Diary of a Fat Girl

I love this recipe cause it really is personalized to however you want it. My mom introduced this to us kids while camping, and I was re-introduced to it from my best friend Jenn. It is my hubby's and my favorite dinner! Here is my recipe I did: Ash's Hobo Stew Makes 4 servings, about 250 calories per serving. (May very if changed) 6 oz.  smoked turkey sausage (I used Hillshire Farms) 300 g.  Sweet potatoes 1 c.  Mushrooms 1 medium zucchini 1 bunch of asparagus (about 2 inches cut off ends) 1 c. Chopped broccoli 1/2 c. Chopped onion 2 garlic cloves (minced) 2 Tbs. olive oil 1/4 c. Parsley  Mrs. Dash seasoning to taste 1. In a big ziplock bag add all ingredients. (I love my Mrs. Dash so this time around I used the southwest chipotle to give it a little kick.) You will want to shake it all up in the bag until you feel it is coated nicely with everything. 2. Dump the bag in tinfoil or roasting pot and cover. I cook mine at 450 for abou

Well here are my stats for this last week. Let me tell you, as much as I say the scale is just part of the process it got a little discouraging not seeing that it went down.   Week 6:                           Week 7: Weight= 199lbs            Weight= 199lbs Chest= 41"                   Chest= 41" R Arm= 14"                  R Arm= 13" L Arm = 13.5"               L Arm= 13.5" Waist= 42"                   Waist= 40.5" Hips= 43"                     Hips=43" R Thigh= 26.5"             R Thigh=26.5" L Thigh= 26.5"              L Thigh=26" This was a tough week for me. This weekend was a blast but its where I fell apart. Remember in my week 4 weigh in when I said that I would go into binging habits if "I just had one". Well that's exactly what happened. Yep, one red vine turned into five with 4 handfuls of popcorn! You all might think I'm crazy for feeling this way, but with that

So some of you knew that I was doing a 30 day squat challenge... Well I finally completed the challenge and have my before and after. Still have a ways to go but holy cow there is a major difference. (Excuse my photography skills. My husband was sleeping and just decided to take them on my own.) I love SEEING my body transform! I really encourage people to take photos of them selves, although it may be gross or embarrassing at first, it is an amazing motivater and when you do start feeling discouraged you can take another photo to help you see that you really have transformed. Remember, the scale is only a small indicator of your success! How you feel, and how your clothes fit is the most important. Here is the challenge I did in case you want to do your own squat challenge!  Enjoy! I know I did. I even may do it again! -Ash

Oh my Lordy let me tell you how yummy this recipe is and I just made it on a whim! What you will need: 1 pound ground turkey 1/2 c. chopped onion 3 garlic cloves, minced 3 oz. chopped bell peppers Mrs. Dash seasoning ( I used garlic & herb and the southwest chipotle)  All I did was put all those ingredients in a bowl and mixed it up with my hands. I used the seasoning to my likening. You can put in as little or as much as you want cause Mrs. Dash doesn't have any calories or sodium. I split the mixture into 4 oz. patties. Then I cooked them in a pan until cooked all the way through. Roughly 290 calories for the patty. I decided to add mine to a bed of baby spinach and grape tomatoes, topped with a dollop of sour cream and sprinkle of shredded cheese which brought my total calories to about 340 calories. Soo yummy and filling! Enjoy! -Ash

Oh Lordy what a week this had been. My body hurts in the most amazing way! I am getting so much closer to my ultimate goal and let me tell you, it feels so freaking amazing! Here's my stats this week. Week 5:                           Week 6: Weight= 202lbs            Weight= 199lbs Chest= 41.5"                Chest= 41" R Arm= 13"                  R Arm= 14" L Arm = 13"                  L Arm= 13.5" Waist= 42.5"                 Waist= 42" Hips= 43.5"                   Hips= 43" R Thigh= 26.5"              R Thigh=26.5" L Thigh= 26.5"               L Thigh=26.5" I will never be 200lbs ever again! It feels so incredible! 21 lbs gone only 29 more to go! Holy shit that is so amazing! I can't say this enough, but I am so glad I bought JNL Fusion cause it is the most fun workout that I have done since boot camp! (Even better cause I don't have to deal with other people pulling me

Ok so not everyone can give up watching their TV shows, but also you don't have to give up your workouts trying to watch them either. Some of us sit all day at our jobs and then come home and sit on the couch (I'm so guilty of this at times) and watch the tube. Lets take a hour long show which total runs about 45 min long with about 15 minutes of commercial time! Hello! 15 minutes of working out and you won't even realize it cause you are busy watching the show? I'll take it! So try this little workout: Commercial 1: Squats Commercial 2: Crunches Commercial 3: Push-ups (Toes or Knees) Commercial 4: Calf Raises Commercial 5: Pelvic Thrust (Lay on floor with knees up and squeeze up and down without touching the floor Repeat until your show is over!  You just did a full body workout just hanging at home! Let me know how you did and what show you did your workout to! If you are feeling REALLY ambitious go for a 2 hour movie! Haha!  -Ash

The easiest thing to make known to man are shakes! I mean all you do is add things in a blender and drink. My fave right now is this one: PB & Chocolate Protein Shake 1 c. Almond milk 1 scoop chocolate protein powder 1 tablespoon peanut butter Handful of spinach or kale Blend all in a blender and you have a nummy after workout mini meal! Today I modified it and did half of a scoop of chocolate and have a scoop of vanilla protein mix. OMG it was delish! You should try to drink a protein shake right after a workout because your muscles are still working and what better way to feed them than with protein. ;)

