Monday Motivation [Nov 3]

Oh, Monday, it's you again...

This Monday could be a lot worse though, so I'm choosing to stay positive today! J and I had a great weekend and it really felt like fall here in Florida, finally. We'll see if it can last.

Here's a quick recap of our weekend:

• Passed out candy to trick-or-treaters for the first time and we definitely had fun with it. You know you're old when seeing small children dressed up as princesses and ninja turtles is an exciting evening, but it's reality. The kids in our neighborhood all looked adorable and were all well-behaved, which was a bonus. Our dog, Cooper, even got in the spirit with some orange and black bandannas and greeted the kiddos.
• Our neighbors came over and passed out candy with us, because it's more fun to turn trick-or-treating into an excuse for adult fall-themed refreshments. I made SkinnyTaste's Hot & Spicy Buffalo Shrimp Dip and made crescent rolls filled with a pumpkin and cream cheese mixture. I probably should have added more sugar and chocolate to make them sweeter, but I was attempting to be a little bit healthy with my snacking.
• Saturday we watched the Florida/Georgia game and unfortunately the bulldogs lost... 
• We warmed up the leftover shrimp dip and picked up some winter beer to enjoy while we watched The Neighbors, which was actually a lot funnier than we both expected! 
• Sunday we were pretty boring with cleaning, grocery shopping, cooking, giving the dog a bath... you get the picture. BUT I am excited that the 21 Day Fix starts today and I got all prepared for it yesterday!

Here's a little motivation to start the week off right:

Yes! When I look back at pictures and even current pictures, this motivates me to not want to stay the same.

Seriously, I have looked at other blogs where they post their fitness warm up and it just makes me want to cry, THAT is my workout right now!

Such a good reminder. A lot of the 21 Day Fix is focusing on eating whole foods and no processed crap! I had some fast food last week and I felt so sick the next morning - this is your body's way of telling you that it's bad for you!

What did you do this weekend? Hope you have a great week!

Monday Motivation [Oct 13]

Monday, here you are again... This weekend actually felt really long, so I can't complain too much! Here's a few tidbits to get you motivated for the week.

Oh, Yoda, you are so smart. I need to start up with daily squats again, because I definitely noticed a more rounded back side when I did!

I feel like I need this framed somewhere I would see it every day!

This always grosses me out when I see things like this, but it does put it in perspective.

Have a great week!

[MyFitnessPal]

I decided at the beginning of June that I was ready to start my health journey and I knew I could not do it alone! I had done Weight Watchers in the past and knew that tracking what I ate was a great way to keep me on track and accountable. But I knew WW wasn't right for me at this time and my best friend kept on raving about MyFitnessPal. I decided to give it a try and have been using it now for over 4 months and love it!

MFP also links with other fitness and tracking apps, so I have it linked to my FitBit. It automatically uploads my steps in my daily diary and if I have more movement than MFP accounted for in my calorie goal, it adds more calories.

I took a bunch of screenshots of what I use and view on a daily basis and added my notes to each. I hope this is helpful!

Do you use MFP? What is your favorite feature? Do you use any other apps? Share your knowledge!

Monday Motivation [Oct 6]

This was a packed weekend, as I worked my second part-time job and my soon-to-be in-laws were in town for the Steelers game. I will be sure to recap for you all, but in the meantime...

I love this quote and keep reminding myself of this when I look at some people's before/after photos. We all have to start somewhere and change doesn't happen overnight!

Enough said!

This is SO true! I've have conversations with J about trying to eat more organic, locally-sourced food for this exact reason. He seems to get it, but doesn't want to spend the money for it. I get that, but it's all a trade-off! What you put in (and on for that matter) your body makes a difference and it's good to remind ourselves of this.

Preach!

Hope everyone has a great week!

Monday Motivation [Sept 15]

Oh Monday... how you ruin my perfectly good weekend.

It actually won't be a bad week for me, because I am traveling for work Wednesday-Sunday, so I just have to stay focused for 2 days at my desk! I am actually a little worried about staying on track when I am gone, so please send me all of your healthy vibes, for real. I will post more tomorrow about my plan to stay on track, stay tuned.

For now, let's get Monday started with some motivation!

I remind myself of this every time I think about getting fast food. There is instant gratification that comes with say chicken nuggets and fries, but I always regret it! Lately, I feel sick when I go off track with something a little greasier too. NOT. WORTH. IT.

Amen! As much as I hate dragging myself out of bed at 6 am to run before work a few days a week, it's worth it. This week, people at work have been commenting that I look great and it's a good feeling :) It cracked me up when one coworker said, "I'm not sure if this is appropriate or what, but have you been doing something? You look great!" Yesssss, I have been working my butt off and not eating crap, so glad it took 15 pounds for you to notice... Good thing I don't say everything I think out loud!

I might sub Ryan out for John Legend or Will Smith, but in a pinch, he will do :)

I hope you have a great week!

Monday Motivation [Sept 8]

I hope everyone had a great weekend! What better way to start your week, than with a little motivation!

I love this little reminder. Every time I think I am too busy to workout, I need to remind myself that it's only a small part of your day. Especially, when I'm only getting a 30 minute work out in!

Just in case you can't read that tiny writing (don't worry, I can't either), it says "some motivation required". This also reminds me of the one I saw about getting in shape, because of the Hunger Games!

LOVE this.... need I say more?

This is also a great reminder. I'm programmed to celebrate with food/drink, get together with friends for meals, reward myself with dessert. It's interesting to reprogram this mindset. What do you reward yourself with then? New clothes? Maybe a bike ride with a friend?

Happy Monday!

Monday Motivation [Sept 1]

I hope everyone is having a great holiday weekend! I am spending the weekend with my soon-to-be family and will definitely have a weekend recap post coming shortly. I knew going into the weekend that I would have to watch how many adult beverages I had and how much picking I do. J's family tends to make a TON of food and people graze all day. While I love this, it is a huge trap for me!

For now, I will leave you with a bit of motivation for the week. Enjoy!

Please tell me you have seen this episode of Parks and Rec. We can't be friends until you have. Seriously. "Treat Yo Self" is a motto J and I abide by when we are debating about buying something for ourselves. One day in Marshall's, J really wanted to get this beautiful leather briefcase/laptop bag, but thought it was too much money to spend. I busted out with "treat yo self" a little too loudly and heard laughing from another row over! Luckily, this phrase has more to do with shopping for us, then eating!

This is the best feeling, especially when it comes to running for me. 

I like to remind myself of this, especially when reading other people's blogs who are farther along in their journey then I am. It also reminds me of that phrase, "don't compare YOUR beginning to someone else's MIDDLE."

Happy Monday, y'all!