30 Day Slimdown Challenge + Eating Plan

I don’t know about you all, but I celebrated the 4th of July holiday with a little too much indulgent food, three margaritas too many, and a belly ache. It’s so easy to do overindulge when the weekends are filled with summer BBQs, dinner parties, happy hours, and the like.

 And that has tended to be the norm ever since a few months past our honeymoon. It felt so good to let loose after our wedding that I never really honed it in on a consistent basis. I loved moving in with Adam after the wedding where I enjoyed cooking delicious meals, inviting friends over, baking up a storm, and rushing home after work every night to spend time with him.

 So all that hard work of a nightly gym regimen, eating copious salads with grilled chicken, and feeling good in my body flew right out the window.

The wake-up call for me has been three-fold… 

1//  Not feeling comfortable in my own skin (heck no, I don’t want to wear tank tops with flabby arms!)
2//  Those skinny jeans are getting a bit too snug, and I’m waiting for the button to pop off...
3//  The most unflattering photo of me ever taken of me during 4th of July weekend
(I almost didn’t recognize myself.)

{original image}

Thank goodness Adam and I were on the same page when we both discussed a little lifestyle change boot camp was majorly needed. With a Christmas trip to Hawaii planned (more details to come soon!) and my high school reunion approaching this next year, what better motivation than to start our journey together now.

We have been talking about how we want to approach this plan for a few weeks, and found something that is working out great for us so far! We are kicking it off with a 30 day challenge of following the plan with no cheating to jump start the road to healthy.

Here are the deets below to in case you are looking for good way to spark your healthy eating motivation. I will be sharing our grocery shopping list + favorite recipes next week!


Breakfast - 8AM //
- Protein
- Complex Carb
- Fruit
- Multi-vitamin

Meal examples:
- 2 eggs over easy, whole wheat english muffin (minimally processed), and berries
- 1/2 cup steel oats, 1/2 cup almond milk, blueberries, cinnamon, stevia (overnight oats)
- protein shake (no sugar), fruit


Morning Snack - 10:30 AM (if needed) //
- Protein + Fruit

Meal examples:
- string cheese & apple
- 1 oz. cashews & fruit
- cottage cheese and bing cherries
- hard boiled egg and berries


Lunch - 1 PM //
- Protein
- Complex Carb
- Vegetables

Meal examples:
- spinach salad with veggies and grilled chicken breast
- whole wheat tortilla (minimally processed), seasoned ground turkey, hummus, lettuce, cucumbers
- tilapia fillet, steamed broccoli, half sweet potato


Snack - 3:30 PM (if needed) //
- Protein, or...
- Protein + Complex Carb (if working out)

Meal examples:
- whole wheat rice cake, tablespoon almond butter, half sliced banana
- almonds & fruit
- celery sticks, hummus, turkey deli slices


Dinner - 6 PM //
- Protein
- Vegetables
- Complex Carb (if needed)
- Omega 3 Supplement

Meal examples:
- greek yogurt chicken, roasted squash & zucchini
- baked salmon, mixed steamed veggies, sweet potato or brown rice
- hummus crusted chicken, roasted garlic brussels sprouts, steamed broccoli
- mexican seasoned ground chicken, black beans, tomatoes, mixed greens, sauteed peppers and salsa (taco salad)


Evening Snack (if needed) //
- Protein, Veggies, or Fruit (in moderation)


Dailies
- water (half of your body weight = how many ounces to drink/day minimum)
- daily vitamin supplements
- exercise (minimum 30 minutes 4-5 days/week)
- no caffeine, sugar, white flour
- one drink/week at social gathering (if at all)
- no cheating!
- track food, exercise, and progress on My Fitness Pal (add me and we can do this together!)

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Believe it or not, just in 4 days I am already feeling like I have more energy, am less bloated, have better focus, successfully ate out on plan, and have conquered the few cravings for sweets and junk food. The bonus? I am down 3 pounds already - loving this. Who knew that with a healthy diet and some exercise you could feel so much better?! ;)

We both took body measurements at the start of the week so that we can compare our success with where we started. Sure, it will be great to see the number on the scale go down as my body adjusts to the new lifestyle, but losing inches and building muscle is more important to focus on. And we got brave by taking before photos - what an eye opener!.

Looking forward to feeling like myself again, and so glad I have a partner in crime along the way.
Wish us luck! :)


What helps you keep a healthy lifestyle?
Any great tips you try to stick to?


 

Follow along here:  BlogLovin, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest

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Let's Get Real...

For a while now, I have been thinking about sharing my heart with you all about weight loss. I have had tons and tons of e-mails/tweets asking me about my healthy living journey... particularly now that I will be in a gorgeous fitted wedding dress on March 9th.

