Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy

So today is going to be SUPER exciting. I'm an education major, right. And today is my first field experiences out to the schools. I am going to a charter school in Linden by the name of Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy (fancy, right?) Anyone that goes to a school with a name like that is probably smarter than I am, but that's okay. I'm still excited. We're just going to observe and sit in for the next week and maybe get to teach a little bit in front of the kids. But maybe not. If it's not cool enough that I am going on a field trip in college, there's a BONUS. The charter school has early releases on Fridays. So even though our experience is suppose to run from 10:30 AM-1:30 PM, we're getting out of noon! Then it's to the weight room and then I'll be done with my last class at 4. Also, BYU won their football game last night. Which is awesome. Today is going to be a good day! :)

Oh, and about working out. I promise to work out extra hard today...I ate a krispy kreme yesterday. And it was SO good. Haha. I tried to resist, but I was weak. My professor brought in 24 donuts for a class of 8 students. And...ya. You know how it goes. It was like each and every sprinkle on the donut was calling out my name. But since I have plenty of time to work out in between classes today, I am adding a 25 minute run in addition to the weight room. I'm not trying to be a nazi about what I eat. But if I do choose to eat something like a donut on a day that isn't my cheat day, I'm just going to step up my workout. Easy as that. 

Anyway, here's to a 3 day weekend! Thanks for reading! 

Today's Another Chance

It's Thursday. Tomorrow is Friday. (I sound like Rebecca Black...) Thank Goodness. I have been struggling with my new routine (workout and school). But this always happens. And it always gets better. 

AND...Guess what! So it's only technically been 4 days since I started my workout and diet (even though I started eating healthier 1-2 weeks ago) and I totally feel better. Like, I am already feeling more confident about myself and the way I look and the way I fit into my clothes. I've even lost about 1.5 pounds just by eating healthy and working it all off. I know I still have a ways to go and many more weeks before I get the body I want, but it's definitely motivating me to keep going. And, its just plain awesome. 

That 1.5 pounds came after a lot of  sacrifice though. You definitely notice cutting your caloric intake by 500-600 a day. The last 4 days, I've been taking in about 1200-1400 daily. I've felt hungry a lot at first and still kind of do, but I am definitely noticing that it is getting easier. Your stomach adapts and works with what it gets. That being said, I am SOO excited for my cheat day at the end of the week (probably Sunday). For me, having a day to look forward too once a week to eat without a worry in the world helps me keep going.  

And honestly, I was a little skeptical about this whole blog thing. Like I said earlier, I have never, ever, ever been a blogger or read blogs before now. But I totally feel like I HAVE to go through with everything I write on here. It's actually kind of funny. I was telling Brent that I feel accountable to follow through to anyone any where who comes across this blog  So, it's totally working to help keep me motivated. Thanks for the help! :) 

Making myself proud!!

First Day of School

Happy Monday! :)

School starts today. Which also means my workout schedule officially starts today. Wooot. 
No, but really. I'm actually kind of excited. Here's the plan.

Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays: I have class from 10-1:50. and 3-5:20. Plus I work from 8-9:50 AM. Because of how demanding my schedule already is, I was trying to figure when in the world I would have time to work out. (I am NOT a morning person. I hate running after I eat. And running in the dark scares me--plus the weight room on campus closes super early) So every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, I am lifting weights from 2-2:40. 

Tuesdays/Thursdays: I have a little more time during my class breaks. I don't have class from 1:50-4. So every Tuesday I plan on going on a 45 minute run and then getting cleaned up again before class at 4. 

Saturdays: Long runs in the morning. So I know I probably can't run an hour straight (or even 45 minutes straight) like I used to back in high school. But I'm going to cover as much ground as I can in one hour, even if that means I'm walking half the time. I've got to start somewhere. 

Also, here's what I did yesterday. Don't laugh. 

So, its a little blurry (the picture is from my phone), but ya. I "pre-packed" my lunch and morning/afternoon snacks for the entire week. And! It's healthy :)

      Fiber One Bars: 140 calories

      Apples: 95 calories

      Carrots: 35 calories

      Blueberries: 41 calories

      Grapes: 90 calories

      Pretzels: 135 calories

      Yogurt: 90 calories

Good Morning! So, I thought I would share with you something that helps me get started in the mornings. Getting back in shape is more than just working out. It's eating healthy too! Make the little (or big) changes in your diet and you can see awesome results. Everyone has been talking about the green smoothie lately. And I feel like everyone has their own recipe for it. So....here's yet another to add to your repertoire.  

Stephanie's Green Smoothie (2 Servings)

2 Cups Spinach Leaves (14 calories)
1 Apple cut into small pieces (95 Calories)
1 Pear cut into small pieces (96 Calories)
1 Banana (100 Calories)
1/2 cup blueberries (41 Calories)
Strawberries! (I sometimes throw in a few if I have them)
1 cup cold water

(Total Calories: 341)

Blend until smooth and walla! A green smoothie! 

This smoothie has about 170 calories per serving. And it is loaded with fiber and good sugar and protein. It keeps me full for the entire morning.
It took me a few tries to find the right combination of fruits to add to the smoothie. And this by far is my favorite. Up until now, I've been drinking this 2-3 times a week for breakfast. But now its time to try harder and my goal is to drink this 6 times a week. Honestly, I don't think it will be too hard. The smoothie is actually pretty good. I was just stubborn and didn't want to give up my sugary cereals in the morning and that's why I am giving myself a cheat day once a week. :)

Let me know what you like to add to your smoothies. Do any of you have any tips? 

Okay. The blog has been made. There is no turning back now. Here goes nothing

Hi! My name is Stephanie. I'm 20 years old and am a junior in college at BYU majoring in education. I have been married for almost one year to my favorite person in the world. His name is Brent. You can see how cute he is in the picture below. Presh, right? Sorry ladies, he's taken. 

Okay. I'll stop showing off now. And....I have a confession to make. This is my first. blog. ever. I never really caught on to the the whole blog thing. I don't really have any blogs that I follow religiously like some people do and I haven't really had any interest in starting one of my own....until now. And honestly, I have no idea what I am doing. But I needed something to help keep me motivated, so here I am. 

About a year ago, a few months before the wedding, I happened to come across an article all about shocking secrets of the first year of marriage. Believe it or not, the number one all time shocking secret of the first year of marriage is......drum roll, please......new wives tend to gain weight. (Gasp!) Or as the article so delicately put it, you'll gain a little love weight. (Love makes it sound oh so much better, right?)   So, probably not the news of the century. I've heard that same thing a million times. That type of thing happens to other people, not me. 

Okay. I have another confession to make. One year later, I, Stephanie Leger, have gained weight. There. I said it. Which I guess brings us to why I have decided to start my own blog. I want someway to help keep me motivated to meet my fitness goals. Granted, I know I am not fat, but to me, it's more important than that. I've gotten lazy and my body has changed. And I don't like it. So...I'm going to do something about  it! I am getting back in shape. I'm going to start trying a little harder and aiming a little higher. And I'm confident I'll get there. So thanks for being there to cheer me on. :)

Ohh and just in case you wanted to read it, here is the article: http://shine.yahoo.com/love-sex/10-shocking-secrets-of-the-first-year-of-marriage-2399338.html