Steps to the Beat ...

I promised a friend of mine that I would post a list of some of the songs I am loving right now...

There are some oldies in there, like I'm A Slave 4U, but I love that song more than I can explain, so it shows up on every list! This is a great "get you moving" list and I am obsessed with every single one! I think my favorite is probably "Nothing Really Matters" and "What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger)."

ENJOY

Time to Play Catch Up

Ok... where to begin...

Personal Trainer Jimmy has turned me into a ravenous beast. It's not even funny. This last week he had me eat this GINORMOUS meal right before bed, the last few bites were so hard to consume. The next morning I was STARVING. He text me later asking "were you hungry when you woke up this morning?!?!?" He was way too excited about the fact that his methods of madness are working just as they should on me. But it's freaking me out that I'm [insert other word for ravenous here] RIGHT when I wake up and about every 2-3hrs on the dot. He's created a monster. A "cookie monster" as he once said, then quickly corrected himself. Smart man. No girl wants to be a "cookie monster." I much prefer gorgeous Goddess, thank you very much.

My breakfast of choice as of late has been whole wheat waffles with 1Tb all-natural peanut butter and sliced fruit of some sort on top. Very filling, and VERY tasty!

So speaking of hunger, last night after my training session (arms - OWIE!), I came home SUPER excited to see that I did remember to set out a chicken breast to thaw that morning. SCORE! 10 POINTS TO HEATHER! I made veggie chicken curry...

Basically, I smothered the chicken breast in cajun spice and curry powder, sliced a TON of veggies up, smothered them in spice and powder. Baked for 25 min and consumed 1/2. SUPER SPICY and AWESOME! I'm way too excited that I already have my Friday night dinner planned. Yay for loner status, y'all!

You will be mine tonight.... aallll mine!

I am currently reading 4 books at once. I'm totally geeking out these days! Runner's World Complete Book of Women's Running just arrived in the mail and I'm really excited to add it to my book list! I believe I shall enjoy the read this weekend while I'm laying out poolside today AND tomorrow afternoon. If it rains... so help me I will cut!

And two randoms:

1. My sister sent me this picture of my nephew and I died. DIED. I miss my baby squish SO much! I miss rubbing his little baby Buddha belly! AH!

2. WHAT color are my EYES?! The other day they were looking way more green than usual and they are freaking me out.... green hazel? What is THAT?!

Friday Night Date(s)

So.... how was your friday night? Mine was well.... pretty epic.

Ok, not really. I had an interview for the next round of internships over at the Disney College Program Office on Friday afternoon, and then I WAS going to meet Personal Trainer Jimmy, but that didn't take place, so instead I went for a run beach side. Ya, be jealous.

Then it was home to prepare for my dates...!

Walnut Stuffed Dates that is. HA word play. Anyway....

I pitted (is that correct? Pit? psh) the dates, and then stuffed them with a whole walnut each, then sealed them back up, and threw them in the freezer. This is one of my FAVORITE sweet treats after dinner, and I have to will myself not to eat the whole bag in one sitting.

Here are the steps...

1. Take date, separate date to expose pit, remove pit.

2. Place whole walnut inside date, in the cavity where the pit once was...

3. Seal date back up over walnut...

4. Place finished dates in bag and throw in freezer or fridge. I like them CHILLED!

5. ENJOY!

Really?

.... I live in beautiful, sunny, Southern California and yet... I don't SEE the sun as often as I'd like to. I love my job, love it, but being in an office 7-3:30 or what the hours are Monday thru Friday means I get to be outside on the weekends. Well, that's pretty freaking useless when it's keeps raining on weekends. Normally, I love the rain, worship the rain, adore the rain....

But I want SUNSHINE damn it! GIVE ME SUN! None of this overcast, cloudy Saturday, and rain on Sunday crap.

I am very much looking forward to running, hiking, and PLAYING in the SUN!!!! YAY!!!! Just give me a weekend I can do it on!

