Sunday, April 15, 2012

Diet Sprite Confetti Cupcakes

I've been itching to try this since I saw it online and finally got around to it today. Its really a very simple recipe and the results that are very tasty.

Baking pan and baking cups.

 Box of cake mix, measuring cup, and Sprite Zero.
Mixing bowl :)

Now would be a good time to preheat the oven to 375.
 Put mix in the bowl.
Add sprite and mix together.

 Fill baking cups 2/3 full.
Bake 18-25 minutes, until golden brown. Let sit and cool down before eating.

Enjoy.

Total CalsL 170 per cupcake.

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Day 5 of 240:Operation Mrs. Gunn/Wedding


I started this challenge last week, figuring why wait for the first or beginning of the week, the best time is right now, so I started tracking then.

Basically, I'm tracking my food with myfitnesspal.com, trying to keep my calories between 1200 to 1500 cals, focusing on healthy grains, fruit, veggies and lean protein. Aiming for 96 oz of water daily and burning at least 500 cals per day. I seem to have a hard time sticking with one particular program, so I am starting with Jillian Micheals Body Revolution, 30 mins every morning, and then 30 mins of some type of cardio every evening. :) Simple and easy, I weigh every Friday and track everything in my journal.

My goal for my wedding is to lose 100 lbs from where I am now, and with 6 months it breaks down to 4.2 lbs per week, doable I know, especially since when I weighed in on Friday, I was already down 8.4 lbs, so definitely motivated.

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Hello lovely people :) I have been a terrible blogger lately lol, but I have been super busy with wedding planning and work but as promised when I got ready to start with the Body Revolution I was going to try to do a daily blog when I started it. I finally received it after numerous issues with customer service, and after reviewing it is going to be murder but fun. I will start officially tommorrow.



This is where I am beginning and I can't wait to make a change, 90 days here I come.

Monday, February 27, 2012

*Back to Blogging*

Ok, wonderful blog family and new subbies, been on a bit of a hiatus, unintentional of course but life happens. Anyways some updates, we had considered this a few years ago but it is now official :

We got engaged on 2/14 and we're getting married on September 29th and since starting to plan I have been extra super busy. Fitness and eating better have been going well, and I am in love with Turbo Jam, I also had been debating about getting Turbo Fire and placed an order for it last Saturday, but something else caught my attention:


I am always up for a 90 day challenge and Jillian is one of my favorite and my most feared trainers, and when I saw this it seemed like the perfect thing to do to get ready for wedding dress shopping and its something he will do with me so thats an added incentive to stick to it. I cancelled my Turbo fire order and opted for this instead, I ordered Saturday so really hoping its here by the end of the week. I've already checked out the FB fan page and got some great insight on it, and got a jumpstart on the meal plan which will be 1200 cals, 3 main meals, and 1 snack per day. I've already been doing 1500 cals so that won't be that big of a challenge. And I intend on getting back to daily blogs and food pics of my meals, which seems to the best way for me to stay on track.


Sunday, January 29, 2012

1st Month Natural






So I will be one month natural this coming weekend and its funny but I have learned more about my hair in the last 3 weeks than I have in my entire hair journey and I'm continuing :)

The last two pics are of my second attempt at a twist out which resulted in a textured fro for me and I love it. I've been cowashing nearly every day since my BC and my hair loves it. Sadly though tax season is about to go full blown and I'll need to give my hair a breather so I don't neglect it I will be getting tree braids this Wednesday and will continue with my GroAut regimen but switching to the ORS Herbal cleanse to keep my scalp clean.

Happy Growing everyone!!!

Friday, January 13, 2012

Natural Hair Haul

Hello lovely people :)


Had the chance to hit the BSS for some goodies for my hair as I'm learning about it, and just a side note I was right my fiance did freak lol but its growing on him and personally I'm loving it :) Though its been a trial and error process to find some products to keep my hair moisturized and figuring out my curl pattern, I think i'm somewhere between an 3c-4a/b, it doesn't really matter much to me though lol, its kinky, curly, healthy and all mine, so the type doesn't matter much to me. Anywho moisture has been a slight problem but I've finally found some products that I think I will be using as staples.


What: Curls Curladda
For: Midweek Deep Conditioning
Cost: 11.99 @Target
Firstly this product smells amazing and that seems to be my preference when looking for products I hate products that smell medicinal or overly herby, this is actually very moisturizing and leaves a light scent to my hair, also my curls were defined a bit without any additional product so this air dries well.

What: Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Conditioner
For: Daily Cowashing and maintaining moisture
Cost: 2.83 @Target
Verdict: This will probably be my go to for daily cowashing, my scalp gets cleaned and my hair feels moisturized definitely a win win and the Hawaiian Orchid scent is quite nice.

What: Kinky Curly Knot Today
For: Leave In Conditioner or daily moisturizer
Cost: 11.99 @Target
Verdict: I actually bought this product last, I try not to go for the overhyped products as usually they are a waste of money and do little to nothing for my hair, but after trying quite a few things that didn't work for my hair and tired of wasting money this was definitely worth the try and I am so glad I did :) This product is light on my hair, gives my curls definition can be used daily and smells great, kinda wished I had started with this one would have saved me a lot of time and money.
What: Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Masque
For: Repairing and strengthening hair
Cost: 11. 99 at Target
Verdict: I deep conditioned with this for about an hour with a shower cap and I love the consistency of this, but not fully in love with this product, my hair felt a little eh, not the best deep treatment I've used so I'm going to use this since I've bought it, but this probably won't be a repurchase. 

