Saturday, June 29, 2013

RECIPE} Homemade Baked Taco Salad Shell

I LOVE Mexican food. Seriously, I think I could eat it every day. While I was pregnant, I actually think I did! The problem is, is that even when you get a taco salad, if you eat the shell, most of the time those things are filled with saturated fats because they are FRIED! Ugh, what a bummer, right?  Well yeah, until you realize you can make them at home BAKED and never have to feel guilty again - Woo-hoo!

So, here is the Super EASY recipe for these bad boys!



INGREDIENTS
  • As many soft shell tortillas as you will need - you pick the size and type. I tend to use the 8" whole wheat
  • Non-stick cooking spray
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.

Place your muffin/mini cake pan in the oven upside down for about 5 minutes, just long enough to warm up the pan.

Spray the bottom of your muffin pan and while it is still warm.  

If using a mini-cake pan, you can drape you tortilla shells over the top.

If using a muffin tin, gently press your tortillas into the areas between muffin wells.



Bake for 5-8 minutes, until the tortilla is crispy and holds its shape. Remove from the heat and let cool for about a minute, then fill with your favorite taco salad ingredients (lots of veggies!) and enjoy!


Easier than you ever imagined? Let us know how much you enjoyed these!

Contact me!  Email - Facebook - Twitter


Tuesday, June 25, 2013

INSANITY: Week Two!

I made it through my 1st fitness test and workouts on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday last week. CONFESSION TIME... I did NOT do INSANITY on Friday or Saturday :-/ BUT, I made that decision, knowing my husband and I were going to be installing 13,00 sq. ft of sod for our new lawn! Let me tell you something... I was SO glad that I've been working out, because everyone else that helped was WAY more sore than I  was!

Today, I completed day 9 of INSANITY. I've got to tell you, in only 9 short days, I can already feel my body changing. It's kind of crazy. My endurance is up and I'm getting stronger. I made it through the entire 10ish minutes of warm-up without taking a break! That's a first for me and even though it sounds silly because it's a warm-up... you would know what I was talking about if you ever did INSANITY.



I did my weekly weigh-in and measurements today. Now, I know a lot of people say you shouldn't weigh in weekly or take measurements that often, but for me it shows progress and supports and reinforces my choices. If I ate poorly or didn't work out, it's in the numbers and I KNOW what I'm doing has to change. If I worked out every day and watched my diet and my numbers are great, it only encourages me to continue doing the same thing - Positive Reinforcement people!

In the first week of doing INSANITY and drinking shakeoogy, I've lost, DRUM ROLL PLEASE.....

9.4 pounds and three inches total!!

As excited as I am, I know that the first week of ANY new program will give significant results. So, this will not continue at a high pace and I'm A-okay with that, because I know it's working!

So, are YOU ready to change your life? Are you ready to lose the baby weight, tone up, get fit, and become healthy? Is it your time to take the challenge? If so, contact me, I can help you!

Email Me! or find me on Twitter or Facebook!

Monday, June 24, 2013

I Challenge you to FOCUS T-25

As of today, Shaun T's (creator of INSANITY), new fitness program FOCUS T-25 has been released and is ON SALE! Yes, you read that correctly. It's not just for sale, but it's ON SALE!

This program is amazing. It requires ONLY 25 minutes a day, five days a week. Who doesn't have 25 minutes a day to better themselves? It's not going to be easy, but neither is being lazy or gaining weight.  


Here is a sneak peak to how AWESOME this workout is going to be:






The program will be selling for $205 normally. However, for the month of July, you can order the T-25  Challenge pack, which includes a one month supply of Shakeology and a daily meal guide, to help you assist with your nutrition...for only $180!


I'm starting a "Focus on Fitness Challenge", August 5.



A few topics that will be covered during this challenge are:

- How to create and live a HEALTHY LIFESTYLE rather than just a short-lived QUICK FIX.

- How to OVER-COME the SELF-SABOTAGER inside you and live your BEST LIFE

- Daily ACCOUNTABILITY

- GROUP camaraderie (people who are headed in the same healthy direction as YOU!)

