How’d I Get So Fat?

First and foremost let me say I despise the word “fat” like it’s a 4 letter word being belted  out of a toddler in the middle of church. It makes me cringe, and really has never been a word that I like to use, especially to define myself. Why is saying “OK yeah I was a b*tch” OK, but not saying “Ok so I’ve gotten fat?”
I. Hate. It. Like I have always used ‘thick’ or ‘big boned’ (and don’t argue with me on that one. Even when I was border-line anorexic I was never a size 0 – shoot I was never a size 6!) either way I’ve hated the word; I’ve been called it several times, by people who were angry at me and doing their best to just dig their knife in a bit farther (and though it hurt I have to say – is that the ONLY bad thing you can really say about me?! pshh..please!) But I myself have never – until recently – ever  called myself FAT.

There are many other words that define me – good words, like kind, and giving, and loving and understanding, forgiving.. And maybe even some not so good words ..but none of them bother me like the word FAT. So instead of  continuing to let it be a word that bothers me – or even defines me – I’m just going to change ME.

 

Most likely there will always be someone who calls me fat, or who thinks it. But what matters is if I DO. So for 2017 – unlike every other year in the past – I’m going to make that change. And I’m going to share it here. Every step of the way.

 

Back in 2015 I had lost some weight –  I worked out, I counted calories and though I had cheat meals (or days) generally speaking I stayed on track. But personal things went on my life which caused some stress. When I have stress I have 2 types of reactions – I don’t eat at ALL (literally so sick to my stomach I can’t function correctly and I don’t eat for days or longer) or I just go to freaking town on everything in my sight. As you can imagine (and  if you look at my pictures) I went for the ‘lets-just-eat-everything-in-sight’ and it shows.

 

For the first time in my LIFE my gut sticks out past my chest (besides when I was pregnant of course), I’m uncomfortable sitting, I’m uncomfortable standing, I don’t sleep well, I’m grumpy, I’m ALWAYS tired – and I’ve had ENOUGH!

 

No more excuses – no more comforting myself with food. No more allowing my family to do the same. We are going to eat better, and we are going to get exercise!

 

So I am starting keto in 2 days – and yes, I’ve binged carbs and sugar like its going to be extinct (which to me, it will be). After 2 weeks of Keto, I am starting back at the gym, and my kids are going to follow suite. (at least 2 of them. My daughter is a self- described vegetarian and has been for the past year, so that should be interesting!)

 

So here’s my starting weight, measurements of my arms, waist, thighs and calves and clothe sizes. I am not completely obsessed with my weight numbers because to be honest, I don’t look what I weigh. I’m always bigger than anyone would ever guess, and even when I’m healthy (per my Doctor even) my weight is higher than an average woman in the same health..so there’s that.. So I am going by how I feel, and the sizes of my clothes, and my measurements.
This week I will be starting: DAILY: 100 oz water, 20 grams of carbs, 75 grams of protein, 104 grams of fat. Wish me luck!!

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So This is It: 2017 Goals and Resolutions

Christmas is finally over (and I mean that in a good way) and I’m not really big on New Years celebrations. So for me, the last week of December is used for reflecting and planning for my new year.Last year I refused to make any resolutions -since we know most people don’t keep them. So instead I decided to just ‘wing’ it; which, by looking at myself and my house – didn’t quite work so well as I thought it would.

My idea of just ‘living life’ wasn’t very well thought out. I think there is something to the YOLO motto, however I have learned that you REALLY need to BUST YOUR BUTT in order to really be able to enjoy life to the fullest. I mean I can tell you that the amount of junk sitting in my basement that I’ve ignored all year is NOT bringing me joy WHATSOEVER in fact, it’s bringing me a heck of a lot of stress! And the food I just decided to enjoy and not track, well, that’s all sitting on my waist, and that’s not very fun either. =/

 

So 2017 is a fresh new year to do it right this time – and I’m using this week to prepare for it. I’m making a bucket list not only for my personal goals, but my family goals too. They say writing things down helps keep you accountable, so I figured if I shared it here it would be some extra motivation to keep me on track!

 

So a few things I’m looking at doing for myself in 2017 are:

 

*Getting healthy.
In 2015 I did pretty well with losing weight and working out; even into the beginning of 2016 – but then life happened, and well, food happened. Not only did I gain the weight I had lost, but I gained more. . and to be honest? I feel like crap too. So a few members of my family are starting the keto diet (lifestyle really) and I have decided even if I fall off the wagon, I’m just gonna’ jump right back up and get on it again.
Also, with part of this healthy resolution, I am going to get back into running! For years I enjoyed doing all the 5k’s and mud runs and such – but as of right now, I know my body couldn’t handle them. So in 2017 I plan on doing at least 17 races/runs/etc, as a part of my goal to get healthy and fit.

