost when taking phentermine during 2013</b> <i>(womp womp)</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">....yep. That's pretty much it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2014 was NOT as awesome as I had hoped.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So... don't worry --- you really didn't miss much.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Oh well, right?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's over. Done. Can't go back now - so I need to<b> move forward</b>. And that is just what I'm gonna do -</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, I've been missing attending bootcamp lately and have been feeling crappy about myself and my weight/body. So, f</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">irst thing, I booked an appointment with my local PCP so that I can get my annual checkup - getting my blood drawn and testing for things like cholesterol, thyroid, metabolism, and overall health.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The appointment went great. We talked about this weird leg thing I have going on (which I am terrified <i>(*rolls eyes* - thanks google)</i> that its a blood clot - so I'm heading in for an ultrasound next week. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I also talked to the doctor about how I lost all the weight on phen, but then gained it back because I didn't make a lifestyle change. I told him how I was lacking motivation but know that I need to lead a healthier life. I told him that I feel like even when I was going to bootcamp and eating better, it felt like I was never losing any weight, despite shedding an average of 650 calories every 35-minute workout.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He started off the conversation with asking about my family - "are all the women in your family overweight?" My response - "<b>yes.</b> I'm one of the smaller or smallest women in my family." He explained it this way - You have green eyes because of your genetics. You are 5'7" tall because of your genetics. You have brown hair because of your genetics. you're also pre-disposed to be heavier because of your genetics." Then he went one to explain something to me - something that CLICKED that I had never heard before:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yes, you are prone to being overweight because of your genetics - but those genetics DO NOT make you overweight. Those genes make up who you are - and those genes are resistant to change. Your choices about food, exercise, and lifestyle make you overweight - but those genes just make it harder for you to LOSE weight, than say, someone with more of a "skinny" gene.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Makes perfect sense. My genes don't <u>MAKE</u> me or <u>KEEP</u> me overweight, they just make it more difficult for me to lose weight when I try. Its like my body wants to be where it feels most comfortable -- so it will take more of a fight for me to lose weight or to reach my goals.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then, he said "I can help with that" and grabbed a little script book - and thought about prescribing some blended-medication that's just been approved for weight loss. I was into it - he even gave me some coupons and brochures - and I was excited. Then he looked me up and told me that because I've lost 4 pounds, that I do not qualify anymore for the medication. He laughed a little and said "well, I want to help you lose weight - but I cannot tell you to gain 5 pounds so that you qualify for this assistance, so lets just get your blood work done and we can figure out the best plan for you."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I went and got my blood drawn (ugh, i hate that so very badly - but I believe that my health is more important than a stupid needle, so I ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS have regular feminine health, dental cleanings/checkups, and regular physicals to make sure I am as healthy as can be). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I got my blood results a couple hours later. Everything looked fantastic - everything was within normal limits, although, I did feel a little bummed to find out that my metabolism and thyroid were actually working. ha! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then I got my cholesterol results. Apparently, for my body, I am about 10 points OVER on my LDL (bad cholesterol) from being normal -- so I really need to get that down.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My doctor called me back with the results, and told me that I do qualify for this 30mg medication - and that he would write me a prescription for it. $34 later, we will see how this goes! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now, that cholesterol information got me a little terrified. My great grandma Ann had heart problems and passed away from them. Her son, my grandpa Nick, died on Monday from heart complications and he had them for the last 15 years. My mom has high cholesterol and high blood pressure.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I <u>DON'T </u>WANT TO <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #990000;">DIE EARLY. </span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I <u>DON'T </u>WANT TO HAVE <span style="color: #990000;">OPEN-HEART SURGERY.</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I <u>DON'T</u> WANT TO HAVE <span style="color: #990000;">BLOOD CLOTS.</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I <u>DON'T</u> WANT TO BE <span style="color: #990000;">UNHEALTHY. </span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My family history basically says that I'm more prone to get cancer, have some type of heart problems, and even develop diabetes. <i>(Uhmmm.. scary much?!)