- Guidance with your nutrition!

- HEALTHY COMPETITION! Prizes for the most dedicated challengers!

- RESULTS <--- Leave the 60 days a BETTER, STRONGER, more CONFIDENT YOU!!! =)

Are you READY?

**Purchase of a Beach Body challenge pack or Shakeology HD is required to participate in this challenge. *I* will be finishing Insanity and then beginning FocusT25 and taking Shakeology for the 60 days. You can do the same workout or a different beach body workout of your choosing!**

**If you are already working with a coach, this challenge is NOT for you. Please see the coach you're working with to find out when their next challenge group will begin.**



If you are interested in joining or would like more details, email me at PrettyFitMom@gmail.com or reach out to me on Facebook!

Friday, June 21, 2013

To be or Not to be Gluten Free... That is the Question!

So, going gluten free is one of the new food fads that has taken off in the last couple of years. All of the stars are attributing their fabulous and shapely bodies and amazing health to it... so it must be good for you, right? Before making that decision, educate yourself!



Let's start here, what exactly is gluten?

Gluten can be found in wheat products and is a protein composite. Gluten is the substance responsible for the elastic texture of dough, used for cereal, grains, etc.

So, why should you think about going gluten free?

The number one reason anyone should go gluten free, is if they have been diagnosed by a doctor, with celiac disease. According to Web MD, "experts estimate that about 1% of Americans have celiac disease".  This disease can be serious, dangerous and very painful, if not treated correctly. You can read more about diagnosis, symptoms, etc. here.

Some people may not have celiac disease, but may be gluten sensitive. In this case, it's not always necessary to give up gluten entirely. Again, this is something that should be discussed with your doctor, however many people with this sensitivity are able to eat gluten, just in smaller quantities or only certain types. 

Our body's do not fully digest wheat. The portions which go undigested, ferment. This produces gas... we all know what happens from there!

Once we take in wheat, it quickly converts to sugar. This causes a rise in our insulin levels, which is one of the many reasons diabetics have to watch their carbohydrate intake. This sugar surge can also account for drowsiness later in the day.

These are just a FEW reasons why you may choose to go gluten. With that being said...

A few reasons why NOT to go gluten free.


Going gluten free may leave your body starving for nutrients. While gluten itself doesn't contain many nutritional benefits, the grains which contain the gluten, DO! A few of these grains are barley, rye and wheat. The reason that you may lack nutrients by going gluten free is because these  grains are rich in multiple vitamins and minerals such as iron, fiber and Vitamin B. 

Decisions, Decisions

So, while there are reasons to go gluten free, there are just as many NOT to  I've always believed that cutting anything out of your diet COMPLETELY is not the best idea. If there is a medical reason, then it may be a requirement. However, if it's a slight discomfort or bloating, being caused by gluten, try to limit the amounts of gluten or try different brands, or food prior to eliminating it completely. As always, speak with your doctor before doing anything drastic!

RECIPE} Peanut butter Banana Pancakes

When my son began eating his solids, this was such a SIMPLE breakfast that I made almost daily and he DEVOURED. I enjoy them also, but I'll give a forewarning, they are best served right from the pan - don't try and warm them up.



Peanut butter Banana Pancakes - Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free!



2 over ripe bananas, mashed
2 eggs
1/2 cup almond butter or peanut butter
dash of cinnamon 

Peel and mash up the banana.


Add the eggs and almond or peanut butter and Whisk all ingredients together. 

Grease a griddle or pan on low-medium heat. If using cookie cutters, make sure they are metal and lay them flat.

Pour small amounts of the batter onto the pan. The sides will begin to bubble, like normal pancakes. Flip pancake as needed. 

Serve warm - with or without syrup! 


Tuesday, June 18, 2013

RECIPE} Veggie Filled Turkey Meatloaf

I was running out of the house for my weekly girls night and trying to figure out what to do for dinner. I usually have dinner ready in a crock-pot on Tuesday's, because it's just easiest. However, this particular day, I forgot. 

