Happy Hallo-Weigh Day Wednesday

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Even though I won't be doing anything special to celebrate tonight....I'll probably be sitting on the couch watching American Horror Story since that's about as scary as I can handle and we live on an unlit street with exactly 1 other house on I doubt any parents will be sending their goblins my way.... I love Halloween!  I love seeing the kids all dressed up and getting to give them insane amounts of sugar and turning them loose on their parents... I'm sure I will get my payback someday.  I always want to get into the spirit, thinking that this is the year I try a haunted something or another again after peeing my pants in a haunted corn maze a few years back.... for real or I think I can handle watching scary movies and then sleep with the lights on for days.  And then my motivation fizzles by the week of....  I've come to realize my main excitment of Halloween is that this is the beginning of the homestretch to the best time of the year..... CHRISTMAS!!!

In honor of the spirit of the day and oversharing, I figured I would divulge my biggest Halloween memory, don't worry it's not that scary.....  On a special Halloween night in high school, my boyfriend took me on one of the best dates ever, a showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show at a local theatre... let's just say I was in LOVE!!  The costumes, the inappropirate-ness and sleeze, the music, the screaming and throwing things at the screen.... it was amazing!!  I loved every second of it... so much so, that I returned the favor with the one thing I really had to offer a boy.... YEP, I gave it up in exchange for the Sweet Transvestite from Sensational Transylvania... totally worth it!  To this day, I still love Rocky Horror and would love to get all slutted up and participate in a show!  Maybe next year.  I watch it every year and laugh about the memory.   I will always be grateful that getting dirty got better to him for exposing me to such trash.... even though he eventually decided that smoking pot was cooler than dating me.... I guess I was lacking my mad skills back then.

I mean, how could you not love an transvestite making his own sex slave and corrupting sweet Susan Surandon all with alien side kicks?!?  

plus check out those bad ass legs!!

Moving on to weighing in.  This was the week I promised myself I would hit the official 50lb mark.... instead, I seem to have hit a plateau.  I first weighed in up 1lb and was ready to make some pancakes pissed... so I waited about 30 minutes and tried again, there had to be a serious 3lb mistake on the scales part. The re-do had me at the exact same weight as last week... I can't be too mad, it was my fault.  I did pretty good on my eating and still need to up the water, but I have gotten lazy with my workouts.  I still haven't gotten back into Jillian, but today it is on..... that bitch gets results. Plus, I have to get regular about my runs again, even if they are short ones.  So hopefully next week will be better. 

Tomorrow, I have a small bit of exciting-ness to share with you guys so be sure to check in!  

Have a fun and safe Halloween everyone!!

A Case of the Mondays

I definitely had the Mondays today, and I didn't even have to be at work today.  I did, however, have to get my grumpy bear out of bed this morning.  Along with Ryan's new job, comes the responsibility of having to open the store during the week at 6:30 am, and he is definitely NOT a morning person,  which means at our house alarm clocks start going off at 5:30.  We have a real alarm set to play awful 50s music, his phone, and my phone all going off every 5-10 minutes until he finally gets up with just enough time to shower, brush his teeth, throw on some clothes, and rush out the door.  Luckily we maybe live 5 minutes from the store.  Throw into the mix that neither one of us are particularly chipper in the mornings and top it with the first cold morning of the year ( it was 39 when he left)  and my love for open windows and you have a very ill morning.

Needless to say, my day didn't get off to a great start.  Instead of staying up and starting on my list of stuff that I had planned, I grabbed the dogs and had a snuggle fest in the bed, under the sheets, where they are not supposed to be and went back to sleep til oh about 10:30... fine 11:30.  So I had already wasted half of my day before it even got started.... BOO!  Luckily, I have snapped out of it.  It's a nice and chilly beautiful fall day, I'm trying out a new recipe that I stole from a friend, started my 10k training, and will catch up on housework eventually.  I even convinced myself that I am still on board for marriage!!!

 I kid, I have never doubted my engagement for one second, despite cranky mornings.

So I had a great weekend!!  I have talked before about wanting to create a new social circle in our new town since we plan on staying here for a while, so Saturday, I hosted my first dinner party!  Once I realized everyone just couldn't find my house and hadn't stood me up, it was so much fun!  We had a taco night, I made Halloween treats, and we carved pumpkins while gossiping about the people at work not cool enough to get invited, very high school, but true.  I had such a great time and I can't wait to do it again.

our pumpkins!! well minus 1, one girl was a little too advanced to put ours beside hers

TREATS!! Chocolate dipped apples, oreo truffles, and vampire bites! Thanks Pinterest

 This is how Ali treats new guests, everyone is forced to love her

So, after definitely eating too many of those yummy treats, today was the day I get back into serious weight loss mode.  I think that I let myself get lax because I have come so far and I do look and feel so much better, but then I remember that I still have even further to go!!!  I have tracked everything in MFP, and plan to keep up with my workouts even if I'm lazy!

