AGAIN...

I'm starting over - AGAIN.

My awesome friend/cousin, Hannah Aiono, is a personal trainer in MO (woot-woot!) and ks (meh). She has an online training group called Women On Weights (WOW). I have paid the training fee (which is TOTALLY DISCOUNTED!!!), sent her my before pictures, sent her my measurements...and I fell asleep last night instead of working out.

SO - today - after I finish work - I'm going home - and doing my workout!!! And then I'm going to play softball!!! And possibly go to karaoke!!!

I'm trying to use a lot of exclamation points to make me sound excited...because I'm not.   !!!

I downloaded the "Timehop" app - that finds your pictures from 1 year to YEARS ago and I just see my silly cycle of trying to be fit.

Two years ago I was doing great...I need to get in that mindset again.

Work - workout with [Insert Name of Male that filled my heart space with sorrow]- eat dinner with [Insert Name of Male "That Can't See Himself Dating Me"] - spend all night doing activities with [Insert Name of Male "Even Though He Thinks About It A Lot"] - cry myself to sleep - repeat.

SO HEALTHY.

!!!

I'll let you know how today goes...!!!

Walkers, Tears, and Life Realizations...

Is it unhealthy that I experience all my emotions while watching "The Walking Dead"?

Most likely.

But, it's not until I'm wrapped up into a show (or book) - and its characters - their lives - their joys - and their heartaches - that I let myself feel.

And lately - I've felt inadequate.

Inadequate in losing all the weight I know I should.

Inadequate in dating...if that's what you could call it.

Inadequate at my job.

So, here I am - sick with a stomach virus - watching this show and crying. Crying because good people have to die. Crying because bad people haven't died. Crying because people are trying to change...but get turned into zombies and have to die. Crying because they only get to eat a can of beans - once every four days. Crying because I started watching this show again because of a lame guy I recently hooked up with that made me watch Season 4 before Season 3 and we all know how plot lines don't connect when watching seasons OUT. OF. ORDER.

*crying*

It was good to cry things out. When I'm crying over the zombie apocalypse - I'm not crying over my own life. And if I'm not crying over my own life - I don't feel bad, lame, or ungrateful. 

My life doesn't suck. It's not too hard. It's definitely not how I imagined or planned it to be...and sometimes that can be unsettling for me.

A good cry helps to clear out my head and heart space. All the violence, change, survival, grudges, forgiveness, hate, and love in "The Walking Dead" helps to put things in perspective for me.

Weight: I wouldn't survive the zombie apocalypse. I wouldn't want to live on a can of beans for 4 days - run everywhere - and be dirty for so long. Heck - I'm hardly surviving this stomach virus...which has helped me to lose some weight. But, not the way I want to. SO - when I recover - I'll hit the gym with the same vengeance and passion I was planning on hitting it with before I got sick. I'm not a quitter - and if it takes me 10 million years to get to my goal weight - I'll keep trying.

Dating: Online dating IS the zombie apocalypse. I'll stay away from it and live to see another day.

Job: Who ever thought I'd be in Data Analytics full time? Of course it's hard for me - but I enjoy my job - it's challenging - and I am learning. I'll keep working hard - learning more - and hopefully - get a raise so I can move to Scotland...or at least visit. ;)

One day - I'll live a life with a full range of emotions. Until then - I'll continue to operate with happiness and anger. I'll utilize media and literature to understand pain and sadness better...and tell you about it.

Which is a little healthier...right? <3

*holding out for my very own redneck, bad-A, tender-hearted, skinny, white boy*

The Best. Cookie. EVER.

The Best Cookie: An Essay

by Brandon Fessler

A mistake. We’ve all made them at one point or another in our lives. And some of which have resulted in consequences (good or bad) far more significant than others. But it’s easy to see why the invention of the cookie could rank as one of the best mistakes ever made. Yes, the cookie’s existence is rooted in an accident. Dutch cooks would use a small dollop of cake batter to test the temperature of the oven prior to baking a cake. At some point, these little cakes grew in popularity and earned a name: The Cookie.

