WILW 2

I'm writing this from my bed, mainly because I feel like a total slacker for not having posted a damn thing this whole week.

It's been a doozy of a week, that's for sure. 

I digress. I decided to do a WILW post again since, 1, it's Wednesday, and 2, I need some way to organize my thoughts in a logical manner. 

Soooooo here we goooo!

First, I'm loving that I'm starting to finally get comments on my weight loss! Between a manager at work who's only known me for the last month saying she thought I just liked wearing really baggy clothes (because my work clothes are all too big on me now) and literally every person I see for the first time in the last few weeks/months telling me I look great (I even got called a skinny minnie the other day), I feel amazing about this whole thing!

I'm also loving that I finally switched gyms. I chose CHUZE, people! I love it. 

Everything is new. It's all open and they actually turn their AC on, they have a special classroom just for spin classes, it's 20 bucks a month to be able to go to all locations and use the tanning and hydromassage beds, and it's my favorite color :) 

Tomorrow will be the first day of going to the gym then straight to work, so we shall see how THAT goes...

Last night was an Incahoots night, which I'm also loving. I got to see my best friend in the whole world, listen to country music, drink beer, and play free pool. 

I'm currently obsessed with the butt-part. 

Lastly, I'm loving CND Shellac. But that's nothing new. First, let me show you what my nails look like after two weeks of my crazy life (which involves a lot of shit with my hands. Not to sound dirty or anything. I type all day at work, I cook pretty much every day, and I work with cars. Not very conducive to maintaining a manicure)...but....CND holds up.

Now for the new color, Cocoa. It's the closest thing to a nude CND makes, and I do wish it were a little less orangey and a little more nudey, but oh well. I like it. I also decided to keep the length of my nails for the first time ever, so we'll also see how THAT works out for two weeks...as you can tell from the above photo, my nails grow pretty fast. 

Whatcha think? 

OH MY GOD I ALMOST FORGOT one final thing I'm completely and utterly OBSESSED with this week is DANI FROM THE BIGGEST LOSER!!!! AKA my new hero. She looked aaaaaahhhhhhhhmaaaaazinnnnng!!!!! I was so stoked she won. She's an inspiration. She's gorgeous. She fought hard and was all alone without a team for a big portion of the show, and she freaking won that shit. Ugh. Obsessed. 

Oh and here she is with another hero of mine. 

What are YOU loving this Wednesday?

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Well this is my first WILW post, linking up with This Kind of Love, so here it goes:

I'm loving how amazingly goy-geee-ussss (that's gorgeous) it is outside!

Got to enjoy my Sunday with one of my best friends/sorority sisters at my favorite place on earth, Coronado. By the way, did you know an entire bottle of wine will fit inside of a 7/11 Big Gulp cup? Sure does. 

I'm also loving the fact that a few days ago I weighed myself to find out I'm 3 pounds away from hitting the 20-pound mark!! Helllll yes!!!!!!!! So, just for shits and gigs, I tried on this pair of coral straight-legged jeans I got from J Crew Factory back in September. They're a 32, and when I bought them they were a tiiiight squeeeeze. But I couldn't pass up a pair of coral jeans, so I bought them anyway, even though they were uncomfortable and I had to wear a loose top. Well, ladies and gents, even though I am still wearing a loose top, they fit WONDERFULLY yesterday!!! 

Jeans from J Crew Factory, Top for NY & Co,
shoes Ralph Lauren from DSW

I even had some extra room so when I went on a date with the friend-boy to Gingham (if you live in San Diego, head out to La Mesa and check it out) I could enjoy a cheeseburger and not have to unbutton them! 

BTW I'm also loving that I rocked a butt-part. I just felt uber confident last night. And today at the beach. I like this feeling.

Lastly, for the first time in months I went to Miguel's today. If you're near a Miguel's, it's hard to resist just swinging by for some QUESO!! I love me some Miguel's queso. And beer. And maybe some fish tacos. 

We might have asked for 3 bowls of it for the 2 of us. Judge me. 

Anyhoo, that's all for me on this lovely Wednesday! What are you loving today, non-existent readers???

si se puede?

