At the end of a long week I think it’s important to look around and smell the roses. I want to make more of an effort to share “what’s got me smiling” just as much as I share some of the challenges I may be facing. This was a tough week but I still have a lot to smile about!

1. We joined a CSA!

Neal and I are incredibly excited, well actually I think I’m the one that’s excited, to have joined the Sandy Spring CSA this year.  I signed up for the 60% vegetable share, the fruit share, and the egg share!  We’ll get a box of farm fresh produce every week and a dozen eggs every other week. I’m really looking forward to finding ways to use all of the produce we receive.  I see a lot of new recipes in our future and a lot more veggie consumption by Neal (fingers crossed).

Sandy Spring CSA

2.  I made some new friends!

I met two amazing women last Friday, Amanda and Jen, and have been able to see them twice in the past week!  Dinner at Founding Farmers and then spin class at Revolve were just too awesome.  I am so thankful these two entered my life.  They are a blast!

DC Fitness Bloggers

3.  I’ve added more vegetables to my diet!

This week I made an effort to eat more veggies.  I added vegetables to all of my breakfasts and had a salad for dinner almost every night.  I’m feeling great!

Lean and Green Breakfast\

4.  House decorating is going well!

I’ve been working really hard this month to decorate our place.  We’ve bought new bookshelves, found more wall hangings, and have added little touches here and there.  Check out these ADORABLE Mason Jar shakers I ordered on Etsy!! I will be using them for red pepper flakes and Parmesan cheese.  Ahh… love them!

Mason Jar Shakers

5.  I’ll be at the NBC4 Health and Fitness Expo this weekend!

Come visit me at the panel discussion Saturday from 3-5PM and at booth 2404 and booth 1513 on Sunday.  I’ll be there to talk about a common sense approach to healthy living and would love to meet more of my readers.

NBC 4 Health and Fitness Expo 2013

6.  I am loving ME!!

I’m really feeling great about myself this week!  I have been working really hard this year to get into better shape, to lose weight, and to be more joyful and I’m really feeling the positive effects from it.

This week I got a LOT of negative comments and e-mails about my diet and lifestyle and you know what, haters are going to hate.  You can judge me all you want, I’m honestly use to it by now, but I love myself and I love my life!  If you don’t agree with what I eat, how much or little I eat, or my fitness that’s fine, but let me remind you that you are choosing to read this blog.

As much as I don’t appreciate negative voices, this week they reminded me how much I love myself.  I may not weigh what I hope to weigh just yet but the reality is, I’m pretty darn happy.  I have an amazing husband, a beautiful home, fantastic friends, awesome calves, a family that has always loved me unconditionally, and a blog that I get to share my life on every day.

If in the shuffle and struggle to lose weight you’ve forgotten how great you are, I challenge you to use this next week to do things for yourself.  Buy yourself flowers, take yourself out for a walk, write in a journal, and remember all of the things you love about yourself.  We will all reach our goals in time, but don’t forget how awesome you already are!

Ashley Coffee Cake and Cardio

Starting Weight: 233.0 lbs (weighed in at the doctor’s on 2/14/13)
Last Weigh-in: 228.4
This Weigh-in: 228.0 lbs
Difference:  -0.4 lbs
Total Weight Loss: -5.0 lbs

Things I happy about…

  • I drank at least 2 Nalgene water bottles every day at work this week (64 oz)
  • I added vegetables to every breakfast this week and limited my carbs with dinner
  • I got in some awesome workouts; 2 football practices, 1 spin class, and a lot of walking
  • I made healthy choices when eating out! I ate out 5 times in the last week and don’t regret one thing I ate

Goals for this next week (starting today)

  • Drink 2 Nalgene water bottles each work day
  • Lift weights at the gym 2 times (shooting for Sunday and Wednesday)

What’s got YOU smiling this week?

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Filed under: DC • Deep Thoughts • Favorite Posts • Health • Mental Health • My Weight Loss • Tips For Losing Weight • Weigh In

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