As Winter comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on what I've learned in the season.
I'm sharing some of my reflections and thoughts over at ImprintAlish today, where I'm now a regular contributor (yay!).
Friday, March 23
Thursday, March 22
Muffintop Meltdown {v.12} Victory!!
Weight Lost Since Last Weigh-in: 2 pounds!!
Total Weight Lost: 20 pounds
Inches Lost This Week: 3.5!!
Total Inches Lost: 31.5 inches
Points Earned:
This Week: 85
Points Balance: 222
(almost halfway to my next $250!)
My muffin top is GONE! I was sitting here trying to think of whether I need a new name for my little weekly update: The Butt Blasting, Thigh Thinning Trimdown? The Thunder Thigh Thin-Down? The Lean Mean Body Machine? The Underarm Usurp? Cellulitis NoMoritis? Finally, I just settled that going forward I will call it, "The Meltdown". I still have many areas that need toning and shrinking…and my weight, well, I'm still not in my "healthy" weight range. I still have a lot of work to do here!
When I originally started this journey toward getting back in shape and being more active, I set what I thought were some challenging goals for my measurements. Today, 12 weeks later, I have met all but one of the measurement goals. So it is time to set even more challenging "ideal measurement" goals. It is hard to say what are realistic ideal measurements, because body shapes are so different. I have a medium frame but have always seemed more of a pear than hourglass. My new measurement goals will be based on what I believe is the smallest size my body will go (without looking emaciated).
Now that I've lost 20 pounds, I'm only 13 pounds away from my original goal weight of 130. But as I mentioned in a previous post, I know that number may have to be re-evaluated based on my loss of almost and inch during my pregnancy. According to the Medifast calculations, my goal weight should be 118. That seems like a fantasy to me at this point. The last time I weighed 118 I was in 8th grade. Now, I think I would probably be satisfied reaching a weight of 120 at the end of my "weight-loss" phase before I transition to eating on my own, which will probably put my maintenance weight between 125-130. For now, I'm going to leave my "ideal weight" goal at 118 and re-evaluate where I want to go when I've reached 130 and again at 125.
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| Calculated via Losertown |
As happy I am with the progress I've made so far, I know that the real challenge begins now. The weight that is usually the hardest to lose is the last 10-20lbs. I have been trying to be as realistic and honest with myself throughout this whole process, because I want to succeed. I'm done with failing. I've declared no excuses this year and that is an all-encompassing vow…not just for my physical well being. So, as the rest of this journey unfolds I'm going to be working harder than ever before. I'm going to be digging deep and fighting through intense workouts. I'm going to be saying no now, so that I can say yes later! I'll be sharing more of my battle plan as we move forward.
How are you doing with your goals? Is it time to re-evaluate or re-strategize your goals?
This Week:
I'm proud of these choices:
I completed the first 10 days of Jillian's Michael's 30 Day Shred Level 1 and today started Level 2! I'm so impressed with the intensity of these 20 minute workouts. And I'm in pain all over again with Level 2.
I feel like my energy levels are soaring these days…I'm getting outside (blue sky and sunshine helps) and staying much more active overall. In fact, it's hard to get me to sit down for any length of time.
I'd like to work more on:
Getting to bed by 10pm, most nights. Maybe this makes me seem like an old lady, but I really feel that sleep is critical if you want to lose weight .
Drinking my minimum of 72 ounces of water every day!!
Cutting back on the use of condiments…those sneaky calories can add up quick!
I totally cheated when:
I haven't been cheating, unless you count taking a one day break from working out yesterday!
How did you do this week?
Want to catch up on my weight loss journey?
Wednesday, March 21
Lovelies Wanted! + Giveaway!
I'd love to get to know you better, because, hey…that is one of the best things about the blogging community…relationships!
I'd like to formally invite you to swap with me in April. :) Why swap? Well for one, you get to put a darling 200x100 button on the right side of my blog under the label of "The Loveliest." It is also great exposure for your blog or shop. But best of all, we'll get to know each other a little better! ;)
If interested, just shoot me a quick email here.
But wait! Before you go, I'd like to also give you the opportunity to win FEATURED space on Baxtron{Life}: It's simple, just enter via the Rafflecopter widget below (viewable on the actual post/not rss!)
a Rafflecopter giveaway Can't wait to meet you!
If interested, just shoot me a quick email here.
