Just A Little Update

Hello, everyone! I haven't been really able to post in a while because I've been so busy with work and getting ready to leave on my mission, but since I had a spare moment today, I thought I would give a little update. I have now hit 54 lbs and 95.25 inches lost. It feels awesome! I also decided to take another progress picture to see how far I've come. And yes, I did chop off some hair. I feel like I have a totally new look now! :)

   

This may be my last post before I leave (only 6 days left!), so there's a few things I want to say until next time.

     Never give up. Believe in yourself, and have faith that you can accomplish anything. The journey will be hard, and there will be times in which you will feel discouraged and you will feel like your effort is pointless. Have patience, and keep working at it. It will come, even if it's not right when you want it to happen. BELIEVE ME. There are so many times I felt this way. If it were possible to get what I had wanted when I wanted, I would have been at my ideal weight years ago, and stayed that way the rest of my life. Remember the "why" of what you're doing. Record your progress so that in harder times you can look back at what you have accomplished. This goes for much more than weight loss; it's a great principle for life.

     I know that God lives. I know that if we strive daily to follow Him and His plan for us, we will be blessed more than we can receive. I know that through Him, anything is possible. I know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he came to this earth to suffer and die for our sins so that we could someday return to him and our Heavenly Father as clean and humble children of  a king. I know that our Heavenly Father loves us, and that He has perfect timing. He knows what is best for each and every one of us. We struggle because we can't always see the big picture; but He knows all. I know that the gospel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true, and that it can bring peace and joy to all of those who truly desire to follow it's principles. I love my Savior and my Heavenly Father with all of my heart, and I am so excited to serve them by serving my brothers and sisters in the Oregon Eugene Mission.

And... We're Back!

     Hello everyone! After a 3 1/2 week plateau, I'm happy to report that I've finally passed it on Friday and am starting to lose again. I'm so glad I didn't give up! Even though I was really discouraged, I wasn't willing to give up what I had already accomplished. This goes to show that having patience with yourself is key, and that it will definitely pay off! I'm losing more slowly before and little by little, but after being stuck for so long, even a tenth of a pound is exciting. :)
     Over the past few weeks, I've also learned that your attitude really does affect your outcome. The phrase "mind over matter" is not some crazy theory that doesn't actually work. It is truth. As I was getting discouraged and started to believe that I might not be able to lose any more, the harder it was to break. On the other hand, the second I took a good look and told myself that I could and would, I did! If you truly believe in yourself and tell yourself you can accomplish something, there will be nothing that can stop you. Be strong. Be determined. Remember when you started and what motivated you to make that decision. DON'T GIVE UP ON YOUR FUTURE HAPPINESS BECAUSE IT IS HARD RIGHT NOW. Try to see the big picture, and ask for help. Pray for guidance and strength. Your body is a temple, and temples are sacred. Take care of it, and it will take care of you.

My Progress:

Pounds lost: 53.4

Inches lost: 95.25

YUM.

     Hello! I just wanted to say that I found an amazingly delicious protein bar recipe that's super easy! I thought it would be good to share the recipe, so here you go.

Do-It-Yourself Protein Bars

• INGREDIENTS:
• 2 cups peanut butter
• 1 3/4 cups honey
• 2 1/4 cups protein powder (I used Muscle Milk. I don't know how the other flavors would taste, but chocolate is really good)
• 3 cups dry oats or granola
• INSTRUCTIONS:
• Place peanut butter and honey in a microwave-safe bowl and heat on high for 70-90 seconds. Mix in protein powder and oats or granola (it will be thick!). Press into a 9x13" pan and place in the refrigerator to cool. Cut into bars and serve. Keep leftovers in the fridge so that they keep their shape easily.

My Progress:

Pounds lost: 53

Inches lost: 79.25

Taking Time to "Catch Up"

     Hello! I know it's been a long time since I've posted more weight loss updates... and that's because I've been stuck on a plateau. And it's getting really frustrating, and a little bit discouraging. But it's okay. You know why? Although I haven't been losing, I haven't been gaining either, and that's a really good thing. I've noticed lately that I'm starting to have a lot of extra loose skin. When I was talking to my dad the other day and venting my frustrations, he reminded me of something. I've lost 53 lbs in 5 months. That is super fast. I should have hit my plateau a long time ago, and since I hadn't, my body needs some time to catch up and recover. My skin needs some time to tighten up a bit and adjust so I can loose more weight.
     My main message for this post is to tell you all that you shouldn't be discouraged or give up because you've stopped losing for a while. Keep up the work, and have some patience with your body. Let your body have time to adjust, and don't think you are a failure just because you can't lose anymore. Just know that the closer you get to your ideal weight, the harder it's going to be to get those pounds off; but they'll still come off.
     I also discovered a couple more new nutrition facts the past little while, and I thought I'd share. Here they are:

1. Taking your Omega-3's (Fish oil is a great supplement for this specifically) is actually more important than you might think. Other than being great for your heart health, did you know that it can reduce your stress levels (physically, not mentally... I think)? There was a study done in which a ton of people took their Omega-3's (or fish oil) consistently for 15 days, and their stress levels dropped 20%. 20%. That's huge.
2. One cup of black beans has 15 grams of fiber, which can help curb your appetite throughout the day and promote fullness.
3. The compound in peppers that give them their fiery kick actually boost your calorie burning, as well as curbing your appetite. Spicy foods are really good for your heart! (I like this news!)
4. Chicken and quinoa together are a really excellent source to help you recover. The amino acids in chicken help rebuild broken down muscle tissue, and the carbs in quinoa help to "refuel your gas tank". Here's a recipe for chicken and quinoa soup. It's like a different version of chicken noodle soup, the ultimate "get feeling better" meal.

• Simmer This: Heat 2 teaspoons canola oil in a pot; cook 1 diced onion and 2 sliced carrots for 6 minutes. Add 1 pound thinly sliced boneless raw chicken thighs, 1 cup sliced mushrooms, 2 sliced celery stalks, and 2 minced garlic cloves; cook 5 minutes. Add 4 cups chicken broth, 1 cup water, 3/4 cup quinoa, 4 sprigs thyme, and salt and pepper. Boil, reduce heat, and simmer about 15 minutes, till quinoa is tender. Top with parsley and hot sauce.

1. Do you want to know how to calculate your body fat percentage and don't know how? Here's a link to a great body fat calculator I found: http://www.active.com/fitness/calculators/bodyfat.htm?force_a2=y
2. Do you need a source of information that can tell you exactly where you need to be health-wise, and can show you  your progress and keep track for you? Go to anytimehealth.com. Anyone can make an account and the stuff is personalized specifically for you.

So that's all I have for now. Remember to keep working hard and never give up. It's hard to have patience sometimes, but it will be worth it and you' will so much better later.

