I’m finally taking a DARE!

Well, I have to admit a nasty or annoying habit I have and quite frankly, I hate to admit it. So, here goes…

I crack my wrists.

A lot.

My family hates it and thinks that it’s the absoultely nastiest thing ever. They tell me that I will end up with arthritis.

And it’s only when my wrists are sore, you know, kind of like cracking your knuckles.

It sounds the same and wanna know something else? Well, I can’t stand the sound of cracking knuckles and it totally creeps me out!

The irony!

So, that’s my dirty little secret.

Next Week’s Dare:

Truth for February 28:

What is the worst recipe you ever made/created?

Dare for February 28:

Show/tell us what is in your purse right this minute. No leaving things out!

What’s yours?

Cheers m’deres!

Happy Fit and Firm Friday!

Well, another week has gone by and this marks our 5th week! Which is exciting and I hope you are all getting into the groove of things. If not, it’s never too late to pick up the pieces and get going all over again.

I’ve had slow moving progress due to many reasons but, I am down 5 pounds so far. But, I went to see my specialist and he is sending me off for a CT scan and once they confirm that there are no clots, I can be off of these meds.

I got some disheartening news as well but, that’s for another time. Regardless, I do feel more comfortable now to get moving and I’m looking to get started by doing some yoga at home and getting the “Just Dance” game to shake my bon bon.

LOL.

This Week’s Goals:

• Get moving.
• Drink more water.
• Stay strong on maintaining a healthy diet.
• Eat more veggies.

I hope you all had a fabulous week and make sure you join Sober Julie on Mondays and follow Canadian Coupon Mom and Multi-Testing Mommy (to name a few) while they make their journey to a healthier life.

You can join us too!

If you are looking to lose weight, gain weight or just get healthy!

Cheers m’deres!

What I really want for Valentines…

Well, I got it!

It has been an amazing day so far and I’ve received everything that my little heart desires. Last year, we had a more romantic Valentine’s Day and this year we had a more family based Valentine’s.

Hubby let me sleep in until noon and when I woke up looking for Mimi and him, he even asked me why I still wasn’t sleeping. He made me my favorite lunch, cucumbers, Tilapia and Hubby D’s Spicy Wedges.

YUM.

He also bought me a gorgeous Orchid plant, which so happens to be one of my favorite flowers and I had my eye on one last week.

He’s the best.

Then he took a nap and Gabby and I prepared a dinner that contained a heart-shaped pizza and a fondue party! Yummy strawberries, bananas, Rice Krispee snacks and dark chocolate!

We made each other cards and it was a great night.

So, being with the loves of my life and having a little time to myself made for a perfect Valentine’s Day!

Hope your day has been great, have a Truth or Dare Valentine’s post to share?

Link Up!

Link Up Next Week!

Truth for Feb. 21:

The worst thing about being a parent is…

Dare for Feb. 21:

I dare you to tell us about a nasty/annoying habit you have! 

Cheers m’deres!

It’s all in your head.

The whole mentality of getting back into shape or getting fit for life is a day by day battle.

Eating healthy can be delicious but, some days it’s just easier to take the easier route. The healthier route always takes more time, more attention and work.

But, they say nothing good ever comes easy right?

I have to say that I am back on track and so far so good. To be quite frank, I’ve shied away from the scale this past week and I really don’t want to step on it until I feel a little more comfortable. I have my specialists appointment this coming week and I will find out if the clots are gone in my lungs and hopefully they are. Then I will be off this meds and hopefully (God willing) be given the green light to start living a more normal life again.

One thing that I have increased is my veggie intake which is always a struggle for me, I’m a creature of habit and I tend to fall into a pattern in my foods and I’m okay with it.

My tip of the week, add nuts to your diet. The best kind for you are the organic natural almonds, brazil nuts, walnuts or opt for a small handful of pistachios and sunflower seeds. About 1 oz. is a good serving and pair it with fruit and you have a great filling snack. If you can get the salt-free kind–even better.

Always remember to measure.

They pack a powerful punch with so many nutrients, good fats and fiber and keep you full longer.

So, how did you guys do this week?

I hope you all did fabulous, if not pick it back up and start again! If you are new to this hop, remember if it’s for ANYONE and EVERYONE looking to get fit or healthy.

Lose weight or gain.

Join us.

Make sure to visit Sober Julie this Monday for Motivated Mondays!

Now, Link Up!

Hi folks, it’s time for secrets!

This week, we got to choose sharing something that we secretly wanted to do or something we normally didn’t do and write about it. I chose to let you in on a secret that may just make you laugh.

Like really laugh.

So, here goes…

I secretly want to be a cop.

