It really pays to "Like" pages on facebook, you get to learn more about the company but you also get to find out about giveaways! I've been pretty lucky lately and won many gorgeous pieces. I won a collection of things from HorseFeathers Gifts, lovely ladies! They went to a barn festival and picked up some pieces for one of their facebook and blog fans to win when you entered. Well not only did they send this winner a few pieces from the barn sale, but they also sent me two pieces from their jewelry collection! I was almost in tears when I saw the "T" pendant charm, being that my last name starts with T...I was in love!! I found the mother and daughter team from someone else who mentioned them and now I am friends with them on facebook! Chelsea is just the sweetest! Recently they shared the wonderful life of little Lane, who was battling cancer, but who has sadly lost that battle recently. But there is still plenty of love and support needed for Lane's family and HorseFeathers Gifts is sharing that love with a yellow bracelet that you can buy to help spread the word about Lane and hope for childhood cancer.

 

These are the gorgeous items I won!

 

 

So you see, when you enter a giveaway, don't just "Like" the page on facebook or tweet about it. Get to know the face behind the giveaway and those involved. You just never know what kind of friendship you're going to create.

 

So right now my lovely friend Steph over at The Vintage Modern Wife is celebrating a giveaway and it's a big one with other $200.00 worth of prizes! Steph also makes gorgeous photo coasters.... her etsy shop is Vintage Modern Moments and I couldn't be happier with the way our coasters turned out...

 

 

My lovely family <3

 

So remember when you enter a giveaway, give back by spreading the word, give back by also buying something from their shop, and give back by making a friend!

 

 

 

Fitness Update...

I am overwhelmed by the amount of support and beautiful comments from my wonderful blogger friends on my previous post about my journey to a healthy me. Thank you all so much, I love you gals! It's been about three weeks now that I have been using the Diet Diary app and have been keeping up with it every day. The calorie count on each food item may not be exact, but it helps me see what I'm eating as well as how much I'm exercising. I am happy to say that I have finally reached the three week mark of sticking with my workout routine! Usually I would go for two weeks, stop for a week, and so on. But with the help of my workout buddies group on facebook, my food journal, and all of the love and support from family and friends I am sticking with it.

My friends have been telling me about Jillian Michaels workout videos and I have decided to give one of them a try. At first I was a little worried that she would be a little intimidating and scary, like how she is on The Biggest Loser. But she's inspiring, motivating, and makes the workout fun...yes fun! I can't believe I tried her kickboxing video first before trying something that may have been a bit easier. I may not get all of the moves exactly right or do them as fast as she does, but that takes time. When I started out three weeks ago I was about 208-210 and now I'm 204! Besides exercising every day I have also cut out the late night snacking, which I think the food journal is a big help with. I have also started to eat more fruits and veggies and even watch what I eat when I go to parties and such.

Oh and I can't believe I fit into a pair of skinny jeans!! I can't thank you all enough for all of your love and support!!

Love this:

This one too...

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My Journey to a Fit and Healthy Me...

I'm starting a food and exercise journal to help me stay on track with well...food and exercise! I enjoy exercising; riding my bike, going for a walk, working out on the treadmill, but I usually get bored with it and stop for a week or so. The problem with stopping is that I usually like to snack and snack late at night...so when I stop exercising the pounds add up and I become really unhappy with myself! It's become a routine where I exercise for two weeks, stop for a week or so, gain a few pounds, and then realize I need to lose those pounds I gained, and then I get bored again. But it's not just about losing their few extra pounds that I just put on. I want to eat healthier every day and continue to eat healthy, I also want to tone my arms and legs, and be a dress/pant size that isn't considered plus in some stores.

Don't get me wrong, I love who I am and I am very proud of how far I've come with my body image and weight loss struggle. In college and a few years after I graduated I weighed almost 250 lbs...yup I said it, I put that number out there. And now I weigh 205...sometimes I look back at my photos and I can't believe how heavy I was and how fat my face looked! I believe I started struggling with my weight in middle school (6-8th grade) and continued to get heavier from there until about 10th -11th grade when I began to lose weight, but put it back on in college. The year before our wedding I was determined to not be "fat" in our wedding photos and in my wedding gown. In 2009 I was at my smallest dress size, which was still a 14, but was really happy to see that number. I would really love to get around size 12, right now I'm a size 16.

Today is Day 4 that I've been keeping track with my own food journal and with an android app on my phone called My Diet Diary. Wow, what a difference it makes when you look at the calories you have eaten and what you have left to eat for the day. It also opens your eyes to see how many calories just one cookie or even a salad has in it. Oh and that glass of wine that you used to have two of, well now that you learned that it has 256 calories for just 3.5 oz, you'll only be having one tonight!

The food journal app makes it fun to eat healthy and now that I can see what I'm doing and how I can reach my goal, it makes me feel good. You don't need to go crazy and just eat fruits and veggies every day; but eat one cookie instead of four, stop drinking soda and even diet soda, use less sugar, exercise even if it's just going for a leisurely walk, write down in a journal what you are doing, and even start a workout group with your friends. I've recently started a workout buddies group on facebook and it feels good knowing that I can share my story with other women who are struggling with weight loss and fitness just like I am. These are women who are positive, supportive, and encouraging. And even though we can't walk together in person, we are there for each other.

Photos of My Progress...

                                             

Here I am on vacation in 2006...don't you like my hair do...I mean don't!

Later that year (2006) getting ready at my best friend's wedding. (I look like I could be a linebacker for The Steelers...not a fan!)

At my smallest, which was still a dress size 14, in 2009 trying on my wedding dress.

Here I am a few months ago (2012) on vacation this summer back to a size 16...

What I've always struggled with are my arms and my thighs, but looking back at these photos I am very pleased with how much thinner my face looks. In 2006 you couldn't even see my jaw line! I am also glad I don't wear my hair and tweeze my eye brows like I used to in 2006!!!

How have you changed through out the years, have you struggled with your weight and your body image?