VS Day Seventeen:

For breakfast today I had oatmeal with brown sugar and strawberries, and then went to the beach and got some color…finally! I didn't eat anything until Wesley's going away dinner. I had chicken, pasta, salad, biscuits, rice, and peach cobbler. It was so yummy! (I made the peach cobbler and all the guys loved it! Wesley's mom even asked me for the recipe!) After that we went to Jamba Juice and I got a smoothie. And that was about it for today. I'm really sad that Wesley is gone! He won't be back until mid to late July. Anyways time to relax! Goodnight!

VS Dat Sixteen:

Well this morning I had 2 scrambled eggs and a small bowl of left over oatmeal with strawberries. Then I went to get my hair done, went shopping, and then to the firing range. I had so much fun! My friend who is a Marine taught me how to shoot an AR15 rifle and it was awesome! After we got lunch at In-n-Out. I got a double double and fries (I was starved). When he dropped me off at home  I had a bite of a candy cane and that was about it. Then around 8:15 I headed to a BBQ with a friend, I of course ended up being the only girl but hey who cares I'm usually one of the guys anyways! Anyways, my eating habits could have been better but oh well…maybe tomorrow! Goodnight!

VS Day Fifteen:

So this morning I went to brunch with a friend. It was this cute little place in Beverly Hills called the Toast Bakery Cafe. It was sooooo good! I got two strips of bacon, two scrambled eggs, a cup of fruit, and oatmeal with bananas, raisins, almonds, and brown sugar. Oh and I nibbled at sourdough toast…oops! But after that I went to the beach and I didn't eat anything all day, I wasn't even hungry at all. I didn't eat again until 6:00 and I had a frozen fruit bowl. I put frozen strawberries, mangos, and raspberries with soy milk and banana in a blender and topped it with granola, fresh banana, fresh strawberries, and honey. Then when I went to the movies (saw Anchorman 2…it was just okay) I had some popcorn. Goodnight!

VS Day Fourteen:

This morning I woke up feeling pretty good. I went downstairs and made myself breakfast: a pear and almond cluster cereal (gluten free) with soy milk. Today is the day, I can feel it! Things will be better!
For lunch I had a little salmon, a few apple bits, and some carrots with tomato basil hummus. I know weird combo but I was in a rush. I was running errands all day so I was constantly on the go. After I worked out for an hour at home I had dinner. Nothing fancy just left overs from last nights dinner. Broccoli, green beans, mashed potatoes, butternut squash with sweet potatoes, and try-tip.

VS Day Thirteen:

For breakfast this morning since it's Christmas…MERRY CHRISTMAS! I had two eggs, there slices of bacon, and a small gluten free piece of toast with a small glass of orange juice. After presents and cleaning up I had some watermelon for a snack since I can't ruin my appetite for Christmas (my momma would kill me).

After slaving away in the kitchen for a few hours it was finally dinner time! I had asparagus, a butternut squash and sweet potato dish, mashed potatoes, broccoli, and tri-tip. It was delicious and full of yummy veggies. And for dessert since it is Christmas I made a pear cobbler (gluten free) and tried just a little bit to treat myself. It was so yummy!
For some reason I've had one of the those days where I just feel fat. It happens to all girls, we just have those days and for some reason today was one of them. Not sure if it's just cause it's Christmas or if I'm just bloated but I hope tomorrow is better and I really do need to start getting back into my routine because I feel like I just slip WAY back. Time to kick this thing in to high gear…..for real this time!

VS Day Twelve:

Well this morning I woke up determined to start that cleanse and I did! I had green tea, apples, grapes, and an orange slice for breakfast. Then for lunch I had a smoothie, and to snack another apple. I was sticking to the whole "only fruit" for a day thing until my mom got upset with me for saying I couldn't have Christmas dinner tomorrow. So I blew the cleans by eating some popcorn…no butter just salt. Come to think of it I really didn't eat dinner. I did have some raspberries before bed though…does that count? Anyways safe to say the cleanse thing did not work, for now at least. I'll probably give it another go when I get back to school. Tonight's Christmas Eve! I can't believe it, I'm so excited! Goodnight!

