Journey to a Better Me

Stephanie. 24 years old. Canadian vet student. Height: 5'4" HW: 255.3 lbs CW: 122.8 bs GW: 125 lbs - met March 11/16!

[healthy-deliciousfood]

[halfofstephanie]

Best way to use up bananas - protein waffles! Just gotta lock the tiny cat up because he dragged one away last time 😒

[halfofstephanie]

Do you live alone? How are you juggling a full class load and working? Just wondering because I am in nursing school full time and had to move back in with my parents because I can no longer work full-time to pay bills on my own.

Hey! I live with my boyfriend and we split bills 50/50, but my schooling is expensive. I'm no longer working because my contract was up at the end of April, and I'm in my clinical year now, so I have no time for a job as my schedule changes every 2-3 weeks and I have on-call/unpredictable shifts. My summer jobs have never been enough to put a big dent in tuition and living costs, so I pay for school with a veterinary line of credit, as well as provincial student grants and any scholarships. It is stressful to put yourself in debt to go to school, but it helped me to look at the big picture! I had major anxiety about paying for school when I started university almost 8 years ago, but now I just remind myself that one day, I will be able to pay things back!

[halfofstephanie]

Appropriate cardiology rotation attire

[fithealthfood]

[halfofstephanie]

Tomorrow's breakfast and lunch

[halfofstephanie]

Little bit of an update

This semester is the busiest yet! Between actually doing surgery, taking 17 courses, work, and taking care of my own animals, I am very pressed for time. The gym has taken a back seat - it was a very hard adjustment at first since I was used to going 6 days a week. Now my workouts consist of walking my canine patients, walking my own dog, and walking the dogs at work, plus all the running around I do at school. Every now and then I can drop into a Zumba class, but if I do make it to the gym for a real workout, it generally consists of reading study notes on treadmill at an incline. Eating has been a different challenge. The week of my first cat spay, I ate soooo much from not being able to properly cope with the stress of the responsibility involved. Now, I feel more confident and am actively trying to recognize my stress and my 'need' to eat junk food and dealing with it in a healthier way. I've gotten even busier so I really only have time to eat the healthy meals I pack to get me through the day! I have also started eating breakfast when I feel hungry, rather than as soon as I get up. I find it does help me stay satiated through the morning lectures and then I don't have all my snacks eaten by lunchtime 😂 This week, I have a mature dog spay (😦) who also has a mammary tumor (😦😦😦) and her uterus is probably pretty fatty so I am a bit stressed but I have been preparing so hopefully all will go well!!

[halfofstephanie]

Today's lunch and supper - missed Zumba because of make up classes but went to the university gym earlier in the day to make up for it!

[halfofstephanie]

A slice of French toast before heading to work to train some doggies 🐶

[halfofstephanie]

Was waiting to make this for supper allllll day long, it was so good. Enchilada bake with Greek yogurt, avocado, tortilla shops and shredded romaine. Had Zumba this morning and then spent the rest of the day studying after walking the dog - to be repeated tomorrow!

[halfofstephanie]

Had this after Zumba because I had to go to GNC for more BCAAs and decided to try something new - I think it's my favourite cinnamon bar so far! (Or at least tied with the Combat one)

[halfofstephanie]

[halfofstephanie]

Snow day French toast this morning (made with cinnamon raisin bread) plus taco salad from last night after the gym!

[halfofstephanie]

Perfect 😭😍😭

[halfofstephanie]

Made cake batter cinnamon rolls and the softest funfetti cookies ever for my 1st and 2nd year buddies at school! Then packed up the cookies in those cute little bags 😍

My gym had a 2 hour Zumbathon today so I went to that after walking Tessa and then came home eat my lil snack plate, study pharmacology and radiology and finish my surgery report from last week. This week is also a busy one!!

[halfofstephanie]

First selfie at the new gym even though I've been going for months 😂 My last few Friday workouts have been at night instead of in the morning before class and it's a nice change! There's hardly anyone there so I have access to everything 😌

[halfofstephanie]

Tonight's supper and tomorrow's breakfast! Used peanut butter protein this time ❤😍