Day 59: Stay Active, Build Immunity!

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Hello again! How are you doing thus far? Tomorrow marks one month until the wedding day, so I can assure you that I am not very calm in the slightest! We have had many offers for help in the past few weeks, however, so that should help alleviate some of the stress. We have DIY projects coming out of our ears on this one. Once I have everything built to paint, I think I'll feel much more relaxed about the whole thing.

Let me tell you a little about my weekend, it was very full indeed! Friday evening we had a couple of friends over for dinner, whom we hadn't seen in a very long time. It was an evening well spent, it was very nice catching up with them again...and finding out that wedding bells will soon be ringing in their future as well makes my heart very happy!

Saturday morning I woke up with a bit of a scratchy throat, but thought nothing of it and continued on with the day's activities. I had my old teacher/mentor and now friend come over for coffee and muffins and we chatted about old times, then went shopping for shoes. It was absolutely lovely! My scratchy throat, however turned into a screaming headache and I could feel my temperature rising with every minute. I tried to ignore it and go along with the merriment of the day. That evening I had planned to have about 5 or 6 girlfriends over for an old-fashioned sleepover. I told myself, "the show must go on!" So I hopped back in my car and drove to the nearest store to pick up some daytime severe. There isn't a miracle medicine out there, but this seemed to do the trick and the evening went along as planned. Pride and Prejudice on the TV, pizza on the coffee table, fruit and chips all around. I think the weekend was a success.

Sunday morning came and that head cold beat me, right in the face. My friends left as the morning went along, but I stayed in bed until about 4:00 in the afternoon - all the while thinking about how much I wished I was well enough to go walking or to do anything outdoors. I found that listening to my body was what was best as I slept until Sunday evening. At some point Quinn had come to pick me up and bring me over to his parent's house so I could be with him longer. I slept on the couch, then in a bed, then back on the couch all of yesterday. Yesterday, I suppose was Monday? It's been rough. Today is a bit better since I've been resting non-stop. I look forward to going back to normal life tomorrow!

And so I suppose there is the real account of what happened in the past few days. My activity level has disappeared lately, as I haven't had the energy to do much anything, but my diet has been pretty good for weight loss, that is. Yesterday I ate saltine crackers, oatmeal (too rich for my tummy, I found out) and chicken broth with noodles. It was a weird mix of food, but I couldn't taste it anyway.

Today I hope to eat things with a bit more flavor and less richness. For some reason I really crave Life cereal with milk this morning. Oh! Maybe I should have mentioned this first, but I haven't drank any coffee whatsoever since Saturday morning. That in and of itself is quite a big deal. With all the sleep I've been getting, I've hardly noticed, but I thought it was sort of neat regardless. At this point, I wonder if I could give up coffee and switch over to chia tea? Worth a shot! My teacher mentioned that the moment I give up coffee completely, my skin will start to glow like never before. I think that would be wonderful. We'll see, I just love a good cup of coffee in the morning. Just thinking of it right now makes me want to go make a warm cup of joe!

I realize that today is Tuesday, so tonight is my beloved Zumba class. With my head and body feeling the way they are, it would be foolish to attend my favorite class. As far as my healthy readers are concerned, I strongly suggest you go to a class, or find a fun dance workout to do at home. I'll post one here for your enjoyment! I've done these Pop Sugar workout videos before, they will kick your bridal booty! Remember, you get out of it what you put into it.

Here's a great Pop Sugar Fitness Workout



Remember to be eating healthy folks! If you're looking to lose weight, there's no amount of working out that can burn off a bad diet. Put in the good stuff and your body will thank you.

Stay healthy you beautiful brides!! Only 32 days until my wedding day, I'm so excited!!



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Day 51: Lose lbs While You Cook!

Thursday, May 19, 2016

How's everyone doing on the challenge? Day 51 is a big deal, we've been at this for quite a while! I hope that you feel like a beautiful bride, giving fitness your best shot and pushing yourself to the limits!

The wedding day is fast approaching us now as we looked at the calendar the other day and realized that the big day was only 45 days away. We were filled with excitement, but also a little bit of panic because of all the DIY projects we have yet to complete. If we really put our minds to it, we could get in all finished in a couple of weekends, but that's much easier said than done. It's not impossible though, we will achieve our goals! At this point, that's really all the time we're going to have, so it's time to get cracking on those projects.

