Getting Thin!

So,  I haven't posted in a month.  Not all that surprising.  I have been a bit busy, but mostly I'm just very forgetful and lazy.  However, I thought I may make one of my more inspiring and knowledgeable posts today.  I am talking about good old weight loss!  Now, I'm by no means an expert.  Nor am I by no means "thin".  But this past year and a half I have managed to lose 85 pounds.  That's not a typo. Eighty Five glorious Pounds!  The best part about it was that I really spent very little money!  Read on if you'd like to hear all about it!

In January of 2012 I was dumped by my boyfriend of 4 years.  Of course he did it in a very respectful manner, by changing his status to single on Facebook and refusing to pick up and of my calls after.  Needless to say I was pissed off and depressed.  I first started losing weight simply because I was too sad to eat.  The first 10 pounds were just lack of eating. But once the compliments on how good I was looking started to role in, I knew it was time to actually start actively getting in shape.

I started out this journey at nearly 285 pounds.  I hadn't even noticed how much weight I had gained while I was with my boyfriend.  It made me sick to look at myself.  In fact, here is a picture of me at my heaviest:

And here is me today, 85 pounds slimmer:

I still have 50 pounds to go until I reach my goal weight, but it seems like I've gotten a hang of this weight loss thing!  Below is the way I managed to do it!

Tips to Weight Loss Success {aka How Andrea Dropped the Weight}

1.  Use a food journal.  
          This can be done online through a smart phone app.  My absolute favorites are My Fitness Pal, Spark People, and Weight Loss Buddy.   I also am a huge fan of jotting it out on paper as well.  I have created my own template for this, and I would be happy to share it with anyone who'd like to use it!

2.  Work out with a friend.
          I went walking almost everyday with my best friend.  Not only did it keep me accountable for my workouts, but it made it enjoyable.  A workout buddy is the perfect way to keep you motivated and keep you exercising! 

3. Find a workout that you enjoy doing.
          Not all of our workouts will be fun.  Does anyone actually enjoy crunches and weights?  If you do, I envy you.  While I still have to do those, I get most of my cardio from activities I enjoy, like dancing and walking.  Enjoying your workouts makes it much more likely that you will keep up your fitness! 

4. Utilize free or cheap options.
          YouTube is great for nearly any type of workout you'd like to do.  I often pull up dance videos I've never tried.  My favorite though is that I can do the Wii's Just Dance workouts for free on YouTube.  My Wii is broken and I can no longer do one of my favorite workouts.  Thank goodness for YouTube.  I can now do them off my computer!   Workout tapes are also great.  They don't cost very much, and once you've got them you can literally use them whenever you'd like!  My personal favorites are Julliane Hough's Just Dance (also on YouTube for free!) and Billy Banks Tae Bo Cardio.  Of course, walking, jogging, running, hiking, and climbing are all free outdoor options!

5.  Develop a Meal Plan.
          So, this isn't something that is a one fits all.  Because of dietary restrictions and just plain old tastes, there is not a specific plan I can give you.  First you have to decide on your caloric intake goals.  Mine have been at about 1,000 calories per day.  The average is about 1,200.  Next you have to decide on the amount of meals you want.  Some opt for 3 solid meals with no snacking.  Others want 6 smaller meals a day.  Experiment and see which work best for you.  What has worked for me dietary wise is making my Breakfast and Lunch a frozen Smart Ones Meal or Lean Cuisine, and making a sensible 500 calorie Dinner.  There are lots of amazing food blogs out there that cater to us on a diet.  Some of my favorites are: Skinny Taste, Skinny Kitchen, and Skinny Mom. 

Like I said, these are the things that have worked for me.  They will not work for everyone.  Of course, a balanced, reduced calorie diet and exercising is always the best bet!  Let me know what you think!  What worked for you?  What didn't?

Cheers!

Andrea Nicole

This. Is. Chaos.

My one true love is writing. Scratch that. My one true love is Italian Beef sandwiches, but writing is a very close second. Nearly tied really. I have loved writing since I first traced the letter “A” on a preschool worksheet. As a youngster, I wrote stories to the tune of roughly 300 notebooks stacked in my bedroom. In high school, I was determined to become the modern day Jane Austin. Alas, life got in the way. And while I still do a lot of reading and writing for pleasure, I never did get to write that novel. Well, not yet anyways.

With all the writing I do, one would assume I'd be a “blog-o-holic”. Simply not the case. I've never had a blog in my life. Unless of course you count Xanga, which no one really does. Apparently it still exists though. Good old online diary... I love reading blogs, taking little glimpses into the every day lives of others. Yet they often depress me. Why am I not as cool as these bloggers? You transformed 3 old chairs into a sweet bench? You cooked a gourmet meal effortlessly without burning it or making other people sick? You scored a vintage Chanel bag and have paired it with an outfit that would make the Stepford Wives swoon? How the heck do these people do it? I can barely eat without spilling on myself let alone do such amazing things!

Yet, there is always a chance. Maybe I can transform myself into a multi-talented, fashionista with impeccable design and DIY tendencies. Maybe I can publish that novel? Maybe I can lose this last 50 pounds. If you're brave enough or patient enough to join me, I can almost promise an excellent time! I honestly don't know what this blog will be about. And if you are looking at the name wondering what it could possibly be about, don't hold your breath. It's not very telling is it? 25 to life? Well, I'm 25, and I guess it's about my life. Actually now that I think about it, it's a quite fitting name!

So let me introduce myself properly to the 2-3 people that may stumble across this here blog. My name is Andrea Nicole and I am 25 (for another month or so). I live in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago, though I was born and raised in the Albany Park area of the city before being dragged kicking and screaming into the “burbs”. As I said before, I love to write, and I love to read as well (book suggestions are always welcome here!) I am a HUGE Chicago Blackhawks fan. Spreaking of which, HOLY HELL THE CUP IS HOME!! GO BLACKHWAKS!!! What an amazingly epic night and win! Yes, I've gotten that out of my system now. It wont happen again. (lies...)

I attempted college, twice, and realized it simply wasn't for me at the time. I would really like to jump back in it this fall, especially after spending time on my all time favorite website www.saylor.org. But there will be a post dedication to that page later. I'm a bit of a party animal, and I have the best friends and family in my opinion. I'm a self proclaimed slob, I can't cook to save my life, and my bedroom looks like World War 3 has already come and gone. In other words, I think I'm pretty dope.... Yes dope. And fresh. I'm bringing these words back.

I guess that's really it. I'm going to be posting about a little bit f everything; fashion, food, home, failures, sweet success, politics, you name it, I'll blog it! Feel free to comment on it all. Let me know if you think something is dope. Let me know if you think something is not so fresh. Just let me know I guess! Happy Blogging! And wish me luck... I have a feeling I'll need it!

Cheers!! Go Hawks!! (see. I lied..)

-Andrea Nicole