Fabulous Valentine's Challenge -- Day 2

Linking up again for the Fabulous Valentine's Challenge. You can link up here!

Today's Topic -- Worst Date Ever
My worst date ever really isn't considered a date. I can't really think of a bad date that sticks out over the course of my relationship with M. There was a period of 5 days however, that were the worst 5 days for me in our dating history. 
Settle in for this long nightmare.
A brief history. In June 2007, after being friends with M for almost a year and a month before I started having "more than friends" feelings, M attended a wedding back home with a date. I thought nothing of this at the time because we were only friends and I had no feelings for him. He comes back from the wedding and makes the comment "I'm in love with that girl, I'm going to marry her someday". At the time, no harm. But its things like this that a guy will say and it will stick in your mind -- 5 years later!
In November 2007, after now having "more than friends" feelings for M for about 4 months, I finally confront his close friend and roommate about my feelings. You know, like in middle school? His friend gets back to me with some crushing information. M thought I was a really cool person but there's a girl back home that he likes. Back home was Ohio, but the girl was now living in Memphis, which was across the country from where we were living - California. 
Although I wasn't happy, I wasn't surprised. This was back during the Myspace days and I had noticed a girl that was always leaving comments for M on Myspace. The types of things you say to a guy when you like him or are dating. At that time, her Myspace wasn't private and I noticed M was leaving her the same types of comments. Quotes from love songs, you get the idea. 
December 2007 rolls around and both M and I go back home for Christmas. This was also during the ancient times of AOL instant messenger. At this point, after some snooping research, I had this girl's AOL screen name. While home, putting two and two together, I see that the two of them are hanging out a lot over Christmas. This sucks for me because I like M. At the same time, M is beginning to talk to me a lot more which is leaving me confused. 
January 2008 rolls around and M and I start dating. I have what I can remember as the best week of my life. I am beyond happy and giddy and so in love. This all comes to a halt when the inappropriate Myspace messages return. Things about her moving out to California, her using his full name -- which I've never heard anyone call him -- and extending it out in a flirty tone if you know what I mean, her asking him to "entertain" him because she was bored, lyrics from their favorite love songs, etc etc. All inappropriate things for a "friend" to be saying to a guy who HELLO - has a girlfriend. Not to mention I knew he was talking to her on instant messenger every night, texting and talking to her, talking about her and e-mailing. It was a gut feeling, a girl just knows. I was feeling really insecure in our relationship.
It takes me a few months but I finally confront M about all of this. He thought I was crazy overreacting, said I had nothing to worry about, said she was only a friend, etc. 
Well, this all continued for about a year and a half. Yay.
It was now spring of 2009 and I see her leave M a comment about coming to visit. You know the moments when your stomach sinks and your chest gets really tight and the room starts spinning? Well, this was one of those moments. Again, I confronted M about it appalled that he hadn't come to me. It was confirmed that she would be coming in July. To stay with him. Excuse me? Again, the pit in stomach, heavy chest, spinning room and there might have been some crying. What normal guy who has a girlfriend allows another girl who has a thing for him, another girl who he had once made clear that he loved and was going to marry someday, another girl who clearly liked him more than just a friend -- what normal guy would let a girl like this come stay with him while he has a girlfriend? Was I just crazy? My mom didn't think so. My best friends didn't think so. I don't know. 
At the time, we lived a few short blocks down the beach from one another. I made it clear that I would be staying with him the entire time she was in town. He agreed without an argument. He didn't see this visit as a big deal. It wasn't until a few days before she came and a bizillion arguments had that summer that he realized what he was doing was wrong and felt bad. Too late buddy. 
It was the most excruciating five days that I can remember, other than the time I went though my grandpa's death. It was uncomfortable and awkward, I hated every second, but I made myself present the whole time. Its not that I didn't trust M, I didn't trust her. I had the gut feeling I knew what she was there for and I wasn't going to let her get it. I didn't like the inappropriate comments from her I endured over the past year and a half, I didn't like the idea of her. 
To make things worse, she was a complete bee-otch to me from the start. I was nice even though I hated her. I greeted her when she first got in the car from the airport and she rolled her eyes at me. Great first impression. I felt like she was annoyed that I was around the entire time. There should be no reason she should be annoyed that M's girlfriend was around unless she didn't want his girlfriend around. A "friend" shouldn't be annoyed that her friend's girlfriend is hanging out. 
Funny thing is, after the trip she stopped logging into Myspace. Unless she was secretly e-mailing M, I saw no contact between the two of them. It wasn't until last April that she popped back into our my life. She contacted M on Facebook, again with the flirty use of his extended name, extending the letters, and told him to check his e-mail. 
I don't know how much contact they do have anymore if any, and I am not one of those girls to tell M that he can't have friends who are girls. I do know now she has a boyfriend and think its ironic that she doesn't talk to M anymore. For two people who were such good "friends", its weird. 
For our entire first two years together I had nightmares about this girl and she still pops into my dreams every now and then.
So there you have it, I think the worst 5 days trumps any bad date that M and I may have had or ever will have!

