Monday Weigh-In. My NEW Car Pictures!!

Happy Monday!

Time for another Monday Weigh-In:

Last Monday: 205.8
Today: 203.6

This past week I had a total loss of 2.2 pounds. I actually gained a pound and a half from two days ago, Saturday. Saturday morning the scale read 202.0 pounds. But Saturday and Sunday I went to Atlanta to get Burch, my boyfriend, and helped him move back to Birmingham. He has been living in Atlanta since November looking for work but actually found a job in Birmingham and starts this Thursday. This is such an answer to our prayers. Burch and I had a great date night Saturday night. We went to this new japanese restaurant in Atlanta and it was delicious. I haven't eaten Japanese food in almost two months and it was time to give in. It is my absolute favorite type of food! Hands down! All that to say, I gained a pound and a half back and I would say it was because of that hibachi dinner.

Total weight lost: 57 pounds. I have lost 9 pounds since Janaury 1st. This was a great month for me. If I could lose 9 pounds each month I would definitely hit my goal by my two year bandiversary in October. But I need to lose 4 more pounds to be in onederland! Hopefully that will only take a few weeks to get there!

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In other good news, I am getting my new car this week! I have had my eye on one G35 in particular for the past two weeks. I went last Thursday and test drove it and fell in love! It's a 2006 Infiniti G35. I told the dealer I wanted it and I am going to get it one day this week!! Do yall know anyone that wants to buy a honda accord? haha. We are going to fix the honda up this week and get it ready to sell. I am going to miss my big red. I have had some great road trips and great times in that car but it's time for something new.

When I was test driving it last Thursday I pulled over in a vacant parking lot and took some pictures! Here are a few:

Hope everyone has a fabulous Monday! Don't work too hard ;)

Onederland...you are oh so close!

Little weight loss update:

Last night I had a great workout after work. I was at the gym from like 8:45 to 10 pm...I stayed much longer than I expected. I did the spinner bike for 20 minutes...biked about 5 miles, lifted weights for about 10 minutes, did the ab machine for about 10 minutes (I can definitely feel the burn today) and then met two really cool men who showed me some cool new exercises.

There were only about 5 people total in the gym when I got there and I was the only female haha. These two younger high school guys were working out together and then these two men probably in their 40's were working out together. The two older men were muscular and buff and looked like trainers. You could tell they knew a thing or two about the gym. I was minding my own business on one of the arm machines when I heard "Hey hon! Do you want us to show you some really awesome things you can do with these machines that you might like?"

I was like sure, why not?! So for about 30 minutes they walked around with me and showed me some modified exercises like they do. They were super nice and you could tell they knew what they were talking about. They said they work out at that gym Monday through Friday from 9-10:30 and said I was more than welcome to join them if I was ever in there at that time. Although I felt a little intimidated with these two body builders (they might as well have been) I was proud of myself for jumping right in and showing them what I was capable of. They showed me one of their favorite exercises they nicknamed "the killer". Basically you get down on your back on the ground, you hold a 30 pound bar in the air, you stick your legs straight up in the air and you lift your back end up in the air towards the bar. It works your arms and abs and man you can feel it!

After talking with these two men, I found out one of them was my brother's little league baseball coach like 10 years ago. He had told me I looked so familiar to him and we traced back the connection. Small world!

That brings me to this morning. I get up on the scale and I hit my all-time low! 204.6 pounds! I couldn't believe it! Total of 56 pounds lost! Onederland is getting closer and closer. And I want to say thank you to all of you who continue to support me on my weight loss journey. Like I have said before, we are all a family on here. And a huge part of success is having people who truly care about you, keep you in line when things get tough and congratulate you when you are doing good! So thank you! You are the best :)

Hope everyone has a wonderful Wednesday!!

New car update and Monday weigh-in!

