Celebrating January's M I L E S T O N E S .

Hey y'all. This first month in 2015 has been incredible satiating for me in terms of weight loss.

When The Biggest Loser first came on TV back in the day, I was in my sophomore year of college. I had definitely put on the 'Freshman 15' and then some. I knew I needed to lose weight and it's been a challenge since I was thirteen to be perfectly transparent. I couldn't just leave college mid semester if they selected me for the show to workout and lose the weight. But the concept of the Biggest Loser (as it applies to weight loss) is something that I am always thinking about - and I am on my way.

My goal in January was to kick start my weight loss again (after the holidays) but to be consistent. My biggest struggle is that I have a sweet tooth. All month long - I have been working really hard to kick out the junk that I used to treat myself to at anytime. The first to go really has been Starbucks. Anyone that knows me can tell you that I help keep Starbucks in business. After years of having fraps, I finally transitioned over to iced lattes and iced coffees to salvage my day's calorie intake. I love my Starbucks, I won't be shy about that. But I just can't have it at the frequency I'd love to or else I will never reach my goal. So in my mind: Weight Goal > Starbucks. 

This month I achieved my goals:
*I am consistently working out daily.
*I am planning my meals, staying accountable to MyFitnessPal, even on days when I have chocolate.
*I come home after work, lounge for a bit and get right into the working out, because I want too.
*I am part of the JessicaSmithTV workout community, finishing challenges and pushing myself.
*I have been training for this 5K on Valentine's Day & I am really excited to run it.

& I lost 7.2 lbs this month! That is huge for me. What a way to kick the year off with a bang. :)

I am pretty confident that February will be another awesome month for weight loss efforts! Xo.

Why setting G O A L S matters.

11pm where I live and I am inspired to write. Not the best timing considering I can't wait to hit the sack. But for the past 2 1/2 weeks - I am filled with absolute JOY! I am noticing it seeping in every area of my life because of one reason: GOALS.

Why are goals important? What important purpose do they serve?

These are questions I used to ponder last year. I've been on this weight loss journey for almost 3 years. It embarrasses me that in that time - I am not even close to my weight goal. But I was reminded of this important crucial reminder: 'Rome was NOT built in a day!' But I keep with it. I keep taking step after step and keep looking forward to the day I've been waiting for since I was a teenager. But I feel great because that day is slowing comin' around the mountain & here's why:

G O A L S.

There's that word again, y'all. After the holidays, I made the goal of not letting myself slip up to where I had. I gained 9 pounds during the holidays. I gave into the junk that I tried not getting in. But I am stronger, I feel it, more than ever. I do my research before I go out to eat. I look at every factor. I make deliberate choices. And I've set my goals.

So far this month - I've lost 5 lbs! I am so happy with this but I know its only a scratch on the surface, as I am still losing the holiday weight. I knew and have been working hard so as not to let that think it would be sticking around in my life. & it's NOT!

Here's a snapshot of the G O A L S I have made for myself.

* Last month - I promised myself & my parents that in Feb 2015 we'd be running a 5K together. This is my first 5K that I am training for. It's been rough at times going on longer distance runs but every time I finish my training session - I feel great. I feel empowered. I feel like those lies that I used to believe that I couldn't be a runner -- simply disappear. My first 5K is on Valentine's Day, I am running it with my parents & I couldn't be more excited!!! 

* I am going on vacay in the next few months, one is a staycation with my inlaws staying at my second home, Disney & the other is our 3rd Disney cruise! I really wanted to enjoy both so I've been working hard for the goal of losing 30 lbs by the latter. I am 5lbs down, so 25 lbs in a few months is definitely doable!

* My 4th wedding anniversary is in June. I want to lose 50 lbs. I want to celebrate the best day of my life with my best friend & feel great, while looking fabulous.

* This 5K is February is only a stepping stone. I want to do more races. I want to do a 10K in these next few months! I am going to keep training at night and working hard to run the entire 10k!

* Finishing my book. It's been a project that I keep claiming to work on. But I need to stop and just finish writing it.

* Work on my prototypes to start my new business. (Keeping the details a secret for now until it gets going but I am trying to involve my friends to incorporate them into parts of it. I am excited, regardless of how it goes!)

SO - why are G O A L S important? Because they help reach a milestone, short and simple. You put forth your hard work, dedication and you work at it, day and night. It becomes your biggest priority! Working out is different this time. I have big plans - I want to celebrate my life as the best version of myself. This is a lifestyle choice for me. I have no regrets and am not losing momentum any time soon.

Thanks for stopping by. & I hope this post gives you encouragement in the G O A L S you have in your life!
Tomorrow is Thursday, so the weekend is coming back!! :) :)

Weekend Reflections..

2015 is my year. 

- I celebrated my 4th workiversary on Monday with my company. That is a milestone as when I first started this job, I didn't like it. But I've grown a lot in my positions and I really feel like after this time that I've come full circle. I've made some good friends, shared some great memories and I am really optimistic about the opportunities that are waiting for me.

