Comeback

Success is an powerful thing...but so is perceived failure. Have you ever felt like you couldn't quite get it together? Ever sat on your bedroom floor and cried because your jeans didn't fit without the help of a crowbar and a jar of Crisco?

Being a grownup can be really overwhelming. Career, family, household, social life; sometimes it feels like you're so far off the mark you're not sure if you'll ever figure it out. But here's the truth...nothing will change until you're brave enough to try to change it yourself and no one's going to do it for you. Time to be brave and make a comeback.

Game Plan

*Meal planning. I found healthy and totally delicious recipes on this website. Time to put them to use:

http://www.skinnytaste.com/

*Attemp not to eat every cookie/cupcake/roll that comes into my line of sight. Seriously. I need to exhibit a little self control and have visuals with goals in mind. I'm going to make this fella to help out:



*Couch to 5K starts today!

 

And last but not least, every good comeback needs a theme song. Here's mine:




*MUAH*

In Search of the Sparkle

It's been over a year since I stopped blogging. I'd like to tell you everything has gone fabulously, that I've dropped more pounds due to a diligent healthy eating and exercise program...but that hasn't happened. While the train hasn't derailed, it's definitely stalled on the tracks. Weight came back on...not all of it, but enough of it to give me a wake up call. I'm slipping further away from my goal and it's frustrating, but I have no one to blame but myself.  Life got busy and I chose to let it get in the way.

The last few weeks I've read so many inspiring articles about people obtaining their goals and it got me thinking..."What happened to my success?" "What are my goals"? "Where's my accountability?" and dammit "Where did my sparkle go?"

You see, it isn't all about weight loss, it's about feeling good. A sense of accomplishment and taking care of oneself. Distractions and excuses got in my way and I lost my direction but most importantly, I feel like I've lost of my sparkle.

Well, a princess can't be without her sparkle, so it's back to business I go. Time to dust of the cookbooks and the workout shoes. Time to stop feeling sorry. Time to start feeling better. That's right sparkle, I'm coming for ya.

*MUAH*

Back To Business

I'm grateful for awesome, loving family and friends... I'm grateful for understanding and caring coworkers... I'm grateful for time to rest... I'm grateful for the most patient, amazing husband ever... And now I'm grateful for getting back to business.

I'm still a little worn out and rough around the edges, but this week I'm going to start back with light workouts and my first full week back to work. I'm 17 pounds away from my "under 200" goal - so let's get things back on track! I'm looking for new recipes, exercise ideas and new places to visit, so please feel free to share. Here's what I'm loving lately:


Label M Salon Products - My very favorite Twin Cities salon - Bella Edina - is carrying the best new product line ever! It's straight from London and it's amazing. I've been using their Volume Foam and Dry Shampoo. The product is lightweight, high quality and actually does what it's supposed to do - a miracle! Bella is the only salon in the area to carry this line, so stroll on through and snatch some up:

Bella Edina
5015 Ewing Avenue South
Edina, MN 55410
(612) 928-7835

And while you're there you could always make an appointment with my stylist, (hair magician and very best friend) Ashleigh Banks or with one of the other lovely and highly talented Bella stylists.


Kioyonna - If you're a curvy girl, you've got to check out Kiyonna. I've never been disappointed by a purchase. These poeple know how to dress curves and manufacture one heck of a garment. I've got a huge "wish list" going. Check them out online, you'll thank me:

http://www.kiyonna.com/plus-size-clothing/New_Arrivals.html



Tradtional Medicinals Tea - I love coffee. I actually love the things I put in coffee like skim milk and sugar more, but those aren't always the best things for you. So I'm working on loving tea. It's not my favorite, but I'm learning. Traditional Medicinals is my favorite brand. It's an herbal tea line, and I'm now addicted to their Organic Green Tea with Ginger and Nighty Night Tea.


Yay for trying new things and getting back to old routines. Here's to a fresh start and feeling better! *MUAH*

Don't Worry, Be Happy.

It's been almost month since I last checked in and it's been a wild ride. So here goes...