Whenever my husband is in charge of dinner, the fruits and veggies are typically forgotten. I try and make things as simple as possible, the less "sides" the better. So, I came up with this recipe on the fly. It's a shepherds pie, gets' a healthy makeover, kind of idea. 

I wasn't sure how it was going to turn out, but I got a text message an hour after I left saying "it was delicious, the best meatloaf I've ever had", so I guess I can say it was a success!

You can definitely substitute any of these veggies for another, if you prefer. Make it your own! 

Meatloaf

1lb ground turkey
1 egg
1 C spinach, chopped
1/2 C red and yellow peppers
3 large carrots, shredded
1/2 C bread crumbs
salt and pepper to taste



Mashed "Potatoes"

2 medium baking potatoes 
1/2 head of cauliflower, steamed
1/2 - 1 C chicken broth
salt and pepper to taste


Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

To begin this recipe, start with your mashed "potatoes". 
Peel and cut your potatoes into quarters. Place them in a pot of water and bring to a boil. 
Let them cook, uncovered until tender, about 15 minutes. 
Once complete, drain the water and leave the potatoes in the pot.

Cut the cauliflower head in half. Remove the leaves and stalk. 
Steam the cauliflower for about 15 minutes, until tender.
Add cooked cauliflower to the pot with the potatoes. 


While the potatoes and cauliflower are cooking, go ahead and begin working on your meatloaf. 

Use a hand mixer to blend the cauliflower and potatoes together. Add small amounts of chicken broth, while mixing the two. You do NOT want to add too much broth, or your mixture will become too loose!


Wash and chop/shred all veggies. If you have a food processor, use it, but be sure to stop prior to pulverizing. 
Mix all ingredients above in a large bowl  and mix together. 

 Tak about 3/4 of the turkey and form it around the meatloaf pan. You want to be sure to leave room to put the potatoes and cauliflower in the middle. 




Go ahead and fill the center, with the mashed potatoes and cauliflower.

Once this is complete, cover the top of your potatoes and cauliflower with the remaining ground turkey. 

Place in the oven and bake for about 45 minutes. The time may vary depending on your oven. 

Once complete, let the meatloaf cool for a few minutes (about 5) to set. Then slice and serve!

I don't have a completed picture, because I was not home when this was served, and there was barely anything left when I got home! That's a good thing ;)


Enjoy!





Monday, June 17, 2013

2012: a Big Number, a Big Year, a LOT of Big Changes

2012 is definitely a year I will always remember. Let's just run down the events:

January - Tim and I went on vacation to Puerto Vallarta and purchased our first house!

February - I was put on bed rest, with the exception of my every-other day doctor's appointments. I received notice from a co-worker and one of my best friends that he put his two weeks in. I was ecstatic for him - extremely sad for myself. He was one of the reasons I made it through my days at that job. 

March - We welcomed our son, Greyson, into the world.

May - Tim and I eloped. We invited two of our closest friends and an old co-worker of mine, who was ordained. We went to the beach just a few miles down the road from our house, with Greyson and got hitched. It was quite perfect. 

Tim was contacted by a head hunter about a potential job lead. I began working again, but from home (for the time being). I hated working. I had already had issues with my job, but now more than ever I wanted to quit. For the first time in my life, I had a serious discussion with Tim about quitting my job and being a stay-at-home mom (SAHM).

June - My mom began watching Greyson, one day a week, while I went into the office for work. The same week I went back, my boss called me at home to notify me that he had not yet told anyone in the office, nor did the public know, but he had given his six-week notice to our Board. He was leaving.  I immediately thought, I'm quitting. 

Tim had an interview with Kawasaki.

July - My job was worse than I ever thought possible. The people I was closest with were already gone or on their way out. I  again spoke to Tim about quitting. We talked numbers. Could we swing it? We just bought a house. We just had a baby. We had two brand new cars, student loans, LOTS of bills!

We decided we could make it. I spoke with my boss, and gave an extended notice.

August - I had my last day of work and officially became a SAHM. I began the serious process of planning a one year destination Anniversary Vow Renewal, which we invited our family to (since we eloped). 

