Swimsuit Season... THE REAL Hunger Games

The OG (Original Gangsta) Hunger Games... 

Bathing Suit Season

Ok...for the FIRST TIME in my entire adult life, I haven't been completely dreading swimsuit season.  Perhaps it's the fact I've been preparing for a better me (and bathing suit season) since February!  Now don't get me wrong, I've still got a ways to go, but the important thing is that I'm GETTING there!!!!!

I actually tried on some bathing suits from a few years ago last weekend (I have a upcoming trip to Jamaica in August) and guess what???  They didn't look half bad... and they FIT!!

Seriously... this was this LAST time I felt comfortable in a bathing suit.... doesn't mean I didn't look decent, but I've never felt comfortable in my own skin.  And i'm finally turning that corner.

And you ask, Gee Amy, how are you doing it??  
What's your advice for a newby, like myself?? 

It's taken me damn near 40 years (how'd that happen?) to get here... but, I think I've finally figured it out. And believe me, I'm no saint.  I love me some wine, cheese, chips, guacamole and MORE cheese.  But, I've learned a few things along the way...**

• Protein, protein, protein
• Weights/ Weight bearing exercises... and A LOT OF REPS...
  Think about when your arms wanna fall off... When you get there- keep going.
• I am a group exercise girl from waaay back.  I like to suffer with others... encourage others...support others... be held accountable to others... and that's what I've found in my gym... small group personal training.  LOVE IT!!!  My gym (North Dallas Anytime Fitness- seriously, tell 'em I sent ya) and my trainer (Jacob) are amazing.  You have to have the want and the drive-- but they will help you get there.
• Protein builds muscle.  Muscle burns calories.  So... the more muscle we have, thus, the more calories we torch... WHILE WE DO NOTHING.  Seriously, this IS one of my motivators.. burn more, while doing nothing.
• Get a step tracker ( I LOVE my Fitbit Flex... I'm holding out for a Tory Burch bracelet...) I want the hinged bracelet, in case anyone wants to buy me one... for real...
• Water, Water, Water... did I say, that?  (I've never liked water, until now).  Trust a sister-- Toss in some lemons... and pony up to the water.
• Seriously, don't be afraid of weights... you won't look like someone from WWE (don't hate- my husband LOVES the WWE wrestlers.. therefore, I end up knowing a lot about wrestling...again, don't judge.  He's CUTE, FUNNY and SMART.)

Seriously, start with these pieces.. and then, eventually, work on the diet.  You'll get there. It's all about a bunch of small modifications, over time, and (this is the biggie) CONSISTENCY.

Seriously... make a few small changes for the next 6 weeks... and be consistent!!!

Keep it real, keep it frugal and keep it FUN!  

** Legal Disclaimer: I'm NOT a trainer, nutritionist, or anything important.  Just a girl that wants to look cute in her jeans, get rid of her back-fat (WTF?), feel good about herself, look better naked(!!), and most all, be HEALTHY.

Like a Boss- 22 lbs Down!

Wow- I can't believe it.  After making some major lifestyle changes in February (never skipping meals, bootcamp, TONS of water, less Diet Coke, less cheese, more stairs, tracking my food, one cheat meal a week and a lot less adult beverages) I have FINALLY hit my 1/2 way mark.... 22 lbs!!!

I've NEVER lost that much weight before, nor have I ever needed to lose this much weight before.  Did I mention that NONE of my weight gain came from a baby?

Now, I'm even more inspired to reach my goal... Preferably before we go to Jamaica in August. With my husband's brother and his wife (they are the coolest!).  Did I mention they are like 10 years younger than me?  And in the Army?  

Nothing like the fear of swimsuits to scare the hell out of you and keep you on the straight and narrow...

So... Here's to the next 22-23 lbs I have left to lose.  And you know what?  I've actually started to enjoy my workouts...and I'm happier...and I sleep better.... And I crave less bad stuff (like wine and blocks of cheese)....  

And I'm living proof that it DOES get easier.  Who knew?

What would you attempt if you knew you could not fail?

I'm BAAACCCKKK

I'm BAAACCCKKK

Ok... Four Years Later and I'm FINALLY Back!!

Seriously, I really don't know what's happened to time, but here's a quick rundown of what's been going on in my world since I last left yall.

