Tag: fitness

Kickstarting the summer!

The Appalachian BarbieLeave a comment

Hey y’all! I hope you’re all winding down your weekend in the most comfortable of ways and preparing yourselves for a fresh new week ahead.  I’m personally folded up Indian style under a blanket in my most comfy VS sweats on the couch with my 2 sweet fur babies snoozing in my lap and I could only be happier if my honey wasn’t working.  Time is flying by so fast, we’re already almost 2 weeks into May and I’ve hardly had time to look around and savor the final fleeting moments of spring before the summer’s heat steals it’s innocence.  One thing that was consuming a lot of my time was the “Mr.Tipton Street Pageant,” a charity event I organized at work for our local animal shelter.  A former employee and myself came up with the idea of a “man pageant” for average Joes last year as a way to get people into the bar and to raise money for a good cause.  It turned out to be a smashing success so I decided to make it an annual event, this year with a Kentucky Derby theme.  I started work on this thing the first of February and am very proud to say my solo efforts were able to raise almost $550 in cash and tons of donated items for the Washington County Animal Shelter.

Flier for the event I organized
Flier for the event I organized
My managers at the pub with all the donated items
My managers at the pub with some of the donated items
Me gifting a shelter employee with a check for the money we raised
Me gifting a shelter employee with a check for the money we raised

As stressful as it was putting on this whole to-do, I really learned a lot and actually used that Bachelor’s in PR and Advertising that I earned way back in college.  And most importantly, it felt really good to be able to give back to an organization that is so close to my heart.

I also achieved another milestone in my fitness journey recently, finally breaking the 150lb curse and dipping to 149lb.  Only 9 more pounds to go and I will have reached my goal weight!  I am finally seeing progress and other people are starting to notice as well.  I read somewhere once that it takes 4 weeks for YOU to notice a change, 8 weeks for the people around you to notice, and 12 for everyone else, and it is so true!  I really got serious about my health for Lent, so it’s been exactly 2 months and my whole outlook has changed.  Going to the gym used to be as dreaded as my yearly checkup with my gyno.  Now, I almost look forward to it.  Well, let’s not get carried away.  I don’t look forward to it so much as I just don’t want to miss.  And I love seeing the changes in my body! I’ve never had arm muscles, so it’s kinda cool to be able to flex like a douche.  I’m going to stay with Christian at the beach in one month and I would love to be at my goal weight by then but I’m not gonna kill myself.  All good things in all good time!

This was such a big deal..
This was such a big deal…Please ignore my ratchet toenails.
Lunch is served! Delicious spinach and cucumber salad with cherry tomatoes and blackberries, drizzled with a citrus poppyseed vinaigrette.
Lunch is served! Delicious spinach and cucumber salad with cherry tomatoes and blackberries, drizzled with a citrus poppyseed vinaigrette.
Healthy dinner: 4oz ribeye on the grill with a big salad and my own yummy apple, pear, plum puree!
Healthy dinner: 4oz ribeye on the grill with a big salad and my own yummy apple, pear, plum puree!

One of the best things about getting fit is how much better I look in clothes.  I’ve really enjoyed getting cute new outfits and accessories for the gym, and even splurged on a few everyday things as well.

Booty and triceps!!
Booty and triceps!!
New Betsy Johnson backpack....perfect gym bag
New Betsy Johnson backpack….perfect gym bag
Seriously in love with this maxi dress
Seriously in love with this maxi dress
Does it get any easier than throwing on a simple breezy dress for a summer night out? The unique detail on this halter neckline really gives this dress some character!
Does it get any easier than throwing on a simple breezy dress for a summer night out? The unique detail on this halter neckline really gives this dress some character!
It was a basic black tank and edgy accessories for date night with my babe this week
It was a basic black tank and edgy accessories for date night with my babe this week
My biggest (and most needed) splurge--some wireless headphones. Who cares if they make me look like zoolander?!
My biggest (and most needed) splurge–some wireless headphones. Who cares if they make me look like zoolander?!

