how i spend my weekends. pinterest style.

Raise your hand if you're addicted to Pinterest!!

Yup.

Hand raised right here.

I pretty much spend 75% of my weekend searching through Pinterest.

So much so that I officially have 2726 pins.

That number sounds ridic right?

Sad part is, I've tried to go through and "clean out" my boards.

Not possible.

I still love everything that I have pinned and I just can't seem to part with them.

So I thought I'd share some of my absolute favs.

One from each of my 21 (yes, 21) boards.

Ok scratch that... 20 boards. My workout board is defective?? It won't let me look at my pins at all.

Not cool Pinterest, not cool.

Inspiring Words

God's My BFF

Fashionista

Ahh... someday I will have these items in my closet...

Yup. Starbucks and all.

You Make Me LOL

Home Inspiration

Someday I will have a patio like this....

Photography

For reals. I WILL take pictures like this someday.

Holy beautifulness.

For the Future Hubs

Deliciousness

Foil pack Chicken and Broccoli.

I'm Leaving On a Jet Plane

Gettin My Hair Did

Classroom Ideas

Future Babes

Craft Room Ideas

Boyfriend and I are planning a trip down to Lousiville for Thunder Over Lousiville in April.

I'm thinking this would be a great opportunity to start a project like this!!

Ink Me

Paint

Loves

Cleaning Tips

Future Purchases

Bucket List

Fitness Motivation

What are some of YOUR favorite pins??

Ciao.

39 and counting...

That's right.

39 days till my birthday.

Woop woop!!

March 27.

Go ahead.

Mark it on your calendars.

I'll wait....

Ok, now that you got that all important day marked down, let's get down to business.

Because I know you're all wondering what to get me for my big day...

{wink wink}

Today marks my first edition of:

My Favorite Things

(aka Things I Would Like to Own in the Future...)

(aka Great Gift Ideas for Stephanie)

So without further ado...

1. TOMS.

Plain and simple.

I'm just not sure which ones I want more..

 These beauties

 Or these gorgeous things

Or their new ballet flats!!

I just can't decide!!  They're all pretty amazing and wonderful and must haves!!

I'm also a fan of the plain black classics.

So if you feel lead to possibly purchase a pair of these beauties for me, I will take a size 8.

Please and thank you. :)

2. Harry Potter

Yes, the boyfriend will give me crap for this one.

But I love me some Harry Potter and I've been good and haven't bought any of the DVD's over the years.

I've been waiting so I can purchase the boxed set with all the movies.

So feel free and go here and check it out.

My next step?

Soar on down to Orlando and visit Hogwarts for myself.

It's on the bucketlist.

3. Nike.com

More specifically... NIKEiD.

Design your own sneaks?

Yes, please!!

Not only do I love sneakers, but I love Nike, and I love being able to customize them.

Only downfall?

The sneaks I just spent a half hour creating are $160.

Whoa buddy.

Maybe when I win the lottery?

4. Ink.

Yes, I intend to get more ink done.

Just can't decide if I want it as my birthday present or as a reward for when I hit my 50 lb weight loss.

I know what I'm getting and where I'm getting it.

It's just a matter of paying for it.

((Courtesy of pinterest.))

Yes, I've changed it slightly.

I originally wanted it on my wrist, and I still do...

But I've thought about all that would include (work situations, etc.) and I figured this would be a better location and I still LOVE it!!

Now as for what I'm getting.

On my right arm, the word strong.

On my left arm, the word beautiful.

In white ink.

Now the only thing I haven't worked out for sure is the font, but I imagine it similar to the picture above.

Thoughts?

5. The world's smallest chameleon.

Check this big guy out:

((source))

I would totally name him Butch.

I can tell he's a vicious little guy.

And just so stinkin cute!!

6. So... I want this necklace.  Badly.

With the "L" and everything.

Cause I will always be a Lehman at heart and I am who I am because of where I came from.

But instead of ordering it from this etsy shop,

I'd prefer that this super awesome lady at Purple Butterflies Jewelry makes it.

Cause she just happens to be super amazing at making fine jewelry...

and she just happens to be my lovely aunt.

And I love her dearly.

So head on over to her facebook page and check out all that she has for sale.

She also does custom work.

For reals... go check her out.

And "like" her page in the process.

Right meow.

