Try!

This morning I was driving into work and the song “Try” by Colbie Caillat came on. I listened to it and then half ways through decided I need to listen to it again, but this time really pay attention to the words. It wasn’t my first time to hear it, actually I own the song on my iPod, but today it really struck a chord with me. I went straight to my office and started this blog… I needed to get it off my chest and on to “paper” before my thoughts got lost in my busy hectic life.

I am working on losing my weight for a third time. Yep, third time. The 1^st time I lost it; I injured myself and had to have reconstructive knee surgery, had to learn to walk again and dealt with a lot of depression. The 2^nd time I lost it, I got pregnant, miscarried, dealt with tons of depression and then got pregnant with Dax and felt scared to death the whole 9 months that something bad would happen. I tend to eat my feelings and when depression is involved, I eat double. It is a huge struggle I hope one day I never have to deal with again… but if I do I hope that I am able to find a place to turn to that isn’t food.

Anyways, back to the song. The song talks about not having to try so hard to fit in. The first time I lost my weight, I have to admit, I was losing it to fit in. I was losing it to find a guy. I was losing it because I felt left behind. You see, my best friend and my big sister had both lost tons of weight (while I was pregnant with Caleb) and I felt left out. I wanted to fit in with them, I wanted to fit in their clothes, and I wanted to fit in to the “skinny” circle. I also wanted to fit in with the other healthy mom’s. I didn’t want Caleb to be embarrassed of me. I wanted to be the cool skinny mom. It was all about fitting in.

When I lost it the 2^nd time, it centered on fitting into my wedding dress. I had a picture of what I wanted to look like on my wedding day and being overweight was not an option. I didn’t do it to fit into a certain crowd or to get a boy to like me (I had Casey and he loved me no matter my weight)… no I did it to fit into the “perfect” wedding look. You want to know something funny? On my wedding day, I was in the worst mood. I felt so fat and so ugly and was disappointed in myself for not losing more weight. I hate looking back at that day and remembering those feelings… especially since when I look back at pictures, I was SO thin!!! I looked AWESOME… if only I could have felt that way then.

This time I am losing it I am not trying to fit into any mold. I am just trying to be healthy. I don’t care what someone thinks about my journey, I don’t care if I fit into a model size dress, I don’t care about fitting in at all… I just want to do me and do the best I can. I don’t know if it is my age or the fact that I have done it the “wrong” way 2 times already… but whatever it is, I have to admit that I like this way much better. I look at myself in the mirror and think “Wow I look good” and I am bigger than I was on my wedding. I take time to celebrate my small accomplishments and lift myself up instead of telling myself I can do more and I am not good enough.

I don’t feel like I have to TRY to fit in anymore, I am doing me and if you like it great… if you don’t, well close the browser because I am not doing this for you… it is all for me!

Don’t ever feel like you aren’t good enough. Like the song says, you have to ask yourself when you are all alone… do YOU like YOU just the way you are? If the answer is yes then keep doing you. If the answer is no, then change it but only do it for yourself and remember to love yourself during the journey!

Okay, stepping off my soap box now. I hope you all have a fantastic Monday!!! Much love…

4 Week Fat Blaster - Results

After ending the Kelsey Byers 12 week Skinny Jean Challenge, I took about a week 1/2 off from being hardcore and enjoied some yummy cheat meals and even slept in a few extra days. I still stayed on track about 75% of the time.

The Monday before Thanksgiving, I started her 4 week Fat Blaster program and today I did my last workout of the 4 weeks.

I measured, weighed and took pictures this morning. I lost exactly 11 pounds and dropped 7.75 inches total body. The before pictures below are from ending the 12 week Skinny Jean Challenge. You can purchase her programs HERE. She is putting a new one out on January 1st and I will be participating in that challenge... join me!!!

These photos are from August 19 to December 19th and I have been following the Kelsey Byers programs (you can buy them HERE, they each come with a gym plan, an at home plan and meal plans... I tweaked my meal plans though to fit my taste)

To top the day off, Casey went to the gym with me and let me train him!! Back and Biceps baby!!!

Hope you have a GREAT weekend!!!

Time to vent

Having a blog means it is my space to vent and verbally throw up all over the internet... and you can read it or move right along. I love having this space especially for days like today!!!

