challenge

25 days into Make Fat Cry

~ ghostfaceknitter ~ 1 Comment

So here’s my 25 days in update of the 90 day make fat cry challenge! Oh look photos of me in my underwear! 
   
 

Day 1 (top left) / Day 14 (bottom left) / Day 21 ( top and bottom right) 

I have to say I’ve been having a great time on this challenge. The exercises are super fun and the general meal guidelines / menus are nice. Plus the results are awesome.

I didn’t realize how much I was eating prior to starting this- funny how everything adds up slowly. 

I can’t really afford to eat the exact way the menu says, and I’m also eating it 100% vegan now.  I’m more following the pairing of carbs/proteins and fats.  

With more than 2 months left I’m really excited to see what’s next!

Goals For #MakeFatCryChallenge

~ ghostfaceknitter ~ Leave a comment

Well Day One of the Make Fat Cry 90 Day Challenge is underway and I am still so excited!  I thought it would be great to have some measurable goals to reflect on along the way also.

Goal #1:

Push-ups – you think after all the weight-lifting, cat/pug lifting, and trying to carry ALL my weekly groceries up the 3-4 flights of stairs at once I could do a push-up.  Well I cannot.  I can do a ‘poor man’s’ push-up, on my knees or by not touching my nose all the way, but I can’t seem push myself back up when I lower my body all the way down.  So there’s goal 1.

Goal #2:

My jeans won’t be so tight. Listen the ‘I just washed them so that’s why they must be snug’ excuse has only bought me a few months and I am not buying the next size up, so I’m anxious to see my Levi’s fit with just a little room around the waist.

Goal #3:

Follow the plan!  This one is the most critical and will ensure I even see my other goals, but I’m going to follow this plan down to the last chia seed smoothie and plank exercise. I know if I put the work in, I will see the results I want.

Goal #4

Be nice to myself! I’m not gonna make excuses or miss workouts or eat Whoppers, but I think a huge part of this challenge is being kind of myself also.  I care enough about my health and my body that I am changing my lifestyle to reflect that. Despite what each day may feel like, I can be happy in knowing that I am being kind to me!

Also be sure to check out my partner in crime’s blog over at FranklyTannith!

Yay! Can’t wait to experience these next 90 days!

xx

GFK

Betty Rockers “Make Fat Cry” 90 Day Challenge

~ ghostfaceknitter ~ Leave a comment

In my last post about finding balance, I mentioned that I am doing a 90 day health challenge. Well! The time has come! I am going to participate in Betty Rocker’s “Make Fat Cry” 90 Day Challenge. Other awesome news is that I am getting the support from my best friend Tannith from franklytannith! She did the 30 day challenge and saw such success that we are both motivated to do this longer and more nutrition based endeavor.

For the past few months, my exercise habits included more and more time running, spinning, and cardioing – but I could also feel my jeans get tighter and my eating habits fall back into not so good ones (“I’ll get back on track tomorrow…tomorrow…tomorrow”). I’ve reached a point in my life where I am ready for balance in all things. Thus, this challenge is the perfect way to kickstart this new way of living I’m in pursuit of!

Healthy nutrient-filled foods and appropriate circuit and body weight exercises (max 30 mins) could not be more balanced. If you’re not familiar with Betty Rocker (also named Bree! and she also lives in Denver!) you should definitely check out her blog & instagram to see all the awesome things she is doing in the fitness realm.

I have not been more excited for a ‘radical life change’ since I did the HCG Protocol 2 years ago. I will admit 15 pounds have crept back on over the past six months, but instead of going back to the Protocol as the first reaction, I am doing this challenge. I am ready to get back on track with proper portions and nutrition as well as do daily appropriate workouts. I have to say that nothing is more frustrating than spending hour(s) a day working out only to see absolutely no results physically. I know quite a few people like this and after seeing my New Mexico pics I have become one. Too much exercise + whacky nutrition based on imbalanced nutrient levels = not a body I’m taking care of.

So my friends, for the next 90 days I will be apart of this challenge and I am so excited. I plan on following it to the ‘hemp seed’ (one of the many great nutrient packed ingredients I’ll be eating) so that I can truly see results. I plan on updating at least weekly for the next 12 weeks – you know it will be before and after crazy on here.

I spent a good chunk of change and a good chunk of time today prepping for the first week. Although, I can’t share specific recipes on here (Betty Rocker owns that IP yo!) I will definitely share my progress and my experience along the way.

Here’s some funny time lapse movies getting ready for the week!

ONE YEAR BOOZE-FREE.

