The Events of the Last Week

I know my posts have been non-existent since the beginning of last week, but I've had a pretty hectic and emotionally trying seven days. Let's start with school. I was so excited about getting my classes situated for the semester, so I could officially say in December I would be able to graduate. One thing led to another and I ended up having to withdraw. I couldn't force myself to take classes I didn't need for my major to ultimately only have to tack on another semester anyways. The five day class schedule wasn't something I would prefer to deal with, but after lots of praying and soul searching, I know that this was in my best interest and besides...when you've been in school as long as I have what's six more months?

Now moving past that, Sunday my darling little nephew turned 2. He had a Monsters University / Monsters Inc. themed party and my sister and I spent days making all of his decorations, baking cupcakes, and making him a smash cake. I enjoyed the time I was able to spend with my family and all the snuggling with my nephew and niece. There is nothing better in the entire world than the sweet baby kisses that they so willingly give. Their laughter is just music to my ears. They are both so small still and have so many life experiences ahead of them. You never know what they are going to do and they never cease to amaze me. 

The picture above is a prime example. He didn't want to smile and was being rotten, so we played airplane and when he was in the middle of chuckling his mommy snapped this picture for me. I just love it. My hair is a mess, he's not even looking at the camera, but it is one of my favorites. ♥ 

Even though you can clearly see my double chin, I also like the next picture, too. On the left is Carson and on the right is my niece, Harmony. 

Now away from the party and on to today. It's SNOWING!!! We never get good snow here in Kentucky. Let me rephrase, we never get snow in the part of Kentucky where I live. You get the occasional dusting, and the 1-2 inches that school gets called off for, but it has been snowing since roughly 5:00 this morning, and I am looking out the window at a good 5 inches on the ground. I love the snow. I know some people think I'm crazy, but that is one thing that I haven't lost from childhood. Even though school doesn't get called off for me, I love seeing the pretty white flakes fall from the sky and coat the ground and it takes me back to my childhood. I remember sitting and drinking hot cocoa or tea with my Nanny as we watched the snow fall. Now that I'm an adult and married, that doesn't happen so much anymore. But, that doesn't keep me from doing these things alone. The hubby doesn't really care for the snow and I hate the fact he has to drive in it, but... there's still that little girl inside of me that is jumping up and down for joy and wants to get her hands on a warm beverage and a good book. Ahh, childhood!

As far as food, water, and exercise goes.. the first two have been well, except for the cupcakes and hot dogs that I consumed on Sunday. My exercising on the other hand, has like my blog, been nearly non-existent. I think I exercised twice this week, three times tops. Definitely not one of my best weeks, but not one of my worst either. I'm making chicken for dinner tonight, per the hubby's request. I'll try to be better about posting during the upcoming week. Now that I'm not stressing about school and what I'm going to do, maybe I'll have time to do some of the things around the house that have been neglected. 

But before I go, here are some pictures of the decorations we made for Carson's party. It's not all of them, but I was proud of what we did. He will definitely be able to look at pictures when he is older and tell that even though we knew he wasn't old enough to care about how much work went into these decorations and all the baking, that it was important to us. He is one very loved little boy.

Until next time,

Each Day an Opportunity

When I woke up this morning, I knew today was the day. I spent all evening yesterday visiting with family and helping take care of my nearly two year old nephew who has the flu. When I came home, I came to the realization that I spent all last week either feeling like crap or being lazy. It's that simple. So, I spent all evening pinning health-related items and new meal ideas on Pinterest. So, when I woke up this morning, I knew it was time to hop back on track and not look back. It also helped that my new Leslie Sansone DVD: Walk it Off in 30 Days. This is by far the quickest and toughest Leslie workout I have ever completed. I was sweating before I was even 5 minutes into the workout. 419 calories burned in 33 1/2 minutes. I am ecstatic. Can't wait to see my 30 day results from alternating between this workout and the "Firm 30" disc that is also included.

But, that's not all... I was so excited that I pushed myself to work out today, that while on my endorphin high, I chose to do a 3 mile Leslie Sansone HIIT workout. It got my heart rate up, but I don't feel like it was as tough as the first workout. So...overall... I burned a whopping 1060 calories today for a little over an hour of hard work, sweat, and determination. Water intake was on track today and I only had one can of Diet Pepsi. I had completely kicked the habit previously, but around the holidays I let myself get away from many of the healthier habits I had created, so I am slowly but surely getting back on the right track.