So now that you have a great start on gift ideas for me must haves,

what are some of your favorite things??

Please share with me!!

Peace out girl (and boy) scouts!!

what you gonna do about it?

Time to talk motivation.

So take a time out, go change into your workout clothes, then come right back.
Go on....

Now that you're all ready to go you can go get your workout on as soon as you're done here.
No excuses.
Cause you's about to get motivated y'all.

First things first.
What are you actually doing to workout?

Now I realize not everyone has access to a gym.

Heck,

I wouldn't even have access to a gym if it wasn't for the boyfriend.

((I'm so very thankful for everything he's done for me so far. He's truly amazing!))

So get creative.

-Run on the treadmill if you have one.

If you don't have one, find someone who does and ask if you could use it occasionally.

-Get some free weights from Wal-Mart or Target to use at home.

-Invest in some workout videos.

((I recommend P90X [for strength], Insanity, and TurboFire))

-Go for walks/runs outside.

((Indiana has had a unseasonably warm winter so there's no excuse there))

-Check out Pinterest for some at-home workout ideas.

Here are just a few samples of what I've found on Pinterest so far:

 ((Amanda and I have a tentative date to do this one together sometime in the near future!!))

 ((I'm actually following this one this month!!))

((Weekend challenge: Lunges! Do 3 sets of 10 before every meal on Saturday and Sunday!!))

 ((Get up just a little bit earlier!!))

((Have some fun!!))

There are sooooo many workouts online.
Take the time to find them!!
The possibilities are endless!!

Next:
Find your motivation.

What makes you want to kick some @&% and be your absolute best self?!?!

Here are some pictures that help keep me motivated:

Here are also 2 blogs of weight-loss journeys that are truly inspiring:

Jen's Journey
I mean look at these results:

Holy Moley!!
She's pretty amazing.

Undressed Skeleton
This girl is absolutely gorgeous.
And she loves to cook.
So check out her recipes!!

---------------
Now don't get me wrong.
I've been trying to find my motivation for years.
After the divorce I started finding myself AND my motivation.
But never enough to actually start the diet and exercise and stick to it.

Last spring/summer I lost 10 lbs when I started working out.
Did I keep it up??
Sadly, no.
I stopped working out completely.

Luckily I kept that 10 lbs off.
I even managed to slowly lose another 5 lbs between August and November.

November comes and I meet Brian.
Before we even started dating he was getting me motivated.
I started doing Insanity again.
We started making dinner together every night which in turn made me start watching what I was eating.
He got me motivated to get started again.

Now here I am almost 3 months in, and down 25 lbs since November.
I'm down 40 lbs total (ok technically 38 lbs but I'm pushing for those last 2 lbs!!).
I work out daily (pretty much).
I'm more aware of the food I'm putting in my body.
And I finally feel like I'm starting to learn what I need to so I can keep going.

Does that mean I'm a pro?
Absolutely not.
Brian's been gone most of the last month on trips and while he's gone, it's been especially hard to stick to the eating guidelines.

I'm still learning and growing.
And there are still days when I completely lose the motivation to keep going.
But I know I can go to Brian and he'll push me to go to the gym again.
He'll even help me make dinner to keep my nutrition on focus.

Which brings me to one of my kinda sorta points.
((Which I actually don't know how I got here... but it's important))
Find someone to hold you accountable and who will push you to be your best self.
Find someone who you can tell "I'm over this!! I just want to curl up and take a nap instead of working out!!" and that someone will step up and push you to take that next step.
They can help you come up with recipe or food ideas.
They can workout with you.
They can remind you of whatever reward you come up with.
Just find that someone who truly makes you want to be your best self!!

Now aren't you ready to get out there and get that sweat rollin'?!?!

Chop, Chop, Lollipop!!


All pictures from here.

this is how i roll

Hey sweetcheeks.

Yup.

That's you.

I actually got a huge response about my last post so I thought I'd expand on my weight loss journey a little more.

(This is not going to become a strictly weight loss/fitness blog... promise.

However, it's a big part of my life now so it will make it's appearance occasionally.)

However, I could go on and on about this so this will be a little mini-series for now.

Disclaimer:

I'm human. I'm not a personal trainer. I'm not a nutritionist.

I mess up. And I don't always make the wisest choices.

This is just my story.

The main question I've been getting:

What are you doing to lose the weight?