</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now, cancer I can't really prevent. I just have to pray like hell that I make the right choices and that I never get it - and that if I do that It can be caught early and/or cured. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>But heart problems? Clogged arteries? Diabetes? </i>--- totally preventable with a healthy diet and exercise. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Time to get on with it! </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A couple girlfriends and I have purchased a 6 week groupon to a local bootcamp (the one I used to attend - where I burn an average of 650 calories in 40 minutes) and we will start that Monday afternoon. I have also been taking our two poodles (Doctor and Roxeanne) on evening walks in our neighborhood. That should be a good start. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I also plan to stop eating high-cholesterol foods (regular bacon, egg yolks, milk, dairy) and start making healthier food choices -- like more real fruits, veggies, whole grains, and less processed foods! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>I can do this!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As before, I will be posting my before/after photos, weigh-ins, food information, as well as my experiences along the way. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thanks for catching up with me! </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466556284943332769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784086477712582079.post-33612861814502093782014-01-03T13:19:00.002-06:002014-01-03T15:30:24.296-06:00We all started somewhere.. Its 2014!!<br />
<br />
(<em>wait.......already?!)</em><br />
<br />
Promises of healthier lifestyles, more time spent at the gym, and weight loss crowd social media sites.<br />
Was that one of your goals, resolutions, or promises to yourself or your family this year?<br />
<br />
<strong><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">It is mine!</span></u></strong> <br />
<br />
This is the first year of my life that I have, as a resolution to myself and those in my life, promised to take real charge and make some real changes for my health and my body -- and I know I'm actually going to do something about it! <br />
<br />
I started my most recent weight loss journey mid-January of 2013 for two main reasons:<br />
<span style="color: black;"> 1) I wanted to look better and fell better about myself - FOR ME</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"> 2) I wanted to look sexy/desirable; Be the girl with brains, personality, AND a body!</span><br />
<br />
I know what you're thinking right now-- WHY IN THE HECK WOULD YOU DIET FOR A BOY?! Well, I guess we could probably argue about that all day... but in the end... its honestly what I wanted... and knowing that I would be sexier and healthier and all around "the package" for him <em>(and myself too!!)</em> -- then well, it was excellent motivation to do what I had <em>already </em>wanted but, honestly, was too afraid to get off of my butt and <u>do something to change it</u>.<br />
<br />
I started taking Phentermine, a diet-suppressant energy pill <em>(approved by the FDA)</em> and loved it. It curbed my appetite and therefore, I ate less. Less doesn't always mean better. Sure, for the first couple weeks or even months I ate right. Mostly clean eating, but It was in such small portions that it didn't really matter. Phentermine took away my appetite. On an average day I would wake up, not eat breakfast <em>(BAD!),</em> skip lunch <em>(BAD!),</em> fiber bar (140 calories), and a light dinner<em> (200-400 calories - BAD!)</em>. For my body, I need around 1,000 - 1,200 calories per day to "diet" and still have energy and ability to workout and build muscle. I also rarely ever drank anything -- including water <em>(MISTAKE!)</em><br />
<br />
I also went to the gym 3-4 days a week. When I went to the gym I would do about 30-60 minutes of cardio which was mainly walking and/or lightly jogging. Occasionally I would use the elliptical there too, since I felt to notice I burned more calories on that machine.<span style="color: black;"> <strong><u>I never challenged myself.</u></strong></span> I never really "stuck it out" for those fat-burning workouts. All I wanted to do was burn calories and burn them fast. <em>(Burn more calories than you take in = basic weight loss.)</em> I never lifted weights. I never knew how, and I always made excuses not to learn <em>*insert lame excuse here like: trainers are expensive or that I have no time*</em><br />
<br />
Sure, I was losing weight and some inches too! I felt better about myself -- I mean, who wouldn't feel good about themselves being a size 8 and weighing 145, when I had reached a height of size 18 and a weight of 210 in my past! <em>(and yes.. that is without</em> <em>having babies --- pure fat and being unhealthy from snacking, eating unhealthy foods in rather large amounts and frequently, and lacking basically all exercise...) </em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em>However</em>, I realize now that I was losing inches and pounds, but <strong><u>I wasn't getting stronger.</u></strong><br />
I was only getting skinnier. <br />
I <em>couldn't</em> run any miles.<br />
I <em>couldn't</em> lift any real weights.<br />
I would get exhausted so easily.<br />
I wasn't getting <em><u>skinny </u></em>---- I was getting <strong><em>SKINNY FAT.</em></strong><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><strong>What is SKINNY FAT?</strong></span></div>
