3 weeks in

 

Okay so I am not very good at keeping this up to date weekly. I have been super busy with life things so I will update you on where I am at. Quite honestly, this has been one of the most challenging things I have done. I knew it would be when I went into this. I guess I just underestimated exactly HOW challenging this would be for me. Mentally, emotionally, and physically. I am at that point right now where I want to quit.. I would seriously KILL for a doughnut right now. I look at myself and I don't see change. I don't see a difference, and it is incredibly frustrating. You get so use to how you look everyday, I guess you just don't see the change. Which is why I have made sure to take weekly pictures so I can reflect just how far I have come in three short weeks. Some of these are small changes, but they are changes!! Every single day I grow more and more in love with this process and how much it has helped me improve myself in different ways.

You will also notice I have pretty much the same bra on in most of these pics... I swear I do laundry! haha once a week in fact my clothes get washed! I just happen to wear the same ones each time I have taken my weekly pic I guess!

 

First day of the challenge

 

 Top pics week 1, bottom week 2

 

 Top pic week 2, bottom pic week 3

I am super bloated here in week 3.. stupid bloat!

 

I am working every single day to better myself not just physically but mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. The biggest thing I am working on for myself is to be more positive. So that is my challenge to you. I completely believe there is positivity to each situation. It is just a matter of seeing it and believing it. I have about 7 more weeks to go of the actual challenge. However, the trainer I purchased is a full 12 weeks so technically I have about 9 more weeks to go. I have to keep fighting and pushing. Through every single set back I keep facing, I will get through it and won't let it stop me. This was what I told myself when I started. I wasn't going to let my excuses get in the way ever again. Old habits are hard to kill, but I am also incredibly stubborn. If you are also doing the Ashley Horner Transform You Challenge, or are doing/have done her trainers, please follow me and I will follow back!! Support systems work! I can't thank my support groups enough for listening to me during my up's and down's. Now.. if someone could kindly make me a super healthy doughnut I can eat that tastes AMAZING... I will love you forever!

 

Jackson Hole, WY.

A little bit of my photography from over this last weekend! These were just a few of my favorite shots! Thanks for peeking :)

Transform You Challenge DAY 1

Happy Monday ya'll! It has been a minute, I needed to step back and take care of a few things! So for those who follow my Social Media pages know I am starting a Transform You Challenge with Ashley Horner. 

TODAY IS DAY 1... and I have already sucked! I had every single intention of waking up early and going to do my fasted cardio, but my insomnia decided otherwise so I slept through ALL 6 ALARMS!! The day is not over though. This is a 10 week challenge, so I will do my best to keep you posted weekly of my progress and challenges I am facing with this. 

I chose to do this because I want/need to push myself. I want to get stronger and I figured this would be a great way to boost me to where I want to go. Plus after looking at my before pictures.. I could use the extra push. Not that I am fat or out of shape, those stupid pictures are just COMPLETELY unflattering and terrible. I look at those pictures and think... that is not me. That is not what I look like!!!! It literally makes me mad, so NO I will not be posting them, YET. Not that I am embarrassed but it is an incredibly vulnerable thing for me to post, and I am not ready for that because that is 100% not how I see myself everyday when I look in the mirror. 

This challenge is going to help push me to be the best I can be. If you have never done any of Ashley's trainers before I will briefly explain how they work. I have only done one before so I am sure they will vary between trainers.  Much like many other trainers, she will give you meal plans to follow and a training guide. It then is up to you to follow each step and to push yourself. You don't have someone physically there to push you. In 2015 I did Ashley's Becoming Extraordinary trainer

This time I have chosen to do Magnify You-
"Magnify You (magnify yourself) is just that! Making your presence known by increasing your strength and muscle definition while staying lean. Magnify You is a 12 week program encouraging you to lift as heavy as you can and to NOT BE AFRIAD to lift heavy. Magnify You has many pyramid lifting techniques, drop sets, super sets and more. Magnify You has less cardio than Becoming Extraordinary."

 It had me sold at lift heavy and LESS CARDIO! The challenge is only 10 weeks.. however, I plan on following the full 12 week training guide. 

