My Journey to my BEST body ever!

Right Picture is fall 2007/Left is New Years 2010

HI! My name is Bridget, I am 26 years old and I live in North Carolina. The last year of my life has been a incredible and blessed Journey. At my heaviest (that I actually weighed myself) I was 273 lbs. I am 5'10. I was over weight for about 5-6 years. I kept telling myself I would be able to lose it, and saying TOMORROW I will start a new diet or a new workout, but never would. I tried every shortcut in the book nothing worked. I had always been active with sports until about senior year of high school. I went off to college having gained weight and slowly lost some my freshman year. I moved back home, I was still in school, but commuting. Living at home helped a lot because my mom always cooked very healthy. My brother, Justin, graduated from ASU and moved home that fall and began helping me with my diet and exercise. He was/is in great shape and knew a lot about being healthy. I lost more weight, went from a size 16 to a 12. I met and am still with my boyfriend Ryan. I had been healthy and working hard and was confident in myself again. Then I moved to Wilmington and transferred to UNCW. I was living on my own again. I wasn't eating healthy and I stopped exercising, and quickly began losing confidence and faith in myself. I kept gaining over the next 5 years. Fall of 2009 I was a size 20 in pants, and completely miserable and unhappy. I became a different person, someone I wasn't proud of, who had no self esteem and was very bitter, because I hated myself. Finally last February 2010, I made myself so sick of who I was and who I had become and I had lost so much in my life, I couldn't take it anymore! I got up the Monday after Valentine's Day and began exercising and making better choices with my diet. I did lots of reading and learned about how metabolism works. I read about healthy foods and what types of foods and ingredients in food were best for me. I kept my workouts challenging by watching workout videos from trainers on youtube, and in health blogs and magazines. By September 2010 I was a size 12 and I weighed about 178 lbs, by New year's eve 2010 I was a size 10 and 173lbs. I have gained so much lean muscle and definition in places I have never seen! My goal weight is 150lbs, I am currently 169lbs. I have lost 108 lbs of fat! I just signed up for my first 10k which is in May 2011. I am starting my training for it now. ...So now my Journey to my BEST body ever begins......

This is me on February 14th 2011 :)

Tuesday March 15 2011 Training begins....

So I started my day with 2 eggs and a couple tbsp of skim mozzarella and a Meta-D drink.. . For my 11am meal I had a Tofurkey Italian Sausage with spicy mustard... 2 pm had half of a naval orange and a homemade protein bar (they taste sooooo good!) ...then 5 pm string cheese and a 100 cal pack ofalmonds. Got home from work , was kind of feeling like sleepy, it's probably because of the lack of sunshine and warm weather today :( but I sucked it up did my bikini boot-camp workout and then went outside and ran for about 2. 2 miles! YAY my first day training for my 10K!!!! I would have done the 2 . 5 miles I had planned on but half way through my run I realized I forgot I have exercise induced asthma! hahaha it brought back memories of running track in high school....haven't run outside since then. So I will need to visit the doctors next week and renew my inhaler prescription.. After my run I had some whole wheat pasta and fresh kale and half a cup of ground beef left overs. All and all pretty decent day...it drug on forever at work today, but had some good news which kept me going till 5 pm.! I will do some stretching on my foam roller before bed and have a protein bar (homemade! ) because I am out of protein powder till Friday :( ......Hope everyone had a fab Tuesday!!!!!! :) :)
ps- the pic above is after my workout, showing you my homemade protein bars! they are delicioso!!! :)
and I included the bikini bootycamp workout I do below...these girls are amazing I follow their blog!!!

Wednesday March 16 2011

So today was a long day....lots of annoying and crazy things at work to deal with. Got some good news on my way home though!!!!! :) I started my day with half cup of oatmeal with a little natural peanut butter......11am had left over grilled shrimp with kale and a little chipotle sauce...2pm had a (homemade) protein bar yummy :) and a half of a naval orange.....5 pm 100 calorie almonds and string cheese and then 7:30ish I had leftover wheat pasta with tofurkey italian sausage, kale and grilled onions and garlic in a light spicy sauce, it was so good! For my workout tonight I did my tone it up legs and abs workout and then biked for 30 mins and 7.46 miles wewt!! It felt great! I am on a 10K training plan by Hal Higdon so today was cross training. Tomorrow is St. Patties day and my FRIDAY!!!!!! I am so excited for a 3 day weekend!! Also btw I drink anywhere from 98 oz to 116 oz of water a day minimum, drinking water is a great way to cleanse and clean your body and help with your metabolism. I don't drink any soda, not even diet, or sugar drinks. Always remember DON'T drink your calories! I will have a protein bar before bed and roll out my thighs on my foam roller. Hope everyone had a Happy hump day!!!! :)

here's my song of the day......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7qHYuVDIYY Enjoy!!!! I'm def a gleek ;)

LOVE These girls! I love their workouts and I strive to have their bodies! check them out.... http://www.youtube.com/user/ToneItUpcom