You’re probably wondering why I’m even writing an essay about which cookie is the best. It actually began with a small argument (one of many) myself and a couple of co-workers (Jonny Hislop and Analee Christensen) were having about which cookies are better. In my humble opinion which I defended quite voraciously, the Chocolate Chip Cookie is the best. With equal fortitude yet lacking the strong elements of proof, my co-worker Jonny Hislop defended the claim that the Sugar Cookie, in all its simpleton-nature, was the best cookie. This is why I present this essay: Because I unequivocally say, “Nay!” to that assumption about the sugar cookie or any other which bears those 6 letters.

Although our debate focused primarily on homemade cookies…personally, I don’t think it really matters if they are homemade or manufactured. A cookie is a cookie is a cookie. Show me someone who thinks an Oreo is better than a homemade chocolate chip cookie and I’ll show you an idiot. You might also be wondering: Why would someone want to waste time debating and writing about which cookie is the best? To that question I reply: “It’s not about writing on the cookie as much as it is about me being right.” But if that answer doesn’t suffice, I’ll begin this essay with poetry. In some weird way, I guess it now makes this more of an art piece than an essay and how dare one criticize the inner expression of one’s soul, especially mine.

Let me begin with a few Haiku about the Chocolate chip cookie. The Haiku, in my opinion, is one of the more pure forms of poetry. To quote the great cookie connoisseur, Cookie Monster: “Me love poetry….and cookies!” With no further delay, may I attempt to mingle those two loves of a blue monster into verse he'd hopefully appreciate…

Chocolate, so smooth.

Mixed with sugar, flour, love.

The Perfect Cookie.

One chip. Two chip. Three!

Morsels tucked away and snug.

Essence of Cookie.

The Sugar, no match.

Cocoa Chip…second to none!

It is my Hero.

The Evidence

Just in case those Haiku weren’t enough to persuade you on the perfectness of the Chocolate chip cookie, I provide…without bias or subjectivity, without wearing chocolate-chip-cookie-goggles as I write…some valid evidence, I shall call them “Truth Crumbs”, as to why the Chocolate Chip cookie rules supreme. You can google “America’s favorite homemade cookie” and get some really good results. Let me preface this with the fact that I didn’t hand select these pages or articles. These are merely the results of what google deems as “the best” answer which will provide a satisfactory result in a user’s search request. So let’s go to…

Exhibit A: The Brown Eyed Baker

What say ye, Brown Eyed Baker about the best homemade cookie? Let’s look at her Top 10: She has Chocolate Chip as the #1 cookie; calls this cookie, “The classic favorite…absolutely incredible.” Just want to point out she has the Sugar cookie as the 6th best cookie in her ranking, which I think is a little high…however…she has it down there with the ginger cookie so the sugar is in good company.

Exhibit B: About.com.

About.com goes as far as to say the Chocolate chip cookie is…“The All-Time Cookie…” It’s go big or go home for About.com with that claim. A little over the top? Perhaps. But I still love what About says regarding this amazing treat: ”Just mention Chocolate Chip Cookies and the mouth starts watering. Everyone seems to love these cookies.” Let us compare that analysis to the juvenile footnote of its counterpart: “Sugar Cookies are….a necessity when you have a school-aged child.” You know what I say to that? Stay in school Sugar cookies. Chocolate Chip…welcome to the big Leagues!”

Exhibit C: Carolyn Wyman, Renowned Food Author

I’m about real people. Not just some blogger-type who can hide behind their brand and spout out whatever they want. Not saying this is happening with the first two pieces of evidence, but…why not find out what Carolyn Wyman thinks? Not only is the Chocolate Chip her favorite cookie, but she’s actually written an entire book about this delicate, yet robust morsel. A book!?! You know why they don’t write books about Sugar cookies? Because books need to be longer than a couple of sentences and there’s not much to say about sugar, water, and flour. But I digress…The article makes the claim that “Chocolate-chip cookies, she points out, account for more than half of all home-baked cookies.” Half?!?!? There’s an estimated 2 billion cookies consumed per year by Americans, roughly 300 cookies per year per person. Now…that’s 2 billion total but needless to say if those are homemade or manufactured, one has to assume a good portion of those are chocolate chip.

I’m sensing a trend here… Whoa….what’s that? Did someone say “Trends”? Why not let google, “The Great Settler of Debates” “The Objective Bystander of Cookie Judgement”, chime in this debate?