Yeah, you read that right.

This 5 foot nothing gal has always yearned to wear that blue uniform and fight crime. There’s something about driving around in those cruisers and toting guns that is super exciting.

And boy, do I ever like shooting guns!

I always thought I had the chops for it too, just you know, genetics wasn’t on my side.

What would you think about getting pulled over and you patiently await the officer to come and ask you for your licence and registration and I step out and walk over to your car with my poker face on?

LOL.

Yeaaah, that’s why I stuck with Journalism and Health Care and the occasional trip to the shooting range.

So, what do you secretly want to do or did you write about something you normally don’t do?

Either way, join us next week and link up below!

Next WEEK:

Truth for Feb. 14:

Tell us what you really want for Valentine’s day. A date with your husband? Jewels? Chocolate? Time just for you?

Dare for Feb. 14 

Show us one of your talents in a photo, blog post or vlog post. This can be anything from crafting, creative writing, or knitting to tying a cherry stem with your tongue, doing the splits or blinking with one eye at a time.

Til then, cheers m’deres!

Well, hello there Fit N’ Firmers!

I hope you all had a great week and from what I read so far, you guys are doing great! Anyway, I’d love to say that I had a marvelous week this week but, I really can’t.

Last week I had a bit of a medical scare and I didn’t eat much of the two days that I was there, waiting. This past week, I haven’t had much of an appetite and to be honest I haven’t watched my calories.

Either I ate too little or maybe over calories for weight loss.

So, this week I have to report that I’ve maintained but, I’m going to make this change this upcoming week. My energy level has kind of dropped again but, I’m going to make it a point to put on the Wii and do a little dance.

MJ style!

Other than that, I went to Whole Foods Market today and I thought I’d try a healthier, natural alternative to pop. Or soda as my American friends call it.

It’s naturally sweetened with Stevia and to be honest, I rather have almond milk which is much more tasty. So, I may have found a “loophole” but, it’s safe to say, definitely not one that I’ll be using.

On another note, my trip there was fruitful and I’m all stocked up and ready for another week.

Well, I’m definitely looking forward to some new recipes from you guys and to see how your week went. Your fitness inspirations are amazing!

Link on UP, if you are new to the hop–feel free to add your link and join us!

The more the merrier!

So, here’s to another week and make sure to join Sober Julie on Monday for Motivated Monday, here.

Well, hello there m’deres!

It’s Truth or Dare Tuesday and with the crazy week I have had, I opted for TRUTH! What did you guys choose, I think this week was pretty easy so, I can’t wait to see what you guys have come up with!

So, let’s get to it!

Here’s 3 Things You May Not Know About Me:

• I am seriously, seriously addicted and cannot get enough of Instagram. I think it’s partly and remotely one reason why I couldn’t stay with the Android platform. I mourned it’s loss while I had the Droid. I love it because I can let my creativity flow, bust out my amateur photography skills and share the simple, beautiful things in life. If you are on Instagram, make sure to follow me under “whispersinspire” and I’ll follow you back! Above is one of my favorite Instagram pictures, which so happens was taken when I took a trip down for a charity spa event.

• I am a spa fiend, I am most happy while sitting in a peaceful, quiet lounge, by myself or with my BFF’s, sipping on lemon, cucumber and mint-infused spa water. In a soft white robe, slippers and having a glorious organic facial and a 60 minute full-body massage. Mani and Pedi to follow. Then taking a dip in the whirlpool and ending it with a trip to the infrared sauna, then cooling off in the rain room shortly after. Then getting primped up in their vanity. Pure. Bliss.

• I used to sing in a latin band with my Dad. It was one of the most amazing experiences to be able to perform with him. He’s the most amazing guitar player and puts Santana to shame (Oh yeah, I went there) and it was a really fun time in my life. I’ve recently been asked to return and I am thinking about it. Perhaps when things die down? If they do? LOL, we will see!

Now, I can’t wait to read all yours! Let’s see if you guys took the TRUTH or the DARE!

Til then, cheers m’deres!

Hello Fit & Firm Buddies!

So, I had another good week this week and saw another drop of 2 pounds.

I see a bit of a difference and in all honesty, the first thing you lose is water. Regardless, I’m glad that the number is going down!

While stepping on the scale, I noticed that I haven’t been measuring my progress with inch loss. This week, I’m going to take my first measurements and see how many inches I lose.

Measuring inches is so important to me because I am not really watching the number on the scale, more so I want to focus on how my clothes fit and how many inches I lose. I tend to gain muscle very quickly so that can play tricks on me on the scale.

I have a wedding gown to get into, that’s what I remind myself all the time!

Short term goal.

