Lokai - Love

Good Morning Cheeseburger Lovers,

My philosophy in life has always been to come from a place of love for every aspect of your life. A pretty simple yet complex and often difficult to apply philosophy.  In saying all this my husband and I just bought these bracelets that I feel really embrace this philosophy but in a different sense. They are called Lokai bracelets. Their motto is "sometimes your on top, stay humble. sometimes you've hit a low, stay hopeful." It's a rubber bracelet that has mud from the Black Sea (the lowest point of the earth) and water from Mount Everest (the highest point of the earth) To represent your highs and lows. Beautiful am I right... How could you not purchase one. 

(If you click on the quote it will bring you the website!) 

Tomorrow is Weigh in Wednesday! Lot's of pictures! See you soon. 

Literally Dancing my Buns off, 

Weight Loss: 
Weeks Loss: -1 lbs (Last weigh in Wednesday August 5)
Total Loss: -27 lbs (Since May 28) 
Goal: -50 lbs (By March 5, 2016)
*Only -23 lbs to go*

Inches Loss:  
Bust: -6 inches
Waist: -5 inches
Hips: -7 inches 
Total Inches Loss: -18 inches
Goal: -27 inches (By March 5, 2016)
*Only -9 inches to go*

The Leopard Dress Part 2

Hello Cheeseburger Friends,

I hate to disappoint you but there won't be any update pictures until Wednesday! Although, I did cheat and weigh myself this morning! (but i'm not sharing until Wednesday, keep you in suspense until then!) -I will say, it's a good one!!

I will share a comparison picture of "the leopard dress" pictures. This used to be my favorite dress, it hasn't fit in over a year. The first picture is the first day it "fit" it was still very tight across the mid section and my hips just fit into it. And the second picture is me today, wearing the dress with tons of room in the mid-section, and when you see me from the side you can't see my body (it's a bag dress!) The other part you'll notice is my arms (how tight the sleeves are in the fist picture, and how loose they are in the second picture) The happiest little human right now! 

Literally Dancing my Buns off, 

Weight Loss: 
Weeks Loss: -1 lbs (Last weigh in Wednesday August 5)
Total Loss: -27 lbs (Since May 28) 
Goal: -50 lbs (By March 5, 2016)
*Only -23 lbs to go*

Inches Loss:  
Bust: -6 inches
Waist: -5 inches
Hips: -6.5 inches 
Total Inches Loss: -17.5 inches
Goal: -27 inches (By March 5, 2016)
*Only -9.5 inches to go*

Why Hello Again.

Why Hello Cheeseburger Lovers, How I've missed you. 

So Vacation was amazing! My sweet step mother was on board with this "crazy health food" as my father would call it! Penelope & I had such an amazing trip, and my sweet husband painted the whole exterior of our house! (from blue to grey) It looks so great now! Thank you babe. 

I can't believe it... I'm so happy to tell you I lost: 1 lbs while I was on vacation!  For a total loss of 27 lbs! Almost to the 30lbs mark people!!! I lost 1 inch off my bust, 1/2 an inch off my waist and 1/2 an inch off my hips! (For a grand total of 2 inches lost this week.) 

I tried to resist all the urges to eat horrible things (I let myself eat more carbs than I normally do, and I did eat some chips, because we were on Vacation!) But I think I did really well. 

Here's the Menu from the week: 

Wednesday: 

Breakfast: Strawberries & Apple

Lunch: Snack Wrap at Mcdonalds

Supper: BBQ Chicken Breast & Toss Salad

Thursday: 

Breakfast: Pineapple, 1/2 Banana,  Mary's Organic Crackers & Peanut Butter, Coconut Water

Lunch: Costco Super Foods Salad with Chicken 

Supper: Steak, Sweet Potatoes, Quinoa Salad & Corn on the Cob

Snack: 1 bowl of plain lays chips

Friday: 

Breakfast: 1/2 Pear, Banana, Peanut Butter & Coconut Water

Lunch: Toss Salad with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette & Chicken

Snack: Quinoa Salad

Supper: Toss Salad with Balsamic Dressing & Chicken

Saturday: 

Breakfast: 3 pieces of Cantaloupe 

Lunch: Oriental Yum Yum Salad

Supper: BBQ Chicken, with Tzatziki, Oriental Yum Yum Salad, Sweet Potato

Snack: Stawberries 

Sunday: 

Breakfast: Chicken Breast with Tzatziki

Lunch: Full Size Grilled Chicken Wrap from Macdonalds

Supper: 2 Hotdogs (No bun) Oriental Yum Yum Salad

Monday: 

Breakfast: Quinoa Salad

Lunch: Wendy's BBQ Chicken Salad (half size) 

Supper: Hamburger (no bun, no toppings) with a Tomato Slice, Toss Salad & a Sausage 

Tuesday: 

Breakfast: Matcha Tea Slushie

Lunch: Small Chicken Burrito 

Supper: Grilled Chicken, BBQ Sauce, Asparagus & Tzatziki

My goal this week is to eat extra clean and lose 2-2.5 lbs! I want to be at that 30lbs mark so bad. It's so close but so far away! 

