1 degree can make all the difference!

I got home from the gym the last two days with a giggle. The First one, was after my second class called "Body Pump" -each class has a different instructor. This instructor was precious! Funny, kind, encouraging, and she wanted to know my name at the end of class, and encourage me to come back to class which I Really, Really appreciated!! But I got the giggles almost when she asked if I was a new member at the gym. (Did I happen to mention that I was the only Plus size woman in the class? I couldn't help but giggle and think, "hum, however could she tell". (The old me would have been to intimidated to go into class and participate, but not now! That old way of thinking though still roars it's ugly head every once in a while. )

Just as quickly as I can be encouraged something small can happen that lets the wind out of my sails! I am fighting through it! I ran into a good friend today at the grocery store that I used to see on a weekly bases, and haven't seen as much in the last 6 weeks. She did not mention my weight loss at all -boo hoo! (33 pounds! and she did not notice-ugh!) I kinda whined around, and had a little pity party for myself. However not a huge one, no following off of the diet wagon or anything.

So when I got home and was checking my emails I was very encouraged to find the below video being sent to me. So after watching it, I am more positive and I choose to cross the line!!

and keep crossing that line!! I also received my LoseIt weekly report from last week. I choose to celebrate my small victories, or choices each day, each week!

Exercise total for last week:

type: Total time: Calories burned:

Yoga 25 Min 64

Walking 5 Hours & 50 Min 1400

Stationary Bicycle 1 Hour 20 Min 831

Weight Lifting 1 Hour 15 Min 259

Total 2555

I hope you enjoy the video. Thank you everyone, who sends me an email, or comments on my weight loss journey updates! I really appreciate your encouragement!! (More than you know!!!)

Down 33 pounds!

I am very excited to report that I am down 33 pounds!!! Woo Hoo! This does my heart good! I have been working out about 2hours a day (total -not all at one time), and after I enter my calories for the day and my exercise (which on the LoseIt! site/app subtracts the calories burned from calories eaten) I try to keep the final number somewhere in between 800 and 1,000 calories per a day.

My favorite new thing to eat for breakfast is 1 packet of oat fit maple and brown sugar oatmeal, 1/2 T of peanut butter, 1 truvia packet, 1 tsp of flax seed-ground, and 1/4 tsp of cocoa powder. I get my fiber, I get my protein, I get my heart healthy omega 3, and best thing yet it taste like you are eating no bake cookies! This breakfast adds up to being 220 calories, but it keeps me full and gives me the correct fuel to work out!

If you are currently dieting or trying to cut back what do you like to eat for breakfast?

What are you drinking?

Well if you have been following my post you will know that I have started a weight loss journey to get into better shape. I did not try to do everything at once I have been doing this for about 8 weeks now, and I have been trying to add baby steps each week.
week one: started to watch my calorie intake
week tw0: started exercising
week three: started to drink 4 glasses of water a day
week four: started to take 2 baby aspirin a week
week 5: started to change up my work out routine
week 6: ordered a bunch of books on dieting, and exercising from the Library
week 7: spring break!

and week 8 (drum roll -please!) I am starting to add 4 glasses of green tea to my diet a day.

Did you know that a Dutch study showed that drinking green tea helped individuals lose weight and inches around their stomach. A japan study also showed that drinking green tea helped in lowering LDL cholesterol-want to read more, check out these sites: Suite101, Livestrong, liftorlife.

So what are you drinking today? Do you have a favorite green tea you love to drink -if so please share!!

makeup-haul for spring!

Well I hope everyone had a nice spring break! I had a lovely time, me and my girls got away and went and visited my mom and dad in Louisiana. I love getting the chance to visit over several days and I love that my mom and me get to go shopping together! While I was in Louisiana, I was on the look out for new make-up. In different colors that I would not normally pick. (I shared with you I had been in a make-up rut for about 10 years. Why? you ask, well I was busy being a mom to little kids, and I just did my whole makeup routine on auto pilot, and that does include when I ran out of something I just dashed into the store to buy the very exact thing, grab it and get out!) The above photo is a picture of the lip glosses I bought and tried. I was very excited to get my hands on the N.Y.C. liquid lip shine in the color: sungold pink. (to see a list of more Nars dupes check out this blog called "Mystical makeup and beauty") I had to check several stores to find it. I liked the shade and see where it would be a "keep in your purse must!" since it goes well with both pink, neutral and peachy lipstick. My favorites from this shopping trip was the Revlon lip gloss in any color! They are thick and stay on nice- without being to gummy.
Shown above is the Milani blush in "Luminous" which is also listed on several dupe list as being a dupe for the Nars blush in "Orgasm". I loved this blush!! By the way did I happen to mention I hate trying to buy blush I either get it to dark, or to light. Well this blush stood up to it's reputation - it was not only the perfect color, but it did not commit to being peachy, or pink, so I can wear it with either color palette- Love it!! I also tried the Loreal HIP eyeshadow duo in Mystical 319. I had to go buy this eyeshadow after watching AllthatGlitters21 tutorial on how to use this eyeshadow! I will tell you I had to go to 4 stores before I found this one still in stock in this color. I love this look, it is my main, go to spring eye look! (I also love this tutorial video because you get to see step by step instruction on "how to" apply this look, using eyeshadow brushes. I am new at using eyeshadow brushes so I enjoy seeing how to use them!)

