Visualize 2012- My vision board

Buenos Noches Bloggy boos!!!  It is finally done!  I am so happy to say that my vision board for 2012 is finally complete. Ok, here it is

That;s right, check it out.  Take it all in.  Look at how wonderfully talented I am.  Ok not really.  Truthfully, I am super late but I just joined photobucket and it made it really easy to put it together and make it all cutseyfied and stuff.  But can I just pause to say OMGoodness!!! I love photobucket and all the creative things I can do with my pictures!  

Why do a vision board????

I just don't feel like I can accomplish anything unless I know what it is I'm trying to accomplish.  Redundant much?  But you get the point.  I spent lots of time figuring out exactly what I want my next year to look like.  It is NOT as easy as it sounds.  I had to think about my physical, mental, monetary, emotional, and spiritual desires before I could even begin to track down the exact pictures that I wanted.  Took a while but I do enjoy searching through pinterest soooooooooooo it wasnt so bad.  

So now that it is done, printed, and posted on my refrigerator, I am prepared to tackle 2012!!! I feel accomplished!  

What is your number 1 goal for 2012?

Let's Jump Start 2012 --- Goal Setting

I don't know about you, but I am truly glad that the holiday season is over and so is my freaking waistline.  While I absolutely love Thanksgiving and Christmas and the warm gushy feelings I get around this time, I do HATE that my tummy gets a little gushy too.  So today its all about cleansing my body and getting ready to bring in the New Year focusing on what is important.  

I usually make a misson/vision board for the year that I look at to keep myself motivated.  It generally stops catching my attention by around August.  Ha!  Im pretty sure it has a lot to do with the fact that I am going back to school, either as a student or a teacher, so my mind tends to switch gears and focus on that.  NOT THIS YEAR!!! (I hope).  My board is usually full of pictures and catchy phrases that keep me motivated along with a list of this I want to accomplish.  I then break down each month (as it approaches, not all at one time) and plan small steps to achieve each larger goal.  If you ask me, you just can't achieve anything without a goal in mind.

How to get er done?

Goal setting is an art within itself.  Its important that your goals are SMART.

This is Teaching 101.  If your goals do NOT meet these criterion then fagetaboutit!  For example, there is nothing SPECIFIC about saying "I want to lose weight" or "I want to get fit".  That doesn't mean anything.  Just like saying "I want to lose 100 lbs" is just not ATTAINABLE.  Get real.  You just have to make sure you follow the rules above and you will be on your way to a better you.  

Tips for setting your goals

• Write them down-  No one accomplishes an idea without writing it down and referring to it.  Write it in complete detail--- What want to accomplish, What you need to make it happen, How long it will take, How far you have to go, How you plan to make it happen, ect
• Set goals for things you REALLY want.  Not just what will sound good.  Remember that YOU will have to put int he work to accomplish these things.  Make sure you want to!
• Write your goals in the positive.  "I will be a size 8 at the end of this year" sounds a lot better than "I wont be a size 14 anymore".
• Make a list of your overall Large goals and then break them down into smaller action steps that you can do throughout the year.  I like to go month by month.  
• Follow the Smart Goals on the picture above.  

That's it.  Those are the simple ways that I set my goals and try to stay on task.  2012 is going to be a big year for me... I can just feel it.  I KNOW I will hit my goal weight and size.  I know my blog is going to get a little more attention.  I know I will get a great head start on my book.  Not to mention the fact that I am getting married!! Whoooo hoooo.  So without further adieu...

But change Skinny to Fit

December 26 - January 31 Mini Goals

5 weeks

1. Lose 15 lbs (I need a cute workout outfit asap to make this happen lol... O and Chalean and Shaun T)
2. 150 followers on my Facebook page
3. Finish the 3 day Shakeology Cleanse (Twice)
4. Cook one new healthy recipe a week
5. 5 different page ideas and details for book
6. 1 creative DIY project a week
7. 3 hours of Spanish Practice a week
8. Scrapbook page for November, December, January
9. Run 3 times (I hate running)
10. Workout 3 or more times a week.  

Well there it is.  Shaina in a 5 week nutshell.  2012 goals to come!

What is your top goal for 2012 or for the next 5 weeks??

