{Weigh-In Wednesday...What Am I doing Wrong?}

Link it up!  {Erin} & {Alex} host Weigh-In Wednesday each week.  Check them out and link up with all of the awesome ladies in our weight loss journey.

Another week down...not an effin' pound gone.  Grrrr!!  However, I am thankful it's not a pound(s) gained either.  What am I not doing correct?  Why can't a lose ONE. SINGLE. POUND?  What is wrong with me?  Am I not working hard enough?  I certainly feel like I am.  I've changed my eating habits, cut out soda, upped my exercise and what do I get in return?  A big fat NOTHING!  Pissed the eff off Discouraged is an understatement at this point.

Moving on to better news...I got my FitBit in the mail last Thursday.  I was beyond excited to see this little guy in my mailbox.  I tracked him all week while he made his journey to me.

Meet Fitty

I am hoping Fitty helps motivate me to get my steps in each day.  I am currently trying to see how many days in a row I can achieve 10K or more steps.  So far, I've had 2 straight days.  Today will be #3.

My job is very sedentary so I have to fit steps in when I can.  I walk at lunch and get to the gym 2-3 times per week.  When I'm not at the gym I pop in a DVD of sorts at home.

I tried a new smoothie recipe this weekend.  I've always read how spinach in your smoothies is super great for you.  And I like spinach, but in my smoothie?  Eeck! {So I thought}.  I mustered up the courage to add some spinach to my protein shake Sunday morning and this is what happened...

The Green Monster

Pure Green Goodness.  I LOVED IT!  COULD NOT, COULD NOT, COULD NOT taste the spinach.  Seriously, I would not lie.  I got a serving of veggies and fruit all in one drink and stayed very satisfied through lunch.  I'm thinking this will be my go-to breakfast smoothie on the weekends.

Green Monster
8 oz. Almond Milk
1 scoop Simply Right 100% Whey Protein powder
1 serving Strawberry, Pineapple, Peach frozen fruit medly
Fill to the top of blender with spinach

Any advice you awesome ladies have for me is greatly appreciated!  Have a fabulous Hump Day!!

{Thirsty Thursday...I NEEEEED WINE}

It is only shortly after lunch that am currently writing this short little post and I am hoping/wishing/bobbing-my-head-like-a-genie for 5:00PM cause I'm certain it's the weekend (slight run on sentence, maybe?).  Oh wait...it's only THURSDAY?!?!  Are you effin' kidding???  I could have sworn I've already worked my 40 hours plus some this week.

Today calls for one of these.  Although, mine would probably say, "Don't Ask, Just Pour!"

On top of my "fabulous" week, my weight loss has become non-existent.  I really want to crawl in a hole where I can be a super fatty and not care.  BUT...I must do this for myself.  I must do this for my daughter.  I MUST DO THIS!  

At least I managed to drink 4 of these bad boys yesterday...

Pretty sure that's a half gallon.  Yes, I peed every 30 minutes.  Yes, it was irritating.  Have I accomplished it again today...No.  But I'm almost there!!

On a brighter note I am getting my "hair did" tonight.  That always makes a girl feel better.  Bye Bye roots!!  

Holla!!

{25 Things You Should Know About Me}

1. I adore dark chocolate dipped in peanut butter.  {Try it...it is OMG GOOD!}
2. My mother named me after a soap opera character. {Lauren from The Young & The Restless}
3. I've changed my major a bazillion times & have enough college credits to technically have a degree.  {I should finish that up...note to self}
4. My eye color changes from green to blue depending on what I am wearing.
5. The ASPCA commercials make me cry EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.  {I am convinced I need a farm to house those beautiful creatures.}
6. I am a makeup/skincare whore.  {Love my MARY KAY}
7. I use a coupon ALMOST everywhere I go.
8. No matter how many times I go to the store, even WITH a list, I forget something.  {I will contribute this to my non-medicated ADD}
9. I CANNOT CANNOT CANNOT ride in a vehicle without music.  {If there ain't tunes, this hooker ain't ridin'!}
10. When giving directions somewhere I am rarely good with road numbers...but I can always seem to fit food joints in there somewhere.  I.E, You know, the exit with Chic-fil-A.  {Inner Fat Girl, again!}
11. I do not have that one show that I have to sit and watch every week.  
12. However, I do LURVE reality TV.  {Trashy skanks and rich bitches...sign me up!}
13. Whenever we go on vacation I have to drive.  {It's a control thing}
14. I feel the need to plan everything.  {But can procrastinate with the best of 'em}
15. I'm not good at "being a team player" because I'd rather just do it myself.  {It's an only child/brat thing}
16. One of my biggest pet peeves is when a waiter/waitress collects my bill and asks if I need change.  {Their tip drops instantly.  Former Hooter girl rule}
17. I have a Pinterest addiction.  
18. Dirty Dancing is my all time favorite movie.  {Top Gun is my 2nd fav}
19. Second biggest pet peeve...knowing your grammar.  I HATE when people confuse their, there, and they're.  {Seriously, I cringe.  Pretty sure that was covered in 3rd grade}
20. I feel naked without earrings.
21. I have a serious led foot.  {The long skinny pedal on the right is my friend}
22. I pray everyday that my daughter and I become as close as my mama and I.  {Love my babygirl...and my Mama too!}
23. I Google EVERYTHING.  {Wish I got paid for each search, I'd be a rich Mama}
24. I am quick to jump to conclusions and play out the worse possible scenario in my head.
25. I have 2 tattoos.

