Me: On a Diet

I'm not really starving... but I think I may be starving. I am trying so hard. At first I wasn't gonna blog about this because I didn't wanna jinx myself and my efforts. But, I figured what do I have to lose? It's not like I am gonna be a babe tomorrow or anything. I have a long road ahead of me. I have started this journey many times. I have even tried out for The Biggest Loser- twice. But, this time it feels different. For starters, this time I am praying. For strength, courage, and that I can have a clear and open mind about what my body needs to function properly. It sure doesn't need Ding Dongs and Coke. Plus, I am relying on faith, because as the saying goes it can move mountains. Surely it can help me get a smaller butt. Basically I have been eating smaller portions, and incorporating more fruits and veggies. I didn't even have a piece of bread for 5 whole days. That's a big deal. Then there's that lovely, fizzy, brown deliciousness- Coca Cola. That has been the hardest. The headaches the first 5 days were excruciating, from lack of caffeine. I have been guzzling water and am developing a taste for Diet Coke. That hurt to type by the way... I never thought I'd be able to give up the regular. I have exercised in some way, shape, or form every day for the past 7 days. And, while I won't tell you how much I currently weigh or what I have lost, I will give you a hint. I probably weigh more than you and I have lost the equivalent of a bag of sugar. I'll let you decide which size I am referring to. I am praying that I will be successful this go round, and here's hoping I have many more weight loss triumphs to share. Wish me luck!

Hurts So Good

Ok, so I know I said I would cut out Coke. But, today was BAD! I am definitely addicted! Today, I had.... 3! I got one at the McDonald's drive thru, down the street from church no less! When I am bad, I am real bad! Ha Ha! But, it was so good! I swear that first sip is awesome, it burns in such a great way going down. Then as if that wasn't bad enough, we went out to dinner. And, I of course had to order a Coke. What else would I drink with warm rolls lathered with cinnamon butter, cool green salad topped with ranch dressing, zesty steak fries, and the ultimate medium well steak? Coke I say! Let them drink Coke! Tomorrow is a new day... I'll try again then!

Dear Coke,

I am so sorry to "Dear John" you like this. But, our relationship has got to end. I know, I know, I love you too. But, I have come to depend on you too much. I mean, you do taste amazing, but I just gotta say NO! It has gotten to the point where I feel panicky if you are not around, I am gagging on water, and where I order you with pancakes at IHOP, yuck! Your cousin Dr. Pepper and I are gonna have a talk too. I promise I will order you when I go out to dinner at a sit down restaurant, but never again anywhere else. No 20 ouncers after I grocery shop, not one with a cookie when I've had a bad day, not one when I read US Weekly every Friday with my Chick-Fil-A. I am gonna try my darndest to quit you cold turkey. I quit smoking cold turkey 13 years ago, I can do it now. Sure, I'll dream I am drinking of your cold, brown, fizzy, goodness just like I dream that I still smoke. At first I'll have to ease off a little slow, and buy a couple of those squatty little cans, and then after a week or so I'll be able to quit you all together. My hope is that I'll forget how good you taste after awhile. I know I can do it. I will miss you dearly. You have become a good friend. You don't judge me, you're dependable. You pretty much rock. But, the first step is admitting you have a problem, and I am taking my first step. You'll be ok without me, maybe Kelli can pick up my slack. I don't know though, she may wanna quit you too. I know I am doing the right thing. I have been setting a bad example for my children. I know that they, along with my teeth, my bones, and my waistline will be forever grateful.
Always in my heart,
Ashley
P.S. can a scratch-n-sniff cola sticker be used as a patch to quit drinking Cokes? I think I might try it...


