Transformation Tuesday

Then and Now

Yesterday, as I was scrolling through my Facebook feed I came upon a post from an old “frienemy”.  This girl was the person you didn’t want to piss off in high school; she was also the person who teased me about my weight on a regular basis.  This girl’s Facebook status definitely surprised me.  She is now a member of a sorority and this week they are discussing “fat” as a label and how it shouldn’t be used to describe women. This post, although a very true statement hurt me more than it inspired me simply because of the person that it was coming from.  She has never struggled with her weight, had to work to be beautiful, had to sacrifice major milestones because she didn’t get asked (can you say homecoming and prom?)….she was popular, the girl everyone wanted to be.  She used to use that very word to break people (especially me) down. 

“Fat so”

“People like her shouldn’t be wearing skinny jeans”

“She’s only going to get bigger….”

Ladies, if anyone EVER calls you fat, do not take it to heart.  I know that it makes us cry, eat, and feel horrible about ourselves, but it is NOT worth it.  The people that say those horrible things to us are horrible and ugly on the inside and that is not who we are.  Women come in all different shapes and sizes and that is perfectly okay, the important thing is your health.  There are always ways to be better, but no one is perfect.  Don’t strive for perfection because quite frankly it is not going to happen.  Strive for that smaller jean size, a new bathing suit, a running race, one healthy meal a day, whatever it is, show them who the strong person is….YOU!

 I took this Facebook status as a sign that I needed to reflect on the transformation I have gone through over the last five months in order to prepare for the wedding this weekend.  My original goal coming out of my freshmen year of college was a size 8 before Megan’s wedding.  Five months later here I am!

 

Here’s me before:

I found this picture of Katie, some random sombrero guy, and me from Country Jam our senior year.

 

 

Here’s me now:

 

All ready for my education department interview. Rocking a size medium dress.

 

I hadn't really noticed the difference in myself before comparing old pictures to me now...there is definitely no denying the change now....

I have gone from a size 16 to a size 6/8 while working and going to school! If I can do it, anyone can!

It got me thinking of how much I have changed not only physically (I mean look at the difference), but emotionally.  I would give my right arm to run into any of the bullies that used to call me fat on a daily basis in elementary school, junior high or high school and tell them that they may have broken me down then, but they did not make me change.  I made this change for me. 

Bailey and I have had many conversations about what it is going to be like to go back to our 5 year high school reunion looking better than we did in high school and see the girls who were twigs back then who probably won’t be in the future.

These last five months have made me a truly better person and I couldn’t have done it without my wonderful family and friends.

 

I can't wait until Thursday and Friday when I get to see family that I haven't seen in months if not years, they aren't going to recognize me and I can't wait to share my story with others!

Until tomorrow J

C

Weekly Goal

Bailey, Katie, and I have started a weekly email sharing our goals.  This week my goal is to workout for 90 minutes a day and no dining center desserts.  Here's to hoping I can stick to them through Thursday when I go home for the wedding! I can't believe it is this week...where did the time go?

 

Today I had my education department interview.  It was 45 minutes of talking about why I want to be a teacher, how I am going to make my dream come true, and my influences, it went so well!  I am really looking forward to checking my mail for the next couple of weeks hoping I get my acceptance letter. 

 

 

Outfit Details:

Dress: Heartbreaker

(I am loving this sweater dress and have been waiting since I went to visit Katie to wear it!)

Leggings and Belt: H&M

Boots: Herbergers

Scarf: Lane Bryant

Be sure and check my blog tomorrow, it'll be a fun post!  I can't wait to share.

Until tomorrow :)

C

Weekend festivities

This weekend was jam packed with birthday's, friends, and the pre-wedding mountain of homework.

Here's a brief summary of the weekend:

Friday-

 Matt's birthday dinner at American Burger Bar

Beth and I splurged on cheese curds (SO WORTH THE CALORIES)
Then I shared a Hawiian Chicken sandwich (took the bun off) with my friend Natalie

Brandon, Me, Annie, Aaron, Jimmy, and Suze

Me, Annie, and Suze!

Me and Suze!

Me and Annie

Saturday-
Annie and I definitely watched Magic Mike and The Notebook before the guys came over for dinner and scary movies. 

My eyes were definitely under the blanket much more than on the screen...thank you AMC scare fest marathon....

Sunday-
4 mile run
HOMEWORK!
Study, study, study, prepare for my education department interview tomorrow, wedding poem, study, homework, interview prep, repeat.
I did step away from my desk for a while so that I could watch the first couple of quarters of the Vikings game.  Beth and I had a roommate moment in our matching outfits, too bad we were supporting different teams.....Can you say roommate rivalry?

