One month down

Tomorrow will be four weeks of eating healthier and exercising. It really doesn't feel like it has been that long, which is a good thing I suppose.  I'm happy to say that I am down 6 pounds.  It was a little bit more when I weighed in on Friday, but I had a cheat weekend and boy was it worth it!  I'm a little conflicted, because sometimes I'm a little down that it isn't a bigger number, but then I remember that it's healthy to lose 1-2 pounds a week.  So I am on track, right?  I feel good too.  I feel like it might stick this time, at least I hope that it does. 

I decided to join a gym.  I was worried about joining and wasting money, but so far it's been well worth it.  I go to Spin class on Tuesday with my bestie and last week tried Zumba Toning for the first time.  It was AWESOME.  I felt like it took Zumba to the next level.  Basically, it's Zumba with light shake or hand weights.  So last week was a little difficult for me, getting the whole legs dancing while my arms are doing weights, but I think this week will be a little better.  I also ran a mile straight last week!  I know it isn't much, but it's a start. 

My next goal is to start measuring myself. So even if I don't see a change on the scale, maybe I will see a difference in inches.

It's discouraging at times because I have such a long way to go, but I'm chipping away at it a little each day.  That's really all I can do, right?

My first adventure in juicing

In my post yesterday I mentioned that I bought a juicer.  Of course as soon as it came in I had to give it a go.

Juicing takes a lot of work.  A lot of prep time and just as much cleaning time.  The best advice I found around before I decided to try juicing was to line the pulp basket with a plastic bag and to clean the juicer immediately after use.  I know that doing these two things saved me so much time and effort after an already long process.  I also know that part of what took me so long is that I'm new to this, so I'm hoping with time I'll get better.

First I found my recipe.  I found a few online that looked awesome and I bought The Big Book of Juices, but when I got to the store we there was no kale, so I was a little limited in what I originally planned to do.  Instead I just upped the amount of spinach and it seemed to work out just fine.

1 Green Apple
3 1/2 cups of Spinach
1/2 Cucumber (peeled)
4 Stalks of Celery
1/2 Lemon (peeled)

I found a lot of different opinions on whether or not to peel the cucumber and the lemon.  I decided to go ahead and peel them both because the peel or rind can give a bitter taste and I didn't want a bitter juice my first time.  So maybe in the future I'll give it a shot with the peel on, just not now.  I also quartered my apple to get rid of the seeds.  I didn't technically have to, but I felt like I needed to. 

Then I put it all in my new juicer (that I didn't take a picture of and it's now disassembled and drying, my bad) and was amazed.  I was nervous putting vegetables in at first, but then it became pretty fun.  I was also shocked at the amount of pulp that came out.  Don't forget to line your pulp basket!! Seriously, it's worth it.  I can also see myself using the pulp in the future.  I thought of several Skinny Taste recipies I could use that call for shredded veggies and I think this could work.  Just not right now.  Again, baby steps here people.

Once it was finished I poured it into a cute little cup with some ice and there you have it.

 Then you enjoy.  The first sip was weird.  Not in a, this tastes weird way, but in an OMG what am I about to drink way.  It was really fresh and suprisingly tasty.  I think 4 stalks of celery might be a bit much because this was a smidge on the salty side, but overall it was really good.  I don't know that last time I had that many vegetables in one sitting.

I planned on having it as an after workout snack (I just got done walking right before I took this lovely picture), but once I finished I was full and not even the slightest bit hungry.  So I didn't eat dinner, I drank it. 

I'm trying to remember to drink plenty of water when I have my juice.  Staying hydrated is a super important part of juicing, well at least that's what my book and online research tell me. 

My next juice will be fruity for breakfast and then I want to try some apple and carrot juice.  I feel like I could be addicted to juicing and I've only just started!

Happy Monday

Happy Monday!  I'm actually really excited about this week.  I have a lot going on and I am tackling it all with a great attitude, well for now at least.

First things first, I'm participating in the Bout of Books Read-a-Thon over on my book blog.  Check it out if you would like :)  I'm even more excited that Ashton is participating too, you can see her goal post here.  To make our goals even more interesting, we're doing a buddy read during the read-a-thon.  We'll be reading I am the Messenger by Marcus Zusak. 

I'm also starting up walking with my coworker today.  We were doing so good earlier this year and something happened, though I have no idea what it was, and we stopped.  So here's to having an accountability partner for exercise. 

I also bought a juicer from Amazon that is going to be delivered today.  I've read so many wonderful things about juicing and I want to give it a try.  I don't plan on only drinking juice, but to use it for breakfast and snacks to ensure I'm getting all of the fruits and vegetables I need.  I know people haved turned to juicing to lose weight and while that would be a welcome benefit, I'm placing my focus more on the health benefits it will give me.  I'm really looking forward to the increase in energy and hopefully an improvement in my skin.  I've been thinking a lot about my skin lately and I want to take as good care of it now as I can.  In order to feel the benefits from the juice, I'm also going to increase my water intake.  Wish me luck!

I know that this is a lot to take on, but really it isn't too much.  I already read regularly, exercise some, and it isn't like I am completely changing my diet right now.  Just adding to it. 

I hope everyone is having as great of a Monday so far as I am!

A Bit of a Change

I've been telling myself since right after I got married that I was going to grow my hair out, chop it off and donate it to Locks of Love.  Well, over a year and a half later I finally did! 

Before and After

I feel like I look completely different!  It was a welcome change and I feel great for doing at least a little something for an amazing cause.  So here is to more positive changes to come in my life.

A plan

I think one of my biggest problems is keeping my feelings to myself.  There are just some things I have a really difficult time talking about with other people, so instead of venting or letting go of things, I clutch on to them and they live inside of my head and my heart.  I can't get away from it and it starts to become part of me.    Then there is this toxic bit eating away at my thoughts and infecting other parts of my life.  So I'm trying to give those thoughts a place to go, a place far away so they don't mess with my focus on those  things in my life that are wonderful.  Because I have many wonderful things in my life that I am grateful for and unfortunately those things get overshadowed by the bad.

So let's move forward with the good.  That's the plan at least.

Day 2 and I'm not as angry :)

I realize yesterday was a bit much, but seriously, I feel better just for getting it out there.  I also feel a little silly for some of the crazy that I had going on.  I'm hoping I can get it out and move on.

First things first, I know I sounded horrible about the whole vacation thing and after thinking about it, what a silly problem for me to have when other people have legitimate issues in their lives.  I am so happy to be able to experience somewhere new and spend time with my husband.  Like I said, it was good for me to get those things out there.

I walked/ran a little over a mile yesterday, but it was so hot out I had to stop.  I also don't think I ate enough calories yesterday because I had a major headache.  So today, I'm beefing up my breakfast a bit to get some more protein and make sure I get enough calories for my body to function properly.  My coworker also brought in watermelon that I'm having with breakfast too.  Thank goodness it was watermelon and not donuts, because I would have eaten whatever it was.  Another health goal for today is to drink more water.  I'm going to bring in my refillable water bottle and leave it at work so I always have it handy.

I'm still bitter, but I really am trying.  It might not be enough right now, but it will eventually be enough.

Lauren Gets Literal Button

One more post about the book blog :)

Christina made me a button and I would love for you to grab it and stick it on your blog!  You can find the code on the side bar.

Thanks for all of your support!!  You guys are the best!