Happy Halloween!!!

Happy Halloween from our family to yours!!!

This past Thursday we hit up the pumpkin patch that we go to every year since Caleb was born. My sweet Mother-In-Law, Joy, met us up there. I love having her so close to us and being able to attend our family outings. My Momma lives 4 hours away and I miss her a lot, having Joy around helps! 

For Halloween, Caleb is at his Dad's house so we celebrated the day before at the Boo Bash at the YMCA (where I spend all my mornings). Caleb wanted to dress up as The Man in the Yellow Hat and have Dax dress up as Curious George. I found Dax's costume on a resale page for $5 and I made Caleb;s from felt and by dying white pants and a white button down! It was a hit and everyone loved it.

My amazing husband let me paint his face so he could pull off the scarecrow look and I rocked the Dallas Cowboys look (Win Lose or Tie, I am a fan until I die)! Despite the horrible rainy weather, we had a blast and Caleb brought home a bunch of candy... that the Switch Witch will be replacing with a toy and the candy will be taken to work for our co-workers. 

And lastly, Casey had to go to work so it is just me and Dax this afternoon/evening. The highlight of our day was checking the mail and finding a present from Nana and Poppa. The rest of the day will be spent in our jammies just hanging out on the couch. 

I hope you all have a Happy Halloween! Stay safe and stay out of your children's candy bags!!! 

Meal Plan for next week!!!

Here is my meal plan for next week!


I am going to give an attempt at making cauliflower rice... praying it turns out good! If it doesn't, I guess I will just be eating roasted cauliflower instead. 

4:30am Gym Snack:

Premier Protein Shake

Pre-Workout

(Calories 160/Carbs 5/Fat 3/ Protein 30) 

Breakfast:

4 Eggs – 3 just whites, 1 whole egg

1/3 Cup of shredded cheese

1 Whole Grain English Muffin

4 oz. Bell Peppers

(Calories 381/Carbs 31/Fat 20/ Protein 29)

Snack:

S’More Quest Bar

1 Cup Cantaloupe

(Calories 240/Carbs 37/Fat 8/ Protein 21)

Lunch:

4 oz. Chicken Breast

½ Cup Asparagus roasted with 1 TBS Grated Parmesan Cheese

½ Sweet Potato (100 grams)

(Calories 246/Carbs 24/Fat 3/ Protein 31)

Snack:

Six Star Protein (Whey Isolate Plus)

1 Serving of PB2

(Calories 185/Carbs 9/Fat 2/ Protein 34)

Dinner:

4 Oz. Grilled Chicken Breast (Mrs. Dash Seasoning)

Cauliflower Rice 1 Cup (107grams)

½ Cup Steamed Baby Carrots

1/3 Cup of shredded cheese

(Calories 272/Carbs 10/Fat 10/ Protein 33)

Total for day:

Calories: 1,484

Carbs: 116g (29%)

Fat: 46g (26%)

Protein: 178g (45%)

Sodium: 2,233mg

I can't believe that I am almost done with this Skinny Jean Challenge! I am counting down the days until my planned out HUGE cheat meal on Friday November 13th (Chinese food, rice crispy treats and TWD marathon with Casey at home). Then I will be starting Camp Gladiator until Kelsey starts her next challenge on January 1st!! Stay tuned to my blog for more updates and then on November 11th, I am going to be posting my before and after photos for this challenge!!!  

13 more days!!!!

EEK!!!!

I have been trying...

I have been trying to write this blog for the past 2 days... blogspot was messed up and wouldn't let me post photos or save my work. Very frustrating to say the least!!! Then tonight I go and grab the new laptop and remember that my niece accidentally took my charger home (way to go Audrynn)... so I am on my old laptop that skips ahead when you accidentally touch the mouse pad. This should be fun!!

This past weekend was full of fun with my nieces! Actually, this past weekend was Madalynn's 4th weekend in a row to stay the night... I love those girls. They are so funny, so sweet, so caring, so helpful and SO SASSY!!! 

 Sunday our Cowboys lost... the picture is worth a thousand (disappointed) 

words!!!

Sunday also was weigh day, I like to check in on my weight on Sunday's and on Thursday's... just to make sure I am on track. I need it for a piece of mind kind of thing. Well, I hit 234.8!!! I am officially in the low 230's!!! Next up, the 220's. I was 220 exactly the day I found out I was pregnant with Dax!!! I am almost there... eek!!!

And before I leave, I must share this awesome photo of my little baby boy!!! I mean, look how stinking cute this smile of his is... gosh I love him!!!

