My Vision Board

The idea of making a vision board has been floating around #wwsendtheloveteamslim for a while.  Recently it was brought up again so I decided that during my Spring Break I would make my very own vision board.  I've never made one before so I was not sure what I wanted to do or how I wanted to do it.  I decided to make my board all about how I'm currently feeling and to provide motivation for whenever I feel like this is too much!

My first ever Vision Board!

I am so happy with how my vision board turned out.  I made it in three sections.

Top: Words that I have been trying to live by.
Middle: All inspirational phrases to keep me motivated.
Bottom: The emotions and feelings I have in relation to this journey and my progress.

I placed my vision board in front of my treadmill so when I want to stop or give up, I push a little harder.  I am hopeful this board will help me continue on this journey.  I plan on making another vision board.  My goal for the second board is to visualize what I want in the future in all areas of my life!  Keep your eyes open for that!

I encourage everyone to make a vision board.  Your reasons can be different than mine but it is a nice way to encourage and motivate oneself.

To whole30 or not to whole30... THAT is the question!

To whole30 or not to whole30... that is the question!

Last night during Skype, I mentioned the idea of doing whole30... This may sound drastic to some (or all including me) because it makes you eliminate sugars, grains, dairy, and alcohol!  The reason I was considering it is because whole30 is something I have wanted to try for over a year and I felt like I might be at a place with enough willpower to succeed.  Additionally, there are several main reasons I wanted to give whole30 a try!

The reasons I want to do whole30 are: 
1) To challenge myself physically, emotionally, mentally.
2) To change the way I view and use food. (Not turning to it as an emotional crutch, not abusing it)
3) To cut out unnecessary sugars.
4) To pick good, healthy, natural foods (without worrying about high point values).
5) To remove processed foods from my life.
6) To take a break from the pressures of the scale and learn how to REALLY listen to what my body needs.

After discussing this decision with my bffl Allie​, I have come to the decision to not do whole30.  As she put it, "If what you're doing is working for you, why change it?"  

Instead of taking this major leap into whole30 I will go back to my true love, Simply Filling.  I will try to accomplish the same goals I listed above... but instead of whole30, I will go about it in a less restrictive and more familiar (and awesome) way.

My Simply Filling Month-long plan: 
1) Limit bread, pastas, grains, carbs. (Allowed to eat them, just try to cut down)
2) Limit added sugars (buying some Larabars and other whole30 approved items that do not have added sugar)  (Stick to fruits and natural sugars instead).
3) NO ALCOHOL for 30 days. (Did this during Lent and it really helped me!)
4) No weighing in for the month of SF. (Stop worrying about the numbers and just pay attention to the journey and how I'm feeling)
5) Eat only when I'm truly hungry. (Try to limit snacking and break old patterns/behavior)

Simply Filling is a plan I love and a plan I can stick to.  Weight Watchers hasn't let me down yet and I plan to keep it that way!  Here's to my month of Simply Filling (starting April 17)... I will OBVIOUSLY keep you posted!

*Thanks to Allie and Bridgette, for helping me find my way on this crazy, complicated, up and down journey.  You girls helped me to think about my goals and to evaluate the best way to do that at this point in my journey!

Anthony... The Man, the Myth, the Motivator!

In one week (4/14/15), Anthony and I will be celebrating our three year wedding anniversary!  I cannot believe how fast time has been flying.  He is truly an amazing guy and I am blessed every single day we spend together.  He is goofy, funny, silly, smart, hot, and an all around amazing husband.  He is a dedicated son, uncle, brother, brother-in-law, and son-in-law.  He is extremely athletic and has had many amazing life experiences.  He's the kind of guy that you could put in a room of strangers and he would end up making many new friends.

This morning, he pulls me aside to show me a passage in the book he is reading, "The Warrior Within" by Bruce Lee.  My husband is very involved in Martial Arts and he loves everything related to Martial Arts.  So when he told me to read the passage, all I could think was, "Great, I'm going to see someone doing Karate or speaking words of wisdom like Mr. Miyagi."  Instead, this is what I read...

I was stunned.  This passage was so beautiful, such a wonderful way to talk about a couple.  Anthony said to me, "When I read this, I thought of us."  My heart literally melted.  I am so lucky to have a man that thinks so much of us as a married couple.  

Not only is Anthony an amazing husband and an awesome friend... He's my biggest supporter!  He constantly encourages me on this journey.  He supports my crazy/awesome obsession with all things #wwsendtheloveteamslim related.  He understands when I am spending hours on Skype with my girls.  He helps me to stay motivated, even when I'm feeling down.  He makes sure to let me know I look BEAUTIFUL... That I look thinner... That I'm shrinking... That I'm kicking serious ass!  Without him, this journey would be much more difficult.

With all of this said about Anthony, I do have many other amazing people in my life who support everything I have been doing.  He is just that constant motivator and cheerleader.  I know I can always turn to him and he will be there.  

Writing this is making me feel a little emotional because we have been through a lot together and I could not think of a better person to spend the rest of my life with.  He really completes me (no matter how cheesy that may sound)!  I look forward to a lifetime together... I cannot wait to see what we can accomplish together!

April 14, 2012: The best day of my life!!!!

Easter Sunday... Like that's an excuse!

Hi Everyone.  First and foremost, I would like to wish everyone a Happy Easter and a Happy Passover!

