Slow and steady..

I am slowly but steadily losing the few lbs that I gained during the move and through the winter.. Finally with 8 lbs gone I feel less like I am carrying twins. :) I feel like I carry all of my weight in my dang hips..  I reckon it could be worse..

Dang those love handles.. I definitely do not love them.

I've got a couple more lbs to get back to this place, but right now I'm pretty content with where I'm at.

If I could "spot reduce," I would be okay with never losing another pound, but alas that's not possible so I just bust my booty and take the loss wherever I can get it.

The hubby and I had a date night this week which set me back a day. I gained half a pound (I have no idea how, he fussed about how I didn't eat anything), which I lost almost instantly but I feel like I could've used that day to lose and I lost a day.. Oh well.

A night out with this hottie was worth it!

Date night. Of course I don't have one of us together. Dang it!

Addiction.

I am addicted to mint chocolate chip ice cream. ADDICTED it's bad. So this morning I had this bright idea..

It was reallllllllly good but I'm always looking for ways to cut calories and in order to make it really minty I'd have to add too much of the cream and that would be too many calories so I went to Walmart this evening and bought this stuff! Hopefully it makes my chocolate Shakeology taste like  a York peppermint patty without all the calories.

Genius right? I'll update y'all in the morning on how it is!

I'm still taking advantage of the hubby being out of town by making easy healthy dinners like chicken salad and Baked Lays.. 

These are spicy but soooooo GOOD! Kaylee cannot get enough of them!

For dessert we are going to have some watermelon later... 

Poll is fruit considered dessert?

A-Day

We had a busy weekend!

We started out the weekend with a trip to the mall on Friday evening. Where my amazing husband bought me this.

Absolutely no special occasion it was just a just because gift. He's so good to me. :)

We had dinner at the mall food court and on our way out a lady stopped us and after asking if we were Auburn fans, she just gave Ethan this Auburn uniform. So sweet!

On Saturday we got up bright and early for A-Day! We are so ready for football season in my house and this was such a teaser.

A-Day breakfast! Healthy right? It was fine we walked so much on Saturday and we had these at 7:30 AM and it was all we had until dinner. We fed the kids at the game but James and I weren't feeling the fries and greasy game day food in the heat.

A-Day started with a ceremony honoring the three Heisman winners from Auburn: Pat Sullivan, Bo Jackson, and our favorite Cam Newton. 

Who else prefers Cam's hair shorter?

The team looked good and a lot of Auburn fans were there! We couldn't believe how many people showed up for a Spring scrimage.

After the game the team was available for autographs and they were so sweet about giving autographs and taking pictures with the kids. I don't think Ethan has ever been more excited.

This pretty girl also had an amazing time! Her eyes lit up when she saw Aubie! It was adorable!

After a long day and spending way too much time in the sun we went out with some friends for Mexican food and a margarita.. 

Yes I am BURNT!

This is a Miami Vice margarita.. Strawberry/Pina mix. So good!

We were so zapped from the long day in the sun we came home and I slept from 10 pm last night until 10 am today. 

James is in Arkansas on a fishing trip with his company for the week so it's time to eat some Publix salads, watch chick flicks, not wear makeup, not fix my hair, and workout in his old t-shirts.. Attractive right? 

If it ain't broke...

My first morning without Shakeology in a week and the whole day didn't fall apart! James spent the night in Atlanta last night so after I got Ethan off to school Kaylee and I laid back down and I woke up in time to have "brunch."

turkey bacon, egg, and fat free cheddar on honey wheat toast and a clementine

Since James was gone I didn't go to the gym and instead did Turbo Fire HIIT 30. Chalene Johnson always humbles me because I feel strong because I'm "Shaun T trained," but those drills make me a little pukey some times. I also went back to these old faithfuls.

I am a believer that Adidas makes the best running, cross training, and walking shoe. As a self proclaimed Nike hater I bought these a couple months ago. 

Why? Because they were a pretty color.. Ridiculous. I've been having some trouble with my ankle so I went back to what I know feels good.. If it ain't broke.. :)

When James got home this afternoon he wasn't in the mood for baked chicken so we went out for sushi and hibachi. It was great.

See?

Then I came home and had a York Peppermint Patty ice cream. OMG if you haven't had them go out and buy them now. Worth every. single. calorie!

Confessions

I HATE the "dreadmill." It's boring and because I am not the fastest runner and I watch the clock the entire time just wanting to be done. I should stick to Beachbody workouts but I WANT to be a good distance runner. I don't really care about speed I just want to run far.

In order to get through my time on running on the treadmill I watch the tackiest shows.. 

Thank goodness no one is in the gym when I'm there in the mornings. I'm embarrassed to admit I watch this garbage!

The diet was good today. I always feel like I do better when I start the morning with a workout and Shakeology which I did today. I tend to stay on track if I start out right. I had a banana in my chocolate Shakeology today (my hubby likes PB).

LUNCH! I'm really loving those sandwich thins with an egg, fat free cheddar, and mustard. I've never been a huge fan of eggs but lately I've been having them for lunch.

I went out shopping for a dress for A-Day this afternoon and the kids were starving and I saw Logans had an appetizer special and since James was in Atlanta working we went there. I had an AMAZING southwestern grilled shrimp appetizer. It was only 5 dollars and so good!

I did find a dress. Which I really like but I HATE my hips.. More oblique exercises please Shaun T!

And speaking of Shaun T. I found this great shirt at Target. This is definitely perfect for all of us Insanity/Asylum people!

5 months later!

My husband would describe me as a blog-aholic. I faithfully read about 20 blogs but I always end up neglecting my own, oops! I've been gone for so long I'll just throw some updates and photos on what I've been up to and hop back on this blogging train!

-We moved to Auburn, AL and I am so THRILLED to be here. Russell County had terrible schools, a ton of crime, and no shopping. I feel safer in Auburn, the school system is amazing, and I can walk to the Village Mall or be at Tiger Town within ten minutes!

-The love and I took two trips to Panama City and had an amazing time.

-I've been working on items for my boutique.

-Doing my best to eat healthy and my hubby has joined me full force!

-Fitness! Always make time for fitness, no excuses!

- Since our last trip to PCB I have been problems with my ankle so I bought these yesterday we'll see how they work out for me. 

- Aside from taking care of and spoiling these two cuties I think y'all are about all caught up on the Ashleys!

***EDITED TO ADD

-My boys won the NC!! GO CATS!!!!

Lightened up brownies

A while back I was baking a cake and Ethan asked me whose birthday it was. That's when I realized with my healthy approach to eating I was depriving them and needed to make more of an effort to make healthy and lower calorie desserts instead of cutting them out all together. This is the easiest dessert to throw together on a weeknight. It's not the healthiest dessert but everyone likes brownies and I cut calories where ever I can.
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Ingredients:
Box brownie mix (or cake mix)
Diet coke (you can use diet cherry coke or any diet drink)

Mix one box brownie (or cake) mix with one 12 oz can diet coke.

Spray cake pan with cooking spray and spread in batter (it will be pretty thick)

Bake according to box instructions.

No calories from the oil or the eggs.