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A person who is not overweight and looks skinny but still has a high fat percentage and low muscular mass. Usually those people have a <strong><u>low caloric diet </u></strong><em>(check!),</em> that's why they are skinny, but are not involved in any sports activities or trainings <em>(check again!)</em> and that's why they don’t have much muscle. </div>
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<br />
Skinny fat woman look great from a certain distance or in clothes, but might not look good naked <em>(check again....)</em> and probably have some cellulite even if they are young. </div>
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<em>(Oooookay now seriously. Is this a definition of "skinny fat" or of me?!?!)</em></div>
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I don't want to be fat, and I definitely don't want to be "skinny fat" anymore. I don't really even care about being technically "skinny" anymore. I want to be genuinely and honestly more healthy and more fit. I want to be stronger. I want to put good things into my body and I want to work hard to change it. I want to see a difference in my definition, not the number on the scale.</div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">This year, <u>I am promising myself a real change.</u></span></span></strong></div>
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I'm promising <u>to actually eat, and to eat healthy</u>. <em>I can do this!</em><br />
<em></em> </div>
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I'm promising myself that <u>I can do this <em>without</em> the help of weight loss medication.</u><br />
<u></u> </div>
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I'm promising myself to <u>change my body with exercise.</u><br />
<u></u> </div>
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I'm promising myself to <u>do this for no one else other than myself.</u><br />
<u></u> </div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><strong>I CAN DO THIS!</strong></span> <br />
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I've already started eating right. Today I've had some protein for breakfast and I plan on protein and vegetables for lunch. Dinner... who knows.... probably salmon and some baked veggies! Not to mention the 75oz of water that I've already had today -- and its <em>only</em> 3:30pm!</div>
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I also started BOOTCAMP. It's a ladies only fitness center where you have small-group classes and work to reduce fat, build muscle, build endurance, and have a wonderful place to workout with women who are working towards transforming their bodies too -- the right way! Talk about some real motivation and some serious soreness! EEK! My second "official" class is tonight.<br />
I'm sore. I'm tired. I kiiindof want to skip it -- BUT I WONT!! </div>
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Anyways... all that to say... this New Year...</div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">Stop complaining about how "overcrowded" the gym is. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="color: black;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">Stop rolling your eyes when people tell you that their resolution/goal/promise for 2014 is to get healthy or lose weight.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="color: black;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">Stop making fun of the "fat girl/guy" in class -- and realize:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifl-FeQGmyXndiCNcRESo5iOLVpFPILUJrsUis8EyZ9MLiqtlyN1Joz7jsQ_2JS2E3C-4zTwXfjUyZmp6GaxXjwdN94XExsVAnE3qQc3ircignfWRMMUR6p6K8Mn2uVyExgTXca_IcsPJk/s1600/start.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifl-FeQGmyXndiCNcRESo5iOLVpFPILUJrsUis8EyZ9MLiqtlyN1Joz7jsQ_2JS2E3C-4zTwXfjUyZmp6GaxXjwdN94XExsVAnE3qQc3ircignfWRMMUR6p6K8Mn2uVyExgTXca_IcsPJk/s320/start.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-size: x-large;">WE ALL STARTED SOMEWHERE!</span> </span></strong> </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466556284943332769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784086477712582079.post-58899954277658738202013-09-17T15:03:00.004-05:002013-09-17T15:09:41.812-05:00....UNTIL NOW (-ish)I've said it before and I will say it again. I've always been.....<br />
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<em></em> </div>
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<em><span style="color: #38761d;"><strong>*insert evil music here*</strong></span></em> </div>
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<em><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>THAT GIRL.</u></span></strong></em></div>
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You know the one... the girl with a pretty face and a sweet/nice/great personality. <em>(HA!)</em><br />
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<em><span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>UNTIL NOW<span style="font-size: small;">(-ish)</span>.</strong></span></em></div>
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I've never really had a great self esteem... like ever.<br />
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When I was a little girl I used to worry that I was fat -- which I totally wasn't. <br />
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When I was in Jr. High I didnt look like the other girls. I was getting heavy and I absolutely noticed. I was in a size 12 jeans by the 7th grade. Other girls had "boyfriends" and all that I had were boys that were good friends. <br />