Saturday March 19 2011

Sorry I haven't posted in the past couple days been really busy! So on Thursday I went out for st' Patties day because an Irish girl must celebrate her heritage! Friday i was off from work, started my day early, with two eggs over easy and some water with mint. 11 am had the last of my left over whole wheat pasta (which was only about a cup) and some pesto and olive oil with spoonful of greek yogurt. I worked out around noon, I did tone it up abs and back strength training and then a 10 mile bike ride for 40 mins!! Was gorgeous weather here!!! 2pm I had a black bean and sweet potato quesadilla on whole wheat tortilla and coconut water. 5 pm I had a Larabar, chocolate brownie :) and a sugar-free rockstar energy drink with no carbonation. I went to target and earthfare to get groceries then got a new shirt at Charlotte Russe! Went to Los Tres for some mexican with Ryan for dinner. I just had grilled shrimp with guacamole salad. I can't have meat on fridays right now because it's Lent and I am Catholic! Today I am treating myself I am getting a pedicure and relaxing. Monday is supposed to be my "rest" day but yesterday my knee started hurting pretty bad soooooo instead of running 2 miles I am going to do that on Monday :). Also I get to go get some new running shoes today YAY!!!!!!! Then it's off to a cookout at Ryan's parents house and a small photo shoot for my blog and to mark my progress....his dad is an amazing photographer!!!! I can't wait I am so excited, I got some new workout clothes from Champion yesterday!!! So I will have pics to post tomorrow!

HAPPY SATURDAY EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!! Stay awesome ;)
ps- the pic above is the view from my balcony this morning wanted to show you how gorgeous it is!!!! :)

Tuesday March 22 2011

So, on Saturday we were having such a good time that we ran out of daylight to do the photo shoot with! lol....so We are rescheduling it. Sunday was a relaxing lazy day with Ryan, we did go to Goodberry's to get some ice cream to celebrate the first day of spring! Don't worry though they have sugar free ice cream there and that's what I got vanilla...yummy it was sooooo good :) Then we went to Trader Joe's and got my groceries for the week. I LOVE trader Joes they have the best stuff that's healthy and it's cheap! So I didn't exercise this weekend because of my knee hurting so bad but I did buy my new running shoes! (see pic above) They are very comfty I ran in them today! Monday was rough day at work and and exhausting day in general. So here's to a better Tuesday and an Awesome workout tonight! :)

Wednesday March 23, 2011

HUmp day! Halfway through the week! So Today I started my day with a protein pankcake I got the recipe from toneitup.com but I tweeked it a little because it was slightly dry and hard . My recipe however was DELICIOUS! Plus it's only one Pancake a little bigger then normal and less then 250 calories and fills you up completely. 11 am I had a veggie dog with a tbsp of skim mozerella and mustard on a piece of ezekial bread! The veggie dog are super good, only 45 cal per serving and 8 grams of protein and they taste good. I got mine from trader Joes for $1.99 for eight hotdogs. 2 pm I had a protein shake (two scoop of vanilla protein powder and water) and a homemade protein bar! :) 5 pm I had handful of almonds and a skim string cheese. 7:30pm I had some steamed shrimp corn and a piece of turkey sausage. I did the first bikini body challenge workout, my tone it up leg workout and 30 mins of steps. Then I decided it was time to rearrange my living room haha! Was a decent day though and the weather was GORGEOUS!!!

Happy Hump day!!! Stay awesome :)
(the pic is after my workout...all sweaty and hot but feeling awesome!)

Friday night after work at the Ale house to watch some March Madness! :) had wine and a veggie quesadilla! :)

The picture above is one of my fave meals I make.... It's
1 cup Boca Meatless crumbles
Kale-as much as you want!
1/4 cup red onions
3 diced garlic cloves
a few chopped tomato pieces
and a pinch of Mrs dash table blend seasoning
......Start by sauteing the onions and garlic, the add the meatless crumbles, let it all cook and mix, add the seasoning, then the Kale...I usually put a little hot sauce too! Next the tomatoes and keep mixing while the flavors blend and the kale softens some. After it looks like everything is mixed and cooked take it of put into a bowl or plate.....sometimes I put a tablespoon of greek yogurt on top...it tastes like sour cream when you mix it in! :) This is DELICIOUS and Healthy :D

IT'S BIKINI CHALLENGE TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Monday March 28 2011

Where I want to be...Turks and Caicos :)

Kicked off my Toneitup.com BIKINI BOdy Challenge This weekend!!! I am so excited because this is exactly What I need right now. I am so focused and determined to get my body to wear I am SOOOOO proud of it and feel so confident in myself. These girls are amazing and have the most INCREDIBLE bodies I have ever seen! This is also a way to hold yourself accountable because they have all these challenges which require you to Check in constantly with your progress...and I did a before photo and video and at the end of the eight weeks I will do an "after,"
Before I was always someone who didn't like the warm weather, because I was so insecure and was heavy and hated my body....now I am IN LOVE with the warm weather!!!! It's all I think about and I am so ready for Summer for the first time in my adult life! Anytime when I am doing my workout and it gets to that point you just want to stop....I tell myself to think about that bikini I want to be rocking by the summer time and I push harder! I am going to try and update everyday on here during my bikini Challenge as well as on my facebook. I am very excited and super motivated I can feel it....this is going to get me to where I want to be with my body..especially with training for my 10k at the same time!!! :)

