Competition

Why do people feel the need to compete with others? I understand the primal need to "be the best" but why does EVERYTHING in life have to turn into a competition? I don't see the point.

In middle and high school we (girls) felt the need to compete with each other for the attention of boys. We were all absolutely too hard on ourselves constantly comparing our thighs or length/thickness of hair. Things that we honestly had little control over. I know that on multiple occasions I compared myself to my best friend (Lauren) and never once did I put myself in the "winning" category. She was skinny, and gorgeous and incredibly talented. She was also (and still is) my best friend. Sure the boys I liked often had little to no interest in me except to see if I could put in a good word with Lauren. But I was selling myself short on a tremendous level. Sure I was average height, didn't have long legs and was (and still am) incredibly awkward. But in high school I was talented, I had lots of friends, and I was beyond passionate in my hobby's (Debate team, and Acting up). Now if you ask Riley he will tell you what a nerd (aka loser) I was. And that if we had gone to the same high school we definitely would NOT have dated. Yet, he dated me KNOWING what a nerd I am. I used to be embarrassed to admit I was a debate nerd. But when I get worked up over a political issue I see him smile at the way I get myself totally overworked. Ya he is probably making fun of me in his head... but I'd like to think that my passion for nerdy things is one of the many reasons he adores me.

So competing during our teenage years DOES make sense to me. I see why people do it. But after you are married.... what is the point? I know people that like to try and compare their marriage to others. What gain do you get from that. Riley and I have an amazing relationship, we are best friends and enjoy each other more than other people... but how would it benefit me to compare or belittle another couple that has a COMPLETELY different relationship. With 2 people that are completely different from us? NOTHING. My marriage will be what it will be. Whether I compete with others or not. When my friends have great marriages, I don't feel the need to compare. I am genuinely happy for them, and possibly take note as to how I could improve my own marriage. The way I see it, I want all my friends to be in healthy and happy relationships.

Children. I know I am new to the whole parenting thing... but it's coming pretty naturally to me. I think 24 is the PERFECT age to have a kiddo (at least for me). I know that I would not have had the patience that I currently have. I would not have been so laid back either. It's crazy how much growing up I did in the 6 years we were married BEFORE Miles showed up. But it seems to me that every mom  makes motherhood into a competition.People question/judge your every decision and expect you to do the same. Just because I chose to cloth diaper does NOT mean I look down on you for using disposables. If I make a face when you talk about how expensive diapers are, it's only because I honestly have NO idea how much diapers end up costing, and you are probably blowing my mind! I don't let my son listen to music blaring. Not because I want him to be in quiet all the time. It's because I did research and made a decision. And I don't care HOW you feed your child... Just feed them!

Body type. Let's be honest here, I am not a size 1. Are ya shocked?! Weight is something I have always struggled with, Even now, I run and run and run and the scale won't move, even when I am eating very well. I can't compare myself to Lauren anymore. My body will NEVER look like hers. It won't look like anyones. I am me. I need to learn to be happy in my own skin... deflated balloon of a belly and all. While I wanted to avoid stretch marks the ones I have (while ugly) are a reminder that after years of trying and treatments. And all the heartbreak. I was able to carry my little man for a full 9 months. So many would KILL for that chance. So I try to remind myself as I am judging myself in the mirror, That I wanted this. My chest (partly since I'm nursing and partly from genetics) is GINORMOUS at this time. I mean out of control. While I have always hated being busty, It reminds me that I am able to nurse my son and provide life to him.

Anyway that Is my rant for the night. I just want to be happy with myself, and with the life I am trying to raise my son into. I will post again tomorrow, But I need to hurry and pump and go to bed. I'm exhausted!

Milf Monday- Slow Moving

Well I made it through week 1 of my workouts! I can't believe I did it! There was more than a few times that I really just wanted to be lazy and use the excuse that I just had a baby, and if I wanted to I could sit on the couch and eat granola bars all day! Not saying I didn't do that.. I'm just saying I fit in my workouts!

I know I've said it before but just to clarify, at this point I am not restricting calories. I want to make sure that Miles has enough nutrition. I'm making healthier choices, and not indulging as I did while pregnant (which wasn't ever too extreme). In December I will likely start counting calories if I am not seeing any change in myself.

Alright so here is the breakdown of my weeks workouts

• Monday- 2 mile run. I did this VERY slow, 29:45 to be exact. Yup go ahead and mock. I ran through 1 song and then walked the next. It felt really slow, and I was sure that everyone that drove by was making fun of me... but I'm ok with that. I had an almost 4 week old kiddo with me. They can laugh all they want, You gotta start somewhere!
• Tuesday- Lifted weights to workout arms and abs. Putting Miles to bed at 7 has been amazing. I'm able to squeeze in a workout, or get some housework done! 
• Wednesday- 2 mile run. I cut 1:50 off mondays time. Woot Woot!
• Thursday- Lifted weights to workout chest and back. I also did an ab workout.
• Friday- Should have been a run day, but since I was planning on a longer run for Saturday, I decided to use this as a rest day. Riley however guilted me into getting my butt upstairs and lifting. So I worked out my shoulders
• Saturday- I did my nearly 4 mile run. It was TOUGH. I'm not going to lie. There were A LOT of times that I had to convince myself that I needed to finish the run, and NOT take the shortcut back home. It's true, running is a total mind game!