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In high school I was friends with everyone -- a <strong>"vanilla kid"</strong> as my cousin calls it -- but I didn't have boyfriends. I didnt have many real friends or a clique either. I felt like it was just me... alone in a stupid "if youre not <em>somebody...</em> you're a nobody -- an outsider" school full of cheerleaders, athletes, skinny people, and those people that I would never look like. And then there was me... sitting alone with the guys with my camo pants on, my baggy tshirt, my loooooong pin-straight hair <em>(not kidding. I could literally sit on it)</em> and my love for science. I was <u>smart</u> --- and thats all that I had going for me as far as high school rules go -- and even that wasn't "cool."<br />
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<em>(this wasn't even at its longest....)</em><br />
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I got to college and stopped caring what people thought, because people were so accepting of me. They didnt care, and why should I? I ate what I wanted and did what I wanted. No one really ever called me "pretty" and I knew I wasnt one of the skinny girls or the athletes --- but that was okay. I put my weight and my self-image on the backburner and did what I wanted. I had fun, instead of worrying about being unhealthy or the <strong><span style="font-size: large;">fat</span></strong> girl of the group. <br />
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It wasn't until I started losing weight that I realized where I really was.. and how far I had come. Nothing really changed at first.<br />
The first 20 pounds came off and<em> some</em> peope noticed -- and some didnt.<br />
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It took losing 28 or 29 pounds total for people to really start noticing. At that point, I was basically down to a size 8 from a size 14 -- my body had really changed.<br />
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I went to an old friends wedding and she couldnt believe I had lost so much weight.<br />
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<br />
Then friends started making comments about what I was eating. <br />
We went over to some friends of ours house and they made <em>(in <u>addition</u> to what THEY wanted, I might add)</em> turkey burgers.... just for me... because they knew I was watching my weight.<br />
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Then I would go back to RSU for board meetings or sorority meetings and everyone would say "wow Paula, you look incredible." <br />
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Lately, things have even gotten more <strong><u><span style="font-size: large;">REAL</span></u></strong> for me... as far as realization for what I have done and how far I have come is concerned. <br />
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The other night, I wanted to go dancing. I bought my very first pair of boots and I bought a dress (on sale!!) form JCP. I curled my hair and went out with friends and my boyfriend. <br />
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<strong><em><u><span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;">I FELT PRETTY</span></u></em></strong></div>
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For the first time <strike>in a long time</strike> in foreverrrrrr I felt -- not like <em>THAT </em>girl<em> ---<strong> </strong></em>but like the pretty girl in the room. I showed my boyfriend my outfit before I left and his eyes widened (even though I thought he might think I looked silly). He looked at me and at that moment I felt, <em><strong>finally,</strong> </em>like the smart AND skinny AND funny AND beautiful woman (and girlfriend) that I always wanted to be.</div>
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I felt GOOD. </div>
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We got to Caravan to do some drinking/dancing when an old guy friend of mine walked up and said "HI" to everyone. He talked about his new job and how things have changed... </div>
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......it took him about 4 minutes into talking to stop - mid sentence - and say OH MY GOOOOOOOD I DIDNT EVEN RECOGNIZE YOUUUUU!!! and then continued to let his mouth hang open and repeat the previous sentence more times that I want to remember. Well, thats a lie --- I want to remember (and replay in my mind...over and over...and over) him repeating that silly little sentence with his wide eyes and gaping jaw. </div>
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All I could think was HEY!! ITS ME....PAULA! SURPRISE! haha</div>
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All I could do was laugh (and BLUSHH!) and thank him for being so kind. </div>
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It wasnt just him being <em>KIND, </em>It was him being <strong>TOTALLY, COMPLETELY, and ABSOLUTELY HONEST AND REAL</strong>. His reaction to my physical changes weren't fake or planned...<strong><span style="font-size: large;"> it was <u>GENUINE</u></span></strong>, and that made such a HUGE impact on me.</div>
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I know I FEEEEEEL like a different person..... but now, I know I LOOOOOK like a different person too. </div>
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<strong>And it feels <u>FANTASTIC! </u></strong></div>
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...talk about a self-esteem booster! </div>