Tomorrow I start week 10 of Kelsey Byers Skinny Jean Challenge!! Only 14 more days to really hit it hard, gain muscle, and lose as many inches and pounds as I can... I want to rock those after pictures and then hopefully win 1st place!!!

By the way... speaking of rocking the after pictures... I set up an appointment to be airbrushed 2 days before so that all of my definition and muscles really pop!!!

Jean Friday!!!!

Happy FRIDAY!!!!

 

 

It has been 2 weeks since I tried on my jeans... you know the one that actually button, zip and are NOT maternity jeans?!

 

My goal at the start of the Kelsey Byers Skinny Jean Challenge was to 1. Lose as much weight/inches as I possibly could and 2. Get back into normal jeans! I have 2 1/2 more weeks of the challenge and by the looks of it... I think I am going to accomplish my 2nd goal!!!

 

Here is how my progress with the jeans has gone so far...

 

August 28th

I pulled down all of my jeans (they have been stuffed on a shelf in the guest room closet while I was pregnant) and found the biggest pair I own... these were to become my GOAL jeans. I found a pair of size 17 Juniors...

Ready Set Go!

 

September 11th

I tried them on and about cried... okay, I cried! They were so tight and uncomfortable and I didn't even get them pulled up over my thighs. That's it, I am going to be in maternity jeans forever!!!

 

September 25th

I tried them on and cried again... I cry a lot, I know! They made it up to my hips this time but were so tight and the button and zipper was so far apart. Can I just wear dresses for the rest of my life?

 

October 9th

I tried them on again and guess what... nope I didn't cry this time! I laid on the bed and took a deep breath and button and zipped them (after saying a prayer of course). They were so tight but they buttoned and zipped! I took a picture and quickly took them off... so uncomfortable!!!

(Left - October 9th & Right - October 23rd)

 

October 23rd (TODAY) - I put them on and guess what, they were easily buttoned and zipped... without help from the bed!!! I even wore them around the bathroom for a bit while I picked out my clothes for the day. Casey saw them on me and said "You can wear them out in public now!" He is so sweet but I am not wearing them... they are still tighter than I would like them to be and can we please talk about that muffin top... not even a flowly top will cover that up!

 

BUT... they are fitting better!!! I am so dadgum excited!!!

 

I will try them on again on November 6th and the challenge will end on November 11th (for me). I am going to bust my booty the next 2 weeks and hopefully they will be comfortable enough for me to wear them out in public then... if not, I know that in 4 weeks they most likely will be! Either way, I know that in the near future, I will be rocking these jeans!!!

 

Looks like I am going to have to find my next biggest pair of jeans soon and start using them as my new goal jeans!!!

 

I hope you all have a HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

 

Meal Planning for next week

Thursday means it is time to start looking at next weeks meals...

Man, this week has gone by quickly!!

 

 

Side note... have you ever been where you just don't want to eat? You aren't hungry and the thought of chewing food just makes you want roll your eyes? I am there now, actually I have been like this all week long. Don't worry, I am eating and getting in my meals every 3 hours... but it is a struggle for sure. I don't know what is going on. I have replaced some of my meals with shakes instead because I can chug them and be done with it. That is not like me though, I have always been one to eat my calories instead of drink them. Hopefully I will go back to normal again... because next weeks meal plan looks amazingly delish!!!

 

 

And don't forget, you can always follow me and my meal plans at www.myfitnesspal.com and search for me using my user name FitbyJordan!!!

 

Oh one more thing... Someone asked me if I eat my workout calories that I burn... HECK TO THE NO! I bank those babies!!! I never log my workouts on MFP because I don't want it messing with my calories and macros. Do you eat your workout calories that you burn or do you bank them?

 

One more side note (last one I promise) - I eat the SAME thing everyday for a week. It is easier for me to make everything in bulk one day and have it ready to grab out of my fridge. If it ever gets boring, I try to just remind myself of my goals and push through that meal... but it hardly ever gets boring. Casey and Caleb eat their own food. Case usually makes a casserole and eats on it throughout the week. Caleb takes a packed lunch with a sandwich, fruit, chips, and dessert to school daily... and for dinner he will eat either on Casey's casserole, eat what I am eating (if I make extra) or just find something in the fridge (the boy is so easy and usually just wants a sandwich). As for Dax, he is on formula and is starting baby food... he is the easiest one right now!

 

 

Okay, finally on to the meal plan...  

