How do the celebs do it?

I often ask myself, so, if it's so hard for me to get skinny, why can celebrities do it so fast? Then I think about it for a second... and I realize, that, well no shit, they are RICH. And they have nothing TO DO ALL DAY! So naturally, what would YOU do if you were RICH and had NOTHING TO DO ALL DAY?? AHhhhh yes... the secret to all our diet problems.. work out ALL DAY and have a personal healthy chef cook all our meals... IT'S JUST THAT SIMPLE.

Right, so instead of Weight Watchers, or Nutraslim, why isn't there the CelebSlim plan? Where you basically get a ridiculous amount of money, quit your job for 6 months, and drop weight! I would totally sign up for that plan. Let's face it, it's not fair. Yet another reason why celebs suck. Everything is always easier for them. Hmmph. I don't think my job would like it much if I said, hey, I can't work for the next 4 weeks because I need to workout 10 hours a day and have every meal prepped for me. Don't think that's going to fly.

Sure, I could have such an amazing transformation like J-Hud if I had the access to the funds, personal trainers and chefs that she does, but that will never happen (unless I win the lotto, my fingers are always crossed).

I did a little before and after of myself too, and I would totally look like a hot model too if I could workout like that. I'm pretty sure I would look exactly like Joanna Krupp.



So why can't it be that easy? I was reading up on some of the "celeb diets" and this is what I learned.

1) Some celebs have had complexes since they were 9 and put themselves on weight watchers and never got off it. Well shit, at 9, I didn't love my body, but McDonalds was my favorite restaurant, and let's face it, I wanted to be a kid.

2) Olivia Munn does kickboxing like 4 times a day... I can do it once a day, so I guess times how many months it takes me to drop 10 pounds by 4 and I can get that skinny, THAT FAST! Just so simple.

3) SOME celebs have to bulk UP and gain weight, oh what I would give to be one of those... Gwyneth Paltrow ate fried chicken for like a month just to gain weight for Country Strong... well, I wouldn't have a problem doing that, and in fact, fried chicken sounds good right about now... mmmmm with some mashed potatoes... mmmmm... yeah ok, on to the next one before I run to the closest KFC and stuff my face.

4) Elizabeth Hurley starves herself! She eats one meal a day.... well, no shit, you get skinny like that, right off the bat, but girllllll even I know that starving yourself isn't good. Right now I'm on a 1200 calorie diet, and even though it's enough food, if I eat ANY LESS then that, my body goes into starvation mode, and it's not good for you. A healthy weight loss, to lose the weight and keep it off is 1 - 1 1/2 pounds a week. The diets that say, YOU CAN LOSE 30 POUNDS IN 30 DAYS!!! NO freaking way... and if you can, it's probably not the healthy way, and you should be careful.

5) CLEANSES DON'T WORK. Especially the ones where you only drink lemon juice and cayane pepper! Yeah, you will drop it, and drop it fast, but the minute you add anything back into your body, like eating a slice of bread, you will gain it all back! just don't do it. OK?!

6) THIS IS THE WAY YOU DO IT. Padma from Top Chef, she gains about 15 pounds each season from Top Chef, just from eating all the amazing foods, and I'm sure, all the travel, etc. But guess what, when the show is over, she doesn't crash diet, she adds more veggies into her meals, and more spices (the more spicy your food is, usually, the less you will eat...) and works out like a normal human being, once a day... and she drops those LBs and they stay off... DO THIS PEOPLE! haha

Ok well now that I'm done bitching about the fact that I wish I was a GAZILLIONARE so I could workout 1000 hours a day and have a chef, I hope you learned something here... we aren't GAZILLIONARE's, (not yet at least, and if one of you are, can I be your new best friend?!?!) so just eat right, workout regularly, and you will see results! BOOOOYA!

Love you guys long time for reading my horrid blog!
Andrea

If I can do it, YOU can do it. REALLY?

That phrase, if I can do it, you can do it. It's used SO often. But is it true? When a quarterback says to a linebacker, hey, if I can throw the ball 80 yards for a touchdown, YOU can throw the ball 80 yards for a touch down, can that really happen? Doubtful. Or, a 5' 5" 110lb girl says, hey, if I can finish a half marathon YOU can finish a half marathon... Honey, my thighs are as big as your waist and the last time I ran a mile it was because they were giving away free donuts and I just had to SPRINT to get to them. Highly unlikely.