I don't really want to put these pictures up.. But I'm going to. I only lost .8 lbs this week... but hey, thats nearly a pound less than I weighed last monday! I'm moving in the right direction! I am now 4.6 lbs above my pre pregnancy weight. Here's to hoping I continue to do well and am able to stick with this fairly easily!

This is last week... so my starting picture. 

Week 2. This is POST run, So yes I am gross and sweaty. And don't you be judging my socks!

Milf Monday- 1st Run Ever As A Mom

So this morning I embarked on the new adventure of post baby body rejuvenation.

It was tough! I left the house, started my pandora Nsync station and was all ready to walk the first leg for a good long warm up... except my neighbor who is not very neighborly was leaving her house and giving me her judgmental eyes she likes to use when she stares me down... So I took off running. Ya I never fully grew up, It's like when I was 12 with a cast on my arm, walking on the beach in Oregon and I saw the cute boy so I tried to walk all "hippy" except I didn't have hips, or coordination. I still have the scar on my knee from that little mishap! Anyway, the plan was run 30 seconds- 1 min and then walk for 2-3. I just don't do well with starting uber slow. I just couldn't do it. So I ran 1 song and walked 1 song. Nsync radio let me down today, it wanted to play all the amazing SLOW boy band songs. I had to switch over to Today's Adult Hits.

My run went really well, My right shin hurt, but that is normal for my runs. I need a new pair of running shoes but am waiting until the next shoe sale on base. Miles slept for the entire run (THANK GOODNESS) and the Bob stroller is ahhhh-mazing. Seriously I even thought about having to correct it, and it was already done! Totally worth the money if anyone out there is looking for a recommendation.

I will not be running everyday, tomorrow I will either lift, or maaaaaybe get out one of Riley's yoga dvd's. Ok let's not lie, Yoga probably isn't going to happen. On my non running days I plan on taking Deezul and Miles out for a good walk, just to make sure we get out and around the neighborhood.

I just downloaded the app runstar, I got the free version till I realized I wanted the full version, so I paid the 5 bucks for it. It is the first app I have ever paid for though, so I don't feel guilty! I will check in with you and let you know how I like it!

Stats
Weight - +5.4lbs from pre baby weight.
I don't know what other stats I should put up... I'll get back to you on that!

I took day 1 pictures, but the memory card is downstairs. I will update with those pictures probably tomorrow. But for now here is a few pictures from my run this morning! Way to start out a month, with a good run!

Miles' outfit for the day, courtesy of  Nana Gardiner

Asleep in the stroller, PERFECT!

Starting one of my walking breaks... more than 1/2 way!

This is my Napoleon Dynamite yessssssssssss face, I finished my first workout as a mom!!!

I'm a Cow

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Running out of Time

I haven't blogged lately cause I was out of town, so this will be my little catch up.

There is not enough time left until Miles gets here. I have a list about a mile long of projects that need to be done... So luckily I am working less hours right now and should hopefully be able to complete a lot of them.

I'm home from my trip (THANK GOODNESS!). It was so nice to see so many friends and all my family, but at the same time, It's easier to adjust to Riley being deployed when you are home and can get into a routine.

The wedding in Northern California was absolutely GORGEOUS, I feel so incredibly blessed that I was able to be there for it, and was able to capture the moments for Kaitlyn and Daniel. I flew in on Wednesday, and until Sunday (the day after the wedding) we went non-stop. So while I was planning on finding a church building and going, I crashed ALL DAY! my feet were swollen at that point (not terribly but enough that I knew to put my feet up for a day). I did nothing but sleep the entire day, It was exactly what my body needed!

I flew out the next morning and headed to Utah. The turbulence was so awful that when I finally got off the plane I had to find a bathroom and puke (fun start to a trip). My mom picked me up and we went straight to Joann fabric and found the fabrics I want to use for the nursery.

My week was filled with good food, lots of loved ones harassing my belly, more smiles and laughter than I can count, and a very sweaty Sav (seriously 100 degrees pretty much the whole week).

I was able to meet BOTH of my newest nephews that I hadn't been able to see yet. Rafe who is now 9 months old. Seriously this kid is fantastic! I may have accidentally let him smash his head about 30 seconds into our first meeting, but I guess he forgave me because he pretty much loves me! He's not a fan of laying still while you change his diaper though... it must feel like such a vulnerable position to be placed in though, I'd probably thrash and wiggle the whole time too. Teagan, who is now 6 months is freakin adorable! He has little michelin man rolls all down his arms and legs and is wearing 12 month clothes already! He was such a happy and content baby the whole shower. He just sat wherever you put him and just giggled. Seriously I absolutely LOVE all 4 of my nephews, and cannot wait to supply them all with a cousin to play with, Especially Rafe and Teagan who will be close in age with Miles.

