Finish This Sentence Part 4

Unlike my sibling(s) (that I love very much).... I am more outspoken and sassy. My sister, Sarah, has the patience of a saint and is wise beyond her years.

My best friend says tells...the best stories. Andrea's stories are impeccably detailed and always hysterical. It's funny because Kyra tells stories just like Andrea. Coincidence? I think not.

People call me...Tori Marie, Tortellini, Tort, Torti, Nado (as in Tornado), the list goes on...

I most often dream...that I have to go back to high school and take a bunch of classes over again. I also regularly dream that I still have a paper due for a class I took in Undergrad. HOLY SCHOOL ANXIETY!

The best part of my day...is when Kyra gets home.

I get really annoyed...when the DVR cuts off the previews for next week's show. It's like, HELLO! I only got to see half the preview!

There's nothing like a... a glass of wine and a bubble bath to wrap up a long day of work and/or class. 

Lately, I can't get enough...iced coffee in the morning. Instead of spending five million dollars every year going to Starbuck's, I am using my Keurig and making my own. Money in tha bank!

One thing I am NOT is...half-assed, literally and figuratively. Mama's got some junk in the trunk! But seriously, I am very detail-oriented, so nothing I do is done halfway. I may procrastinate, but I WILL get it done and it WILL be done to the best of my ability.

I spent too much money on...my hair. I've been dying my hair since 8th grade, got extensions last year, and have purchased A LOT of hair product/tools over the years. 

I want to learn...how to speak Spanish. I know some of the basics, but I would love to become fluent! Funny story, my sister (the same one mentioned above) taught me my first Spanish sentence when I was like 10 or something..."Mi hermana es una vaca," which translates to "My sister is a cow." Nice, eh?

I can't stop...watching Friends. No lie, I watch it every night before I go to bed and die laughing. Even if I have seen an episode 10+ times, it's still so funny! How you doin'?

Never have I ever...seen The Sound of Music or Mary Poppins. I'm not sheltered, I swear!

Reese Witherspoon...is more like America's Sassy Sweetheart. 

Work Out Wednesday with Skinny Meg

Happy Wednesday, JNSPers! Today, I am linking up with Skinny Meg for Workout Wednesday. As most of you know, I love Pinterest for healthy eating and work out inspiration, but there are a couple other things that I use to keep me on track.

1. MyFitnessPal

Most of you are probably familiar with MyFitnessPal, but it really is a great tool to help you keep track of calories in and out by logging food and exercise. I am not religious about logging every single food item or exercise session, but I love using it to look up calorie counts of various foods. I get into routines with what I am eating, so after awhile, I know about how many calories I am consuming without logging them into MFP.

If you have MyFitnessPal, let's be friends...find me here.

2. Nike Training Club

Nike Training Club (NTC) is a free app for iOS and Android that has a ton of different workouts. Since there are over 100 workouts in NTC, you can choose the length, level of difficulty, and focus area of the workout. Each workout is designed to be completed with minimal equipment and can easily be done at home. This is great if you are super busy and can't make it to the gym!

3. The People Around Me

Of course, this is more than just a tool I can use to help me on my health and wellness journey. For me, when I look at the people around me who are working to make their lives better, I am inspired to do the same. For example, my mom ran her first 5K over the weekend, and she did great! She set a goal, worked hard, and accomplished what she set out to do.

Another example, I love following health and wellness blogs, like Elle Noel and Rabbit Food for My Bunny Teeth. I may not be a runner like LeighAnn, but she is a rockstar and so inspiring. I especially love reading her workout tips and food ideas. And, Catherine has a ton of healthy eating ideas and recipes. Both great resources for getting motivated and staying on track!

How do you stay on track?

Pumpkin Parfait

Happy Friday, JNSPers! I am here for another Fitness Friday with a recipe that would be a great snack or quick & easy breakfast. I guess this isn't technically a fitness tip, but we all know that half the battle is fought in the kitchen! This mini meal has 17g Protein and 229 calories with healthy doses of fiber, calcium and Vitamin D.  I have for you the delicious Pumpkin Parfait!

Ingredients:

• 1 single-serving container of vanilla Greek yogurt (Or, about 2/3 cup if you buy bigger containers)
• 1/2 cup pureed pumpkin
• 1/4 cup Pumpkin Flax Granola
• Dash of Pumpkin Pie Spice

Directions:

• Grab a mason jar and layer ingredients. Start with the Greek yogurt, add the pureed pumpkin, then top with the granola and a sprinkle of Pumpkin Pie Spice.

I like to take this as a snack for work, so I don't immediately add the granola. I put it in a separate container or baggie, then add it when I am ready to eat the parfait. I do this so the granola doesn't get soggy.

Nutritional Information:

Nutritional Information from MyFitnessPal.

Linked to:

Crazy Monkey Breakfast Shake

Happy Tuesday, JNSPers! Today, I want to share a DELICIOUS breakfast shake recipe with you. The Crazy Monkey Breakfast Shake is only 5 ingredients and 265 calories of yumminess!

Ingredients:

1. 2 Scoops Visalus Vi-Shape Sweet Cream Soy Protein
2. 1 Cup Unsweetened Almond Milk
3. 1 Tbsp Natural Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
4. 2 Tbsp PB2 Powdered Peanut Butter
5. 1 Small or Medium Banana

Directions:

Add all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.

Nutritional Information:

Nutritional Information taken from MyFitnessPal.

Let me tell you, this shake tastes SO GOOD that you don't even realize that it's such a healthy option for breakfast. It has a great amount of protein, so it's super filling! Try it out and let me know what you think!

Update and New Goals

Unfortunately, I did not make Rams Cheerleaders. And, honestly, I am pretty bummed about, though I am trying to remind myself that everything happens for a reason. It's always difficult when you work really hard for something and it doesn't work out as hoped. It was a great experience, and I am so proud of myself for giving it a shot.

I am not sure why I didn't make it, but I think I am going to email the squad director for feedback. I told myself that this would be the last year that I tried out, but I am not sure anymore. We'll see what the future holds and what the feedback looks like from the director.

Here are a couple photos from the event:

Source

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I worked really hard, eating really well and working out a ton. At my last check-in (not a weigh-in because I didn't weigh, I got pinched), I was at about 21.5% body fat, which was down 5% from the month before. Since November, I have lost about 15lbs. All I have to say is that I feel great! And, let me tell you, it is a wonderful feeling not having any pants in my closet fit because they are too big!

Here are my new fitness goals:

Body Fat: 16%
Weight: 120lbs.

I am giving myself the rest of this week to relax, rest, and decompress. I will start back at it working out regularly and eating as clean as possible on Monday. I have been pinning clean eating tips and recipes like crazy here and here if you want to try them out too!

Have a good weekend and be kind to one another!