Hope EVERYONE had a FANTASTIC Monday!!!!! :) Stay awesome ;)

"I am still determined to be cheerful and happy, in whatever situation I may be; for I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances." -Martha Washington

Tuesday March 29 2011

after my run...i was dripping sweat and all red and flushed...but it's an amazing feeling! :)

Okay so today was a decent day...at work it wasn't great but I kept in a good mood most of the day especially because the weather got nicer this afternoon! :) I am trying something a little different for my diet with my eating times.....I am eating around 7 am for breakfast, today i had one scrambled egg with some turkey sausage and apiece of Ezekiel bread, then at 10:30 am I have an apple, for snack. At 12 noon I eat my lunch, I had spinach salad with some sauteed Tempeh, some chopped red onions and balsamic vinegar and a little olive oil. At 2pm I had a snack size chocolate Greek yogurt and a homemade protein bar. Then at 5pm I have string cheese and a 100 calorie pack of almonds, and Dinner at 7:45 , I had Chicken breast and sauteed Kale with garlic and red onions. So I am basically making sure I get 6 meals by breaking down the snacks to very low calorie. I am also making sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day and during my workouts. Tonight I did bikini bootycamp workout and then rand about 2.48 miles outside! I t was an awesome workout and my workouts have been pretty intense with this bikini body Challenge! 7 More weeks, and I can do it...you CAN do anything for 7 weeks :) I am hoping by the end of the 7 weeks I go down another pants size and feel and look great! I am sooooo stuck on toning right now...got to get rid of all the fat! :)

I really want to THANK EVERYONE who reads my blog and posts on my facebook! All the compliments and messages telling me that I inspire you means SO much to me! It makes me feel amazing to know that I am capable of that :) and it gives me that much more drive to push hard and make all of you proud and inspired by me. THank you all so much for your support and love, I am truly blessed and so grateful for everything !!!!!!!!:)
OHHHHH and I had my annual review today and I got a RAISE!!! :) wewt

“The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a man's determination.”
-Tommy Lasorda

STAY AWESOME! Xoxo

April 4 2011 ----CHALlENGE TIME!!!!!!----

The tone it up girls!!! THey are amazing with the most INCREDIBLE bodies EVER!!!! I will get there :)

Okay soooo...I know its been a few days and I am SO sorry. Been a crazy busy last 5 or so days!!!! So I am here to check in and CHALLENGE myself!!! I am chanllenging myself to log in everyday the next 5 days and post a new favorite recipe and check in with my day and workouts!!! Right now I am in the middle of the Tone it Up Bikini challenge, I am working hard and also still trying to train for my 10 k. I had a minor set back with running my 4 miles on Sunday, I have been having a few issues with my knee again. Just hoping if I back off it some more I will allow it time to heal and keep going! So right now i have to check in and post on my twitter and tag the tone it up girls on healthy recipes, and they will pick 10 winners to send a tone it up lunch box with lots of goodies in it to the winners! see below for the Beach bum and bikini strap workout...my two fav's right now...they burn, but in the best way possible. just gotta keep up and keep on top of my running. The weather is finally getting warm again and clear and Sunny so that should be easier to maintain since I need to run outside.

My Favorite Protein Shake Recipe!!!! :-) 4/5/11

2 scoops of vanilla protein powder
1 cup of chocolate almond milk
1 heaping tbsp of natural peanut butter
1 tsp of ground flaxeed
1 cup and half of ice
Put all ingredients into a blender ( I use my magic bullet! ) blend until smooth...and remember to do your shake dance!!!!!!
ENJOY xoxo

Wednesday April 6 2011

It was Gorgeous outside today!!! 70 degrees and sunny :)

So work has been kind of stressful and crappy lately, and I have been doing my best to stay focused and positive! I'll keep doing my best, because I don't want to lose my motivation. Also with the weather getting nice and warming up outside its perfect for running and exercising!! This has been a particularly challenging week but I am pushing through, I have had cramps and feeling bloated and extra tired and stressed. When I leave work sometimes I just want to go home and lay in bed and do nothing....but there is no time for slowing down now....I have got goals, and I am doing my bikini challenge and there is no time off penciled in on that calendar! :) It is definitely important to have a blanace between exercise and enjoying life, but until I feel like I have lost that and exercise has consumed me I don't plan on stopping. :) So everyone take some time to relax and enjoy the weekend this weekend and get up monday morning ready to go, and push hard to hit your goals!!! I'll beright there with ya!!

"To believe in yourself and to follow your dreams, to have goals in life and a drive to succeed, and to surround yourself with the things and the people that make you happy ...this is success!"