Long term goal is to continue to live a healthier life. 

But, to be quite honest, once you get the icky stuff out of your system, it’s much easier to get back to eating healthy. Cravings subside and you can stick to it. Sure, there are days when I crave something sweet but, there are plenty of healthy ways to satisfy that craving.

I also have to report that I’m slowly navigating my life with less to no Diet Pepsi. Today, I only had one and had water with 2 of my 3 meals and snacks!

*GASP*

This delicious recipe helped this week, I made in about half an hour. My Hanover’s Organic Trail Bars that had just the right amount of sweetness, tons of fiber, anti-oxidants and lots of potassium.

Check it out!

I hope you all have had a great week! If you had a rough week, just keep in mind that tomorrow is a new day and you can start fresh!

Don’t give up!

What better time then to start then now?

Grab Our Button!

Also, make sure to visit Sober Julie on Monday to report or share your progress or motivation for Motivated Mondays!

Til then, cheers m’deres!

Who is up for a game of Truth or Dare?!

Kat from Kat’s Confessions and Patty from Positively Pampered Patty and I are!

Every Tuesday we will be writing a post answering either a truth or a dare and we would like to invite you to play along with us!

How This Works:

• Each week we will post a truth and a dare to choose from.
• Write your post answering the truth or dare.
• Add your post to the linky on Tuesday and have fun hopping!

We will start off simple this week as a kind of “getting to know you” post but you better believe it’s gonna get interesting later on!

So, come on… Join in and let’s get to the fun!

Truth for January 31, 2012:

• Tell us 3 things about yourself that isn’t common knowledge about yourself.

Dare For January 31, 2012:

• Do a vlog post telling us a little about yourself.

I DARE all of you to join us! ;)

Looking forward to reading all of your posts next week!

Til then, cheers m’deres!

So, it’s been a week since our first #FitNFirm post!

I hope you all had a great week! I sure did, I made it through a week of clean eating, lots of water and guess what?

I’ve cut out one less pop everyday. I was drinking about 2 with my main meals and sometimes I’d start my day off with one. I’ve substituted it with water and so far, so good. I thought I’d be moodier with cutting back but, it hasn’t been bad.

You know one of the things about changing your life to a cleaner way of eating is the misconceptions that all healthy food has to taste bad. The reality is, I still enjoy a burger and fries. French toast, grilled cheese and all healthy, low-cal and clean. Also, while watching my carb intake.

Baking. Grilling and making better choices.

You can enjoy good food and still be healthy.

This week, I worked hard, sat less and it paid off.

I’m happy to report that I am down 2.5 pounds!

I hope you guys had a great week!

If you are having a feening for French Fries, I’m going to share a recipe that is fairly easy and healthy too.

Hubby D’s Spicy Wedges:

Things You Will Need:

• 1 medium organic potato
• 1 teaspoon of organic olive oil or butter (I use olive oil always)
• Chili powder
• Pepper
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Parsley
• Chili peppers
• Paprika
• Oregano

Instructions:

• Watch your medium potato thoroughly and leave the peel on. Cut the potato in half, then cut the half into 4 or 5 pieces. You will end up with about 10 to 8 pieces.
• Rinse the wedges and drain throughly, add the teaspoon of organic olive oil and spice to taste.
• Take a pair of tongs and mix and toss the wedges until they are fully covered in the spices.
• Heat the oven to 350 degrees and take a non-stick pan and place the wedges on one side and place in the center of the oven.
• Make sure to use tongs to turn the wedges and cook until desired.

I love mine well done and crispy as you can tell and I’ve dubbed them Hubby D’s wedges because he makes them for me pretty often once and they are delicious. Of course you can always make more for the kiddies, they love them as much as I do. Except I skip the spiciness.

Enjoy!

•  Serves 1.
• Calories: Approx. 170
• 1 starch/carb serving.
• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 20-30 minutes

So, if you are feeling a burger and fries. Partner these wedges with a ground chicken burger or some mulitigrain breaded tilapia, like me!

If you are watching your carbs, be sure to eat light, get your protein and veggies in.

Good luck and hope you all have another fabulous week, how did you do?

Let me know!

Also, link up over at Sober Julie’s for Motivated Monday!

Til then, cheers m’deres and be sure to link up BELOW!

Guidelines:

1. Simply link up your posts below.
2. Follow your hosts if you’d like.
3. Have fun. Ask questions or rant if you want to!
4. Support your fellow Fit & Firm buddies by visiting as many of them as you can!
5. Grab our button.
6. Use #FitNFirm for any fitness related tweets/pics/posts that you have to share to inspire your Fit & Firm Buddies!

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