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!

Viva Las Vegas

On Sunday I left for Las Vegas. Yep, gone for Christmas, back home a week, gone to ATL, home a week, then gone to Vegas... all I want is my bed and my puppy!

There is one thing I do love about Las Vegas - the awesome food!! Seriously people, Erin does not turn down free five star food. I had a steak at Mastro's that would make you change religions and tell your grandmomma to her face.

I must preface before I get too far into this post that there was a little chaos Sunday before I left. I woke up and had that all too familiar pain in my throat and ears. Little Clinic confirmed, tonsillitis and ear infection again - AWESOME! And to top it all off, they couldn't fill my prescription for 4 hours and I was flying out in 2 hours. I loaded up on over the counter drugs and headed to the airport.

Monday was business as usual and I really didn't feel all that bad. Tuesday, that's a different story. Seriously, it was one of those days where I had to keep talking myself out of vomiting in crowded hallways, running out of appointments, etc. So to recap, Monday=okay, Tuesday = not a cool day to be Vegas!

On the bright side, my room at the Bellagio had a great view of the strip. Since it's a work trip this is about as much as I see of Vegas except from taking a cab from the hotel to market each day. Maybe I'll actually get to see the city sometime!

{the water show was really nice to see from my room}

Tuesday night one of our vendors was nice enough to purchase tickets for our team to attend one of the final Cher concerts. Apparently she won't be performing or doing tours anymore. I felt terrible, but I couldn't not go after they spent all that money on a ticket for me. I drugged up, dressed up and headed out for CHER!

It wasn't quite what I expected, but it was still a good show. I think if I had personally paid the $300 for the ticket I would have been a little disappointed. You weren't allowed to take any pictures in the arena, so this is the only gem I have of the evening.

{yes Gals, those are Guys!!}

I'm back home now, but unfortunately still sick. All I know is that no matter how many fancy restaurants or CHER concerts there are, NOTHING is as good as home!!!

{well, unless someone was to give me free money to gamble with. That may keep me away from home for a few extra days!!!!}

Iced 'Lanta

The year has come and gone and that means traveling for me... lots of traveling...

We got home from over a week in SC then I was off to Atlanta for market. The day before I was supposed to leave the whole southeast was hit by a winter storm. It wasn't too bad by normal standards, but since it is the south and we are not well equipped for this sort of thing, it became a state of emergency.

Nashville got some pretty snow, but Atlanta got ice. Now, I don't know about you, but I felt better knowing that Megan McGlover with WMLM was keeping me up to date on the current weather conditions. Her winter weather advisory reports really put my mind at ease.

Christmas in the 'Boro

Christmas has come and gone and it's been a while since my last post. Matt & I have been recooperating from the holidays and just been plain lazy. It's Jan 8th and we just took down our decorations today.

We spent the holidays in SC with our families. This was one of those rare years that will most likely never happen again. Matt and I had 11 days off of work. Seriously... it will never happen again! So we took advantage of the time, packed up and were off to Grandma's house {well, Sadie's grandma anyways} we went.

We spent the first part of the holidays with my family.

Christmas Eve 

Mama getting some sugar from her favorite great grandchild!

After all the Christmas and weekend festivities were over {seriously, there are a lot of Christmas's to be done in SC} Matt and I finally had a second to breathe and realize "hey, we're on vacation!". Matt spent his "breathing time" setting up his new PS Move and playing with it while I went for a little bit of shopping with my mom.

Tuesday we packed up and made the very long trip 2 blocks over to Matt's parents house to stay for the rest of the week. Matt's brother and his family from NJ came down to spend the rest of the rest of the holiday week in SC. There were 4 sweet kids that were very excited to see their Uncle Matt and we were so excited to get to spend the week with them!

 {Uncle Matt's Sidekicks}

 {Jillian and her Sidekick Sadie}

 {the cuddle couch}

{Jilly and her 2 besties!}

Wednesday it was mini golf in Hilton Head...



NYE we all went for a relaxing walk on the trails...

Then it was time for the adults to celebrate the new year. Matt's parents watched the kids and Matt, Andy, Ashley and I headed into Charleston for a yummy dinner, some drinks and good company.

 {midnight}

Being with everyone in SC for the holidays was nice, but lordy is it great to be home! Even if it does feel really depressing now that all the Christmas decorations are put up :(

Matt's Birthday

Matt's 36th birthday was Tuesday. I tried to think of something interesting to do, but couldn't really think of much. The only thing was that I maybe had to be out of town for work on his birthday. That fell thru, but I never told him so that I could create a surprise.

The morning of his birthday after he left for work I hid clues around the house to send him on a scavengar hunt for his present. At the end I would be there with his present and them we'd go out for the night. He was depressed all day thinking he would be by himself.

When he got home from work {unbeknown to me} the carbon monoxide alarm was going off, he missed the first and second clues, he thought Sophie was missing, he was on the phone with his dad and just other non-sense. All the while I was waiting outside by the mailbox waiting for him... in 22 degree weather... COLD! It took what seemed like forever. I finally called him after a while and was like, "have you found the clues?" and he was like, "yeah, I found a few, but I have other stuff to do so I'll finish it later". UGH! I strongly urged him to finish to which he replied "it's my birthday, don't yell at me!". I'M FREEZING!!!

Long, Long, Long story short, Matt kind of ruined his birthday surprise and all my planning for undone. I told him I'm never planning a surprise for him again! We managed to salvage the evening and went out for a nice dinner. He enjoyed all his nice cards, phone calls and presents. The furry girls were excited it was his birthday too.

{yes, I make Matt do pictures!!}

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

We had a wonderful weekend here in Nashville. The weather was a chilly 23 degrees {yeah, that's been the high}. Matt & I aren't complaining though, we LOVE it!!

Luckily we had 2 days of rain coupled with low temperatures = SNOW!! Matt is especially enjoying it since he hasn't had snow for his birthday since 1999. It's kind of reminiscent for him. I just love that it's finally cold enough to get me to put on a jacket. I love cold weather :)

Anyways, here's some pics of us enjoying the our little pre-Chrismas blessing...




Merry & Bright

Matt & I love this time of year. It's filled with so many things we love: my birthday, Thanksgiving, Matt's birthday and then Christmas {and sometimes if we're lucky... snow}. I must admit though, I think it makes holiday merriment a lot more enjoyable since Matt is just as excited about it as I am!

Each year our decorating gets a little larger. This is our second Christmas on Chapelwood Drive and we just love this house for decorating. Our tree gets prime placement in the middle of the house. It requires us moving out a bench and a large wall clock, but it's so worth it. Our neighbors tell us how much they like see our tree through our windows.

Another reason we like this house so much is the shelving that makes decorating so much fun. Since we don't have a lot of extra money to spend on decorations, a lot of our stuff has come from sample sales. It's definitely about making the most with what you got!

{our card holder tree is starting to fill up. i love christmas cards!}

{this used to be our door wreath, but it's too large to fit between our wood door and the glass storm door. We HAD to find a new place for it. I love it too much}

{the little nook in the front of our house}