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I never did have ok/good/positive self esteem.......</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span> <strong><u><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></u></strong><br />
<strong><u><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></u></strong><br /></div>
<strong><u><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></u></strong><br />
<strong><u><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;">
UNTIL NOW!</div>
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</u><div style="text-align: center;">
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</strong><br />
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Time to rock my entirely new self and keep on keeping on with my journey! </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466556284943332769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784086477712582079.post-82995701119778669612013-08-06T13:56:00.005-05:002013-08-06T13:56:49.402-05:00My first fitness investment -- Motivation in the form of a HRM watchSo I see photos ALL THE TIME of friends and people I follow on social media with their special workout watches. I've never really understood the point --- nor did I want to fork up $100 - $200+<br />
to buy one, especially when the treadmill or elliptical would tell me my calories burned as long as I entered in my age/weight and used the HRM (heart rate monitor) sensors. <br />
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That's enough.................<em>right?</em><br />
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Well, maybe, if you're not concerned with calories burned and getting the most out of your workout. For me, I am focusing not on losing weight and burning normal calories--- but rather, burning FAT calories. Little did I know that your HR makes a BIG difference on what kind of workout you get and where the calories that you burn are coming from. <br />
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To lose weight in the past, I would jump on the treadmill and jog/run for a certain amount of time or miles -- without concern to my HR. After talking to a few trainers and doing my research online, I realize that working out at a certain HR can give more results and help towards whatever your goals are -- whether it is trying to lose pounds (high HR for burning more calories) or lose fat (lower HR for burning more calories from fat).<br />
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I started looking at HRMs that I had seen from other people I know or follow a few weeks ago. Most people either had a polar fitness watch or a garmin watch. Both were watches, and both came with chest straps. I didn't even know where to start, what to look for, etc. This was a first for me in the fitness world --- so off I went!<br />
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For me, since I'm not a crazy hardcore athlete -- I decided that the most important things in a HRM watch that <strong><em>I </em></strong>needed were:<br />
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<li>Ability to <em>accurately</em> track my heart rate</li>
<li>Ability to show calories burned (specifically, those burned from fat!)</li>
<li>Ability to show/keep time (its a watch, duh!)</li>
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Simple, right? I didn't need anything fancy or with crazy extra features. <br />
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So, after deciding my needs as a consumer, I went where I know best to research --- online! I read information about watches, HRMs, whats best -- whats worst, average costs, reviews, etc. until I worked it down to three main watches of which two, coincidentally, happened to be the same two that I had seen many friends and people that I follow wear. The two were the FT4 ($65) polar watch and the pink/grey garmin ($190). The other being a polar upgrade -- the FT40 ($102).<br />
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I did more research, comparing, reading reviews and asking people that had them what they thought. I came down to a couple conclusions:<br />
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<li>I wanted to be able to get the watch/HRM wet, in case I ever forgot to take it off or wanted to count calories from swimming</li>
<li>I didn't want to spend a small fortune on a HRM</li>
<li>I shouldn't pick a HRM based on which color I love the most</li>
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After realizing these few things, the Garmin HRM was OUT and I was left to the two polar watches. Again, I went back and compared the two. <br />
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<a href="http://heart-rate-monitors.findthebest.com/compare/23-58/Polar-FT4-vs-Polar-FT40">http://heart-rate-monitors.findthebest.com/compare/23-58/Polar-FT4-vs-Polar-FT40</a><br />
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Both had what the basics of what I needed, but the FT40 had a few extras -- like the ability to use it in water, it had a fitness test and a training mode, it shows % fat burned, minimum and max HR, and even holds your data weekly! <br />
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So, I got on amazon (I have a prime account -- good prices, free 2 day shipping and only $3.99 for next day, an excellent return policy, etc.) and bought my FT40 in white (fyi: they come in LOTS of other colors) for $102. I paid for next day shipping because I was ready to get started! <br />
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I set up the watch the evening it came in the mail -- SUPER SIMPLE, basically like any watch you had to set date and time, as well as set your age, weight, etc. BOOM - DONE!<br />