That phrase, used to be somewhat of a motivational phrase.. like a friend saying, hey, I lost 10 pounds and shit, if I can do it, YOU can do it. But even then, my body might be different from your body, my metabolism might be different from YOUR metabolism, there's just no saying that the ever-so used phrase, is even motivational now! It goes both ways too - like this morning, talking about the Tough Mudder in April... I go to Jenny, (she owns the gym, so clearly, in super shape), "come on, do the tough mudder, if I can do it, YOU can do it." well, I mean come on, that's a no brainer. No shit. She EATS tough mudders for dinner. Me on the other hand, I've only just finished my 2nd week of bootcamp. haha... So yeah, where are you going with this? Right? Well, how about this... IF I CAN DO THIS, YOU CAN DO THIS. And this isn't a lie.

I never thought, that I would be in this position I am today. Anytime I ever started a diet, a workout fad, NYE rolled around and I said, this is going to be my YEAR, that lasted about 2 days, and I was like, F THIS NOISE, I quit. But now, NOW, I'm looking back and 12 weeks ago when I walked into RTB, I never thought that I would be finishing my 2nd week of bootcamp, and getting myself ready for a Tough Mudder next spring! All it took was a little motivation, some result seeings, good friends, and people to push me.

Yesterday, I was down, yeah... I was pissed, I was frustrated, weight LOSS sucks. It's not fun, it's not easy, you can't eat your favorite foods anymore (by the way, anyone reading this and wants to mail me some Mario's pizza, I'll love you forever HAHA), you have to manage your time so that you make it to the gym on the reg, and a lot of people just don't get it - but if this is what YOU WANT, then YOU can do it.

Again, I'm not sitting here saying that I'm horribly large, ugly, anything like that, I don't want to lose the weight just so I "look better", that's not the only reason... the main reason is because I want to feel great, and fit into clothes, and not be that lard in sweatpants on the couch anymore. The most amazing thing I could ever have though, is someone to support me in whatever I do. I thank so many people, but I have to give the biggest shout out to Juan - no matter what, if I kept going, or stopped tomorrow, he would still love me, and that makes me feel great. (I'm sure he will love me even more when I look like a super moddddeeeel!!! hahaha)

Sidebar - am I the only one who is TERRIFIED of the mirrors in the gym???! Dude - I HATE the mirrors - anytime I have to do a move in bootcamp and I have to be in front of the mirror - head's down, and I'm checking out my sneakers. I don't want to see  my rolls jiggling around when I am jumping up and down or when I'm lifting weights... no thank you!

Listen, if you don't have time, and all you can do is a small workout a day, even that's better then nothing. I have some fun workouts below for you to do in your home, wherever - but doing something is better then doing nothing. A really good friend said to me yesterday on Facebook, Tessa Alexandria ...and don't look at how far you still have to go to reach your goal, look at how far you have already come. You are already 11 weeks ahead of every loser sitting on their couch!!

She's RIGHT. Don't look how far I still have to go (wedding dress shopping in Dec, or wedding next Oct), look how far I've already come... I never EVER would have sat here and said, hey, I'm going to train and KILL IT at the tough mudder.... at the same time, yes, she's RIGHT. I am, already 11 weeks ahead of people sitting on their couches.. and guess what, 11 weeks ago, I was that person sitting on my couch. I would rather eat pizza and watch trashy real housewives of some stupid city, then get myself HEALTHY.

You know what, if you want to lose weight then START NOW. Go out, get yourself this, it's a TRX suspension system for the home, and start working out. TRX is the BEST way to build muscle, and start dropping those LBs like they were a bad fashion statement.

Or, if you don't want to do that, go out and WALK. Just walk.....

But if you want to work out - here are some workouts you can do, and QUICK.

Melt It Off: Calorie-Burning Circuit Workout 
(they have weird names for these, like number 1 is really a "burpee" haha but it works.)

And then last but not least - I think I might make these this weekend - it's a great alternative to pumpkin pie!

Pumpkin Cheesecake Shooters from Skinny Taste!
Skinnytaste.com
Servings: 16 • Size: 1 shot glass* • Old Points: 2 pts • Points+: 2
Calories: 78 • Fat: 4.2 g • Carb: 11.6 g • Fiber: 0 g • Protein: 1 g • Sugar: 7.5 g
Sodium: 16.5 mg 

Ingredients:
3 (1.5 oz total) whole chocolate graham crackers

• 4 oz 1/3 fat cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup pure canned pumpkin
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 3 tbsp dark brown sugar, unpacked
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 8 oz light whipped topping (I used Truwhip light)

Directions:

Crush graham crackers in a food processor. Set aside.