 

*An Organized Life, is a HAPPY Life.
I used to be one for organizing and being on top of things – and I’m not sure if its been my weight gain, or maybe other stuff going on in my life, but that just flew out the window and never came back again! I’ve let things pile up and get out of hand at home and I’m sick of it! And my kids are too! People say that “less is more” and we are adapting to that motto for 2017. You ;know the saying from the Japanese book that if you hold something for 30 seconds and it doesn’t give you joy to chuck it? Welp, that’s what we are going to start doing (starting today!) Clothes, knick-knacks, papers, and just junk in general is going to head into boxes for a spring yard sale – and whatever doesn’t sell (to help fund our vacation account) is going to Goodwill.
I’ve told my kids this and I am going to remind them everyday – the less you have, the less you have to clean up! The less laundry you have to do! We aren’t keeping things just to keep them. I will be giving updates on our de-junking of our home with some tips I found over the past week, so keep an eye out!

 

*Money Matters
Ok ladies and gentlemen I have a confession to make; I LOVE TO SHOP! Like give me a credit  card and send me in a mall and I’d be happy for hours..no make that days! But I’ve learned that my desire to shop has really put a hinder on my desire to do anything else that involves money. A few months this year our income went down quite a bit and I had a hard time keeping up with money to pay the bills and put food on the table – if you’ve ever been there you know that can be one of the most stressful times in your life; like keep you up at night kind of stress. I don’t want to be there anymore, or ever again – so we will start budgeting a bit better, and saving our ‘spending money’ for things like vacations, and activities we can do as a family. I also plan to start an emergency fund again that got completely depleted of funds this year – so we are going to work on getting that back up AND saving for a family vacation!

 

*Love/Family/Charity

I have always been a family type of gal. My Mom and sister are my best friends, and we spend a lot of time together. In 2017 I want to continue doing that. I also want to spend more time with extended family and friends that I just ‘get too busy’ for during the year. I mean, I shouldn’t just see my favorite cousins once a year, or my best friend on her birthday right? Live a little!
I also want to make sure my family learns to give back. We are extremely blessed and I think that my kids especially don’t realize that at times. I make things happen (and as mentioned above probably more than I should since I like to spend too much) but we are very blessed and my kids rarely go without. I want us to do what we can to help others in need all throughout the year (not just as Christmas) I want to help when I can financially, and if I can’t with a monetary donation, then I can some other way.
Showing love to those around us is something else I want my family to focus on – sometimes the meanest grumpiest people you come into contact with are the ones that need to be shown love the most!

 

Some other more minor resolutions are
*Read at least 12 books (I seriously am a book lover – I swear- always been a reader. But you know life – and I haven’t made time like I should!

*Continue daily devotions with Bible reading/prayer
*Certain blog and full-time job commission goals – (kind of goes with the Money Matters resolution) making a goal each month and not dropping the ball!

*RAK – Random Acts of Kindness. I do this when I can (also goes with my love/family/charity resolution) maybe a card or letter sent to someone I haven’t spoken to in awhile, or someone who might be going through something, randomly paying for someone’s food or coffee as I go thru the drive-thru, etc.

 

I know this seems like a lot- but we have 365 days in a year, 8,760 hours, 525,600 minutes 31,536,000 seconds in a year – let’s make them matter!

 

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Cincinnati Wedding Showcase & Giveaway

Brides-to-be, get ready for the ultimate bridal experience with Cincinnati Wedding Showcase at the Sharonville Convention Center. With 30,000+ square feet of imaginative exhibits from over 100 of the industry’s top wedding professionals offering the most innovative and exciting ideas in wedding planning, you’ll find everything you need to make your dream wedding a reality at the Cincinnati Wedding Showcase!
Cincinnati Wedding Showcase
Saturday January 7th
Sunday January 8th
Sharonville Convention Center
11355 Chester Rd, Cincinnati, OH
For more information: www.cincinnatiweddingshowcase.com
Facebook: Cincinnati Wedding Showcase
 
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Brides-to-be, get ready for the ultimate bridal experience with Cincinnati Wedding Showcase at the Sharonville Convention Center. With 30,000+ square feet of imaginative exhibits from over 100 of the industry’s top wedding professionals offering the most innovative and exciting ideas in wedding planning, you’ll find everything you need to make your dream wedding a reality at the Cincinnati Wedding Showcase!

Exhibit Hours

Saturday: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Fashion Shows

Saturday: 1:00 p.m. & 3:00 p.m.

Sunday: 1:30 p.m.
Admission:
Single-Day $10
Weekend Pass $15

FREE Parking at the Event

One of the best things about the wedding showcase – cake! There will be tons of cake companies represented at the show, including one of my favorites GiGi’s.

Gigi’s “Bring Joy, Bring Gigi’s” – Gigi’s cupcakes are made daily using the finest ingredients.  They offer catering, delivery and set-up.  As for weddings, check out all the awesomeness on their site to view the gallery, request a private tasting and more. (All locations are independently owned and operated).
Want a chance to check out the Cincinnati Bridal Showcase yourself? Enter for a pair of tickets below (tickets will be available at will call for winner)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Peppermint Hot Fudge Cake & The Nutcracker: The Perfect Pair

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Frisch’s. Though I was compensated for my time, all opinions are my own

If you follow me on social media you might have noticed last week that my daughter and I went to a special dinner & a show: a home style dinner at Frisch’s Big Boy, and the opening night of The Nutcracker.