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Using the HRM strap/sensor was suuuuuuper simple -- you just clip on a sensor to an adjustable strap that goes just under your chest -- and then put the strap on. The watch is automatically connected to the HR sensor -- so there isn't any work in getting things "configured." The data just goes wirelessly from the sensor connected to the strap around your lower chest to the watch. MAGIC.<br />
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I used the HRM the first night for a brief 20 minute jog but didn't really use it other than to monitor my HR. <br />
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Last night I went to the gym with a friend and really got some use out of it. I worked out for 35 minutes --- a warm up on the treadmill and I hit the elliptical hard (I love those things because I burn like double the calories in the same time as I would on a treadmill I feel like... not to mention the whole "less impact on your body" thing). Anyways, I ended up getting my HR very high and then working to raise my resistance, lower my speed, and eventually got to an area where I was burning more fat and was more within a zone that would, as I was trying, to burn more calories from fat. I ended up burning 437 calories total. It was a great workout and I am excited to learn more about the watch.<br />
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A couple IMPORTANT things that Ive noticed about the watch:<br />
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<li>It makes me more aware of where my HR is and then I can make changes to get my HR where I want it to be to achieve that workouts goals. </li>
<li>Its motivating! Getting on a machine is so much more fun and interactive because I actually get to measure my workout and change things to accomplish what I want</li>
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I also noticed that the HRM kept basically the same HR as my machine did (so that's good, they're on target). However, during my warm up my treadmill said I burned 87.8 calories and my HRM said that I burned 134. I'LL TAKE IT. --- treadmills aren't always accurate, and a programmed HRM (meaning your weight, age, height, etc. is already in there -- you do this during set up) is more accurate. <br />
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Anyways... that all goes to say that I LOVE MY HRM!! Its simple, functional, motivating, and is just what I needed to start making progress towards my goals. <br />
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I would definitely recommend getting a HRM watch if you have any fitness goals at all... its seriously worth it! Do your research and get one that fits your needs and your budget --- I SWEAR you wont regret it! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466556284943332769noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784086477712582079.post-87536017397154671132013-07-12T10:24:00.002-05:002013-07-12T10:25:09.210-05:00FAT - to - FEELIN' FAB FRIDAY! <strong>Here it is!</strong> <br />
<em>(I missed transformation Tuesday so I made up my own catchy day/photo phrase --- because I'm cheesy like that)</em><br />
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It's great to get motivation from other people --- but when I see photos like this <strong><em>I seriously can't believe this <strike> is </strike> <u>WAS</u> me.</em></strong><br />
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In the famous words of Bob Dylan --<br />
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"FOR THE TIMES, THEY ARE A CHANGIN!"</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466556284943332769noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784086477712582079.post-44083286451059340592013-07-05T16:42:00.002-05:002013-07-05T16:42:54.536-05:00If you can't say something nice.... RANT ALERT!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
....isn't the ultimate goal in life to "BE HAPPY" ?? </div>
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<em><strong>"If you're not happy with YOURSELF, </strong> <strong>then how can you be happy with anyone else"</strong></em></div>
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<strong><em></em></strong> </div>
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<strong><em>"Don't worry be happy"</em></strong></div>
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<strong><em>"Respect yourself enough to walk away from anything that no longer </em></strong><em><strong>serves you, </strong><strong>grows you, or makes you happy"</strong></em></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: x-large;">This is not fair.</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></u></div>
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I'm seriously so angry right now! =(</div>
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....Even more, I am <u>mad at myself</u> for letting their words upset me.</div>
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This is not fair -- and I do not have to put up with it, nor do I have to feel bad for the things people say to me.</div>
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A wise woman once said <strong>"no one can make you feel inferior without your consent."</strong> </div>
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Its about time I start taking her advice! </div>
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It doesnt matter what you think. If I wanted your NEGATIVE opinion I would ask for it. </div>
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But I didn't ask, did I?</div>
