A Whatsup Willmans Wednesday on a Monday!

Whats up with those Willmans?! I've been writing this post for two weeks hoping to get some pictures in here so it isn't so jam packed with just all those words down there ... yikes.

Work is good. I've been bouncing around so much that I've really gotten to know a LOT of the kids at our center. It seems that I'm usually in a handful of the same rooms so that's kind of nice. I have been in an infant room every few days for a lot of last week and I've gotten to know their schedule and how things work ... it's not my favorite but I don't feel so overwhelmed or lost by any means. 8 infants under age 1 is no joke. They'll kick your butt even if they're sweet! It's an assembly line in those rooms! Phew!

We have gotten out our fall decor and I love it. I love the shelves Jeff made me ... they make our whole first floor feel more like a home. I've also officially been obsessed with Yankee Candle products for more than a year now. They just had a $10 off no minimum purchase coupon and I went nuts with that thing. I got a wax warmer for dirt cheap, and a TON of easy melt cups for free at the PX and Bed Bath and Beyond of course. We don't have a Yankee Candle here but they'll take the coupons, score! I love having the house smell great .. especially the fall smells. (Obsessed with the apple one right now!!)

I've started volunteering with the USO and I'm loving it. They always have a reason to bake something and I love baking. I've made birthday cakes for Marines in the barracks at school here and Halloween cookies for a Halloween party they were hosting for the kiddos. I've also been working the USO at our airport and I am really loving that too. Giving back is such a great feeling and I feel like what I'm doing makes a difference to someone. If I wasn't at the airport, those Marines would be sitting on the benches at the airport and without snacks. I know how nice it has been for us while we were traveling to stop at a USO.

A few weekends ago, my friend Nicole gave me some free tickets to the NASCAR race in Charlotte ... it was a BEAUTIFUL day. We had a blast. It was my first NASCAR race and Jeff Gordon's last race in Charlotte. It was such a fun time, but I always say ... Jeff and I could have the best time in the most boring of places, anyways!

Recently I put myself out there and met some girls in our neighborhood. I'm so happy I did because I met my friend Mae. Shes so sweet, would do anything for you and is super fun. She also has a pup a little younger than Duke so we meet up at the dog park and hang out while we let the dogs wear themselves out. It's perfect really :) Sadie is a little smaller than Duke, but now that they know each other she really holds her own!

Jeff and I spent the week before Halloween making our costumes. This year we were Wyldstyle and Emmet from The Lego Movie ... It was a long week, but we had SUCH a fun time handing out candy at our house in those costumes, I can't even explain! The kids were SO excited and they knew exactly who we were, so we must have done a good job! :) After we finished handing out candy (Approx 150 kids!!!) we headed to a Halloween party with all the guys Jeff works with, which was a blast too.

Last Wednesday, I started back on Weight Watchers. It's what I know. It makes sense to me .. and it's been what I've been successful with in the past ... so I'm back. I've also started "C25K" which is the couch to 5k program. It's eight weeks and it is interval training that helps you end up running! Yesterday I finished day three of week one. I've been really focusing on my breathing and I think that's helping me. Jeff running with me is helping me too. Just knowing hes running next to me is so much more motivating than just running by myself. I like that it's something productive we can do together too. I've got to do SOMETHING .. I'm glad I've finally snapped back into reality. So, I'll hopefully update on this. Today is my first day of week two, so I'll be running and walking longer intervals. HOPEFULLY in 8 or so weeks I'll be able to run a 5k (haha that just sounds ridiculous to me ... hopefully I can stick with it!)

This past weekend we attended our second Marine Corps ball ... we had a great time. We traveled just under two hours away and got a hotel room for the night. When we got into town we got all dolled up and headed over for a delicious chicken and steak dinner, along with a nigh of tradition ... and of course drinking :) You know how Marine's get down.

Now begins our countdown to the happiest place on Earth! Jeff hasn't seen his family in eleven months, so it will be awesome to see him reunited with his momma :) We can't wait. We LOVE Disney and we haven't been back since we got engaged there in 2012!

In case you forgot :) 

I was just thinking about this yesterday, check it out:

November 2012 - Engaged - Disney World, Florida
November 2013 - Jeff was at USMC Bootcamp - Parris Island, SC - I was working 4 part time jobs.
November 2014 - We lived in Twentynine Palms, CA - I had just gotten one part time job.
November 2015 - We live at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina - I have an almost full time job.

