GUEST POST: The Real Deal about "Freshman Fifteen"

When one of my absolute favorite former students/little sister types graduated and packed up for BR, I hoped and prayed we wouldn't lose touch. Thankfully, we are still super close and I am always thrilled to hear from her. 

She proposed the idea of a guest post during the finals week season, and of course I was on board in a heartbeat. What better way to avoid studying than to write a guest blog post about the struggles of being a college student? And since I condone procrastination of ANY kind, I told her to go for it. 

Additionally, I know so many of my former baby students who are coming to the end of their freshman year who will appreciate her honest analysis of the freshman experience.

So here you have it, ladies and gents. My dearest girl, Mary Clare. Or as Rascal calls her, Merrily Clare. ENJOY!

Merrily Clare to the right, to the right

Louisiana State University. The flagship school of the state, where stately oaks and broad magnolias shade inspiring halls. My heart swells at the thought of my school, and swells at the thought of my freshman experience. 

That being said, there are some things that my heart does not swell when I think about, like the fifteen or so pounds that I seem to have accumulated while enjoying my time here. 

A little backstory on me; I have been on the larger side of life basically since birth. Clocking in at a solid 5’10”, my body just was not made to appear petite and waif-like and that is something that I have learned to accept. In high school I danced ballet and it was my pride and joy. When I gave that up, I learned to enjoy other things like yoga and even sometimes running (shocking I know). I considered myself to be pretty health conscious, and by health conscious I mean NOT ending up at the McDonald's drive through EVERY day like a certain best friend of mine. I mean heck, I did yoga and drank green tea before bed every night. I was zen and shit. I definitely had a foundation of healthy habits, which in itself was a struggle to maintain on the daily but I was managing at a relatively healthy weight. 

Flash forward: your girl has graduated high school and is ready to take on LSU. I aspired to just take it all in: Greek life, living on campus, and of course continue my record of academic perfection (LOL) all the while balancing a healthy lifestyle. At the start of the fall semester I had already written the UREC classes I planned to attend on the regular in my planner. I was going to opt for the healthy alternatives in my meal plan (again LOL). 

The first few weeks of school were a blur. A blur full of screaming sorority girls, buying 200 dollar textbooks that nobody told me I actually DIDN’T need, getting acclimated to my 2 cubic feet of space in Miller Mansion and trying to figure the whole college thing out. I soon learned that my meal plan was a little more limited than my tour guide led me to believe (still a little salty honestly). The UREC classes were nothing like what I was used to and soon my exercise habits bit the dust. And it was only syllabus week. 

Soon comes ACTUAL school where my scheduled mealtimes went out the window as I found myself struggling to keep up. In between juggling Biology, Chemistry, Calculus, making new friends in my sorority, and getting involved on campus my daily salad becomes Chic Fil A bought in the union and scarfed down before I go to my 3 hour Bio Lab (a special kind of torture that earns friend food). Add in going out for T-shirt night (those vodka cranberries aren’t calorie free honey) and Outtakes trips in between study breaks and boy was I going downhill fast. Freshman Fifteen happened really quickly. I kissed my healthy lifestyle goodbye without a second thought. 

Now freshman year is drawing to a close, and I see all the different reactions to everyone’s “Freshman Fifteen.” It happens to the best of us. I even know how mine happened. I let it. I find myself looking back on pictures thinking “Damn, I let myself go.” But then I pause and think yeah, I did let go a little and maybe that isn’t such a bad thing. I look back on this year and it’s obvious what I have gained. I have gained 300 + sisters who have already made a huge impact on my life already. I gained 31 credit hours and PASSED them all. I gained two best friends who I know will be bridesmaids in my weddings and my children’s favorite aunts.

 I don’t see the weight at all, I see happiness. I don’t regret the late night slice of pizza that led to a conversation that helped me get to know someone better, or the ice cream date I went on with a cute boy. It was all part of my freshman year. So to any of you ladies and gents who are feeling a little down on their luck because you’re not as slim as you used to be, I encourage you to take a step back and look at what you have gained, and know that sometimes it’s okay to let go. Regarding the Freshman Fifteen I am not embarrassed but determined. Determined to find a way to have fun and be healthy. So I needed a little time to figure that out, so what ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Presently Free,

Mary Clare

Steph Says: New Year, Same Me...but Better.