But wait! Before you go, I'd like to also give you the opportunity to win FEATURED space on Baxtron{Life}: It's simple, just enter via the Rafflecopter widget below (viewable on the actual post/not rss!)
a Rafflecopter giveaway Can't wait to meet you!
Tuesday, March 20
The Verdict {Somme Institute MDT5 Review}
About six weeks ago, I was graciously contacted by a representative from the Somme Institute asking if I'd like to do a full trial of their MDT5 5-Step Skincare Regimen. They had heard of my BeautyMint debacle and believed they could help my skin recover from its bad reaction and even help with my desire to reduce my fine lines (forehead), even out my skin tone (red red red cheeks)..and have overall healthier, more beautiful, skin.
You guys, I have been dying to share the results of this trial with you…get ready to be AMAZED!
First, let's talk about claims:
In case you have forgotten where I began with my little search for a great skincare line, let's start with my before picture. This picture were taken just after I discontinued use of BeautyMint. You can see redness, irritation, bumps, big pores, breakout action and of course…those measly fine lines that have been bothering me!
I received complimentary products for this review, however; all opinions and view expressed are my own.
Disclosure Policy
You guys, I have been dying to share the results of this trial with you…get ready to be AMAZED!
First, let's talk about claims:
In case you have forgotten where I began with my little search for a great skincare line, let's start with my before picture. This picture were taken just after I discontinued use of BeautyMint. You can see redness, irritation, bumps, big pores, breakout action and of course…those measly fine lines that have been bothering me!
I started my trial of the MDT5 regimen shortly after arriving in Texas last month. Almost immediately following the first couple of uses of the product, I could tell the texture of my skin was improving.
Let's chat about the actual products in the regimen for a minute:
After about two weeks of using the products I was already starting to notice a huge improvement in the all around texture and appearance of my skin. The redness was starting to fade and my skin was looking clearer, softer and more youthful.
As you can tell in the pictures, my skin looks much softer and way more even-toned. That big blemish on my chin completely vanished with no scarring as well.
I got in touch, with my contact at Somme, once early on because I had been experiencing a little dryness around my nose, a problem I've experienced before. Being that it was cold and I was in a different climate, the representative and I agreed that it would probably go away with a little Aquaphor applied at bedtime. I also found that making sure I didn't use the Transport pads around that area of my nose helped greatly, and since being back in New York I haven't encountered any dryness in that area.
Are you ready for the big reveal? Here is my after picture:
I am thrilled with the results of using Somme Institute's MDT5 5 Step Regimen.
Here is what I've noticed after six weeks of use:
My skin is softer, tighter, and more even.
My pores have shrunk noticeably.
The redness (possibly mild Rosacea) has improved dramatically.
The fine lines in my forehead as well as around my eyes are visibly smoother, and less noticeable.
I haven't had a single breakout in six weeks (even around that time of the month…not a single pimple!)
Here are a few remarkable comparison shots to really show you how noticeably different my skin is:
One of the more shocking before and after shots is seeing the difference in Infrared imaging. One of the claims of the MDT5 Regimen is the ability to actually reverse and repair sun damage…you can see a significant difference in my before and after pictures here:
**A note on the infrared images - these images are completely my own amateur attempt at using an infrared filter on my camera.**
Lastly, this review wouldn't be complete without showing you how incredibly healthy (and different) my skin looks even with make-up on. I honestly feel as though I've turned back the clock on my skin.
There are a couple of last things I'd like to share about the skincare line that I feel are important to note if you are considering trying this amazing regimen.
First, because of the highly concentrated levels of Vitamin A in the product line, this regimen cannot be safely used during pregnancy.
And second, as an individual becoming more progressively concerned with the chemicals I am exposed to in my day to day life, both in food and other commodities, I made sure to check on EWG's Skin Deep website to evaluate this product line. The 5 Step Regimen has a safety rating of 4 which is a low moderate risk. (The scale is 0-9, Zero being no risk, 9 being high risk.)
I really love that the Somme Institute is a progressive thinking company as well, and they are already at work to reduce their rating even more by reformulating their line to eliminate as many unnecessary chemicals as possible.
So, what do you think about the results!? Are you as amazed as I am!?
I received complimentary products for this review, however; all opinions and view expressed are my own.
Disclosure Policy
Sunday, March 18
11 Things Redux & A Few Awards
I am so blessed by the lovely friends I've acquired through blogging. After submitting my original 11 things post, I got tagged in 2 others, so I'm going to go ahead and share a little more, answer 22 questions…and pass along a few awards I received. :)
11 More Random Things:
1. I have an inordinate love of mushrooms. I'm obsessed. With all kinds of them. And I can eat them in anything. My favorite mushroom variety? Morels. Delicious cooked up in an egg scramble or frittata!