Well my dearies...

it's this little thing called diet and exercise.

Here are a few of the guidelines I've made for myself:

1. No pop.

2. No alcohol. Unfortunately this means no wine as well.

3. Exercise daily whether you want to or not.

4. No sweets.

5. Count your calories!!

Now, I'm no angel.

Have I followed my own guidelines and never slipped?

Absolutely not.

That's why they're called GUIDELINES... not rules.

1. I've cheated and had pop a few times.

The boyfriend was gone for 3 weeks (super sad time...) and while he was gone I slipped up quite a bit.

He's my main source of focus and motivation right now and without him here to hold me accountable it was easy to slip.

So guideline #6: Have someone to hold you accountable!!

2. I've actually done really well with no alcohol.

I had half a glass of wine on New Years (cause you have to have something to toast with...)

and I had a glass and a half of margaritas when I went out with my "sister" Nicole.

That's it.

Holy crap on a cracker.

I went from an avid wine drinker

(a glass or two most nights of the week)

to almost nothing.

And this has been since November folks.

That's 2.5 months of (almost) no alcohol already.

3. Exercise daily? I definitely try to.

But there are days when:

a. you're sick

b. you're so sore for yesterday you can't move and need a recovery day

and

c. you have back to back plans and you literally don't have time.

Notice I didn't put "don't have motivation" on that list of excuses.

I'll admit I've had a day or 2 or 3 where I was completely unmotivated and didn't go. But I always regret it within the hour.

If you make yourself go exercise, even when you really don't want to, it makes it that much easier the next day.

And chances are, once you start, you'll realize you make the right choice and feel amazing!!

4. No sweets. HA!! Ladies, you're aware of this things called PMS? Hello, chocolate!!

Yes, I've eaten my fair share of chocolate through this ordeal.

However, the key is to control how much you eat.

Do I sit and eat a whole bag of M&M's or chocolate covered pretzels?

Absolutely not.

I'd like to...

But I don't.

I try stick with 1 piece of chocolate... whatever it is.

Enough to fulfill the craving.

5. Do I always count my calories? Umm that's a big fat negative.

I try to keep a rough estimate of where I am in my head throughout the day.

But I definitely don't keep a running total.

That's just not how I function.

However, I definitely think it's a good idea to keep track of your calories...

even if that means you have to count every single calorie.

Now for what I personally do for myself.

I aim for between 1200-1500 calories a day.

I spend at least an hour at the gym every day.  Sometimes more.

That's it.

Is it easy? Most days.

Some days you just want to scream and say "&#^@ you!!"

But it's totally worth it.

Sounds totally reasonable right?!

Because IT IS.

How bad do you want it?

Now get up and change your life!!

Pictures all from here.

burn baby, burn

I thought I'd share a little bit more about weight loss journey.

This has suddenly become a huge part of my life and I have no intention of stopping any time soon.

Now...

I'm not quite ready to share my starting numbers.

But I will share that I have lost a total of 35 lbs so far!!

I have 45 more lbs to go before I hit my first goal.

Ok I lied...

That's where I'd like to be before summer.. aka swim suit season.

My FIRST goal: lose a total of 60 lbs. (that's only 25 more from where I am now!!)

That will put my BMI inside the "overweight" range.

I will no longer be considered obese!!!

I hope to be here by my birthday - March 27, 2012

That's about 3 lbs per week that I need to lose.

I've been doing 3-4 lbs per week and occasionally hitting 5 lbs per week so I think this is within reason.

My second goal: lose a total of 90 lbs.

That will put my BMI inside the "healthy" range!!!

Goal time: July 4, 2012

That's 2 lbs per week after my birthday.

Totally do-able.

By the time I'm done I want to be down a full 100 lbs!!

That will put me at my ultimate goal weight.

I promise I will share my starting weight at some point... just give me time.

:)

Now I'll put it into perspective for ya...

This is me at my heaviest:

((with my 2 very beautiful friends Hannah and Lisa at Cedar Point))

August 2010

And now...

I weight LESS than I did here:

((at my absolutely beautiful friend Jamie's wedding... miss her like crazy))

May 2008

Can you see any difference?!?!

Even if you cant, pretend that you can.

It'll make me feel better.

Here's a current picture of me:

((yes I realize it's only my face... but I feel like my face looks good in this picture!!))