Exhibit C: Google Trends

I ran a quick keyword trend analysis on our two competitors: The Chocolate Chip cookie VS the Sugar cookie. Using keyword queries as the benchmark for awesomeness…we can see who the real winner is…

https://www.google.com/trends/explore#q=%2Fm%2F0k5sl%2C%20%2Fm%2F05j9kt&date=today%2012-m&cmpt=q&tz=

Granted, there is that one month of the year that Sugar cookies’ interest spikes. And that holiday is Christmas. You have to wonder why? Is it because in the interest of time and simplicity…the chef opts in for Sugar Cookies because let’s be honest…anyone can bake a sugar cookie? Personally, I think it spikes because a bunch of amateur-bakers want to make something cheap and easy for neighbors and decide, “I want to bake something I can’t screw up. Something that doesn’t set the bar too high.” Which is kind of funny and reminds me of one Christmas when someone in the neighborhood gave us a small bag of tootsie rolls. Now, while I reflect on that moment…I’m pretty sure I’d prefer tootsie rolls over a sugar cookie.   

Exhibit D: Our Co-worker, Bracken’s Wife’s Cookies

…which happen to be Chocolate Chip Cookies. I wouldn’t necessarily say Lindsay’s delicious cookies are the only evidence for how awesome the Chocolate Chip cookie is…because her recipe is quite good. No…not only the cookie in this instance more so than my other co-worker’s (Jonny) reaction every time Bracken brings them in. Yes, the same Jonny who believes the Sugar cookie is the best cookie ever. There have even been instances where our Defender-Of-The-Sugar-Cookie has eaten half the plate of Lindsay’s chocolate chip cookies only after he has made every attempt to discourage others to have one for their own self. Irony? Nay, not irony, but a deep seeded passion for chocolate chip cookies. A passion so deep it would cause a man to do and say crazy things such as, “Sugar cookies are the best cookies.”

Exhibit E: A Random Facebook Poll

Initially, I was hesitant about doing a facebook poll on which cookie is the best. The facebook community is a different beast altogether so I was wary and hesitant about this eclectic community’s opinion on such important matters as this one is; however…there was an overwhelming response with this poll. Within the first hour or so, there were over 50 responses (I have to thank Analee for sharing this poll with her plethora web of friends on facebook…well over 1,000 peeps) and when I closed the poll 24 hours later, it ended with over 170 total responses (we’ll keep the Cookie Poll on going for any further data-collection).

The results of the data were as expected, especially when considering the aforementioned evidences of prodigious proof that the Chocolate Chip cookie is indeed the best cookie. Of the 170+ respondents, 84 (48.8%) voted Chocolate Chip (1) as the best; after that (2) The Snickerdoodle hit 24 (14%) votes; Oatmeal Raisin (3) brought in 17 (9.9%) votes; the No Bake Cookie (4) yielded 14 votes (8.1%); and finally…tied for 4th place…is the ordinary Sugar Cookie (4) with 14 votes (8.1%).  

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist, heck…it doesn’t take a data scientist, to figure out what the best cookie in the world is. The oven-timer is buzzing on this essay so I want to leave you with a few parting words not from my mouth, but from the mouths of luminaries in the field of cookies…

Debbi Fields, who is all things Cookies, founder of Mrs. Fields, and who also happens to be a member of the Entrepreneur Hall of Fame expressed her love for this delectable treat: “Number one, I absolutely love making chocolate chip cookies. I mean, it’s fun. It’s exciting. Beyond the fact that I love making them, I love eating them.”

Joyce Meyer, best-selling author, went so far as to say it takes the Holy Ghost to stop her from eating chocolate chip cookies! She says, “I tell you what when I see chocolate chip cookies I can’t just eat one. I’ve got to eat a dozen. I don’t have any self-control. Well, come on! You’re just talking yourself right into the pit!

Cookie Monster, who one very rarely ever sees eating anything other than a chocolate chip cookie, once said, “Chocolate chip cookie important to me…it mean whole lot to me…om nom nom nom.” How can one argue with, “Nom…nom…nom”?

So now it’s time for me to drop the mic, but only because after all this research, time, and energy I’m ready to pick up the spatula and make my favorite, the best, all-time greatest, the one and only, impossible to deny…Chocolate Chip Cookie.

