Just Another Manic Monday

Wow what a monday it has been. Geez I feel like everything wrong could happen did...let's see how it started....

I was running a little behind this morning...you may not know but Nashville traffic is awful and I need every minute I could to get to work. So hoping I would get to work on time...what happens you ask? I got pulled over. I mean what did I not get a ticket for....speeding, brake light out, oh and my personal favorite not having a TN license...yes that's true! I mean I would love to know where I am suppose to find time working 8-5 mon-fri to go to a DMV. I guess I should play god somehow. The man was rude but whatever. It happened and now that's money down the drain.

Work is very busy right now and overwhelming. I cannot wait for things to slow down. I am enjoying it but I am just trying to get use to everything in my new role.

So my roommate and I are getting back into the swing of things as far as our diet goes. We made our calendar for the week with our breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. It is seriously the greatest thing ever and makes it so easy to stay on point. So we mark off when we eat on the list for the day. It was a great first day!

Well I had such a wonderful weekend at home...I got to spend some quality time with my family and friends.

I wasn't able to see my mommy on her birthday so I took a long weekend home to spend a lot of time with her. My favorite part was coming home wednesday night and mom had gotten us matching PJs! Ha yes you heard me correctly. I immediately put them on after freshening up before dinner. No matter how old I get I guess I am just always my mommy's little girl :)

Thursday was very relaxing and I went to dinner with my mom, stepdad, and two famiy friends! I had a wonderful time and delicious dinner at Ruth Chris's! So Yummy! Then after a yummy dinner, my long time bestie Sam came over and we just talked about anything we could think of over some red wine. I love seeing him!

Mommy and I before dinner. She is my rock.

My biggest supporters in my life. My mom and stepdad.

I was really looking forward to Friday! I was finally seeing my long lost memphis friends from high school and college!! Started the day off with massages with my mom! Gawd I need that real bad...I was so relaxed. Then I went to dinner with a group of my high school friends. It was wonderful to catch up with them and hangout with them. I missed them a lot and they are so amazing! After dinner and hanging out for a little while, I was honored to hangout with Miss Meredith and Mr Kevin! I always always always have a good time with those two and I never leave disappointed! We hit up a Memphis famous hot spot, Raidfords. A must go to if you ever visit Memphis or live there! 

My High School Buddies and I! (L-R: Me, Lindsay, Laurel, Emily & Louisa)

Meredith and Kevin! Love them!

Saturday was fun as mom and I had a spa day to get our hair done then hit up my favorite store, Sephora. I love make up so so much! I was going to go out but between my phone being dead all day and I got home to so many missed messages that I wanted one last night in with my family. I was super sad to leave Sunday. I had such a wonderful weekend it was hard to say bye to them. I tried not to cry but when I got in my car and Sugarland came on my Ipod I just lost it. In case you didn't know my mom's and I songs are "already gone" and "babygirl" 

So hopefully I can put this awful monday behind me and move forward to losing weight and feeling great. I won't let those tickets hold me back! 

I'm back and better than ever!

Hello followers of my blog,

I apologize for being MIA the past couple of weeks. I was sick for two weeks (thanks allergies) and between going to work full time and trying to get better I was wore out. I went to bed at about 8:30 at night....


Anyways I am back and ready to update everyone on my life!

So I am at 40 pounds! Wow! That is awesome! I did not really work hard on my diet while I was sick but I've lost three pounds since my last post. It's still a loss and I am very happy with myself! I have to give myself a pat on the back.

What else? Oh I found this recipe for sour cream enchiladas on Pinterest. Now I know we all love Pinterest. It makes us believe we can cook, create, wear anything! I mean my future wedding will be the bomb since I've pretty much planned it on my wedding board....now I need to find a boyfriend who can deal with me! :) So I wanted to make a skinny version of the yummy enchiladas....I substituted with fat free sour cream, fat free cheese, whole wheat/low carb tortillas, and fat free cream of chicken.

It turned out ok but it needs some work. So I will make it again and change a few things. It was just so rich and I was like there is no way this is healthy...but when I put it into my WW recipe builder and it came out to be 7 points for one. But trust me one was enough. I will make it sometime again and see if it turns out better.

Is there anything you see on Pinterest that you want made into a healthier dish? Comment with a link to the pin and I will try to take it on!

So my roommate and I had a big talk on Sunday. We were talking about dieting and how we did not do so well the past couple of weeks due to illness and how it should not have been an excuse. So we were making mental lists of things to do to be successful. I told him how I was most successful when I was organized and planned my meals out. I told him starting next Sunday we would start planning out our meals/snacks/grocery lists for the week ahead. Instead of sitting around wondering what to make.

