Breathing In {New Life} To This Blog

Hi Ya'll it’s been forever since I have sat down to blog. I'm sorry life has been so busy this year. However, I have been reading some really great blogs lately and it has encouraged me to get back to it.

So down to business, here’s what’s new with me… Sorry it’s a bit of a jumbled mess below… So sue me.

In 199 days I will have a new last name, and I couldn’t be more excited. I have been engaged to the most amazing man for about 1.5 years and in a few months we will make the biggest promise of our lives to not kill each other in front of our friends and family in Honolulu Hawaii. All of the wedding planning is pretty much done with the exception of some family members and friends still getting their tickets {no pressure, but get to it kids.}

I absolutely love my job in the construction industry. I’ve worked in Construction Project Management for almost 8 years and in May I had started with a new company. I'm currently trying to find my way to stand out in within this company. I love going to a job walk and seeing a blank canvas or an old run-down building, only to come back later to a newly completed beautiful building. There's nothing more rewarding than driving by something that you worked so hard to build, I love it. I hope to one day build my own home with the hubs {that’s where the not to kill each other vow will come to play.}

 I signed up for my first 5K {Mustache Dash} on November 17^th. I have never in my life been a runner. In middle school, I would cry and fake injuries to not have to run during the weekly Friday mile. I hated running. I felt like I just wasn’t built for it, my knees would ache, my chest would hurt, and my heart would beat uncontrollably. I never in my life thought I would run for fun when I much less wouldn’t do it when required. However upon coming across a blog by Mama Laughlin I fell in love. There was this woman who spoke like I did and was real about things that I was often too real about. So I began to think one day while on my walk, “ wow, my body has changed a lot since losing my first 65lbs. It’s so lot lighter and if others love running so much maybe I will too.” Well I was wrong, I didn’t just like running I loved it. I love the feeling of accomplishment I felt when doing it and sadly, I loved the way I saw the world when doing it {that I had never experienced before.} Granted I could only run for one minute at a time in the beginning and can now only do 5 minutes at a time with short walking breaks in-between but I love how quickly I have seen changes to my body and endurance. I’ve started this journey with the C25K app. If you don’t know about it, figure it out stat! It will change your life {unless you’re already a runner}. If thats not enough of a reason to try running maybe all of the cute clothing/gear will get you hooked. Once you begin running daily you will want to invest in better workout clothes because cotton just doesn’t cut it{don’t figure that out the hard way.} So I’m going to use this blog to continue to track my running and my changes as I continue to train and prepare for the ½ marathon I plan to run next year.  Speaking of tracking I only have 2 days until weigh-in Thursday! Wish me luck! Last week I was at 172, that’s 67.5lbs down and only 17lbs from my goal!

Heck No H20!

When I had first begun my quest to be healthy I would read about the effects that water has on your body. I would also read blogs, magazines, and books on why you needed to drink it. We all know and have been taught our whole lives that we need at least 8 - 8oz. of water a day. However I never took it seriously and never realized what a big deal water was. For me it was very simple why I didn't want to drink water. It didn’t have a taste; I would forget or simply wanted something with flavor.

Then one day while walking through my favorite store {Target}, I decided to buy a cute water bottle {bought it more for looks than anything but hey what the heck, if there are health benefits as well as the fashion benefits it's a win in my book} and tried to drink a full bottle once a day to start. Now six months later, I drink at least 3 bottles a day (about 96oz.) It’s funny how your body changes; now any drink seems really sugary and I prefer water. I also don’t feel a 100% if I don’t get enough water. I also notice that my completion changes depending on the amount of water I enjoy. The more water = the clearer, the tanner looking and the less lines and blemishes you will see. Not to mention water helps speed up your metabolism, naturally! If you want to burn even more calories while drinking also add a pinch of lemon to your water. This helps get your digestive system up and running. Lemon also helps cleanse the liver and stabilize blood sugar levels.

Here are some other advantages of drinking water:

1. Regulates body temperature
2. Helps blood flow since 83% of your blood is water
3. Detoxifies (this is why you need water when you’re hung-over)
4. Bones consists of 22& water
5. Protects and moisturizes our joints
6. Brain consists of 90% water - Being well hydrated means you think more clearly
7. Transports nutrients and oxygen into our cells
8. Moisturizes the air in our lungs
9. Helps speed up our metabolism
10. Protects our Organs
11. Helps our organs to absorb nutrients better
12. Muscles consist of 75% water
13. Helps body stay regular
14. Reduces your risk of disease and infection
15. Helps energize and keep you alert

Cheers! Drink up!



Size 11

Every Monday morning begins the same way I wake up go to the restroom and step onto the scale. Today I was pleasantly surprised by the number that popped up. I have officially lost almost 60lbs! And man do I feel great. So I decided to try on the last two pairs of jeans I have in my closet that I haven't been able to fit into (my mom and sister brought them to me last year.) And guess what? They fit and I mean perfectly not like trying to squeeze into them, lie on the bed and suck it in kind of fit. So while I was at it I tried on all the jeans still in my closet (Since I began my journey of getting fit I have already thrown out 25 pairs of jeans) and today I was able to throw out 6 more pairs. I am back to into my high school jeans 8 years later and I'm so excited. I can now go into pretty much any store and buy jeans again! Not only Target and Old Navy. So I can't wait until I can no longer fit in the 6 pairs I have currently at home which are size 11/12 might I add :) Coming from a girl that was a size 18 it feels amazing!! Here are new pics of me today in size 11 jeans!!

 Here's also a face picture...

Its crazy how much your face changes while losing weight.

Love {Crunch}

I went to Marlene's a local whole foods store last week and came across this bag of organic granola. It has small chucks of dark chocolate and red berries in it. I'm now obessed with it. Its really good for you however is still a bit high in fat so I just grab a small handful for my evening snack. Anyone who likes granola should try it!

Just Ban{an}as

I just had to share how big these organic bananas are from Safeway!

Yummy that's whats for dinner

For dinner the other night I stoped by Safeway and found these awesome beef wheels. They have Swiss, peppers and spinach wrapped inside and all you have to do is bake them at 350 for 35 minutes. I did 40 just to be safe, but they were amazing! I also cooked some asparagus and bread sticks. Not too bad for a quick dinner! And not completely horrible for you!

~Bentley Boy!~

We finally has some sunshine this weekend so Ramone, Bentley and I had lunch on the deck of our house. Look at how cute my little guy is!