I started my 10k training today.  I'm using the Hal Higdon plan rather than an app on my phone... just for shits and giggles, no real reason.  Today was supposed to be a stretch and strength day, but because I had already gotten excited about running today..... for reals, kinda sad, but true.... and I still can't bring myself to face Jillian again, I swapped it up.  The wild and crazy rebel I am did tomorrow's run today, and I will do my Jillian time tomorrow.  So how was my run?  Different.... it was only about 50 degrees out which is about 20 cooler than when I normally run which meant I had to get used to a couple of things, namely running in more clothes and breathing in chilly air.  But I loved it!!!  There were some times where I was hot and wanted to strip off my long sleeves, but then the wind would pick up and I would be freezing.  I even decided to push an extra half mile and ran 3 miles instead of 2.5.  I always feel amazing after I run, I'm not sure that it is that elusive runner's high yet, but I just feel great and I'm off to tackle the world... or at least laundry mountain.

almost home!  the trees are starting to get pretty!

tried on bridesmaid dresses for a friend, this one is a 16!!!!

I hope y'all had a great weekend!!

Friday Fun-Day.... or just a regular day

YAY IT'S FRIDAY!!  Which for you regularly scheduled working folks, means PART-AY!!  For me, it's usually just another day, but this Friday is PAY DAY!!!!  So I get to make the house payment and do a very small amount of shopping for vital supplies!!  We are trying to get on a stricter (more strict??) budget, which means less fun mindless spending, and more saving.... weddings are EXPENSIVE y'all, even not very big ones, like ours!!  Plus with Christmas just around the corner, every dollar counts!!

So, basically, this is just my random thought dumping for the day... enjoy!!

This weekend I am working on my "get social" goal and hosting what was going to be a dinner... Thanks Alabama homecoming, at my house.  It's going to be fun!  A few girls from work are coming over and I am making tacos and we are going to carve pumpkins and maybe watch a Halloween movie.  I'm even going to make a few Halloween treats that I saw on Pinterest to show how domestic I am!!  So, wish me luck on not running of my attempt at new friends with my potty mouth, jumping dogs, and getting day wasted while hyped on SUGAR while quoting Honey Boo Boo and Mean Girls.... good times to be had!

Today I signed up for Pile On The Miles with my new best friend and blogging mentor, Keyona @ Skinny and Delicious ( I know if y'all read my blog you already read hers because she is that freakin cool).  Basically, you set a goal for yourself to run X amount of miles in November and you track it each week.  There are awesome drawings that you will be entered in and a great way to stay off those holiday pounds!  So check it out!  Registration goes through October 31st!!

My dad has returned my 30 Shred DVD that I had conveniently lost at their house last weekend, and even remembered to bring my weights back too... which means no more excuses, I have to make 20 minutes for that bitch today.  I just have to remember the results I am getting, but I still hate her sooo much.

Well, I guess I better get back to taking care of my ill ass kinda sick fiance... poor,wing.  You'd think being a nurse I would be better at taking care of loved ones when they don't feel good, but I'm just not.

Happy Friday you guys!!  I hope y'all have exciting weekends!!

~ love, jenn

An Award For ME?

So I have been nominated for the Liebster award a few times now and I figured it's time I get on it!! Thanks to Stephanie, Patricia, and Nikki for making me feel like a cool kid!!

 

So this is how it works, kids.....

~ If you were nominated, post 11 things about yourselves.
~ Then answer the 11 questions the person who nominated you created.
~ Create 11 more questions to ask the bloggers you decided to nominate.
~ Choose 11 bloggers to nominate with less than 200 followers.
~ Make sure and let these people know you nominated them! No tag backs, so don't nominate   someone who nominated you. 

11 Things About Me

 ~ I am TERRIFIED of snakes.... and not just normal scared, like to the point of irrational.. it has held me back from lots of things I'd like to do.  I was even trapped in a snake filled gym by some 2nd graders when I was in middle school... I think that's when I got mean. 

~ My original life goal was to work with elephants in Africa.  I think they are AMAZING creatures and are by far my favorite animal.  I get teary eyed when I see them, and I can't wait to see them in real life someday.  Ryan even incorporated my love for elephants into his proposal!

~My dad had a kidney transplant last year, thanks to his wonderful sister. and he is part of why I became a nurse.  

~I love cake decorating, but I don't really do it anymore.  It was something me and my mom did together and since we live so far apart now, something just isn't the same.

~Christmas is my absolute favorite time of the year!!!  I love every single thing about it and am SO FREAKING EXCITED that it's almost time!!  I can't wait to get my tree out and decorate MY house for the first time!  Growing up, our tree was usually up by Halloween (my mom is an event planner so the holidays are her busy time, so if it wasn't up by then, it wasn't happening) and it is taking a lot not to drag that bad boy in right now!

~I am starting grad school next fall!!  I love nursing, but I think I like the science behind it more than the bedside care part of it, so I am going back for my Nurse Practioner Degree!  Hopefully, I can get a job with transplant services and work with families going through what mine did!

~ I can't stand ranch dressing... it literally disgusts me!  I think a significant part of what keeps Ryan and me together is our mutual hate of ranch.... that, and our amazing saracasm and witt :) he completes me... haha

~ I do NOT believe in TMI!  please tell me any disgusting or dirty story that you have to share, and I'm more than willing to give it right back..... I have no filter. 

~Ryan is a big geek/gamer and I pretend that it bothers me, but I secretly like it.  I have always had a thing for the nerdy guys.  Plus, there are way worse things he could be out there doing other than playing x-box or warcraft... plus he can always fix my techie challenges :)

~Fresh sheets and freshly shaved legs = Heaven!!

