Monthly Motivation

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Welcome to the first installment of Monthly Motivation, a monthly healthy & fitness link up! I am joined by my BOFF Pinky and the lovely Carolyn where we will share our goals, trials, triumphs, successes and failure in each of our health & fitness journeys. We hope you will join with us the last Tuesday of each month and allow us to keep each other accountable. My fitness goals: 1. Tone my arms. I have an obsession with my arms. I had an arm envy over a girl I competed in Miss Texas with, and have been on a quest ever since. I have been slowing changing up my arm workouts so that I can achieve that sculpted v of a deltoid. Ya know that, muscle above your bicep and not quite your shoulder?

2. Change it up! I get in the worst workout rut. I do the same thing every time: 40 minutes of cardio, abs then weights. And my weight routine? boring and the same. I am going to work on changing up the cardio, add in sprints, intervals, high resistance. And.... doing more dynamic lifting. 3. Get up and move at the office. I need to get up every 30-60 minutes and take a lap around the office. It refreshes the mind and keeps you from being sedintary all day long. When you feel the slump of the back or the your eyelids start to quiver, get up and take a lap.  My Healthy Diet Goals: 1. Salad Sundays. I started this at the beginning of the summer and hope to keep it going. It gets my reset for the week. I hope to eat at least 2 salads at week. 2. Substitute yogurt for dessert. I just need something sweet. Hello greek yogurt! 3. Water, water, water! I have been trying to drink more water with my new water bottle. I just need to pack on the H2O! Water does wonders for the skin, digestion and metabolism! It also can decrease tummy bloat and fatigue. Add lemon, lime or other infused fruit blends, but what ever you do, drink your water! Alright, let me know your health & fitness goals. Let us keep each other accountable and motivated! What is one health goal you have? 

Workout Wednesday

Holla, its Wednesday and that means it time for another edition of Workout Wednesday. Today I am back with another Tips from the Trainer! My main squeeze trainer Sam has some good food and diet tips for you today!

I come from a family where cooking is important and is done (very well) by all members in the family- especially my Dad. So if there is one thing this trainer doesn’t shy away from, it is food.  One thing I like about Lynn is her love for food and her willingness to cook.  You don’t find that often these days, but that is a whole ‘nother subject. Anyway, Lynn likes to complain to me about having to turn down the cookie tray in the lounge or she’ll complain to me about not turning it down after her carbrageous guilt trip kicks in.  Either way, I am going to hear about it.  Lynn, however, is no different than anyone else when it comes to dieting, meal planning, or maintaining a healthy lifestyle.  We all want to be able to look the way we want, while eating the way we want.  The person who figures out a way for everyone to accomplish this without the use of anabolic steroids will win a Nobel Peace prize someday.  Unfortunately, my daughter is only 6 right now so we will have to wait until she gets a little older to accomplish this.  So while we wait, I will go over a few ways we can eat to satisfy both ends of the spectrum.
CARB CUTTING THROUGHOUT THE DAY This type of eating allows us to be bad in the morning and then tighten up each meal as the day goes on.  Now each meal, we still want to be high in protein; however, earlier in the day, we can have carbs so long as we make it a point to cut them completely after lunch or so.  Make lunch your last meal with carbs and thereafter just each greeny veggies and lean protein.
CARB LOADING This type of eating is unique inasmuch as eating poorly (you know, fun eating) is not only allowed, it is necessary for weight loss and goals.  Unfortunately, it requires a ridiculous amount of discipline for five and half days throughout the week.  Here is how it works. Each regular day, you are allowed one meal with 30-50g of carbs. The other 5 or so meals, because we are eating 5-6 meals a day, will be nothing but greeny veggies and protein.  You have to eat like a rabbit for five and half days. No cheating!  Then at the end of the carb cutting week, you get a glorious 8-9 meals (a day and half) of whatever the heck you want.  This is called the carb loading phase. It is essential for glycogen restoration necessary for muscle growth and fat burning. It will also give you the energy you need to get you through the upcoming carbless week.  After your day and half of heavenly eating, you immediately go back to your rabbit way of life. Rinse and repeat.
IIFYM (If It Fits Your Macros) Many of you have heard all the rage about this IIFYM, or "If It Fits Your Macros", way of life. It is especially popular in the stage fitness world.  The diet operates under the assumption that if you understand your macros, you can consume almost any type of food so long as it fits your macros.  “Macros” is a fancy word for carbs, proteins, and fats.  Many studies today have found that consuming the correct ratio of carbs to proteins to fats is the most effective way to weight loss/muscle building.  The plan uses an individual’s current weight, their goal weight, and height to formulate the correct ratio. Now this is usually done by a professional; however, an hour of research on google will save you from paying someone for this (Lynn, please do not give out my last name, every trainer and nutritionist will want my head for this).  So a woman looking to lose 10lbs might consume a ratio of 40% carbs, 40% protein, and 20% fats each meal.  Likewise, a man looking to bulk up 10lbs would look to be around 55% carbs, 35% protein, and 20% fats.  So if you can construct a meal to fit these ratios, it doesn’t matter what you eat. Pretty cool, huh?
In the end, I get back to always doing what makes you happy.  My body, itself, goes through seasons.  Sometimes I look like a trainer, sometimes I look like I need one. It all depends on what is going on in my life and what it takes to make me happy. So whether you do the Carb Cutting, Carb Loading, of If It Fits Your Macros, just remember: ISMH- IT SHOULD MAKE YOU HAPPY.
Cheers!