Well I hope this inspires you to try something new, or try applying your makeup in a different way! Spring is here Hooray!!!! Do you change up your make up routine with the changing of the season? Have you changed your make up routine in the last 2 years? Have you discovered the magic of youtube how to videos? If you have a new spring product that you love, I would love to hear about it!!

love your neighbor as yourself

I have been amazed at how the people from Japan have been conducting themselves! There has not been any report of rioting. In shelters the people who have been there for days have been picking up and even recycling. The general public gave up using unnecessary power so that they could prevent rolling black outs that could hurt their neighbors. Christ called us to love our neighbors as ourselves

Luke 10:27 (Contemporary English Version)

²⁷The man replied, "The Scriptures say, `Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind.' They also say, `Love your neighbors as much as you love yourself.' "

I see this example most in how the people of Japan are treating each other. The sad fact is though that the main religion in Japan are Shinto and Buddhism. I guess what we all need is less religion and more love like Christ instructed us to give.

weight loss update

Well this is my weight update for the week. I have decided to take the advice of Keelie from RealFat and take photos of my weight loss journey. The below picture was taken on New Years Eve this year. I knew I had gained weight after breaking my arm in the fall, but I was really not prepared to see the below photo of myself. I was a lot, I mean A LOT wider on the bottom than I had even realized that I was. I guess I was hanging out in denial!

weight: 249.5

current weight: 222.5

down 27 pounds

Keelie recommends taking pictures of your weight loss journey so that even when other people do not notice your weight loss, you have record and confirmation that your body is changing. Whew! This was an emotional post today!

This week my weight did not change -Ahh! However, it was my birthday week I turned 41 this past week. So I had ate out for dinner (did I mention I ate my weight in chips and salsa, and had birthday cake and I did not gain! So I will take that as a victory of some sorts.)

How did I manage that you ask, well my weekly report was emailed to me for LoseIt! and it told me my totals for the week were:

walking: 5 hours and 30 Min's

Stationary bike: 1 hour and 55 Min's

I am making healthy changes, and I am taking better care of myself. I am starting this week to add free weights into the equation and see if that helps make a difference in my weight loss for next week.

Thoughts

oh how my mind can race, and go a million different directions in the course of a day! I am often so surprised how emotions, and hormones can impact my thought life if I am not careful and guarding my mind!

Psalm 19:14 (Contemporary English Version)

¹⁴Let my words and my thoughts

be pleasing to you, LORD,

because you are my mighty rock and my protector.

What has your thought life been like lately? I have started to pray the positive things I like about each family member during my quiet time with God. I want to lift up my thankfulness's for each person he has blessed my life with!

It is so easy for me during the day after the kids go to school, and the husband has gone to work to start my morning routine of laundry, and switching out the dishes. To find random (and I do mean random!) things around the house, usually items that have not been returned to their spot. (more like things borrowed and not returned!) as well as things forgotten in a hurry to get out the door. I start to grumble in my mind, and then I start to feel unappreciated -which is far, far from the truth! Before I know I have left my mind unguarded and I am cranky, not happy, and not feeling very loving to my family. Now whose fault is that? Mine! Am I any less appreciated by 10 am when I have worked myself up in a fuss, than I was when my kids kissed me and said goodbye before getting out of the car? No! I have just fallen into a trap to let Satan steal my joy, and my peace!

So the above verse is what sparked my addition to my prayer life. It also helps me in remembering what a really great man I have for a husband, when I am thanking God for him for real, specific reasons each day! I think I can say that this post is an update to my word of the year cultivate. Well that is my food for thought today. Yeah it's Friday, I hope everyone has a great weekend!

The girls are back in town!

Well Sunday night kicked off the Real Housewives of Orange County on Bravo. So what should one do, well have a "Girls Night In" party for you and your friends. I planned the menu to be around the "Orange" of the "orange county of the shows name. I planned the color scheme to be pink, orange and lime green. With all this planning what could go wrong!?!? Did I happen to mention I had such a good time, at my own party I forgot to take pictures, until AFTER the party! I am sorry I don't have any cute pics of my friends but there was enough stuff left over that I can show you what I did. I first made "Fruited Chicken Salad" that has grapes, and Mandarin ORANGES in it. Yum! I then made and served Fuzzy Navel, and Sangria (the Sangria recipe called for strawberries, and ORANGES) Below is a pic of the Fuzzy Navel it was very yummy!