~I love boy names for girls!!  I fully intended to name my first born daughter Ryan.... until I decided to marry a Ryan.  Now I can't wait on little Logan to be born in like 3-4 years so I can be the most bad ass dance mom EVER and throw the best birthday parties, and make the cutest outfits, and single handedly keep Etsy running!!  or I'll have a boy, and be completely 

11 Questions I Answer (since I had 3 nominations, I'll do a combo of their questions)

1. If you could spend one hour with any other deceased human being, who would you choose?
     I would want to see my Grandma again, and tell her all the things I should have while she was alive.  Losing her has changed me alot... for the better, and I'd love to tell her that.
2. If you could travel anywhere, free of charge, where would it be?
     Thailand or Africa..... elephants, duh!!!!  and sadly... snakes :( but I'd totally wear my big girl panties and suck it up!
3. What song makes you cry?
     You'll Be In My Heart, by Phil Collins from the Tarzan soundtrack.... LOL! It's me and my mom's song, it started as a joke, but as I got older it means more. Several country songs get me  too
4. If you could play a musical instrument, what would it be?
    Guitar.... duh!
5. Have you ever broken a bone?
    Yep!  like 4 of my toes.  Once while I was getting out of bed in the middle of the night to pee.... my leg was asleep and as soon as I stood up, I fell straight down.  This was the night before cheerleading tryouts so I had to tumble with freshly broken toes :(  another time I broke them was from tripping over the vacuum ... I am that coordinated.  And my right pinky is crooked to this day from me and my sister playing Dirty Dancing as kids..... we were determined to hit that lift!
6. Do you like to run?
     I do actually!  I never thought that I would, but I'm growing to love it!  I feel my body getting stronger by doing it, and it's the best workout for me weight loss wise.  Plus I love the me time!
7. Growing up what was your favorite TV show?
    I was a TGIF girl!!  I remember every Friday night me and my sister would do crafts and watch all the greats..... Boy Meets World, Step by Step, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Full House, and we always had frozen pizza for dinner.
8. What kind of car do you drive?
    I drive a 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe that I got after totaling my 2006 Huyndai Santa Fe just 1 year shy of paying it off :(. 
9. Do you have any pets? Tell us about them.
    If you have ever read my blog you know I have 2 fur babies.  Ali, is our oldest.  We got her right after we got our first place.... we were 3 hours from home and had no friends, so basically she is our baby.  She is a complete daddy's girl and loves being rocked to sleep even though she weighs about 60lbs.  She's a yellow dog... we aren't really sure what she is, we thought she was a golden retriever until we saw her next to one.... definitely not.  We got Brick about a year later on our 6 year anniversary, because "Ali doesn't love me so I don't have a dog".  He is 100% mama's boy and I love him more than carbs!  He is a German Shepherd and will do anything for a tennis ball and snuggles.
10. Last thing you drank?
   Pumpkin Spice coffee with Pumpkin Spice creamer!
11. If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you'd do?
     Get up and dance out of my job, abandoning all of my patients and co-workers yelling EFF THIS as I skipped out the door. Not really.... I wish.  I would probably be responsible with it... pay off my student loans, car, and house; make sure my family and friends were set, do some traveling, who knows what else.  I've never really been one to want extremely extravagant stuff, so I'd probably be a pretty boring lottery winner.

Well now that you know more about me than you probably EVER wanted to, here is who I nominate to overshare next!

Annie @ Crazy/Simple Mama
Brandi @ Finding The Healthy Within
Julie @ Mom Taxi Julie
Lauren @ Misson: Skinny Jeans
Samantha @ Samantha Griffin
Brittany @ The Bucher's
Erin @ Shesabigstar
Jenn @ Thin Again Jenn
Tiffani @ Thoughts From Tiffani
Paige @ Weighting for It To Happen
Keyona @ Skinny And Delicious

Here are you're questions!!

1.  What is one of your life goals?
2.  What is your go to get pumped up song?
3.  Who is your greatest role model?
4.  Most embarrassing moment?
5.  If you could be anything, what would you be?
6.  What is your favorite animal?
7.  Are you a clothes, hair, or makeup girl?
8.  What is your favorite movie genre?
9. What is your favorite Guilty pleasure?
10.  Who is your Celebrity crush?
11.  Who/What is your Biggest inspiration?

Don't feel bad if you don't want to participate, I know it's long and a lot of effort, haha, but I will say it was pretty fun!!

So, there ya have it.... I finished!!  Thanks for hanging in there, I know that was a long one!!!  And just because what is a blog post without a picture, here is a glimpse of my life last night.

 NOT CHICKEN for dinner!  It was scrumptious!

 The babies watching us watch the cars

They were doing the Conga!  Sorry, it's blurry :)

If someone could explain to me how to make a signature that would be great, but for now.....

Love, Jenn!

Weigh Day Wednesday!

I guess since I'm back on track, I need to get back on track with my weekly weigh in posts... so here it goes.....

0.4 lbs lost

Yep, that's it.  Well, technically I lost 4.4 lbs, but since I had a 4lb gain last week (period, crap eating, laziness)... even though I said I wasn't going to even step on the scale.... my grand total is 0.4.

