Back to it!

     Well, it's been almost a month since my last blog post. I have been so busy getting back into the swing of things and getting over the summer camp depression (if you were there...you know). I have yet to get back to boot camp since I have been busy (I will be back in October Jess) but I have been able to keep up with my workouts...kinda.  I have been challenging a few friends, right now is "planktember" so i'm in a planking war with a few friends around the US and I have been going for runs with Kevin to prepare for my 10 miler in...15 days (shit).  My training process has been a weekly 2 short run, a medium run, and a long run every Saturday...Well, that's what it says in my planner. We'll see how this turns out...my photo at the finish line might be me crawling over the line.

        We made it through "tropical rainstorm" Issac with no damage to the house, cars, or us!!! Other than  losing the copious amounts of food in my fridge (jokes on you if you thought I had food in my fridge) and not having power for 5 days, we did perfectly fine. In fact we left the west bank on Wednesday night in the middle of the storm and came downtown to my wonderful parents apartment with power and Lafitte just 2 blocks away (I had a hurricane in light of the situation). The storm was more like a nice long rainy labor day vacay!!! Kevin said his proudest moment was when the power went out and he asked me to put anything I wanted to save from the fridge into the ice chest...I proceeded to the fridge, grabbed all the beer, put it in the ice chest, and then I went back to the couch... i'm such a lady!


          In other news I accomplished a goal I have been trying to reach for quite awhile!!! I finished a 5k in under 30 mins!!!!! YAY!!!! Here are a few photos from the saints run! 
                                                       
 Tebowing on the 10

              Typical Brittany thumbs up!

                  gotta love on the mascots!

NOWWWW for some GREAT news!!! :) I got a new job!! I have taken a full time sales and eventually training position with a gym here in town,  I filled out the paperwork and I should start in just a few weeks! I am really hoping that this is a good fit for me and works out well, I am ecstatic to be working with all kinds of people and in an environment that I truly enjoy! Keep me in your thoughts as I start out on this new "branch". KCCO! 

Mucking Fascots!

WOW... what a trip! The past 14 days have been 100 % crazy, fun, and unexpected to say the least. It was a nice little break from my normal routine of workouts and work and I swore I had eaten my weight in terrible cafeteria food, five guys, noodles, and Axles by the time I left Milwaukee. With no scale in sight, I just kept calm and carried on. When we got to Scranton we realized we were on the 3rd floor of the dorms with NO elevator not to mention the main gym at the school was uber hot! AWESOME! Between running  stairs all day everyday, sweating my butt off in the gym, and using my coaches as squatting tools (I maxed out around 180 ish) I ended up coming home almost 5-6 lbs lighter than when i left...my nightly diet may have contributed to some of that. Well enough of all that... lets highlight this awesome adventure of craziness. 

   SO, Milwaukee was awesome...as always. Lots of good friends were there and the kids are incredible. The theme this year was olympics (who would have guessed) 

USA

First, I STILL suck at dodge ball...ALTHOUGH, I did make one incredible catch resulting in my one and only out of the past 3 years (YAY) promptly after that I was pelted in the leg while celebrating my epic catch. 

Second, Axles is much more fun when the guys have another girl (thanks Katie) to pick on and i'm not the only one! 

Lastly, Milwaukee is just all around awesomeness every year! If you have any further questions check the photographic proof on the FB!

Dream team!

ON TO ScrantON!!!! Theme of the week...ohhh myyyy goddd. I was a little nervous coming into this camp (shhhhh) Since I have heard southpaw isn't the YouDees favorite person and I didn't really know any of the campers that would be there. SURPRISE!!! What was I thinking?! These guys were just as amazing as all the other mascots I work with. I was overjoyed and in love with this phenomenal group the instant we started camp! Camp went great, follies went great, and top of it all we got to do some awesome community service with the boys and girls club and a local nursing home! I don't know how many of you have had the chance to work in that type of environmental but its the most rewarding feeling ever!

Nursing home visit!

 Boys and girls club!

 Kenny made a new GF at the nursing home!

IT JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER!!! We also learned Katie can fit 22 jumbo marshmallows in her mouth AND we had some killer karaoke stars!

you read right...22

my hump my hump my hump...

Dream team 2.

I know I made even more incredible life long friends on the trip and I cant wait to see them all again! OH YEAH... I also got to go to NYC (added bonus)! It was grand and awesome and huge, we had a blast... but it really just didn't top the two weeks of camps.