In a large bowl beat the cream cheese until smooth with an electric mixer. Add the pumpkin, vanilla, sugar, pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg and cinnamon. Beat until well combined and creamy.  Use a spatula to fold in 5 oz (1-1/2 cups) of the whipped topping; combine until no streaks remain. Place in a piping bag or ziplock bag with a corner snipped off.

To assemble: Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon of graham cracker crumbs on the bottom of each shot glass. Pipe a layer of pumpkin cheesecake onto the graham cracker crust (about 1 tbsp) followed by a layer of whipped topping. Repeat a second layer and finish with another sprinkle of crumbs. Insert small spoons and refrigerator until ready to serve.

*Each shot glass has 2 tbsp pumpkin cheesecake, 1 tbsp whipped topping, 1 tsp graham cracker crumbs total.

Ok enough for now - see you later dudes!

NO MORE PLUS SIZE CLOTHING EMAILS!!!!!

So, guess what I just did?!?! I UNSUBSCRIBED to, Kiyonna Plus Size, Lane Bryant, ASOS Curve +, because yeah, they have GREAT options for plus sizes, and I have a ton of their stuff, but I DONT FIT INTO IT ANYMORE!!! I can actually fit into a women's size 14-16 bottom, size 14 dress, and finally, well, without any help to my HUGE arms, a XL in AE, Gap, Banana... all those places, XXL even TARGET, XXL was my only hope, but nope, not now, I can actually BUTTON shit from AE, and Target.... ahhh, so happy... I'm on my way...

These are some of the clothes I'm HOPING to be able to fit in by the New Year - thank you Pinterest. HAHA

Don't read my blog if you don't like it. Plain and simple

Another day another ride into DC on the good old VRE. This schedule isn't half bad actually. I'm getting used to it. I do feel bad though because I bought a coffee from the coffee truck this morning and it tastes like balls, but the guy who sold it was really nice haha.

Anyways, happy Thursday folks. Good thing this morning I want to totally eat my feelings in bacon egg and cheeses but I won't, ill drink this shit coffee instead. Why am I pissed do you ask? Because some people are just fuckers, plain and simple. Fuckers. I got a nice FB message last night from someone I haven't talked to in a really long time who apparently has been keeping tabs on my blog. It said "I've been reading your blog, I think you should quit complaining, we didn't make you the way you are, you did it to yourself." Well. Isn't that just sweet. Part of me thinks that this person was trying to be funny but mostly, I think this person was being honest. Listen, I'm not writing and sharing this blog so that the whole world can hear me whining, I'm writing this blog to hold some sort of accountability for myself, and to just vent about the toughness of losing weight. If you don't like my blog and my "complaining, whining, bitching and groaning" then DON'T READ IT. No one asked you to read it, no one twisted your arm, now go eat a cheeseburger, sit on your ass and still lose weight. Yeah, I wish you were in my shoes, unfortunately my body doesn't have the luxury of being able to eat whatever I want and still staying a size 2 without working out. I actually have to work really damn hard to drop one pound, and I don't need your shit.

I just keep thinking about how I never had to start this blog, but I wanted to, I wanted to be open about this time in my life and sure do I over share, maybe, do I sound like a dumbass sometimes, of course, but this is me and if you don't want to read it. DON'T. I am working really hard and I don't need someone saying that to me. Sure, it's my fault, I drank too much, ate like a retard and enjoyed college, and gained weight, but that doesn't make me a bad person and I'm still beautiful, I'm just trying to better myself, gain some self confidence and be healthy. Be in a larger persons shoes for a minute and see how they aren't accepted unless they are a size 2, you will never know how it feels nor have you ever. So you tell me to shut up, but YOU SHUT UP! Haha

Ok sorry, rant over, I'm just pissed this morning haha.

I've got some take always for today's readers, kind of like a, hey thanks for listening to me complain. And also, thanks for being amazing friends and supporting me through this whole thing, I couldn't do it without you.

Since Brian and I talked about "Eating right for your blood type" it's a book, find out your blood type and get on that shit, there are certain things that you should learn about your blood type and what you should or shouldn't be eating. Me personally, my 2 weight gainers are Gluten and dairy so in order to help that I'm working on going gluten and dairy free. I found some awesome recipes below to make and I think you guys should too!