4/6/11 Avocado Salsa Recipe

Chop all ingredients, amounts of each will vary depending on how much you want to make or how many people you are serving....
You will need....avocados....tomatoes.....white onion....cilantro, and lime.
Chop up everything except the lime, toss in a bowl and squeeze the lime over top of everything, add salt to taste....and voolaa...DELICIOUS avocado salse!!!!!
You can dip anything you want in it or use it as a topping in your favorite dish, or even eat it as is! :)

ENjoy! xoxo

Thursday April 7 2011

So today wasn't a bad day per say...but I really had a hard time feeling motivated at work and afterwards for my workout. I have been super bloated and cramping and you know what that means ladies! Also it makes it hard to workout and give it my all because i feel fatigued & like there are weights strapped to my feet lol. So I apologize it will be short today but I will def post a recipe. Also I want to start posting a SOTD- song of the day !!! I think it would be kind of fun! It's almost the weekend...thank goodness...been a very LONG and stressful week for me. Plus I have to work on Saturday, so I don't get a full weekend :(

"Confidence is the result of hours and days and weeks and years of constant work and dedication." -Roger Staubach

Happy Thursday :) xoxo

SOTD :)

Recipe 4/6/11

Very simple recipe today...this is FAVORITE for me, and my friends and co-workers always say it's so good!
Just simply ice water with cut up wedges of lemon slightly squeezed, and the add some fresh mint! I usually crush the mint just a LITTLE bit then add it so the flavor comes out! Enjoy!!!! YUMMY

Friday April 8 2011

This is my RYAN!!!! I felt like it was time to bring him to the blog lol!! This is the love of my life, he's my best friend and makes me so happy! :)

Today was DEFINITELY better then yesterday! I am still feeling all the bloat fatigue and stress...but I had a better day at work, the weather was GORGEOUS, and it just felt good knowing it was Friday! Plus Ryan and I are going out on a date night tonight!! Right now we don't live together, but we live like a half mile apart, so I get excited on Fridays because I get to see him for the weekend. Some of you may be like wtf, why just on the weekend? It's just the way it is right now, we have our own places and very different schedules during the day, && the only time we would technically see each other is when we go to bed at night. When we get engaged we will get a place together! So for now this works, friday through monday! He makes me very happy and has been beside me through pretty much all my journey and never stopped loving me. He is my rock! :) Everyone have an amazing Friday!!!!!

"Fear less, hope more, eat less, chew more, whine less, breathe more, talk less, say more, hate less, love more, and good things will be yours."

:) :) xoxo

SOTD below :)

So the Recipe I posted is a video from one of the girls for the TONEITUP bikini challenge and I thought it was sooooo good I wanted to share it with yall!!!
CHeck out the Link below for the tone it up girls and all there amazing videos and blogs and contests...&& their diet plan!!!
.http://toneitup.com/blog/

Thursday April 14 2011

WOW BEST..DAY..EVER.. got some good news at work today, and the best ending to my day was my TONE IT UP girls posted the video I made for them on my youtube channel on their FACEBOOK!!!!! I got SO many amazing and incredible messages from so many of you FABulous toneitup team girls!!!! I can't wait to sit down and respond to everyone! All of you inspire me, and my tone it Up girls are the most incredible people I have ever come across! I am so blessed to have found them and have had their help! Luv you girls so much!! I have to make this one a little short tonight....had a long busy day today and I need to get some sleep because I got my ToneItUp bootycall workout in the morning before work!!!!!

Happy Thursday girls!!!!! <3 && if you haven't yet go Check out my http://toneitup.com/blog/ girls!!!!!! xoxo

Friday April 15 2011

THis was my oatmeal! It was so yummy, this was before I mixed it up :)

What a CRAZY busy day I had today!!! I couldn't fall asleep last night because of some great things to come in my future were on my mind, and then was wideawake by 4:30 am! So I figured I would take advantage of the natural energy and went running to do my BOOTYCALL workout for 30 mins, then came back and made some DE-lcious oatmeal. I made old fashioned oats, then added one pack of stevia, tsp of honey, and a tsp of cinnamon, it was super yummy and filled me right up! Then it was off to work! I took some Larabars to work to share with a few of my co-workers, they have been asking me how I get my sweet fix, I told them I eat a Larabar! My favorite one is the coconut Cream Pie one..mmmmm so good! I got some really great news at work on Friday that I will be sharing with you very soon! Made for an easy afternoon and then went out to dinner with sme friends to celebrate, I had to keep it healthy of course, so I ordered blackend tuna steak and steamed broccli and cauliflower for my side! It was healthy and yummy! I won't be posting tomorrow I have a very busy day and packed with things that will require me to be away from my computer! I will post on Sunay night fo sure though. Keep your diet healthy this weekend and try not to cheat, you should relax and indulge in a healthy way, you will be so happy you did when you pt on that fabulus bikinni this summer!!!

