Pressure

Today is the start of my final week with 21 Day Fix. I like to start Mondays on a positive note. It's a fresh start, clean slate, a second chance to make up for last weeks mistakes. This morning I felt different. I decided to cheat and hop on the scale because I had a feeling that I wasn't making the progress I had hoped. Sure enough, my suspicions were right. The scale showed me that in two weeks I'm down 1.8 lbs. Talk about a major letdown. The positive? I know exactly what I have done wrong. 

21 Day Fix is a pretty straight forward program and definitely effective, but I'm only human and I can't help but compare myself to others. Not just that, but I had great results the first time around so I put so much pressure on this second chance. I set expectations for myself and I have been dwelling on them so much so that I feel like it may be back firing. Pressure may work for some people, but for me.. I feel like it makes me crack. Once I get off track with this program, I feel like I spiral out of control. I'm an emotional eater. I have always turned to food for comfort. I can't keep giving in to that crap. I'm mad at myself for letting this become more mental that it should have. My attitude sucks. I haven't been making myself a priority like I should. My toddlers have been extra feisty and I feel like that plays a part. I just haven't been in the best place to take on the program. As I type this I already feel like I've made excuses for myself. 

I'm ready to move forward. I had such momentum when I started to get serious with my weight-loss journey in March. I felt like I was a force to be reckoned with. I was losing consistently and I was proud of the work I was putting in. I was working every day. I was eating clean. Not measuring meticulously or anything. Just creating dishes that were colorful, full of good for you things and often low carb. I need to go back to that. I need to go back to where I started. I have to find my balance again. I would love to give 21 Day Fix a shot again. Maybe in a month or two I can revist. For now, I look forward to mixing Autumn's kick ass workouts into my routine (because man, are they a killer!) 

My goal is to finish this next week strong, be proud of my results no matter what they are and move on. I will reach my goal. I will be proud of myself. I will make the time. I will stay positive. I won't set my expectations to high and most of all I will continue to learn how to love myself again. After all, that's what this is about. 

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My meal plan for this week isn't anything too exciting but here it is anyway.. 

Today

Lunch: I wanted to use up the rest of my cooked quinoa in the fridge I tossed it with some heirloom tomato, chopped cucumber, feta cheese & some spices. It was super easy and delicious! 

Dinner: Kung Pao Chicken over brown rice. Yum!

Tuesday

Lunch: Turkey on flat out with hummus

Dinner: TBD.. Brian won't be home so I usually wing it. Maybe salmon and leftover brown rice? 

Wednesday

Lunch: "Best ever chicken salad"

Dinner: Fish Tacos

Thursday

Lunch: Mexican chicken (Chopped chicken, black beans, avocado, tomatoes, salsa verde) 

Dinner: Ground turkey meat sauce over zoodles

Haven't figured out the rest of the week yet. But I'm happy that unlike the last two weeks. We don't have any parties or plans to eat out. I am fully in control and I love that.

Happy Monday! Hope everyone has a great week! 

XO,

 A

Off to a rocky start..

Let me start by saying that I am a Mom. That is my job. My daughters are my number one priority. No questions asked. That being said, this week was tough. It was really difficult to find time for me. It happens. And it's a drag. Especially when I was hoping to have a killer first week with 21 day fix. If we're being honest. I did half of the workout on Monday and half on Tuesday. Mackenzie (my 3 year old) is trying to eliminate her nap. Note: I feel like part of me isn't fighting it because she has been giving us trouble at night. For the last two months, in bed with Mommy & Daddy has been the place to be. UGH! I don't want her making a habit of that so I end up in the twin bed with her. Not comfortable! I hope we get out of this phase SOON. I miss my awesome little sleeper! Talk about rambling! Anyways, it's been hard getting my workouts done with the girls awake. Luckily, Riley (15 months) naps like a champ. So my goal this week is to get Mackenzie set up with arts and crafts or give her 1 pound dumbells and let her get involved. I have no excuses. I need to get this done. I want results. I deserve them. I can't blame my kids. I need to make the time. 