2. My husband says I have hobbit feet. Before you run in horror, I assure you they are not hairy and flat, he just makes fun of my longer second toes. Yep, my second toes are longer than my big toes.
3. I used to be a big-time raver. I was a part of Seattle's underground rave party scene, and I may have gone by several different raver alias names. The worst one: Magenta Rave Girl (so creative)…because I sported a Magenta wig. I will have to dig up old rave pictures for shock value one of these days. I still love deep tribally progressive house beats and can dance pretty well.
4. Speaking of dancing, my husband is pretty great…but I wowed him when we first started falling for each other by dancing all night (until 4am) at a Chelsea bar. I brought little tennis shoes in my purse because I was THAT serious about dancing. (I really miss dancing on the regular!)
5. I want to take a family Karate class. Not only to learn the technique and skills, but also because I think we'd look cute in our white uniforms together.
6. The longest friendship I have ever had is with my best friend from 6th grade, Elisia. She is still ultimately my best friend and has been there and stayed in touch throughout the years. Recently I was in her wedding as her Matron of Honor. (She was my Maid of Honor) I know we'll be friends all our lives.
7. I worry about my ability to have more children. I know I am only 30 but I still know the reality that there is no guarantee that it will be easy for me to conceive a 2nd child. At the same time I'm not obsessing about it enough to try desperately to conceive. It is just a continuous concern in the back of my mind.
8. I'm a yeller. Well, it's not that I intentionally yell, but when I am passionate or my emotions are stirred up, my volume rises exponentially. I have improved a bit at recognizing when my tone is too loud, but I still have a long way to go.
9. When I was a little girl I wanted to be Madonna. I loved her…and still do love her music. It was, however; kind of sad to see her Superbowl performance and see her trying so hard to appeal to a generation that will never appreciate her the way I do.
10. The best band I have EVER seen live is Linkin Park. Sometimes seeing a band live can be the worst thing, especially when live they sound horrible…(Everlast was painfully bad live)…but Linkin Park actually sound BETTER live than on their cd. I would love to see them live again soon!
11. "Ready, O-K!" I was a cheerleader in high school. I loved cheerleading but it was riddled with controversy and disrespect at our small (under 300 students) high school. I would have LOVED to go on to cheerlead in college!
And now the Questions:
Kelley's Q's:
1. What natural disaster freaks out you the most? I would have to say that tornados freak me out quite a bit. They seem to leave nothing but utter destruction in their paths.
2. What period of history would you like to go back to? I would love to go back to Israel when Jesus was alive or shortly after he rose from the Garden tomb…I'd like to be involved in the early church and feel the awe and wonder of what had just taken place vividly and from first hand accounts.
3. Manicure or pedicure? Definitely pedicure…they ALWAYS seem to mess up my mani's, and I love having my feet rubbed.
4. What time period in your life would you like to live again? I'm pretty satisfied with the time period I'm living right now, so perhaps I will look back in a decade and be nostalgic for right now.
5. What kind of a parent do you think you are? (Or will be) I think I am pretty balanced in my approach…I'm not really sure how to answer this in all honesty.
6. How do you keep your patience with your kids/husband when they are driving you crazy? I take a Wooo-saaaahhh. I take a time-out and do some deep breathing. It works. Screaming into a pillow also helps if it is a really bad day.
7. Favorite thing on TV. I love New Girl, Once Upon a Time and Revenge. :) Suburgatory and Up All Night are fun as well.
8. How interested in celebrity gossip are you? I glance at the headlines now and then but really could care less.
9. What did you major in in college? Would you change it now? (Or would you have gone if you didn't?) I had a full tuition scholarship to a pretty University of Washington, but my mind wasn't focused at the time, and I blew it. I will always wonder what life would be like had I stuck it out, or had more support.
10. Are you a firearm owner? No, not yet. I want to be.
11. Favorite thing about yourself (looks or personality). I like my personality but I'm not sure it is my favorite thing about myself. My favorite thing about myself is really my love for Jesus and faith in him.
