Its another Monday!!!!!!

Hello out there!!!! I am back!

Well let me start with saying Thank you to EVERYONE that participated in the giveaway (more to come) and have stuck around in my absence. Congrats to the winner Meyoshia, I have dropped it in the mail!!!!… so updates…

IM MARRIED!!!! It was awesome. Of course things did NOT go according to plan but  the reception was a huge party!!!!  I have truly married my soul mate so it’s all good. I will give more details later on through a series of posts I am working on.

I moved! Watch out Pinterest. I am pinning EVERYTHING home décor/organization related. Follow me on Pinterest and I will follow you back.

I wrecked my car and it was totaled out…

 

ugghh and it was super close to being paid off, now I feel like Im starting over blah…. Let me just say that the rental company is super petty because I pulled up in a wrecked Mazda from 2003 they put me in a 2013 Lincoln MKZ… be still my heart… Im in love with this car and will be placing it on my Vision Board!!!!



Remember I got a new job? Well I HATED it. I had that one good day but for the most part it was not great. It was simply not a good fit for me to say the least. So I am back at the therapy thing and honestly I couldn’t be happier. I went back with a raise and a bigger office. I also got some of my old clients back and a few made me cry because they were so happy to see me. One lady said “I’m sorry that whatever didn’t work but I am so dam happy you came back to me!”

I am restarting my weight loss journey. I am officially healed from my hip injury and have gained weight…again *insert as much shame as possible* I had a whole shameful post already but I thought I have said that before and I’m sure the blog world has heard all before. Instead of focusing on the bad I will tell you that last week was a great workout week. I have linked up with my best boo thang Val and she has this whole weekly accountability/motivating email thing going on and it really has helped.

Im not quite ready for scale pics again… hey I’m human and looking at numbers I never wanted to see again is killing me. But I will be weighing in on Mondays once again since that really seemed to work for me…. Stay tuned

My Vows... Gotta love me

If you have keeping up with me you know my weight is a struggle. Along with my health issues, and my hip issues I have been losing motivation because of the gain. Then I read this post by my Bloggy bestie about her renewing her fitness vos and I thought Heck yea that is just what I need (although I do need to be working on my love vows too).

I Toya promise to love and honor myself even if I do not like the number on the scale, and since I dont like that number I will work to change it. This work includes:

• Drinking no less than 80oz of water daily
• Eating baked, lean meat (if you know me you know I love anything fried)
• Including protein at every meal
• Staying away from all the things I love (pizza, cheeseburgers, fries) 6 out of the 7 days weekly
• Not overindulging in my love foods on the 7th day
• Working out no less than 5 days a week
• Limiting alcohol consumption to 1 weekend night per week 
• Celebrating the small victories with something other than food

There you have it. I promise to me to do everything possible to keep these vows to myself. I am a better mom, fiance, and employer when I am taking care of me. I have to create a balance and it restarts today!!!!

*How do you stay motivated? How will you stay on track for the holiday?

Monday Management

Is it Monday again??!!! Geesh where is the time going... So the weight loss front has been slow and sad. I am working out still but not being able to run is killing my spirit. I know I know that weight can be controlled by nutrition alone but honestly I struggle with that. The exercise while I feel like Im dying when Im doing it is not the hard part for me. It is that darn kitchen that kills me.... UNTIL today... I dusted off those weight watcher books and I CHOSE ME!!!!! I of course know what NOT to eat but I have got to spice up what I can eat. Counting points and or calories works for me. I read some blog post of mine when I was losing weight and I had a food schedule along with a workout schedule. Im getting back to that place. I got on the scale and it told me what I already know. Im not ready to share here because frankly Im mortified to have to type yet again that Im starting over. Woomp woomp aint no body got time for that!!!! Any who Im a work in progress and I appreciate yall for reading along!!! Happy Monday!

Monday Musings!!!!

Hey Hey today I am making Monday my B@#$%. I wont be sad because the work week has started way too soon. I will be happy that I am gainfully employed and alive to try again. I am linking up with my bloggy bestie and some other lovely ladies and you should too. Tell us what keeps you motivated!!!

I'm motivated for several reasons lately. One being the fabulous wedding dress I have picked out, and the other being I can workout and not worry about my hair!!! Shout out to my stylist!!!!