Hope everyone had a great weekend! I worked Saturday so with Sunday being my only day off this past week, my weekend was short but fun filled! Saturday night I went with Kim (fellow blogger) to eat at Panera and see Social Network. We had a great time together! And it was a good movie...interesting how facebook came to be! If Mark Zuckerberg could just share some of his 25 BILLION with me...I'd be grateful :)

So car update:

For those of yall who don't know, the past few months my poor little honda has had problem after problem. I have a 2000 red honda accord coupe. I got it in 2004 and it has been a great reliable car since. It looks like this one below:


Well lately, I have had a stream of bad luck. First my transmission started making terrible noises. We went to have it checked out and $1,800 later I have a new transmission. After only having it back a few weeks, another weird noise started happening. We took it back to the car place and another $600 later they tell us the motor was about to go out so they had to fix something (I dont know all the technical terms). I am supposed to get it back tomorrow and after much talking with my parents and weighing the pro's and con's, I think we are going to sell it and I am going to get a new car! I will miss my big red! I have loved that car since the day I got it but I think it's time. Weird how you feel a connection with your car isn't it?

Anyways, we figure it will be better to get rid of it while the transmission and motor are brand new before the next big thing goes wrong with it. So now for the exciting NEWS! My reality dream car is a pearl white Infiniti G35. I say reality dream car because sure I would love a white on white Range Rover sport that costs $75,000 and many other cars way out of my budget but this obviously isn't going to happen.

FYI...Last year for my mom's birthday she wanted a new car. She always asked my opinion of what car she should get and I told her how awesome the new G35's are. She went and test drove them and she fell in love. So now my mom has the brand new white Infiniti G35. I always tell her she is driving MY dream car haha. Of course hers has the rear camera, dual air controls, high tech navigation, touch screen navigation...which mine won't have...but it is leaps and bounds from what I was driving!

But anyways, all this to say....The past few days I have been looking high and low for a white infiniti. My uncle who owns a car dealership said Infiniti G35's are hard to find and white is the hardest color to find. I have found three I like...one is about an hour from me and two of them are in Atlanta. I can't afford the brand spanking new infiniti G35 but the three I am looking at are the 2006 model. This is what it looks like:

I am going with my dad and mom sometime this week to look at the one closest to my house and this weekend (if they are still there) I am going to look at the two in Atlanta. Me and mommy are going to have cute matching twin cars...except hers is the mommy version and mine is the daughter version haha! I love it! Keep those fingers crossed :)

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On the weight loss front, this morning I weighed 205.8 pounds! This is a new low for me. My last check in with yall I weighed 206.6 pounds last Wednesday. That is a 0.8 pound loss but I am on my last few days of my period so I am thinking the bloating may be a contributing factor. This means I need to lose about 6 more pounds by April 18th. Maybe I should make my goal a little harder haha. I was thinking I would be further out from 200 than I am. That means over the next 12 weeks I have to lose 6 pounds. Piece of cake! Onederland feels so close I can taste it!

I managed to work out twice this week at my NEW GYM! I went Tuesday and then I went Thursday. On Thursday my fabulous dad went with me and helped me tremendously! He showed me what to do...how many to do...and the proper way to do it. I have never been so sore as I was on Friday but it felt good. I tried to force myself to go workout yesterday but my lady cramps were bothering me too much and the midol wasn't helping. But I am all over the gym this week...don't you worry!

Ok friends! Time to go get ready for work! Hope yall have a fabulous Monday!! Don't work too hard!!

Update: First day at the gym!

Yesterday was a good day for me! I had my first workout at my new gym and it felt so good. I got there around 9:30, filled out some paperwork, got my fancy membership card, got a tour around the gym by the owner/hot head trainer and then began my workout. I forgot to bring my ipod and my phone was charger in the car, so I was left to watch the Today show on the TV in front of me while I was on the treadmill. There was only about four people in the gym and two of them were with trainers doing a personal training session. It definitely feels a lot more intimate and relaxed than other gyms I have been to. There aren't 100 people running around with loud music and you feel like all the men in there are watching your every move. Ugh. So that is a huge plus to me.

I started out on the treadmill. I walked for 4 minutes and then ran 1 minute...and then repeated this 4 times. So I did the treadmill for 20 minutes and it said I burned like 100 calories or something like that.

Next I did the sitting spinner bike or whatever it is called. I did that on a level 8 for 20 minutes and burned another 100 calories. It said I biked 5 miles...I don't know whether burning 100 calories on this machine is considered a good workout but it sure did work my legs and I could feel the burn. So I take that as a good thing.