My Progress:

Pounds lost: 53

Inches lost: 77.75

A Little Bit of Insight

     Hello, everyone! This isn't going to be like my regular posts. Today I felt the need to write a letter to the girl I once was, and I felt like one of you would need to see it. I don't know who needs it, or if anyone will really be helped by it. If you are helped by it and you are willing to share, please let me know and why. Mainly because I'm curious, but partly because I feel like it can help me to. My email is saxophonebabe1@gmail.com if you would rather message me privately instead of commenting publicly. So, here we go.

Dear Former Krysta,

     I'm so sorry that you are going through what you are. I know that life is so hard and complicated, and you just want to curl up in a corner. I know that most days, you look at yourself most days and wonder if anyone will ever look at you and believe you are beautiful. And every once in a while, you do hear it from someone, but you don't believe it because "there's no way anyone could like someone like me". I know that you hate getting your picture taken, because you feel ugly and fat, and you definitely don't want to save that forever in a picture. I know that you hate the fact that you always feel hungry, and no matter what you do, you can never seem to get even a small amount of that annoying fat off. You are in so much pain; pain that you recognize, and pain you don't even know that you are suffering yet.

     But let me tell you something. You are beautiful, and you are amazing. Really, you are. You just don't know it yet. Keep trying and never give up or give in. There is so much that you are going to accomplish, and you are going to be so much happier! You are going to overcome this, and you are going to get a lot of help, love, and encouragement on the way. Just ask. There is a lot more love for you out there than you can comprehend. I still can't comprehend it now! And you are going to touch the lives of so many people because of what you do. And they are going to inspire and motivate you. And it's not going to be easy at first. You're going to have your ups and downs, and you are going to have days you just want to give up. But you have it in you to accomplish your goals and achieve your dreams.

     As you start your journey, never forget that this is for you. Not for family, not for friends, not for a mission. YOU. Because you deserve it and you are worth it. There is an incredible person deep inside of you that is just itching to come out of hiding, and only you can let her shine. And I know you do, because I am her. But I started with you. I am using your experiences now to make sure that I never let those things be a part of my life again. Please don't give up. I am counting on you. Stay strong. Anything is possible.

Sincerely,

Me

Another Goal Achieved!

     Hello! I know I haven't posted again in a while... but I do have exciting news! I beat another milestone in my weight loss and am now at 53 lbs lost! I haven't measured my inches recently, which I need to do, but last time I measured I was at 73.25 inches of fat gone. I am so happy! And there's 38 more days until my mission!!! The work has been so worth it; I am SO ready to get out on the mission field and serve the people in the Oregon Eugene mission. I also felt like posting a picture of one of my mission outfits today as it would also serve as my 50 lbs lost picture.

Breaking the Plateau (FINALLY.)

     Hello everyone! As I said in a post a little while ago, I've been stuck on somewhat of a plateau, and I was getting quite frustrated with it. I was doing everything I could, but it just wouldn't come off! Well, after sticking with it and trying to be patient as I did what I could to be healthy, I finally overcame this bump in the road. And I am SO happy. Now I'm hoping that I just don't get stuck again for a while!
     As I said before, changing your lifestyle and achieving your bigger dreams in life is not easy. Anything worth having isn't. But you've got to keep trying and pushing yourself to stay out of your 'comfort zone' and strive everyday to be better. You're going to have your mistakes and your hardships. There are going to be days that you are going to be discouraged. That's okay; life has it's ups and downs. Everyone has their own trials. Be happy and accept yourself for who you are today, and work to be better tomorrow. Have a positive outlook. Count your blessings. It gets better, and it eventually gets easier as well. Don't give up.
     So... since I mentioned breaking my plateau, here's an update:

• Pounds lost: 47.2
• Inches lost: 71
• When I started, my body fat percentage was at 60%. Now it's at 31%. You know what that means? I've lost nearly half of my fat. I'm almost to the range I need to be, which is about 14%-25%.
• Starting out, my BMI was 42.8. It is now 37.1. Although I don't really understand the points exactly, I know I'm getting closer to where I'm supposed to be, which is between 18.5 and 24.9.

In my opinion, here's the best part. Starting out, I hated how I looked.

Now I sometimes can't stop looking... I'm having a hard time believing it's me!

Seeing Results and Conquering Goals

     Good morning! This is going to be short, but for my post today, I have a couple of exciting things to share... so here we go!

• I completed my first 5K!!! I'm so proud! I walked most of it, but I still did it. My time was 55:51, and I'm really happy that I not only finished it in under an hour, but I also didn't come in last! To think that at the beginning of the year, a 5K is something I thought I would never be able to do (which, in all fairness and with the shape I was in at the time, I couldn't have done) and now I have done it and still had energy to do more!
• I also got some new clothes this past week... and went down at least 1 or 2 sizes in everything! And you know what else? I can fit in medium-sized clothing now. I don't ever remember being able to fit into a medium anything, ever. And to have it actually be flattering, and just a little bit loose? HA.

Don't let your life pass you by. Challenge yourself each and every day to be better. It takes time, so be patient with yourself. If you stick to it, you will see a difference in the person you've become, whether it be physical or not. You are worth it.

Getting yourself out there can help you meet new people that will inspire 

you to be better and will cheer you on as you go. I had the opportunity

to meet a new friend who walked with me the entire time and cheered for 

me as I ran across the finish line at my first 5K this morning.

New Adventures Ahead (Aside from the mission, of course)!

     Hello, everyone! I haven't posted in a while because I've hit a plateau and I can't seem to get more off... GRRR. However, I'm not putting it back on, so that's a good thing! Because of this, I've decided to up-the-anti a little more--this includes not slacking on my workouts (which I have been doing lately), and trying something new. So I signed up for my first ever 5K. I never thought I would ever be excited to sign up for a 5K. Goes to show that the phrase "never say never" really does have something to it. :)
     The other day, someone asked me why I don't just stop where I am--I'm where I need to be to go on a mission, so why try for more, right? Wrong. And this is why:

1. Yes, I may have reached what I needed to in order to go on my mission, but if I start slacking now, who's to say I won't gain it back and delay my mission before I go?
2. I'm really happy that I've lost 41.6 lbs. That is a lot, and I'm a lot more healthy than I was before. But even after I've hit 50 lbs lost, I still have about 57 lbs to go before I hit my personal goal weight. And seeing how much healthier I have become already just makes me want to continue.
3. I've come so far already; why stop now? Why prevent myself from being the healthiest, happiest person I can be? I don't see why I should stop!

I guess what I'm saying is that I'm not going to allow this plateau to discourage me. I may have stopped progress, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to continue allowing my obesity to take over my life. I've got what it takes, and I am going to fight every moment for the wonderful gift of life and a physical body that I've been given.

