I couldn't think of a cool title for this post

Another post via my phone. My computer is still not cooperating so I can't do the weight loss check in like I wanted. I'm still trying to figure out a name for my Saturday check ins. 'Slim Saturday'? No.

Anyway...

Guess who starts the new tutoring job on Monday? Yup, no three day weekend for me but I am excited! I'm meeting with the principal on Monday to discuss my schedule. It's only 18 hours a week so I hope we can work something out where I'll be free to sub two days a week.

I'm praying God uses my life to bless the 5th graders I'll be working with. We're going to kick the STAAR's butt!

Enjoy your 3 day weekend, friends!

-bp

Waiting...

Hi, y'all!

Quick post just to check in. This post comes to you via my phone. First time blogging from here so I hope it doesn't mess up. My computer is acting up again and doesn't want to start. :(

I have been well, I hope you have been, too. I know the flu is going around so I hope y'all have been washing your hands like crazy and staying healthy.

Students here returned to school on Jan 7 and I am still waiting to hear about the tutoring program I am suppose to start. I have made numerous calls to the home office to see what is going on. I was told once I spoke to a principal, my name would be sent to the home office and I would need to get approved. I spoke to the principal a few days before Christmas break and I am still waiting. Long story short, I along with the secretary and the principal from the school have been calling the home office to see what the delay is. I have not been able to reach anyone but was told there need to be like 5 signatures for approval. How long does it take to sign a paper? It's been a month. I am frustrated with the situation and anxious to start. Of course I need the money but the ones that are truly suffering are the kids because the STAAR test is coming up soon and they need help now.

Can I ask you to join me in prayer? Let's ask God to speed up the process and that the people who need to sign get it done. Thank you! :)

While I've been waiting I've been working on my to-do list. Although, I scratch something out and then add 3 more. I have cleaned out and switched two closets. I watched 6 seasons of FRIENDS.
I also caught up on Nashville. It's my new favorite show!!

Here are a few things on my list:

1. Arrange Pinterest boards.
2. Clean up who I'm following on Twitter and FB.
3. Continue researching schools in San Antonio. I'm hoping to apply soon.
4. Work on portfolio.
5. Make over my desk chair. Have you seen Ms. Fultz's office makeover? Love!

Anything computer related will have to wait if my computer does not cooperate.

I have officially moved my weight loss Wednesdays to Saturday. It's just easier with the plan I'm going to follow. So I will see you on Saturday.

Have an awesome Friday, friends! The weekend is near! Whoo!

-bp

Weight-loss Wednesday

Is anyone watching The Biggest Loser this season? I am so happy Jillian is back! This season they're tackling childhood obesity and have 3 sweet ambassadors.

During the two night premiere I was working on my exercise plan. I'm not quite done with it yet but l'll be alternating upper and lower body exercises 6 days a week.

Sundays will be off days and my cheat day. Saturdays will be my weigh in day. I don't really have a number in mind. Since I will be doing weights, I'll be focusing more on how my clothes fits because muscle weighs more than fat. :)

Who would you want as your trainer?

 I think I'd be crying the whole time with Jillian. I love her but I don't think I could take the pain of working out and her screaming in my face. lol

If Dolvett was my trainer I think I'd be staring at him like this the whole time.

And would get nothing done.

So Bob would be my choice. I just love him! I would not mind him in my face all the time.

I was chatting with two friends yesterday and was delighted to find out they are both committed to losing weight this year. One hopes to lose 30 pounds and train for a triathlon in July. So excited for him! The other has two family weddings this year so needless to say, she wants to drop a few pounds and has started Zumba. We will now be having weekly iMessage venting sessions and trading tips and encouragement! Whoo! 

I've been thinking...since my weigh in days are going to be on Saturdays and my off days are on Sundays, I think I should change my weight-loss check-ins to Saturday. This way I can summarize my week and share my results.

How are your new year's resolutions going? 

Weight-loss Wednesday

I didn't want to blog so late today but I fell asleep. I was watching FRIENDS all wrapped up in my new blanket and I dozed off. It was great! 

I started this post on Wednesday but it is now technically Thursday, so you get Weight-loss Wednesday on Thursday.

Today I am going to share with you all the resources and equipment I will be using for my weight-loss journey.

APPS:

MapMyRun 

 I love this app! 

You can log your workouts, routes and meals! And you can add friends for encouragement. You don't necessarily have to run, you can track walks, jogs, and other types of workouts. You can use the website, MapMyRun or the super convenient, FREE app that is available for iPhone, Android, and Blackberry!

My username is bmaggie84 in case you want to add a friend! :)

Vemma Bod.e

I just discovered this FREE app yesterday. I'm still exploring it. It can be used with Chris Powell's book, Choose to Lose. It's a low carb-high carb menu/guide type app. As I said I am still trying to figure out how it works. It has video tips, grocery lists, recipes and you can track your progress. I plan on doing his low carb-high carb plan so this is perfect! 

