Now & Then

I've contemplated posting "now & then" pictures for awhile now, and I finally decided to do it. I was apprehensive because it seriously makes me sick to my stomach to look at pictures and talk about the way I was just a short time ago. However, I do know how beneficial it is to talk about what I was once was in order to keep myself in line and continue on a healthier life style. I must say, I have come a long way. When I was at my biggest weight, I knew I was bigger, but looking at the pictures now- I did NOT think I looked the way I did....

Here's a picture from July 2011 taken on our vacation in Florida. I started my journey to a healthier lifestyle the DAY we got back... So this is a real "before" picture. (I am cringing)

This was a picture of Ryan and I in Cancun Mexico May 2010. Large and in charge.
Still in Mexico... I remember looking at this picture & thinking I kind of looked fit? Sick!

And this is a picture taken Jan 28, 2012 celebrating my sister's birthday.
Same night...

It's amazing how far I've come... I mean really. I am seriously proud of myself! This is HARD, *but* attainable! That is the key! And it all happened because I was determined. It's amazing what the human body can do.

I made Chicken Rollatini. It's 5 WW+ and it was delicious! My picture isn't as pretty as skinnygirls, but it still tastes good. ;)

Have a great weekend!

Get To Know Me

I received a "get to know you" blog award tonight by a sweet fellow blogger. I like it, something with a new spin! So enjoy reading and re post if you're feeling frisky!

Part One: Seven Random Facts About Me. 

1.  I received my Bachelors degree from Millikin University, my Masters from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana, and am now studying my associates from our community college here in Springfield, Illinois. Although all of my degrees have been memorable, tough, and worth while; I am going to be most proud of my associates degree in nursing. Who would have thunk? :)

2.  I have always been a competitive swimmer since middle school and I swam in College at Millikin University as well. My husband can't swim- literally, he will drown. Trust me, I have tried to teach him, even just to tread water, but his big football muscular body just doesn't cope well with h20. 

3.  I will be 26 next month (March 3rd), but people often mistake me for 18 at the oldest.

4.  I can't wait to begin having children, but we're waiting until I'm done with school. I am also terrified of "baby bellies." Nothing about gaining the weight (I mean, I'm scared of that, too) but mostly just of how the body stretches like that and there's an actual BABY in your BELLY. What???

5.  I have one nephew and I would do anything in the world for that kid. This is one proud aunt!

6. My husband is amazing. Again, not too much of a mushy gal, but hey I have to give a shout out.

7. Although I'm very frugal, I am a firm believer that everyone should have a vacation at least once every six months. Even if it's just a small 1 hour drive weekend get a way. We work hard in life, shouldn't we be able to play hard, too? 

Part Two: My Nominations for This Award

The Not Always Lazy W

Marie is a fellow blogger who began following my blog, and in return I followed hers. She has very interesting a motivational posts. She is very philosophical and I appreciate her appreciation for the beauty of life! Thank you for the inspiration for this post!

Blessed By Brenna

Courtney and I went to high school together although she was a few years older than I. Her brother and I were in the same class. She is a member of the same church as I and we seem to share several of the same values. Her and her husband have a handsome son who is close in age with my nephew and they have a beautiful newborn, Brenna, who was born with a very rare skin disease. Please visit her blog and join hundreds of people praying and supporting Brenna and her family as they fight the odds. Courtney has a degree in journalism and she is a very great writer. Just trust me and follow her site! :)

MaMa Laughlin

I love this lady. She is a "former fatty" as her refers to herself (although I don't think so), and blogs about her adorable children, healthy cooking, and working out! Three things that I love.

Running On Vegan

Emily is a fellow team mate of mine. Her and I both swam SUSA (a competitive swimming team) during middle school together and later swam together at Millikin University. Emily is very fit and motivational. She is a vegan and although I am not, her recipes look delicious, so I'm sure I'll be trying them out soon. She also participates in many races (swimming, running, and bicycling) so I enjoy reading about her healthy lifestyle.

Miss Madison's Charmed Life

Megan is a hilarious blogger who is extremely motivational. She reminds me a lot of myself! She has a toddler, does a lot of super cute DIY projects (which I LOVE to do), eats healthy, and runs a lot! She also has lost a significant amount of weight (like myself) and is continuing to keep it off by hard ass work.

I did not tag all of the blogs I follow (I creep follow several), these are just a select few!


Part Three: Share the Rules.
We all know the rules.

Took a break from running today. Feeling lazy- will definitely be running after work tomorrow!


What are some of your favorite blogs?

1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 4

I did it!!!!!!!!!

4 ... freaking ... miles!!

As I posted yesterday, I ran 3.3 miles and my goal was to run 4 miles this week. Well, after a long day of clinicals, the last thing I wanted to do today was get dressed and head to the club to run. But, as I walked in my house, I saw my "vision board," and immediately set my mind to go running.

I really wanted to reach the 4 mile, so I kept pushing myself.... and finally got to 3 (thought about quitting) and then knocked the crap out of myself and kept on truckin'!

So cheers to 4... freaking... miles. That's an accomplishment for this chick!

Last Monday, my new year's resolution board read "326" miles to reach my goal. Today (a week and 1 day later) it reads:

Yes... you read that correct, 307 miles. 19 miles in 8 days- not too shabby!

Earlier I spoke of a "vision board," which is simply what it says. It's a board of motivational quotes/pictures/sayings that I invision myself to aspire to be.

This is a picture of mine:

And when I initially told my husband about this idea (beginning of January), he of course stated that he wanted one too. So here's a picture of his:

Very motivational? Thought so.