So like I said, I will do my best to keep you updated on my whole journey! I am so excited for this process and I already miss doughnuts and pizza! This is for me, and my future. I refuse to hold myself back and say I can't do this.. because I know I can. Yes the 4K would be SO nice to win, but that isn't the point here for me. I want and need to push myself harder than I ever have before. I refuse to let my health issues and my excuses keep holding me back from everything I have dreamed about having for myself. Here is to day 1 to the rest of my life! 

Gym tank cutting

 Are you anything like me and have A MILLION different t- shirts that just sit in your closet or drawer, never to be used?! Are you sick of buying $30 gym tanks just for them to get ruined because you sweat like a pig and they get stretched out, and gross looking after a few wears? Same booboo... same!!! Honestly, I would almost rather wear one of these t-shirt tanks anyway because they are so comfy.. I really hate wearing skin tight tanks at the gym. They drive me crazy! I have been asked by many to share how I cut up my shirts, and honestly I mostly got my cutting technique from Dana Bailey, here is her YouTube link https://youtu.be/HORdtWfXums
I want to say a quick thank you to those who have reached out to me and follow my blog. I know it isn't much, but I really enjoy this. If you ever have ideas for me or want to hear something please feel free to contact me and let me know!! I love having people throw out new ideas for me!!

Step 1- Get a t-shirt of choice

Step 2- To make the arm holes even I bring the bottom of the shirt up to where I would like to have the desired length of the arm hole. I usually cut it about an inch under the shirt sleeve.

Step 3- Once arms are cut, then I cut out the neck. I don't mind having the back lower so I just cut both sides fairly even if I can. Some times I will cut the front of the shirt more, as shown here.

Step 4- I like the razer back shirt look so I cut the back in more. Don't worry to much about them being exact, I highly doubt anyone will notice if it's uneven. 

Here is how the back looked, I sometimes like to add a little something to the shirt so have fun with it. I cut out little slits, and tied them together. Just gives the shirt a little spunk 😉

Here is how the front looks. It's pretty simple once you get the hang of it. You can get creative with them, there really is no wrong way to cut up a old shirt!

“Happy endings were never handed out. You had to fight for them, earn them with bruised hearts and sacrifices.” -Kim Harrison

I am sitting here in bed tonight eating my favorite ice cream.. Ben and Jerry's- Half Baked, all cozy with the humidifier on and my essential oils flooding the room with delicate smells of spearmint, lavender, and cinnamon. Tebow, my pup child, is snoozing away having little puppy dreams. Growling, running, and barking randomly at times, probably at a rabbit or another doggy friend. I have Netflix blaring of course as I watch my favorite show Grey's Anatomy. One of my favorite episodes- I have many- and I always cry in them. It never matters how many times I watch them, but episode 10.24 really triggered something today. Where Christina and Meredith are dancing it out then tells Meredith...

"Don't let what he wants eclipse what you need.

He is very dreamy, but he is not the sun. You are." - Christina Yang

 

The thought dawns on me and she is right.

So here goes my rant for the night..

 

For to long I have been told I am to much...

To bold

To selfish

To unattached

To closed off

To quiet

To manly ( LOL)

To loud

To stubborn

To what ever.....

 

*eye roll*

 

You want to know what I am..

 

I am too forgiving

I am too passionate

I am too caring

I am too stubborn

I am too heartfelt

I am too loud

I am too bold

I am too what ever.....

 

That is part, PART of who I am. I have been molded into this person I am today from everything I have been through, dealt with, and endured from this wild life of mine. However, I will NOT apologize for anything I am. I am human just like you. I laugh, sleep, drink, cry, and put my pants on just like you. I am a woman, not some fairy tail princess who needs to be saved because I promise you I got this. It's totally okay if that is how someone feels about me. The right people I need and want in my life love me for me. Good, bad, and ugly. Those are the type of people YOU need in your life. Sometimes people just come into our lives to give us a lesson. They are only a chapter in your life, but it's not the end of your book. "he is not the sun, YOU ARE." -C.Y.

 

My bruised heart and the sacrifices I made in my life have lead me here to where I am today. You are so perfect right? There aren't things that make you who you are that someone doesn't like? HA! Get real!

