Rant On

Here is a quick rant I feel the need to have.

I am watching TV, an updating my blog, and I see the same commercial 4 times over the span of an hour. Which commercial you ask? Sensa.

Sensa is a product you sprinkle on your food and it helps you lose weight. WTF. I can't stand these commercials and these products. While it would be amazing to sprinkle some magic powder on your cheeseburger and lose weight, it doesn't work like that! Being healthy isn't about pumping your body full of synthetic products so it looks good on the outside. What do you think it looks like on the inside?

If you want to be at an appropriate weight and be HEALTHY you have to put the work in and trust me its harder than sprinkling some magic powder on your food. But in the long run you will be a better person for it. You will be healthier both inside and outside, with better habits and a sense of control of your life that you earned. You will grow.

Don't fall for the quick fix. We aren't entitled to anything we don't earn for ourselves, and there is no magic product that will make it all better. Instant gratification is just that, its is fleeting in a instant. Put the work in and get the results you earned! Besides, do we really have any idea of what we are putting into our bodies with these fake, man made products? Be smart people!!

Rant Over.
Emma

Sunday Fun Day

Here is your Sunday Song of the Week! Dig in.
Love Some Summer Music

Our last day in Chattanooga consisted of sleeping in, packing up, breakfast at The Blue Plate, playing in the water, and shopping!

After a fantastic breakfast (I went with the egg white omelet with a fruit cup), we walked down to the river and enjoyed the scenery.

Grey Heron, and yeah I dressed up

David kept creeping backward to get as close to the bird as possible. 

That water was freezing! There were some kids playing below us and obviously the temp did not phase them

Fun times family photo

Then time for some shopping! I spent way to much money, but got some great deals. my justification is that I am running enough mileage on a regular enough schedule that I need to start investing in some higher quality gear. So I bought some running clothes, and new shoes. I got a pair of lightweight Brooks. I LOVE THEM! If you are a runner, get some, you won't regret it.

Last night I had some friends to go run with and we hit 5 miles! It was a great run, and I loved having a group with me!!

It is very humbling to see pictures of yourself. Apart of this journey is monitoring my progress, so I am trying to be better about photographing everything. Sometimes it is very easy to think I have gone farther than I actually have. Some days you think you have done fantastic, and are right on track and you let your program slip or set it aside for old habits because it's not going to kill you right? But then you take some pictures with friends and you realize that while you have made progress you still have a long way to go. That's how I look at these pictures, Yeah I have lost 12.8 lbs but I still have 19.2 more to go, and I need to stay on point to get there. I also need to learn how to see myself in an accepting way and be less critical. I immediately see these photos and my mind hits all the negatives. I still point out all the bad places and completely miss the point of the photo which is to document my life with the people I love. So while we may have the tendency to be negative towards ourselves, a part of this is learning how to change that mindset as well. Don't take the journey for surface value, it's not just about weight on a body, its more than that. Once you take hold of the entire process of change, you can begin to rebuild EVERYTHING.

This is just as much mental as it is physical!!
Emma

Saturday Fun Day

Saturday morning we slept in, and then went to breakfast at Aretha Frankenstein's. It is the most amazing restaurant in Chattanooga, and I completely dismissed my diet to go there, but sometimes you just have to give in. We took Jessica's daughter dog with us as pets can sit on the porch. Justice LOVES David, mostly because he gives her people food, but also because he likes to play and doesn't mind when she licks his feet. He carried slim jims in his pocket for her as treats, so he wins.

We planned on taking the day and just hanging out, Aretha's for brunch, and then some pet store shopping (David's plan), and hiking! That night we had plans to go to our friend Megan's engagement party, and then had tickets to see Iron and Wine!

Here's are some shots of the day.

This is how we started riding in the car

This is how we actually ride in the car for the rest of the day

Iron and Wine!!!!! Beautiful Bearded Angel

The Tivoli Theatre is gorgeous. The show was AMAZING

We hiked Rainbow Lake. it was a beautiful day and David and Justice went swimming under the waterfall. It was way to cold for me to get in so Jess and I just laid out in the sun and soaked up some Vitamin D. The engagement party was fun! A lot of people came and there was a SPREAD of food. I ate too much, but had a good time! 