I know I haven't been very good at posting every single day, but honestly if I don't have the time to write every day, then who has the time to read them? I think we can all agree that life goes 100 mph and we can understand that the time to write may not come in a short weekday. That being said, my workouts have been few and far between this week.

Saturday I would have attended my favorite Zumba class, but I was having company over that night and the house hadn't been cleaned in a long while. I thought it would be a good day to get on my hand and knees and scrub the bathtub until sweat dripped from my brow, along with wipe down the floors (I really need a mop) in there while I was at it. Once the bathroom was sparkling, I moved to my deck to wipe that down and sweep off the dirt/dust from the trees. I got down on hands and knees again to scrub the deck from its toxic sludge collecting from old garbage bags piling up out there. Let me tell you, it's like night and day out there now. When I finished all of my cleaning here, there and everywhere, I stood back to admire my work. What better way to celebrate all of that than to shop for more colorful things to brighten my apartment up? Our the door I went!

Overall, I had the best day ever on Saturday: shopping, cleaning, napping...it was pure bliss! Mother's Day was beautiful as well, I hope that all of you had a wonderful time celebrating the mothers in your lives. My mom and I went to Fred Meyer and stocked up on some shade-loving plants this time to make my little deck a scene from Home and Gardens Magazine. I must say, I'm quite pleased with the results! My mom has a knack for all things beautiful indoors and outdoors, I hope that the green thumb is hereditary.

All in all, this week has been full of activities. I didn't attend Zumba again last Tuesday night, even though I really wanted to. Quinn and I decided that it would be best to work in the yard as much as we possibly can while the weather is beautiful for the next few weeks. On the bright side, this passed Tuesday night, I was able to attend and get my full workout in!

I have been adding in little arm workouts and squats here and there. While I'm cooking dinner, I like to grab my free weights and do some bicep curls and tricep extensions. I find it's a good way to pass the time while waiting for water to boil, or meat to brown. Throwing in a few squats or standing crunches is always a good idea too!

Too often I hear people complain about getting bored while cooking, so they'd rather buy something pre-made or go out to dinner, but this is a great way to lose weight and be healthier overall. We all need exercise, that's a no-brainer. I'm sure saving money sounds appealing too! Cook at home and add a few workout moves in the kitchen. Watch your wallet fatten and your waist whittle away before your eyes.

Here are a few moves to start with!



As of today, there are 37 days until Quinn and I are husband and wife. The countdown is starting to tick a little louder in my ears with each day! I can barely stand it, we are so close to being married FINALLY. I am loving every second of this beautiful wedding season!



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Day 36-38: Reasons Why Sleep Is So Important

Friday, May 6, 2016

Wake up 5:10am

Ever felt like all of your body's energy is being sucked out from the soles of your feet and the tips of your fingers? Ever felt like your eyelids carried two bricks and you were left to struggle to keep them open during the day?

If you relate, you'd understand how I feel on a day like today. Why haven't you been sleeping enough, Heather? Don't you know sleep is possibly the most important part of looking and feeling your best on your wedding day?! The answer is ridiculous, has 4 paws, and is covered in fluff. My lovely little neighbors moved in about 4 months ago and lived there quietly all this time until that fateful day they brought home two yapping Pomeranian dogs. I consider myself a dog person, so I understand that they are part of the family, are great running partners, protectors, etc. My personal opinion though is that if the dog can be punted like a football, it doesn't qualify as a fully-functioning dog. These little fluffy balls downstairs have decided to start their yapping around 7:30pm or so, and continue to yap until 12:30am. When I wake up at 4:45am or 5:10am every day, those few hours of rest just won't cut it for me.

Today I decided that, since I have already discussed the issue with my landlord, it would be best to take matters into my own hands and write a note for them. I've met these people before, they are lovely, but their little dogs are certainly not. My note reads, "Dear Neighbors, We all love dogs, and we are sure your little puppies are lovable bundles of fluff...but the barking every night until 10:30pm or later needs to stop. Please do something to solve this problem, your neighbors will greatly appreciate it. Management has been notified. Thank you! - Your tired neighbors" Harmless right? I didn't sign my name because I'm not looking to pick a fight with these little people, I just want some decent rest. I know I'm not the only one, my other neighbor directly next door to them was pounding on their door the other night, making sure to share her frustration...only to excite the dogs more and find out that the residents were probably not even home, hence the repetitive yapping.