20 Fun and Easy Ways to Lose Weight

We all know that "dieting" sucks right?  Of course we do.  I "dieted" for years and as you can see in that 2010 picture, it got me no where.  I am not one for the cheesy cliche statements but truthfully, you have to change your whole outlook on EVERYTHING.  Not just on food and exercise, because those are not the only factors that helped you put on weight.  You have to look at your habits, your friends, your drinking, your family, your social life, your favorite kinds of food, ect.  If only it were as easy as just "dieting"!  Now for some people "dieting" for a short amount of time is ok.  But those are usually the people usually already have good habits, or don't have the much to lose.  If you find yourself having over 100 lbs to lose then I suggest you give up on "diets" and join the movement toward serious health.  Don't get me wrong, I tend to think of cute outfits and shopping before I think of the health benefits of what I am doing with my life, but they roam around my head from time to time.

20 Fun ways to lose weight

1. If you love a certain meal that is full of calories, spend an evening cooking and experimenting with healthier ingredients and try to recreate that favorite. My personal favorite new creation was the stuffed naked burgers with kettle chips or Zucchini fries.  Lots of fun to ruin the kitchen with a friend or your honey!
2. Join a competition or a website where you can see other people progress.  I find that I work best when I am working against someone.  Even if other people don't necessarily know that I am competing with them.  Sneaky huh? Sparkpeople.com is my favorite.  I also use all kind of beachbody workouts.  
3. Put on 10 of your favorite pop/rock/techno/hiphop songs and go crazy.  I bounce all over the house with the music blasting like a mad woman.  Practicing dance move that will probably never see the light of day.
4. Eat 5-6 meals instead of 3.  3 is old news.  Women are shown to lose more weight when they graze all day.  This gives you a chance to get creative with your snacks.  Rice cakes covered in peanut butter or a lemon glaze= Awesome!
5. Get in some prime loving time with your sig-other.  Not just that old missionary stuff, but like some real acrobatic stuff.  Try new things.  Handstands and flips!
6. Laugh until you cry and can't breath as often as you can.  15 minutes of laughing will burn 10-40 calories a day.  Not much, but who wants to frown?
7. Add more blue to your life.  Believe it or not, the color blue is an appetite suppressant!  Who knew!?  So wear blue, use blues plates of napkins.  Easy peasy.
8. Set small goals and reward yourself with awesome things.  Manicure, pedicure, hair done, or my personal favorite shoes.
9. Use smaller dinner plates.  Duh.  Less space to fill = Less food to have.
10. Buy something in a smaller size and work your way into it.  Now don't get ridiculous and buy a size 8 jeans when you are a size 16 because that wont do anything but piss you off.  Remember, reasonable is feasible.  
11. Indulge every once in a while.  If you maintain a pretty nutritional eating plan for most of the week, you can indulge in deliciousness on (insert day here).  I prefer Saturday and I prefer Carbs and Chocolate. 
12. Put a mirror across from your seat at the table.  No one wants to see themselves looking like Fatty McButterpants.  Studies show that it will decrease your intake by 1/3!
13.  Look good when you go out.  I haven't done any research on this but I know that when I am decked out and looking good, I am more apt to eat healthy.  Not only does it make me eat less (because I'm so cute of course) but it also helps me to see my results.  
14. Eat one less_____ a day.  In the beginning, it was soda for me.  I loved my diet sodas so I slowly started to ween myself off of them.  Then it was the chips, ect.  You get the point.
15. Have a "Healthy Girls Night In".  Arrange for each of your ladies to prepare 1 or 2 healthy meals for the evening including veggie plates, fancy sandwich plates, stir frys, ect.  This can also include natural face masks, hair conditioners, and cuticle treatments.  Nothing makes me feel better than facials, clean hair, and healthy food.  DO INCLUDE something tasty for dessert though.  All work and no play is no fun.  this is also fun for a date night.
16. Eat oatmeal or eggs in the am.  Oatmeal (not the one that comes in packages) like steel cut or rolled oats have a gazillion benefits and the same goes for eggs.  They will keep you full longer and prepare you for a nice AM workout if you so choose.  What I lose most is that there are so many different ways to cook oatmeal and eggs.  I put all kind of things in my oats like strawberries, bananas, and nuts.
17. Use spices such as hot sauce and cayenne pepper instead of butters or or creamy sauces.  They have no fat or calories and they rev up your digestive system which causes you to burn more calories.  How hot can you take it?
18. Order the smallest of everything.  This way you can still have the things you want but in small portions. 
19. Take a walk before dinner.  This is especially nice if you have a honey to walk with.  
20. JOURNAL!!! Not just about food, but about how you feel when you workout, how you feel when you don't, what is going on at the moment, ect.  I journal about everything.  I keep track of all my progress and design it with pretty pictures and such.  My art journal is also just a record of where I am and how far I still have to go.  It doesn't have to be every day but it is definitely a good idea.  

So I hope you got some use from my little tricks and ideas!!??

What are some of your tricks for losing weight or making healthy choices?