I'm a terrible San Diego native in the sense that I know hardly any Spanish. But I do know what 'si se puede' means. I mean, wasn't there a Disney movie called that back in the 90's anyway? I'm sure I didn't learn that as a result of living here, but oh well. Anyhoo, I'll get to 'si se puede' in a minute.

I DID go to the gym before going to work the other day. It wasn't easy. In fact, I actually woke up to my alarm, and set the alarm for an hour and a half later, deciding to go back to sleep. Then I laid there and realized I wasn't tired, I was just lazy, and couldn't think of anything better to do with the next hour and a half, so I dragged my ass out of bed and went to the gym after all. Ran for a while, did some resistance training, all that fun stuff. I didn't regret it. Imagine that!

But then that night I went out on the town (my best friend for my entire life was in town, can't say no to that!), so getting up to go to the gym before work the next day wasn't going to happen. But we got a good picture: 

This is Kelsey. Like I said, we've been BFF's for, well, forever. We "met" in daycare before we could even walk or talk, and we became joined at the hip. We went to elementary, middle, and high school together, then had a falling out when I was in Memphis and she was in Long Beach for college. It was stupid, and not worth losing a lifelong friend over. I realized that a few months ago and reached out to her, and things couldn't be better now. ...............ok, well they COULD be better if we lived in the same city, but that's probably not going to happen! Oh well. We'll make it work :) I'm glad she's back in my life, and thankful that I've been *kind of* growing up lately. 

I digress. 

Daylight savings time (which is stupid, by the way) happened this weekend too, so losing an hour was my excuse for not going to the gym before work yesterday. But today was my weekend and I kicked it off by going to a SPIN CLASS!!! 

Truth: My friend who WORKS at the gym (and has lost about 40 pounds recently) worked the graveyard shift (it is 24 hour fitness, after all) and when I woke up today I thought she proooooobably was going to bail on me since a normal person would have been exhausted from only getting 4 hours of sleep, so I decided I probably wouldn't go either because who wants to go to a spin class for the first time in forever on their own? But I underestimated her, folks. She texted me and told me she was going, so I didn't really have a choice. 

Thank god. 

It was INSANE and I thought I was going to die, multiple times, and I wanted to punch the instructor in the face a few times, too, but I didn't. Instead I closed my eyes and focused on myself, and got through it. The instructor at some point said "si se puede, right?!" and that's what my turning point in the class was. I actually for some reason pictured myself here: 

Yes, that's a road you see off in the distance. In
Rocky Mountain National Park, above the tundra
line (I think around 13,000 feet)

Not sure how or why I pictured myself riding up the road that winds through and on top of the Rocky Mountains (that I visited with the ex) but I did. It helped me. Now, of course, the memories are hurting me a little bit, but oh well. It's pretty, huh? 

OH, yesterday I also treated myself to some new yoga pants from Victoria's Secret. I already proclaimed my love for their PINK pants because of the band at the hip that makes my lovehandles disappear, so last night when I went to dinner with some co-workers downtown and had to park in a shopping mall garage that has recently changed their policy for validation, requiring proof of a $10 purchase, and I just-so-happened to walk out of the garage at the entrance RIGHT NEXT TO Victoria's Secret, I thought why not buy something good for the validation? It was either buy the pants, or pay $8 and hour to park there (which would have been $24). The pants were like $40 after taxes--too much for freaking yoga pants, I know, but they were kind of a necessity purchase, right???? Just agree with me. 

And how cute are they!?

I almost gasped out loud when I saw they FINALLY have some with a cheetah-print band! I LOVE me some cheetah, print, y'all. Like love. They also have some new printed pants, in full on cheetah all-over, but I resisted. Maybe when I lose another 50 pounds. 

Btw, that was me BEFORE spin....this was me after....

Bump-on-a-log, catching up on the Army Wives season premier I missed Sunday because of work. Any of you Army Wives addicts like me? I'm not feeling the whole killing-the-generals-wife-thing. I get it, the actress that played her was a wacko addict who embarrassed herself at a military event--watch here--but couldn't they have just switched actresses? It wouldn't have been that big of a deal. Oh well. 