Pinterest 

There are so many tips, exercises, and recipes on Pinterest. Click the pic to go to my boards. I have 2 on Health and Fitness.

 WOGGING:

 Not me! I wish.

Walking + jogging = wogging. 

I broke my ankle when I was 14, had surgery and now have a screw holding a bone together. So needless to say, I have to be careful. Every time I wog I do 3 miles. I don't count laps because I always lose count. MapMyRun is awesome enough that it tells me every time I complete a mile. It tells me the distance and time. I always stretch at home before I leave my house. Just simple stretches. The first lap I do, I warm up. Meaning I don't walk as fast as the other laps. Then once I hit 3 miles I do a cool down lap and some ankle exercises. I walk on my heels for 20 steps, normal for 30 seconds, then 20 steps on my tip toes. I do that about 3 times and then I am done.

Here's how I alternate walking and jogging. I make different playlists each lasting about 60 minutes. Every time a song hits a chorus I jog. Perfect interval training. Well, perfect for me.

DVDS:

Bob Harper is an evil man. Ok, not really. He's gorgeous but his workout dvds are evil. I bought this a while back, watched a piece and found myself out of breath in the first 10 minutes. I only watched it, as in sat down and watched it. I didn't try doing the exercises. It's pretty intense. My only problem with these work out dvds is that the people doing them are fit. They are not struggling as I am struggling. They are not huffing and puffing and blowing the house down. I am.

He's having a sale on his website. DVDs are $3.99! 

 Click the pic to shop!

This woman is a beast!

I came up with a solution to all the huffing and puffing. I'm going to watch the dvds and grab a few exercises and make my own routine. I haven't quite planned it out yet but I'll share it when I do.

The dvds are available at Wal-Mart, Target, and Amazon.

BOOKS:

 I'll be getting most of my exercise moves from this book.

 Awesome book title, huh? 

 

 I typed up the rules and you can get a copy here.

Please let me know if you can't access it, I've had trouble with it before.  

 

Our body is an incredible machine. It's important we understand how it works.

 EQUIPMENT:

Jillian Michaels' 30 day shred mat and 3 lb weights.

I also have some 5lb dumbbells that I'll use. 

Yup, I got an elliptical. I am serious about losing weight.

FOOD:

I am still reading Choose to Lose and haven't quite planned out my meals yet.  I'm going to be on a new schedule starting next week and I want to plan my meals and exercise routines around it.  I'm going to do Chris Powell's low carb-high carb cycle. As soon as I plan it all out I'll share it with you. I'll be eating oatmeal, fruits and veggies, chicken, and tilapia. Just to give you an idea. 

This is my longest post ever! Thanks for reading til the end. I hope I included everything. If I left anything out I'll be sure to address it in future Weight-loss Wednesdays posts.

Are you embarking on a fitness journey of your own? I would love to swap stories, tips, and ideas!

I'll be back next Wednesday to check in.  I'm taking the dreaded "before" picture tomorrow. Yikes.

Currently January

Happy New Year, friends!
May your 2013 be filled with love, faith, patience, wisdom, success, and health!

Listening:  
FRIENDS is my all-time favorite show. I've seen it many times yet I still get teary-eyed when Ross and Rachel break up. 

Loving:  
I got this amazing microplush blanket for Christmas. It's huge and I love that I can wrap myself in it! I am also loving this sweet candy dispenser I won in Primary Possibilities' Sweet Sensations giveaway. I can't wait to fill it with all sorts of goodies! Thanks, ladies!

 

Thinking:  
As I mentioned before I am going to start tutoring 5th graders and will work Monday-Wednesday. When I was only subbing I wouldn't work everyday so I slept in on my days off. Not anymore! It's not like I slept till noon, I just wouldn't get up at 6am. Students go back Jan.7 and I believe I start Jan 8. I still have time. Plus I need to work on my fitness!


Wanting:  
New year, new 'do! I've had bangs like this before but I'm also really liking her hair color. What do y'all think? 

Isn't her body insane?!  Forget wanting her hair, can I just BE Jessica Biel?


Needing: 
 I am not saying this and have a closet full of clothes. I really do need new outfits. Just some basic pieces, I'm pretty good and mixing it up. :)

One Little Word:  
This song pretty much sums up where I am in my life right now. It is my anthem for 2013.


Breakthrough by Britt Nicole

Ever hear a song a feel like your heart wrote it? This is one of those for me.

I am EXCITED for what God is going to do in my life in 2013!

Be sure to visit Farley to link up!

I'll be back tomorrow with Weight-loss Wednesday.