It's Vacation Time!

It's that time!! Whoot! I'm leaving on vacation tonight, y'all!

Me and my honey are Las Vegas bound and I couldn't be more excited!  With all that has been going on... and work... and stress... and kids... and diet... and ball... Yup, I need a break!

At this time tomorrow, I'll be waking up to the sights and sounds of Sin City and I won't have a care in the world! We've got the room booked, most meals already purchased or vouchers for free (thank you MyVegas) and the concert tickets are bought! I am so looking forward to this laid back trip.

We've done most things in Vegas since this will be our third trip together (my fourth), but don't get me wrong! Vegas is always changing and there is ALWAYS something new to do or see... For instance...

The Worlds Largest Ferris Wheel

It opened in March, and it's supposed to have some amazing views.  I'm NOT a fan of Ferris wheels, but I MAY attempt this one.  You see, my fear is falling, not heights. These "pods" are supposed to be fully enclosed and able to house 40 people at a time... SURELY I can't fall out of it.  However, at $30ish dollars a pop... It may or may not happen.

There is also the above referenced sign... all these years of going and I still haven't seen that damned thing! We're hoping that this is the year for it! Did you know that there is a WEB CAM you can view of the sign all day? It can get pretty interesting sometimes! lol

And speaking of web cams... Here's one where you can watch the exact view that I'll have from my room! It's not LIVE, but it refreshes every so often to a new view. Seriously. The camera is right above the room we stay in and you CAN NOT beat that view.  I can go to bed watching those every night this week and I will NOT get tired of it!

Fitness/Health wise this week... I'm kinda on vacation. But, I'll be doing ten times as much walking as I would EVER do at home.  I'm really hoping that offsets all the yummy goodness that I will be consuming! I plan on logging as much as I can, I plan on continuing my protein shakes and vitamins in the mornings, and I plan on keeping track of just how many miles I will walk in one short day. I also plan on weighing in when I get back, just to see how damaging a week of vacation can be to your diet, kinda like I did at Christmas, here and here.

If you'd like to read more about what we're planning for this trip, you can check out this post that I did back in March.  If you've got questions, I've probably got answers! I'm a Vegas fanatic and would love to go back time and time again... all in the same year.

Also! Don't forget about the AMAZING giveaway that Alicia over at BrewMama is doing right now! 18 wonderful women (myself included) have pitched in some awesome fitness gear to win and you seriously do not want to miss out on this. you can enter HERE on my original post, or HERE on Alicia's page! GOOD LUCK! She's featuring all of the bloggers that went in on this giveaway the past couple of days and my day happens to be today... Hop on over there and read all about it! 

AND- I've started a Facebook page for anyone that's interested... like me up! And a new Twitter account too... so you don't have to read all my personal complaints or gripes! LOL Still on MyFitnessPal as well- NickoleM123 and IG as NickoleM123- I haven't made an account for the blog as of yet... Check me out, subscribe, like, whatever ya wanna do... I appreciate each one of you!  You inspire me to keep going and to keep blogging!

I guess that's all I've got for now folks... I've got lots to do before we leave tonight, so I need to get my butt in gear!

Have a great week ya'll! I'll be landing back in good ol Oklahoma on next Monday night, so there may be a re-cap on Tuesday! :)

A Wednesday off course.... Vegas Baby!

I promised a post about Vegas, and a post about Vegas you will get! I know it's Wednesday, and it's normally weigh in Wednesday, but I'm taking this week off. I've got a lot going on, not to mention, the new challenge with Adie, so I'm holding off until Sunday for my weight and new measurements. Now, back to one of my favorite things on earth...

Darrell and I go to Las Vegas yearly.  Usually around the last two weeks of April, and for a week each time.  Most people don't like to spend a whole week in one certain destination, but I'm the type that would rather spend a long time in one place, than to spend a short time hopping around.  I don't want to miss anything, and if I'm hopping around from town to town, I'll for sure miss something.

We usually stay at the Jockey Club located on the strip, just between the Bellagio and the Cosmopolitan, and across from Planet Hollywood.

This place is perfect for us since it's located where it is, doesn't sit directly on the strip and is a non-gaming casino.  While it would be nice to be able to sneak down and play some slots while my honey sleeps in, in the mornings, it's nice to not have to fight your way through smokey crowds to go to bed when I want to.