I also made dinner tonight from "Skinnytaste." It's the grilled chicken breast with spinach, fat free mozzarella, and peppers on top. Since it's cold out, I opted to bake the chicken in the oven rather than grill.

Here's the link:

http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/03/grilled-chicken-with-spinach-and-melted.html

Only 4 WW+ points!

What are some things that you do to help motivate yourself?

2*6*12

You see those feet? They carried me 3.3 miles tonight! So far, that's the farthest I've ran. I realllllly want to get to 4 miles, but hot dog it's hard! I'll just keep pushing myself. Who knows, maybe tomorrow will be the big 4 mile day ;)

We had an oncology exam today and I did well on that, so I was pretty excited about that. Celebrated by a mandatory Target shopping spree with my friend, Lauren. I bought a super cute hot pink pencil skirt to wear for our valentines date. I don't even know what we're doing, but I have a cute outfit, so we have to do something now, right? :) I'm not a huge Valentines Day girl. I enjoy it, I mean who doesn't enjoy love-y dove-y stuff, but come on, it IS pretty corny. And chocolate isn't to kind to the "healthy lifestyle." I also got a super cute purple shirt and a tan oversized sweater. Hey, I deserve it ;)

After Ryan and I hit the gym tonight we went grocery shopping for the week. Lots of chicken is on the menu... and of course my favorite food ever, asparagus.

Ryan decides to tell me he has a "food day" for work tomorrow for one of his co workers birthdays. It seems like they have a food day every week. I love his co workers... they have been really good to him and they are hard workers. I had some almond bark at home so I just picked up some pretzel rods and sprinkles and made chocolate covered pretzels! Happy Birthday, Jeanie! ;)

Superbowl Sunday

Here's a picture of me after my run yesterday........ Dead, but feeling great. Oxymoron?

Here's a picture of me before going to Laura and Joel's summer bash in winter. Heck yes those are pink rain boots and zulu beads. That screams Spring/Summer, right? Honestly, I have put all of my summer attire down in the basement, so this was the only outfit I could come up with without digging around.

This would be one of my very best friends (the host of the party), Laura.. (I call her Apples)
And the hubby and I.... Love him xo

And the hostess's- Laura & Joel. Love this couple :)

I probably should post the video of Ryan and Joel doing karaoke ;)

Great party, friends. Definitely feeling sleep deprived this afternoon. Time to go make myself run even though I could really just take a nap ;) and then off to the SuperBowl Party!!!!!!!!

Go Patriots???

Go Giants???

Have a great day and remember "nothing tastes as good as skinny feels."

It's summer.... in February!

Hello my friends! All six of you... well technically 4 of you... one of my 6 "followers" is myself and the other is my husband. ha!

Today's Sassy Saturday! I worked today until 3... oh the joys of being in the medical field. Secretly I kind of enjoy it because that means I can make my "honey to do list" for the hubby and he does it because he feels bad that I'm at work while he is off work. ;)

Our good friend Laura and her bf Joel are having their annual "Summer Party" tonight, so we're going to that. What are we wearing you may ask? I don't know yet... I'll post a picture on a post later this week. The party is for all of the summer lovers who hate the winter blues. They have jello shots(yuck), a keg, and the works. Should be a good time!

I made up for my lazy Thursday. I ran 2.75 miles yesterday (why didn't I just go to 3?) and we are about to head to the gym now! Tomorrow is Super Bowl Sunday.... I don't care who wins... just going to the party to socialize :)

Have a great and safe Saturday!

2*2*2012

So the groundhog saw his shadow this morning... 6 more weeks of winter... womp womp womp. If it's anything like this "winter" has been, then I'll totally take it. Wearing my light face north face around in 50 degree weather is totally fine with me!

So I took the day off of running tonight and I am feeling REALLY guilty about it. :( I know, I know, pitty party right here, but hey I can complain on my own blog, right? ha!

I ran a 5K two days in a row- both Tuesday and Wednesday night. I actually ran for 3.2 and a 5K is 3.1. That's great for me. As you saw in an earlier post my new years resolution (goal) for myself is to run 365 miles in 365 days. My thinking was to encourage myself to get physical activity in daily (even though it didn't work today), so I'd be at least running a mile a day. I don't count the miles walked, just ran. So needless to say, I am running right along (no pun intended)! I am starting to get addicted to the running. Some people talk about a "runners high" and I never really knew what it meant. I did, however, know what a "swimmers high" was... I used to get it all the time at practices. Well I got the "runners high" when I was running last night. Not the whole 3.2 miles- more like for .1 of the whole run, but HEY, at least it was something!

Ryan and I went out to dinner tonight to Applebees with my momma and nephew. I like Applebees because they already have the weight watcher point plus values for some of their entrees. I got the lime chicken and for 13 points+ it was "ok," but definitely not worth it. I was hungary so I ate about 2/3 of it and boxed the rest for my mom to take home to my dad. I can make a mean chicken entree for 5-6 WW+ at home, so that just goes to show that eating out can kill your diet. At the same time, planning ahead really helps and it is still manageable to eat out and eat healthy (just not saying it's easy)!

Ryan and I finally got a beverage fridge for our garage!! Woo Hoo! A girl that I go to school with got new appliances, so she didn't have a use for her old fridge and gave us one heck of a deal (thanks, Lela). Now the beer/water/diet pop doesn't have to fill our entire fridge. Since we eat a lot of fresh produce and have left overs from meals, it's nice to have a fridge dedicated to food back.

Next blog I promise to report back a good work out- nothing like feeling like CRAP before going to bed due to being lazy (Pity Party).

:)