Starting over. Again.

I really am determined to lose weight. The thing is, even when I was 20 pounds lighter (where I'd kill to be right now) I still wasn't happy with my body. Honestly though, I feel like I've come a long way in terms of positive body image since my high school days. I feel like if I had my mind now and my body then I'd be doing pretty good for myself. Unfortunately though, my body then gained 20 pounds to be my body now and that's just not working for me.

I really do enjoy working out though to say I do it consistently is a total lie. It's a good thing I have Adam to push and support me because I wouldn't work out nearly as often if it weren't for him. He is probably the only person in the world that knows how much I really hate what my body has become (<--preposition, yes. get over it).

Anyway, I have made a decision; a very serious decision and I do plan on sticking with it. I have come to realize that it really doesn't matter how much I work out if I'm not doing something about what I eat. I love food, but food hasn't always loved me back. It's just sorta clingy and mean to me -particularly around the love handle area. Yes, I am going to work out. No, I'm not going to write down every single thing I eat because honestly, I'm just too inconsistent and busy for that (as you can see by my blog) =P ;]

I don't really have a special diet I'm planning to follow. I feel like things like that are just setting me up for failure. I do, however, plan on eating more vegetables, whole grains, and proteins. I mean, I'm probably the worst vegetarian in the world. I definitely never make sure I'm getting enough protein. There are days I get very little protein. (I'm not going to say none because honestly pretty much everything has a littttttle bit of protein in it. I just need to step it up a notch.) Also, I really need to cut back on dairy and alcohol. I'm not really a junk food kinda girl, but I sure do love wine and cheese.

So basically that's the plan. Nothing crazy. No crazy diet drinks though I pretty much cut out soda years ago I will occasionally have a sprite... like once a month. Seriously. I never drink the stuff. Starbucks will most definitely be my downfall if there ever is one. I'm in love with that place. I have MY Starbucks. Seriously. I'm a regular. I love the people there. They're awesome and always hook me up on days I'm feeling down. Or bubbly. Whatever. I love those people even though they probably think I'm just some weird girl with no life because I'm Starbucks all the time getting a nonfat Green Tea Frappucinno (no whip, of course)... Speaking of green tea, I'm crazy about iced green tea. It's just too hot to do the hot version right now, but green tea really is great for you. So on that note, I'm going to go whip up some green tea to have with my breakfast this morning. I think I'm the only one awake right now. Both cats are passed out in my computer room with me and Adam is still asleep in our bedroom. I love the house when it's quiet in the morning. =]

sing for me.

It's 5 a.m. and I haven't gone to sleep yet. I've been listening to Iron and Wine (along with some other amazing artists) on Pandora Radio. There really is nothing better than good music. I just feel so full in spirit and it's purely because of this calm, beautiful music. I have terrible sleeping habits, by the way. Usually I stay up until 3 or so. Lately, I've been up so late that I've seen the sun rise, but I really feel good about where I'm at during those times.
It's always nice to feel like you're in a good place.

Concerns...

I've had a lot on my mind lately. Work is okay, but I'm getting less and less hours which is really putting a damper on my bank account. I'm trying to get back into school and discovering that one of my schools I'm transferring from really screwed me over back a couple years ago which has been frustrating and could potentially mess up my application for this fall. I'm also very worried about my little sister. She's been having a hard time in school with teachers with bad attitudes that should really start acting their age and quit taking things out on a 13 year old. She's also had a hard time at home which I'm not really going to get into, but I really hate that I can't be there for her more. I try to be available as much as possible via phone/facebook/you name it, but I would love to be able to be there physically, too. It sucks because I kinda feel like I need to 'rescue' her from things... Things she can handle, but shouldn't have to. Vague, I know. She's such a smart, tough kid and I love the person that she is, but it's hard not to worry about her spirit being broken down over and over again. If you could, just please pray for her/send positive thoughts/feeling her way. Her name is Hannah. I know she'd appreciate it. I certainly do.

Dear life, you suck.

I'm a little on the frustrated side of life today. I thought maybe blogging would help, but it turns out I don't even know what to write about so I'm just more frustrated. I need for some things to change and that's all I'm really going to say right now. I just need.... better. Something better.

