Met a REALLY CUTE guy on the beach today!!!

My 4 year old took this picture...sorry no make up.



Time to work out like a GIRL!  No excuses baby.




The pier way, way, way off in the distance is my walking goal, then back again.



Part of my journey was by the sea and part on the boulevard.  I saw interesting people and things along the way:



...definitely under the category of interesting people.  Isn't people watching fun!



GGGGOOOOAAAALLLLL!



Anyone wondering about the cute guy?  Well, let me tell you, he was as sweet as he could be and charming too!  He approached me on the beach on my return from the pier, wearing a red & black rock-n-roll bathing suit, carrying a surf board.  OMG!!! I just LOVE a rock star!  He was excited about swimming and getting wet in the ocean.  Asked me if I wanted to come too.  I declined, saying "I hope he had fun, but I must be on my way."  He watched me walk away....     Did I mention he was 3?

Accidentally had the camera set on vivid, but you get the idea.  Time my family saw me they started freaking out saying, "YOU ARE SO RED!  ARE YOU O.K.?  I felt hot, but awesome & empowered.  Then I rounded off my workout with push ups, lunges, squats, ab work, and stretching.  A certain 4 year old followed my every move!

What a great workout and sight seeing adventure!  I won't forget the friends I met along the way. 

I heard this song on the beach today and haven't been able to get it off my mind, lyrics or music. 


"I knew I wouldn't forget you, and so I went and let you blow my mind.

Hey soul sister, I don't wanna miss a single thing you do tonight.
You give my life direction, a game show love connection we can't deny -i-i-i.

I'm always gonna wanna blow your mind.

Your so gangsta, I'm so thug, you're the only one I'm dreaming of.  You see, I can be myself now finally, in fact there's nothing I can't be.  I want the world to see you be with me."

One particular verse really spoke to me today: 

"You see, I can be myself now finally, in fact there's nothing I can't be."

What an amazing thought!  THERE'S NOTHING I CAN'T BE!  I really believe to be successful at this weight loss thing, I HAVE to BELIEVE with all of my heart there's nothing I can't be!  If I want to be a size 4/6, I can be a size 4/6.  I just have to believe it and follow through with my plans to get there, no matter how long it takes.  I was a size 2 in college, so I know a 4/6 is attainable.

We can all do this together.  Let's support each other along the way & we'll get there.  If anyone needs help with anything or just wants to chat privately please feel free to email at 4tylerbelle.gmail.com or facebook message me anytime.  I would love to help.

I hope everyone has a fabulous (rock star ;) weekend.

Take care.

My Day in Pictures

Mom bought me.  Don't like it as well as the plain I fix myself, but it was good especially with a spoonful of peanut butter.

Then we hit the beach and one of the pools!

I think I'm gonna have to order one of these, poolside. ;)

Picnic lunch

my plate

Alouette on chips...was a little too good.

Me & my babies

Dinner:  roast beef, mushrooms, turnip greens, garden salad. 

For dinner we walked to a nearby cafeteria.  I was proud of myself for sticking with protein and green veggies, especially after passing by the biscuits, rolls, cornbread & desserts.  I haven't eaten any late night snacks either.   Yea!

In the morning before breakfast I'm going to the gym on site.  I have to wait an hour to eat after I take my morning meds, so I thought it would be the perfect time to get out and de-stress.

I've had a good time here, but Mom's irritated me too.  I guess that's true with most Moms.

That being said, I just had a  nice long talk with Mom.  She means well and pointed out some great suggestions for decisions I need to make in the not too distant future. 

I'll leave you with a quote that has brought me peace in the recent weeks:  Psalm 94:19  "When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul."

Thanks for the support.  Have a great Friday!

Take care,

Beach Bums

Good Morning!

Breakfast:  the usual...oats, peanut butter, raw apples, Sun Crystals, Super Seed



"look Mom, this is how I'm wearing my hair to the beach!"