Stepping on soap box... *Warning - Aunt Flow just paid me a visit and I am a bit snippy today*

I wish I was one of those girls who after having a baby would just go back down into their regular clothes. I know having to work as hard as I do, inspires people and makes me a better/stronger person... blah blah blah... but geez I am just ready to wake up and be my tiny self again. And by wake up, I mean I want to wake up at normal time and not at 4:30 am to go to the gym!!!

I am also SO sick of MEAN GIRLS!!!! Seriously, ladies... let's lift each other up instead of tearing each other down. I don't care if you make more money than me, if you are prettier than me, if you are skinnier than me, if you are married, if you are single, if you have kids, if you hate kids, whatever kind of woman you are... YOU ARE NO BETTER THAN THE WOMAN NEXT TO YOU!!!! Stop leaving people out (on purpose), stop spreading hate about certain women, and just STOP BEING MEAN!!! I am so sick of it. I decided I am no longer putting up with it. I have been ignoring it for to long, trying to not let it bother me but it isn't working anymore. I am standing up to it and I will continue to stand up to the hate until you learn that being mean and tearing others down is NOT the answer to anything and it doesn't make you a better person at all.

And for my last rant... FOOD! Why must it taste so good and why must it all be filled with calories and carbs?! WHY OH WHY?! I am 1.2 pounds away from hitting my pre-pregnancy weight (with Dax) and then I have 40 more pounds to lose from my miscarriage/depression. It has been such a struggle to get this "last" 2 pounds off. I feel like it is taking forever!!! And food isn't helping! I ate out last night because I forgot my meal at home and we went out for my MIL's birthday. I picked something (semi) healthy and went with it. Tonight we are going to our fancy Christmas party at work and I have been counting down the days to it so I can eat some amazing yummy food. I know the food isn't going to help me get to my goal by Monday (when Dax turns 6 months) but I also really want to enjoy my planned cheat meal tonight. Dear Food, for once in my life can you please just be calorie and carb free. Love your biggest fan, Jordan!

Okay I better step off my soap box... I am getting worked up again and all I really want to do is go lay in a hot bath and never get out.

Did I mention that I tripped over AIR at the gym this morning... didn't help my mood at all.

Here is to a BETTER tomorrow!!! Time to try and turn this frown upside down!!!

Goal Outfit - Update

Three weeks ago I posted a blog about my new goal outfit that I have hanging in my kitchen and in my bathroom... you can read the entry HERE.

My niece asked me yesterday if I had tried the shirt on in awhile to see if it fits and I told her I hadn't... so I decided to try them on.

Since ending Kelsey Byers' 12 Week Skinny Jean Challenge, I have been doing Kelsey's 4 Week Fat Blaster program... I am loving all she has to offer! To check out one of her programs, click HERE 

So, I tried on the clothes and noticed the short fit better but the top was still tight in my arms. I was kind of bummed to be honest. I decided to take photos and compare them to the November 16th photos. I am glad I did because it turned my frown upside down!!!

Here are my results from the last 3 weeks, this is a 5.8 pound difference...

Our Journey to Buying a House!

As you might know by now, we are in the process of buying a house!!!

A few years back, after we got engaged, we started looking for houses. However, our credit wasn’t that great and we had trouble finding a rent house. It was a low point in my adult life and it left me with a lot of fear and anxiety about ever being able to buy a house of our own. I started that year working on our credit. I wrote letters, paid stuff off (using Dave Ramsey’s methods), we played around with Casey’s credit card and I eventually was able to get a credit card myself. Casey’s credit problems were mostly due to non-payments and mine were because of medical debt (which we are still paying) and my lack of credit. I was always told to stay clear of credit cards and things related… which in the long run hurt me. No credit is almost as worse as bad credit! Finally we have everything going in the right direction and this past summer we decided to see if we could get pre-approved… and we did!!!

We weren’t ready to buy then, so we waited a few months and then started the process. We contacted a friend who we really trust and asked her to be our Realtor. She set us up an account with houses that fit our wants and needs and we started to just see what was on the market. We set a date of November 20^th to start looking. That week, we went and viewed a couple of houses and I had one particular one I had been keeping tabs on and was in love with. The first house was blah… the third house was pretty but didn’t speak to me… the second house, WOW! It was it! You know when you find your wedding dress and you just know… that is how it was with the house! I just knew!  