We were so tired that night, and once we got back form the concert we were ready to crash. The party was still going on downstairs so we hung out for a bit and then went upstairs and watched a movie. 

Such a great day overall!

Emma

Friday Fun Day

I took the day off on Friday since I had really nothing to do at work and was over hours already for my GA. I slept in, cleaned the house, packed, and took my last final of the semester! David came home from work and we hit the road to Chattanooga!

That night we went to dinner at Urban Stack and I had the most amazing turkey burger ever! It wasn't on my plate long enough for a picture, but it was delicious. Then we headed to Track 29 for Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors opening for The Dirty Guv'Nahs.

This is the 6th? time I have seen The Dirty Guv's I think. They are from Knoxville and are such a fantastic show! I went with David, Jess, and Jessica's old roomie Erin! Erin is on a journey with Weight Watchers as well and has lost approx. 50.8 lbs!!!!! (Erin feel free to correct me if that's not exactly what you told me friday night). She has done so fantastic with the program and is continuing her journey as we speak!

The Boyfriend & Me

Dancing is more fun when you do it awkwardly 

Jessica, Me, and Erin! Best friend and WW buddy!

Us & the Guv's

Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors

Guv's 

Love

So that was Friday night! We had such a blast and absolutely passed out when we got home!

Emma

Oh Deer

So the boyfriend drives my car to work during the week since he works an hour away and I am a 10 minute walk from school/ work. So I get my exercise in daily and he gets up at 5:45 and sits in traffic for an hour both ways... sorry hon.

So last week he was driving to work. I had made banana/granola/blueberry muffins for breakfast, so he grabbed one and headed to work.

Later that day I sent him an e-mail. He works in a prison as a parole investigator so he can't bring his phone in so we only can communicate via e-mail. I had e-mailed him to see if his breakfast muffin was good. It was a new recipe and I hadn't tried them yet and was super curious. This is the response I received....

Rough morning... So on my way to work this morning I got hit...by a deer. I was parked behind a school bus that was picking up kids and we just started to move so it scared a deer and it ran right into car. It didnt damage anything but the headlight. It shattered the whole passenger side headlight. Ive already called and found a replacement but Im going to check tonight and see if I can find a cheaper one. $262.00 to replace a headlight!!! Not the way I wanted to start my morning....or the deer's either (broke his leg and there is blood and fur where your headlight use to be). Im going to leave here in about 10 min. You can call me about 330 if you get a chance I will be 1/2 home by then.

Love you,

Yes you read that correctly, he was hit by a deer. I was sitting in my office, it was around 2:30 when I got this and started dying laughing. Not only did he get hit by a deer that destroyed my headlight, he told me in an e-mail. 

When he got home I took pictures... he wasn't kidding about blood and fur in the headlight. 

No more headlight

Has that look of "Deer in the headlights!" 

All the scarp pieces I found floating around in my headlight unit, David drove the hour home with all this stuff rattling around loosely in my headlight...

A new headlight should get here soon. 

Hopefully.

On a side note David said his muffin was good so that's a plus!

Emma

I Knew That Hurt....

So I have my first running injury. Remember that 10K I ran 2 weeks ago? Well when I finished a few things hurt, ok a lot of things hurt. One of them being my big toe nail on my left foot... weird right? I thought so too. It hurt for 3 days, then I just forgot about it.

Well tonight I finally got some nail polish remover to remove that green polish that has been on there for almost 2 months. Here's what was underneath...

Weird thumb looking toe picture

I was trying to get a better angle of where the bruise is the worst

But as you can see, the bruise is across the entire toe!!

So there you go, my first running injury. My toe is going to look like this for months probably, so I'll be rocking the black and deep purples till it's gone. Tip to avoid this: always trim your nails BEFORE you run 6 miles.