WEIGHTS: DAY 1

Guess who made it back to the gym?! THIS GIRL!!! :)

I LOVE weights - and it makes me sad that my feet have given me so many problems that I had to stop.

My cousin/college roommate/mentor/bestie/trainer got me into full body lifting a couple of years ago. I lost a lot of weight and felt so good...and then I got my heart space broken and everything went to crap.

That's the Reader's Digest version at least.

I've lost a little over 30 lbs since January - and even though my foot is still giving me problems - the pain isn't so bad that I can't work through it. I know my limits - I'm understanding my body more - so it's time for weights again!!!

AAAAND I've got a friend doing the program with me: Erica I'll-Cut-You-With-My-Homemade-Shank Garcia. She's the best!!!

Week 1 is always tough - getting into the gym, figuring out the layout of everything, dodging all the Meatheads, and finding a place to warm up without feeling lame. It feels like our routine takes FOREVER, but we're there - and we're doing it.

The best part is - working out at Gold's Gym (or "The Golden Gym" if you're my Hawaiian Aunty). I love it! I love the Meatheads, the fit women, the soccer moms, the high maintenance girls that text on the stretching mats - I love it all! Keep your "Judgement Free Zones" - I'm always entertained when I'm at The Golden Gym - and I'm sure that I return the favor for others there as well.

We're warming up for our workout (The Female Body Breakthrough is amazing, but the warm ups are way more involved than just 10 minutes on a treadmill) and an older lady approaches us.

Lady: Ooo - I want to do what you're doing. It looks like something I should be doing!
*proceeds to copy the warm up that we're attempting...and if she wasn't a grandma - could have possibly been making fun of us...maybe she still was - ha!*
Lady *to Erica*: You remind me of someone I used to work with. You look JUST like her!
Erica *a little stand offish*: Oh really? What does she look like?
Lady: Well...she has the same hair color as you...
Me: Does she have an attitude? Because then THIS *nodding to Erica* is her.

HAHAHA - the Lady stayed for a bit longer - but then she informed us that she had reached her max workout for the day and disappeared....almost magically.

We're still warming up - and a Fit Guy (not bulky enough to be a Meathead) comes over to the stretching area. We're concentrating - and out of the corner of my eye - I notice - that Fit Guy has noticed us.

That's not hard. I'm pretty sure that I'm the largest person in the gym at that time - and the ONLY Polynesian. Erica is probably the only Mexican girl there - and we're new to this gym...so yes - NEWBIES...doing weird warm ups.

We keep warming up and he has the courage to strike up a conversation:

FIT GUY: Are you girls ballerinas?
*we full on LAUGH in his face*
BAHAHAHA
ME: Yeah. Big, BROWN, ballerinas!!! (accidental alliteration!!!)
BAHAHAHA
ERICA: Yeah. They have to pay US more money.
BAHAHAHA

Needless to say - our adventures here are only beginning. :)

RESULTS!!!

I forgot to tell you what my results were!!!

I'm on a break until after Easters - because we all know how well Rin-Dizzle shares the love of God through food - I can't miss this one.

BUT - for my first 30 Day Isagenix Nutritional Cleanse Challenge:

I LOST 18.5 lbs & 28.5" all over!!!

I feel like those numbers could be better - so this next 30 days - I'm adding in exercise and really dialing in on my meal plan.

I'll be adding more calories at my snacks and hopefully that will help to satiate my hunger between shakes/meals. If I'm happier between meals - I hope that will help me stay on plan better as well.

If I get hungry at night - I'll drink a green smoothie :)

HOORAY!!!

I've still got a long road ahead of me - but I am being brave and showing you my results so far. Please don't share it - I'm too embarassed for that. I don't feel like there's much of a difference in my photos (people say there is) - but I know that whoever reads this loves me - so it's safe to share. 

*cheers* to another 30 Days!!!

ISAGENIX DAY?

hahaha - SO - blogging STILL isn't my forte.

Either are meal plans. :(

Don't fret - I'm not completely off the Isagenix bandwagon, but I fall off pretty regularly - now that I'm at the last week or so of the program.

I know that when my 30 days is up on Thursday and I take my last measurements and weigh in - I'll be disappointed in myself.