The whole process had me in fear. What do we do next? What if she says no? What if we don’t get pre-approved again? What if our Realtor breaks up with us because I am so needy and asking too many “What If” questions?! Haha! My hands would get sweaty, my heart would race and I would have small panic attacks just thinking about it all…

                              

We put an offer in on that Friday and we included a heartfelt letter letting the Seller know why we wanted to buy her house. I even had each one of us sign it and included a photo. They said she was motivated to sell and we would probably have an answer Saturday. Then Saturday they said she wanted more time to think and we would have an answer Sunday. Then Sunday she decided to spend the day at church and pray about our offer more and we would have an answer Monday. There is something you really should know about me… Patience and I aren’t really friends! I wanted to know NOW!!!! Finally Monday morning she accepted our offer! When the Realtor called, I cried hearing the news. I was seriously a mess I was so excited!

                                

Yesterday the Option period ended and our inspection turned out rather nicely. There are a few minor things we wanted updated and she is going to take care of everything except for the pool. The seal just needs to be redone and we have an estimate for $450.00 so we will do that when we get the keys… other than that, everything is moving right along. Including all of the paperwork we have had to gather for the Mortgage Company. I am glad I am OCD and love to organize because it hasn’t been too much of a pain in the booty (just yet, hopefully it won’t be). I won’t lie; Casey and I have had some bickering moments… I am very GET IT DONE NOW and he is like HO HUM IT WILL GET DONE. It makes for some fun times for sure!

I keep playing on Pinterest, dreaming of ideas, and thinking where we will put everything in each room. My favorite 2 spots in the house would have to be the covered patio in the backyard that is a perfect spot to sit and look at the POOL… and my other favorite spot would have to be the craft room! They have built a room off the garage (but the garage is still a normal size garage) that is big enough for a craft room/guest room/sitting area. I have BIG plans for that room and I can’t wait to get started. The best part of the room, on the side where I will put my desk and crafts; there is a sink in there. Perfect for washing paint out of “crap”!!!

                                 

I will be posting updates here and there as the journey to closing continues… closing is January 15^th! With the holidays here and the house process going on, my blogs might be few and far between, but I am still here tracking away… working out, eating my macros, logging my food, taking care of the boys, working, doing the house stuff, and crafting my heart out…

Thanksgiving Blog!

To be honest, I thought that Caleb being off all Thanksgiving week would drive us all up the wall... but it ended up being okay! Monday he did go to the YMCA and hang out with some friends, so that was VERY helpful for our sanity!!

 

Dax LOVED having him home... anytime Caleb is around, Dax has his eyes GLUED to him!

 

 

Tuesday, Grammy and I surprised Caleb and took him to The Gaylord Texan to see the Ice! exhibit... BRR!!! We all had a blast, even Dax!

 

 

Thanksgiving Day!! We spent the day with Casey's family for lunch and then headed to my Aunt Dee's for dessert and games. It was a GREAT day!!!

 

I didn't really stress about food. I tired a little bit of everything and felt satisfied but never stuffed. Actually I weighed in that morning and weighed in this morning and was exactly the same on the scale. I didn't gain or lose and I am 100% okay with that.

 

 Oh and Dax sat up!!! Well, we sat him up and he sat there for about 5 minutes before falling over. We are practicing for his 6 month photos that will take place in a few weeks. Man I cant believe it has almost been half a year... WOW!!

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!!!!

 

 

And of course we have to end this blog with an ADORABLE photo of this sweet boy!!

 

 

TWENTY SEVEN MORE DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!!! EEK!!!!

Depression - Guest Blog

I have this amazing girlfriend named, Eboni. We met a few years back after we started working together and I am so very thankful for her. It has been really neat the past few years because it seems that our lives are on track with each others... we were married just a few months apart and we became moms to adorable little boys a few months apart! Her son was actually born the morning I was doing my maternity photos!! The icing on the cake, our husbands get along!!!

Well, she has started her own blog and I have to say I am SO proud of her!! Yesterday she shared a blog entry that talked about the depression she has dealt with in her life... yet another thing we have in common. Depression is actually a very common thing but is not really spoke of. Everything I hear about a depression story that has been blogged, I want to share it with the world... It could change someones life and help them share their story and let them know they are not alone. Below is Eboni's blog entry... also make sure to check out her and subscribe HERE!