Also, I just realized there are a lot of pictures of my feet on this blog. I'll work on that.

Emma

Thursday Morning Moment of Truth

Let me just tell you how excited I was to weigh in today! I had tracked ALL week, everything I ate. I worked out almost every day and earned a total of 59 activity points over the course of the week. I was diligent about this program this week because I am TIRED of low weigh-in losses. The 0.2 weigh in from last week kicked my ass into gear, I knew I was starting to slip. I knew I was getting complacent, and I knew that would never get me below 150 acting like that and this would be just like every other time. So here is my weigh-in today:

2 POUNDS DOWN!

Beginning Weight: 162 lbs

Current Weight: 149.2 lbs

Total Weight Lost: 12.8 lbs

YES!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited!!! I dropped below 150!! 

My 10% body weight loss will happen once I have reached 145.8 lbs so only 3.4 more lbs before I have reached my 10% weight loss! And 19.2 more lbs to go before I reach my goal. 

I remember being a Junior in High School and I had quit the dance team to focus on school and "building my resume" (yes I was that girl). My weight had risen fairly dramatically after I quit dancing, and also my hips widened, and my boobs came in, so I was much thicker than I had been before. I was also eating the worst food I can find and not working out at all, so I joined Curves. I was desperately trying to get back down to my 130 frame, but had really no idea how much food was going to impact this, or what I was doing.

I weighed-in one day and the scale said 147. I nearly died. I thought I was so fat, and I was so disappointed in myself (I told you I had body image issues and lots of negative self talk problems). Now when I hit 147 I am going to be FLIPPING OUT with excitement! I haven't weighed this much since I was 17, and although it was traumatic then I am much more educated and mature about it now. I know I am in control of my body, not the other way around. I know that Food is essential to a good life and happy body. I am so PROUD of myself now. I am below 150, and I never want to go back there again!

Here's something fun too I wanted to add. last week at work we were checking our BMI's because we were bored curious. Here is my BMI info. FYI You want your BMI to be in the 20-25 range as this is considered "normal weight". What's Your BMI?

2008-2009 (highest weight reached)

Weight: 182

Height: 4'5

BMI: 31.2

Category: Obese

February 23, 2012 

Weight 162 lbs

Height 5'4 

BMI= 27.8

Category: Overweight

April 26, 2012

Weight: 149.2

Height: 5'4

BMI: 25.6

Category: Overweight (Slightly)

Once I drop down to 147 I will be back in the normal range for my height and weight on the BMI scale. I know it's not an exact science, but it's another tool we can use to help us reach a health body weight! 

What a good day! I am super excited to see what the next week brings! This weekend I am going out of town so it will be a real challenge for me, but I think I can do it! Better get going on those activity points!!!

Have a VERY healthy day!

Emma

Sunday Song of the Week

Here is your song of the week 2 days late! My bad.

Sexy Song of the Week

So, this weekend was pretty nice. I worked on homework slept on the couch Saturday afternoon and then Saturday night went to a party in town! Here are some pics from the bar before the party started. I was really monitoring my points and trying to keep the alcohol at a minimum so I went pretty ghetto and made these all night! It looks weird to do this at a bar, but who cares! At one point in the night an older black gentleman still rocking the jerry curl and saved by the bell style button up rocked some Lionel Richie on karaoke, so my weird drink making was mostly ignored.

Emma's Super Skinny, Totally Stole This Recipe, Alcoholic Beverage
Order the following at the bar:
1 shot of well vodka
1 tall glass of water

When you get back to your table drink some of the water then pour the shot in the water glass. Add in 1 crystal light lemonade (or your choice of flavor) individual packet and mix it up! The only calories come from the vodka, and clear liquor generally contains less sugar than dark colored liquor, and the crystal light makes it taste so delicious! Also by ordering a shot instead of a vodka and water you can monitor better how much vodka goes into the drink. Some bartenders will mix way more than 1.5 ounces of vodka in a glass, and the shot glass keeps you in control of the amount of liquor you consume.

