Slacker week: Cort

Yep yep, I'm guilty I slacked off this week, shame on me. I did manage to get three workouts in this week however, and somehow my 7 page lit review turned in to 16 pages and, by the grace of God, cranked out a B. I'll gladly take that B thank you very much, my overachieving days have seemed to have to have ended. Also this week I had *gasp* two cheat days, which backfired on me Saturday afternoon when I felt like utter crap! This week I am back on point and in my 5th week of turbofire, today started off with turbo 55, which I was not so trilled about but managed to pull through.  Also thanked God for peanut butter, I was craving something sweet and whipped up some whipped peanut butter honey and whole wheat crackers 

I am also so stinking sick of chicken, if I never eat grilled chicken again in my life, I will be just fine. 

On Fat Tuesday I found myself at razoos, I seriously wanted to order the stuffed fish, but I opted for raw oysters and crawfish, and stayed cleared of anything fried or in butter.

I am ready to redeem myself this week and get back in track!!!

A Little Catch-Up and a Late Valentine's Day Post, by Zayle

I have been one exhausted lady with bootcamp starting back up, and continuing the Insanity adventure with Seth. I am so incredibly proud of him for sticking it out with me and continuing to help me push play every day! I've been keeping up with all my calories I've eaten in my fitbit tracker. I burn around 2000 calories a day and am eating around 1500--which is way more than I ever used to eat! I'm starving all the time though, I'm sure my muscles are just burning right through all of the fat, so I have to make sure I pack plenty of snacks every day. I'm still sticking with my herbalife shakes; I normally have a think thin bar for breakfast, an herbalife shake around 9, an herbalife shake for lunch and a granola bar or fruit for an afternoon snack. As for dinner this week, we've had chicken salad lettuce wraps with avocado, egg sandwiches, rotisserie chicken with macaroni, and cheese and Subway (of course I had a cookie!). As for my late Valentine's Day Post...

(Valentine's Nails)

I started Friday the 13th off by getting Dallas Mav's tickets for Seth and I (the game is tonight) and having a pizza delivered to him at work. I sat around waiting for flowers to be delivered to me at school/work--finally I got some! But they weren't from Seth, they were from one of my really good friends. They were beautiful, but I was getting kind of disappointed...Seth is quite romantic after all, I just knew he would send me some. Turns out he did, and even did so days before Valentine's Day, but the flower shop had gotten the orders messed up :-/. This, however, meant one big giant bag of chocolate candy for me, along with my flowers. YUM!!! For Seth, I stole an idea off of pinterest (below), he loved it.

On Valentine's Day we joined Matt and Cortney for Painting With a Twist and 50 Shades of Grey. It was the perfect girly Valentine's Day and our boys were troopers! I know that they secretly had a blast. 

(Valentine's Day outfit: all from www.thelacecactus.com)

 

Tonight's the Maverick's game...GO MAVS!!!!!

Chinese Take-In By: Zayle

It has been a crazy week thus far, so before I post all of my Valentine's Day fun, I wanted to post a quick recipe. After Insanity the other night, Seth and I were starved; I was jonesing for some Chinese, but wanted to be healthy. I decided on making an at home version of lettuce wraps. I don't have much as far as ingredients go, so I grabbed what I had on hand and made it work.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground turkey meat
• coconut oil
• honey
• teriyaki sauce
• garlic
• garlic powder
• low-sodium soy sauce
• bibb lettuce

Start out with one tablespoon of coconut oil, let it melt then add in 1 teaspoon of garlic (I have the pre-chopped kind). Once the garlic cooks a bit, add in the thawed ground turkey. Season with 1 tablespoon honey, 2 tablespoons teriyaki sauce, 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce, garlic powder or garlic salt (to your liking), and salt and pepper. I had some left over oil once it was all cooked--drain it and serve. I drizzled another tablespoon of teriyaki sauce over the cooked meat. 

It was delicious and hit the spot!

Valentine's Day and Make Up Overload: Cort

First, I have a rant about grad school... If you ever see that you have a "literature review" due and think to yourself, "awesome I don't have to write any papers!" You're wrong, this is just a fancy word for the most pain in the ass paper ever. By now I've been in my post secondary education for 6 years and I've written so many papers I have lost count. I am now counting down the days until May 10th when I'll be done with my masters degree, until then I'll continue losing my mind.