The Jockey Club is a Condo/Suite/Resort type location, so it's a little more family-friendly than some casinos, plus it's so much quieter. But, don't think for one moment that you'll get gypped on hospitality! I book directly with one person EVERY year.  Johnny Hul is an amazing asset to the Jockey Club and always is so wonderful to work with when it comes to our stay.  He makes note of our preferences, is always quick to answer any email or question I may have, and is always accommodating.  Also, I've noticed that over the past 3 stays, Tess has always checked me in.  She's also just as accommodating and is always a friendly face after a long flight.

The Jockey Club has 1 & 2 bedroom suites, as well as studio suites.  They all have a kitchen, a bed and usually a pull out sofa as well.  They still do daily cleaning, making the bed, straightening up sort of stuff, and request that you only place necessary towels to be laundered in the baskets. We can usually use the same towels for a couple of days, but we always get new rags. And they still change the sheets once a week. Seriously y'all. If you're looking for a great place to stay, I definitely recommend the Jockey Club.

And seriously... Who doesn't want THIS to be your view in Vegas? I was lucky enough to wake up to this and go to sleep to this.  Every day. Literally.  This was taken from my window. The fountains are my absolute favorite thing about Vegas to be honest. I could just pop-a-squat in front of the Bellagio and be perfectly happy. Alas, I still have to work, and while I'm actually there, Darrell likes to do stuff. (so do I, I suppose) Good news? The Jockey Club has a webcam so you can watch them from home. Or the office... or wherever! When it gets really close to our trip, I find myself watching it more and more. :)

Last year, Darrell and I went to the Tournament of Kings at Excalibur.


Basically, if you're familiar with the Dixie Stampede in Branson, MO, then this is the same thing, but with knights and horses.  You're sat in a "country" you cheer your country on, and you eat with your fingers. :) My honey is in to knights and armour and all, so it was a fun thing for him.  I enjoyed to too, food and all! I suggest doing this you've got an open night while there, or if you're going with kids. Tickets aren't too terrible, and if you're like us, you can get it for FREE! That's right, I said free.

Facebook has a game called MyVegas Slots. It's basically a slot machine that you can collect coins to play with (for free) and you rack up Loyalty Points. When you're ready, you cash in the LP's for free stuff within the MLife properties and their affiliates! things range anywhere from free desert at certain restaurants, to free stays and free meals. They have also brought on a couple of really nice affilates as well.  This year, we'll be getting our 5 day Monorail tickets for FREE! ($38.75 value/ea) Anyway, I'm not here to sell you on playing those damned Facebook games that everyone sends all those pesky invites for (I promise I only send them to people I know that play), but if you're looking to save some dough on your next trip there, I'd suggest at least looking it over.

This year, we've decided to see Elton John at Cesar's! WHOO-HOO!

I can't wait! Every time I've been in Vegas, it's been an off week for Elton.  This time... it works! I'm very excited to finally see Sir Elton, and I expect it to be so much better than I ever imagined! LOL.  We're about 8 rows back from the stage... Can't get any better!

I also hoped to see Britney (Bitch) while we were there too...

She's across the street from our hotel at Planet Hollywood this year and while I'd love a meet and greet too... it seems she's sold out directly from Ticketmaster. While I know this girl has gone off the deep end lately, once a fan, always a fan.  I'd love to see her. I'm not going to break my back to see her, but I think it'd be fun. Maybe next year if she's still in her residency.  Fun Fact: Britney is the youngest artist to take up residency in Las Vegas. (according to Jordan Miller with http://www.breatheheavy.com/)

I'm also excited about going to Tiffany's. (as always) We make it a point to visit a Tiffany's whenever we're around one since they don't have them in dear old Oklahoma. A couple of years ago I purchased a cupcake pendant for my current Tiffany's necklace I already had,

and then my necklace broke. :-/ I've sent it off to be repaired, and I expect it back in a week or so. Plenty of time to be able to wear it in Vegas again.  This year, I'm going for a poker chip pendant, I think.