It is what it is isnt it? on my mind

Some shit...

1. When I saw this picture I just thought "Wow, this is totally me in a year".  I dont know what it is about it, but I really like everything about it.  Is there a hint of jealously in my writing voice?  Yes.  So picture me in this body but with my luscious chocolate skin, my thick hips, and my voluptuous breasts, and my curl locks. 

Future Shaina

2.I really miss having real girlfriends.  I miss my girls man.  I remember when Keyonna and I would get uber fly for absolutely no reason.  We would go to fancy restaurants and valet park.  We would go shopping for the cutest and highest heels on the planet and rock them to some poetry night or jazz club.  I miss it like no other.  While I have met some pretty nice women here, its not the same.  I've yet to meet anyone remotely interesting who is close to my age or situation.  Everyone has been married for years and they have children which kind of just puts me in a different kind of category. I do really like the few women I've met, but I do miss the carefree girlfriend like I used to have.  Staying out all night, movies every Sunday in pjs, showing off new shoes, and taking 1,000's of pictures.  I DON'T EVEN HAVE ANYONE TO OBSESS OVER PICS WITH ME!!  Ashley and I would take so many pictures and it was just understood that that was what you did on a fly night.  Why can't I have them both here in England.  I had to be the chick to move across the world.  I have to practically beg Robert to be my photographer.  I miss my girls.  

Nothing like sexy shoes, friends, and drinks...

3.I don't know what I want to do with my life.  While I am a damn good teacher, I have no desire to continue along that path.  I miss psychology, but most of all, I miss being the Chair of the Campus Activities Board.  The excitement of a new event every week.  The idea of organizing and decorating.  It just really fit my personality to the fullest extent.  I need to do something where I can put my energy and complete personality into it.  Teaching is too redundant.  Its the same damn thing everyday.  

Not going back to this

4. I am so tired of people saying that I should stop trying to lose weight.  I truly appreciate the comments about how much I've lost and how much better I look, but the comments about how I dont need to lose anymore need to stop.  I know that part of that comes from people wanting to say the right thing.  You know, just something you say so that someone feels good.  And it does, but part of the reason I got so damn humongous was because people were trying to be nice.  I dont have time for nice.  Neither from friend nor family...especially family.  Why, because I am going to look like my girl up there in first picture.  And there aint a damn thing that can be said or done to change that.  

LIES BEFORE GOD

5. I am NOT a fan of all the hoops and hops you have to go through when you are marrying into the military.  I can't even decide to get married where I want when I want and have it recognized by the annoying US mil.  I probably shouldn't write that huh.  While I do love the AF and all the benefits and all that jazz, that is not why Im getting married so I dont feel like I should have to do a gazillion things.  AND I am going to need mr. man to get all the facts straight so I can start planning a damn wedding.  IM A PRINCESS DAMNITT.  Basically, I want my way.  Thats that.  

Dream

I have no intention of spell checking this so pardon the mistakes.

Check in, Huge Meat, and Zucchini Fries Recipe.

Why yes, my meat is quite massive. Today I'm going to talk about one of my new favorite Zucchini recipes and why my meat is so massive.  But before we get to that let us run some stats.

So two weeks ago when I got back on my WOrkOut QueEn grind I weighed in at 208.  Damn you vacation.  Two weeks later I am properly loving my 7 lb drop.  Down to 201.  I have one more weigh in before my one month cap.  I was kind of hoping to have gotten rid of more by then but you cant rush progress.  I've also been taking my measurements and found that I've lost quite a few there as well.

While I know that the 4hour body works, I am not a fan of it anymore.  I have found that I don't really like any kind of "diet" that is going prohibit my eating whatever I want whenever I want to eat it.  Be that as it may, the thing I like to eat have changed drastically.  While I still crave the general things like chocolate and french fries, I have switched to dark chocolate almost entirely and I have found other means of satisfying my fried potato fixation.  One of which is this recipe for Zucchini Fries.  Next blog will be about my current workout and eat schedule.  I am compiling next week's meal plans and I  will share soon. (So many not the next blog, but the next next blog).

If you follow me regularly you would have already found the goodness that is Eggplant french fries but these are less greasy and a bit more crunchy, not to mention they aren't fried.

QUICK TIP- My meat is so large because it is actually very beneficial to eat well cooked beef if you feel you are retaining water (which I do all the time).  When you aren't eating a large amount of carbs during the day or with the meal its ok to big up on the meat!


