Just Because

I was given one of the best compliments this weekend (in my opinion). 

Of course, girls pick out their flaws and complain about them...yada yada. Well my "biggest flaw" has always been my huge ribcage. It just doesn't quite suit my figure...it has always made it hard to fit into shirts, dresses, ect. I doubt anyone would pick this out to be my flaw. 

I was told this weekend that it was noticeable that my middle (chest/ribs specifically) looked a lot smaller. YEAH! Eating right and working my butt off at the gym are paying off. 

I know I saw a sign somewhere that it takes 4 weeks to notice your body changing, 8 for friends, and 12 for the rest of the world. Did we skip 4 weeks? Hello 8+ weeks?!

Speaking of changes...I have my monthly body scan on Friday. EEEK! I'm crossing my fingers that results are going to be noticeable internally! 

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Ahh...so, story. 

Yesterday, I made a pit stop at the gas station before heading back to Ames. I was standing in a line for the check out, which seemed to take forever (insert my semi-annoyed posture). I noticed a young man in a military uniform approaching the gas station...nothing out of the ordinary. He was walking from a different direction than an older gentleman that was headed towards the door, too. The younger man reached for the door, when the older guy grabbed the door from him and said, "allow me!" The younger man said, "Thank you!"

The older gentleman responded with a, "no, thank you, sir." I could tell, by the look on this younger guys face, that he was so happy to be acknowledged in the slightest way for what he does. 

Simple things like that aren't seen every day. I felt a sense of warmth after seeing this go on. (I had been super annoyed about having an hour + drive ahead of me.) 

I think simple or little gestures are becoming scarce. Which is sad...things like opening the door for someone, helping someone put away their materials (at the gym, office, school, ect.), paying for something for a stranger or someone else, letting someone go ahead of you in line, ect. 

I encourage you to try to do something for someone else, just because, once a day! 

This Monsoon Weather

How about the lovely weather today, Iowans? 

Ha.

Hopefully you're all getting work done, reading a good book, or Pinteresting! 

I am attempting to get some work done...and Pinteresting in between! Shh!

Here are some things that make me think positive thoughts (about Summer) during monsoon-like weather we keep getting around here...I sort of feel like I'm in the scene in Jumanji where the monsoon happens...minus the alligator. That would just be flat out scary!

This place & a book during the day or a blanket & a telescope on a clear night...oh yes!

Strawberry Marg Shots?! YES, please!

Cute DIY jewelry organization idea. Super glue a cup and saucer together...

A good laugh: The two natural reactions to seeing a dinosaur.

My Daily Routine

Daily routines...we all have them...or should I say..."we all have one." I've had a few people ask me what I have changed about my routine in the last couple months...

Well here's the secret...

I stopped eating crap. All my life, I firmly believed in the statement "you can eat whatever you want as long as you work out."

YEAH...NO. That's a lie. I busted my arse at the gym and ate, basically, whatever I wanted. I didn't even eat a lot, just ate the wrong things. Which caught up to me. Now, this doesn't happen to everyone (lucky ducks!)...but even if you're not putting on weight and eating these things, it's still not beneficial in any way to you internally.

I never realized how awful things like crackers, cheese, a diet soda here and there, and certain "fast foods" really were...I mean, I have somewhat of an idea, but I figured, in moderation, I could let myself have these foods.

A friend of mine showed me an app that I could put on my phone to scan barcodes of foods/drinks to see their ratings. If they're healthy or not with a grading scale of A–F. Some things you think are healthy really don't have a good grade. Just don't scan mint Oreos...consider yourself warned!
It's called Fooducate:

http://www.fooducate.com/

So with that, here's my (average) daily routine...

*The night before: pack my herbal tea (in my shaker), pack healthy snacks: veggies, string cheese, whole wheat crackers, Greek yogurt *with dry ranch packet of course*, ect.

Prep is a huge thing for anyone looking to better their eating habits. I have a few friends that have a full day of prep on Sundays for their food for the week. Smart. Doesn't seem like my forte, yet. The night before will do for me thus far.

1. Up at 6am/shower/get ready
2. Make a protein shake (Herbalife) these range from 220–300 calories and 10–15g of protein
3. Usually I have my herbal tea with the shake (Russian tea) *see attached recipe* IT'S DELICIOUS! This basically helps burn cals & gives one energy. *The NRG and Original tea are Herbalife brand* 

Also, this recipe makes a batch. So leave it in a container (dry) and then add a tsp./8oz of water when you want a drink!

