4 Week Update

Soooo.... 4 weeks ago I decided enough was enough.

Since my wedding last May I had steadily been gain weight... All the weight I had worked so hard to lose for our big day. I went from 170-175 to.... 205....

YIKES!!

To be fair I spent the summer traveling for work... I spent 3 months living out of a hotel with Subway being the 'healthiest' option for food... It stunk!

And then, in November I was put on notice at my job... "Shape up or Get out"... Not physically... I guess I just wasn't performing where I needed to be... Honestly I think there might be some other politics going on but whatever... It was scary... And brought back all sorts of negative internal demons which I have a very hard time quieting.

I am a binge eater... There I said it... Instead of 1 slice of pizza I get my own pizza... And devour it... Instead of 1 bag of chips, 6,7,8?? Single serve size to help "control" consumption... What a load of bull!!

I was stressed... There were family issues too... We weren't able to get away for the holidays... I was down, and isolating from friends and family... Just me and my food.

But I made it through the end of the year with my job... Things were looking up a little.

A friend from work lost like 30 pounds in an 8 week challenge with some of his family members... I figured if he could do it then so could I. He and his wife were really into green smoothies... I was a little skeptical at first but decided to give it a try.

4 Weeks Ago...

4 Weeks Ago I decided enough was enough... Time to start counting calories to really see just how much I was putting into my body. I figured a green smoothie would be a great way to eat a large volume of food that is low calorie and high in nutrients...

3 hours and a shot of epinephrine later I found out that I was allergic to Spinach and Mango... Like violently allergic... Like try it again and maybe die allergic... Weird right? Yeah... Fun... And disappointing... I was excited to be trying something healthy and it back fired.

I did however download MyFitnessPal on both my iPhone and my iPad {add me! Burke505}... And I have been religiously tracking ever since... My goal is 1200 calories per day, but I eat more on days that I exercise at the gym... Basically Monday thru Friday, since I go to the gym at Lunch with colleagues... On average I'm probably eating about 1400 calories per day...

And even though it is much slower than some of the crazy diets I have been on in the past I don't feel deprived at all... I've gone out with the Hubs for dinner at a Pizza joint... And 5 Guys, with fries! And had subway and jimmy john's for lunch once...

And best of all??? I've lost 15 pounds so far!

I'm trying hard to stay motivated to keep going since I feel like I still have soooooo far to go... I'm trying to remember:

 

What are you struggling with this week? Get motivated on relationships, and add your post to the linky at today’s Life in Balance Motivation post!