We are big Frisch’s fans and were excited to try some of their new menu – some nice home style cooking. Home cooked favorites like roast beef, country fried steak or chicken, meatloaf, carved turkey, green beans, mashed potatoes and rolls. All the comfort food like Mom makes – without the cooking or clean-up!

I have to say I could of made a meal off of just the green beans and rolls! Super delicious and affordable. But that’s not the only new thing hitting Frisch’s this holiday season – they also are featuring the Peppermint Hot Fudge cake (for a limited time only – until February 7th!) This is the first time since the original hot fudge cake was debuted in 1970 that they’ve offered any other flavors!

I have to admit I wasn’t sure how I was going to like it; I mean, why mess with something that is already soo good?! (sidenote: if you’ve never had a Frisch’s hot fudge cake – WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?! GO NOW. If you aren’t in the Cincy area, if you make it here – Frisch’s is  must!) I have to admit though, it was super delicious! The ice cream wasn’t overly peppermint, and the peppermint shavings gave it a nice extra touch. In fact my daughter mentioned she didn’t even need a breath mint after – the peppermint did the trick.

After dinner (and dessert) we went headed to The Aronoff Center for the opening night of The Nutcracker. I hadn’t been since I was a little girl, so I was excited to go – and for my daughter to see it for the first time.

Frisch’s has been the Cincinnati Ballet’s primary sponsor since the first performance of The Nutcracker in 1974 (the longest held corporate sponsorship in American arts history! (In fact, Frisch’s worked with members of the Cincinnati Ballet in launching the peppermint hot fudge cake!)

My daughter and I enjoyed the ballet – probably one of the best shows we’ve ever seen. In fact, we’ve decided we are bringing the rest of the family next year and are going to try to make it a holiday tradition. Kids (and adults) of all ages will love it!

If you decide to head out to the ballet, be sure to snap a selfie with Big Boy while you’re there and share it on social media with the hashtags #TuTuGood and #CBNutcracker for your chance to win a Frisch’s gift card!

 

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Budget-Friendly Fun in Kernersville North Carolina

I love to go out and have fun and try new things when I’m not working (which seems like all the time!) But I have to watch my wallet – surprisingly there is TONS of free or budget-friendly fun to be had in Kernersville.

 

Korner’s Folly
Jule Gilmer Corner built Korner’s Folly in the late 1800s to showcase his own designs in interior design, furniture and painting. The quirky home features 22 rooms and 15 different fireplaces across seven levels of architecture – a beautiful place to visit!

 

Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden
A new and still-growing garden, the Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden boasts 15 gardens featuring 1,300 varieties of plants including a large spring-flowering bulb display. Educational programs are available for adults and children as are self-guided and guided tours.

Countryside Lanes
Countryside Lanes is a local bowling alley that provides fun and entertainment through bowling and other amenities. These include a snack bar and a drink selection with beverages including beer.

 

Bucked Up Super Saloon
Bucked Up Super Saloon is a live music park that hosts an array of music including country, southern rock, southern-style hip hop, and rock. Every Friday and Saturday, the park hosts a live local, regional, or national act.

 

All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm
All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm is a nature park housing thousands of butterflies. Visitors can take a tour of the grounds, which includes an interactive educational presentation about butterflies, and the opportunity to feed and release them into the wild.

 

Oak Hollow Park
Located on 1500-acres in total, Oak Hollow Park is a public park complex along the Oak Hollow Lake. The park features a large marina which is popular for boating, sailing, kayaking, or fishing in the nearby lake.

 

Winston Salem Ghost Tour
Actor Mr. Heizer entertains as well as educates on the 90 minute walking Winston Salem Ghost Tour including the Single Brothers House. Mr. Heizer also does daytime historical tours of Winston Salem.

Old Salem Museums & Garden
Visitors to the Old Salem Museum and Gardens can experience life as it was in the 1800s as Moravian settlers explored the area. At the Miksch Garden and House, visitors can see daily life, while at the St. Philips Heritage Center, visitors learn about religious life.

Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tours|
Visitors can enjoy guided tours of unique restaurants and shops in North Carolina with Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tours. The tours make 5 to 6 stops and provide behind the scenes chats with chefs and artisans.

 

World’s Largest Chest of Drawers
The World’s Largest Chest of Drawers is an incredible 32 feet tall, and it was constructed to symbolize High Point as the Furniture Capital of the World. Guests can visit and take interesting photos in front of the landmark.

Southeastern Center for Contemporary Arts
Part of the Winston-Salem community, the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art is a contemporary multimedia art gallery. Exhibits showcase the works of film-makers and experimental artists and art-related events are held regularly.

 

The Bog Garden
Greensboro’s The Bog Garden is an extensive wetland nature conservatory. Its network of elevated pathways make it easy to explore over 7 acres of swampy territory without donning waders or renting a canoe. The Bog Garden is a free attraction.

This post is sponsored by Kernersville Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram.

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