GAME DAY GLAM

WHO DAT NATION! 

In honor of the New Orleans Saints season opener I wanted to show you some of my favorite Game Day Glam looks for Rocking the Super Dome! I literally hung my body and a portion of the jersey I had on my body over the banister for Drew's signature at the last game we went to (2010).

 The boys hung their bodies over for and handshake and a signature as well. David Thomas had thrown the boys his gloves so Drew signed those too! If it wouldn't have washed off I am pretty sure we would have let him sign our bodies!

We love us some Drew Brees! 

 Family of Who Datter's! Look how little they were. Oh my word my babies have grown. I have shrunk! Yay me! I was using the "stick a kid in front of me" method here:) Lol, look at their little faces though. Awesome memories!

We play the dirty birds from Atlanta, YUCK! Needless to say the hubs is PUMPED about the game Sunday and about seeing Sean Payton back in action! GEAUX SAINTS! 

Yesterday was Hillbilly Day. Now when I think of Hillbilly I think of The Beverly Hillbillies.

 

Ellie May is about as far into this dress up day as I am willing to go. 

My country boys on the other hand ate this up!

#OOTD #GameDayGlam #PhillyvsNC #RivalryWeek

Black and white chevron maxi with black and silver bubble earrings from Jewelry Just 4 Fun. Black and silver Lily &Laura Bracelets from Glitz & Glamour. Black gladiator sandals by Micheal Antonis from Shoe Station. 

Me and My Philly Sweetie at the game last night. He does an amazing job giving play by play info to all of our Philadelphia Facebook Fans! 

Last night was the is the big game. Philadelphia faced off in a game against our cross-town rival Neshoba Central. It was hot, humid, and so crowded. We won 41-0, but most importantly it was a great game and everyone showed a tremendous amount of sportsmanship and respect. Looks like the tradition will continue! 

Prayers for #15 for the Tornadoes. Malek was injured last night. Praying for healing and speedy recovery! 

ROLL TORNADOES!

SNEAK PEEK:

Plus Size Fall Fashion Preview

So many of my sweet friends want to know where I shop now and were I shopped prior to losing weight. I recieved a catalog from one of my favorite plus size shops in the mail this morning and absolutely LOVED some of their fall fashion pieces. I wanted to share them with you. I will be doing a Fall Fashion Post soon and will include more info on where to find amazing pieces for all sizes.

Fall Fashion It List by Lane Bryant

PEACE MAN

It was Hippie Day today for Rivalry Spirit Week. This, by far, is my most favorite dress up day. I could have been a flower child. I have always loved 70's fashion. Braids, bo-ho, flowing materials in amazing prints and patterns.  Here are a few pics of some bohemian inspired clothing with a modern twist...I want every piece! 

Top left and bottom right from Glitz & Glamour. Middle row from top to bottom from Deep South Pout. Middle right from Material Girls. Middle left by Flying Tomato's website. 

Bottom left braid Jennifer Aniston, top right braid Nicole Ricci. 

Love the headband look like my niece Hailey Brooke is wearing in the pic below. I have my Papaw Harrison's ears...which means if I do this I have to tuck my ears into my headband. Not crazy about that so I don't wear mine this way often but I think it is PRESH!

I went for the Daphne from Scooby Doo look for Hippie Day at school today. Shout out to my little cousin Courtney (and her Mama Tawanna, Courtney is away for college at MSU) for letting me borrow this precious dress!

 This was, is, will always be my most favorite cartoon of all time. I have loved Scooby-Doo my whole entire life. My kids love it too. Like seriously! 

Kinsey, Kaelin, and I on Hippie Day. Love these two amazing, sweet girls!

Mrs. Lenetta (front office secretary) and I on Hippie Day

Peyton and I on Hippie Day. He changed his mind at the last minute and decided to participate. We borrowed it from my sweet niece Hailey, literally got it out of their mailbox driving down the road headed to school. Lol, he's not much of the "hippie" type. Yesterday was more his zone.

