Different Path

As it turns out, the life of a salon receptionist is not for me.  As much as I loved greeting all the pretty ladies as they came in to be pampered, the chemicals did not agree with me.  It was a hard job to give up but the weekly, mind-numbing migranes just were not worth it.  Luckily, I happened to get offered both of the jobs I applied to so after working 2 jobs for 2 wks I settled on the retail job.  Having never worked retail, I never imagined how much I would enjoy playing dress up with beautiful woman all day.  Nor did I imagine how easily sales would come for me.  I am working part-time at White House Black Market in Biltmore Village and loving it.  It is a great company and I can see myself staying with them for years to come and hopefully climbing the ladder.  I am also really enjoying getting to know the fabulous woman I am working with and look forward to forging some good friendships with some classy ladies.

Diet and exercise were pushed to the back burner while I was working 2 jobs but now I'm back on track.  My new obsession is Spinning and I think I've found a new workout bud (Thanks, Tiff! eh hem...Rach, Katy, Kristen).  I've been planning for 4-5 work outs a wk and ending up with 2-3 so that tells me I need to aim for 6-7 and hopefully I'll end up with 5.  My idea is to diversify and the great classes at The Rush Hendersonville Rd are great and having an elliptical (found on craigslist for $150) in my bedroom is a great way to sneak in a quick effective workout w/out having to travel to the gym.  I'm hoping to get a Zumba class in this week also.  As long as I don't get bored, I'll stick with it.  Major plus for the wk was loosing 10lbs just from running around the store and not having so much down time for snacking. I'll take it!!!

So after a few frazzled weeks, I feel like I'm back on track.  How are you doing with personal challenges (whatever they may be)?  What do you do to find momentum when you hit a wall?  What do you do to add variety to your workouts or keep from getting bored on your way to meeting any goal? Have you ever tried Spinning or Zumba?  Did you enjoy it? Why or why not?

Counting down the days until summer.  Can't wait to take my new lil SUV out on Carolina Beach.

Back and better than ever

Its been a while and I've come a long way.  I've taken some time...more like been forced into taking time to examine my healthy, my lifestyle and my priorities.  I'm almost fully recovered from my back injuries and back in the gym.  I've adopted a new way of eating an whole new routine.  The car accident stirred up a lot of feeling and emotions, both good and bad.  I def think the purpose of the accident was to force me to step back from old habits and create a lifestyle to support a healthier me.

I've encorporated yoga, meditation, running, strength training, vitamins, supplements, acupuncture and chiropractic into my life while removing (well cutting down on sugar, grains, beans, soy, and dairy).  If that sounds like a full time job, it is.  Until this wk I have been unemployed and able to devote my full energy to creating my best self.  That being said the investment of my time and efforts has resulted in a healthier, clear headed, energetic self who is ready and willing to return to work and move forward with my life.  Tomorrow will be my first day on the job as the morning receptionist for a salon in n. asheville.  I'm looking forward to having some responsibility and accountability regarding something other than my personal health.  It will be fun to get dressed up every morning and great the clients as they come in for pampering.  The hours are great.  I'll be working 4 hrs a day 5 days a week so I will still have plenty of time for self care.  There is a possibility that I will take on another part time job in retail (mostly for the discount on chic clothing) but that is tbd.

My new ways have paid off in the form of 2lbs of weight lost last week.  that was very encouraging, as is the way I have been feeling.  I have lots of even keeled energy but am ready to sleep when bedtime comes because I've been staying so busy and getting the right amount of exercise.  While weight loss was not the goal it sure is a wonderful bonus and motivator, esp since I have an extra 30lbs I have been wanting to loose.  For now the idea is to include as much variety of exercise as possible and always start my day w/protein, as well as always staying hydrated.  I have also found that green tea speeds up my metabolism.  I've also replaced my evening dessert w/a cup of herbal tea to satisfy my sweet tooth.

Hope you all are taking care of yourselves and doing whatever it takes to live your best life now.  Here's to a great 2011!

