Introduction

In the past couple weeks I have gained quite a few new followers.  First off I want to say welcomeJ and thanks for stopping by.  I love having this creative outlet.

I wanted to take a moment to introduce and re-introduce myself to the newbies.

Marco {my husband} and I moved to LA 3.25 years ago.

He is an aspiring Director.  I work in Fashion.

LA is home and will be for quite a while.  10+ years for sure.

We are high school sweethearts from Alpharetta, GA.

I dream of living a really big life.  

I *try* to run.

Blogs, traveling, nail polish and cupcakes make me happy.

Please drop me a line.  I would love to meet you:)

Farewell Bar Method

Today is my last Bar Method class :(  I knew this day would come eventually, I just never knew how much I would be sad about it.  It is a little too expensive on my pocketbook therefore I am headed back to the gym and beach for my runs.

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This is my running route, right under the palm trees. Pure bliss!

When I first started I was awful.  My name was being called during every move "square your shoulders," " tuck your seat," "straight leg." Each time I could see and feel my body getting stronger.  When I didn't think I could do 30 more tucks while in a water ski position I pushed through it.  I have come to realize my abs are stronger than I thought they were which gives me even more motivation to get rid of the layer of belly fat.  My legs feel leaner, I sit up straighter and feel good about the way my body is starting to look.  Obviously this makes me very happy!

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During the 30 day package I managed to go 20 times.  If you are thinking about trying BM and dropping weight I would recommend alternating days with cardio.  I only ran once in the 30 days.  I know I am going to regret this tomorrow for sure when I hop on the treadmill.

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Today when I stepped on the scale I had lost a total of 4 pounds using BM with eating around 1500 calories per day.  During this past month I have come to realize I don't need to eat as much as I used to and when I do it enjoy it.  For the past 6 weeks I have been counting calories.  Some people don't believe in this or don't want to be a slave to it, but I enjoy seeing what I put in my mouth.  Weird? Maybe.  This method helps me plan to make better decisions for that day or week.

Overall today is bittersweet.  This is the first program I have completed and seen results.  It keeps me motivated for my next goal: long distance running.

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Bar Method

I don't have anything too exciting to report on today.  Nothing life changing happened over night.  {Sarcasm}

I did go to Bar Method class last night and fell in love.  This was my second class {I took an introductory class in February}.  I was the newest attendee in my class and you could tell.  The teacher was correcting me at every move, but I didn't care.  If I am there I want to do it correctly so call me out anytime.  Some of the other women were pros.  It was exciting to see where I could be in a month.  When I woke up this morning I felt like a million bucks!  My whole body is sore and I love it!  

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This little move above is pure torture in the best way possible!

Happy and Getting Healthy

Happy Monday Folks, if there is such a thing.  

Is it bad that I wanted one more day to just do nothing?  This week is going to be intense at work so I am going to try to make the best of it.  We leave for Cabo in about a month and I couldn’t be more excited.  It seems like almost everyday I go on trip advisor to look at the reviews of our hotel.  It is going to be awesome and just what we need.  We haven’t been on a big vacation like this since our honeymoon almost 3 years ago!

Tonight I am starting the Bar Method!  I am nervous, but excited at the same time.  I bought an unlimited 30-day package.  My plan is to alternate between BM and running 5 to 6 days per week.  Maybe this is wishful thinking, but I have to have a plan.  MG is becoming a gym rat, which I never thought I would see the day!  He is working out, eating healthy, drinking lots of water.  I couldn’t be more proud of him.  Last night at the gym I shaved a minute off my mile.  I was pretty stoked and finished the rest of my run with a smile on my face.  I am determined now more than I have ever been before to be healthy and stay healthy.  Yes, I will indulge every now and again {wine is my favorite beverage after all}, but working out makes me feel so good.  I feel like it is completely counterproductive to not eat healthy too.  I am so excited to see my body change for the better.

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Just Do It!

I have hit a plateau.

Today I weighted in-like every Thursday for the past 3 weeks-at 145. 

Annoyed.  

Yes, my eating habits could be better.

Yes, I need to add weights into my routine.

Yes, I can push myself harder when I run.

In less than 2 months MG and I leave for Cabo.  

I want to look great.

Is that bad?

I want to feel great too.

My new goal for the rest of July and August is to lose 6 pounds.

How am I going to do it?

Bar Method 

Running

Weights

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Five Pound Goal In 18 days?

Since my childhood best friends wedding is just a short 18 days away I have decided I need to rev-up my workouts to look great on her wedding day.  Mel and I have been each others biggest support team since we both decided to loose weight.  Neither one of us is over weight, but I know I feel like I could look better.  Since Christmas I have lost 8 pounds.  This number could have been hire but I am not the healthiest eater around.  I am not knocking my accomplishment at all.  I am actually really proud of it.  I just have about 10 pounds left before I reach my goal weight of 135.

