A New Year , A New Me!

Hey NeverEver's!

Welcome to the last day of December and the Old Year. We are bring in a New Year in a few hours. I am not sure what is going to happen in the New Year but I know what I will be working towards.

Starting with the Commitment Day 5K tomorrow morning!

I will be jogging tomorrow to start my New Year off right! To tell the truth I am a little worried about this event since it will not only be my first 5K I have ever done but it will be done without any training...or really anything.

It is a good thing that I like to walk for my workouts! Here is my trail.

I can not wait to share with all of you how it goes! Keep me in your thoughts while you are watching the Rose Bowl Parade! 

However, the 5K isn't the only thing that I will be doing starting tomorrow! I am also joining in with 2 more challenges from ChallengeLoop. 

30-Day Abs Challenge

So right off the bat I am getting into some ab workouts. I need it...not gonna lie and this just seem perfect. There is even a calender that I can follow for when to workout those abs! Plus this challenge is also making sure that I take a picture of myself doing the abs! 

Awkward is Awesome

Then there is the Awkward is Awesome Challenge! On this one I will be doing a 'New Physical Exercise' and posting a photo of it! Since there is quite a few exercises out there that I haven't even tried yet, I am really looking forward to it! 

Okay and finally, I wanted to share with you all something that the Hubby has made me for this Blog and the New Year Goals!

This is called an Achievement Board! I got the idea from one of the wonderful ladies over at #elf4health facebook page. She got the idea from a Hallmark Christmas Movie, and I am not sure where they got the idea. But, anyways, I showed the Hubby her Achievement Board idea and he came up for one for me! Any and all artistic ability so I was really excited that he wanted to do this for me! 

I just filled in the goals. They are set in Goals for 4 that get progressively harder, at least I think they get harder. So from Left to Right!

• Finish the Commitment Day 5K
• Finish the Color Run 5K
• Finish the Couch to 5K 
• Run a 10K

• #MeatlessMonday
• Drink more Water 
• Use Healthy Subs
• No More Reg Soda

• Lose 5 Pounds
• Lose 10 Pounds
• Lose 20 Pounds
• Lose 40 Pounds

• Exercise 3x a week
• Try a New Exercise once a Month
• Go on a Fit-Cation

I can color those goals in as I reach them, and I can add more if there is something I need to work towards! 

Okay NeverEver's, there is a Friends then a Family's party I got to get to then I need to hit the sack for the race tomorrow. I will share everything with you on how it goes once I come back! 

Have a Safe and Wonderful New Years!

July to December what a Journey!

Hey NeverEver's,

I know technically it has been a short year for this blog, it all started back on July 23rd. Finally getting tired of how I was living my life. Getting short breath walking up stairs, not fitting into the clothes that I wanted to wear, feeling pain inside my body that I knew I shouldn't be feeling. I knew things couldn't remain living the same life without some major issues physically and emotionally.

But has things changed since starting this blog?

The true answer is yes and no.

I am cooking and eating out less then ever before. The kitchen is not my enemy anymore! I have cooked Chicken, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner all from home, Tried new foods, and I even got some healthy cheese & pasta!

It should also be mentioned that while I have been playing in the kitchen there has been NO casualties of family member stomachs!

So, I learned I can survive in the kitchen...and even enjoy it! That has been a real eye opener this year and something that I want to expand on in the New Year!



My workouts have been almost non existent! The 'Ya I JUST worked out' feeling.  Yup, I am going to be putting it out there, because if I can't be truthful here there is no point in continuing this blog.

I have been doing my exercise challenges, very faithfully, but those are not a workout! At least I don't feel like they are a workout. Maybe because I don't feel like I do after a long walk/jog (my legs are so tired) or a Gym Class (my heart rate is way up). So this is something that I will be working on in the New Year!

I have learned that from these challenges that I can actually see a goal from start to finish! It still surprises me that I have been doing 50 Squats for FIT Happens Holiday Challenge since November!






There has also been the challenges, both real & just challenging situations, that I have joined and enjoyed. There is so much support out there and it has humbled and astounded me!


At first I was surprised and so happy that I was chosen to write a review for KLUTCHclub October Box. This was a challenge all on its own. Never wrote one before, I wasn't even sure I could do it. But I did it!



