weigh-in vol.19

day 138:
tee gee eye eff blogdom!
i’m backkkkkk…

so today was my weigh-in & I really wasn’t feeling it & was pretty confident that i was looking @ a gain. not much but a gain nonethless…

it’s been a bizarro week.
a little funkish & my head just wasn’t in the game.
but i did what i do (tracking, eating good, working out daily) & believe it or not – i stayed the same!
(my actual weight tracker!)

i will gladly take it & kinda nice to know that i can maintain.
(the daily workouts are the key!)(yeah here is my mug -- not my best photo but taken today!)

moving along…
after my rant yesterday about blogger (still being a dickhead to me even after following some suggestions & now won’t let me edit my own freakin’ posts) & how i was considering wordpress… yadda yadda.
well i was playing around on wordpress last night & decided to try and import some things from this blog just to see if i liked it.
i get it all imported and this pops up on my wordpress dashboard:

warning: we have a concern about some of the content on your blog. please click here to contact us as soon as possible to resolve the issue and re-enable posting.

are you fucking kidding me?
wordpress hates me too?

so i was on lockdown @ wordpress all last night & i gotta tell ya – this does NOT impress me.
i realize i am not some g-rated mommy/crafty/sunshine shooting out my ass kinda blog – but am i SO bad that I need to have my content reviewed?!?!?!
just didn’t seem right?
then i got this email this morning…

Hi,
Our apologies. The system should not have done that.
We have removed the warning in your dashboard and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience it may have caused.
--
Anthony
WordPress.com

well thankin’ you anthony!
apparently a fluke but still… i had barely finished importing from blogger and wham-o – shut the fuck down!?!?!
i will stop now.

and i gotta tell ya folks…
despite the whole *lockdown* issue -- i am diggin’ wordpress.
especially with the upheaval of GFC, blogger & google+ going on.
i am still kinda lost about all that!?!
google+ is the new way to keep track of blogs/followers?
i dunno???
if anyone knows for sure – enlighten us dimwits (that would be ME) who are just clueless!


but as you can see i have been giving this blog a little facelift – so i haven’t totally jumped ship yet.
just trying out a new look . i like it – simple & to the point.
i am aiming for a *lifestyle blog*.
i wanna meld my two blogs by continuing to write about weight loss & my journey while incorporating my day-to-day life more.
with that being said -- i thought it better not to have butts & boobs on my header.
but for the record – i ♥ butts & boobs!
A L O T
i will miss them…

another change is that after this weekend i am giving the *no more muffin top hop* a indefinite break. not that i don’t like doing it – it’s just time.

where this blog will go from here – not sure?
but my goal is to make it better!
like the bionic blog!
yeahhhhhh!

before I wrap this up – lemme end by saying that i have THREE birthday parties to attend this weekend. one for my cousin’s little girl (movie theater party – we will be seeing beauty & the beast on the big screen in 3 D!!!!), another for my bff’s daughter, and brian (my hunny) turns 38 on sunday! (that’s right – i am rockin’ that cradle like a MoFo!)
for the record – i am NOT going there where the birthday cake & movie popcorn are concerned. doing so will only lead to utter ugliness!

peace, l♥ve & rock on bloggy peeps!
xxoo
cyn

weigh-in vol.18

day 131:
happy tee gee eye effin eff bloggyhood!

so let’s get to the goods shall we?
weigh-in went better than i thought – i was down .6lbs & ya know down is always better than up so yeehaw!

we (my mom & i – she is my weight watcher buddy) went to an earlier weight watcher meeting today. in the meeting a gal received her 100 lb. charm.
umm wow!
and she was so gracious about it & so empowering. while i may not have that much weight to lose it still made me feel like i can do this!
i love my meetings – i know i would not be as successful without them (and this blog!).

we also went technologically savvy @ weight watchers today. whole new system that automatically posts your weigh-in to your weight tracker on the weight watcher e-tools!
i love shit like that!
you still have to manually change it on your ww profile – but i can live with that!

now something complete off-topic:
i was reminded today that when push comes to shove & the feelings of the peeps i love are at stake – i will turn into the bitch goddess from HELL with no mercy & no limitations to my wrath.
i am a force to be reckoned with & i pity the fool who does!

sorry i am slacking on the hop today amongst other things. seriously – my daughter being so sick for a week has thrown our whole lives off. i feel shitty for not replying to all of your comments because i do read every single one & they mean so much to me. along with your blogs! i am reading faithfully – i just don’t always time to construct a thought let alone type a comment.
bottom line: i simply adore you all to pieces! xxoo!

