Day 60, Amelia's Birthday, Updates

So today is day 60 of my personal 90 day challenge. Originally, I wanted to lose 30 lbs by the end of summer. I have made some awesome changes that really have nothing to do with the scale. I am super proud of that! I have been working out 5-6 times a week all summer. That has NEVER happened! EVER! I feel healthy, strong, happy, and confident. I have more energy and have learned to deal with stress in a healthy way. Our lives have been SO stressful this last month!

Rob switched to Graveyards, and is looking for other employment. Amelia turned 1! That has been really hard on me because she is my baby and the last baby I will have. Amelia is starting to talk, walk with assistance, eat real food etc. She is so happy and fun. She gives kisses, turns herself in circles, laughs at everything, and dances. She is a joy! Sawyer has decided on his own he was ready to wear big boy pants and go potty. He pretty much just started doing it one day and has had very few accidents! I am excited to be able to spend more one on one time with him this fall. He is learning and growing so much! Hard to believe he entered this world at 3lbs 11oz. We were so worried about what the future would hold for him. He has proven to be a warrior with a fighter attitude. Ava is getting ready to start Kindergarten and she was accepted into the Advanced kindergarten program so she will go to school all day. I am not ready for her to be gone all day. She is such a fun girl, so smart, and a big helper.

On top of all those changes, Amelia has gone back to waking up twice a night. I am guessing because she no longer is on formula and gets hungry. So that means I get up twice and I get insomnia and can't get back to sleep. I am one tired momma! In the past, I would have let that be an excuse not to go to Exercise. NO MORE! I just put my caffeine in my water and GO GO GO!!! 

The last time life was this stressful, I gained 15lbs in one month!!! This month I used Exercise as a release instead of turning to food! I am so proud of that!

So my results this month were -3lbs and 4 1/2". All things considering, I am proud of those numbers! I know I made great changes and NEVER gave up on myself or the process!

Here are my pictures:

     

Last month                                                This month

 

 

 

 

Sorry they are blurry, Oh well you get the gist!

 

Here are the pictures from Amelia's first birthday. Enjoy!

 

 

Here are just random shots from last month:

He really wanted to show off his

 big boy pants. They are backward and inside out but hey!

Happy!!

Ava wanted a picture too!

FOODDD~

So I have some amazing yummy simple recipes tonight!!! Eating healthy doesn't in fact shouldn't be hard! It is easy and so tasty when you eat REAL WHOLE food!!! Cut the garbage!

If you know me you know I LOVE BARS!!! They are convenient, and easy. I have tried A LOT! Trying to find one that is natural and without a bunch of weird junk is pretty hard. They are either weird textured, chalky, or EXPENSIVE! I found two I LOVED but at $2.50 a bar I was going broke!!! I found a recipe to make my own. Tweaked it and now I present Honey Bars

Honey Bars

1 cup oats
1/3 cup vanilla protein powder
1/2 cup natural peanut butter
 1/3 cup honey
2 Tbsp ground flaxseed
2 TBSP Chia seeds
1 tsp (or more to taste) of Cinnamon

Mix all ingredients together. Divide into 7 equal parts and shape into bars (crumbliness goes away when you start to shape into a bar). Store in ziploc bags in the fridge or freezer.
Nutrition: 241 calories, 13 g protein, 21 carbs pair this with a half a piece of fruit (apple, Banana, orange etc.) for a great pre workout Meal!!!


Cucumber Sub
Make a sub sandwich with a cucumber instead of bread... just cut your cucumber lengthwise, scoop out the seeds, and insert your sandwich ingredients of choice… SUPER EASY!!!
...
Laughing cow cheese, diced pepper/spring onion, low fat cheese, shredded cheese and low fat turkey/ham would be perfect!! 

Over Night Oats-310 calories

1/2 cup old fashion oats
1/2 cup frozen berries
 1/2 cup Unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1 scoop designer whey ( or other 100 calorie) protein powder
All put in a jar or bowl the night before. Eat in the morning warm or cold.

Try these! SO easy!!!

The Yellow Pinto

I recently read Dr. Phil's book Life Code: tips for winning in the real world. ( he talks about it every show so it must be good, eh?)

I, like Charlie Sheen want to be "winning" in life, so I picked it up.

It was a pretty good read, although I am not quite as cynical as the good Doctor, I learned a lot.

One thing he talked about was our personal image. What is the message you are sending out everyday?

How are you "branding" yourself?

What picture comes to mind when people think of you?

He has you describe how you WANT to be viewed like you would describe a character in a play.

It was fun for me and I learned I am not always sending out the message I want to be about myself.

He says you need to stay in that character at all times, and to sell it.

If you don't like what you are selling, change it!

Now there are things we can't control (without botox or surgery of course) like our nose, height, lisp, etc. but you can make those things WORK FOR YOU instead of trying to hide it.

He says the things you think you are hiding, are actually the things you are broadcasting about yourself (or maybe that was Iyanla VanZant that said that, I digress.)

My thing I have always been trying to "Hide" about myself is obviously my weight. I know it sounds stupid since it is an obvious thing you notice when you look at someone, but that is my thing.

Instead, own it ROCK it and do the best you can with whatever it is that you are "hiding".

I really love analogies. I remember things better if I create a visual picture for myself. So here is one for you,

Imagine that our bodies are all cars.

I know most people would want to be a Ferrari

I would love to be a hot pink convertible mini cooper

Small, girlie, fun to be with, carefree, etc.

I got this instead whomp whomp....


The Yellow pinto-
The car nobody wants to be seen in, might breakdown, guzzles gas, is clumsy and loud, and just plain shlumpy.

Well, you know what folks? That is the car I got so I can either HATE IT, try to hide it, hope I never see anyone when I go on errands, let it rust and rot OR

I can get it a new paint job, rebuild the engine, get some pretty air fresheners, buy some leopard seat covers, and hang some fuzzy dice in the mirror. PIMP MY RIDE!
(tacky? I think not, I say FUN! And they are pink!)

I can change the oil regularly, put good gas into it, wax it till it shines, and play AWESOME music.

I may never get to upgrade and trade in my pinto for my dream mini cooper convertible, but I can ROCK what I got you feel me???

What message are you selling? Is it the one you want?

Go buy some fuzzy dice........

Things I love!!!

If you don't know yet, I LOVE saving money!! LOVE IT! One of my favorite sites, Zulily has some amazing deals today!!! Here are some of my favorites!

First off, TOMS shoes!!! And ERGOBABY carriers!


Back to school clothes anyone???







It is all name brand, super cute, trendy and GREAT prices!!!




Summer workbooks!!!


Baby gear

These diaper bags are SO adorable! $12 people!




Bag Organizer!!!

Cute Lunch box organizer $7

Kitchen Gadgets





Home Décor


Workout Gear


Cute Clothes and accessories. (Including Plus sizes and maternity!!!)


Purses and shoes



As you can see there is something for everyone!!! Check out zulily today, by clicking HERE