Me with my little Hippie. Funny story about this kid. I told him I had a tie dye shirt for him to wear for Hippie Day (Awesome shirt btw, we love Mark & Melanie and M4 Children's Camp). He said that is not hippie mama. I said why not. He said he needed army green, an American flag or something camo. I said why in the world would you think you needed to dress like that. He said well was it not when we fought in Vietnam? Wow! How many 10 year olds would think it through that deep. Smart kid y'all, smart kid. It took some convincing but he finally agreed to wear tie dye. 

I am so blessed to have a job in the school where my kids attend. I am sure it gets annoying to them at times, but I get to be a part of so much. It is amazing that I am not so annoying when they need "Mama". There is no amount of money, no title or position, no ladder worth climbing that could take the place of these precious memories. 

#OOTD #HippieDay #RivalryWeek #Philly

No exercise today, it is rest day...Well, I am not sure you call it rest. I have a list a mile long to get ready for tomorrow's spirit day and then game day clothes for all of us. Since we don't live in town where the school is it is like moving and storage on Fridays because I have to bring everything to get us ready with me on Friday mornings to work. Doesn't matter though because the point is tomorrow is Friday and the weekend is almost here! Peace out! 

Workin' Girl Wednesday

It's HUMPDAAAAAAYYYYY! Thank goodness, this has been the longest week already and it just started yesterday! This is going to be short and sweet because I am pushed for time today. I managed to run/walk yesterday for 25 minutes almost 2 miles on my quest to workout 5 days a week (for at least 20-25 min), YAY ME. The real test will be Friday morning when I am going to have to force myself to get up and do Shred 1 from the Can You 24 series at 5:30 a.m. I am really trying to pump myself up for this. I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you. As soon as I finish typing this I am going to do the Sculpt 1 video from the Can You 24 work-out series. Kelly Ripa arms people, Kelly Ripa arms. 

It is still spirit week at PHS and today was Western Day.  I love having an office in the High School because I really get to participate and interact with the kids. There have been lots of smiles in those hallways this week. We had some of the cutest little cow pokes at the Elementary and the High School really did this day up big! We are in Neshoba County Mississippi. Even city slickers have a pair of boots around here.  

Landon and his best friend Connor

Peyton with some of his classmates on Western Day at PHS, I made pics of all the kids dressed up and after the Twin day pic yesterday Peyton was not too happy about this one, he said he had done is picture duty for the whole year with that one. Ha!

Sabyius and I on Western Day. He is a Junior at PHS, he is an awesome young man and one of my 

Tornado Delegates!

Me with my sweet Friend Abby! 

We work side by side now and I love her to pieces! 

#OOTD #WORKINGIRLWEDNESDAY
 #WESTERNWEAR 
 For Western Day at work I wore Dark denim jeans with sparkles on the back pockets by Earl, purchased at Goody's, Red cowboy boots from Shoe Station, White button-down Polo by Ralph Lauren from Dillards, Silver chain belt by Lane Bryant. Jewelry, earrings by Premier Jewelry, Pandora double strand black leather bracelet and charms, silver bracelet and charms from KaRae's Salon, and Turquoise Cross Necklace, no clue where it came from but I love it. 

BAKED TILAPIA RECIPE

Wednesdays are not only a work day for me but also church night. We get off at 4:30, run home, exercise, shower, eat then head to church. So, that means I need something quick and easy! One of my favorite "healthy" quick meals is baked Tilapia. I buy the frozen bag of Tilapia from walmart, can't remember the brand, it's like $7.00 for a bag. I come in, throw them in a bowl of warm water, frozen and still sealed. I go exercise and when I am done they are thawed and ready to bake. I slap them on some tinfoil (who has time to wash dishes) with non-stick spray and drizzle a tiny amount of olive oil over the top. I also sprinkle a little low sodium seasoning. I put them in the oven while I shower, usually around 15 minutes or so. When I get out I go back and I flip them over to cook another 10 minutes while I finish getting ready. I usually put on some frozen brussel sprouts to boil and occasionally I have baked potato wedges, or a sweet potato if on a challenge. I put all of that on when I set the fish out to thaw.

 This is the best flaky white fish you could ever have. Nutritious, tasty, easy, and fast! 

 

Last note for the day, FINALLY talked a coach into trying Spark! 

Hopefully these guys will see that Life on Spark is how life should be lived! 

