Good Morning!!

I've officially turned into a morning person! Woo hoo! I get up every day at 5:30 and so far, I LOVE IT! I start my coffee, do my quiet time, go for a 30ish minute walk/jog, then shower and get ready for the day. It's a great new routine and I plan to stick with it!

Instead of trying fad diets and specific eating plans, I am simply starting to cook at home and not eat out. I can tell a huge difference in how I feel and look! Even if the recipe has butter or milk or cream cheese in it, eating small doses of that at home is healthier than picking up fast food. Every day my jeans fit better than they did the day before!

I also found a new workout website that I LOVE! It's called Blogilates. Google it and it's the first site. She is pilates based but she has all different types of videos. She has longer pilates videos that focus on the whole body. Or, shorter challenge videos that focus on one body part. You do your workout to the beat of a current pop song (call me maybe, what makes you beautiful, etc) so it's upbeat and fun! I just did the inner thigh challenge - holy moly.

This week has been a pinterest recipe win week! No pinterest fails!! (I'm about to eat what I made tonight. it could be a fail but it looks and smells great!) I made Jalapeno Shrimp Enchiladas tonight. Earlier in the week I made Broccoli Cheese soup. And, last night, I made Creamy White Chicken Artichoke Lasagna. I love cooking!!

Tonight, I'm going to brew some decaf coffee, sweeten it with Pumpkin Spice creamer, read, and prepare for this storm/cold front coming in!!

For Saturday: Go Hogs! Beat Ole Miss!!!!!

Out of Shape

It's amazing ridiculous what months of inconsistent workouts can do to you! I started Jillian's 30 Day Shred back up today and thought I was going to die (or throw up). Man, I'm out of shape. But....I'm back in the game! I've picked out all the recipes I'm going to cook this month & I'm challenging myself to 30 Days of Jillian. Then, a day of rest and a new 30 Day Jillian DVD in November.

Here we go!

It's a Daily Choice

Getting up early to spend time with the Lord instead of pressing snooze...it's a daily choice.

Working out when I really really really don't feel like it...it's a daily choice. 

Making a fruit smoothie instead of eating something chocolate...it's a daily choice. 

Cooking dinner at home instead of driving through a drive-thru on the way home...it's a daily choice. 

Loving people when they hurt you instead of getting frustrated/mad/angry/bitter...it's a daily choice.

I know I should have learned this lesson a long time ago but in the past couple of weeks it's really started hitting me. All decisions have to be made daily. I may fail one day but the next day is a new day and I have the chance to make the right choice. Today, I chose to get up early to be with the Lord. I chose to work out. I chose to eat at home. I chose to make a fruit smoothie. Tomorrow might be completely different. Selfishness or laziness might take over. But, it's okay because Saturday will be a new day. All I can do is make choices for the day I'm in. Good choices day after day after day will turn into good habits and long-lasting change. This is what I'm going for. 

Happy (almost) Friday! Remember, if you messed up today, tomorrow is a new day!

2 weeks from today...

is my 25th birthday!!!! Wow! I can't believe it's already almost here.

Last year, I wrote out a lot of goals for year 24. Around my birthday, I'll do a recap post and see what goals I accomplished, didn't accomplish, and got started on.

I definitely didn't accomplish my weight loss goals. However, I did challenge myself a lot, made some progress, backtracked, and learned a lot of what works and what doesn't work for me in the weight loss department. So, year 25 will be the year for the get healthy switch...for real this time!

I just finished Day 2 of Jillian Michael's Ripped in 30. Gosh it is SO MUCH harder than 30 Day Shred. However, if I completed 30 Day Shred in 30 days, I can do this one 5 days a week! This one has 4 weeks of workouts instead of 3 and it's A LOT more intense. I might even stretch it out more than 4 weeks so that I can really improve on each week before moving on. This will decrease my risk of injury (since I'm old now! ;) ) and will increase my stamina, endurance, and confidence.