Great Breakfast & Bad Hair

This morning started off great with an amazing homemade breakfast burrito! I highly recommend this! Yummy, satisfying, and just freaking DELISH!

Breakfast Burrito

1 Whole Wheat Tortilla (130 calories)

1/3 C liquid egg whites (50) - scrambled

1/4 C Low Fat shredded colby cheese (40)

1/2 avocado - sliced (160)

1 generous spoonful SALSA (not worth estimating - all goodness)

Calorie total : 380

And it has some protein, some good fats, and a bit of carbs! Excellent round out! And of course, had to be devoured with 1/2 grapefruit!

Today, I straightened my hair. I rarely do this because y'all have seen my curls! Usually, my hair holds the straightening fine enough, but today, I left Huntington Beach with dry air, and wound up in a dense wet fog in Anaheim. CRAP! I'm hosting a familiarization experience for 30 teachers, principles and administrators today in the park, and my hair is waving out on me. BAD HAIR! BEHAVE!

Why do I even bother?!

How in the World?!

Lately, I've been getting a lot of questions on HOW I have been losing weight and what I've done to get to where I am right now. I am happy to share, I have no secrets! The people who have been asking remember me looking like this....

Fall 2010 - nice profile gut shot, right?

Or this....

or this....

Weighing in around my heaviest 235lbs - but freaking awesome birthday party!

In the summer of 2011, I decided that I was going to run The Disneyland 1/2 Marathon in September 2012. At that time, I had already been trying to lose weight and I had been toying with different methods, but nothing was really working for me. I would eat out a lot or snack too much between my healthy meals. And turns out, I am not well suited for pre-portioned meal plans like Nutrisystem, or diet plans from Special-K or Slim Fast.That's just me, we are all unique and what works for you may not work for me, and vice versa.

This was me at the beginning of summer 2011

No, I just needed to learn some good lessons. I studied, researched, and started implementing my findings. I taught myself about proper portions, how to read nutritional labels, what to look for on labels, how many calories I needed to consume in a day to stay healthy while losing weight, and I, literally, taught myself how to run.

I read Runner's World "Run Your Butt Off" and it really changed my outlook on running. I never ever would have considered myself a runner, nor imagined that one day I would be able to run for ANY amount of time!

I followed the plan in RYBO during the summer of 2011, and by the end of the summer, I was able to run 30min straight. For many of you, that probably seems like nothing, but to go from running at 1 min increments to 30 min... that's an accomplishment. At that point I worked on increasing my miles and improving my stamina and endurance.

I was eating between 1,200- 1,400 calories per day*. My typical meals in a day looked like this:

Breakfast:

1/2 Grapefruit w/ Stevia (39 calories)

2 Whole Wheat Waffles (170)

2 Egg Whites (32)

1 slice low fat Provolone Cheese (50)

Lunch:

1 Sweet Potato (130)

6oz Chobani Greek Yogurt (140)

Thomas Multi-Grain English Muffin (100)

Dinner:

4oz Turkey Burger Pattie (180)

1 Sandwich Thin (100)

1 slice LF Cheddar Cheese (70)

Snacks (spaced throughout the day):

Post Workout Protein Shake- Muscle Milk Light (100)

Chocolate Crunch Rice Cake (60)

Luna Bar White Chocolate Macadamia Nut (190)

Calorie Total: 1,361 calories

My days were usually some variation of that, but always between 1,200 - 1,400 calories. Never going higher than 1,400, or lower than 1,000!

I was running, spinning, swimming, or attending a yoga class for 45min-60min 5 days a week.

That's how I went from 235lbs down to 193lbs. When I got into 1-DERLAND (meaning I got below 200lbs and into the 100's) I was elated. I don't think I have weighed less than 200lbs since.... oh gosh, I really can't remember. Sometime in High School I think? Then... I got stuck at 193lbs. Quite obnoxious. I was stuck between 190lbs and 195lbs for too long, and that's when I hired a personal trainer because I realized I was NOT doing enough with strength training/weight lifting. My body was WAY too used to my 1,200 calorie intake, and knew how to maintain my body weight with my caloric output vs. caloric intake. I had to shake things up, and build some muscles. I firmly believe that I will lose the rest of the 30lbs now and I think that strength training will be nothing but an asset in my 1/2 Marathon training!

