12 week transformation...day twenty-four

Yesterday was so much fun! My dad surprised me tickets to go see the LA Lakers take on the Indiana Pacers. Fun fact about me...I love to watch sports...especially basketball and baseball.

My dad and I left work early and grabbed some coffee before dinner. It is currently, DineLA week right now, so we were going to go to a restaurant participating in the event, but ended up just going to Wolfgang Puck. And confession...I went off my plan for dinner. I won't lie though...it was pretty much the best burger I have ever had in my life. Seriously. But you know...usually I go all crazy and eat everything in sight since I already "broke my plan" but this time I didn't. I ate only half my dinner and was done. This is huge for me. I am changing. :)

Breakfast
So this morning I am back on plan and ready to attack the day! I made a dark chocolate shake and made my way to work. Don't you just love cloudy and gloomy mornings? I do!

Morning Snack
I was busy creating this morning, so time flew by! I made a chai latte for my morning snack while still working away. I learning that I love designing.

Lunch
I made a turkey burger wrapped in lettuce for lunch today with broccoli on the side. Simple yet oh-so-delicious.

Afternoon Snack
For my snack this afternoon I had a bag of mixed berry cereal. I love this cereal...so good!

Dinner
I ate a quick strawberry crunch bar before dinner. I wasn't too hungry, so this was perfect.

Dessert
After church I came home and made a peanut butter milkshake. I can have one of these every night and never get tired of them.

So there is my day in a nutshell! Friday is almost here!!!

Oh, and PS...the Lakers lost...but it was still a super fun game! :D

xoxo,
Toni

12-week transformation...day sixteen

This quote explains my day to a T. I had some growing to do the moment I woke up.

I am still house-sitting, and as a result I have to drive on the freeway and past about 4 schools to get to work. Well, I was running late this morning and as a result I hit a ton more traffic than usual. The way people are so inconsiderate and cutting me off multiple times just really got to me. I arrived at work pretty upset and grumpy. But, I asked for prayer during our devotional time at work and I immediately started feeling better.  Praise the Lord because I hate being grumpy around people.

Breakfast
I ran out of ice, so I had to make my shake the old fashioned way with only water. It was cold water, so it wasn't all that bad. I made a dark chocolate shake and threw in some instant coffee...delicious!

Morning Snack
It was a pretty low key morning, so when my morning snack came around, I was pretty happy. I made a chai latte and sipped with pleasure. It was pretty chilly out this morning, so this warm drink hit the spot.

Lunch
I had to stay at work during lunch because I am leaving early today, so I had a bag of nacho chili cheese puffs. There are so many in a bag! But I love them, so it's okay.

Afternoon Snack
I was out and about when my afternoon snack came around. I was actually trying on some bridesmaid dresses for my sisters wedding. So fun! But when I did get a chance, I snacked on a lemon meringue crunch bar.

Dinner
After I was done trying on dresses, I stopped by Rubios and got a chopped salad with steak. I have a gift card so I figured, why not just get a salad while I am out? Plus, these are really good and are a perfect solution for when you are out and about and need to eat.

Dessert
I finished off the day with a peanut butter milkshake. Same thing as yesterday, just used a peanut butter soft serve rather than a coffee one.

I am working on my new site and cannot wait to launch it! The new title is going to be "pretty in pink peonies". I will still be documenting my journey on the Take Shape for Life program but will also include some of my other interests, such as: cooking, baking, DIY projects, style, design, fitness, beauty, etc. It is going to be full of all kinds of things. I am excited and can't wait for you to join me on this journey! I am sure you will love it. But I will talk about it more soon.

xoxo,
Toni

12-week transformation...day eight

I know I have been absent for a couple of days...it has been so busy with my sister's wedding coming up! On Saturday, we went dress shopping and she found her dress! Under strict orders, I am not allowed to post anything to do with any of that day...but let me just say that she looks stunning and I can't wait to see her walk down the aisle in that dress...you will just have to wait and see!