VS Day Eleven:

Today I woke up exhausted at 6:30am. Mom and I packed up the car and said our goodbyes. We stopped at Smith's to pick up some breakfast and then dropped by to say goodbye to my grandma. Then it was on the road! For breakfast today I had an organic blueberry pomegranate greek yogurt and a 100% Pomegranate juice drink. For a snack on the road I had a luna bar which didn't hold me over very long but I waited till we got to the house to make lunch.
For lunch I had some left over lemon herb chicken, just one piece. Later on in the day for a snack I had a frozen fruit bowl with organic granola and agave nectar on top. Yuuuuuuum. After relaxing, munching on some popcorn, and watching a christmas movie I decided it's about time to work out!
For dinner I kinda went off the rails again! oops! I had a bacon cheeseburger and a side salad with olive oil as dressing. But the good thing is I didn't eat all the bun. I only left the bottom bun on to keep it together and then eventually didn't even finish it. So when you think about it, it's not too bad. Plus it was from Johnny Rockets so it wasn't a fast food burger. Maybe I'm just trying to make it sound better than it is…anyways I've decided tomorrow I'm going to start that cleanse. It's about time! Once I fell off the health wagon I've been dragging my feet ever since and enough is enough! Time to get this butt in shape finally! Goodnight!

VS Day Ten:

Well today started off better and my stupid self took vitamins on an empty stomach so I was nauseous for a while. Julie (the woman we were staying with in Vegas) insisted that I try one of her Italian Ricotta cheese cookies so I had one of those, which was actually amazing! For breakfast I had oatmeal with brown sugar and bananas, a slice of 12-grain toast (didn't have a choice with the gluten thing), and a side of fruit. So far so good. Then for lunch I had chipotle. I got lettuce, steak, corn, guacamole, black beans, and brown rice. So not too bad for lunch.
After visiting my grandma we went to see Saving Mr. Banks which was an AMAZING movie and I highly recommend seeing it. I had some popcorn in the theatre but no butter! Anyways we got back to Julie's kinda late and I couldn't sleep so of course I went back to the ricotta cheese cookie and also tried peppermint fudge. So bad, I know but after that I went to bed. I can't wait to get back to the house so I can start exercising and eating better again! Who knew it would be so hard to be healthy on the road! Lets hope I can turn this thing around! Night!

VS Day Nine:

Last night I thought about trying to do a cleanse but then I realized that today I’m heading off to Las Vegas, so that’s probably not the best idea. Instead I’ve decided I’m going to try one when I get back. So for breakfast this morning I had a really big apple, organic peach greek yogurt, a clementine, and a hot cup of lemon water. It surprisingly keeps me full for a long time. 
I sorta switched things up today because I knew I wouldn't be able to work out later in the day, so I did a 40 minute workout in the morning. 
On the way to Vegas I was starving! Which is a bad thing cause most of the places on the side of the road are fast food or gas stations. I did have like 3 gluten free pretzels to hold me off. We ended up at Jack n The Box. Mom got two tacos and a small fry. I tried being good and got a chicken teriyaki bowl which had rice, broccoli, shredded carrots, and chicken in it. It was alright and at least a little healthy, but I also got a small fry...bad I know but I only had a few!

Okay so dinner was not so good. I went to El Pollo Loco and got a three piece chicken meal with rice and black beans and two flour tortillas. The black beans and rice aren't bad but the flour tortillas and the amount of chicken I ate wasn’t so great. It’s like I couldn't stop! I just kept eating and eating and eating it’s like there was no off switch! I knew I had to stop eating but it was like I had no control. Anyways tomorrow has to be better! I’m determined. 

