Oh Happy Day!

ok, so i'm still reeling over the measurements I took on Wednesday!
But today I tried on a bunch of clothes I haven't been able to wear in awhile and they either fit or are close to fitting!! I am beyond excited and I can't wait for the next month to pass to see what I am able to fit back into!!!

Hope you are all having fabulous weekends!
♥
Jenni

God damn right, it's a beautiful day!!!

I want to shout it from the rooftops! I feel AMAZING!

I have decided that right now is an opportunity in my life. An opportunity to focus on me. My schoolwork, my life and my body. I can cook healthy meals, I can take all of my vitamins at the right time, I can drink lots of water and I can exercise! Spencer and I bought our memberships to 24 hour fitness yesterday afternoon and this morning was our first workout. All I can say is Oh My Goodness! I have never had a more amazing workout!
Prior to being laid off we would use the corporate gym at my office. It wasn't terrible, but it was small. There were 3 elipticals, 4 treadmills, 2 bikes, a stairmaster and one of those all-in-one gyms with different machines on each of the 4 sides. Many times a machine would be broken, or need to be greased up and the room was often filled with loud squeaks, groans or the sound of feet pounding away as people ran on the treadmill. I always felt pretty good after leaving the gym and would be proud of myself if my hair was a little wet from sweat and my legs felt a little tired...
Today was completely different however! I did 30 minutes on the elliptical and burned nearly 400 calories! The machines are built better, they are designed with weight-loss and hard work in mind and I know the results are going to show in no time! They also have multiple tvs and so you can choose what show to watch. I tuned my sights onto Rachel Ray and laughed along with her, and Kristie Allie her guest for the day. That woman is HILARIOUS! I then did 2 sets of 25 reps on multiple arm and leg machines. My body feels good. It's not just a feeling of accomplishment, it's a thank you from my entire body and it just is making me feel amazing!

As I worked out I imagines myself in beautiful new clothes. A beautiful little floral dress with a tight bodice and A-line skirt that I picked up for 90% at the Dillards store closing. It's a bit small right now but I knew I would be losing weight for my wedding, plus it was 90% off! I keep picturing myself wearing it to my bridal shower, or maybe even our rehearsal dinner! A cute pair of shorts with a tank top as Spencer and I explore the Farmers Market buying fresh produce. A teeny new bikini for our (cross your fingers!) honeymoon in Jamaica...and of course...my wedding gown!!! Which is going to be even more amazing and beautiful everytime I try it on! I just know it!

I feel so wonderful right now. There is just nothing that could bring me down!
I hope you are all having fabulous fridays, and amazing weekends!
♥
Jenni

PS-I will be starting Wednesday Weigh-in next week. I want to share my progress, motivate myself to keep pushing and maybe help inspire someone else along the way!

2:30 = Snacktime!

Part of my program to get fit as a fiddle...where did that phrase come from!? ....is to eat 5 small meals a day, as opposed to 3 larger ones. I start out my day with either low-fat yogurt and granola or some egg beaters and tomato in a whole wheat tortilla. At about 10:00 I have a morning snack. Lunch at about 12:00 which is usually a small turkey sandwich or wrap with lots of lettuce avocado and tomatoe, another snack at 2:30 followed by a light dinner whenever I get home from work and working out.
I follow a fairly simple plan involving:
* Packing all of my small meals each morning before work so i'm not tempted by the vending machine.
* Taking a multivitamin every morning.
* Refilling my 32 oz. water bottle at least 4 times a day .
* Eating a sliver of avocado in either my sandwich or egg-beaters wrap to keep potassium levels up (I'm allergic to banana).
* Eating lots of protein and limited amounts of carbs.

Some of my favorite snacks at the moment include....

Hidden Valley Ranch dip and veggies
I take a tub of non-fat sour cream dip and mix it up with the hidden valley ranch powder as a nice little dip for celery and zucchini. Its really quite tasty, and the crisp bite of it energizes me in the afternoons.


Cottage cheese
I know this stuff gets a bad rep and you either love it or hate it, but I personally think its a great little snack! (Although, I don't think I could ever eat a bowl that big!)


Fruit
I'm allergic to quite a few different fruits, but I love to much on grapes, pears, kiwis, apples, strawberries and blueberries. I also love clementine cuties. Those little oranges that come in the box and are little, easy to peel and sweet! I &hearts them


String cheese
A perfect little pre-portioned snack. Easy to grab and tasty to eat! I love pulling off tiny little strings of cheese to make it last longer! I usually snack on these at work. The puppies get jealous when I eat them at home because we have used string cheese as a training treat in the past.

What is your favorite snack? Do you have a great recipe that cuts the calories?
Tomorrow I will share my favorite recipe for lighter fare!

~ &hearts ~
Jenni