Then there was my first Blog Challenge from AroundthePlate. This challenge was to Eat at Home for 10 days, no eating out at all. Which to tell the truth freaked me out big time. But, this challenge is what taught me that I could actually Survive Without Fast Food!!

Oh and it also introduced me to the wonderful site ChallengeLoop! If you haven't checked this site out you really have to!

There was also my challenge to write a Guest Post for a wonderful site called FitKit! Such a wonderful site that has Healthy Living right at your finger tips. Ideas and tips from all over! I decided to write about Staying Fit through the Holidays.



And to finish the year off strong I joined the #elf4health challenge. Now this challenge was given to us by the amazing & creative minds of Elle from Nurtritionella and Lindsay from The Lean Green Bean! What they gave us was over 6 weeks of unique daily challenges and people that we joined up with to conquer these daily challenges! I have had some amazing elves for helpers, there was first Casey, then Alexis and the newest is Katherine. They have all been so helpful and inspiring. 

So I think this year I have done more for my body, my life and my health then I have ever done before! I have realized that my life needed to change, I am cooking more, I have an amazing support group, and I finally started my dream blog.

I can not wait to accomplish even more in the New Year. 2013 is going to by my year, and tomorrow I will show my plans and goals for it!

However, I wanted to end this 'review' post by thanking all my readers. You guys have shocked, amazed and have made me cry tears of joy. Thank you for being the silent, or not so silent, force behind this blog. You guys are amazing and I can not wait to bring in the New Year with all of you!

Motivational Thursday + My 20 Things!

Hey NeverEver's!

I have been busy today getting household chores done and taking care of a sick Hubby. I am happy to report that the laundry is done, and Hubby doesn't have a fever anymore! All in a days work right?

Anyways, here is another Thursday...which requires Motivation! However, before we get into that I wanted to share my #elf4health challenge today!

Today I was to 'Make a List of 20 things I was grateful for'. To tell the truth this one wasn't as hard as yesterdays 'Look in the Mirror' challenge. So I wanted to share with you all what my 20 things are!

There is plenty more, but these were the ones I came up with at first.

Okay on to the 'Motivational Thursday'!

Have a great Motivational Thursday NeverEver's! 

Mirror, Mirror - What is it that you see?

Hey NeverEver's!

I hope that you all had an amazing Christmas, filled with Family & Friends! I will be posting some pictures of my Family's Christmas tomorrow, but I am currently trying to take care of a sick Hubby! I am just hoping that I don't catch it!

But I had to write about today's #elf4health challenge, which was, 'Look at Yourself in the Mirror and find 3 things you truly love about yourself'.

Now this one was hard. Personally, I think its hard for anyone trying to lose weight to look in the mirror and find something. It is so easy to focus on the negative. The things that I don't like about myself. To see the positive, the beautiful, the wonderful.

Really wanted to share!

So that is what I focused on. I wanted to find something on my body that I found 'Positive', 'Beautiful', 'Wonderful' and here is what I discovered -

Positive - My arms have gotten smaller, my clothes have gotten loser, and it means I am going in the right direction!

Beautiful - I am finding it easier to look in the mirror and like what I see, since I have been working at getting healthier. So what I am finding Beautiful lately is my butt! Yup, I am seeing some serious lift and it is making me really happy!

Wonderful - My health has gotten so much better since I have been taking care of my body. I have to say that it is Wonderful that I am not sick as often!

This is what I am seeing while I am looking in the mirror. This is quite the change from my bad days, or even a few months ago when I knew I wasn't working at a better & healthier life.

Okay, I do have to go and get the Hubby some medicine. Really got to get him better so I don't get it!

Oh and on a side note --

I did it! I made it over 2,012 reps BEFORE 2013! Yup I am currently at 2,173 and I still have 5 more days!

Really had to share, so happy & proud! 

Motivational Thursday + Challenge Update!

Hey NeverEver's!

I really liked posting last week Motivational Thursday. It really got me out the door for working out, and got me ready for the weekend without actually blowing it on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. 

So because I liked it...you guys must have loved it...right?!?!? 

Also, if you really missed yesterdays post...well that is because the Hubby stole me away from the computer.  Gotta say it was so much fun to play Lego Batman 2. 