PMS Sabatoge

Alright Ladies, spill the beans...how do we combat the oh so powerful, hormonal waves that create an appetite to rival King Kong's.  Tuesday was the day of the bottomless pit.  Thank goodness it only lasted one day.  I did what I could to maintane my self-control.  I only ate when I was hungry(ie ALL DAY), I ate controlled portions and I waited 20 before scavenging my surroundings for the next morsel. I ate fiber rich, high protien, low carb, low fat foods but at some point that just wasnt gonna cut it.  I cant even begin to recount all the snacks I sampled as the day went on.  I do remember ending the day with 3 squares of Ghiradelli Milk Chocolate and Peanut Butter and being damn glad I did it.  See I could be proud of my indulgences because I did it in a controlled fashion.  I could have eaten the entire large candy bar but I stopped myself at 3.

My weekly weigh-in didnt go so well either.  THis could be due to a scale discrepancy seeing as I was housesitting this wk. But the fact of the matter is that I took my "Eat Whatever The Hell"  want Sunday a little too far, esp when I extended to Monday and pretty much started on Friday, haha.  So it should have been no surprise when the scale went 3 lbs in the wrong direction. Another possibility is the famous PMS bloat, but I will take responsibility for my over indulgence and learn not to do that again.  The truth...and some self-disciple...will set me free.

On a more positive note last weeks discovered weight-loss inspired me to get back on the dating scene.  I took the fashioned route and signed up for match.com, haha.  The immediate feedback was more than encouraging...some would say ego boosting.  I paid for my membership at 7am Wed and had a date on my calendar by 1230 pm same day.  Labor Day weekend was busy busy busy for my as I crammed 3 dates with 3 men into 3 days (w/ 2 on Monday, hehe).  Fun was had on all occasions but nothing is developing (or looks like it will) at this point.  It was a great way to get back in the game and an eye opening experience to be reminded that I'm still pretty cute. :)

I want to hear from you all.  Any good recipes this week?  Any commendable moments where you looked temptation in the face and said "My goals are more important.?"  Any new exercise routines now that the weather is cooling off?

Take care and take some time for yourself this wknd.

How is this for motivation...

Dont have long to write but wanted to update you all with some great news.  I knew I had lost a few lbs. in August but was unsure due to scale discrepancies.  Well, I visited my doctor this week and according to their records I have lost 7lbs since March.  I'll take it!  That's just what I needed to hear to encourage me to keep making small changes and to stick with the ones I've already made.  August was pretty much me getting ready to get ready if ya know what I mean.  I did a lot of research on healthy recipes, attended a weightwatchers meeting, and took some time to reflect on where my motivation was coming from so I could use that as a good way to remind myself to stay the course.

That's my update.  Let me know whats going on with yourself.  Are you currently trying to loose weight?  What is your strategy?  How are you doing with it?  What is keeping you from committing to weight loss?  I want to know it all people.  I cant be the only one bearing my soul here.

Feeling Good

Although its only mid week in the first week of the journey I must say I am feeling pretty good.  PS dont think that I am intentionally up at this insane hour. It all has to do with the margarita I consumed last night while celebrating a friends bday and the crazy way my body processes alcohol these days.  I digress.

Back to what I was saying.  I'm feeling pretty good...correction, really good and its a good thing.  Shamefully, I must admit that up to this point in my life my motto has pretty much been "if it feels good do it."  (Much more of a feeler than a thinker.) While I know some weeks or days will be challenging I am grateful for an immediately rewarding first week.

I did play an active part in this by planning, planning, planning.  I dedicated my entire Sunday to meal planning, grocery shopping and cooking.  Currently, as I write to you I am starting my day with a wonderful Zucchini Blast Muffin from my new favorite, appropriately titled, website Hungry-girl.com.  Recipe below.  These muffins are great for people like me who never leave time for breakfast and would rather grab a morning snack to be enjoyed in the car than have to cook during the week.  Plus, if its made ahead of time that is one less decision to make for the day.  As you will see from the nutrition information provided by the website. these make-ahead muffins are loaded with fiber and protein, two key ingredients for successful, healthy weight loss.  To accompany my muffin, I hard-boiled 3 eggs on Sunday night and have been eating one each morning with these zesty (nutmeg) nutritious muffins.  I must also brag on myself and thank the creators of this recipe.  Not only are these muffins great for those looking to loose weight but with the rest of my family as well.  Having lived along for 3 years I forgot how fast a dozen muffins goes in a house of 4 people, but I'm ok with that.