Here is how things somewhat progressed....

Spring 2011 - 225lbs End of Summer 2011 - 200lbs Fall 2011 - between 195-198lbs

Here I am most recently photographed at my best friend's wedding as a bridesmaid weighing in between 188lbs - 190lbs

Please forgive creepy eyes

And my most surprising photo for me personally...

Right now, I am working on increasing my caloric intake to between 1,800 - 2,000 calories per Personal Trainer Jimmy's request. We'll see how that works with weight lifting for a couple weeks and adjust from there. It's just finding the right balance right now with the new change!

On a side note... guess who ordered her personal training study manuals yesterday!? I'm just knocking out a ton of things on my Bucket List/Goal List this year! I hope to be certified as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor by the end of this summer before my 1/2 marathon so that I can dive into training others right after the 1/2 marathon ends and I start telling my story more!

*Please note that I am not, at this time a professional in this field, and what I am telling you is what worked for ME. If you are interested in changing your diet or increasing physical activity, please seek advice from a medical professional before entering into a weightloss plan.

Minor Obsessions...

This last week, a lot of my obsessions came into play...

Obsession #1: I love peanut butter. LOVE. I had to stop buying peanut butter because I would just eat it out of the jar without thinking or even putting it on anything. Not cool. I have found a way around it! Justin's All-Natural Peanut Butter PACKETS!!!!! WAY COOL!

I can now enjoy peanut butter in already portioned doses! YAY! And it makes a super convenient on the go snack!

Obsession #2: I love Chobani Greek Yogurt. It's a staple in my diet (and when I say diet, I don't mean like "I'm a diet-diet" but like daily food "diet") and I stock up on the stuff every single week. It's my favorite snack, or perfectly paired with meals. I also use it all the time for substituting ingredients when I cook, or I throw it in my meal substitute shakes for more of a protein punch! This is a pretty typical snack scene at my desk everyday...

Obsession #3: Trainer Jimmy says I'm allowed 1 cheat meal/week. I recently found out there is a Cafe Rio about 20 min from where I live. If y'all don't know about Cafe Rio, GET TO KNOW IT! So delicious! I thought it was only a Utah thing, so imagine my shock when I discovered it's existence near my apartment! HELLO THIS WEEK'S CHEAT MEAL!

Obsession #4: Not a food related note. Just a Disney related obsession note. I LOVE the Little Mermaid. This is no secret in my office. It's pretty well established that if anyone comes across something Ariel/Little Mermaid related and it needs a home, it's safe with me. One of the guys in my office donated this beauty to my little corner and it basically made my year. I love the people I work with!

Weekend Recap

This last weekend, I drove to St. George, UT for my best friend, Christy's, wedding. She was beautiful! I am incredibly proud of her and happy for her new adventures!

I had a series of personal "aaa-HA" moments this weekend. I fit into a size 10 bridesmaid dress. Never, in my life, have I been a size 10. Never. From the time I started wearing jeans normally as a teenager, I was a size 16, and for a brief moment at my heaviest weight, size 18. I couldn't believe the shape that is coming out from the hardwork, and I am loving the fact that I have CURVES.

When I put on the dress with 2 of the other bridesmaids, my friends, Kylee and Alexa, and the bride, Christy... I just stood there stunned. Staring at the body that was reflected in the mirror. I literally could not recognize the body and my friends were excited for me. Never have I gone to a wedding and been considered "potential wedding hook up material." Don't judge me, it's a common plot in movies for people to chat about who they'll chat up at a wedding and "such." Well, turns out, I was a candidate in that topic. Of course, I couldn't care less about any of the guys there, but still, pretty freaking awesome to watch guys check out the bootay.