Lastly I lifted free weights for about 10 minutes. 10 pounds in each hand and I did some weight lifting I learned from my dad. After about 45-50 minutes...I was done with my workout for the day. I got in their 7-foot granite shower (super nice shower), got ready and headed to work.

It's such a good feeling when it is only 11 in the morning and you already feel like you have accomplished so much. For the last week at work I have been super strict about packing my lunch for work and counting every calorie I put in my mouth. So yesterday overall was a great day for being healthy. A workout, lots of water and healthy, calorie-smart meals.

This morning it was time to weigh in...like I do every morning. And the scale read.....206.6!! My all-time lowest! My lowest before this was 208.4! Where the heck did 207 go?! I never even saw it on the scale! I am ecstatic!! That is a total of 54 pounds lost and exactly 6 pounds lost since January 1st when I weighed 212.6 pounds. I am in the zone, mentally, spiritually, physically, and I really feel like this is my time to shine. You know sometimes when your heart just isn't in it and it is easy to eat junk food and slack off? Well I have those moments, we all do. But right now, I am in the zone and I feel like it's my race to win. Thank you for your kindness and continuing support. We are all a family on here! Hope yall have a great Wednesday!

Gym. Membership. Starts. Tomorrow!!

Happy Monday everyone!

So I know tomorrow is just an ordinary day for most everyone, just another Tuesday....but for me....tomorrow is the day I am starting my 3 MONTH GYM MEMBERSHIP! I have been holding onto the pass for a few months but tomorrow is the day! And yes, there was a rhyme and reason for starting the gym tomorrow.

For those of you who didn't know, a few months ago I bought a 3-month gym membership to one of the best gyms in the state! I got an awesome deal and snatched it up. Pretty much it is 3 months unlimited access to this state of the art gym and the 3 months starts from the first day I go. As most of you know, my goal is to be below 200 pounds by my birthday on April 18th (and God willing, hopefully it will be sooner!) I am starting the 3 month membership tomorrow, January 18, so that the 3 months at the gym will end on my birthday. I saw this as a fitting why to keep myself motivated to workout and eat healthy in an overall effort to hit my goals!

I work from 12-8:30 so I am going around 9:30 to be able to workout for an hour, shower there and then head to work. Even the showers at this place are like 6 foot granite walk-in showers that could probably hold 10 people. They also supply shampoo, conditioner, soap and towels...pretty nice it looks like. I already have my lunch and dinner packed and ready to go.

The reason this is a big deal for me is because when I exercise or workout, I usually go walking around the neighborhood or walk on trails near my house or walk about the track at a local high school. I am not used to using fancy equipment during my work out. I also found out a few days ago the gym offers 5 types of workout classes and I have unlimited access to all of them. They offer body pump, zumba, ab workout classes, spin classes and kick boxing. How fun!

I don't want to waste this opportunity. I want to be able to push myself and go to the gym at least 4 times a week, maybe 5. I think this is where my weight loss will kick in and hopefully I can see some exciting results. I do wish I had someone to go with. I like having someone to talk to, workout with, motivate me...maybe that just means I will have to hire one of the hot personal trainers to be my motivation. That wouldn't be so bad :)

So wish me luck! Thanks for the support friends! Hope yall had a fabulous Monday!

Things I Love...

I love when I stumble upon someone's blog and they have a list of the things they love. There are so many things we take for granted and sometimes it's the little things in life that make us truly happy. Besides the obvious family, friends, boyfriend, etc....here is my version:


Things I Love...