The good news is I'm not allergic to dairy (yay for butter!) but the bad news is I'm going to need a little more than some Tums to solve my tummy ache.

My lack of energy and awful tummy pains brought me to my doctor. My doctor found a fibroid (a non-cancerous tumor) on my uterus. It's a common condition that tons of women deal with and is usually be resolved with a quick office visit. Unfortunately my case is not so simple. The fibroid is large and in a complicated spot, so I'll have to have open abdominal surgery to remove it and repair the damage it's done. So, after the 26th of August it'll be six solid weeks of rest for this girl.

Am I scared? Yep. Am I tough? Yep. Will I get through this and get right back to losing the 19 pounds that are standing in the way of my first big weight loss goal? Yep. And most importantly, will I feel better after all this is done? Yep.

I have an amazing family and group of friends. I feel loved and blessed and ready to go, and in the mean time I'm going to keep up with the healthy eating and exercise, because I've lost 45 pounds (yay for 45 pounds!) but I have more to go and I'm ready to be healthy on the inside too.

Well enough of that serious stuff...no need to worry, here's what's been keeping me happy:

Kiss Print Skirts and Little Black Tanks Tops

My Husband's "Peter Griffin" Laugh

Hilarious Parties with Hilarious Boys

Toes in the Sand

Chubby-Cheeked Baby Cheerleaders

Smiling Puppies

And Of Course...

*MUAH*

Temptation

"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it." - Mae West

Staying on track is serious business. I've got vices and I'm certainly not going to pretend that I've suddenly acquired an iron-clad willpower. So what does one do to keep one's self in check? Here's what helping me stay focused this week:

Dessert
I've got a major sweet tooth. My tummy always thinks there's room for dessert but that doesn't go so well with the nutrition plan. Enter my newest find: Temptations by Jello - Strawberry Cheesecake. These are delicious and help to avoid a spontaneous Cheesecake Factory visit. Yum!

Shopping
I could shop all day, every day. I particularly enjoy shopping with other people's money so if you have any spare money laying around just waiting to be spent, let me know because I'd be happy to take it off your hands...
Anyways, as fabulous as a good shopping trip can be, it's an expensive habit (and nobody likes a big pile of debt) so I'm in constant search of the elusive "good bargain" but it's got to be good quality and uber cute.  My newest favorite find is Len. It's Len Druskin's outlet store and it's chock-full of cute clothes, jewelry, purses and shoes (I've still gotta shop people). It's the perfect place for a former "Galleria" girl, who's working on a budget...and who the hell isn't on a budget these days?

http://www.shoplen.com/

It's been a crazy week and it's easy to lose focus when you're in the middle of chaos. In an effort to keep the food and exercise in order, my newest source of motivation will be taking up prime real estate on my refrigerator door:

As you see I've got some work to do, so I better start with some beauty rest!

*MUAH*

A Dose of Perspective

Sometimes life is hard and sometimes life is easy-breezy. Sometimes life is neat and sometimes life is oh so messy.

I've been messy lately...and whiny...and lazy. I've been wrapped up in the comings and goings of not-so- important things and seem to have lost my focus and with it, my perspective.

I've been bouncing up and down between the same three pounds for a month because I've lost my focus. I haven't blogged in nearly a month because I've lost my focus. Quality time with my husband and family? I'm absorbed in my own nonsense and there went my focus. Finding the sunshine in a cloudy day? There's that focus again. Little things started to seem big and big things started to seem unbearable. Excuses started to get in the way. Life started to get "messy" and "overwhelming" and then things on my to-do list were getting shelved.

Well this weekend I was given a healthy dose of perspective. I heard very sad news about a very young person who lost their life to cancer. Gone like that. Nothing I have going on is that overwhelming, not even close.

Complaining seems to be an epidemic these days, and here's the truth - we all have a lot to look forward to and a lot to get done. So I'm going to do myself a favor, pull myself up by the my bootstraps and dig my focus out of that pile of negativity. Time to get back to business...starting with a trip on elliptical and a snuggle with my adorable fluffy pup and my favorite blue-eyed boy.