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................................................NO. I certainly did not.</div>
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For the FIRST time in my life (since about 4th grade) I finally love myself. I am happy. I feel happy. I FEEL PROUD OF MYSELF --- and dangit, I FEEL GOOD.</div>
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I have an education, a great job that I love, I am finally making some money, I have a nice place to live and a nice car and I can afford nice things and to save money, I have some good friends, a good family, a fantastic/supportive boyfriend, and <strong>I feel good about the way that I look<em> (specifically, physically)</em> now more than I ever have <em>in my entire life</em>.</strong> </div>
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I feel so pretty sometimes (haha!) --- like when I look in the mirror I dont see a whale anymore. I can afford and fit into nice clothes. I can, <strike> every</strike> <em><strong>most</strong></em> days, walk past a mirror and think to myself "wow -- you've come a long way! You look great! Look at your butt -- it actually has some shape! You've still got some work to do but girl look at you! Oh... is that a new skirt?!? Ooooo girl --- STRUT THAT!!" </div>
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<em>(you think i'm joking..... but Im totally not...)</em></div>
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It makes me so mad that one persons comment can make all of those good feeling <strong>FLY OUT THE FREAKING WINDOW!! UGH!</strong> </div>
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.................................So, all that to tell you what happened to make me want to SCREAM:</div>
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I'm sitting at work today and this guy walks into my office and stares at me. </div>
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I said "hey! What's up?!" </div>
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He just looks at me with a concerned face and says "uh... are your parents around?</div>
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I said "no." <em><I've been on my own since I was 17 - supporting myself completely. My daddy died when I was 16 and my mom lives in a different state...></em></div>
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He said "okay, well I am going to take their place and tell you that you're losing too much weight."</div>
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He just stared at me.</div>
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I said "oh... uh... well, actually, uhmmm..." <em><cool.. I love when I studder! Perfect timing - hahaha!></em></div>
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My mind went blank and I wanted to <span style="font-size: large;"><strong><u>SCREAM</u></strong></span> at him. I wanted to ask him why he thought that. He didn't know me. He didn't know how big -- and most importantly, UNHEALTHY -- that I had been for soooo many years. He didn't know about the mental and physical struggles I've had over the past however-many years ---- always being the "fat girl with the great personality" or the "smart chubby girl who sits in the front of the class." </div>
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All he knew was that I used to be bigger, and now he could see my facial structure and my collar bones <em>(one of the most attractive body parts on a woman, in my opinion!!!). </em></div>
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Just because my collar bones show or becuase my fat doesnt fold over my pants anymore does NOT mean that I am "losing too much weight." </div>
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My mind, <strong><em>still filled with anger and shock</em></strong>, pulled itself together for a measley four seconds and I mustered up the words "....thank you for your opinion."</div>
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He continued to stare blankly, said "yeah," and backed out of my office.</div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">DONE.</span></strong> </div>
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<u>In a matter of 1 minute I went from being the girl that felt pretty</u> -- <em>because when I was leaving the house this morning, after putting on a black cotton dress, I kissed my boyfriend goodbye and he said "you look very nice today"</em> --- <u>to feeling like I had no control in a situation in which someone could <em>CRITICIZE </em>me and make me feel like I had a problem</u> --- <strong>like being healthy and skinny was a PROBLEM that he felt like he needed to address!! WHAT!?!?!?</strong> </div>
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I pulled myself together, held my breath, and walked hastily to the bathroom --- where I sat down in the ugly green chair in the corner..............<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">and started <u>BALLING.</u></span></em></strong></div>
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This isnt the first time that this has happened either. Crappy, right?! =(</div>
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I text a family member these two photos of me <em><see below></em> the other day and that person responded with "Dang! Looking good! Dont need to lose any more weight though"</div>
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Really......Did you <em>HAVE</em> to put that at the end? </div>
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You couldn't just be happy for me and tell me that I look good? </div>
