NSV - Happy Halloween!

Yesterday, I made the decision to start scheduling out every minute of my life.  I think having a rigid structure will help me with my self-discipline, and help me get back into the healthy lifestyle groove.  Hopefully, this will get me out of being a couch potato, procrastinator, and time waster. 

Therefore, my NSV this week is making a plan, and putting it into action!  

Below, you will see my schedule for the day.  I made it out last night, and plan to make the following days schedule each night before I go to bed.  Today's schedule sucks a bit because I'm stuck at work from 7:20am-6:00pm....booooo!  This means I am unfortunately going to miss the majority of the trick-or-treaters that come to our house...sad face. 

5:30 Wake Up

5:45 Out of bed and into shower

6:00-6:10 Breakfast

6:10-6:30 Get ready

6:35 Leave for work

7:00-7:20 Shuttle Ride

7:20-7:40 Get drawer ready

7:40-8:00 Blog

8:00-9:00 Textbook adoptions

9:00-10:00 Request NBC & MBS returns

10:00-11:00 NACS returns

11:00-11:30 Textbook adoptions

11:30-12:30 Lunch

12:30-2:00 Book counts/start pulling to keep

2:00-3:30 Sort textbook room

3:30-4:00 Coffee break & blog reading

4:00-4:30 Adoptions

4:30-5:30 Follett return

5:30-6:00 Close store/end of month

6:00-6:20 Shuttle ride

6:20-6:45 Drive home

6:45-8:00 Dinner/hand out candy to trick-or-treaters/watch tv

8:00-9:00 Spanish homework

9:00-9:30 Wii Just Dance

9:30-10:00 Read

10:00 Bed

I realize some of the things on my list may not take up the full allotted time.  To ensure I don't waste time, I already have two other projects lined up at work to work on if I finish something early: entering daily logs, and if I finish those, writing a Spanish paper.

Happy Halloween!!!!!  

Weigh-In & Scheduling

After having fairly good weigh-ins for the past few weeks, I'm back at having a bad one.  I weighed in this morning at 171.2.  There is now no way in heck that I can win my Diet Bet.

I have been stuck in a funk for the past few months, and I really thought signing up for a Diet Bet would help me get back on track.  Now that we are not having or going to cookouts every weekend, or going out to the lake to cruise, swim, and drink, I can say my eating habits are back on track.

As for exercise though, I still am in a rut.  I know what I need to do, and how to do it, but I just cannot make myself.  I have a gym membership that I never use.  I have to two strong, sturdy legs, and a whole slew of running clothes to I do not put to use.  I have tons of at-home workouts pinned on Pinterest that I have never attempted.

I think it is time to sit down, and make a plan.

Lately, I have realized that if I do not have a schedule, I can't get myself into a routine.  For instance, at work, if I do not say to myself, "I am going to work on returns this morning from 9-11, order desk copies from 11-12, class from 12-1, lunch 1-:30, etc..," I basically waste the day way.  I work on this for a minute, do that for a second, but I am all over the place.  Instead of finishing one project, I do a little bit on each, which makes it seem like that take much longer to do!

Same as at home.  If I plan to do laundry right away when I get home, then make dinner, then do homework, I do much better than if I do not have my evening scheduled out.  It appears that I desperately need some structure in my life.

As juvenile as it may be, I am going to start making myself daily schedules.  I am going to schedule every minute of my day in hopes that it will help get me back on track!

5 on Friday

{ONE} Nick and I have a rather large master bedroom, and I want to rearrange our furniture to make a space for a reading nook for myself.  I already have the setup planned in my head, now I just need to buy the furniture for my reading area.  Our bedroom is yellow and gray, and these are the items I NEED want.

{TWO}  There will be a total of 6 dogs at our house over the weekend.  Yes, six.  Four more than we already have ourselves.  A week ago, I told friends we would watch their two dogs because they are going out of town, forgetting I had already told my mom at the beginning of the month that we would watch her dogs this weekend...  Good thing Nick and I are dog lovers, and none of the dogs are over 25 pounds!

