9 Tips For Losing Weight

I borrowed this from a website I frequent, www.mindbodygreen.com. These are great tips.

9 Simple & Healthy Eating Tips for Weight-Loss

By Gabby Reece

I'm not going to tell you what to eat -- I’m just going to begin by giving you a few pointers.

1. Keep a food journal. That means write down everything you eat and drink during your day. Try not to eat a heavy dinner or eat too late.

2. Eat only until you are full (for most of us that is about eating half of the food we already consume). If you need to, just get it off your plate right away.

3.Don’t wait to eat until you’re starving. This leads to overeating.

4. Always carry a healthy snack to help you get to the next meal: handful of almonds, some fruit, or even a mini sandwich. No snack foods (chips, candy, fast food, fries, cookies, etc.).

5. Only drink water and your beloved coffee without all the other ingredients that turn it into a milkshake. This means no juices or sodas of any kind.

6. Choose your one night to have alcohol if you must, and it’s better to have wine rather than beer or sugary cocktails (mojitos and martinis with sexy names).

7. Don’t nuke it! Make your food yourself.

8. If you are feeling frisky then avoid food made of wheat (pasta, bread, and all baked goods of course). Be mindful that sugar and wheat can really impact your body weight.

9. On Sunday, eat what you want. This is not a license to go crazy — this just means that you can relax, and get that much more fired up for Monday.

The beginning is always the toughest time, but if you are serious about wanting to make a change, this is a really simple way to do that. Let’s stop talking about change and begin making it happen today.

Go get ‘em and good luck. Published January 11, 2011 at 3:00 PM

good person

i realize i am a.w.e.s.o.m.e.

       end of story.

bad person

i realize i am selfish.

my day-plan

1. bootycall - farkling
2. breakfast - banana protein pancake
3. geology class - test review!
4. Snack - Lunabar
5. Come home - study butt off for philosophy
6. Lunch - salmon and salad
7. Take 2 philosophy quizzes
8. Workout - new TIU stairs
9. Break - clean living room, do dishes, do laundry, clean restrooms
10. Study for philosophy mid term

This is how most of my days look right now. Just different subjects each day. I can do this!! Sometimes it's difficult to keep my spirits up when I'm tired or hungry or I just want a break. I'm been in college courses since Winter of '09. It's intense. I'm working hard and I'm more proud of myself then I think I've ever been.

I figured out that if I play a little guitar everyday it helps me clear my mind before studying. A little creative-release? I really should have tried out for American Idol again this year. But I think the most important thing right now is taking care of school, showing my husband that I care about our financial future and graduating as soon as possible so that we can start a family. We both really want a child but we're trying to wait til my last semester of college. :)

Have a great Wednesday.

PS. It's THIS guy's birthday!

Short-term Goal

Now that the Fall Challenge has ended I feel like I need a new goal and I came up with one yesterday. It is PERFECT.

Mine and Drew's one year anniversary is coming up in just over a month. We are planning on spending a night out having dinner at a gorgeous restaurant, drinks at a classy club and staying the night at a beautiful hotel in downtown Houston.

Because I am not 100% satisfied with my health and body I know that if I don't do something about it I won't feel 100% on my one year anniversary and I do NOT want that. Therefore my goal is....

* To lose 10 lbs
And I mean to REALLY lose 10 lbs so that when my body weight fluctuates I'm still 10 lbs lighter than I am now.

*Lose 2 inches everywhere but my neck
Because I CAN lose 2 inches everywhere but my neck.

*Drop one pants size
I can't weight to be a true 6 again. I used to be a 4! And that's when I felt best.

There you have it. Those are my goals! And I'm going to use my Tone It Up nutrition plan to make these dreams a reality.

wicky, wicky weekend.

I've has such a fantastic weekend! My Mom drove down from the good ole' CS on Friday evening and she is still here! She's heading back home this afternoon.

We had a lovely Italian dinner together on Friday evening with a glass of cab. sauv. each and simply chatted about everything we love.

Yesterday we spent FOUR hours in Whole Foods on Kirby taking in all of our favourite things! Anything organic, all natural and hippie-like will catch our eye.  Mom even got to chatting with a man interested in juice fasting and gave him all sorts of tips and recipes. It was fun watching her explain with so much enthusiasm.

Today we're sitting at the kitchen table sharing healthy recipes and drinking coffee our favourite way: BLACK.  :D Yes, I've been blessed with a lovely weekend. I'm ready for the week!

learning

It would seem I'm getting things under control.

I've come up with a chore list that I use everyday.  I have one BIG chore to take care of one day each week. i.e. clean the bathrooms, floors, detail kitchen, laundry, etc.) and there are certain things I just do everyday, no matter what; like dishes.  Who wants to walk into a kitchen with a sink full of nasty looking, dirty dishes??? Not me! So I try to do those everyday, anytime there are dishes in the sink.

I've also been doing really well in geology and philosophy and I'm about to add 2 late start classes to my load.  It'll be time consuming but I just have to keep a positive attitude and things will more than likely work out well.  We'll see how it goes. Here's to tomorrow!

a little encouragement from LACEY PAIGE

A few words from a friend.