Meal Plan

Gym Snack:

Premier Protein Shake

Pre-Workout

Breakfast:

Open-Faced Pizza Egg Muffin (Ingredients Below)

1 Whole Wheat English muffin

1 OZ. Pizza Sauce

3 Egg Whites

1 Egg

½ Serving Shredded Cheese

(Calories 323/Carbs 30/Fat 16/ Protein 26)

Snack:

S’More Quest Bar

Apple

(Calories 392/Carbs 23/Fat 11/ Protein 50)

Lunch:

Avocado Egg Salad (Ingredients Below for 1 serving)

Whole Wheat Bread – 1 Piece

4 Hardboiled Eggs (whites only)

2 Ounces of Avocado chopped

1 serving of tuna

(Calories 323/Carbs 21/Fat 11/ Protein 37) 

Snack:

Six Star Protein (Whey Isolate Plus)

PB2

(Calories 185/Carbs 9/Fat 2/ Protein 34)

Dinner:

4 Oz. Grilled Chicken Breast (Mrs. Dash Seasoning)

½ Cup of Green Beans

½ Cup Cooked Brown Rice

(Calories 252/Carbs 31/Fat 2/ Protein 28)

Total for day:

Calories: 1,475

Carbs: 114g (29%)

Fat: 43g (25%)

Protein: 176g (46%)

Sodium: 2,052mg

 

Back to the... regular people pants!

 

First off.. Happy Back to the Future 2 Day!!!

Which also happens to be my big sister's 33rd birthday!!!

Happy Birthday, Valerie!!!

I love you... sometimes!!!

 

 

Okay now that all of that is out of the way... time to talk about regular people pants! Lets all be honest, maternity pants are heaven sent. I preferred the big pocket that goes over your belly instead of the belly band pants. I had both though. After having Dax, I started to wear the belly band pants instead of the belly pocket... it just felt weird wearing the other ones, so I passed them on to a pregnant friend.

 

I have been on a mission to get back to pants that button and zip... you know, regular people pants! I have so many pair of jeans that are just longing for me to wear them again. About a month ago (September 23rd to be exact) I tried on my blue slacks and was determined to wear them to work. They were TIGHT and after an hour of wearing them I had a red line on my tummy and the button had indented near my belly button. It was very uncomfortable but I was determined to wear them all day long. I paired it with a maternity flowy top to hide my muffin top that was sticking out.

 

 

I have worn them one day each week since that day. Every week they are less and less tight and just a tad bit more comfortable... and I always pair them with the same top to hide my muffin top! Plus black helps you look thin right?

 

This morning, I put them on and realized I had some wiggle room in them! I was so excited!! I decided to change out my top and wear a more form fitting top (and pair it with a cover up, you know in case my insecurities started to pop out). I have had them on for 2 hours now and I am feeling great. No red line, no button indentation, and I am comfortable!!

 

 

Friday I will be trying on my jeans again. I have been trying them on every 2 weeks since starting this Skinny Jean Challenge. The first week they wouldn't go over my thighs, then they wouldn't go over my hips, and 2 weeks ago (on Friday) I was finally able to pull them up lay on the bed, hold my breath and say a prayer and button them! I cant wait to see how they fit on Friday!!!

 

I also decided to try on my black workout shorts this morning too... 6 weeks ago they were so tight and I wouldn't wear them out in public, now they are fitting normally and I think I am ready to take them for a spin at the gym!!! I love being able to take progress pictures because it really helps keep me on track...

 

 

I hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday!!! Oh, an don't forget to take a spin on your flying skateboard today... #BackToTheFutureDay

 

My weekend in a nutshell

There is a new shopping center over by my casa and we have been VERY excited for it to open... well, it did this past week and you better believe I was up there ready to shop! Friday after I got off work, Casey and I had to exchange some diapers (I stocked up before Dax was born and didn't know how many of each size to get and kind of over bought on the size 1... why must he keep growing so quickly?!) so we decided while we were out that we would visit some of the new stores. Okay, I decided we should... Casey just goes along with my plan... #GreatHusband

 

I like to play dress up when I shop... Casey is getting use to it, well because I am the Queen and what I say goes... HAHAHAHA JK Case

 

Saturday morning I always go to the gym right when they open (I am there at 8am saying "Open Open Open"). I love starting my day off with a workout. This Saturday Casey said he wanted to go with me so I decided to sleep in until Dax woke us up (Caleb was at his Dad's)... I figured Dax would wake up about 7:30-8, I was wrong! He slept until almost 9am!!! We finally made it to the gym and did some cardio together. I love working out with Casey, it makes me workout harder... I guess because I want to impress him with all my awesomeness! Haha!

