And....I'm back.

My weekend was SUPERFUN! Super exhausting, but mostly superfun!

The boyfriend and I left Atlanta on Thursday night. We got into New York around 2 o'clock in the afternoon Friday. Yes, people. We drove 18 hours straight. A car ride that was supposed to be only 14-15 hours turned into 18 after making numerous stops and getting lost a couple of times. We slept for a couple of hours when we got in and then headed into the city to visit Times Square.

(Oh yeah, did you hear about that car bomb in Times Square? We were there on that same exact street only 12 hours earlier. My boyfriend was totally freaking out all Sunday and Monday.)

On Saturday, we slept in because of our late night in the city. We then had the yummiest Portuguese chicken ever. We then had to say goodbye to New York and be on our way to Jersey for a concert. We got lost before finally getting to our destination. We were only able to see 4 bands: Angels and Airwaves, Something Corporate, Drake (<3), Paramore. Drake was superawesome but Paramore's set was totally disappointing. And they were the whole entire reason why we drove all that way.

After the concert, there was no way we were going to continue driving so we stopped at a hotel for the night. Got some sleep and headed home on Sunday afternoon. We finally got into Atlanta at 2 o'clock Monday morning.

It feels great to be back. There's nothing like getting a good night's sleep in your OWN bed.

Plus, we got to get home to this:

I didn't eat too much. But my choices weren't the greatest. The only exercise I got in was tons of walking in Times Square (we lost our car) and tons of walking at the concert.

I did get a peek at the scale yesterday morning though. And I was pleasantly surprised to see it was down. Yes!!! I just hope it stays down until my weigh-in on Friday. I'm back to trying to eat better and I'll be heading back to the gym tonight, so I think I should be good.

I hope so, at least.

Four walls won't hold me tonight

I had a great weekend.

But I'm really sleepy today.

My eating was all over the place. I didn't eat too much, but the some of the things I ate could have been better.

My workouts also could have been better. I took Friday off. Saturday and Sunday I only managed half of Ramp It Up each day. Whatever, at least I got something in.

This week I had a one-pound loss. Hooray! it's not much, but it's a loss. I know if I want to see more gone, I'm going to have to start REALLY cracking down on things.

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My cat is crazy. Me and the boyfriend bought him one of these:

The one we bought isn't as fancy as this one

He is TERRIFIED of it. I tried to lay him on it so he can familiarize himself with it but I got clawed and he ran like crazy. Then the boyfriend tried and he got clawed. He is seriously spooked by it. Is this normal? Or is my cat a wimp?

Monday, Monday it was all I hoped it would be

Happy Monday to everyone!

I have been in such a great mood lately. And I think I know why. It's because I got to wake up one more day to my awesome little family. And because I've got food to eat, a roof over my head and a job to go to. I am so, so grateful for all of my little blessings.

I took a rest day on Friday. That's allowed. I continued on Saturday and Sunday with HIIT on the elliptical machine for 30 minutes.

I'm pretty proud of myself. It has been a long time since I have had one week of consistent exercise. I think the longest I've ever gone was 2 or 3 weeks. I'm really trying to break that record. I'm 33.333333...% done.

I didn't get to weigh in this morning. I was running late and totally forgot to. I have been peeking at my weight this week and it doesn't look really hot. But my little pal is in town so that could be why I'm not happy with what I was seeing. I guess I'll just skip this week and weigh-in next Monday.

I want your love and I want your revenge

I have 2 nights of completing my workout of amazingness. Sunday and Monday. The workout of amazingness consists of 30 minutes on the elliptical and some work with weights. I seriously love it. LOVE IT! I sweat so much and I can just feel the fat flying off. And now that I got one of these babies, I know I am going to see results. And soon.

My eating went really well yesterday. I ate way less than I have been eating lately. This past weekend me and the boyfriend did some major damage. Hibachi dinner one night. And twice out to eat Mexican food (If you have never eaten at On The Border, you must try their Dos XX Fish Tacos). After all that food, I was ready to start a little bit healthier eating. And I did. I did allow myself a treat though: some Haagen Dazs ice-cream and 2 mini snicker bars. Like I always say, moderation is key.

Okay, enough about weight loss.

Remember when I said I needed to be more organized? This is what my bathroom vanity looked like before:

I really should be embarrassed about posting this. I mean, you can see how dirty my mirror is.

And now, thanks to my boyfriend, I have this to work with in the morning:

I feel so much better getting ready with a nice, clean, and organized vanity. Now let's see how long I can keep it like this.

Shopping Post

I simply adore Old Navy. They have great prices and their clothes fit. Being a fluffy girl, it's hard to find clothes that I feel comfortable in. And Old Navy clothes fit me nicely. Don't get me wrong, there are clothes at Old Navy that I look hideous in, but the majority of the time, they really work out well. So I headed over to Old Navy on my lunch to use up this gift card I got for X-mas. I scored 7 shirts for 27 bucks*!! I am so proud of myself. I only shopped the clearance section and I had a 20% off coupon that I got from here (check this site out weekly for some great coupons). Being fat and being a tightwad is not a great thing. Big girl clothes can be way overpriced (*cough* Lane Bryant *cough*). But I feel like I can get a great shopping fix from my dear friend, Old Navy.

*This may not sound like such a big deal to some, since I have heard of people getting even better deals, but I had just spent 20 bucks on 2 shirts from Kohl's, so understand my excitement over my 7 for 27 deal. (Yes, those Kohl's shirts are going back.)