You can read about my best date at Fabulous Valentine's Day Challenege - Day 1.

Fabulous Valentine's Challenge -- Day 1

Today starts the Fabulous Valentine's Challenge with A Complete Waste of Makeup, Brunch With Amber and Stress Casey. If you haven't heard about this check it out and link up!

Today's topic is -- Loved This Date - Best Date Ever

When M and I first started dating four years ago, our first summer together we were on a quest for the perfect salsa. We would create our own happy hours on Friday nights and make margaritas and try out a new salsa we had found. I liked those dates. 

One of my favorite days spent with M was a Christmas trip to Disneyland the first year we started dating. We took a mental health day from our jobs and drove up to Disneyland to spend the day together before we both left to go our separate ways for Christmas. Everything was decorated for Christmas. M had never been to Disneyland so everything was new to him and we were like kids enjoying the day. At night there were fireworks and fake snow on Main Street in front of the castle. It was a happy day. That day Disneyland truly was the happiest place on earth. 

Courtesy of Google Images 

Its A Small World - Disneyland at Christmas

Unfortunately I don't' have any pictures of us together on that day. I loved this date!

Recipe Linkup -- Irresistible Peanut Butter Cookies

Yesterday after my No Carb post, while I was sitting on my balcony drinking my coffee, I realized that my coffee creamer has carbs. Bummer! I've only recently become a coffee drinker, I guess it won't kill me to switch back to my Tazo Awake tea for a week.

I made peanut butter cookies when M's brother was in town because those are his favorite. I haven't made peanut butter cookies in years so I was on a brand new search for a brand new recipe.

I actually used the Crisco recipe for peanut butter cookies, however I also added my own touch. I was flustered and in a hurry the day I made them so I don't have any picture to post of the process. Sad face. 

Irresistible Peanut Butter Cookies

Ingredients

3/4 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup Crisco

1 1/4 cups brown sugar

3 tbs. milk

1 tbs vanilla extract

1 egg

1 3/4 cups flour

3/4 tsp. baking soda

3/4 tsp. salt

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Combine -- peanut butter -- crisco -- milk -- vanilla -- in large bowl. 

Beat until blended.

Add egg.

Beat until blended. 

In separate bowl, combine -- flour -- baking soda -- salt. 

Add to creamed mixture. 

Drop rounded tablespoons on cookie sheet. 

*Optional to leave as round balls or flatten with fork.

Bake for 7 - 8 minutes. 

Check out these beauties!

Picture not taken with my DSLR, which I DO need to use more.

Because I like to do things differently, I used crunchy peanut butter in place of creamy peanut butter. I am not even a crunchy peanut butter fan, I just thought I'd be different. I also added Recesses Peanut Butter chips because I love them!

Is Butter A Carb?

*Disclaimer: I am not a nutritionist or dietitian, although I wish that would have been my career path.

I don't believe in any low-carb, no-carb, South Beach, Paleo or Atkins diets. I am a big believer in counting calories, portion control and burning more calories that you consume (exercising) if you want to lose weight. Its science, it makes sense and it has worked for me in the past. In fact, there was a time where I lost a lot of weight and during that time Cheese Its, aka carbs, were one of my main staples.

I am a lover of --- sourdough bread -- pasta -- bread dipped in oil while I drink my wine -- bagels -- and Cheese Its.