 

Hello from 33,000 feet!

Hey guys, its been a few since I've made a new post (sorry about that) but now as I fly off to Milwaukee for "work"(can I even call it that?!) I have plenty of air time to make a post!!! I have been thinking up some new things to post about and one came to me the other night in conversation with friends! I got asked a question that I kinda knew but not really SO I took it upon myself to research a bit and answer the question with a bit more confidence. The question I was asked was " what's the difference between good calories and bad?!" well to start I know you should eat healthy because the right foods fuel your body! Then came the question about counting calories! "if I'm given a certain amount of calories and I only eat that many does it matter what I eat?!" That one kinda stumped me. Technically you're intaking the Same amount of calories for your body to burn, so can you eat 1500 calories of doughnuts and your body burn it off just like 1500 calories of salad?! WELL OBVIOUSLY NOT was my first conclusion but I didn't have the answer other then some are good for you and others are "empty calories". I Went on a Search for these answers so now I can explain it and not say "well you know... You should eat healthy, it's better for you!". You can eat 1500 calories (please look up your personal calorie intake, it is not the same for everyone and I am just using "1500" as an example number) of crap and 1500 calories of health food and lose weight with both if that's your daily intake that your body naturally burns off. BUT WAIT JUST A MINUTE Before you go down a few dozen doughnuts... These "empty calories" do nothing for you, you can still lose weight BUT by choosing to eat healthy you will lose faster! I read that eating these empty calories will make you retain water, cause hair and skin problems, and lead to health risk (kinda the obvious right?!) Even though you are eating your daily intake you are not giving your body what it needs to keep you at your best! :)

*my apologies for any errors I'm iPhone blogging!

I seem to always get the wing!!

LIES and Disappointment...

This weekend we went to mobile to visit my friends (YAY) and in random passing conversation I hear something that BLEW MY MIND, I was a little outraged and dumbfounded as well. I know all of you are dying to know what was said...Prepare yourselves for the informative facts about a popular nation wide "sub shop"!!! THEIR WHEAT BREAD IS WORSE FOR YOU THAN THEIR WHITE BREAD...  AND TO TOP IT OFF, IT'S NOT EVEN WHEAT, IT'S WHITE BREAD DYED TO BE WHEAT!!!! WTF!!!!! I will give you a moment to soak that up.....

NOW, I decided to look this up...after all these years I  thought I was getting the healthier choice...I WAS WRONG!

WHEAT  vs. WHITE

Calories:  Wheat 210

               White 200

Calories from fat:  Wheat 20

                             White 20

Sodium: Wheat 310mg

              White 290mg

Carbs: Wheat 40g

            White 38g

::sigh:: I really don't what to do, my brain goes automatically to wheat when I think healthy. Maybe this is a lesson, things are not always as they seem, I guess I need to start reading more labels?! Although, I haven't found any evidence that they "dye the bread" as I heard this weekend but I have read that it's majority white with just a bit of wheat added in so they can call it "Wheat" bread... I feel like a small child who has been lied to.

HOLY HOTNESS!

   WELCOME TO LOUISIANA SUMMER!!! It is oh so hot here and working out outside is a beast, I try to do everything possible to "beat the heat" so to speak but sometimes you just need to sweat...or you really just cant help it because it so flipping hot!!!!  

  Yup... that says 114...

I'm going to share with you guys, my not so secret ways to "beat the heat!" These are all such common sense things but with this heat...memory loss is a possibility!  Lets start with the morning...we all know i don't do morning BUT if you want to get outside, morning and late at night are your best bet for the lowest temp! Personally I would rather go running at noon and possibly die then wake up at 5am, I value my sleep. My workouts are from 7-8pm and are on the lake so we sometimes get a breeze but  it's still pretty "toasty", they don't call it "camp sweat" for nothing! Since I am working out while the suns still up I take the normal precautions of HYDRATION and Light clothing  (Honestly if I could wear spandex and workout clothes every day all day I would) I make sure during my day I am chugging water, I try to drink a gallon a day especially on workout days.  Not only does water help to keep you hydrated for your workout, it also helps flush all the bad stuff out.  I tend to wear mostly Nike gear, it's just my personal favorite. When you're shopping for your workout clothes make sure you read the tags, look for things that "WICK" away sweat (My sister recently informed me it was WICK not WHISK so now I don't sound like in idiot YAY...except for the fact that I just told you I thought it was whisk... yes, I know a whisk is a kitchen tool) and keep you cool! Now I know working out outside isn't for everyone, One of my best friends seems appalled when I took her to boot camp and we "had to workout in nature." Find a gym or get in your living room  for the summer, they are cool and as long as you have the equipment you need at home you can always get a good workout in!