Don't get me wrong, I am really happy about this loss.  I busted my ass this week.  I ran 4 times for a total of  about 12 miles, conquered my first 5k, got back on the good eating train with only 1-2 bad meals, and bought my first pair of skinny jeans.  All in all, a great week!  I am 2.2 lbs away from being down 50 lbs, and I think next week just may be the week!!

Just a reminder of what I am NEVER going back to!  These were taken last year for 80s Halloween night.  Aren't my friends GORGEOUS?!?!  skinny bitches... lol.  sorry about the poor quality... as you can tell from our wine glasses, we had other priorities.

So, I think Monday, will start my official 10k training.  Not that I am in a huge rush to run one... someday.  It is more so that I can push myself to get past my 3.2-3.4 mile mark.  I still can't believe that I am able to push my body to run that far.... even if I am wayyyy slow.  So, I figure using a training program will help me push myself harder.  Today's run was a good one though.  After my hilly 5k I decided maybe it's time to conquer the fear of hills, so I ran the whole trail with about 4 hills 2 of which are pretty steep instead of my comfortable loop with the 1 hill.  I'm not going to lie, it was tough and I wanted to stop about 5 different times, but I kept going.  I ran the scary side twice and my easy flat side once  for a total of 3.2 miles and only about 3 minutes slower than in my 5k.  All in all, not a bad run!

So, I am officially off work for 8 days!!  This is my favorite part of the month and the only redeeming quality to working night shift.  I am really hoping to get my house clean, my craft room set up and functioning, and to try some new recipes that I will hopefully be sharing with you guys, in addition to my runs and being reunited with Jillian- my dad found my DVD :(   Most importantly, I will be catching up on my DVR which is filled with 2 weeks worth of treasures... The Voice, Once Upon A Time, Sons of Anarchy, American Horror Story, Revenge, Nashville (my new favorite), Walking Dead, Modern Family.... who knows what countless treasures I have managed to record!  

I hope y'all have a great HUMP DAY... make it count :)  I'll keep you posted on all the awesomeness that is going on over here.  And if you feel like seeing lots of duplicate photos plus more.... follow me on Instagram @ jenlynn426  I'm getting more comfortable with pictures and I love random stuff so I'm getting better at it :)  and I want to follow you too!  So comment me your user name so I can blow ya up!!

love, Jenn

First 5k & Weekend Fun!

Okay, so Saturday was my first 5k and it was AMAZING!!  It was such an all around positive experience, and I am so glad that I crossed this off my bucket list!!  This was, hopefully, the first of  many to come, and I will never forget it!  The only negative was that my shirt was a size small and when I asked to swap it, they said all they had left were smalls.... why did they ask me what size I wanted when I registered then?  Oh well, maybe I can wear it next year!!

This 5k was the Liz Hurley Ribbon Run supporting breast cancer.  There were over 5,000 people running in this event and included any person you could imagine... women, men, survivors, kids, big, thin, all coming together to support a fantastic cause.  All money raised went to help by equipment to help provide the earliest detection possible!

It was a beautiful day with temps in the 50s and sunny skies and I actually wasn't as nervous as I thought I would be.  I ran with my best friend ever, Christina, who had actually done a race before, so that came in handy.  Parking was a NIGHTMARE and we had to cross a major road to get to the race area, and as we were about to step into the street, I tripped and fell for all the passing cars to see.  Luckily, I managed to only scrape my knee.... it wouldn't have been a true Jenn experience if I hadn't busted my ass at some point.

at the starting line!!

As for the race itself.... holy HILLS!!!  I was expecting one or two, but it seemed like the whole race was uphill!  We started up front to avoid the stop and go and before I knew it the first mile was over in 10:45!!  A full minute faster than my fastest mile... I kinda knew I was in trouble then.  I did have to take a couple of breaks to walk, never for more than a minute or so, and I was beating myself up over it on the inside.  I crossed the finish line at 38:30, my fastest time ever!!  It felt beyond amazing, I felt like I could do anything, and if I had been able to breathe easily, I might would have cried.  It was such a special thing to be sharing with my best friend, 5,000 strangers, and all the people cheering us on.  I can't wait to do it again... in December!!!  We already signed up to do the Rudolph Run and are working on snazzy costumes!!  If you just so happen to be in the Alabama area yeah right come by and join me for the best feeling ever..... almost.

 After!  idk what my face is about!!

And what better way to celebrate your first 5k than with MIMOSAS!!!

This weekend, I also learned that I REALLY need to work on my sex appeal.........

I sent Ryan this picture, with a text saying "this is your birthday lingerie, ENJOY!!"  to which he replied, "LOL, that's foxy!  It's really cute, did you buy it?"  Ummm NO!  It was supposed to be a joke!!  So, I have decided to definitely invest in some slut wear no matter how self conscious I may be.  Sexy has NEVER been my thing... cute and goofy/awkward.... maybe.  Fake it til you make it, right??

 Fox and Shark = BFF!!

We were pretty sure we heard them calling security to come remove us from the dressing rooms

Yesterday was Ryan's 27th birthday, and the 8th that we have spent together!  Since we both had to work yesterday, I decided to make him a big birthday breakfast before I went to bed.  Don't worry, he didn't eat the whole thing, and I had a VERY modified version.