My Progress:
Pounds lost: 41.6
Inches lost: 69.5

YES!!!!

     Exciting news for this post! I finally received my mission call! It's been a lot of hard work to get to this point, but I am more than happy that I was determined enough to get here. I have been called to serve in Eugene, Oregon, English speaking. I report to the MTC on the 11th of September! Here's a picture!

     As far as weight loss goes, I've hit a little bit of a plateau, but I think that's mainly because I kept forgetting to eat breakfast (It really is important!) and with my hours this week at work, I have been forced to eat my dinner after 6:30 (I can only do so much!). But it's okay, because I know that still overcome it. Now my goal is to have 60 lbs lost before my mission.
     That's all for now... I can't really think of much else to write at the moment. Just remember that if you would like any tips or advice, feel free to ask!

A New Tried-And-True Recipe

     Hello! A while ago when I was looking for recipes on pinterest, I found a recipe for a Zucchini Black Bean and Rice skillet that looked really good, so I saved it for later use. Tonight, I finally got a chance to try it out and made it for dinner for my parents and I. Instead of rice I used quinoa (I figured it needed some protein so it was more filling, and quinoa is a good rice substitute), and I didn't have green bell peppers to put in it, but it tasted amazing. And the best part? It's super easy to make. Since it's a dish that is healthy and great for those looking for healthier options, I thought I would share it. Here it is:

Zucchini Black Bean and Rice Skillet

Ingredients:

• 1 Tablespoon Pure Wesson Canola Oil
• 1 1/2 cups quartered (lengthwise) sliced zucchini
• 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
• 1 can (15 oz) Rosarita Premium Whole Black Beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (14.5 oz) Hunt's Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes with garlic
• 3/4 cup water
• 1 cup instant white rice, uncooked (quinoa is great too!)
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar and monterey jack cheese blend

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add zucchini and bell pepper. Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add beans, undrained tomatoes, and water. Increase heat and bring to a boil.
2. Add rice, stir well. Cover; remove from heat and let stand 7 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Sprinkle with cheese.

Nutrition Information:

Servings: 4 (1 1/4 cups serving size)

Calories: 276

     Well, I hope you enjoy this one! I am definitely making it again. My parents didn't really think they would like it, and after dinner they were thinking of different ways you could cook it or other things that we could put in it! We all wished I had made more for later... maybe next time.

My Progress:

Pounds lost: 41.6 (YES!)

Inches lost: 68

Music Motivation

     Hello again. Today I was thinking about how much music has helped me push through the hardest of workouts, on days that I just really didn't want to do it. And I realize how hard it is to put together a great workout playlist that really makes you want to move. Because of this, I thought I would post my workout playlist to give you an idea. You may have a different taste in music than me, but that's okay. These are just some upbeat songs that keep me at a good pace.

• Absolute- The Fray
• Alive- Relient K
• All In- Lifehouse
• Apologize- OneRepublic
• Are You Gonna Be My Girl- Jet
• At Least We Made It This Far- Relient K
• Bad- Michael Jackson (Glee Cast version)
• Be My Escape- Relient K
• Beautiful Day- U2
• Before He Cheats- Carrie Underwood
• Bills, Bills, Bills- Glee Cast version
• Bite My Tongue- Relient K
• Black or White- (Michael Jackson)
• Born This Way- Lady Gaga
• Brighter Than Sun- Colbie Caillat
• Burp In Your Mouth- The Opskamatrists
• Chapstick, Chapped Lips, And Things Like Chemistry- Relient K
• Check Yes, Juliet- Boys Like Girls
• Crazy Little Thing Called Love- Michael Bublé
• Curl Up and Die- Relient K
• Dance Like There's No Tomorrow- Paula Abdul
• Don't Mean Nothing- Richard Marx
• Don't Rain on My Parade- Glee Cast version
• Don't Stop Believin'- Journey
• The Edge Of Glory- Lady Gaga
• The Eye of the Tiger- Survivor
• Falling For You- Mia Rose
• Footloose- Kenny Loggins
• Forget You- Glee Cast version
• Freeze Frame- J. Geils Band
• Haven't Met You Yet- Michael Bublé
• Heartache Tonight- Michael Bublé
• Hello, Seattle- Owl City
• Hey, Soul Sister- Train
• Hit Me With Your Best Shot/One Way- Glee Cast
• Hold Me- Jamie Grace
• Holding Out for a Hero- Bonnie Tyler
• I Wanna Dance With Somebody- Whitney Houston
• It Had Better Be Tonight- Michael Bublé
• Just Dance- Lady Gaga
• Let's Hear It for the Boy- Deniece Williams
• Love's Gonna Get You Down (Lollipop)- MIKA
• Love You Like A Lovesong- Selena Gomez & The Scene
• Man with the Hex- Atomic Fireballs
• Money Can't Buy Me Love- Michael Bublé
• Mr. Pinstripe Suit- Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
• Not Quite Paradise- Bliss 66
• Paparazzi- Vitamin String Quartet
• Payphone- Maroon 5
• Raise Your Glass- Glee Cast version
• Sadie Hawkins Dance- Relient K
• Save the Last Dance for Me- Michael Bublé
• Supermassive Black Hole- Muse
• The Way You Make Me Feel- Michael Jackson
• Who I Am Hates Who I've Been- Relient K
• Bellas Finals: Price Tag/Don't You Forget About Me- Pitch Perfect
• High Heel Leather Boots- Baby Bee
• Life is a Highway- Rascal Flatts
• Don't You (Forget About Me)- David Cook
• Runaway- The National
• Midnight City- M83
• Rock You Like A Hurricane- Scorpions
• Shelter From The Storm- Bob Dylan
• Hungry Heart- Bruce Springsteen

I hope you like these! Find what gets you motivated and keep working to achieve you goals and make your dreams a reality. You can do it!

My Progress:
Pounds lost: 39.6
Inches lost: 68

I thought this picture was funny and somewhat true. Enjoy!

Obesity Is A Disease

     Yes, that's right. As of last week, the American Medical Association officially declared obesity a disease. I already knew this... Why else would something so contradictory to your health be genetic? However, I drew some inspiration from The Anti-Jared. He lost 225 lbs and has been able to keep it off for years now. Just like me, he has obesity. But he is not obese, and that's what I'm striving to get to.
     I mention this because it just emphasizes my point that changing your eating habits and exercise has to be a lifestyle change; it's not temporary. Maybe for those of you who don't have obesity, doing a small diet to get those few pounds off is fine for you. But for those of you like me, it's an every day struggle. We have to fight to get and keep the weight off. Maybe it's not fair, but who does it hurt to live a little bit healthier and strive to make the best of what we have? No one.
     Now that I have ranted a little bit, I decided recently that I wanted to put some healthy food ideas out there for those who want some. So here they are:

• The first one is a salad. One day I just decided to make a berry salad, and this is what I had- spinach, strawberries, blueberries, sunflower seeds (without the shells), and poppyseed dressing (light). It was really yummy! In this picture, they have watermelon in it as well, which I may have to try soon.

