Weigh in...

I'm not sure if anyone has noticed or not, but I haven't done a weigh-in in a loooong time.
The last time was exactly a month ago - February 1.
At that point, I had lost 6 pounds. YAY!

But during the month of February, I really did not feel like I had been doing as well.
Not exercising much.
Not eating super healthy (not eating terrible, but just not as careful as I had been).

So I just put off stepping on that horrible invention called a scale.
But really... who invented that? 

This morning, I was putting on a pair of dress pants and noticed that they seemed a little lose.
At first, I was super happy but then told myself they were probably just stretched out.
I debated a few minutes, then finally grabbed the scale.
And.... And... And...

MyFitnessPal - Nutrition Facts For Foods

ANOTHER 6 POUNDS GONE!!!

Overjoyed. Elated. Shocked.

Those describe me now.

Even though I haven't been making huge changes like I did in January, this just goes to show that little changes can make a big difference.

So today, use the stairs instead of the elevator.

Drink water instead of coffee. (Hard, I know.)

Be good to yourself.

XOXO,
Victoria

Pinterest to the rescue!

I need help from you lovely people...

Can someone tell me why I haven't been hungry for 3 days now??

And when I do eat, I feel wicked sick.

This is bad news for a girl who loves food. (Or is it actually good news? Hmmm...)

Maybe I'm stressed, or anxious, or just plan tired of "college" food.

Sooo.... drumroll please.... I decided to look on Pinterest for some yummy recipes!

Here are the ones that peaked my interest... (Has anyone tried them?)

Source: doughmesstic.com via Emma on Pinterest

Source: theenchantedcook.blogspot.com via Brielle on Pinterest

Source: fabulousfoodblog.com via Katelyn on Pinterest

XOXO,
Victoria

Happy Valentine's Day!

[ from http://pinterest.com/pin/108719778476496143/ ]

Whether you are single, in a relationship, married, divorced, or secretly crushing on someone, I hope today was FABULOUS for you!

And remember.. even if you feel that no one on this earth loves you, God loves you sooo much. For reals.

XOXO,
Victoria

   

a little motivation

I don't know about you all... but I need some motivation.

And I need it BAD. 

So where do I turn for some? Pinterest, of course!

[ from http://pinterest.com/pin/113153009357386105/ ]

[ from http://pinterest.com/pin/113153009357318629/ ]

[ from http://pinterest.com/pin/113153009357315536/ ]

 My goal for today:

Work out HARD.

What is your goal??

Confession time...

This weekend = bad.

Well, actually it was great.

Girls night, date with the housemates, Super bowl goodies...

But oh-so-bad for my "get healthy 2013" lifestyle that I have been working on.

Do you know how many calories were included in those three events alone???

Neither do I...but I do know that it was probably atleast double what I have been eating.

Not. even. exaggerating.

I'm trying really hard not to beat myself up over it.

(Oh, and did I mention that I went to the gym a grand total of 0 times this weekend?)

Everyone has slip-ups and eats that one extra piece of pizza right?

It's all about holding fast to the goal.

And the goal for this girl can only be acheived by...

visits to the gym...

healthy eating...

and lots and lots of water.

So here we go!

Who else has to hit it hard after this weekend?! What are your plans to get back on track?

XOXO,
Victoria

They love me! They really, really love me!

A couple days ago, I realized that I had a comment on one of my blog posts. I was so excited!! Someone actually reads my blog? This is huge news, people!

And this comment from Charlie at Lipstick & Lemon Drops informed me that I had be nominated for the.... (drum roll please!!)....

 

Awww, shucks. Thanks, Charlie!! I truly feel honored. (And pumped that people actually read this - YES!)

But wait. What exactly is the Liebster Award, you may ask?

"Liebster is a German word meaning dearest, sweetest and beloved. The award is given to up and coming bloggers with 200 followers or less as a way to recognize and promote their blog."

Whoever invented this Liebster Award idea is a genious. Just sayin'. 

And just with anything good and fun in life, here comes the rules...

1. List 11 facts about yourself.
2. Answer the 11 questions given to you.
3. Ask 11 new questions for the bloggers you nominate for the award.
4. Choose up to 11 bloggers with 200 or less followers to nominate.
5. Go to each blogger’s page and let them know about the award.
6. Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog.

Easy enough! Okay, go take a bathroom break, grab a cup of coffee and get ready to learn a little bit about yours truely...