Jen's Q's:
Jen also gave me a Liebster Award:
And my friend April gave me a Kreative Blogger Award:
2. Answer award questions.
3. Award as many blogs you think deserve this award.
4. Make sure you let those you give this award know that you awarded them.
5. Tell something you have never told before in your blog.
bareMinerals foundation system
2. What’s your favourite fashion trend of 2011?
Jeggings
3. What is your favorite dessert?
Chocolate Peanut Butter (anything with that combo)
4. Favorite color?
Blue - in any shade
5. What is your middle name?
Rhiannon
6. What was the last song you listened to?
Bedrock Eleven by John Digweed
7. Cats or Dogs?
Both.
11 More Random Things:
1. I have an inordinate love of mushrooms. I'm obsessed. With all kinds of them. And I can eat them in anything. My favorite mushroom variety? Morels. Delicious cooked up in an egg scramble or frittata!
2. My husband says I have hobbit feet. Before you run in horror, I assure you they are not hairy and flat, he just makes fun of my longer second toes. Yep, my second toes are longer than my big toes.
3. I used to be a big-time raver. I was a part of Seattle's underground rave party scene, and I may have gone by several different raver alias names. The worst one: Magenta Rave Girl (so creative)…because I sported a Magenta wig. I will have to dig up old rave pictures for shock value one of these days. I still love deep tribally progressive house beats and can dance pretty well.
4. Speaking of dancing, my husband is pretty great…but I wowed him when we first started falling for each other by dancing all night (until 4am) at a Chelsea bar. I brought little tennis shoes in my purse because I was THAT serious about dancing. (I really miss dancing on the regular!)
5. I want to take a family Karate class. Not only to learn the technique and skills, but also because I think we'd look cute in our white uniforms together.
6. The longest friendship I have ever had is with my best friend from 6th grade, Elisia. She is still ultimately my best friend and has been there and stayed in touch throughout the years. Recently I was in her wedding as her Matron of Honor. (She was my Maid of Honor) I know we'll be friends all our lives.
7. I worry about my ability to have more children. I know I am only 30 but I still know the reality that there is no guarantee that it will be easy for me to conceive a 2nd child. At the same time I'm not obsessing about it enough to try desperately to conceive. It is just a continuous concern in the back of my mind.
8. I'm a yeller. Well, it's not that I intentionally yell, but when I am passionate or my emotions are stirred up, my volume rises exponentially. I have improved a bit at recognizing when my tone is too loud, but I still have a long way to go.
9. When I was a little girl I wanted to be Madonna. I loved her…and still do love her music. It was, however; kind of sad to see her Superbowl performance and see her trying so hard to appeal to a generation that will never appreciate her the way I do.
10. The best band I have EVER seen live is Linkin Park. Sometimes seeing a band live can be the worst thing, especially when live they sound horrible…(Everlast was painfully bad live)…but Linkin Park actually sound BETTER live than on their cd. I would love to see them live again soon!
11. "Ready, O-K!" I was a cheerleader in high school. I loved cheerleading but it was riddled with controversy and disrespect at our small (under 300 students) high school. I would have LOVED to go on to cheerlead in college!
And now the Questions:
Kelley's Q's:
1. What natural disaster freaks out you the most? I would have to say that tornados freak me out quite a bit. They seem to leave nothing but utter destruction in their paths.
2. What period of history would you like to go back to? I would love to go back to Israel when Jesus was alive or shortly after he rose from the Garden tomb…I'd like to be involved in the early church and feel the awe and wonder of what had just taken place vividly and from first hand accounts.
3. Manicure or pedicure? Definitely pedicure…they ALWAYS seem to mess up my mani's, and I love having my feet rubbed.
4. What time period in your life would you like to live again? I'm pretty satisfied with the time period I'm living right now, so perhaps I will look back in a decade and be nostalgic for right now.
5. What kind of a parent do you think you are? (Or will be) I think I am pretty balanced in my approach…I'm not really sure how to answer this in all honesty.
6. How do you keep your patience with your kids/husband when they are driving you crazy? I take a Wooo-saaaahhh. I take a time-out and do some deep breathing. It works. Screaming into a pillow also helps if it is a really bad day.
7. Favorite thing on TV. I love New Girl, Once Upon a Time and Revenge. :) Suburgatory and Up All Night are fun as well.
8. How interested in celebrity gossip are you? I glance at the headlines now and then but really could care less.
9. What did you major in in college? Would you change it now? (Or would you have gone if you didn't?) I had a full tuition scholarship to a pretty University of Washington, but my mind wasn't focused at the time, and I blew it. I will always wonder what life would be like had I stuck it out, or had more support.