Literally Dancing my Buns off, 

Weight Loss: 
Weeks Loss: -1 lbs (Last weigh in Wednesday August 5)
Total Loss: -27 lbs (Since May 28) 
Goal: -50 lbs (By March 5, 2016)
*Only -23 lbs to go*

Inches Loss:  
Bust: -6 inches
Waist: -5 inches
Hips: -6.5 inches 
Total Inches Loss: -17.5 inches
Goal: -27 inches (By March 5, 2016)
*Only -9.5 inches to go*

Today is Monday

Happy Monday Cheeseburger Lovers,

I got my hair done over the week end, for my 20 lbs incentive! It's not exactly what I wanted, but everyone seems to love it. I had someone comment "I looked more Irish" (what does that even mean?) 

I'm so happy to announce, I've lost yet another 2 lbs.  2.2 lbs to be exact! For the win people! I'm really starting to feel and see the change. My face has features (not just round) and my legs have a shape again. And don't even get me going on how I now have ankles!  

The newest challenge will be my vacation, I'm going to New Brunswick for 5 days this coming week. The goal isn't to loss weight, but to just not to gain any! (this will  be the biggest challenge to date!)  

Photos of Week 1 of this Journey and This week (Week 9): (Look at my shirt in the second picture, where it now hangs; it could be a dress)

Literally Dancing my Buns off, 

Weight Loss: 
Weeks Loss: -2 lbs (Last weigh in Monday July 27)
Total Loss: -26 lbs (Since May 28) 
Goal: -50 lbs (By March 5, 2016)
*Only -24 lbs to go*

Inches Loss:  (Didn't lose any inches this week) 
Bust: -5 inches
Waist: -4.5 inches
Hips: -6 inches 
Total Inches Loss: -14.5 inches
Goal: -27 inches (By March 5, 2016)
*Only -12.5 inches to go*

So Gosh Darn Delicious

Hello Dancing 4 Cheeseburger Friends,

My work outs this week looked like this:

Monday: Weights (Arms, Back, Chest) @Lunch  & Teaching Dance @Evening
Tuesday: Cardio (Stair climber, Elliptical, Treadmill)  @Lunch & Teaching Dance @Evening
Wednesday: Teaching Dance @Evening
Thursday: Spin @Lunch & Teaching Dance @Evening
Friday: Circuit Class @Lunch
Saturday: OFF
Sunday: OFF

*I teach dance for 2.25 hours each night, but I only count an 1 hour of it as me actually moving and working out! I have a big weight loss goal this week as I would really love to be half way to my goal! Eating extra clean this week, and with the added cardio in the evenings i'm hoping this will do it! 

Newest Food Obsession: Try it, it's so gosh darn delicious. 

Literally Dancing My Buns off 4 Cheeseburgers,

Weight Loss: 
Weeks Loss: -2.2 lbs (Last weigh in Monday July 13)
Total Loss: -21.5 lbs (Since May 28) 
Goal: -50 lbs (By March 5, 2016)
*Only -28.5lbs to go*

Inches Loss: 
Bust: -4 inches
Waist: -3 inches
Hips: -6 inches 
Total Inches Loss: -13 inches
Goal: -27 inches (By March 5, 2016)
*Only -14 inches to go*

Matcha Matcha Vanilla

Hello Cheeseburger Lovers,

Work out Schedule this week; 
Monday: @ Lunch: Bum/Legs Weights @Evening: Zumba (at home)
Tuesday: @Lunch: Kettle Bell @Evening: 3km Run & Abs
Wednesday: OFF
Thursday: @Lunch: Spin Class @Evening: Stretching
Friday: @Lunch: Circuit Class
Saturday: OFF
Sunday: P90X with my sweet Husband

I've found a new drink at Starbucks that i'm completely in love with. It's a "custom" drink, if you ask for 1 scoop of Matcha & 2 pumps of unsweetened Vanilla, Blended. (I don't know why, but it's so much better blended. - I've tried it both ways.) (it's a 60 calorie drink but you get a great kick in the pants!)  Happy Sipping everyone! 

