Catch Up Time!

Hello everyone! Yes I realize I have not posted in a very long time! I apologize! My life has been really crazy lately. I will fill you in!

So my mom had surgery two weeks ago. Standard procedures really. Her 45 min surgery turned into 4 hours. She spent the night in the hospital and went home the next day. I actually went home that weekend to help her out but unfortunately she took a turn for the worse and started getting sick. My stepdad took her to the ER and I followed. She had infections from her surgery and she needed to have yet another surgery to repair everything. It was an awful few days. I cannot think of a worse feeling like sending my mom off to surgery and seeing her in ICU. Literally there are no words... makes me emotional just to think about it. Now my mommy is back at home and starting to feel better. Its very hard to see the strongest person I know sick and weak. But she is getting back to her princess status! Yes my mom is a princess!

But moving on to another subject. While I was back and forth from Memphis to Nashville and not sleeping much and being busy I did not have time to cook meals or anything. I did not eat too well last week... I am not happy with it. I ate fast food and let me tell you I literally do NOT like it anymore. I use to love eating fast food but now it is gross to me. I talked with my mom about how I wasn't doing well on my diet. She was telling me if this is something I want I can't let myself relapse into the old ways. I completely agree with her and I realized that I do not think I could ever eat like I use to. I mean I'd rather just starve then eat greasy fast food. Haha! I guess last week was kind of like a test. I know that I need to continue to move forward with my diet and work harder.

Speaking of hard...my diet has been a real struggle lately. I work out and eat right but wouldn't lose weight. It can get really frustrating, I felt as if my hardwork was not paying off. It's like I hit 55 pounds and well i'm done. But I won't let this plateau keep me from reaching my goals, which I definitely let it get to me and maybe that is why I wasn't doing well on my diet last week. I talked to a few people and they say sometimes when you start losing weight after awhile you have to start working a little bit harder than you started because your body is use to the same routine. Now I do not know if this is true...I am not a doctor or nutritionist! Haha!

I hope everyone has a healthy and happy week!

A little bit goes along way

I am down 54 pounds! I am just tickled to death! I cannot believe it! I am so glad that after a couple of setbacks the past few weeks I am here and losing! Sometimes I think how can I workout and eat healthy but not lose? Sometimes this happens but I just make sure to track and eat right! Look at these two pictures...one is before and the other is now....I'm sure you can figure that one out on your own! LOL!

I thought I would throw another post out this week. I've been doing super well so far! I've worked out and stocked the fridge with goodies (all healthy of course!).

I get a periodical emails from weight watchers and contain some wonderful articles. I feel like there is someone sitting at their corporate office and knows what I am feeling because the articles say what I'm feeling. I read one called "Maintaining Your Fitness Momentum"

Let's be real....working out can be a pain. We do not enjoy it at the time but do feel better about ourselves afterwards. I know there are days after work I just want to come home but I have my gym clothes packed in my car and stop at the gym before heading into my apartment.

The first thing that was pointed out was one of the first setbacks a person can come across is lack of confidence. We try to do too much too fast. I can contest to that. I think I should be able to run a marathon but for someone with a very small background of exercise I know that being at an advance level right away is about as likely as me becoming a victoria secret model. Not going to happen.

You have to slow your way into working out. If you want to be a runner then start with the couch to 5k program. I am a huge supporter of this! It really helps! I also suggest the Nike Training Club app! It's awesome for so many different work outs at different levels! The article said that you have to change up your workout routine sometimes to stay on the ball. Changing your workout can be fun and beneficial!

So we can all do this together! Set some goals and get going! Don't start with a hardcore 7-day workout but maybe a couple of days a week just to get the ball rolling! Once you get the ball running anything is possible!!

Hope everyone has a great weekend! Make sure to stay on track I know the weekend is hard!

Mother/Daughter Taco Cabbage Soup

Hello everyone! I hope you are all enjoying the nice fall weather coming in. I am now that my allergies are calming down and getting adjusted to the weather. The fall is my favorite time of the year. I really get in the mood for soups and let me tell you my mom has a stack full of delicious soup recipes. I mean the best are usually ones she throws together and I always forget sometimes to write down what she makes but there is one in particular I've always liked and it is probably the easiest to make.

My roommate and I were talking about making chili and I couldn't find a recipe online that I just had to make/looked good. So I remembered that my mom emailed me about two years ago her taco cabbage soup recipe and I have had it saved in my inbox. I thought what a perfect timing to bring it out!

I changed it up a bit but it turned out just as yummy as I remember. I could give my mom a run for her money. Hehe. (love you mom!)

So here it is I shall call this Mother/Daughter Taco Cabbage Soup! I feel like this is super appropriate and a great way to honor my mom. Look we share a recipe now!


Mother/Daughter Taco Cabbage Soup
Serving Size: 6
WW+ Points: 5 
Calories: 229, Fat: 4.9g, Carbs: 10.5g, Fiber: 3.3g, Protein: 36.5g

Ingredients:
1lb Lean Ground Beef
1 Head of Cabbage-Chopped
1 Onion- Chopped
2 Packets of Low-Sodium Taco Seasoning
3 Cans of Fat Free, Low Sodium Beef Broth
1 Tbsp Garlic Powder
1 Can Rotel Tomatoes
1 Can Dark Kidney Beans 

Directions:
1. Cook ground beef and make sure to drain well to get all the grease out!
2. Cut up Cabbage and chop onion
3. Mix everything together in a large pot on the stove and cook on Medium-High for 35-45 minutes

Browning the meat! Takes maybe 5 minutes.

