Helpful Tips & More

 I am on my lunch break, so I am going to make this post short and sweet.

EXERCISE!! I know most people dread having to talk about exercise, let alone doing it!

I have been married almost 5 years to my husband, Michael. It is safe to say that I have put on a few pounds since I have been married. I don't want to be one who lets myself "go" because I am married. Several months back, I noticed myself getting  a little "fuller" so to speak. I am short and have a tiny frame, so just a few extra pound shows on me. It is safe to say that I probably have put on 10 to 15 pounds since I said "I do." I decided to do something about it! Not only did I want to lose some weight, but I wanted to be healthier.

I believe eating healthy and exercising should be a life style. I never have liked the word "diet", because I don't like feeling limited and bound to something. Back in late summer, I decided to change my life style. I started walking 2 to 3 miles 3 to 4 days a week with my sister-in-law, Julie. I also decided to change the way I ate. I have never been one to "pig out" on a regular basis, but I definitely struggle with having a sweet tooth.  Most women like chocolate, I enjoy a good piece of chocolate now and then, but I am sucker for skittles and sour patch kids. My family teases me, because they say my candy choices are like a child's! :)

 I never really had to monitor what I ate until recent. I have become more aware of what I put in my body and have started to monitor my portion sizes. By doing this, I have lost 9lbs since September. I am close to my pre-wedding weight!

I know most women struggle with feeling secure in their body. How couldn't we with all the garbage out their in magazines and on television! It is also important to point out, that we have to be careful not to make our beauty our idol. It is easy for us to be become consumed with our weight and appearance. It is important to remember that God looks at the heart!

Psalm 139:14 

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

1 Peter 3:4 

But let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious

1 Peter 3:1-6 

Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, ...

It is important to remember that we are made in God's image, and He does not make junk!  With that being said, it is also important to be good stewards of  what God has given us. Our body is a holy temple. I want to live a long and healthy life. I believe by being consistent with exercise and monitoring what I eat, I can help keep my body healthy. I believe it comes down to consistency and discipline. I allow myself to enjoy my "guilty pleasure foods", but I try to keep it in check.

Hope this inspires some of you out there! You don't have to torture yourself with unrealistic diets. Be consistent in exercise and make better food choices. It is as simple as that! Now go out their and put on your running shoes and enjoy this beautiful day!!

I have never posted a "What I Wore Wednesday" blog before, but decided I would give it a try. Unfortunately, this is "What I Wore Thursday" due to working from home yesterday.

I have to "dress up" for work every day, but that does not mean I have to wear the same boring black pants and top every day. I enjoy fashion and mixing things up. I also enjoy bargain shopping. I rarely pay for anything full price. When my husband and I lived in Springfield, we shopped at a second hand clothing store that had all designer named brands. WE LOVED IT! I dearly miss that store. The outfit that I wore today, like most of my outfits, was a bargain!

I received these boots two Christmas's ago.  I LOVE these boots. I wear them all of the time, because they are a nude color and go with EVERYTHING! AND the best part is that they are super comfortable. I am all about comfort. I have had so many compliments on these boots. I think every women needs a good nude pair of boots that they can match up with anything. 

I love fashion, but I also like saving money. I will buy my close from anywhere. I have had a new addiction of colored skinny jeans. I love color, and what a better way to brighten up your look then some skinny colored jeans.  I bought this pair of pants on Black Friday. I spent a whopping $10.00. SCORE! I got the top for $12.00. Total of $22.00. Not too shabby.

This is one of my new favorite purchases. I did splurge on this watch. They just came out with these watches at Target. I love the look of this watch. You can wear it with dressy clothes or casual. 

To sum it up, you can still look great without draining  your bank account. It takes some digging at times, but if you look hard enough, you will walk away with a great outfit and a bargain!