10. Are you a firearm owner? No, not yet. I want to be.
11. Favorite thing about yourself (looks or personality). I like my personality but I'm not sure it is my favorite thing about myself. My favorite thing about myself is really my love for Jesus and faith in him.
Jen's Q's:
- If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be? Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream…well, on 2nd thought, hmmm….Veggies with Hummus?
- How many pairs of shoes do you own? Not enough.
- What is your favorite blog to read? (mine, right? hehe) Brock Paper Scissors
- If you were not blogging right now what would you be doing? Probably catching up on my Hulu queue or cleaning.
- What is your favorite movie? Ever After is one of my all time favorites.
- Side, back or belly sleeper? Fetal position, always.
- What book do you recommend? Happiest Toddler on the Block, Dr. Harvey Karp
- Do you keep your nails painted? I wish…keeping my nails pretty seems to fall lower and lower on the priority list. But I'm rocking press-on nails right now. :) Cheating feels good.
- Favorite holiday besides Christmas? Anyone I care about's Birthday!! I just love celebrating the people in my life.
- Favorite phone app? Instagram. :)
- Bachelor or Grey's Anatomy? Bachelor…for sure!
Speaking of the Bachelor…by the end of the season I was totally team Courtney…and I found her on a box of hair dye:
Jen also gave me a Liebster Award:
This award is given to bloggers who have less than 200 followers, as a way of creating new connections. Liebster is German and means 'dearest' or 'beloved' but it can also mean 'favorite'. When you receive the award, you then pass it onto 5 other deserving bloggers as a way to pay it back and spread the love.
And my friend April gave me a Kreative Blogger Award:
I get to answer some fun questions (the form below),
then list 7 random facts about myself (I already listed 11 above!),
and pass the award on to 10 other bloggers.
The form
- Name your favorite song: Currently: Somebody I Used to Know, Gotye
- Name your favorite dessert: Chocolate Ice Cream with Peanut Butter Cups
- What pisses you off: Injustice and Double Standards
- When you're upset, you: Listen to angry, sad or whatever music matches my emotions, vent to someone I love that won't judge, and then release my cares to God
- Your favorite pet: I love cats & dogs.
- Black or white: White
- Your biggest fear: Leaving before my work here is done
- Best feature: My faith
- Everyday attitude: Go with the flow.
- What is perfection: God (agreeing with April)
- Guilty pleasure: The Bachelor / The Bachelorette episodes (Me too April!)
Passing this award on to these bloggers: Kristina, Kim, Jen, Lish, Beth, Melissa, Mallorie, Nicole, Six Sisters
And finally I received this award a while ago from the lovely Ronni:
To Accept the Award I have to:
1. Link back to the person who gave you this award.2. Answer award questions.
3. Award as many blogs you think deserve this award.
4. Make sure you let those you give this award know that you awarded them.
5. Tell something you have never told before in your blog.
Award Questions:
1. What is your go to make up product?bareMinerals foundation system
2. What’s your favourite fashion trend of 2011?
Jeggings
3. What is your favorite dessert?
Chocolate Peanut Butter (anything with that combo)
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| via |
4. Favorite color?
Blue - in any shade
5. What is your middle name?
Rhiannon
6. What was the last song you listened to?
Bedrock Eleven by John Digweed
7. Cats or Dogs?
Both.
I already mentioned a few things I haven't before, and I'm feeling all tagged out, so I will only tag a couple more for this award: Sara, Christa, Claire & Kelli
Saturday, March 17
The Weekly Wrap {3.17.12}
I met up with some lady friends that I haven't seen in way too long.
We went to Shecky's Girl's Night Out and had Asian fusion for dinner.
(This was my first and definitely last Shecky's experience might I add).
Hubs & Zion took pictures and sent them to me while they stayed home.
Now that the weather is warming up, doing a lot more grilling...
…and unfortunately we had some unwelcome house guests come out of their winter hibernation...
…at least we've been getting to the park often! Central park…here we come!
Took Zion to Target & Marshall's for a little mommy-daughter shopping. Pizza for lunch at Target!
Picked out a cute new outfit for Zion complete with jeggings, and investigated carseat and outdoor furniture prices.
Zion picked up a little cold at the end of the week, so lots of relaxing and cuddling are in order.
Happy St. Pat's to you all! Hope you had a great week and have a safe holiday!
The Weekly Wrap {3.10.12}
Saturday Breakfast while doing Laundry
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