An apology...without food

In case you don't remember me, my name is Stephanie and I'm a bakeaholic.

And I apologize.

Blogger tells me it's been almost 3 weeks since my last post. Yiiikes. I'm sorry y'all. I've been having a really hard time adjusting to everything new lately. Like what, you ask?

Well, I finished my associate's degree! Which most people would consider good and freeing of time, right? Well, apparently to me, it's been a stressful reminder that I'm. not. done. And I have quite a bit left to do, actually. Plus I've had about a million fiery hoops to jump through for the new college I'll be transferring to. And the down time? Well, I've been enjoying it a bit too much after going to school for 14 months with only 3 weeks of no class. So my days at work have been filled with Diner Dash, Solitaire, and books... :)

Annnd we're moving! To a place near the husband's job and closer to the college I'll be transferring to eventually. And 7 miles from WHOLE FOODS. Uh-oh. I have to constantly remind myself of the fact that I still have a budget. And a goal weight to reach. So fresh baked, vegan cookies each week may be a problem. But I will have a gorgeous new kitchen...which I do not have a picture of and I can't steal it from the website. But I'm so excited to take pictures of food in there. And yes, I realize how insane I am for thinking of that first. But no more blah white counters with "beige" backsplash. And everything else about the place is kinda cool too. ;)

And while, originally, I thought that moving back closer to where I grew up would make me so happy... I mean, I've only talked about it since the day we moved to this po-dunk town...I'm having a ton of mixed feelings. I'm actually sad to leave. This is our home. This is where we spent our first three years of marriage. And despite the white counters and beige walls, I love our apartment...and the whole complex. I know that change is good and that this is right for us but I just didn't expect to be so sad about it.

She scares me. Even through the TV.

Over the past month, I've really kicked my workouts into high gear. I'm determined to get rid of those last pounds before we move. I know that the move will add a lot of commuting time for me and losing weight is hard enough without time to log 60 minutes of exercise each day. I've been doing treadmill intervals, followed by some easy cardio (normally the elliptical) to cool down a bit but still stay warm for half of Jillian's No More Trouble Zones or some free weights. I just love strength training. I love how strong it makes me feel and how I can visibly see my muscles getting stronger and more defined.

And for those of you who think 60 minutes is too much...it's not. The most important thing I've learned about weight loss and getting healthy is that you have to put time into it. You HAVE to make yourself a priority. And don't ignore weights! Women are so scared to pick up weights bigger than 5 pounds because they think it'll make them look bulky. They won't. The majority of women lack the testosterone to build muscle like that naturally. Those body builders have been training RIDICULOUSLY HARD for YEARS. Not to mention that muscle burns 3 times the amount of calories that fat does. Even when you're just sitting. Which makes excellent use of all that Diner Dash time.

Read it.

Plus, I've lost 3 pounds. Which doesn't seem like a lot, but I can tell I've added some muscle pounds which makes the lost pounds even more special. Now if only my abs could get with the program.  I have such a hard time with abs. I can feel them working during the workouts and I push myself, but they're never sore like my arms are the next day. Plus, they happen to be the most impossible area to see improvements in for me.

WHAT ABOUT THE FOOD?

Well, to be honest, it's been kinda boring lately. G.A.S.P. Which has fueled my absence since I haven't had anything stellar to share. The husband doesn't get home from work until 9:15 (one of the biggest reasons we're moving!) and so I make dinner and then reheat it for him. While this has allowed me to put so much time into my workouts and not get dinner done at a certain time, I also have slacked on making fabulous meals. And the more I workout, the less I crave sweets so I haven't been baking sweet stuff either.

I'll work on all of that. Just for you.

But for now, I have to go be in a commercial for my work. Which would be exciting if I actually did my hair today....but I didn't. Forreal?

Now that y'all are all updated on me...tell me, what's been going on with you?! Any ab toning suggestions would be appreciated.