Can I Do This?

Ok so I will recap you on my weight loss first. I did not lose any weight this past week. I am not surprised really. I lost more than usual the past two weeks so I was not shocked to of only maintained. (Hey it's better than gaining right?) I think 52 pounds is amazing! I am sure proud of myself. I will continue to work hard and try to fight this demon of mine called the weekend.

I do not know if it is just me or what, but I feel like I do pretty well during the week and then its out the window during the weekend. I guess the going out to eat and drinking can really take a toll on a diet and I am really truly starting to realize that. It isn't rocket science to know this but I guess I fully understand the consequences of it.

Ok I'm not saying I'm an alcoholic but I enjoy a nice glass of wine or a light beer every now and then. I am almost 24 years old. I'm not breaking any laws. I am a twenty-something year old female, I go out. I know this may come as a shock to some. Haha just kidding. But those few alcohol beverages can really affect your diet. According to Weight Watchers, a light beer is 4 points. May not seem like a lot but it adds up fast not to mention makes you feel bloated and retain a lot of water.

Going out to eat. I really do not know where to begin on this subject matter. If you put chips and dip in front of this big girls face, guess what. I will eat them. I try not to but they keep looking at me saying EAT ME!!! I will say this, look at the nutrition facts of your favorite restaurants. Most chain restaurants have all the info on their websites. When it comes to meals I usually stick with grilled chicken or tilapia with steamed veggies. I just feel like you cannot go wrong with that. (I'm not a diet expert so this is just my opinion) But right here, right now I make a pledge to you loyal readers... I will not eat the chips and dip when put in my face. (I mean it's not like you can just have one or two)

I've noticed a lot of my friends lately have been doubting themselves on various levels whether with their future plans after graduating, getting through school, finding a job or dieting. I talked to a friend the other day because they were having problems with their diet. As you know this will come up every now and then. You get into this comfortable routine and it's like ....yeah...diet.... I know I have many of times. I just have to get back into that CAN DO ATTITUDE. I mean we all have busy schedules. It sometimes is not an option in a day to fit in a work out or a healthy home cooked meal. We live in a world where it is always go go go. But you have to take the time and focus on your health/diet.

I too have weeks of frozen meals...some of those meals are good but they get old real fast. A lot of people have said "Well Kelly I cannot cook." YES YOU CAN! If there is anything I can do, I assure you that you can too. Cooking an easy/fast healthy meal is do-able. I mean, go to your local store, pick up your favorite veggies, a little seasoning of your choice, put a tbsp of olive oil in a skillet and TA-DA! Sauteed Veggies. Super easy! Buy a frozen bag of chicken and take a piece out to defrost then marinate it or season it. Throw it in the skillet. Instant meal.

Skinnytaste.com  I think anyone who has read my blog knows I live by this site. Her meals are 85% of the time fairly easy to make. Just look around and see what you like!

Weightwatchers.com There are a billion recipes on their website and it can be overwhelming but if you take a look and search things you like it can be easy.

Google.com That's a given. Search easy, healthy recipes.

Pinterest.com I mean duh! Pinterest has everything you need in life.


Queenofpoints.com I just discovered this website. She has WW recipes. It's not too bad! Worth a look!


I have said this before but really the way to be able to juggle a diet and work or school is to plan plan plan! On sundays sit down and map out what you will eat that week (breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks) then go to the store and buy those things. It will make your life a little easier. Now I know that life throws us curve balls and things come up but remember you CAN do this.

I get by with a little help from my friends

Well I have not posted in a while. I apologize. I was out of town the past two weekends and have had a lot of work but here I am for all my loyal readers out there!

Let's start by saying I am at 51 pound loss! Oh Em Gee! I am just tickled! So happy! I hit my first marker! It's a great feeling! I couldn't be happier right now. I just still catch myself thinking wow I'm actually doing this! I could not think of stopping now!

I for sure have a lot of people who have been wonderful influences on my weight loss. I've met people, who are dear friends, who have been in the same boat as me and lost weight and have been able to maintain it! My friend Landon has been wonderful because over a year ago on a beach trip we stayed up all night and he was telling me about his weight loss journey and inspired me to want to follow in his footsteps. I do not tell him enough/thank him for that conversation. It for sure left a lasting impression. Even now he totally understands how hard it can be and there is no such thing as a perfect dieter. Anything I was struggling with he just would reassure me that you have to keep pushing!  We all will cheat at some point. I was so happy to get to catch up with him and my fellow Clinton friends in Starkville! I never fail to have a good time with that bunch!