Regardless of what any other person thinks, I believe in myself and even though I've had a pretty crummy two months that could have been spent being healthy and losing more weight, everyone needs a break from the "all healthy, all the time" lifestyle. You have to indulge every now and then, and if you fall down, you have to get back up. That's what I'm doing, getting back up, dusting myself off, and going on my own merry way. There may even be some skipping, who knows?

Now to get some rest and prepare for another stellar day tomorrow...

Until we meet again,
Ashley ♥

Just a Quick One...

I keep seeing this quote everywhere and I think it is very fitting for how I've been feeling lately.

The hubby and I went and visited an old friend from high school today who just came back from being deployed overseas. While I am still lacking in the exercise department, I was able to stay under my calories today. I let go of my stress a bit today and enjoyed myself. It was wonderful catching up and letting go a bit. With all the stress surrounding me as school is about to resume for the Spring 2014 semester, I am thankful that I had today to just relax and enjoy time with my hubby and our friend. I am not sorry I didn't exercise like I had planned, but instead I am thankful that I know there is always tomorrow.

On another note...the hubby and I had a serious discussion tonight about getting a "couples" gym membership at our local gym. It is something I've been too nervous to even think about for the longest time, worrying that others will stare because of how overweight and out of shape I am. However, after the last few months, I am much more confident and much less worried of what others may have to think. I'm simply glad that the hubby is planning to join me in my journey to a healthier me. He is so motivational sometimes without even realizing it. I am so thankful that my significant other holds me up instead of putting me down, whether I succeed or I fail, he is always on my side. On that note, I'm going to go and get a good night's rest. 

Love and best wishes,
Ashley ♥

A Rocky Start to the New Year

Getting back on the "health-wagon" presents challenges. Sometimes you overcome them and sometimes they overcome you. We are all human. Today the hubby and I decided to order pizza. I knew it wasn't what I needed to eat, it simply sounded good. Days like today are those where I must remind myself that indulgences every now and then are not going to bring me down, cutting these foods entirely out of my diet would be setting myself up for failure. So, even though I was over my calorie count today, I plan to make up for it tomorrow. I already have my meals planned out and a nice long walk with Ms. Leslie Sansone on the schedule. Instead of doing a 3-mile walk, I have decided to do a 5 mile walk, which I haven't done in weeks. They work up a good sweat and the calorie burn is nothing to scoff at.

I have been working on price checking books for college all evening, trying to get the best prices possible. College is so expensive, especially when you know that the insane amount of loans you're having to take out are putting you in debt well over your head. I have decided to pick back up on my coupon clipping as well. With a 5 day school schedule starting back in a little more than a week, I'm hoping I can find the time. Who knows, this might be how I make use of the time I sit on campus as I'm waiting for my uncle, with whom I ride to school everyday, to get off work.

I've also decided that since I am required as a student to pay for a membership to the REC center on campus, whether I use it or not, this will be the semester that I venture down that road. I'm still overcoming the "all eyes on me" phobia, but hey, everyone starts somewhere and I'm already partially through my journey. Also, I'm hoping that getting back on track will alleviate the hair loss I'm facing right now. My hair has been coming out in clumps every time I take a shower and I'm noticing a spot on the back of my head that is really thinning out. I'm convinced that this is due to my out of whack hormones caused by my PCOS, but it really has me down. When eating the proper things, drinking at least 8 cups of water per day, and exercising regularly, my hair was looking good and my face was clearer than it had been in well over a year. Now, I'm facing those issues again. It's just time to start making those baby steps again.

This year has a lot to offer and if all things go as planned, I'll be a college graduate in December. Wouldn't another 70 pound loss be a great accomplishment to celebrate at the end of the year... possibly even MORE?!? This is all for today. I have a lot of reflecting and a lot of planning for the upcoming weeks to do this evening. Also, I have decided that I will be sticking with the weigh-in day established by my challenge group, Wednesday. At this point I will start posting my weight every week and my measurements once per month.

Until tomorrow....

All the best,
Ashley ♥