Carbs.

I mean really, everything, has carbs. This low carb mumbo jumbo is crap. Fruit is healthy but has carbs. Carbs aren't my problem. You can lose weight while eating carbs. I'm just ready to go extreme.

So brace yourselves when I am about to say -- I am thinking about going NO-CARB for a week. 

I'm starting Sunday and will go until Saturday. I know, thats not even a week. It is long enough for me to have a breakdown and also to see if it might even possibly work. And I would like to partake in Superbowl activities like eating bad food and drinking. If I can stand it, I'll continue for a longer haul.

I'm frustrated with my lack of results trying to lose weight the old fashion way, my way, meaning burning more calories than you eat.

Low carb scares me for two reasons. 1 -- Lack of carbs makes me mean and crabby. And hungry. Sorry M. 2 -- Protein scares me.

Protein scares me because my legs are pretty muscular as it is and I run, making them even more muscular. That means big legs. My legs are one of my biggest insecurities. I want tiny, twig like ballerina legs. When I eat too much protein, I swear I can see my legs grow!

I love eggs, but I have no idea what else I can eat for breakfast that is NO carb and LOW protein. Any suggestions?

I know I am probably setting myself up for failure since I think the no carb thing is pretty much impossible and I know I can lose weight without doing the whole no carb thing. Maybe I'm just getting old and my metabolism is crashing. Whatever it be...I'm up for the challenge.

Don't place your bets on me though :)

Do You Wine?

I use to be a red wine drinker and recently I've switched to white. I like sweet Rieslings and Muscats.

I've always wanted to try different white wines but I never knew what to try and I never knew what I'd like. My mom started drinking Riesling and I was hooked. While wine tasting in Temecula this past fall I discovered Muscats, another type of sweet white wine.

While in the grocery store a couple of months ago I came across a brand of wine called Flip Flop. Now its no secret that I am a beach girl and could live my life in flip flops. I just had to have that wine. I found a Flip Flop Moscato and it was love at first drink.

I found it funny that I picked random bottle of wine by its label and actually fell in love with it. Ever since I've been buying wine by the label. I recently found a Chill Out Moscato. I liked the beachy label. It wasn't too bad but not as good as my Flip Flop.

I've seen the Cupcake brand of wine in the stores and I think it was on a blog the other day that I saw someone talking about it. I like cupcakes and although the brand of wine never peaked my interest before, after seeing someone talk about it I decided to look into it further.

I went to the Cupcake Wine website and found they have a wine called Angel Food! I've been on the search for it ever since but have not been successful. However I did find a Cupcake Riesling.

This is how I wine. 

Yes, I even have a flip flop coaster for my wine glass to wear. 

My favorite wines at the moment are the Flip Flop Moscato, Chateau St. Michelle Late Harvest Riesling and a Muscat from a local winery in Temecula, Maurice Carrie. 

Its OK Thursday!

Since I had been tagged twice, I wanted to post my Q&A today but I also want to link up with Neely over at A Complete Waste of Makeup for Its OK Thursday. I didn't link up last week and didn't want to miss this week!


So, Its OK
-- To post twice today because I didn't want to miss the Its OK Linkup!
-- That I spend my mornings drinking coffee and reading blogs, after I run of course. 
-- That I had a breakdown last week because I hadn't lost weight after eating like a mouse and working out like crazy and breakdown led me to eat a giant cheeseburger and fries. 
-- To absolutely hate the fact that M and I only have one TV in our apartment between the two of us.
-- To want to go to the same Mexican restaurant every Friday. Of course I don't go but I want to!
-- That it is going to be beautiful out today and I might take a little beach break from job hunting/blogging. This girl needs to get some sun on her face!
-- To keep my OKs short and sweet since this is my second post today!

I've Been Tagged! -- Twice!

I'm sure almost all of you have seen the tagging that has been going around. Never did I think I would be tagged, but I've been tagged twice! Thank you so much to Emily over at The Best Is Yet To Come and Jessica over at Waking, Believing, Running.

The Rules

1-- You must post the rules.

2 -- Post eleven fun facts about yourself on the blog post.

3 -- Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, 

and then create eleven new questions to ask the people you've tagged.