4. Work!
5. Small snack at 10ish...Wheat Thins, string cheese, peach mango drink mix from Herbalife, or veggies
6. Lunch at 12/1pm...This is probably my "worst" meal of the day. This usually ranges from pasta, a sandwich, grilled chicken breast, or a salad. My "carb load" of the day.
7. Snack again at 2/3pm—varies from the list above.
8. Hit the gym at 5–7pm. I have cardio drill on Mondays, a group lifting class and Heat (high intensity cardio) on Tuesdays, maybe my own work out, otherwise an "off" day on Wednesdays, and group lifting and kickboxing on Thursdays. Friday–Sunday usually depends on what my plans are for the weekend.
*Each of the classes above includes an ab workout...so that's where those go!
9. Shower & shake time around 6:30–7:30pm {by this time, I am tired and will be full after my shake!} Again, drinking the herbal tea with my shake.
10. An early (ish) bed time! This is more important that one would think...get plenty of sleep!

I have felt really good the last few weeks on this plan. There are still some things I need to cut out of my diet and unhealthy habits. But I am starting to see results, so I can't complain.

When it comes to the gym, I really think that incorporating some form of weights is very important. Even if it's abs with a medicine ball, body squats with light (dumbbells) weights, or even using bands that the gym should supply for resistance. Weights aren't really for me, but 2.5–10lbs added to a certain workout is really beneficial.

Yummy tea!

There's my "two sense"/ daily routine.

I have really come a long ways as far as control. With my parents owning a bar, I have access to every fried food and pizza you could imagine. Before I have to work, I go to the grocery store and pick up some fruit (apples, watermelon, strawberries), my own chicken breast, string cheese, or lettuce for a salad. This is very helpful when I suddenly have the urge to eat. Then I stay away from the fried foods! (Although, they are delicious...and don't get me wrong...my mouth waters at the sight of them.) But I have taught myself how to say "no."

I had a great weekend, I hope you did too! Hopefully the week will fly by since it's already Tuesday!

Happy Memorial Day!

I hope you all have a great weekend!

The Annual Luminaria Tribute in Fredericksburg, VA

This is the 2nd largest military park in the world. Located on the Civil War Confederate stronghold known as Marye's Heights, Fredericksburg National Cemetery is the final resting place for more than 15,000 US soldiers, mostly Union soldiers who died in Fredericksburg area battles and camps. In addition, there are graves of close to 100 20th century veterans and a few spouses.

Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday which occurs every year on the final Monday of May. Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil War. By the 20th century Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died while in the military service. It typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while Labor Day marks its end.

Many people visit cemeteries and memorials, particularly to honor those who have died in military service. Many volunteers place an American flag on each grave in national cemeteries.

So...don't just think of it as your "3–4 day weekend."

P.S.

P.S. readers! 

My mother and Betty are selling these spool clocks! Contact me for more information! :) Love them...

You can customize any color, pattern, numbers, act!

Or leave it vintage looking!

Serious Writer's Block

 I'm slacking on the posts. I feel like one post per week states that.

I am having serious "writer's block." 

Check out the table printables that I made! I totally stole the wording from Pinterest...don't give me that much credit! :)

Someone tell Ellen!

…that I want to be her friend! I never get home in time or often enough to catch Ellen at 4pm (Central time). It’s a little depressing since she makes me laugh and smile for an hour straight. When I do catch her show, I enter every stinkin’ contest she has. Recently, or like 2 months ago, was when she was giving a trip away to Australia. Duh. I want to go to Australia with Ellen! Of course you can imagine my sadness when I didn’t receive a call saying I won.

Or a month or so prior to that, I tweeted a picture of my catch yawning and stated something about her laughing at a joke. Only to not hear anything back…maybe because my profile is locked and no one can re-tweet me? UGH!

Dang it…I can’t sing, so I won’t Nicki Minaj my way onto her show…I didn’t invent anything cool…yet. Or burn my hair off in a “How to” YouTube video. Would someone let the lady know that I like to dance?!

Or tell her to hire me as the person that finds those funny autocorrect texts. I could sit for a whole day straight reading those…they make me “LOL” in my quiet office, which causes people to ask questions and I have to answer…(bluntly) “I’m off task, again.” At least I would be good at it, right?

I just want to meet the lady once…or work for her in some way. I mean…there’s probably not that many people that would want to, right?