*MUAH*

Dear Sarah...

Dear Sarah,

This is your last week of boot camp. Final weigh-in and fitness assessment are next Tuesday. You've worked for months, losing weight and learning how to live - but it's time for new adventure. So here's a little advice for the next chapter...

*Don't forget to eat your fruits and veggies. They make you happy...and less chubby.
*Set new goals and work with everything you've got to make them happen.
*Don't be too hard on yourself. You've got work to do, but you've also got a lot to be proud of. Nobody's perfect kid, nobody.

*Don't forget where you were...

*Or how far you've come...

*Or where you want to be...

 

 

*Be bold. Because you've already posted a picture of yourself on the Internet in swimsuit, so there's not much left to hide.

*Don't forget to blog. Share your stories - your successes and failures, because you'll have some of both and writing about them helps figure it all out.

*Do want you can. Everyone else and everything else will sort itself out.


You've come a long way babe. I'm excited to see what you do next... XOXO, Sarah

Must Love Sweat

Never say never. That's what I've learned. I never thought I'd like exercise and I never thought I'd like to sweat. Well, I was wrong. Never say never...

I've been working my butt off for nearly six months. Every pound and inch I've lost I've had to fight for. I've cried, laughed, screamed, smiled, failed and succeeded my way through nearly forty pounds.  It's never been easy, but it's always been worth it.

I've only got a few more weeks left of boot camp so I've been busy trying new foods like greek yogurt (which I love and can't go a day without) and new workout routines like Zumba - watch out Shakira - and Cardio Kickboxing - watch out world, I'm a uncoordinated kicking machine. If you haven't tried any or all  of the above listed items you've got to.  Seriously, I'll even try them with you.

I'm learning to love new adventures and with the new adventures I've got a few milestones to report:

*I can bear the thought of wearing shorts in public.

*I can eat a blueberry muffin without gaining five pounds or  thinking about gaining five pounds. 

*I can now wear a size 18 jean. Which is four sizes smaller than I was sporting six months ago. Love!

*I can now feel a bicep. I can't really see it yet, but I can feel it, so I know it's there...and that's a good start.


Lots of things to be proud of. Lots of things to work hard for.  Lots of things to look forward to. 

*MUAH*

Yum! And Other Good Things.

Yum!

Boca Original Chick'n
When I'm hankering for fast food (particularly the forbidden McDonald's chicken nugget) I turn to these puppies. They're half the fat of a regular chicken patty and when you crisp them up in the oven, they're pretty tasty. Its not a deep fried piece of chicken, but it'll do.

Yasso Frozen Greek Yogurt
These suckers have no fat and are only 70 calories per bar. Go out and buy some to share with your friends...or keep them all to your self. I'm not judging. They're pretty darn good.

Other Good Things

1. Having your pants taken in, buying a smaller dress size and a new development this week! Having your wedding ring taken down a size or two. Yay for skinny fingers!

2. Feeling muscles in my arms, for the first time EVER. Calm down...there's no gun show, but there is definitely some muscle happening in there somewhere.

3. Trying new things. This week: gluten-free brownies and Zumba class. Wish me luck!

4. Compliments when you least expect them. I got a few today and either I was wearing one hell of a dress, or all my hard work is paying off.  Come to think of it, maybe it's both.


*MUAH*

Sassy Dress Season

Warm weather is finally upon us. The windows are open, the sun is shining, and the sandals are out. Pool time, bonfires and cocktails on the patio are here! I love this time of year. There's so much fun on the agenda and so many reason to buy something new to wear. That's right, thus begins sassy dress season!

At the top of the warm weather festivities for us this year, is a Maxey Family Wedding. If you know me, and you know my in-laws, then you know these people take their party planning seriously. They throw a damn good shindig; which means there's one thing left for me to do; find something to wear!

So online shopping  I went, and here's what I found:



Love, love, love!

