You're a Badass!

This post coincides with yesterday’s post on how to deal with miserable people.

Sometimes it takes us awhile to find out who we really are as a person.  Some people know who they are and feel as if they have to hide it from everyone else for fear of being an “outcast.”  Some people are lucky enough know who they are at an early age and could care less what others think of them and therefore live a happy, healthy, satisfying life.  It took me a long time to figure out who I really was and become a happier person.  Not knowing who you are leads to stress and anxiety.  So many people struggle with stress and depression on a daily basis that it’s becoming an epidemic.

This article from mindbodygreen.com is a great tool in helping you figure out who you really are.  Click HERE to read!

Don’t worry about what other people may think of you.  Be the person you were meant to be and share your happiness with anyone you may encounter.

I want to be someone who is constantly helping others, someone who won't judge, and is continually growing.  Do you need some help figuring out who you are?  Do you need some guidance?  I'd love to get you started on your journey.

Haters gonna hate hate hate...

It’s true!  You’ll always have haters in your life.

I had a ridiculous evening last night dealing with someone who is miserable with her life and in turn is trying to make me, and other people I am trying to help, miserable as well.

Most people want to be happy or change their lives to become a happier person.  You then have those few people who are always miserable, have no desire to change their outlook, and on top of that, want to make everyone else around them miserable.  I’ve also noticed with my weight loss (-76 pounds) that there are some people who become jealous of your success.  Instead of being encouraging, they try their best to bring you down and/or stop you from becoming even more successful.

I woke up this morning thinking I’m still going to help myself and others no matter what anyone says.  Believe in yourself and don’t let haters bring you down.

Join a group that has like-minded goals and WANT to see you succeed.  Thankfully, I have a wonderful Beachbody group with men and women who do nothing but encourage and support each other.  If you need a similar group, please contact me and let me help you find a group that will fulfill your needs and help you succeed and reach your goals!

And just for fun...just Shake it off!

Taylor Swift Blank Space

So, I have to admit that I like Taylor Swift's "Blank Space."  I'm not a huge fan of hers per se, but I do like some of her songs...some.  However, I just found this song from I Prevail covering "Blank Space."  I'm not sure how I feel about a "hardcore" or "hard rock" group covering a pop song.  But, let's just say I have both versions in my workout playlist.  What do y'all think?

Missy Elliott's 30 Pound Weight Loss

Y'all, Missy looked great during the Superbowl.  Even my husband made a comment about how good she looked.  Come to find out, she lost her last 30 pounds doing Shaun T's workouts.  Most of my friends and family know that I'm a HUGE Shaun T fan.  I've been using his Hip Hop Abs program for a month now and they are just so much fun!  His energy level and personality is contagious.  Even when you're sweating your butt off, you're still smiling!  I'm thinking of doing his T25 program next.  I'm a fan girl, I'm hooked, I'll admit it.

Click HERE to read more about Missy's weight loss.

I'm Just Gonna Leave This Right Here...

Whoa!

Workout Routine

Day 21 of 30

My workout Routine

My workout routine between January 19th and May 19th is my Piyo and Shakeology Beachbody Challenge.

I recently signed up to become a beachbody coach and I picked this as my Challenge pack. Chalene Johnson (Piyo) is a wonderful motivator and very inspiring.

I usually exercise in the afternoon.  Due to arthritis in my feet and peroneal tendonitis, I have a hard time walking, let alone exercising in the AM.  After walking around a few hours, my tootsie feel much better.

I work part time as a pet sitter/dog walker while in the process of working on a new career and I am usually busiest during lunchtime.  After my pet visits during the day, I come home, have a banana and do my Piyo.  If I haven't gotten my steps in for the day, I usually visit our apartment gym later in the evening around 7PM.  I have to get my steps in!  If I don't, I feel awful the next day.

After my Piyo Challenge, I'm going to try Les Mills PUMP.  If anyone is interested in trying a challenge pack with me, please let me know.  I am loving the beachbody program.  The workouts are hard, but I love that they ALWAYS have someone doing modifications in the videos.  There is also a huge amount of support.

Best Thing to Happen this Year

Day 20 of 30

The best thing that happened this year was...