 A rare picture of us.... taken back in 2010 :)

So, that was basically my weekend.  I went back to work last night and I just have to make it until Wednesday morning and then I am off for 8 glorious days that I am hoping to fill with cleaning, organizing, and countless projects!  I hope y'all had a great weekend!!!

Love, Jenn!

it's 5k EVE!!!

Hey y'all!!

I hope everyone has had an amazing week!!  I love coming home to visit my parents, it's like a little mini vacation.  I don't have to cook or clean, I usually get presents, and I am basically the center of attention.... DREAM :)  While all that is great, I really do love getting to spend time with my parents and sister, sometimes living a few hours away is hard.  We have always been a super close family and I really miss the day to day stuff, just laughing, talking, watching tv, making fun of each other..... it's the tits :)  So heading home tomorrow will be bitter sweet, but I do miss my pups and man!!

So, I am back in the game officially as of today!!  Last weekend I fell completely off the bandwagon with eating and working out, and this week was only slightly better.  I only did the shred once and today was my first run since Sunday, and eating, let's just say I ate.  So, I stepped on the scale today and was up 4.4 lbs.... boo!  I know I can't really blame it on my period since I have not gained once during my time of the month since starting this journey.  I know some of it is water weight, but I guess alot of it has to do with the return of fatty mcfat-ass.  It was exactly what I needed!  I started today like it was the beginning again, and very highly motivated!  My wedding is in just over a year and I can't lose focus on the prize!  While this change is NOT about my wedding day, it's what I think about when I start to lose focus.  So keep me accountable! and by the end of October I WILL officially down 50lbs, guaranteed!

Tomorrow is my first 5k!!!  I am pretty excited and nervous, especially after I have bombed the past week, but I know it's going to be great no matter what!  I am doing it with my best friend, Christina, who I don't get to see as much as I'd like to... which is basically every day, and it is for a great cause!  I can't wait to meet some amazing breast cancer survivors, run my heart out, and, of course, get my free t-shirt.... not gonna lie, I am rediculously pumped about the shirt!!  I hope this is only the beginning of my running journey and I can't wait to share the aftermath with you guys!!

Wrapping it up, I promise... I went to Kohl's  yesterday and got a great jacket and a great pair of ankle boots after realizing my calves are still too fat for real boots for $43!!!  Thank you, Kohl's cash and amazing sales!!  Then my Grandma gave me her kohl's cash, so I already have $10 off my next purchase!  I just had to share with you guys!!  I love Kohls, it is probably my favorite place to shop.... even though I don't shop all that much for now!

please excuse the crummy pic, I had been up for like 24 hours straight and had 4 day hair... yikes!

 

I'll let y'all know how the run goes!  Also, tomorrow is Ryan's birthday dinner, he's going to be the the big 27!  He hasn't decided where he wants to go yet, but please send me all of your willpower, I'll probably need it :)

 

I hope everyone has a great weekend, can't wait to stalk read about them!

 

~jenn

Where Did The Weekend Go?!?

What did you guys do this weekend?  

Well if you are anything like me, it wasn't anything too exciting, but I had a pretty great weekend all the same.... aside from eating like I used to for 2.5 days and paying the price with headaches, being bloated, tired, and ill.   When will I ever learn?!?  It still tastes good, though.  I read all kinds of things about women saying that the junk doesn't even taste good to them anymore, where can I get some of that?!?  I agree that it isn't worth it after the fact, but as it's being shoved down my face it is delicious and my mouth is a happy girl.

Back to the weekend.  As I mentioned last post, we were prepping for our first ever yard sale on Saturday.  Well, as I pulled into my driveway after work Friday morning a couple of cars followed me.  Which is odd, since there are only 2 houses on my street that are lived in.  So I get out of the car and am asked if this is where the yard sale is.  I immediately begin to panic about what I wrote on the signs.  I run and open the garage and let people start digging, even though I had planned on it  being set up like a fancy boutique.   I finally got the nerve to ask a lady if the sign said Friday, and she said "no, Friday is just a good yard sale day"  So, that is Alabama for ya.  But if you want to come buy my shit, I am more than happy to oblige.  After being up for nearly 24 hours and making $130 I crashed!

Saturday was even better!  I had completely envisioned us sitting outside with our crap all day and then finally giving up and dragging it all to good will.  But we sold EVERYTHING with the exception of alot of my books and clothes which I boxed up and put in the attic for our spring sale that we are totally having!  Our grand total was just over $400, I was floored!  I am going ASAP to put it in the Wedding/Honeymoon fund (my savings account).  That is going to cover some good times in DC!

Also, this weekend.  I discovered Google talk, which let me talk to my e-mail/blog buddy, Keyona ,in real time!!!!  It was fantastic, and I realized that we are soul mates and we can't live in the same state because that much awesome in one place would cause chaos!  So, big thanks to her husband for setting that up!

So, today I am back on track.  Over the weekend I consumed countless garbage including a Wendy's burger, and Domino's Pizza and cheesebread.  I haven't done the Shred since my remote was eaten, and yesterday I was only able to run 1 whopping mile before I had to get home to hit the toilet.  My goals for the week are:

~Track on MFP.  I had tracked for like 60 days straight until I missed Saturday and Sunday.  Plus, tracking makes me really think before I eat.

~Get in my water!!  

~ I will do the Shred Tuesday and Wednesday morning (at least) and then run Thursday, Friday, and of course my 5k on Saturday!!

