Back into it

Apparently, getting engaged is a free pass to eat whatever you want (in moderation) and only work out sporadically. No? It's not? Because that's what I've been doing! I can't help myself.

I haven't gained weight in the past month (well, about a pound or so, depending on the day, sometimes less), but I sure haven't lost anything. At this point, I wanted to be at least 6-8 lbs down from my engagement weight instead of just 4.

Blah!

The good news about all of this is that I can get it out of my system before the long stretch before the wedding. Also that the wedding is still 11 months away. Plenty of time to get my rear in gear and get back to my routine.

BUT I'm joining a gym TONIGHT with my friend Vanessa. We do Zumba together on Mondays (she goes Wednesdays, too, but that's my dinner night with my mama), and they also have Zumba on Tuesdays and Thursdays around the time right after I get out of work, which would be perfect. On days that Fiance drives at work, he'll get home later in the day (around 6:30 or so), which would allow me to work out on the way home from work. Because when we're both home, I don't have nearly as much motivation to work out as when he's at work and I'm just sitting on the couch for two straight hours!

I just need a little boost to get me back into gear. I'm only about 15-20 lbs away from my goal and I've already lost a good amount from my original. I would be happy to get married at my current weight, because I feel good, I feel healthy, etc., but for my wedding day, the day 've always dreamed of, I just want to feel... amazing.

Wish me luck. I'm zumba-ing tonight and that is final!

Sunshines and Dark Clouds!

FRIDAY!

Dark Clouds:

• I have to work tomorrow in El Paso covering an event. Which means my Saturday evening will be spent trying to FIND the darn place, then writing notes and snapping photos for a couple of hours. But hey, Fiance gets to come, and I think we'll try to grab some dinner over there, too.
• I need new windshield wipers but I always forget about it because we get like, ZERO rain until July. Then I remember. Oh, I remember.
• Poor Fiance locked himself out of the house yesterday. Luckily, I was already on my way home from work to save him. But he got locked out without a phone, a wallet, or his keys due to our finicky doorknob. He walked three miles to his grandpa's house and broke in to use their phone. Poor guy!
• I need a haircut. Badly.

SUNSHINES:

• It's FRIDAY and I'm ready for the weekend!
• We made some bomb spaghetti yesterday and I couldn't wait for lunch today! Yay!
• Fiance and I bought new throw pillows and rugs yesterday. It's the easiest way to make a house a home, I think. Well, those and a dog!
• I had coffee with my great friend Blairre this week and I'm so excited for her... she's about seven months pregnant with her second, and she and her husband are thrilled. The ultrasound says girl, but Blairre has been having her doubts. Her instinct was right the first time around!
• We saw the Amazing Spider Man and I LOVED it. Andrew Garfield is too, too cute. I have a big crush on him (it's okay, Fiance has a crush on Emma Stone!).
• It's been rainy and SO nice.

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Great Week

Sorry to pop back in on a Thursday, but it has been a really CRAZY busy week. My cousin and aunt came in this weekend and we spent the whole weekend drinking and eating and shopping with them!

Then we had the 4th of July. We grilled steaks, ate watermelon, and played with six boxes of sparklers while we watched the city fireworks from afar. I LOVE the fourth of July! One of my favorite holidays!

BUT now I'm back to work and trying to focus on my new projects at work. Wish me luck!

Bridesmaids!

So now that we are in the swing of wedding things, I thought I would take a second to introduce my favorite girls... my bridesmaids! I should also note that I have some other REALLY great girls in my life (particularly Adriana and Kaitlyn, who are crazy busy in their mama/PhD persuing lives, respectively), but these bridesmaids are the ones that will be forced to participate in bridesmaidy things for the next year. Good luck, girls!

FIRST and most important is my Maid of Honor, my sister Jessica.

My sister has always been one of my best friends. We go through ups and downs (like all sisters do) but overall, she's one of the people that knows me best in the world. She's super fun and I'm excited to plan this wedding with her. We already had a super fun wedding magazine/champagne party and I can't wait for more!


Next is my cousin Stephanie, who is here in town to visit.



Even though she and I only saw each other twice a year growing up (Christmas and our family reunion), we've ALWAYS kept in great touch through AOL IM (I know, right?), email, texting, Facebook, Myspace, whatever! I love love love her and I'm so happy she gets to stand next to me on my special day.


Then, there's my best friend Valerie.



Valerie and I have been best friends since high school (freshman year honors physical science, what what!) and friends since 7th grade. She's been there for me through ALL of my big events (broken hearts, love, first kisses, etc.) and she was actually the first person I told about Fiance when he asked me to be his girlfriend. I love her!


Also, my great friend Blairre!