I was able to get Maternity pictures done. and CANNOT wait to see them. We were losing light quickly, and didn't get too many shots in, but from what I saw already they are fantastic. We drove the Alpine loop through AF canyon (most gorgeous drive ever!). It made me sad though, I had never driven the whole loop without Riley. We have SOOO many memories in that canyon, and it was so nice to drive through and remember what an amazing place it is.

Saturday was a CRAZY day! We started the day out early, for the AF canyon 5k. I had a big group there doing it with me, My mom, Dad, Stepmom, Father in Law, Lauren and Candace. I was worried some might back out, but no one did!

My father in law and Lauren stayed with me for the 3 miles, Lauren took off about a half mile from the finish (GO HER!) while I had to slow down cause I had a pain that I wasn't sure if it was normal or baby related, so I walked. Curt stayed with me the whole time and we finished together running across the finish! I was the only one that had ever done a race, and I think they were all pretty proud of themselves! My father in law even mentioned to Riley that he would think about training for a half marathon, Riley's response to me about it "And so it begins!"

I will update with pregnancy stats when I get my maternity pictures from Lauren OR sunday or monday I'll take a quick 31 week shot. but until then, here are just a few from the race :)

Oh Oh Oh! The best part of the whole story, So at packet pick up they couldn't find my number. They had my packet, just could not locate my number. So they gave me the run around and sent me to like 3 different tables before FINALLY assigning me a new number. However they didn't have anymore green numbers, Green = 5k Blue = Half marathon. So I was given a blue number, no big deal. The morning of the race, they kept making a big deal about how we were at the 5k start, and if you had a blue number "YOU MISSED IT!" I just let them continue to point stares at me and think I was stupid. But as I crossed the finish line they handed me a finishers medal. I thought nothing of it, I've done plenty of races where the 5k and half-ers all get finisher medals. It wasn't until later that I realized that no one else that ran the 5k had a medal... They saw my blue number and assumed. You know what they say about assuming :)

A Day Off! FINALLY!!!

I don't know how your husband is... but on the weekend, mine wants to have the most epic adventures possible. which usually consist of us going non-stop for 2 whole days. I love this... EXCEPT for when i'm exhausted and just want a day to chill out at home and worry about NOTHING.

This last weekend was madness. I was throwing a baby shower on Saturday, so i spent all last week trying to prepare, as well as helping someone move out of their house. So once the shower was over, it felt like the weight had been lifted and i needed a nap. I had forgotten that Rye and I had to go pick up our packets for our Run that morning. we also had 2 friends and their dog stay at our house the rest of the weekend. My morning sickness was at an all time bad, and i was grumpier than you could imagine.

My body is exhausted... so today i'm going to listen to my body and Baby G, who is calling all the shots. and i'm going to stay home and not do much. Except maybe fix the ripped part of my rug... and vacuum. but i will not be out and about running errands all day. it's gonna be a lazy Sav day! WOOHOO!!!

Totally non-related to anything. but i'm drinking chocolate soy milk (as in vanilla soymilk and nesquick) AMAZING. and out of a bendy straw... which makes life better, as we all know.

Ooh Ooh, Riley and I met our midwife this week. She only seemed concerned about Riley being deployed for the birth, and Me not having the same kind of support in delivery. We got to hear Baby G's heart beat again (what an awesome sound!)... I still have that feeling it's a boy, i keep saying him/he/his... we will find out in a few weeks, so i should not count my chickens before they hatch! Also we took my 12 week baby bump picture earlier this week.. i guess i can post that up here later. I am 9 lbs lighter than before i was pregnant, but i definitely don't look it. i didn't really have a bump before, it's a recent development... it pretty much sucks when you can't suck in ANYTHING anymore, and then people stare at you like... dang she is out of control.. ugh screw you judgey people, i'm pregnant and am still out running so shove it!

and on that note, i'm going to go paint my nails... ENJOY your weekend!!!

26.2

Riley took an online test once that told him that he is the 1/2 marathon type of runner... that he COULD run a marathon, but he would be hurting and the 1/2 is better suited for him. He decided to run one anyway!

Riley and Kyle found out last minute that they were going to have to work this weekend and couldn't run the race, after talking to their higher-ups they were excused to go run... i mean it IS a marathon after all!

We started our day at 12:30 (ya as in 30 min past midnight) we left the house by 1-ish to drive to waikiki and find parking... oh my goodness that was an experience all on it's own. we made our way down to the shuttle which then drove us over to the starting point. I realized quickly into the day that i am sick... i have some sort of a stomach bug, and was definitely NOT feeling too hot. fighting the urge to puke into a porta pottie is NOT fun... ugh.

We made our way to their designated start point ( the 3-4 hours group) and waited. The instructions were all given in japanese first and THEN in English, which i'm not going to lie upset me a little. I understand that 75% of the participants flew here for the event FROM Japan... however they were guests... if they held a race and 75% were americans that flew in for it.. i would still expect the primary language to be japanese. ANYWAY we were eventually able to find our way without any english signs telling us where to go.