~ I am not weighing in this week.  I know it's not going to be pretty and I am not hitting my 50lb mark this week so why even let myself go there with feeling bad about myself.

My biggest goal this week is to think of something fun for Ryan's birthday... which is Sunday.  We both have to work so I am going to have to think of something for Saturday night!!!

I saw this on the Internet the other day, and I laughed so hard.... like, inappropriately.  It combines 2 of my favorite things!  So I knew you guys would appreciate it..... maybe. 

Yes, I know honey boo boo and her family are a horrible train wreck, but I can't help it, I love it... don't judge.  And if you haven't watched the honey badger video, please do so, also hilarious, at least if you have the sense of humor of a 12 year old boy, like me :)

 I jumped on the Instagram bandwagon a few weeks ago and am addicted.... I'm just so nosey, I love seeing what other people are up to!  So I need more people to stalk follow.  leave me your user name if you don't mind!  You can follow me at jenlynn426.

Well, I'm off to bed so I can get my work week started tonight.... boo!  I hope you all had a great weekend!

Much Love,

Jenn

Weighing In (plus a bonus rant)

It seems like Wednesdays are coming faster and faster, probably because it's my favorite time of the year!!!!! I love fall and winter and all that comes along with it!  So I was down exactly 1 pound yesterday... I'll take it!  That puts me at 225.6 (eeeekkkk) which is 47.4 lbs (and yes I had to use a calculator)!!  Which means I have to buckle down and get my ass in gear if I'm going to reach my 10lb/month goal for October since this is probably the last month I could hit it.  I know I can't lose 10lbs a month forever, but hey a girl can dream.  So next week, I need to lose 2.6lbs..... we shall see :)

Okay... mini rant.  Do you guys have that one person at work that is just odd... perfectly nice, but maybe talks to themselves about their cats in a normal conversational tone/volume, or asks you questions and then freaks out on you shouting "nevermind",  or talks to you like they think you are stupid???  Yeah...... I got to be partners with that guy last night... let's just say, longest 12 hours ever!!!!!  Maybe not ever, but my anxiety level was up... and that's a lot from this girl.

these thoughts were basically on my mind all night..... what would we do without e-cards?!??!

Now, on to my big rant for the morning.... Halloween costumes.  You might be curious as to how someone could have beef with something so fun.  This is my beef.... WHY ARE ALL COSTUMES FOR ADULTS SLUTTY?!?!? I am looking for a nice, cute, PG Halloween costume to wear to a friend's house to help pass out candy to small children who do not need to learn what a vagina is from my Little Red Riding Hood costume!  ALSO,  I know I have come a long way on my journey to sexy bitch/hooker/future soccer mom-dom but I am still plus sized and these costumes should NEVER have the word plus in front of them.  No offense to the ladies who like to flaunt what they've got.... truly.  So, I am back at square one... no Halloween costume and being faced with the idea of getting some kind of animal ears,  cut up a sweatshirt flashdance style, some leggings, and making a TY tag necklace and calling myself a beanie baby.... beyond sad, I know.  So.... please please please someone have an amazing costume idea to share with me!!!  For the record, next Halloween I WILL be rocking something distastefully slutty!

I don't remember these hookers in Disney World!

I don't want to end on a negative note, so, I am always envious of people's awesome food posts.  And while this is by no means earth shattering, it's my go to breakfast and I loves it!!!  It's just one serving of quick cook oats, mix in 1 tsp brown sugar, and sprinkled with cinnamon!  It is yummy and filling and keeps me full til lunch and only has 195 calories.  I had tried the Weight Control brand before and it didn't seem like near as much food for only a few less calories.  Plus it's a 5 minute breakfast that I can scarf down before my workouts with Jillian and still usually make it to bed by 9am!

please excuse the shitty quality, I am hoping for a real camera from Santa!

Talk to you amazing chickies soon!!

love, jenn

PS  if anyone knows how to make the cute little signatures like I see on so many blogs,  help a tech challenged gal out and tell me how, I want to be cool too :)

PPS.  I know my grammar sucks ass.  I'm pretty sure I lost all grammatical knowledge while making room for my mad life-saving/starting an IV in 1 stick skills.  I'm sorry..... not really :)

Tuesday Tidbits

Wow..... I am probably the most boring 25 year old in the history of 25 year olds!  I'm at that awkward life stage I guess where I don't have the mini me(s)  yet but I'm not the wild and crazy single gal either since being wild and crazy often requires money.... BOO.  I have been thinking all day of something to write for you guys today and I got nothing.  So here is what I can scrape up for you awesome peeps as a blog post... sorry if I put you to sleep while sitting at the computer.

So, my fiance and I relocated to our current city about 6 months ago and we did it pretty big... we bit the bullet and bought a house, therefore committing to this city for 5-7 years???  Well I have finally decided that it is time we develop a social circle here rather than driving the 2 hours back home to see our "home friends".  I started by joining in on a group of girls at work that host dinners at their homes each month and it rotates... I'm not gonna lie, this chic is pretty excited and I can't wait to choose my month and start planning to show off my mad skills....  I also went to the movies with this group on Sunday, we saw Pitch Perfect and it was GREAT!  I think everyone should go see it. Think Bring It On, but for singing!  AND I saw previews for The Host (Stephanie Meyer's book that is a thousand times better than Twilight could ever be) and the new Le Miserables!!  I basically only go to the movies to see the previews so I elated!