**** only about 4 weeks left on the ToneItUp bikinni challenge****
Stay awesome and stay MOTIVATED!!!! Love you guys xoxo

"When you know what you want,and you want it badly enough,you'll find a way to get it . "
-Jim Rohn

SOTD! :)

Sunday April 17 2011

Happy Sunday! Hope everyone's weekend was fabulous! It was gorgeous out today!!! I went to a football game on saturday and I am so proud of myself because I packed healthy snacks that taste delicious so I wouldn't be tempted to cheat and eat anything processed. I packed veggies and hummus, raspberries and blueberries, && pop Chips!! It was a lot of fun and everyone loved my healthy snacks. For dinner I had grilled shrimp with sauteed onions and green peppers, topped with salsa! Stay on your diet on the weekends is very important, my ToneItUp.com girls Karena & Katrina make a very good point....If you cheat on the weeks thats half the month! I know because around the holidays last fall I got a little wrapped up in the spirit of the holidays and would cheat fridays and Saturdays, and it definitely hurt my progress. I didn't gain any weight but I wasn't losing and was losing some of my tone. So I am telling you from experience it's true and it will make it harder to reach that bikinni body. I am posting a new video tomorrow on my youtube channel (http://www.youtube.com/user/Bridge2105?feature=mhum) I will be talking about what keeps me motivated. A lot of the girls who messaged me when they saw it on the ToneItUP facebook page asked what I did , and how I stay motivated, so I figured I would do a video and tell you all about it!!! I am going on vacation to the beach this week && I am going to have some videos on the beach!!! I can't wait, this is a well deserved vacation! I am also challenging myself to workout everyday and stay on track with my diet while I am on vacation!!
Stay Fabulous girls!!!! xoxo

"Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another." -Walter Elliott

A building in Downtown Raleigh where I live that was destroyed.

PLease everyone keep all those who were affected by the massive storms and Tornados that rolled through Central & Eastern North Carolina on Saturday afternoon. (see video below) http://www.wral.com/weather/video/9456372/
Many people lost their homes, were injured, some people were killed, cars & businesses destroyed.

Monday April 18 2011

after workout snack!!! :)

So today was a SUPER busy day! I had to head to my parents at the coast here, and take care of some very important things. I was out and about running errands and tied up at appointments all morning till about 3 in the afternoon. I was able to get up and do my bootycall workout run first thing though. Then for breakfast I had a piece of Ezekial bread with a wedge of laughing cow light cheese and one over easy egg on top, it was very yummy! :) Normally I eat again at 11 but I was held up in an appointment and was unable to eat until 12:30 :( BUT when I got to eat I had an apple with a piece of string cheese. After that it was time for a bikini strap workout!!! I am in love with the new bikini workout series that my Tone It Up girls! For my after workout snack I had a Zico coconut water with a Larabar, YUm, on my drive back home. Then for dinner I have Grilled Chicken breast with asparagus! I only drank about 84 oz of water today, I was really busy, but normally I drink about 112 or so. Getting up tomorrow for a bootycall workout at 5:30 am and then it's off to work for the day! I will be updating my blog tomorrow night, and I will have more Videos on Thursday! I will be heading back to the beach Wednesday afternoon till next Tuesday!!! :)

Stay Fabulous Girls!! xoxo

"Between you and every goal that you wish to achieve, there is a series of obstacles, and the bigger the goal, the bigger the obstacles. Your decision to be, have and do something out of the ordinary entails facing difficulties and challenges that are out of the ordinary as well. Sometimes your greatest asset is simply your ability to stay with it longer than anyone else." ~ Brian Tracy

New Video Below....Check out my Youtube channel and subscribe please!!!!! I am an officially an affiliate of the Toneitup team!!! :)

Tuesday April 19 2011

the skyline tonight was gorgeous! Caught this pic right as the sun was setting after my workout.... this from my place looking down the street :)

Crazy busy day at work today! which is good though :) started my day with a little Tone It Up bootycall run at 5:30am...then I made my favorite oatmeal, old fashioned oats with cinnamon and honey! Off to work after that...about 11 I had string cheese and a handful of almonds. Went to Old Navy at lunch and bought some adorable linen skirts to wear at the beach this week/weekend! It was really cool because i haven't bought any new summer bottoms since the end of last summer and I am even SMALLER this spring! It felt so good trying on the clothes! Then about 2 o'clock I had half a grapefruit with stevia and spinach leaves with balsamic vinegar and some cucumbers. My 5 o'clock snack was a Larabar, this it was done with work and off to do the BEACH BABE workout!!! (will post the Vid below) Loved the workout.....it definitely burns :) I had tilapia fish taco for dinner...It was Grilled tilapia with some Mrs dash , sauteed Kale, chopped red onions &peppers, with a sprinkle of low fat feta cheese and some salsa, all on a Ezekial bread tortillas. I found Ezekial tortillas at whole foods, they were actually in the freezer area, but they are so good and super healthy, plus they are organic and gluten free!! Dinner was super delicious! OH also I tried on a pair of pants tonight in one size down, which is a size I have never worn before, and they almost fit comfortably!!!!!!!!!!!! I love moments like that when you can feel and see your hard work pays off :) Half day of work tomorrow then OFF TO THE BEACH!!!!!!!! Thursday I am going to post my Q&A video...mostly about what keeps me motivated and best practices that worked for me! Check out my videos @ http://www.youtube.com/user/Bridge2105?feature=mhum
Follow on Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/bridge_1726
almost have my facebook page done too!