Reppin my boy Jared Allen

Roommate bonding time

Until tomorrow :)

C

How do I grocery shop?

Today I am going to share some tips with you about how I grocery shop and give you the run-down of what is usually on my list.  Bailey is also sharing some pointers today so make sure to bounce on over to her blog when you’re done with this post!

1)     Walk the perimeter first, that’s where the freshest stuff is

a.     Veggies

                                                               i.      Carrots, canned beets, squash, sweet potatoes, spinach, lettuce, zucchini, avocado

b.     Fruits

                                                               i.      Apples, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries

c.     Grains

                                                               i.      Granola, whole wheat fresh bread (occasionally), high fiber wraps, flax, quinoa

d.     Meat

                                                               i.      Chicken, steak, pork, fish

1.      I always buy them in individual packages and just a couple days’ worth at a time.

e.     Milk

                                                               i.      Almond Breeze unsweetened almond milk

f.        Cheese

                                                               i.      String cheese, babybel cheese, rondele spreadable cheese

g.     Yogurt

                                                               i.      Always greek….always plain

2)     Don’t walk down the aisles of temptation

a.     Chips, desserts, candy….ignore it

b.     Skip the crappy snack aisles and stick to the good stuff!

3)     Check the labels!

a.     Protein

                                                               i.      Shoot for 80-100 grams a day if you are trying to lose weight or are working out hard

b.     Sugar

                                                               i.      Keep it under 25 grams a day

c.     Fiber

                                                               i.      The more the better

4)     Bulk food is your friend

a.     Cereal

b.     Granola

c.     Trail mix

d.     Grains

                                                               i.      Quinoa, flax, wild rice

How to I keep it in budget?

1)     Coupons and web apps.  Target’s new Cartwheel app is my best friend.  I love that they always provide coupons and rebates for fresh fruit, veggies, and meat.  Every penny counts on a college budget.

2)     Menu planning. I make sure I know exactly what I need to buy before I hit the store.

3)     Only buy for a couple of days.  I try and only buy for a couple of days at a time so that no food goes to waste.  I make sure I have time to eat everything I have before I replenish the supply.

Where do I shop?

            I usually shop at Coborn’s (local grocery store) or Target

 

 

Hope that helps!

Until this weekend :)

C

Write it down!

Bailey, Katie, and I have all talked about goals and how we keep track of what we eat and how we work out, but all of us agree that it is CRITICAL to write it down.  Some people prefer apps like My Fitness Pal or Anytime Health where some people (me) prefer the good old fashioned paper and pencil method.

My fitness pal

 

Anytime Health (Look Good Naked Boot Camp approved)

 

I track the time, quantity, the type of food, and how much activity I get that day.  No, I don't measure out every single item I eat, but I always give it an eyeball measure and try to go heavy.  So if I am in the dining center for example I will scoop myself some cottage cheese and if I do one scoop it's about 1/4 cup.

My next goal is to start tracking water, but that is always a challenge for me because I drink so much! (I'll try to start that tomorrow)

Also in my food journal I keep notes. Anything fun I find on pinterest or reading other people's blogs or more frequently recipies I want to try or how my day was.  If I ate something I normally don't I usually make notes of how I feel after...was it worth it?

Oh my goodness, I almost forgot, write down your goals and motivate yourself!  Surround yourself with positive words and quotes as well as a chart of weight loss and goals!

Bailey sent me this one today, such a true statement

I get so much satisfaction when I get to cross off another pound or achievement!

 

I can promise you, you can do this! It's as simple as tracking and motivating yourself.

 

Until tomorrow,

 

C

 

It came today!

When I started my journey my dad bet me that when I lost 40 pounds he would buy me a heart rate monitor watch with a gps so I could track my mileage. Well, IT CAME TODAY! I was so excited to learn all of the fun stuff that it could do! While I waited for it to charge I ran into town to pick up some groceries and dinner with Natalie.

Can I tell you how much I love Leann Chins?  They have this great Asia Fit menu with tons of options for under 400 calories!  I really like this option because all of the nice veggies and proteins that they have in their entrees. 
So today I had an asia fit meal with shrimp and vegetable stir fry and potstickers. It was super yummy!
Here was my fortune....this is a good sign right?

After dinner I hit up the grocery store. Bailey and I are both going to explain how we go about grocery shopping on Thursday, but here is a list of some things that I picked up this week.

