A new me!

Since I am writing this and posting this then I am accountable! I have to be honest here- I enjoy food but it has affected me. After I had Kaden I lost tons of weight and I thought I could lose more. Well in the last 11 months I have gained weight and it makes me very unhappy. I look at pictures of when K was three months old and I looked good! But now I look at myself in the mirror and I am very sad, disappointed in myself. So, here is my journey...

On September 25th I made a commitment that I will try 110% to workout and lose weight. I can see myself on Christmas Day at least 15 pounds lighter and by March I pray and hope that I am a total of 30 pounds lighter. I will be posting my journey once a week so that I don't bore people daily since improvements should be seen weekly, really seen monthly.

I have worked out, which is not easy with an 18 month old that wants to climb all over me while I do push ups. I enjoy Jillian Michaels 30 day shred plus a good old run with kiddo in the BOB stroller. I have made huge changes in my diet. I know it has only been a few days but I am being strict and it is a lifestyle change. I am not depriving myself in any way but here are my changes:
*No soda! It is not good for you so I thought this would be easy and so far it has been. For the last 13 months it has been my source for a pick me up. Only water!! I can manage this (also means no Starbucks). I will see an increase in my pocketbook.
*No sweets! I enjoy chocolate, especially when I'm moody. I can handle this.
*No junk food! Which boils down to no chips, etc... This is tough because sometimes I crave something salty.
*No fast food! This one is tough because when I am out and about it is convenient to just pick up something. I do crave French fries on occasion but I need to stop.
*Lower my carb intake. Tough but has to be done.
*Don't eat dinner late- my last meal should not be consumed later than 6pm, considering I usually go to bed around 10pm.
*Lower calories- I have been making meals from a weight watchers cookbook and tomorrow I am going to get the Paleo cookbook from Costco.
*Limit dairy consumption. I can totally handle this one. For a period of time I had no dairy because it affected Kaden so I can follow this.

This all may seem tough but all in all it is possible. Eating more fruits, veggies, meat and water. I feel hungry at times and when I feel that I drink water or eat a fruit or veggie. It can only get better from here!! Wish me luck

Branching Out

I am excited to report that I now have a personal stylist!! I am in need of some assistance in my closet. I was able to get some much needed aid yesterday while shopping at my favorite store. I enjoy shopping at Nordstrom and the stylist is someone younger than me and more fashion forward. She picked out some outfits that I would never pair certain items with but could not bring myself into buying them. Next blog I will post pics of me in a few new outfits. I am still stuck on my go to color which is black. I think 75% of my wardrobe is black or has black incorporated. After having a child I simply have not had a passion for fashion like I use to. I love finding bargains and yet still look stylish. I will admit two things that I have yet to get help with:
1. Finding a cute pair of flats that can compliment multiple outfits. (it's a tough one).
2. Finding an adorable infinity scarf that won't break the bank. Must be under $30.

The photo depicts only a few items in the huge dressing room!

Photo Book

Click here to view this photo book larger

Turn your favorite photos into a photo book at Shutterfly.com.

New additions

After our mini getaway all three of us ventured off to San Diego for the day. It was a beautiful day and K did very well with our little trip. We have been in search of nightstands that match our dark cherry wood furniture in our master bedroom. We found tons of great finds at IKEA! Nearly $400 later and a car load we set off to Coronado Island for some delicious Mexican food and set our feet in the sand. We had a blast and look forward to another fun filled day in San Diego.

Happy 5 years

I realized that I did not write about our fun little getaway for our anniversary. Back in May I booked a one night getaway for our anniversary. We have Disneyland annual passes and we enjoy Orange County so two days and one night would be fun and manageable for K. Bright and early we dropped him off at my parents on Thursday. Said our goodbyes and we we were off to the nearest Happiest Place on Earth. We had a blast!! We ate one of my favorites... A giant corn dog, potato chips, and washed it down with an iced cold Coca Cola!

Later that evening we went to Fashion Night Out at South Coast Plaza. It is a nationwide event and what better way to take part than going to one of my favorite malls! I got some lash extensions and checked out iPad cases. I bought nothing, bummed but know that I must lose some weight first. We made our own pizzas and they were so delicious!! Brought back memories of when we were in Naples, Italy!
5 years ago we got married on a Friday and this year our anniversary landed on a Friday. We came home early so we could have dinner at a beautiful winery in Temecula (close to our home). We enjoyed the relaxing and peaceful evening while savoring an amazing prime rib dinner! Very blessed and loved!!

Soup in summer

I am one to eat soup at any season but today I was determined to eat my vegetables. With the help of my Weight Watchers cookbook I found some delicious recipes and I will post my version. I can't remember the last time I followed a recipe fully. I wandered through the grocery store with my active and vocal 18 month old boy and my hubby. I bought $43 worth of groceries and I hope that it will make quite a few meals. I was determined to make two meals in one evening. The first was egg quiche (minus pastry) and the Chinese soup.

The soup has chicken broth, thin carrots, baby bok choy, mushrooms, scallions, spinach, and a protein (recipe called for thin slices of pork), I did not cook a protein fast enough so I improvised and added oven roasted turkey. It was tasty and full of vitamins. It was only 7 points!! For those that don't know weight watchers everything is on a point system. My goal is to be 15 pounds thinner by Christmas!