Hope you all enjoyed this edition of Tips from the Trainer. And seriously he has the most gorgeous daughter ever... for real....

Workout Wednesday

Guess what day it is? Hump Day!! Today I'm giving you a bust your hump workout that I love!

1. Step Up with weights. Get a bench or box and simply step up onto the box then lift the alternate knee up. You can keep weights to your side or do an overhead press. Do 20 reps so you get each leg 10 times.

2. Side Step up with lunge. http://youtu.be/Jp38n06Uv4o

Stand paralel to the bench, step up with your left foot, and raise right knee up, then go into a side lunge. See video. Do 3 sets of 10 reps on each side.

3. Box Jumps. 2 minutes.

4. Sumo squat with bull throw.  I normally stand close the wall and bounce the ball off the wall. Great overall workout. 2 minutes.

5.  Walking lunges with barbell or free weights. 15 lunges one way and then return 15 lunges on the way back.

6. Last but not least.... leg press! The leg press is by far my favorite leg exercise. And I don't mean the girly one, the free-weight loaded one. Put on as many plates as you can comfortably press for 10-12 rep, where you almost can't do the last 1-2 reps. I do 10 deep reps then 20 calf raises on the same machine.

Hope you enjoy some of my favorite leg workouts! Happy Hump Day!!

Stop the Madness

I know I promised you all photos this Workout Wednesday, but this is more important.
Today's public service announcement is brought to you courtesy of #StopTheBeautyMadness.

I was reading my Facebook feed when I saw this ad posted by Marie Claire and liked by a friend of mine.

Wow. Powerful. I clicked through and read the amazing story about #StopTheBeautyMadness and its campaign which features some powerful ads like the one above. Its aim? To stop the stereotypes, myths, lies, rumors, and the "ugly truths hidden in our culture and our own minds." #StopTheBeautyMadness is a series of 25 ad that call out unattainable beauty standards. Its heartbreaking, raw, honest, and remarkable.

I encourage you all to scroll through the ads here. I found myself in so many of these. They are the words I have spoken to myself, my inner monologue. They are the thoughts that run through men in my industry, women whom I meet, my friends, family, but also myself.

I know that people look at me and say, oh she is blonde, thin, lawyer, she must have it all. They don't see the little girl who grew up in a violent home with a father who spent most of her childhood in jail. They fail to see the teenager who struggled to "be like the cool kids" who never had brand name clothing and came home from school to an eviction notice on her apartment door. She was embarrassed of her home and would never invite anyone in, she worked two jobs, while trying to uphold an appearance at school that she was perfect.

They miss the young woman who went to TCU on scholarship and worked the whole time. They gloss over the struggle with body image, self-esteem, and "daddy issues." They see this well-wrapped package of a woman who has worked hard to get where she is today--who was fortunate enough to have people around her who loved her, supported her, nurtured her, and became her family. They do not want to see a woman who still struggles with her place in the world, her looks, her self-esteem, and only wants to what they see.

I admit I am partially to blame. I adhere to the "standards" of modern beauty. I want to have the right clothes, accessories, hair, etc.. But on the other hand, I do these things for me. I buy things because I worked hard to have a good job so that i can provide for myself. I workout and eat right so I feel good, and because I have seen firsthand what lacking in those areas can do to someone. I may not be perfect, I may struggle, I may  "buy in" to somethings, but don't judge me for it. Applaud me for being a strong woman. Applaud me in the moments I struggle, the moments I am weak along with the ones where I am brave. Applaud all women. Stop the madness.