My results could be better. I could be smaller.

And I'll have to use those as a motivator for the NEXT 30 days...whenever I decide to begin that. ;)

I've had a bit of an attitude about though. I don't think it's the healthiest weight loss plan for me. It cuts too many calories out - makes me dependent on a product - it's MLM - AND it's pretty expensive.

BUT - I'm getting results. I'm losing inches, I'm out of my boot, and I'm learning that I can survive on a snack of 12 unsalted almonds. Portion control is a good thing.

That's enough motivation to continue Isagenix until I reach the goal weight and size that I know is healthy for me. :)

I just need to do it when it's NOT BROWN SUGAR MONTH. :)

Which reminds me - if I don't have your address (again) - please fill out this private form to be added to my Online Address Book:

www.postable.com/brownsugarchristensen

If you're uncomfortable with links and such - just email it to me or text me...or maybe you don't want my Brown Sugar Letter of Love...*sniff* and that's okay too...

ISAGENIX DAY 17

It happened - I got my heart space broken at the Glass House. :(

Since I began - there's been a kid in there pretty regularly (I know - red flag) and he thought I was so hilarious (which I am) that he introduced himself. His name is Frank and he's from St. Louis, MISSOURI. <3

Every time he would come in - he'd wait in my line - and we'd chat about life. He always told me how happy I made him and that he looked forward to seeing me.

I look forward to seeing him too. He has dark brown hair, a crooked smile, and sad, brown eyes. I'm not saying that I thought we'd ever end up together, but I wanted to party with the kid for sure. 

Sometimes - I feel like my happiness is my superpower - like - I can help people be happy for a bit. I know that we all have to choose happiness, but sometimes people need to be reminded how it feels or what it looks like - so they can possibly make steps towards it. If I can be that glimpse for them - I want to be.

Frank hasn't been into the store for a couple of weeks...or at least not when I've been working. I'm disappointed when I finish a shift without seeing him (which is a good thing - sobriety isn't bad).

Today - FRANK CAME TO THE GLASS HOUSE!!! <3

And this is what he told me,

I've been staying away because of how I feel about you. And in the infamous words of REO Speedwagon, I can't fight this feeling anymore.

HAHAHAHAHAHA - no. THIS is what Frank said,

Babe (I love it when he calls me that), I've got some bad news...I'm moving to Vegas. (WHAT?! When?! *sad eyes*) Tomorrow. (NO!!!! We haven't even partied together yet) I know...(I'm having a party on the 28th) In Vegas? (No...here *duh*) I can't. My parents are here and they even brought my motorcycle. (imagining him on a motorcycle) I was hoping you'd be in here today so I could say goodbye...(SO SAD - but I understand...good luck...*sniff*)

And he walked out of my life as quickly as he walked into it.

No, I didn't get his number. No, I didn't give him a hug. It would've been appropriate - but I thought it would be creepy.

HELLO, BROWN SUGAR?! You never worry about being creepy any OTHER time.

THAT'S how I know that I liked him...I cared about being creepy.

THAT'S why I'm still single. I haven't mastered my creepy timing...among other things.

*sigh*

 

 

 

 

 

 

ISAGENIX DAY 16

I had the opportunity to attend the Adobe Summit in the place of my coworker.

My mind was BLOWN and I am inspired to take classes...because there is so much that I need to learn when it comes to analytics and computers. And we ALL know how amazing I am at going to school....eek!

hahaha - I would have never thought my career path would lead to analyzing data...it's frightening to try something challenging. 

We'll just figure out a time to squeeze classes in and begin. ;)

I did not take a lunch to the Summit - but I chose wisely with my food - eating 3 different kinds of salad (including a cold, quinoa one) and only 1 scoop of rice - no desserts and plenty of water.

When it came time for snacks - I DID have my snacks packed and added some dried fruit to the mix.

The fact that there was FREE food EVERYWHERE - I feel good about my choices. :)

The only thing I DON'T feel good about is a sore throat that's threatening my demise....

ISAGENIX DAY 15

I'm at the Adobe Summit for my company and there's free everything: FREE!!!

Popcorn, soda, tacos, boos, arcade games, air hockey (beat Jonny!!!), burgers - all FREE!!!