I flew on a plane without a seatbelt extender.  I know it sounds trivial to some but I couldn't believe how excited I was!  I almost got the flight attendant to take a picture but I decided against it.  I didn't always need an extender but within the past 5 years, anytime I flew, I needed one.  I promised myself I wasn't going to fly again until I knew I was smaller to be comfortable in the airplane seat.  The last time I flew and didn't need one was on my honeymoon 5 years ago.  I knew that I was 20 pounds lighter than that but I was still a little nervous.  What a great feeling!  It was always so embarrassing to ask the flight attendant for the extender.  Never again!!!

Top Ten Favorite Foods

Day 19 of 31

My Top Ten Favorite Foods

1.  Pizza
2.  Turkey burger ( i don't eat red meat )
3.  Hot, buttery popcorn
4.  Peeps
5.  bananas with peanut butter
6.  banana nut muffins from my local bakery
7.  cucumbers
8.  anything chocolate and mint combined
9.  salted caramel
10.  My Shakeology (specifically the chocolate flavored)

pic courtesty of www.mysanfranciscokitchen.com

Where Have I Traveled

Day 18 of 31...

Where I've traveled

I haven't been to many places, although there are a ton of places I want to travel to.  I've never been out of the country and I really want to travel through Europe.

I have been all up and down the East Coast...Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virgina, West Virginia, Washington, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut.

I have visited California...I went to Los Angeles, visited Disneyland, Universal, took a tour of Dreamworks studio, which was UHmazing (I have a friend who is a graphic artist there)!  But, that's about it.  I'm dying to go somewhere new and exciting!

Here I am in Hollywood...

And here I am at Dreamworks studio with Po from Kung Fu Panda.  Pictured with me is my friend Billy, who actually worked on the movie.  *Note...I was at my heaviest here. :(  Can't wait to go back smaller.  I'm really hoping for a visit this year!

My Two Favorite Recipes

My absolute favorite recipe, because I like it and my husband actually likes it.  He is such a PICKY eater!  Grrr!

Weight Watchers Pizza Casserole

I found this recipe at:  Recipe-Diaries

Ingredients from food.com

Servings: 10

Calories 254.3 | Fat: 8.4 g | Carbs: 24.5g | Fiber 1.9 g | Protein 19.7g

Points Plus: 6

1 lb ground lean turkey sausage
1 medium onion , chopped
1 clove garlic , minced
1 teaspoon italian seasoning
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 (26 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce
8 ounces rotini pasta , cooked and drained
2 cups shredded reduced fat mozzarella cheese (20 oz)
32 slices of turkey pepperoni

Directions:

1.  Brown ground beef, onion, garlic and seasoning in oil.
2 .Drain.
3.  Stir in pasta, spaghetti sauce and 2 cups cheese.
4. Place mixture in 2 greased 9x13x2 inch baking pans or 4 square pans.
5.  Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella.
6.  Top with pepperoni.
7.  Cover and freeze up to 3 months.
8.  To cook now: Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes, until heated through.
9. To bake frozen casserole: Thaw in refrigerator overnight and bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes, till hot.

My second recipe (just for me, because the husband doesn't like seafood) is:

Tin Foil Salmon with Asparagus

Servings:  4

Points Plus:  Appx: 5ish

Calories 207.2g | Fat: 6.4 g | Carbs: 6g | Fiber 2,6 g | Protein 31.6g  (all approximate)

4 sheets aluminum foil, wrap (12-inch by 18-inch)
4 (5 ounce) salmon fillets
1 lb asparagus
1 fresh lemon or lemon juice
fresh ground black pepper
seasoning salt
lemon wedge (to garnish)
Note:  I usually brush a little olive oil on top of fillets
Note:  Sometimes I just bake the salmon and cook green beans separately instead of asparagus)

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
2.  Snap the ends off asparagus spears (they will break where tender) and divide into 4 equal portions.
3.  Spray the center of each foil sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
4.  Place one salmon fillet in the center of each sheet, top with a serving of the asparagus and drizzle with lemon juice.
5.  Sprinkle with fresh ground pepper and salt or seasoning blend as desired.
6.  Bring up the sides of foil and fold top over twice.
7.  Seal ends, leaving room for air to circulate inside the packet.
8.  Place packets on a cookie sheet and cook in oven for 15 to 18 minutes or until salmon is opaque.
9.  Serve with lemon wedges on the side.
10.  Please use caution when opening the foil packs, as the steam is very hot.