 

Life is not all glitter and roses and wine. There is a lot of hard things people go through in life and you do not get to judge how they mold from it. You might not like it, but hey... can't be everyone's favorite cup of tea all the time. You watch all these fairly tale movies, and shows where the guy gets the girl and they ride off into the sunset all cheerful like. Life isn't always like that. You have to get through your darkest days, darkest moments to enjoy the lighter days and brighter times.

The right people/person will love all the things about you. All of them. Even the ugly things or hard things about you. So no matter how much it may hurt when someone rejects a part of who you are, just remember in the end it's how they feel too. Their feelings are just as justifiable as yours, even if theirs kind of suck.

"because sometimes that's what has to be done. You have to lay down with it. The hurt. Or the heartache or even the hate. What ever it is inside. Sometimes you have to get close to it. Taste it and understand it so you can define it, before it defines you." - JM Storm

 

It won't be easy, but there are always brighter days ahead. So keep your chin up. Keep it down to long the tiara will start to slip, sweetheart. THEY are not the sun. You are.

 

 



Hippo Pits

Yes.. yes Hippo Pits. No this is not an abbreviation for anything it is just as it states. If anyone here follows me on any of my other social media pages or from The Hunting Widow Podcast you should know by now I LOVE HIPPOS! This is actually a re-cap from my first ever blog I had years ago, I have just been asked to re-write about the glorious "Hippo Pit" so ya'll will actually understand what I am talking about. 

*WARNING* If you are overly sensitive, or become offended easily, are a snowflake, can't take a joke, a PETA crazy, or just plain dumb... don't keep reading. This is your only warning. Seriously.

↠Some quick little fun fact about the Hippopotamus:

Hippopotamuses(also known as the Water-Horse) are large, water-loving animals that are native to Africa. Hippo's can actually be quite dangerous; they kill about 3,000 per year, according to the National Wildlife Federation. 

Compared to sharks: <1 person is killed per year in the U.S. and fewer than 6 worldwide are killed by sharks. Between 2006 - 2010, there were just 3 fatalities from shark attacks in the U.S.

I always try to keep that in mind when I am swimming in the ocean, but I still cannot get over my fear of water! *insert huge eye-roll here*

Here is my theory on how we can eliminate or at least minimize prisons and most likely deter the CRAZIES of the world from wanting to break the law. Imagine back in the Roman era when Gladiators use to roam the land. Thousands would gather in The Colosseum to watch these warriors battle it out against each other, and at times, wild animals.

Apply this into modern day, minus the Gladiators and replace them with Hippos. Okay yes that doesn't really make sense.. but it will. While you are imagining the Hippos in the Colosseum also imagine The Hunger Games and you basically have it. How does this come together with prisons though you might ask? Well, instead of the criminal going into a prison... they get thrown into our beautiful Hippo Pit. Now is where you will put two and two together on how these Hippo Pits will work, if you have read the fun facts little blerp I added in above ↟.

Think about it for a minute, or don't because it can really get pretty gruesome. Who in their right mind wants to be killed by a hippo?? It wouldn't be a quick death by any means. Plus these babies are HUGE and fast. Don't believe me? Go on YouTube and look up hippo's swimming, they are quick for how large they are.
Here is where you could really get interesting with things. Say you have a guilty person who breaks the law such as a drunk driver who kills 8 people and the jury justified them being put into the Hippo Pit. We can then say how many Hippo's will be in this pit with the guilty party. If they are able to live, I guess that was in their cards and they deserve to live! Then of course there could be some other type of punishment for them breaking the law. This would also be applied to rapists, child molesters, or murders because in my opinion most these creeps don't deserve a slow easy death. Not to mention the amount of money we would save from not having to imprison these creeps!

This could really minimize the need for prisons...
Do you really want to steal your neighbors car and possibly be thrown into the Hippo Pit over that?
-No!
Do you really want to go shoot that person from the enemy gang because your lead gang member told you they have beef(HA!).. to possibly be thrown into the Hippo Pit for it?
-I sure hope not!
Is robbing that bank for some cash really worth getting eaten alive by Hippos??
-Nah...