- I am finally back to working out, consistently. My goal is to ring in my 30th in October - weighing a lot less, closer to my goal weight and knowing that I worked hard physically to get there. My 30th era is coming and I am excited - so much to look forward to - having a family, vacations - paying off student loans and seeing what is on the other side. My 20's have mostly been good to me - but I am ready to bring in a new chapter. & yes, I am already planning my big celebration to be something great & memorable.

- Tonight I caught up with my good friend over Starbucks and it was refreshing to be able to share the passion we each for being crafty together. I've known this friend for almost 10 years - this July and it's crazy to think how each of us has grown, matured and embraced live in our own individual ways. This is a milestone friendship with this one. She was one of my Maid of Honors, and has been my best friend for 10 years. I don't really use that term anymore  because my husband is my best friend but paired with four others - she also holds that title :)  2015 is going to be our year collectively as we find ourselves doing what we love to do.

- Tonight before my friend date - I picked up my order from Home Depot and I slightly laughed. Usually I don't shop at Home Depot like I do Target. But last week - I had some extra money and wanted to invest in my home, never a bad idea - and bought some new towel bars for my bathroom - that looked classy, and ones that Ron Burgundy would be proud of. I walked in the store, with my cute leggings and my favorite Vera Bradley bag and prob looked like a fish outta water..

- Back to the working out obsession in my life. I can tell that this is back to being a priority. I've watched the junk I put in my body, when I get home from work - the very FIRST thing I want to do is work out and I just feel great after a good workout. I saw a basket of Cadbury Creme Eggs, and while they were tempting -- I took a picture of them but didn't even pick one up to entertain the thought. I got my goals and I am not afraid to work out hard now to look good later.

- Gilmore Girls marathons rock my face off. This show saved my life during high school and I love how the stories of the characters are invested in my life. I always pride the fact that I am as sarcastic as Lorelai. But when Luke + Lorelai broke up - I had tears in my eyes. This show is the bees knees, y'all. & I thank God that it's on Netflix :)

So I challenge each of you - pick SOMETHING or two that you want to learn how to do it and accomplish it. For the longest time, I lived in fear about my chest size and running. This year I taking up these 5 things to the best of my ability and I know the hard work/effort will pay off in the end. What is YOUR something??

1) Running at my comfortable pace.

2) Sewing 

3) Crocheting

4) Knitting

5) Finishing my book to get published!

So - cheers to you + I for the year ahead. Big plans for me and I am thrilled for each of them. First things first - getting the rest I need to work out, to be able to lose the weight, to wear the dress on the beach. So, goodnight + thank you for stopping by. Enjoy your Sunday. <3 - Jessica

A D V E N T U R E S.

Hello! Happy New Year. Hope 2015 has started off well for you. Thankfully I've been on vacation this whole week to usher in the New Year w/my best half. :)

We spent our NYE at home, surrounded by 4Rivers BBQ. That was our last big indulge of the year because I am still committed to my #operationpinkbikini goal this year. I gained a few extra pounds and that isn't sticking around. My hubster is also determined to support me this year by him getting fit too. Another good thing that happened on NYE was that I was able to see a good friend of mine that I haven't seen since my wedding day. So catching up over Starbucks, yes please! Feels great to have coffee with friends.

Chris + I ended 2014 on NYE by working out! What a great way to end the year. He was on the elliptical and I was doing a mix of Zumba Core + starting my JessicaSmithTV DVD's. Burned some calories. Which helped me keep the flame to get fit/healthy this coming year. Even when I don't want to - I am VOWING to DO SOMETHING. Everyday. Slowly & surely - I am training for my first 5K that I will be able to run/walk. Hooray. :)

Yesterday - I was able to invest in our home with some extra $$. Our home is definitely a first home with it's own list of fixer upper qualities. Every time we run into an issue - we immediately remember this. So, thankfully Home Depot will be helping us start off our New Year with the first home project - replacing our bathroom towel bars. Thank you Jesus, the other ones are just too dingy & cheap. Lo + behold - not doing favors for ANYONE!

So for 2015 - I am claiming the word A D V E N T U R E S. 

Which this weekend - we will be back to hanging out at Disney. Ohh, the perks of living in Central Florida. :) 

Jan 5th has  2 big adventures - I am celebrating my 4th year @ my company! Another A D V E N T U R E awaits to hit year 5.

& this is my Papa's birthday. Another one spent in HEAVEN. 

CHEERS to A D V E N T U R E S. This year is a milestone one for me. I turn 30! & I am going to work hard to look good. 

Ps. I've been following her YouTube channel for a few months because of my love of ballet + Ballet kickboxing. Starting Monday - JessicaSmithTV will be starting the #FITIN15 challenge. I love her workouts. Try them out HERE! 

My goal for this blog is to be MORE consistent. Posting way more. Meeting new friends. in 2015. 

So I hope you will sit, stay awhile + say HELLO. :)