It's Finally Happened!

Hello!

So over the past few days I've been reflecting on myself and how I'm living my life. For the most part I'm very happy with the path I'm on and where it is going, but I also have this drive to keep searching for new ways to improve my current state.

This began over a year ago after I first saw the documentary Food Inc., which literally changed my life. After Max and I watched this it was quite apparent that we could never go back to the way we were living previously (thus becoming vegan). We were vegan for about six months before transitioning to vegetarianism. As with any change in life there is a transition period, but we made it through! I can honestly say with conviction that I could never go back. The only real challenges we've had to face are maintaining healthy and nutritious eating habits while sticking to a budget. Our first Vegan grocery trip we went to Earth fare and walked out with our wallet $200.00 lighter. It was at that point that some serious reassessing took place. At this point we try to buy the produce we need while it's in season and purchase frozen when it is not. I can cook pretty well, but at this point I have had several horrid experiences trying to soak/cook/freeze dried beans so we buy canned, which (slap my wrist) I know is awful. We have found that it really is quite simple to eat vegetarian on a budget you just have to get inventive to keep from eating the same things over and over again.

Eating on a budget is all well and good and eating healthily on a budget is even better, but we still had a vice.
I lived for my soda! I could not get through the day with out several hundred milligrams of caffeine coursing through my veins. I thought "Stephanie you already gave up meat, what's wrong with a little soda?" Well my friend let me tell you! The feeling of waking up in the morning bright eyed and fresh with the full knowledge that you are ready to take on the day is all the confirmation I need that I made the right decision to kick caffeine. I never thought of myself as an addict until the day after my first day without it. Day one I drank my last Pepsi and felt good (after the Pepsi). Day two, no soda! Hello headache and irritability just ask Max :). I didn't begin to feel normal until about a week later. At this point I've not had any caffeine for about two months and have never felt better!

So now lets get to what brought on this tangent (finally, right?). I just watched No Impact Man on Netflix and though I don't see myself ever going to that extreme, I definitely do not see anything wrong with taking a long hard look in the consumerism mirror and really take the time to address what my needs are and how I can possibly reduce my footprint I'm leaving on this planet (you're welcome hypothetical grand-kids). Oh! and I'm going Poo-Free, which means I'm going to stop using conventional shampoo and conditioner and make my own. So I guess this means it's officially happened... I've became a Hippie!!

Here's the skinny

Good Morning!

So before I jump right into my new plan here's some background. For the past couple years I've been making huge lifestyle changes to better myself, such as not eating fast food, not drinking caffeine, exercising, and becoming a vegetarian. All these things started off really great, but then I got lazy! So I've decided with Max's help to really get serious about getting fit and living a healthy active lifestyle.

Let me clarify that I do not think I am fat, nor do I hate the way I look. I do however, want to be healthy. I've decided to set a modest weight loss goal, obtain it by assessing my diet, and ramping up my current work out routine.

Today I've started logging my calorie intake to decide what I can do to eat healthier. I never realized how many carbs were in everything! The problem I've found myself running into is that in order to promote muscle growth and shed fat you have to eat a lot of protein, which is no problem for your average Joe. For me though, I have to get crafty ( You can only eat so many beans). I don't eat soy products, or use meat substitutions, I'm trying to cut down on dairy and cheese, and I'm allergic to seafood. You see my problem. Max drinks protein shakes but, I think they look and taste like chalk, though I guess strawberry chalk is better than a protein deficiency :).

 Hopefully blogging about my progress will keep me motivated, or at the very least hold me accountable to someone! Max has agreed to be my personal trainer, and trust me he won't go easy on me just because he married me ;). I'm very blessed to have the resources and support to start and maintain a healthy lifestyle!
Now I'm going to commit the biggest sin a woman can make, posting her weight and measurements for all to see HA!

Starting Weight: 145lbs

Measurements
chest:35in.
Waist:27.5in.
Stomach Area: 33in.
Hips:39in

My Goal
Weight: 125lbs

Chest: Stay the same, but not going to happen HAHA!
Waist:24in
Stomach: Toned
Hips:36in

Me at my current weight 

Let's get things figured out!

Why Hello!


I'm brand spanking new to blogging and you better believe I have no idea what I'm doing! As the title suggests the intent of this blog will be a completely random, but  hopefully entertaining chronicling of my everyday thoughts and happenings. You've been warned.
 I consider myself to be a somewhat outspoken person, and the way I see it I'm doing the virtual world a dis-service by limiting my rants to just Facebook. So I'd like to take this time to thank and/or blame Mrs. Nakia for inspiring me to begin my little page of modest opinions and maybe not so modest rants ;).