Yesterday was all about designing her save the date cards and getting a wedding website up and running. Busy, busy, busy...but definitely fun. I am having a blast so far helping her out. It's been great and has brought us, as well as my mom, even closer.

But anyways, I am back and ready to go!

How is everyone doing on their 12-week transformation? I am struggling with my fleshly desires but am still trucking through! I hope you all still doing good as well! Remember why you are doing this program. For me, I need to get the weight loss aspect of it out of my mind and focus more on a healthy lifestyle (weight loss will just occur naturally). I will get there soon enough though. :)

Breakfast
I am back to my normal home routine (praise the Lord)! So this morning I got up and make a dark chocolate antioxidant shake.

Morning Snack
I was really hungry by the time my morning snack came around. But it was really busy at work, so time flew by. When I did get a chance, I made a chai latte, which held me over until lunch.

Lunch
I didn't have a salad for lunch today! What!? I know, crazy, right? I did end up having whatever was in my fridge and freezer because I have not gone grocery shopping yet. I had some broccoli and a frozen pizza burger, so I cooked those up and drizzled some light chipotle dressing over all of it. Not the greatest meal to be honest, but definitely not bad.

Afternoon Snack
I am running after work today, so I ate my snack about an hour before I ran. I made myself a cup of coffee and snacked on some brown sugar cereal crunch. Yummy pairing!

Workout
I did my same old run today...which consists of 2.18 miles. It felt good getting back out there tonight. I haven't run for a week and I definitely felt the pain as I was going...but...I did keep going despite my flesh wanting to stop and walk. I tried taking a smiling picture...but they just weren't coming out right...so now you get to see a funny weird one of me! ;) (it was taken right after I got back...just fyi).

Dinner
I made a quick java chip frappuccino (chocolate chip soft bake packet blended with instant coffee, water, and ice) before church. This week my church (Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa) is having a week of prayer. If you can, come on out! It is from 7pm to about 8:30pm every night this week!

Dessert
When I got home from church, I snacked on a strawberry crunch bar and called it a night. Working out and then going to church made me all sleepy. But that's okay...I like sleep.

That's all for today. Until tomorrow!

xoxo,
Toni

12-week transformation...day two

So today's 12-week transformation challenge was all about recording what you eat and how much exercise you are doing throughout the day.

Well, as you know, I already record everything I eat, so that is one check down. However, I am slacking this week on exercise being out of town and my normal day to day routine. But when I do workout, I will always record it and let you know. I am doing quite a bit of walking around here though, so that is definitely burning calories.

Breakfast
Same old today for breakfast...just a dark chocolate shake with some ice in it.

Morning Snack
I was hit with the munchies immediately after drinking my shake, but thankfully there was a session, so my mom and I went in to listen and by the time it was done, it was time to eat again! The Lord is go good! Once I was able, I made a chai latte and drank it quite quickly...I guess I was hungry!

Lunch
I had to pick through the bad lettuce, but was able to put together a decent salad that included romaine lettuce, chicken, Parmesan cheese, and light chipotle dressing. Simple and delicious!

Afternoon Snack
I was lagging a bit by the afternoon so I made a cup of coffee and sipped on it while eating a cinnamon roll crunch bar. Seriously, the best pairing ever! Felt like I was eating a sinful pastry with my coffee. ☺

Dinner
The chili nacho cheese puffs are becoming one of my favorite meals! I love to munch on them while drinking some water...plus, it takes the hunger away...and keeps it away for some time!

Dessert
I did end up bringing my blender, so in my room I was able to blend up a peanut butter milkshake (using the peanut butter soft serve and blending it with water and ice). It was so perfect and hit the spot after a long day.

And what a long day it was! I am exhausted and cannot wait to put my head to my pillow...I hope you have a happy Wednesday!

PS...wasn't the sunset tonight just beautiful! Well...it sure was for me! Here is a picture of it...although it doesn't do it justice.

xoxo,
Toni

goals and sacrifices for 2014

I have decided not to make any resolutions this year, but rather make some goals. Now, some may argue that those are the same thing, but I disagree. So, I am making goals, not resolutions.

