Spring Fever Challenge: Week 4

My positive picture for the week is of me....why's this pic positive?  Well, #1 My teeth look super straight.  I have an ortho apt tommorow and should be getting my braces off in a little over a month, so hopefully people will stop asking me if I'm in highschool.  (Acctuallu happened twice just this wknd.)  #2 My face looks alot less bloated....I think before I changed my eating habits my sodium intake was out of control and my face always looked bloated.


What have you done this past week to help you achieve your goals?
I did wind sprints with my little brother, tried a new at-home workout routine I found in Shape Magazine and continued to eat healthy and stay on track with calories.

What did you do this past week to make you feel good about yourself?
I spent time with my family....whom I hadn't seen since I started my weightloss journey...and it was fun to have my mom and dad gush about how good I'm looking. :) 

Fill in the blanks:
__Creativity___ comes naturally to me. (Crafting, scrapbooking, DIY projects....love em all!!)
____Running____does not come naturally to me. (But I'm workin on it!)
I wish ___a restful mind____ came naturally to me. (Sounds weird, but I am such an overthinker....sometimes I just wish I could shut it off! lol)

Fun Question: What is your favourite Easter candy? Are you allowing yourself some this year?
My favorite Easter candies are those yummy Reeses Eggs...soo good!!  I didn't have any this year though. :)

~Kendra~

Friend Makin Monday :)

FMM: Today I....

Today I felt...Awesome after my weigh-in this morning. :)  Over 20lbs lost, woohoo!!!

Today I saw....a ton of work to be done this week, but hopefully the work week will go by quickly. :)

Today I ate...Special K Chocolatey Delight w/Skim Milk for Breakfast

Today I kissed...my boyfriend before he went to go workout. :)

Today I bought...nothing yet.

Today I heard...my puppies barking at a dog walking by our patio while I was getting ready for work.

Today I lost...umm, nothing.

Today I decided...to wear my new army green blazer and I'm lovin it!

Today I need...to go grocery shopping, which I plan to do right after work.

Today I wish...I could just stay home, relax and have a girls day with my besties :)

~Kendra~

Over 20lbs Lost.....woohoo!!!!

Sorry I haven't been posting much this past week....I left town on Friday morning around 6am and just got back around 9:30pm last night.  I went home, which is 6hrs away, to spend the weekend with my family for Easter.  I had such a good time!!!!  Went shopping with my mom, went to a b-day party for my brother's best friend and went to chrurch with my fam for Easter.  Eating healthy was a challenge, but it definately made me realize that when traveling planning meals/snacks is important.  Luckily, my parents had chicken, tuna, some vegies and fruit at their house. I did eat a few things I normally wouldn't....I had a piece of Bday cake on Saturday, but I didn't eat the icing.  Also, my grandma make chocolate pie for Easter, so I had a small piece of that on Sunday.   I didn't get to weigh myself all weekend, since I was 6hrs away from my scale.  I was really curious to see what my weigh-in would be like.....I weighed myself this morning and I am now at 173.6.  :)  Awesome!!!! 
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Last week I maintained my weight around 176 all week, it was that time of the month, so I was happy to maintain instead of gain.  So from Friday to this morning I lost 2.8lbs for a total loss of 20.6lbs WOW!  I am sooooo excited that I am now over the 20lb mark....can't wait to see where it goes from here :)  ~Kendra~

Spring Fever Challenge: Week 3

1. What have you done this past week to help you achieve your goals?

• I walked and ran in my first 5K, also went to a new Power Yoga workout class, met a new workout friend and also found out about a P90x-like workout class near my job on Thursday evenings.

2. What did you do this past week to make you feel good about yourself?

• The thing I did for myself this week was making Saturday a me day.  
• Started by participating in the 5K. 
• Then went shopping....I went to the mall, took my time and got some really cute wedges. *Bonus-They were on sale for $6. :) 
• Ended the day by going on a double date with my bf and my college bestie and her hubby.  It was greatness we spent hours in the restaurant talking, laughing and catching up. Loved it!!  So glad she moved back to Texas!!!

3. Are your SFC goals your ultimate goals or steps to your ultimate goals? Do you find it easier to set big goals or do you like making mini-goals?