Funny what can happen all in just a few years, huh?

Orange Beef & Broccoli - WW Friendly

We went to the commissary yesterday and this was one of the things I could make in our make-shift kitchen. Weight Watcher friendly and all ... so, I went for it!

This might be an actual Weight Watchers recipe ... I'm not claiming this one, although ... I wish I could! YUM

Sorry for the crappy pictures. I didn't think to post this recipe on the blog until after the fact.. this was my Instagram pic. {Do you follow me? Twillman87}

Here's the recipe! Nice and easy!

12 oz. broccoli
1/3 c. fat free low sodium beef broth
1/3 c. low sugar / sugar free orange marmalade
2 Tbl. low sodium soy sauce
1/4 tsp. salt
2 Tbl. cornstarch
1 lb. steak (we used sirloin trimmed and cut into thin slices)
cooking spray

Microwave broccoli per directions.
Combine broth, marmalade, soy and salt.
Place cornstarch in shallow bowl and dredge steak in cornstarch.
Heat a large non stick skillet over medium-high heat.
Coat pan w/ spray and add steak and saute 5 mins or until browned.
Add broth mixture, cook 1 min or until thick ... stir in broccoli.

About 6 WW points per cup ... We also made brown rice to go along with it :)

Enjoy! Let me know what you think! Jeff loved it ... that's why I love cooking for him :) He loves everything I make and he always makes sure to tell me he liked it! Love that guy!!

Moving Out & Eating Healthy

I go from tons of pictures to NO pictures .. what are the chances ... ?

So ... if you've been following along my fitness journey, you might know that I lived at home with my parents while my husband was stationed in Twentynine Palms, CA... I had done the majority of losing my weight with my then fiance (before he left for bootcamp last year) and my parents. I worked out 3-4 times a week at the local LifeTime Fitness and my mom kept healthy food in the house.

You might know that I planned our wedding in approx. 5 weeks.

You might know that I've gained back some of the weight I had lost, right after the wedding for multiple reasons (being schedule, packing, traveling and moving)

You might know that I weighed 157 about a week before I left Michigan. You might not. I def. didn't want to write about that struggle on here, I'm sorry to say. Which I realize is not fair. I should write the highs and valleys.. I've also been busy too and used that as an excuse not to write it here. I wonder what the last weight I admitted to was (on the blog) ... I should look.

You might know that we recently got housing in CA so that I moved to live with my husband, Jeff!

It is very important to Jeff and I to have healthy food in the house and get "back on track" while we have a clean slate. We have an empty pantry to start with and don't want to fill it with garbage.

On our cross country road trip we ate Subway for most meals and stopped for breakfast a few times as well. We didn't buy snacks for the car (except for a few a friend gave us .. YUM). We also drank lots of water in the car and tried to stay away from sugar. Jeff did drink coffee, but he loves coffee and drinks it anyways :)

It has been one week since we got to CA. One week of living on our own and I'm proud to tell you that I was 150 lbs. this morning. I haven't worked out in 13 days I think, but the lack of snacking and eating garbage has already helped. We have been planning dinners and having a frozen meal for lunches. We also have healthy snacks in like Weight Watchers string cheese, apples, grapes and bananas. I've also been drinking a ton of water because it's so so so hot out here.

My goal is to be between 130 - 135 lbs. by the time we go home for Christmas (if we go home for Christmas ... no promises) The lowest I've been was 140 lbs. I believe. I know it's going to be tough but I need to get back into the swing of working out, find a class, burn some calories and get on the ball. That is my goal this week is to figure that part of my new life out.

That's what I'm thinking about today :)
Thanks for reading!

{Crock-Pot} BBQ Pulled Chicken/Pork Sandwiches WW Friendly

I'm hoping to have my wedding pictures in the next few days .. Then I'll post!

Until then: This is one of my FAVORITE crock pot recipes and Weight Watcher friendly! Like I said the other day, I'm trying to get back on track. Having healthy and easy recipes handy is key!

It's fast, easy and we always have the stuff in to make it. When we make it, we use chicken - but if you want to make it with pork you totally can. Obviously, I can't take credit for coming up with this recipe ... it's just one that's a favorite around here.