I recently learned that my hip is NOT ok and that there should be NO running until November. My wedding is in November. I also have other health issues that have flared up and caused some weight gain. I will be honest I was feeling very defeated. Its like the condition causes weight gain and to help it you need to lose weight but I CANT run, or take birth control which causes weight gain. I was really feeling like WTF lets just eat the pain away. I actually feel silly admitting that. After I got through that dramatic and devastating moment I realized something. This running thing is not the only form of cardio. I just have to amp it up. I'm like ok Toya you gonna let a hip and some hormones defeat you? You have survived this that blah blah (my motivating self speech) you CAN do this. So that's what I'm doing. I'm going to work out harder and smarter. I'm going to let my boo put me on the diet that that works best for my hormones and get this weight off!!!!.... Thanks babe for loving ALL of me.... Since no workout/motivating post is complete without sweaty pics enjoy!!!

Random at work pic... I was feeling myself LOL

How Nelly got me through....

Baby your a song that makes me wanna roll my window down and CRUUUIIIISSSEEE... So this is so heavy on my playlist right now. This song is by FLorida Georgia Line and the remix includes Nelly!!! #eyecandymoment

So as I was giving up on the elliptical this song comes on. Im still about to give up because Toyalicious AKA my inner big girl was saying "get on off this machine and go eat" then Nelly says:

[Nelly:]
My windows down, my seats back,
My music up, and we ride.
Her legs up on my dashboard,
And it's just the way I like.
Hey, country girl, this country boy
Like everything about you.
Don't change a thing, no way.
You stay the same, I got you.
I like saw that, all that,
Head to toe you all that.
Tell ol' boy he call back,
Send a text say, "Fall back" 'cause
I can see you got a thing for the fast life.
So come on, shawty, let me show you what the fast like.
Whipping 'cross the border, Florida into Georgia.

'Cause, baby, you a song
And you make me wanna roll my, roll my, roll my, r-r-r-roll.

Then something in me says ok Toya you want your legs up (read the lyrics ppl LOL) you cant be all sloppy with ten million dimples of cellulite so KEEP. GOING. Thats exactly what I did and even out the song on repeat. 

Sometimes you have to pull determination from anywhere and on this particular cardio day it was Nelly talking about cruising with a girl that I assume looks like Ashanti LOL and she is fit too so I had to keep going!!!!

Whats on your playlist?

Back at it photo dump

If you have been reading my blog you know that I recently got back on the wagon, or as my bloggy boo said I let this recent eating debacle be a comma on my journey... I have been back in the gym and hitting it hard. I still don't have the courage to face the she devil, but Im making better choices and working out so when I do face her I will not be mad. plus I can feel it in my clothes that Im not where I was and I would rather not give myself any ammunition to give up (I know me)... Anywho here is a little recap of what has been going on.

This was today's workout. I miss seeing 6-900 calories burned on cardio days. I was running then and maybe all that going hard is how I bruised my hip to begin with lol...

Sunday the Mr and I went to brunch AFTER we went to the gym!!!... Gosh I love this man 

SOOOOOO if anyone knows how my phone did this please tell me because I dont have a clue!!!! but I think its awesome!... Saturday the Mr sung background at a church concert. I was so proud! He has that towel because there was no air and I promise it was no less than 100 degrees in the church.

Yall know he hates pictures but I DO NOT!!!!

HAHAHAHA

I believe this was Thursdays workout

 Here is wednesdays workout. 

SO see I am back in the saddle. There were a couple other workouts but I was looking too much of a hot mess. you know like not even "wow she worked out hard" but like "now she know she don't need to post that picture" LMBO!!!!

Here I go again... Relapse

WTH have I been doing? EATING EVERYTHING.

 I'm not really sure what got me in my fat girl funk but after reading my Bloggy boo's guest post repeatedly I am rejuvenated. I also stalked Joi's page and really looked at her pics (how is her hair always so flawless lol) and thought about how far away I am from really wearing a bathing suit and believe me it helped.

I thought of all the excuses that I could type (stress, emotions, unable to workout, new job, guilt from leaving old job) to justify my behavior but really there is none. Not one excuse that will make my ring no longer sliding on my finger, pants being too tight, and being embarrassed and pulling on my shirt any better.