101 in 1001 Update

The Goal: Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

Starting Jan 1st 2013 to Sept 29th 2015


1. Attend a Cooking Class
2. Cook Grandma Gordon's rolls
3. Cook 20 recipes from cookbooks I own (0/20)
4. Make 5 dishes that get 5 stars from husband, write them down (0/5)
5. Make the Perfect Loaf of Bread
6. Learn Hubby's favorite childhood recipes (at least 3) (1/3)
{I can make Pot Pie now!!}
7. Master Bed Linen Overhaul - Done
{ We bought a new duvet & cover ... And a new blanket}
8. Create a Photo Wall in our Home
9. Refinish a Piece of Furniture
10. Build A Piece Of Furniture
11. Patch & Paint Living Room Walls
{ I did this! YAY! I had to paint the whole living room because I bought the wrong color}
12. Move the TV - Use the Fireplace!!
13. Hang Art in the Kitchen
14. Paint the House Exterior
15. Finish the Deck Handrail
16. Install Fence Gate
17. Only buy thrifted clothes until I weigh 160 lbs
{So far I've bought 1 sweater with a gift card and some new workout shorts that I desperately needed... I think it keeps with the spirit so I'd say I'm on track here}
18. Keep track of our Donations
19. Pay off 3 student loans (0/3)
20. Don't Buy Lunch At Work For One Month (31/31)
{Done! Not too hard actually!}
21. Set up Baby College Fund when Pregnant
22. Sell $300 worth of stuff on eBay or Craigslist or KSL
23. Learn and be able to use 50 Spanish words
24. Learn and be able to use 50 Italian words
25. Read 3 "Bestseller" Books (0/3)
26. Try 10 foods I’ve never had before (2/10)
{Oatmeal (love it) and Mango (severely allergic - go figure)}
27. Get in Contact with my Best Friend from High School
28. Create a new Income Stream
29. Buy a nice Piece of Art
30. Get a more Professional Wardrobe - 10 new pieces (2/10)
{I got 2 shirts from the DI !}
31. Buy a new gym bag
32. Finish lotions before buying new ones
{working on it!!}
33. Host Thanksgiving dinner
34. Move to California
{working on it!!}
35.Create "Binder Of Important Stuff"
{working on it!!}
36. Make A Will
37. Get Featured On a BIG Blog
38. Grow a Plant from a Seed
39. Send cards to the Grandma's 1xmonth x 6 months
{We sent Vday cards to all grandparents... Maybe again for Mother's Day?}
40. Eat as a vegan for one week
41. Give up all carbonated beverages for 4 months (1/4)
{We gave up soda for lent... 6 weeks... I honestly could not wait to drink it again although its not as yummy as it used to be}
42. Go hiking for at least 3 hours
43. Lose 30 Pounds
{working on it! I have lost 14.8 pounds so far!!}
44. Run 1 Mile without Walking
45. Run a 5k Event
46. Take a fitness class for 4 weeks (0/4)
47. Take a picture of every single thing I eat for 30 days
48. Fit into size 12 jeans
49. Get to a healthy BMI
50. Buy a bicycle
51. Send off Wedding Dress to be Cleaned
52. Sell the Remaining Wedding Stuff or Donate it
53. Put together a Birthday/Anniversary Calendar for Friends and Family
54. Clean out my Garage
55. Get rid of all of the clothes that no longer fit / I no longer wear
56. Get Pregnant!!
57. Take Prenatal Vitamins every day of Pregnancy
58. Family Photo
59. Learn to Sew Cloth Diapers
60. Collect 10 Classic Children's books
61. Take Hubby to a bar in Nashville
62. Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
63. Travel to Europe
64. Go on a Cruise
65. Play poker in Vegas
66. Pacific Ocean & Atlantic
67. Visit 3 states I’ve never been to!
68. Grand Canyon
{We are planning on going for our anniversary next month!!}
69. Mount Rushmore
70. Disney!
71. Visit the Salt Lake
72. Snowboard in Park City
73. Go to a Farmers Market
74. Enter a Photography Contest
75. Buy a Real Camera
76. Build a Snowman
77. Coordinating Halloween Costume
78. Girls Trip with College Girlfriends
79. Sister/Mom Trip
80. Have a Picnic in the Park
81. See a Pro Game
82. Go to at least four concerts/shows (0/4)
83. Attend a State Fair
{We are planning on going to Alaska in August to be there for the state fair! Soooo excited!}
84. Buy a Lottery Ticket
85. Watch 10 Classic Movies. (0/10)
86. Learn how to Play a new Card Game
87. Go an Entire 24 Hours without Internet
88. Host a Baby Shower
89. Whiten Teeth for a Whole Month
{Done!!.... I'll probably do it again tho}
90. Go to the Dentist & Eye Doctor
{Went to the eye doctor! Get glasses ... Whomp whomp... Just a very very low prescription and I don't have to wear them if I don't want}
91. Hair Cut... Not Trim
92. Buy something from Hermes...
93. ... Give it to my mom.
94. Wear False Lashes for a Day
95. Bake a Cake for Someone
96. Complete 10 random acts of kindness for someone who isn’t a family member. (0/10)
97. Send out 10 Cards to People Just Because (0/10)
98. Adopt a Family at Christmas
99. Donate Blood
100. Write to 10 Letters to Managers that Compliment an Employee for Good Service. (0/10)
101. Make a new 101 list in 1001 days!

Sew Fab e-Pattern Sale & GIVEAWAY!!

 

WLB Fans! Today is the 1st day of the 1st ever Sew Fab e-Pattern Bundle Sale and GIVEAWAY, sponsored by The Southern Institute and Fat Quarter Shop!

 

Over the past eight weeks a lot of behind the scenes work has taken place to bring you this amazing bundle of ePatterns from several of the top pattern designers and bloggers in the sewing and blogging world. The result is a bundle of 18 PDF sewing patterns that you don't want to miss.