Things I Collect

Day 14 of 31

What do I collect?

I'm very close to becoming a hoarder.  It could come at any time. I love collecting:

cross stitch kits
cross stitch floss
anything with skulls
plants
anything Disney related (especially the Haunted Mansion)
anything weird or macabre
movie posters
sneakers

The one thing coming between me and a hoarder is that there is a method to the madness.  I have a place for everything.  It may not be the neatest collection, but I'm not blocking hallways or having to climb over boxes to get to the bathroom.  :)

Blog Name Meaning

Day 13

The meaning behind my blog name:

Jana's New Chapter

It is just what it says.  A new chapter, a new chapter of my life.  For so long, I did the same thing over and over again.  I followed the sheep and did what everyone else was.  Finally, I figured out that I wasn't happy with the way my life was going and decided to make some changes.  I didn't want to be overweight anymore, I didn't want to be unhealthy, ashamed of what I looked like, depressed because I got so out of breath doing any physical activity.  So, I changed it.  I'm still working on the next chapter.  I can't wait to see how it ends.

This Girl Can

A friend of mine from my WWsendthelove group posted this video today.  I am absolutely in love with it.  For a long time, I was always worried about my "jiggle" when I exercised.  I could care less now.  We're all in this together and we can do this!

What Inspires Me

Day 12

What Inspires Me

I think the number one thing that inspires are people who have been on the same journey as me and have lost tons of weight and have changed their lives forever.  I love looking at their before and after pictures and learning more about them and how they have lost all their weight naturally.  My family also inspires me.  Especially my mom and my brother.  My mom is such a great person - she is the caretaker of two people (my grandmother and my brother).  She's such a strong woman who has been a single mom for 32 years.  She never remarried and all she has ever done is take care of us.  She's strong, dependable, nurturing, smart, and sooo many more things.  She's taught me so much.  So, I'm doing this for her!

My Bucket List

Day 11

My Bucket List

1.  I'd love to find a job that I love.  I loved being a librarian but it's SO difficult to find a job that I'm trying to start a new career and help my husband more financially.

2.  Visit all 50 states

3.  Take a train trip around Europe

4.  Visit Bucharest and Dracula's castle

5.  Visit Africa and do charity work

6.  Hot air balloon ride

7.  Learn Spanish

8.  Buy a home

9.  Reach my healthy weight range

I'm very simple.  I don't want much - Just a few "simple" things.

If I Won the Lottery

Day 10

If I won the lottery, I would...

1.  Pay off my stupid student loan, first and foremost!
2.  Move back South!  I love the area we live in, but my family is back in SC and I want to be closer to them.  I secretly keep hoping my husband gets transferred back south. ;)
3.  Buy a house
4.  Pay off any debt my mom has
5.  Buy my mom a house
6,  Adopt another animal
7.  Buy a new car
8.  I'd donate alot to animal adoption charities
9.  Save and invest!
10.  Splurge a little

What's in My Fridge

Day 8

What's in My Fridge?  Definitely nothing special

ALOT of condiments!
Minute Maid Juice for my husband
Water bottles galore
Diet Dr. Pepper
Brummel and Brown Yogurt spread
Leftover Chicken Noodle soup
Leftover Buffalo Wings for my husband
WW Cheese
Cottage Cheese
Cucumbers
Lettuce
Grape Tomatoes
Dill
Pizza Sauce
Lemon Juice
Yogurts in the bottom drawer

What do you see/want to see when you look in the mirror

Day Seven:

When I look in the mirror, I see a work in progress.  I used to see an unhappy, depressed, tired woman.  After realizing that I was the only one who could change this outlook, I try to look in the mirror and appreciate who I've become on my healthy living journey.  Of course I still see the imperfections, the double chin, the chubby face, and the pale skin.  However, I've learned to accept these traits and know that they make me who I am.  I also see pretty green eyes, a cute smile, and rosy cheeks.  In a year from now, I'd love to look and be 100 percent happy about my reflection.  But as a work in progress, there's always something that can be improved.

5 Rules for the Game of Life

Someone recently introduced me to Brendon Burchard. I love his enthusiasm and positivity. If you have some time, please take a look and Take Charge!