I promised myself I would be as transparent as possible n this blog and there it is. I am FAILING. However I do not have to continue to fail. I do not have to keep eating everything. I'm disgusted with myself for having to start over YET AGAIN. Its very embarrassing to have to tell you guys that I have essentially relapsed... again, The only way I can stop starting over is to not stop.

I will not be waiting until Monday I WILL be starting again in the morning. I really have no excuse. My daughter is not here so working out before work will be simple. Sleeping is not helping me lose weight anyway... So here is to tomorrow yet another new beginning...

Yea Im avoiding it for now...

June Goals!!!!- How is it June already?!?!?!

June already!!! I’m still late because it’s the 3^rd LOL!!!! Anywho I just popped in to give a brief update. I’m super busy in my life right now and lots of things that I will blog about as soon as they are finalized are taking place. So I will be having some guest post happening. If you are interested in guest posting email me: latoyaccarter (at) gmail (dot) com.

That being said I’m still planning this fabulous wedding on a strict budget, and the struggle to lose weight continues. I haven’t been on the scale because TOM is sooo happening right now… Soon as that is over I will go back to weighing and checking in via blog EVERY Monday. When I was holding myself accountable and blasting those numbers for the world I was making progress.

Since my hip bone is STILL bruised I’m not running but I have been cleared to ride the bike. Let me tell you the bike is soooo BORING!!!! I guess this is how outdoor runners feel about the treadmill but honey I would slap someone to be able to hit that treadmill!!! LOL. Ok peeps that’s about all I can say right now stay tuned!!!  Here are my mini goals for the month: 

Passions

Joi is really making me add more depth to my posts… I like it though *thinks about blog direction* … Im so easily distracted today LOL. Today’s challenge is to discuss what you are passionate about or to create an online vision board. It’s funny I was just telling the Mr that I needed to go get some poster and stuff for my vision board (see the mind distractions LOL)…

 

 

So Im sitting here and Im thinking what am I passionate about and nothing comes to mind because I want to be truthful. There are things I love like organizing, and I have a whole Pinterest board dedicated to it, but then I don’t stick with it. I tell myself I will be a crafter but eh I get tired or do something else. Then I realized its fitness working out/running and mental health so let me see if I can combine the two.

See how happy I  am leaving the gym

 These are just random workout pics I had on my phone. LOL

 

I have discussed some of my journey and if you have been keeping up you know I have a bruised bone and I’m on crutches however I am still compiling workouts and circuits that I want to try, and Im literally yarning for the gym. The lifting, running, sweating and grunting. I love to hit the gym and it wasn’t until now I was able to pin point why I am in SUCH A FUNK. Sure crutches are bad and tiresome but I miss running, and timing myself and watching my body change and beating yesterdays time, or lifting more weight than I did last week. I miss working out.

If you really knew me you would understand how baffling this is. I used to not be the gym type. Always worried about my hair and making excuses to continue to be lazy. Then I finally get into a groove and boom I’m down for three weeks. It has been devastating. Let me be clear I am no guru and I usually look up workouts before I go to the gym and then look all crazy checking my phone to see what exercise is next but I Love it! I was building a mini/very small home gym with hand weights, stability ball, ankle weights, aerobic stepper, and cords and I can’t wait to get back to it.

My personal home gym  has this stuff minus the bench, and bars in the back (sorry I didnt snap a pic last night)

This is an example of what I would do in the gym... Oh how I miss it 

 

Now for the mental health. Bottom line I am an advocate. Goget yourself help. The idea of Wellness Wednesday (that I have been sucking at lately) actually came from this. There is such a stigma placed on mental health and it can keep people from seeking the help they desperately need. I think everyone should have 6 sessions minimum per life time. If nothing more learn time management, or just vent and not feel judged.

 



The world of community mental health is a dark place that I visit every Monday – Friday. I say dark because I have seen firsthand people not get what they need whether it be medication or hospitalization based on INSURANCE (the companies are evil LOL). I have also seen those who have the good (state paid for) insurance and they wont do the work. They come in every week and complain or make and appointment every wekk and not show. It can be very troubling for the therapist.

I personally LOVE this!!!

 

 So I say to anyone if you are noticing some disturbance in your life, having difficulty coping, unable to maintain relationships, or whatever it is GET HELP!!! Or at least work out it is free therapy in many ways!!!