Royal Fat Adder

So, yesterday I decided that in order to meet my goals, I'm going to have to start eating healthy. By healthy I mean organic produce, lean meats, and NO I repeat NO quick easy convenient foods! On Wednesday (payday/grocery day) I will be making my first trip ever to Earthfare. If you have any tips or comments about Earthfare, please feel free to share them here. I would like to hear my friends' experiences with the place. I will admit, the thought of organic and healthy terrifies me because I've never lived like this before, so it is all new to me. In celebration of this new way of life, the hubby and I had 1 last terrible eating day. Yesterday, we went to Red Robin for lunch. We had an appetizer with onion rings and cheese sticks, then I ordered my favorite burger, the Royal Red Robin, of course accompanied by bottomless fries, and to finish out the terrible eating day, I had a medium cup of Better Batter ice cream from Maggie Moos (I know terrible is an understatement). Over the past couple of months I've been eating "better" but not great and Eating that Royal-Fat-Adder (Royal Red Robin) made me feel miserable for the bulk of yesterday and the bulk of today. All the starches and sugars made me super exhausted, and that my friends was the proof that I needed that this life-altering decision I have made is the correct one. :)

because it has been a while.

Hello friends,

     It has been quite a while since my last blog post. We've sold our house, bought a new one, gained a new niece, and celebrated our little one's third birthday! However, I decided to start blogging again because I've started a new journey. I call it my "because i'm tired of being fat" journey. I'm on a new path to become healthy. Of course, this also means losing weight. I've promised myself that I'm committed to changing my bad habits to good habits. I know that this road will not be easy, nor will it be short, and because I know that, I need my entire support group to stand beside me (as if I have to say that. You guys are amazing!).

I can be honest by saying that the root to my weight/health issues is ME. I doubt myself and my abilities to do certain things. I try to make myself "feel" better with food and lazy-ness. (Excuse my language) I had to have a heart to heart with myself and basically I said this, "Ashley it's time to get off your lazy ass, put down the snacks, and put your everything into something healthy and productive. It's time that you do something for you. And it's time that you become truly happy with your WHOLE self inside and out." After this pep talk with my inner me, I went out and bought myself an elliptical (with the help of my completely supportive and amazing hubby). I'm self-conscious about the gym and everyone staring, so I figured this was a way I could be comfortable and get healthy. I've downloaded the "my fitness pal" app on my droid. It keeps me accountable for my calorie intake. I have to log all food and drink that I consume for each meal and in between. It pretty much holds me accountable for my food and beverage choices and helps me realize which ones are good choices and which ones I should steer clear of.

The elliptical has been a huge hit. I'm on it at least 4 times a week. At first, I have started slowly 10 mins at a time, but just this week I've been able to make it through a 20 minute pre-set workout, and I am so proud of myself! I never thought that I would post something so personal as my weight on something so public, but I feel this is my way of owning up to the bad choices I have made for so many years. I also feel it will help my friends understand how important this is to me, and help to hold me accountable to reach my goals.

I'll call today the start of my journey, February 25, 2012.

Current weight is 234.5    Pants size 16-18

Short term goal- 1 month from today 224 lbs

Long term goal- February 25, 2013 140 lbs

I know that I can do this. Let the journey begin.

I elect to be unanonymously ANGRY

For those of you that know my family, you all know the struggles that we've been through the past couple of years. The hardest struggle was losing my sweet niece Kylie Brielle Keith. Not only was losing her difficult, but trying to comfort my sister and brother-in-law while they faced the hardest decisions and situations of their lives. They've faced hard times, but they've made it through with faith, hope, and most of all Love. Recently, an anonymous poster posted some extremely hateful, painful, hurtful things on my sisters blog. I think this person is a coward for not owning up to their comments and opinions, I also think this means they are ashamed of what they were saying therefore they couldn't place their name with their words. I think they are insecure about their own lives, in turn placing blame and hate on others to make themselves feel better. I think this person is heartless, because anyone with a heart could never say such painful things. I pray that this person is not a friend of mine, and if they are, I hope I find out soon, because they do not deserve and ounce of my time. My family is my life. How dare you (anonymous poster) say things to stab my sister right in her grieving, suffering heart. Before you judged my sister and the life that she lives, you should remember that you will have a judgment day, I hope you enjoy what you find about yourself on that day.