I've got the dress on order and a little over six weeks to tone up and slim down to do this little number justice. I'm declaring this: "Sassy Red Dress Challenge 2011". After weeks of feeling blah, this is just the motivation I need to reboot my body. It's hardcore workouts and healthy eating full speed. No more slacking, it's "Sassy Red Dress Challenge 2011" or bust!

*MUAH*

 

Not Quite Marilyn...But It's Progress

For the first time in a long time my weight is down in the 220s. That's a long, long way from the 250 plus pounds where I started. I decided to reward myself with a pretty, pink polka dot swimsuit. It's not an airbrushed goddess, it's not an "after" and it's not quite Marilyn, but it's progress...and I think it's pretty damn cute.

*MUAH*

Little White Daisies

The older I get, the more I appreciate simple. I never thought I'd feel this way, but I crave simple. Less clutter, less drama, less stress, less worry. I'm there.

This weekend I was out and saw little white daisies. Daisies make me smile. They've always been close to my heart. They remind me of a women I never met but feel very much a part of - my Grandma Mary. I've been told Mary Jane Rusten was a gentle and practical women with a kind spirit and a loving heart. My dad tells me I have her eyes. I aspire to be more like her.

I recently read an article that suggested the key to a happier, healthier life was to live more like our grandparents did decades ago. Buy what you can afford, eat things from the ground (not a box), treat people with kindness, savor face-to-face conversations and learn to love and appreciate what you have today, because tomorrow you may have more, but that doesn't mean tomorrow will be better.

So my little white daisies sit in their vase in my kitchen as a reminder to appreciate the simple things. I hope you do the same this week, because I think we could all benefit from a little sunshine.

*MUAH*

Swimming In Pot Holes

I missed you.

Boot camp round two has been really tough. We're already five weeks in and I feel like I'm trudging up a mountain and speeding down a cliff all in the same breath.

I've been feeling just plain yucky the last few weeks. My tummy is upset and that seems to make everything a damn chore because I'm so worn out. My doctor informed me that my "stomach flu" was lactose intolerance, so it's two weeks of avoiding dairy and then we'll "reevaluate the situation".

Sidebar! Despite the suckiness of a cheese and butter-free diet, I have found a new love in the process. When I had to give up coffee with milk/creamer, I wandered into The Tea Garden for guidance from a tea-expert. What I found was peach, mango iced tea - I love it! Check them out:

http://www.teagardeninc.com/Locations.html
 
I'm a go-go-go person, but when I'm not feeling well, things come to a screeching halt. Laundry is still in the hamper, errands are waiting to be ran and blogging definitely fell by the wayside. Needless to say, things have been a bit challenging, but I'm still working towards my goal and have absolutely no intention of giving up. Which reminds me...

A wise and lovely person wrote a witty little update on Facebook that made me smile and gave me a good dose of perspective..."Saw a mallard happily swimming and splashing in his own little lake: a large parking lot pot hole filled with water. Lesson of the day: when life gives you pot holes and rain, make like a duck and sploosh around."

Now if you'll excuse me, I've got some pot holes to tend to.

*MUAH*

Fat Girl

I love to hear that people read my blog, and I'd be lying if I said it didn't make me feel good.

This weekend I had an interesting encounter that got me thinking. I had someone approach me and say, "I read your blog, I like your writing and really appreciate the fact that you're like: Hey, I'm a fat girl and I'm funny and I'm working on losing weight, but I love myself no matter what! I like that about you and I think other people like that about you."

Huh. You know, I think I like that about me too.

The truth is I am a fat girl (ooohh, I know I said the "f" word!), if I wasn't a fat girl, there wouldn't be a weight loss blog and a lifestyle change. But I'm also a smart girl, a confident girl, a funny girl and one heck of a resilient girl.

I've said it from the beginning that this journey is about being a healthier, happier person. The weight loss is important and necessary, but I'm not trying to change who I am. I'm never going to be a tall, skinny size six, but I'm working hard to be a healthy, curvy, toned size fourteen.