4 -- Tag eleven people and link them on your post

5 -- Let them know you've tagged them!

11 Facts About ME

1 - I am bad at coming up with things about myself. Which is weird because I know me best!

2 - I sometimes struggle to get up and run in the morning but almost always feel better once I do. Plus, there is nothing more relaxing than the beach in the morning. And I know I will miss my morning routine once I start working. 

3 - I don't have time for all of the social networking internet stuff (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Blogging). I have a Twitter account but don't tweet, Facebook has been pushed to the side since blogging and once I get a job I don't know how I will keep up with blogging! Its all just too much!

4 - I grew up on the Great Lakes and now I live on the Pacific Ocean. I am a water person and have to live by water. I can't not live where I am landlocked. Which was one of the main issues with me and Colorado. 

5 - I am a mommy's girl. She is my best friend. I fear the day I lose her and don't know how I will live without her. 

6 - I never understood the concept of a "ticking clock" until I turned 28 without a ring on my finger. Now my ticking clock is loud and I wonder if I will ever get married and have kids. 

7 - One of my biggest fears is taking so long to get married that my dad won't be around to walk me down the isle or my parents won't be around for me to make them grandparents. Let's get a move on M!! 

8 - I'm trying to become a more positive person. I've learned that no matter how "bad" things may be in life at a given time, I am a lucky person and a lot of people have things worse. As long as my parents are around and healthy, thats all that really matters in the end.

9 - Family is my life. I have the smallest family ever (mom, dad, grama) and they live across the country from me. I don't know what I am doing so far away anymore!

10 - I'd rather day drink or go out for happy hour over going out at night.

11 - I love the Ellen DeGeneres show! Ellen is such an amazing person. 

Whew, the hard part is over! On to the questions.

11 Questions From Jessica

1 - What's your favorite TV show?

I'm guilty of being obsessed with the new 90210 Tuesday nights on the WB. Another new favorite is Hart of Dixie.

2 - What is the one thing you could never live without?

I couldn't live without my mom. Material item-wise? I couldn't live without having a car. I don't realize how important it is until one day its not there. And wheels can take you anywhere and everywhere in life.

3 - If you had to pick one restaurant that you had to eat at for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Cafe Coyote in Old Town San Diego. I could eat there at least once a week and if I had to for the rest of my life I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be a problem. Although I should think about picking a place with more of a variety if we are talking life here.

4 - What is your favorite song?

Its always hard to pick just one favorite song. I'd say Transatlanticism by Death Cab For Cutie.

5 - What is your least favorite food?

I like a lot of things but I guess the first thing that would come to mind that I don't like is muscles, like oysters.

6 - Do you have a favorite game? If so, what?

Loaded Questions. I've only played it once and its only fun with a lot of people. And I can NEVER think of the name of that game when I try!!

7 - What is your favorite scent?

Salt air, fresh cut grass, Coppertone suntan lotion and the smell of grilled food.

8 - What is your greatest accomplishment?

The savings account I built in Colorado. It makes me sick to have to live off of it now, not having a job, instead of keeping it for a house someday. :(

9 - If you could get plastic surgery at no cost, would you?

Yes! On my feet of all places, I have wide feet and can't wear cute flats or heels. 

10 - What's your dream vacation?

I love tropical places but I've always wanted to go to Europe. Its a tie between Bora Bora and Europe, mainly Italy. 

11 - What is your favorite outfit accessory?

I'm not too fashionable, my favorite accessories are rings, necklaces and bracelets. If I had to pick only one I'd say rings.

11 Questions From Emily

1 - If you could live anywhere, where would it be & why? 

Tough one. I already live on the beach, and thats where I'd want to live. I love the ocean and there's nothing like being able to look at it everyday. I also love warm winters :) I'd just need my mom to live where I am and I'd be set.

2 - You just got a big bonus at work but you can't spend it on something practical...what do you splurge on?

A 50 foot boat. I grew up boating and boating is my life. I don't know what I'd do without a boat in my life and hope to have enough money someday to have my own.

3 - What's your guilty pleasure?

Lately its been blogging!

4 - What's your biggest pet peeve?