Welp, I'm off to figure out what's for dinner. What can I make with an egg, salsa, cheese, chicken, pork chops, and berries? haha that's about all I have in my apt...I just can't get myself to get back out into the 110* heat for the store tonight.

Back in the Kitchen

The above pics are a depiction of my Saturday...it was glorious. That was my plan for today too until my body decided it wanted to wake up the dizziest I've been in a long time. So, no sun & heat for me today :( but I did nap (twice) and plan meals for the week! (more on that later) So, it was an equally relaxing and enjoyable Sunday afternoon!

Now on to the main point of the post...the craziness of the past 2 months of my life (out of town ALL.THE.TIME) kept me from cooking. I've come to love cooking over the past 1.5 years of living on my own so 2 months without it is too long!! Well, I'm back! This afternoon, I spent a good 1.5 hours browsing pinterest & food websites for new ideas & recipes. I made my menu for the next 2 weeks and I'm heading to the store soon for this weeks list! I'm so so so excited to be back in kitchen! (my waistline and scale are also excited...)

Lifestyle update: The last 2 months led to little-no exercise and lots of fast food. The weight I lost....well, some of it has been found again. However, the next 6 months of my life look to be conducive to eating healthy and exercise. This girl is thrilled! I have 3 new Jillians I'm about to start (well, 1 at a time. Otherwise, I might die). I plan on nixing fast food and eating at home. I'm not going to cut out sweets or breads or drastic things like that. When I do that, I crave them. BAD. So, I'm going to eat fruits and veggies, drink water, practice portion control and smart eating...THIS will lead to a doable lifestyle change and to weight loss/control.

Also conducive to eating healthy & cooking at home is our new KROGER MARKETPLACE! Guys, if your town doesn't have one, visit Central Arkansas. We have 2 (1 in my town and 1 30 minutes away). LEGIT grocery store. The first few times you visit, your trip will be about 3 times as long as normal because you have to find where they put everything (oh, just me? whoops...) But, it's well worth it for all the  items they offer and the huge produce section. And, I don't mind the long trips. I enjoy my wal-mart and grocery store trips. I know I'm weird for this but something about it is enjoyable to me!

I'll leave you with this weeks menu and I'll post updates later:
Breakfast:
Cereal or Crockpot Morning Casserole

Lunch:
Leftovers
PB&J (my new obsession for another post)
Salads - spinach leaves, strawberries, blueberries, sunflower seeds, etc

Dinner:
Shrimp & Pesto Pizza
Ranch Chicken Tacos w/salsa & guac
Double Crusted Honey Pork Chops w/brown rice & steamed broccoli

Have a great week!

no motivation

i've been m.i.a. because i've had NO motivation to write a new post. life and work and sleep habits and eating habits have been crazy crazy busy and out of whack. so much so that i sleep in any free time i have. hence the no posts in a million years.

recap:
-i've been out of town the past 17 weekends (exaggeration but it's been at least the past 5)
-april staff training in tulsa 1.5 weeks ago for 6 days
-a million projects and to-do lists at work to prep our summer events
-finishing perspectives (it's over! i loved it but i'm pumped for the extra time)
-sleeping and relaxing all weekend at the lake this past weekend (to recover from april staff training sleep deficit)
-staying up 'til at least 12 or 1 or 2 every night at AST (i quickly found out i'm no longer a college student)
-still loving my macbook pro
-pumped to start eating healthy and working out again next week - will be using some healthy pinterest recipes now that i have a working computer
-love my fam - loved the time with them at the lake

random: i took a nap after work today and now i'm getting everything crossed off my home to-do list...at 9:30pm when i should be winding down

next post...my plan to switch all my makeup products to e.l.f. products. get excited! :)

Good Friday

Tomorrow is good in many ways.