VS Day Eight:

Well this morning for breakfast I had three egg whites, a pear, and a cup of hot lemon water (as usual). That kept me full until about 3 which when I got home from the mall. I was almost tempted to get something from Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf but I was a good girl and didn't! But I did buy two new Victoria's Secret sports bras from their VSX collection. I love them! Plus now I can look cute while training like an angel. While working out I realized I do look different. Slightly but still look different, in a good way! I've noticed my legs and butt are looking tighter and smoother. Baby steps!
For lunch I had left overs from dinner a few nights ago. A piece of lemon herb chicken, roasted tomatoes, a small salad, and baby potatoes. After relaxing for a bit I put on that new sports bra and got to sweating! I workout by glutes, legs, and abs today and also did a little cardio! For dinner my mom and I went to Cinco a little Mexican bar and ordered food to go. I got a spicy grilled shrimp with white herb rice, avocado, bell peppers, and pinto beans. It was really spicy! But I don't feel bad after eating it and I kept with the gluten free yay! That's one of the worst things…eaters remorse, when you eat something and immediately regret it because it A) makes you feel like absolute crap after you eat it or B) you know it's not good for you and will pack on the pounds. Thankfully I've only had eaters remorse once during this journey.

VS Day Seven:

Today was a better day! I woke up and for breakfast I had strawberry greek yogurt and a cup of hot lemon water. I did some Christmas shopping and when I got back for a snack I had a slice of gluten free bread and boysenberry jam. I was surprised that the bread was as good as it was. Then I went to a late lunch with my friend Will and I broke the gluten free rule again! I didn't even think about it I totally forgot. But at least what I ate wasn't too bad. I had a lobster, shrimp, and crab noodle dish with spinach. The only thing I would have changed would have been to switch out the noodles for gluten free ones. And for dinner I had a small salad with cucumber, celery, and avocado. So over all I think I did pretty good today! I also worked out for a good 45 minutes and worked up a sweat! As I was in the shower tonight I kept getting down on myself wondering when am I finally going to get my dream body? Then I said to myself "Dakota, this isn't going to happen over night. It's going to take a long time and a lot of work. So…how bad do you want it?" And I've decided I want it…BAD! So I'm going to stick with it! And maybe even push myself harder. I'm proud of myself so far. Let's hope I can keep it up!

VS Day Six:

Well today started off great. I had a pear, three eggs whites and one egg yolk with basil, and a hot cup of lemon water for breakfast. Then my day started to go down hill. I had a banana and a Luna bar as snacks, but I was so stressed out and frustrated today I just felt run down. By the time I go to by aunt's house we went out to dinner at some Chinese place and I broke my no gluten rule…I had a dumpling. After that meal I felt like crap. Not only did I feel disappointed in myself for slipping but I felt gross. And I didn't feel great about my body either. Plus on top of all that I didn't even workout today…shame on me. But my body is feeling really sore today so maybe a break was a good thing? I'll just keep telling myself that! Anyways today was my first bad day and on top of everything I have a feeling I'm starting to get a cold. I hope tomorrow goes way better and that I don't get sick. And I hope I can workout! Wish me luck!

VS Day Five:

Current weight: 119.2 lbs
I've researched and been told that you're supposed to weigh yourself in the morning right after waking up before eating anything because that's your true weight. So since it's the fifth day I've decided to check up on my weight. From now on every 5 days I'll do a weigh in. I've lost 1.6 lbs already! Great way to start off the morning! After I documented my weight I researched online to see what a healthy weight for me was and I have to say I was a little shocked! For my height and the fact that I'm a female, my healthy wight range is from 101-136. I started off somewhere in the middle, but 101 seems so little! I think my target weight goal is about 110 lbs. That seems to be a healthy weight for me and since I haven't grown since high school and that was about my weight then, I think it should be fine.
Okay on to breakfast! This morning for breakfast I had an organic almond cluster cereal with soy milk, a banana, and a hot cup of lemon water. I can tell that smaller portions are starting to fill me up because my stomach is shrinking, which is a good thing! One of America's problems is our portion control. Go to Europe and look at their portions. I personally have been a few times and they are ⅓ of the size of America portions. The reason Europeans are thinner and more in shape than Americans is because they for one eat healthier. They also exercise more and eat smaller portions. It's amazing how much you realize about your old habits when you change and create new ones. You only have one body so treat it kindly!
My snack today was carrots and tomato basil hummus, yum! And after I worked out for about an hour and then for lunch made myself a fruit bowl. All it is is one banana, ¼ cup soy milk, ½ cup frozen raspberries, ½ cup frozen blueberries, and about ½ cup frozen strawberries in a blender. It should be the consistency of frozen yogurt. Then top it with organic granola, fresh sliced banana, and a mixture of honey and agave nectar. It's sweet and keeps you full for a long time!