Over the course of 5 hours I had 4 of these drinks which equalled out to be 14 WW points total so not so bad!

Me and my co-worker Nizzy! I ike this picture cause I look skinny (<--some hard earned vanity)

Some of the group! 

Mizzy girlfriend and my sorority sister Laura! Love this girl!

The  lovely beer ladies

So we had a good time overall. I really enjoyed going out and not wanting to crawl under a rock the next day from a massive hangover. I even got up Sunday, made breakfast and went and ran 4 miles with my friend Shelby! 

So it was a good weekend. Sunday night the boyfriend and I went to dinner at Cheddars (they have the best grilled fish tacos) and then came home and watched TV. He had been gone at that ReptiCon (reptile convention) all weekend so it was good to spend some time together. I have more stories for you about David and my week, and I'll write them up asap!

Emma

Waist Line Lies

I am really trying to avoid writing this paper, so I figured I would give a quick blog update on how this week is going! It's Saturday and the boyfriend is at a reptile convention out of town, so I have the house to myself. I.HAVE.THE.HOUSE.TO.MYSELF. Wednesday night I came home and had all these things I was going to do, then this realization hit me and I made turkey hotdogs with cucumbers (my favorite!) and watched American Idol for 2 hours uninterrupted, then made a pillow fort and hogged all the covers. I love my boyfriend, and living together is fun, but sometimes it's nice to have some time alone.

So here I am Saturday. I slept till 11 and then made breakfast burritos and sat down to start my paper. Mid paper writing I fell asleep and took a 3 hour unscheduled nap, then woke up completely unmotivated to finish. I have 2 pages of 8 done. Life of a Grad student.

Tonight is a big party I am super excited to go to, so I have decided to leave the paper be for the day and fix some dinner instead. On tonight's menu is baked tilapia and garden medley vegetables. 4 WW points per serving, here is the recipe:

1 bag garden medley vegetables. Wal-Mart brand
2 filets of tilapia. 6 oz total
1 tbsp. Lawrys seasoned salt
2 tbsp minced garlic

I just sprayed a bread baking pan with butter flavored cooking spray, put down the veggies first, then 2 filets of tilapia, then sprinkled on the seasoned salt and garlic, covered in aluminum foil, and popped in the oven at 400. Cook until the fish flakes apart easily. I don't have a picture since it is still cooking but its delicious, quick and easy and makes enough for 2 people or 2 meals.

I am about to go run and then come back, eat and get ready to go out! This is going to be a bit of a challenge for me since drinking is my biggest downfall to WW, so I am going to order waters and bring my crystal light and tell everyone I put vodka in it. White lies to save my waist line are ok.

I have done really really well since Thursday on tracking. I have tracked everything, worked out, and stayed on point so I am excited to see what Thursdays scale has to say. I have a mental goal of at least 2 lbs, so we shall see!

Go out and enjoy your Saturday night and don't be afraid to lie to your friends about what your drinking! It's good for you.
Emma

Thursday Morning Moment of Truth

Happy Friday!!
   So sorry I didn't get this out yesterday! I was super busy at work and then last night ended up hanging out with my friend Samantha for like 3 hours walking! I earned 19 activity points yesterday from running with my friend Shelby then walking 5 miles with Samantha! Go me!

Here's this week's weigh-in:

-0.2 lbs

Starting Weight: 162 lbs

Current Weight: 151.2 lbs

Total Weight Lost: 10.8 lbs

Not the best weigh-in ever, but a loss is a loss so I'll take it!

I feel like I was really complacent last week with WW. I didn't track AT ALL. The only working out I did was the 10k I ran Saturday morning, so only losing 0.2 lbs is not shocking. This week I have decided to be diligent with tracking and exercise. It's way to early for me to get comfortable, I still have 21.2 lbs to go till my goal! This is my pattern though, and I feel like in this process it is so important for anyone to find their patterns and break them! In the past I will lose 10 lbs (now) and then feel really good about myself and get comfortable, and before I know it I have gained it all back. I will slack on food choices cause ya know that one cheeseburger isn't going to kill my progress, but that mentality everyday will. 