<div align="center"><a href="http://chunkygoddess.blogspot.com/" title="misadventures of a chunky goddess" target="_blank"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bbbUtlcUdrk/TmujeaFBe6I/AAAAAAAAH38/DKYXFNyjZdE/s300/nomoremuffintophop.jpg" alt="misadventures of a chunky goddess" style="border:none;" /></a></div>
as usual – no rules – link up whatever ya like – even giveaways & other hops!
rockin’ the hop button is always nice & i über appreciate all of you that do!
and if ya find a new blog that blows your skirt up – be sure to leave them a comment saying you are a new follower & tell them ya found them on *the no more muffin top* hop.
that’s it – easy peasy!





peace, l♥ve & carpe the fuck outta the diem!
xxoo
cyn

tanning booth confessions vol.6

day 130:
merry weigh-in eve bloggy peeps!

so it’s been awhile & in honor of my triumphant (heh) return to the gym last night which also included a visit to the tanning booth (soooooo effin’ relaxing – oh how i have missed thee tanning booth) – i am bringing back…

<div align="center"><a href="http://chunkygoddess.blogspot.com/" title="misadventures of a chunky goddess" target="_blank"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wys9zSohkic/Tm4J93PL8FI/AAAAAAAAIEU/c_p27oUWSHA/s300/img0554tbc2.jpg" alt="misadventures of a chunky goddess" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

the random thoughts that permeate my sick twisted little brain whilst standing buck-ass naked in a tanning booth for the longest ten minutes of my life…

in situations like this you have no choice but to come clean and say it like it is…
so here goes – light a candle, chuck life the bird, and fess the fuck up!
(disclaimer: not all things posted will be traditional confessions – but certainly random!)

so let’s begin!

confession:
last night was the 1st time i have been to the gym since december 12th – wow! the guy at the desk had that “where the heck have you been?” look on his face – but it’s the *no judgement* zone @ planet fitness so he didn’t say mum. his face said enough…

confession:
everytime i go shopping i feel compelled to try on jeans just to make sure i am really a size 11/12. i know it sounds insane but i haven’t worn this size since the 1980s & i am having a real hard time convincing myself that this isn’t some fluke! and furthermore wearing clothes that actually fit & are not overly baggy in a vain effort to *cover* areas that i don’t want seen is completely foreign to me as well.

confession:
i ♥ tjmaxx & especially this time of year when they have AH-MAY-ZING clearance prices. i got a pair of jeans (size 11), some skinny navy blue super soft cords (size 11), two shirts (size medium) AND a dress (size medium) all for $37.00! and i didn’t want to scratch my own eyes out in the dressing room which is a MAJOR nsv (non-scale victory).
*a little head’s up – bathing suits/bikinis are already making their grand entrance into the stores*

confession:
i ate at the local (shithole) buffet yesterday. but in my defense – it is the ONLY place on the planet that my picky eating/recently sick daughter will eat (don’t ask me why – it is a mystery to us as well) & because she had basically gone SIX damn days without barely a nibble; drastic measures needed to be taken. as someone trying to eat healthy & vegan – this place is a virtual nightmare. seriously – even their veggies were cooked in GOBS of butter & the green beans had some sort of pork product (ew ew ew) in them to *flavor*. blech! i stuck with the salad bar – which was actually very nice --- lotsa fresh fruit & even some some beautiful mixed geens.

confession:
brian asked me yesterday if i was *skinny* (his word not mine) enough to marry him yet. i have written before about what a vain mofo i am & how i have come to terms with the fact that the reason we aren’t married yet & i have been dragging my feet is because i didn’t want to be a fat bride. i don’t want to look back on that day or at photos & all i can focus on is that i didn’t feel or look my best! (and please don’t send me snarky emails – i am not saying you need to be *thin* to be a beautiful bride. this is my personal preferrence & i am entitled.)

confession:
brian’s question got me to thinking – so i tried on my wedding dress & for the 1st time EVER it zipped all the way up! IT FITS!!!! and i love it! i can actually envision myself getting married…
wow!
so i guess i will be planning a wedding for real?
wow!
don’t ask when – i gotta process the fact that i can zip my dress up first!

confession:
i missed a good portion of the last hour of biggest loser (spoiler alert) tuesday night because i was snoozin’. i did see the beginning of the weigh-in’s & i did see mike get voted off the ranch (he was kinda creepy anyhow). and i know kim kinda fucked up making that bet – but i still like her – she is like me – all or nuttin’! and i like emily too – they are my faves – ironically the two peeps brought in without a partner!

confession:
i am not feeling super confident about tomorrow’s weigh-in. i might have a gain? maybe not? i certainly don’t think i lost much if anything at all. i have had a good string of pretty impressive weigh-in’s for the past month or so – i feel like i am due for a gain? it’s part of the process – everyone gains – so i am prepping myself for it. either way – i WILL be at my weigh-in/meeting & owning my shit!

confession:
i am back to wearing thongs & have officially chucked all my granny panties & brian is suddenly much nicer to me… heh. yeah my butt can fit in them again without them rolling down & making me mental! YAY! Another NSV!

confession:
i literally have been writing this post ALL FREAKIN’ DAY as my daughter has been abducted by aliens & they have replaced her with some sort of alien pod baby. seriously, i know she is just getting over being wicked sick & i love her more than life itself but W T F kid?!?! she screamed, yelled, kicked, stomped & cried on & off ALL day & if i didn’t have weigh-in tomorrow i would be downing the bottle of wine in the fridge right now!

so there ya have it – no shame in my game!

what do ya need to get off your ta-ta’s?!?!
spill it…
then cross your eyes, make the sign of the devil horns, and drink a double hail bloody mary and all is forgiven…


peace, l♥ve & carpe the fuck outta the diem!
xxoo
cyn
if ya’ll feel like takin’ a gander @ my alien pod baby & the rest of my crazy brood --- go check out my mama/photography blog the purple goddess & follow along!

weigh-in vol.17

day 124:
happy freakin’ friday!