Oh I forgot to mention the wine...Yup there was wine & games! What a great night ^_^

But I did get my workout on with the Challenges!

 50 Squats Done!

 50 Squats & 20 Lunges

It was a slow night. But I got the legs in!

This picture really feels like Christmas, I can't believe that it is only 5 days away! Really do love how I was able to get both the Red & Green lights!

Now on to the Motivation that I really REALLY need! 

Now the one above really hits me hard! Now its time to get my walk on! Still have to get ready for the Commitment 5K that is coming really fast!

See you after Christmas NeverEver's! And whatever your Holiday, whatever you celebrate, have a wonderful time with your Friends & Family!

Baby, Its cold outside!

Hey NeverEver's!

Okay so the title really isn't all that surprising. It is cold this time of year as it is every year. But somehow it ALWAYS takes me by surprise. Plus tonight is really windy. 

I got home from helping a Friend pack for her trip to Ohio, and I decided to get my 5k training in today once  I changed clothes. 

So I get out there in the wind and walk for an hour. Get back home and I have never been so happy that the Hubby had the heater on! 

Got some soup in me and finished my Twitter Chats. Poor @ENERGYbits got stuck in Twitter jail, which is just so unfair! But it was a great chat, the part I was able to get to anyways. 

I can't believe that this was the last chat for this year. 

I am sad to report...I didn't do my circuit workout yesterday. Even though my Elf (Alexis) gave me 2 different ones to use, it wasn't meant to be. I had a head cold yesterday (really hate those things) and it just made working out a little hard. My balance was way off. 

BUT

I did better today. Today's challenge was to 'Treat Yourself to Something YOU Have Been Craving'. I had a small issue w/ this one. I mean I am not a parent so my time isn't given to my children. I don't have a job right now so my time isn't spent on traffic or bosses or anything. All my friends are currently away with their family or getting ready to leave. 

So I had all the time in the world to do what I wanted. I, for the last 4 days, have been doing things that I have wanted to do. So how was I to make this day special? 

Well I treated myself to getting 2 gifts for the Hubby & I spent time with one of my Best Friend, Poddie! Got to be together & helped her pack for her Christmas Trip!

And to tell you all the truth, it was the best day I have had in the longest time!

My #Holidayaday is Santa! But I can't find my Santa Hat so I had to improvise! 

Happily, inspiration has never tasted so yummy! Or made me feel so guilty eating Santa's! mmmhhh I think Santa might forgive me for eating him...if I leave him some cookies lol. 

Looking backwards to the beginning of December, I have to say that this has been my healthiest December I have ever had! I have been eating at home, working out & really giving myself some extra Body Love! 

Which was what this challenge was all about. Can't wait to see how the rest of the month goes!

You know, I am so happy that these Fitness Challenges came up, and I had the courage to pick them up! It has been amazing that I can now do more then 50 squats and still feel great! 

I astounded by what my body is learning to do! 

Even when I take a day off due to a head cold. Or even just a normal busy day. 

So yup I am getting my workout on and now I know my body can take it! 

Okay NeverEver's, I am getting ready to end the night! Have a wonderful, hopefully warm, night! 

Have you ever seen your body change and been amazed by it?

Commitment Day 5K

Hey NeverEver's!

Sorry I have been MIA recently. Yesterday my computer wouldn't even type! But now it is back to normal which I am so happy that it is. I am not afraid to say I was going through a panic mode thinking I broke my computer!!

Also, with the bad news, might as well get it out all at once, my assignment ended over at that Property Management company. I was expecting it so I am not surprised. Already looking for a new assignment, or maybe, a regular job that doesn't come through a temp agency. We will see how my it goes.

Okay on to the good news. I swear I have some ^_^

I have decided to do my first 5K on New Years Eve and not for the Color Run. The Twitter chat on Tuesday with FitFluential gave me that final push!

I am going to be doing the Los Angeles Commitment Day 2013! Although technically its really Long Beach not Los Angeles.

So I have been walking 3.2 miles everyday with my Challenge exercises.

I don't expect to run the race, I am not even expecting to jog it all but I want to see what I can do. I want to know how it feels to finish something like this.