To BREATH, To LOVE, To LIVE: My Journey from Depression to Fighting for Life

Two weeks ago, I experience one of the scariest moments of my life. I stopped breathing due to asthma complications. I remember, praying that God wouldn’t take me away from my family. I remember right before blacking out, telling the paramedics to tell my husband how I much I loved him, because in that moment, I was certain I was dying. My husband tells me I was unresponsive for a couple hours afterwards. The doctors were considering doing a tracheotomy to insert a tube into my throat because nothing else seemed to be working. Needless to say, I finally came around and my zeal for life was on overload.

This moment of wanting to fight for life for me is pivotal with dash of irony. Here’s why, just six short years ago, I was contemplating whether my life mattered and if anyone would notice if I was gone. I recall feeling like my life was going nowhere. None of my dreams were coming to fruition. On top of that, it seemed like everywhere I turned, everyone around me was moving forward, while I remained stagnant. At the time, I was heavy in ministry. I couldn’t comprehend how I could be so unhappy, despite doing the work of God. The worst part of this season was feeling this way and nobody noticing. I remember leaving church one Sunday, noticing the ditch on the side of the highway and contemplating running my car into it. That was the moment, I knew something was wrong and I needed to seek help before I did something crazy.

What stopped me from ending it all was God showed me a vivid image of my future. He reminded me how I hadn’t even scratched the surface of the blessings he had in store for me. He showed me I would be a wife one day. I would be a mother to beautiful children. I would obtain my degree. He reminded me that if I stopped fighting, I’d never see any of these blessings I’d been waiting so long for come to pass. Plus, everything I’d endured to this point would be for nothing.

I remember the day I decided with help from my therapist that I’d keep fighting. (By the way, I highly recommend seeing a counselor if you are battling depression of any sort.) It was an early November and I decided that day I was going to be happy regardless of what the things around me looked like. I was going to enjoy life even if it didn’t turn out the way I’d planned. I decided in that moment, I would trust God’s perfect plan.  The following May, I walked across the stage to receive my degree. That summer, I purchase my first home. That August, I met my husband. Three years later, I was experiencing my dream wedding to the most incredible man. God couldn’t have blessed me with a better husband. Two years after that, God blessed us with the most beautiful baby boy I could ever imagine. My heart melts every time his big brown eyes look at me. And that smile… I am in awe.  If only I’d known I was so close to seeing my dreams…. That’s the thing; we don’t know how close we are to what we’ve been waiting for. So, we have to keep fighting, despite what it looks like.

I am in awe of what God has done in my life is these last couple of years. The breathing incident was merely a tough reminder of what is truly important in life. Let go of grudges, forgive loved ones, and spend more energy cherishing your relationships with family and friends. Furthermore, the time to chase your dreams is NOW. And to the person contemplating your purpose or if you matter, you do! As long as God has sustained your ability to take a breath, your presence is needed and vital in this world. If you feel your life is stagnant and nothing is going the way you planned, please hold on to the hope that this is temporary. Take it one day at time because it will get better. At the end of day, don’t ever stop fighting to breath, to laugh, to love, To LIVE.

–Your moment is now,

Ebby Lane

P.S. I would love to hear your thoughts, comment below or email writerswithpurpose@gmail.com

P.S.S: Email your suggestion for writing topics here writerswithpurpose@gmail.com

You can find Eboni here:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Ebby-Lane-649649381819125/

Blog - https://ebbyslane.wordpress.com/

Time to hurry up & wait

Some of you who follow my personal account and/or my Instagram account may know that we have found a house and made an offer! We are still waiting to hear back to see if they accept the offer or if we will start negotiations. Basically it is time to hurry up and wait…

I am a HUGE stress eater. There hasn’t been a time in my life that I haven’t turned to food when I started to stress out over something… until now. Buying a house has been a huge stress factor for me. I have been stressed about getting pre-approved. I have been stressed about house hunting. I have been stressed about making an offer… and now I am stressed about waiting to hear back!

However, with all of this stress… I haven’t turned to food once. Instead, I have taken my stress to the gym and worked through it there. We were supposed to have an answer yesterday but then received a phone call saying it would be today before we would have an answer. I won’t lie, I was REALLY bummed out and disappointed. I went to the bedroom, got dressed for the gym and headed out the door. I felt so much better afterwards and the rest of the evening, I really didn’t think much about it.