1 - I'm pumped to have a day off to clean my apartment  before the next 2 months of my life are insane. Yes, you heard read that right...I'm pumped to clean my apartment. I love a great deep clean. The process looks like this: windows open, blinds open, fans on, candles burning, music blaring, me dancing whilst cleaning. I cannot wait.

2 - It will be the first day I work out since last Friday! I know I've needed physical rest after being sick, but it's been mentally driving me crazy to not work out! I got in the habit & love the way it feels & can't wait to start up again. I plan on going for a walk/jog & starting Jillian No More Trouble Zones. So excited.

3 - Most importantly, the day is good because it's the day Jesus Christ died and saved us from eternal condemnation. It's the day He suffered death on the cross for me & for you. It's the day His own Father could not even look at Him because my sins were placed on Him. It's the day He breathed His last breath & died so that we may be with Him for eternity. What an incredible sacrifice He made. What an incredible day to remember Him & honor Him & love Him.

This Easter, please remember the real reason. It's not about candy & baskets & eggs & bunnies. It's about the death & resurrection of our Savior. His death on Good Friday was undeserved. His resurrection 3 days later proved that He is God, cancelled out all of our sins, & allows us to have a relationship with Him. Please remember this & believe this & apply it to your life. A relationship with God is the only thing that saves & is the most satisfying relationship you will ever have. If you don't know Jesus, please please contact me. I would love nothing more than to tell you about Him & the love He has for YOU.

Mid-Week Confessions

1. I had Chick-Fil-A for dinner last night. That was my first full meal since Friday night. I probably only ate a days worth of calories Saturday, Sunday, Monday, & Tuesday (before CFA) combined. That's how sick I was. And all of those calories came from saltines & 2 bites of oatmeal. Literally. I couldn't eat anything.
2. I'm ready to  be 100% again. Today, I'm back to nauseous. Ugh. Must.Get.Well. So much to do!
3. I haven't worked out since Friday morning's last Jillian sesh. I know I need to rest but it's killing me to not work out. After creating a habit & instilling that desire...I want to work out!
4. Getting sick is a great not-so-fun (but effective) way to push past that weight-loss plateau. Chalk me up for another 2 lbs lost.
5. INSTAGRAM FOR ANDROID CAME OUT!!!!!!! Sorry to yell about that but finding that out made.my.day!! Normally Android is up to speed on their apps but instagram took waaaaaaaaaaaaaay tooooooooooo loooooooooooooong to come out. However, it's out & I'm a happy camper. Follow me @: morgantedder. What is your instagram name?!?!
6. I tried to order my *NEW* Macbook Pro last night! Woo hoo! But...debit cards have an online limit. No worries - I drove myself over to the bank first thing this morning, they increased my limit for the day, & it's being purchased today (along with a hot pink neoprene sleeve...DUH). This girl is a double happy camper. My dell is 4.5 years old & takes 10 minutes to turn on & warm up. Every webpage freezes for at least 4 minutes. I'm not exaggerating at all. This is truth.
7. My nails are very Easter approp. My toenails are pastel blue. My fingers are mint green with a lilac accent on the ring fingers.
8. Sorry that #1-4 are all about being sick. That's been my life this week.
9. I need to take more pictures of my life so this blog is more interesting...instagram should help with that! :)
10. Here's a pic of me & Al at the wedding this weekend!

11. I traded Jillian DVDs with a friend. While she uses 30 Day Shred, I'm using No More Trouble Zones! I'm excited!!
12. I'm in my first tank top of the season without a jacket & I feel a little bare/scandalous. I'm not...but I feel that way because I was constricted by layers for all of winter.
13. I just found out we're closed Friday for Good Friday. Unexpected surprises like this bring me so much joy!

No Wedding Cake for Me

Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred in 30 straight days was successfully completed!! Woo hoo! Friday morning I woke up at 6:00 am & did my last sesh. It felt great to finish it!!