so i had the most unexpected surprise @ my weight watcher weigh-in/meeting today.
not only did i lose 2.8lbs this week but i got my 25lb. charm today!
(ain’t it purty?)
AND i entered into the 170s – fuck, i blasted the door down on the 170s!
i have lost 26lbs & honestly it just blows my mind!

don’t get me wrong – i have worked my ass off – literally – but sometimes it still surprises me that i am actually doing this!
not only have i lost weight – but i am changing my life.
(here i am @ 178.4 lbs -- get used to this outfit – i am superstitious like a mofo & wear the same thing to weigh-in every week…)

i have become that girl who normally would annoy the piss outta me… heh.
i care about what i eat, i workout & love it (98% of the time), & i am passionate about the changes in my life & want the whole world to know!

i needed this awesome weigh-in – i was feeling a little underwhelmed & really wading in some self-doubt because i have been a bit lackluster about working out this week. i do it but I had to talk myself off the *don’t feel like it ledge* more than once & that just isn’t like me. in my defense – mother nature has kicked my butt in half (fucking monthly gift my ass!) & i am just a biznotch & a half when she is rearing her ugly head.
but somehow i pulled it off?
wait a minute…
no, i didn’t just *pull it off*!
despite my lackluster feelings – i DID still workout every single day along with sticking to the simply filling plan (except for nye when i kicked back some vino).
i followed plan & i earned those 2.8lbs by golly!
no need to sell myself short!

this is life & some days this is easier than others.
and some days are better than others…
today was one of the better days & those better days are what motivate me to keep going!
and there ya have it!

don’t forget to link up!

<div align="center"><a href="http://chunkygoddess.blogspot.com/" title="misadventures of a chunky goddess" target="_blank"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bbbUtlcUdrk/TmujeaFBe6I/AAAAAAAAH38/DKYXFNyjZdE/s300/nomoremuffintophop.jpg" alt="misadventures of a chunky goddess" style="border:none;" /></a></div>
as usual – no rules – link up whatever ya like – even giveaways & other hops!










peace, l♥ve & carpe the fuck outta the diem!
xxoo
cyn

a reflection on 2011: the year i got selfish!

day:118

so this is the dilly – 2011 started out like 2010 which started out like 2009 & so on & so on.
big ambitions & very little motivation.
i can sit here & list a bazillion reasons but ultimately i believe that my inability to be okay with putting myself 1st has been my downfall all along.
no really – hear me out.

this year my life, my health, my sanity, my relationships, & my overall well being were in jeopardy.
i hit a wall with so many things & was left feeling overwhelmed & defeated in just about every aspect of my life!
after years of trying to self-medicate with just about every form (mainly food) possible -- i finally realized that i needed help with my depression & i needed to make that a priority.
i know it’s cliché but admitting ya got issues truly is the 1st step to recovery.
and girlfriend (that be me) be drownin’ in her own shit & shit!

once i got over the depression hurdle that is when i had an epiphany – i cannot be the best mom, partner, friend, daughter, & human being until i am okay with ME. and i cannot be okay with ME until i make ME the top priority in my life over EVERYTHING else.
and I mean EVERYTHING -- kids, spouses, partners, friends, relatives, jobs, faith, commitments – all of it!
all those things you put ahead of yourself no matter what because you believe that is how to show your love & devotion, what is expected of you, makes you a better person, & we (especially women) are taught that being selfish about ourselves is a bad thing.
and sorry kiddos but doing all of this will NOT EVER lead to true happiness.
life is too effin’ short to be unhappy – so i decided to be happy.
that’s when i kicked it into high gear & made some decisions that changed everything…
i left my job -- the work environment was toxic on so many levels & no amount of money is worth being miserable every single fucking day! could we afford it? helllll to the no! but i also couldn’t afford to loathe something so much that i wanted to punch something or someone hard. really hard!

and i rejoined weight watchers – i decided that i am worth the added expense, time, effort & energy it takes to truly commit to weight loss & getting fit.

just those two vital decisions & how they bettered my world transcended into other bigger/smaller decisions & actions that have made my life increasinly happy!
and when mama’s happy – EVERYONE is happy!
truly.

in 2012 – i plan to keep it rollin’ & continue on my current path. i will never be that girl again – the one who lets life come 1st .
i come 1st no matter what!
and anyone who doesn’t like it can kindly step to the left & fuck off.

peace, love, & toasts to a fuckin’ fabulous 2012!
xxoo
cyn

**** disclaimer – i am in NO WAY telling anyone to run out & quit their job or to do anything drastic for that matter. i am only relaying my life experiences & what changes helped me. and as always i recommend EVERYONE see their doctor before beginning ANY weight loss/diet/exercise regimen!

weigh-in vol.16

day 117:
tee gee eye eff blogdom!
wow can ya believe how fast this week has flown by?
wasn’t it just xmas eve & here we are on the cusp of new year’s eve.
eeesh time – slow up a bit!

so today was weigh-in/meeting & while i am doing what i do – i have indulged in a cookie or two (or five) this past week – along with some chocolates that just JUMPED into my mouth – don’t ya hate when that happens?
anywho – i was a wee bit nervous. not that i felt like i had gained – i felt great actually – but being the weigh-in after xmas – who knows?
well, i lost 1.8lbs!
wow, just wow!
i have never lost weight around xmas.
never EVER!

last year i gained 7-8lbs in the month or so between thanksgiving & xmas – this year i lost 10.2lbs.
yeah, TEN effin’ pounds!