1. Taking photographs...anything, anytime, anywhere
2. Sleeping in on mornings that I don't have to be anywhere
3. Taking long showers with the water as hot as I can stand
4. Curling up in my bed and watching Sex and the City DVDs
5. Taking random roadtrips with friends...to anywhere really
6. Blaring rap music and dancing around as if I was on the front row at their concert
7. Watching makeup guru's on YouTube talk about their favorite products
8. Pink flowers of any kind
9. Going to Barnes and Noble and looking at all the coffee table books
10. Going shopping of course....for anything
11. Making a list and being able to check things off when I complete them
12. Watching people get tattoos...I am trying to think of what I want my first one to be
13. Having a birthday in April because my birthstone is a diamond
14. Getting my hair done...I could fall asleep in that chair every time
15. Black eyeliner...I don't leave my house without it on
16. The smell of homemade peach cobbler lingering around the house
17. The way my legs look when I wear obnoxiously high heels
18. Marilyn Monroe...typical, but true
19. Dreaming up my once in a lifetime trip to Europe
20. Laughing so hard until it hurts
21. The way two people look at each other when they are completely in love
22. Antique stores and the history each item tells
23. Good smelling perfumes
24. The feeling you have after a good, intense workout
25. Sephora...it is my guilty pleasure
26. Side swept bangs
27. Corn chips with guacamole and salsa...I could eat it all day long
28. The movie "The Little Princess"...always been one of my favorite movies
29. Looking at pictures on Flickr for hours and hours
30. Big closets...Carrie Bradshaw's closet anyone??
31. Having long talks with my best girl friends over dinner
32. Looking at old photo from my childhood
33. Seeing what the trends for the new season will be
34. Having the freedom to do what I want, when I want
35. Meeting people on the internet (blogger) and becoming lifelong friends
36. Interior decorating
37. Going outside and feeling the sunshine soak into my skin
38. Spooning...it just feels natural, right?
39. Baking homemade cookies
40. Last but not least, God and the fact that His mercies are new every morning, He loves us unconditionally and He will always forgive us no matter what

End of 2010 pictures. And a weight gain?

First things first, Warrrrrr Eagle HEY! My boys are going to be fighting hard tonight against Oregon in the National Championship! I feel like a proud mama! This has been such an awesome year for my Auburn Tigers. We have had the best time going to all the games, tailgating, cookouts, celebrating the wins and it all comes down to tonight. My parents are in Glendale for the game and they are having the best time. Let's go Auburn...it's TIGER TIME!

Secondly, for the past two weeks I have been so super strict with my eating habits. You know, doing all the right things and eating all the right things. Towards the end of December the scale was around 214 and this past Saturday morning the scale said 209! I couldn't believe it. 5 pounds in 10 days is crazy good for me.

So for those of you have been keeping up with the weather here in the south know that we were pretty much snowed in yesterday and today because of all the icy roads. My dad went to the store the day before yesterday and got food so we would have enough if we were snowed in. Typical guy...here is a list of what he got: bread, peanut butter, jelly, chips, hot dogs, chips, milk, chicken fingers, pizza rolls, cheese dip...so lots of junk food to eat. I tried to eat as healthy as possible since I had no way of getting out to the store to buy some healthier options. I had some cereal for breakfast, 4 chicken fingers for lunch and in all honesty, I snacked on several different foods for dinner. I probably consumed about 2,000 calories which is a decent amount more than my 1,000 calorie intake the past two weeks.

Well way to go, Kristen! I get on the scale this morning and it says 212.0. I could kick myself in the butt. That is what I get for eating all those "snacks" for dinner. So today it's back on the band wagon. I worked out with Bob and Jillian on Wii this morning and so far today I have only eaten about 250 calories. I am trying to save up some calories for the big game tonight! I'm pretty sure this isn't the smartest/healthiest way to eat but one day won't hurt. My goal is still to be below 200 by my birthday, April 18th. I got this.

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Lastly, since I took about 500 pictures during Christmas and New Year's I figured I didn't need to post all of them on here :) Here are just a few...I will gradually post more in my next few blogs! Enjoy!

New Year's Eve...Wii dance off!

Sparklers! The best :)

My friend, Joe, and I on New Year's

My brother, my dad and I...Just having a good time

Kelsey and I on New Year's!

Me and the girls at our little New Year's party

Burch and I

Me...on my brother's back. It's been a long time since this has happened!

Christmas day with my cousins, Leah and Lauren, my brother and I

Finally!!

Finally!! Just wanted to get on real fast and post a little weight loss update!

As of this morning, I have lost 50 pounds from my highest weight!! On the scale this morning I was an even 210.0 and boy have I been working hard for that number this past week! My surgery weight was 257 but a few months prior to surgery I hit my highest weight ever of 260.