Friday afternoon, Allie & I headed up to Fay for Will & Heather's wedding! Friday night was a fun rehearsal & dinner and then a decently early-to-bed night. Finally, Saturday, the day had arrived! Allie & I arrived at the hotel for her to do hair & me to keep things on time. After the bride & bridesmaids left, Allie and I got ready and then headed to the barn to be ready for the festivities! The wedding was beautiful, the reception was fun, & they're now Mr. & Mrs.!!

Sunday, I had big plans of running and lifting weights and starting my April out with a workout bang. That is, until I threw up at the above wedding reception & ran 100.4 fever ALL DAY Sunday. Fever is no fun. Let me tell you. You can't get comfortable. You hurt all over. You just want to sleep. You can't eat. NO FUN. I didn't come into the office until 1ish today. My brain hurts & is super foggy & I can't concentrate on much & I'm skipping Perspectives tonight. I'm so grateful God kept me well until I finished the 30 Day Shred, so that I could complete it fully!!

The title of this post refers to the fact that I didn't eat wedding cake because of how sick I was. If you've been reading this blog long at all, you should know my love for sweets and that this is a big deal. Even today I kind of regret not eating at least a little bit of it! (that's how much I LOVE wedding cake). I also have been drinking Diet Coke since Saturday. When I'm sick, water is not appealing. I had to have some flavor. This April is def not starting off how I imagined it would with working out hardcore, staying with only water, & eating healthy...but God is in control and I'm just grateful to be feeling better & getting rest!

Cheat Days

Running after a cheat day is HARD. I gave myself a cheat day last Friday because friends were in town & I had a wedding shower to go to that night (cake...duh). Saturday, I was regretting that cheat day. I had the worst run I've had in a long time. I could barely run 5 minutes. TERR.I.BLE. No more cheat days for me. I'm increasing the fruits, veggies, & lean meats & getting strict again!

I only have 5 days of 30 Day Shred left. Woo hoo! I can't believe it! I am obsessed with Jillian now...can't wait to get more DVDs!

This weekend is Ganson's wedding!!!!! YAY! Cannot wait...I've been waiting for this since the summer of 2010 ;)

I found a dress yesterday for the Rehearsal Dinner. I ran to TJ Maxx on my way back into cway & tried on like 9 dresses. None of those were screaming "buy me!" As I handed them to the worker, a random dress on the dressing room "no thanks" rack caught my eye. I tried it on & LOVED it! I brought it home & figured out I literally have like 11 different jewelry options. This dress will probably end up being one of the best purchases ever. Score. I'll try to post some pics from Friday - or you might have to wait until Easter (yes, I already know I'm wearing that dress for Easter too).

God & I are getting close. As an almost 25 year old single girl whose future is only known by God & who is coming up on the end of her 2nd year of her 3 year contract, I'm going to God with questions & requests for wisdom, clarity, understanding, discernment, etc. to know what the next step is. It's scary. It's exciting. It's weird. It's faith building. It's trust building. It's mysterious. It's part of life. It's drawing me nearer to Him. I love it.


Other than the storms in the middle...I'm loving this 10-day. Bring on summer!

Partly Cloudy

Mostly Sunny

Isolated T-Storms

Isolated T-Storms

Isolated T-Storms

Sunny

Partly Cloudy

Sunny

Sunny

85°

86°

86°

82°

79°

83°

81°

77°

78°

Storms

The torrential downpours, tornado watches, & severe thunderstorm warnings got the best of me last night. I wussed out on driving to LR (I got Chan's permission & he understands my fear of storms/driving in the rain) & stayed in Conway instead. I got home from work, cooked & ate dinner, then proceeded to relax on the couch before working out. 1.5 hours later, I woke up & got productive. haha. I folded my laundry, started on Perspectives, finished Level 2 of Jillian, caught up on some TV shows, spent time with God, & welcomed my apt guest for the week. Good thing I took that nap because Ganson didn't get there 'til midnight! We stayed up until past 1 talking & less than 6 hours later my alarm went off. You better believe I pressed snooze for quite a while this morning. It's ok though...I can handle a few nights of not much sleep if Gans is with me!!