This morning I woke up excited knowing today (MIGHT) be a BIG day for us. I went to the gym and focused 100% on me and got my sweat on, I needed to not think about it. It helped because I didn’t think about the house again until I got to work… now I am wishing I could go work out and get it off my mind again instead of searching for food to shove down my throat. Actually, food is the last thing on my mind right now and I am not even that hungry… Don’t worry, I am eating!!

I am pretty proud of myself for not turning to food during all of this… I hope that it stays that way through closing and everything else that goes with buying a house! Fingers crossed, say a prayer, and wish us the best!!

Come on Seller, we want an answer!!!

Camp Gladiator

This morning I went to my 2^nd CG workout. Monday it was raining so we were inside the gym for our workout. Today, however, it was NOT raining and we were outside. It was a whopping 47 degrees when I got out of my car and I don’t even know what the wind chill was…If I had to guess it was like in the 20’s!! One thing you should know about me, I hate the cold! I was FREEZING! Not to mention my sweater was in my car but it had just  been cleaned out the night before so I had nothing to put on over my long sleeve shirt… ugh! I did get a good workout in and was pooped at the end of the hour, but boy oh boy was I cold!!! Friday I am going to dress in TONS of layers… no doubt!!!

I really like how this boot camp is set up and how friendly everyone is… even though it is 5am! (They do have other boot camps throughout the day so if you are not a morning person, you can pick another time).  Today’s workout was set up in stations and we rotated through everything twice. With having a reconstructive knee, I have to modify a lot of the workouts but the trainer is wonderful at finding workouts that still challenge me.

Example of what we did today:

Station 1 – Mountain Climbers, Pushups, Planks on hands to elbows and back up, Shoulder taps

Station 2- Star Jumps, Jumping Jacks, Burpees, Drummer Kicks

Stations 3 – Sprints, Back pedals, Side Shuffles, Lunges

Station 4 – Weighed Lunges, Weighted Squats, Deadlifts, Little Man Jacks

I will be honest, as I was doing the warm up lap (that really didn’t get me warm) the cold was making me want to quit and go home. I kept telling myself, “Just get through today and you will never have to come back. You can go back to the gym where it is nice and cozy.” It is funny though, after I left I was pumped to return on Friday. I will just know better to wear more layers! After all, this is a 4 week boot camp, I can do this!

CG Strong… ALL DAY LONG!!!

P.S. Elsa, the cold does bother me anyways!

New Goal Outfit

I love hanging my goal outfits up in the kitchen to serve as a reminder of why I shouldn't pig out every night. It has been very helpful with keeping me on track. I have had jeans hanging up, I have had shorts hanging up, I have had dresses hanging up and now I have a new outfit hanging there to help keep me on track (and out of the fridge).

The last outfit hanging up there was my Thanksgiving jean dress. It was WAY too tight and now it its actually a tad bit loose on me. Its okay though, I am going to pair it with a chunky belt so it really doesn't matter all that much. Plus it will give me some wiggle room while I enjoy my cheat meal.

Now that I can fit into the dress, I needed something else to aim for, something else hanging there to motivate me. I ordered a shirt from OllieMarie and when I received it, it was a big snug. The arms are tight, the belly is tight, it is too short and well it just doesn't fit me.... YET! My goal is to be able to wear this by Christmas. So that gives me a little over 5 weeks to bust my ass and lose some more body fat. It helps that starting November 27th (the day after Thanksgiving) I am starting Kelsey Byers 4 Week Fat Blaster... if you want to join me, click HERE and buy the program and then email me at Fitbyjordan@hotmail.com or on Facebook and I will send you the link to the accountability group I have set up! 

When I decided to try on the top for my progress photos, I just pulled out a random pair of shorts and put them on. These shorts use to be VERY baggy on me and they were my favorite shorts to just lounge in... so I decided to add these to the wall in the bathroom to help remind me why I get up every morning at 4:30 to workout. I will fit back into these shorts too... Mark my word!

Weekend Recap

Before I talk about my weekend, I want to take a minute and pray for Paris. My heart breaks for all who were involved... such a tragedy! 

