Bringing Sexy Back!

I just got back from my very long leg and back workout at my mom and dad's house, and I thought I would write a blog while the endorphins are going! To give a weekly update, I will gladly say that I did indeed kick it up a notch this week! My body is ridiculously sore because I took too long of a break.  It feels like Anderson Silva (Greatest of all time UFC Fighter) punched me in both of my shoulders.  It is all good, I am back in action! Ahhh, the sweet pain of progress!

I am super excited to try some new recipes this week. I want to really keep the gluten level down, but at the same time have fast and easy meals!  I will be posting some of the meals I make on my blog next post. TLS has some recipes online that I really need to check out! Also, Pintrest for the win! If you guys want, you can follow me on Pintrest!  I find a bunch of yummy gluten free recipes and re-pin them for you guys! Here is the link to my boards! http://pinterest.com/lowen003/boards/

One thing that I have really learned this week is that muscle memory is down right amazing! I felt like a pop-belly pig after taking a break from working out, but two workouts in my tummy flattened and I felt just as amazing as I did before I went on vacation! Also I beat my max in bench press!!! That was a shocker! Learn from that ladies... When you take a break for a while and your butt looks 5 times flatter than it did when you were working out, that does not mean that the muscle is gone. You just need to give it a little "boost," so to speak.  Drop it like its hot with two 10 lbs weights in your hands by doing some of those squats you love so much! But seriously, after you workout you will see that you are not as far behind as you thought you were.  Just get out there and do it... there is no way that you will regret it!

Oh by the way, some of you have been asking what TLS is.  TLS stands for Transitions Lifestyle System.  It is not an eating program, as much as it is a lifestyle and behavior modification program.  TLS provides lots of different tools to get you to where you want to be.  Some people don't mind losing weight over a longer period of time, then there are those that want to go at it a little faster, and then there are the people that want to lose it much faster!  They have everything, from recipes to workouts to protein shakes to packaged up meals, as well as professional coaches that will help you achieve your goals at no additional cost.  I will be one of those coaches soon! They also have tools online to track your progress, along with free webinars with professionals to help guide you through it all.  I love it. If you guys have anymore questions, or if you want to get started on your body, then go ahead and shoot me an email, I will hook you up ;). Email me at lowen003@gmail.com.

Our daughter is already excited about daddy's American Express card... Uh-oh. We are in trouble!

Out of the Frying Pan and Into... My Thighs?!

Hey everyone!  So for those of you who didn't already know, Andrew and I went on a little vacation last week.  It was so fun! We went to Solvang and went wine tasting, then to Pismo beach/ San Louise Obispo, and then we stayed in Oxnard! I know what you are all wondering, and YES I was a naughty girl! I had a couple of pastries in Solvang, and I had the mother of all weight gaining drinks... alcohal.  Not to mention a couple of high calorie dinners! But I didn't do NEARLY as bad as I would have before I started TLS.  I splurged here and there, but over all I really ordered healthy! I only gained 3 lbs, which sets me back a couple of weeks, but I am ready to shock my body again! Now that I am home sweet home, its time to sweat all them sweets out!

I came home a couple of days ago, and since then I went crazy at the grocery store buying tons of fresh foods.  I seriously love TLS's Protein shakes.  I have been living off of them! I just add non-fat milk (or water), a hand full of spinach, some bananas or strawberries, and sometimes I will even add in a very little bit of organic peanut butter.  Can I interject something here?  Okay... people... something good to keep in mind is that just because something is organic, that does not make it healthy for you to eat it in bulk!  I hear all too many times about people eating WAY too much peanut butter, almond butter, or even egg yoke, and they are absolutely clueless to why they are not losing weight. Those are all great foods, but they are not calorie free!  Nor are they "good" calories when you eat too much of them.  Okay, so organic =/= fat free. That's all I am saying.

Don't worry, I have been fooled way too many times to be pointing a judging finger at any of you! I am little miss Atkins, South Beach, Weight Watchers, and even the Diet Coke diet (You know! The diet where you eat nothing but saltine crackers and diet coke.  I came up with that bright idea when I was 14).  The reason I love TLS so much is that it is a lifestyle, not a diet plan. I noticed the difference when I was on vacation. It has changed my whole mindset.  Yes, I gave in a few times, but I gave in WAY fewer times than I usually do on vacation!  I love proving to myself that I don't need to eat bad in order to feel like I am having fun, when it is in fact the opposite! When I eat junk, I feel like junk.  When I eat well, I feel excellent!

Here are some fun pictures from our vacation!!  Enjoy!

At a wood fire pizza place in Solvang with Andrew... so yummy!  The Pizza was pretty good too. ;)

I was honest! 

I love my man! Eden was crashed, lol.

This restaurant was BOMB in Solvang.  Who is that stud?

Two princesses in "Bubblegum Ally" at San Louis Obispo! We are Princess Bubblegums! 

She did so amazingly well in the car! 

Eden and me at the Mandalay Bay Beach Resort in Oxnard

We left Eden alone for one minute.

She LOVED adventuring around all of the rooms!

Isn't she cute?