The boys took off to a starting firework show, it was pretty legit. like 10 full minutes of fireworks... i'm a sucker for fireworks. and you can't tell me you don't love their outfits. they ran the whole thing together, how many people do you think thought they were a couple :)

After they started i was planning on heading straight to the finish to wait for 4 hours... but then i overheard that mile four would wrap right around to where i was... so i wait a little bit. i was SEARCHING for the green shorts along with the shirtless guy with a pink headband... how i missed them i'll never know (my eyesight is getting worse) LUCKILY my husband saw my pretty little face and pointed himself out... so i just barely missed it.....

if you look closely you can see Riley's eyes under Kyle's chin, staring at me like a creeper... gosh i hate that i missed them. So They passed and i started making my way to where some of the buses were SUPPOSED to be to take people to the finish... no buses... LAME... so i knew at this point i would have to walk the 3 miles back to the finish line... all the while feeling like i was about to puke. so i was standing and just playing with my camera taking some blurry shots (on purpose) wishing i had my tripod to get the effect i was wanting... when some weirdo starts talking to me. His name was Will, he's in the army and he was a creep. he told me (in the first 15 minutes of talking to him) that he has no problem going after married women as long as their men aren't deployed.... i looked at him and just said "seriously" with my most judgmental face on :) I am not the quickest person to realize when someone is hitting on me (cause it doesn't happen often) so it took me a good 10 minutes to realize that is what he was doing. When i mentioned i am married is when he brought out his charming line about married women (creep)... then he found out i was Mormon, and the rumors started flying... he was CONVINCED that i was a polygamist. the ONLY good thing that came of Will, is that an hour of me trying to get rid of him just flew by.

So with only about 2 ish hours left i joined the crowd of 10k race day walkers on their last 5k to the finish line... i tried to stay on the side since i was not registered... i honestly just needed to know how to get back to the finish. I walked down the main shopping strip of waikiki, when i nice older couple stopped me and asked me what the point of the marathon was, if it was for a foundation or what.. i informed them it was just the annual one but that their were a lot of teams running with shirts either FOR a foundation or there was a team whose shirts said "victory lap of 26.2 miles after beating cancer" he informed me his lovely wife is a cancer survivor and i told them that my nephew of only 4 years old just beat cancer as well. we chatted for a few minutes about their trip, and i learned that the younger man with them on their trip came to the island to visit my base... his brother was stationed at Kbay and was KIA earlier this year in Afghanistan. It was a conversation that i am better for having had.

I got to the finish line with nearly 3 hours on the clock. i decided it was time to find my spot at the finish line to get my classic picture of them finishing... this race was designed so if you want a picture of you finishing... you MUST buy theirs. there was no way for me to get a clear shot of the finish line. So i made the decision to walk down to right before the finish where everyone was cheering them on to finish strong, and found a place.

right before 4 hours i saw the green shorts and blue shirt.

 At the finish line then had these showers set up... Riley said it was AMAZING!

The are both in pain at this point. Riley has decided he is MUCH better at running 1/2 marathons, and that while he will do a few marathons... he's gonna mostly stick to the shorter distances... if you can call 13.1 miles short. Now we just need to get me ready for my 1/2 marathon.. i have about a year until go time!

I am SO proud of these boys. also you can SEE them getting thinner and more fit through all their races. I am SO glad i was able to brave through not feeling well and be able to be there for the guys. They are amazing, and i love being there to support them!

I am SO tired.

This weekend was the XTerra world championships for Trail Running. I kind of thought this would not be the best idea for Riley to run since he has the Honolulu marathon NEXT weekend.... but he assured me that it would be fine. So we registered him for the 21K (it was 13.6 miles which is .5 LONGER than a half marathon) through the jungles of Hawaii, I registered myself for the 5K, hoping to just beat my previous trail 5k time. Kyle signed up as well (his first trail run) as well as 2 other Marines.

We piled in the car early Sunday, and headed north on the highway, if you haven't ever been here going from our house towards the North Shore is GORGEOUS, you are on a road that is LITERALLY 10 ft from crashing waves, My car has gotten splashed by waves on more than one occasion. Up by chinaman's hat there is a ranch, Kualoa Ranch. It is HUGE and they film a ton of movies there. i have been wanting to do a tour there for a long time now, just haven't yet. We finally got there, found parking and just hung out, they had the parking just down a slight hill from the start/finish. So we were able to stay around the car until just right before, I sprawled across the trunk of our car so Riley could tape up my leg, which i have to say is the most AMAZING thing ever. Since i roll from the outside of my feet when i walk/run i get ALOT of shin and foot pain while running. it's the main reason i have hated running since middle school. but with using the KT tape (which will peel off if not secured at the top with a piece of duct tape, let me know if you know of a better sports tape for running) I have zero pain that SHOULDN'T be there.

The events from our car.