Literally just put everything in a pot! Super easy to make!

Turns out like this and is super yummy!!!!

I recommend putting a little shredded cheese on top to give it a little something extra! But I mean this is easy that anyone can make this! If you are a busy person just prepare it all and let it cook on the stove while you have other things to do! 

Let's Get Motivated!

Hello everyone! So after slumming around for a week...or two...I dropped 2.6 pounds! Yay! I was a little surprised but I guess after being sick I rested myself up to a healthy start!

So I said in my last post that there were no more excuses for my poor dieting. I think I was having a hard time transitioning from being at home when I wasn't working and could focus all my time on dieting to living in a new city and working full time. I think I have found a nice balance but every day is a learning experience.

I loaded my fridge with veggies and fruits! I am trying to be better about eating fruit. I love veggies and could eat them all the time but I have a harder time with fruit. I even got my first workout of the week under my belt! Yay! Hopefully I can stay on track and work out at least 4 times this week!

I had a conversation with my roommate over the week about the struggles of dieting and how can we keep ourselves motivated to keep on. Dieting is not easy. It is so much easier to give it all up at the drop of a fry. (ha get it? Not hat but fry) I thought about it during my lunch break today. How can I keep myself motivated and motivate others? I came up with a few ideas.....

Put post its in random places with little motivational sayings. I then thought I am going to post a picture of myself pre-diet and put it on my fridge....I can't think of anything more motivating than that. LOL! I thought about making a check list of things I need to accomplish each day like working out or tracking my food. The possibilities are truly endless!

I decided to go through pinterest (my number source for everything) and find some motivational sayings. I really liked the photo (see above) "I may not be there yet, but I'm closer than I was yesterday" wow that's some powerful stuff and so true. I see this so helpful right now because I may not be running a marathon today but you know what getting out there and trying your best to exercise gets you closer to a marathon than someone sitting on the couch. 

This is so true! I really glad I found this one. I really am proud of myself when I stay on track with my diet and lose weight. If anyone has a bad day here and there with your diet or whatever it may be remember you always have tomorrow to change that! I know I keep saying losing weight, losing weight but it is so much more than that. I started this journey because I did not like the person I saw in the mirror or in pictures. I would avoid them at all cost. I was not happy in my own skin and I knew what I needed to do. So every day I start feeling better about myself....is a day I am proud of myself!

This quote goes out to anyone who reads my blog (friends, family or strangers) you ARE all these things! Everyone has the ability to do great things in this world. I know so. If you are ever doubting yourself for one second then print this picture off for future reference and put "From Kelly" on the paper. If I could tell each and every one of you every day that you are amazing I would! When I discuss with friends about different struggles in our lives I am reminded of the great things we are destined for. I mean I read this and thought I am all those things. 

Never sell yourself short. Aim high and dream big always!

Until next time,

Kelly

My First 5K!

Hello readers! Hope you are doing well! I have been a little busy since I seem to be going out of town every weekend.

I have some wonderful news! I ran/walked my first 5k! I was not completely prepared but there was no way I could pass up this 5k! It was called "Teal for a Cure" and raised money for the Ovarian Cancer Awareness Foundation. Everyone knows that anything I can do to fight Ovarian Cancer I will. It is a subject that is near and dear to my heart. Luckily I am able to say my mom survived but I know others are not as lucky. I cannot imagine a day without her.

My friends put together a little team in honor of my mom and named ourselves "The Princess Debs" (my mom thinks she's a princess so that is the meaning behind her name). It was great to have such supportive friends! We had so much fun even if it was 8am on a Saturday morning! My friend Sam even came in second place in his division. So proud!

Doing the 5k was a lot harder than I thought. I know now what to expect. I am definitely going to train harder now and work my way up! I know I can do it! I just have to get my butt to the gym!

The releasing of doves at the end of the race in memory of those who fought ovarian cancer. A very touching moment.

The Princess Debs Team (l-r Me, Sam, Amber and Kyle)

Sam getting his prize for winning 2nd place!

Loved seeing my wonderful mommy at the finish line.

Well I hate the fact I am getting sick right now.I always get sick when the weather changes. It could not come at a worse time. I have hit yet another slump. I cannot do this anymore. I am tired of it. I get so frustrated at myself for many reasons. I know people read my blog and I want to be someone who succeeds for you all. I get discourage when I don't and I apologize to those who have followed my journey for a while now. I know it is not easy to stay on track and how can I tell you all to if I am not doing the same? It makes me feel like a fraud. But so many of y'all are much stronger than me. 

Right here, right now. I pledge to blog more, exercise more, eat better. This blog is my way of kicking myself into the right lane when I start falling behind. I hope not to lose any readers! I am trying my hardest. 

After I get over this illness (hopefully after the weekend I will be a-okay!) I am devoting my time that is not spent at work to this blog and my healthy life. No more out to eat if I don't have to, exercising instead of sitting watching TV. 

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