 Darrell has challenged me with an incentive to lose weight. He's offered to pay me $10 per pound lost, by the time we leave for Las Vegas, to spend at Tiffany's.  Now, I know our trip is only 5 1/2 weeks away, so I probably won't lose that much, but, I'll add it to my budget so that I can buy my poker chip. :)

That's my post on Vegas for now, I hope you've enjoyed it, as well as the Weigh in Wednesday break. I'll be back with more info on the challenge with Adie as well as the starting weights and measurements later this week.  Wish me luck and Happy Hump Day!

Weigh in Wednesday

It's that time of the week again, and because it's also a new month, I've got measurements for you too.

This weeks weigh in?

Yup.  All four of those were taken within a couple minutes of each other. WTF? So, I'm going with 216.4 I suppose. Just average it out, right? It's a small loss, and small is better than nothing, right?

And here are this months measurements compared to last months.

 

that's bust, under bust, waist, tummy (at belly button), hips, thighs, biceps.

And this months photos? I can't tell a difference in, but here they are, I'll put January and March up:

I really have no idea what I'm doing, I just hope that something works... and soon! lol I think that the stair climbing I've added has done some good. I lost well over an inch in one thigh... although a little weird that its only in one. My arms have gotten bigger, even though I'm not doing anything to do that to them... so that's a little confusing. My hips dropped an inch... so much that I re-measured three times, just to be sure. Bu apparently my boobs got bigger? Ugh, I need those puppies to get just a tad smaller. Please.  And thank you.  Amen.

In Monday's post, I mentioned breaking down my gaols into monthly smaller goals. I need to lose about 8 pounds this month to get back on track for my 30 by 30 campaign. And in order to reach my 18# goal by the time we leave for Vegas.  Momma needs money to spend at Tiffany's. I also need to figure out how to get rid of that Shar Pei on my back... blech... 

I also set a goal to workout 30 mins a day, for at least 4 days a week. I've started back on my yoga videos (again, I know) and also am doing a couple of IG challenges. These are my photos from #MarchYogaWithJoJo up until today... 

Anywho- Congrats to one of my favorite bloggers and IGer's Valarie at Fab Chick Gets Fit... She hit 10K followers on IG overnight! WHOOT! Check her out and give her a follow!

I also wanted to say thank you to everyone that posted kind words on last weeks post.  I'll be able to elaborate soon, but each thought was felt and appreciated. THANK YOU!

Since it's Wednesday, it's linkup day... Heather and Ashlee here...

And hopefully Nina this afternoon.
Have a great week y'all and make it count... It's almost tank top season!

Fit Bit Reviews

As I had mentioned in my Valentines Day post, Darrell got his Valentines Day present weekend before last while we were out and about.  He's been talking about getting a FitBit band since he moved in, and so after doing a bunch of research a couple weeks ago, I caved and got him one.

We decided on a FitBit Flex for him. (this pic is of his {blueish one) on top of mine as a size comparison) This one was more waterproof than the Force and while it doesn't have the digital readout like mine does, he seems to really like it. He's always getting his daily goal of steps each day, but since he works in the restaurant industry, it kinda makes sense.  Here's a snippet from the website about the Flex:
"This slim, stylish device is with you all the time. During the day, it tracks steps, distance, and calories burned. At night, it tracks your sleep quality and wakes you silently in the morning. Just check out the lights to see how you stack up against your personal goal. It’s the motivation you need to get out and be more active."

We decided on the FitBit Force for me.

It's got a digital readout so it doubles as a watch for me.  I can also check my calories burned, steps, active minutes and flights of stairs climbed throughout the day too. I love it. It tracks my sleep and lately tells me I'm a crappy sleeper. lol. Since I work at a desk most of the day, I don't hit as many steps as I could... but I'm hoping that as soon as the weather cleans up, that I can start walking again. I'm really looking forward to setting some goals, and totally busting through them!

Since getting this, and since planning my trip to Las Vegas, I've decided to start climbing flights of stairs. Ya know, so I don't kill over while on the trip, and I figure it's good cardio and good for my legs.  I've decided to start with one flight, then increase it by one each day. Friday's count will flow over to Monday since I only have stairs at work and will be taking two days off.  Who knows if it will actually be beneficial, but i figure it cant hurt. (Other than my knees and my chest from breathing so hard!)