I have spent the last 2 days sorting through my garage gathering up things for a yard sale that I am planning for this Saturday.  I have never really been a big yard sale person.... I feel kind of weird assuming that people are going to want to buy my old junk that I no longer deem good enough for my princess ass, but when Ryan said he was going to throw all my treasures shit away, I went into hoarder mode and decided that the only way I could part with the garbage is to sell it.  So wish my luck on my first yard sale...  I kind of have a feeling it's just going to be me sitting in my front yard at 7am with piles of shit that will be taken to good will by 10, despite my dreams of people flocking to buy my circa 2004 Abercrombie and American Eagle gear for prices I want.

On a fitness note... I think today I officially became a Jillian drop out.  I just hate doing her workouts, and not in the way where I hate it until I get started and then I'm so pumped I wanna shove my tongue in her mouth.  I truly dread every second of it.  Between working nights and that my shifts are always in a row, I feel like in order to commit to doing Jillian every day, I have to give up some of my runs.... which I LOVE!  So I think I'm going to only do 30DS on work mornings since they are only 20 minutes, but when I'm off it's just me, my Nikes, and the running trail!  I am consistently able to run a complete 5k, and today I did it in under 40 minutes (woot woot).   So now it's time for a new goal, and I am feeling more and more ready for my first 5k next weekend!!

I'll catch you guys next time with my weekly weigh in and hopefully something that doesn't bore you to tears!

Love, Jenn!

Weigh Day Wednesday

Today is that special day.... our weekly visit with our favorite whore that we just can't get enough of..... the scale!!  The day where we hop on to see just how little much all our hard work has paid off this week OR to see how bad our bad choices really were. I woke up this morning fully prepared to see my first weekly gain thanks to my 3 day return to fat girl status earlier this week where I managed to pack on 3 lbs... SERIOUSLY?!?  I've been busting ass all week in hopes to just break even.  So when I get my official weigh in of a 0.8lb gain, I don't feel SOO bad.  Actually, that is a dirty lie.. I feel horrible.  I wanted to cry a little bit, it sucked major limp D.

Adding to this unfair day, I had to go to a re-certification class for work.... they expect me to re-learn how to save lives every 2 years...... what the real problem is that they expect me to be anywhere at 8am!  I left my house with an hour and a half to get to the hospital... plenty of time, I may even grab a Starbucks on my way in.  WRONG!  Not that I live outside a HUGE city or anything, but it is the biggest city Alabama has to offer and working night shift means, I am always going against the flow.  So as 8am comes and goes and I'm still sitting in traffic, I am pissed, have already guzzled a liter of water and have to pee like a racehorse.  I roll into my class 30 minutes late just to find out that they locked the doors and gave my spot away... apparently living in the suburbs is not a valid excuse.  So I truck it all the way back home, having wasted about 3 hours of my life last day off!  Instead of being awesome and taking my anger out on Jillian or assuring that we will have clean panties to wear for the next week, I put my night shirt back on and crawl into bed next to Ryan and my pups to try and kick the headache I have been rocking for 3 days.... cue sad violin.

About 3 hours later I wake up and decide that I'm starting over.   I hop back on the scale and what do ya know... I'm DOWN 0.8 lbs from last week.  I quickly edited my earlier post in MFP since the smaller number always wins and was instantly in a great mood and plan to tackle the rest of my afternoon and night... since I have to stay up all night anyways to prepare for my 3 days as a vampire.  I WILL clean up around the house, catch up on some of laundry mountain, and I WILL do Jillian hard core.

I am not really one for coming up with amazing recipes, I'd rather just mooch them off of my friends.  So last night I made 4 Spice Chicken Thighs (I used wings) that I stole from the amazing Keyona at Skinny and Delicious.  If you don't already follow her blog you are cray-cray go check it out.  She has lots of yummy recipes that even I can make!.  I didn't follow the directions exactly, but it was AMAZING and will definitely become a go-to in my dinner planning.  I paired it with some broccoli and was one happy girl.

Thanks for all the comments about my run yesterday!  It really made my day, y'all are the best!

love,
jenn

Dog Food :)

First, I want to start this post off with big news that I meant to post last week, but I never got around to posting it....  I finally signed up for my first 5k!!  It will be the Liz Hurley Ribbon Run on October 20th supporting breast cancer.  I am sooo excited/nervous/terrified about it.... I KNOW I can do it and that alone feels AMAZING!  My biggest fear is that is a no headphones run... WTF?!?!?