• They are steps toward my ultimate goal....staying on the right track with food and exercise will help me reach my ultimate goal weight and just become healthier overall.  My ultimate goal is to live a healthy lifestyle and to be proud of my body and what I put in it. :)

4. What are some of your ultimate goals, things on your bucket list?

I want to.....

• Further my education....I'm kind of divided between pursuing an MBA in HR Management or a Masters in a Nutrition/Health related program.
• Get a house, so my dogs can have a big backyard to play in.  (Love my apartment for now though!)
• Get married and have children.
• Go to New York and attend some fashion related events.
• Visit all 50 states.
• And much more....... :)

Fun Question: If you could achieve only one more thing in your life, what would it be?

• Having a family of my own....I have always dreamed of having children.  My parents were always amazing and I would just love to share a love like they have and build a life with someone. :) 

Weekly Weigh-In

I think I am going to start doing weekly Weigh-ins. If you'd like to see my weight updates before the weekly weigh-ins, you can just look at my Lilyslim weightloss tracker at the top of my page. :) But, I thought it would be fun to do weekly weigh-ins showing my weight loss chart and how I have been progressing, so here goes....

I just love seeing all those dots...so exciting!!!  I only updated the chart when I have a weightloss, because if I put it when I maintain or gain the chart would get crowded, because there's not much room for each number.  I do keep track of my weight every day in my weightloss journal as well. :)  So as you can see on the chart, I am aty 176.6lbs.  :)  I have lost a total of 17.8lbs.  I have 41.6lbs left to loose to reach my goal of 135lbs.  I am really excited about how everything is going so far!!! Also, thanks to everyone who comments, it really is sooo motivating! ~Kendra~

My First 5K

Today I did the "Totally Psyched 5K" at UNT.....and let's just say it was AWESOME!!!  I can't wait till my next one!  :)  I walked in this race, but I did just walk slow...I walked as fast as I could....it was hard, but I pushed through and I'm pretty sure I was the first walker to cross the finish line.  I even broke into a run a few times and ran the last .25miles to the finish line.  Afterwards, I had this feeling I was gonna past out from exhaustion combined with this surge of pride and emotion.  This may sound silly, but I was so proud of my self I almost cried!  I just can't believe how far I have already come and I can't wait to see where the future takes me. 
~Kendra~

Friend Makin Monday...a little late :)

FMM: Everyday Things
1) What is your favorite part of an average day?
My favorite part of regular days are talking on my phone to my parents as I drive home from work everyday.  I am super close with my parents, but they live 6hrs away...so I talk to my mom every morning on my way to work and then I talk to my mom and dad on the way home.  (My dads at work in the mornings)  I tell them about my day and they always celebrate my victories on the scale and off and when I had a rough day they talk me through it.  :)  They're the best!!

2) Is there one food that you eat every single day? If so, what is it? I eat appled with a tiny bit of carmel....they come presliced with carmel packets at walmart.  I love them, they're only 80calories and when I want something sweet they're the perfect treat!

3) Are you an early bird, or do you prefer to sleep in late?
I'm an early bird...I even get up early on my days off.  I have a really hard time sleeping past 7:30am.  Dunno why, but I like to get up lol
4) Share one thing that you're looking forward to doing this week. Hopefully seeing my bestie, Esther, who just moved back to Texas with her Husband this week.  She lives in PA, so we didn't get to see each other much at all.  She was my college roomie and we've been best friend friends ever since I met her in my college speech class. :)


5) What's for dinner this evening?
I dunno yet....we'll see. :)

~Kendra~

Spring Fever Challenge- Week 2

This Week's Questions:


1. What have you done this past week to help you achieve your goals?

• This week I started working on the C25K, which was good, because it allowed me to see I really can run.  After doing that I decided I wanted to run more on my own...instead of using that program, so I also started running with my dog, Jackson, who really pushed me to keep going even when I wanted to stop.  All in all, can't wait till I run in a race...I know I can do it!!! :)  Yay, Im a runner (Kinda...hehe)

2. What did you do this past week to make you feel good about yourself?

• I bought a summer dress that is spaghetti strap and it was great to feel confident showing my arms :)  Yay!!  Also, got a yoga mat and a new workout tee :)

3. Is your mindset future-oriented or living in the now? How does this impact you when you are working towards a goal?

• I think I am a mixture of both....I am really trying to get healthy and to a weight I'm comfortable for my present life, because I want to be confident in professional clothes and I want to present myself the best I can...since Im still in the new stages of my career.  I'm also looking to the future, by learning what healthy really is and making changes I will be able to stick to and making exercising and nutrition part of my life, not just something I have to fit in.  I love it...I enjoy eating healthy and working out. 