What's Matcha you say?

Matcha literally means “powdered tea.” When you order traditional green tea, components from the leaves get infused into the hot water, then the leaves are discarded. With matcha, you’re drinking the actual leaves, which have been finely powdered and made into a solution. Matcha offers a ton of health benefits because matcha is made from high-quality tea, and the whole leaves are ingested, it’s a more potent source of nutrients than steeped green tea. In addition to providing small amounts of vitamins and minerals, matcha is rich in antioxidants called polyphenols, which have been tied to protection against heart disease and cancer, as well as better blood sugar regulation, blood pressure reduction, and anti-aging. Because you’re consuming whole leaves in matcha, you may get three times as much caffeine than a cup of steeped tea, about the amount in a cup of brewed coffee. Matcha aficionados say that compared to the caffeine buzz from coffee, matcha creates an “alert calm” due to a natural substance it contains called l-theanine, which induces relaxation without drowsiness. 

Matcha information collected from: http://time.com/3766975/matcha-green-tea/  

Dancing My Buns off 4 Cheeseburgers,

Weight Loss: 
Weeks Loss: -1.3 lbs (Last weigh in Monday July 6)
Total Loss: -18 lbs (Since May 28) 
Goal: -50 lbs (By March 5, 2016)
*Only -32lbs to go*

Inches Loss: 
Bust: -3 inches
Waist: -3 inches
Hips: -5 inches 
Total Inches Loss: -11 inches
Goal: -27 inches (By March 5, 2016)
*Only -16 inches to go*

Inches Count

Hello Cheeseburger Lovers,

I'm So pumped for my next incentive! Only 2 more pounds till I can get my hair done! (thank goodness, you are starting to see my grey's!) Any Suggestions on where I should go? I just want it dyed. (A light brown. As I'm growing my hair.) 

Incentive List: 
5lbs: New Sneakers
0lbs: Fun Work out top
15lbs:  LuLu Lemon Pants
20lbs: Hair done
25lbs: Jeans 
30lbs: Dress (for Ruth's Wedding-October 3rd) (Secret Goal 15 more pounds by October)
35lbs: All new Bras/Underwear
40lbs: Bathing Suit
45lbs: Trip to Mexico
50lbs: Tattoo
60lbs: New Wardrobe  

I changed up my incentives a little. I'm planning on getting a larger tattoo then originally anticipated, so I thought I should make it a harder target. (Closer to my target weight, I'll post pictures) I also, took out Food Processor  (Let's be real, I can buy that without an incentive.) I added a Dress for one of my good friends weddings! (Something gorgeous, that makes you feel good!) Loving both of these. (Obviously, not in white though) 

I also thought i'd chat today about my measurement goals along with my weight goals. I have lost a total of 11 inches! Mostly off my hips (5 inches)

My Inches before I started this Journey 45-39-49

My Inches currently: 42-36-44

My goal is to get them to, 38-28-40 (which I don't feel is too unreasonable, the waist is going to be the hardest) Hips seem to be the easiest so far! 

Total Inches at the end of this Journey will hopefully be: 7 off my Bust, 11 off my Waist & 9 off my Hips! With a GRAND TOTAL LOSS OF: 27 INCHES!

Dancing My Buns off 4 Cheeseburgers,

Weight Loss: 
Weeks Loss: -1.3 lbs (Last weigh in Monday July 6)
Total Loss: -18 lbs (Since May 28) 
Goal: -50 lbs (By March 5, 2016)
*Only -32lbs to go*

Inches Loss: 
Bust: -3 inches
Waist: -3 inches
Hips: -5 inches 
Total Inches Loss: -11 inches
Goal: -27 inches (By March 5, 2016)
*Only -16 inches to go*

My 10lbs Goodies & My Sweet Husband

Hello Fellow Cheeseburger Lovers,

I have forgotten to post pictures of my 10lbs incentive presents! So here they are! My sweet and lovely husband thought just a work out top was not a big enough incentive so he bought me my first pair of work out leggings too!

I must say I was a little self conscious prancing around in these in the gym, but they are so gorgeous I couldn't help myself! And I obviously love that the outfit matches my new Sneakers! My 15lbs incentive was new work out pants, so I think i'll count these as those as well!

Thank you Beth, for working out with me the last two days! My Buns and Arms have never wanted to hurt you more!(haha, just kidding - even though they do feel like they are going to fall off.)