 

 Step 1 - get this packet ... yummmmm

Step 2 - Mix together:

1/2 c. ketchup
1/2 c. packed brown sugar

1/3 c. apple cider vinegar

1 c. water 

BBQ seasoning packet

Place 3 lbs of chicken into the crock pot ... (pictured is not the full amount of chicken)
Pour the mix above over the chicken and cook on low for 8 hours.

Remove the chicken breasts, thicken sauce with cornstarch.
Place chicken back into the crock pot and shred.

We eat them on Kroger slider buns ... 2 points each or just in a bowl by itself.

I count the sauce and chicken as about 1 point per ounce because it makes so much, when you divide it out it's hardly any points at all.

For more healthy / Weight Watcher friendly recipes click here

Let me know what you think! :)

Apple, Grape and Pudding Dessert

Hey!! I thought I'd take a break from all the wedding prep talk and get you a recipe. Whoever "you" are ;)

During the wedding planning, I was very busy and didn't have as much self control as normal. I actually gained 7 lbs and am exactly where I started in January. I've had a hard time struggling with this, but I'm here and I need to do something about it.

That being said ...

Here is one of my favorite zero point dessert / snacks!

 I didn't really know what the name of it is ...

First you make sugar free pudding - I use pistachio. I'm sure you could use vanilla, a fruit flavor or even chocolate. I make mine with fat free half and half because it is zero points and you can't taste the difference. We sub milk out for fat free half and half when it's mixed with things.

 Core an apple (mine is honey crisp), and then cut up into bite size pieces.

 I cut my grapes in half so they are closer to "bite size".

Mix all together!

It's really yummy like this and this is how I keep it in the fridge. Then if I have points left for the day, I can add a measured out miniature Snickers bar, or mini chocolate chips or caramel sauce into my own serving. {this way you can change it up!!}

Sound yummy? I think so! Do you have a favorite zero point snack / dessert?? Let me know!

For more healthy / Weight Watcher friendly recipes click here

Life Lately

Things have been crazy around here ... I forgot to write my update for last week, but as I explain what has been going on I'm sure you'll forgive me. I'll feel better once I have this post up and running, written and ready to go. I don't want to get away from writing it again, especially at this crazy/busy/exciting time in my life.

Last time I weighed in was last Monday (March 10) and I was about here:

My fitness life is truly lacking right now. I've been feeling guilty about it. I've been feeling like this is something I need to address. I don't know how to do anything but move forward in this area of life, because THAT is what I've been doing the past two years. When I haven't been focusing on it (for little amounts of time) I have always been worried that I would slide backwards.
I have been doing a great job at maintaining however while the "crazy" is going on, which is good news. I have also been feeling that if I were doing better in this area of my life right now that it might help with some of the stress in other areas.


Insert one of my best friends .. she says that our "self" is made up of three things .. physical, emotional and spiritual. And depending on what's going on, one self may get or need more attention. She thinks my emotional and spiritual sides may need some more TLC right now.

She said this to me and such a peace came over me, I can't even explain it. This makes so much sense. This makes me feel so much better about not burrowing forward but just staying where I am for this short stretch of time when I have the wedding planning and waiting going on.

{if anyone is new, my fiance is a PFC in the USMC and we are waiting for his orders so that we can get married April 12th .. yes 2014 .. and no it's not going to be a small wedding .. we want our friends and family to be there. Yes, if you're counting that is less than 4 short weeks away which is very exciting but without his orders it is extremely stressful too.}

So ... I haven't been at the gym! Don't even look for me there unless its Monday night.. because I'd die before I missed my Monday zumba class ;)

What have I been doing?
Gurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrll what haven't I been doing is a shorter list. But this way is more fun.
I've been:

Picking out chair covers! [actually, Jeff picked]

Chose our invitations ... not pictured because it's a surprise!!!

Registering at Bed Bath and Beyond

(more on this later .. because their customer service is truly amazing)

Registering at Target .. not as much fun ..

(more on this later .. because it was a major let down .. and if you know me, I'm a Target LOVER!)

I'm in love with these lamps at Target though .. seriously!!! 

(yes their on our registry)

 

Choosing our bedding.. which was tougher than it sounds.