Finally today was Mother’s Day, and I couldn’t end this post without talking about what a wonderful day we had.  Mitch and I were able to take the mom’s plus my dad out for brunch this morning at the Bonnie Kate Cafe.  It was beautiful as usual.  The food was delicious and the presentation was on point.  When it comes to a great dining experience, it really is all about the tiny little details.  Like the fresh mint leaf garnish in your water or tea.  Small and inexpensive, but it makes basic tapwater seem so much more elegant.  This cafe is such a hidden gem in my little hometown.

My beautiful mother and me on Mother's Day.
My beautiful mother and me on Mother’s Day.
Mitch and his mother outside the Bonnie Kate
Mitch and his mother outside the Bonnie Kate

So far this summer is off to an awesome and exciting start!  I hope you all have as many exciting things to keep you busy this summer as I do–and if you don’t, then just kick back and enjoy it next to some water!

Is this what it’s like to have “haterz?”

The Appalachian Barbie3 Comments

I’m just gonna throw this quick little update out there because not only are my feelers hurt, but im also honestly pissed off.  And now I’m even more livid because I felt forced into using the term “hater.”  But what else do you call someone who pisses on another’s parade??  Since I have gotten my life together and started losing weight and making improvements in my life, I have had a few people who have made my life their priority and decided to tell me that what I was doing was unhealthy or abnormal.  Or “unreasonable.”  I have one question–where were you people for 10 years when I spent 6 nights a week in a bar, in an unhealthy mutually abusive relationship, overweight, and smoking a pack of cigarettes a day??  Not one person except my mother ever questioned  my behavior then when I was the most self-destructive human being I’ve ever known.  Now I have people coming out of the woodwork questioning my actions, saying that it’s unreasonable for me to spend the time I do at the gym, or that I eat clean and that’s not normal.  NOW people are “worried” about me.

I don’t need to justify my life but just for fun here ya go.  It has taken me 2 months to lose 10 lbs.  I consume 1200-1500 calories/day.  I workout 6 days a week for 1.5-2 hours.  30 minutes of that is HIIT cardio and the other time is spent on weight training.  I eat organically as much as I can afford and I go out on the town about once a month.  If this is an unhealthy lifestyle then so be it.  I feel better than I ever have.  Look better than I ever have.  Have money in the bank and someone great at home.  If you don’t like it, I honestly don’t care.  I’ve never been one to try to please anyone but myself and I don’t intend on changing that any time soon.

I'll take the girl on the left over the one on the right any day.
I’ll take the girl on the right over the one on the left any day.

Update on my fitness journey

The Appalachian Barbie1 Comment

I am pleased to announce that I have really stuck to my guns about cleaning up my diet and lifestyle FOR GOOD, even maintaining through vacation.  The only cheat I had was lunch at the tea room and a piece of cheese cake at the steakhouse on the final night.  It was definitely worth it.  Since I’ve been back, I’ve not drank and I have stuck to a meal and workout plan religiously.  For weeks, however, I’ve been plateaued at 153lbs.  It. Has. Driven. Me. BONKERS!  However, as of yesterday, I broke that plateau and woke up at 151.5lbs!  This is such a big deal for me.  I haven’t been this small since some time in high school.  At 6’0″ tall, I don’t need to lose much more weight.  However, I do carry ALL my weight in my tummy region, (thanks for those genetics, Mom.) and that is the scary kind of fat.  So realistically I would like to drop about 10 more pounds, then, continuing with my fitness plan, tone up and add back on around 5lbs of muscle.

So what is my plan?

I will lay out my food and fitness daily grind here for you.  I am not a doctor, so you probably shouldn’t follow this plan without consulting a professional.  This is just what is working for me at the moment.

Meal 1: 2 whole farm fresh eggs scrambled with 1tbsp salsa and sprinkled with feta, 1-2 cups of fruit, 1/4 avocado, cup of Yogi Blueberry tea, 16oz h20.  Supplements-biotin (for hair and nails), vitamin C (for combating pesky colds), green coffee extract (to aid in weight loss) and b12 (for energy!)

Pre-workout: Pack of sweet and spicy tuna (I really hate to eat prepackaged food and limit it as much as possible.  However, this is pretty good, and quick and easy on the go.) 16oz of h2o

Post-workout:  Protein shake.  (8oz of Blue Diamond vanilla unsweetened almond milk shaken with Designer Whey 100 calorie chocolate protein.)