Me, Landon & Wyatt....hey guys....ME TOO!!! :)

So Labor Day weekend I got to go back to my alma mater, Mississippi State, and enjoy a wonderful weekend of friends and football! I cannot tell you how much I needed to be around my friends! A lot of them I had not seen in months! I got to stay with the lovely Lana. She's an amazing person and I feel like we've been friends forever when in reality we met my senior year of college. Lol! She was wonderful and kept me on track during the weekend! Our celery and hummus instead of the cheese fries....still giving myself a pat on the back for that one! Haha! I loved getting to see my old college roomie for the first time in forever! I literally loved every minute of my visit! I got to see my lovely sorority sisters. Oh my gawd I just can't even go there! Nothing makes me happier than that group of girls!

Me, Brittany, and Lana

I cannot describe how happy I get whenever I go back to my wonderful college. The people alone are just so wonderful. I truly could not see myself going anywhere else and proud to have gotten my degree from there.

Anywhere I went (last weekend and this weekend) I had people stopping me telling me how great I looked and they keep up with my blog! It makes me super happy when people say they really enjoy my blog and I am an inspiration to motivate them to a healthier lifestyle. That's so sweet but I never thought of myself in that way. I definitely blushed anytime I got a compliment. It was a great confidence boost and really keeping me on track! Thank you everyone!

This past weekend I went home because I needed to pick up my brother from the airport. He was returning to Memphis to pack up all his stuff because he is moving to Philadelphia, PA. I am happy for him and thats all I am going to say about that.

I was super stoked to see the two people who have stuck with me since high school, Sam and Kyle. Let me tell you about these two boys. They literally are the owners of my heart. I cannot imagine a world without them. We always have a good time together and truly care about each other. Not to mention they are both ridiculously intelligent and wonderful in their career paths. Sam is a very talented actor and one day you will see his name on a marquee on Broadway. Kyle is going excel in law school and change the world. You two honestly complete me.

Me, Kyle, and Sam

God has blessed me with an amazing group of friends. I can't tell you one that isn't going to do great things. My friends range from creative photographers, writers, hairstylist, models, future nurses, doctors, lawyers, & chefs,  working with NASA, making a difference in other countries, working in the sports world...I could honestly go on for days but I won't today :)

I genuinely cherish my friendships more than anything. They are my bonus family. I would drop everything and help them if I could or had to. They are constantly supporting me in my journey. Not one day goes by that one of them tells me how proud they are.

I am hoping to get another post in this week! Stay tuned!

Until next time,

Kelly

The Year of Me

Well I apologize for my Debbie Downer post last week. I want to clarify on a few things before I start my ramble...

DO NOT give up on your dreams! They will come true! I guess my wording was not the best... what I meant by "unrealistic expectations" was that I thought my moving to New York in a fabulous life was going to happen at the snap of my fingers....it does not happen that way.A lot of factors go into living there such as a high enough income to be able to live. Maybe for some lucky people out there they can up and move but everyone I know who has moved to New York or any other big city has worked their butts off to get where they are.

That is what I am doing right now. Working super hard to reach my goals. I hope you are to! Whether it be getting A's in school, losing weight, or mastering a talent...whatever it is work hard and keep going.

So anyways I hope that covers the basis of what I said last week. Now onto the fun portion of this post!

I lost 2.2 pounds this week! Yay!  I am now at a total of 46.9 pounds! That is so exciting! I cannot wait to hit the big 5-0! I am really hoping that is this week! I started working out again. It was not easy but using my built in frustration made it better. I felt like my head was clear and anything that was bothering me was gone. I guess it is like therapy for me. Geez at this rate I will be a size 0 with a 6-pack (only kidding). Haha!

I had to sit back and really be proud of myself 46 pounds is huge! I mean I never thought I could do it. Ever. For someone who literally has tried every diet fad known to mankind I am glad to know that there is still hope for me out there. I am sure many of you have been in the exact same place as me. It's awful...you finally think this is it, I am going to lose weight...then you just have to have fast food and it's over. I am here to tell you it's NEVER over.

You must believe in yourself and truly want to do it for you. Not because someone told you to. I mean I was not really in the mindset to start a diet. I had been unhappy with my weight for quite some time. I knew I wanted to lose weight but one morning I was about to head home from babysitting and thought hmmm I will just stop by Weight Watchers and listen and see if this is a good fit for me.