Sarah & Nathan's dogs: a pug mix and a bug (boston terrier/pug mix)

Chloe

Dozer

My mom's dogs: shih tzus.  One is 14(!), the other is 4.  They are both spoiled rotten, in case you couldn't glean that from the picture, but oh-so sweet!

Zolo & Toby

{THREE}  Epic's construction appreciation event.  Nick is an engineer for a company that builds Epic, the nation's largest medical software developer, in Verona.  Nick is extremely proud of JPC and the work they do for Epic, so I am excited for him that he gets to show it off to his family.  His parents, his brothers, and his SILs, are coming to our house for a cookout, then we're heading to Epic for the event and tours of all the crazy awesome buildings. 

No, no that is not Hogwarts.  It's Epic.

{FOUR}  This sweater.  I MUST have it!  It looks like Skittles!!!

{FIVE}  Stocking up the freezer!  Now that the cold weather is officially here in Wisconsin, Nick and I will be loading up the freezer with delicious cold weather meals.  Nick is making his phenomenal chili, and I will be making a few different soups such as sweet potato carrot,  hot and sour soup, and Thai Coconut Curry...just to name a few.  It's nice to have these soups and chili on hand for quick lunches, or dinner when we're feeling to lazy to cook.  

Happy weekend!

  

Wednesday Weigh-In

Quick post today, because I'm swamped at work.

ANOTHER positive weigh-in this week!  I am down from 171.7 to 170.4.  That's a 1.3lb loss.  
For my Diet Bet, I still have 3.8lbs to lose in the next 12 days.  That's a bit terrifying, but I know I can do it.  I just need to be extra careful that I do not indulge too much over the weekends, I stay away from sodium and candy (good thing Halloween is next week....), and that I stay active!  
Happy losing!  
------------------------ 19.58/150 2.32 mile walk on 10/21

Goals

Happy Monday!

What a glorious weekend I had.

Saturday, I went bridesmaid dress shopping for my friend Heidi's wedding.  This is not the exact dress we picked out, but it's quite similar.

Our dresses will be a deep green though that is called Holly.  They posed this model poorly because the detail is in the bodice with the criss-crossing, and her arm is half covering it.  It is an extremely flattering dress on all of us, so every bridesmaid is going look absolutely gorgeous!!    

After bridesmaid dress shopping, a friend came over for wine before we headed to a candle party together.  My aunt sells Party-Lite candles and accessories, which are pretty, but waaaay overpriced.  My main focus of the party was the continued wine drinking, and food... I did end up buying a set of adorable little moose tea light holders though.  

Nick and I intended on going out with friends in Madison Saturday night, but when I got home around 6 from the candle party, I wasn't feeling very well.  Starting Saturday morning, my throat and head hurt, and I had a runny nose, and I just felt exhausted.  I had the symptoms of an oncoming cold, and I didn't want them to come on full blown, so we ended up staying home.  I drank lots of water and oj, and slept the majority of the late afternoon.  I'm glad I did because I felt 90% better the next morning already.

Sunday morning, despite the chill, and getting rained on a bit, Nick, the dogs, and I did our 12 mile hike.  In total, we hiked 12.32 miles in about 3 hours and 40 minutes.  Not too shabby.  It was an out and back trail, and after hiking only about 2 miles back, we were kind of wishing to be back already.  We decided to challenge ourselves, and make the hike back go quicker, by running up the hills we came to.  It definitely was a challenge, and my body is quite sore today, but I'm glad we did it!

   

Just two fur-sisters enjoying a hike together.

CREEPY baby doll we found in a tree...

So many pretty colors!

This picture doesn't do it justice, but the varying tree colors were gorgeous!

As for my two goals last week, I did fairly well.

I was all over the place on Saturday, so I actually ended up only tracking my breakfast, then the rest of the day just kind of flew out the window...  I drank my fair share of wine, so I can only image I went waaayyyy over my calorie budget... The rest of the week though, I tracked every little thing I ate, or drank!