Women should be each other's cheerleaders, not our worst enemies. Enough with the mean girls mentality. We need to back each other up.

For more information or to get involved in this movement, click here.

Workout Wednesday

Happy Hump Day ya'll! And this week I have been busting my hump after a relaxing, food induced weekend.

I used to be a person who would not allow myself to indulge, not even on holidays. I would still eat fruit and only the meat of a hotdog or hamburger. I just would not let go and let myself enjoy. I had this irrational fear that one day was going to put me on a downhill slide to fatness. Let me tell you how boring and stressful that was! One I was miserable and two I made others feel awkward around me. So, these days I allow myself the occasional cheats and holiday delights! I don't over do it, but I do allow myself to munch on snacks, have a glass or two of wine and eat one or 5 desserts.

But then it was Monday and back at it! This week I am focusing on those oh so lovely love handles! I mean no one actually wants a man to grab on those and we all hate a muffin-top. So its been cardio delight and legs! Lots of squats and in all variations have been popping into my workouts. Plie squats, reverse curtsy lunges, second position plie squats, box jumps.... you get the picture!

I also will reveal a before and after of my work. Yup, I took the plunge and took a shot of me in my bikini at the beginning of summer and will post a follow up next week! Brave doesn't even begin to describe this one.

Workout Wednesday

Happy Hump Day! In case you missed the news, Fort Worth was overtaken by a monsoon yesterday afternoon. Seriously, streets flooded, stores closed, and people had to be  rescued from cars. This was the scene on my street.

I opted to stay in, eat popcorn and watch Wolverine. All dry today, but man it was a tad scary!

So, remember last week when I confessed I was in a workout rut? And I contemplated between Barre and Yoga? Yeah, well I decided against both and opted for some good ole Insanity. Yup, I remembered how much I love those DVDs and how they kick my booty in less than an hour. And it allows me to do it from the comfort of my own home and for free! What could be better?

So Monday after work, yup I skipped the 5am and opted for sleeping in til er 5:30 or puppy o'clock in my house. I set up my ipad right there in the living room and got my Insanity on. And man did I feel it yesterday. My whole body had that ache, ya know the hey I just used muscles I have forgotten about ache! I have decided I am going to do it for two weeks, not everyday, just in lieu of my normal workouts and then back to the gym!

Sometimes you just need to hit the reset button. What do you do when you need a workout reset?

Workout Wednesday

Its Hump Day which means, I share some of my workout secrets with you. Today, I am sharing how I keep up with my workouts while I am on the go. I don't travel a lot for work, but when I do, I rarely find a hotel with a good gym. I mean, Holiday Inn Express' idea of a gym, is a broke down treadmill and some random free weights. So, I have some tried and true go-tos.

I always have my laptop and iPad with me, so I have found some great apps I use.

1. Popsugar Active - I have this app and I love it. You can choose workouts tailored to your needs, like strength training, running, yoga, and cardio. You can download then right to your phone!

2. Tone It Up - I love the Tone It Up girls. I have the app and get the emails with their workouts. They have some great ab and toning workouts that I often fit into my Tuesday variation workouts and HIIT. They also have a show on Bravo! now.

3. Nike Training Club  - also a great app. Has tons of workouts right on your phone anytime you need them!

4. Insanity! I have the DVDs and I downloaded them to my iPad. I use them on really cold mornings when driving to the gym seems daunting, when I need a quick, but kick your butt workout and sometimes on Tuesdays. Let me tell you, they will kick your a$$. I bought them right before my 30th birthday and have kept them in my arsenal. I also hear the T-25 videos are awesome as well. If you invest in one DVD workout, get Insanity!

Workout Wednesday

Its Hump Day again, which means its time for Workout Wednesday! Today, I bring you a tour of my supplements. I was never into sups until I met le guy and Trainer Sam. M was anti-supps and well I never understood why. The key is using them correctly, i.e. right time and right amount.  I do not use tons of them, but I have three go-to's: 1. Protein Powder, 2. Pre-Workout, and 3. BCAA's (amino acids).