{Weigh In Wednesday & My Inner Fat Girl}

I have become a follower...of {Erin} & {Alex}, that is!  I am linking up these awesome ladies and becoming more accountable for my actions each week.  I am trying my mother effing damndest hardest to get these pounds OFF!  I used to be a skinny girl; pre baby (who is no longer a baby), pre {stupid thyroid problem}, and pre being ALMOST 30....eeeeekkkkkk!!!  So, I know she is in there SOMEFREAKINWHERE!!!  

I will admit, my weight was up a pound this morning which blows big fat balls is very discouraging.  Then, my inner fat girl decided to show up juuuuuuuust in time for lunch and CRAVE Mexican.  I hate her.  So, Mexican she had!  Efff!!  Really??

I've decided not to blow my WHOLE day and will be sweating my A$$ off at the gym tonight.  This has to get easier.  PleaseForTheLoveOfGod let this get easier.

{Tasty Tuesday :: Crockpot Potato Soup}

Surprise, surprise...another {Pinterest} recipe.  Recipe adapted from {here}.


Ingredients:
1 30 oz. bag of frozen, shredded hash browns
3 14oz. cans of fat free chicken broth {I used Fit & Active from Aldi}
1 can cream of chicken soup {I used the lite version}
1/2 cup onion {I used Tastefully Simple Onion Onion...and I didn't really measure}
1/4 tsp ground pepper
1 pkg 1/3 less fat cream cheese {Don't use fat free...it WILL NOT melt!}

Directions:
In a crockpot, combine everything EXCEPT the cream cheese.  Cook for 6-8 hours on low heat.  About 1 hour before serving, add cream cheese, while still heating, until thoroughly metlted.  Serve with cheese, sour cream, bacon bits, green onions, etc.

This makes a large crockpot full of soup.  I tried to calculate the calories through {MyFitnessPal} and ended up with 138 calories for a cup.  I'm not sure this is exactly right, but it can't be too incredibly bad.  Watch out for the toppings...that's where the calories sneak up on ya!

{Quickest post EVER!}

True DAT!!

What a day.  Sweet Jesus....Bring on 5 o'clock!!  That is all =)  Happy weekend yall!

{Tasty Tuesday :: Jalapeno Popper Chicken Chili Soup}

I LOOOOVE Pinterest.  It's like crack for me for some unexplained reason.  I plan to search for ONE LITTLE THING and the next thing I know it's 2 hours later...Ooooppps!

This is probably so stinkin' true.  Oh well, until then I'm gonna pin my little heart out =)

I've found some awesome recipes on Pinterest.  AND I've found some that absolutely BA-LOW.  The picture entices me as it looks all delicious so of course I am expecting a mouth watering dinner...and then I take a bite.  Womp, Womp!!  Good example of 'can't judge a book by it's cover'.

Anyway, I was surfing Pinterest a few weeks back and found this recipe.  I love anything Mexican-ish, so I pinned it, printed it, and gave it a whirl.  I changed up a few small details but nothing big.  My end result was AH-Mazing!!  So without further adieu....

Jalapeno Popper Chicken Chili Soup - Long name...good eats

Ingredients:

• Olive oil, for sauteing
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 3 jalapeno peppers, diced, de-seeded (Leave the seeds if you like to sweat)
• 1 Tbs mined garlic
• Salt & pepper
• Tastefully Simple Fiesta Dip seasoning (You can use any spicy seasoning here)
• 1 & 1/4 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts - cut into bite sized pieces
• 1 can seasoned Black Beans
• 1 cup corn
• 1 can Rotel
• 1 1/2 cups reduced fat chicken broth
• 8 oz 1/3 Less Fat Cream Cheese
• Monterrey Jack Cheese - shredded for topping

Instructions

• In a large saucepan heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat and saute onion, both types of peppers and garlic until soft and tender.
• Season the chicken well with salt & pepper and TS Fiesta Dip.  Add another tablespoon of oil to the pan with the chicken and lightly brown chicken on all sides.
• Add Rotel, chicken broth, beans and corn.  Bring to a simmer and cook 30 minutes.  Taste and season as needed.
• Add cream cheese and stir until completely melted.  Remove from heat.
• Serve with shredded cheese sprinkled over top.
• 
  

I cooked this the night before eating and let it cool completely before placing it in the fridge.  Reheated the next day.  It was great!  I believe this actually gets better the longer it sits.

Have any favorite Pinterest finds?  I wanna know!!

{Fab Ab February}

Happy February 1st!!  Today starts Fab Ab February!  I am excited to start something new.  I started at the gym again in January.  Although I am not really seeing any results in the weight department, I am still going.  I know I have to put forth extra effort since the cards are not in my favor.  So, I am!  I am trying everything I know to try that is NATURAL.  No diet pills & no gimmicks...just hard work.  And believe me eating right, hitting the gym { when you would much rather hit the couch}, and counting calories is HARD WORK.  But with time it becomes much easier.  I am still trying to train my body not to crave crap {ie, soft drinks, chocolate, french fries, etc.}.  And I KNOW I CAN DO THIS.

I will update half way through the month with my progress.  I may or may not take pictures...I haven't really decided.  I just know I have to work hard, put forth effort and never forget that I am a

Join me in the February challenge??