 

Apples

SmartPop 100 calorie pack popcorn

Lemon Ginseng Tea

Blueberry flax granola (great with almond milk)

Small can of beets

Babybel cheese

 1 pecan crusted chicken breast

1 stuffed pork chops

Vitamin C supplement drops (Annie is sick and I am determined not to get it)

Trail Mix

My second notebook for my food log

With all that running around I was ready for my run, FINALLY!  I strapped on my watch and heart rate monitor, bundled up, and hit the pavement.  I was cruising, probably because of my new watch.  I was definitely checking it every .25 mile or so....but I was killing it! I was on pace for 11:30 miles.  I am a little worried with my times getting so quick on these short runs, today was only 2.5 miles and it felt like a breeze, I love that feeling.  With my times getting quicker I am worried I am going to fast on race day....on my sunday long run I am really going to try and slow it down and pace, four miles....oh my lordy.  I am going to RUN the entire thing, no walking, no exceptions.

Here's me all bundled :)
I wore:
Under armor wicking shirt (long sleeved)
Champion zip up
Fila capri leggings
Hat
Mittens

 

 

 

Until tomorrow,

C

Cha, Cha, Cha, CHIA!

I have gotten in the funk of the same breakfast routine....granola and almond milk or oatmeal and protein.  So being the smartie pants that I am, I decided to change it up for tomorrow morning with chia pudding. Trainer Sarah suggested this unique snack/breakfast/dessert over the summer and I figured I'd give it another chance.

I am going to tell you straight up that it is a weird texture, like crunchy tapioca pudding, but it definitely keeps you full and satisfied which is exactly what I need working in Kindergarten everyday.

So I prepped it tonight, super easy, just throw some chia seeds in a container fully covered with almond milk, stir it up and you're done!  Throw it in the fridge and it'll be all set for you in the morning.  I like it topped with some berries and agave for breakfast or berries and whipped cream for dessert (I've also made chocolate chia pudding and with some strawberries and whipped cream....YUM) :)

 

ready to throw in the fridge!

Chia has some great health benefits....gotta love those ancient grain

 

Hope you like this easy suggestion!

 

Until tomorrow :)

 

C

 

Snowy Run?

Last night we went and visited some friends at St. John's.  It was definitely a good night :)

Beth, Annie, and I

Beth, Annie, Me, and Maria before we caught the bus

Natalie ended up on a cabinet....only at St. Johns

One of Annie's pictures from the Keri Noble Concert                                                                                 

 

Let's just say that getting up to teach Sunday school this morning wasn't all that fun. It was snowing, freezing cold, and we didn't get home until about 2 this morning, so 8:00 was rough....but hey we survived!  Today was my second long run for 10K training, 3.5 miles, would've been a piece of cake minus the fact that it was snowing, windy, and drizzling....icky.  It may not have been a fast run, but not many others can say that they went for a run during the first snow of winter 2013!

 

Until tomorrow,

 

C :)



Friday Night Fun

 Last night, I went out to dinner with some friends.  We went to TGI Friday's and shared a couple of appetizers.  I could definitely tell they weren't the things I am used to eating...I had a bit of a stomach ache after the pot stickers, flat bread, and boneless wings.  All I can say is thank goodness we shared!

After dinner we went and got Frozen Yogurt at this great new place in St. Cloud.  It's called frozen yogurt creations. SO GOOD! Again, I maybe had one cup of dessert total and I could feel it.  Such a sugar rush after not eating dessert for months, but I am sure we'll go again.  I'd definitely recommend it.

 

 Annie and I decided to go see Keri Noble last night after our outing.  She was on campus doing a show for love your body week!  This last LOVE YOUR BODY WEEK brought a whole slew of emotions to the surface.  All I could think about every time I saw one of the signs hanging around campus was think of how far you've come and how much further you have to go and how you're going to get there.  These are such wonderful things to think about I am just so proud to have made the choice to be happy and healthy. 

 

With today being Saturday and having eaten out last night and we got dessert....today means petal to the metal in the healthy eating department.  I am currently wrapping up week two of 10K training and I can tell a difference in my endurance, but I really want to flip the switch and make it really happen.  5 pounds before the wedding....a mere 13 days.  I can do it! 

 

So today I used up some things I've had in the freezer for a while, I sauteed some steak and wild rice with canned beets and fresh squash from the farmers market.  This meal was so easy.  I just popped the squash in the oven for 45 minutes and then with about 20 minutes left I threw everything else together. Couldn't have been easier!  For everyone who thinks it's impossible to eat clean at college....I have proof that it's not. :) 

 

Until tomorrow,

 

C :)