I wanted to tell you guys, I went for my first run last night (3km) and I ran the entire time! I couldn't breath afterwards but I did it! I have a new recipe for you all to try! It's ridiculously tasty! It takes 10 minutes to make and it makes so much that you could eat it all week! 

Quinoa & Bean Salad

2 cups of quinoa

1 orange pepper

1/3 red onion

1 can of black beans

1 can of corn

Juice from 1 large lime

2 tbs of Olive Oil

Chili Powder to taste

Garlic Powder to taste

Dancing 4 Cheeseburgers,

Weight Loss: 

Weeks Loss: -3.2 lbs (Last weigh in Monday June 29)

Total Loss: -16.7 lbs (Since May 28) 

Goal: -50 lbs (By March 5, 2016)

*Only -33.3 lbs to go*

Inches Loss: 

Bust: -3 inches

Waist: -2 inches

Hips: -4 inches 

Total Inches Loss: -9 inches

Friday Night = Cheat Night

Hello Cheeseburger Lovers,

Friday = Cheat night! I think i'm finally going to have that cheeseburger I've been not having!! The craving is finally catching up to me. It's been a tricky week, (the most difficult week thus far) but I made it through and I am coming out the other side. My goal is to lose another 1.5lbs this week. i'm not sure if I've done it ... but I worked my buns off, so hopefully my toasty buns will pay off! (I have all these mini goals; I call them secret goals. The secret goal right now was to lose 15lbs by the end of June! Cross your fingers I've done it. 

It's funny, I pulled a little muscle in my lower abdominal but when I was sweaty and warm from spin class it felt a lot better! Now that I'm cooling down, it's tight again. (I think i'll still work out tomorrow but just a light "easy" work out - Better than nothing) 

I'll post updated comparison pictures and my weight loss on Monday. Short and Sweet today. Love to you all! 

Dancing my buns off 4 Cheeseburgers, 

Weight Loss: 
Weeks Loss: -1.5lbs (Last weigh in Monday June 22)
Total Loss: -13.5lbs (Since May 28) 
Goal: -50lbs (By March 5, 2016)
*Only -36.5lbs to go*

Inches Loss: 
Bust: -3 inches
Waist: -2 inches
Hips: -3 inches 
Total Inches Loss: -8 inches

Work outs & Meals

Hello Cheeseburger Lovers,

I'm sad to say I pulled a small muscle in my lower abdominal so I have to be very careful for the next few days. In saying that my Kettle Bell Work out with Carrigan yesterday was amazing. (Jared, I kicked your butt.) Didn't know I'd like Kettle Bell I did the whole work out in 45 mins. 11 exercises 10 reps and 4 sets of each!! I even used the 15lbs kettle bell. PUMPED - Getting Jacked! 

My Work outs this week looked like this:

Monday: Hike (An hour and a half)  

Tuesday: OFF

Wednesday: Kettle Bell/Dance Class

Thursday: Spin

Friday: More Core Circut

Saturday: Run (4km)

Sunday: OFF 

I'm dying no zumba this week! My lovely Monday night classes are over! If you know of an amazing drop in zumba classes in Dartmouth, I would love to add it to my rotation. 

My Meals this week looked like this: 

Monday: 

Breakfast: tea, apple 

Snack: Plum 

Lunch: Chicken wrap from Subway (no cheese)

Supper: Salmon, Cauliflower, Coleslaw 

Tuesday: 

Breakfast: Sausage, Bacon, Omelette with Vegetables & Hot Sauce (no cheese)  

Snack: Blueberrys

Lunch: Spinach Salad with Craisins, Almonds, Chicken, honey mustard vinaigrette

Supper: Yellow Curry and Beef Stirfry

Bok Choy Salad by Eat Smart

Wednesday: 

Breakfast: Bowl of raw baby carrots, tea

Snack: Cherries

Lunch: Yellow Curry and Beef Stirfry

Supper: Salad with Avacado, Salsa, Guacamole and Balsamic Dressing

Thursday: 

Breakfast: Tea on Ice

Snack: Apple

Lunch: Bok Choy Salad with Peanuts and Ginger Asian Dressing

Supper: Burrito

Friday: 

Breakfast: YouthBerry Tea

Snack: Strawberrys 

Lunch: Summer Salad with dried pineapple, Almonds and Ginger Asian Dressing

Supper: CHEAT MEAL (Haven't decided yet) 

Dancing my buns off 4 Cheeseburgers, 

Weight Loss: 
Weeks Loss: -1.5lbs (Last weigh in Monday June 22)
Total Loss: -13.5lbs (Since May 28) 
Goal: -50lbs (By March 5, 2016)
*Only -36.5lbs to go*

Inches Loss: 
Bust: -3 inches
Waist: -2 inches
Hips: -3 inches 
Total Inches Loss: -8inches

It's Monday... It's Monday!