 

 

I love to walk by him and slap his butt and act like I don't know him and flirt... he enjoys it too!

 

Saturday evening, I took both boys (Caleb came home) to Caleb's Fall Festival at his school. I have been to many school festivals (thanks to my nieces) and I was really excited to see what his school was going to do... sadly, we all were a tad bit disappointed. We live a couple streets away so we walked, when we got there Caleb had to go potty... the school was closed and there was no where to use the restroom. We had to walk back home and decided to drive back up there (even though I just wanted to stay home). We played a few games, which the high school kids were in charge of and they were not paying attention to the kids... if you are working with kids, pay attention to them! Then Caleb wanted his face painted... BIG MISTAKE! We waited in line for an hour and 20 minutes... it was HORRIBLE!!! It was finally our turn, she smeared some yellow paint on his face (he wanted a lighting bolt) and she was done. She took so much time with each kid before us and about 1 minute with him. He was super let down!! Hopefully the Pumpkin Patch and Fall Festival we are going to this week will make up for the school one... hopefully!

 

My cute little Iron Man...

Dax wasn't a fan of waiting in line for an hour and 20 minutes

 

On Sunday I attended a dear friends baby shower and did some laundry... I freaking love doing laundry. I am being dead serious... It is my favorite chore to do and I always look forward to it on chore day!! Go ahead insert the eye rolls... I am use to it by now!

 

Then this morning, I woke up at 4:30am to start a new week all over again... glutes and legs with some incline work on the treadmill to start my day!

 

 

I hope you all have a fabulous week!!!

 

Learning Macros - its a work in progess

I have been learning macros the past few months and here is what I have learned so far...

 

 

1. Macros take time to learn. You need to sit down, do some research, read as much as you can (blogs, websites, articles, etc.). You need to play around with logging your food. The key word is TIME! You need to set aside TIME for you to really understand it all.

 

2. You do NOT have to pay someone to tell you your macros. You can figure them out yourself as long as you take the time to do the research! There are tons of websites that will help figure them up for you for FREE... Que Google!! (Here is one I have played around on some http://iifym.com/iifym-calculator/)

 

3. You need to log your food. Period. Logging is KEY! (www.myfitnesspal.com is a great site to use and you can even pay for an upgrade to make it easier... I haven't paid for the upgrade so I don't know 110% what it includes)

4. There is math involved BUT you don't have to make it hard Algebra II math... just simple "google" math... how many grams in an ounce... how many ounces in a tablespoon... etc.

 

5. Speaking of grams, I don't do all the math hardcore to change it to grams. I just use the serving size on the back of the package or what is already figured up in MyFitnessPal (just make sure it has the Fat, Protein and Carbs listed). It might not be the RIGHT way to do it BUT it is working for me and it takes stress out of the Macro learning process!

 

6. You will probably be blown away by the amount of protein it says for you to eat! Trust the program, it works! If you have trouble getting your protein in, look at drinking protein shakes, eating Quest Bars, Egg, Chicken, Turkey, lean meats, fish... I make sure I fit protein in at EVERY meal so that I am able to hit mine each day.

 

 

 

7. Find a GO TO website you can go back to when you are confused... this is the website I use: https://katie-ringley.squarespace.com/macros-for-newbies/

 

8. Find a community of people that do Macros and become friends (if you don't follow SkinnyMeg on IG, go and find her... she is awesome at Macros and even does periscope videos to help out). When you have a group of friends that are doing the same thing you are, it tends to make life a little less stressful... Thank you Jamie for being my Macro friend!!

 

 

9. Find what works best for you! If you are stressing too much over this all, find something else. It is okay if Macros are not your thing because the end of the day all that matters is that you are enjoying the journey... not stressing over it all. Stress does NOT do the body good. I promise you!

 

I am not perfect and I am not going to begin to claim to be an expert at any of this, but I have been doing this since August and have managed to lose 25 pounds so I guess something I am doing is working, Haha!

 

Any input or advice you have about macros is more than welcome... just leave a comment! If you are an expert at this and want to help other people just let me know and I can share you information with my followers! I am all about opening up and sharing my journey with other people... you never know whose life you might help change!  

 

Meal Planning

Meal Planning is a HUGE part of weight loss! Did you know that 80% of weight loss is what you eat (or don't eat)?! #TrueStory

I am still a work in progress when it comes to figuring out my macros, getting my calories in, making sure I eat my veggies, etc... but I am getting better each week. One of the things that helps me the most is writing out my meal plan for the week (I eat the same thing every day for that week) and plugging it into My Fitness Pal to make sure everything adds up. I sit there and tweak it about 20 times before I hit print on my menu. Working on the menu a couple days before my grocery day (Saturday morning) helps cut some of the stress out of the process too... I put a lot of work, time and energy into planning each meal so it is tasty, filling and healthy.