 For lunch I had a chocolate chip cookie, well it was really snack.  Dinner was a char grilled Chick-fil-a sandwich with sauce.  It was so late we just hit the drive-thru and headed south.

Saw this in the backseat when we stopped for a pit stop, a.k.a. Snicker's break. ;)

I was SO SLEEPY on the drive down & this hit the spot!  I have ZERO guilt about it.  I do have treats & it's part of the plan! 

Packed these babies for the beach.  A girl's gotta feel pretty, right?  I wish I had packed my new shoes, would've looked cute with jeans for evening attire. 

Street scene from Myrtle Beach condo

The condo is small, but cute.  Just what Mom needs.  The people here seem nice too.  One of the security guys saw me parking my car across the street and came over with the golf cart to give me a ride back to the condo.  Now don't get me wrong it is Myrtle Beach & I heard a "cat call"  in the 5 minutes I was outside.  It's a wild & crazy place!

I'll sign off with a little funny.  The other day I heard Ashleigh singing, "Shout to the heart & you're to blame.  You give love a band-aid, band-aid."  So for your listening pleasure I've included that little ditty.
 

Gotta run! It's super late.  Have a great Thursday everyone.

Take care,

Sexy Mall Haul Y'all, Disclaimer: If you find Victoria's Secret Offensive Don't Read This Post.

This shirt feels REALLY NICE.  Physical touch is my love language, so I just love silky feeling material.

This skirt is that it has just enough spandex to stretch and move with you and it's not TOO short! (Sorry these pics are so small, became blurry when enlarged.)

matching jewelry purchased at Express.

Believe it our not, these shoes are SO COMFY and cute!  Purchased at Rack Room Shoes.  I don't feel like I'm gonna fall flat on my face either.  ;)

From the Gorgeous Collection, this matching pair has a nice shimmer to it.  Panties are really silky.  I don't like lacy bras and panties.  Gives me visions of Grandma's bras.  Give me shimmery, silky!  Just for trying on the bra, VS will give you free Gorgeous perfume spray. 

Both bras are the demi cup.  I tried the push up version...talk about CLEAVAGE!!!!! No thanks.  I'm just fine with my regular cleavage.

Bra can be worn 5 ways!  Notice cute little keyhole in the back.  I like that the ruching makes my butt look better than it would otherwise. ;)

Purchased the black/animal print trim matching set as well.  Can you say, impulse buy.  Now I don't know which to wear first?  Decisions.  Decisions.

Close up of the back.

I had a nice afternoon at the mall with my girls.  O.K., so the bribe, ahem reward worked fairly well.  It was a rather lengthy shopping trip (4 hours), so 2 rewards seemed appropriate, a cookie, and a purchase from Claire's .  Purchases from Claire's were glitter body spray and a Hello Kitty sequin mask.  Did I mention I bought them Icees too!  (hiding my face in shame ;)

I tried several less expensive stores than Express, but I just don't have a cheap clothes kind of body.  Really.  Ashleigh said we went to seven clothing stores, but I really don't think it was that many.  Julia was super excited to go to Express & kept looking for a train.  At Victoria's Secret Ashleigh tried on panties as well, extra small.  I wouldn't have been surprised if they had fit her. 

Now I can get all dressed up, but I need somewhere to go. LOL.

Tonight I'm celebrating my 20 pound weight loss.  A month ago I don't think I would have even been able to wear anything from Express.  I didn't see a size larger than 12 while I was there!  Now even my panties are too big.  I need to go back to VS to just buy panties.  Maybe I'll go back during the Angel Club sale in October.

Do you ever feel like your life is about to change and all you can do is hold on tight & enjoy the ride?  Well, I'm enjoying the ride.

Have a joyful and healthy Wednesday.

Bye gorgeous,

Experiment results!

9/26/11

I'm loving my results, a 2 pound loss!  Usually on vacation I gain at least 3 - 4 pounds.  I really tried to maintain my healthy lifestyle on vacation, just added in treats.  I think the treats totally helped me stick with healthy eating  and exercise the rest of the time.  Do you find that the occasional treats help you maintain a healthy plan?