Let me take you back to give you a little life snapshot...      

Growing up, I was a junk food addict. I loved sugary treats and processed snacks more than most kids. I first remember realizing I was overweight toward the end of middle school, but didn't really know how to change my eating habits.

Once I reached high school, I happily danced on the pom team performing in front of the whole school at pep rallies and games in spandex and leotards. Suddenly body conscious, I turned to advice from my mom to get healthy.

We did Weight Watchers together and I feel for the first time in my life, portion sizes and eating healthy foods made sense. I changed my eating habits, learned to love working out, and easily dropped 30 lbs.

This weight loss carried me through the rest of high school and college, with natural fluctuations. Upon getting my first big girl job, I slowly learned how to re-work healthier habits and activity into a busy schedule.

I feel like I definitely know what to do and how to get there, it's just a matter of not being lazy and choosing healthier foods/exercise over convenience.

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Unfortunately, my weight took a big turn in the winter of 2011. After months of testing and feeling horrible, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. This disease makes me feel extremely achey, lethargic, and some days I just feel like I have the flu.

In order to manage this disease, my rheumatologist put me on steroid treatments for 3-4 months. Within no time at all, I had rapidly gained 30 lbs. on this medication. For the first time in 8-9 years, I felt extremely self-conscious and helpless.

The medication was in my system for several months after choosing to discontinue those treatments, and it definitely had a strong effect on my metabolism and thyroid function.

Luckily, a year later, I am finally able to lose weight again... I just hadn't planned on being a bride while in the midst of it.

  

 {pic}

Thankfully, I have a very sweet, encouraging, and supportive fiance who has been my gym buddy, healthy meal advocate, and makes me feel very beautiful at any size. With encouragement from my doctor, family, and friends, my metabolism is finally back to normal, and resorting back to lifestyle changes has led me to drop 12 lbs. so far!

With the help of Weight Watchers keeping my accountable and providing a very structured and stable way to lose weight again, I am slowly seeing results and feeling like myself again!!

At my highest weight last year, I weighed close to 188 lbs, and felt extremely lost. The clothes I wore when I was 160 lbs. no longer fit me, and I desperately wanted to feel like "me" again. At my healthiest and most active state, I was comfortable right around 145 lbs., and I am slowly working my way back to feeling strong and confident.

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Am I losing weight just for the wedding?
Nope. This is all about a healthy lifestyle change I made years ago, and want to return to my norm after a tough year and a half of struggling with my body image.

Is the wedding a good motivator?
Absolutely!
What bride doesn't want to feel stunning in her dress and completely confident? On days when I don't want to gym it up, I think about how beautiful my wedding dress is. The way Adam will look at me when I walk down the isle, and how I don't even want to have a worry in the world of how my body looks on the big day. It's all about feeling like myself again.

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With exactly 29 weeks until the big day, and 25 weeks until dress alterations, I feel like I can easily get back to my normal with a weight loss of 1 - 1.5 lbs. a week.

On the days where I want to skip an easy elliptical date or indulge on the sweet treats the office girls like to share, I have to remind myself, "I can do this!"

I thought today was a good day to share a piece of my heart and struggle with all of you who may be in the same boat as me. I think there are a few things every girl who struggles with this needs to remember...

1) You ARE beautiful at any size. Truth.

2) You CAN get to a healthier normal and we can do it together.

3) Every day is a new day to commit to making better choices... isn't that refreshing?

4) Believe in yourself.

Thanks for being great readers and friends, and thanks for letting me share my heart and journey. If you are on the same path, remember that you are not alone.

Wishing you renewed motivation and lovely encouragement!

Photos + Concert + Random Recap

Bonjour, my loves!
Happy Thursday to you all! As many of you who follow me on Twitter know, Thursdays are always one of my favorite days of the week. Why? DATE NIGHT!

Yes, tonight is date night, and Adam threw out a great idea to try a mom and pop Italian restaurant that we've heard nothing but great things about... so excited! Is it 5 p.m yet?

Also on my happiness list... today is the first day of the NCAA tournament. The reason why this makes me happy, is every year Adam starts growing his "winter beard" in October and it lasts until sometime in March.

Although I think he looks ruggedly handsome with his facial hair, I miss his face! He made me a deal saying as soon as K-State loses in the tourney, his sweet baby face will return! :)

On to the randomness...

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{ Random Recap }

1) On Sunday afternoon I made this Strawberry Bread recipe and substituted the sugar and oil for honey and greek yogurt. It turned out to be tasty, but definitely less sweet.