Fruit Bowl

My inner chef came out tonight and for dinner I decided to make a lemon herb chicken with potatoes, onions, and tomatoes. For the side dish steamed broccoli and asparagus. And of course another hot cup of peppermint green tea with lemon and honey.

Lemon Herb Chicken with Veggies

I'm really proud of myself today! I feel like I'm really getting into the swing of things and everything is becoming more of a habit. So far everything is great!

Beauty 101

While doing this Victoria's Secret challenge it's not only about loosing weight it's also about taking care of my body. So I've decided to put together some of the tips and guidelines I'm following:

The Detox Bath:

Add 5-10 green tea bags to your bath while the water is running. The green tea will detox your body, relax you, and give your skin all the minerals it needs.

http://greentea.autocontentwriter.com

Use Protection:

Okay, yes that sounds sexual but I'm taking about your skin. You should always wear sunscreen even if its cold and cloudy outside, your skin is still vulnerable to harmful UV rays. The healthier your skin looks the younger and healthier you look.

Morning Wake Up:

To get you up and going in the morning start off the day with a nice hot cup of water and lemon. The lemon will wake up your sense, soothe the throat, and purify your body. The vitamin C also cuts down the amount of free radicals in your skin which makes it healthier.

http://www.winkyboo.com/blog/healthy-boost-for-the-week-warm-lemon-water/

Exfoliate!:

This is so important! You should exfoliate your skin (including your legs) twice a week. There are lots of great recipes at home you could use and I recommend these anyways since most store bought ones have harmful chemicals in them. Here are a two of my favorites:

1. ¾ cup coffee grounds, ¼ cup brown sugar, and a dash of olive oil. This helps fight cellulite, exfoliates your skin, and gives it a healthy glow while moisturizing it.

2. 2 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons oatmeal, 2 tablespoons lemon. Leave on for 15 minutes, rinse with warm water. Oatmeal is a natural exfoliator, honey soothes the face, and lemon minimizes pores.

http://www.thebestmakeupproducts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/exfoliate-your-body.jpg

Face Beauty:

I have an obsession with face masks! They always make my skin so soft and I get a glow after. Plus my skin looks and feels healthier. Here are a few of my favorites:

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/16818198580723689/

1. 2 teaspoons honey & 2 teaspoons lemon. Leave on face for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

2. 3 parts baking soda & 1 part water. Make into a paste and apply in a circular motion & rinse. Another version of this would be 1 tablespoon of honey mixed with 1 teaspoon of baking soda. Add a few drops of water to form a paste and apply to face. Leave on for 1 minute and rinse with warm water.

Fake It:
That's right fake it! Fake tans are the safest and look just the same as if you spent hours in the sun. With this said there are healthy and harmful ways to fan tan. Lotions, some spray tans, and DIY home tans are usually healthy whereas the tanning bed is not. Research some of the ways to get your fake glow on!

www.beautylish.com

Keep Off:
Stop touching your face! The skin on your face is the most sensitive on your body. The more you pull and pick at it the worse it will get. Plus the oils on your hands could cause you to break out. So keep off!