Zucchini Fries
Adapted From: Confections of a Foodie Bride

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups Panko breadcrumbs
• Salt
• Pepper
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 lb zucchini, cut into 4-5-inch sticks

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425 and line a baking sheet with parchment (or whatever non-stick method you prefer).
2. Place flour in a large zipper bag.
3. Whisk eggs with 2 Tbsp water and place in a shallow dish.
4. Place Panko, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper in a shallow dish and mix to combine.
5. Place zucchini in the bag with the flour and shake until well coated. Dip the zucchini into the egg and then into the panko, turning to coat well.
6. Place breaded zucchini on the baking sheet.
7. Bake 18-20 minutes, until golden brown.
8. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce (we like ranch... and barbecue sauce).
9. They're best the first day, but to store leftovers, store in a single layer on a plate, wrapped with ziploc. Reheat at 375 degrees for 5-7 minutes, until heathed through.

I loved these along side my massive steak the other night.  I have been really doing it up with these side dishes lately and most of them are healthy.

What is your favorite side dish?

Fat Wife?? Cheat on her!

Before we delve into the Oh so interesting picture below, let me provide some information.  AshleyMadison.com is a website that encourages and provides a place where married people (or long term relationships)  can have affairs   This is their specialty.  The following are a few ads form their website...

WTF

Oh and lets not forget this one....

While reading one of my health and fitness blogs I ran across a post in which this was the topic at hand.  I am all kinds of.... Ok before my opinion.  When I saw this photo I thought to myself, "who the hell did they photo shop to get the chick at the bottom because no one in their right minds would pose for something solely so their body can be used as a joke".  I kept reading and found that this is an actual person who had no idea that her pictures would be used in this way.  

Years ago, before my modeling career began in earnest, a photographer friend of mine arranged an informal photo session. I was under the impression at the time that people purchasing these photos from the photographer would be doing so for their own personal use. I had no idea that the photographer would endeavor to sell the photos to corporations and/or stock photo companies, who would then go on, repeatedly, to use them in rude and mocking ways.I am mortified that my image and likeness would be used as advertisement for two things I am so vehemently against: namely cheating and, to an even greater extent, body shaming.I find the very idea that there exists a business based solely around the facilitation of infidelity appalling. The fact that they are now suggesting that a person’s partner not fitting their ideal body size/shape, entitles that person to ‘shop around’ is disgusting.There is an enormous problem in this world in regards to female body shaming, and not solely in regard to fat women, but all women. A size 2 woman who sees this ad sees the message: “If I don’t stay small, he will cheat”. A size 12 woman might see this ad and think “if I don’t lose 30lbs, he will cheat”. A size 32 woman could see this ad, and feel “I will never find love”. It’s horrific. Not all women are necessarily insecure, but it’s no secret that body insecurity is endemic, regardless of size. This kind of message is extremely damaging to self worth. Eating disorders may have lost their place in the media spotlight, but continue to effect people of all ages, especially teens. This sort of behavior can easily be triggered from the careless cruelty of advertisements like the one in question.[...]It’s bad enough that a business exists that encourages and profits from cheaters, but, worse still, that they have the gall to blame a woman’s body on the act, rather than the man who is incapable of commitment and loyalty. It exists in the same school of thought in which a rapist blames a woman’s outfit for his crime.

1st--- This website is really on that bullshit.  I guess you have to make money where you can, and we all know sex sells, but they should really be ashamed of themselves.  Yes, affairs happen but that in no way should mean that that kind of behavior should be encouraged.  I am truly disgusted.  And how dare they choose to use an overweight woman to promote the need for men to have an affair?  Truthfully, men cheat for all kinds of reasons, only one of which is how their wives LOOK.  NOT TO MENTION... women cheat too, but I guess they didn't have a picture for that. So the ad is sexist and...sizist?

B----Now this woman, who actually runs a BBW fetish website, had no idea that her pictures would be used in such a way.  Now I understand that when you sign away your pictures you don't necessarily have a say in how they are used, but now this woman has to forever be known, both to the public and to herself, as the SCARY woman from this poster.  It is so not fair to her or the other women who could possibly feel less beautiful, once again, because of some absolutely ridiculous form of media.  

And F---We all know that I am no advocate for being overweight, but far be it for me to but someone else's hustle down.  She obviously had a lot of self esteem if she was able to comfortably pose for pictures like this.  Hell, I don't think I would!  She has a point- body insecurity doesn't care what size you are when it comes looking for you.  In fact, I think I may have more body image issues now than when I was 284!  Or at least I am more cognizant of them.   

At the end of the day, who the hell expected a trashy ass website to do any better than jump on the lets-bash-fat-people-because-they-are-the-only-thing-wrong-with-the-world bandwagon.  

So what do you think??  Is this just damn ridiculous or am I overreacting?