Burning 3500 calories a week, is an elusive goal!  I only got to 2311.  Which is an average of 330 a day for the week.  That's pretty good, but not good enough.  I have decided to keep the 3500 calorie burn as a weekly goal, until I accomplish it once and for all!!

That being said, my goals this week are:

1.  Burn 3500 calories

2.  Start running again

Remember when I used to blog about running all the time?  Yeah, I barely do either...  I'm not sure what happened, but after I ran a half marathon in August, I just have not been able to make myself run.  I was actually supposed to run a half yesterday, but my lack of training, and the hilly course, led me to just not go.  It ended up being a waste of money, and I felt guilty for being too lazy to accomplish it.  Time to get back into it!!

3.  Go to the gym twice.

Start using that gym membership, that I still haven't been charged for, again.  See Goal 3 here for further explanation.

Happy Goaling, all!

------------------

17.26/150

5 on Friday

<ONE> Weather permitting, Nick and I will be embarking on a 12ish mile hike this weekend.  We are hitting up the Ice Age Trail that I have written about before.  I figure it will be one of the last weekends to get a good hike in, if it doesn't rain, before the weather gets too cold.

<TWO> Bridesmaid dress shopping on Sunday for Heidi's wedding! Heidi and Allie have been friends since high school.  I joined the group our sophomore year of college when Allie and I were student workers together in the Bookstore.  Heidi and I were both in Allie's wedding in May 2012, and now Allie and I will be in Heidi's in October 2014.  Whenever Nick finally puts a ring on my finger, these lovely ladies will be two of my bridesmaids also.  I love these girls!

At a Madison Mallard's game for Heidi's B-Day.

Allie's wedding.
Yes, I am ginormously tall compared to all the other girls, even when they're standing straight :)

Our friend Katie's wedding.

Concert on the square 3 years ago.  It was a fat summer for all of us...

Celebrating my B-Day 2 years ago on Lake Mendota.

<THREE>  The delicious dinners I will be making the next four nights.  Tonight: Crock pot Beef & Broccoli.  Saturday:  Balsamic Bruschetta Chicken.  Sunday:  Crock pot Guinness Pork Chops.  Monday:  Creamy Tomato, Spinach, and Chicken Pasta.  Mmmmmmmm!!!

Three of these four recipes are from Budget Bytes.  If you haven't heard of this webite/blog yet, check it out!  You're missing out if you don't because she has some AWESOME recipes!!  Most of the meals I make on a regular basis are from Budget Bytes.


<FOUR>  Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies.  I randomly found this recipe on Pinterest, and made them for work a few weeks ago.  They are soooooo good!  If you like pumpkin, you'll love these!  They are super easy to make, and are only around 55 calories each...(at least that's what mine came out to, I made a batch of 36.  I did modify the recipe by using whole wheat flour, and 1/2 C honey instead of 1 C sugar).  I am making them again this week for a girls get-together at my future sister-in-law's.


<FIVE>  Like an old lady, I tried on some Dr. Scholl's flats.  I am on my feet a lot at work, and my cheap, non-cushioned, flats just are not doing it for me anymore.  I didn't actually buy any yet, but these are the ones I am lusting after... I never knew DS had such cute shoes!!!!

Have a great weekend, ya'll!

Candy Corn M&M NSV

Candy Corn M&Ms.  Does anyone else love them as much as I do?!?!  Most people I know, hate them, with a passion.  Me on the other hand, I cannot get enough of them.  If I buy a bag, it is usually gone within 2 days.  Therefore, I try not to buy them since they're not to good for a healthy diet.

You're probably wondering why I'm blabbing on about Candy Corn M&Ms.  I am doing so because they play a part in my NSV for this week.  My step dad bought me a bag on Saturday, and instead of eating the entire thing in one sitting, I have actually been controlling my portions!

One serving is 23 M&Ms and costs me 220 calories.  I have been a very good girl though, and have only been eating 12 at a time which runs about 115 calories.  After I had my portion last night, I stared at the bag for a while, wanting more.  Instead, I was strong, folded the bag up, and put them back in the cupboard.  Because of my self-control, I am going on day 6 of having the same bag which is still about 1/3 full.