September - Tim had a second interview with Kawasaki and received a verbal offer for the job, we began the negotiations.

October -   I traveled to Atlanta for work, leaving Greyson for  my first time, 6 nights and 7 days. Tim received a written offer while I was gone. After hours and hours of discussion, we, as a family, accepted the job offer. 

November - Tim began his new job with Kawasaki, requiring his travel to continue being Monday-Thursday. I met with realtor's and continued to get the house ready to put back onto the market. The holidays' crept up on us.  We decided to wait until spring to put the house on the market. There was just WAY to much to get done!



It was a BIG year with a LOT of changes and adjustments. I lost weight, but my focus was on my health. I was nursing our son and knew everything I consumed, he was too.  I was trying to just be healthier. I worked out and began clean eating. I turned to the gym for my stress relief and turned away from the junk food. It was a slow and steady process, but it was working for me.

2013 was sure to present it's own challenges. 









Friday, June 14, 2013

BeachBody... Here I Come!

For the last few months, I've been tossing around the idea of becoming a personal trainer, opening a gym, becoming a fitness instructor... so many different ideas!

Obviously, any decision I make these days takes a lot of thought. I can't make impulse decisions that may cost money or time that could be taken away from my family. Tim has always been supportive of anything that I choose to do, but he is the impulsive one between the two of us. 

I've always been the logical one, while he's the heart. 

So, after working out at gyms, with personal trainers, doing at home workouts like P90X and Insanity, I made a decision. This week, I finally pulled the trigger and signed up as a BeachBody Coach!

I've joined a challenge. I've chosen to start this new journey with Les Mills, Body Combat workout. I'm familiar with this workout, as I used to take this class while at the gym. PLUS, I'm hoping (fingers crossed) to get Tim to join me along this journey also! He enjoyed the class the one time he took it. ;)

I'm also going to try shakeology. I've never been much of a fan of meal replacements, shakes, etc. However, I've found that it's sometimes difficult to find the time to eat, or to eat healthy! So, after researching and researching some more, I decided that this would be the best shake for me... at least to try!

The best part about BeachBody is that you have a 30 day, money back guarantee. If you try it and don't like it, you send it back (less the shipping) and get your money back! So, what's to lose? Only inches and pounds, the way I see it!

I'll keep you updated on my new journey. I'm so excited! 






Have you ever thought about becoming a BeachBody Coach? Have you ever done any of their workouts? 
Please, let me know if you have any questions!

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

RECIPE} Roasted Brussel Sprouts

How many of you hear the word brussel sprout and your face cringes? I get it! I'm not sure why I thought I didn't like brussel sprouts. I actually don't think I ever ate brussel sprouts, until I was 27 years old and preparing them myself. Ironically, it was my husband who swore he loved them and asked me to try and make them... reluctantly I did. Afterall, how could I stick my nose up to a vegetable that he said he actually liked!?

So, honestly, if you have never tried them... bite the bullet. They might surprise you! 


Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds Brussels sprouts
3 tablespoons good olive oil
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Cut off the brown ends of the Brussels sprouts and pull off any yellow outer leaves.

Mix them in a bowl with the olive oil, salt and pepper. 

Pour them on a sheet pan and roast for 35 to 40 minutes, until crisp on the outside and tender on the inside.

Make sure to shake the pan, or use a wooden spoon or spatula often, to turn the brussel sprouts, while cooking. This will ensure  the sprouts brown and cook evenly without burning.  

Serve immediately.

Monday, June 10, 2013

Getting the Family on Board - Still in Progress

I had a reader comment last week that she was happy to see my blog. That it was different than all the rest "where the whole family is on board with healthy eating and lifestyle and I think not fair, how do you get your husband on board?! all to say it's nice to read something real! "

like I've said in the past, and I'll continue to say, my husband will eat nearly ANYTHING I put in front of him. So, if I cook a healthy dinner he will eat it and love it (or at least pretend, because he's a good husband).  However, I do not control his eating habits nor have I changed them, when I'm not doing the cooking. 