I have shared a few things with you guys here and there but I decided to start sharing my weekly menu too. It will help hold me accountable to continue to sit down and take the time to plan out my meals. Accountability is key!

Before Gym Snack (4:30am)

Premier Chocolate Protein Shake (Costco)

 

Breakfast (6:30am)

3 Thin Corn Tortillas

3 Egg Whites

1 Egg

2 oz. Avocado

Snack (9:30am)

Quest Bar - S’more

1 Banana

Lunch (12:30pm)

1 Sandwich Thin

4 oz. Shredded Chicken with Garden Fresh Salsa

(Cooked in the crockpot)

Squash Zoodles

 

Snack (3-4pm)

Six Star Chocolate Protein Shake with water

Oatmeal – 1 serving

Dinner (7:00pm)

4 oz. Shredded Chicken with Garden Fresh Salsa

(Cooked in the crockpot)

Fresh Green Beans

Bedtime Snack (depends on when I go to bed, usually 9pm)

Six Star Chocolate Protein Shake with water

Calories: 1,611

Protein: 46%

Carbs: 33%

Fat: 21%

Results from finishing 8 weeks of Kelsey Byers Skinny Jean Challenge!

Another 4 weeks has come and gone... 4 more weeks to go!

 

These past 4 weeks were a lot easier than the 1st 4 weeks. I am staying on track of logging my food, getting up for the gym in the morning is now just a way of life, and people are starting to notice a difference and give me compliments! I will admit, about half way through this 4 weeks, I had a HUGE meltdown and needed a break from it all. I took a day vacation from working out and logging my food and enjoyed myself. The very next day I got back on track and was actually down on the scale... what?!

 

Check out the challenge here:

ttp://bit.ly/1MkJeWH

Today doesn't only mark the last set of 4 weeks for this challenge but it also marks me being 4 months post partum! Happy 4 months Dax Marshall... I love you baby boy!

 

 

2 more sets of 4 months and I will be rocking a bikini at his first birthday party!!!

 

Okay, now on to my results - for my pictures, I had to take them myself again because Casey was asleep... but for my end photos, Casey will be waking up to take them (he just doesn't know it yet lol)

 

 

 

Y'all, that means I have lost a total of 25 pounds & 29 inches in the past 8 weeks!!!

WHAT THE HECK?!

I don't mean to toot my own horn but TOOT TOOT!!!

 

The pictures below are from Day 1, end of week 4 and end of week 8...

 

 

 

 

 

Now on to tackle the next and last 4 weeks of this challenge!!!

 

Don't forget to check out the challenge here:

ttp://bit.ly/1MkJeWH

 

Madalynn is 13!!!

 

13 years ago, I was a senior in high school and my big sister was half way across the world (in Germany, because my brother in law was in the Army) giving birth to her first child... Madalynn made me Aunt Jay and it is a role I have taken pride in since that day! I LOVE being Aunt Jay and before I had my own kids, my nieces were my everything! I would go through hell and high water if they needed me too...

 

 

This past Saturday, Madalynn asked me to host her slumber party at my house... because I am WAY cooler than my big sister (score)!! It was such a blast!!! This was her GOLDEN birthday... she turns 13 on the 13th!

 

We started the night off with them decorating the first letter of their name. I had sprayed painted each letter GOLD to match the party!

 

Then they got ready for a scavenger hunt with bandanas, pink hair spray and tons of GOLD glitter!

 

 

During the scavenger hunt, they had to find GOLD letters that ended up spelling something... Lets Go Eat Frozen Yogurt!!!

 

Sadly, the Fro-Yo place was closed even though the website said they stayed open until 11 (boo) so we hit up Dairy Queen instead!

 

 

When we got back home, they did blind folded make overs... this was SO freaking funny!!!

 

The aftermath of the makeovers!

 

I made them a truth or dare ball and they played a couple of rounds while I cleaned up the house and waited for my sister in law to get back home... we had big plans once she arrived back home (see picture below)

 

We finished the night off (at 1 am) decorating my sister in laws house with rolls of TP!!! They had a blast and my sister in law was such a great sport about it all...

 

The best part of the whole sleep over... was getting to wake them up bright and early the next morning so they could go home! Haha! True story!!