Goal #1
Read my Bible and have a devotional time with the Lord daily.

Goal #2
I would love to make a goal to workout at least five times a week. Any type of workout really, but I would like to focus on some toning workouts to firm up all the flab.

Goal #3
To complete the 12-week transformation plan through Take Shape For Life. I am really excited about this actually and can't wait to see what the end result will be. You can sign up as well by visiting this link...the prize is pretty great and a great incentive.

Goal #4
Hit my goal weight of 105 (or so) pounds by the end of the year.

Goal #5
To become more confident in everything I do...whether it be speaking in front of a large crowd or sharing my faith with others or just being confident in who I am.

Goal #6
Be the best maid of honor ever for my sister who is getting married in May.

Sacrifice
This morning while eating a apple cinnamon mug muffin, my parents and I were doing a Bible together and the topic of sacrifice kept coming up and so we each prayed about what the Lord would have us sacrifice to Him this year. For me? It's a husband. I know it sounds superficial, but being married and starting a family consumes my thoughts at times. I must think about the Lord more than any other thing and a future life was clouding my thoughts for the Lord. So that is my sacrifice this year.

I just love that quote and really hope to apply it my life starting this very instant. So, Lord, I do pray that you would help me to become so lost in You and Your Word this year. Amen!

Breakfast
As I mentioned earlier, I ate an apple cinnamon oatmeal muffin while reading the Word with the parents.

Morning Snack
A little while later I made and drank a dark chocolate shake.

Workout
Going with my goal for this year, I worked out for about 30 minutes...all toning exercises. It was a quick and enjoyable workout. I look forward to how I will feel in a few weeks.

Lunch
After my workout I took a quick shower and made myself a classic lunch: a chicken burger on a bed of lettuce topped with light mozzarella cheese and light Italian dressing.

Afternoon Snack
I went to see Saving Mr. Banks and ate my next snack during the middle of it...but I was prepared! I cut a smores crunch bar up and brought it with me. Perfect, quiet, and discreet snack. PS...the movie was amazing and I highly encourage you to go see it.

Dinner
For dinner, I made a chai latte and relaxed for the remainder of the night.

Dessert
To end day one of the new year, I made a brownie soft bake. Perfect ending to a lovely day.

Also, next Saturday, there is a Take Shape for Life event taking place at Vanguard University! More details to come!

xoxo,
Toni

day sixty-five...he put a ring on it

My older sister, Sterling, is engaged! I am beyond excited for her and cannot wait to see her walk down the aisle and live happily ever after. *heavy sigh*

It has been a long day, due to all the excitement of the engagement, so I am just going to quickly go through my eats for the day and head to bed. Don't worry though...I will talk more about it tomorrow. ;)

Breakfast
Woke up this morning and made myself a dark chocolate shake. We had to attend a memorial in the early afternoon, so I got ready while I sipped on the shake.

Morning Snack
On the way to the memorial, I snacked on a blueberry muffin. It's been a while since I ate one of these, and I was pleasantly surprised with how good it tasted!

Lunch
After the memorial, it was off to my sister's boyfriends mom's (what a mouthful!)  house to celebrate the engagement of my sister and her now fiance, Gabriel. I ate some honey mustard pretzel bites a little while before I got there.

Afternoon Snack
Once we arrived, there was a spread of finger foods. I sort of strayed off plan and had a few meatballs that had BBQ sauce on them (didn't snap a picture of them). But shortly after the little get together, we went to dinner at Baja Fish Tacos, where I had a salad with carne asada. Not as good as chipotle, but still pretty good.

Dinner
A little while later I made a calorie burn cappuccino. This was so perfect. I was really full for some reason and the warmth helped settle my stomach.

Dessert
I had dessert really late, but once I did, I ate a smores crunch bar. I ate it pretty quick for some reason too. Maybe I just wanted to get to bed. It has been a long day.

Well, that is that. More to talk about tomorrow. :)

xoxo,
Toni