The supplement corner of the kitchen

My pre workout

 I love this stuff! Adrenherlyn! I take this on my way out the door to my workouts. I love tingly feeling I get and the way it helps me power through my weights. It has a wonderful pink lemonade flavor to boot! I do not take this when I am just going for a run or doing only cardio.

Aminos!

This has been the best ting I have done for my workouts and my body. I take a bottle with me and pour in one scoop as I begin my weight routine. This one has some caffeine in it, so its great for those 5 am workouts. But amines are wonderful! They help with recovery and soreness. I am able to jump back in faster after a big workout, like major leg days. I also take this after I run to ease the muscles.

Protein

 I am using this one because my fav is out. This one is just plain old protein, no filler. I take this 30-45 min after a workout. Its important to get protein in your body so it has something to eat! This is a fast acting one. On days I don't workout in the am, try to get my protein via egg whites and turkey bacon. Other times I take a protein blend called Syntha-6.

other odds and ends

For protein shakes as meals, I like to use Designer Whey. Its only 100 calories a scooper and the vanilla is perfect for some of my favorite recipes from Dashing Dish.

Other things I like are Quest Bars, Zone bars, and the occasional EAS pre-made protein shake, light chocolate flavor.

I have also dabbled in some other sups. Currently I am taking the Skinny Way supplements. You take two pills in the am, two after lunch and then two before bed. Not sure the day ones do much besides help my digestive tract move along (if you catch my drift), but the evening one is a blessing. It helps me sleep and I wake up refreshed and ready to go. I never feel that hangover from Tylenol PM or Ambien.

The key to anything though is to feed your body real food. Yes I take some supplements, but they are just that: SUPP-LE-MENTS. Nothing is better for your body than real food. So my diet consists of lots of lean meats like grilled chicken, ground turkey and chicken, and fish, veggies and jasmine rice. I do let myself have carbs, just not too many and not late at night.

Got questions? Ask!

Workout Wednesday

What? What? Its Hump Day!! So here's how I busted my hump yesterday at the gym!

Tuesdays are my HITT & cardio day. I either get in a nice 4-5 mile run after work, or I get in 20-30 min of cardio and then quick HITT workout. Yesterday, I decided to forgo the 97 degree heat index and HIIT the gym. I did a quick 20 min jog on the old dreadmill and then did three rounds of this workout:

Back lunge with overhead press (10 rep each side) 

Side plank with Reverse Fly (10 reps each side)

Kettle bell Swings (15)

Plank with Row

Deep Squat with Overhead reach

Warrior Three with tricep extension

Straight-leg deadlift with upright row

V-sit with one-arm fly

Split squat with curls (10 reps each side)

This had my feeling my legs, booty, quads and arms burning! Enjoy!

Workout Wednesday

Wednesday!! Its workout Wednesday, so link up and tell me about your workout woes this week!

 The gym is my obsession solace. I kinda get cranky when something messes up my schedule. I need that time to destress and just feel better about myself after eating a cupcake and PB M&Ms at work a long day at work. I need to sweat it out.

This week has been one where I just have had so many things get in the way of my workout. Last night was no different. It was more house fixing, and prepping it for something big (more on this later I promise). le guy was like let's just do it tonight. GRRR No, its my cardio/HIIT day and I needed it like a fat kid needs cake.

Me with no Tuesday workout is not a pretty picture. And Wednesday it my day off, time for church, sleep and puppies. So I did not want to move it. So... off the house we trekked to take care of painting the patched wall, hanging odds and ends and tending to the doorlocks I have been neglecting (glad no one burgled me). Needless to say, when it was done, all i wanted to do was climb in bed.

Nope, to the gym! I told myself i would feel better in the end. And I did. I banged out some stairclimber and some abs. The stairclimber people kills me. Rev that puppy up and go. I can just feel my booty working and by the end I look like a hott mess, but had that workout high!

My point, get to it. Even on those days when you want nothing more to do than hop in  bed or when life gets in the way, make a point to get in that workout, even if its just 30 minutes! There is nothing better than that post workout high and how good that bed feels afterward.

Link Up ya'll and share!

Workout Wednesday

Today let's talk about arms. I am obsessed with my arms. I do not know why, but I just feel like nothing looks better than a toned arm popping out of the tank top, or perfectly sleeveless dress. So, I am going to share with you one of my arm workouts courtesy of Trainer Sam. This is my Thursday Chest/Triceps/Shoulder workout.