TALK TO ME TUESDAY

Proverbs 16:7 

When a man's ways please the Lord,
    he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. 

It's rivalry week in our hometown. Friday night, Philadelphia and Neshoba Central High School will face off in a hometown rivalry game at Neshoba Central. This is the first time in 3 years. For Talk to me Tuesday I wanted to talk about character and leadership. We need to remember, as adults, that we have a lot of eyes on us. Even when you think they aren't watching or listening. If I watch my boys, most of the time, they will look to Chad or myself before they react to situations. What are they looking at? To see how we react. How do they react when we aren't around. More than likely the way they have seen us react. Since it's rivalry week I wanted to remind myself and all of my sweet friends and family at both schools that this is a game. How we behave at home and in front of our children about this game will dictate a lot of their behavior, both around us, and when we aren't around. Sure, there will be some knuckle heads that will probably say  or do something dumb, but how we react to it is where our character should kick in. I'm talking to myself here too. There is nothing wrong with good ole' rivalry banter. We just need to remember that there are ears and eyes on us. They need us to be leaders for them, not instigators.

Hmmmm. Attitude check! Smart man...

With that being said...ROLL MIGHTY TORNADOES ROLL!

#OOTD #SPIRITWEEK 

#PHILLY #TWINDAY

Polo shirts by Ralph Lauren from Dillards, My jeans are NY&Co Skinny Ankle
Jeans in regular wash, Peyton's jeans are vintage wash by American Eagle, My (favorite)
 Boots (brown with turquoise trim) are from Name Brand Discount Shoes in Meridian, MS (the brand is worn off), His boots are Durango's from The Neshoba County Co-Op.

Shout out to Hailey Johnson, married to the brother of one of my best friends growing up, for pinning the Polo and Pearls idea to Pinterest. I love her Pinterest pins! I am obsessed with this look and plan on wearing this more often to work. This is the perfect way to make a traditional "boyish" looking button down polo become feminine and dressy.

Polo by Ralph Lauren from Dillards, Necklace and matching earrings by Premier Jewelry,
and bracelet from Jewelry Just 4 Fun.

MOVE IT MONDAY

Like I have told you before, I am not a morning person. This saying doesn't work for me. I must have a really good brain. Just kidding. I am determined to start doing at least two workouts a week in the mornings. I may be miserable and I may fuss about it but I am setting a goal this week to do that! Mainly Friday and Sunday because they are the two days I know I wont' have time in the afternoon to workout on. I am going to try to do Move it Monday posts on Mondays. Most won't be this long, I just happen to be off today for Labor Day, so I am being a little wordy! Today I want to talk about arms. Why? There is nothing like a good wave or arm raise at a hometown football game to make you realize that is an area you have neglected. Sure, they may be considered skinny, but "skin" is the key word here. I have been concentrating so much on the scales and so much on running and cardio that I have neglected the muscles, or lack there of in my arms. I do not want to bulk up or have boy arms. I want feminine, toned arms. This is for Abby: "Kelly Ripa" arms. 

NOOOOOO!                                                                                         YESSSSSSS!

Not at all what I am wanting.
No fear there anyway. LOL!

What I want. Feminine, toned arms.
YES PLEASE! 

When I was doing the Can You 24 workout dvd not only did they get tighter and more defined, they got stronger. As in real boy push up strong. It really is the best total body work out that has an amazing effect on the arms as a whole, with no weights.  I have 24 days until my birthday from today. It's September 25th. In case I haven't already said that like 5 times. I am a bit of a princess about my birthday. So I am starting the Can You 24 workout series back over today. In hopes of showing you an amazing before and after "flex" on the Move it Monday post the week of my birthday, which is September 25th. Ha! If you would like to purchase a copy of the Can You 24 workout series you can do so by clicking this link : CAN YOU 24 DVD . I have one or two other workouts that I love for arms. One is the biggest loser 10  minute arms workout. You use light free weights with it. I am going to try to incorporate it into my workout on cardio days. 