About 30 minutes prior to when the race was set to go, Team Xtreme made their entrance. If you don't know who Team XTreme is, they are a group that runs all sorts of races IN THEIR GAS MASKS.... not easy! they benefit the wounded warriors. This morning they were making one CPL's dream come true by parachuting him into the race, along with all of Team XTreme. Seeing this CPL who lost an arm and both his legs in Afghanistan last year, was absolutely moving. As the race was getting ready to start, they made their way to their place, which meant parting the crowd for his wheelchair and the group. everyone was cheering for them, there were about as many OOH-RAH'S yelled as there was clapping (including my husband, who you could tell was having a very motivated moment)

Team XTreme and Cpl Love

So the start time was delayed 20 mins... cause the cops that were supposed to direct traffic, just didn't show up. They fired the shotgun and Riley and the boys were OFF! 10 minutes later the shotgun was fired again and i was gone. I was getting passed like crazy at first... and was feeling like once again i was going to be in the VERY back of the pack... Then we reached the first hill, and not ONE other person was running, they were all walking (it was a tough hill) I slowly started passing people that had shot off like a bullet when we were on flatter ground. Then there was a downhill, and a few passed me again... next uphill i took it back! the first bead of sweat dripped off my nose at minute 8, then it was like a shower... sounds pretty gross huh! however i'm one of those girls that feels sexiest when i'm gross and sweaty, I mean whats not hot about girls who are active?! My legs were SO wobbly, i almost fell over a few times.... almost threw up a few times, EH it's part of the experience. I finally finished my 3.1 miles through the valley and tried to steady my breathing. I walked down to the car, changed into my flip flops, grabbed the camera and headed back up to the finish to wait.

gorgeous right!!!

The first of the 4 guys in our group to finish was Rye (SO proud of that boy!)

The other three trickled in within 18 minutes of Riley, one of them only 2 1/2 minutes behind.

Is that picture not fantastic. They had all just finished, were wearing their finishers medal and i told them all to look Bad-A... ya i think this one is being put onto a canvas. :) love it.

This is us with the ranch in the background. seriously such a gorgeous place!

It was an amazing event! we both had so much fun! We went to the after party later, and watched a slideshow as well as the video highlights, So i got to see the run that Riley was on... HOLY INSANE!! they were ducking under trees, and holding onto ropes as the ran down a muddle track. seriously when they post that video online, i will put a link up here, cause it looked insane.... oh and did i forget to mention that i beat my last 5k time, and Riley was in the top 100 overall for his race. He's been wanting to hit top 100 in a race for a LONG time, and this was the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, with about a 1000 people running his race. AMAZING.

Weight Loss Wednesday- Dress Shopping

Here we are, my second weight loss Wednesday post. How have you changed your life this week?

This last week was "ration" week, if your a military wife you know the drill. you live off whatever you have in your house until payday :) luckily my house is pretty stocked. I only had to do this because of the thousand bucks that was used for Deezul's surgery, it's not a normal occurrence in our house. I had to get creative to stay within my calories allotted for the day. And i was SO busy with halloween and all the events of that, it was difficult for me to find time to run.... those were definitely my obstacles of the week. But while everyone else was trick or treating, i hit up the commissary (our grocery store on base) i got ZERO trick or treaters... and i knew that our store on base was closed, so i drove over to pearl harbor and went to theirs. EMPTY!!!! it was amazing, that has never happened on a military payday! there were VERY few people in the store. i loved it. so now the fridge is TOTALLY stocked up on nutritional goodness. Yesterday i made applesauce in my crockpot... ya it was pretty dang good! Steph said it was almost too sweet, it was like an apple pie. She at a whole cup of it, and i think my calorie estimate was about 100 calories for it. she was pretty impressed!

I think i was only able to run once this week. it's been really crappy weather, which i LOOOOOVE, but my bodybugg doesn't like rain, AND i'm a bit of a klutz, so i can just imagine me eating pavement, as a platoon of Riley and my friends run by... NO thank you. I did hit my calorie burn goal everyday (maybe missed it once, but i was close)

I went dress shopping for the ball yesterday. Steph and I went and fell in love with the EXACT same dress. and BOTH wanted to buy it... she won :) i had to find another one. so i am happy with the dress i got. we'll see if i LOVE it the night of the ball. This year there will  be MANY more pictures, since i didn't bring a camera last year. trying on dresses was fun though. probably cause i have had better self esteem since taking this all serious again. Riley is going to get home to a changed woman.... and a changed menu, HAHA. yesterday made me hopeful about future clothes shopping trips. lately clothes shopping is the LAST thing i want to do... cause i don't want to be depressed about it... so instead i'm changing myself so that i am nothing but excited about new clothes :)

Alright so here are my stats 
Since last weeks post i am down 3.2lbs
Since 12 days ago when i started i am now down 7.2lbs
HECK YAAAAA!!!!!