• I also really like to make smoothies because it's easier to get in my fruits and veggies. I'll try to post more as I experiment, but here are a few combinations that I liked:
• Strawberry, banana, grapes, and spinach (not a lot; just enough to get those extra nutrients. You can't even taste it)
• Pineapple, peach, banana
• Peach, blueberry, strawberry

That's all I'm going to post here for now, but I also have a earlier post on healthy recipes that has a link to some healthy recipes, and you can get to it by clicking here. Good luck with your goals, whatever they may be. Most importantly, don't give up. You can accomplish anything you set your mind to.

My progress:

Pounds lost: 37.4

Inches lost: 68

How Do I Do It?

     Hello! Lately everyone has been asking me how I've been losing all of the weight so fast, so today I thought I would post some tips and some of my "rules" that have gotten me where I am today... 37.2 lbs lost, by the way!!! And I finally hit 200 lbs today, which means that if I lose anymore, I will be in the 100's for the first time in over 9 years!
     First off, I have to say that there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that part of the reason I am able to lose it so quickly is because my Father in Heaven is helping me. There is no way I could do it on my own. Seek for His help and guidance. He will give you the strength to do what needs to be done.
     However, I did have to do my part as well, and here are some of my "rules":

• 1. Don't eat after 6:30 pm.
• This rule is one of my most important rules. One reason for this is if you eat late at night the food will just sit in your stomach instead of fully digesting right away, because when you sleep all of your body processes slow down significantly. I have broken this rule a couple of times, but nearly every time I have I go up in pounds (Yikes!). I didn't notice the difference so much at first, but after having lost a bit more, it would make a huge difference.
• 2. Don't deprive yourself!
• There are so many "loose weight fast" diets out there that work for a little while, but as soon as you stop, you gain all of the weight back again with maybe more. This is why: During the diet, you deprive yourself of certain foods. When you get where you want to be, you stop the diet and start eating all of the foods you've been depriving yourself of... and we wonder why we gain it back. People are so surprised to hear that I still eat treats and eat the foods I really want and am still able to lose weight. The "secret", which is actually not so secret after all, is to only take a small amount. "Everything in moderation".
• 3. Cut down your intake/portions.
• This one is similar to rule 2 in the sense that everything must be in moderation. Today our world has distorted portion sizes so much that we eat way more than our body actually needs. Cutting down your portions will be hard at first because your stomach is stretched out and will need time to shrink back down to normal size. It is amazing how little your body actually needs.
• 4. Figure out why you want to eat.
• This rule is critical. Before I was losing weight, I used to feel like I was hungry all the time. However, I learned to know the difference between when I was actually hungry and when I was just bored or eating because of some other emotional reason. Another point to make for this rule is that when you do eat, eat until you are satisfied, not until you are full. Eating until you're satisfied means that you are not full, but you are not hungry either. You are at the point where you aren't full yet, but you think that you could stop where you are and be okay.
• 5. Drink a lot of water.
• I have emphasized this rule a ton on this blog. I actually have a post about some water facts and why it is so important. You can refer to it here. This is important because in most of us, our thirst mechanism is so weak that we mistake it for hunger and so we eat when all we really need is a drink of good ole' water. Did you know that when you actually feel thirsty, you are already chronically dehydrated?
• 6. Get some exercise.
• Yes, exercise is hard, and it's never really fun... at least not for me. And yes, you can lose weight for a while without it. But what happens when you hit a plateau and you are doing everything else you can? This will help, I promise! The more you work out, the easier it gets, which is also why you need to try to push yourself more every workout. You don't want to get "comfortable" in your workout or your progress will stop.

Those are my rules. Only 6, and they are actually not that hard! To loose weight and keep it off effectively, you must change your lifestyle. Being healthy is not short-term; that's why most diets don't last. So, now that I've stated my rules, here are a few extra tips for those who want them.

• Feeling sore or drained after a workout? Drink 1 cup of milk. Actually, chocolate milk is the best option in this case. I know, your thinking "Chocolate milk is actually good for you?". I thought that too, but it is true. Chocolate milk specifically has exactly the right nutrient content to replenish and restore your body after a workout.
• Not able to see your physical difference or are not losing weight and are beginning to get discouraged? Measure yourself. If you are not losing pounds, it is more than likely that you are losing inches. I can't tell you how many times measuring the inches I've lost has kept me going when the pounds just didn't seem to be coming off. Taking pictures of yourself and putting them side by side as you hit milestones is also helpful, because you now have a visual of your progress to look to.
• Need help/encouragement/support? Ask for it. There are people around you that love you and there may be more people willing to help you than you may think. You are also welcome to ask me. My email is in the "About Me" section in the top right corner. I am more than glad to help, because I know how difficult it is.

     Well, this is all I'm going to post for now, but I hope it is helpful and has answered some of your questions. Don't give up. You are too important to let your life pass you by. I never knew just how miserable I really was until I started doing something about it; now I know better and I am never going back. I don't want to be that girl anymore. I want to be better. Believe in yourself, and you can become great.

This is my progress so far. You know how with weight loss

pictures, people say "They don't even look like the same

person!"? Well, that's probably true. Same, but improved, 

body, different person. I know I am a different person than 

I was when I was at my heaviest. And that's a good thing.

Still going!

     Hello again! Today I'm just giving an update, as I've hit another marker in my weight loss... 35.8 lbs and 65.5 inches lost! I am super excited because I am now a lot more confident that I'll hit my goal of 40 lbs lost by the end of this month... I've got a week. O.o The other exciting news is that when I lose 1.7 more lbs, I'll finally be under 200 for the first time in many years. I am so happy.
     I just want to reflect that the past few months I have learned so much about myself and about life. If you had told me at the beginning of the year that I would be able to make this amount of progress in such a short amount of time, I would not have believed you for one moment. It's so amazing how much more you're capable of when you have a strong determination to be better with the Lord on your side. ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.
     For those of you reading my blog who are struggling and feel like you want to give up, just remember how badly you want your goal. "Even the word impossible says "I'm possible". Go for it. It will make your life so much better. I promise. Everyone is different, and life is hard. However, life is a gift, and it is a beautiful one. Your body is a temple, and it would be such a waste to just throw it away. Take care of your body and it will take care of you.

Say What?!?