11 facts about Victoria

1. I am 100% a Northern girl.
2. I love chilly weather. Bring on the scarves and hot drinks!
3. I am graduating in May 2013 (less than 100 days! but who's counting?) from Liberty University.
4. I don't know how to swim.
5. Or ride a bike. (don't judge.)
6. I love movies!! Comedies and girly movies are my fave.
7. I am a Christian.
8. I really do enjoy reading, but not if it involves textbooks or any school-related reading.
9. I took figure skating lessons in Canada for 2 years when I was a little girl.
10. Coffee, coffee, coffee. Morning, noon, or night.
11. Even though I will soon be graduating from college, I really, really want to be a wife and mom. 

11 Questions that Charlie asked me

1. How did you come up with the name of your blog?
   
   I had seen it on a website (probably Pinterest or Tumblr) and fell in love with it! Eating clean and training dirty is truely the best way to lose weight. Screw all those fad diets.
2. How much time do you dedicate to your blog per week?
   
   Honestly, it all depends. I aim to update it at least once a week with a weigh-in, but I usually end up writing a blog post about two or three times each week.
   
   
3. What is your favorite color and thing that you own of that color?
   
   I love the color blue! All shades are gorgeous. And my favorite thing that is blue? This baby...
   
   
4. Do you perfer high heels, flats, or shoes you exercise in? Flats... no competition.
   
5. What did you eat for dinner last night?
   
   My housemate made Chicken Enchiladas and they were delish!
   
6. Who are your three best friends?
   
   Ugh, I hate this question because I feel like I always have to leave someone out. I have so many fabulous friends, but if I had to narrow it down to only three, I would go with Jessica (my sister), Emily (my old roommate) and Brielle (my current roommate).
   
7. What brand of shampoo and conditioner do you use?
   
   (Disclaimer: I am a broke college student) Suave.
   
8. Did you go to prom and if so, what did you wear?
   
   Sadly, I did not go to prom. I was homeschooled. :(
   
9. Who is your style icon?
   
   Hmm, I don't really have one. Can a store count as a style icon? If it can, then it would definitely be Maurice's. Everything they have is so cute!
   
10. If you were at Starbucks, what would you order?
    
    A grande peppermint mocha!
    
11. Where is your number one pick of vacation (if money was not a factor)?
    
    Paris! The day that I get to see the Eiffel Tower will be one of the most exciting days of my life!!

11 blogs that I am nominating:
(I'm not positive that the following blogs have less than 200 followers, but if I'm wrong, please don't be offended!)

• Sarah @ Long Time Coming
• Savannah & Casey @ Oh So Pretty
• Jordan @ Lil Paste Easters

11 questions for these bloggers to answer:

1. What inspired you to start a blog?
2. What is your favorite food/drink?
3. If you won a million dollars, what would you do with it?
4. Who is your celebrity crush?
5. Beach or mountains?
6. Which clothing store do you shop at the most?
7. What is your favorite blog?
8. Who do you go to when you need advice?
9. What is your favorite holiday?
10. Do you have a bucket list, and if you do, what is the biggest goal on it?
11. Coffee or tea?

Thanks again for the nomination, Charlie! Remember to check out Lipstick & Lemon Drops and show her some love!!

XOXO,
Victoria

high five for friday!

TGIF!!
(But really...)

This means it is time forrrr......

 

1) Last Friday, I went to the Sears in town because they are closing and having huge sales - my favorite. :) And I picked up this cute bedding for only $24!

2) Smoothie King is my new favorite quick meal. I've had it twice this week and it is so yummy! The first time I got Pineapple Pleasure (I think that is what it's called?) and today I got a Chocolate Lean 1.

3) And the countdown has finally begun until I get to visit with my sister!!! I'm going to pick her up this coming Thursday. Anyone out there who thinks you have the best sister - you don't. (Sorry, not sorry.)

4) Okay, I don't really know if this counts as a h54f or not since I haven't done it yet, but have all you bloggers seen this??? Hair removal with a sugar mix! I found it on Pinterest (the place where all good crafts come from) and I am really wanting to try it. 

[ photo from Pinterest ]

5) Lastly, I gave in to temptation and weighed myself on Thursday instead of waiting until Sunday and guess what?! Down two more pounds! 

MyFitnessPal - Free Calorie Counter

XOXO,
Victoria

Weigh in #2

I weighed in for the second time today... but only after going to the bathroom twice and stripping off every piece of clothing. (every ounce counts, people.)

Anddddd..... 2 more pounds lost!!!