I am down a total of 23.2 lbs!
Yay!

honestly i owe it to a couple of things…
the sweet tooth challenge…
recommitting to veganism…
tracking every day, every morsel, no matter what!
and
daily (yes, every single day) without fail exercise (my jillian michaels dvds) – even on xmas!

another coolio thing – we got a new meeting locale.
they closed down two locations & brought us all together is one brandy-new, bigger, modern, AWESOME location! (right next door to trader joe’s i might add – s w o o n!)
thankfully i still have the same awesome leader – seems like everyone else got shuffled except for the friday morning & early afternoon meeting peeps.
phew because i flip-flop between the two depending on bri’s work schedule!
i would hate to have to switch leaders!

any of my other weight watcher junkies get a new center????
or are we just über blessed?

tomorrow night brian & i are actually heading out for new year’s eve – for the 1st time EVER together.
no really – we have never been out together for new year’s eve -- we have been pregnant or raising a baby – but now we are ready to rejoin the adult world for one evening.
we are going to my best gal’s house for a little soirree & we are happier than doo-dah about it!
we don’t get out much & never together – one of us is usually home with skylar – but my mom is babysitting – so look the fuck out 2012!

what are your plans for nye?
partyin’ down or on the down low?

well kiddos i gotta get off my ass – i gotta hot date with jillian & my dvd player!

don’t forget to link up!

<div align="center"><a href="http://chunkygoddess.blogspot.com/" title="misadventures of a chunky goddess" target="_blank"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bbbUtlcUdrk/TmujeaFBe6I/AAAAAAAAH38/DKYXFNyjZdE/s300/nomoremuffintophop.jpg" alt="misadventures of a chunky goddess" style="border:none;" /></a></div>
as usual – no rules – link up whatever ya like – even giveaways & other hops!
that’s it – easy peasy!





peace, l♥ve & carpe the fuck outta the diem!
xxoo
cyn

if ya’ll feel like takin’ a gander --- go check out my mama/photography blog the purple goddess & follow along!

the media sucks

day 114:
tuesday tidings bloggerhood!

so i have to make an observation…
(and a bitchfest too while i am at it)
xmas night – as in xmas not even being officially over – we were hangin’ out watching some random movie that wasn’t even xmas-y (that is a whole other rant for another time – how tv SUCKS @ xmas time now) & the fuckin’ media is already on our asses about losing weight for the new year.

they are a smart bunch those fuckin’ media types.
they know that the numero uno resolution for most americans will be to lose weight/get in shape. it’s been my numero uno for 20 years at least!
so sure as shit – there is a slimmer janet jackson with her soft melodic voice shoving nutri-system down our throats.
special k had ads out the whazoo…
i saw a couple for slimfast…
and let’s not forget my least favorite ad – mariah carey for jenny craig. (oops i mean *jenny* as they are calling themselves nowadays in an effort to promote change & to be more “holistic with a simpler approach to dieting” -- their words – not mine)
i am sorry but mariah carey is so fucking annoying standing in her sheet/bandeau/whatever strategically wrapped around her seemingly thinner body whilst flippin’ her hair around. she used to be so awesome & somehow she became trashy & gross & she is the last person i would look to for any inspiration! and normally ANY woman willing to give childbirth a whirl around age 40 instantly gets my respect – but she has even made that experience trashy?
i will stop now…

i am not dissin’ these weight loss company’s just because I happen to love weight watchers (because it works using REAL food & without deprivation) – if they help people get to a healthy weight in a healthy way – cool beans by me!
but if you think that i believe for a nano second that superstars like janet & mariah used nutri-system or jenny to get back into shape -- then ya got another thing coming!
they have a TEAM of people who make them who they are – and none of them are named jenny…
but that is neither here nor there.

my biggest grievance is the fact that xmas wasn’t even over & already the media is back in our brains picking away to ultimately pick our wallets!
because trust me – they don’t care if we are overweight & unhealthy – they just want our moola in one way or another.
and you know this WHOLE week will be flooded with these commericals!

i think losing weight, gaining health & getting fit SHOULD be a top priority & resolution if that is something you want.
but how you choose to do so is really very personal because we gotta get our heads in the right place before ever having any success no matter what method you use.
where are the ads for that?
everything is about ease, speed & efficiency – and sorry but those words do not exist in the realm of sustaining long term weight loss!
it is hard…
takes time…
and is never efficient – at least not for me – i gotta move heaven & earth some days to get my workouts in & to come up with new & interesting ways to eat healthy so i don’t die of food boredom!

sorry to go off on a huge tangent…
basically it irks me that getting healthy has become so commericalized like everything else in the world.
okay wait correction – i can handle the commericialization IF it were all valid.
we have so much ineffective measures & misleading information out there that it is no wonder we are progressively becoming a nation of obese people raising a generation of children who will undoubtedly be even more obese than us.

don’t believe the hype!
be informed…
consult your doctor…
and more importantly be realistic – if it sounds too good to be true – it is!

and ummm fuckin’ media types – let us digest one holiday before choking us with the next expenditure! xmas day/night should be – dare i say – sacred & off limits?
but that’s just my two (okay maybe more like ten) cents!

any thoughts?
am i alone in thinking this?