Also, to see how much my time can improve between the Commitment Day 5K & the Color Run in February!

Here is the route that I will be taking. I know this area pretty well and I am thinking about going to try walk this before 1/1/13 to get the feel of the place. If not I might have to rely on m memory of the place. But it shouldn't be that hard. Either way I will let you guys know about it!

On Wednesday we were supposed to eat at least 3 servings of vegetables before 2pm. I didn't make it for Breakfast (what sleep was amazing) but my lunch was SkinnyTastes - Beef Quinoa Soup but I added more veggies in it. Like carrots, green beans, onions & tomatoes. Made for a very filling delicious and vegetable full soup. And it was all before 2pm!

Although I am sure I didn't make the 3 full servings I had more for lunch then ever before. So I am pretty happy!

Joining both of these together. Because well...It was easier to copy / paste it all together instead of separating them. 

These exercises I am still feeling them and my clothes are getting loser! Which is of course the best part of all this working out. I haven't weighed myself in a while, but if I am judging things by my clothes I am doing a great job! 

Okay NeverEver's, really wish me luck on getting ready for this 5k that is coming!! 

Vegas Eats

Hey NeverEver's!

So I was going to post all of this yesterday but I decided that I really wanted to break it up into 2 sections. The fact that I CAN exercise while going to places...especially VEGAS, and I really wanted to share that.

Now I want to share the wonderful Buffet food that I had!

Starting with...

This was over at the Cosmopolitan! For hubby and I w/ champagne it was only $88. Considering that this hotel is brand new and a lot of people like to go there...I was expecting more. 

I really had to take a picture of this. Kind of want to make it my background now?!? What do you guys think?

The table. I felt so fancy that a Buffet actually had place mats. Never seen it before. 

Okay from Top Left to Bottom Right: Duck Ravolli, Grapes w/ Brie Cheese, Lamb w/ Beans & 'Angry' Mac & Cheese. 

It was my first time trying duck. It was sweet and delicious, I am so happy that I have finally tried it! Everything on this plate was gone before I knew what happened! 

Again Top Left to Bottom Right: Three Cheese Panini, Korean BBQ Rib, Spanish 'Dirty' Rice & Sirloin. 

So the Three Cheese Panini wasn't all that good. I just don't think it really hit the spot at all. But everything else was delicious! The steak was amazing and the ribs yummy!

This was the hubby's plate..well one of them. It was a complete fish plate..ewww! To those of you that like fish please ignore my opinion above ^_^

Dark Chocolate Strawberry, Tres Leches Sugar Cube, Fruit Vanilla Parfait, Vanilla Custard Chocolate Cup, Red Velvet Cookie!

I really had to go back for more of that steak! It was delicious! But I had to add some green beans to it to even it out!

I really loved this chandelier! It was so beautiful!!

Hubby's dessert. All I remember that this one had it was an apple pie! 

Afterwards, it was all about Vegas Exercises!

Here was the Birthday girls Birthday Cake! it was a vanilla & chocolate cake. Not to sweet and it was perfect for sharing with the Hubby! 

Now on the Sunday's Buffet! 

This one is from the Harrah's Casino Buffet 'Flavors'. I had the coffee, salad, sirloin steak and cottage cheese. Weird combo but it tasted really good! 

I saw these waffles and I just had to have them! The hearts & diamonds were so yummy! Then there was the watermelon, peaches and cinnamon bun! 

Finally to finish my Buffet breakfast was the dessert! Such a perfect bite size yummy-ness! 

So today's challenge was to clean out the fridge and the pantry. So that is exactly what I did! 

Before

After

 Got rid of some old food, snacks that were expired and organized. It felt really good to be able to see everything again...but it also reminded me that I need to go shopping!

I have some BIG news about today's challenge that was done. My Hubby actually joined me! 

Yup I only have 1,334 to go before 20 days are over with! I totally can do it. Maybe I can actually get the Hubby to join me a few more times ^_^

I am still catching up on missed squats so I am doing 100 Squats! Done and Done!

It is time for bed but to give everyone a heads up on tomorrow's post!

Tuesday's Twitter Chats - Family Topic's
The new 5K I signed up for!
My KLUTCHclub box
Slim Genetics Box

See you all tomorrow!