God, I come to you and ask that you wrap your loving arms around everyone that was involved. That your light will shine brightly over Paris and the world. That your message will ring loudly for all to hear. You are the way, the truth and the light.. I pray for continued protection for my family and friends (that includes all of you reading this) and ask that you be with us all and remind us daily of all we have to be thankful for and send us reminders to continue to walk in your path. In your heavenly name I pray, Amen! 

..........................................................................

This weekend was a wonderful weekend to say the least!

Friday Casey ended up working so he could have Saturday off for a family wedding. It was a nice relaxing night with the boys... Caleb was still getting over a horrible cold, sore throat, whatever the heck he had, so I took care of him and watched Scandal all night long. I love Scandal so much!!!

Saturday, Caleb woke up feeling better... THANK GOD! I went to the gym while Case kept the boys. Drove my niece to a birthday party 45 minutes away. Came home and we all rushed to get ready for my step sisters wedding.

At the wedding, my nieces and nephews talked me into letting them all stay at my house. I had already said I would keep our other nephew (on Casey's side) so that meant we would have a total of 8 kids at our house. I love that they always want to stay at Aunt Jay's house!!!

Saturday also marked Dax's 5th month!!! I cant believe it is going so quickly... Now time to start planning his 1/2 birthday photos for next month. He wasn't too pleased with me taking his 5 month photos. The looks this boy can give CRACK ME UP!!!

We have been working on his sitting up skills so hopefully by his 6 month photos, he will be able to sit up on his own. Fingers crossed!!! 

Today was full of cleaning and more cleaning. I am one of those girls that LOVE to do laundry and straighten up the house. We do it every single Sunday!

 To end the weekend, a friend of mine sent me a cute photo of her husband and their daughter. He dressed the baby and buttoned the onesie over the pants. So of course in good ole Jordan fashion, I jumped up, put on my bathing suit over my tights and sent it to her... haha!!! What I didn't realize until a bit later is the thigh gap I am starting to get back!!! I know, I know, who cares about having a thigh gap anyways... well I kind of do. I probably wouldn't have cared but knowing my body before the miscarriage and Dax, and knowing I had one, I wanted it back. Just like i want my biceps back, I want my back definition back, I want my smaller tummy back... Heck lets just say it safe to say, I want it all back!!! 

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Let's rock this next week!!! 

Rewards & Cheats

Before I get started talking about me ... seriously how funny is the face Dax is making?! This kid cracks me up!!!

About 4-5 weeks ago I decided to not have a cheat meal until the end of the challenge. I planned out this awesome date for me and Casey and then life got in the way. He decided to switch it up and make it a lunch date. He found a sitter for Dax and we were going to go while Caleb was in school and be back before we had to pick him up from After School Care.

Then... we got a call from the school saying Caleb had a fever and needed to be picked up and couldn't return until Monday. Wrench, meet plans!

Casey said I could go on the date alone, have some me time... but seriously I did not want to go out to eat alone. I am just not one of those people who can do that. Kuddos to everyone who can, I just can't! We thought about getting a sitter for both boys but the list was short and nothing worked out. We could wait and go another day... umm no I have already waited long enough and I wanted to EAT my cheat meal! Our last option, drag the sick kid around town with us.

Yep, I am a bad mom and put my needs before my sick child's needs! Hey, I promised him ice cream (you know to help with his sore throat and bring down the fever, haha)!

(This is Becka the store owner of Kiki LaRue and seriously one of the nicest people ever!)

First up we stopped at Kiki LaRue! This started up as a online store and she opened up her first actual store just minutes from my house and I haven't been able to go yet. We went in and I was on a mission to find a cute outfit to wear. I ended up finding 2 tops I loved and a pair of jeans...

(I forgot to take a photo of me in the purple top I bought)

Then we headed over to Babes but they didn't open for another 30 minutes so we decided to walk across the street and have dessert first at Hey Sugar. They have so much candy in there and they also have a really good ice cream bar. We all decided to get a scoop of ice cream. Casey got some Dr. Pepper Pecan flavor ice cream, Caleb got snickers, and I got Turtle! It was amazingly yummy and I licked the whole bowl clean.