I can't stand dog owners who don't pick up after their dog. Its not fun to have dog crap smeared on the boardwalk when I run. Also, I hate guys who blow snot rockets as they run, bike or swim. Just suck it up. 

5 - What's one amazing makeup tip you'd share?

I'm awful when it comes to makeup. I don't think I have any tips to share.

6 - Name one thing that you couldn't live without?

Again, my mom or having a car.

7 - What's your favorite blog post?

Well my blog is pretty young. I guess I'd say my favorite post is All About Me And The Story Of We because it gives my whole background of me, where I've come from, where I've been and how M and I became "us".

8 - What's your favorite recipe?

I have a lot of favorite recipes. Right now I guess I'd say my mom's chicken enchiladas because I've been thinking about them and might attempt to make them this weekend. 

9 - What single store could you absolutely not live without?

Gosh, I've been living without a lot of my favorite stores lately because I have no money to spend. Practical me would say Super Target because they have all of the essentials and groceries. 

10 - What is your favorite movie quote?

I'm terrible at remembering movie quotes. I'm sure it would be something from Dumb and Dumber or Wedding Crashers though.

11 - What made you start your blog?

The short version - in one word - unemployment. I've been reading a select few blogs for a couple years, tried to start my own a year ago and time got the best of me, so here I am with some time on my hands trying it out again!

Wow -- that was long. And if you're still reading, thank you for wanting to know more about me! In order to keep it shorter, instead of coming up with questions and tagging, if you are reading and 

want to be tagged, just take some questions from above and have at it!

How Pinteresting Wednesday -- Food Inspired

It is Wednesday again and that means linking up at The Vintage Apple to show you what I think is pinteresting! You can link up here too..






This week my pins are Food Inspired

Source: twotinykitchens.com via Sara on Pinterest

I made these babies yesterday.

Source: dyingofcute.tumblr.com via Lori on Pinterest

Source: marthastewart.com via Jen on Pinterest

These cupcakes are so cute!

Source: bakingbites.com via L on Pinterest

Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies? -- YUM!

Source: closetcooking.com via L on Pinterest

Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese -- Yes please!

Source: apronstringsblog.com via L on Pinterest

I'd like to do this sometime. 

Source: blogs.babble.com via Miranda on Pinterest

This loaded Cobb salad looks amazing!

Source: d23.disney.go.com via Kristen on Pinterest

Monte Cristo -- I haven't had one in years!

Source: crunchyrock.com via .Chloe and Friends. on Pinterest

Source: thecurvycarrot.com via Katelynn on Pinterest

Now I need to do a Fitness Inspired pin party to burn off all of the calories my eyes just saw.

Weekend At Mammoth -- And Another Blog Award!

Two blog awards in one week! I am so excited! It was just a couple weeks ago that I wondered who would even follow my blog and now I have two awards! Thank you so much Shannon, at Page: Twenty-Two, for nominating me for the Liebster Blog Award!

Page: Twenty-Two is one of my daily reads, if you haven't checked out her blog I recommend that you do! She's great! If I could toss the award right back to her I would. 

Liebster in German means dearest, beloved, or favorite, and it is for bloggers with under 200 followers.

The rules are: 

1. Thank your Liebster Blog Award presenter on your blog.

2. Link back to the blogger who awarded you.

3. Copy & paste the blog award on your blog.

4. Reveal your 5 blog picks.

5. Let them know you chose them by leaving a comment on their blog.

I am handing the Liebster Blog Award over to these great girls --

1 -- sunshine.life.love

2 -- Lemon Trees and Bumble Bees

3 -- Everyday Enchanted

4 -- The Best Is Yet To Come

5 -- Places I Will Go

Moving on...

As I mentioned last Thursday, we went snowboarding at Mammoth Mountain this weekend. One of 

my most favorite, beloved places. I don't know why, but Mammoth is just my favorite!

M's brother came along for the trip from Ohio. I've only met him once and it was four years ago! 

Previously forecasting rain, Mammoth actually got dumped on once again with a grand total of 2 1/2 feet of snow while we were there. Wooohooo! The only problem was, the first day the snow was really wet and it was still raining in town. The second day the winds were atrocious and only 1/4 of the mountain - if that - was open. 