Even watching Imagine Dragons in concert was FREE (I made creepy eye contact with their ginger bassist!!!).

And I ATE. :(

My last shake & supplements were at 5:00 pm, but by 8:30 pm I'd walk 5 MILLION miles (or close to it), in a shoe for the SECOND day, and I was tired (still) & hangry.

I ate about 1 1/2 cups of fruit and 1/2 a veggie wrap...that's it. I know I wasn't supposed to eat, but that's what I chose - I CHOSE - to break meal plan with. :)

Was it as delicious as the french fries the boys had? :( No.

And for a bit there - I HATED being on a meal plan again.

Yet, throughout the night I found that I hated other things more:

>>Sore feet
>>Feeling fat

It takes me forever to get anywhere and the entire time I'm trying to get there - it hurts.

I was TWO people away from Imagine Dragons and I went to sit down because I couldn't handle standing on my feet any longer.

I get anxiety thinking about what I look like when I'm climbing the stairs - limping along - thinking about how far away we parked - simply sitting - helping my friend at the gym.

Not ALL the time, but it happens.

I'm in the process of trying to change and then learning to accept the time it's taking to see and feel that change.

It's tough. It really is. And at the end of some of my days (like today) - I don't feel like it's worth it.

...especially when the veggie wraps are gross ;)

ISAGENIX DAY 14

I took my boot off today!!!

I walk weird and I'm actually slower than usual, but I survived.

My foot still feels sore though...it gives me anxiety thinking about walking around...ANYWHERE :(

I hope I'm losing weight fast enough for it...I'm TRYING SO HARD!!! :)

ISAGENIX DAYS 8- 13

Life happened last week...so blogs didn't. :(

Again - I know it's about priorities, but it seems like I have to prioritize my life into sections of Health and Employment. It's depressing to think my life can be categorized into TWO sections. Of course - within those sections there are more priorities, but this is what it included last week:

>Work from 5 am - 1:30 pm
>Eat what meals I prepped or Cleanse
>Work from 2 pm - 7 pm
>Go home and try to interact with my busy family that's trying to get to bed, so really just sit on the couch by myself for 30-45 minutes
>Shower and sleep
>Repeat (minus the shower some days...don't judge me)

One of my friends at the Glass House is going through some struggles, so we picked up shifts for her. I didn't realize that would equate to five, 14 hour days. I know that there are many people in the world that work harder days with more intense work than I do.

But, this is MY blog and I feel like crying on it right now. ;)

By the end of the week (that culminated in my actual DAY of birth) - I was DONE. I went to a neighbor's house for games with the family...and KNOCKED. OUT. hahaha

I went to bed pretty defeated. I was tired, I wanted to eat EVERYTHING (just because I CAN'T - I'm actually not feeling hungry). My foot's in a stupid boot still. I still don't know why I try to lose weight. I think it's dumb that I even HAVE to lose weight. AND IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!!! :(

I fell asleep in a pity party that night - not excited to turn 34 the next day.

Yet, when I woke up that next morning...LIFE WAS GREAT <3 

I was happy - full of energy - and even though I was working an 8 hour shift AND cleansing on my BIRTHDAY - my heart was full. I kept smiling and I couldn't help but BE happy.

It's the first time in my ENTIRE LIFE that I haven't had a birthday cake on my birthday.

My heart didn't care. :)

Hozier (my latest Irish obsession) completely narrates my life with his lyrics from Work Song:

"I'm so full of love I can barely eat"

I was completely OVERFILLED with love that day. I know it's corny, but it's true!!!

With the phone calls, texts, voxes, emails, and FB posts - I knew I was loved. 

Just waking up in the morning I FELT I was loved. <3 *Jesus hi-five!!!*

It was a great reminder, to me, that I AM trying my hardest and I AM making progress. It's going to be worth it in the end for ME. Not for anyone else - for ME.

I keep questioning why I'm even doing this. I know it's not for love. I already have that.

It's not for a skinny, white boy (hopefully with ginger hair and an accent...ha!).

It's for ME. 

For me to be HAPPY and to continue to help others be happy and feel loved by being ME.

One of my co worker's told me not to lose weight - because if I got skinny - I wouldn't be ME anymore.