4. Is there someone in your {real} life that inspires you to strive for the best?

• This would most definately be my mom. She's such an inspiration to me!!!  Not only does she get super excited every morning when I (ussually wake her up) and tell her how much I've lost that day.  She is also such a strong person....She has Multiple Sclerosis, a child with Downsyndrome (my little brother) and through it all is an AMAZING Christian woman who loves with all her heart.  I can't imagine my jounrey without her cheering me on! :) 

5. Fun Question of the Week: Do you read blogs on the individual websites or via Google Reader?

• I read them from by Blogspot dashboard, so is that google reader?  I dunno lol.  But that's how I do it.  Then I find new people, by reading comments on the blog I following and visiting their pages. :)

Last, but not least....here are my adorable pups.  Zoey, the shitzu and Jackson, the Jack Russell mix.  They are both a little over 3yrs old and I love love love them! My boyfriend bought Zoey for my birthday one year....then after a couple months we thought she was lonely, so we got Jackson.

Jackson's so tired after the haircut and visit to the dog park yesterday lol

Hope you all have a great week next week!!  Also, checkout my Youtube channel www.youtube.com/lowcosthighstyle  I will be posting a giveaway video later today, because I have over 100 subscribers on my channel...Yay!!!  ~Kendra~

Exciting Saturday

Weigh In- 180.2lbs OMG!!!! 
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This week has been interesting...I was stuck in the 183's, then spent a few days in the 182's and I've had loses that last 3 days in a row..WOOHOO!!  :)  I am so excited, because if you looked at my weight loss chart/poster that I made to keep track...being at 180lbs means I am down to the next row off weights.   I'm hoping to do something fun to celebrate this weekend!  But not celebrate with food...or unhealthy food anyways. I'm on the right track and I'm stickin to it.
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Another exciting thing ....my puppies (Jackson, the Jack Russell mix and Zoey, the Shitzu) are getting their haircuts today.  Yay!!  They look so adorable right after a fresh haircut.  Let me know if you wanna see pics!  
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Well, I gotta get going...I will check back in soon.  :)  Hope your all having a fun and healthy weekend!! ~Kendra~

Spring Fever Challenge

So, I've decided to join "The Spring Fever Challenge" and hope some of you will join in with me!!!!
This Week's Questions:

1. What are your goals for the Spring Fever Challenge?
2. Why did you choose them?
3. What is your plan of action to make them happen?

GOAL ONE:  Really take pride in every loss instead of letting negative thoughts flood through.  Yes, it may only be .5lbs or 1lb.  As long as I stay on track on follow my healthy eating and exercise plan, I will reach my goals.

GOAL TWO: Workout at least 4 times per week.  I just started the C25K Program, so that's 3 days per week already covered.  I also plan to either walk or do the elipitical the other two days.  Then I am leaving 2 days (Saturday and Sunday) open for rest if needed.

GOAL THREE: Continue to follow the advice of my weightloss doctor and go to monthly appointments at his office to check on my progress.  If he has ideas, I will be open to listen and give them a try.

GOAL FOUR: Save money, so I can start grad school soon.  I am determined to get my MBC in HR Management.  My parents were so wonderful to help me with my undergrad, but I plan to pay for my MBA on my own. :)  (Yay, adulthood...lol)  So, I really need to get my saving up, so I won't have to take out any loans in the process.
GOAL FIVE: Do my first 5K. I am signed up to walk in a 5K, but I wanna run in one.  I was never a runner, but since eating healthy something inside me has been begging me to try running....so here I go!! :)  I think it's gonna be fun and I can't wait for this one

4. What does this challenge mean to you?

This challenge is going to motivated and on track with my overall health, weightloss and goals even when I want to give up, because it will allow me to make friends and get to know others who are going through the same trials and victories as I am! :)
5. Fun Question of the Week: Let's get to know each other! What is something most people (er... fellow bloggers) don't know about you?
My brother and I have the same birthday....but we're not twins. :)  My little brother (Well, he's 22) is 3 years younger than me and he was the greatest birthday present I've ever recieved!!!!!