With that being said, holidays are filled with love, family, happiness, and FOOD. The food involved with holidays has always been (and may always be) a struggle for me.  When do I learn to say, "thanks but no thanks" to the donut that's staring me down or the cheese and cracker plate or the delicious Pizzagaina?  I am constantly working on listening to my body and making improvements... just doing better than I did last time.  At this point, that's really all I can do!

Let me start talking about this specific weekend by saying I am in no way perfect and I will never pretend to be perfect.  I am just continuously choosing to make better choices as I continue along on this journey.

Yesterday (4/4/15), I went to my Aunt-in-law's house to make Pizzagaina.  I started the morning off with a kaiser roll and some scrambled eggs.  I counted it and moved on.  As the day progressed, the pizzagaina started to roll out of the oven.  I had a slice (which I counted)... Shortly after that, the pizza came out of the oven, I had some (which I counted)... Shortly after that, I ate a donut (which I counted).  Now, did I make the best decisions ever? NO.  Could it have been worse? Definitely!  There are two key things that I want to highlight as a success for this day.

Successes of Pizzagaina Day:
#1: I tracked everything I ate.
#2: Instead of eating all I mentioned above and chugging some regular soda to wash it all down, I stuck to my water... A lot of water!

The trays of pizzagaina!

My slice of pizzagaina!

Every little change I find myself making is having an impact on my life!  It is making me feel accomplished... successful even.  The icing on this cake was that when I got home, I decided to hit the treadmill.  My three mile time was obliterated (knocked 1 minute, thirty seconds off of it).

I am choosing to focus on the positives of my weekend instead of the negatives.  By trying to focus on the positives, I am not allowing myself to slip down the slippery slope of over-eating and minimal activity.  As I write this blog, I am so happy with the changes I am making in my life.

Today (Easter Sunday), I will be going out to eat with my dad for Easter.  We are going to be having Chinese food.  I already have my food tracked and I know what I'm going to eat.  On top of being prepared with food choices, I did FIVE, yes, FIVE miles on the treadmill!

I feel unstoppable and I love it!

Next obstacle: 

Going to Newport, RI with the hubby for two days.  

But I'm not worried... Because I'm prepared!

Slow and steady wins the race...

Several months ago, our #wwsendtheloveteamslim group was prompted to take full body pictures!  The first time I took pictures was on February 4.  Then, a little over a month later, I took my second set of pictures.  The results were INCREDIBLE... JAW-DROPPING! (See below-Don't mind the silly faces!)

I see MAJOR changes from February to March!  Side View: My stomach is much smaller! Front View: I look more narrow.  Seeing these changes motivated me to continue on my journey.  Since my pictures in March, I have been working out 5-7 days a week and I have started running!!!  

Below, you will see my monthly progress for March...

When I first looked at the side by side of these pictures I was unhappy with the changes because I felt like there weren't any changes at all.  I didn't let it discourage me because I know I'm working hard but it was a hard pill to swallow.  BUT THEN, as I looked at the image again, I noticed several positive things!!! Side View: My butt is getting higher and tighter and my chest area looks smaller! Front View: My face looks thinner and my waist looks a little smaller.

Looking at my pictures have helped me to realize that my journey should not be focused on the scale.  Instead, I need to recognize that changes are happening.  Not only do the pictures tell me that, but the way I feel every day lets me know I am making changes!  In April, I'm going to focus on continuing to run and I plan on incorporating strength training.

Check back in a month and I'll have a new set of pictures! :D 

Product Review: Good Health Veggie Stix

Product: Good Health Veggie Stix

I went to the food store to get some chips because friends are coming over tomorrow night for SCANDAL!!!  I saw these veggie stix on an end-cap and they were on sale!

Taste: These taste amazing!  They taste chips-esque but are light and crispy!  (Anthony is eating them too, which means a lot!!)

Aftertaste: No nasty aftertaste.  All I taste is the flavor of the stix themselves.

Nutrition: I can pronounce all of the ingredients!  That's a good things in my opinion!

Points: 3 points per 1 ounce serving.  You get a LOT of veggie stix in one ounce!! (See Below Picture)

If you have any products that you would like me to review, please send the information my way! :D

A Re-cap of March and My April Goals!!!

A few months ago, I started to create monthly goals.  I have found myself being more and more successful as each month passes by.  

During last night's Skype session, I was the facilitator and I asked everyone to share how they have stepped out of their comfort zone since starting their weight loss journey.  Additionally, I asked how everyone reflects on their successes/struggles/journey.  This topic is important to me because I have been working on taking time to reflect on my journey.

As I look back on my goals for March, I am thrilled to say I accomplished all four of my goals.  

1. I was a winner with my DietBet= I stayed motivated and did not give up (A stomach bug helped)

2. I've been staying extremely hydrated= My skin is clearer and I feel better (now aiming for 120 oz/daily)

3. I have been making better food choices than ever= Instead of trying to cram in as much junk food as I can with my WW points, I prefer to eat healthier, "cleaner" options

4. I've been working out more= up to 6-7 times per week!

Even though I'm thrilled with hitting my goals, I am looking to do even better in April.  First and foremost, I will NOT be aiming to lose a certain amount of weight each month!  This journey (esp this time around) has been showing me what really matters in life.  The number on the scale will not be how I measure my success.  What counts is HOW I am feeling and HOW I am making my life better!

I am really looking forward to this next month on my journey!  Cheers to a great new month!! Look out for my monthly pictures... They will be posted in a few days!