2015.
The year I reached some pretty amazing goals.
The year I began as a reluctant stay-at-home-mom.
The year I got down to 179 lbs.
The year I was hungry.
The year I started seeing muscle.
The year I fit into size medium dresses.
The year I threw away all of my "fat clothes."
The year I started believing in myself.
The year I ran my first marathon.
The year I decided "just eat the cheeseburger."
The year I told myself "you can burn it off later."
The year my bad habits caught up to me.
The year I gained back 20 lbs (25 on a bad day).
The year my pants stopped fitting.
The year I cleaned out so many toxic friendships.
The year I cultivated new and amazing friends.

The year I fell in love with being Rascal's mama all day long.
The year that taught me how to grow.
The year that I got comfortable.

2016.
The year I turn 30.
The year I will finally achieve my goals.
The year I get a part-time job doing something really rewarding.
The year I work on my patience.
The year I get faster.
The year I get stronger.
The year I work harder.
The year I start seeing food as fuel.
The year, 20 days in, that I can't stop thinking about king cake.
The year I haven't given in and split a whole king cake with the hubs.
The year the hubs is on board, too.
The year I start liking what I see in the mirror every day.
The year I try new things.
The year of paleo.
The year of Crossfit.
The year of "it might not last all year, but it's a good place to start."
The year of cheat meals, not cheat days, which turn into cheat weekends and weeks and months.
The year I refuse to give up on myself again.

The year I show Rascal how to be strong, confident, and love herself from the inside-out.

The year I set a good example.
The year I get uncomfortable.

Steph Says: That Little Voice

Ever have one of those days where you just aren't feeling it?
And you're not even sure what "it" is?
That's me today.

But it didn't start out that way.

I woke up at 4:15 a.m. and headed to the gym for 5 a.m. Power Pump class. I was (key word: WAS) feeling good so I hopped on the Stairmaster for 15 minutes and burned off some extra calories to boot. I felt like Wonder Woman- my Friday was off to a fantastic start! I was ready to tackle an awesome fun day with my daughter!

Got home, started getting ready for the day, ate some Greek yogurt and a healthy pumpkin-apple muffin made by my sister-in-law (so I know it's super packed with healthy stuff. She's a wizard in the kitchen when it comes to yummy, health-conscious food).
That's when things started going downhill.
The doubt. The self-loathing. That evil little voice started up.

You shouldn't have eaten that.
Um, excuse me?
You should have just saved the calories. You're taking Rascal to get donuts with your parents (because #donutfriday) and you know you can't resist a blueberry cake donut.
You're going to tell yourself, "It's ok, I worked out this morning, I can have that donut!"
Because you have no willpower.
Because you are just meant to be fat.

Getting dressed proved to be a struggle because I knew this day definitely involved painting, and might involve some outdoor activity. And today's weather ranged from a low of 56 to a high of 92. How do you even plan for that? I went with shorts and a tee with a zip-up hoodie. And right off the bat, I knew the shorts were too tight. But right now, everything is too tight.

These shorts were loose last year.

LOOSE, Stephanie.
You aren't even back where you started, you're bigger.
Why are you even trying?
You're never going to get to your goal.
Go eat a donut, fatty. It'll make you feel better.

So I listen to her. In fact, I eat two donuts. But I don't feel better. Surprised, anyone? 

After donut Friday, it was time to head to the local pottery painting shop for storytime with Rascal and some fellow mom friends- a group of women I really like and enjoy being around. I got out of my car, pulling down my shorts and tugging at my shirt. And all the moms look so cute. They're dressed well, their hair looks great, and their kids, who, granted, are a little older than Rascal, are equally adorable. They look so put-together. And I know they're not judging me, but let's face it, Rascal and I look homeless. I mean, with her well-developed fine motor skills, I planned on getting more paint on us than on the ceramic pumpkin and dressed accordingly.

You don't fit in with these women.

They're amazing moms, and they look so effortless! Their kids are all behaving so well.
Your kid just hauled off and smacked you across the face for no reason.
You are a terrible parent and you look so bad in front of these moms.
Way to go. Mom of the year.

I took Rascal to the back of the store to have a "chat" about her behavior, and to add insult to injury, I catch a glimpse of myself in a full-length mirror.
Ugh.
I look worse than I imagined.
We finally left, a little more colorful than we arrived, and I just felt so beat up (after all, my kid only smacked me three times) and dejected. I couldn't decide if I should just drive home or drive off a cliff or go get fast food.

Yessssssss food!
Food makes you feel better.
Especially things that are ridiculously unhealthy.
Like Taco Bell.
Or macaroni and cheese.

