Meg: Magical Red Jeans

I bought magical pants today.
NOT. EVEN. JOKING. They are SOOOOOO AMAZING!

They are a cigarette fit skinny leg style (with a perfect midrise that hides both my love handles and baby gut). But the BEST part is the color! It's this unassumingly gorgeous burnt red shade that literally matches EVERYTHING:

Trendy black top with white polka dots? Check.
Mustard and gray striped sweater? Check.
Aqua colored surfer style sweatshirt? Check.

I didn't even try them on until I got home and guess what?!?!? THEY FIT PERFECTLY! I literally spent 10 minutes running around the store holding them up to the most ridiculous shirts and they made everything look polished and totally on trend.

I've never been in love with a pair of pants before <3

2012 Trend: Red Jeans

Meg: Size 8 (Now with a close up picture of my butt!)

end of June 2012

Truth be told I have been rocking the size 8's for just over a month now (It was like an early birthday present from my body to my brain when I slipped those bad boys on - and yes, I totally danced inside that tiny little dressing room!)

I think one of the best feelings of being smaller than your intended goal is that feeling of accomplishment. My size 12's from April-May are pretty loose, (I still wear the shorts because it's all I have right now to get me through the next couple weeks of summer), but I am officially in mediums and a solid size 6/8.

The 1200 calories/day and 3 hours of exercise a week have done my body well. I have avoided alcohol on almost every occasion (expect special events and when there may or may not have been a need for smashing coconuts - only Melody will get that) and my splurges can literally be counted on 2 hands. That's not too shabby for 9 solid months of "dieting" and only reaffirms it's not a get thin quick diet, it's a lifestyle change.

So how did I do it? The old fashioned way with hard work and a little elbow grease. I still have a few more pounds to go (10 or 20, I haven't really set my ultimate goal) and have finally decided it's time to start a diet. Hey, I want this weight gone now, thank you very much! I've established healthy eating habits, now it's time to kick fat's ass.

Over the last year I have learned a lot about diets, nutrition, and fitness. I have a better understanding of how bodies work, especially my own. Stay tuned next time when I tell you about my new diet. (Teaser: I just completed my first week and broke my scale "plateau" on the 3rd day.)

Say Yes to the Dress: Bridesmaid Edition

This is the dress I will be wearing for my sister's wedding in December. I am so excited to announce that at the time of ordering I fit into my size 10 (European). I am down 75lbs and totally on track to hit a plethora of other health goals leading up to the wedding and the end of 2012. I hope you all are having a great summer!

I am not your tissue

A large part of this blog is about being healthy. Part of being healthy is not coughing on people. Yes, I’m talking to you woman-who-knows-no-personal-space-behind-me-in-the-grocery-store-and-seems-to-have-forgotten-how-to-cover-her-mouth!

Someone get me a personal shopper!


So, last night I made the most awesome Shepherd’s pie. Vegan style.

And it was delicious.

I unfortunately wasn’t thinking and built it upside down. I forgot the mashed potatoes go on top and meat and veggies go on the bottom. That’s why there is a sad little dollop on the top there.

My “modern” shepherd’s pie. Apparently.

I have recently discovered cauliflower mashed potatoes, and am head over heels in love with them! Its just boiled cauliflower… mashed. Last night I added some vegan sour cream (one of the few vegan substitutes I actually like) but honestly, I prefer them with just a little salt and pepper. I had gone to the store, saw all this vegan “meat”, and thought I bought ground meat, but it was in fact sausage. I didn’t even like sausage when I did eat meat. I am also not the biggest fan of peas. I’m working on it, but its taking some time. So for the vegetables I used carrots, onions and corn. Sautéed and then I had one vegan Boca burger left and used that for the meat. And it was all served in half a bell pepper.

I’m sure you can tell by now I love serving food in food. It’s for no other reason than feel it will help with the clean up process.
I also added more mash. 'Twas amazing!

Overall. Taste was AMAZING! I’m definitely doing this again. It was a bit of work. I roasted the bell pepper; had to sauté the veggies, boiled the carrots, and corn, and boil/mash the cauliflower. I don’t think it is any more challenging than the real shepherd’s pie, but if you have the time I would recommend it!

Meg's Menu: Taco Tuesday

Steak Tacos

"White Girl" Steak Tacos

• 2 Corn Tortillas 40 calories each
• 4 oz Steak (seasoned and broiled) 220 calories
• 1/4 cup Cheese 40 calories
• 1/2 100 calorie pack Guacamole 50 calories
• 2 tablespoons Salsa 5 calories
• Lettuce ~5 calories

Wedding Wednesday

There is no motivation like the motivation of looking good in a wedding dress.
This past weekend I traveled down to Orange county to share in the experience of dress shopping with some of my loved ones and future loved ones. It was everything I thought it would be and more. Of course, what is the whole wedding experience without a little stress? I had booked my appointment at a David’s Bridal salon in the South Coast Plaza location only to find out there is no appointment for me. I always thought I would be a cool headed bride (don’t we all?) but my nerves were already hyped up from excitement of dress shopping and seeing family and when I heard I did not have an appointment I nearly wanted to cry. All I kept thinking was I wouldn’t get another chance to try on dresses with anyone. My Hubby bear and I live in Fresno California 4-6 hours away from our family down in beautiful southern California. Turned out whomever I had booked my appointment with over the phone had scheduled me for a different location in Orange. We arrived at the David’s Bridal in Orange and only a few people were there so there was still a consultant available to help. I’m pretty sure I got the best one too. She was so attentive and even helped with a veil dilemma I was facing. Future Hubby Bear likes the traditional long veil and I prefer the birdcage. She showed me a way to incorporate both, and I could not be happier.

I found my dress and while I love it (and it brought a tear to my mother’s eye), I am just not completely satisfied with my weight. This will be my dream gown when I have reached my goal. I am halfway there and now have 4 months to lose the rest before my first and possibly only, fitting. So I am going to post a picture of me in the dress for my “before” picture. Since our blog is still relatively new I do not think its going to ruin the surprise for many people who are coming to the wedding, and I doubt Billy even knows what a blog is.
　

　
　
Wanting to lose weight is one thing, but a plan is how you get there. I am going to re start The Jillian Michaels 30 day shred challenge. I’m hoping by charting it through this blog I will be able to stick with it. My first day will be the 10^th. I’m going to take a couple days and restart level one, and on the 10^th I will move up to level two. My goal is to do 15 days of level two and move on to the second half with level 3. I’ve very excited. I even bought a workout tank top that says “Bride” for that little extra push.

Meg: Size 12 Jeans

I didn't realize what a big deal squeezing into a pair of size 12 jeans was until I went to the plus size section to pick up my size 14 favorite brand and couldn't find them in my new, slimmer size 12's.

I'm a relatively smart girl so it only took me a few seconds before I realized that this one little change ripped me from my plus size "comfort zone" and put me smack dab in the middle of regular women's clothes again.

I did a happy dance. And then took some pictures.