Moving on up... like the Jeffersons =]

Life is good. I've been at my new job now for coming up on three weeks and I love it! Adam and I have been going to the gym every chance we get so hopefully 20-30 pounds will be gone in no time! I've dropped 6 so far. Nothing to have a party over, but it's a healthy rate of weight-loss and that's the best way to keep it off so I'm content. I'm a little obsessed with the gym though. I love it. I feel great when I'm there and great when I leave so I find myself wanting to be there all the time. I suppose there are worse things to want to do all the time, right? =] P.S. That whole "stop smoking" thing I posted about awhile back... I'm kicking it's butt! It's been about two weeks since I've had a cigarette which is amazing for me considering I was smoking almost a pack a day. I can't talk about it too much or else I'll start craving it so moving on to another topic... Adam and I got a house! No, we didn't BUY a house, but we are renting one (three bedrooms with a washer and dryer) for what we've been renting our 2 bedroom apartment for which is pretty damn cool to me. We'll be all moved in and out of our apartment by the first of December. So yes. Like I said, life is good. Everything finally seems to be falling into place. I register for classes for next semester tomorrow and I know exactly what I need to take so here's to hoping I get the days I need so I can keep up this working, going to the gym, not smoking thing.... in my house. =] Great combination, I'd say.

Making Progress

Adam and I joined a gym.

This is a bit daunting to me because it's rather pricey and we have a contract and well, frankly, I hate commitment. I am hoping, though, that this will work out and I'll be 20-30 pounds lighter by January (which my trainer informed me should be possible as long as I'm "doing my part" and eating right and all that jazz)... I might add that I looooove food so feel free to keep me accountable so that I don't eat crap. I'm trying to get Adam to just not buy it and tempt me by keeping it in the house. We were laying around talking last night after our first workout (which was awesome btw... I'll tell you more about the gym later!) and decided to come up with some form of a more routine meal plan. We're creatures of habit. We go to the same restaurants so often they know us by name. We watch the same shows on Netflix and Hulu. We're a boring old couple and I like it like that. It makes our spontaneity all the more fun. Plus, we're broke college kids so this will help with the temptation to buy random food that we'll never eat because that seems to happen all too often.

Anyway, here is our tentative weekly meal plan. Granted, we have room for change because no one is going to shoot us if we decide to eat something different than what we have written, but we're hoping this will keep us on track and make us healthier. Also, a nice picture of some yummy looking sushi because I sure do love sushi. =]


Monday- Well, tonight we decided to have rice and veggies, etc... but I might just call this our oriental night because I love Japanese and Chinese food and I need to learn more recipes than just rice and veggies. =]
Tuesday- Tofu Tuesday! Haha. This is pretty much just any recipe with tofu. It's hard to not be healthy when you're cooking with tofu.
Wednesday- Adam calls this his "burgers and fries night", but I'm just going to deem it as grilling out night because I don't eat burgers, but I sure do love some grilled squash.
Thursday- We discussed this for awhile and decided that we would allow ourselves some flexibility and have Spaghetti Thursday. If we don't want Spaghetti that night though, we'll go out to eat somewhere healthy, of course... (and if I have my way it will be sushi) and save Spaghetti Thursday for Spaghetti Friday!
Friday- If spaghetti Thursday stays intact THIS will be our going out to eat day. Obviously, if we eat out Thursday then Friday will be saved for Sketti (as I like to call it)...
Saturday- PIZZA SATURDAY! Homemade pizza with our homemade crust and whatever we decide to toss on it.
Sunday- Sunday needs some help so feel free to recommend something... keeping in mind that I don't eat meat and Adam does (or at least isn't opposed to it)... I thought maybe Pasta Sunday or Casserole Sunday.... any thoughts??

Hopefully this will help add some structure to our lives. While we our creatures of habit, with work it is hard to maintain a regular eating/sleeping schedule so that's the real goal here.

Anyway, back to the gym. Our gym has a pool, sauna (infused with eucalyptus!), cycling, zumba classes, weights, treadmills, everything you could think of and it rocks my world! I'm hoping the fun atmosphere will keep us going (or at least the $$ we're paying every month!) As always, I'll keep you updated.

Have a wonderful day. =]

Hello Sunshine! Hello Fall!

So just a little history of the title of my blog. Actually there is no history, but I will share with you where I got it just because it's too good not to share.



If you know anything at all about me, you know I'm just a little bit obsessed with MGMT. It's been a long time since I've found a band I was so into. These guys are amazingly talented, passionate, and seem like a ton of fun to hang out with.
Also, they're coming to Nashville on November 4th and anyone that buys me tickets wins. At life. Really. I'd do just about anything to go to that show, but at this point it doesn't look like it's happening. *sad day*

Today hopefully will not be a sad day though I do have to go to work a bit earlier than expected. The only reason I'm not entirely bummed about that is that I woke up pretty early and have actually been rather productive. Also, it was GORGEOUS outside this morning. I even took pictures! I get to look at this pretty view every morning! =] The picture quality kinda sucks. But still...


I really like where I live.