Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Sometimes...it's the little things

So....one thing about me that might be considered odd, I like to pack for my vacations WAY EARLY!  I mean like I start planning in my head, 2 weeks out.  And I will confess, I also start trying on outfit options, 2 weeks out.  Yesterday I didn't take a lunch so I was home an hour early and decided to get out the ole summer clothes.  In past years, this was NOT enjoyable.  I would try things on and just not feel comfortable in them.  OR...I would sit there and pray they would be loose and they weren't. :( WOMP WOMP.  So as I started to try things on, I said a quick prayer and dug in.  I was shocked, things were loose or too big.  Yes, this is AWESOME!  But then I was like, "damn, I need new clothes".  Oopsie!  Good thing my mom lives near an amazing outlet mall in Florida that has J Crew! I wonder if I have time to get a part time job to pay for these clothes???  Let's see, I leave on Saturday....what can make me some quick cash.  Hmmm...the only thing that comes to mind involves a pole or a shady motel.  Yeah, I think I will just stick to my bargain shopping and wear some loose clothes! :-)

What I cannot get over about this is how it truly motivates me.  It makes me want to go workout.  And like I have said in past blogs, this used to give me the"OK" to go eat.  I didn't "get it".  Now I do.  I promise you, this is why I take progress pics.  In no way am I trying to show off or "flaunt" my body.  I want to share with all of those women in the same situation I was in.  I want them to see that they too, can get the results they want.  No matter how much you have to lose or how old you are.  I am 41, so the odds truly are stacked against me.  My metabolism is not like that of a 21 year old.  Hell, it never was!  I am the type that can look at food and gain weight.  It used to drive me crazy!!  I could NEVER eat without gaining.  And having 2 beautiful and skinny sisters that could, sucked!  But that is just how I was made.  I had to work at it, and still do.  At least now, I know what it takes to stay in shape.  I know the exact amount of calories I need to lose and to maintain.  I also know just how much I need to workout, to get results or just keep myself at a "happy place".



One thing I want people to see from my posts/pics is that you CAN get results at home.  You CAN just workout 20 minutes here and 20 minutes there, and get amazing results.  You can eat "normal" food and still lose.  I do NOT follow a specific diet, take a supplement or drink a shake.  When I did follow diets and drink shakes (slim fast) I never saw these kind of results.  I also want people to see that you can also get results with low weights.  I only use 3-5 pound weights.  Now this may not work for others, but it does for me.  It is how I got lean and firm.  Also know that just because the # on the scale isn't showing a major change, you can still have results.  I honestly do not know the weight difference in the above pic.  I am thinking maybe 5-7 pounds.  But who knows, it could be less!  All I care about is the change.  NOT the #.  Remember to me, the scale is the devil.  A devil that I would obsess about and one that would cause me to take major steps backwards, in my journey.  I just want people to know their options.  I see so many people struggling and using all kinds of diet shit, that, in the end, will not work.  You might drop the pounds fast, when using shakes to lose weight, but if you do not change your eating habits, that weight will find it's way back, once you start to eat "real food" again.  You know, I love to eat too much, to drink my meals.  JUST CAN'T DO IT.  I like to sit down to a meal and actually chew it.  I would much rather get 250 calories from some protein and veggies than from a shake.  But once again, that is just me.  I guess I feel like I can say this, because I have tried it ALL!  And the only thing that ever worked for long term, is eating everything in moderation.  I mean just last night, I had a hot fudge sundae from Mc Donalds.  Yep, that is right, I sure did!  And let me tell you, I scarfed it down!  BUT....my dinner was an open faced turkey burger with roasted veggies and brown rice.  That was only 310 calories! And it was so filling.  Oh and I had some wine with dinner. :-)  So I rewarded myself with a yummy!  No fat free crap for me.  I ate the real deal!  And I am pretty sure at one point, I licked the container.  :)




Wow this post has been a big ole rambling of crap!  Sorry!  Before I go, I will admit to one thing I ALWAYS dreamt about when I was losing weight.  I wanted to be able to look cute in pj bottoms and a bikini top, like the skinny bitches of VS.  Yes, I know, I should be dreaming of world peace and ending hunger.  Well, when you grow up fat and miserable, sometimes you dream about stupid crap!  So last night as I was trying stuff on, I did my own little VS shoot.  Oh yes, I went there!  I will share the pic with you.  It was kinda like a big NSV for me!! :-)  OH....and I bought this cute little jumpsuit thingy last year and HATED how I looked in it  But for some reason, I didn't return it or get rid of it.  As I was going through my summers stuff, I found it and gave it a try.  And....I liked it!  I think I will pair it with some cute wedges and fun jewelry, when I am on vaca!