First I found these awesome Apple Pie Protein Muffins from Dashing Dish

1/4 cup Unsweetened almond milk (or milk of choice)
4 Egg whites
1 cup Unsweetened applesauce
1 1/2 tsp Baking powder
1 1/2 tsp Baking soda
1/4 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Pumpkin pie spice (or apple pie spice)
1/2 tsp Cinnamon
1 3/4 cup Oats 1
1/2 cup Baking stevia OR 1 cup sweetener of choice that measures like sugar 2
1/4 cup Plain or vanilla protein powder (or an additional 1/4 cup oats)
1 Large apple (about 1 cup chopped), chopped into fine pieces

1 Look for gluten free oats if you are gluten intolerant.

2 I used NuNaturals More Fiber Stevia Baking Blend. If using packets of stevia, I recommend using about 8-12, or adjust according to taste.

Method:
1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 12 cup muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray, (or line with silicone muffin liners coated with non-stick spray).

2 Place all ingredients (except for chopped apples) in a blender, starting with liquid ingredients for easy blending. Blend until oats are completely ground, and batter is smooth.

3 Stir chopped apples into the batter until everything is well combined. Pour batter into muffin tin, dividing evenly between 12 cups.

4 Bake muffins for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean

The 2nd recipe I found was this awesome one from Dashing Dish as well:

Orange Sesame Chicken
1.5 lb (About 3-4 breasts) Chicken breasts, raw, chopped into bite size pieces

4 cups Broccoli florets (or 1 large head of cauliflower for cauliflower rice)

For the Sauce:
1 (15 oz) Can no sugar added mandarin oranges (use the juice to cook the chicken)
1/4 cup Rice wine vinegar
1 tbs Soy sauce (I use low sodium)
3 tbs Ketchup (I used no sugar added)
3 pkts Stevia (or sweetener of choice)
1 tsp Garlic, chopped (or 1/2 tsp garlic powder)
1 tbs Sesame seeds
Optional: 1/4 tsp ginger powder, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (for added heat)

Method:
1 Spray a large skillet or non-stick pan with cooking spray, and heat over medium-high heat. Add the juice from the mandarin oranges directly to the pan with the chicken (this will make for moist chicken, and prevent it from drying out while cooking). Cook , stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through, or no longer pink. Remove chicken from pan and set aside. (Discard any juice at this point if there is any left after chicken is cooked).

2 To make the sauce: Combine everything for the sauce in the same non-stick skillet used to cook your chicken (chicken should be set aside). Reduce the heat to medium low and cook until the sauce thickens, stirring occasionally.

3 Add chicken back to the pan with the thickened sauce, and stir until chicken is well coated with the sauce. Remove from heat, and sprinkle sesame seeds over chicken.

4 To prepare the broccoli, you can steam it one of two ways:Option One: Fill a medium pot with water, bring it to a boil over high heat, and add broccoli florets. Lower heat to medium, cover pot, and cook broccoli for 2-4 minutes, (or until broccoli becomes tender), and strain in a colander.Option Two: Place broccoli florets in a large microwave safe container with 1/2 cup water. Cover bowl with saran wrap, and pierce with a knife a few times to let out steam. Microwave for 5 minutes (or until broccoli becomes tender). Carefully remove bowl from microwave and strain in a colander. OR prepare cauliflower rice according to this recipe.

5 Serve one cup of broccoli on each plate, and divide chicken evenly among four servings. Enjoy warm! Note: This dish also makes great leftovers!

K so that should be good for today, I'm going to nap for my last few minutes on my VRE ride, and think about all my amazing uplifting friends that are awesome.

Why isn't weight loss instant?!?

I don't know what's worse, sitting next to a women on the VRE who wore entirely WAY TOO MUCH perfume, or realizing all the hard work you are doing won't make you hit your goals overnight.

No really though, think hard, it's wayyyyy too much perfume haha.

Anyways, I had a moment of weakness yesterday... I was emailing with my mom and realized that D Day, aka, dress trying on day is only probably 7 weeks away and yeah, I know I'm making improvements but shit, sometimes I'm like, all this work and its not coming off fast enough. I know I know like I said before, this isn't a race it's a marathon and its going to take time so you have to be patient. My biggest fault is that my patience is basically at a big whopping 0. I have none, zip, zilch, zero. So waiting to drop more sizes so that I can actually try on the sample sizes they have at the store, sucks. To the point where I was even emailing my mom saying I really don't even want to go, because honestly, the tears in my eyes the day I try on those dresses are going to be those of sadness bc ill feel like I haven't lost enough weight, not years of excitement or happiness. I know I know that isn't the way I should feel but it's hard to always be positive about such a drastic goal.

I'm not even kidding this chicks perfume is giving me a headache haha breathing through my nose just isn't cutting it. Haha.