Well it certainly was. That same day I joined a gym and here I am today. I will say my blog has been a huge blessing in this journey. I started it because I wanted to document the ups and downs so I could look back. Then I thought why not share it with others? I mean someone out there may enjoy my weekly rambles. I did not expect the huge outpour of support and love from family, friends, and strangers. It has made my weight loss so much easier. I know I have had some set backs a couple of weeks but I am still going. 50 pounds is only the start. I do not necessarily want to put an exact "weight goal" because I am a tall, big boned girl but until I can fit in the sizes I want and feel good when I look in the mirror I will reach my goal. I mean hell I am already down 4 pant sizes and no longer wear the plus sizes at certain stores. It is a wonderful feeling!


I started my diet February 27, 2012. I cannot wait to see where I am come February 27, 2013. I can only imagine great things. I am so ready to be comfortable in my own skin. I can feel it coming to surface little by little.

2012 has certain been a "Year of Me" I have changed my lifestyle and supported myself. I am able to financially do things on my own for the first time in my entire life. It's amazing! I can treat myself to nice things when I want to and give back to the people who have sacrificed and worked hard to give me everything I wanted.

I may not be the most religious person in the world (I do consider myself spiritual) but I know that God has a plan for everyone. Sometimes we do not see it or believe it but he does. I know that right now in my life...this is part of my life plan. I believe great things are starting and have started for me already. I know someone may be rolling their eyes or think I am full of it but trust me I was so lost this time last year. I had no goals, plans, or cared what happened. I was lazy and felt like things should come to me.

Once you get up on your feet and start living for yourself, things will come your way. Just remember that everyone is meant for greatness.

Until next time,

Kelly

With failure comes success

So I am happy to report that my monday weigh in I lost 3.5 pounds! PTL! I was super excited. To be honest I did not work out much...one time. Gosh I need to step up my game.. it use to be so easy to workout every day. But you know being on a diet and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a full time job. I just need to find a balance between that and my other full time job which is work.

I was going to update earlier this week but I have been in the ultimate funk. I do not know why but I just keep getting really sad. I know my FB friends and twitter followers are tired of my teenage girl like angst.

I saw something today that I really really needed to see/read.

I know you are thinking why did this help you? I guess because sometimes I still do not think my life is where I am suppose to be. I honestly try so so hard to keep a huge smile on my face and say everything is fine because that is what is expected of me.....I think. 

Well let me tell you where I thought my life would be..... I would be in New York City living this wonderful Sex&The City Life. I would have this amazing PR job and paint the town, in the city that never sleeps, with my closest girlfriends.....

NEWSFLASH: Unrealistic Expectations get you no where. 

Let me just clarify something... I am in an awesome city. I have a very well paying job and work hard every day because I know that I'm building experience for my future. Just sometimes it is super hard to be in a new city without my amazing friends and family. Yes I realize I am 23 and should be able to handle the world on my own. But we all need comfort and support at times. I just feel like I've failed myself and I do not know who I am anymore.

I am trying the accept that I have my whole life ahead of me and I will reach my dreams one day. It could be a month from now or 10 years from now.... it will happen. I just can never give up. 

I even started feeling like I was failing at my diet because I hit another plateau. Then I realized there are few things I have control over and this is something I hold the key to. So now my life revolves around bettering myself. I am going to work super hard at my diet and work. I may stay home on the weekends and no fun plans but at least I will be healthy :)

Yes, I'm lonely but at least long days at the office and eating right/working out will fill in for right now.  

I have something to bring my spirits up... I get to visit my college friends labor day weekend! I am just thrilled! I know it will be just what the doctor ordered! Football, friends, and reliving my glory days in college.

Sorry for the Debbie Downer post. I just really needed to do some venting. I am usually a very positive person so forgive me for this post. :)

Spinach Turkey Meatballs

So I have grown up with my Italian mom always cooking the best italian food in the world (well in my opinion). Now they are not necessarily healthy by any means I mean the heavy cream, frying, and all kinds of yummy goodness can make you gain a few pounds... haha! But I remember making meatballs all the time with my mom whether for parties, holiday family dinners, or big events. I remember one time we cooked meatballs for 5 hours and made god only knows how many pounds! Anytime I cook with my mom is a blessing and super fun. We try to make it as fun as possible. Thanksgiving is always a real treat! So I decided to make my mom's famous meatballs into a healthier version!

I love using ground turkey instead of ground beef. It is so full of flavor and just absolutely delicious! You should definitely try it!