Tonight is a date with the new friend-boy, so wish me luck finding something healthy to eat on the menu. Ugh. 

That's all for now....

My first non-scale victory....

So today I don't have to go to work until 6--in exchange for going to work on my supposed-to-be-day-off, Tuesday, to open. I decided to make use of the extra time and head to the gym, where I experienced my first 'non-scale victory.' 

According to Lex from Life by Lex, "Non-Scale victories are those victories big and small that (as I see it) help you become a better person.  Whether it be physically, mentally, or in weight loss." Mine happened at the gym. Instead of running I chose to keep it fresh and get on the spin-style bike. We already know I originally thought of the stationary bikes as a cop-out workout, unless you crank up the intensity and actually sweat. Because of that, I only get on the bike for a minimum of 40 minutes--or the length of a TV episode on my iPhone. Today I watched an old episode of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (one of my guilty pleasures). When I got on, there was one other person around me on a bike. Then a few people joined me, and less than halfway through my workout, I was alone again. 

I know, I know, maaayyyybe I stunk or something and scared everyone off. But judging by how the people who did silly little 15 minute "workouts" on the stationary bikes continued to work out at the gym (yes, I watch people work out), I have a feeling that was actually their cardio for the day. I'm not judging them, I'm just proud of myself for out-working everyone else who got on the bikes at the same time as me, and pushing through even though my ass hurt, my thighs were chaffing (note to self: do NOT wear shorts on the bike!), and I got bored. Then I followed it up with some arm workouts--I'm now determined to change the shape of my arms--and my favorite vertical crunches. 

Happy non-scale victory to me! If you experience a non-scale victory, link up with Lex and share it!

After the gym I headed over to Target. I swear it's dangerous to have a Target so close to my house and my gym. I went a little grocery crazy.

Among the things I bought were

• Almond milk which I've never had but my friends swear by
• Both plain and vanilla non-fat greek yogurt
• Special K touch-of-honey granola
• Special K berries and chocolate cereal
• Kashi baked chocolate squares (see below)
• Fiber One chocolate chip bookie brownies
• Reduced fat cheezit packs

Can you tell I'm PMSing? OK sorry, TMI. But seriously, my sweet-tooth took over. Anyhoo, the Kashi baked chocolate squares are pretty tasty and only 4 WW points, but I have to say my first experience with one was...perplexing...

That^^^ is what was in my first, sealed pack. Half a square. WTF Kashi!? I could be one of those people that calls and complains and gets a free year-supply, but I won't. It was funny. And pretty tasty. I think I'll keep buying them. 

My main goal was to get snacks for work that are easy and quick, because with my new schedule I will have a 'lunch break' around 4 or 5 in the evening, leaving at least 6 hours left of my shift and that's early for dinner anyway. So I'll need to snack at least one more time during my shift before I come home and go to bed. 

But don't think I've forgotten Bob Harper's Skinny Rule #18, go to bed hungry. I plan on going to bed hungry from now on. I'm trying hard to follow these rules. Has anyone else followed these rules successfully? Or read the actual book? I'm thinking of buying it...

Alright time to relax before going in to work...boooooooo. 

Later, fools!

Your hump day, my Sunday.

Hello friends! Happy hump day to most of the world, happy Sunday to me :( womp womp. At least I don't have to work in the morning tomorrow. Just night time. Anyhoo, today was probably one of the most productive days I've had in a lonnnnng time. It started with a healthy greek yogurt parfait made by yours truly (like it's hard. all ya do is take greek yogurt, then slap in a scoop of your favorite sugar-free jam or preserves, and mix it all up. If I'm feelin' frisky I'll mix in some granola too), then a meeting with a friend at a coffee shop that will *soon be* next door to her house. I couldn't resist taking a picture of this sign....

Charming, isn't it? Hahaha. I laughed, just like that. Out loud. 