     In all reality, the title of this post really describes how I'm feeling today. And that's wonderful! Exciting things are happening and life is good. :) Moving on...
     As you probably know by now, a little while ago I talked to my bishop about contacting the mission office (Eeek!). I found out that my stake president had my papers, so he told me he would call him and see what we needed to do. Later on, I got notified that the stake president was looking into it... and I knew nothing more (Uhmm, more details please?). This morning, I found out from my bishop that they had figured things out and my papers are now resubmitted! So yeah, I'm super duper excited. So much so that I literally cannot contain my joy and excitement. That being said...
     Today I hit 32 lbs lost in about 3 1/2 months. What an accomplishment. The thing is, my mind cannot seem to comprehend how far I have come. I have struggled my whole life to lose weight. It is not easy, by any stretch of the imagination. And now, in a few short months, I have accomplished more than I thought possible. 50 lbs seemed like such an overwhelming goal, and I let myself get discouraged for a little while. Then I decided to get out of my comfort zone and get my butt in gear. Now, I just have 18 lbs to hit that 50 lbs lost mark, and I have no doubt that I can not only reach it, but pass it within the next month or two. Wow.
     Life is hard. We go through so many struggles, and each person has a different struggle that they must overcome. It takes a lot of hard work, courage, and dedication, but through each of our struggles we grow to become better people. And we need the people around us to help, support, and encourage us. And we need to to the same for them. Everyone comes into our lives for a purpose. As we learn to love others, we learn to love ourselves.

"And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom;

that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your

fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God."

~Mosiah 2:17

     I really hope that I have been able to help to inspire you to make your life better. Even if you are a random stranger that happens to come across my blog, know that you are worth every effort. You are a child of God. We all are, and we have the potential to be like Him someday. Know what it takes to find your life's purpose. Seek for guidance and live in a way that makes you worthy to receive that guidance. You are loved, and there is always help for those who ask. Strive to be the best you can be and make your dreams come true. YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS.

     I know that God lives. I know that He loves each and every one of us more than we can comprehend. I know that we will always be blessed if we continue to strive to do what is right. The gospel of the LDS church has brought so much peace and so much joy into my life, and I am so excited to go out and help others find that same peace and joy in their own lives. I know serving a full-time mission won't be easy--but I know it will be worth it. Anything worth having doesn't come easily.

Guess Who Has A Pair Of "Fat Jeans"?!?

     Hello! As you can guess by the title, I now officially have a pair of "fat jeans". I waited for this moment to put up the picture, because as of today, I have lost 30 LBS!!! Woohoo!! I am so proud of what I have accomplished, and I feel great. I am also super close to being in "onederland", which is being within the 100's. I haven't been beneath 200 since before Jr High. HOLY COW. :D

     Just as a closing thought, I hope you take my progress as an example that if you believe in yourself and work hard, you can achieve anything. Don't just sit around and let life pass you by like I did for so many years. Get up and make your dreams come true, whatever they may be. You deserve it.

"When others believe in us, we reach mountain peaks: when we believe in ourselves, we move those mountains."

~Jonathan Simango

Are You Eating Your Fruits and Veggies?

     Hello! For my post today, I have to admit that though I have been eating a lot healthier (mostly cutting down my portions), I haven't really been as good about eating my fruits and veggies. It's not that I don't like them; we just never really seem to have them around the house, and I never really make the effort to buy them. But it's time to step up, and if you have the same problem, or even if you don't like your produce, I want to challenge you to step up with me.
     To combat the 2 most common excuses:

• "They're too expensive."- If this is you, think about it this way--how much do you spend on those random cravings that consist of junk food? You know, the daily soda or coffee run, ice cream, chips, chocolate, etc, etc, etc... Would it really hurt to maybe skip those and get something that will help your body instead of damaging it? It's not too expensive unless you want it to be. I'm not saying that the occasional treat is bad, but if it's a constant and consistent thing, it's not exactly good either.
• "I really don't like (enter fruit or veggie here)" or "I can't stand the flavor/texture of anything"- For those of you with this issue, yes it's harder, but you can still do it. Trust me. If you don't like a specific one, you don't have to eat it--go for the other ones. If you think you don't like any of them (yes, I said think), try mixing it into something else. There are multiple healthy recipes that will help you get your fruits and/or veggies into your favorite daily meals. Try it out! For example, I like spinach, but the idea of putting it in a fruit smoothie somewhat grossed me out. However, I decided to try it anyway. I couldn't taste it at all, and I got the extra nutrients. Yay!

Okay, so there isn't a lot to this post. But it's still very important. And for those of you who want, here are some sources to help you out with a healthier diet:

http://greatist.com/health/83-healthy-recipe-substitutions
http://lifewithnature.com/detox-foods/7-detox-smoothies-with-added-health-benefits/

My Progress:
Pounds lost: 26.4
Inches lost: 63.5

Exciting Times Ahead (PLEASE?!?)!!!!

     Hello, everyone! Before I tell you the bigger exciting news, I thought I should tell you that I am now at 25.6 lbs and 61.5 inches lost. Yay! I should be farther, but I was slacking on my exercise. Shame on me. I will make up for it though. :) Also, I was curious to see what the amount of fat I lost would look like, so I looked it up. Sadly, I couldn't find a 25 lb example, but I did find a 5 lb one:

Note: I do not know this person. This was just the best picture perspective of the size.

Can you believe I lost 5 of those babies?!? Holy cow! No wonder I feel so much better. 25 extra pounds is a lot to be carrying around every day. And I still have more to go--and I wonder why I've always had a hard time having the energy to get around. :P Anyway, back to the other news...

     This Sunday, which I guess technically is today since I'm posting this after midnight, I am talking to my home ward bishop about contacting the mission office! EEEK! I'm really hoping that they will say it's the right time to receive my mission call, as I know I will have the rest lost by the end of July. I was going to wait until the end of the month to take this step, but recent promptings and other things happening have made me feel the need to do it sooner. So we'll see!

     I just have to say that even though this past few months have possibly been some of the hardest months of my life so far, they have been by far the best. I want to thank everyone for showing me so much love and support and helping me push myself harder to reach my goals. I am in better shape than I have been in my entire life, and I feel so much better about myself than I thought possible. Overcoming this life-long struggle has been amazing, and I am so much more capable of achieving my life's dreams. I never once thought I would be one of the people who would pay for a gym membership and work out an hour a day. But more importantly, my testimony is so much stronger and I feel so much closer to my Savior and Heavenly Father. I know more now than I did about how much they love me and want to see me succeed. Making them proud is the best feeling ever.

     Well, that's all I'm going to say for this post. Keep working hard and never give up your dreams. You can make your dreams a reality if you put the effort into it. Stay strong. You are loved.

"Whether you think you can, 

or you think you can't. 

YOU'RE RIGHT."

