Monday, Monday

Happy Monday y'all. Hope your weekend was all our was cracked up to be! Our weekend was rather uneventful. I spent some major time with my oldest boy, Ayden. It's rare I get one on one time with either of them, so it was a nice change.

We watched Calamity Jane like me and my granny used to do...

Then I even let him bring his sleeping bag in and camp out next to my bed.

Jillian kicked my ass Saturday with Yoga Meltdown... literally. My ass and left hip are killing me

I did more food prep and stuff on Sunday.

Baked chicken fajitas were amazing. And not too terrible for you, even after you add a whole wheat tortilla, sour cream, cheese and salsa. Here's the recipe, but I forgot to take a pic.

 Oven Baked fajita Ingredients: 
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips 
2 Tbsp vegetable oil 
2 tsp chili powder 
1 1/2 tsp cumin 
1/2 tsp garlic powder 
1/2 tsp dried oregano 
1/4 tsp seasoned salt 
1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel) 
1 medium onion, sliced 
1/2 red bell pepper, cut into strips 
1/2 green bell pepper, cut into strips 
Directions: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place chicken strips in a greased 13×9 baking dish. In a small bowl combine the oil, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, dried oregano, and salt. Drizzle the spice mixture over the chicken and stir to coat. Next add the tomatoes, peppers, and onions to the dish and stir to combine. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are done

Also made some baked chicken with the new Weber's Grill Spice I got free in the mail from Marlboro. Yes, I quit smoking, but I still log in for my free stuff, yo!

I skipped the Jillian challenge Sunday... she hurt me way too much Saturday, so I just stuck with my plain old yoga video. Anything is better than nothing, and her version is just not what I want. Lol

Today starts back the school weeks again. I'm really hoping getting back in a normal routine helps get my kids under control... Sheesh! Also hoping that you teachers that have been off this whole time are rested up, too. My kids will be back in rare form, I'm sure.

My honey is sick this weekend, so it's a good thing he had Sunday and today off work.  He's at home sleeping and recuperating, I'm assuming.  Poor thing. lol

How was your weekend and whats on the agenda this week?

Starting Before

So I told ya about the Jillian January contest I'm doing on IG... well, part of it is to take before pics, and measurements.  And while I took the before pics yesterday (and forgot to post them) I took measurements too, and forgot them at home.  I'll update this post this evening with my measurements... I'd like to compare to the ones I posted a month or so ago anyway... even though I hadn't done anything to change anything... I've probably gained inches now that I think about it... EEEK! HERE is a link to my before pics and measurements that I posted on 11/13
So, here I am. In all my glory. Once again.  Front, sides and back... Same exact type of clothing as the last photos, just different colors.

BTW... Why does my back look like a Shar Pei? WTF? What do I need to do to get rid of that stuff? That's just nasty.

Wish me luck with this whole Jillian thig... I'm not liking her after last night!

Weigh In Wednesday- 2014!!

It's that time of week again, and while I know it's actually Thursday, I'm weighing in.

*Dang Holidays*

Today starts a new year for me and I'm ready to make a change for the good.  Here's what I'm doing:

I've started back on my Zeal for Life regiment starting today. Wild Berry Zeal Wellness first thing of a morning for my vitamins and energy (better than coffee!) Then a protein shake made of the Zeal Vanilla Protein Powder, a 1/4 cup frozen blueberries, 1/4 frozen strawberries, 1/2 banana, 1/2 cup unsweetened Almond Milk and some ice. YUMMY! This concoction )along with the morning Wellness drink) give me about 330 calories to start the day.

They also have a supplement called "Burn". It says it a "blend of thermogenic fat burners, a natural carb blocker and appetite suppressant. Taken before each meal these powerful ingredients will accelerate your metabolism to burn more calories, reduce your hunger and block the absorption of the carbohydrates that you do eat... " Now, I'm not condoning the use of "supplements" but the rest of the program is very healthy... Wellness is JUST vitamins and minerals that you need, Protein Powder is all natural and stuff that everyone is doing to assist in their healthy lifestyles.  I personally love the program and am excited to get back on it.

I've also signed up for the Resolution Revolution with Jess over at The Girl Who Thought Too Much.

It's a great group of ladies that all want to be healthier for themselves and have an awesome list of goals.  We've got a Facebook group to ask questions, set goals and to make ourselves accountable. She's sending us member shirts, some samples and some great info throughout the month of January. We've already gotten our first motivation email with workouts and recipes, and she's a great inspiration through her own testimony.  You can check out her weight loss journey HERE.

