Whoa Weekend.

Well, this weekend was a blast, my best friend came to town from Nashville...I fell off the wagon...hard...then it ran me over...twice.
I ate awful (and drank a lot)...my favorite restaurants Village Wines, Shades, Roosters, Kingy's Pizza, Taco Bell and my Mom's....Oh and let us not forget the 35 Bud Lite bottles (sarcasm). Going along with celebrating I also was stress eating. Does anyone else do that? I have my entire adult life. I am making lots of life changes within the next few weeks and apparently I think that tacos will aid in those decisions...WRONG!!
For the first time in my life, I actually feel guilty about the entire weekend. I am having like eating remorse. Normally I would have just kept off the wagon, but instead on Sunday I kept with my weekly meal prepping and then continued with my workouts. I am pretty sure my sweat smelled like cinnamon (Fireball), but hey a workout is a workout.
It's crazy because I could tell I hadn't worked out in 3 days, my back is achy and my knee is sore. What is happening to me?! Oh yeah, I am actually making positive life changes. Say Whaaaaaaat?!


What's on my meal plan this week?
I wanted to emphasize color!!
Lots of chicken, gluten free pasta, pesto, veggies, gluten free wraps, turkey, yogurt, blueberries and raspberries!! Gotta love Aldi!!

Sweat yo ass off...

I mentioned previously that I am a firm believer of switching up your workouts. Yesterday I switched it alllll the way up. My friend/trainer is implementing a "hot yoga" class to the gym. "Hot yoga" just sounds cool to me but I have never attempted one. I never attempted because honestly I never thought I would be able to complete the class, aka I would die in the process. I have taken yoga classes before but mastered "happy baby" and then gave up.
Yesterday, I put my game face on.
"Hot yoga" uses the same poses as regular yoga, but it is just that...hot as balls. During class I literally sweated out I would estimate 4lbs....and FELT F*CKING AWESOME!
I DID IT. I did almost all the poses, give or take a few. (I cannot stick my leg out to a 90 degree angle). I DID IT and didn't die.
Baby steps....taking yoga and not dying...check!!!
I would highly recommend that if a hot yoga class is offered in your area...do it...you will feel like a new person and 5lbs lighter....I promise.

I ain't nothing but a "Goal" Digger...

I have recently been asked two questions...
#1 "What is your motivation?"
#2 "What is your (fitness) goal?"

I don't know why those two short sentences are so hard for me to answer. For many people their husband/wife, kids, career would be their motivations. But, let's be honest I have none of those. So, I have pondered the word motivation. By definition it is the reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way. Ok, why the hell am I doing this?

I started with, what am I not able to do? Being very overweight there are small things that I was(am) not able to do that many people take for granted. I cannot wear high heels. I cannot participate in fun outdoor activities like 5Ks, hiking, canoeing, biking or simply walking long distances. I cannot cross my legs like a lady. These are all things that I WANT to do and the only way I am going to be able to achieve the laundry list of "cants" is busting my ass and changing "cants" to "cans".
My motivation is the "I cants".

Moving on to, "What is your (fitness)goal?".
Of course my first response would be some crazy out of this world goal like wear a bikini or run a marathon but I know I should to take baby steps.
I want to preface this with I rarely get on a scale. I measure weight loss by how my clothing fits.
My first goal is size 14 jeans. Why size 14? Because I was a 24. You do that math.
And my second goal, to wear high heels in my best friends wedding and not look like a baby giraffe learning to walk.
Those may seem like vain goals, but they are my goals and I will use my "cants" to get there.

High-quality H2O (Waterboy Voice)

The struggle is real when it comes to Wags and water. I don't like it. It bores me. Now, a cold Coke...YAAAAS!!

But, I know that water does wonders and I have found lots of options to help me literally choke down a gallon a day.

#1: Get a sweet ass water bottle. I like ones from TJ Maxx. Get one that is a bright color and even better with something motivated written on it. I have a bright orange one that says. "TRAIN INSANE OR REMAIN THE SAME!". Pretty much about sums it up.
#2: Jazz it up. I add lemon and honey majority of the time because it's so easy for me, but throw in some strawberries, mint, cucumber. Get wild with it, but the more colorful the better.
#3: Set a goal. "I have to drink this many of these damn water bottles to get a gallon by noon."
#4: Just DO it. (No I am no sponsored by Nike)

Watch. What. Happens.