Added to oatmeal.  Do you love chocolate in your oatmeal?

Breakfast:  chocolate peanut butter oatmeal

We had fun at Topsail Beach, but I'm oh so glad to be home.  Can't wait to get back to the gym today, workin' legs.

Weight lifting makes me feel strong and empowered.  Do you love it?

I saw this quote today on Alexandra's blog. I love it.

"LIFE begins when YOU step out of your comfort zone."  -Stacy London of What Not to Wear (TLC)

Thanks for all of the encouraging comments on last night's post.  It really does mean so much to me along this crazy journey.  Y'all are the best!

Hope everyone has a healthy, happy Monday.

Take care,

Weight Loss Experiment!

I want to make this a quick post because it's 2 a.m.  I just get so excited about this stuff, I don't want to go to bed.  However, in doing so I'm not following through on my action plan that states my bedtime is midnight. Need to really work on that this week. 

As most of you know we've been on vacation all week.  I've been away from my normal routine, gym, food...everything that's been working for me.  I've allowed certain treats, while still keeping with my current food and exercise philosophy.  I've eaten some junk food, pizza, ice cream, french fries, fried seafood (twice), and a cheeseburger.  I've exercised 4 days, aerobic activity and strength training.  All without a gym or weights.  I really hope I've lost a little, yes even on vacation!  Yes, even with the treats.  There were certain exceptions I was not going to make and I held fast to those.  For example, the morning after I consumed pizza the night before, I made sure the next several meals were ultra healthy, right on plan. 

Hoping for at least a one pound weight loss.  See you in the a.m.!

Take care,

Sassy Sites Saturday

While vacation is drawing to a close, we are homeward bound tomorrow.  Yay!  I'm so excited to get back home, unpack, and back to our normal routine for a few days.  We've gotten so far off schedule it's not even funny.   We're not eating dinner until 7:30 or even 8:00 and the kids aren't going to bed till at least 10pm, tonight it was 11:30!  While I love my little net book, I'm so looking forward to getting back to my desk top!  My 8 year old won't even use it...she refers to it as a slow turtle. 

 

Yes I've had this almost everyday for breakfast and today was no exception.  It's super yummy!

 I didn't really eat lunch, well sorta.  My breakfast wasn't until almost noon, so that was my lunch.  I should have planned a substantial snack mid afternoon, so I wouldn't get famished, but I didn't.  I learned my lesson, because at 6pm when dinner was not close to being finished, I devoured about a half of a bag of Boy Scout cheese popcorn.  It's the junk food that gets me everytime and always when I'm too hungry!

Dinner was our traditional fish dinner, caught by my hubby!  I thought fried fish would cause enough damage to my waistline, so I paired it with a garden salad.

I'm starting something new, Sassy Sites Saturday.  Sometimes I just want to share cool websites I encounter during the week, but really never fit them into my daily blog.  I just thought of doing this today, but I did find 2 sites/posts I really like that seemed Sassy worthy!

This Weeks Sassy Sites 

http://www.iconarchive.com/  This site is quickly becoming one of my faves!  No registration required.  No large files to download.  Just right click on the icon you would like to use and save it to your computer.  My little "thumbs up" at the top of this post came from this site. 

http://www.aturtleslifeforme.com/2011/09/facelift-for-my-fridge.html  This is such a cute idea.  I love the "after" refrigerator.  It looks so organized, crisp, and clean.  In our household clutter accumulates quickly even on the frig.  When a family of 4 live in a 1300 square foot house, we run out of room to place things fairly quickly and our refrigerator seems to be the recipiant of lots of clutter.  My life is a constant decluttering battle, but that's a story for another day. 

What was your fave website find this week?  I'd love to hear.

I hope your enjoying your weekend.  Remember to make it a healthy, joyful one.

Take care,