Cut it Close:
We've all had the razor bumps, cuts, and stubble left behind so try this for soft close shaven legs! Shave regularly, then use an olive oil and sugar scrub, shave again. This removes the dead skin cells and leaves skin smooth and soft. You can also try shaving with baby oil gel instead of shaving cream. This also leaves legs super soft and stubble free.

For Long Lashes:
Every girls dream is to have naturally full and long lashes. Well try this: clean out an old nail polish bottle. Fill ¼ of the bottle with castor oil, ½ the bottle with vitamin E, and a ¼ the bottle with aloe vera gel. Use a cleaned old mascara wand and apply to lashes before bed for a month and see your results! The castor oil thickens lashes, aloe vera gel lengthens lashes, and vitamin E accelerates growth.

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/16818198582357125/

White Toes:
If you're like me you hate your feet/toes. I've always been so self conscious about them and having my toe nails painted makes me feel 1,000 times better about my feet. But this is pretty cool because it naturally whitens your toes. Mix baking soda with hydrogen peroxide to form a paste. Brush onto your toes and then let toes soak in paste for 10-15 minutes. Rinse with warm water. It may take a few times to get the white you desire but it works!

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/16818198582210494/

Soft Feet:

Feet get dry and cracked especially during hot summers and dry winters. Try this to keep your feet nice and soft! Mix ¼ cup of Listerine (any kind but I like the blue), ¼ cup of vinegar, and ½ cup of warm water. Soak feet for 10 minutes and when you take them out, the dead skin will practically wipe off!

Silky Hair:
A deep conditioner is a lifesaver for dry damaged hair. Try adding olive oil to your regular conditioner:

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/16818198582077448/

Dry Shampoo:

Let's be honest we don't always have time to wash and dry our hair. Dry shampoo is a life saver. Try this DIY dry shampoo for when you're on the go: 6-10 drops essential oil (lemon or lavender), 2 tablespoons corn starch, 2 tablespoons rice flour, and 2 tablespoons arrowroot powder. Put this mixture in an old salt shaker and sprinkle on roots.

Detox Waters:

I'm all about cleansing the body, and these simple recipes will do the trick plus they taste great! You can make your own combinations of these fruits and herbs. All you need is 1-2 liters of cold water and any of these:

1. Cucumber

2. Lemon

3. Mint

4. Watermelon

5. Lime

White Teeth:

Everyone wants that pearly white smile, and yes you can always buy the whiten strips in the store but for an at home DIY version try this! All you need is a little bit of toothpaste, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide, and a ½ teaspoon water. Mix thoroughly and brush onto your teeth, leave on for 2 minute then rinse. Do this twice a week until you reach the results you want. After you've got your results limit this routine to once every month or two. You can also dip a cotton ball in a lemon juice and baking soda solution and rub onto teeth, leave for 1 minute and then brush teeth to remove acids. I saw results the first time I did this!

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/16818198581185803/

Spa Day:

Who doesn't love to get pampered and have a spa day? Try these!

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/16818198580363395/

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/16818198580346252/

Lip Scrub:

Mix brown sugar, honey, and olive oil together to get super soft and smooth lips! Mwah!

Sea Spray:

I love the way hair looks after being in the ocean, that beautiful wave look. Well here's how you can make it at home. 1 cup warm water, 1 tablespoon sea salt, 1 teaspoon coconut oil, and 1 teaspoon gel. Mix, shake, and spray on your hair. 

From Around The World:

I love hearing beauty secrets from all over the globe. Different cultures use different remedies and me being a beauty tip fanatic I LOVE it! Here are a few that I've found that are my favorite.

Australian Hair:

This is super simple but really works! Plus its natural. Try putting a few drops of tea tree oil or eucalyptus oil in your shampoo. These oils will eliminate dandruff and hydrate your scalp, leaving your hair healthy.