peace, l♥ve & carpe the fuck outta the diem!
xxoo
cyn
if ya’ll feel like takin’ a gander at my xmas photos & more --- go check out my mama/photography blog the purple goddess & follow along!

weigh-in vol.15 & 16 weeks

day 110:
merry xmas eve eve blogosphere!

so i had a blast last night!

good peeps & tons of laughs – i mean that’s what it’s all about.
and ya know how i swore up & down that i wouldn’t be drinking?
yeah epic fail on that.
BUT…
in my defense – it was at brian’s urging that i relax a little & have a drink if i wanted – so i did.
and i wanted a few!

i can be quite extreme – i am just an all or nothing kind of gal. but he is right – one night out with friends – something i rarely do – is not going to derail all my hard work.
BUT…
it took every bit of me not to raid the fridge when i got home last night & i was famished ALL day today.
pffffft!

but let’s get to my weigh-in.
i had a bad feeling about my weigh-in – not that i have had a bad week – i have stuck to my usual diet & exercising daily – but we went out to eat twice this week & then last night’s adventure.
so imagine my surprise when i lost .4lbs!
not a ginormous amount but a loss nonetheless & i will gladly take it!

this time of year i am content to maintain – so a loss is fan-fuckin-tabulous!

and i got this beauty today...
my 16 week charm!
i have been a weight watcher member & attending my meetings/weigh-in's faithfully for 16 weeks!
w00ts!

and why the big deal about 16 weeks?
well studies show that sticking it out for 16 weeks leads to further commitment & long-time success!
now that's what i'm talking about!

i haven't set any number related goals since i rejoined weight watchers 16 weeks ago EXCEPT to at least stick it out for 16 weeks & not miss a weigh-in and/or meeting no matter what!
i am super proud to say i did just that!

well that's all i got kiddos – i gotta get hot & start wrapping all my gifts!
yeah; ALL my gifts!
yikes!

oh & don’t forget to link up:

<div align="center"><a href="http://chunkygoddess.blogspot.com/" title="misadventures of a chunky goddess" target="_blank"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bbbUtlcUdrk/TmujeaFBe6I/AAAAAAAAH38/DKYXFNyjZdE/s300/nomoremuffintophop.jpg" alt="misadventures of a chunky goddess" style="border:none;" /></a></div>
as usual – no rules – link up whatever ya like – even giveaways & other hops! jump/hop/skip/whatever around & meet new peeps with kickass blogs! leave them a comment to say hi & that ya found them via the no more muffin top hop!
that’s it – easy peasy!



peace, l♥ve & carpe the fuck outta the diem!
xxoo
cyn

weigh-in vol.14 -- 10% bitches!

day 103:
tee gee eye freakin’ eff!
(i just love saying that – dunno why?)

so the weigh-in.
today was just craziness – as all friday’s seem to be lately?
skylar – my 2 ½ year old daughter -- had a check-up visit (did ya know they do 2 ½ year visits now to do early detection/intervention for autism & developmental issues because they are so widespread now?) with her pediatrician this morning – so i had to race home to drop her & bri off – get my mom (she is also a weight watcher junkie – dunno if I have ever mentioned that?) & fly to our weight watcher meeting.
we made it right in the nick of time -- phew!
and boy oh boy am i glad i did because i…
(drum roll please)
lost 3lbs & for a total of 21 lbs gone & putting me 1 lb past my 10%!!
as in i have lost 10% of my body weight!
(link takes you to a ww page that list the benefits of losing just 10% of your body weight)
***does 10% skinnier nekkid cartwheels***
yeehaw mofos!
(here is my 10% keyring – purty ain’t it?)
i was hoping to be there before xmas & was quite stoked & surprised to make it a week early!
xmas has come early & i gotta smaller booty – JUST WHAT I WANTED!

so uhh yeah – pretty effin’ happy!
(sky & i -- i ♥ this photo & it amazes me how much less i don't mind having my picture taken these days... )
but moving along to some other stuff – cause i know ya’ll are just dying to know about my random shit…

so i was bitchin’ the other day about not really being totally in love with the shred-it with weights workout right?
well…
i decided to bump up to level 2 & man oh man!
jillian (cause we are on a first name basis & all) warns you that you will *rue the day you bought this dvd* & she isn’t kidding. the difficulty between level 1 & 2 are like night & day.
but i loveeeeeeeeeeeee level 2!
it kicks ass, i love the kettlebell, i love that it is strength and cardio all in one, & i love that i have soreness in places i never fathomed could possibly hurt!
you will feel this one & you will be challenged !
this is the type of jillian workout i have come to love/hate!

also…
today marks the end of the sweet tooth challenge -- wow!
i challenged myself to three weeks of no junkfood – cakes, cookies, chips, crackers, ice cream, candy , etc. & i am happy (& kinda surprised) to say i stuck it out.
gotta admit that i thought i would cop out along the way – but i didn’t!
and brian took the challenge with me & stuck it out like a champ too!
we both agree that we feel so much better without a buncha processed crap & both of us lost weight – bri lost 4lbs (not that he needed to) & I lost 8lbs -- yeah impressive to say the least!
i am amazed @ how much my *need* to snack has diminished. i am not saying i don’t snack – i do – but i make better choices & am trying to listen to my hunger signals.
we feel so good that we are extending this challenge @ least another week.
plus – the thought of putting something into my body that could even slightly make me feel like before repels me.
i feel too fucking good to let a oreo or a dorito knock me down!

well kiddos i am wiped & have yet to workout today – so gotta get a green smoothie down my gullet & my (recently thinner) ass in my rockin’ purple saucony’s & do it up!