Meal 2: 4oz of lean protein, 2 cups green veggie (typically this would be chicken or turkey with spinach or broccoli)

Meal3: 4oz of lean protein, 2 cups green veggie (same as earlier, but I could use chicken, turkey, salmon or beef, with spinach, broccoli or green beans)

Pre-bedtime: 1/2-1 cup vanilla greek yogurt topped with 1 cup fresh berries and a drizzle of chocolate syrup. cup of smooth moves organic senna tea 3x/wk (this is kind of embarrassing but I drink this stuff because my whole life I have had problems with, ahem, being regular.  Holding on to that extra stuff isn’t good, so I drink this stuff to help me out.  Moving along.)

If I’m craving something sweet and could use the extra calories, I will sneak a tablepoon of peanut butter 1-2 times per day.

I try to stay at 1200 cals.  Any more and I don’t lose weight, any less and I don’t lose weight.

My exercise plan so far is pretty beginner.  I have taken a sample workout from a bikini competitor and altered it to fit my beginners needs and I am sore all over.  Constantly.  I unfortunately will never be a person who just enjoys working out. I hate it.  My time could be far better spent doing other things.  But honestly that was part of the plateau problem.  I had lost as much weigh as I possibly could without exercising so I had to start.  Le sigh.

Monday:  Legs- 4 sets of 12 each:  leg press, leg extensions, squats with a 25 lb body bar, and lunges holding 15lb dumbbells, 30 mins cardio (15 mins on treadmill at 6-6.5mph, 15 mins on spin bike)

Tuessday: I rest

Wednesday:  Im crippled from Monday, but make myself go.  Arms-  4 sets of 12 each:  hammer curl, barbell curl, tricep dips, and behind the neck tricep press.  30 mins cardio.

Thursday:  Im basically a paraplegic at this point, but alas, no rest for the wicked.  Back and abs- 4 sets of 12 each: bent over barbell row, one-arm dumbbell row.  Row machine as hard as possible for 2 minute sets, 4x.  Crunches with legs elevated to 90 degrees, 4 sets of 20.  Russian twist, 4 sets of 30.  Hanging leg raise, 4 sets of 20.  30 mins cardio.

That brings me to today.  I’m actually going to get my body fat measured at the gym today.  And I’m thinking I’ll do shoulders and chest plus cardio.  The thing with my body type and what I’m trying to achieve, is that I have to focus most of my energy on diet and cardio to get rid of this pesky belly fat.  The rest of it is just to tone up and get rid of all that cellulite and give me a sleeker appearance all over.  I have been taking progress photos but I need to censor out my lady parts so those will be added later.

Anyone else on a fitness journey and want to share?  I’d like to know I’m not alone here.  What is the old saying, “misery loves company?” haha!

Breffus. My favorite meal of the day.
Breffus. My favorite meal of the day.
One of the best feelings ever. Beating that damn plateau!
One of the best feelings ever. Beating that damn plateau!
Protein power!
Protein power!
Spin is one of the few cardio things I enjoy.
Spin is one of the few cardio things I enjoy.
Ready to get. It. Over. With.
Ready to get. It. Over. With.

 

 

A life without noodles…..

The Appalachian Barbie2 Comments

As a girl who has been watching her figure the better part of her life, I have learned quite a few tricks for getting around pesky, unneeded calories without giving up my favorite foods and flavor.  One thing I decided to get rid of for good is noodles.  I know they are a mainstay of every pasta dish.  But to me, they are flavorless fillers that just make me bloated and miserable after they digest.  Not to mention a mere 2 ounces pack a 200 calorie punch and most people consume twice that unknowingly!  A noodle is nothing more than a processed wheat product that takes on the FLAVOR of whatever you put on it –that’s where all the taste is!  So over the years I have learned to alter my recipes and cut down my calorie intake at least a third.  Since this is something I get asked about quite a bit, AND I made lasagna last night, here are a few of my quick and easy Italian go-to’s.