Hello Cheeseburger Lovers,

I hope you had a wonderful week end! I'm proud to say, I took my daughter swimming this week end. YES, in a bathing suit! (I was still a nervous wreck - But I did it!) She was so excited, that mommy was taking her swimming (normally daddy does!) Now imagine, I would have missed out on her last swimming class of her first badge!! I was so happy!  I have a long journey ahead of me, but even loosing this little bit of weight helped me to do something I wouldn't have done before!

I'm happy to announce my loss for this week was -2.4lbs! For a grande total loss of, -12lbs in three weeks! Not too shabby! My inches are also doing well, I've loss another inch off my waist and an inch off my hips!

A big shout out to Mr. Reg Duffy, for running those extra laps at Friday's workout! You motivated me to get through it and I did!! Even though I couldn't move on Saturday haha! I'll see you this Friday - Not intimated, motivated! Friday was so insane! Not only did we run the track but we carried crazy heavy weights, squats, push ups and army crawled under benches! It was NUTS!! (the most sore I have been after a work out so far) My muscles were just shaking! (I kind of loved it!)

I made the most delicious Quinoa Salad on the week end, (I know your thinking that's an oxy moron having quinoa and delicious in the same sentence - three weeks ago I would have agreed with you!)

Here's the recipe:

1 cup dry quinoa
2 cups chicken broth
1 can black beans
1 can corn
1/2 orange bell pepper
a few chopped grape tomato
1/2 cup of red onion
1 cup fresh cilantro
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
juice of 1 large lime
pepper
garlic powder (to taste)
chili powder (to taste)


Dancing 4 Cheeseburgers, 

Weight Loss: 
Weeks Loss: -2.4lbs (Last weigh in Monday June 15)
Total Loss: -12lbs (Since May 28) 
Goal: -50lbs (By March 5, 2016)
*Only -38lbs to go*

Inches Loss: 
Bust: -2 inches
Waist: -2 inches
Hips: -3 inches 
Total Inches Loss: -7inches

Never thought Monday would be my HAPPY day!

Hello Dancing 4 Cheeseburger Readers (I know your all dying to know),

It's the day I've been waiting all week for! (Never thought I would say that about a Monday)

OMG, I was so freaking close! I was yelling at the scale hahaha. I know -3.6lbs is still a wonderful thing... to lose that in a week! I'm proud of what I've done so far. -9.6lbs total loss! I'm HAPPY! 

I made a bet with my friend Ryan (Who is a personal trainer at Slim Gyms) That I would loss 4lbs by Monday his guess was -3.4lbs He was closer, so I owe him a work out! We'll Chat BUDDY! 

I thought I would add measurements to my blog, as I'm finding those are changing more drastically than my weight! In the side picture I really notice my chin!!! 

Here they are:

May 19: 45.39.49
June 4: 43.39.48
June 8: 43.38.47

Dancing my buns off 4 Cheeseburgers,

Weeks Total Loss: -3.6lbs 
Total Loss: -9.6 lbs 
Goal: -50lbs (March 5, 2016)
*Only 40.4lbs to GO*
(Next weigh in Monday June 15)

Thank you's & New Sneakers

Dancing 4 Cheeseburgers,

My heart is exploding with gratefulness and happiness from all of the support you keep sending my way! Thank you for the encouragement, advice and love. It is more then helpful - it makes me want to do everything I possibly can to complete this Mission, Goal and LIFE! 

I wanted to shout out to a few friends for making this journey easier. 

Stefanie, sent me a message and had me in tears. Thank you for your generosity. 

Kate, you are an inspiration to me. I will be following your Journey as well! 

Tina, a zumba instructor I just met - you are what i'm aspiring to be and do! 

Carrigan, my work out buddy. I love that you kick my butt! 

Sarah & Candace for coming on Monday nights so I don't have to look foolish by myself! 

Emily, For inviting me to class & opening my world to Zumba

Short & Sweet, but THANK YOU. 

Dancing my Buns off  4 Cheeseburgers, 

Total Loss: -6lbs (last weigh in  Monday June 1)

Goal: -50lbs (by March 5, 2016) 

(Next weigh in Monday June 8) 

ps: Here are my new sneakers! (My five pound incentive present)