Happy Valentine's Day week! Matt bought me so many flowers that I ran out of vases so I got creative with my mason jars and created this masterpiece

It turned out perfect! Then, Matt and I celebrated with Zayle and Seth, we started out at painting with a twist and then on to 50 Shades of Gray, in which the boys were so excited to see ;) 

Matts didn't not turn out completely like it was supposed to but that's okay because it's now over his side of the bed, gotta give him props for creativity.

This week I continued with turbofire however, the weather was so pretty here that I traded in my Monday and Tuesday workouts for hiking and running with the dogs which got me my highest step day so far 

So I'm going to say that's just as good. 

I can see a change in my body already, and this time of the month I usually bloat, due to womanly issues, and I actually feel my thinnest this week, and have not had any bloating issues at all. I'm now starting week 4 and I'm actually very excited to see what results I get this week!

Now of course Valentine's Day was a struggle. My Aunt Vicky is about the best caterer I know and I came home to these 

My mom and my aunt had hand dipped all of these. So I proceeded to eat about 8 of them, which led to a horrible stomach ache and me laying flat on my back having to be still so I wouldn't throw up... IT WAS WORTH IT!

Now time for make up talk, this week I received my ipsy bag full of a little bit of awesomeness 

The Mitchell and Peach face oil is to die for, I was very curious about this, I didn't want my face to feel oily. This stuff is absolutely perfect no oil feeling at all, I've been using it at night and my face is so smoth.

Next, I received a email that of I spent $19.50 on ulta brand products I'd get a free gift, so today I found myself at ulta doing just that...

Free gift galore!!! I am such a sucker for free gifts. Just look at all those eye shadows, I can't!!!!

This week will be filled with working out, work, and healthy meals... Oh and this God awful lit review due Sunday... Come on May 10th!!!!!

 

A Change in Plans By: ZayleDawn

One of the main reasons for starting this blog, was so that Cort and I could blog about our life, but to also make sure that we stay committed to our workout and 'eating right' plans. My diet, was a very strict carb-cycling plan. I was incredibly excited to start it and worked very hard doing it...but that came to a stop on Tuesday night. I came home and collapsed on the couch, my energy was zilch...and that's how it has been since I've started carb-cycling. I thought my energy was bad before carb-cycling, but I was still reaching my 10,000 step goal by 4 p.m. everyday and was still able to push myself when I worked out. I've noticed these last few weeks, that my steps have slowly been dropping. I struggle to even get 6,000 in a day, my workout performance has decreased dramatically and I'm in a constant terrible mood. I know changing up your diet can be hard, and figured, that once my body got used to carb-cycling, I would start feeling better. However, the opposite happened, I've only been feeling worse. I somehow managed to get myself off the couch on Tuesday to try and  workout, but I started seeing spots and felt like I was going to pass out any minute...I threw in the towel and chowed down on some cereal...mmmm....

I refuse to be miserable, and carb-cycling may be right for some people, but it isn't right for me. I knew I still wanted to be healthy and thought back on when I felt the best--that's when I was using my Herbalife shakes...I sell them and have them stocked up everywhere--why did I quit in the first place? I call it--getting into a serious relationship, eating a lot of fast food, and becoming incredibly lazy! So back to Herbalife I go! They are so delicious and so easy! Plus I don't have to deal with all that meal prepping and all those extra containers in my sink. (Remember, I'm lazy)...I started yesterday and FINALLY, I've gotten back into the groove of things. My spirits were already higher and I actually had energy. I'm still feeling amazing today and look forward to my next shake. They literally taste like cake batter to me, and hey I'm all about the sweets.

ANOTHER new change, is in my workout plan. Somebody finally decided they wanted to be healthy with me...Seth is actually wanting to work out ...(gasp!)...He wasn't about to do turbofire with me, so he and I began Insanity on Tuesday! I love my man for taking on eating healthy (instead of his normal spaghetti o's) and working out with me...it makes things so much easier for me and a lot more fun!!!

Weekend ReCap and Workout Plan...By: Zayle

This weekend was a whirlwind! It went by a little too fast, but we got Seth moved in, so I now have the best roommate ever! It's been so fun having him with me everyday, I keep thinking he's going to go home and when I realize he's there to stay, I get incredibly excited! 

Friday night was my last official night as a bachelorette, and to kick things off I decided it was time for the cats to become friends. I was told by a lady at work to just let them out together and see how they did. Well, they did GREAT! Sophia stopped all her hissing--I think she was mad that Lucy wasn't playing with her before, they zoomed around the house all afternoon and all night. Lucy has been sleeping ever since, I'm pretty sure Sophia wore her out. 