***this just in: apparently linkytools (the site i use to do the hop) is being an asshole because the no more muffin top hop is closed? my apologies -- i checked the format & everything is correct so it must be something on their end??? carry on!***

peace, l♥ve & carpe the fuck outta the diem!
xxoo
cyn

ROCK OUT with your CROCK OUT -- vol.7

day 99:
monday bloggy l♥ve ya’ll!
so it’s been forever & a fuckin’ day but it’s definitely time for…

<div align="center"><a href="http://chunkygoddess.blogspot.com/" title="misadventures of a chunky goddess" target="_blank"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8uGyLRJ9HiY/TnApHBV-xVI/AAAAAAAAIE4/gaQAavBaP1A/s300/101333488_xrF8JesR_b_ImitateHDR_1.jpg" alt="misadventures of a chunky goddess" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

for those who have stumbled here for the 1st time – this is my homage to my all-time-fave kitchen gadget – the crockpot!
all of the recipes featured here are healthy (and vegan you lucky ducks) & i always include the points+ values for my fellow w8 watcher junkies!
so let’s get it going shall we?

i truly believe one of the key things to being successful on healthy regimen is planning – especially meals. i have my best success when i plan out the week ahead; giving me no choice but to eat healthy. so this morning i decided i was going to have some healthy dishes on hand & one of my all-time fave vegan/crock pot dishes is LENTILS!

and they are ridiculously easy, healthy & yumm-o!
they require no overnight soaking – you basically put them in the crockpot with 6-8 cups of water per cup of lentils.
season to taste (i use salt, white pepper, parsley, & garlic) & cook on low for 8 hours.
if you prefer them less *soupy* either cook longer or add less water. i happen to like the *juice*. i served them with a side of quinoa (the 1st time i made it!) with some sauteed onions & mushrooms in a little bit of olive oil & lemme tell ya – this is some seriously delish chow!
(don’t hate on my ugly-ass bowl – i harbor a unhealthy attachment to it – don’t judge)
½ cup of lentils = 2 pointsplus
½ cup quinoa = 3 pointsplus
for those of us on simply filling – both are power foods – so no need to count unless you are anal retentive like me & track EVERYTHING.

i also made a pot of one of my other favorite staples – the infamous weight watcher zero pointsplus soup – although i am not sure what they are technically calling it these days? i didn't use my crock pot as it was otherwise detained with lentils -- but you could totally make this soup in your crockpot as well. i have in the past & it is fabu!

you can find the recipe easily enough if you google *weight watcher zero point soup* -- there are quite a few variations but my favorite is a base of vegetable broth, stewed tomatoes, cabage, italian seasoning, parsley, celery salt, white pepper, whatever vegetables (fresh or frozen works best) you want to add.
today it was carrots, zuccini, onions, & kale.
you add all the ingredients & simmer until the veggies are tender.
it sounds basic but this soup is truly flavorful & filling!
this soup is zero pointsplus & a power food – win/win!
i know this soup has been blogged about a gazillion times – but it has seen me through many a tough week when i am struggling with staying on track & it also will kick a new diet in the ass & give ya the jumpstart ya need!

so that’s what i am eating these days.
what are you guys stuffin’ down your gullets?

peace, l♥ve & carpe diem the fuck outta today & everyday bloggy peeps!
xxoo
cyn

weigh-in vol.13 (photos & measurements)

day 96:
happy frollickin’ friday blogdom!

i had this whole other post thought out & pretty much written in my head & then a few things happened…
i lost 1.8 lbs @ my weight watcher weigh-in/meeting this morning – which was completely unexpected & totally fuckin' awesome!
i had a great week & wasn’t expecting a gain but i lost 3.2lbs. last week & typically my losses go big one week, miniscule the next.

(me today on my way to my meeting)
the fact that i averaged a 5lb. loss in the past two weeks just blows my friggen mind!

I can only attribute it to a couple of things -- the sweet tooth challenge (still going strong – can you believe today makes 2 weeks already?) & eating MUCH cleaner overall; veganism aside.
and let’s not forget my daily shred workouts!

which brings me to the next thing that happened…
i promised to post the stats from ripped in 30 (gory details in the new shredhead tab above) & here they are…
i gotta admit that when i first took them & compared them to the results from the 30 day shred -- i was a wee bit disappointed.

then i started to edit my photos from day 30 & i actually didn’t want to throw myself in front of a moving train!
matter of fact i kinda liked the way i look – so much so that i got all wimpy & blubbery. brian had to come hug me & everything…
i know, i know – so not like me – but i have been workin’ my ass off & it’s nice to see it all starting to pay off!
i mean my family & friends tell me all the time how good i am starting to look – but it took seeing those photos today for it really to sink in – i am doing this!

i think this photo shows the biggest change – i actually have a midriff now!

and this photo reallllly puts it into perspective…

so progress is being made & i need to get outta that *diet mentality* -- that it’s all about the numbers! i feel better than i have in years – quite possibly ever & i am able to wear clothes that haven’t graced my body since before i became preggo with skylar 3+ years ago.
so I need to stop my bitchin’ & the undermining of my own efforts already – because it is counterproductive & just dumb!