Yesterday we went to eat and I really really wanted some french fries. Instead of giving in I broke down why i thought I wanted them. 1) I was starving! 2) They sound good 3) Broccoli sounded less than appetizing. The I started thinking about how I would feel afterwards 1) guilty 2) bloated 3) upset stomach

I decided the French fries weren't worth it at the restaurant and if I still wanted some when I got home I could make some baked fries in a more controlled setting where I would know the ingredients!

Come to find out as soon as I got done eating I was so glad i didn't get them cause the broccoli was really good and I felt great after lunch!

I think it is definitely fine to give in sometimes, but control where you do it! If you have to have something make it at home and control what goes into it! And if you do splurge (and you should in moderation!) don't over do it!

So we will see how next week goes. I am so ready to hit the 140s!!

Love,

 Emma

Sunday Song of the Week/ 10k Race Results!

Hello everyone! 

Ok here is your song of the week. It's a throwback... enjoy!
Jammin

This song was also the first on my "RUNNING 10K" playlist on my iPod yesterday morning for the TTU ROTC 10K.

10k= 6.2 miles
This race was DIFFICULT! I had been running 6 miles fairly easily over the past few weeks but let me tell you that was on flat ground. This race was mostly uphill and it was hard. I kept my pace though consistent at around 10:45 per mile and finished in 1 hour, 12 minutes, 27 seconds. I was so glad to be done and my legs were killing me by the end of the night. Today I feel a bit better (I can actually lift my legs without pulling them up). David also ran the race with me but he and some people I work with all did the 5k. It was so fun to have people waiting for me at the finish!!

Here are some pictures I found on the facebook page... they aren't very flattering but they are still proff I did it!

My boss Katie (left) and another lady we work with Susan!

I didn't see the camera, this was at about mile 1 right before the incline began

Mile 5! We had just gotten off the incline and were running flat finally!

Those are all the pictures I could find online! I am really proud of myself for finishing this race and can't wait till the next one!

Have a great Sunday!
Emma

Thursday Morning Moment of Truth

Good Afternoon! Dang I have been so busy today, this is the first moment I have been able to sit down and start writing this! So anywho here the picture from this morning!

I really need a pedicure again!

Starting Weight: 162 lbs

Current Weight: 151.4 lbs

Total Weight Lost 10.6 lbs

Yay! I am so excited! Today I earned my second 5lb Star from weight watchers! 

Screen Shot from Tracker Page! Look at those Stars :) 

So today I was excited! I hit the 10 lb mark and it feels awesome! My running has also hit a whole new level. I ran 6.57 miles last Friday night which is insane. I have never run that far in my life and I didn't stop and finished in 1 hour and 12 minutes. Go Me! I was really proud of myself and this weekend I am running my first official 10K. 

Wish me luck! I'll post results when I am done!

Emma

Sunday Song of the Week

Check it out y'all and HAPPY EASTER!

Song of the Week

Since I am already here and you are totally rocking out to my song of the week I will share in my easter festivities. David and I slept in this morning and then got ready to go to church with his mother, brother and sister. I wore this new dress I bought a while ago that did not fit even a little and it fit so well today! Score. I have a picture on Amanda's camera and will post it eventually once she sends it to me (I am guessing in about a year).

After church we came home, took pictures, and changed clothes while Carolyn and David's aunts were cooking easter dinner. Once dinner was ready we pigged out. I am not even kidding y'all it was amazing but also disgusting how many brownies I ate. Then we had out yearly easter egg hunt. Now our easter egg hunt isn't for kids, it should be an 18 or over unless you have parental consent sort of situation. carolyn hides eggs in the most difficult places to find, I am talking burying them in some cases! This year there was $208 total in eggs on the property. We are each given a plastic bag (regulation size of course) and the boundaries of the egg hunt and then it is on. The first year I played, Amanda (David's little sister) came at me like a linebacker when she saw me reaching towards the ground. She thought I was going  for an egg, but I was only tying my shoe! This year we took off David and Amanda were pushing each other all over the yard fighting over eggs.