I  hope you are all having a great week!  If you follow me on IG and commented on my progress pics, THANK YOU!!  You all are so sweet and keep me inspired.  I mean that!  I am not a person that blows smoke up people's behinds!  If I say it, I mean it.  I love you all and consider each and every one of you my friend!

                                                                 XOXO,
                                                                  Lori

41 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for your insight! You are truly and inspiration to me. I to have never had the metabolism of a 21 year old and I find it difficult to keep on keeping on, but when I read what you post I get excited too! Thanks for the motivation. :)

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    1. Thanks girlie!! SO glad you are enjoying the blog! xo

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  2. You are such an inspiration. I feel like sometimes I still don't "get it" about looking slimmer, seeing progress and wanting to workout. I still use it as an excuse to eat like crap which is why I put on some weight after hitting 40 lbs lost. I'm working on getting back to that 40 lb mark. I need to change my mindset. Thank you for sharing your journey :)

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  3. Once again you are amazing and such an inspiration!! You are going to rock that bikini in Florida:)

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  4. I LOVE YOU! YOU ARE DOING AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND YOU MIGHT BURST IN TO FLAMES CUZ YOU ARE SO HOT.... JUST SAYN' lol

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  5. It's totally ok to reward yourself with REAL stuff. It has to be a life change to stick so it has to be something you can live with! You are awesome lady!

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  6. So inspiring, I hope you realize that!!! Gives me so much hope. I too seem to gain weight by looking at food! And although in my mind I am so skeptical about the less is more when it comes to working out, you truly inspire me to keep trying!!! You look amazing.

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    1. OMG food just likes to jump off the plate and onto my thighs! I swear, I was skeptical too! BUT...once I really committed to it, the result began to show! xoxo

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  7. Girl I love that you wanted to wear a bikini top and pj pants. I have some clothing fantasies like that myself! I adore the jumpsuit! Also, I love how you advocate a home workout. That is what I do and more women need to see that you can do it yourself with minimal money!

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    1. I am SO glad I am not the only one with clothing fantasies! I am such a dork! I have this one of me in awife beater and cut off and no bra, as well. AND...since my boobies are living in the south and I am in the North, that pic aint happenin!
      xoxo

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    2. OMG dying at the north/south comment.

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  8. You're seriously inspiring! The before/after pictures are serious motivation for sure!

    Karri
    www.babebeforebaby.blogspot.com

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  9. agree agree agree!! i don't even use the scale; i only go by inches lost. heck, i've only weighed myself twice since i started my journey at the beginning of last year.

    i lost a bunch of weight and gaining amazing muscle tone and definition just by workout at home and eating clean 100%...no gym membership here! i also hate long, boring cardio so my workouts are usually 40mins long but i kill myself during those 40mins.

    keep up the fantastic work!!!

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    1. Girl, the scale is the devil!! Well at least to me. It just discouraged me and made me obsess. I go by clothes and pics! Thank you for your sweet words! xoxo

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  10. I love your insight! You are beautiful inside and out and help people see that it is really possible! cannot wait to see all your pics from vaca when you get back :)

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    1. Kadi, you are so sweet! I just adore you, girl!!
      xoxo

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  11. Listen, you sexy thing, if Bradenton wasn't so far away from Jax I would meet you in a HEARTBEAT for some quality outlet shopping! :*

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    1. Listen here YOU sexy thang!! We will someday make this trip happen! we need to plan a girls get away to the sunshine state! Beach, umbrella drinks and shopping!
      xoxo

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    2. I think it would be SO fun! I'm quitting my job after the summer to sub so my schedule will be open :)

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  12. you look fantastic! Have fun shopping for new clothes!

    When you said now it motivates you to workout and before it was your signal you could eat...that was so me too! I am learning to retrain my mind that makes me want to keep going and not give up just because my clothes fit now. :)

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    1. Thank you, Sonya! I wish I would have had this mindset years ago. I guess we live and we learn!
      xox

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  13. You are going to really heat Florida up with your hot self. I pack weeks in advance too. Check out the Gap outlet. I got the cutest shorts and capris there.