numbers aside – what did i learn from the past 30 days?
i learned that exercise can become habitual & second nature – after 60 days of daily workouts – i cannot imagine my day without it & i continually want to push myself to the next level.
i learned that success breeds success. the more i achieve in this journey the more it fuels me to keep going. i have *drive* & it quite possibly may be a 1st for me?
because while i have strived for goals in my past – never have i felt driven like this!
so fuck the numbers – i rock no matter what!
i think that says it all & about sums it up!

peace, l♥ve & carpe diem the fuck outta today & everyday bloggy peeps!
xxoo
cyn

pssssst…
go link up to my rockin’ hop -- open until sunday @ midnight -- all links welcome – even giveaways & other hops!
i am just coolio like that…

pms'n like a mofo

day 93:
tuesday tidings my bloggy peeps!

before i get to my plight lemme pose a question...
to my fellow weight watcher junkies out there – how are ya’ll gellin’ with the new *2012* changes?
i have heard mixed reviews & it seems like peeps either love or hate it – no medium ground?
personally – i like it. (neither love nor hate – i am the medium ground!)
and honestly – i don’t get what the hustle & bustle is about?
i know some are miffed that the dailies have been lowered – but ummm, they gave ya the flexibility to not decrease if ya don’t wanna – so why all the bellyachin’???

case in point:
this past friday when i was @ my meeting & my leader got kinda bullied into talkin’ about the changes even though it wasn’t that week’s topic – we had two chicks who complained & bitched the whole time.
now mind you --- these are the two same gals who come every week & sit in the meeting & knit the entire time?
knit?
really?
am i the only one who finds that extremily rude?
i mean really – you have such intense knitting responsibilties that you have to knit through a 30 minute once a week meeting?
and how much knitting can you really get done in 30 minutes?
i guess it’s no worse than the other gal who has to make a tuna fish sandwich @ every meeting she attends !
yes make it -- as in open the can & stink up the whole room with tuna fumes!
seriously? can’t you bring something less stanky or wait 30 minutes?
(and if you are reading this & think i might be talkin' about you -- i probably am!)
but i digress…

i realize change is hard for a lot of people – but when you are given the option to keep things just the way you like them – why complain???
(say the gal who is pms’n like a mofo & full of complaints)


yeah pms…
pms = plaguing my shit
i understand it’s a fact of life – but being just mere months from turning 42 i think it’s for the fuckin’ birds & at this juncture in my life it should be easier; not worse!
am i am asshole if i ask santa for menopause?
although i hear that’s no walk in the park either & hormone supplements sounds like it’s own kind of hell on earth.
boo hiss!
don’t mind me – uncle t.o.m & auntie flo have my happy-go-lucky-ness held hostage for a day or two…
so to lighten things up a bit…
here is a coolio article on jillian michaels site (i get her emails) on how to battle pms -- five tips for taming pms .

and because pms time if my über munchie time – i wanted to share this:

(squawkfox.com)
have any of my fellow pinterst freaks seen this pin floating around?
well it works!

all ya need is:
a brown lunch bag
¼ cup popcorn kernels
and microwave until the popping slows down.
i use the popcorn setting on my microwave & reduced the initial ½ cup of kernels the original recipe called for down because i ended up having so many unpopped ones.
it is very easy to burn the popcorn so ya really can’t leave this one unattended.
but it’s tasty (wayyyyy better than that icky air-popping machine) & no microwave popcorn chemicals! ya gotta add a little salt or whatever seasoning ya like of course – but it’s dang good for a healthy snack! and i am the queen of popcorn & wouldn’t steer ya wrong!
and if you are following simply filling like i am this is a simply filling food & is within the permiters of my sweet tooth challenge!

and if this doesn’t help your munchies or pms – there is always booze.
*snicker*


peace, l♥ve & GOBS of margaritas bloggy peeps!
xxoo
cyn

weigh-in vol.12

day 89:
happy friday blogdom!

before i start – don’t forget to link up to the no more muffin top weekend blog hop -- all links, giveaways, hops welcome – cause i am cool like that!

okay to the subject @ hand – me weigh-in…
well, i am super-stoked to report that i lost 3.2 lbs this week!
and yes, 1.8 of them are from my day-after-thanksgiving gain – but i still lost an additional 1.4 – so i am pretty amped about it!
and i have to attribute it to the sweet tooth challenge (thank you maren) & my daily workouts – i worked hard this past week!
i am down a total of 16.2 lbs (yeah i got another 5 lb. star @ my meeting) & i am just elated @ the whole process & how well i am doing.
seriously; i haven’t felt this good in eons!
i can taste hitting 10% & the 170’s actually seem attainable!

see i look happy as fuck huh?

sorry to all ya non-w8 watcher-junkies but i gotta dish -- we touched a little bit in my meeting today about the *oh so big & scary* changes.
personally i am lovin’ them.
i think the site is so much easier to navigate & i am totally diggin’ that you can finally accurately track simply filling – which i am giving a whirl seeing how i am saying no to junkfood for at least the next 2 weeks.
i think w8 watchers is continuing their push towards eating healthy. first we got zero points+ fruits & veggies & now we are getting easier ways to track simply filling.
and i know i will get slack for saying this because the beauty of w8 watchers is that you can eat anything you want but…
and i fully believe that -- so yay w8 watchers for taking a step in the right direction & promoting clean eating to some degree – you rock balls!