Right arm on Day 1 of the Can You 24 workout series

The following three exercises are my other favorites for getting rid of "bat wings":

TRICEP DIPS

OVER HEAD PRESS

I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU CALL IT BUT IT BURNS

I use the Fitness Pal ap to track my calories, fat, sodium, and sugars. I also track my workouts with this ap. It is a great way to keep a journal of the weeks eating habits and physical activities all in one place. This little quote reminded me that when I have a week that doens't go as well as I would have like that my body keeps an accurate journal whether I do or not. So a little extra sodium here, sugar there, and less effort on the treadmill or during a workout could mean the difference between smashing or squashing a week!

FOR TODAY:

PRE-WORKOUT ADVOCARE PRODUCT:

3 CATALYST 15 MINUTES BEFORE WORKOUT

• Helps maintain muscle mass during exercise and weight management
• Helps support post-exercise muscle repair and recovery
• Aids in preserving muscle and energy levels during times of calorie restriction
• Supports mental energy and focus
• Contains branched-chain amino acids and L-glutamine, L-arginine, betaine, and taurine

POST WORKOUT:

SPARK 

• Enhances mental energy and focus
• Provides support for long-lasting energy
• Helps fight occasional drowsiness
• 21 vitamins, minerals and nutrients
• Sugar-free and only 45 calories
• Helps reduce free radicals

I choose to drink a spark after my workout because I will be tired and love the energy boost plus it's like a treat for working out hard! 

Photo creds to Landon. Total "Real-Boy" push-ups: 1 Yeah I know, what a whimp. Had to do it the girl way for the rest of the workout. Blah! 

Why am I so open about my weight, progress, failures? One word. Inspiration. I have so many people in my life that have inspired me, motivated me, encouraged me over the past few years. It has now become about so much more than weight loss. It is more about finding a balance, a center. Figuring out what works and what doesn't and coming to the realization that this is not a short term project but a lifelong battle. Reading about other peoples successes and failures encourages me. Maybe something I say will motivate you. My heart just jumps when I get an inbox on facebook or a text from a sweet friend that I may or may not have thought was reading or would want to read my blog or story. It makes me happy to know that they get why I post. That they want me to post. The good, the bad, the ugly. That my ugly may be just what they are dealing with and need someone else to say "Hey I struggle with that too". Now that I am so close to a goal again I want to really work hard not to let go of it. I want to be a "fitspiration". No, it won't ever be "perfect" and I will always have flaws, but I can accomplish strength and fitness even if it isn't as pretty as a swimsuit models. Coming to terms with that is something I am still working on. Talking about it, seeing it black and white type, helps me remember that it's okay. 

Working out for the purpose of weight loss and fitness does not give you instant gratification. It takes time to see and feel results. It is going to take discipline on my part to commit to this 5 days a week. I have gottn back into working out 3-4 times a week but it is past time for me to step it up a notch if I want the kind of results I am looking for. I know it what has to be done. 

I am super excited about getting a new customer started on the performance line this week! This person is an avid weight lifter and gym rat. He has been using products from GNC. Can't wait to hear how he feels with AdvoCare products. 

IT'S MONDAY SO MOVE IT 

(ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE GOING TO A COOKOUT TODAY)!

HAPPY LABOR DAY! 

Sunday in the South

Yesterday I was totally pumped and ready after all of the AdvoCare commercials on TV during the kick-off weekend. I could have run through the streets with a flag and bull-horn shouting "AdvoCare...We build Champions". I did not sleep a wink last night. I am not sure why. I tossed and turned. Outlaw barked at the moon I suppose. I asked him what in the world he was barking at and he just looked at me like "Oh you heard that?". So, I hit the snooze button about 10 times. Chad leaves for deacons meeting 45 minutes before we leave for Sunday School. He left before I even woke the boys up. This meant two things, I would be late, and I would be wearing my fake hair ponytail. I rushed into Sunday School just in time for "roll call". We ended up having a wonderful time of prayer requests and prayer instead of a lesson. Those girls are such a blessing to me. I needed that more than ever this morning. I have sort of had a black cloud over my head today. I don't know if I am just tired, or ill, or just exactly what it is. After church I came straight in and started lunch. It was left-over, find whatever you can for lunch today. Spaghetti for Landon, Pizza for Peyton, leftovers for Chad, Grilled turkey burger, green beans, and squash for me. For some reason all I could think about today was food. I have a sweet tooth, kinda like my daddy. He would always ask my mom "Mrs. Sheila, we got a little something sweet?", sometimes she would respond with "Yeah, me." HAHA, Good answer mama! Anyway, I didn't get anything "sweet" that was "challenge friendly" at the grocery store, like fruit or sweet potatoes. I'm not technically on a challenge but I am trying my best to eat like I am. I have been staring at a box of Little Debbie pecan pinwheels for a while. I don't even really like them. But I had one, okay I had two. They are tiny people. That still didn't "fix" my craving. 