I feel fantastic! keep in mind i'm still eating! and normal food too! i had 2 fun size chocolate candies on halloween, plus 2 suckers. last week one day a mom from preschool brought cupcakes (which by the way, one cupcake is 160 calories.... ya thats half my snack allowance for the day!) it's all about making room in your daily plan for a treat. i had to work that cupcake INTO my 1200 calories. I went to 2 BIG Halloween events, plus Halloween and i am still DOWN 3.2 lbs this week. i am EXTREMELY pleased with that. My original goal was to be down 15 lbs by the ball which is a week from tomorrow, i don't think i will get there. HOWEVER i am not going to be upset about that. I am happy with my progress.

also real quickly this is the BEST method i have found to have a healthy breakfast! Chop up all your different veggies and have them in containers so on mornings when you don't have tons of time, you just have to grabe a small handful of each, and toss them into your egg scramble (2 egg whites and 1 full egg) i add 1/4 cup cottage cheese as well and it's usually about 250 calories! and that includes my little bit of fruit on the side! here is how i do it!

on the left we have red peppers and green peppers, on the right are my tomatoes and green onions. and in the middle is the corn i sliced off the cob (i'm in the middle of doing that right now actually, so that container isn't full yet. keep these in your fridge or freezer and then you are able to toss them in!

Weight Loss Wednesday! - No Boring Breakfast Here

Alright so i promise not to make this blog all about weight loss, or fitness or anything like that... So i have given myself a rule, i am ONLY allowed to post anything like that related(except for races and such) on Wednesdays, so welcome to the first ever weight loss Wednesday. After i posted about that girl (you know, the one that is TINY now) i decided it WAS the perfect motivation. I started tracking what i am putting in my mouth, which for me has always been the one thing i WON'T do. I put an App on my phone so that i can track anytime anywhere, and can simply look up the foods on the app rather than have to look up online how many calories something has. According to the App i should be taking in 1240 cal per day (it went down to 1220 after i entered my new weight yesterday). tracking my food has made a WORLD of difference. I am having to watch everything! i bought these new pumpkin spice almonds (AMAZING!!!!!)

i bought this whole container on base for only $5, YA, go grab some NOW!!! anyway, they are amazing, but i am only allowed 22 nuts at a time... and that's 160 cal just for some almonds. now some would argue, almonds are good for you, YES they are. however too much of a good thing isn't always good for you. counting out my almonds, and putting them in a baggie was slightly depressing the first time, because Riley and Kyle were just snacking on them in the car, asking if i wanted any... and i couldn't.. it was a sad day.

I am also a firm believer that when you eat the same thing day after day, it's NOT going to end well... so i have been mixing it all up big time! here are my last three breakfast's

 This scramble has 2 egg whites and 1 full egg, some sliced up tomatoes, green peppers, corn stripped from the cob, red peppers, 1 slice of turkey lunch meat, cottage cheese, salsa and black pepper that plus my 1/2 of the orange i cut up totaled 260 calories, and you can see the edge of my drink, i've been drinking the strawberry crystal lite (always been my favorite)

 I have always HATED greek yogurt, it's too tart and just UGH... but i knew that to get serious about this i would have to start eating it... so i tried the yoplait honey vanilla, pretty dang good. So this is the 100cal yogurt cup, with 3 frozen strawberries sliced up (it was too many strawberries in my opinion... it was like yogurt coated strawberries rather than yogurt with berries) and then an 1/8 cup of rolled oats sprinkled on top. this totaled 191 calories, looking back on yesterday i would have added something else, cause i got hungry a little sooner after this than i was expecting. i think 250 calories is good to hover around for breakfast. Too low and you get hungry soon after

check this out... ya it looks amazing... this was my breakfast about an hour ago. it's 1 cup vanilla soymilk, 5 frozen strawberries, half a frozen banana and 1/4 cup of oats. This is 282 calories. and worth every single one! i actually made this same smoothie without the oats for dessert last night. it's such a simple recipe but it tastes like we bought it. I made one for one of the Marines and he thought it was amazing. so this recipe is a for sure winner!
you cannot tell me that a doughnut looks better than these meals.

Riley and i eat healthy 75% of the time normally, however i never measured my almonds or cottage cheese... and so i was taking in too many calories to lose any weight. Even with all the working out! With simply tracking what goes IN my body and paying close attention to my bodybugg to track how many i am burning... i have lost over 4 lbs... since Saturday. My skin is clearer, i have a glow! and i feel better. Yesterday i got home after work and was BORED cause Riley is gone, and i ended up eating a brownie someone had brought us... when i tracked it... it was 150 calories... for a tiny brownie. i won't tell you it wasn't good... cause it was. but not worth having to adjust my day around! i would rather have a chocolate pudding with whip cream for 70 calories.

My goal is to be down by 10 lbs by the time Riley returns. I am confident i will shatter that goal :) stay tuned for next Wednesday to see how i'm coming along!