-When making spaghetti, sub spaghetti squash.  One whole cup of cooked spaghetti squash only has around 42 calories and 10 carbs! There are several ways of cooking a spaghetti squash, but the easiest way I’ve found of doing it is by poking it all over with a metal skewer and roasting it on a cookie sheet on 375 until it’s fork tender.  For god’s sake, PLEASE REMEMBER TO POKE IT OR IT WILL EXPLODE!!  After it’s cooled enough that I can touch it, I just slice it down the middle, remove the seeds and then, with the tines of a fork, start scraping up the “noodles.”  It’s just as easy as boiling traditional spaghetti! Once you top it with your favorite yummy spaghetti sauce, you’re guaranteed to not miss a thing!

Baked spaghetti squash
Baked spaghetti squash

-In place of fettuccine style noodles, I will often julienne a zucchini and steam it for just a few minutes on the stove top with a bit of my house spice–salt, pepper and garlic powder.  Just don’t let it go too long or they will get mushy and disintegrate!   They make tools to create pasta out of veggies, but I simply use a vegetable peeler.  It’s whatever you prefer! Oh and did I mention, one medium zucchini only has 33 calories?!

zucchini

-Finally, my favorite Italian noodle-less meal, AND what I made for dinner last night–Lasagna with eggplant noodles!  So good you won’t even realize there isn’t a starch!  Because this is one of my favorite meals, I’ll just give you my entire recipe.  But please, be creative!  Play around with flavors!  What works for me might not be your cup of tea and that’s ok!

Appalachian Barbie Lasagna

  • 1/2 lb ground sirloin
  • 1/2 mild Italian sausage
  • 1/2 medium onion, diced
  • 1/2 bell pepper, diced
  • 1-2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 jar spaghetti sauce
  • 1/2 cup of water
  • 2 15oz containers of small curd cottage cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella (divided)
  • 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese (divided)
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 eggplants, sliced thinly to 1/4″ thickness
  • spices- salt, pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning

Begin by pre-heating your oven to 400 degrees and letting your sauce pan heat up with around a teaspoon of olive oil while you’re dicing and mincing your veggies.  To sauce pan, add meats, peppers, onions and garlic cloves.  Cook over medium heat, crumbling meat until it is cooked through and no longer pink.  While this is cooking, begin slicing your eggplants lengthwise to no more than 1/4″ thickness.  Place them on cookie sheets, drizzle with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder and italian seasoning and pop them in the oven to roast.  You don’t want to over cook these, as they will disintegrate pretty easily.  So around 5 minutes should do the trick but keep an eye on them.  You just want them to be pliable!

After your meat mixture is cooked, add spices to taste, 1 jar of pasta sauce and 1/2 cup of water.  Reduce heat, cover and let simmer while you’re preparing your cheese mixture.

In a medium bowl, combine 2 eggs, lightly beaten, cottage cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella and 1/4 cup of parmesan.  Add 1tsp of italian seasoning and stir together.  Now it’s time to  build your lasagna!

Begin by spooning about a 1/2 cup of sauce mixture onto bottom of 8×8″ pan.  Next, layer eggplant “noodles,” covering bottom.  Spoon half of cheese mixture on top of “noodles.” Repeat sauce, “noodles”, cheese.  Add one more layer of “noodles,” top with sauce and cover with the 1 cup of shredded mozzarella and 1/4 cup of parmesan you reserved from earlier. Lower oven to 365, wrap lasagna tightly in foil and let it cook for about 45 minutes.  If you would like, sometimes I will let it cook uncovered the last 5-10 minutes so the cheese gets a nice browning on top.  Make sure to let your lasagna set for around 20 minutes before serving.  This will help keep it from falling apart when you cut it.  And you won’t burn your mouth like a fat kid!

Because of my honey’s intense weight training, he can carbo-load with no worries.  So last night I made a full size regular lasagna for him and a little mini eggplant lasagna for me.  It worked out perfectly and we both have leftovers!

Pre-oven baby lasagna!
Pre-oven baby lasagna!
His and hers lasagna!
His and hers lasagna!

I hope this article inspires you to try a few noodle-less dishes!  The only difference I can tell is that the dishes are a bit wetter because there isn’t any bread to soak up all the juice.  Let me know what you think!