The love of my life enjoying his X-mas gift:

Yes, that's him...sleeping. He has such a hard life. <3>

Traffic Court is a waste of time

Tuesday = workout of awesomeness

I didn't end up doing my errands last night, so I got my workout in, no problemo. 30 minutes on the elliptical and work with weights.

Tonight will be another story. I'm planning on getting the workout in, but I have LOTS of stores to hit later on and I know I'll be really tired to get moving. Good thing, my boyfriend has been really good with his workouts. He'll motivate me to get mine in.

My eating hasn't been really great. I know I'm really going to have to start working on that to get the maximum results of my new workout regime. I think I might wait until after Christmas to really start watching what I eat.

Do you like my makeshift paper clip ornament hook?
Don't worry, this is a work tree, not a house tree.

Tonight is the first night of the Christmas Novena. I was a stranger to the novena until I started living with my boyfriend. In Colombia, it's a huge thing. You're supposed to pray the novena for the eight nights leading up to December 25th and the 25th is the 9th and final night you pray. Usually you get together at a different house each night with family and friends. After the praying, there's eating and merriment all around. This year, we only have 2 nights planned, where we will actually be going to someone else's house. It should be lots of fun.

And totally off topic:
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<3

Laundry cat?

gimme cookies!!!

Monday - awesome workout

Yes, I did it again. I got another great workout in last night. 30 minutes on the elliptical and some weights/strength exercises. I was really feeling it last night. But it felt so good when I was done.

Tonight is going to be a challenge. I have to go get groceries after work. Grocery shopping is a hassle because I have to go to 4 different stores. Yes, that's 4!! I'm gong to one on my lunch, so I'll only have 3 more to hit later on. I'm not sure what time I'll be home and how tired I will be. I'm hope, hope, hoping that I will have enough energy to get another amazing workout in.

Workout Tip
Okay, I'm going to let you in on a little secret. Well, first of all, I am no expert on the subject as I have only been doing this trick for only two days. Also, everybody probably already knows this. I find that I am getting a more intense workout on the elliptical when I alternate speeds. For example, my workout goes like this: 5 min of warm-up, 5 mins. superfast, 5 mins. slow down, 5 mins super fast, 5 mins. slow down; and lastly, 5 mins. super fast. My legs are getting a much better workout than when I would work my way up to superfast. And I sweat a lot more now. Even the boyfriend noticed that I was getting sweatier. Doing this has definitely made my workouts feel way more productive.

Recipe time!!
I shouldn't really be posting this recipe as it is not really healthy, but I figure lots of people bake cookies to give as gifts so I don't think any harm will come from posting this. If you google "best f***ing chocolate chip cookies", you will come across this recipe. And believe you me, these are the "best f***ing chocolate chip cookies" I have ever tasted!

I made mini cookies out of this recipe to send to my mom and brother back in LA. They really are some yummy cookies. If you make them, you will not be disappointed. Trust me. Your tummy (or whoever you gift them to's tummy) will thank you.

And just for kicks, guess who likes to watch MTV's Jersey Shore?

Back in the Game

Wednesday 30 Day Shred
Thursday 30 Day Shred
Friday - Sun No workout

I was all over the place this weekend. I had fun spending time with the boyfriend and my Jasmine. It was a pretty mellow weekend since the boyfriends mom got really sick on T-Day. So my eating was weird. I think that's why I was down 1 pound for the week. I ate pretty big meals, but was only eating twice a day. I just wasn't hungry most of the time. And when I did eat, I ate big. Whatever. I'm down on the scale and that's all that really matters.

I only got to Day 2 of the 30 Day Shred challenge. Seriously, I'm laughing, shaking my head, as I write this. I SUCK at challenges. I'm so pathetic, it's funny to me. (I'm not really pathetic, just when it comes to challenges.)

Well, now that the holiday is gone, it's time to suck it in and start working on eating right and working out. Another holiday will be here sooner than you know it, and I want to look G-O-O-D for X-mas and New Years.

Happy Monday to all!!

Tuesday, a Win day?

I consider it one! I ate some things that weren't very healthy but I did manage to stay under 2000 calories. Yes, that might seem like lots and lots of calories to some, but I'll adjust it as time goes by and I start discovering what works for me. Trial and error, my friends. That's what it's all about.

Tuesday
Breakfast: 3 chocolate chip cookies. I had the hugest craving for some this morning, so I ate some. I know they're nutritional content is pure caca, but regardless, I ate them. Now it's time to move on.

Lunch: Rice, Chicken breast, green beans

Snack: cantaloupe, strawberries, Oats and Chocolate Bar. The plan was for cantaloupe, but it looked questionable so I ended up eating just the berries. Also, that Oats and Chocolate Bar is the Active Lifestyle brand. It's a generic version of the Fiber One bars. Tastes just the same as the name brand, but with a much lower price.
Dinner: Picada (potato and beef soup), avocado, rice, 2 tajadas (plantains). I don't know why I haven't taken pics of my dinners. Really, I'm just to lazy to trek back upstairs for my camera.

Snack: 1 scoop of Coffee ice-cream

Exercise: 30 minutes on the elliptical. God Bless TV Land! They were showing episodes of Roseanne and I watched while I worked out. Made the time fly by.

Want to meet someone close to my heart?

He's doing his myspace pose.

I <3 him.