The Proper Motivation

I have been SEARCHING for that thing that would just make me re-think EVERYTHING, and would make me get completely back on track with eating and fitness. yesterday i found just that! i was on pinterest and came across this picture


As you look at this picture i am sure that like me you have many thoughts running through your head, there is NOWAY this is the same girl and IF it is, there is NOWAY that she lost all that weight in a healthy way. well get ready to be wrong on all counts. She decided after high school that she wanted to change her life, and so 1 year later she was down to 111 lbs, and in the healthiest way possible, simply eating the right foods, and the right amount of those foods. She doesn't believe that starvation is the way to get healthy, and knows that you only need so many calories in a day and that eating good foods is the best way to take in those calories. she didn't go on a crazy diet, she just changed the way she looked at food and the way she burned calories.


if this is not motivation for ANY stage of your life you may be in then there is something wrong with you. i don't care if you are pregnant, just had a baby, or just living a crazy life... if you are simply figuring out how many calories your body needs, and then putting them in your body the right way... you will be that girl everyone is envious of. the best thing about this, is even after i DO get pregnant, i won't have to change my eating habits at all... i will only need to add a few extra hundred calories per day, which is as simple as a yogurt and an apple. there is NO evidence stating that you need to "eat for 2 people" yes you are eating for 2, but the other person, is only a few pounds, and would like to start their life off with the right foods as well... so do it for yourself, for you family and not for anyone else.


Eat healthy and exercise, and the pounds will come off... i promise. if you want to check out her website click HERE!!!

Lazy Weekend

Well the race was this morning... i woke up and forgot that i was planning on taking a few dayquil's prior to leaving for north shore, so that didn't happen. the car ride was filled with Riley almost falling asleep, and me trying to stop coughing. So i already knew that i was NOT excited about singing. nobody wants to sing if you can already guarantee some crackage in your voice. So i decided to just accept that and attempt to ready my mind for my first ever race.

So in case you were wondering, yes i sang, and YES i messed up... coming off a two week cold though, i am still overall happy with how i did. THEN i immediately went over to the start line with Rye, they had a real life cowboy on a horse to shoot the gun to start the race. Rye leaned over, gave me a quick kiss and told me to have fun. and then he was gone :)

On the Drive over, Riley assured me that i wouldn't Die... and i would do fine, and it wouldn't be that hard because i run that far with him on base all the time. OK, this was a trail run... through a working ranch... it was NOT pavement. i proved that when i totally face-planted :) ya not surprised... i'm a clutz, anyone remember the six months i spent in a full arm cast cause i broke my arm twice?! no injuries though, got right back up and kept running... around mile one i realized i was NOT pacing myself very well and was overdoing it, that was right before i fell... so the 2nd mile i walked most of it... cause it was ALL up steep muddy hills (oh did i mention it was raining?) mile 2 hit and i was off like a bandit again... kept just thinking "just don't stop running" i met up with 2 girls and ran the last mile with them, and then the last tiny leg i sprinted, cause i didn't want them to finish ahead of me.

So, I FINISHED!!!! NOT first, not even close (wasn't expecting or hoping to be) but i hit my goal of not coming in dead last. i wasn't far from it though, but for Rye signing me up the night before, and it being a freaking insane trail, AND being sick, i am more than impressed with myself.

So now for the interesting stuff, Riley is always improving, today he ranked in the top 25 overall for the half marathon (YA, he's amazing!) he was number 23, and 9th for his age division. Gosh i was SO proud of him! ok, well the dumb movie i WAS watching is over so i'm going to go make this AMAZING stuffed red pepper thing we saw on biggest loser, i will leave you with some pictures of today.

 Do you see his red shirt?

 GO BABE! GO BABE!

 Seriously, that is insanely well!

both of us (post-race) in our shirts. Rye REALLY wanted this picture. i couldn't believe how much he LOVED that i ran, he told me on the ride home that he really liked being able to talk about the course with me and actually have me "get it" it was definitely an AMAZING experience that i am glad we were able to have together, even if we didn't run together.

oh p.s. did i tell you the way Rye roped me into running the race.... i mentioned to him on thursday that i wanted to do a race so i could have my very own race shirt.. he found this race yesterday and said if they still had shirts available i was doing it. i really do love him.

Big Day Tomorrow

So i am sitting in bed, downloading music for a special playlist for tomorrow... i don't know what i am going to listen to yet, but it better be pretty motivating.... Cause THIS GIRL is running her first race tomorrow... it's only a 5k, but i still feel all sorts of awesome. I am still getting over this HORRIBLE cold i have had... but i went for like a 3-4 mile run with Rye the other night and did totally fine, so i think i will be able to breath... i'm sitting here and totally have the butterfly's though.....

So we were registering for the races, Rye is running a half marathon tomorrow... did i mention these are trail runs, NOT road, so let's pray i don't trip over a stump or root of some sort. Anyway so we are filling out paperwork, and the girls stops us and asks if either of us sing, i never know what to say to that "why yes, i sure as heck do, i rock the CRAP out of my shower these days!" so i just kind of stood there trying to figure out what to say, Rye of course has NO problem piping up and telling her "SHE DOES!" The girl stares at us in disbelief, and says that she just had a feeling she had to ask us, and that she hadn't asked anybody registering all day, but they have been wanting to find someone to sing the national anthem before the race, and if i would be interested... now keep in mind i am still sick, i have that gravely voice that makes me sound a little bit like Tom Waits. but yet again that darling husband of mine as proud as ever states "she would LOVE to!!!!"

So on that note i will end this post and finish my playlist... cause come tomorrow morning i will be singing the national anthem in north shore, 5 minutes prior to running the race myself. oh and the kicker, the girl that asked me... she happens to be from St. George as well... small world

Waka Wake (this time for Africa!)