The only time I got off task was for the dessert. Sorry, for a girls night in Chocolate was the only way to go. So I made "Salted Carmel Cupcakes" that I had previously made for 4th of July. How can you go wrong with Chocolate and Salted Carmel? These cupcakes are super easy to make, but look and taste like it was a lot of work.

For my friends who do not drink alcohol, or were dieting and watching their calories. I found these yummy green tea at my local Health Food Store by Zhena Gypsy Tea: Mint Mojito tea, and Berry Bellini tea (a raspberry and peach flavored tea) both these tea's were completely alcohol free and went with the fun orange/fruit theme.

The take home party favor of the evening was that each lady got to select a fun nail polish color from a variety of shades (ranging from peach, coral, light pink, hot pink, and red!) You know girls love options and it was like shopping but free!

I am sorry that I forgot to get out my camera during the event. You know how it is when you are hosting a party -you are always busy! Hope that might give you some ideas for your next Girls Night In party. All and all it was a fun night, and the girls from Orange County provided all the drama we could handle and talk about! Did anyone else catch the show Sunday night? What did you think?

A chubby chic's experience at Sky Gym

Well a friend of mine gave me a free week pass to the Sky Gym here in Tulsa, OK. So I decided to check it out. First off the facility is beautiful! It has all the amenities and more than you could even dream to be housed in a gym. I went yesterday mid morning to check out the gym. Upon arrival I checked in to the front desk, where the young lady working the reception gave me a cute little "Oh, bless your heart" smile. Which did almost make me want to turn around right there! but I thought, "nope, Amy put on your Big Girl pants (swallow, hard here yep! they are bigger than I wish they were!) You can do this!" So I smiled back, and said "yes, I am here to check this out" got my pass and proceeded back to the locker room to leave my purse and bag in the beautiful, locked locker that they provide for you!

On my way back to the locker room I passed a juice bar, and a spa. I quickly deposited my stuff and went out to the work out floor area. Where feeling like I had no idea, what to do, I quickly jumped on the first tread mill I saw. Now this first area of tread mills -allows you prime viewing of the workout area of the gym. From where I was walking I was able to "people watch" the weight machines, the other area of treadmills, elliptical machines, and bikes. The cross fit area. Where I have to stop and just admit the ladies who work out in the cross fit area are amazing athletes I saw them doing all kinds of moves that it takes real muscles and endurance to be able to pull off! I dream of one day being a cross fit chic! (In case you do not know what cross fit is I included a link for you)

Enough said about the lay out of the gym. The first thing I noticed, right away - guys can wear anything, AND THEY DO! However, the ladies were all dressed it black pants, (did I mention that I wore my light gray Capri work out pants-yep! I stood out as a newbie!). and all colors of cute brightly colored workout tops, and a few t-shirts. The amazing athletic girls in the cross fit area even wore these cool headbands that helped with the sweat drip page, and kept the hair slicked back. I want some muscles and a cute headband! Well I guess every journey starts with baby steps!

The ladies I ran into and got to visit with were all sweet, kind, friendly and very helpful and answering my questions. I think I will have to consider joining this gym in the fall after all my kiddos start back to school. (They do have a fab child care program -however my kids fall in the age of I think I am to cool for a babysitter, but mom would not feel comfortable going to work out for 2hours a day and leaving them at home by themselves yet category.) So I would say Thumbs up for Sky gym, and the only mildly offensive attitude I encountered was from a young girl at the front desk who was not even probably 20 years old yet. All other Sky gym employees were very nice and friendly! I think that is just life, sometimes you run into sweeties, sometimes you don't! So Sky gym is as wonderful as they say- and it would be a great gym no matter what size or fitness level you are! However take it from me, the next time I go I will definitely wear my black work out pants!

If you want to go by and take a look and check it out. Ask for Brittany Nichols, if you want to set up a time to go by so she can show you around you can reach her at ph#1-918-299-5500. She has been great showing me around, getting me familiar with Sky gym, and no hard sale!

**I am not paid, nor have I received anything to endorse this gym.

Down 27 pounds!

OK, well here is the latest diet update. I am down 27 pounds -Yeah! This puts my weight about what I was when I broke my arm back in August. Whew! That is a good start! I only have 70ish pounds left to go!
I am still using my "lose it" app from Itunes. I keep track of the calories I eat, and the calories I burn through exercise. I try to keep the calorie intake at the end of the day between 800 and 1,000. I walk or exercise most days 45 Min's to 1hour. I am currently enjoying Leslie Sansone 2 mile walk, and the "Calorie Burn Boot camp" on ExerciseTv. I have started to include a 5 min arm workout located on the Wikio news page. (I've included a link if you want to check it out) by Tracy Anderson, the creator of "The Method" work out, also Gwyneth Paltrow's trainer.