It was probably some of the windiest conditions that I've ever been in. It ranked second for the worst conditions, which were in Steamboat last year. Steamboat had subzero temperatures and wind. Luckily Mammoth was in the 20's. Still cold -- but not unbearable.

After stuffing hand warmers in some strategic places, investing in a new face warmer and a new pair of goggles, and stopping for some Bloody Mary breaks, it wasn't so bad. After all, I was in Mammoth!

Collaboration of the drive there, my favorite bagel shop, zero visibility on day two and happy hour.

First Day -- ready to go!

Starting to snow! Excited to get our picture with Wooly the Mammoth.

Breaking for a Bloody Mary - Happy Camper with rosy cheeks!

Bundled! Ready for windy day two!

Now after four days of eating out and not running - and taking a lazy day off yesterday because of the rainy comfort food weather - its time to get back into my routine. So rough!

First Blogger Award!

First of all I would like to thank everyone for their encouraging comments about my SoCal Blogger Meetup post! Although nervous, I'll be getting my ticket today!




Next, I am excited to announce I was nominated for the Versatile Blogger Award! I received the award from Cori over at Everyday Enchanted. If you haven't checked out her blog yet, I suggest you do! Thank you Cori!

The Rules for this award:

1-Nominate 15 fellow bloggers. (I picked 5)
2-Inform the bloggers of their nomination.
3-Share 7 random things about yourself.
4-Thank the blogger who nominated you.
5-Add the Versatile Blog Award picture on your blog post.

And now ::drumroll:: -- Seven Random Things About Myself

1-- I can't get water in my ears.

2 -- I am a mommy's girl and have an irrational fear of something happening to her.

3 -- I am an only child and I am the only grandchild on my dad's side. 

4 -- I grew up in a town so small that I graduated with 82 people. 

5 -- My degree is in marketing and logistics but if time and money weren't an issue I would love to go back to school for nutrition or physical therapy instead. 

6 -- I have wide feet and can't wear most cute flats or heels but I live in flip flops whenever I can and I'm fine with that.

7 -- I have a laid back beachy style, I rarely like to get glam to go out.

Five Bloggers I Nominate

1 -- Meg at Henning Love

2 -- Shannon at Page: Twenty-Two

3 -- Jessica at Waking, Believing, Running

4 -- Katy at All It Takes Is Faith & Trust

5 -- Kara at All In A Row{e}

If you haven't checked these girls out you should!

SoCal Blogger Meetup

I am on the fence with the whole SoCal Blogger Meetup and I only have a few more days to make a decision. 
The SoCal Blogger Meetup is an awesome idea, seems well organized and is taking place about 3 miles from where I live. Could it be more convenient? 
Why I think I shouldn't go...I'm a new blogger and feel like I kinda don't belong yet. My blog will barely be a month old at the meet up and a month isn't even long enough to know if I will be able to keep this thing up or not. If I meet all these people and then stop blogging -- Fail!I don't really have much to contribute. 
Why I should obviously go...Its right down the street, duh!Opportunity to meet new people and learn new things about blogging. 
What to do? Any advice for the new kid on the block?

Having A Mammoth Time

I've posted pictures of snowboarding before but I haven't mentioned that I've been snowboarding for 16 years. I started snowboarding in high school when I lived in Michigan. 


When I moved to California I had a pass to Bear Mountain for two seasons. I also went to Mammoth Mountain and Lake Tahoe. 


The first year I was in Colorado I had the "Five Mountain Pass" -- which included Keystone, Breckenridge, Vail, Beaver Creek and Arapahoe Basin.
The second season I had a pass to Winter Park, Copper Mountain and Steamboat. 

My favorite resort is still Mammoth Mountain. 

This weekend we are heading to Mammoth! M's brother is in town from Ohio and we are leaving in the wee hours of the morning on Friday. We'll go to sleep super early tonight and wake up to leave around 2am. We'll drive though the night and get to Mammoth as they open. We'll snowboard on adrenaline all day and crash hard at the end of the day. 

It's been done before, I hope in my old age I can still keep up. It will be a long first day! 

Every time we have been to Mammoth in the past we've gotten dumped on with snow. I'm talking two feet overnight. This year isn't looking so good for the Sierra Nevada mountains. There is snow in the forecast though so I will keep my fingers crossed. I'm sure we will still have a blast either way! 