Then we are going to put up a poster in our kitchen and mark off when we worked out to keep ourselves accountable. Eating healthy is one step but you need some type of physical activity. Whether it is going for a walk in your neighborhood, hitting up a Zumba class, or going to the gym. Any exercise is good exercise.


But in other wonderful news I get to go home this weekend and see my wonderful family/friends! I could not be more excited! I miss my mom so much! She is my rock and always so supportive. We hate being away from each other (even though we are only three hours apart) because we just always have a wonderful time together. She is a strong woman! I wrote about her a while back when I first started my blog! Here is the post!!! Also HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMY!!!!
Post Dedicated to my Mom!

I am still loving living here in nashville and having a career is so wonderful. However sometimes I do get a little sad...It is really hard not having many friends around me. I adore my roommate and Kara here! They are wonderful people but its so hard living in a city where you hardly know anyone.  And I don't really talk to many people at work. I know it is hard to believe but I can be super shy! Yes it is true. Loud Mouth Kelly is shy. When I am not use to something and not comfortable I am very to myself and quiet. I know it will get easier but I wish I had my girlfriends from high school and college here with me!

Looking forward to two more days of work then heading on the road home! So excited!

DONT FORGET TO COMMENT with a recipe from Pinterest you want to see made healthy!!

From Nashville, With Love

Well I had yet another successful week! I lost 2.8 pounds! I am at 38.1! Woohoo! *pat myself on the back* I am so proud of myself.

I had such a great week last week! Kelly 2.0 was working out hardcore. I was so worn out between doing cardio and strength training I was a beast. Some days I did not want to work out. I wanted to go straight to my room and relax. I am glad I started packing a gym bag in my car so when I get to my apartment complex I go straight to the gym. Its very helpful! I like the gym here at my apartment because it is small, has what I need and usually there is no one in there when I am here. Sometimes there is the occasional cute boy...which only makes me work out harder. (Ladies do not act like you've never done this! haha)

So eating wise...I did very well. Even with the July 4th holiday. I have tried to cook as much as possible but sometimes I leave it to the microwave and Lean Cuisine. I had a bunch of coupons for Lean Cuisines and Smart Ones so I stocked up at the store.

Well onto the even better part of my blog....

I am super excited for this weekend! I have all my wonderful friends coming into town! Amber, Kyle and SAM!!!! Ahhhh!! I haven't seen Sam since December! I am too excited to show him Nashville! I love when Amber and Kyle come to visit because they are always a fun time! Never a dull moment! I can only imagine what this weekend will be like!

I have recently taken in the fact that I live in Nashville. It has not hit me yet...I've lived here for over a month but it hit me today. I love this city so much. I am always discovering new things and fun places to go. Everyone I meet has been so genuine and sweet.....polite as well. Memphians....take note :) I am also so blessed with a wonderful roommate! My roommate Zach. I like to call our friendship "A Convenient Coincidence." Time to explain what that means.....

Zach and I met one weekend I was visiting home from college sophomore year. We had numerous mutual friends. I mean from junior high-college. I am still shocked we did not meet sooner. We may have but just don't remember. Anyways after meeting him we instantly became friends even though we did not really start hanging out until my senior year of college. We realized we had a lot in common and a lot not in common. (i think that makes sense) Then after college I moved back home and Zach just moved back in with his parents. We were both living at home...away from our friends. So we had each other. We hung out every weekend talking about where we thought we would be in life, etc. He wanted to be in Seattle and I wanted to be in New York. We both love our families more than life itself. They are our world. But we were 23 living at home. We needed a change. He called me one fateful day that changed our lives....

In February, he wanted to move out of Memphis and I said how about Nashville? I had just come for NYE and had a wonderful time. After selling him on the different points one being we wouldnt be far away from our families. We picked a date to look at apartments.

Fast forward to today and look at us. We both have awesome jobs, getting healthy, and living the dream! Never a dull moment! Everyday is a new adventure. I could not imagine a better person to share this experience with. He is definitely the ying to my yang. We are so different, yet so alike at the same time. He is a wonderful friend and always supporting me. He even forces me to sit in my room and update my blog! I try to be supportive of him as well. He is an aspiring writer. A good writer at that. Now I may not be the best judge on the literary world but I think Zach has major potential. He let me read two chapters of one of his novels and I demanded the next two chapters because I enjoyed it so much.

Everyone watch out! Zach going to be the next big author! Just wait and see. I said it first here ladies and gents!

So Zach thank you for being a wonderful friend and roommate. Who would of thought we would be here right now! Love you and glad you liked your little present and here's a blog post for you!!!