Anywhosers...  I have never been one to ask for money for ANYTHING, and had not planned on even trying to raise money aside from my donation for the entry fee, but then I figured why not?  Worst case is that no one donates and I am no worse off than if I didn't ask, and every bit helps... so below is the link to my personal donation page. Give as little or as much as you'd like, and know that I am so grateful for anything that you can give.

http://www.lizhurleyribbonrun.org/faf/login/page_edit.asp?ievent=1027732&lis=0&kntae1027732=8AD9380114C140FB996923B205C48A92

Also, if you have been touched by breast cancer, leave me a comment telling me the name of your loved one and a little about their journey.  I would love to know a little about some of the women that I am running for and also, to keep my motivated to continue running..... since Flo-Rida has been banned.

this is basically how I roll

So today was the day I decided that I no longer need the c25k app while I run.  It cuts off more often than it works and I am to the point where I just run for 28 minutes anyways.  Basically, my inner over achiever gets pissed off because I can't get that green check mark!  So this morning I took off with Nike Run ( LOVES it!) and Pandora with a goal of just to run until I couldn't anymore... or 28 minutes whichever happens first last.  1 mile in Nike informs me that I have completed a mile in 12:30 and I felt like a rockstar.  When I got to 2 miles I decided to run back to my car and be proud.  Well when I got to my car I decided that I might as well go to 3 miles, I had to be close... so despite being nearly dead, I kept going

I RAN 3.15 MILES.... a 5k!  This girl, who in August, could barely run for 90 seconds, just ran a 5k!!!  There were definitely tears shed as I dragged my jello jigglers back to the car!  I was so proud of myself,  my new goal is a 5k in under 40 minutes!  We shall see :)  So, keep on truckin' skanks... if this girl can do it, so can YOU!

And finally, the whole reason behind the mysterious dog food title.  Last week my fiance was forced to go into the seventh gate of Hell Walmart because our precious babies were out of food.  The next morning when I got home, Ryan tells me that he was thinking (sometimes a scary thing)  and that when he picked up the 46lb bag of dog food, he remembered that was how much weight I've lost.  So "Wing, you've lost a big ass bag of dog food" (Wing is our pet name... I'm sure I'll cover that later) was his supportive comment for the day.  Which was AMAZING once i looked at the dog food bag and containers.  I'm a visual person and since I haven't really been able to notice in the mirror this sight FLOORED me

yes that is a Christmas mat, and YES that is a case of wine, wanna be friends?                                                                                 

                                                          she tucks herself in like that

this is my shadow.... i apparently gave birth to him

So, there you have it.  I have lost enough weight to feed a German Shepherd and a Golden Mutt for about 2 weeks.

More excitement to come I'm sure.
Until then, love,
 Jenn :)

It Was A Moment of Weakness

So I know that it has been over a week since my last post and I hate that!  Firstly, because it was a goal of mine to keep up better than this!  Secondly, I feel like I have sooo much I wanted to talk about and now it's all a big gooey caramel cluster in my brain.  So I guess that just means I have material for a few posts :)

Anyways, my mom visited this week which was AMAZING!  I love spending time with my mommy!  We always have so much fun together and she is the best friend I could ever have.  I tend to think of us as the Gilmore Girls..... minus the single parent, teen pregnancy, and never ending metabolisms :)   The down side is that my mom tends to bring out my ultimate weakness.. FOOD!  Don't get me wrong, my mom is super supportive and proud of what I am doing and doesn't try to tempt me.. she just isn't on the same journey as I am and I found it easy this week to say "You being here is a treat so I'm going to have some treats" and "it's just a couple bad days, it's not forever"  WRONG IDEA!!!  I felt like shit!  I had headaches, felt bloated and  stuffed, was cranky, and lethargic!  I missed 3 workouts and didn't track calories for 2 days,  it was badness.  My fiance even told me I needed to go run because I was wearing my bitch panties!

 So yesterday, I got back on track.  I woke up, ate my sensible breakfast, threw on my tennis shoes and went to the park for my run.  Was it the best run I've ever had?  EFF NO!  But it wasn't the worst either.  I could feel all the crap I'd eaten over the past couple days jiggling around in my belly and wanted to puke whenever I thought of onion rings or little debbies, but I did it, and I felt amaze-balls after.

I think what I love about my runs is that I have nothing to do but think about things.... I think about wedding plans, my journey to a better me,  the ladies of fit camp, willing my legs to keep going and praying that they haven't actually turned to jello, the day that Chris Hemsworth asks me to play 50 Shades of Gray....all kinds of ish.  And what I thought about yesterday was how far I've come.  I used to struggle to run for 60-90 seconds and now I run for at least 25 minutes straight, and I don't pray for the creepy lady to tell me when to walk, I just run until I can't run anymore.  I thought about how great it feels to be dripping with sweat and to feel sore after a workout.  I also thought about my binge... but I didn't beat myself up about it.  Was it worth it?  NOPE  Will it happen again?  YOU BET YOUR SWEET ASS.  But what was important about it is that I picked up and kept going, it's over, it was a moment of weakness, but I'm stronger than that, and I've come too far to be taken down by oatmeal cream pies with a November expiration date (OMG so fresh!)  So don't get down on yourself about a bad day (or 3)  just remember that YOU CAN DO THIS,  put on your (smaller, sexier) big girl panties and keep on going!

Last post I promised progress pics... and I always keep my promises... no matter how mortifying.  So here it goes (soooo scary)

The photo on the left is the day we got engaged 5/15 (best proposal ever, btw).  I weight 273 lbs and was wearing some size 20 jeans that were too small.  The photo on the right was taken 9/27 at 227 lbs and size 18 shorts that are pretty loose.  I'm not sure how much of a difference I can really see, but I am extremely harsh on myself.....  I still have a LONG way to go on this journey, but I am down 46lbs and couldn't be more proud.

Thanks for reading :)
LOVE,
jenn