A Lot of Updates!

Hello, everyone!
Last week I posted some of the goals I set for myself and I have been working on them throughout this week. I'm happy to report that I have already seen at least a little improvement, so that is what I'm going to share with you this week.
First of all, I had created a list of breakfast options for myself to help me stay on track (I didn't share that with you, it's just something I chose to do). It made it easier for me to choose healthy things that would be filling and last me longer throughout the day. One of the things I had I actually used for dessert first, and then breakfast the next day (I made extra). It was a dark chocolate chia seed pudding topped with strawberries:

The next day I was inspired by another blog from a while back and made an apple cinnamon quinoa breakfast bowl:

The other days I just had some toast or cereal, but it was super good and helped me have energy throughout the day! If you want the recipes for these two dishes, check out the "Recipes" tab.

While I'm talking about food, I also told you all last week that Orion and I were trying Hello Fresh for the first time, and we got our box we received our box Wednesday. We haven't made our third meal yet but here are the 2 we have made:

First we made a Turkey Chiles Rellenos with Chipotle Sauce. And it was SO GOOD. And our apartment smelled amazing afterwards.

Then we made the Cumin-Spiced Steak with Spinach Couscous Salad. Seriously, I could eat this all day, every day. It was amazeballs. And again, our apartment smelled the best after dinner.

This was just our first time trying Hello Fresh and we love it. Although we can't afford to have it every week, we have already decided that we want it at least once a month. It got us both cooking in the kitchen together (making a fun date night), and we made fresh, amazing food that we both are wanting to make again. I would highly recommend the service. And as I mentioned last week, if you use the Hello Fresh link in my "Helpful Links" tab, you can get $40 off your first box!

I also want to report this week on my water intake and steps. I've been trying really hard with water, and I'm still terrible. I set a goal for 4 bottles a day, and I've been able to get 2 a day. It's something I'm working on, but I wasn't even drinking one bottle of water a day before, so there's still progress! As for my goal of 5,000 steps a day, I got my tracker in the mail on Thursday evening, and so I've only been able to track Friday and Saturday so far. On the upside, both days I have hit over 12,000 steps! They have mostly been due to my job, but I'm going to reset my goal to 10,000 steps. It will be interesting to see how much harder it is to hit on my days off...

The last thing I want to report on is my other daily goal which is to not eat after 7 pm. I have been pretty good about it, and I am really excited because I have been able to sleep through the night! I still have reflux at night, but I don't have to go out and sleep on the couch, and it's been wonderful. I have so much more energy and a higher functioning capacity throughout the day.

This was a long post and I apologize for that, but I am just so excited about all the progress I'm making and am going to make! It's amazing how such little goals can change your life so much. I'm excited to keep working on these goals and make a bigger difference in my life! Keep your head up and keep working on your goals. Even the smallest progress is still progress. I love you all and thank you for your support!

Renewing Goals

Hello, everyone!
This is going to be a pretty short post, but I am trying to be accountable so I can be successful. As my acid reflux has been getting worse and I don't know when I'll be able to get my surgery yet, I have decided to reset some of the goals I've had in the past. I am doing this because I'm hoping that as I work on my weight loss goals with a renewed determination, I will also have less reflux and I can start to be able to sleep through the night more frequently. I don't know if it will work, but it will definitely be good for me either way! I just set 3 small daily goals and 3 small weekly goals to help me stay on track without being overwhelming. Here's what they are:

• Daily Goals:
• Drink 4 bottles of water
• 5,000 steps (I just ordered a tracker to help me with this one and it's on its way)
• Only water after 7 pm, no eating
• Weekly Goals
• 5-6 30 minute workouts
• Track progress at end of week
• Post update on blog for accountability

Setting small goals is ultimately what helps us reach the larger goals in our life. Today I want to challenge you to set some small goals for yourself to reach some of the bigger goals you have in life, whatever they may be. If you're not sure what goals to set, ask for help. There is always someone there to help you. Don't give up!
And because today is Sunday, I just want to share a little bit of my testimony that ties into this post. I know that the power of prayer is real and that we can each ask God for whatever we need. He is waiting with open arms and listening ears. He will reveal to you His plan for you, because He knows what is best. Look to Him in all you do. He will never let you down.

You are all awesome and I appreciate your support so much. Keep being amazing at being you.

Update and Trying Something New

Hello, everyone!
It's been a little while since I last posted and now I finally have an update, although I don't know much more now than I had pre-consult.
On the 11th I went in to talk to the doctor about getting a gastric bypass surgery to conquer my reflux, and I did learn a little. I will have to get the Roux-En-Y (the one in which they actually cut your stomach to divide it, then attach your intestine to the 2 oz pouch that is now your stomach). Because of the severity of my reflux, I can't get a band or a sleeve. The only problem is that insurance doesn't want to cover the surgery because it can be considered an "optional" or "elective" surgery since most people just get it for weight loss. However, the typical anti-reflux surgery is not a good option for me, and so I will be getting more tests to prove that I need the surgery for my reflux and hernia. I am hoping and praying that it will all work out smoothly. If it does, I can have the surgery in about 5 months!!! Now for the more fun part of this post...
I don't know how many of you have heard of the food delivery service, Hello Fresh, but it seems pretty awesome. They deliver recipes and fresh local ingredients right to your door so you can easily make a healthy, fresh meal at home. A lot of people like it because they can try new things without buying a ton of an ingredient they may not use again. You can pick how many meals you want sent and for what amount of people. I have been wanting to try it for a long time, but I didn't want to spend the average cost for something I didn't know I liked.
However, I recently started following Short Girl Fitness and since she uses Hello Fresh, she shared a link that allows you to get $40 off of your first box, making it $20! I am so excited because I can finally afford to try it and decide if I want to keep using it. It allows you to pause or cancel your subscription at any time, so I can choose to only do it when I can afford it. I am so excited! I will keep you all updated as I try the recipes (my first order gets here next week!). But for now, here's a sneak peek at what I will be trying when it gets here:

So, if any of you are interested in giving Hello Fresh a shot, I'm going to give you the same deal I did. $40 off your first box! Here is the link that will get you the discount: 

www.hellofresh.com/?c=KRYSNOW 

If you decide to try it, let me know and tell me what you think! Enjoy and have a great day!