“ It doesn't matter how fast you go, as long as you do not stop ”

Well Ladies and Gents, I hit the 35 pound marker! I am very excited about this! I never really thought it was possible. I just didn't see the light and I am starting to see it peaking at me. In 19 weeks, I have completely changed my lifestyle. I do not eat junk food, cut back on sodas, and working out.

I know some people are saying wow in 19 weeks you've only lost 35 pounds? That's so slow. Well I sometimes think gosh I would love to of lost more but I think slow and steady is just as good as losing weight fast. I wanted to make long term lifestyle changes. Not just lose it fast and go back to the way I was eating and yo-yo diet for the rest of my life. Let's be real though....I will be dieting my whole life. I mean you have to maintain what you work off. No one said it was easy. It's probably one of the hardest things I've done. However I do not think I have been this happy in a long time.

I am finally happy in my own skin. I actually feel pretty. That takes a lot for me to say because I just never have felt this way. Since the age of 9 when I was dancing I was just never good enough body wise. I remember being told to lose weight at 9 before I started doing competitions. I never saw myself as fat, I mean I was a kid, but since then I have never seen myself as anything else. I was teased and tormented all through elementary/jr high and that was very hard to go through. Boys at my lower school were the worst and I still believe karma will come back to them one day. I was even teased by girls in high school. Comments were even made in college. I felt like it just was never going to end.

Well look at me now. I am in an awesome city with an amazing job, wonderful friends, and the best family a person could be blessed to have. I do not think my life could feel almost so perfect. I have to sit back and think something just isn't right.. I am too happy and things keep going so well for me. I know someone is rolling their eyes at me but seriously I do not think I have ever been in such a good place before.

So everyone....I am ready to hit the big 5-0! When I lose 50 pounds I am going to treat myself to some new Tory Burch shoes! Haha! I know right? Such a Kelly thing to say.

I do want to take the moment to thank everyone once again for all the encouraging words on facebook, twitter, email, or text messages. If I didn't have such a strong foundation of support I would not be where I am today. I was well on the road to diabetes, heart problems, and who knows what else. But now I am standing here healthy as can be. My family and friends tell me every day they are so proud of me and I love to see them making changes in their lives as well. I mean my Uncle and Aunt are both doing WW and I am so proud of them!

So in conclusion, if there is anything you want to accomplish whether its losing weight, getting that dream job, or moving to a new city. You CAN do it. I KNOW you can! If I can lose 35 pounds then the world is at your hands. I believe in you even if you don't!

I hope everyone has a wonderful 4th of July! Enjoy your day off and relax. If you are outside make sure to drink lots of water! It's a hot summer!

The "30 Pound Slump"

So I know so many of y'all are disappointed in me. I rarely update my blog and not being successful on my diet like I should. (I did lose 2 pounds this past week!) When I started this blog I wanted to inspire others and put my ups and downs out there to show its never easy but with hardwork you can do it. So I am calling what happened to me the past couple of weeks as the "30 pound slump."

I call it this because I lost 30 pounds! Which is amazing! I was starting to feel happy in my own skin, getting compliments from friends/family members/strangers, and I also went down a size in pants and no longer where plus sizes at some stores! This was a huge deal for me. I honestly feel pretty and good about myself. ....So what happened? I stopped caring about Weight Watchers or working out.

Then something hit in my head this week...Kelly you are no where near your goal. Get off you lazy bum and work hard!  I was not motivated and no support around me. I realized you have to be accountable for your own actions.

I bid farewell to any negative thoughts and laziness. No more!!  I am Kelly 2.0! I feel like I did when I started! I'm ready for whatever comes next! I am ready to lose that next 30 and more!

So have you ever hit a plateau in your diet and your just flat lining? It is not easy! Just remember you may not be at the finish line yet, take your time and you will get there!


So onto the other fun part....an update on my life!!

I went to Knoxville for the very first time this weekend. Now if you know me I have never been interested in going (Hello UT orange? Yuck!) But I really wanted to see where my very good friend Kyle went to school! I enjoyed seeing him in his own element and meeting his college buddies! We went up Saturday and went to the Knoxville Brewfest! It was so much fun! I kept thinking Knoxville is so much fun! I only wish I had visited sooner!

Knoxville Brewfest 2012! (Luc, Stephen, Kyle, Me, Andrew)

So I promise promise promise I will try to update more! It seems really hard because I work 8-5 every day then go workout and then get home to cook dinner and settle down for a minute or two! 

My roommate was actually getting on to me for not updating. Haha! So I am writing while watching So You Think You Can Dance. It's one of my favorite summer shows because I loved my dancing days and miss it all the time! 

It's Been A Long Time Since You Came Around...

Yes I know....I have not updated in 2 weeks....ehhh I'm sorry to the people who have been following my blog. Let me recap the past 14 days....