I sit here and I'm like I've been going to the gym for 11 weeks straight why am I not a size 8 yet hahaha. Yeah sure i went shopping this weekend and finally fit into normal sized clothes but thats not good enough yet. If it were only that easy. (Vanishing into a size 8 that is) I wish I had better will power, because when I think like that then I feel like i should eat my feelings, but thankfully I don't haha. I wish I could eat my feelings but I can't do that anymore. What I would do for a bacon egg and cheese right now haha.

I know ill never be a twig, I'm always going to be a bigger girl because these tree trunks for bones aren't getting any skinnier, but its so hard to always be positive about it. What I like about the gym is I always feel like I get positive reinforcement from them, and maybe that's why I love going there so much but at the same time we are all there for similar reasons and of course there isn't going to be negativity. If I could just go throughout my day with my gym friends by my side letting me know that every little things, gonna be alright.... (Sing it) then it would be much better haha but that's not realistic. And at the same time I shouldn't need people to life me up. I should be able to do it on my own, I should be able to be strong and not worry that I'm not dropping fast enough but easier said then done, right ?

At the end of all of this, after I walk down the aisle and realize I've hit all my goals I'm sure ill look back at this post and say hey, look, you did it... But for now, it's a daily struggle.

So, since I'm doing bootcamp here's a fun workout I found online, it's like bootcamp but we do 5 rounds and go for an hour, but even doing this 5 times a week for 20 minutes is better than nothing.

http://m.self.com/fitness/workouts/2012/02/insanity-workout-slideshow

Insanity Workout - Do each of these 6 moves for 1 minute without stopping between exercises. After you've completed 1 round, rest for 60 seconds, then go again. Perform the circuit 3 times (20 minutes & done!) 2 days in a row. Take a rest day & repeat.

And last but not least I'm all about these inspirational quotes now.

Have a great day!!!!!

Andrea & The Dudes.

So I thought it would be appropriate to start today's post off with that title. Andrea and the dudes haha. Sounds like a band name doesn't it? Well no, sorry, I didn't start a rock band, although many of you think I would be a great super star, these dudes aren't in front of the lime light.... They are my new gym buddies.

Since CRANK ended, I jumped right back in and signed up for 8 weeks of bootcamp. Why not right? I've done so well so far, making it to the gym 9 straight weeks in a row (probably my personal best since playing sports in school). Today was day four... I'm not gonna lie, I thought it would be semi easy seeing as though I seem to think I'm some body builder now that I've been working out for 9 weeks haha but NO THIS SHITS INTENSE. But back to my dudes, haha. So I walk into the first class on Monday at 6:15am, not knowing what to expect except maybe seeing some familiar faces, but what I got was a room full of dudes and me. Now normally I would be SUPER uncomfortable, but the minute I walked in the jokes were made that a girl was finally in this glass and I officially felt welcome. These dudes are great. They range from like a 23 year old to probably 40's-50's and they are strong as shit. Let me tell you haha. But I'm keeping right up there with them. It's great too because normally I would feel so awkward working out or even showing up in workout clothes because I feel like people are judging you. ESP GUYS. But not here, this is the first time I've ever felt comfortable in a room full of dudes. Hahahaha. But no, I really like it, I really love them. And I really feel like I'm getting pushed to better myself. I'm addicted to working out now and getting in shape and 100% getting rid of my fat wings on my arms haha. This isn't just for my wedding anymore. This is more than that. This is me making the decision to better my life, feeling better, feeling healthy and being in shape so that when the time comes, I will be alive a lot longer then my grandkids. (Because you know by then there will be some ridiculous way to live that long haha).

I'm still getting the pushback from friends, but its just going to have to be something that I get used to. A true friend will stick with you thru whatever is going on, even if its a big life change like this. (It doesn't help that work is so crazy and I don't have a life anymore) but people want to blame my change in wanting to workout on me shutting myself out when really, I've always put everyone else first, I've never put myself first, and you know what, I'm finally putting myself first and you're either in it with me and won't care if we don't talk daily, or you're out. It sounds harsh but for my own sanity I need to be like this. Welcome to the new me folks, love it or leave it. I'm still the amazing friend I've always been and ill be there if you ever need me but if my focus has shifted slightly, I'm sorry. I thank some amazing people who have helped me out over the past few days realizing that I just need to so me. I love you for it. (You know who you are).

Ok well anyways, for now, 4 days into 8 weeks, lets see if I make it through week 1 and we can celebrate.