"I had one of those weeks last week too! I have 2 kids, a 3 year old and a 9 year old that has adhd, mood disorder, odd and anxiety (being watched for bipolar) so it usually means I need a "break" from life. I find that taking space or a break from whatever is currently going on and being able to enjoy some sort of quite time and read a book or watch a good movie always helps. Getting some quality "me" time to revive and recharge my inner soul (sounds super cheesey, I know) but to also take a step back and look into my own life and reflect on everything I am doing and why I am doing it, who I am doing it for and the goals I am trying to reach. Sometimes I get so caught up in life and forget the purpose of everything going on. This is one of the main reasons I started going to the gym every morning and really focusing on health- I am always doing something for my family that I wasn't taking care of myself and one day I was really sick and couldn't tend to my kids and no one was there to take care of me (my husband works) I thought to myself 'what if I was to get really ill because I didn't take care of myself? Who would take care of my family or me?' From then on I changed my lifestyle and wanted to be healthy and part of being healthy, aside from food and exercise, is putting everything down and taking time to yourself and doing something you truly enjoy.- sorry for rambling and hopefully if makes a little sense :)"

.....

Coffee.
Almond milk.
Carry-on bags.
Lists.
Water bottles.
Me-time.
Nieces.
Nephews.

Inspiration

I'm searching for what inspires me to live a better life. I know a few things like my husband, my future children and my own self confidence keep me going but I need to find what it is I want to DO with my life. I'm in college but I feel that I only do it to make my parents, my grandmother and my husband proud. Every now and then I genuinely enjoy class or the subjects I'm studying but everyday when I come home I think about the fact that I'm not passionate about any of it. So what do I need to change in order to be passionate about a career?

I definitely want a career. I want something that is personal to me; something that is my very own and that I can be PROUD of.  I LOVE learning about nutrition and working out and I love helping people to achieve their goals. People come to me with questions about exercise and if I don't know the answer I find it for them. Should I be a nutritionist or a speech pathologist??? A veterinarian or a business owner?  Those are the 4 things I am stuck on. I've got to do some serious praying. I know God will give me peace about one of them and when he does I'll begin pursuing it. Until then I will continue the college classes I'm in.

Someday I'll soar...

Growing Up

Wow - what a whirlwind the past 5 weeks have been!


For the first time in my college career I applied myself full-throttle and the work paid off. It's like my eyes were opened and I suddenly realized that in order to not only feel good about myself but to alleviate stress I simply need to stay on top of my homework and do everything the professor suggests I do. I've acquired good study habits and only ONCE did I procrastinate, and I did that because I was so worried about how I was going to do on finals that I didn't want to face studying for them.


But now all of that is behind me, the urgency of studying is over and I have the chance to look back on the past 5 weeks. I'm evaluating my performance and the consequences of that performance.  I hope that I can do this well in the Fall and even better. Something my aunt told me has really gotten me through this time. She said, "Don't be perfect. Be excellent."  You see, I am guilty of being a perfectionist when it comes to tasks I'm assigned and if I don't get 100 % I get really upset with myself because I know it's my fault. But after hearing those words from my aunt my entire perspective on school and work has changed. It's okay if you're not perfect! All that matters is that you do YOUR best and are excellent in what you do. Awesome!

Oatmeal and Agave Nectar = Delicious Morning

It would seem that Drew & I have finally figured out how to delegate and share our time. At last!  Basically since we met we have spent every waking moment together. Of course he took an 8 day trip to Tahoe in December of 09. He also took a 2 week work trip to China & Singapore this past February & I took a trip to England in May.  So, we have spent time apart but when we're both in the same state (or country) we spend EVERY hour together.  Because he works from home & I don't work during the school year it is hard for us to get any "me" time & recently we realized that "me" time is really important.

Now that it's  Summer and I'm working almost everyday Drew is getting more time to himself in the afternoons & we've scheduled some personal time in the mornings.  When I wake up I start the coffee and immediately head to "my room".  I spend an hour to an hour & a half checking email, writing, reading and getting ready for the day.  Drew spends this time reading.  And only reading (I love the way he enjoys to read).  Having these bits of time apart helps us to enjoy each others company even more.  We feel more balanced as a couple & like real adults. LOL. It's been a good change.

Now, off to work for me! I think it's going to be a good Monday. ;)

What I Want (& Need) Right Now

Okay, list time!

• Establish a husband/wife life schedule
• Become structured human beings
• Start packing for move
• Find counselor
• Finish managing emotions book
• Deep-clean entire CS house
• Organize CS garage sale
• Find part-time Summer job
• Set up Fall classes and financial aid
• Go to bed earlier
• Get up by 7 everyday
• READ more!
• Spend time with friends
• Be a happy person
• Just get out there and LIVE!

I should read this post everyday.