The voice won again. We stopped at the grocery store. While I did manage to avoid Taco Bell, I ended up with a takeout box of mac and cheese to split with Rascal. Rascal, who then had a meltdown in the parking lot because HOW DARE I suggest we get out of the cart and into her car seat.

Mom of the century.

Now I'm sitting at home, still stuffed into my too-tight shorts because I am punishing myself for the poor food choices I've made today.

I miss feeling lean.
I miss when my shorts were loose and everything in my closet fit.
I am upset with myself for getting rid of all my "fat clothes" and now wishing I still had them, because they would fit now.

But you DON'T really want those clothes back, do you? You can lose the weight again.

I know you can.

I know I've been really mean today, but it's because I know how far you've come and I hate seeing you backslide like this. 
I am YOU, after all. 

But losing weight is a horrible, wonderful thing, Voice. The highs are so high. You feel like you're on top of the world because your hard work SHOWS.  But man, when the lows hit? There's nothing that can stop that voice.

So here's a different kind of "before and after."

I did a lot of damage in 7 months. Now I'm paying for it.
I got cocky. I felt like I didn't need to try as hard.

Well, guess what?
You do.
You have to try.
You have to try every single day, and you probably will have to try for the rest of your life.
So TRY.
First, take a nap with Rascal.
Shake it off.
Wake up feeling refreshed.
Take your kid to the park. Run around. Burn more calories. Make better choices for the rest of the day. 
Stop wallowing and DO SOMETHING.

Okay, Voice. I hear ya.
You know, sometimes, you're not so bad after all.

Just gotta give you some tough love every so often.
Now don't screw up again.

Okay, Voice.
I hear ya.

Steph Says: Fall Fun with Rascal

October 1st in Louisiana came in with a little chill in the air (read: low 70s) so it's time to bust out all the fall, y'all.

This is my favorite season. Like good ol' F. Scott said, "Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall."

I want to dress in fall colors and bake fall treats and hug on some pumpkins while drinking salted caramel mochas out of warm mugs. In my boots. Oh, how I want these Tory Burch riding boots!

I should probably start up a gofundme account for these babies.

One of my favorite things about my city in the fall is the pumpkin patch. In addition to the pumpkins, the local church puts on a fall craft show at the patch the first weekend in October. My friend Amy was selling her precious crocheted hats, so Rascal and I met up with some friends there to say hi and see what there was to see.

There were about 25 or so vendors, and there were lots of cute hand-made items to buy. I got some bows for Rascal because she is finally getting down with the whole "I look so cute when I don't pull my hair out" thing, and she finally has enough hair again to clip on a bow. I also got some kettle corn and sweet dough cookies- both of which I pretended were for Rascal, but who am I fooling?

We also picked up some white pumpkins to decorate. I'm sure my subconscious saw this on Pinterest somewhere, but I'm pretty proud of myself for thinking this up/remembering this project on the fly.

When we got home and I finally gave up on hopes of Rascal taking a nap, we went outside and painted our little pumpkin friends. Pardon me while I pat myself on the back for making sure Rascal didn't get any paint on her clothes.

You gotta do what you gotta do.

The weather was PERFECT and we both had fun- I'd call this a major mama win. Plus, our pumpkins turned our pretty darn cute, if I do say so myself!

After that, we decided that we needed more pumpkins to paint, so the following day we went back to the patch with my parents. As you can see, Rascal was beyond thrilled to pose for pictures with Mama.

She loves me.

Happy fall, y'all!

Steph Says: Bulu Box Review & Discount Code!

Hey friends!

After two beautiful weeks in Pensacola, I arrived home to my very first Bulu Box delivery!

I love getting packages and letters in the mail. Who doesn't?! Mail is so much fun! Except for bills. And junk mail. I mean, how many times are you going to offer me this credit card? I already spend too much money I don't have- can you NOT tempt me any further? Kthnxbye.

So when FitApproach offered its SweatPink ambassadors a chance for a free Bulu Box, I jumped all over that. Bulu Box is, according to FitApproach, the first health, nutrition and weight loss discovery box designed to help you feel your best. Each month, you’ll get a custom box filled with a new mix of 4 to 5 premium samples from top brands to try. Every sample is sufficient enough to decide if the product is right for you.

Here was the delicious and nutritious spread waiting for me! I was a little sad (at first) that it wasn't all edible, but that quickly changed!

So fancy!