Ashley's last Coke

Got to be Startin' Something

Today is the day I take the advice from my new book. I cleaned out the frig and pantry and in a little bit I'm going grocery shopping. I am going to follow their program. However, in the process of throwing out the junk, I came upon chocolate chip cookie dough, Coca-Cola, and Velveeta shells-n-cheese. I couldn't bring myself to throw it out. So, I had a last supper so to speak. My favorite food groups are the cheese one, the chocolate one, and the Coke one. So for lunch I had mac-n-cheese and chocolate chip cookies, washed down with Coke. I swore I wouldn't post any nonsense about a New Year's resolution, but by golly I did it anyway. There you have it: I wanna lose weight, duh! I will be keeping the rest of my resolutions to myself, so as not to set myself up for failure. If I achieve even one of them, I will blog about it next year. If I still blog that is.
P.S. I also got this, so if you see me wearing something weird on my arm, don't be alarmed. It charts my calorie burn and intake.

Ho, Ho, Ho and a bottle of Coke...

that's shaped like an ornament! Chloe and I found these cute little bottles of Coke at Wal-Mart this weekend. And being the Coke connoisseur that I am, of course I had to get one and try it out. I approve! Same great taste, awesome little bottle. It has that 20 oz. feel but with a smaller amount of soda. Which is better on the waistline. I give it a thumbs up! Happy Holidays indeed! You think I could fit some on my tree? Or would they make it fall over? Hmmmm.....

It's the little things: a HAPPY list...

It doesn't take much to make this girl happy. It also doesn't take much to give this non-writer a bad case of writer's block. So I am doing a list of things that make me happy, bring a smile to my face, and a spring in my step...
1. A moonlight swim
2. Free samples (especially beauty products)
3. Receiving a check in the mail you weren't expecting
4. When Jon calls at 5:00 and tells me it's a Saltgrass night
5. Pedicures
6. No homework days
7. Just enough dirty dishes to run a load
8. Ladies night (1 Thursday a month)
9. Hot buttered popcorn, m&m's, and an icy cold coke
10. A shiny new magazine preferably InStyle or People
11. When the kids give me a "flower" plucked from our weed patch
12. When a perfect stranger tells me I have beautiful AND well-behaved children
13. Beating Jon at a game, any game
14. When my hair, clothes, and makeup are in sync and perfect
15. A warm bubble bath with candles and #10
16. Sleeping in with nowhere to go
17. Fresh clean sheets
18. Buy one get one free sales
19. Date night (1 Saturday every 3 to 6 months)
20. The way my family's eyes light up when I come home, show up at school, or just because

Ashley's favorite things

Much like Oprah, I too have some favorites. Things I always have in my house, and use daily.

1. Olay facial cleansing cloths
2. Clorox disinfecting wipes
3. Wallflowers from Bath and Body Works
4. Aussie mousse + leave in conditioner
5. Revlon skinlights
6. Bounce lint roller
7. Coca - Cola original (no lime, no zero, no vanilla, no diet, no cherry, REGULAR COKE!)
8. For Every Body Candles at Kohls (chocolate chip cookie scent)
9. Max Factor mascara in Auburn (perfect for us redheads)
10) DVR
11) Bounty paper towels
12) Sexy mother pucker lipgloss
*** feel free to add your own under comments ***

Soft Addiction

Yes I know it already sounds bad. I am ready to confront this so to speak, but I am by no means gonna quit any time soon. And I am not gonna confess all of my little addictions; a girl has to have some secrets. ( Ok coke is one as well, hi Kelli !) So here we go : I have a paper towel addiction. I know it sounds weird huh? I go through a jumbo size roll every 2 days. I get panicky when they run low. I will make a special trip to the store just for paper towels. I use them to make sandwiches on, to clean the kitchen and bathroom counters and toilet seats, I wipe down the inside of the kitchen sink with them, I spot clean the floors, in a pinch they are a good napkin, and an ok kleenex, I dry my hands on them, ALOT ! because I wash my hands about 25 times a day. (that's another matter altogether). I use them constantly. And I won't use a partial paper towel either, those select a size are the worst! For years I would only buy Bounty. No exceptions. I am pleased to announce I have now found a decent yet cheap alternative: Target brand paper towels pass my test. I heart paper towels ! You can go laugh now.