• A few new jobs for me (Including one that was all consuming)
• A few new jobs for the hubs
• Loss of a pet (Rest in Peace Sweet Myron)
• Addition of new pet (Sir Winston)
• Almost bought a house (got cold feet)
• STILL in the townhouse (don't ask)
• Spent most of 2014 sick and finally had sinus surgery in October 2014 (best thing I've ever done)
• Back injury (freak pole dancing fall). Pole dancing for fitness- not income 😉
• Working on my fitness to try to undo the damage and lbs from 2014
• Several trips- Bahamas, Jamaica, Germany and a few more trips to Vegas!  I seriously can't get ever get enough Vegas!

So... As you can see, I've been a BUSY girl!  I promise to start updating much more frequently- seriously, I promise for real this time.

Stay frugal my friends!

My New Fave Obsession

I present to you... the co-op!!!

I've been reading about this for a few weeks and finally took the plunge this past week.

I paid $36 ($1.50 convenience charge and $3 for a newbie basket charge) for all of this!! It included $15 for the laundry basket, $10.50 for the box of tropical fruit and $6 for foccacia bread (2 layers of bread).

Here's a closer look:

The first picture included: 2 quarts of strawberries, mangos, oranges, apples, honeydew melon, 2 onions, bag of carrots, 2 stalks of celery, 2 bags of radishes, and pickling cucumbers. The second picture included limes, lemons, pineapple, coconut, mangos, star fruit, mint (in the bag) and 2 vanilla beans.

I see some chicken noodle soup (already cooked), fruit salad, snacks at work and home and some mojitos (with the lime and mint). :-)

This is an awesome deal for all this fruit, veggies and all in one stop!!! I love that it's local, a great way to meet like minded people and a wonderful way to encourage healthy eating. This is great since we don't have much yard space.... this is the perfect solution for us!!

I am totally hooked now!! Jackpot!!!! Enter my new obsession.....

I think this may be a good reason to justify the new FoodSaver I want.... :-)

A New Way to Keep Up.....

So, my fabulous friend Kelly, told me about this told me about this new site that helps you keep track of all of those new Daily Deal sites that keep cropping up everywhere. I can hardly keep up!!!

I present to you (drum roll....) Yipit.com

You register with this site, and they send you one email each day with ALL of these deals in one place!!!

Try it- you'll love it!!! Though, with all these great deals, your wallet might not like it. :-)

Thanks for the share, Kelly!!

Life is Too Short to Drink Bad Wine....

The hubs and I are big winos and big foodies (now if only I liked to run....then all of my problems would be solved).

However, we DON'T like the markup on wine in restaurants (I know they gotta make money, too, I just don't like paying their prices). I mean, a 50% (or more!) mark-up for a bottle of wine is crazy!!!

So, to satisfy our love of good food and wine, I bring you the BYOB restaurant!!!!

A few of our favorite BYOBs in Dallas are:

Gregory's Bistro (in downtown McKinney)

This is one of our absolute faves. Fab food and awesome owners! Gregory specializes in food and wine pairings. Not too shabby for a $5 corking fee. I also had my bridesmaid's luncheon there, too. Tell em that Matt and Amy sent ya. ;) They are so fabulous, you will need to make reservations.....

Cafe Amore (in West Plano and in Richardson)

I always get the Chicken con Penne- so good! Awesome rolls. We love to go here before the movies. They also have a room upstairs (in Plano) for larger parties.

Campisi's (in Richardson and Plano)

Campisi's is also BYOB. Our first date was at the Campisi's off Mockingbird, so this always has special meaning to us.

Burg-It

This is a new burger joint close to our house-- good burgers, cute patio....and you guessed it-- BYOB!!! :)

These are a few of our fave BYOB places. What's some of your fave BYOB restaurants?

Stay thirsty, my friends. Cheers!

Goals Accomplished in the Last Year (See.... I Told You I'd Be Back Soon :-)

Since we got married (3-13-10.... best day of my life... swoon), we have both wanted to work towards being debt free. I am proud to announce some of our accomplishments in the last year.

• Paid off my student loans
• Sold all of my wedding stuff (and I had A LOT of stuff)
• Paid off credit card debt and a small loan
• Bought a car for my husband (he used to have a company car)... we paid cash for it
• Paid off my car (woo hoo) - Never buying a new car ever again!

We are super excited about the future and what we can accomplish in the next year. Some of the future goals are:

• Finish replenishing savings (from husband's car purchase), which should put us at 6 months of savings.
• Pay off 2nd mortgage on the townhouse
• Pay off one of husband's student loans
• Upgrade appliances in townhouse. This will help us sell the place in the next 2 years.

Until next time....

xoxo

Whew... it's some lofty goals, but we're up for the challenge. :-)