A. I am not trying to be a twig bit...girl (ha!) 

2. I am not defined by my size or weight

Why can't I be Brown Sugar as a size 18 instead of a size 30?

Why can't I be crazy and wild Brown Sugar - but shop at a regular clothing store?

Why can't I be hilarious Brown Sugar and fit into my airplane seat belt?

I CAN!!! 

And for some reason - on 07 March 2015 - the morning of my 34th birthday - Jesus woke me up with that realization in my heart. 

BEST. BIRTHDAY. EVER.

I LOVE MANDY & I LOVE KARAOKE!!! <3

ISAGENIX DAY 7

You guys!!! The best thing happened today!!!

Remember how I prepped a whole bunch of Salmon & Quinoa salads for my meals?

And remember how I actually didn't really like them? But, didn't want to waste them so I was forcing myself to eat them at lunch? I was making myself sick because I would have to guzzle water to finish each bite = sore stomach. :(

Today - I was dreading my meal, but I decided to try eating the salmon and quinoa alone with the salad on the side. Why this had not occurred to me beforehand is most likely from my OCD tendencies of following certain things too literally.

I even found some seasonings I had left at work for my eggs that I used to eat...last month...ha!

Results:

SO. DEE-LISH-US!!!

Like, so delicious that I'm making happy noises when I'm eating!!! Out loud - "NOMNOMNOM" - noises while I eat.

JESUS LOVES ME!!!

It's so great - I can't wait for lunch tomorrow! :)

& I even invested in humongous bowls to mix and eat our salad with. They may look silly, but my salad doesn't tick me off while I'm trying to stir it.

And a happy, eating Brown Sugar at lunch is safer for EVERYONE.

ISAGENIX DAY 6

Guess who rocked out her arm "Push" muscles tonight?

BROWN SUGAR

Guess who bought new shelves for her shower tonight?

BROWN SUGAR

Guess who has to repent for the excessive amounts of swearing because the new suction cup shelving for the shower required her "Push" muscles to work, but they refused and it took her 30 minutes to get the stupid corner shelf to stick and now she is in bed later than she wants, blogging with her phone as close to her hands as possible because moving her arms hurt that much?

Hahaha - BROWN SUGAR!!!

Today was great - it's finally starting to snow - stuck to my meal plan - napped - worked out & showered (don't act like that's not an accomplishment).

All I need now is forgiveness for cussing and healing for my arms. :)

ISAGENIX DAY 5

HAPPY BROWN SUGAR MONTH 2015!!!

Sad Brown Sugar :(

This is the month that I do whatever I want - every day - to celebrate ME.

It usually includes enormous amounts of chocolate, traveling, eating out with my sister, and partying with my friends.

Today it included 3 hours of church, 8 Sunbeams (y'all should've heard me LAY. IT. DOWN), my boot, and meal prep.

I'm LAAAAAAME!!! :(

Although...I'm actually not feeling hungry. :) 

I'm still tired, but I'll be adding workouts next week...so that should do something to my energy levels...ha!

And there are a plethora of ways to celebrate Brown Sugar Month!!!

I just never thought that losing weight/inches would be a way to celebrate ME.

I'm feeling less lame already :)

ISAGENIX DAY 4

Cleanse Day 2 CRUSHED!!!

The weekend really screws me up when it comes to time.

It's fun to stay up late, sleep in (a little), and visit Ohana...but with all my talking story - I forget to take my supplements at the right time.

SO...hopefully that doesn't make me fat...ter. Ha!

I don't know if this is working (it's ONLY Day 4), but JUST IN CASE it is - I don't want to screw it up.

My sister told me she can see it working...in my face. Hahahaaaater!!!

I have noticed that I'm actually not hungry...I think I'm just bored? Or entitled?

Like, when I go to fill up my water bottle - and there's a chocolate covered pretzel shaped like Mickey Mouse - I would eat that without thinking twice. Not because I'm hungry, but because I gave that to my niece/nephew last week and obviously, they don't want it.

I do. :)

But, when I'm pretty limited on what I can have - I just know I can't eat it.

Does it make me sad? Yes.

Am I seeing how often I don't need to eat? Yes.

Am I starving? No.

Am I going to freak out and go crazy on food? Not for 30 days...promise :)