Love you guys! Stay Fab! xoxo
"Nothing can stop the (wo)man with the right mental attitude from achieving his(her) goal; nothing on earth can help the (wo)man with the wrong mental attitude."
--Thomas Jefferson

Wednesday April 20 2011

view of my parents dock from the backyard! They are on the sound side since they have a boat :)

Super busy day today! I got up did my bootycall HIIT workout with all my Tone it UP girls I hope! Then I had to pack some, get ready for work and be at work at 8 am for a conference call, not so fun hehe. Then about 3 pm I left work headed home to finish packing and head to the beach!!! I also bought a new bikini (pics will come soon!) I am so excited about that! I tried on a pair of jeans I got that are a size smaller then what I currently wear, and they fit...just a little snug! && they are a size I have never been!!! It's very exciting and motivating too! When I was losing weight all through last year I would try on jeans from freshman year of college that were smaller sizes just to see how close to fitting into them I was, it was great motivation to get me closer to my goals. Each Friday I would weigh myself and there was always a loss on the scale! I love that feeling. Now that I have lost the huge bulk of fat I am on to really toning it up like crazy! Now I have all of you guys for my support and motivation as well and that means so much to me! love you guys and my Tone It Up girls :) So I had egg whites with kale & a little bit of Mrs Dash table blend seasoning, it was SO good! I mean like super delicious kind of good :) At about 11 am I had a 4 oz grilled chicken breast with basil and sea salt. 2 pm I had a salad with Kale, red onions, cucumbers and a little bit, and red peppers with Balsamic Vinegar it was yummy :) I love salads and I'm obsessed with Kale. Then at 5 pm I had a handful of almonds and an apple. For dinner I was driving so I had to pack something, I had black beans, lettuce, grilled chicken, diced jalapeños, chopped onions, cucumbers and some fresh salsa! I also had about 112 oz of water today, I put lemon and mint in my water, that's my favorite way to have it! I didn't get down to the beach until after dinner time and visited with my family for a little while so I am just getting to this :) I plan on going to the beach tomorrow for a run && making a video!

Stay Fit &Fab girls!! xoxo
"When I thought I couldn't go on, I forced myself to keep going. My success is based on persistence, not luck." -Norman Lear

SOTD

Thursday April 21 2011

Bogue Inlet Pier @Emerald Isle, NC where my parents live! :)

Today started so FABULOUSLY!! I woke up and went down to the dock on the water and took my yoga mat & hand weights and did my Tone It UP bikini strap and beach bum workouts! I felt great, I wanted to look awesome when I put on my bikini to go to the beach :) then I received some really good news which I can share with guys soon...just not yet ;) I was already on a naturally high from my workout but that just added to it!!! Then packed a cooler bag with healthy snacks together and loaded up the car to head to the beach.... UNFORTUNATELY it started thundering on the way, we waited in the car for about 20 mins, it started pouring rain :( so we came home....so I was not able to record a video for you guys... I'm sorry. Tomorrow is supposed to be beautiful so (fingers crossed! ) I will get out to the beach and take some pictures and record a video!! yay! he he. I had eggs with spinach, onions, and tomatoes for breakfast. After my workout I had the Tone it up girls favorite protein shake, it was super yummy! My sister even asked for advice on making protein shakes because she had not had good luck with hers. I packed grapes, waters w/ lemon, and apples with natural peanut butter for the beach, which became my afternoon snack. At 4 o'clock I had some homemade wheat pita chips (recipe to come :) soon) with a 1/4 cup of hummus. Then I went to yoga class with my Mom. I LOVE yoga! Everyone should do it, it relaxes you and works you out at the same time. Plus it really helps you learn how to maintain your breathing while working out. I cooked the Tone it Up lemon garlic Chicken recipe for my family for dinner, and some asparagus! The chicken tasted delicioso! Everyone loved it! :) I had a glass of red wine for dinner with my lemon water! Now I am about to go hang out with my family for a while and sit on the deck and relax! Hope everyone had an AWEsome Thursday! Get ready for your Friday AM bootycall workout!!! I am headed to the beach for a run in the sun!!! If you haven't go sign up for the Tone It Up bikini Challenge!!! ~~~http://toneitup.com/blog/2011/03/spring-into-bikini-season-8-week-series-to-get-bikini-ready-with-tone-it-up/

Stay Fit & FAb girls!!!!! xoxo

"Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they've got a second." -William James

For all you girls....Love my K&K...this video is amazing...thanks girls! <3

Friday!!!!! April 22 2011

emerald isle beach, nc.....it was overcast though :(

Finally got to the beach today! It was very windy and overcast though :( it was also a little chilly, so we lasted about 45 minutes and packed up and came back to the house and it was SUNNY by the time we got back so went out on the dock to lay out and hang while my niece and nephews played in the water. It was gorgeous out, I did get a little burnt but its my first of the summer and now I will tan! :) Tomorrow I will def have more sunblock on! It's finally FRIDAY!! Except I'm on vacation, but for all of you who had to work or go to school, it's finally the weekend! Hope everyone has some awesome plans for the weekend! Started the day with a little bootycall HIIT workout wewt! I had a Tone it up blueberry pancake for breakfast, added some protein powder to it, it was so good! Then packed grapes, laughing cow cheeses, almonds, salt-free peanuts, and bananas for the beach. (which ended up being the dock hehe) Then at 5 pm I had hummus and carrots. For dinner my family made fresh crab cakes with NO fillers, fresh shrimp & salad. I made a avocado salsa, I have the recipe posted above, it tastes super yummy and it's fresh ingredients and healthy. Watched girls night out on CBS with my family and we all hung out and talked! It was a great day, lots of fun with the family and relaxed. Also have a new video to upload when I get home! Can't wait! Hope everyone has a FABULOUS Friday!!! Check out the recipe below for some yummy TONE IT UP Coconut carrot Cupcakes YUM!!!
http://toneitup.com/blog/2011/04/tone-it-cupcakes-coconut-carrot-cupcakes/

Stay Fit & Fab!!!! xoxo

Workout Quote for ya....