My first time ever at Mammoth -- at the top -- 11,053 ft.

How Pinteresting Wednesday -- Quote Inspired

Today is 

Over at The Vintage Apple.

Today my pins are quote inspired.

Source: Uploaded by user via L on Pinterest

Source: facebook.com via L on Pinteres

Source: mybluecanoe.tumblr.com via L on Pinterest

Source: someecards.com via L on Pinterest

Source: stumbleupon.com via L on Pinterest

Source: imgfave.com via L on Pinterest

Source: vmacandcheese.com via L on Pinterest

Source: thinknice.com via L on Pinterest

Source: babaloud.com via L on Pinterest

Source: asweetamericanhoney.blogspot.com via L on Pinterest

Source: facebook.com via L on Pinterest

These are only a few of my favorite quotes on Pinterest.

Blogger's Biggest Loser -- Week Two

Today I am linking up with My Vickilicious Life for my first time for Bloggers Biggest Loser! You can link up here --

I'm trying to lose a pesky 25 lbs that I put on while living in Colorado. After moving in with M, I guess they could be called "love pounds". 
My heart hasn't been fully into losing it since I moved back to California and I blame eating too much love. So since the first of the year I've been working hard on the portion control in addition to running as I always have and drinking a ton of water. 
My goal is to be back in my skinny jeans -- which I haven't seen since the day I moved to Colorado -- by summer.
Since Jan 1st I've only lost 5 lbs. I know I am capable of way more. But a pound is a pound and I have to be patient! Funny that I don't think 5 pounds is a lot to lose but if it were the other way around and I had gained 5 pounds... woah. Anyway -- enough rambling.

Today I am going to talk about Working Out...
I've just about tried it all. Running -- Swimming -- Yoga -- Pure Barre -- Kickboxing -- Pilates -- Zumba Just off the top of my head. 
Swimming is by far my favorite workout. I find it relaxing and enjoyable and I love the killer results of how toned my body is if I swim a couple times a week. Finding a swimming hole, however, hasn't always been easy. 

I like kickboxing, I use to do it in college. When I lived in Colorado I found a kickboxing class at a jiu jitsu place that a co-worker recommended. We used boxing gloves and bags and everything! I loved it! However, the class times and location were a bit inconvenient for my schedule and I only attended a few times. 

I love Pilates. I do not love all of the new reformer Pilates stuff. Although I've never tried it, and don't knock it til you try it, it seems way more expensive. I like the original stuff and usually will do some moves that I learned though past classes on my own. 

I've done Zumba once. Liked it. I just didn't feel like it was giving me the full body workout that running does. Also, I am weird about my workouts because I feel some things make my legs bulky. I know -- I'm weird. I'm also not one that wants to join a gym. I'd rather run -- for free -- outside. 
Yoga. Oh, yoga. I've tried to like you. I've tried hot yoga three times. All three times I almost blacked out. I actually left my first hot yoga class early because my blackout feeling was so bad. I guess its more embarrassing for me to fall over than leave a class early. I wanted to give yoga another shot and I did. Same feeling. I really wanted to love yoga because I'd like to become stretchy and more flexible. Again though, another thing to pay for. And yoga isn't cheap!

Pure Barre. Holy expensive. I tried Pure Barre through a Groupon I had. I thought it sounded awesome. I would die to have legs like a ballerina. My first class almost made me black out. I'm not that out of shape guys, I am just prone to passing out! And it was really hot in the room, I was having flashbacks to hot yoga. Anyway, I made myself go to all of the classes on my Groupon. I liked the way it made me feel but all of the other girls in the class were about 1/3 my size. I was beginning to feel pretty insecure and came to conclude I was never going to have ballerina legs. Plus, after my Groupon I was never going to be able to afford a membership. 

So that brings me to running. I've blogged about running here. It seems to work for me. Its free. Its what I do. 
In addition to running and swimming, I lift 10 lb dumbbells a couple times a week, do a few Pilates moves as my crunches and do 20 - 30 push ups a day. In sets of 10.

What works for you? What is your favorite? What do you hate?