Well I was not very happy with myself last week... I gained three pounds two weeks ago. I said that in my blogging my weight loss I was going to be completely honest. I was not going to sugarcoat anything. Yes I did gain. But let's look at it...in 16 weeks it was my first time truly gaining. I cannot be hard on myself. I was all last week. I couldn't believe I just ate bad, didn't work out, and didn't track my week on my WW app. I know I should always be good on my diet but I guess I was getting comfortable in my own skin and starting to feel good about myself. I have still lost 30 pounds and that is amazing! It was not easy but I am ready to hit the big 50!

These two pictures were taken 6/8/2012! 30 pounds down!

My wonderful friends Kaitlin and Amber came into town last weekend. I was so glad to have them here! Zach, Kaitlin, and Amber are three of my very good friends from home. I went to high school with Kaitlin and Amber and Zach went to high school together. We had too much fun and that's probably why I gained three pounds. But whatever it was great to have them and need them to come back real soon!

Also... last Monday I started work! Wooohoo Kelly got a job! I love it so far! It is so nice to go to work 8am-5pm! I am on my way to being independent and happy. Well I am already pretty happy. I have great friends, wonderful family, and living in a new city. I am enjoying life so much. I ate very well last week however I did not work out. I guess because I was use to working out around 10 or 11. I was so tired when I would come home from work and once I got in the apartment I was not going anywhere. My lovely friend Lana gave me a really great idea. Pack a gym bag in my car and when I get back to my apartment go straight to the gym and not to my apartment. I am going to try it out tomorrow.

Tonight I went to Zumba. They offer classes a couple of days a week at my apartment complex! Pretty cool huh? Oh my lordy that was INTENSE! I was getting my booty kicked within 5 minutes. I couldn't believe the high intensity. I thought maybe I should start in a children's zumba class. Haha! I will feel the burn tomorrow when I wake up and can't move. Well I am glad to start my working out again. I have missed it.

I also haven't been cooking much. I need to get back on that with some recipes for you all to try. It has been a Lean Cuisine/Smart Ones days the past week.

Well I will update later this week. I just wanted to let you all know I have not forgotten about you all. Hope everyone has a wonderful week.

Live for Today, Learn from Yesterday, and Hope for Tomorrow

Well Ladies and Gents, I am almost to the 35 pound marker! I am so excited! I cannot believe I have stuck to this. It is definitely still a learning process and trails/errors. I had a very good week this past week. I ate very well and worked out. Let me tell you if you want an intense workout then have no fear download the Nike Training App. Oh my... what a workout. I am loving it though and alternate days between C25K and NTC.

Well I was kind of sad this past weekend. My family went to go visit my older brother and I did not get to go with them. I haven't seen my brother in a long long time because he is always traveling and moving around. (he's an actor) So after seeing pictures of the family I was a little bummed. I am such a family person. They are the most important thing in my life and will always be. I am definitely a momma's girl/she's my best friend. But I miss my brothers so so much. I have two wonderful brothers (one older, one younger).

Brothers at dinner the other night (Chris and Patrick)

Patrick posing with Chris and his castmates

Oh I found a new food that I am obsessed with at the moment. That is veggie burgers. I love burgers. Who doesn't really? Well I found a wonderful healthy alternative and that is Morning Star Veggie Burgers. The burger is only 3 WW points! Not too shabby if you ask me. I paired the burger with some WW cheese and Healthy Life bread. For 6 WW Points you can have a delicious Patty Melt. I paired it with some Reduced Fat Pringles (4 WW points per serving).  It can be a great healthy alternative for those summer cookouts and pool parties. And fourth July is just around the corner. Try it out! I love it! If you do not want to use toast then just get some healthy wheat buns.

10 WW points Meal- Patty Melt and Pringles

Sandwich- 6 WW points

I mean a little over three months ago I would have just eaten a double cheeseburger and large fries from McDonald's. But that is the old me. I am reinventing myself. I am only at the beginning of everything. I mean one can always work harder and I really am trying to. 

I thought about this the other day on ways to improve my weight loss. I am ready to quit smoking. I really am. Next week I will hopefully hit the 35 pound marker and I will toss that nasty habit out the window. And another thing, I really want to cut back/bring an end to my beer drinking days. Ok now let me explain, I do not drink beer every day...maybe once a week if I go out. But I feel like it is just not good for my diet. I mean one light beer is 4 WW points. I feel like it just makes me bloat and retain water, etc.  I need to stick to my water with lemon! 

Hopefully I will have some excited news to share with everyone by next week! Keep your fingers crossed for me! I cannot believe I have been in Nashville for a month now! It seems like we moved last week. I am still loving it more and more every day.