Getting Back on the Wagon

A couple weeks ago at work, we started a Biggest Loser competition. In an effort to get as close to 200 as possible by my birthday, I joined. I also joined because I’m already losing weight, so why not try to get some money out of it? (and no, I don’t get credit for the weight I’ve already lost. Whatever!). Last week I weighed in and lost a pound. At my weigh in this week I know I have gained. I weighed myself yesterday and had gained 2 pounds. I have been really bad though, so I need to discipline myself. I am on a rollercoaster of lose 2 and gain 2. So annoying!My motivational tool right now is buying cute work out gear. Check out my new Nike's I bought for half off from the Nordstrom anniversary sale. 



You can't tell how bright, but they are highlighter yellow with pink. So cute!



For exercise I have started my yoga classes that I bought on Groupon ($49 for 20 classes!) I went to my first one a couple weeks ago and I really enjoyed it. I haven’t been to yoga in over three years so I didn’t know who my body would react. I haven’t used my body that way in a long time and my flexibility has gone out the window. However, due to my current weight loss of 70 pounds so far, I was able to hold my weight more than I used to. I was able to hold myself in planks and lower myself which I have never been able to do. I also was sweating like a whore in church as one of my high school teachers liked to say. I don’t think I have sweat that much in a long time. It was pouring off of my and getting on the mat. The class was an hour and 15 minutes long, but the last 15 minutes are spent meditating so they don’t count. Let’s say the hard stuff lasts for about an hour. I was able to make it through about 30 without struggle, I made it 45 still trying to keep up, and the last 15 minutes were spent attempting some, but mostly in child’s pose! I know it will get better. I was sore for days. Muscles that I haven’t used in a long time were protesting at every move, but it was a good feeling. I can’t wait to go back.

Tomorrow I will be also starting Zumba classes! I’m really excited to try this, and if I like it I will keep going. Exercise needs to be fun! Speaking of fun exercise, we are really trying to get back on the hiking wagon. We really want to hike bigger and better things (Mt. Whitney is on my bucket list!), so we need to get going. Anybody know of good hikes in the OC area? We do some in LA but that is so far and there is always traffic. We like hikes in the 5 mile range.

Tonight I am going to a mat Pilates class. I like to try new things and I want to try doing Pure Barre, have any of you tried? Let me know what you like to do to exercise and maybe I will join in. Also, protein powder....good or bad?

Fashion Friday: Fun Denim!



This is the first of what I hope to be an every Friday occurrence. I have many interests, and one of them as some of you may know is fashion. I love watching Project Runway (season 10 premiered last night and it was awesome!) and reading InStyle and other magazines of the like. When asked about certain trends I have been known to say “its a thing right now.” Kristen can attest to this. While I have a wide range of interests on this matter I am most interested in dressing a plus sized body, cause I have been doing it a long time! My goal for a big girl is for you to feel good and look good. Fashion can be comfortable! You just have to dress to make yourself feel good.

This week I would like to talk about the trend of brightly colored denim. Its very popular right now and as a big girl I was iffy on trying it out. Through all of the articles I read I find that you want to make your denim your focal point. Its best to keep the shirt you wear a neutral color such as black, grey, etc. You can also wear white but I find white to be unflattering to a plus sized body. Black is slimming and white makes you look bigger. Trust me. I also have a friend who recommends wearing a skin tone or beige top. That's for the adventurist I say. Then have fun with your accessories.



I am loving these Not Your Daughter's Jeans. They are high in the waist so if you have a muffin in the middle you want to cover up they are perfect!

 

The cut is important. I tend to like the skinny cut denim. Boot cut of a bright color is just too much of the color. I also like the shorts, but as a larger lady you should not be wearing short shorts. Keep them knee length and fitted close to your body. Loose ones will make you look larger!

Purple denim is close to blue so you may feel more comfortable trying these out.

Then for color...darker jeans are always more flattering. If you have a large bottom I would go for the jewel tone jeans such as kelly green, purple, red, or royal blue. You want to make sure the denim is a good enough quality to not show your “flaws.” Hello cellulite! There are some jeans with patterns on them and I find those extremely hard to pull off. They are also a little childish if you ask me. Leopard pants are for high schoolers! Keep it classy ladies!

An example of a don't!

 

And then most of all have fun. Never be afraid of fashion. If you like something give it a try. If you see an outfit in a magazine try it out. Don’t pigeon hole yourself in to a certain look because you are covering up your body. People never knew how large I was cause I dressed my body to accentuate the good and cover up the bad. And by cover up I don’t mean baggy clothes. NEVER WEAR BAGGY CLOTHING!!!! Yes I’m talking about you.....you know who you are.

Here is my version of brightly colored denim. They are American Rag from Macy’s and I got them on sale for $12! I wear them full length as well as rolled a bit on hot days. I'm not one for accessories often so I went with a fun shoe to add some personality to the outfit.

So what else are you afraid of ladies? What would you like tips on?