What? Chest you say? But, I am a woman, I don't need man pecs! No, but you surely don't want you boobs sagging to your waistline, now do you? Or that pesky sideboob? Yup, ladies, we do need to tone our checticles! So, here you go.

Dumbbell Incline Press- 5 sets of 10-12 @ 15-20lbs http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/main/popup/name/incline-dumbbell-press

Dumbbell Incline Flies- 5 sets to failure @ 10-15lbs http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/main/popup/name/incline-dumbbell-flyes

Cable Crossover- 3 sets to failure @ heavy as possible at eye level http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/main/popup/name/cable-crossover    3 sets to failure @ heavy as possible at chest level http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/main/popup/name/cable-crossover   3 sets of failure @ heavy as possible at quad level http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/main/popup/name/cable-crossover

Triceps Pulldowns- 5 sets to failure @ heaviest weight without sacrificing form http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/main/popup/name/triceps-pushdown

Overhead Dumbbell Press- 5 sets @ 20-25lbs to failure http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/main/popup/name/seated-triceps-press

Triceps Rope Pulldowns- 5 sets to failure @ heavy as possible without sacrificing form http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/main/popup/name/triceps-pushdown-rope-attachment

Face Pulls- 5 sets of 15-20 reps @ heavy as possible without sacrificing form http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/main/popup/name/face-pull

Shoulder Press to Shoulder Flies Complex- 4 presses each arm, then 4 presses both arms @ 15-20lbs http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/detail/view/name/seated-cable-shoulder-press/m

followed immediately by shoulder flies to failure @ 10lbs. 5 sets total http://youtu.be/T1U3yZne1jw

Enjoy! And don't forget to link up and share your story, your workouts, your diet!

Workout Wednesday

Guess what day it is? Hump Day Workout Wednesday! Today, we explore a little more about my workout story. If you missed the first edition, check it out and link up and tell me your workout story!

When I last left you, I was post Miss Texas and feeling good! I continued my working out and eating healthy throughout the next year of my life. This was my last year working at TCU and before law school. I went up and down, but maintained a pretty standard weight. And then I went to law school.

Law school, to say the least, is stressful. I was away from home and M, and on a crazy schedule. Working out became my go-to for everything: stress-relief, boredom, depression... I became obsessed.  Like, not in a good way, obsessed. I weighed myself everyday, 3 or 4 times a day. I refused to drink, refused to eat sweets, existed on eggs whites, apples, granola bars and grilled chicken and veggies. It was boring, but it was something I COULD CONTROL! Yup, it was all about control.

I could control what I ate and how I looked, so I did it. I got down to about 110 pounds at one point, and at 5'6, that is not healthy. We are talking pointy hip bone skinny. i thought I looked so good. I also did anything to stay that way. Pills, laxatives, running twice a day. I just needed to feel in control.

Obviously this could not last. Once I stated to work, I slowly put on some weight. I freaked out. I tried to keep it up, but I sit all day long, work 10-12 hours a day and was getting older. At first, I did not know what to do and tried to pretty much do anything, but then I realized it was all too much. The toll it took on my body was bad. My metabolism was shot, I was even more depressed, and hangry people.

Somewhere in between 29 and 30 I realized I looked good, but I was not really "healthy." I was skinny, but not toned or again healthy. So, I embraced my newly formed hips, the extra pounds and curves and decided to get fit.

Sure, I still have my issues and wish i could go back to that weight, but I know that now I am strong and healthy. I allow myself things I enjoy and refuse to starve myself. I just maintain a good balance.

Ok, and now for a treat. My good friend & workout buddy Sam is going to share some wonderful tidbits with you all from time to time. Sam has a BS in Kinesiology with a certification in biology. He is also a certified sports nutritionist and master certified personal trainer. He is not only a good friend, but sometimes kicks my butt into shape! So, meet Sam!

cute huh?

I guess I will begin by thanking my sweet friend and training partner, Lynn, for the opportunity to chime in every once in a while on her brilliant and very entertaining blog.  Don’t let her beauty and charm fool you though, she is an animal in the gym as a training partner.

For my first guest entry, I would like to answer a question that I get most in my profession.  I train people from all walks of life with different goals in mind.  I would like to think that a well-round trainer/wellness coach/athletic coach exhibits the ability to accommodate everyone’s personal goals and needs while incorporating ability or lack thereof.  With this in mind, I do not shy away from the challenges of an elderly couple with musculoskeletal disorders, an athlete recovering from ACL surgery, or even Miss Texas competitors preparing to hit the stage (although, I am not going to lie, I was a bit intimidated by it). So as you can imagine, I get all kinds of questions from clients, some pertinent, some downright silly.  One question that I seem to get from them all is: What is the best form of training out there? Or does one form of training work better and faster than the others?