One of my Favorite New recipes to help deal with family breakfast on the weekend is this "Petite Cinnamon Swirls" recipe. My family loves it, and 1 swirl has 102 calories, so I can have this along with 2 tablespoons of scrambled eggs (46 calories), and 1/2 cup of grapes (50 calories) and have similar things to eat with the family for the weekends "Big Breakfast" for approx 200 calories. Not bad!

Petite Cinnamon Swirls

1 8 ounce tube refrigerated low-fat crescent dinner roll dough

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 teaspoons grated orange zest (makes a huge difference!!)

1/3 cup raisins

1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

1 Tablespoon fat-free Milk

Preheat the oven to 375.

Unwrap the dough - DO NOT SEPARATE IT!!!! Place the dough in one piece on a flat surface. In order, sprinkle with the cinnamon, orange zest, and raisins. Press gently into the dough.

Starting with one long end, roll up the dough jelly-roll style, making a log about 12 inches long. Using a serrated knife, cut crosswise into 12 slices. Bake on a nonstick baking sheet, placing about an inch apart. Gently press down on each roll to slightly flatten.

Bake for 1-0-011 mins, or until beginning to turn golden.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, stir together the confectioners' sugar and milk until well blended. Spoon over the rolls as soon as they are removed from the oven. Enjoy!

How are those of you doing who have been working on weight loss this spring, doing? Any recipes or tips you would like to share?

Support Governor Scott Walker

If you support Governor Scott Walker, please show him your support by "liking" his facebook page. Governor Scott Walker is facing a lot of criticism right now with the Unions and the liberals protesting against him. Even public figures could benefit from a show of support.

Top Secret Beauty Find!

Have you ever stumbled across an amazing fact, then found out, about EVERYBODY knew but you? Well that is what I am feeling today. I have heard of this fab primer! That is great, and inexpensive! It is a guarded beauty secret of many I learned. What is it you ask? Well if you have not heard, hold on to your hat girlfriend, it may be a bumpy ride!

Well you won't believe me -it is a product made for chafing of the thighs by Monistat. I know! Shocking isn't it? No, this product does not treat yeast infection it is made to prevent rubbing of thighs , however the main ingredient is the same as many high end primer. Once I have learned of this product, I googled it and found tons of Rave review, one by Bionic Beauty even Glamour magazine reviewed it! I enclosed a youtube video of a review of this product below.

Well if you went to the blogs listed above, you can see that some of these reviews were done in late 2009! Ok, this has been a well guarded secret and I want to know which of my friends have been holding out on me? Well, if you are guiltless then you to can enjoy this little beauty secret!

I hope you have a good week!

Wisconsin -this has got to stop!

I hardly ever blog about politics. Why? because I leave those topics to those much smarter than me. However, I am getting very frustrated when I watch the evening news and I am truthfully shocked about how the democrat senators are holding the state hostage. Nearly all of the state's 14 Democrats in the 33 seat Wisconsin senate have left the state to refuse to vote! Why? because they know they would lose the vote regarding "unions collective bargaining". I am sorry this blog is not supporting or against the union it is just a rant against keeping our democratic type of government from working!!! Please, I did not "vote" for Obama as the President of the United States, however since the majority did I recognize him as President! Oklahoma went for McCain but we recognize Obama is our President. So what if we are not happy! Next election maybe more people will think like we do, if so our candidate will we win! If not we lose, all peaceful! No rioting, no burning down cities, no one killing one another. That is what is really wonderful and amazing about our country!

The Democrats of Wisconsin need to show up and let their votes be counted, and let what happens, happens. Democrats of Wisconsin it is time to put your Big Girl pants on, vote! IF Wisconsin you do not like the outcome of that vote, next elections vote the people out you do not like! This is America and we have a democratic government and a system in place that you need to let work! Whew! Well I am now off my soap box! Thank you for indulging me!

God is doing something amazing right now!

God is doing something amazing! I have attended church for most of my life and have always heard that if someone does not accept the Christ as their personal savior the chances that they will do so as an adult is very slim. I googled this question to see if I could "verify" this fact I had always heard bantered about. The Barna Group did a study that showed that if someone had not accepted Christ by the age of 14 chances were very small that they ever do so. I tell you what God is doing something in America right now!! Our church has what they call a baptism bash approx every 2-3 months. People I am amazed at the number of adults that are being baptized! It is shocking I have never seen anything like this. We are seeing 4 adults to 1 kid getting baptized -WOW!!!! I just had to blog about this. This is after all my 200th post, so I wanted to make sure that the post was worthy of the spot. Have you seen God doing anything amazing in your area or life lately?