2014: A New Chapter

For those of you that do not already know I am a major bookworm.  I am usually reading at least 3-4 books all at the same time and they vary from Christian books to Stephen King and everything in between.  I am a huge history buff especially when it comes to the 1960's (thanks Dad!) and pretty much read anything about the Beatles, JFK, Vietnam, and the Civil Rights movement.  It amazes me how so much was going on at one point in time but that's a whole other blog post in itself! ;)

I say all of this about my bookwormness (is that a word???) because that is how I view my life...in chapters.  I have my childhood which is Chapter 1.  Then Chapter 2 is when my parents went through their divorce which was when I was 11.  Chapter 3 was those oh-so-fun teenage years, 4 was my first marriage and becoming my mom and of course Chapter 5 started April 20th when I married my LouLou. Granted there are sub-chapters in each major chapter and many of those sub-chapters begin January 1st.

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It's something about a new year that makes you reflect over the past year and celebrate the accomplishments and mourn the things that didn't go your way and people you've lost.  I am blessed to say that this year I have not lost anyone close to me.  My grandmother is not doing great so I have a feeling that 2014 I will not be able to say the same but for 2013 all my family and close friends are still here with me.  I have put another year in at my job and actually was promoted this year!  I married my best friend, paid off my car, and am on a path to being debt free very soon.

This year also brought some very hard things too.  The effects of my hysterectomy are almost too much to bear which is why I haven't been on here that much.

Since I last posted I have ballooned 25 pounds and this is without changing anything.  I've read a lot about it and apparently this is a thing but I hate it.  I have been beating myself up about it but it is what it is and I have to accept that I am starting 2014 almost 50lbs overweight.  It's also still a struggle that I will never have kids again.  I didn't realize how much having more kids meant to me until I was told I couldn't.  I struggle with it pretty much every day and pray with time that my wounds will heal.  I just hug the two little rugrats I have and enjoy the heck out of them!

I have also been working a TON of overtime which leaves little room for anything else but thank goodness our new guy starts next week which will help take some pressure off of me.

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I have high hopes for this next year.  I don't want to say 'resolutions' because that seems to jinx it somehow but my goals for this next year is to:

---->  Get back in the 130's!!
---->  Blog more! ;)
---->  Go back to school!
---->  Look more into figure competitions (one of my secret dreams)

I haven't decided if I want to focus more on a certification or go back for a degree but I am going to go back to some type of school.  I really want to focus on nutrition and would love to finally get my PT certification.  I have always wanted to compete in a figure competition but have been so chicken but I am hoping by the end of 2014 I can say that I've either competed or I am prepping for my first show.

Just saying a few of my goals gets me so pumped!!  This year is going to be awesome and I am so glad I am starting the new year with you guys!

See in you in 2014!!! xoxo

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Cooking To Keep Warm

It's officially winter in the metroplex!  I personally am not a fan of the cold which is the biggest reason I have never even considered moving up north.  Weather like "Icepocalypse 2013" as its quickly becoming known in these parts makes me even more thankful that I don't have to deal with this kind of cold too often. 

 

This is a shot of my front yard.  We really should have raked those leaves before this storm came through.  L is really not looking forward to the thaw. 

I got brave and made it to the corner of the house.  I only almost fell twice. ;)  As I'm taking these pictures a few idiots go speeding down the street.  Some people really do not have any consideration for themselves or others.

The kids begged me to go outside and play in the snow.  I tried to explain to them that this is not snow but ice and they weren't having it.  This is them "proving" that we have snow.  Gotta give them credit for persistence. ;) 

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Anyone who knows me personally knows I hate cooking.  I've never liked it.  I will make every excuse in the book not to cook.  Lately for some reason I've been in the mood to cook.  I think my biggest motivation is when my house is frigid and the only source of warmth comes from the stove. 

I have fallen in love with SkinnyTaste!  Her recipes always look so amazing and I am always adding them to my Pepperplate app on my iPad Air.  I stalk follow her on Instagram and Twitter and have to say that her posts inspire me and make me want to love cooking.

Since we are "iced in" and I am freezing and craving soup I thought I'd try her Cream of Broccoli Soup.

I wish mine looked as pretty as hers but you know what?  Once you take a bite you forget all about the look and get all wrapped up in the taste.  Y-U-M!!!  

I have the most unhealthy family.  My husband and boys are all about anything that doesn't have a fruit or vegetable in it.  When E came in while I was cooking and asked what I was cooking he heard 'broccoli' and bailed.  Figures.  I told everyone they must take one bite and then make their decision.  Husband and my oldest actually ate it and liked it!  My youngest opted for a pb&j instead.  *sigh* Oh well...I tried.

I am SO thankful to Gina for helping me create something that is healthy AND 3 out of 4 people in my family actually like! It's a snow day miracle! :) 

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Getting Super Shredded!! Goal: April 2014

When L and me got our wedding pictures back we went from happy to mortified.  We had ordered a wedding book with all the best pictures and as we sat there flipping from page to page we both realized one thing: we got fat!  If it wasn't me exclaiming "Ew my chin!" or "Ew my arms!" it was him saying, "What happened to my neck?"  How did this happen?? I can tell you right now what it is:  I married a man that loves to eat...and not just eat but eat OUT!

After my Thanksgiving binge I weighed myself and tears welled up in my eyes.  165.  I haven't seen that number in YEARS.  My highest weight ever was 184 and my plateau when I started losing was 165 so seeing that number scared me big time.  I can't believe I let myself get this bad.  In the three years I've known Louie I have went from 128 (skinny fat) to 165 (flabby fat).  It makes me sad but even more than that it makes me MAD.  I promised myself I would NEVER get back up past 150 and here I am.  Do you know what I do when I get mad???

Natalie Jill Fitness

I get a plan and I get determined!!

I've been following Natalie Jill for awhile and have been wanting to purchase her 12 Week Super Shred but something has always came up so when I received an email about a Black Friday deal I was all over it.

This weekend I have been devouring every piece of information and getting a plan together so I can begin ASAP.  I know my first thing is setting a goal.  Louie and me discussed it and decided April 20, 2014, our one-year anniversary, we are going to hit our goal together and get new pictures taken that we can be proud of.

I also wrote out a contract to keep myself accountable.  I posted it on Instagram earlier and Natalie Jill herself commented on it!!  Talk about motivation!! :)

Something about this time feels different.  Having my husband and Natalie Jill rooting for me helps. ;)  Like Natalie says...

Things don't just happen, You MAKE them happen!

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