I'm also doing the Jillian Michaels DVD Challenge with several wonderful blogging/IG ladies.  Its 30 days of Jillian (Eek!) on IG and a prize of $150.00 is up for grabs to the favorite loser! It starts today and runs through Feb 2nd and I'm determined to at least DO the challenge.  Winning would be a plus, but its about principal.  Check out the blogs or IG for Holly, Jennifer, Kim, or Melanie for more info if you're interested. Workouts start tonight, and I've purchased the 30 Day Shred and her Yoga Video to help me. I'll also probably do some of my other Yoga video as well, mostly because I love yoga and I figure I'll hate Jillian's yoga. lol My user name on IG is NickoleM123 if you wanna be friends and do the challenge together... Come keep up with me!

I did a shit ton of food prep for the week last night.  Baked Chicken, steamed green beans, steamed carrots, steamed broccoli, and brown rice.

10 meals, all around 175-250 calories. I'm putting my daily caloric intake around 1500, as recommended by my LoseIt App that I have on my phone. I love this app for keeping up with everything from food to exercise. NickoleM123 is my user name on there... Friend me! You input your weight, goal weight, height and age and it calculates your calories based on how you want to lose the weight.  2# per week being the maximum, because that is a healthy rate to lose it. I love looking into my fridge and seeing these meals all tucked away. I also boiled some eggs, and got fresh veggies cleaned and cut for snacks as well.

I'm telling y'all it's a new year and a new me. :) Here's to 2014 and everyone achieving their goals!

New Years, New Me

Yes, I know.  It gets said every year. By almost every one. But this year, it's going to be true for me.
This year, I am determined to be a better me.  A better mommy.  A better girlfriend. A healthier me.
I'm starting the year with goals, but figuring out those goals is one of the hardest things I've done.  Do I set time lines with those goals, or just a general "by the end of the year"? What is considered a "Goal?" Is it worth it to put down?
Here are some of the things I would like to accomplish this next year: (in no specific order)

Be healthy:

I already quit smoking about 6 weeks ago, so I want to include continuing to be smoke free.
Reach a goal weight of 195 by my birthday, July 26. That's about 30 pounds in 7 months.
Reach a Goal weight of 175 by the end of the year.  That's 50! pounds in twelve months. A pound a week...
Meal Plan & Food Prep (because failure to plan, is a plan to fail)
Eat Clean 5 Times a week.  No everyday, but most.
Do Yoga 5 times a week.  I don't care what day it is, or how many times I do it a day, I just want to do it.

Improve my every day life:

Sit to eat my meals. Dinner at least. You seriously have no idea how much more relaxing it is to SIT while eating.
Write down my good things.  Things happen every day that you think you'll remember. I don't.  I have a terrible memory! I want to write them, so that I can reflect on them, when I need a reminder.
Send Birthday Cards.  I know that may sound petty, but I have a friend who ALWAYS sends me a card.  For Mothers day, for Christmas, for my Birthday. I never send cards, but know I should.
Count to 10... I have a TERRIBLE habit of flying off the handle.  Of not having patience. I need to learn patience, and counting to 10 will help.

Long Term Changes:

Pay off my credit cards... cause, uh, duh.
Read 12 books this year.  That's one a month, and I hate to read.  Surely, I can get 12 in this year. Right? Suggestions?
HUNT with my bow.  I always hunt, but I normally use a gun.  My honey bought me a bow last year and I haven't gotten to hunt with it yet. Let alone shoot it this year.  I WILL hunt with it next deer season.


I've currently signed up for the Resolution Revolution with Jess over here...

Hopefully she's got some good stuff worked out for us and we'll get our fitness on after the first! It looks like it's going to be full of advice, support and accountability.  Accountability is a big thing for me.  If I don't feel like someone is paying attention, neither am I! lol  I can't wait for this to get going and to get my member shirt in the mail! Thanks so much for the group Jess! I'm looking forward to starting my year off right.

I've also been checking out the post here with Holly. For the month of January, her friends Melanie, Jenn, Kimmy, and her are hosting a Jillian Michael's challenge for Instagram only. To help them kick off the new year and the beer-bloat, they are doing the "Jillian in January Challenge." All you have to do to join is pick your favorite Jillian DVD. She likes her DVD's because they are only about $9 a Target and they are short enough to do before/after work and actually provide results. You can check out her Shred results HERE.

Thinking about it, but it would mean that I would have to invest in a Jillian DVD, and I've heard she's pretty hard core... awe Hell... It's worth it.  Lets throw this in the mix for 30 days and see just how awesome that 30 day Shred really is.  Looks like Target has it on sale right now for $6.99! WHOOT! (I have Amazon Prime, so I ordered from there to save on shipping!)

What are your goals and how do you plan on achieving them? How do you set your goals?

Hope everyone has a safe and happy new year! I'll be taking my friend Suzan out for her birthday with a great group of ladies, then heading back home to ring in the new year with my Honey for the first time in 3 years.  I can't wait!