speaking of balls: i decided to go balls to the wall & just do level 4 yesterday on the ripped in 30 (gory details in the link and/or tab above). remember how i was hemming & hawing about it yesterday – terrified basically because i heard how insane level 4 is?
well… i put the dvd in & this *fuck it* feeling came over me & i just did it. i figured delaying it another day wouldn’t make it any easier so i needed to stop being a fucking baby already, put my big girl panties on, & just do it!
and ya know what?
i like it tons better than level 3 & i didn’t die or even come close to dying. it’s a hard workout – it’s jillian michaels so of course it’s fucking hard. but after 30 day shred & 3+ weeks into ripped in 30 – i am far stronger than i ever was & have endurance that even amazes me @ times!
heh – go figure?

i am so effin’ tired of selling myself short & thinking i am incapable – because more times than not – i rock it!
yeah i just said i rock it – tooted my own horn – patted my own back – and am without a doubt a braggin bitch!
because i am learning to love & put myself 1st & there isn’t a damn thing wrong with that!

tgif bloggyland!
indeedy!

peace, l♥ve & margaritas bloggy peeps!
xxoo
cyn

monday musings...

day 85:
happy monday blogosphere!

so now that the hustle & bustle of thanksgiving is behind us i am super ready to get back to life as we know it.
i think i totally psyched myself out last week – over-thinking the potential foodfest that would be & ultimately sabatoged any decent plan of attack i might have had.
live & learn & something i will not be repeating over xmas!

this time of year is just tough…
and not just in respect to diet. we are all under our own unique pressure & sometimes it can be crumbling & if you are an emotional eater like me & which i suspect most of us are – well it can lead to that which we are trying so hard to avoid.
last year i gained 7 lbs between thanksgiving & xmas. i also avoided my w8 watcher meetings for that 4 week span & did not track & certainly did not exercise. i was working like a fiend at the time & assumed that would be enough & obviously i was oh-so-wrong.
(aren’t i always when i think i know better?!?!)
this year that will not happen.
i will attend my weekly meetings & weigh-in’s no matter what (this past friday case in point).
i will continue to track & exercise daily.
and while i hope to lose – i will be happy not to gain during these next four weeks!

i have learned in these past 50 days (today is day 20 on the ripped in 30 if you can believe that!) that i need my daily workout – it makes everything okay; truly. it is my one time of the day that is solely about me & my needs & i need that. (don’t we all?) it allows me to focus on me & not be overwhelmed by all that life is throwing on my lap. and even when the workout is over i am so elated to have completed it that nothing gets me down!
oh & the added health benefits & the fact that i have noticeable weight loss & muscle tone is just a BONUS!

speaking of the ripped in 30…
as i stated, today is day 20 (tab above details my process) & i am on the tail end of level 3 which is just insanity! i have been able to do most of it but there are a few movements that i am just like *what the fuck* about.
table dips are not my friend!
lunge jacks are also not my friend.
duck walk – blech!
and that’s just a few.

it is without a doubt a whole new level of intense & not completely unattainable – but yesterday was the 1st day i got through it without pausing or copping out on a movement & i am 5 days in.
jillian is the master of pushing you to your limits all while telling you not to quit & that you can do it!
i ♥ her!
and i hear level 4 is just a whole new sorta hell… *gulp*!

also i am 4 days in on the sweet tooth challenge – 21 days of no junkfood.
day 2 so far was the hardest – my sweet tooth nearly got the best of me – but i stayed strong. i knew this was going to be tough & am trying to redefine my idea of a *treat* & *sweets*.
i bought a new blender & am on a smoothie kick – they are filling & sweet!
i make one with plain greek yogurt, fruit & fresh spinach in the morning & have another sans yogurt in the evening for a snack. the one without the yogurt is zero points!
score!
it gets my fruit in, curbs the sweet craving, & it’s healthy!
score!

i wanted to end today with a link to one of my most fave blogs of all time – life after I “dew”-- the 1st blog i ever *followed* even.

shannon is a real gal who says it like it is & has the most adorable little girl & cutie-pie hubby! oh and she is not hard on the eyes either & recently lost 47lbs the right way by diet & exercise.
okay enough gushing…
she wrote this post: healthy today & i just had to pass it along!
if you are a pintrest freak like me/us then you must see all the *thinspirations* floating around along with such mishapped advice on how to become these skeletor-esque women.
this photo was labeled as *thinspiration* and the pinner actually said “nice ribs”!?!?!

i think diet & weight is so personal & every person is entitled to strive for their own ideal – but i have to agree with shannon in that most mainstream ideals are unrealistic & certainly sending out the wrong message!
thanks shannon – you nailed it today with her post & it is a MUST read & as a gal in quest of a healthy fit body & as a mother of little girl it really rang true!
I never want my beautiful little girl to ever feel like she needs to be some emaciated being to be accepted & deemed ideal!
with that i bid adieu & post this question to you all?
what do you think of the *thinspirations* out there?!?!
do they inspire or terrify you?

for the record – this is what inspires me!
peace, l♥ve & margaritas bloggy peeps!
xxoo
cyn