Pop... I can't quit you.... But I want to!

Sometimes love affairs start young. My first time was when I was about 6 or 7 and from that moment I was hooked. Looking back through out my life pop, mainly coke, has been a crutch for me.

Having a bad day... Have a Coke
Fighting with my parents.... Have a Coke
Need to wake up in the morning... have a Coke

Now I know what pop does to you and have always known, my Grandmother used to tell me about this lady who she went to church with who lost a lot of stomach lining from drinking 7 cans a day. But that never stopped me. I know what it does... I just don't care was my attitude!

But now being the heaviest I have EVER been, I decided it was REALLY time to stop. I've tried, and failed at this so many times that I have lost count. I even started to drink coffee to replace it so I don't get headaches.

But this year I set a goal for myself. 366 days (Leap Year) without it. Mainly it says Coke. But I have decided after discussing it with people  have determined this means ALL POP. Insert sad face here.

Here's why I asked that question. When I met Brian his mother introduced me to THE DRINK, Bourbon drink to be exact. It's a summer time kind of drink and within my group of friends I became famous for it. Problem is you uses 7UP with it. now you understand my sad face....

So alas there will be NO bourbon drink had by me this year.  Sorry in advance to my mother in law and to my friends I'm sorry someone else will have to be the life of the party!

But I want to leave the recipe here for you.

1 can of frozen Orange Juice
1 can of frozen lemonade
1 cup of sugar
6 cups of water
1 cup of strong tea
2 cups of Bourbon... or 3 ;)
mix this all together in a large container and freeze.
Once frozen mix with your favorite lemon lime soda
and you can add another shot or two in your cup!

Workouts! what I am doing!

One of my goals for this year was to step outside of my comfort zone when it came to working out. Now I wont be doing classes at a gym cause that is not my thing. I like to be at home or on a treadmill!

But I decided to do a dance program because this is out of my realm of stuff I like to do when it comes to fitness. And I don't Zumba!

Why not a class? When at the gym or a studio I feel completely anxious around people. I think the last time I tried Zumba I had a panic attack. It's not easy for me to be in a group setting.

So when the opportunity to try a new program from my favorite trainer came about I jumped on it for this new year! So I chose to Cize it Up with ShaunT!!!!

It is so much fun and I am sweating I think more than T25 here!! I love it!! For the first time Exercise is fun! Don't get me wrong I love walking, But this is fun and doesn't feel like a workout until I wake up the next day!! 

If you want to Cize it up with me click here!!

I am also still walking to ease my back pain. I am just going REALLY SLOW!!

What I am Loving about this program is how it is broken down! you get the dvd's and a get started guide. But you also get a food and nutrition guide, and a eating out guide!! Plus you get the calader above in the picture which will help you know what workout to do and it is two sided with an advanced calendar for the second 6 weeks! Plus If you want accountability you get a FREE coach! (me!)

Anywho ...... That is all I have for you today!!!!! XOXO
                                                                                      ~Erin~

Why Weight Watchers.....

So as I started the new year I looked back to when I was successful on my journey and where I wasn't. I had be so riddled with injury and depression that I worked out sometimes.... But ate whatever I wanted. So it brought me to where my journey began in February 2011, and Weight Watchers.

Please do not get me wrong, I AM still a coach with Beachbody, fitness isn't the problem, food and my emotions are. And when I lost weight the firs time it was because of weight watchers.

So why now? I need to be held accountable with my food not my fitness. I love the support from my meetings and the connections made there. Weighing in every week gives me a structured goal. And really no food is off limits. If I want regular pasta instead of Whole grain I can.

So what am I doing fitness wise? I am walking and doing a Beachbody program called Cize. I walk because it is what I love and I am doing Cize because it is outside of my comfort zone, dancing.... ME? Yes! It is also the only two things I can do without discomfort from my back and Sciatic Nerve.

So How did my first week go on weight watchers?? I was down 2.4 pounds!!! But this time my goals are not specific to just the scale!! I'm going by how I feel! And right now I feel great!!

Goals Part One: The Dress

Most of the time we struggle with our weight loss, and one thing I have learned is that motivation leaves, a lot. So if you are determined to lose the weight that is what keeps you going. I have a clear picture in my mind about weight loss.

I have been planning 2 photo sessions. One is with my husband, for our anniversary. The second is a real Pinup Photo-shoot.

So let me focus on the first photo-shoot.

So to give myself a little motivation for my weight loss journey, I bit the bullet and bought me a dress I had been eyeing for about two years. It is the Monica dress from Pinup Girl Clothing. It is off white and fabulous. You can see it in all its glory Here

I cannot properly express how happy/terrified this dress makes me feel! It really is tiny. I bought a medium, a size I haven't been since I met my husband! But I have made the choice to suck it up and get it done. 

If you are ready for that first step in living a healthy life please don't hesitate to contact me here

Or visit my achieve your goals page  here. 

XOXO 

Erin

Tasty Tuesday

I'm showing you all, a

 new but very amazing recipe...

Italian chicken gumbo.

First lets start with what you'll need. Chicken( this time I used canned, I was lazy), whole wheat orzo, canned diced tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, I also used a spice from a local vendor Holmes salsa, but red pepper flakes or a spicy mrs. Dash would work, one carrot diced, two cups of fresh spinach, and chicken stalk.

 

First things first pour the entire carton of chicken stalk in the pot followed by the garlic, diced tomatoes, olive oil, carrots, and the spice of your choice. As far as measuring the garlic put as much or as little as you like. Put the stove on medium heat. Once the pot comes to a simmer put in the chicken. The first time I made this I put fresh chicken breast diced, this time I was lazy and used canned.

It should look like this

 

Once it comes to a boil you will then add the spinach, let it cook down(wilt). 

Followed by 4 oz of orzo, half of the carton.

 

 

You'll let the orzo cook, about 5-6 minutes.

Your finished product should look similar to this.

And there you have it. A delish healthy meal!!!! Next Tuesday I'll show you my chipotle fix shrimp with cilantro rice!!

And now for your viewing pleasure a little face time with Baylee and Riley