Looking Good!

     Okay, so I just have to say that the "last-chance workout" week didn't end up really happening after the first two days because I got kind-of sick. And I didn't hit my 30 lbs. However, I am now at 23.8 lbs and 59 in lost! I feel really good and I am so proud. It's been a lot of hard work, and I still have more to go. But I still had to record my progress for the end of the month. And, since I didn't have a full body shot the other day, here it is!

A Visual of My Success

     Okay, so I'm still working on getting to my 30 lb mark, which I want to accomplish this Friday... I don't know if I'm going to make it by then, but I'm sure going to try my hardest! I'll post more about my "last-chance workout" week in a few days. In the meantime, however, I've finally started to see the difference in how much slimmer I look. It also helps to have pictures to compare, and I saw an older photo from my starting weight and thought... HOLY COW. This comparison is just of my face, as I don't currently have a full body shot of myself right now, and I kind-of want to wait until I hit my 30 lbs. But, just for inspiration, I thought I'd post this anyway. It's amazing to see the change in just my face!

This is my before and after... wow.

     I still can't wrap my mind around how far I've come in just three months. I am so much healthier and happier, and I respect and love myself so much more than I ever have. And, I'm not as embarrassed about having my picture taken! That's definitely a big bonus. :D Considering how much progress I have made and am still making, I plan to talk to the bishop of my home ward at the end of next month about contacting the mission office... which means I might be getting my mission call in July! I am so excited!!! I am so proud of myself and all that I have accomplished. I still have a lot to lose, but I am so much closer than I was, and I did it in such a short amount of time.
     Keep working hard to achieve your goals and don't give up. Be proud of your accomplishments and of who you are. You can achieve anything you set your mind to, and you are worth it. Don't compare yourself to others or let them get you down. The only person you should compare yourself to is the person you were yesterday. You are a child of God!

YES!!!

     Hello, everyone! This is going to be a really short post, but I had to document this moment because I feel awesome. I have finally hit my 20 lbs lost marker. And passed it! I am now at 21.4 lbs and 55 in lost! I can't even begin to describe how great that feels after hitting a plateau for a week and a half just before it. Now, I must work really hard to accomplish my goal of the 30 lbs I'm supposed to have lost by the end of the month. 8.6 lbs to go! I can do it; I know I can. :)

     Don't forget to reward yourself for the little achievements as well as the big ones. Every step you take is a step towards a better you. Keep going and don't let anything stop you! I believe in you!

Being Proud of What You've Already Accomplished

     Hello again! It's been a while since I've posted, mainly because I wanted to hit my 20 lb mark before I did... Unfortunately, since I'm a female, problems arose and I stopped progressing for about a week and a half. How frustrating! Today, I've finally passed where I was, but am still .2 lbs away. I'm getting it tomorrow. So, my focus more recently (and for this post) is to be proud of yourself for what you have already accomplished. I've learned this is the best way to push through any trial: be it weight loss or life in general.

     The first thing that I have to point out is that you cannot compare your progress to the progress of others. Some people lose weight faster than others. Sometimes they have a head start. EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT. The only person you should compare yourself to is the person you were yesterday. I say this because my mom has also started to try to lose weight, and she's getting frustrated because she hasn't lost as much as I have. This is not good logic for a few reasons:

1. I had a head start of about 10 lbs before she started.

2. I have more to lose than she does, and when you have less to lose, it tends to come off more slowly.

3. I've been working out 6 days a week for at least an hour, while she is rendered unable due to disabilities caused by a car accident years ago.

4. She hasn't been quite as strict about her diet as I have, and what/how much/how late you eat makes a huge difference.

Okay, so now that I have got that said....

     As I have probably mentioned before, my biggest downfall in my efforts to try to lose weight before is that I focused on what I still hadn't accomplished rather than looking to see how far I had come. This is one of the greatest things I have learned on this journey. You know how people say, "At the end of each day, think of at least 5-10 things you are grateful for, and you'll be a happier person"? This is basically the same thing. Remember how much you have accomplished and how much more you are capable of than you were before. Think of how much weight you have already lost, if you are working on losing weight, or even how many inches. There is always something to look back on. If you have been working hard every day but haven't seen any progress, you can still be proud of your commitment and dedication! You are awesome! Keep it up! It is really hard to keep working when you haven't seen success; props to you if you keep trying anyway. Not a lot of people can/will stick with it in that situation.

     So... In honor of this post, I am documenting my accomplishments. Here they are:
1. I have lost 19.8 lbs. I may not be at 20 yet, but I'm pretty dang close!

2. I have also lost 50.5 inches of fat. :D
3. At the beginning, 1.5 mi/hr used to be the fastest I could walk. 2.5 mi/hr was more than stretching it. Now, 2.8 mi/hr is my cool down. I made a new personal record this morning and walked 3.5 miles in one hour, with an average speed of 3.2 mi/hr! How awesome is that?!?

4. I have kept up a goal of working out 6 days a week for at least an hour a day. Not a lot of people are willing to do that.

5. I have been able to consistently watch what I eat, and not break my own rules. I have a lot more self control.

6. I am so much healthier than I was before. And you know what? It feels great. And when you feel good, you look good.

7. Technically, this isn't an accomplishment, but I'm going to list it anyway. I have amazing, wonderful people around me and a loving Heavenly Father and Savior who love me, encourage me, and push for my success. The support is the best part.

With that, I'll say "adieu!" until next time. Keep working at your goals! You can accomplish anything if you set your mind to it!

SO CLOSE.

     This morning I was super excited to discover that I've lost some more weight and am at 18 lbs lost! Only 2 more pounds until I've hit the 20 lbs lost marker! I am so close to my goal for the end of this month, which is to have 30 lbs lost. And you know what the best part is? I know I'm going to make it. It is such an amazing feeling. If I keep at the rate I'm already going, I will have the weight lost to go on a mission by the end of July. If I lose it just a little bit faster, I can do it by the end of next month. I have never been so proud of myself, and I am loving myself more each and every day.
      I feel like I should mention that you should not compare yourself to others; every body is different and will lose weight differently. I'm losing the weight really pretty fast, and that's not a common thing. It's healthy to lose about 1-2 lbs a week. It takes time, trust me. Before I started trying to lose weight again this time, it seemed like I would never get to my goal because it was coming off so slowly, and that's what would cause me to give up. And then I would have to deal with being unhealthy for even longer! So, even if it's coming off slower than you would like, keep going; it's still coming off, and that's great! Stay strong and invest the time in yourself. You are worth it.