My husband is back on the road this week. This means, out to restaurants and usually at least one bar/pub. That of course equal bar/pub food. I don't know about you, but every bar I've ever eaten at, serves nothing but health food, so he's good to go... Yeah Right! 

So, I just received a picture text from Tim, about what's on the menu tonight.  I had to share this with all of you, just so you know how serious I am about how different our eating habits are. 




(The "Big Ass BLT", one pound of bacon)






My favorite part about this conversation... his last statement. I'm SO glad he doesn't feel bad because he didn't order the fries. Oh goodness. Clearly everything I've been saying to him for the last two years has gone in one ear and out the other (typical man - ha!) 

This is how my husband eats... EVERY CHANCE HE GETS! I figure it's his life, his body, his choices. I'm happy that he happily eats the dinners I cook. I do sometimes wish he would put just a LITTLE bit of effort into supporting the changes I'm (trying) to make for our family... you know, like NOT send me pictures of sandwiches with an entire pound of bacon on them?! ;)

Sigh... Husbands, gotta love em! 

The fact of the matter is, I've got to remember why I'm doing this. It never was to change Tim or his habits. If he picks a few up and chooses to make changes, that's great. However, I decided to do this for me, for our son, for our future. If anybody would have "made" me do this before I was ready, it wouldn't have worked. 

Only YOU can make you stay on track. Only YOU can make your decisions.















It's Official - My Journey Pt. 3


It was official. I was only weeks into my health and fitness program and found out I was pregnant. This made me nervous. You hear all of these stories about people gaining 50 pounds, 80 pounds, 100 pounds! Cravings taking over. Women who can’t stop eating ANYTHING that is put in front of them. I could NOT do that. I could NOT afford to gain that much weight. 

It also didn’t help that Tim thought this was going to be an awesome time for him. Not because he was about to be a dad (though he was extremely excited about that), but because he thought I was going to lay off my health kick. He was looking forward to cravings of ice cream, pizza, macaroni and cheese, Taco Bell and McDonalds! 

Prior to finding out I was pregnant, I was battling HIS urge for all of these foods. We were not on the same page. He would eat anything I cooked, but if he ever “made” dinner, it was a frozen pizza, a drive-thru or delivery. 

It was really great to have his support <insert eye roll here>.

I told my doctor that I had been going to classes at the gym, running and on WW prior to finding out. She acknowledged it and congratulated me on my work. That was it. She never again through my entire pregnancy spoke or discussed my weight. I thought she would tell me something. like not to gain, or only gain so much weight; to keep with or quit WW, not to run anymore? Something!

With my doctor not telling me to change anything, I made the decision to quit WW. It’s not recommended to continue while pregnant. In fact, WW rules say that if you become pregnant, you must stop the program. However, I didn’t use my pregnancy as an excuse  to be lazy or eat junk. I used my pregnancy as a reason to continue on the path of good health! After all, it wasn’t just about me anymore. This was much bigger. I was growing a human being!

I slowed my running to more of a walk around 6-7 months. My little guy was smooshing my lungs and the more he grew, the more difficult it was to breathe (a clear necessity, lol). My BodyFlow instructor was EXTREMELY helpful. She showed me modifications and I kept going to my class as often as possible. 

My belly was growing, but my weight gain was minimal. I was gaining around a pound a month through my eight month.

I was battling pregnancy induced high blood pressure. I was retaining water like crazy and blowing up like an elephant - SERIOUSLY! I was on medication, I was eating healthy and I was working out... it didn’t help.  In fact, it was getting worse. I was now considered a high risk pregnancy and my doctor began to worry about preeclampsia. 

They were not sure exactly why this was happening, but out little guy was breech and he was already showing his attitude, from within. He refused to turn.

The last week of January, I was put on bed rest... BORING! This last 4 weeks, my scale said I was up to a 22 pound weight gain. I was a little worried. I mean, I had never been pregnant before and my activity level was sedentary at best. My family was stalking me, making sure I wasn’t getting up unless it was to use the rest room. (ahhh!) I was going crazy!