{ Love my Anthro teacup measuring set! }


2) Sunday night, we had tickets for the Ben Rector/Needtobreathe concert. I have to admit that our sole reason in buying tickets was to see Ben again! That being said, we had a great time visiting The historic Midland Theater, even though it was rainy and chilly while we waited in line. Don't I look cold and a little rained upon?







{ Adam likes to make silly faces in almost every photo we have... }


3) Last winter/spring I was put on steroids to ease the symptoms of my autoimmune disease. I gained 20 lbs. in 3 months. Now that all of my medical issues have been managed without steroids, I am finally starting to lose the extra lbs!!

As of today, down 6.2 lbs!! Soooo close to being down into the next "decade"! Join me for FREE on MyFitnessPal and we can do this together!


4) Yesterday, I bought the world's best/cheapest running tights (and they are reversible! Blue waistband on the other side!) and fitted dri-fit tops from Target! I was so excited, I decided to do an awesome 4 mile run after work.

I highly recommend both to any runners out there. The tights fit like a dream, and I loved how the dri-fit shirt stayed in place my whole run and was very breatheable! I may go back for more! ;)



{ C9 by Champion Reversible Running Knee Tights }


{ C-9 by Champion Seamless Short-Sleeve Shirt }


5) Well, attempted to run the whole thing. 2 miles into my run, Bella Beast stopped, passed out in the middle of the path, and didn't want to budge another step. So I carried her all the way home... and then finished the last 2 miles!



Not sure what happened to my 6 mile running companion went, but I have a feeling I'll need to build up her fitness again! ;) Slowly on my way to half marathon status!


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How's your week going? Anything fun that you're excited about?


Do share!

Weekly Weigh-In: Week 9

My scale won't budge!!
Darn it all to heck, no big news this morning. I half expected it after my brother was in town all weekend and we ate out constantly (ew).

I've been hitting it hard at the gym, so that I can keep pushing through to my next goal. I have told myself this is zero tolerance time. I am in my best friend's wedding in 2 months, so that means I have 8 weeks to get into bridesmaid shape! The fastest way to get there is cut out empty calories, extra carbs, eat fresh and up my workouts!

Due to crunch time, this also means no extras, no junk, no adult beverages, no excuses. There are only so many "my diet starts tomorrow" excuses until you're no longer comfortable in your clothes right? Right! So I'm ready to kick it in to extra high gear!


{ Weekly Weight Loss = 0 lbs }





{ Total Weight Loss = 6.2 lbs }

I really need to keep better track in my food journal of absolutely everything so that I don't forget about those little extras! I mean that glass of wine and that cookie always seem to miss my food journal... hmmm.

I also need to be extra careful and get my workouts in while I'm on vacation this weekend! Healthy snacks are needed for our 8 hour car ride and my running shoes/iPod are coming too!

Any help/tips/advice?
I need to focus and I just know you ladies have some awesome tricks of the trade!


Nothing tastes as good as thin feels!

Weekly Weigh-in: Week 8

It was a good week for weight loss!
After doing a small 1 lb. yo-yo for a week or so, and then hitting a bit plateau, I'm finally past it! A few extra workouts and some cleaned up eating habits finally helped me push past it all!

I don't know if any of you have been in that spot before, but being at a plateau is very discouraging. Whether you stayed the same for weeks or lost a few lbs to gain them back, it can really wear you down after a while.

So obviously I was very excited to see a good loss this week! I really do feel great and I have finally hit my first mini goal! Now I'm out to conquer my next one!


{ Weekly Weight Loss = 1.4 lbs }





{ Total Weight Loss = 6.2 lbs }

I am very lucky and thankful to have such great workout buddies and encouraging friends and family! Thank you, all!

For those of you who have been struggling to get past those few pounds, hang in there! Step back and take a look on what you can do to move past it, and then enjoy the feeling of happy celebration when you do! This is doable, and it all starts with you! :)

Nothing tastes as good as thin feels!

Weekly Weigh-In: Week 7

Finally back on track!
After a week of being ridiculously ill, not working out, and eating whatever is convenient, processed and easy (gross)... I have my groove back!

I was a little concerned after BF and I spent time with our families out of town, the eating out and homecooked meals would catch up with me.

I was very pleased to see weight loss after the last few weeks of nothing. I've got my workout back on and it honestly feels so good... I've missed feeling this way!

After several weeks of hanging in there, I am glad that I am still sticking with it. I am right on track to go where I want to go, so I am celebrating a loss today!


{ Total Weight Loss = 1.2 lbs }




In order to make my weight loss goals more achievable, I have decided to break it down into a few mini goals so that I don't feel discouraged by being 20 lbs away. So only 5.6 lbs to my next goal - all I have to do is keep on keeping on!