 

For one week only, ten pattern designers have come together to bring you 18 of their best PDF patterns, valued together at over $139.00, for the incredible price of $24.95! That's over 80% off of the combined retail value! Plus you can enter to win a dream of a giveaway valued at $390 from some really great shops! For less than $25.00 you will have a library of resources that you can use over and over again. The designers that have joined this sale are experts in their craft. They have been sewing for a very long time and are well known in blogland and elsewhere. Each designer has contributed one or two of their favorite patterns to create a bundle that is sure to please! Whether you are sewing for your own family or making gifts for others, these are patterns that you will love to use. If you've never sewn with a PDF pattern before, let me tell you how great it is! After downloading your pattern instructions and your pattern, you will print out the pattern itself, creating pattern tiles, if you will. Simply tape the tiles together to create the full pattern! At that point you can cut out the size that you need and pin the paper pattern directly to your fabric or you can trace the pattern size that you need onto sewing paper or tissue paper and cut it out, saving the paper pattern for later when you need to sew another size. Pdf patterns are so convenient because you can print them out as many times as you need!

Click here to buy the bundle!

Now let me tell you a little bit about the giveaway!

The Sew Fab Giveaway is amazing! One lucky winner will win a bunch of amazing prizes from Craftsy, Fat Quarter Shop, fabricworm, Jennifer's Jewels Custom Labels on Etsy, Green Bee Patterns, author Deborah Moebes, Mee a Bee, Gussy Sews, I'm Feeling Crafty, and Ball and Chain on Etsy. See the end of the post for giveaway details. This giveaway is not to be missed!

I know you're dying to know "What is included in the pattern bundle?"

18 well-loved ePatterns from 10 well-known designers are instantly accessible to you by PDF download upon purchase of the Sew Fab e-Pattern Bundle. Here are the patterns that you will receive (click on the links below to see more details):

Goodship Dress by One Girl Circus , Mommy & Mia Apron by Sew Much Ado, Ruby Lou Doll by Sew Much Ado, Mini Maxi Dress by Seamingly Smitten, Miss Mod Top by Seamingly Smitten, Love Your Lunch Box by Ginger Cakes, Modern Folksy Bunny by Ginger Cakes, Banyan Pants & Shorts by Figgy's, Banyan Top & Tunic by Figgy's, Go To Shift Dress by Go To Patterns, Go To Gift Bags by Go To Patterns, Sidekick Suitcase by Sew Fearless, Madeline Dress by Me Sew Crazy, Forget Me Knot Dress by Me Sew Crazy, Alex & Anna Summer PJs by Peekaboo Pattern Shop, Alex & Anna Winter PJs by Peekaboo Pattern Shop, Commuter Cowl by luvinthemommyhood, Scirocco Dress by Figgy's The Sew Fab e-Pattern Bundle is only available for one week and will never be available again! You can purchase the bundle from February 4th at 8 a.m. EST through February 11th at 8 a.m. EST and there will be no late sales offered. Due to the nature of the sale there will be no refunds offered.

You don't want to miss this unique opportunity to purchase a ready made collection of 18 PDF sewing patterns from 10 of the best designers out there!

And now for The Sew Fab Giveaway!

You are not going to believe the prizes included in this giveaway! Can't buy the bundle? It's okay... purchase is not required to enter. Take a look at what you have the chance to win:

A Sewing Themed Box of Goodies from Pick Your Plum Fabulous Wristlet from Gussy Sews (not necessarily the one pictured) The latest release, Stitch Savvy, by Deborah Moebes Sterling Silver Sewing Machine necklace from Ball and Chain on Etsy $50 Gift Certificate to Fat Quarter Shop $50 Gift Certificate to fabricworm A free online class from Craftsy.com The Scoop Tote Pattern from Green Bee Patterns 60 Custom Tags from Jennifer's Jewels Red Riding Hood Little Girl's Satchel from Mee a Bee Handmade Sewing Machine Cover from I'm Feeling Crafty

YES, ONE WINNER WILL WIN ALL OF THOSE GOODIES!!!

There are lots of chances to win and no purchase required to enter the giveaway. Just use the Rafflecopter widget and enter to win this amazing prize package that will inspire you in your sewing as well as keep you stocked with fabric for many projects to come!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Sew Fab e-Pattern Bundle Sale!

Sew Much Inspiration right at your finger tips...

only $24.95!

Get your bundle now!

Graphic design by Andrea Panell.  

101 in 1001

The Goal: Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria: Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days? I am bored with the "New Years Resolutions" that so many of us adopt for a few months and give up... I feel like this list is full of good life goals for me, some small and some large... But I also like that none of them HAVE to be done this year, if I slip I can keep trying... Plus it holds me accountable in a great way!