"I never regret it when I do it, but I always regret it when I don't."

Also I have my Facebook page up....still working on some more pics and updating it!!!
Check it out and LIKE me <3
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bridget-Nicole/178718605514077?v=wall

Pandas have itches too! :)

Saturday April 23 2011

The view from the dock looking straight up at my parents beautiful house!! Gorgeous outside today!

Today was a pretty busy day! Woke up and had breakfast....I made a delectable protein pancake! Then I outside to enjoy the weather a little bit &get a nice walk in. Hung out with my Niece and nephews for a while. Then had my 11 o'clock meal, I had some shrimp that was left over with a little bit of brown rice and green peppers. Then it was off to enjoy the sun out on the dock! I took a half of whole wheat pita w/ turkey breast, lettuce and mustard for my afternoon snack down to the dock with me.Also took down a lot of water flavored with berries to enjoy :) Had to put on some serious sunblock because I forgot the day before and got a little burnt. After a relaxing couple hours in the sun, I went to the grocery store with my mom to get stuff for dinner and brunch on Easter Sunday morning! Came home put together the Tone It Up mango salsa (see pic below) and enjoyed some before getting ready and heading to the Easter Vigil Mass at Church. Church was a beautiful service, we came home and cooked burgers and Bratwurst on the grill...I made Tone It Up Turkey burgers for my Mom <3 & me! After dinner my whole family and I went out on the porch to hang out &listen to beach music! :) I had some peppermint tea with cinnamon! My Mom had some too, she loved it!!! Then it was Play time on the Wii and bedtime!
I won't be posting on here tomorrow because it's my last day here & it's Easter...I want to spend as much of it with my family as I can! Hope everyone has an AMAZING Easter!!!

Stay Fit & Fabulous girls! xoxo
"You focus your mind to train your body and the changes that begin to take place impact your mind as well. Dream it, believe it, and you will achieve it."

Turkey burger with Mango Salsa!!! Thanks to my Tone it Up girls for the recipe!!! :)

Me Laying out on the dock in my bathing suit...bummed because it was too windy to record my video :(

LOVE this video! This is my next goal after my 10 K :)

Monday April 25 2011

Easter brunch!! My favorite was the fruit and cheese trays!!! :) Yummy! Thanks Mom <3

Back HOME! Was very excited to get home and see my kitties, but VERY sad to leave my family, the beach& to have to go back to work tomorrow :( It was a incredible vacation, I hadn't seen my parents in 4 months, and I am very close to them <3 Was great to see everyone, but especially my parents. Easter was a lot of fun. My mom put together a wonderful& dainty brunch spread. It was beautiful weather outside, after brunch all of us made coffee, I made mine Tone It up style of course ;), and we went out on the deck to enjoy the day and spend time with each other, also let the dogs out to play too! I have lots of unpacking & laundry to do. Also need to make my meals for the week, & just get some stuff together before work tomorrow. I have to wait for my replacement camera cord connector to come, I had to order a new one today my other is broken, so I should have my beach video up soon, but in the mean time I will be posting one tomorrow night about my Whole Foods Market Haul!!! I am excited about this one lol! Well got lots to do....So going to cut it short tonight!

Stay Fit & Fabulous girls!! xoxo

CHECK THE VIDEO BELOW It's for such a good cause!!!! :)

Tuesday April 26 2011

My New Whole foods!!!! It's so nice I lOVE IT !!

Happy TUESDAY!!! So back to work I went today :( but it was gorgeous weather outside! I started my day with a 5:30 am bootycall cardio workout, For breakfast I had a protein pancake with blueberries in it....so good! 11 am I had a banana with peanut butter snack wrap , which I am now in love with hehe. Work was really slow so I took it upon myself to do a little Tone It Up workout craft project...video to come soon!! Around 2 pm I had kale, boca meatless crumbles, diced red onions, and salsa, such a good combination, tasted so yummy and filled me up! For my 5 pm snack I had fresh strawberries with a handful of almonds. Came home from work and worked out, tonight I did the bikini bootycamp workout with the itty bitty bikini workout ( ) Then I went running, but I was only able to do 2.5 miles because I have a sore throat and I did want to push and get sick :( I had a 4 oz grilled chicken breast with salsa, & some asparagus for dinner! I also uploaded three videos tonight....only two on my youtube so far and one is still in progress...they take forever to upload sometimes! I am going to post another one tomorrow that is a RECIPE video! I am super excited! Hope everyone had an amazing Tuesday....Tomorrow is HUMP DAy that means we are HALFWAY through the week! Check out my video below!