~ ghostfaceknitter ~ 14 Comments

sober me

Wow. It has been one entire year since I stopped drinking. I remember on day 4 looking at my ‘quitter app’ thinking ‘gosh four days is not very long… but soon this will say 1 month, then 6 months, and then 1 year – you can do it.’ I had no idea I would grow and change so much. I had no idea I wouldn’t have to endure my life anymore. I had no idea how fucking happy and awesome I would become during these 365 days. I shouldn’t act like I can’t believe it, because I can – I made all the choices to stay sober and did all the work. I guess if anything I just can’t believe how amazing life is sober and I am in awe everyday at how much more awesome life gets.

On July 24, 2013, I knew I was done with alcohol indefinitely. It had been a long time coming and after years of saying I could control my intake and my drunk behavior, I reached a point where I knew I was not in charge of my drinking anymore. Drinking just was not fun. I would lose important things, spend money I barely had, looked terrible, felt terrible, and emotionally was just a vacant person with no self esteem. I wasn’t drinking round the clock or taking nips here and there, but I was not able to separate drinking and priorities anymore. That sounds sad, and honestly it was. I would try to do things and ultimately I would psych myself out or not be reliable or consistent about anything. Then, I think of all the drama and the anxiety I have caused for family and friends. The erratic and inconsistent behavior was just a drag for me and for everyone around me. Living paycheck to paycheck because of uncontrolled spending sucked too. Drinks? Sure! Dinner out? Sure! Random crap because drinking makes preplanning impossible? Sure! Plus don’t forget I was supporting a household!

The first few months I felt firm in my decision and very nervous around drinkers, like I had something to hide or be ashamed of. I can laugh at that now because I’ve come to find being sober is a characteristic almost all people envy. Heavy drinkers always commend me on my sobriety and ‘wish’ they could do it. I’ve had people be critical and worried that I chose to get sober without AA or a formal support group, but honestly it’s been incredibly easy to be sober. I don’t put myself in situations that would illicit me not being sober. That means emotionally and psychically. I can very easily go to bars/clubs/events and have a blast – the best part is that I don’t spend hundreds of dollars, talk out of my ass to strangers/friends, and then I remember everything and truly enjoy it.

Probably the reason I made it past my birthday (July 30) and remained sober for those first few critical weeks was my dearest friend Tannith. Our friendship, her support, and her own sober journey allowed for me to have someone I trusted to turn to when I had questions or just observations about this new sober world. Her support and enthusiasm for sobriety showed me that it entails a world without ‘missing’ because her life is so much more full in sobriety too. Tannith, you were my rays of sunshine in the dark and lonely storm. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate you and your family sharing this journey with me. I am especially glad that we have a true friendship and can experience it all sober. I love you and am so grateful for you.

While I’m thanking people I should also commend my family. Mom, you were always right – booze is lame. Thank you for supporting me and dealing with the old Brianna. Thank you for not ever saying ‘I TOLD YOU SO!’ and especially thank you for being my friend. Words can’t even express my gratitude for your love. Dad, thanks for reminding me to not be so hard on myself and taking me to the edge of my thoughts and comfort zones. You are able to transform the way I see things and I’m so grateful for you.

Honestly, I think back to the person I was a year ago, and I don’t even know her. I am so happy. Truly happy to be sober and to be enjoying my beautiful life. The more removed I get from my old life, the more wonderful I become. I cannot stress that enough, sober living is so marvelous. This world is stunning and for me, alcohol makes everything fuzzy. I will never be sad that I cannot drink or rather will not drink, because I am in love with reality.

I am so fucking proud that one year ago today I finally let go of alcohol. I gave myself the opportunity to grow and to become this person I truly love. Goddamn, life is good.

xxx
GFK

October Blog Challenge!

~ ghostfaceknitter ~ 1 Comment

So on top of the Crafting/Life posts I’m going to participate in the October Blog Challenge that is called the October Daily!  If you’d like to participate click through the links and check it out!

Secret Obsession

The first post…. let’s pretend it’s yesterday and drum roll please…..

Name at least 5 reasons why you blog.

This is quite fitting with the re-branding I did yesterday here on GFK.
1. I’ve always enjoyed writing – maybe it was the years and years of education, but after my MA thesis was finished I still wanted to write. *Click Clack* hear that? It’s my nails on the keyboard.
2. I live away from my closest family and some friends. I generally believe those people who love me want to see what I’m up to! Therefore a blog is a great way to show everyone the events, crafts, and lifestyle I live here in Chicago!
3. I love getting a chance to see/hear/comment on others’ posts. It is truly inspiring to see all the AMAZING things people in our world are doing.
4. I was always a fan of this guy:


ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME
(Just kidding, but blogging for me is kind of like a ‘fun journal’ so I can remember all the stuff I’m doing long into the future!)
5. I love knowing people are reading about my activities and my thoughts. It’s a wonderful feeling for me to know that what I do is interesting and matters to so many wonderful readers.

I love blogging! Hooray Blogtober!

If you’d like to join please do – the more the merrier! Also click on the links to see more participants and connect with other Bloggers!