Goodbye, Ciao, Bon voyage, Shalom, Adios, Aloha...

I'm saying goodbye to a great person today.

Not forever. No way. But for now...

I met Diana around a year ago at the gym. She was the Heat and Kickboxing instructor. I remember my first class with her (kickboxing). She kicked my butt. I remember how bad my shoulders and knees hurt and that I could barely do a plank. The advanced options? NO THANKS!

She introduced herself after class and encouraged me to return. That made me feel pretty good. I didn't come back for a month or so...I was so negative about how hard the class was. I don't remember what clicked, but one day, I just told myself to go. And I've barely missed class since! 

Her upbeat personality, encouragement, drive, and optimism will certainly be missed. She was always sure to keep me in check when I wanted to stop in the middle of a push up or flying jack set. Her voice will forever be in the back of my head when I want to give up. 

Diana and Angela have been my cheerleaders since day 1. I can't believe how far I have come, thanks to them. If you're wondering my secret to this workout "obsession" I have...these two would be the masterminds. If you couldn't tell, they're both super fit and strive to push past the norm—which makes me want to keep up! 

I'm so lucky to have met these ladies and will forever consider them part of my "gym family."

I wish Diana the best of luck as she pursues her career and expect her to visit when she can! 

Me, Diana, and Angela

Two Down!

So...a few months ago I purchased a dress...specifically for Vegas. I told myself that my goal was to fit into that dress. I tried it on today...and it fits! No problem! YAY! :) Now to only find shoes that match...it's hard to believe I don't have some that do in my ridiculous collection!

So then I decided I needed another dress...seeing that one of my favorite stores had a good deal going on (60% off...HELLO!), I went to check out a dress I have had my eye on for a while now...

...wait for it...

...wait for it...

Ready?!

...

...

The dress looks very similar to this...The back is a deep...but not too deep...V!

My goal by August 23 is to fit into this one! (I don't have too far...and my spanks will probably help!)

Here are the accessories!

A nude peep toe heel

Pale pink or champagne  and gold earrings! 

So I am set for 2 of the 3 nights we are spending in Vegas for outfits. I am more than excited to go back. We are approximately 4 weeks, 5 days, and 23 hours away from being there!

I hope you have a fabulous weekend. Get outside and take advantage of the weather! :)

Pizza Craving Fix

For the last week (or longer) I have been craving pizza BIG TIME.

I even started to consider wording a Tweet about it yesterday morning...then I found out the WBFF (Google it) will be in Vegas the same time as me next month and totally strayed away from doing so.

I mentioned it to a friend and she told me about a more healthy way to fix that pizza craving. Little did I know, I was about to discover (not really discover...but have for the first and not the last) something genius! Apparently, Hungry Girl came up with this a long time ago...and I'm just getting on board!

Here's the recipe!

1. Flat Out wraps—I got these at Walmart in the bread isle. They seemed to be all out of the other kinds except Light Italian—which is still delicious! *Make sure to get the light wraps—they run around 90 cals while the originals range from 100–110*

2. Tomato sauce—I'm not sure why I didn't just buy pizza sauce...I think the tomato sauce tasted better anyways!

3. Cheese! 

4. I topped it with garlic salt

*You can add veggies, meat, ect.! 

I was pretty pumped to try this and have it be successful in my tummy! If I did the math right...this pizza was around 250–300 calories. And it filled me up! 

Another friend told me she uses the Laughing Cow Cheese as her "sauce" and then adds veggies, cheese, and chicken. 

Check out "Flat Out Wraps" on Pinterest if you're looking for any other recipes! I see they have quesadillas, nachos, wraps (obvious), sandwiches, ect.

http://pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=flat%20out%20wraps

It's Actually Pretty Simple

Hope your week is treating you well!

Mine sure is! I co-taught my 2nd kickboxing class on Monday and it went MUCH better than last Thursday! I'm hoping tomorrow is even better than those two :)

Teaching is a whole different level when it comes to a workout. Trying to do the moves, show options and modifications, and talk...WHEW! I burned, almost, twice the amount of calories doing this! (Probably because my heart/stomach/brain are all freaking out!) (See pic below)

The first hour, I burned 750 calories. The other 55 minutes-ish were from my Power Tone class (smaller muscle groups). You'll always find my trying to incorporate some "inspirational" quote with a good workout summary. :) And I totally agree with the one I placed in the above collage.