Looks aren't everything, AT ALL. I am a firm believer in that, and I do not care about it. I'm only mentioning this fact, because it was the MOST foreign form of attention I have EVER received in my life. Never have I ever been a point of "check out" for men. So I am merely commenting on the fact. To be honest, the comments I received about my physical appearance was really overwhelming and not my favorite. I would much prefer to have someone comment with "you look like you're making positive healthy changes" rather than say "you're looking HOT." Sure, it's nice, but, for me, it's about being happy, healthy and whole.

But seriously... the curves?! Where did THAT come from!?

It's incredible how things can change!

My Best Friend's Wedding

I'm in St. George for my bestie, Christy's, wedding! Pix and stories to come. I'm a bridesmaid, so I'm on mission bride detail! So I can't focus on anything other than her!!

Great Debate

Short little random question....

Peanut M&Ms?

Or

Peanut Butter M&Ms?

I'm a peanut butter M&Ms girl aaallll the way.

Salads and Flats

Lunch today was exactly what I needed.... veggies, good fats, protein, and some carbs!

I made the salad this morning with a layer of grilled cubed chicken, crumbled feta cheese, craisins, 1 Tb of lite Lighthouse Creamy Ranch, 1/2 avocado - cubed, and a handful of fresh baby spinach leaves.

I mixed it all up at my desk and downed a couple glasses of cold water with it. Definitely left me feeling full and satisfied! YUM! The flavors were SO amazing! Craisins pair nicely with fresh avocado, btw!

I had a STUPID moment yesterday and left running shoes out of my gym bag, so I got to the gym, no shoes were to be found?! Luckily, Jimmy altered the rule and said "they're close toe, good enough for me." And I was able to still get in my workout!

Seriously though? Who forgets their NEON pink running shoes? Man, I'm off my game. This was the same outing where I lost one of my pearl earrings. I was just having an off day, apparently! Well, I made a point to GRAB my shoes, and triple checked. Now, let's just hope that I grabbed everything else I need and that I don't lose my earrings... or my mind today.

Flats = classy. Working out = classy.... Flats + Working out = NOT classy

The Pearl That Broke the Camels Back

If you've met me, or interacted with me over a long period of time, you will come to notice 1 constant. Some people wear a wedding ring, some people where a bracelet or necklace. I always wear my pearl stud earrings. Always.

I love pearls. They are a precious gem that come from the ocean and I think they are the most stunning and beautiful thing in the world. Don't get me wrong, if ever I get married, I want a diamond engagement ring. But I plan to wear pearl earrings and string of pearls around my neck for the rest of my life (well, when the day comes that I can AFFORD a strand of pearls, ha!).

I was given my first pair of pearl earrings for my 21st birthday by my generous parents and I NEVER took them off. One day, I got home from classes and realized one was missing. I SCOURED campus and my classes for it, but alas, it was gone. That next year I received a new pair because everyone knows how much they meant to me and how devastated I was to lose the one. Then that pair was stolen about a year or so later. I was crushed, lost sleep and felt like the biggest idiot. I felt like I shouldn't own nice things and it was so out of my control.... I received my current pair of pearls for this last Christmas and I love them more than anything I have ever owned. I'm not a very materialistic person, but I am in love with my pearl earrings. Take away everything but my journals, quilt and pearl earrings. The rest is junk, but those few items are precious to me.

You get to look at the nasty bruise, but here's proof that I had both earrings a day ago. ALWAYS wearing them, even at the gym. They aren't getting stolen AGAIN! NO WAY!

Well last night... after I got home from the gym, I was in the shower, and I was rinsing out the shampoo and I realized... my left earring was gone. I jumped out of the shower, put on a towel and started ripping the apartment to shreds looking for it. I ran down to my car (nearly still in a towel, but I had the sense to put on sweats and a jacket) and tour it apart to no avail. It was gone. I called my gym and told them that if someone turns it in to PLEASE hold on it.