Right away, I tried the Earth's Care Anti-Itch Cream. Living in the deep south has its perks, but the thriving mosquito population is not one of them. And they adore me. First time I took the Rascal to the park upon our return from Florida, I was promptly eaten alive. I couldn't wait to get home and slather myself in this cream. Thankfully, it WORKS. Two minutes after putting it on my bites, they stopped itching and I could again focus on something other than wanting to scratch my legs raw. It's thicker than I expected,  more like a balm than a cream. I'd definitely buy this in a larger size to keep on hand. I love that it's made of natural camphor and menthol so it won't irritate my skin any further than the mosquitoes already have!

Glory, glory, hallelujah!

Then I tried the Quest protein powder- peanut butter flavor. I have been wanting to try this brand ever since I first heard about it, so I had high expectations. Quest surpassed them! I mixed it with skim milk in my Blender Bottle and it came out like an actual protein SHAKE- thick and creamy, not like slightly thicker flavored skim milk. The peanut butter flavor was on point as well. And they gave you not one, but TWO sample packets of this! Way to win me over. Next time I need protein powder, this will be my first choice.

Like buttahhhh. Peanut buttah.

Then I tried the Herba Prima Fiber Plus Powder supplement. Honestly, I didn't notice much of a difference in my regularity?? I don't really pay attention to that in the first place, unless there's a problem, so who knows. The dark color of the drink was rather unappealing and the apple cinnamon flavor wasn't my favorite either. I noticed that the label claimed this was the "new and improved flavor" so I shudder to think of what it tasted like BEFORE the improvement...

Bottoms up.

I brought the Mediterra Sundried Tomato & Basil bar along with me on a day trip to Baton Rouge. Okay, real talk? I am a firm believer in the idea that any type of wrapped-up bar should be sweet in nature. This did nothing to change my mind. The granola/protein bar texture does not lend itself well to a savory flavor. It was just weird. Really, really weird.

I just can't. Can't even, even. 

Last, but SO not least, were the Movit Energy Gummies. Y'all,  they were good. They tasted like legit fruit snacks, like the ones I steal from my kid. Exactly unlike the way those gummy vitamins can taste. I tried my bag before a 5 mile run instead of my usual Spark or preworkout and I had the same amount of energy that I usually do! I was worried they wouldn't give me the kick I need at 5:45 a.m. on Saturday, but they were perfect. I think these could really give me a burst of energy in the middle of a run or a race.

All smiles.

To sum up, three out of five products were fantastic, which is pretty sweet odds for a sample box. I was really happy with the variety between all of the different samples, and it was a fun way to try out some new products. That Quest protein powder won my heart hands-down!

Interested in giving BuluBox a try? The lovely people over at FitApproach have given me a discount code to share with you! Visit their website and use the code SWEATPINK for 50% off a 3-month subscription to BuluBox. That's like five bucks a month. That's like, less than one grande salted caramel mocha.

Oh dear God, someone bring me a salted caramel mocha. 
Now.
Please?

Steph Says: Except...

One of the girls in my run group is injured. I FEEL for her because she WANTS to run, but she has to take it easy. So last week I decided to stick with her and walk 4 fast miles instead of run the usual 5 with the crew. Then on Friday night, as we're planning our Saturday run for the weekend, she throws out "Hey anyone wanna bike with me tomorrow?" And I'm like SHYEA so we decide we're gonna bike 12 miles and I'm like praise Jesus, I don't have to run tomorrow!

Then I had a small realization. Revelation, if you will. My group is running 5 miles twice a week and ramping up to 5 plus on Saturdays to prepare for race season. That's also with hitting the gym Monday-Wednesday-Friday. 

That's a lotta fitness going down and I AM ALL ABOUT IT.

Except.

Except I get burned out on running REAL quick. And my first race of the season isn't until Cajun Cup 10k in November. And my first half isn't until December or maybe even January. And I'm also planning to run another FULL ZYDECO in 2016. In short, there are many, many miles in my future. I'm already burning out and it doesn't even need to get that real yet. 

So I made an executive decision. I'm going lighter on my miles, higher on my intensity. I've been wanting to work on my speed for, oh, four years or so. Why not now?! Dial down the miles, dial up the pace. Boom. Done. Plan, planned.

Except.

Except I feel like a failure. 

In my warped brain, twelve miles on a bike isn't good enough.

Here's the conversation my brain is having lately. 

Buckle up. 