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You felt the need to <em><u>warn</u></em> me and <u><em>criticize</em> </u>me? </div>
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No thank you. I don't need to listen to that.</div>
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I got a facebook mesage from a different family member that said "I think you look fabulous, and i can totally relate to that exhilaration when you get back down to a size you thought you'd never see. I just want you to be healthy and not become obsessed with your image. <u>You do not need to be any smaller</u>. <u>You'll look skeletal with your bone structure</u>. <u>You're a woman. Embrace your curves! </u>Also, you said you'd never been a 6 as a teen or adult. so, yes, <u>it scares me that you might be going too extreme."</u></div>
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Okay, I can understand your concern if I had dropped 100 pounds in a month for no reason by completely not eating or becoming anorexic or bulemic --- but losing 31 pounds and 3 dress sizes total over the course of 6 months is NOT a cause for concern. Really, I know you care and that you are only saying these things because of that... but I don't get it. I've never been this size before becuase I've always been fat -- <a href="http://paulaspounds.blogspot.com/2013/07/im-big-boned.html" target="_blank">I've always eaten too much and moved too little.</a></div>
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Still yet, these aren't the first remarks about my looks or my weight loss -- and I KNOW that, unfortunately, they are not the last.</div>
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People should know -- I am an educated, strong, smart, independent woman. I try not to make stupid decisions. I know how to make healthy choices. I know not to go all wacko and try to fit into a size 0 in one month. I KNOW for goodness sakes I KNOW!! </div>
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I'm not saying that I am not going to make mistakes, because I will --- but what I am saying is that I LEAD MY OWN LIFE. </div>
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I AM, <em>like everyone else in this world</em>, TRYING TO MAKE MYSELF HAPPY -- AND IF THAT MEANS LOSING 31 POUNDS, 3 DRESS SIZES, and WORKING MY ASS OFF TO FEEL GOOD ABOUT MYSELF THEN <u>DAMNIT THATS WHAT I AM GOING TO DO</u> - AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY, I DONT NEED YOUR NEGATIVE WORDS OR THOUGHTS WHEN I DO IT.</div>
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<strong><em>I am a grown woman -- and I feel pretty!</em></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQyZ9lT9LMaN9INwTpmGmzD_mWk2Za8wfS4X3W_N1xc9BHEUpnEzUWslAvIf9FWkYjX8QoTzVC5ohcwBys6HdPQ3xMR48YtnEBqO6s8MFKFlg4ylTcXxcYknF8tvn529LUu7GQdjIeZpBn/s1600/thumper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQyZ9lT9LMaN9INwTpmGmzD_mWk2Za8wfS4X3W_N1xc9BHEUpnEzUWslAvIf9FWkYjX8QoTzVC5ohcwBys6HdPQ3xMR48YtnEBqO6s8MFKFlg4ylTcXxcYknF8tvn529LUu7GQdjIeZpBn/s1600/thumper.jpg" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">If you don't have something nice to say, then DONT SAY IT AT ALL</span></strong> -- BECAUSE (unless I ask for your honest opinion) I DONT WANT TO HEAR IT.</div>
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<strong><em>So, self:</em></strong></div>
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Time to suck up these tears and forget about it.</div>
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Time to learn that people are always going to criticize and judge me for BOTH my good and bad choices.</div>
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Time to move on, and realize <strong><u>there are more important things in life</u></strong> than <em>LETTING YOU MAKE ME FEEL LIKE CRAP FOR MAKING GOOD CHOICES!! UGHH! </em></div>
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Time to go back to my blog, instagram, facebook page, friends, family, and everyone else who knows what I've been through, what I want to accomplish (with my weight or anyyyything else) and read/listen to their <strong><u>positive</u></strong> thoughts and words. </div>
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Time to feel pretty again.</div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">RANT OVER.</span></strong></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466556284943332769noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7784086477712582079.post-51448683073595422212013-07-02T00:44:00.001-05:002013-07-02T00:44:38.838-05:00Drop it like its SQUAT!30 day challenge, anyone?! Well I'm in! Here I gooooo!<div><br><div>instagram - paulablalock</div><div><br></div><div>@erin_morgan && #erin_morgan</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_iQfqTVv9v_EROLRavhYy3eIRaqZzAg4aTByrLwS2Tn5xTl_H-rSR7NuohbJo2GgnkeX9Pf6Te6sCBVa6pY5rE2_NFZZDQFMeOgWGGpcT_rvEOd0aeI9lFqGzQRdBDiQQf9hPDfftB_uw/s640/blogger-image--1228759158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_iQfqTVv9v_EROLRavhYy3eIRaqZzAg4aTByrLwS2Tn5xTl_H-rSR7NuohbJo2GgnkeX9Pf6Te6sCBVa6pY5rE2_NFZZDQFMeOgWGGpcT_rvEOd0aeI9lFqGzQRdBDiQQf9hPDfftB_uw/s640/blogger-image--1228759158.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0udBi_giyQK5xfFpZ3V5QLf77w4pTNnvkUOf3V3pmdL-Q7ibcdb79zWiXp1BR3-vIOOuQ62DHhCQfiZja0Pdf_IaVqmTC2HFHCYxWPZbL0fZlCy3Nea3NV6W1ZJsBiLyAi15ZHF3WfrMQ/s640/blogger-image--88372460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0udBi_giyQK5xfFpZ3V5QLf77w4pTNnvkUOf3V3pmdL-Q7ibcdb79zWiXp1BR3-vIOOuQ62DHhCQfiZja0Pdf_IaVqmTC2HFHCYxWPZbL0fZlCy3Nea3NV6W1ZJsBiLyAi15ZHF3WfrMQ/s640/blogger-image--88372460.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12466556284943332769noreply@blogger.com0