((with cute little chubby cheeks Hannah!!))

And here's some of my goals of where I want to be when I'm done:

I WILL get there.

((Pictures found here.))

Anyways...

I feel a huge difference in my confidence level.

I realize that I'm not near where I want to be yet.

I realize that I'm no supermodel.

But I feel sexier.

I feel like I can take on the world.

So world??

Bring it.

whoa now.

Holy slacking!!

Talk about ridiculousness.

I haven't posted since September and that is just completely unacceptable.

Time has completely gotten away from me.

It's a new year so I figured it was time to start getting back on track.

((Yes, I realize it's almost a month into the new year... but better late than never right?))

So today I'm here to share with you some of the things that have been stealing my time.

((Don't be hatin on them..))

First and main distraction:

I met this aaahhh-mazing hunk of a guy:

This was taken on our first date.

November 19, 2011

Yup... he set the standards high from the very beginning.

Notre Dame football.

Our Irish kicked some major &#* that game against Boston College.

I'm expecting big things for Valentine's Day y'all.

((JK... I'm perfectly content with some snuggle time...))

The main thing you need to know about him?

He's absolutely wonderful and I'm falling hard and fast for this guy...

He motivates me.

He takes care of me.

He pushes me to be the best version of me.

He's just simply... the best.

Second distraction:

This is now the other man in my life.

He's a big baby and demands much of my attention when I'm at home.

Especially for giving kisses.

Good thing he's flippin adorable.

So ladies and gents, meet Duke ((aka Dookers)).

He will be glad to give you lots and lots of kisses.

Third distraction:

My chillins.

Abby Rae and I had a tiny bit of fun playin with PhotoBooth one day after school.

There were just a few giggles along the way........

Now obviously Abby isn't the only one taking up my time.

I have 20 other wonderfully, amazing students that I love spending time with on a daily basis.

Not to mention the other 31 children in our school who love to come in my room any chance they get.

Cause apparently I'm the coolest teacher around.

((not to brag or anything.....))

Fourth distraction:

This has probably been one of the biggest distractions too.

Working out.

That's right folks.

I have finally faced my fears of working out in front of people.

The ahhhh-mazing hunk of a man I mentioned up yonder?

Yea... he's so ahhhh-mazing that he added me to his gym membership.

And since I'm not one who likes to waste money,

I have made dang sure that I'm taking advantage of that gift.

I have made an effort to go to the gym everyday.

Unless I'm sick (such as I am this week), or literally don't have time, I go to the gym.

Over Christmas break,

I went twice a day.

BOOM.

I am officially down 4 pant sizes!!

Maybe one of these days I'll get enough courage to post before and after pictures.

((However, I have lots of time before I've lost enough for that anyway.))

I just owe it all to the ahhhh-mazing man in my life.

He's the source of all my motivation and he pushes me to do my best.

Best thing?

He goes to the gym with me AND eats the same healthy dinners with me.

((most days... haha))

Have I mentioned how ahhhh-mazing he is?!?!

Fifth distraction:

The lovely thing that is distracting probably 90% of America.

Pinterest.

My source of all motivation, creativity, and inspiration.

Need motivation to workout? Check Pinterest.

I found tons of inspiring pictures as well as lots of workout ideas to keep things changing!!

Three Cheese Chicken Alfredo Bake

Need food ideas?

Now obviously this isn't the healthiest option :( but it looks and sounds flipping delicious!!

The boyfriend is planning on making some new purchases this spring to redo the living room so this is one of the ideas I have of sprucing up the space.

We've been talking about ways to fix up the house.

Obviously I've been hoarding ideas on here for awhile now.

His first question:

"How much will this cost me?"

Well lucky for you baby, I'm all about DIY and saving money!!

Not only do I have sources to get awesome curtains made,

I'm all about clearance and simplicity.

((Especially when there's a high probability of boys getting rowdy during a football game and breaking things...))

Found this one the other day.

I absolutely love it.

It's sorta becoming my mantra for the year.

I will be FIERCE this year!!

So between these 5 distractions + time with family and friends...

I've been pretty busy.

BUT.

I intend to step it up a little bit.

((It helps that I can kidnap the boyfriends computer occasionally since mine decided it needed to end its life... highly inconvenient))

It may be slow at first... but give me time..

I'm tryin!!

Promise!!

So until next time:

Peace out yos.