Went a little nuts with the scanner .. because how often do you get to do this?!!? 

ONCE! 

Fell in love with our couples shower invitation ...

And then again when I saw my bridal shower invitation!!!

 Labled invitations, response cards and return addresses

Made a million lists ... this one was actually for registering.

My mom and I went and registered for a bunch of stuff that Jeff wouldn't care about. 

Then he and I registered for things online together (stuff I knew he would have an opinion about)

I did NOT want to do it this way, but it really worked out well.

Then last weekend I got really sick ... :( Out of commission for two days almost.

Looked into unity candles .. didn't buy this one ... lol

Got my hair cut .. wooo hooo!! and made all my wedding hair appointments :) 

Went to JoAnn Fabrics with my cousin Katie to scope out their "wedding aisle" 

They have a lot more there than you would think ... check 'em out.

Put on almost every piece of clothing I own to make sure it fits .. Purple Heart was coming and apparently I'm moving across the country in a month!!! Time to get rid of all that stuff that didn't fit anymore!

Took Anthony to church ... umm yes ... I took this pic.

{mass hadn't started yet .. get off my back}

Had a bonfire with one of my favorite people

Went shower dress shopping (ALL DAY .. sorry mom .. didn't mean to wear you out!!)

Tried on like 50 dresses ... :/ 

But I got two for our showers (and under budget .. hollerrrrrr!!!)

I also:

• Bought my wedding dress, shoes and veil
• Had my alterations appointment
• Dog sat
• Picked out where we will have our rehearsal dinner
• Went to BB&B like 4 times to look at different stuff on my list
• Got my nails done
• Quit my job at preschool (OMG .. so hard..)
• Went to a friends wedding shower
• Had dinner with my future mother in law and future sister in law to show them wedding plans
• Bought our card box, cake set, table numbers and unity candle
• People started getting their shower invites and texting me
  that they are so excited!!! :) :) :) 

and probably a million other things I forgot.

Now all I need is my groom ... We are so ready to close this 2,200 mile gap between us ...

 

We hope to get his final and official orders that say whether or not our 

April 12th date will happen .. within the next few days!!

Thanks for reading! :) 

One Pound At A Time

This morning I woke up and weighed in at a smidge above where I was last week. I'm 100% happy with it.

Weighing in .3 above last week at 140.8 means that I had a good week. I ate well, measured things and drank water. I think I told you that when I lost my 3 lbs last week it was because I was busy and hadnt been eating the amount that I should have (by accident .. I don't recommend it .. It wasn't something I was continuing)

(Sorry for the bad lighting)

So the fact that I ate this week fairly "normally/healthy" and didn't gain it all back says that I'm really at 140.8 legitimately.. Which is exiting.

My work schedule is going to be less and less so I can work more on wedding and moving things - so I'll be getting in at least one extra class this week. 

We have a lot picked out for the wedding .. I just need to get my grooms orders! This week I met with the church and Priest and our Deacon. Everything went really well and I'm feeling good about that. I met with a chair cover company and decided on them this week. I also had my alterations appointment and I pick it up on March 26th. I ordered the invitations last night (crossing fingers .. Logistically I have to order the invites first because of the timing ... I'm giving it to God and hoping that he makes April 12th happen)

Mom went with me to start our registry on Friday night. It was so much fun picking out things for Jeff and I's first home together. The word "exciting" doesn't do it justice. It was also sooo overwhelming to think that all our friends and family will be getting us these gifts.. In a good way, but still!! Hopefully that makes sense.

So this week .. I'm praying we get Jeff's orders .. And I'm hoping to be under 140 next week :)

I've Officially Have Lost 50 lbs!

Yea. You read that right! I've lost FIFTY pounds!!

- it was exciting to put on this white shirt and find it a little baggy in the belly area!

It's so hard to believe. 50 lbs sounds like both SO much and at the same time, just doesn't describe how much time and hard work went into it.

Anyways .. It was time for my Monday Morning weigh in again! Last week I had two work outs Monday (spin and Zumba) and Tuesday (zumba and the treadmill) I was off work and wanted to make sure I made the best of my time. 

Then ... Jeff called me and said there was a very real possibility, that he could come home soon. He said to look into things a bit more seriously for our wedding!