I also want to thank all of you who have sent messages, e-mails or left comments - you are so encouraging and sweet, and that means the world to me!


Thanks for being awesome! :)
Time to crush this next goal!

Weekly Weigh-in: Week 3

Ihave been dreading this post all day!
From the beginning of this journey I knew I would have good weeks and bad weeks and I wanted to be completely honest with my weekly weigh-in... no matter what. This past week was not one of my better weeks. BUT the thing I have to remember is just to learn and keep moving forward! I know I can do this!

Well last weekend my girlfriends were in town for my bestie's birthday. Naturally we went out to eat for almost every meal, had drinks and desserts, and I didn't make time to workout. So today the scale reflects that. The good news is I didn't go completely overboard. With exercise thrown in the mix with all of my extra treats I could have done it, but I'm learning! :)

{ Total Weight Loss = 0 lbs }





I hit the gym hard at lunch and my eating has been substantially back on track. Tonight I am attending my first Weight Watchers meeting and I think that will be a great tool for accountability and helpful tips. So bummer there was no weight loss, but here's to a much better week!

29.2 lbs to go!

Weight Watchers Here I Come!

I've had it! Today is the day that I finally get back on track. After losing more than 30 pounds on Weight Watchers in high school, I am convinced that the program works and is maintainable!

After getting a little lax with my eating around the holidays, and using my illness/medications as excuses for weight gain and not working out... I'M BACK!

I don't particularly care for my jeans being a bit more snug or seeing myself in unflattering photos. Not to mention I am a bridesmaid in my best friend's upcomign wedding, so enough is enough! Hello motivation!

Last night, I wrote out my weight loss goals and taped them to my bathroom mirror. Every single goal has a realistic date next to it. When each goal is conquered I get a wonderful non-food, indulgent reward.



Don't I look happy shopping for new clothes? ;)

While I was at it, I also dug out my old Weight Watchers point slider and packed my lunch ahead of time. I threw out any candy and junk food and am ready to do this thing for real... I want my cute little body back!

I am not exactly sure where this motivation is coming from (perhaps that AMAZING photo of Jennifer Hudson?? Wow!), but I am going to do it. I was well on my way this summer and then I let life and excuses get in the way.

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So here I am standing before you, blog friends, declaring my ultimate goal. I will be 34 lbs. lighter by June 17th.

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Yes, that felt good to say. Finally, I feel like I have accountability in place and now I'm just excited to finally get to my goal! With the help of a few close girlfriends - Thanks Karen & Linds! - I know I can do this!


Are any of you gals out there Weight Watchers veterans? Anyone had a successful weight loss? Please let me know and offer some great tips!


I may even start featuring a weight loss success story each week and it could be YOU! Looking to join me in my efforts? Stay tuned for weigh-in Wednesday next week and we can do this together! Also, scroll down at the bottom of the post for a 25% off coupon for Weight Watchers :)


Bring on the bikini bod!





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PS- Interested in joining Weight Watchers? There is NO ENROLLMENT FEE right now, so you're only paying the cheap weekly dues!

PPS- Even better? Click HERE to get 25% off your first month of dues... that's only $7/week to get your weight loss started!! :)

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Hello Motivation!

What up, foxy ladies?!
I hope you had a wonderful start to your week and are easing into things. Despite my finger crossing efforts for snow day #2, I am in the office today! Surprisingly, I was semi-excited for today. Know why? Today marks the first day of our Biggest Loser competition!

Being one of the nation's largest health organizations, healthy living is extremely important to all of us. So naturally, in an effort to get our lifestyles to reflect what we teach, we are having a Biggest Loser competition to jump start or motivation.

We have 90 days until the final weigh-in (13 weeks or so), and the person with the biggest percentage of weight loss wins the jackpot... around $500!

In an effort to get re-focused and motivated, behold some amazing transformation photos:


{ Kelly }




{ Carrie }




{ BEFORE }




{ AFTER }




Pretty motivating, right? What I love best about all these women is that they did it the right way. Cleaned up their diet and put in a reasonable amount of exercise. None of them look sickly thin, just powerfully healthy!

Some of our fun plans are group exercise videos/activities during lunch, weekly healthy recipe swap, and before/after photos and measurements! I'm pretty excited to be moving toward a healthier new me with all of my favorite work girlfriends! Look out world...


{ Say hello to sassy new Meg! }


Wish me luck! I could use some big girl couch fund money and a healthier athletic bod!





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PS- Looking for new followers or fun new blogs? Don't forget that the Mingle Monday blog hop is open until Wednesday at midnight.
Stop by and get your blog some exposure!
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