[beginningliving-blog]

I did my second weigh-in today, and I lost 3 more lbs. So that is a total of 6 lbs so far. I am so excited! I've been sticking to eating well, recording what I do eat, and actually being active. I've not felt depressed and my anxiety is even lower. It's just great, yall. 

[beginningliving-blog]

My lunch for today. Grilled chicken tender, 1/2 cup of brown rice, grilled squash, zucchini, and peppers. Also with a tablespoon of roasted red pepper hummus in the middle. Aka freaking good. 

I've lost 4 lbs so far, and today I can actually start working out some. 

[beginningliving-blog]

I have been doing really well the past three days. I've not drank any sodas or sweet tea. I may have a glass of one or the other this weekend as a treat, but we will see. I have been drinking 8+ cups of water a day, which is impressive since I never drink water, haha. 

I've not done any exercise since my stationary bike is out of commission yet. The main reason for that is because Sunday night, I have a drama thing at my church that involves a few deep lunges in the moves, and if I am extremely sore from working out- I will get down and not be able to get back up. So I am going to take it easy until Monday, and then I will have a month until we do another performance, which is plenty of time to get into the swing of working out and dealing with the soreness. 

So for this first week, I am really focusing on my diet and water intake. Thursday, I'll be going to get some groceries, and am making out a list of a few things I need. I know it's just Wednesday, but I feel really good. I've been keeping up my stuff on MyFitnessPal and have started pinning on pintrest again, so both of those are giving me some good ideas and motivation. 

[beginningliving-blog]

I really wanted meatloaf tonight, but my family always makes it with crushed crackers...which is definitely not the healthiest thing. So, I found this recipe and tried it. And it rocked my face off with how good it was. Like, I will never make meatloaf the old way again. Plus this one had zucchini, bell pepper, and onion in it, which was a major plus for me. The only thing I did different was use some ketchup instead of the tomato sauce because I was out. It still turned out super, super good. 

[beginningliving-blog]

I am so bad at staying awake after getting up early, even with a full night's rest. I need to add stop taking naps to that list

[beginningliving-blog]

I hit the half-way point in my stationary biking tonight, and the battery thing for my bike breaks. Just, boom. Batteries in the floor, no hope.

universe, why won't you let me exercise.

[beautifulpicturesofhealthyfood]

kneadforfood

Marinara Sauce with Fresh Tomatoes

[seefooddieit]

(Roasted Corn Salsa)

[beginningliving-blog]

I got an account on MyFitnessPal, so if yall are on it, feel free to add me! Hereeeee

[beginningliving-blog]

Okay, so begins the month-long challenge of things I posted a few days ago. I'll be blogging a hecka lot more, because this really does help keep me on track. 

So, I actually did go to sleep earlyish last night, as well as the past two nights. I was asleep by 11ish last night, and got up at a normal hour. I am still groggy as heck, despite getting good rest. I am always so tired after nightsleep, whereas when I sleep during the day (like a 3rd shift sleep schedule), I always feel good. It's strange. I know nightsleep is far healthier for me, so I know it's a good thing to get back into doing.

My anxiety levels have been like a rollercoster lately. My chest has just been aching with that heaviness that comes along with it, which definitely sucks. I'm hoping that during this month of positive changes that I will see my anxiety level go down. 

I'm about to go make something to eat, and I'm not sure what. I am not a breakfast person, which is unfortunate considering it's supposed to be your biggest meal. I just don't like breakfast foods (forgive me, Ron Swanson). So that's going to be an added challenge- eating breakfast and finding some stuff that I actually like. 

happy Monday, friends. I hope your day goes well!

[beginningliving-blog]

I moved my recliner out of my room and brought my bike in. Hopefully if it is where I can see it every day, I will get back into using it. I used to ride it all the time, and I got to where I would do 10-20 miles a day on it and was losing weight pretty well. Oh how the mighty hath fallen, haha. But I look forward to working back up to that! 

[beginningliving-blog]

One day at a time, one month at a time.

Goals for Oct. 20-Nov. 20. Month 1.

Have a normal sleep cycle. Go to sleep at a normal hour, wake up at a normal hour. I put the timeline starting at the 20th to give me time to get back to sleeping before sunrise. 

Exercise when I get up, that way I don't have time to put it off.

Eat an actual breakfast. A balanced one.

Drink buttloads of water.

Cut down on the sugar, because face the facts- I am addicted to sugar. I can lie about it all day long, but the truth will be here when the world falls. I love sugar, and I need to learn to live without the processed crap.

Speaking of processed crap, lower that. 

READ LABELS, GOSH DARNIT.  

Fix my elliptical from making that bad sound.

Make meals ahead of time so I can't have the excuse "there's nothing to eat" all the time. I'm lazy, I'll admit it.

Be proud of every little accomplishment, no matter how little. Even a walk is better than sleeping until noon and not doing anything.

Try to go somewhere alone at least once a month. The reason for this one is that I have severe social anxiety, and so when I do go places, I am never alone. I recently made myself go see a movie alone, and it was very beneficial to me. I want to push to do that more often. This tumblr is about improving my mental health as well as physical. 

Paint more. 

Smile more.

Live more. 

I have been horrible at this thing so far and have admittedly done nothing. 

[morgankathleeeen]

85 pounds down… 2013 you’ve been one hell of a year :) 

[lovealwaysla]

Jumping the gun on #transformationtuesday.

Left photo; February 2013, Right photo: October 2013

50.5 lbs lost. 18 1/2 inches lost collectively off body.

beforeandafterfatlosspics

[iamftns-deactivated20180730]

Dark chocolate has a number of healthy benefits:  

Can help lower your blood pressure

Increases blood flow to the brain as well as to the heart

Helps control blood sugar

Is loaded with antioxidants

Is high in Potassium, Copper, Magnesium and Iron

But remember eat in moderation because despite the mentioned health benefits chocolate is also high in fat.

  Here is a nice recipe of :

Organic Dark Chocolate Trail Mix Energy Bites!

1/4 Cup Whole Food’s Antioxidant Energy Trail Mix (You can use any kind of trail mix though)

3 Tbsp Organic Dark Chocolate Chips

In a microwave safe bowl, melt the dark chocolate chips in the microwave. Make sure not to over heat them or they will burn. 

Microwave 20 seconds and stir. If they have not completely melted after stirring, microwave an addition 10-15 seconds. 

On a piece of wax paper make chocolate circles with a spoon. (approximately 8) Should be the size of a quarter. 

Place the trail mix on top of the chocolate drops. Press them down into the chocolate lightly.  Let the chocolate bites dry for about 40-60 minutes. Place in a refrigerator for faster results. 

Calories: Per Chocolate Bite : 39 Calories, 1.5 g Fat, 6 g Carbs, .05 g Fiber, 2.5 g Sugar, .08 g Protein. 

  (via undressedskeleton.tumblr.com and fitday.com)

[stephanieisliving-blog]

I’m straight killing it over here! I’m so proud of myself. Self high five!

[beginningliving-blog]

This makes me want to cry. Her before photos are basically the same body type that I have right now, and to see how far she has come just gives me such hope. That smile on her face says it all. I am so proud of this girl! 

[love-y-o-u-rself]