Last week I was a complete sloth, I had zero energy and hardly was able to get through the day, much less get a second workout in...but I must have finally caught up with my rest because this week I'm raring to go! I didn't work out yesterday because I had an after-school function and I completely stink at working out past 7-- too close to bed time. I'm a week behind on my turbo fire workouts, so I'll be completing week 2 this week! My workout plan for this week is below (no bootcamp this week, we have a week off before our next six weeks starts again):

Tuesday: 20 mins fasted cardio in the morning; afternoon- full body workout with weights, fire 45 class

Wednesday: 20 fasted cardio in the morning; afternoon- full body w/ weights,HIIT 20 class

Thursday: 20 mins fasted cardio in the morning; afternoon- HIIT 15 & Sculpt 30 class

Friday: 20 mins fasted cardio in the morning; afternoon- full body w/ weights, Fire 55 class

Saturday: 30 mins fasted cardio & Core 20 class 

Sunday: Rest Day

Turbofire week 2: Cortney

This week I was still recovering from whatever virus had decided to take up residence in my body, but I made it through my second week of turbo fire, and I can already tell a huge difference in my hamstrings and obliques! When I first started this program, I'll admit, I hated it! But now that I'm starting to see I difference I am absolutely in love, and look forward to working out. 

I am also trying to kick this Starbucks addiction I have accquired since being a Probation Officer, Wednesday night required 2 tall non-fat vanilla cappuccinos, while completing home visits, which I'm so thankful only have 90 calories. Yes, I do have a Keurig and I also use it every morning... Hello I'm Cortney and I'm addicted to caffeine.

So my cheat meal, which I could eat every day of my life, was scallops dynamite from sushi axiom... Two words: CHEESY SCALLOPS... need I say more! I'm pretty positive this will continue to be my cheat meal until I am absolutely sick of it, which might be a while. 

I spent the rest of my Friday night with my 100 pound collie lying right on top of me. If only he could understand how big he really is, but he's my big baby and o wouldn't have it any other way.

Before I end my post I wanted to leave y'all with some humor for the next week! Another officer at work gave me this, and told me it reminded her of me. I wasn't sure if I should have been offended or flattered, but I decided if anyone is thinking of me then it's a good thing.

So happy almost Monday to y'all all!!!! Let's start this splendid week off right, from my little family to yours!

 

FRIDAY, You Filthy Animal... By: Zayle Dawn❤️

It's Friday! And I feel like I've finally accomplished something this week. Like the Kylie Jenner lip (above), I lost some inches and got my wedding rings in! 

(Ignore the cat scratches). This marked my 12th week going to boot camp and my second week carb cycling. This week seemed so much easier than the first. At the end of my last session of boot camp I was around 108, but before I started carb cycling, I was eating a lot! You guys saw my final meals...this gal gained 5 lbs. At the beginning of my carb cycling I weighed 113. I'm 109 now, which means I'm down 4 pounds in a little less than two weeks. Yes! 

I'm so excited to see my results after my next round of boot camp with carb cycling the entire time. I don't care so much about the weight, as I used to, my main thing is toning up. And boy am I doing that! I officially have muscle in my legs and am proud on the inches I've lost in my waist and hips! 

This weekend is going to be a busy one! Seth is officially moving in tomorrow, so there's going to be lots of cleaning out and bringing in. I'm going to be super excited about my cheat meal, after all our work. Wish me luck!

Thirsty for more, Thursday... By: Zayle

This has been the longest, yet most interesting week thus far (& as you can tell, I'm still loving my hair). I have been dragging this week, I guess Saturday wore me out. I went to bed around 7:30 on Monday and still couldn't wake up in time for my morning boot camp session on Tuesday morning. I ended up going to the afternoon session instead. I took yesterday off from work, to clean out one of my closets for Seth (he's moving in this weekend!), and to hopefully catch up on rest. I actually got up for boot camp (since I knew I'd get a nap) yesterday, came home and watched a few episodes of my new Netflix favorite--Wentworth, and went to sleep for a good three hours. When I woke, things got interesting. All thoughts of cleaning out my clothes, went out the window when I woke up from a text from my crazy mom. My mom, who when I first got Sophia, thought, because I once was allergic to cats, I needed to get rid of her; she also thought there was no way I could afford a cat--BUT, she and my dad felt bad for Sophia and thought she needed a friend...and that's what she got. The first text read--"Do you have any girl cat names picked out?" Then I received the picture below and another text--"her name is Lucille, she'll go by Lucy, you'll need to pick her up from the vet".