Weight loss is physical, but so much of it is mental. You only get one body and it's important you love and take care of the one you're given, but please don't forget to be kind to your soul.

I'm going to keep working and the weight will continue to come off, but I'll always be a fat girl on the inside. But you know, that's okay because I like her... she and I are learning to compromise. I'll give her a cupcake every once in awhile and remember the life lessons she's taught me, but she's going to let me hit the elliptical, fit into smaller jeans and do the things I've always wanted to, but never could.

I think we're a match made heaven.

*MUAH*

How Did I Go This Long Without You?

New loves this week!


Kashi Mushroom Trio and Spinach Pizza - I love spinach and mushroom pizza. Love. Unfortunately, pizza doesn't always top the "healthy eating" list. Good thing I found this healthier alternative to tied over my pizza craving. Yum!



City Chic - I've been in love with this Aussie plus-size brand forever. Their designs are fun, they have a easy to use sizing chart, not to mention their sale selection is always good (hey, I don't like to pay full price for anything) the only catch was they didn't offer shipping to the US. New development! Not only do they offer shipping here, but right now it's free! I officially let you know (in 7-10 business days) if the brand lives up to their rep. I can't wait!

http://www.citychiconline.com/index.php/



Boots No.7 Sheer Temptation Lipstick in Tempt - I'm not one of those girls with a naturally-pink pout. Therefore, I'm constantly looking for the perfect sheer lip color. I found it! It goes on without the heaviness of lipstick or the sticky mess of gloss. It's perfect and on sale at Target right now.

My final love of the week? Driving home from work in the sunshine with the windows down. It's been too long. Keep the spring coming...

*MUAH*

A Little Motivation

So here I am, week two of "Boot Camp Round Two" and it's an uphill battle. The workouts are definitely more intense and sometimes it feels I'm back at square one. With that being said, I think it's time to create a little motivation and set some new goals:

1. Let's try another 20 pounds, shall we? I know it'll be tough and it won't come off like the first 20 pounds but I'm going to work my butt off to get rid of this extra weight. I've got 30 pounds to go before I hit my first big goal weight (being under 200). It's baby steps to get it off and keep it off.

2. Wearing jeans in a size with a "1" in front of it opposed to a "2" for the first time in a long time. Right now I'm down from a size 24 to a size 20. I'm so close I can taste it!

3. Writing and sticking with an exercise "schedule". I love lists, I love appointments, I love schedules. Why wouldn't I schedule exercise in my day just like I would any other appointment?

4. I'm going to be the "Daughter of the Groom" this June. My dad and is lovely new bride Patty snuck off to Anguilla last month and tied the knot. They have a reception planned at the end of June to celebrate their nuptials and as the official "Daughter of the Groom", I think it's my duty to look extra sassy. I've got a new party dress to shop for!

5. I'd still like to look like this is a swimsuit:

Hey, it's not  exactly a new goal but it's a good one.

Last week had it good moments (thank you Wednesday!) but it also presented it's challenges. I found myself overwhelmed and under motivated, so here's my motivation. Time to brush myself off and get to it!

*MUAH*

And Then There Was Wednesday

Some days are tough. Some weeks are tough. Heels break, coffee spills, work gets crazy, people get cranky, plans get cancelled...hell, even hair goes flat.

And then there was Wednesday. For whatever reason today; this very Wednesday was the silver lining. This boring, random, middle-of-the-week-day worked out, and today I found new favorites:

*Trader Joe's Black Bean and Roasted Corn Salsa

I'm in love. This tastes like summer and I'm pretty sure I could eat it on about anything. Throw this in with some lettuce and a little chicken and you've got it made.

*Wedding Dress Fitting

Today I had my fitting to alter my wedding dress, for the upcoming LLS charity event Jason and I are helping with. The tailor had to take in my dress (yes my official, wore-it-almost-six-years-ago dress) an inch on each side of the bodice! How could I not love Wednesday?



*Femme Fatale

Obviously. Tracks 1, 2, 3, 6, 11...Duh.