Spinach Turkey Meatballs

Serving Size: 6

WW +Points: 5 per serving (4 meatballs)

Nutrion Facts:

Calories: 182.4, Total Fat: 7.8g, Carbs: 10.1g, Fiber: 2.1g, Protein: 19.1g

Ingredients:

1lb Ground Turkey 93% lean

1/2 Cup Whole Wheat Bread Crumbs (Italian if you can find it)

1 Egg

3 Tbsp of Parmesan Cheese Shredded

1 Package of Frozen Spinach 

1 Tbsp of  Minced Garlic 

1 Tsp of Italian Seasoning

Salt & Pepper

Directions:

-Preheat Oven to 405 degrees

-Combine all ingredients into a mixing bowl

Roll into 24 balls and place on a cooking sheet 

-Cook them for 20 Minutes in the oven and I suggest flipping them halfway through to have them brown evenly on both sides.

I served my meatballs with some Barilla Whole Wheat Pasta and Heart Smart Prego Sauce. It was so delicious!

Happy Cooking and Let me know how you liked the meatballs!!

Admitting my mistakes and my favorite diet foods!

Well I have been thinking about what to write about and didn't know what people would like to hear. Sometimes I feel like I repeat myself a lot. So.... I decided to admit my mistakes and put a list together of a few of my favorite things on my diet. I have always been a HUGE snacker....especially late at night. If there was a contest for biggest midnight snack eater...I would take the grand prize. It is probably why I gained so much weight over the  years. Being a night owl isn't a good thing. I would stay awake all night, watch something on Netflix, and eat. Luckily I have broken that habit because I have to be up early every morning for work.

I think the worst was when I would go out and get fast food late at night. I mean did I really need a chicken nugget extra value meal at midnight? NO! The funny thing about it was the fact I knew what I was doing and that it was wrong but I never thought of stopping. I also felt like I was the greatest sneaky eater. Sometimes I would sit in my car and eat fast food because I didn't want my family or family to know that I was eating so much food. That was definitely not a good way to live. I couldn't do it anymore. I just couldn't let the junk food consume my life. Plus I was not a happy person. I had the worst mood swings, I think it was from all the bad foods I was eating.

So to all you late night eaters, junk food junkies, and so on... that food may feel good to eat in the moment but it won't be there to pay your health bills when you need to go on diabetes medicine. When I started my diet I first and foremost did it for myself. No one told me I had to (well the doctor has before but thats not my point). I hit that breakthrough. I was not happy, my life was a mess and I needed to get control of something. My outlook happened to be dieting and blogging about it.

After getting control over my unhealthy habits it seemed that my life started falling in order. I moved to an awesome city and got a wonderful job. I am no longer living at home, sitting on my booty, and being miserable.

Don't let me fool you. I love being at home with my family but being 23 I couldn't live at home anymore. (NOTE: nothing wrong with people living at home. this is just me)  I needed to grow into the person I wanted to be.

So since dieting I have come to find wonderful alternatives

Instead of cake, ice cream, cupcakes, etc....
       -Try the Yoplait Light Dessert Yogurts (my favorite is the Red Velvet and Raspberry  
        Cheesecake..only 2 WW Points)
       -Smart One Ice Cream Sandwiches (2 WW Points)

Instead of chips and dip...
       -Ritz Crackers (4 WW Points)
       -Multi Grain Cheez-Its (3 WW Points)
       -Baby Carrots and Pomegranate Vinaigrette (3 WW Points)
       -Baked Chips...I love Pringles Reduced Fat (4 WW Points)
       -Veggie Sticks Chips (3 WW Points)
       -WW String Cheese (1 WW Point)

Instead of Delivery Pizza....
       -Lean Cuisine Pepperoni Pizza (7 WW Points)
       -Smart One Pizza Minis (7 WW Points)

Instead of Fast Food Burger
       -Morning Star Veggie Burger, WW Cheese, Healthy Life Wheat Bread (6 WW Points)
       -Smart One Mini Cheeseburgers (5 WW Points)

These are just a few of the things I have enjoyed and made my dieting a little bit easier. While veggies and fruits are always your best call...sometimes you need other things and instead of crashing your diet you can do these things!


Also if you need a website for healthy recipes look no further than Skinnytaste.com I feel like I make meals from this website a couple of times a week. Looking on the WW website can be a little overwhelming because there are just thousands and thousands of recipes. Skinny Taste is super easy to get around and find your dinner.

After religiously reading Skinny Taste I have learned how to take the not so good parts of meals and put healthier parts and make it sometimes even taste better!



I hope you all have a wonderful week and then weekend! I have lost 42 pounds, gone down 2 pant sizes and a shirt sizes! What an amazing feeling! I even got emotional in a dressing room because the clothes were too big. I did not think I would feel that way....ever. I am ready to keep going strong!

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!