Anyone that knows me, knows this is a huge accomplishment.  I have a ginormous sweet tooth that usually gets the best of me.  Nick & I have not even bought Halloween candy yet because I'll probably eat it all, and Nick doesn't feel like taking the time to hide it from me.  When we buy stuff for s'mores, Nick hides the chocolate bars until we actually have a fire to make proper s'mores.  It's hysterical, and a little bit sad, that I am 26 years old, and I need to have candy hid from me.

I hope everyone else is rocking some great NSVs!  

-----------------------

4.60/150

603/3500

Wed Night: 2.30 Mile walk - 212

Wed Night: 30 mins of dancing - 187

Wednesday Weigh-In

Good morning, lovelies!

Another positive weigh-in this week.  Down from 172.3 to 171.7.  Not a huge loss, but a loss all the same!

There are only 19 days left in my Diet Bet, and I still have 5.1 lbs to lose.  Completely doable, but I need to stay focused and on track the next few weeks.

As for Ashlee's 150 miles in 15 weeks, I logged my first 2.30 miles last night.  

I went grocery shopping after work so I didn't get home until almost 8.  Nick made dinner, and had already eaten, so after putting groceries away, I sat down to eat by myself.  After eating, Nick wanted to watch an episode of Breaking Bad.  We're only in season 3, and I'm addicted, so I couldn't say no.  

By the time the episode was over, it was past 9.  We're old people in the fact that we're usually in bed by 9/9:30...in our defense though, we get up at 5:30!  I really just wanted to curl up and go to sleep, but instead, I made myself get up and take the dogs for a 40 minute walk.  

I also chipped away a tiny bit of my goal for burning 3500 calories this week.  I may have only burned 204 calories, but at least it's something!  Only 3296 to go...

-----------------------------------

2.30/150

204/3500

I'm taking the challenge. Will you?

Ashlee over at A Step in the Right Direction has proposed a challenge.  A great challenge to encourage activity and get your booty moving.  The challenge is to log 150 miles in 15 weeks.  You can get your miles in by running, walking, jogging...anything that gets you moving!

The obvious break down of the challenge is to do 10 miles a week.  All in all though, it is completely up to you as to how many miles you do each week.

Head over to Ashlee's post to read more, grab the button, and join the challenge!

Weekly Goals

*I started this post yesterday, but didn't get a chance to finish it until today.  Enjoy*

I am back from my camping trip.  It was so much fun, and so relaxing, that it was extremely difficult to get my butt out of bed for work today!  Not only did I not want to get back into work mode, but my body was also still tired from all the hiking, walking, and bike riding I did.  Here's a few pictures from the trip.

My mom's dog, Toby, rocking his adorable fleece coat.

Our hike to Treasure Cave and Sentinel Ridge.

Molly-Beast exhausted after above hike.

View of the conjecture of the Wisconsin & Mississippi Ridge.

Skittles-Beast workin' it like a J.Crew model.

The pumpkins my step-dad and I carved. 

Big Sand Cave

As for my goals last week, I did fairly well.  I unfortunately ended up only losing 1.1 pounds.  On Wednesday I was down 1.3, but put a couple tenths back on due my camping diet.  A lot of exercise is not going to accomplish anything if you're not eating well.  

I did great with drinking plenty of water, and I exercised everyday.  I may have only gone for a walk one day, but it was still activity!

This week, I have two goals.  One of them is something I have attempted before, but have yet to accomplish.  I want to burn some mad calories!!  I am already a week into my Diet Bet, and a tiny bit behind schedule so I need to bump it up a notch.  My goal is to burn a total of 3500 calories.  

My second goal is to track everything I eat.  I just cannot get back into the swing of tracking!  If I don't track, my mind acts as if I didn't eat like a cow, but my body and scale show the true results!  When I don't track I binge.  When I binge I gain weight.  When I gain weight I get bummed.  The easy solution?  Just track!