So thank you Wednesday for renewing my faith in this week. And yes, I know I can be a total Pollyanna, glass-is-half-full, optimist, but that's okay, maybe it'll catch on... ;)

*MUAH*

Back Where I Belong

The party shoes have been worn, the decorations have been put away and the flowers made their way to the wastebasket. Cupcakes, cocktails and dance parties...oh my! The hair, the makeup, the shopping trips; it's been one party after the next. But despite the fabulous time I've had, I think I may have gotten carried away. Frankly, I think I'm suffering from a glitter-induced hangover.

Now that the birthday party is long over and my week-long break from boot camp and blogging is done, it's time to get back to earth. Spring cleaning (time to purge the closets and drawers), grocery shopping (the fridge has nothing but eggs and ketchup - yikes!), and regular workouts (which started up again tonight - ouch!) are SO needed.

I know all that sounds so ordinary in comparison to the fun I've been having, but in all this excitement I realized how much I love and need that "everyday, ordinary" stuff.

I'll leave the glamour and fast-living to the professionals for now. So off I go, to my ordinary bed for my regular ole beauty-rest. Back safe and sound, right back where I belong.

*MUAH*

The Results Are In...

Tonight was the final fitness assessment of my twelve week boot camp. We weighed-in, took measurements, calculated our resting heart rates, measured body fat and had our blood pressures taken.

Here's what I did in twelve weeks of training...

*I'm 22 pounds lighter. Put that together with the 8 pounds I lost before boot camp began and you get...30!

*My blood pressure is back to a healthy 120/80.

*My resting heart rate made an astonishing leap from the high 90's to the 60's! It changed so drastically that my trainer ran the test twice to verify the reading.  I'm heart healthy now!

*I've lost well over a foot of inches off my body. My shoulders, arms, hips, abs, butt, thighs - everywhere. I'm shrinking!

*At week one, my body fat was at the highest possible on the register, twelve weeks later I've lost 4% body fat. My body composition has changed so much that my belly button is in a new spot on my tummy. Seriously. How do ya like them apples?

*And last but not least, I found my sassy, happy, silly self again. I missed her, I'm so glad she's back.


On Thursday I'll get all the official charts and calculations with exact percentages of muscle gained and fat lost (and yes, I do plan on hanging these charts on my fridge with a gold star). I can't wait to compare all the numbers on paper. So exciting!

So twelve weeks later I have a new body, it's not perfect, but it's different and I love it. A big thank you to my amazing trainer, Chris Dixon of Insider Training, who changed my perspective on everything "diet and exercise".  Here's to "Boot Camp Round Two" which starts March 29th. Let's see if we can bust those extra 30 pounds off this body in round two. Sound like a plan?

*MUAH*

Twenty-Eight

Tomorrow I'll be another year older. Twenty-eight to be exact. I'm excited for twenty-eight.

Twenty-seven was bittersweet. Lots of changes. Some of them good and some of them challenging. I've absolutely felt a shift within myself in the past year. New habits were formed, fears were confronted, and priorities were set. It was a year all about growing up.

What will twenty-eight bring? I'm not sure, but here's what I'd like to try and fit in...

*New Foods
Last year I discovered my passion for goat cheese, spinach, agave, gluten-free baked goods and sushi. I wonder what I'll find this year? Yum.

*Vacation
I need a real one. Next winter. Someplace warm and with my friends. A definite must.

*Boot Camp Round Two
I'm ready for round two, there's 33 more pounds to lose to get to my first big "goal weight". I'm pumped.

*Dance Lessons
I want to learn to tango, to salsa or to just float effortlessly across the floor like a ballerina...who's with me?!?

*Adele
I love her. I hope she comes here or near here. I'd love to see her in concert. She's amazing. My hero.



*New Places and New Things
I want to find new stores, new restaurants...new favorites. I want to go visit more museums, see more plays, take more road trips, watch more bonfires, give more hugs and get more kisses. I want to fall in love with my backyard and all the people in it, all over again.

Yep, I'm excited for twenty-eight.

*MUAH*