A Prayer

Father,
I know that you blessed me with a creativity of words and getting my thoughts down in print, so why have I forsaken that blessing? I haven't touched pen to paper in over a year and my spirit feels the strain of it. I feared there was nothing left within me that was beautiful and glorious but tonight I saw a glimmer of hope. I lost myself, God, I lost myself. Can you take me back to where I stepped off and help me see your face again. When I daily sought you, simply spoke with you, there was a deepness of my soul that helped me through each day. I know you have blessed me in this life but I have always, since I was a little girl, felt a sorrow that I cannot explain and unless I am near to you I am almost overcome by that sorrow. I believe you placed that within me so that I would be able to understand other people who live with that sorrow and have faced hurt and confusion. You will bring these people into my life and I will befriend them and be there to hold them up in the dark times of their lives because I know how it is to feel that lowliness, that sorrow and hopelessness. But I also know what it is to feel the hope on the other side.
God, please awaken this sleeper's soul and water these withered roots, make this tree to grow and sprout green leaves of life once again. Deep in these dry branches there is life waiting to break free and sing songs of praise once again.


Break me free.

Housie Things

Unfortunately we were "outbid" by someone else on the house, only because they offered CASH! We were going to pay the full price - no underbidding - and someone comes along w/ a wad of CASH in their pocket. That's a LOT of cash! But I'm trying not to be sad. I'm telling myself that God has an even better house out there for us.

Movin' On

Mmmmm - slurping my morning cuppa.


It is Spring Break 2011 and I am soaking up every minute of it.  I DO have one English project to work on throughout the week but besides that I have all the time to myself. Drew's been in Houston since yesterday so I used that alone time to go shopping for my sister-in-law's baby shower coming up this Saturday.  It was so much fun!  I love baby stuff.


This time-change has really thrown a wrench in the works: I can't seem to wake up before 8:30.  I really don't like waking up late, it makes me feel like I've lost most of my day... Drew can attest to that.  He tells me that I constantly say, "My whole day is gone!" in utter dispair.  The only time I feel like I have actually enjoyed a FULL day is if I wake up around 6am.


It looks like hubs and I are moving to Houston.  Drew's Dad has been needing Drew full time  so he thought we should just move and if we do, we'll move in the Summer. We've found several houses we like but none as much as 7303 Open Oak Way.

The yard is GORGEOUS. I'll have to hire someone to keep

the flower beds or have someone teach me. :D

Beautiful kitchen. The cupboard is huge and the

cabinets are classy.  Plus, the drawers pull out so smoothly!!

Master bathroom.  I don't dig the wallpaper lining near

the ceiling but I can change that!

I love all this shelf space.  This would be Drew's office

and I have so many ideas for decorating.

Look at this backyard!  It's gorgeous.  We could have

people over for dinner.  I could host a ladies' bible study.

Easter's in this backyard would be great!

John 1.m4v

This is my Pastor, Justin Grace. I'm doing 21 Days of Change which is simply reading John chapters 1 thru 21 in 21 days. I'm looking forward to it. I always have trouble deciding what I should read when I sit down with my bible so I usually end up NOT reading it. Having this outline will help me stick to it.

Poll.

Lots O' Pictures

My nephew Jude is FREAKING adorable

My soon-to-be-adopted nephew, Jayden. Can't wait til he's a Rusch!

Flower girl and ring bearer chilling out with us.

Sweet, little Jude enthralled with something.

The wedding party, including the ushers.

Husband and Wife!

[Me, currently]

Sitting pretty with Jolie...

While my husband works out in the cold alongside some other guys, doing something for DuBounds Learning.

I think I'm extremely lucky to have this day off to spend with my husband. We left College Station around 7 o'clock and we are currently in Houston just off of 290.  Drew has been working for his Dad and Hank's company the past several weeks and he's really enjoyed it.

Tomorrow he leaves for CHINA. I'm not looking forward to his being gone for nearly 3 weeks but I'll just take it a day at a time. I'm sure I would have been able to go if not for school which I'm slightly bitter about. lol The only positive thing that will come of this separation is the reunion! Which I'm actually pretty excited about. It's all Drew focuses on when he talks about the trip - "Babe, when we see each other again it's going to be AWESOME."


Off to Barnes & Noble to study while Drew runs some more errands.

Newness & Such

Okay so, 2011, here you are! How exciting.


My HUSBAND and I are now living in our new home in College Station.  There's still a LOT of unpacking to do but it just so happens that the process is really enjoyable.  Each day a new room or a new space comes together and I feel so proud.


We also have our dogs back.  We sent them off to a two week training camp and it was so hard. :*(  I didn't think I would miss them as much as I did.  But now we've got them back and they're amazing.  We actually take them on walks and pass by other dogs and they won't pull on us and try to get away.  It's a huge relief and makes me love them even more.


Tomorrow I start my new College Station job which is managing Blue Baker!  I used to work there a few years ago and I really enjoyed it so I'm looking forward to being back while I finish up school at Blinn.


Drew and I visited Life Church this past Sunday and were pleasantly surprised.  He really liked the pastor and said he'd like to keep visiting.  We got a free coffee mug out of it to so I thought it was well worth the visit.  Ha.


New home, new life, new husband, (practically) new dogs, new hope, new happiness.  Yep, I'd say it's a new year.


Prom


ps. I get to start recycling tomorrow! I love you, College Station.