I decided to start slow with my lifestyle changes and incorporating breakfast made a big difference from the start.  Eating breakfast jump starts my metabolism and keeps me from binging on whatever I can find in the pantry after dinner.  What I eat in the morning also has an effect on my appetite and blood sugar for the rest of the day.  Eating protein is key to staying full and avoiding the roller coaster that a sugar or high carb breakfast can induce.  Oatmeal is also an extremely filling breakfast with heart healthy benefits.  Check out the recipe and let me know if you decide to give it a try.  Do you eat breakfast regularly?  If so what?  If not, is this something you would be willing to incorporate as a first step to healthy living?

Ingredients: Zucchini Zazzle Muffins 1 1/2 cups shredded zucchini (about 1 large zucchini) 1 cup whole-wheat flour 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 2/3 cup Splenda No Calorie Sweetener (granulated) 1/3 cup brown sugar (not packed) 1/2 cup fat-free liquid egg substitute (likeEgg Beaters Original) 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce 3 tbsp. light whipped butter or light buttery spread (like Brummel & Brown) 3 tbsp. crushed walnuts, divided 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1/2 tsp. nutmeg 1/2 tsp. salt Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, combine both types of flour, Splenda, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. In a separate medium bowl, mix together the zucchini, egg substitute, applesauce, butter, and vanilla extract. Slowly add this mixture to the first bowl, and stir until thoroughly blended. Mix half the crushed walnuts (1 1/2 tbsp.) into the batter. Line 9 cups of a 12-cup muffin pan with baking liners and/or spray with nonstick spray. Evenly distribute batter among the 9 cups. Top each cup with a sprinkling of the remaining 1 1/2 tbsp. crushed walnuts. Bake in the oven for 20 - 25 minutes, until a toothpick poked into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Let cool and then enjoy! MAKES 9 SERVINGS

Serving Size: 1 muffin Calories: 147 Fat: 3.5g Sodium: 246mg Carbs: 25g Fiber: 2.5g Sugars: 7g Protein: 4.5g POINTS® value 3*

New Journey: Day 1

Alright, I'm giving into the craze and joining the wonderful world of bloggers.  My intention with this blog is to track (and brag/whine) about my journey to a better me.  My main focus will be on healthy living (i.e. weight loss, fitness, energy, nutrition) and anything that might help to shape said subjects in a negative or positive way.

My idea was inspired by Julie and Julia. I want to use this space to show people light and notorious cooking does not need to be complicated and requires no formal culinary education.  Culinary skills can only be cultivated...you  guessed:  in the kitchen.  I have always been perplexed by someone who  avoids the kitchen simply because "I don't know how to cook."  If you fall into this category my question to you is "Do you like to eat?"  Of course, I mean this in the nicest way.

Indeed, this was the question my mother asked me when I expressed to her my concern for providing myself with tasty meals as I ventured out on my own for the first time.  That being said, this is simply a question meant to encourage the timid chef.  If you like to eat you are well on your way to being a GREAT cook.  Learn to take note of flavors you enjoy and don't be afraid to ask questions of your favorite cooks, whether it be your best friend, mom, or the award winning chef from your favorite restaurant. All the a fore mentioned folks will be flattered by your inquiry and most will be eager to assist you in your culinary curiosities.

I am, by no means, a fabulous chef or even an experience cook.  I am simply a single girl in my late 20's (gasp!) who is determined to create a healthy lifestyle for myself.  I see no other way to accomplish this that taking control of what I ingest and creating a repertoire of healthy, easy recipes that can be assembled any night of the week.  However, I intend to do this in moderation.  Cooking for myself and my family (yes, I am currently living at home with the 'rents, my college grad bro, and soon to by my travel lovin' sis) will be a great way to educate myself on the healthy possibilities but I do NOT intend to limit myself entirely to home-cooked meals or give up the supremely simple indulgence of dinning out.  It is my philosophy that all good things are done in moderation.

All that being said if you choose to follow me in my healthy living journey you will be enlightened with my whoa's and my triumphs as well as the healthy recipes who will fall victim to my experimentation.  I look forward to your feedback (good, bad or ugly).  Feel free to share you own victories or moments of defeat so we can all learn from each other.

Enough said about what's to come.  Check back for the adventures in aquiring a healthy, mind body and spirit.  I'll need all the support I can get!