I had my 3rd (day 60) body scan today! I won't argue on the outcome. I'm still going down in numbers all across the board (which isn't easy to do). The last scan was more of a "inches down" outcome, and this scan was more of a "weight/pounds" down. I am very pleased. I told myself after scan three I was going to start the Strength line. (See pic below)

This is the muscle recovery supplement. I need to consume one of these shakes per day within 30 minutes of finishing my workout. 

This product:

1. Sustains Amino Acid Delivery

2. Rebuilds Lean Muscle

3. Supports Immue Function 

I am planning to prepare many crazy healthy meals this week...hopefully I can get my buns to the store to get the ingredients. Stay tuned!

Have a great hump day!

Happy Birthday, Alyssa!

Good morning! Today's post is a shout out to an amazing person.

To say the least...This girl is one of my rocks.

And it's her birthday today! (Her name is Alyssa, by the way) 

The story? I met her through one of my friends (and coworkers at the rec center at UNI), Erin! I moved into the house with Erin, Alyssa, and Amanda Jo last minute. I didn't know a single thing about Alyssa or Amanda until the very day I moved all of my stuff in. In fact, weird story, one of first few days that I lived there, my ex boyfriend called me. He had ignored me and some other lame stuff had happened with him and all of the sudden he wanted to talk to me. Well...I wasn't having that. Alyssa got the privilege of seeing my rather "sassy" side and the rest is history! (Talk about nonjudgemental—WHEW!) I just remember walking out of my room, into the room she was in, and she just looked at me, with a smile on her face, and said, "Feel better?" 

Eventually, we all became really close. So close that we started to show a little more of our "wild" sides. No this didn't involve anything illegal...{that I'm aware of.} Somehow, our crazy and creepy house was named "The Zoo." I had a complete blast living in this house! Certain things became routines for us four. Sitting in the living room to do homework (because that's where the space heater was in the winter), playing pranks on each other (Amanda was the hardest to get!), going to church, going out (should those two things be put next to each other?), killing spiders, dance parties in Erin's room—while she's trying to sleep, ect.

I don't think I fully experienced college until I moved in with these girls. They definitely opened a different door for me. And I am so thankful it happened. (I miss them so much!)

_____________________

I'm pretty sure, that out of all of my friends...Alyssa comes in close to the top of knowing everything about me. She has always kept me in check. Always. And most days, I need that. 

She has worked so hard to get where she is and my respect for her with never cease. This last year, she became engaged. I think I had an outer body experience when I heard the news, I was so excited. Her fiancé is a gem, to say the least. They have their ups and downs, of course...but they really do get each other. I'm so happy she found someone that can do that. And I know she is too! 

Not to mention, this girl has a great core group of friends and family. Amanda Jo and Alyssa have been best friends since...well, forever. And their families are really close. I think that is so awesome...especially when they all get together! (Rock Band, what's up?!)

This next year of wedding planning and events will be a BLAST! I'm giddy thinking about it! 

Happy birthday, gorgeous! I wish I was going to the water park with you today!

Horseshoes and A Recap

Okay, first off...my dad pulled me aside the other night as asked me to draw a horse with boots on for a Horseshoe tournament they're having at the bar this weekend...

Here's my outcome...

I sort of think this is hilarious...I had to give the horse a smile and fix it's eye...otherwise it looked spooky. Not my finest work, but hey, it gets the point across, right?

A couple of things...

1. I start co-teaching this week. SAY WHAAAT?! 

I've been working my buns off for this moment and it's finally here—WHOOP!

2. My life according to Instagram...lately:

All of the above (about) sums it up...my transformation, a quote, the Beebs, travel, and friends! 

3. I had a great 4th weekend...it seemed long...especially with 0 gym time. I went on a couple of runs, but you know...I like to and am used to switching it up a bit every day. I felt jiggly and BLEH until last night...when I got my butt kicked at kickboxing and power tone!