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My dress is similar to this one from the crew.

Yesterday, I tried on my BM dress and it was a little big.  When I first bought it almost a year ago it was tight and not flattering at all.  I had the fold over armpit fat {eww!}-y'all know what I am talking about and I am sure you feel the same way.  As I was looking at myself in the dress I thought I wonder what I would look like with another 5 pounds gone.  So I decided that I am going to strive to lose 5 lbs by April 30th.  I know that is a lofty goal since it has taken me 4 months to loose 8 lbs, but I think I can do it.

Here is my plan: 

Workout

4 to 5 days a week alternating between cardio and C0re Fusion DVD's for toning

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Glutes and thighs that look like this, yes please!

Eating

Track my calories using the L0se It! app for iph0ne

Use my food scale for accurate portion control

Drink 96 oz of water a day

Drink only one weekend night for the next two weeks

Eat out once or twice per week

I am open to any suggestions or ideas so please pass them on :)

March Madness: Getting Fit Together

I am joining Running in High Heels with Brittney's March Madness program.  Last Christmas I decided that I was going to change my life and start running.  Much to my surprise I have stuck with my resolution and am still running!  The day after Christmas I started Couch to 5K.  This truly motivated me to run at least 3 to 4 times per week.  I have even gotten MAG to start running.  Never in a million years did I think he would be interested running of all things!  I am on week 8 of C25K.  

I have seen pretty amazing changes in my body in the past 2 months.  I don't have a stomach anymore.  Bye-bye fat rolls!  My arms and legs are slimmer and I am developing calf muscles.  Everyday when I wake up I look at myself in the mirror and think, damn I am starting to look good!

Goals for March Madness

1.  Continue to count calories.  I have been using the LoseIt!  app for my iPhone starting last week.  I love it! It really makes me realize what I am putting in my body and how much I am eating.

2.  Lose 4 to 6 pounds.  If I continue running and counting calories then I should be able to do this. Fingers crossed!

3. Incorporate weights into my weekly workouts.  Right now I lift once a week and do a totally body workout.  I have found this isn't really working.  I need to focus on a few areas each time I hit the gym. 

Those are my 3 goals for March.  I have this awesome girls wedding coming up the end of April.  It will be the first time in a long time that I will see some of my old friends back home.  I want to look good.  This is also my half way point for bathing suit season.  Need to start dropping the stubborn lbs!

Happy New Year!

1 Mile Down, 12.1 More To Go

Remember when I talked about losing 20 pounds here?  Well I did it for about a week and then got sick, super sick.  I was sick for at least a week and a half with a pretty bad cold.   I am doing much better now, thanks!  I was determined to keep off the 3 pounds I lost while I was sick and I am happy to report that I have!  17 more to go.

This past weekend a few friends came over to celebrate my promotion.  The wives were talking about running and how we all would like to run a Half Marathon in 2011.  I have always been interested in doing one just have never followed through with it.  After doing lots of research I read that you need to be able to run 3-miles non-stop.  Once you complete this you can start training for the 13.1 miles.  So I have a new goal to add to my fitness list:

Run 3 miles consistently by January 15.

I also got the N!ke Freerun shoes featured on Oprah'$ favorite things.  They are amazing.  I love them.  

Bye Bye 20+ lbs

Today I was over at Running in High Heels and I felt totally inspired by Brittney's post. I have been reading her blog for a few months. She is in great shape and defiantly works hard at it.  Based on what I know from her blog, she makes time to workout almost everyday.  Well, I think her newest post might be the inspiration that I needed.

Recently I checked my BMI and was right on the cusp of being considered overweight.  Well this freaked me out.  I have struggled with weight my entire life fluctuating 5 pounds in college and as an adult 10 pounds.  Today is the day I am going to have my eye on the prize, get healthy and watch the fat melt away. 

How am I going to do it?
1. Track my food.  Everything I put into my mouth will be written down.
2. Exercise my butt off literally!  We have a gym at work so I will be hitting it during my lunch break 3 times a week and then hit our gym in Westwood at night with MAG 2-3 times a week.
3. Reward myself when I hit my goals {not with food}.

Current Weight: 150 lbs

Goal Weight: 125-130 lbs

Goals:

1. Run a mile in 11 minutes

2. Train for a 5K

3. Lose 5 lbs by Thanksgiving and not gain it all back at dinner

4. Lose 7 lbs by Christmas

5. Lose 7 lbs by Valentines Day

6. Lose whatever else my body will let me naturally just in time for Melissa's big day!

6. Keep the weight off for good!!!

I am open to any and all suggestions you might have!