Today was a million times better than any day last week. I took the girls to the playground. Took a brisk walk and did my 21dayfix workout. I feel really good about my eating too. No complaints. That hasn't happened in a few days. I'm moving forward and staying positive. Here's to hoping I keep up the momentum this week. I WILL stay on track. I will work harder towards my goals. 

Onto a menu for this week.. 

Today:

I was planning on having Southwest quinoa but it was a busy morning and I was too hungry to wait for it to cook. Yes, 20 minutes it was too much time to give me an opportunity to snack on something I didn't need! I ended up having some deli turkey with a "fiesta" salad. Black beans, yellow bell pepper, medley of tomatoes, black olives, cholula hot sauce & salsa verde. It was SO good!

Dinner tonight was Coconut chicken with brown rice and fresh broccoli. Holy yum! I swear this gets better every time I make it. I guess my skills are improving. 

Tuesday

Lunch: Chicken over baby spinach w/ goat cheese & apple

Dinner: Salmon w/ green beans & sweet potato

Wednesday

Lunch: Turkey on flat out wrap

Dinner: Mediterranean Chicken over quinoa

Thursday

Lunch: Yogurt w/ granola

Dinner: Turkey Taco Salad

Friday: 

Lunch: Taco Soup or Chili (using leftover ground turkey!)

Dinner: Simple chicken stir fry

That's all for now. Happy Monday!

XO,

 A

Happy November!

This post was meant for yesterday but it was one of THOSE days. Ugh! Anyways...

I don't know about everyone else but there is just something about the start of a new month. It's full of promise and hope. It's a chance to do things differently. Make up for some mistakes and work harder to reach your goals. This will be the month I make it into the 170's. That is the most important goal to me this month. I want to really focus on me. Make more time for myself. Life has been pretty busy with two toddlers and I easily lose sight of my priorities. As a Stay-at-home-Mom, I have my lists of things to do but I find myself putting ME at the bottom. I need to re-arrange my time. If that means waking up super early to work out before Brian leaves for work then that's the way it has to be. I can't give up on myself. I've earned this and I'm going to keep moving forward doing whatever it takes.

Today I started another round with 21dayfix and I'm confident with the structure of the program, I will get to my next goal. I'm so excited! 

BEFORE

As always, not thrilled to be posting pictures like these but it's a reminder that while yes I have work to do, I have come a long way. I'm excited to see what my after pictures look like! 

I won't be posting my usual Monday Weigh In's because I want to wait for my final result with 21 Day Fix. In order to finally kiss the 180's goodbye I need to lose at least 6.8 lbs! My last round with 21 Day Fix I lost 8.8 lbs. I feel like I did some serious ass kicking the first time around but you bet I wasn't perfect. I'm looking forward to this round and seeing if I can prove to myself that with dedication, I can do anything. Wish me luck! :)

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I just finished my meal plan for this week. Here's what's on the menu..

Monday

Lunch: Grilled chicken over romaine w/ grapes, goat cheese & balsamic vinaigrette 

Dinner: Asian style salmon, brown rice & snow peas 

Tuesday

Lunch: Turkey on whole wheat pita w/ side greek salad

Dinner: Balsamic chicken, roasted brussel sprouts and mashed cauliflower 

Wednesday

Lunch: Mediterranean chicken: Simple chicken breast over brown rice w/ tomato, cucumber and feta w/ drizzle of balsamic vinegar & EVOO 

Dinner: Turkey Burger w/ roasted aspragus

Thursday

Lunch: "Best Ever Chicken Salad" .. I will be modifying it slightly for 21DayFix but here is where I first heard about it. YUM! http://www.sweettoothsweetlife.com/2015/05/14/the-best-ever-chicken-salad/ 

Dinner: Fajitas! Although with 21DayFix corn tortillas are approved, I am choosing to eat mine with a side of black beans instead. :) 

Friday

Lunch: I'm pretty sure I will be on the run so I am planning to have Banana PB Shakeology for lunch. So good!

Dinner: We have a party to go to so I am going to work with what I've got and hope for the best. 

That's all for now!

XO,

  A