Come to think of it.. we could even use Hogs instead of Hippos... oh boy. This could be a whole other level of punishment for the law breakees! Because lezz-be-honest here we know hogs eat EVERYTHING!
I guess this could be another form of survival of the fittest, except we are putting law breakers and weirdos up against wild animals and putting the odds against their favor. As it should be when you are a dirt bag. Hog level could be more so like the hunger games. Where they are placed in a arena and there would be Game Controllers who can shift the arena and the Guilty Party have to try to survive. This could be good!

So just remember this when I run for President.. we will MAKE HIPPO PITS GREAT AGAIN! In all reality I think this would possibly change criminals minds on breaking the law. Just my crazy thinking though... obviously! ;)

"Big gulps huh...... well, see ya later!" -Lloyd Christmas

Breakfast Smoothy

I have had quite a few requests from friends who were interested in my breakfast smoothie I do almost every morning. If you are anything like me and have the hardest time waking up early, making breakfast, or even just want something quick and easy this might do the trick for you.

Please keep in mind the measurements I put with mine are meant for me. I work with a trainer and nutritionist so these are meant to help me meet my meal plans and stay on track with my goals. I HIGHLY recommend you speak with a trainer or nutritionist to make sure this is a good option for you and will meet your meal plans as well. YES this is the COMPLETE ingredients for this, I am not holding back on you guys with this one! 

First things first

ICE!

I add crushed ice to the bottom of my blender. You will need to play with how much you add to make sure you get the right amount. I can usually add one glass full of ice.

1 cup of spinach (can be replaced with kale) 
Calories

6.9

(28.9 kJ)

0%

  From Carbohydrate

3.8

(15.9 kJ)

 

  From Fat

1.0

(4.2 kJ)

 

  From Protein

2.1

(8.8 kJ)

Read More http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2626/2#ixzz4UA5IFBxR

3 egg whites (I use pasteurized eggs that come in a carton liquid form)

Calories (per 1 cup)

117

(490 kJ)

6%

  From Carbohydrate

7.0

(29.3 kJ)

 

  From Fat

3.7

(15.5 kJ)

 

  From Protein

106

(444 kJ)

Read More http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/dairy-and-egg-products/112/2#ixzz4UA5apS4m

1/2 cup oats

Calories Per (1 cup)

307

(1285 kJ)

15%

  From Carbohydrate

226

(946 kJ)

 

  From Fat

44.2

(185 kJ)

 

  From Protein

36.8

(154 kJ)

Read More http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/breakfast-cereals/1597/2#ixzz4UA6F1g9B

1/2 grapefruit

Calories (per 1 whole)

96.6

(404 kJ)

5%

  From Carbohydrate

87.9

(368 kJ)

 

  From Fat

2.7

(11.3 kJ)

 

  From Protein

6.0

(25.1 kJ)

15.8 Grams of Sugar

Read More http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/fruits-and-fruit-juices/1905/2#ixzz4UA6o2dcZ

1/2 cup blueberries

Calories (per 1 cup)

79.1

(331 kJ)

4%

  From Carbohydrate

68.6

(287 kJ)

 

  From Fat

8.3

(34.8 kJ)

 

  From Protein

2.2

(9.2 kJ)

13 Grams of Sugar

Read More http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/fruits-and-fruit-juices/1853/2#ixzz4UA794Urb

1 or 1/2 scoop choice Protein Powder ( I usually use chocolate)

That is my base. After that I sometimes will add strawberries or raspberries to add flavor. 

Just keep in mind the more fruit you add the more sugar you are adding. Anything additional will count against your macros, so make sure you are tracking each thing you add. 

This is what it looked like this morning! Sometimes it comes out green, sometimes more red. Just depends what you add in. I can have this made in 5 minutes. Then I am ready to be out the door.

You will be surprised by how full this will keep you. You can play with it, add in anything or take away anything for your needs and goals. This is what works for me! 

Let me know if you have questions about anything. I will do my best to answer each question the best I can! My trainer I work with is Dan from Limitless Fitness. You can find him on Facebook and Instagram if you want to reach out to him for any fitness questions or to work with an AMAZING trainer!