It also isn't a heart rate monitor. Sometimes I wish it was though, so it might calculate my yoga workout calorie burns better.  I'm at a loss as to how much I'm actually burning when I do a workout. Yeah, I get a general number from my LoseIt! log, but I'd still like to know something a little more concrete. Maybe that's just the OCD coming out in me.

Here's some info from the website...
"A powerful Force for everyday fitness, this sleek wristband is with you all the time. Stay motivated to keep moving with real-time stats right on your wrist. Track steps taken, distance traveled, calories burned, stairs climbed and active minutes throughout the day. At night, track your sleep and wake up silently with a vibrating alarm."

Speaking of the vibrating (silent) alarm... IN LOVE.  This is a much better option for Darrell and I.  I get up every morning by 6:20 (7:00 on weekends) so i have these alarms going of while Darrell is still sleeping.  With him coming in later at night than me, he sleeps a little longer.  I always feel bad about my alarm going off and waking him up. With this alarm, it vibrates some short vibrations and it actually does wake you.  And it's so much better than waking up to this great big loud noise every day!

Seriously... I like it.  I've only had my Force for a couple weeks, but I find it extremely helpful. I'm hoping that it helps me set goals, crush them, an re-set them! I highly suggest looking into the FitBit's if any of you are looking for something like this to help you step up your game.

Do any of you have a FitBit? I'm still learning how to use mine and how to set real goals and such. Any of you have suggestions?

Cause I haven't posted in a while...

Hey... It's me.  Niki.  Ya know, the one that started this blog?

I haven't written much more than Weigh in Wednesday's lately, so I feel as thought I've neglected anyone that may actually be following. So, here I am.  On a Saturday. :)

Yesterday was Valentines Day (as you all are very aware of).  My honey did a great job this year (as with most years) and bought my favorite roses and sent them to the office.

Yes, that balloon DOES say, "You're Pretty Special".  He's constantly telling me how special I am to him, and he loves to do things that are different from everyone else.  Think about it.  How many "I Love You" balloons did you see yesterday?  Tons. How many "You're Pretty Special" balloons did you see? Huh? One.  This one. :)

I also came home to a basket of goodies set out on my bed.

That boy... I tell ya.  He loves to go above and beyond, even though I told him no gifts.  The basket he put together himself, purchased each item himself, and actually paid attention and made each item something I've been wanting.

I have a new yoga video (cause that's my choice workout), yoga blocks and bands, new flip flops (that my 6 year old swears I needed), a new shaker bottle (cause my 8 year old and I use them every morning and I get tired of washing them), lots of Quest Bars (my new favorite snack), a smelly thing from Bath & Body Works for my new Jeep, Sleep body wash/bubble bath (cause I was almost out and have been having a hard time sleeping), a couple wallet/purses I had asked for, for the trip to Vegas, AND a game camera for hunting season.

Darrell had to work last night, so we didn't get to go to dinner or anything for the holiday, but I took my other Valentine out (one of my BFF's, Suzan) and we had a good time.  Darrell and I did our yearly tradition and enjoyed our favorite restaurant today.  Franks Italian. YUMMO

Darrell got his Valentines Day present last weekend while we were out and about.  He's been talking about getting a FitBit band since he moved in, and so after doing a bunch of research a couple weeks ago, I caved and got him one. I'll post a full post on my review of it... I may have gotten myself one too. I didn't intend on giving it to him before Valentines Day, but he found it in the basket and I couldn't say it was mine cause I got a different kind.

I've got the weekend off and free from kids.  Whatever will I do with myself? The kiddos went to stay with their grandparents for the weekend, and Darrell is back at work tonight, so I'm just over here... hanging out... blogging and all...

Wednesday I gave  shout out to my sister for her 16th birthday. We went to dinner that night and she had to do the whole embarrassment thing.

We love to do things like this to her. :)

Such a pretty young lady.  Watch out boys... it's not daddy you need to be afraid of.  It's her big sister! Lort help me, I'm scared to death for this little lady.  She's such a cutie, a cheerleader, and a boy magnet.  Bless her heart. Dear Lord please watch over her... closely.

In even better news... my tickets to the Elton John concert while we're in Vegas came in. Whoot! I can not wait... I'll have to do a whole post on Vegas as well... seriously ya'll.  i love it almost as much as my kids. :-)

Until then, I hope you all had a wonderful Valentines Day! Make the most of this beautiful weekend!