To join this challenge with me go to http://www.lifesjourneywithasmile.com/  She's an awesome weightloss blogger and I am so glad I recently discovered her page! :)    ~Kendra~

Couch to 5K

So I start the Couch to 5K this week and I am really excited to get moving!!  It's been somewhat of a stressful day on the work front....so I'm hoping running will allow me to blow off some steam. Anyways, is anyone else doing or have done the program?  What did you think and what were some of your challeneges?  I'd love to hear your feed back!!  Wish me luck....I'm definately a little nervous about my first bout with running! hehe :)  ~Kendra~

WOOHOO!!! Down to 182 :)

So I finally got out of the 183lb rut I was in the past few days, which seemed like an eternity!!!  I took a break from exercise on Friday to let my body rest and then last night all I did was 100 crunches, a 50second butt lift exercise and 100 arm lifts...and even though it wasn't that much....my arms and abs felt the burn! lol  I woke up this morning and weighed myself and was soooo sooo excited not to see a 3 on the end.  I think I am finnally moving past my little 3-4day slump.  I think I was excercising too much and not eating enough calories for that amount of exercise, so my body was going into starvation mode and it was causing my weightloss to be stagnant.  I took a day off from working out, took it slow yesterday and added 100 or so more cals to my diet....and lo and behold....a .8 weightloss Saturday and 1lb today.  :)  So excited!!!  Also, I am loving the fact that this whole journey is not just about the numbers on the scale, which don't get me wrong are VERY exciting to see move, but also about learning how my body works and how to be overall a healthy person. 
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I was talking to my boyfriend yesterday about running.  I have never been a runner.  As a kid, I had asthma and was all wheezy, so running just wasn't an option.  As an adolescent/teen, I was overweight, so I was too embarassed to run  and look funny doing it.  As an adult on this weightloss journey, I see other people running, read about other people running while loosing weight and look online at all the different races going on and for some reason I have this weird desire to run....but I have to admit I'm a little terrified.  What if I'm just not a runner....what if I can't do it...I'm scared to try....but if I never try, I will never know.  I never thought I'd be on this journey, but I am, so maybe I can be a runner too.  I dunno why, but the thought of running is more intimidating than the though of losing weight!!  But....I'm not going to let fear get in my way....I am going to run, well, I am going to try anyways lol.  I think I'm going to start with the Couch to 5K.  Have any of yall done that?  I think it's a good way to start slow. :)  So that's the plan....wish me luck!!  ~Kendra~

Sparkpeople

So my boyfriend found a website and I really like it: http://www.sparkpeople.com/ It's all about weightloss and living a healthy lifestyle. They also have inspirtional stories, quotes, meal plans, workout videos and much more....and it's all FREE :) Gotta love that!! Here are a few of my fav quotes:

• "Be not affraid of going slowly, be affraid only of standing still."


• "Arriving at one goal is a starting point for another."


• "You've got to think about big things while your doing small things, so that all the small things go in the right direction."

I hope you all enjoy checking out the site...let me know what some of your fav weight loss/health related websites are. I would love to check them out!! :) ~Kendra~

Working out...

So, I have been working out a ton this week, but I think I'm going to tak the weekend off. My dr told me at the beginning of this weightloss journey I need to talk working out slow....just start by walking. So I walked for a week before trying out the eliptical....I love doing the eliptical and feel like a burn a ton of calories and feel so good after the workout. The only downside is....I can't get past 183....I've been around 183 all week. I'm ready to see more movement. Last week, I was losing every day. I don't think it's what I am eating, because I am staying right on target with my 1,200 calorie plan. So, what is it? I'm trying not to.....but I'm starting to get a little frustrated. So, I am planning to take the weekend off from working out...besides doing some crunches each day just to keep me moving. Anyone have any ideas what I get do to get out of this little rut?? ~Kendra~