Have an awesome day. And oh hey, a big FU to all those haters out there.

8 weeks down, a lifetime to go....

Looks like I'm going to have to keep writing this blog people, because clearly, my job is FAR from over.

The big question is why...? Why??? BECAUSE. I DONT WANT TO LOOK LIKE THIS ANYMORE! (see right below)

Our 8 week CRANK class has now come to and end... and as I sit here and look back on when I started this whole thing, and not even just 8 weeks ago, but like from the beginning of this blog.. I look at the fact that I did 4 week cleanses, or I did a WEEK of working out, but today, I can say, I watched what I ate, and I worked out for 8 weeks straight. Besides playing sports in school, that's the longest I've gone, post college, that I have ever been in a gym, and I'm not stopping. What's Next? 8 weeks of bootcamp. So in 8 more weeks I'll be writing talking about how I made it thru 16 WEEKS of working out... and so on, and so on. I think a lot of it has to do with the people I work out with at RTB, and my friends who graciously sit here and read my horrible writing, and listen to me bitch and complain, but still send me those supportive text's, or facebooks, or emails.... It's YOU guys, and a little bit of dedication on my part, that has gotten me through the beginning (and I believe hardest) part of this journey.

The hardest part for me has always been getting over that 2 week hump - finding time to get to the gym, and finding a place where I'm happy and I feel comfortable.... but I've learned, if you want to meet your goals (and unfortunately, mine take a lot more work then most) you have to make it part of your life. Make it a priority, and make it one of those things you just have to do everyday... I used to just, eat, work, sleep, hangout... now, eat, sleep, work, WORKOUT... It obviously sucks... because I don't have the time that I used to have for my friends, or for Juan..... just last night he was telling me how he's happy for me, but he misses me, and misses that we don't hang out as much.. and that hurts. It's the hardest part of this whole thing... trying to better yourself, without hurting the ones you love. Especially for me I think, because i'm not just trying to lose the weight so that I'm healthy and skinny for everyday life.. but I'm newly engaged, and am trying to meet specific goals for my wedding, so it's like, one, I'm doing this for me, for our day, but two, it's hurting my relationship. Unfortunately, I can't force anyone to come workout with me, Juan and I from day 1 have had different ways of dropping pounds, and we are pretty much stuck to our ways.. .he does his thing, I do mine. Thats just the way the cookie crumbles my friends... and it sucks. It's not that he doesn't support me, that's not true in any way, it's just hard, and I understand that.

make animated gifs like this at MakeAGif

Last night I met with Brian (the owner of RTB) and we talked about diet and nutrition - and we are going to be taking it to a level that I haven't taken it before. Well, actually, I retract that... the "detox" I used to do, is a lot similar to what my diet will be from here on out, but I think it's going to be harder this time. I really learned what I should and should NOT be eating... because it's so hard for women's bodies to lose the weight, since we were built to have some chub and be baby makers, there are tons of things that we think are OK for our body, that really aren't. And last night, I learned a lot about it... And like Brian said, this isn't a "diet" this is changing your eating habits to give you a healthy life. And I believe that. I think the problem with a lot of these quick loss weight loss programs is that you do them for a year or so but you aren't training yourself how to eat healthy for life... you are training yourself how to be healthy for your immediate goals... I really have a much better sense now on what this banana is doing to my body instead of just, I'm going to eat it since it's a fruit. It's really pretty cool.

What does this mean though? It means again, less socializing, more working out and eating right. If I am going to achieve such radical goals in one year, this is what is going to have to happen... and hopefully my friends won't get pissed, and won't be upset with me, but instead, will go on a bike ride, or take a boot camp class with me... but see that I need to do this, I can't step off track by going to the bar one night and skipping the gym... that this is my life right now, and hopefully you will be there with me along the road... Does this sound selfish of me? Of course... but honestly, I've been a good friend, for a long time, and I was always the YES girl, YES I'll go drink, YES I'll party all night, YES I'll eat that whole cheese PIZZA ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! haha... But I can't do that anymore.. plain and simple... And stop making me trying to eat a whole cheese pizza when I'm drunk, I won't do it! HAHAHAHA..

This doesn't mean I'm going to be lame, shit ass boring, Andrea... I'm still planning on going on my trips, I'm still planning on going out and such - but I'm just changing some of the habits that I had in the past, to reach my goal in the future.