Good thing it's Rest Day! I think I'll take this opportunity to discuss the importance of rest on the body. Check out this helpful diagram!





WORKOUT

For Wednesday's workout, I tried this fun abs/obliques circuit! I was sore yesterday from it, so you know it's good!




Recalling the diet for the past 3 days gets tricky for you and I both to keep up with. I didn't really stray far from the normal meals actually. I made Eggs in the Grass a couple mornings and I made a delicious Garlic Chicken Penne the other night that was out of this world. More details on that to come!!

Bedtime - shooting for anytime BEFORE 12:00am tomorrow morning. Hopefully the yappers will shut their trappers.


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Day 35: Flab Attack!

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Tuesdays are good days. I would almost say they are as good as Fridays to me now since I look forward to the evening all day long. If you've been reading my little ol' blog for a while, you'd know that Tuesday nights mean Zumba night! I have so much fun doing Zumba because you get out of it what you put into it. If it weren't for the crazy loud music blasting through those speakers, it would be 12 times harder to keep up the pace of all the moves - just one more reason to love it!

Yesterday I was looking at some pictures of myself from last weekend's showers. Some people are notorious for taking photos at the absolute worst angle imaginable - one that would make any normal-looking person look like a cow - so I am probably not as large as the photos made it seem. Regardless of that fact, I still felt like flab was attacking my arms and face. Thankfully our Zumba instructor has added in weights and killer arm workouts to the routine, so I worked hard on those parts last night. I have noticed a difference in my legs though! Quinn shared his appreciation of that lately too, so that makes me very happy!

Here's a great flab buster workout to try!


DIET

Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs
I went very simple today
2 eggs
salt & pepper

1 daily coffee w/milk and honey

Lunch: Burrito
1 homemade turkey/bean burrito
1 orange cutie

Should have eaten more, but ran out of time at work!

Dinner: Tuna Melts...again
Since I went straight to Zumba, this was the quickest meal we could think to throw together. Good thing we both LOVE this meal!
4 slices Dave's Killer Bread: Good Seed
2 cans tuna
1/4 cup mayo
2 tbsp mustard
salt, pepper

Bedtime 9:30pm



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Day 34: Showered with Sweets

Monday, May 2, 2016

Wake up 4:45am

Hello and good afternoon to you! What a weekend, let me tell you! Saturday was a beautiful Bridal Shower, put on by my very talented aunt that blew the whole thing out of the water. Everything was "pinterest perfect" as we say! Later on that night, Quinn hosted a barbecue for all of the groomsmen, and most of the bridesmaids as well. Then the very next day we went to a Wedding Shower and had more cake, sweets, gifts, and lots of laughter. We had a blast!

This morning was back the reality though, and I realized that I had relaxed quite a bit over the weekend when it came to my diet and exercise. This week I feel the need to get some serious exercise in, as well as healthy eating. Aside from the dessert-y options at the showers and s'mores at the bonfire, the rest of my diet was actually pretty healthy. Lots of fresh fruit, turkey burgers (with only 1/2 the bun) and some pita chips with dips at the shower yesterday. I think the most sugar-filled options were the scones, cake, s'mores, s'mores bars (homemade, yes please!), and copious amounts of chocolate-covered coffee beans. They are all so yummy, but now it's back to business!

Now that I have openly admitted my sugar-craze this weekend, I am ready to do something about it from here on out. My stomach/body will certainly appreciate it, that is for sure.

The workout of the day didn't happen today, unfortunately. I don't have an excuse other than my own stubbornness. I kept my diet the best I could today though, so at least that piece was taken care of!

DIET

Breakfast: Egg Burrito
3 eggs scrambled
1 sprinkle cheese
salt & pepper to taste
1 tortilla

1 iced caramel americano for the road!

Lunch: Amy's Thai Coconut Soup
from the can, it sounded much better than it was!
Nutrition Info here

Dinner: Egg Salad Sandwich
For Quinn and I
1 slice each of Dave's Killer Bread: Good Seed
4 hard boiled eggs, cubed
1/4 cup mayo
2 tbsp mustard
1 dash salt, pepper, paprika

Simplicity is delicious.

Bedtime 9:00pm


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