Starting Jan 1st 2013 to Sept 29th 2015


1. Attend a Cooking Class
2. Cook Grandma Gordon's rolls
3. Cook 20 recipes from cookbooks I own (0/20)
4. Make 5 dishes that get 5 stars from husband, write them down (0/5)
5. Make the Perfect Loaf of Bread
6. Learn Hubby's favorite childhood recipes (at least 3)
7. Master Bed Linen Overhaul
8. Create a Photo Wall in our Home
9. Refinish a Piece of Furniture
10. Build A Piece Of Furniture
11. Patch & Paint Living Room Walls
12. Move the TV - Use the Fireplace!!
13. Hang Art in the Kitchen
14. Paint the House Exterior
15. Finish the Deck Handrail
16. Install Fence Gate
17. Only buy thrifted clothes until I weigh 160 lbs
18. Keep track of our Donations
19. Pay off 3 student loans (0/3)
20. Don't Buy Lunch At Work For One Month (0/31)
21. Set up Baby College Fund when Pregnant
22. Sell $300 worth of stuff on eBay or Craigslist or KSL
23. Learn and be able to use 50 Spanish words
24. Learn and be able to use 50 Italian words
25. Read 3 "Bestseller" Books (0/3)
26. Try 10 foods I’ve never had before (0/10)
27. Get in Contact with my Best Friend from High School
28. Create a new Income Stream
29. Buy a nice Piece of Art
30. Get a more Professional Wardrobe - 10 new pieces
31. Buy a new gym bag
32. Finish lotions before buying new ones
33. Host Thanksgiving dinner
34. Move to California
35.Create "Binder Of Important Stuff"
36. Make A Will
37. Get Featured On a BIG Blog
38. Grow a Plant from a Seed
39. Send cards to the Grandma's 1xmonth x 6 months
40. Eat as a vegan for one week
41. Give up all carbonated beverages for 4 months (0/4)
42. Go hiking for at least 3 hours
43. Lose 30 Pounds
44. Run 1 Mile without Walking
45. Run a 5k Event
46. Take a fitness class for 4 weeks (0/4)
47. Take a picture of every single thing I eat for 30 days
48. Fit into size 12 jeans
49. Get to a healthy BMI
50. Buy a bicycle
51. Send off Wedding Dress to be Cleaned
52. Sell the Remaining Wedding Stuff or Donate it
53. Put together a Birthday/Anniversary Calendar for Friends and Family
54. Clean out my Garage
55. Get rid of all of the clothes that no longer fit / I no longer wear
56. Get Pregnant!!
57. Take Prenatal Vitamins every day of Pregnancy
58. Family Photo
59. Learn to Sew Cloth Diapers
60. Collect 10 Classic Children's books
61. Take Hubby to a bar in Nashville
62. Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
63. Travel to Europe
64. Go on a Cruise
65. Play poker in Vegas
66. Pacific Ocean & Atlantic
67. Visit 3 states I’ve never been to!
68. Grand Canyon
69. Mount Rushmore
70. Disney!
71. Visit the Salt Lake
72. Snowboard in Park City
73. Go to a Farmers Market
74. Enter a Photography Contest
75. Buy a Real Camera
76. Build a Snowman
77. Coordinating Halloween Costume
78. Girls Trip with College Girlfriends
79. Sister/Mom Trip
80. Have a Picnic in the Park
81. See a Pro Game
82. Go to at least four concerts/shows (0/4)
83. Attend a State Fair
84. Buy a Lottery Ticket
85. Watch 10 Classic Movies. (0/10)
86. Learn how to Play a new Card Game
87. Go an Entire 24 Hours without Internet
88. Host a Baby Shower
89. Whiten Teeth for a Whole Month
90. Go to the Dentist & Eye Doctor
91. Hair Cut... Not Trim
92. Buy something from Hermes...
93. ... Give it to my mom.
94. Wear False Lashes for a Day
95. Bake a Cake for Someone
96. Complete 10 random acts of kindness for someone who isn’t a family member. (0/10)
97. Send out 10 Cards to People Just Because (0/10)
98. Adopt a Family at Christmas
99. Donate Blood
100. Write to 10 Letters to Managers that Compliment an Employee for Good Service. (0/10)
101. Make a new 101 list in 1001 days!

Win Lose or Blog... Accepting Season 7 Contestants!!