(March 1, 2012 - Me and Tim, just before we left for the hospital)

Five in a half weeks later, Thursday, March 1, 2012, I went into the hospital for a scheduled c-section. The INSTANT the doctor pulled him out, my blood pressure dropped from 191/87 down to 126/74. My son, Greyson was healthy and so was I. My doctor was relieved to see my numbers drop.



 (March 3, 2012, Mommy and baby resting up)


We went home on Sunday and I went to the doctor’s office on Tuesday, I had lost 47 pounds in five days, since the day Greyson was born. I was weighing less than I did BEFORE I got pregnant!


I was ecstatic, but I knew this couldn’t last forever... I needed to figure out my game plan.


RECIPE} Kale Chips

Kale Chips... Sounds gross? Looks Gross? Tastes great and it's SUPER healthy! Kales has SO many benefits, here are a few:

One cup of kale has only 36 calories, 5 grams of fiber and 0 grams of fat.  Kale is high in calcium, iron, Vitamin K, Vitamin C and Vitamin A. It's filled with powerful antioxidants and helps lower cholesterol levels. 
If you can find a way to eat Kale and like it, DO IT! Kale chips are one of the many ways, we eat it in our house and to keep variety, we make different flavors. 



Base Ingredients:
1 bunch kale, washed and dried (crucial step!)
1 tbsp olive oil

Flavor Variations:
Soy & Sesame: 2 tbsp soy sauce + 1 1/2 tbsp sesame seeds
Lime & Chili: Juice of 1 lime + 1 tsp lime zest + 2 tsp chili powder
Roasted Garlic: 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped + 3 tsp garlic salt
Extra Cheese: 2 tbsp Parmesan or Asiago cheese. Half mixed in the bag, half sprinkled on before baking. 

Preheat the oven to 300. 


Wash and DRY kale. If you have a salad spinner, use it. The more dry the kale, the better this will turn out. 

Remove kale stems, and chop or rip into large-bite-sized pieces (they'll shrink a bit while baking). 

Pour base ingredients into a large bowl or Ziplock bag (the bag allows for quick cleanup.

Pour flavor ingredients in, and stir/shake until they're relatively combined.

Add the kale in the bowl or bag  (if using a bag, don't press the air out).

Stir or Shake until all of the kale is evenly coated.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lay the kale on a lined baking sheet. Place them in the oven for 30 minutes or until crisp! Don't let them turn brown!

kale6

I recommend storing in small brown lunch bags. But, you won't need to store them for long because you and your family will devour them right up!


Do you have any other flavors you like to make? What is your favorite? 

What other ways to use kale? We would love your recipes!

Thursday, June 6, 2013

RECIPE} Homemade "Cream" of ________ Soup

There are SO many reasons why NOT to eat food out of a can including the ridiculously high sodium content and the yet to be determined use of Bisphenol A (BPA) in the can are just a few.

Another personal reason for us, was that we went dairy free about a year ago, when we realized our son had a dairy intolerance. Meals that used to be quick and easy, by adding a can of cream of mushroom were no longer options... until I found this! 

I was extremely weary prior to trying it, but I swear, it's delicious and so much healthier!

There is a Master Recipe, that you will use at the base. Then, there are variations in order to make different flavors like cream of chicken or cream of mushroom, cream of broccoli, etc.

*Keep in mind, the recipe I'll list will be with dairy. You can substitute non-dairy options such as soy milk or water, instead of cows milk or coconut oil instead of butter.



MASTER RECIPE

2TB Butter
2TB Flour
1C liquid (milk, water, etc)
Salt



Put butter in a pan and melt it.  

Add flour and stir until the flour is absorbed and it looks like Play-doh, about 1 minute. 

Slowly whisk in your liquid and heat until smooth.  If you add too much at once, it will get clumpy.

Continue stirring about 3 minutes, until smooth and heated through.  The longer you cook the thicker it will get.  Salt to taste. 

 Variations: 

Cream of chicken – use 1/2 C milk or water (your choice), and 1/2 C chicken broth.  You can add chicken bits if you like. 