So my mom's been bugging me to check out this pet store in the Hillcrest neighborhood for FOREVER. And since I was in the neighborhood anyway, I went looking for it. Funny side note: Mom couldn't remember the name of it, only where it was, so I followed her directions to find it's called, lo and behold, "PET STORE." Creative... 

But they had adorable clothes, so of course I bought Winnie the Cockapoo a new spring dress. 

Also seen on Instagram

Yes I know, she's adorable. And she LOVES her clothes. 

I also bought her and my mom's dog little doggie whoopie pies. So precious. 

My gym sesh had to be pretty snappy so I could make my nail appointment on time, so I ran a mile then did a few resistance exercises, and felt pretty accomplished considering it was a short workout. 

Then I went to the 2nd or 3rd happiest place on earth, Sugar and Spice Studio, to see my amazing Olga. I got a pedicure (during which Olga discovered the small start of a fungus in one of my toenails. Disgusting. Guess I should throw away Grandma's foot soaking tub), and a shellac manicure. CND just released new colors for spring, and I decided to layer cake pop and grapefruit smoothie. I'm in love. 

I love looking like an alien while my nails soak in acetone
to remove the previous shellac. And on my toes is OPI
"If You Moust You Moust" 

I guess I was feeling a little pink today? Sue me.

To finish the night, I cooked dinner for me and the friend-boy. I made skinny chicken nuggets thanks to Skinnytaste, and also thanks to Skinnytaste, I made some twice-baked potatoes. I used this recipe to get a handle on how to attempt to make twice-baked potatoes not-terrible-for-you, but I hate broccoli. So I kinda did my own thing in terms of what I put in it. Instead of buttermilk, I used greek yogurt, a little bit of butter and a little bit of sour cream, and I also chopped up some chives and mixed those in too. They were amaaaaaaazing.

Yeah, yeah, I'm a wino. I also made skinny greek
yogurt ranch. I'll do a post on that soon. I haven't
met someone who hasn't loved it. 

I also got a wild hare up my ass and decided to take some before pics, maybe to serve as extra motivation to actually have some after pictures at some point in the near future--or, hell, progress pictures at least. So here goes nothin...

Currently weighing in at 191, size 14 (but I can sqqueeeeeze into 12s) and L/XL. Love me some Pink yoga pants to hide my love handles. 

Alright that's it for me fools. Night night!

Bloglovin'

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Makeoverrrrrrrrrr.

If you've ever read my blog (probably not), you don't need to be told I just gave this place a big ole' facelift! Totally changed the color scheme, and I hope it's livened it up a bit. Let me know what you think....

Also, my schedule has changed. AGAIN. And thanks to work, my cankle came back (aka my swollen ankle). My new schedule pretty much blows, since Tuesdays and Wednesdays are my news weekends and Thursday-Sunday I work Noon to 11:30PM, and Mondays 9AM-8PM. But there's a silver lining......

I can go to work in the morning and not have to wake up at an ungodly hour!!!!

Which also means I won't have to deal with *thinking* about going to the gym after a lonnnnnnng day of work on my achy legs. Instead, I'll get to go straight home to bed, wake up around 9, get a workout in, have breakfast, and go to work. Of course it's not ideal, but maybe it'll be good for me. I do, after all, need to lose more than just 10 pounds. 

Anyhoo, this post will be short, as I am very tired and don't have a whole hell of a lot else to say. I will tomorrow though. Be ready. 

Also, I've found a new blog I enjoy reading, Matters of Merrymaking. Bekah is a Memphis girl and her posts aren't filled with talk of her babies (you know I love me some Mama, but it's nice to relate on a different level too.

Oh, I'm also still contemplating switching gyms. I'm pretty sure tomorrow I'm going to mozy on over to this place: 

Chuze might be the gym for me...wish me luck! Btw, does anyone go to the gym and shower/get ready there after? I've heard of people doing this, like Skinny Meg, but I'm just not sure I'm comfortable with that, and definitely don't want people looking at me like a weirdo. 

Decisions decisions. 

If you're on there, follow me!

OK peace out. I gotta get my boots ready for line dancing at INCAHOOTS tonight! Also known as my-favorite-place-in-the-world. 

Love y'all.