We are now accepting applications (here) for Season seven contestents on Win, Lose, or Blog! Last season our 8 contestants lost 90.8 pounds in 7 weeks! Win, Lose, or Blog is a Big Loser inspired weight loss challenge for the blogging world. Health & Fitness are my passions in life and I hope this competition will inspire others to lead healthier lifes too! I have been working with four fabulous ladies to create this fun and exciting new blog.

What does Win, Lose, or Blog have to offer you?

Want to be a contestant? Apply here.

Each season of the challenge (lasting 7 weeks) we will choose eight contestants. This is your chance to win some MAJOR prizes! The "big loser" (based on percentage of body weight lost) will win one big AWESOME prize. Second and third place contestants will also win some great prizes. And everyone else will get something just for participating.

Want to Play along?
Want to lose weight right along with our contestants? Post your weekly loss each week on our Tuesday Update post and you're in the running for some fantastic prizes! Last season TWO of our mini-contestants won fabulous prizes and lost a TON of weight in the process.

Just want to follow along?
We have multiple health and fitness gurus on our team who are going to be posting information, recipes, tips, inspiration and more. So come follow and get a little help living a healthier lifestyle. Also, at the end of each season followers will win awesome prizes just for leaving comments throughout the season. And you know it will be fun to watch the competition play out and cheer on the contestants :)

Go check it out!!! And spread the word!

Remember each comment you leave all season long counts as an entry for great prizes! Want to get a head start on those comments? Head on over to Win, Lose, or Blog, grab our button, and leave three comments for displaying our button on your blog and five comments for writing an exciting post announcing us to your blog friends. We want you to invite others to join the the fun and gain some motivation to live a healthier lifestyle.

Apply for SEASON 4!!!

We are now accepting applications (here) for Season four contestents on Win, Lose, or Blog! Win, Lose, or Blog is a Big Loser inspired weight loss challenge for the blogging world. Health & Fitness are my passions in life and I hope this competition will inspire others to lead healthier lifes too! I have been working with five fabulous ladies to create this fun and exciting new blog. Jill from Women Who Do It All, Laura of Skinny Pants Dreams, Lindsey of Fitness For The Rest of Us, and Allison from House of Hepworths.

What does Win, Lose, or Blog have to offer you?

Want to be a contestant? Apply here.

Each season of the challenge (lasting 7 weeks) we will choose eight contestants. This is your chance to win some MAJOR prizes! The "big loser" (based on percentage of body weight lost) will win one big AWESOME prize. Second and third place contestants will also win some great prizes. And everyone else will get something just for participating.

Just want to follow along?
We have multiple health and fitness gurus on our team who are going to be posting information, recipes, tips, inspiration and more. So come follow and get a little help living a healthier lifestyle. Also, at the end of each season two followers will win awesome prizes just for leaving comments throughout the season. And you know it will be fun to watch the competition play out and cheer on the contestants :)

Go check it out!!! And spread the word!

Remember each comment you leave all season long counts as an entry for two great prizes! Want to get a head start on those comments? Head on over to Win, Lose, or Blog, grab our button, and leave three comments for displaying our button on your blog and five comments for writing an exciting post announcing us to your blog friends. We want you to invite others to join the the fun and gain some motivation to live a healthier lifestyle.

The Right Direction

So I am getting a head start on my Monday post.... seeing as how Monday always trys to sneak up on me and before I know it the day is over and I haven't posted... it's lame... but life has been busy lately!

I've done a really good job of watching what I eat this week... pretty much removed sugar and flour from my diet... just been eating lots of lean protien, salads and fruit... and planning what I eat... rather than just snacking on whatever food is available, or eating something because it is free... etc

I realized this week that I eat A LOT when I am bored or stressed... usually when I get home from work I am so tired... so I make something quick like kettle corn (1/4c oil, 1/4c sugar, 1/2c seeds) and sit around watching some show on netflix with no commercials and no end in site...

And now that I am watching what I eat, but still watching my shows, I notice how much I crave *something* while I am watching... it is insane how STRONG the urge to eat something - anything while I watch.... I am going to have to have to find a solution... but, no worries...

This week I lost 4lbs!!... I feel like I am on the right path... and In another few weeks I will be at a happier weight and a few weeks more maybe at a new all-time low weight... That's what I am hoping... and maybe after Easter I will switch to a low-carb diet... I do really well on the Atkins... so we will see...

One week at a time!!

Also - a reminder - Win, Lose or Blog is still accepting applications for our 4th season which begins on April 1st.... If you like to blog and need to lose weight you should totally check it out!