SO AFTER ALL THIS - AFTER 8 WEEKS - I know it might not sound huge to you guys, but I lost over 12 inches on my body - 4 1/2 in my bust, and 4 1/2 in my waist to point out the big ones... and 10 pounds! A normal, healthy weight loss is a pound a week, and yeah, that sounds like not a ton, but it's healthy weight off that I will keep off!

I couldn't be happier... (well, I could, not thinking about everything I'm about to give up as far as FOOD YUM YUM FOOOOOOOD) but, really... I say this again, I couldn't have done this without you guys... without the trainers at RTB, without Juan... and this is only the beginning!

I also think about the things I COULDN'T do in the past, and the things I want to do...

• I couldn't wear a north face jacket unless it was dudes, because a womens didn't fit me. 
• I couldn't wear sweet ass snowboarding gear bc again, the women's stuff didn't fit me... 
• I couldn't fit into a blazer because it wouldn't fit around my sides and button -- (my arms are still an issue, but I'm sure those will start shrinking soon as well) 
• I couldn't shop at awesome stores like GAP/AE/ATL without shopping online in their "Large Sizes"
• I couldn't fit into most XL Nike workout pants... 
• I couldn't even really fit comfortably in a plane seat...

All these things are now I CAN'S... we are getting there, slowly but surely... but I'm about to buy my first North Face winter jacket, and some new snowboarding gear that isn't MENS for this upcoming season... I love being able to say, finally... I can get this stuff... And eventually I will have all the problems skinny people have with shopping and such - more problems like - I can't find this in my color, or this might be too big, can I get a smaller size, or even, these are too small, can I get a larger size! Because up till now, I've ALWAYS BEEN THE LARGEST SIZE! haha

So, after all that, I leave you with this today... THANK YOU. If you are reading this, I have to THANK YOU... and because if I can finally do it... ANYONE can do it...

Well, I'll leave you this as well -
From our friends at Dashing Dish:

Carmel Apple Pie Protein Shake!!!!!! Yum.
Ingredients

1/2 cup	Fat free cottage cheese 1
1	Scoop vanilla protein powder 2
1/2 cup	Apple chopped fine, or 1/2 cup applesauce
1/2 tsp	Caramel extract (or 2 tbs sugar free butterscotch pudding mix)
1/2 tsp	Apple or pumpkin pie spice
Dash	Cinnamon
5-10	Ice cubes (Depending on how thick you like it, use less for a thinner consistency)
1/2-1 cup	Water (Alter this according to desired consistency)
Optional:	1/2 tsp xanthan gum 3, 1/2 tsp butter extract

¹ Cottage cheese may sound strange, but TRUST me… this is what makes the ‘MILKSHAKE’ consistency! Also, if you are sensitive to dairy, you can use tofu to get the same consistency!

² I use Designer Whey Protein powder. (I WOULD SUBSTITUTE THIS WITH Vitol Egg White Protein Ice Cream Vanilla -- 12 oz (LINK HERE)) It has 100 calories per scoop. I buy the vanilla flavor because it’s a good base to add whatever flavors you want to make. It is also all natural. You can buy it from Kroger, GNC, Trader Joe’s, Amazon, or Netrition.com.

³ You can get xanthan gum from most grocery stores in the gluten free section! Just a pinch of it makes your shake so thick and creamy!

Nutrition Breakdown

1	Serving
213	Calories per Shake
0 g	Fat
16 g	Carbohydrate
2 g	Fiber
10 g	Sugar
36 g	Protein
5	WWP+*

WORDS TO LIVE BY:

Suck it up and Suck it In!

Happy Thursday folks! It's been a while, but man, have things changed. It's so funny to me how I have done a complete 180 since my whole workout kick began 7 weeks ago. 

First, HILARIOUS... Let me tell you, I often sit there and tell myself, SUCK IT UP ANDREA, but don't forget to suck it in. My whole ENTIRE life, I have sucked my gut in. You wouldn't believe how big I really am if I let my chub go. As I sit here writing this post, I'm letting my suck in, out, and it feels weird!!! I've just naturally sucked in for probably 20 years, that when I'm skinny enough to not have to suck in, it's going to be hilarious! Not sure why I got on this topic, but yeah... Anyways.