Spanish Dark Circles:

I have always had dark under eye circles and I HATE them with a passion! I've tried lots of different things but the spanish beauties really know how to get rid of them. Instead of using cucumber slices they use thin slices of potatoes. Leave on your eyes for about 10-15 minutes. The potatoes actually lighten your skin which makes the bruised look fade.

Brazilian Booty:

If the brazilians are know for two things its their coffee and their booties! Brazilian ladies are known for their great butts and lack of cellulite. This is their secret: sand. Yup that's right sand. Women from Brazil rub sand all over their bodies. The sand stimulates your skin and aids in eliminating cellulite.

Indian Hair:

Women from India have such long, thick, and shiny hair. How do they do it? Coconut oil! It can strengthen your hair if it's getting thinner. All you have to do is heat up coconut oil and massage it into your hair once a week. Sleep with it in a shower cap and rinse the next morning. You'll definitely see results! Your hair will be thicker, shinier, and healthier in no time!

Italian Luscious Lips:

When I think Italy I think romance, with romance comes kissing! No wonder these Italians can't keep their hands…or lips off each other when they have such soft kissable lips! These ladies use olive oil to rub on their lips (Greek women use it as well). The olive oil not only softens your lips but hydrates them as well.

Scandinavian Skin:

It's well known that Scandinavian women have beautiful skin. Their secret is super simple. Water. That's it just water. Not only do they drink TONS of it but they bathe their faces in it as well. The secret is it has to be ice cold water. Splash your face about 20 times with ice cold water everyday to get that beautiful healthy skin. 

China's Anti-aging:

To keep skin young and healthy Chinese women drink lots of white tea. It purges skin form free radicals and keeps you healthy!

Latin Super Fruit:

South American and Latin beauties know that avocados are one of the best kept beauty secrets of all time. Avocados give the hair a lustrous shine, enhanced growth, and make your skin glow. The monounsaturated fats in avocados are the secret weapon of this fatty fruit. Avocados are also full of Vitamin E, folate, magnesium, chlorophyll, potassium, and fiber. As well as a great source of plant protein. Eating avocados enhances your hair, skin, and your weight since the fats help keep you fuller longer which prevents overeating. 

French Nails:

Every woman knows what I'm talking about when I say nail stains. Those ugly yellow stains from nail polish. French women use lemons to get rid of them! All you have to do is remove nail polish with a nail removal as usual then soak nails in lemon juice for 10-15 minutes, and voila! No more stains.

Brazilian Glow:

Another thing Brazilian women are known for…their beautiful glowing tans. There secret doesn't lie with the sun, its carrots! These Brazilian babes drink 4 ounces of carrot juice a day. It gives your skin a natural glow and can even clear up acne. Beta-carotene is a wonderful nutrient that slows aging and causes skin to look golden tan. Just don't go over board, or you might end up looking orange! You can also get the same results by eating three servings of carrots, sweet potatoes, or winter squash a day.

Indian Skin:

Turmeric is said to work miracles for all kinds of problems, including brain, skin, tummy, and heart health. This is because of the rich sources of antioxidants that the orange spice turmeric contains. It's the main spice used in curry. Indian women use turmeric to energize their skin. They do this by creating it into a paste with water. This enhances circulation to the skin and the body. It also removes bacteria from the skin. To get all the benefits, use turmeric masks on your face and eat it as well. Try is in tea, soups, or with other seasonings.

Italian Egg Wash:

Italian women use egg whites to moisturize their hair. The egg whites give their hair a glow while hydrating it. All you need to do is whip up two egg whites, apply it to your hair, leave it in for 10 minutes, then rinse and wash hair normally.

Hope this helped! And here is one of my favorite blogs and reference guides! It's 101 Beauty Tips every girl should know and they are absolutely great. It's like a beauty bible!