Tonight, I'll start level 3 of Jillian. I'm excited to see what is in store but a little terrified at the same time - I have a feeling it's going to be much harder!

I kind of wish I could be at home, in bed, napping right now. But, I'm a working gal now & I don't get the college luxuries of spring breaks, month long Christmas breaks, or daily naps. Don't get me wrong - I love my life, my job, & not having to study...but on days like today, where I'm tired & it's raining, my bed is calling my name. I have loved naps my whole life & I will always love naps. Promise. :)

Stay dry, my friends! Good news - it's not supposed to rain this weekend! We can make it!

Happy 20th!

My YOUNGEST bro turns 20 today. Did you get that? My youngest brother is no longer a teenager. All the sibs are in our 20's. Where has the time gone?! Happy Birthday Bro!!! (He doesn't read this but it's the thought that counts) Tonight, we're going out to eat for his bday - I was officially invited by the sis-in-law, despite Chan's not wanting me to come. Oh well...I'm going anyway because he's my brother & I love him & he deserves to have me it's an  honor to drive to LR to be around on his bday.

Happy 1st day of Spring! I'm celebrating by wearing a coral & mint scarf (from India, of course), my coral cowboy boots, & a size smaller jean!! Woo hoo! I'm officially down 11 pounds & a pants size. The lifestyle change is still going well. I haven't been quite as strict on the sweets (my downfall) which is probably why I feel like I'm plateauing. So, I'm about to decrease the carbs & save the sweets for the most special occasions (bdays, weddings, & showers). I'm enjoying this change, the results, & my increased love for exercise & all things healthy!

Today is the last day for Level 2 of Jillian. After tonight, I'll be 2/3rds of the way done with the 30 Day Shred! I can't believe it. I've LOVED Level 2. I'm a little terrified of how difficult Level 3 will be but I'm ready! I'm ready for more muscle definition, more energy, & more results. LET'S GO!!

In honor of spring, do something 'springy' today! :)

Pi Day

Yesterday was great! I got a lot accomplished at work. It was sunny & 80* out. God met me in my quiet time & I enjoyed His company. I made some support calls & got a few appts lined up! Some Fay friends came down for a cookout. We hung out & had delicious pie afterwards (you have to have pie on pi day!) We drove around to see some of the cway trademarks (Stoby's & the Hendrix tunnel). Then....at 11:00 pm...I went home & did 30 Day Shred because I hadn't done it yet! Holy Cow. I'm just going to toot my own horn & say I'm so proud of myself & feel so accomplished. Haha. Not only was I just up hanging out past my bedtime...I actually worked out past my bedtime! Wow. Ok, enough about that. I failed at getting up to SHRED this morning (I had only gotten 5 hrs of sleep when my original alarm went off-who can blame me?!) so it will be another late night of shredding (after 501) but I'm okay with that! I'm just excited that I actually desire to work out & crave doing it everyday! Haven & I even agreed that we could give ourselves yesterday off if we wanted to because we were hanging out so late...but I just couldn't do it. I committed to 30 days in a row & I'm going to finish my commitment!

In other news, I'm obsessed with this weather. I plan on being outside as much as possible this weekend (except that I just looked at the weather & there are clouds & lightning on each day...boooo). Maybe I'll just have to shop for some new jeans instead (my old ones are too big! woo hoo!)

Next week, my youngest bro turns 20. What?!?! None of us will be teenagers anymore - we are ALL in our 20's! Time is flying. But, I sure do love how my relationships with my bros mature/grow as we get older & in more similar phases of life. (they still treat me like I'm the younger sister that they think is an idiot...but, hey, I know it's all in love). I love my fam!

Happy Thursday, friends! 1 day closer to the weekend!