Biking? Pffft. I should be running eight or more miles. I should be eating better. I shouldn't have eaten Cheez-Its for dinner. I should try IIFYM again. I AM trying Weight Watchers again. Wait, that teensy kid-sized granola bar is three points? I have to run 2 miles to earn back those points. What is my life? Ooh pumpkin spice latte M&Ms? It's fall y'all, get in my basket and get in my belly. I need more FitBit steps. I want a cheeseburger. Why didn't I burn more calories this morning? Am I not lifting heavy enough? It felt heavy. I'm sore! I didn't think I could lift my kid out of her crib after those chest flys! Should I have just one tablespoon of cream with my coffee? Or two? I think I earned two. I want some of Rascal's cereal. Why don't I remember Captain Crunch being this good? I should be having egg whites. What's for lunch? I'm eating breakfast thinking about my next meal. Diet starts Monday. Diet starts Monday. Diet starts Monday. 

There is something seriously wrong here.

Except.

Except five years ago, a lap around the neighborhood on my bike was like WHEWWWW FITNESS. Now I'm biking twelve MILES.

I've changed so much as a person and my body is totally different but, still, I feel like a complete failure for gaining back a solid 15 pounds when I was SO CLOSE to my goal. And furthermore, HOW WILL I EVEN STAY THERE if I ever manage to reach the goal?!?!?!? One sunny day, in the near-distant future, I'll hit goal and be like yeaaaaaaaaaa let's go get Route 44 milkshakes at Sonic to celebrate!!!

Except.

Except goal will never be reached if I continue to find little reasons to "celebrate." Oh, it's Tuesday? We need cupcakes. Oh, I ate really healthy all day? Gotta have some Oreos to balance that out. It's all about balance, right? WRONG KINDA BALANCE, STEPHANIE. 

Except.

Except on Saturday morning, I got on my bike and rode over 13 miles. I rode through a neighborhood that inspired me to possibly start a major renovation project on my grandparents' old house. I rode down a wooded private road with beautiful homes and decks on a hidden pond. I rode over the bridge and saw the sun rising over the Vermilion River. I rode with...this is SO CHEESY but I can't help myself...with the wind in my hair and the sun on my face and I had SUCH a good time with two of my favorite girls. When it was all said and done, I'd  burned over 600 calories. 

Except.

Except no more excepts. Because maybe it's enough just to be happy and enjoy the journey right now. I'm not who I used to be. I like who I've become over the past two years. I just wish this me had a little more wiggle room in my size 12 jeans.

Except.

Except ok I lied, one more except...Except tomorrow is a new day to start over. To make the good choices. To eat the healthy things. To be happier than I was today. 

Now THAT'S a plan I can be all about.

Steph Says: Healthy Mex

It's no secret that I love food.

I especially love mexican food. Chips, queso, and a margarita so big I could swim in it? My happy place. Add in some good friends and perhaps a plate of sizzling beef fajitas, and you're looking at my version of heaven.

However, all of that el saturated fat is no bueno for my whole "stop gaining weight" thing. Plus, those gallon-sized margaritas aren't cheap. Unless you hit a 2-4-1 special... okay, I'm getting off track.

I love to eat, but I haaaaaaate to cook, so the easier the better. The only (well, not only) thing I hate more than cooking is cleaning up after said cooking. I like one-pot wonders fa sho.

This has got it all, senorita.

Recipe-
1 lb ground turkey
1 onion, chopped
1 jar of salsa (I like On the Border brand for this particular dish)
1 can of black beans
Optional: 1 can of corn and/or some taco seasoning

Directions-
1. Brown ground turkey and onions. Drain off any excess fat.
2. Drain, rinse, and dump in the canned beans (and corn).
3. Pour in jar of salsa. Season if you so desire. Stir it up. Cook until it's all heated through.

DONE. 

Hecho. Terminado.
Delicioso!

Toppings-

Whatever you can dream up.
Jalapenos? Sí.
Sour cream? Sure!
Cheese? DUH.
Tortilla chips? Well, there goes the "healthy" element, but whatever floats your boat. Ooh. Or Fritos. Go with the Fritos Scoops. Go big or go home, yo.
Lettuce? Heck YEA. Make this shiz into a taco salad! Dump some shredded iceberg in a bowl, ladle this goodness on top, sprinkle some cheese- voila. (Wait...this blog just got multilingual!)

Rice? Make it a Chipotle bowl knockoff. Go 'head with your bad self. 

Or. OR! Put this on a flour tortilla and make a burrito out of it! Or tacos! The possibilities are ENDLESS, my friend.

I'd post a picture, but there's really nothing pretty-looking about this meal. Just trust me, It's a healthy fiesta in your mouth.

De nada.