Every Day Learning and Growing

     A little while ago I posted about my super-intense workout (for me) that raised the bar for me personally. A little before that, and the next day I was getting really discouraged because I was still eating really well and I was exercising more than I have in the past, but I was gaining weight! Thankfully, after resting a day and then doing cardio instead of muscle-building the next few days, I found out that it had been muscle gain and I felt a lot better. And now I have more muscle to burn the fat faster, and I'm a little lower now than I was before I gained the muscle weight! So if you are working as hard as you can and working out faithfully and you are gaining weight, don't beat yourself up. You are getting stronger and soon it will become easier to lose than before. You will get there, but it takes a lot of patience, self pep-talks, and pushing your own limits.
     Night before last, I also had a huge eye-opening experience that will forever change me. As you know, I am working to lose this weight not only to be healthier, but to be able to serve an LDS mission. I have been praying so hard for help to do the things I need to accomplish, and I kept getting the feeling that I needed to ask for a blessing because there was something that I needed to hear. I had been getting this prompting for a while now, but I kept putting it off, I didn't know why I would need one. As I finally asked my dad and received a blessing and it wasn't only a confirmation that I was praying for the right things and that I had correctly interpreted the answer to my prayers, but I was blessed to learn how very proud my Heavenly Father is of my and what I am doing and accomplishing. For some reason I always felt like I was letting him down because I don't feel like I'm really good at doing everything I need to be, but I never thought to ask if he was proud of me. I also learned how important I was, and I felt His love for me in a way that I have never experienced before. It was so overwhelming and I couldn't believe that I hadn't seen it.
      Don't ever forget your worth as a child of God. He loves you and wants the best for you. Overcoming your trials will be difficult and will take time, but your life and the lives of those around you will be blessed because of it. Ask for help; sometimes that's all you need to do. There are many people around you that love you and want to help and support you. You are always important to somebody. Don't give up, you can make it.

Whoops! I Raised the Bar...

     Hello again! This is going to be a pretty short post, but I felt like it needed to be posted nonetheless. And before I start, I just have to say that taking a "resting day" (a day that you don't work out) at least once a week is really beneficial and sometimes critical. Anyway...
      A few days ago I missed my workout unintentionally (it wasn't my designated resting day) and I felt the need to make up for it. So, on Saturday, I doubled my regular workout to compensate. I wanted to cry, and though I didn't, I ended up crashing on my bed for a couple of hours and was really sore the rest of the day. But I did it. So then I thought, I am not working as hard as I could be even though I had previously thought I was. I had raised the bar for myself. Though I don't think I'm really ready to double the workout like I did the other day, I now realize that I need to up the anti and work harder than I was before. This was not a happy thought.... it is exercise, after all, but now I know that I have to do it in order to accomplish my goals.
        So, I guess the point of this post is that you always need to try to push your limits. You may be capable of more than you imagined. Maybe you learn that you're not ready to amp it up all the way, but you could be doing more to help yourself than before. The body is amazing. I want to challenge you to have the confidence in yourself and push hard to raise your on bar; exceed your own expectations and blow your "limits" out of the water. You can do it!

New Discoveries

     Hello again! As you all can probably relate, I'm always looking for ways to make working out more interesting/bearable. Getting myself to workout is always the hardest part of trying to loose weight for me, and not enjoying exercise has always been a detriment. Yesterday, I got really excited as I discovered an app called "Fitocracy". "Myfitnesspal" was a great app, don't get me wrong, but it wasn't really my thing and I didn't keep up with it as well as I had planned.
      Anyway, "Fitocracy" is an app recommended by Dr. Oz that allows you to track your exercise and complete quests and challenges. I discovered it last night, and I love it already! In a way, it's like a game in the sense that with each set of exercise you get a certain amount of points, as well as extra points for completing fitness challenges and quests. After you reach certain amounts of points you 'level up', and it pushes you to work harder so you can get to the next level. You also can have followers that encourage you to do better and that can give you tips or answer questions. It really shows you that you are not alone and that there are other people who are struggling. If you are interested in taking a look, you can either find it on your phone (Iphone or Android), or you can go to fitocracy.com and check it out. If you want to follow me as well and see what I'm doing, my username is readytobefit21.

      The other thing I discovered is a virtual weight loss simulation. It isn't really something that will help you lose weight physically, but it gives you an idea of what you would look like at your goal weight. This would be great for something like a vision board or a picture in your mind to help motivate you and keep you going. The website for this is www.modelmydiet.com. 

This is about what I would look like

at my ideal weight, which is 130 lbs.

Keep working hard to achieve your goals. You can do it! Don't let yourself down by giving up.

Exciting News!

    Well, I apologize again for not posting for a while... I'm really bad at this whole blogging thing. I have, however, continued to track my progress and had something very exciting happen to me this morning! First I'll tell you that instead of being at 10 pounds and 6.5 inches lost, I have now reached 16.4 pounds and 30 inches lost. It feels awesome!
     Now to the best part.... A little over a year ago my grandma gave me some really nice jeans. I loved them, but I unfortunately couldn't wear them because they were WAY too tight and and gave me an extreme muffin top. They were by no means flattering. At all. So, I put them in the bottom of my drawer in hopes that I would be able to drop some weight and fit into them someday. Lately, having lost quite a few inches, I have been curious to see how much better they would fit. I thought they would still be too tight, but I was still wondering. This morning I tried them on, and guess what?? THEY FIT!!! I was so excited! And they look great!
     So, it gave me an idea... I don't know why I haven't done this from the beginning, but I'm doing it now. I put a picture of when I started out side-by-side with a picture of me today to compare the difference. It's a lot easier to see how much better you look when you can compare! I'm even wearing the jeans! Here's the result:

     I am feeling so proud of myself. It may not seem like a huge difference, but my self-esteem and confidence have been boosted quite a bit. Seeing the difference (and fitting into a smaller pair of pants!) have really helped to motivate me to continue. And believe me, if I can do it, then you can as well. It is definitely worth it. 

      To those of you struggling or getting discouraged, I want to tell you it is possible. It definitely is not easy, and it takes a lot of time. Keep going. If you give up now, you will be giving up blessings that you don't even realize may be there. Ask for help or encouragement. There are so many people out there who are willing to help you. I was surprised by the amount of support I have received, even from complete strangers. But most of all, believe in yourself. You are the only one who can change your life. If you aren't doing this for yourself, even if you do lose the weight, it won't last. You have to really want it. If you ever need any advice or encouragement, I can also help you if you ask. You can do it! You are of precious and infinite worth, and you deserve the best. Don't settle for less.