Shredding & Nail Polish

I've officially completed 1 week of Jillian Michaels! Woo hoo! That's further than I've ever gotten in the 30 Day Shred. Every day it gets a little bit easier. I can tell my strength & endurance are increasing & I'm pumped to see how I feel at the end! Only 3 more days of level 1 - Sunday, I'll jump up to Level 2.

More exciting exercise news....yesterday, I ran 10 minutes straight! It felt great outside & I was feeling great so I just went for it. Loved it. I need some new shoes, but other than that, running felt good & I can't wait to improve in that too!

I'm still loving healthy foods. Chick-Fil-A is seriously the only fast food that ever even sounds good & I don't go there regularly (haven't been in weeks). I've been off Diet Coke for a month now - wow! I drink my morning coffee, lots & lots of water, & hot tea.

I'm feeling good! I'm committed to this lifestyle change & I can't wait to see where it takes me!

Also important: I bought 3 new nail polishes this weekend :) I know neons are way in this year but pastels are much more forgiving for the yet-to-be-tanned-winter-white skin I'm sporting right now. So, I got 3 pastels  - Revlon Dreamer (periwinkle/blue), Revlon Minted (mint green), & Revlon Charming (lavender/lilac). I've been looking for the perfect shades of these colors for a while & they jumped out at me on my weekly Wal-Mart trip. Love.

Happy Wednesday!

Leap Day

There isn't much to write about today except that it's LEAP DAY! A day that only comes once every 4 years deserves it's own post, right? I kind of think it should be some kind of holiday ;) It's been a great Leap Day!!

I had some great time with God this morning.

I'm wearing my new leopard flats & a scarf and bangle from India today (any day I wear an India item is a great day!).

I got to Skype with Kels & get some great updates on life.

There have been some great convos/hang out seshes around the office today.

There is an Adam Hambrick/Andy Davis Leap Day Concert in LR tonight that me & the girls are going to! Fun times are def ahead.

It's also the last day before the 30 Day Shred. Which might warrant me eating something sweet ;) but probably not, since I'm trying to be disciplined.

Happy Leap Day!! I wonder what I'll have to write about on Feb29,2016?! That's fun to think about :)

Let's Dance! & other weekend festivities

I took a Ballroom Dancing class in college & had a lot of fun with it! It was a simple, 1-hr class that was a much needed break in the midst of nursing school. Since that semester, I've done 0 ballroom dancing...until Friday night! There is a community center in LR that does Ballroom Dancing 3 Friday nights a month. A bunch of 501-ers went last week & had a blast!

Haven, me, Courtney, Allie, Laura

love these friends dearly!!

Saturday, I got brunch with a dear friend & then headed out to shop! Even without getting anything (that was not the case this time!), shopping is so therapeutic. I love to wander & peruse through stores & get inspiration for new outfits. I thrifted a couple of great shirts from Savers & got 3 great pairs of flats from Target! They may or may not be the exact same in different colors.
        

Yep, all 3! Leopard, nude, & black. No buyers remorse or guilt here!

Saturday night, I got to celebrate the birthdays of 3 friends by going to a joint party! It was a casual, laid-back night but still fun! I started getting tired around 10:00 so I peaced out pretty early...it might also have had something to do with where I was in Mockingjay (Book 3 of The Hunger Games) & the fact that I was so ready to finish! However, I read 10-20 pages & fell fast asleep.

Sunday, I went to the early service at church so I could get back to cway to get everything accomplished on my to-do list. However, half of those didn't happen because it's ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE to put down Mockingjay during the last 200 pages. So, I finished the book. I'm sad it's over - I get real attached to the characters during series & I'm always sad to finish. That afternoon, I went on a long walk/run in the beautiful 70-degree weather & lifted some weights. Loving the spring-like weather!!!!

also, loving this quote! i love lifting weights!

Friends, have a great week! Enjoy your extra day in February! :) This Thursday, March 1st, I'm starting the 30-day Shred w/a friend. If you want to say a prayer for us, we're gonna need it! ;)