Cream of mushroom – Saute 1/2 C chopped mushrooms in the butter, then sprinkle with the flour and continue with the master recipe. 

Cream of celery – Saute 1/2 C finely chopped celery in the butter, then continue with the master recipe.

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

SURPRISE! - My Journey Pt. 2

Everyone says the first few days or weeks of a new health program are the hardest.  They are tempted by all of their cravings and old habits. I'm not sure I can say that was my experience. I had so much weight to lose that with the change in my eating habits (portion control, adding more veggies, fruits, whole grain and WATER) and the addition of working out during my lunch hour, the weight was falling off. 

I had started a new class at the gym called BodyFlow™(Now called BODYBALANCE™), a combination of yoga, tai chi and pilates. This was a great class for me. It was not just about the physical but the mental also. It really helped clear my mind and de-stress from work. On the days the class was not scheduled, I began to run. 

Running... ugh! I'm not a runner. I've always hated running. I remember being in elementary school and having to run the mile for the Presidential Fitness testing and hating it back then. I was LUCKY to finish that silly thing in 12-14 minutes. 

With that being said, I did NOT just jump on the treadmill and start running my fat ass off. But I tried. I walked when I got tired. Then, I pushed myself to run again. I walked when my I couldn't breathe. Then, I pushed myself again. I walked when my chest felt like it was on fire and I couldn't swallow. Then, I pushed myself AGAIN. 

Nobody was in this fight but  me. I wasn't doing this for anyone else. I was doing this for me. To be healthier, skinnier, happier. If I didn't push myself, who was going to? In just that first month, I was running a mile in under 10 minutes! Something I had NEVER in my life done.

I was weighing myself in weekly, so I could update my WW profile. In the first month, I lost 32 pounds! I'm a very competitive person. I thrive on winning, and results. So for me to have lost just over a pound a day and in a very healthy way, was completely rewarding and addictive. I was seeing results, so I couldn't be stopped.

The one thing I was a bit confused about was how tired I was. I was ready for bed by 7pm and didn't want to get up in the mornings. My weekends were spent taking three hour naps in the middle of the days. This may not sound weird, but I'm a busy body. I've run most of my life on minimal sleep 4-5 hours a night. I am constantly on the go!

I had always heard and experienced working out would give you energy! I thought it might just be my body adjusting. I was going through a BIG change after all. Maybe I was playing catch-up after months of 60+ hours work weeks, traveling, stress, etc. 

I stayed positive and continued with my new routine. Week five weigh-in approached.. and BAM! Nothing. Not a pound lost. Not even an ounce. Alright, I thought to myself. It happens. I was getting stronger and felt better. Next week will be better, I told myself. 

Week six and again, nothing.

Maybe I wasn't eating enough? I had been low on my points. I was having a hard time eating as much as I was supposed to. I just hadn't been feeling well. I always felt hungry, but then when it came time to eat, it didn't sound good. Actually, most food was making me nauseas. 

Week seven... I skipped my weigh-in. Tim was out of town, so I went to dinner with a friend, for sushi. She ordered saki. I didn't. Just didn't feel like drinking, for weeks actually. I drank about a gallon of water though. I was constantly thirsty! 

When dinner was over, I went to Walgreens. I purchased a box of three pregnancy tests and went to my empty condo. I used the rest room, peed on a stick and walked out. 

There was no way I could be pregnant. I just needed to clear the possibility for why I was feeling so exhausted and sick lately. 

I went back into the bathroom to brush my teeth and almost got sick while doing it. I had forgotten about the test. I glanced and it and...PREGNANT.

Good thing I bought a pack of three, this HAD to be wrong! So I took a second test. Again, Pregnant. 

Nothing like sitting in your condo by yourself and in a panic. Nobody to talk to. No clue what to do. I didn't even have a gynecologist I was seeing at the time. 

I figured maybe it was the time of day I took the test. I mean, doesn't it say somewhere that you should always take the test in the morning? Yeah... I found out, that makes the positive result even stronger.

Well... at least this might help explain the plateau in my weight-loss, right?