What: Twisted Sista Curl Activator
For: Defining curls and removing frizz
Cost: $4.99 @Target
Verdict: Love it!!! I tried Ecostyler and Carefree Curls Instant Activator as well as Hawaiian Silky 14 in 1 and they either made my hair hard, dry, and just didn't work, this is moisturizing and instantly defined my curls and has a really fresh scent and 8 hours later my hair is still soft, so my only complaint with this is I wish it came in a bigger bottle.




What I have learned while shopping, Target has a really nice selection of products for natural hair, but at WalMart and most beauty supply stores you have to really check and read the labels to find products that fit into your regimen, I really wanted to try some of the Miss Jessies products but $32 for a small tub of curling product just seemed ridiculous but I think I will be getting the sampler pack in the near future just to try out her products. Well thats all for now have a great one everyone!

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

GroAut Oil 7 Days Growth

BC 1/4/2012













 3 1/2 inches 





Add 3 3/4 inches almost 4 :)

Is it just me or has it really grown :) My regimen has been simple apply oil every night before bed and massage scalp for a few minutes I've been consistently using it for 7 days now and I am very impressed, I can't wait to see what a full month then 3 months bring me. :)

Monday, January 9, 2012

Ready to Begin Again...

Ok last week with the passing of my niece and just other family drama I think I have shed enough tears to last me this whole year. Beginning today with my new workout and plan which is basically counting calories and working out. I love the Look Better Naked book and journal, so I'll be using them the pretty pink colors make me feel feminine lol while reaching my goals.




Week 1, Day 1

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Guess What!!!!





I'm ALL NATURAL!!!!

:) I've been debating about this back and forth for the last few months, 35 weeks post I had more and more curly new growth coming in and I was itching to see what my true texture. I was going to do a mini chop today:


New growth coming in 30 weeks post.


35 weeks Post relaxer, new growth.

The beginning of my trim.
After I had trimmed it seemed as I got rid of some of the relaxed ends the less I liked the remaining ones.

So I trimmed a little more.
And a little more...


Lol at this point a little became a helluva lot :)

All natural as of 01/04/2012! My fiance is going to freak lol but I love it, all natural healthy hair, now lets get it to growing even more :)


My regimen for the next couple months will be to get acquainted with my new hair :)

I'm using the GroAut oil line:


Shea Butter and Olive oil mixture for moisturizing and sealing, and probably good ol water spritzed to moisturize, unless I find something I want to try for natural hair when I hit the beauty supply store.

WEIGHT LOSS PLANS FOR 2012




For the first two weeks, no changes to my diet, just add the following foods daily:

  • 2-3 cups of vegetables
  • 1 cup oatmeal
  • 2 whole fruits
  • 8-ounce whey protein shake
  • 2-3 liters lemon water
  • 2 cups herbal tea






Happy Hair and Weight Loss Journeys!!!!

Monday, January 2, 2012

Happy New Year!!!!!

Hello lovely blog readers, I've been slacking since the holidays started but as with everyone else beginning the new year I'm trying to get back on track :)

2011 Wrap Up

Well last year actually went much better than I expected, the saddest part however was losing my 1 year old niece on New Year's Eve:

But I know she is in a better place now, unhindered by life's complications though and in her memory I will continue to try to live life to the fullest because we never know when it will end suddenly .

2012 Plans and Goals

[img]http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/ee507/mscyone/jackie.jpg[/img]

Jackie Warner's This Is Why You're Fat...

Firstly I love the way this book is written and the information within, basically this is the first non diet diet book that actually seems very doable.

The guidelines for the first two weeks, are simple you don't have to change any of the foods that you are already eating, its just requested that you add healthy foods into your daily plan:

For the first two weeks of the diet, you eat your regular diet plus:

2-3 cups of vegetables
1 cup oatmeal
2 whole fruits
8-ounce whey protein shake
2-3 liters lemon water
2 cups herbal tea

Thats it, you can still eat the same pizza, candy, sweets, etc that you are already eating just add in these fat burning foods :) After two weeks the meal plan will be easier to implement, but we'll get to that in a few weeks.

It’s not how long your workout, it’s how strong. Incorporate 20 minutes of high intensity cardio each day. Walk fast on a treadmill for 2 minutes at a 15 incline then sprint for 2 minutes on flat ramp. Cool down for 1 minute and repeat this cycle 3 more times until you reach your 20 minute goal.
Women must make sure to include weight training at least three to four days a week. If you add three to five pounds of muscle to your body, you will burn 250-500 extra calories per day which equals three to five pounds of fat loss per week.
Visualize the muscles you are working on–this is called the mind muscle connection and it will actually increase tone.
Your body hits a plateau with cardio and resistance training in one month so change your weight, reps and exercises accordingly.
The fastest way to get the body you want is through Jackie's power circuit training. Combine three upper body exercises and three lower body exercises together to make one big set. Do not rest in between and alternate quickly from upper to lower for maximum fat burn.

There you have it in my opinion very simple, I started using these principles today and will be weighing on January 14th to see if I've lost any weight before moving into the meal plan.

Jan-April Spring Break Goals 

Weight loss: 
To lose 47 lbs. (3-4 lbs per week) with This Is Why You're Fat guidelines and 5-6x a week workout 

Physical: 

Finally able to do 25 Full Pushups and complete 15 minute mile 
Complete a spring 5k 

Finances: 

Grocery shop and try to take my lunch to work 3 out of 5 days. 
Save $500 in emergency fund. 

Keep a daily journal for 90 days.


Thanks for reading,

XoXo-Cyone