I was in the sun all day on the 4th and seemed to have escaped without a single sign of a sunburn. Unreal. That has NEVER happened to me. I was a little bummed...I miss having my lifeguard/golden tan!

4. I apologize for not being up to date. I have piles and piles of laundry and stuff that needs to be cleaned when I get home at night...thus, taking away from blog time. :( (We're getting there!)

5. Beebs celebrated her 3rd birthday last Wednesday! I was sure to spoil her with plenty of treats!

That's all you need to be caught up with me as of now! Have a great week!

Loathing Progress...BE GONE!

(This is especially for those of you who don't follow me on Instagram or Facebook)

I used to loathe the people that would post progress pictures.

Big time.

I never understood (and was obviously jealous).

....................................

Now...I understand. In a matter of months, I have transformed into a completely different person. 

Even when I was at my "skinniest" (rocked 130 lbs my senior year of high school—2008)—I was never toned and skinny at the same time. 

If you will look at my progress pics below...I began to lose the huge smile I once had. My cheeks were so big, I couldn't fully open my mouth. Needless to say, I am back to a full mouth smile and have never been more excited.

Top photos: Spring 2012
Bottom left: Spring 2013
Bottom right: Summer 2013

It's not just about the smile though. It's the way I feel all around. I feel happier and so much stronger. My knees and shoulders don't hurt nearly as much as they did a year ago. 

There have been a couple things going on in my head after looking at these pics...

What triggered this? Why was it so hard for me to jump start over a year ago?

I'm not sure if it was pure boredom that I always found myself at the gym and began to fall in love with the classes I was participating in... Or if it was the fact that I couldn't fit into ANY of my clothes anymore when I was pushing a solid 170 lbs. over a year ago. I know some of you will roll your eyes because that doesn't seem that bad to you, but to me, it made all the difference. And I can tell in these pictures.

I started to participate in more and more classes at my gym, seeing small progress. I wasn't satisfied...especially this spring. I started to really get to know people in the classes with me. Being introduced to a certain instructor and another class participant who, both, are very into fitness and taking care of themselves. They introduced me to the plan I am on now...are you ready? I'm giving away a huge secret here!!!—A heck ton of protein (Herbalife shakes), no crappy food (okay...maybe here and there), and not only cardio workouts, but resistance and weight exercises.  

Now those two are two people I can definitely confide in, day in and out. (Thank you, ladies!)

I can't believe how significant eating right really is. I posted before about the "eat whatever you want as long as you exercise" shpeal. But...I was also told recently by a friend...something like, "abs are made in the kitchen." SO TRUE. Even though I really don't have distinct abs...haha! 

I don't want people to take this post as me gloating. Because it's the complete opposite. Since all of this, I really try to encourage others who seem to struggle, not care, or don't know a good starting point, to think and do the opposite. 

If you want results, you CANNOT give up, no matter how much it hurts or burns. 

I wanted to cry when doing push ups, planks, weights, bands, ect. when my joints hurt. I had to push through the pain and learn to, mentally, control my thoughts and breathing while exercising. After, somewhat, mastering this...it seemed to allow me to do so much more. Now, when an "advanced" option is offered in class, I take the challenge...I may look goofy doing it, but HEY! I could care less, give me that challenge! 

So, I guess, no matter what it is...lifting, swimming, walking/jogging, ect...push yourself. Once something seems to get "easy" for you...take it up a notch. You're not only exercising your body by doing this, but exercising your brain to think more positively. 

Some tips to get started or keep going...

1. When I work at the bar...I go to the store beforehand and buy fruit and cheese to eat when I'm hungry at work instead of bar food. So no matter where you work...if there's tempting food in the environment, start bringing your own!

2. Take advantage of parking far away from the door of the store. Unless your hurt and it's hard to walk long distances...who cares where your parking spot is? BURN them calories, baby!

3. Introduce yourself to people you regularly see at the gym. Especially if you're in classes.

4. If you're not in classes, TRY one! They seem very feminine...but trust me, they're tough!

5. Download the Fooducate app! I posted about it a while ago, but it's saved my tush on a lot of things!

6. Do cardio and resistance training. Sure, I hate lifting weights. Well...I used to anyways, until I started doing it regularly...now I don't mind it at all.