Sincerely,
The UNanonymous angry sister!

bittersweet victory

     After several hours of sinking in, it is still hard to believe that we (auburn) have finally gained a national title. I feel that those boys deserved every point, every victory, and every championship they gained this football season. I have read and listened to harsh words spoken about my team and its players my entire life, and I knew that even in a season like this those harsh words would never be silenced. It seems to be the name of the game..less about football and more about accusations, jealousy, and down right tactless people making ignorant innuendos about a team and a group of fans. After every victory, I smiled especially after Monday night January 10th 2011, because I knew that no matter what anyone else thought or said or even did, no one could ever take these moments away from me. The passion that I feel about this football team and way of life can never be lessened or taken away by ignorance and jealousy. I couldn't imagine sitting on the edge of the couch with 2 seconds left in the BCS national championship game in a house full of anyone different than my daddy, my momma, and my sister. (the kids and brother in law and of course my hubby are included as well), but those 3 people are the 3 people I know I can always count on to have the exact same passion in Auburn as I do. My daddy made sure that we understood from birth what Auburn was, and I can never thank him enough for instilling those beliefs on me. The first thing I thought of when the ball sailed between the uprights was my dad, and how I couldn't wait to hug him because he has been waiting for this moment for a very long time. We've talked about it and dreamed about it. We've hoped and prayed for it. We always knew we would experience it, but never were quite sure when. His "War Eagles" mean so much. I couldn't have imagined celebrating that victory without him.

So I part with this, before you open your mouth to an Auburn fan with some ridiculous ignorant comment, remember the feeling of winning the BCS national championship game (which shouldn't be a problem considering y'all throw the amount of times you've won in our faces all the time) and know that no matter what you say, we're still national champs. ;) And we couldn't be more proud. WAR DAMN EAGLE <3

No time to spare.

With the fall semester of school coming down to the wire, I have essays and assessments coming out of my ears. I have work to attend to, and on top of everything, we're going to try to get the house listed this weekend!! eek! it's not even clean enough for anyone to come through.. how are we going to have it ready for the Realtor to come on Saturday. Although there are so many things i should be doing other than writing this blog, I thought i owed it to myself to take a few moments of reflection. With the Holiday season in full affair I find myself thinking of miss Kylie Brielle even more so than usual. I miss her unbelievably. I am so thankful for the strong support system I have that includes my family(Mom, dad, sissy, and chris especially), my old friends (Bee, Kelle, C-lo, and Jess especially), and my new group of friends from work (all of you She-She, GiGi, Sara P., Jessie, Tara...and the list goes on) and most of all my husband for putting up with me at my worst and continuing to love and support me all the way through to my best. I wouldn't make it through each day without the love and support of each of you and you have no idea how much it means to me to have you all in my life. Just wanted to say thanks for all that you guys unknowingly do for me on a daily basis. I love you all!

and to Jon...I apologize for being difficult and moody lately. You are amazing to me and I greatly appreciate all that you do for me and our family. You're my rock. Even the strongest of us need someone stronger to lean on sometimes. You're always here. I couldn't ask for a better husband. I want you to know how much I love you day in and day out, and I never want you to feel unappreciated. Thanks babe..for simply being you and for the little things you do. I love you.

Straight from my heart to yours,
Ashley B

My first time

Hello blogging world. This is my first time as a "blogger" short of Myspace blogs and facebook notes. I have decided that due to an unbelievable amount of stress lately, I need a way to release tension in my head and my heart. I used to do this by writing, so what better time to begin blogging. I also feel this will give my friends and family members a way to understand my emotions without having to ask or without my having to explain. Sometimes its hard to find the words to express a feeling or emotion. So welcome to my blog. I hope you enjoy the little tidbits of my life.

I'm a 22 year young mother of a 1 year old and wife of two years. I enjoy every moment that I have with my friends and my family. Sometimes I am pessimistic and crazy, at other times I am bubbly and bold. I do things that no one can explain, sometimes they are good choices sometimes bad. I make so many mistakes that I can't keep up, and I'm extremely insecure, but this is my life and I don't think I would have it any other way.