... then I got back to my apartment, and as my sister Rachel will confirm based on our conversations over the phone, I lost it. There are a lot of things going on in my life, and I try to control everything and I'm a bit of a perfectionist. And losing that pearl earring was so out of my control and it just made me realize the other things I was trying to hold too tightly to weren't in my control either. The pearl broke the camels back. And I cracked.

I was sobbing on the phone to my sister, who is a champ for listening to my insanity, and i kept listing all the crap going on or things coming up and then continuously repeating "AND I LOST THE PEARL!" I was a raving lunatic. 100% girl moment. Not classy.

When I woke up this morning after a restless night, I got ready in a flash and booked it out the door to my gym. I was going to find that earring if it killed me. I showed up, and my trainer Jimmy was there. He handed me a makeshift envelope that his co-worker constructed last night with my name on top... inside was my pearl earring. I could have cried. I didn't though. Jimmy just looked at me and seeing the relief he said "oh, so those are REAL pearls." I laughed and smiled.

Pearl earring found, and even though all the other issues still exist, the fact that I have such a precious item back is quite a relief. Now off to tackle the challenges and conquer the world.

TTFN

Houdini Dogs and ChoTime

My roommates dog, Pooter, is freaking Houdini. I don't know how he does it, but he can open the cabinet where we store the garbage can and he gets aaaallll up in it. I have zip-tied that freaking cabinet closed and still, this happens!?

I mean, really?

This popped up on my Twitter yesterday and it could NOT be more true. I snapped a photo and just had to share it. There is seriously nothing more annoying to me than someone who won't take charge of their life and get after what they want. No excuses, you want it? WORK FOR IT!

On a YummyNote.... breakfast this morning was delightful and delicious! I'm obsessed with Chobani yogurt, no surprises there, and I love adding Nature Path's LoveCrunch on top. Try the Strawberry Chobani with a 1/4 cup LoveCrunch, you will die for the flavors! And of course, my trusty whole wheat english muffin on the side!

My ChoTime + LoveCrunch = HEAVEN! yyuuummmmmm

Owie!

Remember how I was going to do Jamie Eason's LiveFit program? Well, I walked into the gym on Day 1 of the program with the intention of doing weights... that failed. I stood there having NO idea what I was doing, what I should be doing, what weights to use, and a whole host of other questions and emotions. I walked away feeling defeated and did my trusty cardio.

After I left the gym, I decided that I wasn't okay with the level of uncertainty I felt when it came to weight rooms and weight training. I decided to hire a personal trainer. Enter Jimmy.

I've been training with Jimmy for nearly 2 weeks now and I am LOVING it! Never have I felt SO incredibly sore and beaten to a pulp. It's fabulous! After I get a better feel for what we're doing and understand the super sets better, I'll actually start posting them, but for now, I'm working on technique and getting over the initial shock of what I'm doing to my body.

Here's a beautiful bruise that I walked away with at the end of this last week. I didn't support the bar on my shoulders like I was supposed to when I was doing squats. The bar wound up resting somewhat on my right bicep and well... that's a no-no, and here's the bruise to prove it.

Isn't it pretty?

Now it's a lovely shade of yellowish greenish purplish grossness. Like beaten unriped banana. Sexy n I know it.

Palm Springs Again

I wanted to show y'all some pictures of our cute little exhibit we had for the convention. The convention we showcased at was for The California Association for the Gifted (CAG). We had the opportunity to promote our Disney Youth Programs and meet lots of principles, teachers, administrators, and parents.

We had some awesome giveaways : giant basket full of Disney stuff, a couple plushes, and a stack of amazing books!

So those are some pictures of our fun "booth." I had a great time answering questions and promoting our programs. It was a great experience and amazing learning opportunity. It was great to be able to take all the things I have learned about our various programs and be able to implement that knowledge!

Next to our booth were two French men, Xavier and Joseph. They were there for "Blue Orange," which is a game company. They gave us a sample of the game "Spot It" on day 1 of the convention. Norma and I kept playing it and loved it, so on day 2 we both bought it. It's REALLY fun! Definitely works the mind!