This past week since January 1st I have been working on my eating habits hardcore...drinking lots of water, trying to get in all my protein, no eating past 7 p.m., absolutely NO fast food...you know how it goes. Since January 1st I have lost 2.6 pounds so it looks like it's paying off. Thank goodness! I remember being stuck in the 220's for months and months and it feels so good to leave that number in the past! My next goal is to be in onederland by my birthday on April 18th...hopefully I can hit that sooner than April.

All of you have been such an inspiration to me and you all have taught me so much about motivation, perseverance, nutrition and weight loss. I just wanted to share this with yall because those of you how have been there know how victorious it feels to finally get to the 50-pound mark! Seeing that my goal weight is around 160 (fingers-crossed) I am officially half way there! Thank you all for being so sweet...I love all our friendships that have been created!

Hope yall have a great day!!

Happy New Year 2011!

Happy New Year 2011 everyone! I can't believe it is time for another year to begin. Time goes by so fast the older we get and I try to remind myself each and every day to live life to the fullest. 2010 was a great year overall for myself and my family. January 2 of 2010 my grandmother died after a long fight with cancer and other complications but she is in Heaven now. No more pain and suffering. This is a blessing and we know she is watching over us every step of the way. She was the matriarch of our family and made us all who we are today. One of the bravest, loving, exceptional women I know. My role model, my hero. I also got a new job this past April which was a blessing. A lot less stress to deal with and bigger paychecks...that is always nice, right? Since losing 45 pounds since my surgery, my health is better than it has ever been. I feel better, I can do move, I feel good exercising and it's only getting better. I am blessed to have such amazing family and friends beside my through the journey of life and I couldn't be more thankful.

Here are a few New Year's resolutions that came to mind (this list could go on and on but these are just a few)...

1) I want to lose at least 52 pounds this year. That would be at least 1 pound a week. I don't think this is too unrealistic with hard work and self disciple. At one pound a week, I will in onederland by the beginning of April (fingers crossed). If I am able to lose all 52 pounds, that will put me at 160 at the end of 2011. Along with losing weight, this obviously means exercising more, much more! With an already paid gym membership, Wii Fit and all the fitness games I got for Christmas and several hours in the morning before work to exercise, I have no excuse to sit on my butt and be content.

2) I want to be a positive person...all the time...no matter what. I consider myself an optimistic person and I try to stay positive when unfortunate things come my way but I want to have a positive outlook on life no matter what. I want to be the type of person who doesn't complain and doesn't waste time arguing about petty things. I want to live my life in a way that I can be a role model and not a hindrance of any kind. We aren't guaranteed the next year, the next day, the next breathe so I want to live life right and to the fullest.

3) I want to put God first and make as much time as I can for family and friends. There is nothing I love better than spending good quality time surrounded by the ones I love. In 2011 I want to make more time for loved ones whether it be movie night, dinner parties or just conversations over coffee. I want to show them how much I love and appreciate them.

4) Lastly for now, I want to enjoy life more. Sometimes life can be so stressful and chaotic and tense and we owe it to ourselves to do more things that will make us happy. It is also important to enjoy the little things in life, the little victories, the little "happys" life brings our way. Whether it is a beautiful sunny day, getting a manicure, going on a nice, scenic walk or taking a vacation, I want to enjoy life more and more each day.

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On the weight loss front, I am down to 212.6 as of this morning! I have tried my hardest to lose some weight during Christmas and I have succeeded. I have lost about 3 pounds in the last few weeks. My band has felt a little tighter the past several weeks and this has helped me to stay away from the Christmas sweets...thank goodness! 212.6 is my starting point for 2011. Good luck Kristen :)

My family, Burch and I are getting ready to watch the Oklahoma vs. Connecticut game! As you know Burch is a huge Oklahoma fan so let's go Sooners! My Auburn tigers don't play until next Monday in the National Championship!! Can't wait! My parents got tickets to the game and they are going out to Glendale for 4 days. I am happy for them...they will have the time of their life!

Hope everyone has a fabulous New Year's day!! Pictures from Christmas and New Year's Eve to come soon :)