Blairre and I have been friends since high school. We bonded over a certain football player and then solidified our friendship through ENDLESS Starbucks trips, shopping trips, a Nelly concert, sleepovers, and then through HER wedding when I was a bridesmaid. We're the type of friends that can be apart for months and then when we see each other, we always spend HOURS catching right back up without a break, like nothing has changed!


Last but definitely not least is my friend Danielle.



Danielle and I have literally been friends for as long as I can remember. She used to live down the street from me and we went to kindergarten, elementary, middle, high school, and college together and we even lived together in the dorms. We have very different crowds but she's always been one of my close friends that I can turn to when I need to talk or need a break. She's super fun and SUPER down to earth.


THERE YOU HAVE IT! My bridesmaids! I can't wait to have them all with me on my wedding day. I love these girls!

Friday/Thursday

Sunshines and Dark Clouds time, a little early this week! Woo!

Dark Clouds:

• The cleaning in my house is neverending.
• I've had plans cancelled TWICE on me this week (sad face!).
• We have not been doing great on planning our meals. Normally, Fiance and I are pretty good about planning out the week's meals, but nope. Not this week. We resorted to frozen french fries and frozen corndogs tonight. Nothing like feeding our inner seven year olds!
• Two of my pretty, pretty gel nails broke. BOO!

Sunshines:

• My cousin and aunt are coming in tomorrow for a visit! My cousin is also one of my bridesmaids and this is the first time I'll see her since I got engaged. SO EXCITED!

•   I'm making real progress on my wedding. I never really thought I would become a "wedding blogger" in the course of this whole thing, but as this is a representation of my life, my life and this blog will both revolve around weddings in various periods. Truth.
• I'm THISCLOSE to joining a gym with my friend Vanessa. The zumba is so fun and I always feel GREAT when I'm done. I just have to bite the bullet and join!
• We head back to Phoenix in just two weeks for our cake tasting, rehearsal dinner scouting, wedding dress scouting, meetings with photographers and meetings with DJs. In just TWO DAYS. Wish us tons of luck!
• Fiance (my wonderful wonderful fiance) is buying us tickets to see our favorite comedian Kevin Hart back in Phoenix in November! I figure I can always justify the trip by making some wedding plans while we are there... right?

Have a great weekend! I'll check back in later!

Best Things About Losing Weight

As I've briefly mentioned on this blog, Fiance and I have been working out and eating better. Since the beginning of the year, we have both lost a good amount of weight and REALLY got a lot more muscle tone and stamina. I feel so much better overall. I sleep better. My hair is shinier. I'm not as sick or as tired. I'm learning to eat when I'm hungry instead of just bored. I'm learning to really LOVE and CRAVE water. But overall, I'm learning that this is not just a diet. This is a lifestyle.

I know, I know. We've all heard that before. But seriously. Some diets don't let you have any sweets or sugar at all. That includes cake. CAKE! I don't want to live in a world without cake. Or french fries. Fiance and I have lost our weight (combined, over 70 lbs!) WHILE eating wingstop/peter piper/cheeseburgers... at least something once a week.

It's so nice to have eating habits that I can have for the rest of my life and stay healthy. That's one of the best things about losing weight. The other best things?

November 2011

May 2012

December 2011

May 2012

Plus, buying pants two sizes smaller than the first of the year is pretty awesome!

25 Before 25 Update!

I figured it is time for a 25 before 25 update! I haven't done SUPER great but I do get to cross a few things off. I better get a move on if I want to finish this list! 25 approaches!

1. Buy a nice piece of jewelry for myself

2. Submit my columns to a syndication press system

3. Watch 10 of Boyfriend's Academy Award winners

4. Lose 30 lbs

5. Become financially independent

6. Make homemade tortillas

7. Run a 5k

8. Volunteer for something

9. Make THIS chicken :o)

10. Do something different with my hair (dye it, cut it, etc.)

11. Go camping

12. See my grandparents once a month

13. Keep my spider plant alive

14. Donate money to charity

15. Read 10 classic books on the BBC Top 100 Books
16. Learn how to make great mashed potato
17. Find a dress that makes me feel like a princess
18. Ride in a helicopter
19. Try a food I can't pronounce
20. See another Cirque Du Soleil show
21. Improve my individual relationships with Boyfriend's family
22. Stay in touch with my sister more often
23. Start an herb garden
24. Write another 25,000 words on my book
25. Be truly surprised :o) (the engagement was a TRUE surprise!)


Not bad for just a few weeks. And as long as my beautiful basil plant holds out, I'm good to go for the herb garden! Up next is rosemary! PLUS I've seen four of Fiance's Academy Award winners so far, so I'm doing great on that. But the others are things that need planning and commitment. Sigh. Wish me luck!