Stay Fit & Fab girls! xoxo

"The mind is the limit. As long as the mind can envision the fact that you can do something. You can do it, as long as you really believe 100 percent."
-Arnold Schwarzenegger

Wednesday April 27 2011

What a super slow day at work today :( But I had to leave a little early to meet my parents on their way to their mountain house, because I left my new car registration at home last week on accident. I'll take any excuse to see them though love my parents so much, and my mom is my best friend! :) Half way through the work week now!! So today I started my day with a Tone It Up dvd bootycall workut followed by a shower and a delicious Strawberry protein pancake! 11 am was another banana and peanut butter wrap, can't get enough of this :) By noon I had already had almost 64 oz of water w/lemon! At 2pm I had Kale greens witha little balsamic, grilled lean ground turkey, black beans & salsa! Headed home to meet my parents, so I had a Larabar (coconut cream pie yummy) at 5pm before my workout. I filmed a Recipe video for Healthy pita chips see video below :) They are so good, everyone should try them they are super easy too! I did the bikini Strap workout & Tone it Up Legs workout Then ran 3 miles, with torrential winds because we have forcasts for tornados, after I was done it felt like my body had run 6 miles from the resistance! GOt home and had some guac with Kale chips and a 4oz grilled chicken breast and asaparagus both with my favorite SALT FREE Dill &lemon seasoning! See the pic above, this is my favorite seasoning right now, I LOVE dill seasoning and this had no salt so it's a WIN -WIN :) I even put it in my Egg beaters! I uploaded 2 new videos tonight...check them out below! Hope you enjoy! Hope everyone had a awesome Wednesday! Smile, it's contagious :)

STay Fabulous Girls! xoxo

Smile. It is a simple act, but sometimes takes a lot of effort. A smile can cause boundaries to melt, hearts to warm up, and distances to reduce. :)

NEW VIDEOS!!!!!! CHeck'em out, && subscribe <3

Thursday April 28 2011

YUmmy!

Was a busy day today! I am sorry to have to keep it short tonight I had a lot going on tonight. So work was steady but I spent a lot of it on my phone updating and responding to twitter and emails :) Did my 5:30 am Tone it Up cardio then, I had egg beaters with Kale,red onions, and salsa for breakfast. 11 am I had strawberries with a packet of stevia and 1/4 cup of plain greek yogurt. It was crazy windy &stormy outside, we also had tornado warnings too. About 2 pm I had fresh kale, black beans and ground veggie crumbles & Tone it up citrus balsamic dressing! 5pm was handful of almonds and 1/4 cup of cucumbers :) Did my Itty Bitty Bikini workout, followed by a Tone it up legs workout. Today was my day off from running, so made me some grilled salmon with asparagus for dinner with one glass of red wine! (my liitle reward) Then I Cleaned my condo! Every Thursday night I do my weekly Clean-cleaning, that way my weekend is free! Then I was on the computer responding to messages, uploading some stuff & responding to tweets! Now it is bedtime because I have a 5:30 am bootycall HIIT workout!! It's almost FRIDAY!!!!!!! :)

Stay Fabulous girls! xoxo

"Fall down seven times, get up eight....you can do anything" :)

Check out this page for everyone that is on the go....

http://www.prevention.com/packaged-foods-2011/?cm_mmc=ETNTNL-_-04292011-_-HTML-_-dek

Friday April 29 2011

My morning run!! @5:30 am I actually had some daylight today!

Good Morning!! It's FRIDAY!!! :) I am posting early today because I have a going away get together to go to tonight. I wanted to touch on the 'cheating' on the weekends thing because I know first hand it will only come back to bite you in the bum! Around last September I really started to get my confidence back, I was feeling good about the amount of weight I had been able to lose. People would compliment me and treat me different, in a good way. I had been eating so strict, I almost had to force myself to cheat in ANY way. Well, I started saying well, I have worked out and ate good all week, I can cheat friday night.....but then saturday comes around....oh I'll just have a little something that's not really on my diet plan, BUT tomorrow I will be back on my strict healthy eating. After about a month of that......THEN it hit me, I was saying the thing I used to say when I was heavy, GEEZ! I was kind of disappointed in myself. I soon after plateaued and was worried my streak had run out. I had been following Karena and Katrina (my TONE IT UP girls <3 ) for about a month or two, and I realized a lot of the stuff I had learned and followed during my weightloss they were reiterating, which made me think, I had been on the right path, I just needed to focus and get back on track. So I did just that!! I started watching tons of tone it up videos, workout ones and recipe ones. I was into my routine or a strict diet and started losing again & toning this time! I saw the difference in the scale. So please take it from me and only cheat 'smart' ways. It has definitely paid off. Seriously K&K are on point with what they say about cheating on the weekends. Plus if your on the Tone it Up plan you know you weigh yourself every Monday and I dont want to feel guilty when I step on the scale. Every since I have been losing, when I get on the scale and it's good I start my day right!!! So have fun and reward yourself this weekend, I know I will, but be smart about it!! You won't regret it! & remember 'Sprints' :)

HAPPY FRIDAY LADIES!!!!!!! :)

Stay FABulous! xoxo

"There are only two options regarding commitment, You're either in or your out. There's no such thing as life in between."