Not only will you pee every 10 minutes, but you will find you have tons of energy! Your skin will become clearer, your hair will feel less brittle, and you will start to notice the difference on the scale (don't freak out when you gain a little water weight at first).

And lets be honest....It helps with a hangover too.

DRINK UP BUTTERCUP.

BANG BANG

My mother is a Saint.

She is by far the most important person in my life (followed by Daddy Wags). She has been there from day one of this journey. Not just my fitness journey, but my entire journey. She is my rock. My person. My heart.

Moving right along...

Mom and I have started a Sunday evening tradition. We cook for the entire week. This has helped me in numerous aspects.
#1-She has taught me to actually cook
#2-It has kept me accountable
#3-We find fun recipes for each other
#4-It forces me to eat clean
#5-It has proven that if you start the week in a positive light, the rest of the week follows suite.

This week we had a definite Pinterest WIN!

Bang Bang cauliflower! If you have ever has bang bang shrimp its the same, minus the calories. This may put it into perspective for you....Bang bang shrimp on Weight Watchers is 27 points...Yes, I Said 27...Sooo good yet so bad.
So, I found a healthy alternative!

Take a big old head of cauliflower
Cut into pretty big chunks
Dunk in a bath of eggs
Roll in Panko bread crumbs
Set the oven to 400 degrees
Cook 20(ish) minutes--or until golden brown

THE BANG BANG sauce aka...the most important part
1/2C light or fat free mayo
2 big dollops of Chili Sauce
1 big spoon full of honey
and hot sauce to make it as spicy as you want
I used Sriracha and Franks
Mix that up

Drizzle over your cauliflower...

It was so good that even my brother gave me props, and that never happens.

If you try it...Let me know!!

Pinterest Fail

Like I said before...I screw up more recipes than I get right. Today/this morning was no different. I have seen lots of Pins for these "overnight oaks". Well doesn't that just sounds awesome?!
Ok, the recipe called for almond milk and vanilla. Yeahhhhh I didn't have those items so I subbed water and honey...WRONG!!!

STICK TO THE RECIPE!!!

Take a Mason jar
Fill up about an inch with oats
Cover the oats with the Almond milk
Toss in the Greek Yogurt
Add some almonds
Add some coconut
Whatever else ya got...
Dash of vanilla
A little honey
and my fav chia seeds!!!
Put the lid on tight and let them hang over night and they are really ready for the morning...
I honestly couldn't even eat it all because I was so full!! BOOM!!

I love beer

Many of you know...I am a lover of beer...not that fancy beer...Bud Light bottles...I love them...what doesn't love beer is my waist.

While walking on the fitness journey I learned that I have to set boundaries. LOTS of boundaries.

Boundary #1: I only drink on Saturday's
Boundary #2: Cheat meal is Sunday (my Mom always cooks Sunday supper, I cannot say no to her cooking)
Boundary #3: NO POP! NO JUICE! NOTHING but black coffee and water...If it's hot and I need caffeine I will also drink iced tea with no sugar.
Boundary #4: Breakfast should be the most bad ass meal of the day...then lunch...then a little dinner.
I switch my breakfasts up too...but EGGS are my best friend. I make them all different ways and add lots of veggies to them. Don't forget the hot sauce too.
Boundary #5: White condiments are soooo good yet soooo bad....I love ranch and sour cream almost as much as I love Bud Light bottles. I try to avoid foods that I know I would want those white condiments on...ie: Tacos and some salads. If I HAVE too I use Greek yogurt on my tacos...but I would rather just skip the tacos all together rather than ruin them with stupid Greek Yogurt. #truth #greekyogurtisgross
Boundary #6: Don't eat the bun. If I get anything with a bun I take it off or simply ask the waitress to not serve it with the bun. (coming from a former server, it's not a big deal at all).
Boundary #7: Drink a big ass glass of water before you eat. Your tummy will feel extra full.
Boundary #8: I hit the gym hard 4 days a week but always do something fun on my 5th workout day...like walking with my nephew at the park, running bleachers at the stadium or yoga....Switch it up a little so you don't get bored.
Boundary #9: If it goes in my mouth, I write it down...It really helps me keep track of calories.

LAST, after I do all that crap above...I reward myself! Pedicures are my favorite reward...Set a goal, if you lose 5 lbs. in a week get your toes done! After all I worked my ass off for this and it ain't easy!

Wags