So, back to this whole 180 degree change thing. Before I started this whole workout/diet thing, all I ever wanted to do was go to work, come home, relax, watch TV, or hang out with friends.... now, all I want to do is GO TO THE GYM! I am pumped. The gym I go to is amazing, and the classes I take, are amazing, and even after 7 weeks, after every class, I can't move. I'm sore in places I didn't know had muscles, and its hard for me to wake up the next morning. I literally get depressed now if I don't go to the gym almost everyday. I think that's so funny. I go from party girl, Andrea, to workout girl, Andrea. As fun as it has been, it's also been a struggle. People are different towards me now, they get upset with me, they can't just be happy for me... and then there are some people, I'm not going to name names, but I'm going to vent, that mock me, tell me how great of a job I am doing, and then lie straight to my face about things.. STOP, you are so annoying. You are pissing me off. This is not a f'ing joke to me. I have NEVER been skinny, EVER, in my whole entire life, and you doing these things that you are doing, it's making me mad. It's the most annoying thing when you work so damn hard at something, and others just mock and lie. I'm not doing this to just drop a few pounds, I'm doing this so that for once in my life, when I walk in front of 300 people, I don't feel like a fat ass, I don't feel like everyone is looking at ME because I'm the fat kid in the room. I'm doing this to make sure that I'm around for a long time, when my kids are having kids, and my kids kids are having kids. So stop, don't lie to me. Stop making this a game or a joke. Because it's not for me. 

Wow, anyways, rant over... Again, Andrea... SUCK IT UP. Stop the bitching. But unfortunately, it's hard to feel good when others are making you feel angry or mad. My new gym friends are awesome. I never feel like I'm annoying them with my questions (well maybe I'm just annoying them with my facebook posts in our RtB groups, but I'm just so excited to see results and be part of this AMAZEBALLS family...), I always feel like they are pushing me to do my best, and it just makes me feel a MILLION times better. I've never been one for gyms, I always feel self conscious, I feel like the meat heads stare at the over weight chick and say, "yep, she def needs to be in here", it's just not my thing... and when I stepped out of our small group at Crank and stepped into a larger group in boot camp, I felt fine. I felt like no matter what I look like, I fit in. I even wore SLEEVELESS SHIRTS! Omg, for you that know me the closest, you know that me wearing sleeveless shirts is like UNHEARD of. hahahaha... But for real, yes, I like working out, but I think the bigger picture is that I like working out with the people I have been working out with, they make me feel good about myself, and cheer me on for trying to do what I'm doing.... I just love it... I thank them for that, they will never really truly understand how appreciative I am of all of them over there at RtB, you will be the reason that I walk down that aisle next fall looking amazing... 

So we only have 2 classes left of the 8 weeks of CRANK and I will finally find out how much I have lost over this process... Its hard to believe that 8 weeks have passed, and yeah, it might not show that I have dropped a ton but I feel amazing, and its getting me geared up for the next 8 weeks of intense bootcamp. I am happy about that. Hopefully, come December when I am trying on dresses, I will finally see all the results that I have been working so hard at trying to achieve.

OH by the way - I'm down to a L/XL top and a 14/16 bottom! Slowly but surely I am getting there.... (down from XXL and 18/20)

Alright, enough for now - but let me leave you with an awesome quote, and a recipe since I don't want you guys to listen to me bitch the whole time, I actually want you to get something out of this blog!!!!

RECIPE TIMEEEEE!!!  

I found this amazing recipe this morning on Dashing Dish - It's for Skinny, buffalo chicken bites!! I cannot WAIT to try these. 

1 cup	Chicken, cooked and shredded
1/4 cup	Hot sauce
1/2 cup	Mozzarella cheese, grated
4 oz	Fat free cream cheese, microwaved 30 seconds to soften
1/4 tsp	Garlic powder
1/4 tsp	Onion powder
24	Wonton wrappers
Optional:	Additional mozzarella cheese for topping Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet pan with foil or parchment paper (for easy clean up) and spray with cooking spray.  In a small bowl, mix together the cream cheese, hot sauce, mozzarella cheese, and seasoning.  Add the shredded chicken and stir until well combined. Begin filling the wonton wrappers by placing about a tablespoon of filling in the center of each wrapper. You could use a little more or less, just try not to over-fill them, or the filling will ooze out the sides when you are baking them. To seal them shut, place your finger in the water…Then trace two of the corners with the water. Fold the wrapper in half to meet the two dry corners with the two wet corners. Press to seal the two sides together. (Note: the water acts like glue to seal the corners shut!) Continue filling until all of my wonton wrappers are filled. (Note: You may be able to fill even more than 24 wrappers depending on how much filling you use in each one!) When wonton wrappers are filled, give them a light spray with non-stick cooking spray and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese over the top of each one if desired. Lay buffalo chicken bites on prepared baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, or until the tops are lightly golden brown. Enjoy with hot sauce, or light greek yogurt mixed with dry ranch seasoning!