Not as much as I would like, but hey! That's a total for 4 pounds less than I started with. And to be honest, I am actually really proud. :)

How are you doing??

MyFitnessPal - Free Calorie Counter

XOXO,
Victoria

Sweat, numbness, & butt-bruises...

Have you ever seen those girls in the gym who are all pretty and glamorous?
They look great in yoga pants and a t-shirt!
And then there are those who wear their hair down and 5 pounds of makeup on their face...
Uh, yeah, one word... FAKE.
No one looks that good if they are actually working out hard.
Sorry not sorry...

Anyways, what's the point of this blog post?
The point is that I am most definitely, 110%, no doubt in my mind, completely opposite of those girls.
Today I went to my first spin class.
Oh. Em. Geeeeee.

Sweat was literally dripping off my face.
Some of my toes were numb. (Can anyone tell me why?)
And the WORST part of all.... my butt kills.
I seriously think it might be bruised.

It was by far the hardest hour that I have been through in a long time.
But even through the sweat, numbness, and butt-bruises (glamorous, huh?)...
It felt good.
It felt good (and embarrassing, but mostly good) to be one of the biggest girls in the class but still keeping up pretty darn well with everyone.
It felt good to finish out the hour when I was positive I wouldn't make it the whole time when I started.

Be good to yourself.
You won't regret it.

XOXO,
Victoria

Back to the gym!

The last couple of days I've found myself starting to slack off. The excuses keep trying to come back.

"But you've worked all day! Just rest."
"Skipping one day won't matter."
"There probably isn't even a good parking place at the gym right now."
"It's probably over crowded."

No. More. Excuses.

So here I am. Changed into my workout clothes, about to hop in the car and drive to the gym.


Need some motivation? Here you go! (You can thank me later.) ;)

[found at http://pinterest.com/pin/17803360997090156/ ]

Push yourself!!

Today is the 4th gym day in a row!
Believe or not, that's a big deal for this chick.
It's actually getting to the point where I look forward to going.
I want the challenge.
I like getting all sweaty and pushing myself go further and harder.

If this chubby girl can do it, you definitely can.
I don't care what your weight is.
What your age is.
Whether or not you've ever exercised in your life.
PUSH YOURSELF!

When you've been on that elliptical for ten minutes and you want to stop...
Make yourself go until the timer says eleven minutes.
And then once it hits eleven minutes, guess what....
Make yourself go twelve minutes!
It's all about the baby steps!
If you don't want to go by minutes, go by calories.
I make myself burn atleast 350 and then push myself til it reads 400.

On another note, today was the first day of my semester.
I had to go to my internship and work.
It was kind of a taste of the "real world".
I liked it!!

After my internship and work, I met my housemate at the gym and then we went grocery shopping for healthy foooood.... (never go shopping on an empty stomach, for reals). I bought:

Fruit. Lots and lots of fruit.
Greek Yogurt.
Oatmeal.
Lean frozen dinners.

What are your favorite healthy foods??

XOXO,
Victoria

Baby Steps!

MyFitnessPal - Free Calorie Counter

Weighed in and took measurements today... talk about depressing! Here we go...

Weight: 216 (2 pounds lost)
Chest: 45 inches
Waist: 41.5 inches
Hips 49.5 inches
Single thigh: 28 inches
Arm: 12.5 inches

2013 Resolutions.

I've never been a big one for New Year Resolutions. Why? Because no one ever holds to them. I've tried before and I do great for the first week. Then I slowly forget about them or just don't care.

But for 2013, I want to make resolutions that I will actually stick too. Nothing crazy. Doable things. So here they are. I'm putting them on my blog so that Sarah and the rest of you awesome bloggers out there can hold me accountable!

1. Get stronger in my Spiritual life. This includes going to church every Sunday morning and spending time daily doing devotions.
2. Work out at least 5 times a week for a minimum of 45 minutes. At least 30 minutes of that time needs to be cardio.
3. Drink water! Drink 10 glasses of water daily and limit soda/sweet tea to one day a week.
4. Be able to fit comfortably in a size 12. This may sound silly but I would be out of my mind with happiness! 
5. Complete the C25K running plan. I did a 10k back in 2009 after I lost a lot of weight the first time. It was haaard, but I finished!!
6. Run in a race! Once I finish the 5k running plan, I want to actually do a 5k. The first and only time I did a race, I switched between walking and running. This time I want to run and not stop even if I have to go slow!

XOXO,
Victoria