So, confession is good for the soul right? 

Well, here it is...Somebody call the Diet Coke police! 

Yes that is an ice cold Diet Coke, glistening before you. In a moment of absolute weakness I opened the one can of diet coke that was left in my refrigerator from before my challenge. My name is Kellie, I had not had a diet coke since July 28th, I had one today. Ugh. I am so mad at myself. There it sits. I thought about pouring the rest of it out but I detest wasting can drinks. I stay on my kids about opening a can of something and only drinking a sip or two and then throwing it away. I offered it to Chad. He didn't want it. To be honest the sound of that top popping was better than it even tasted. What about this am I so addicted to that I can't get over it? I don't know what it is but I have had to remind myself of this today. One diet coke is not going to make me gain all of my weight back. Just like one bottle of water isn't going to make me a healthy person. Should I have let myself have a diet coke? Probably not. Is it going to un-do everything I have done? Only if I let it. Only if I continue to drink them day in and day out and get back to the point that I only drink those and not any water. Does that excuse me drinking this when I knew better? No. So I ended up drinking half and pouring it out. Shhhh, don't tell my kids! 

I saw this on a fellow bloggers page and thought it was so fitting for today.

My weight loss journey has had ups and downs, lefts, rights, lots of wrongs, and a whole lot of swirls and curves. It has not been easy. I haven't found a straight shot to my goal. This journey to a  healthy lifestyle is much like the Christian life. Just because we are saved doesn't mean that we get to ride an arrow straight to heaven with no twists and turns. It means that we have to navigate through this life the best way we can and trust Jesus to guide and direct us. We have to hold on during the swirls and curves, turn ourselves around when we make a wrong turn, and pick ourselves up when we fall down. He never said that it would be easy, He promised that we would be rewarded in the end and that He makes all things work together for our good. As a Christian I believe that Christ should be the center of every aspect of our lives, that includes weight loss Kellie! I need to give Him my weaknesses so He can be strong for me. Just like me breaking down and having a Diet Coke, we sin every day. Does sin make us "not saved" or get us kicked out of church? No, just like participating in religious activities doesn't make us a christian. When we continually make bad decisions, take steps in the wrong direction that we end up broken, weak, and right back where we started. Is the fact that we are forgiven an excuse to sin? No. So what do we do with that? We strive to do better. Jesus wants to be a part of every single thing in our lives. The funny thing is that He is always right in the middle of it, sometimes we just fail to see Him, or include Him because we think we've "got" this. It may seem silly to you that I would start this out talking about my addiction to diet coke and end up talking about Jesus. I really didn't plan on it but it just sort of showed up on the screen this way. 

So even thought this day has not been a real "winner" for me I am going to chose to not let it get the best of me. I know that I can make better choices the rest of the day. Maybe I needed this to remind me that I am stronger than I think on this Sunday in the South.

#OOTD 

#SundayintheSouth 

#FashionFile

This cute little sundress is by MarineBlu from Glitz & Glamour. Nobody panic, I didn't wear it to church like this. For church I wore my "go-to" option for short dresses, white skinny jeans by Jag, also from Glitz & Glamour. Nude, strappy wedges by Refresh from Jewelry Just for Fun. The earrings I wore today are some of my most favorite earrings from Lane Bryant. I wore them in San Diego and three different people stopped to ask me where I got my gorgeous earrings from.  I am sadly retiring my white skinnies for the fall and winter season after today. I love my white skinnies and I am not happy about this whole "No white" after Labor Day deal, yes that is still a rule in my book even though I don't like it. I am going to have to get really creative with some things this fall. I have worn those skinnies with just about everything all summer.