I didn't work out Wednesday or Thursday because I was SO busy with wedding plans. Friday and Sunday mornings I hit Zumba. So six work outs in seven days.. I have also been so busy that I've been very good about portion sizes. I probably haven't eaten enough for the past few days. A problem, I can honestly say I've never had before :)

Here's my update! 140.5 this morning !!!! 

I'm down 3 full pounds from last week.

I'm at 4.15% loss for my weightloss competition. 

50 lbs since I've started my weight loss journey. 

I'm also proud to say that I did my abs and arms every day, Monday through Sunday! 

In other news, by Friday I had the hall, church, photographer, DJ, photobooth, chair covers, centerpieces and florist all set and ready to pull the trigger on once Jeff gets his orders that say he can come home. Crazy right? My friends and family have also jumped right in planning wedding showers which is also SO exciting... Really making a girl feel special these days! :)

I also chose and purchased my wedding dress on Sunday night! I can't believe it. I've always known that we are blessed, but the way things are falling together is really incredible.

I also have told my family and a few friends about all this, but we haven't told everyone yet because we are waiting on Jeff's orders .. so if you're reading this, I haven't forgotten to tell you. It's just still a LITTLE early to claim the date as ours. 

143 - A Bigger Deal Than I Would Have Thought

First ... we will start with a fat pic vs. now pic, because those always make me feel happy. proud. motivated. encouraged. blessed.....

 

You would think that losing 1.4 lbs wouldn't be a big deal after losing 45 lbs.

IT IS. I finally moved the scale this week ... Yep, you read that right. I am no longer at 144.4 ... after ONE .. FULL .. MONTH ... stuck there. I've been complaining and frustrated but I've finally done it.

After people telling me .. "well then that probably means that's where you should just stay, you've lost enough."

After making good choices and seeing NO results. I've moved the scale and I'm not talking about "down the hallway"

I am finally winning this war again.

THIS is the reason I'm a record player and say "just.keep.going." This is the feeling that keeps me going.

143 .. one forty three .. it's 1.4 lbs of music to my happy little ears.

Started at: 147.0 lbs
Weighed in today at: 143.0 lbs

Pounds lost: 4
Weight loss percentage:  2.72%

Total weight loss since 190lb beginning: 47.0 lbs

My work out schedule this week was:
Sunday - Zumba AM
Monday - Zumba PM
Tuesday - A quick 20 min run on the treadmill
Wednesday - Work out in the basement (zumba .. keeping my heart rate up .. weights)
Thursday - Work out in the basement (zumba .. dancing  .. weights) totally skipped spin in the AM.

Saturday - Work out in the basement (zumba .. bouncing around.. weights)


I decided that since I've been consistently doing
this arm work out with 5 lbs weights and
these work tummy/ab work outs with 5 lb weights
for three weeks (3-4 days a week) I would take some pictures and measurements.

Remember when I said, to take measurements? I've only lost 4lbs since the last time I took measurements and pictures.  I have lost 1 inch in my chest and 2 inches in my waist and .5 inch on one of my thighs (strange I know)

Upper arm left: 10.5 in (0 difference)
Upper arm right: 11.0 in (0 difference)
Chest: 35 in (-1 inch difference)
Waist: 28.5 in (-2 inch difference)
Hips: 38.5 in (0 difference)
Thigh left: 21.5 in (.5 inch difference)
Thigh right: 22 in

Look at the difference in these pictures. (please understand that I am not bragging about my progress. I am just SO excited to share that I'm actually getting somewhere .. especially since I didn't think I had been!)

January 7th to today .. February 17th

Don't see too much difference in my legs

Holy crap, could it be? A difference in my belly?!??

Less lumpy in that middle section!! No sucking in!

This week I'm off work for mid winter break. I'm hoping to get in a lot of extra work outs and classes.
Monday (today) - spin AND zumba
Tuesday - zumba AM AND treadmill PM
Wednesday - Spin PM (maybe)
Thursday - spin and maybe a night class of some sort
Friday - zumba AM
Saturday - nothing
Sunday - zumba AM

I'm also going to do my weights for my arms and belly every day this week. Yes you read that. I have extra time I'm going to make it work.

I'm really just writing this down so that I have it to look back on my plan for the week :)

Thanks for checking in!! Have you taken your pictures and measurements?