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    1. Awww...thanks, Amy!! I am *blushing*. :-) I will definitely check ot Gap outlet!
      xoxo

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  14. WOW, just wow...I can not tell you how much of this post I relate too...I am going to try for the next week to not get on the scale- I am a at least twice a day scaleaholic. But, like you it has in the past knocked me down- when I see I have lost a few pounds ok I can eat that cheese dip with chips and not watch portions- WRONG, it just winds up spiraling me back to old habits I am trying to kick. I am def a work out at home girl- gyms are just not in the budget. I have TurboFire and a treadmill and small weights and I am hoping that it will give me the progress I have been wanting since jr high. I am 26 but because I have had no care for my body most days I feel like I am 65 which is nuts. I am so glad you are sharing your photos, and I am going to keep on keepin on and in a month take progress pics of myself- you truly are an inspiration

    cowboybootsandanapron.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you so much!!! It means the world to me, when I get this positive feedback. I just want people to see that they CAN do it! And...it doesn't have to cost you a lot of money or take a lot of time. Definitely take those pics!! :-) Keep me posted on your progress!!
      xoxo

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  15. Lori - would you mind telling me what you do for working out? I have to workout at home as well, I always thought that I would never get the "maximum" results that way though. I do have hand weights and a treadmill and resistance bands. Just curious what you do. I love that you eat everything in moderation ... if you try making a diet out of food that taste like cardboard then it just isn't going to work! I can't wait to be able to try on clothes and like what I see =) You look fabulous in all your pictures, your progress is so inspirational, especially because you did it all without any "quick fixes" - you're awesome =)

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    1. Hey girlie! I have been doing Billy Blanks taebo (36 minutes long) Jill Coleman tabata (19 minutes) or her kickboxing which range from 20-42 minutes. I get the Jill Coleman workouts from On Demand. Taebo can be purchased from Amazon for cheap. I have also been doing Jillian Michael's 30 day shred and Ripped in 30. You can get both of those from Amazon.com or Walmart has them as well. I try and mix it all up. Somedays, I really only have time for a 20 minute workout. SO...that is what I do. I just give it my all. Most days I try and get 2 20 minute workouts in. One in the am and one as soon as I get home. I MAKE myself do them. I tell you, when I am feeling just blah, they are a total pick me up. Once the endophins kick in, it is smooth sailing! I just feel better overall, mentally and physically! When I do the JM dvd's I only use 3-5 pound weights. I hope this helps. If you have any other questions, feel free to email me anytime!

      xoxo

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    2. Thank you!! Nice to know you don't have to spend 2 hours in the gym everyday to feel good =)

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  16. Hi Lori! I am a new follower of you here an on IG. Your before and after pictures last night on IG gave me the serious motivation I needed to keep going. I have been a yo-yo dieter for years and have finally committed myself to getting fit and not just losing weight. Keep up the great work-I hope that one day I can look as good as you!

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    1. Hi there!! Thank you so much!!! Honey, if I can do it, anyone can!! Sounds like you are well on your way to getting the results you want!! Here's to being fit and fab!
      xoxo

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  17. Hey Lori! I'm the one that was complaining to you on IG that I wished I had your arms...that and I'm over this snow! LOL (I'm in by STL, on the IL side of the river). Anyway, I'm taking your advice about trying to add in kickboxing to my current workouts. Right now, I'm doing Chalean Extreme 5 days a week..and while I feel a litter stronger, I still look blah and the scale hasn't moved. Last night I ordered TurboFire, so I'm really excited to get that - I plan to do 3 days of Chalean Extreme (lifting) then 3 days a week of TurboFire, which is HIIT training. Hopefully this will give my body the extra "push" it needs to get lean! I'm also on day 8 of the Advocare 24 day challenge, but not really seeing any results from that yet. Anywho - thanks for the suggestion!! Your story helps keep me motivated and focused! :)

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  18. You are so inspiring...as I sit here after having a dinner of Taco John's (and feeling depressed about it) and biting the heads off yellow bunny Peeps. I'm just a couple years older than you and can relate to being the rounder child with a younger stick thin sister. She can eat everything in site and not gain a pound! BUT...I bought a good pair of running shoes today, ran up and down the stairs 25 times, and did some wide stance squats. I will wash the Taco John's out and feel better tomorrow. Thanks for continuing to inspire with your great B&A pics!

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  19. You are awesome! I love, love, love your progress pictures! It is things like those photos that help when I am doing a workout dvd. I don't burn a ton of calories but I know that all those moves are changing my body and working my muscles. I haven't broken up with the scale...I still weigh everyday...but it is now just to keep myself in check. My new goal is to keep up with my inches!

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