The Learning Continues

        Wow. It's been a while since I last posted and I apologize for that. I have been really busy! Anyway...
         After the first 10 lbs I hit somewhat of a plateau and have been staying about the same. However, I have also started measuring the amount of inches I've lost as well, which has been 6.5" around my body! Just know that when you aren't losing pounds, don't get discouraged because you are probably losing the inches instead; and that's a good thing! After a while, it will start to show!
          Since I've last posted, I learned a few more things that has helped me, and will hopefully help those of you who need help as well. Here they are:

1. I know I've already mentioned this, but drink lots of water! Did you know that 75% of the world's population is chronically dehydrated? If you feel thirsty, you are already really badly dehydrated. Also, for most of us, our thirst mechanism has become so weak that we mistake it for hunger... thus putting unneeded food into our bodies that our body will store as fat.
2. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. This may seem like a cliche, but it's true. After you eat your last meal of the day, you don't eat for another 8 hours. At least. If you skip breakfast, your body goes into starvation mode and stores your next meal as fat instead of burning it off, and the vicious cycle of weight gain continues. Eating breakfast in the morning (usually before 9 or 10 am) also gives your metabolism a little boost and helps you burn more calories faster during the day.
3. Up your proteins. Normally, you need about 55% carbohydrates, 30% fats, and 15% proteins in your daily intake. However, when you are trying to lose weight your body needs a little more protein. In order to do that you should substitute some of your carbs for the proteins. If you are not really a meat eater and want some other protein options, here are some good ones that can help you out. However, they will not have the same benefits of lean meat. They are:
• Quinoa- pronounced keen-wah. It is the only grain that's a full protein by itself, and you can use it like rice or couscous. It has a little bit of a nutty flavor. It also can be prepared for anything. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, salad, you name it.
• Peanut butter and bread- Both peanut butter and bread have a half of the amino acid chain to make a protein. Together, they complete the chain and ta-da! You have a protein. This is the same with the next couple combinations.
• Beans and rice
• Legumes and rice
• Muscle Milk- this is a protein drink and is actually used as a meal substitute. I like to mix some frozen berries into it and make a smoothie. YUM. And, unlike most of the "weight loss" drinks out there, it is actually filling and you don't feel like you're starving yourself.
4. Exercise. I know, I know. It's hard, and not exactly enjoyable. But you won't get very far without it. It helps to have an exercise buddy, or if not, music to listen to. Listen to music that makes you pumped up and and makes you want to move. And don't do more than you are physically able. If you can't run for an hour full speed, so what? An hour of moderate exercise (you can still talk easily, but it takes a bit more effort) will be just as good. If you are too sore, take the next day off to recover, then get back on track. Make sure to stretch as well so you don't become stiff the next day.

       Well, enough of my facts for today. Remember to not get discouraged. It is hard, but it will be worth it. Today is another chance. Make yourself proud.

Healthy Recipes

I know it's normally hard to find a lot of good tasting healthy recipes... it really is. However, if you need some help finding some, you can take a look at my health recipe on pinterest. I will keep adding to it as I find more.
Here's the link:
http://pinterest.com/saxophonebabe/health-food-eating-myself-skinny/

Enjoy!

Counting Calories

         Okay, I admit that I use to dread the idea of counting calories. It seemed like it would take too much time, and that it would take too much effort. But, there comes a point when you can't just ignore the amount of calories you're taking in. And it would normally be a lot more effort than I would want to put in, but my aunt DeeAnn showed me an app (also a website) called My Fitness Pal. I've just started using it, but it is so easy! You just search the food you ate/are going to eat, and it tells you the calories and keeps track of them for you. It also tells you how many calories you are allowed each day if you want to lose a certain amount of weight. I would highly recommend it. And remember, work hard to push past your limits and keep hydrated! Best of luck!

Keeping Hydrated

My latest goal for this journey is to drink 3 bottles of water a day. This may not seem like a hard thing, but I have a really hard time drinking the amount of water I should, and so I thought this would be a good challenge for me. Drinking a lot of water has quite a few benefits... here is a list just to show some of them.

• Drinking water helps maintain the balance of body fluids.
• Water can help control calories.
• Water helps energize muscles.
• Water helps keep skin looking good.
• Water helps your kidneys.
• Water helps maintain normal bowel function and prevents constipation (Who knew?? I didn't...).
• Water helps you lose weight by flushing out the by-products of fat breakdown. (Yay!)
• Water helps relieve back pain and headaches.
• Drinking water makes you more alert and able to concentrate.
• Drinking water regulates your body temperature, so you feel more energetic when you exercise.
• Water keeps muscles and joint lubricated, so you are less likely to have cramps and sprains.
• Drinking water helps you stay healthy longer, and helps your body to fight off the flu.
• Water relieves fatigue.
• Drinking water can help to reduce the risk of cancer. (WOW.)

As you can see, keeping yourself hydrated has a lot of benefits. I want to challenge you to drink more water and tell me how it's helped you! Just a warning, if you are not used to drinking a lot of water (like me) you are going to need to use the bathroom a lot more frequently for a while. Keep going. Your body will get used to it, I promise. One more tip: putting a little bit of lemon juice in with your water (a few drops) is also really helpful for cleansing your system and for trying to lose weight. It's a little like a detox formula.

Have fun, work hard, and drink lots of water! Good luck!

Weight Loss!

Today I measured myself for the first time in a couple of weeks, and discovered that I have lost about 10 lbs. So far, as I haven't had the money for a gym membership yet, and it's below zero outside (I live in Idaho), I have just been working on changing my eating habits little by little. It's amazing what a difference a little change can make. I am so excited! 40 lbs to go!

Healthy Dinner!

I found a blog that has a ton of recipes and other tips from a girl who lost 135 lbs called Can You Stay for Dinner?. On it, there was a Buffalo Chicken Macaroni and Blue Cheese recipe. I didn't add the blue cheese, but the recipe was still super tasty! And it's definitely healthier than some of the options out there. Best part? It was super easy and quick to make. I'm definitely making it again in the future.

Here's the recipe. :)
Buffalo Chicken Macaroni and Blue Cheese
1 c 1% milk
1 Tbs cornstarch
1 Tbs butter
3/4 c extra sharp cheddar cheese (I used mild, and it was also excellent)
1/2 c crumbled blue cheese
4 c cooked elbow shaped pasta
1 lb cooked chicken breast, chopped into bite-sized pieces
1/2-2/3 c hot buffalo wing sauce (recommended: Frank's Red Hot)
Instructions
Stir in the milk and cornstarch in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer. Stir in the butter. When sauce is thick enough to coat the back of the spoon, add the cheddar cheese and stir until the cheese has melted and the mixture is silky and well blended.
Place your cooked, drained pasta in a large bowl. Pour the sauce over it and stir it to combine.
In a separate bowl, toss the cooked chicken with the hot sauce, evenly coating and moistening the meat evenly. Use more or less hot sauce depending on your spice preference.
Gently stir the chicken into the pasta, followed by the crumbled blue cheese. Serve immediately. Serves 4.