Holy Shit I have been busting my little toosh this week (well big toosh). This new program of mine is 10 times more amazing than I could have imagined! It is called JNL Fusion, and let me tell you I have never felt so motivated in my life! Even more than bootcamp! Let me just break down my Monday shoulder shredder workout that I did: Circuit 1: Overhead Shoulder Press & Speed Rope Circuit 2: Side Lateral Raises & Snatch and Grabs Circuit 3: Front Laterals & Plyo Plies Circuit 4: Bentover Rear Delts & Fusion Power Jacks Circuit 5: Standing French Press & Hot coals Circuit 6: Tricep Kickbacks & Titanium Tucks Circuit 7: Floor Dips & Fusion Glides So you do 30 second strength (First exercise in circuit) and 30 second cardio (second exercise in circuit) 3 times before moving on to the next circuit and you finish in 30 min! That is just day one! Everyday focuses on a different part of the body. Something new was sore each day that is for sure!

Ok so the first time I heard about kale chips was on an episode of Keeping Up With the Kardashians . I thought it was a little weird and kinda hippyish, but I decided to make them for the first time! What a great way to have something crunchy, especially when you are craving potato chips!   You need: 1 bunch of Kale 1 tablespoon olive oil Seasoning salt Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 350. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper  2. With a knife or kitchen shears carefully remove the leaves from the stem and tear into bite size pieces. Wash and dry thoroughly (I laid mine on paper towels until dry). In a bowl toss kale with the olive oil and then lay on cookie sheet. Season to taste (I used the salad supreme kind but any Mrs. Dash would work. Try to stay away from Johnny's or high sodium kind)  3. Bake until edges are brown but not burnt. 10-15 min.

So I started writing this blog in the middle of my 4th week so I am sorry I have to start here BUT, I did take pictures at my 220lb self. Now I'm sorry, but I am wearing undies and a sports bra...these were never to leave my personal collection, but I want you to see my progression. I have NEVER been this brave and embarrassed, but I told you I would be honest and upfront with you, and I want to inspire someone who looks or feels the way I do to realize they can do this too! So...if you would like to judge me, or make fun, go right ahead but, I am stronger than you, and I will be the one living the happier and more positive life. I am doing this for me first and foremost NOT you people who like to judge or put people down. Now that I have said that.... here is all of me.... I have lost mainly in my face and my chest! You can tell that my belly has gone down just a tad. I have lost 16 lbs total since my week 1. I did not reach my goal of 20lbs in 4 weeks, BUT I am so thrill

Ok ok from the title you think I am crazy right? Well your right... There is no way I would suggest a Frosty, BUT I have a yummy version of a "frosty" that Brett's aunt shared with me! (Thanks Jodi). And since its getting hotter we need something cold to snack on right? So since there was really no name given...I am calling it: Jodi's Frosty :) 3/4 c. Almond milk 1 scoop of protein powder (any flavor) 1/2 banana Pinch of unsweetened cocoa powder 15 ice cubes Blend all together and have a yummy frozen-like treat for only 230 cals! I made these into ice- cream pops just taking away the ice cubes and with my popsicle containers that I have it was only 46 cals per pop and 5.2 grams of protein. Holla! ENJOY!

I was thinking of a nice snack while snuggling with my hubby at home having a movie night. I know there are different types of popcorn but it makes me crave "junk" too much and I just keep shovling it in my mouth, so I came up with a nice easy movie snack that was made in about 5 minutes! EDAMAME! Oh man I love this shit! You can find it in your freezer section and follow the boiling directions on the back. I sprinkled a couple pinches of kosher salt over them and shook them up in a bowl and WABAM! A nice movie night snack that's healthier than popcorn:)

If you really want an easy dinner.. Nothing is easier than a chicken salad! Especially when Costco makes already cooked grilled chicken strips! I really hope I don't have to show or really tell you how to make this salad....but I'll tell u what I have on mine: 4 c. Baby spinach Less than 1 c. Iceberg lettuce 4 grape tomatoes 1/3 c. Cucumber 2 mini bell peppers 1 hard boiled egg 3oz of the chicken 265 calories w/o dressing...but here's a tip that I love!!!! Always have your dressing on the side, dip your fork in your dressing and then get a huge bite of veggies! It really does cut the dressing back to where you are only eating what's necessary! It's the only way I eat salad now! Let me know how you like it! Goodnight lovelies!

I am unbelievably overwhelmed with the response about this blog! You all are my inspiration to do good! Thank you! Did you know that water is a natural healthy hunger suppressant? Here's a goal for today... Try drinking 8oz (at least) 5-10 min before you eat, then drink 2 BIG gulps in between every bite of food! You would be surprised on How full you get while eating. I will be doing it right along with you! Good luck, let me know how you do!

Holla at it you are reading my first post! I am so excited to share my new healthy way of living with whoever reads this. I thought I would make this a little traditional and talk a little bit about me and my background. I will start by saying I have always felt like I have struggled with my weight. Let me tell you, I have been made fun of my whole life! Hmmmm lets see... It actually started in middle school, around 7th grade. I hit my growth spurt. I dont mean training bras and size 6 shoes. I was 5'7" or 8 with a 'C' cup bra and size 8.5 shoe. HELLO! No wonder I was called freak, giraffe, fat, ugly, giant, you name it, i've been called it. I will never forget my ex-boyfriend showing all his friends a picture of my stomach and making fun of my fat rolls. The funny thing is now I look back and wish I had that body again! Haha! In high school I basically had to start new since all my old friends went to a different high school. Different story....the boys wanted m