Why Doesn't GNC Sell Willpower?

As you read here I am on a mission to eat better, loose some a lot of weight, and become a generally healthier person. The mission starts 2/15/2011. I am excited, but very anxious this is going to be like all the other times - start out strong, then fizzle after a week.

For me I think the old adage is true - it will take a village! I have absolutely no willpower. If something gets the least bit hard, something looks at all yummy or I'm just a tad tired - that's it, I'm done. I really do want to change. I think the key is keeping up consistent behavior and soon enough my brain and body will be trained.

Matt is helping me and trying to do stuff along with me. He however is doing a mass gaining program, but the upside is that we will be able to work out together 3 times a week and for the most part we will be eating the same food, him just much more.

So here are the details:
Diet - 1600 calories a day, eating 6 meals a day, 3 of which are protein drinks
no processed or packaged foods
3 food meals: egg white + fruit
                       4oz. protein(chicken, turkey or fish) + veggies
                       4oz. protein(chicken, turkey or fish) + veggies

Exercise - Cardio 3-4 days a week for 45 minutes
                 Weight Train 3 days a week (upper, middle and lower body)
                 *Matt & I will do these together
                  Rest 1 day a week

I've done all the humiliating pre-program tasks:

• weighed myself and calculated my BMI - FYI, not a fun moment
• took down all my measurements
• took a before picture and posted it in our closet - again, this was not a good moment for me. Apparently I learned that I see myself differently than I actually look. MY GOD, I could patent my beer goggles!!

I know this won't be easy or quick. My goal is to just do it and let it work. My biggest issue is the lack of willpower and follow-thru. I will need all the help I can get! While I'm not a secure enough person to post my weight or measurements, I do hope to check in and update any lbs. and/or inches lost.

Any motivation and encouragement will definitely be welcome!! WISH ME LUCK :)

New Pages

As part of the new look for the blog, I've added some pages.

The "About Us" is something I should have added a long time ago. Most of the people visiting this blog will already know us, but for anybody that doesn't...

What I'm Sippin' is just a little something I started a while back. It's a virtual wine journal of sorts. I try to keep it up to date, but it's mostly what I've been drinking at home. I'm not good enough to keep track of what I drink when dining out, and that's usually where I drink the most.

Meet Sweety

We got a new addition to our living room this past weekend. We lovingly call her sweety since we decided she was our Valentine's present to each other.

Since we moved in a year and a half ago we were using a console table as a makeshift media cabinet. It was a nice piece of furniture, don't get me wrong. Only problem was that it wasn't deep enough to hold key items like the Comcast digital box. So, we had to use the not cute side table to put it on, along with Matt's playstation stuff. I hated that!

{the wires bothered me so much}

{just awkward}

We were strolling around Home Goods Saturday evening after a movie and saw this beauty. At $299, she almost jumped into my arms!!

Finding a media cabinet has not been an easy task. Aside from the obvious cost restraints, the tiny wall that the tv is on, is, well - tiny. We got her home Sunday morning and wasted no time getting her into her new home.

{she fits right in with her new family}

{see, no more wires!}

We are still trying to figure out what to do with the old guy. It may get used somehow in the dining room.

New Year, New Look

This post is coming about a month and 6 days too late, but seriously, I felt like I was gone the whole month of January.

We ushered in the new year on Jan 1st, but for some reason it didn't feel very final. I've decided that I've gotten too accustomed to operating on my work fiscal calendar where the new year doesn't start until Feb 1st. So, in true lazy Erin fashion, I started my new year and all the resolutions that come along with it on Feb 1st!

First, I hope everyone has noticed that the blog got a teeny face lift this weekend. One of my resolutions was to learn more feature and abilities for my blog. I have design envy of so many of my favorite blogs. I know content is the most important, but lets face it, it's nice to look on the outside too! I would love to design a cool banner, but it looks like I'd either have to have photoshop or have one graphically designed. Sorry, but this is one of the few things in life that's free entertainment for me, so I may to forgo the coolness until I can figure out an alternative option.

Aside from the blog specifically, here is a little list of things I'd like to accomplish in 2011 {and Jan of 2012 too!}. Letterman style, here's the year's Top 10 List:

1. Become a more healthy person. This involves it all from eating better to exercising more. Cooking more healthfully and less southern comfort food {sorry Mama Pye}.
2. Watch less TV. Hopefully be a direct result of goal #1, but it is something I want to do. I have too many shows I am addicted to and this has just resulted in a codependent relationship with our couch.
3. Help out more around the house. If you know me, you know I HATE to clean. Matt does most of the tidying up, dishes, laundry, etc., and it's only fair that I help out more.
4. Save more money. We are already working towards this goal. We have started the process of refinancing our house and should close this month. That will save us about $200/month on our mortgage. Before Christmas I got a wonderful promotion at work. So, seriously - no more excuses.
5. Get back on track with our house projects. We still have 2 big projects on the list: Kitchen and both Bathrooms. Plus, our bedroom is in need of a makeover.
6. Pay off credit card - enough said!!
7. Explore More. From Nashville and beyond, I want to get out, go and do more.
8. Read More. Seriously, it's embarrassing how little I read.
9. Take REAL vacation time. This does not include going back home to Walterboro. Matt and I only get 10 vacation days a year. Going back to our parent's small town does not a vacation make!
10. Step into 2011. This may seem a little vague, but Matt and I are so behind the times for technology. I want an iphone and an ipad. Hopefully lots of people will rush out to Kirkland's and find themselves in desperate need of new mirrors {among lots of other decor items} and I can treat myself to some technology! Or maybe the birthday fairy and Santa Claus will think I've been an extra good girl!

So, there it is, the top 10. I'm hoping to remember to do a 6month update in Aug to see where I am on my list.

Wish Me Luck!!

Retraction - Viva Las Vegas

Apparently my hard-hitting post about my business trip to Vegas hit a nerve. Not unlike a Ocar winning actress forgetting to thank her husband in her acceptance speak - HaHa!!, in my Vegas post I forgot to mention that in addition to wanting to be home in my own bed and cuddling with my sweet puppy, I wanted nothing more than to be home with my loving husband.

He is so sweet and attentive, how could I have forgotten about him! He is my favoritest {yep, that's the word I'm using} of all.

To Matt - XOXO!