Let's just start out by saying happy _ weeks left!!! i can't believe i've made it this far! and with no major breakdowns... i'm pretty dang proud of myself!

Alright So this last week or so i've been super busy, but the crazy thing is... i haven't done much! i've been really trying to focus everyday on my job... being HOT, so i am still working out 2-4 hours a day, trying to hit my calorie mark everyday, and eat as healthy as possible... now when you are cooking for ONE it can be a little depressing, so sometimes you just opt for some Dino-nuggets.... don't judge me, that was lunch today :) i was recently informed that you have to NAME the dino's before you murder them with your teeth, so Prudence the Triceratops and Vincent the Velosaraptor  were quite delicious! my check marks are adding up!!! however the scale must be lying to me cause it's telling me that i'm doing NOTHING... ya hours and hours of zumba and running does not add up to a zero loss... not if you are actually EATING within your calorie mark... it's bullcrap and i'm pissed... so i'm giving up on the scale, and working out for the pure pleasure of the PAIN!

i had my first Zumba-thon on friday, it was nearly 3 hours of zumba, ya i for SURE hit my calorie mark that night! i was POURING sweat, i used to watch Riley do insanity in our living room and think it was DISGUSTING how the floor with be covered in little sweat puddles... but at the same time i'd be jealous, cause you can't deny that he was working hard, and when i'm at the gym and i'm all sweaty, i feel HOT, and like every guy in there is looking at me like i'm a super model... hey don't mess with my delusions :) but at zumba i could look down and there were sweat drops ALL around me :) AAAAAAND my shirt was a COMPLETELY different color when i finished, and when i got home, i had to actually WRING out my sports bra haha i know it's gross but i was sooo proud! you can even ask Kat, i'm pretty sure it was yesterday when i flashed her my sports bra to brag about the sweatiness :)

if i'm not tiny by the time Rye gets back, i'll be the fittest fat girl i know! i'm working on walking to and from the gym (equaling 4 miles) working out for at least an hour at the gym, and THEN taking Dee on about an hour walk at night, i just have to work on NOT sitting and watching netflix in between the two :)

Speaking of Deezul, my little man is 11 months old today... CRAZY huh!!!

i was rocking the bright red lipstick and decided to cover my little guy with kisses :)

this was taken at... i think 5:30 or 6 am, Dee was PISSED because i decided after Rye called at 4:30 that i should just stay awake instead of sleeping in till 7, i skyped Kat after hanging up with Rye and thats when i decided that wearing bright red lipstick in bed was a good idea... wow after typing that it sounds a bit inappropriate... anywho, i kissed Dee, then went to go cook myself a few eggs, he curled up on this blanket, and then i took this picture :)

So last week it rained ALLLLLLL week! and i gave Dee a bath, unfortunately he had to pee at some point, and sadly my puppy is no longer afraid of the rain, so he went and jumped in the mud puddles out back, and continued to try and dig up the ugliest tree on the island (i'm kinda hoping he'll succeed on that one!) so this is 3 hours after said bath, ya i wanted to CRY!

uh huh, THEN the little butthead tried to get on MY bed... he got spanked.

So i tried a new recipe this weekend, i made cream puffs for the first time ever! i didn't have all the ingrediants handy to make chocolate mousse filling so i just used lemon pudding for the filling.. pretty dang good if you ask me! or anyone that tried them. i cannot WAIT to make them with the chocolate mousse filling!

i am TOTALLY jumping around tonight, it's been awhile since my last post :) so i took Dee on a walk just an hour or so ago to return some movies i rented (yup, they're late) and he was EXHAUSTED he again laid down in the middle of our walk and stretched out trying to nap. only 2 people pulled over today to see him, one being a single Sailor that isn't stationed on our base, from his insignia i'd guess he's an e-5.. ok so i'm on a military base, wearing a wedding ring, i MENTION that my husband is deployed and suddenly that gives this guy the go ahead to ask me on a DATE! he apparently pulled over cause HE has a shar pei as well, and hasn't seen another one on the island, plus Dee is a good lookin pup... so THEN he asks if i'd want to bring Dee to the dog park by his house and he'll make spaghetti... haha not even kidding. Military guys are ridiculous. but at least i know working out is paying off eh?!back on track! so i get Deezul home, and he PASSES out on the tile after drinking 2 full bowls of water

can you see his 3 kiss marks :)

he's so smiley after long walks!

as far as Rye goes, he's doing his Gray belt training, GO BABE! i know, i'm proud of him too! he called this morning, wasn't in the best mood... called so his lil' wife could cheer him up :) i'm pretty good at that! just think Rye only __ weeks until you get to have me all to yourself! except during zumba hours!

lastly, you may have seen this on my facebook, it is my new ALL-TIME favorite you tube video, i can't even count how many times i've watched it. this poor guy is running on 3 hours of sleep in 3 days, trying to keep himself awake on post... he's delusional and losing his mind, and i laugh EVERY TIME. so here ya go! MAMA DOG!