We headed back to Babes, saving the best for last! I had a small salad, 1 1/2 biscuits, 1/2 a chicken fried steak, 1 serving of mashed potatoes with gravy and like 1/2 serving of corn. I had a goal of licking my plate clean and I fell short... haha! But It was amazingly yummy, just like my ice cream was!!!

I didn't feel bloated or gross when I went home and this morning I woke up and got back into the gym. It is a lifestyle now and I am not going back to my old ways!

My next cheat meal will be on Thanksgiving day and then I plan on only have cheat meals every other week until I hit my goal... 50 pounds to go!!!

Final Results for Kelsey Byers Skinny Jean Challenge!!

(Interested in the challenge... Click HERE to purchase the 12 week Skinny Jean Plan I have been doing or one of her other plans! I will be starting the 4 Week Fat Blaster the day after Thanksgiving if you would like to join, purchase the plan and email me and I will add you to our group!)

(www.GoodMorningFitness.com)

14 weeks ago I was getting ready to head out on vacation with my family and I was playing around on Facebook and noticed Kelsey and Kent Byers were broadcasting a live feed to talk about their new challenge. I was in desperate need of losing weight after giving birth, so I decided to watch it. Afterwards, I went to her page and screenshot the fitness challenge picture to remind me to purchase the plan after the vacation. When I got home from vacation, I went back and forth about buying the plan and finally I decided to just give it a try... what did I have to lose? I am currently 5 months postpartum and let me just say, that was the BEST $20 I have spent in a long time...

Two weeks into the challenge, I decided to get back into the gym. I tried home workouts and they are just not for me. I find that I push myself harder when I am at the gym. Maybe it is because I am competitive and need to be surrounded by other people, who knows, but I do know being in the gym helps me a lot more.

Four weeks into the challenge, maternity leave came to and end and I had to go back to work. I was not happy about this BUT to be honest, it was just what I needed. Being able to get out of the house and have some grown up time helped me a lot. I started to hit the gym at 5am (waking up at 4:30am) so that I wouldn't have to deal with Mom Guilt (that stuff sucks) and I could have an hour of peace and quiet all to myself. It also helps that I am a morning person!!!

5-6 weeks into the challenge, Aunt Flow decided to pay me a visit... if you have ever had a baby then you know how much fun it is to get your first period afterwards. Let me just sum this up by saying I am very sorry for the things I said, the way I acted and the foods I took it out on... I was a BITCH!!! There really isn't a nice word I can use there, sorry! I wanted to throw in the towel. I was done. I cried. I begged. I ate a whole bag of kettle corn popcorn. It was ugly! Then Aunt Flow left and Jordan started to come back... thank the heavens!!

I have been so motivated and driven during the last half of this challenge. I have finally found my stride and it seems to be easier... well not easier but more of a way of life...! I have had my ups and downs, but I haven't let the downs throw me off track completely! I have stayed on track by taking pictures and comparing them, by picking out outfits to try on every couple of weeks, by seeing the number on the scale go down and by having a wonderful support system that has cheered me on this whole time!

Before I go into my results and show you my pictures, I wanted to thank a few people that have been there for me during this past 12 weeks. Who talked me out of giving up, who held my hand when I felt down, who pushed me to be better, who support me through thick and thin... This is in no certain order at all...

KBSkinnyJean Girls - All of the girls in my group that kept me accountable

Aunt Dee - who has inspired me to lose my weight with her own weight loss journey

Mandy - My best friend who always sees the good in me, even when I don't see it myself

Lo - My trainer who pushes me harder than I push myself... and for not letting me whine about everything (even though I love to whine)

Jamie - RX2Fitness, who even though she is in Utah, has helped me so much with my food and supplements and forced me to log back on to www.MyFitnessPal.com

Caleb & Dax - Their faces smiling back at me each morning after I return from the gym is the best reminder of why I am doing what I am doing.

Casey - Y'all... my husband!!!! This man thinks I am sexy no matter if I am 278 pounds (the weight I was when I delivered Dax) or 160 pounds (the weight I was when we were married). He never gives up on me and loves me with everything he has!!! Gosh I love him!

Now on to the fun stuff... my results!!!

(Interested in the challenge... Click HERE to purchase the 12 week Skinny Jean Plan I have been doing or one of her other plans! I will be starting the 4 Week Fat Blaster the day after Thanksgiving if you would like to join, purchase the plan and email me and I will add you to our group!)