Between my personal training business and the supplement companies I help run, I probably answer this question 10 times a month. Here is my short and honest answer: I don’t know.

I find solace in the fact that I can say unequivocally that no one does.  The smartest and most intelligent people in this world know more about medicine than they do about the body’s physiological response to diet and exercise. The truth is that exercise is a relatively new concept that has not been studied long enough to speak to a definite and concrete evaluation of what works best.  We are all very different and our bodies respond differently to the various methods of training out there.

My advice is to try it all. Find a method that you enjoy and that works for you.  Don’t let the stage competitors of the world tell you that lifting is the only way. Don’t spend hours and hours on the treadmill simply because you see these marathon runners on television doing it. Crossfit and their cult like ways? It isn't for everyone, trust me.

In the end, the most elite athletes in the world cross train- or in other words, they do it all!  Kevin Durant, arguably the best basketball player in the world, cycles in the off season.  Maria Sharapova does crossfit to supplement her hours of hitting tennis balls on the court.  Michael Phelps lifts weights to prevent muscle breakdown during his hours of cardio training in the pool. 

So be open to it all. Develop a routine along with a positive attitude towards the regimen and stay consistent. Focus on your destination. The road traveled to get there doesn't matter.

Thanks Sam!! So link up and if you have any questions for Sam let me know and I will pick his brain! xoxo ya'll

Workout Wednesday

It occurred to me that I rarely blog about one part of my life that pretty huge: working out. So, I have decided to share more of this with you guys. From my workout story, my actual workouts, my diet, etc... and if you have questions, ask away! So here goes my first Workout Wednesday!

I was never overweight growing up. I was so active between dance, baton twirling, soccer, and karate that I just never stopped moving. I was teeny tiny, and did not grow until about my sophomore year in high school. During high school, I stayed active with baton and cheerleading. And college, I was able to maintain somewhat of my normal weight due to twirling and playing intramural sports for my sorority. So, it was not until after college that I got my freshman-15. Let's face it, I was working full-time, not twirling for the first time and existing on $5 Little Cesear's pizza and PB sandwiches. I was destined to put on some weight. But, I never thought of myself as "fat." I was a size 6-8, and for the first time in my life had boobs! Yes, people I had D's.

So, there I was at 23, a full year of working behind me. I met M that year and he was a workout fiend. He never said anything to me about my weight (let's face it, he liked the boobs). But then I decided I would compete one last year in Miss Texas. And it all changed overnight (ok not overnight, but it was the spark).

I began working out 4-5 days a week. It was slow at first, and I mean slow, as I was running 15 minutes at 5mph and huffing all the way. When did I get so out of shape? I slowly began to shed weight and incorporated weights into my routine. M was great with this. He set up workouts for me, got me in touch with a nutritionist and workouts from his former conditioning coach. I cut out soda cold turkey, no bread, no carbs pretty much and stuck to protein, veggies and fruit. Oh, and I quit drinking for the most part. Yup, stuck to the occasional gin and tonic or vodka soda. I shed the lb's like crazy people! Seriously! Look: (and I promised I would never do this, but proof is in the pics)

2005 with my best friend at TCU/TTU game

2006 when I won Miss White Settlement

March 2007

July 2007 Miss Texas

See, the pounds melted away and I was hooked! I was down to about a size 0/2 and loving life. M suddenly paid way more attention to me and I felt great! I managed to lose about 30 pounds in about 6 months.

Post Miss Texas I pretty much stayed on the bandwagon. Sure, I relaxed some and had my fair share of pancakes and ice cream. I probably put on about 5-7 pounds, but stayed slim and kept working out. Little did I know that this dream of mine would turn into a total life change. 

October 2007, wearing my high school prom dress

See, I did it the right way. I watched my diet, worked out and lost weight slowly over time. No fad diets, no pills, no crazy things. So, I kept it off. It also kicked started something in my brain. I never wanted to go back.

So, what's your story? Life changing event? Health? Always lived your life this way? I want to hear it. Link Up and tell me your Workout Wednesday Story! And tune in next week to hear about my workout story became an obsession.