WHAT?! I was so excited! She looked precious in the pic and I couldn't wait to get her. It was all so perfect...until I brought her home. Lucy is tiny, she's 3 pounds...and Sophia is 9 (the vet said girlfriend needs to go on a diet)...anyway we walk into the house, and that's when the war began. Both cats immediately started hissing at each other. I thought they'd meet and become instant friends, or Sophia would take over the mommy role. This was not the case at all. Having no experience with cats before, I've always had dogs, I took to google.  I read to keep the cats separated for a while and eventually they would feel more comfortable around each other. Lucy now has a kennel she stays in when she's out and about with Sophia and me. If she's not in the kennel, I've made her a comfortable place in my spare bedroom, with a litter box (which she's already mastered), food, water and toys. Seth will be over tonight and we're going to try and have them out together, by holding both of them. I'm not sure what to do, to help with the animosity. Any suggestions would be gladly appreciated!!!!!

Short and sweet by Cortney

Happy Monday, I'm so happy it's a new week, last week was rough for me. Thursday I woke up with a horrible sore throat and throbing ears, I did make it to 2pm at work but then went home for the rest of the day. Friday, I went to the doctor and found out I had a virus, which meant no prescription meds for me, I would just have to wait it out. By Friday afternoon I was feeling guilty about not working out on Thursday so I found enough energy for a 30 minute turbofire workout, in which I quickly found out why you should not workout while your sick.

Thank baby Jesus the beginning of the last week was great. Monday, Zayle and I went to get our hurr did, and long story short, I FREAKING LOVE MY HAIR!!!!!

I also wanted to share my workday makeup, my job requires me to go to court quite frequently and I'm not able to do my eye makeup dramatically. So this is what I opt for 

The "I wake up like this" look. Which really is my regular makeup routine minus the eyeliner and eye shadow. BB cream, mineral foundation, bronzer, contouring powder, blush, eyebrow gel/powder and mascara.

Saturday night I was feeling up for a movie with Zayle and Seth, my Matty Patty was watching the UFC fight, so why not? The movie plans feel through and us 3 decided to go ahead and make Saturday night our cheat meal, and topped it off with a patty melt and fried pickles.

Sunday, Matt and I headed about an hour and a half west of Fort Worth to watch the Super Bowl with his dad. So much yummy food, but all I had was one cup of Matts dads famous seafood gumbo. 

I did start this week off right, even though all I wanted to do when I got home was go to sleep, I did my 45 mins of turbofire 

This week herbalife shakes are on the menu for breakfast, along with chicken and veggies for dinner. Along with continuing turbofire!!!!

Feeling like Barbie and The Cheat Day...By Zayle

I did it! I now have long blonde hair. It's been an adjustment to get used to, especially time wise when I'm getting ready--I'm used to throwing it back with some bobby pins and going--but I've had extensions before and I love them. These extensions are real hair, dreamcatcher extensions, by Paris Hilton. I feel like a whole new girl...ready to test out the theory about blondes having more fun...it definitely proved true on Saturday, when Cort, Seth and I, headed to West 7th in Fort Worth, for mine and Cort's cheat meal.  

It was a cold, rainy night on Saturday, but we weren't about to let that ruin our fun! We had planned on going to see American Sniper, at the West 7th movie tavern, but when that fell through, we opted for Fred's. Their burgers are to die for! I had the blue cheese burger with cheese fries and we all shared fried pickles...so delicious

We ended up staying awake, WAY past our bed time; Seth and I live an hour west of Fort Worth, so we didn't fall asleep until around 4 am--mind you, I'm an 8 pm in bed sort of girl--we slept until noon! I haven't done that in years!

Yesterday was a day full of meal prepping and homework. I missed the Super Bowl, because of all my class work (but didn't miss the half time show!) Best halftime show in years...Missy Elliott was the show stopper for sure! Luckily I wasn't tempted by any Super Bowl food-- as much as I hate homework, it saved me yesterday. I've only conquered a week of clean eating, I don't know if I would have been strong enough to say no to chips and dip... But this is the first weekend in ages where I only had one cheat meal, my weekend usually consists of lots of junk food and Mondays I feel bloated and gross... Today I actually feel normal and don't have that puffy look. As much as I wish I could skip Mondays, this Monday is a little better not feeling so lethargic, from greasy food. 

Bring it on week 2!!!