I hope everyone had a great start to their week! 

NSV & Camping

Happy Thursday!  I have today and tomorrow off of work because I'm going camping!

Yes, camping.  In October.  In Wisconsin.

Luckily, we'll have really nice weather. My family takes this camping trip to Wyalusing State Park every year, and there has been years when it has snowed!  The temperatures are supposed to be in the 60's & 70's during the day and low 40's at night this time. Perfect camping weather!

Overlooking the Mississippi River on one of the hiking trails

This is our last big camping trip of the year, and it is a blast. We carve pumpkins and have them lit up at night on our site.  We go to the wonderful apple orchards in Gays Mills.  We hike until we cannot hike anymore (Which means LOTS & LOTS of activity).  We commandeer a group pavilion to have a big fire in the stone fireplace, and eat chili.  The Badgers usually have a big game so we all wear our UW Wisconsin gear and listen to the game on the radio.  And, we celebrate my Aunt and Uncle's birthdays.

So. Much. Fun!  

On to linking up with the lovely KTJ for some Non-Scale Victories.

After months of chaos at work, slacking off, and putting on unwanted weight, I am finally developing a routine in my life again!  It feels so good!

On Monday, I set 3 goals, and I am rocking all 3. Hard.  I have worked out everyday so far.  I have been drinking so much water that I have to pee constantly.  And, I have already lost 1.3 of my 2lb goal! 

I feel so upbeat, happy, and high on life that I have no idea why I broke up with my active lifestyle for basically 3 months, and chose to feel sluggish and like crap?!?!

Well, I believe I have bombarded everyone with enough exclamation points to last for the rest of the week, so I am off to pack for camping. 

Finish your week healthy, and have a great weekend!!!!!     

Wednesday Weigh-In

Finally!  I have a positive weigh-in!!  
I just did my official weigh-in for my very first Diet Bet on Monday morning so I will now be weighing in twice a week for the next four weeks.  This will help keep me conscious of my progress.  
On Monday, I weighed in at 173.5, and this morning I am now at 172.3. Wooohooo!
So, that's what happens when I stop eating like a cow, start eating wholesome foods, and get off my lazy ass.  Who would have thunk it!?!  
Happy weigh-in, everyone!

Diet Bet

Hello, hello, hello!

Per my recent usual M.O., I have been sucking at blogging, and at being healthy.  It’s really not ok, but I am just going to tell myself it is so I can get over it, and get on with it.

To hopefully jump-start my motivation, and get my booty in gear, I joined Jess and Ash’s Diet Bet.  It started today, and there is still time to join!  It is only $20 to join, and the pot is already up to $440!  If you not familiar with Diet Bets, click here for the info.

A quick run-down is that you pay your “bet” that you will lose a certain percentage of weight, in a certain amount of time.  In this case, I paid $20, and the bet I’m working towards is to lose 4% of my weight in 4 weeks.  Anyone that reaches this goal splits the overall all pot.  If everyone in the bet accomplished the goal, you basically get your money back.  If only one person does, they get all the money. Et cetera. 

The timing of this Diet Bet is awesome because it’s BEFORE the holidays.  Holidays are so full of temptation, and regardless of how hard we try, sometimes we put weight on.  Why not try to drop some weight before the holidays, and jump-start your healthy lifestyle so you have more will power during the holiday season?! 

In order to officially join a Diet Bet, you need to submit a full length body photo, and scale weight photo.  I always had intentions of putting up progress photos on my blog, but never got around to it.  Now that I HAD to take a full  body photo, I finally will be adding photos to my Weigh-Ins and Progress page.

Without further ado, here are my official starting Diet Bet photos!

(I can not get this bad boy to flip around,  uggghhh!)

And now, it's time for some goals.

1.  Lose 2lbs.

 I need to lose at least 1.7lbs a weeks to win my Diet Bet. I might as well aim a little higher and shoot for 2lb this week.

2.  8 glasses of water a day. 

3.  Get in some sort of activity Every. Single. Day.

I don't care if it is just going for a walk! I need to get moving!