Whatever or wherever you may be working out  this summer just make sure you are making smart choices to keep yourself healthy and hydrated!!

ON TO THE NEXT ONE! This past weekend my sister, brother in law, and I decided to do the "Running of the bulls" here in New Orleans! What an experience it was, it was so much fun and we are already looking forward to dressing up for next year! If you are not familiar with this event it consist of around 400 roller derby girls and about 14,000 people all dressed in red an white running through the streets, of course the derby girls are chasing you (as the bulls would in the actual bull run) and hitting you with plastic bats. Sounds fun right?! It was! It was a very short, it might have been over a mile...MAYBE. Over all it was a great time, here are some photos from the event!  

On the ferry ride over!

This was after the run, you cant tell but we were soaked, SO HOT!

Just a few of the derby girl...OUCH!

Ditched the long shorts for spandex and post race beers at the gallery :)

ONE YEAR!!!!

 I just realized yesterday that it has been just about a year since I set my goals and started my healthy lifestyle...WELLL, it also started with the fact that I couldn't fit into my dear staff uniform that I had to wear in two weeks (PANIC MODE)!!! When I started all I could think about was "where will I be a year from now?!"  I kept seeing all the motivational post of people who make it that far and I almost thought of it as an impossible goal to achieve, a year seems so far away, and I did it and it snuck up on me! I always looked at the "pin" on Pintrest that says "a year from now, you'll  have wished you started today." and it is so true!!

 I cant wait to see where I will be this time next year...you know if that whole 2k12 thing doesn't happen.  

Here are some photos from this time last year:

this swim top doesn't fit me at all now,  I remember crying in target because this was the only top that fit and it was almost too small, it's a LG and I needed an XL but I was in dire need of a suit.

                                                      I was told black was slimming.

AND some from the past few months:

this was June 9th on my bosses farm for his birthday

Happy Birthday BENJO!

                                                   

 LOOK a swim top from target...and I think it's a small :)

 If I can do it you can do it, just stay focused and motivated any way you can! NOW, to reward myself for how far I have come...It's DISNEY PRINCESS HALF MARATHON SIGN UP DAY!! Get out, get moving, and keep going one day at a time...365 days from now (or whenever you start) you will be so proud trust me its a reward like no other!

(This is what I feel like I did )

4th of July!!!

    Back to the daily grind, at least till Wednesday (YAY for the fourth of July, and a day off work)! I recently started back boot camp after being out for a month, I def feel it. Take my advice and don't take a month off, coming back isn't worth the month off.  I also have been back to my better eating habits, now when I eat what is "normal" food to everyone else.. it's torturous, Lets just say i may never eat at my favorite chicken place ever again...sad i know (RIP Foosacklys). But all in all getting back into it, feels great! :)

I had a request awhile back for Healthy summer cookout barbecue food and I feel like fourth of July week would be a great time to put them up!! These are just a few simple thing you can bring to the table, in place of all those unhealthy foods you normally find at your classic summer cookout! 


*Kabobs > cheeseburger!! Grill up some kabobs with veggies, they are delicious and better for  you!

*Mexican summer fiesta!!?! Skip out on the burgers and grab some chicken and veggies and stick them on a whole wheat tortilla! My favorite!

*Hummus & veggies > Chips and dip!!  I don't know about y'all but I LOVE hummus!!! If you don't, try some homemade guacamole, whatever you do just lose the chips!

*Fruit!!! You cant go wrong with a HUGE fruit tray! everyone loves fruit especially in the summer when you're hanging out around the pool. I could snack on fruit all day!!

*WATER! Stay hydrated, being outside in the heat  will dehydrate you like no other! Keep the water and fresh lemonade close by to quench your summer thirst!


          As I write this i'm trying to decided what ridiculously awesome dessert i'm going to make for our family get together.  You can make smart choices with your food but don't forget to live a little, Eating one cupcake isn't going to kill you, just remember portion control AKA don't eat the whole cake!! Make sure you can jump back on the health food train before it leaves the station and Reward yourself every now and then! Everyone has their weakness and cheat days, it's a good thing, you're only human. Happy 4th of July guys!