VS Day Four:

Well I had to fast from 8:00 last night till late this morning because I had a doctors appointment. I would usually never skip breakfast but in this case I had no choice. I did however drink LOTS of water. Surprisingly one of the hardest parts of this challenge is drinking lots of water. I'm starting to get better at it but it takes some work. I didn't end up eating until about 1:45 this afternoon! I was starved! I made myself some brown rice spaghetti and on top I added some organic steamed broccoli, carrots, and asparagus. So yummy! Who said healthy couldn't be flavorful?

Brown Rice Spaghetti with Steamed Veggies

After my late lunch I had another hot cup of peppermint green tea but this time I had honey and a slice of lemon in it. Lemon is so good for you! It not only a flavorful citrus fruit, but it's great for your skin and it flushes your body of toxins and it's great for weight loss, along with so many more benefits!

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/405464772673304277/

I decided I had to get off my butt and go workout so I focused on my arms and core today. I did a little but of shadow boxing too which is great cardio! My workout lasted about 50 minutes then I showered and had dinner. Tonight for dinner I had refried beans, hamburger meat, avocado, tomato, lettuce, and tofu cheese on top of a brown rice tortilla.

Brown Rice Tortilla

That's another thing that's been a challenge for me…No Gluten! I didn't realize how often I ate it until I couldn't anymore. This brown rice tortilla is like eating cardboard but everything else was yummy! I think I might have to microwave it or something to soften it up because it's hard as cardboard too. And for dessert I had organic greek yogurt with blueberries and pomegranate. So far today has been a good day and I can already see a difference in the way I look! So far so good! Let's keep rolling!

VS Day Three:

This morning I started off good! I had two scrambled eggs and a clementine for breakfast with a very small glass of orange juice. I can already tell I'm feeling a little better, not only my mind but my body as well. For late lunch/early dinner I had a protein wrap from In-n-Out, which is a hamburger patty, tomato, In-n-Out sauce, pickles, and cheese wrapped in lettuce. Yea, yea I know not super healthy but it's better than a regular cheese burger! Plus I didn't eat fries or a soda with it! After dinner I worked out and showered then went downstairs and drank at least 2 glasses of water and had a huge cup of warm peppermint green tea from Trader Joe's (it's so good! One of my favorites!) I sat by the fire, drank my tea, and watched a Christmas movie called Let it Snow. It was a good day!

VS Day Two:

Well I started today off much better! For breakfast I had a fried egg, banana, and a clementine. That held me over for a few hours surprisingly. Then for a snack I had a few pieces of cut up sausage left over from the party last night and a cup of diced pear. Now I'm trying to figure out what to have for dinner. I'm starved! And that's always a bad thing being in a kitchen full of food. It's like grocery shopping when your hungry….don't do it. So I've decided to suck it up and rummage through the pantry and fridge for healthy dinner options. I settled on organic brown rice spaghetti with organic broccoli and carrots. After letting my food digest (AKA watching the Heisman award ceremony) I went upstairs and workout out for about 40 minutes. I did the Angel Butt Workout and a few other things. Let me tell you something, that workout kicked my ass! Literally…my butt hurts right now haha. Anyways after the workout I went to visit my aunt where I was tempted to go to CPK. I gave in. BUT I chose something healthy! I got a salad with chicken, corn, and tomatoes and instead of fatty ranch dressing I got simple barbecue sauce. I also fought the urge to eat the bread that came with it, yay me! Well that's it for day two, I can slowly start seeing a change in my diet. Let's hope I can keep it rolling!

VS Day One:

Although this is incredibly embarrassing I've decided I better be honest so here it goes:
Starting weight: 120.8 lbs
Height: 5' 2 ½" (not like that will change, but still thought it to be relevant)
Well I didn’t start this challenge off very well, but in a way I didn’t really have control so that doesn’t count right? On the way to Birmingham Airport today the guy who drove my roommate Abby and I stopped at Milo’s, which is a hamburger place. I had’t eaten anything yet so I was hungry and that was the only thing I would eat for a while so I got a cheeseburger and a small sweet tea. I have to say though I am proud of myself for not getting bacon or fries with it. Baby steps. Although I did feel incredibly guilty eating it, I could feel the processed food just clogging my arteries. And p.s. he said Milo's was the best hamburger place ever….not even close! They weren’t even that good! Anyways I’ve now decided that from now on I have to be more careful, it’s a lot harder than it seems to eat clean!
I didn't eat anything all day until I landed at LAX. When I got to my parents house they were hosting a Christmas party so of course I was mentally eating everything in sight. But, I behaved to a point and just kept it to chill, fruit, chicken, and sausage. That's healthy right? Oh who am I kidding day one was a fail…but I won't be too hard on myself it was a travel day…
Wish me luck on tomorrow.

The Angel Challenge

Okay...so obviously everyone in the world tunes in to CBS on that one day of the year….The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. I love/hate this time of year. On one hand I have an unhealthy obsession with anything and all things Victoria's Secret and on the other I hate all the models for being so perfect.

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Why can't I just snap my fingers and have Candice Swanepoel's body? Like is there a magic word I need to have? Because I could use it right about now.

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Across the world girls gather around the TV like it's some sort of shrine and pray to the God's that they can have a body like those models, while in the mean time stuffing their faces with chocolate and ice cream to ease the pain of self loathing. And I too was one of those girls this past Tuesday night. I sat there looking at my thighs thinking, "This is not okay! I'm not happy with my body!" I never used to be uncomfortable with my body until a couple years ago. And for some reason watching that show this year just clicked something in my head. Not only do I want to have a cute body but I want to be fit and healthy. The thing I admire about these Angels is that they are all so healthy and fit. They could kick ass if they needed to. SO with all that said…I've decided to take a challenge. For 30 days I'm going to eat clean, exercise daily, and treat my body kindly! My problem areas: Butt, Thighs, and Tummy.
Starting tomorrow morning the countdown begins! Here are my guidelines are rules:

FOOD: 

• Little to no gluten (IF eaten: whole wheat and whole grain)
• Lots of water
• Mostly Fruits and Veggies everyday
• Lean Meats
• Vitamins
• Peanut Butter
• Smoothies
• No processed sugar
• Whole/Organic foods
• No soda
• No alcohol 

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EXERCISE:

• Victoria's Secret Angel Workout for legs and butt
• Victoria's Secret Angel Workout for abs
• Victoria's Secret ANgel Workout for arms
• Walking
• Jumping jacks
• Jump Rope
• Shadow boxing

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Winter

Wow, it's been a long time since I've written…I guess I've just been so caught up in everything going on I haven't had time to just sit down and write. Well first off Thanksgiving just passed and it was a weird one. It was the first Thanksgiving that I didn't spend with my family. I was in Georgia with my best friend and it being the first Thanksgiving with my grandpa gone made it even tougher to be away from my family. But I made it out okay and now I'm back at school.

I kept catching myself saying "I can't wait to go home" or "I'll be home soon" and when I think about it, Alabama has become my home. This is my new home now, yes I may not have been born and raised in Alabama but the way I see it is home is where the heart is. And my heart is here, even if my family doesn't live here. I'll always have a home with them, but here in Alabama is where I call home. Honestly I think it hurts my momma's feelings because she thinks I'm forgetting about the family, and I know where I grew up and I'll always have a home with them but there comes a time where we as children growing up need to make our own home.

With that said….It's winter! I'm so excited! And my roommates and I have decorated our new home with christmas decorations, a tree, and lights! We've gone all out! Not only do we have the decorations up but we brought our cozy cold weather clothes out and stocked up on hot cocoa and marshmallows. If you ask me…this is the best time of year. There's nothing better than curling up on the couch with a blanket, popcorn, and some hot cocoa looking at the the flames from candles dancing on the wall or the twinkling lights of the christmas tree, watching the ornaments sparkle and the light dance off of them as you're watching a Christmas movie while it rains or snows outside. Safe to say I'm more than excited that it's that time of year!