Now last year I won the egg hunt with the most money and least amount of eggs. This year not so much. I got 4 eggs and $4. That's right. David pocketed $46 and I got $4. I was definitely the joke of the afternoon. We were trying to make sure we found all the money and Eileen (David's aunt) asked me how much I found I said 4. She looked at me laughing and said "You're so precious I meant how much money did you get?" to which I replied "No, I meant $4". Everyone lost it. You probably had to be there, but it was pretty funny how bad I did this year. Then everyone got a $20 prize egg except Brad who opened his and it was empty because they forgot to put the last $20 in it HA! Then it was try not to fall asleep from the baked ham coma while we clean up.

On the way home, David and I went to Wal-Mart to pick up some plants and pots. We had been talking for days about planting some herbs and flowers. I quickly pushed through that ham coma and this is what we did!

HERBS!

I planted 5 kitchen herbs and painted chalkboard paint on my $2 pots so I can write the name of each herb on there! I also got a lilly last week from school for free and I planted that as well in another pot. I love planting stuff it was really fun! David planted strawberries in a big pot and we planted water mellon seeds in a little germinating green house that he will plant at his house once they sprout!

Over all it was a great day. Easter is my favorite holiday of the year for many reasons, but let's not forget the reason we celebrate.

Phillippians 3:10-12
I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

God Bless and Happy Easter!
Emma

Thursday Morning Moment of Truth

Hey! Ok I know this is 2 days late, but ladies this post is for you cause I know you can relate. Guys... sorry in advance.

So Thursday morning I got on the scale. I was excited to see the number cause I knew it had gone down. I hadn't stuck to program exactly like I wanted to but more so than I had in past weeks. So I get on the scale and it calibrates and say 155.7... WTF! I really wanted to cry, I had no idea what was going on. I was so embarrassed and upset I just couldn't even take the picture or write about it. What is going on?? I felt really discouraged until about an hour later when (details omitted) I started my period. OHHHH ok well that makes more sense. I was so bloated and just icky. I felt like crap, my stomach hurt like hell (I equate it to someone trying to remove your insides with an ice cream scooper) and I could see my tummy bloating out a bit. So I weighed again on Friday, still high, still bloated, and trust me it was really difficult to not eat ALL DAY.

So, last night I went and ran 6.57 miles!! I was feeling better and ready to hit the pavement again. I finished in 1 hour and 12 minutes (13 WW activity points btw). It felt amazing and I felt really accomplished for having run so far even if my last weigh-in was a disaster. This morning I decided to weigh again and see if it was more accurate and I could tell I wasn't as bloated anymore. So here is your Saturday morning post disaster period weigh-in.

0.6 lbs down and crisis averted

Staring weight: 162 lbs
Current Weight: 152.6 lbs
Total Weight Lost: 9.4 lbs

I have no idea if this is an accurate reading from last week or if I am still bloated a bit (I swear to God it seems to last for WEEKS) but it shows a loss and I am happy with it!

So ladies out there don't freak out if you have a high gain around your "time". It's normal and it will go away. This is simply not a good time to weigh-in. My advice, just wait a few days and continue to work out and try not to eat everything you can find in self-pitty. I went and ran last night so that even if my loss wasn't what I wanted I could experience some progress and see a change. I mean 6.57 miles!! HELLO! That's the most I have ever run EVER! How exciting is that? It felt amazing, and definitely out shined any weigh-in I have had so far.

Just remember it's not just about the number on the scale. Our bodies are stupid funny sometimes, it's normal! Don't freak and don't quit. It will be just fine!

Happy Easter Weekend y'all!
Love love love,
Emma

Sunday Song of the Week

So I decided with my "stuff to listen to" page at the top I would switch it up and post a song of the week each week so head on over here and check out the first song of the week! Let me know what you think!

Love,
 Emma