Amanda on a Mission

Here I sit picking up my pen...ahem my keyboard again. To start this blogging venture one five or so times again. If you look back this isn't the first time I've started again. I truly hope it isn't my last. This time I come at it with a different heart. I don't want to blog to gain popularity or status, I simply want to share my story.

I've been a Christian since I was 8 years old. I grew up in church and rarely missed a Sunday. I'm now 30 and I really thought I would be good and settled in my faith by now. But I'm not. I'm truly still a toddler for God. I'm just beginning to gather my feet beneath me and walk with my Father daily. This is scary and awesome all at the same time. This year I've felt a tug on my heart to change. Maybe it's turning 30 and maybe it's having my first child but I feel God calling me to change myself from the inside out.

I feel I have spent my life conforming to this world. Living my life freely to do and go as I please. I was in control. I did my Sunday duty but I didn't listen to God and His plan for my life. By His wonderful and amazing grace He got me to a GREAT place, but I know I've been missing out on so much.

So here I am now. Seeking God with my whole heart and journaling it here. I have an amazing life. A wonderful husband who loves me good, bad, ugly and in between. I have a beautiful step-daughter who adores me and it my little partner in crime. God has also blessed me with my own daughter who is a wild, wonderful mess of fun. I'm so grateful to Him for my blessings but I can here his voice saying I am made for more.

So I begin my journey seeking Him in what I do. My goals for this transformation are:

-seek him first in everything I do

-to love better and more

-to be a better servant aka wife and mother

-to take care of my temple aka weight loss

I hope you stay with me through this journey. I will share all about my goals and God's glorious work within and around me.

21 Day Fix Approved

So a lot of people has this misconception with diet and weight loss that you don't eat. Let me tell you with the 21 Day Fix this couldn't be further from the truth!! I've even had a few days that I didn't eat all of my approved servings. I wouldn't recommend this (shhhh....don't tell Autumn).

I was worried when I started about what I would eat too. I'm a junk food junky. My favorites being hot cheetos (gasp...yes I know they're horrible!), Reese's peanut butter cups (anything chocolate and peanut butter is a lethal combo for me!), and ice cream. I could actually list more. With my hectic busy schedule it was just easy to grab something and go. With the 21 Day Fix I have learned that a little bit a prep time can change everything.

I wanted to share some of my favorite (easy) recipes I've found since I've started.

I stumbled upon this little gem last night. I was looking for something sweet after I made the mistake of eating a salad with bitter lettuce (I'm not a fan!!). It was a late night getting home from the gym so time wasn't really on my side so I had to work with what I already had...that lead to this:
-1 cup frozen fruit (I used strawberries and bananas-my FAV)
-3/4 cup or red container greek yogurt (I used vanilla)
-drizzle of organic raw honey

Fix count: 1 red, 1 purple, 1tbsp.
I was so easy. I set the frozen fruit out while a prepped and ate my meal. Then added the yogurt and honey. It will definitely be a go to for the future!

This morning after hitting the Lower Body Fix hard I decided to change it up a bit with my Shakeology. I have been so impressed with my morning shakeo. I really think it has made a difference in my immunity and energy.

Today I made a Mint Chooclate Shakeo
Ingredients:
-1/2 cup almond milk
-1 scoop chocolate Shakeology
-mint extract
-1 tbsp. choc chips
-a bit of water

Fix count: 1 yellow, 1 red, 1 tbsp.
Put everything in the blender and mix it together. YUMMY! This is amazing and light and so good if you enjoy mint chocolate chip ice cream..sigh.

With the fix I've also learned to eat smaller meals more frequently throughout the day. I've always known this was a good thing but it seems easier now. So as a result I will have a mid-morning snack at work. Today I made a banana quesadilla.

Ingredients:

-1/2 banana

-1 tbsp nut butter (I used almond but peanut would be yummy too)

-1 whole wheat tortilla 

-chocolate chips *optional*

Warm a small skillet. Spread butter onto tortilla. Cut banana and place on butter, sprinkle on chocolate chips. Fold in half and place in skillet. Warm until both sides are toasted. Enjoy!

This was uh-MAZING!! Seriously, it felt like desert. 

Here is my lunch today:

Nothing too exciting. A salad with cherry tomatoes and chicken sausage (YUM!). Then my attempt at sweet potato fries from last night. They didn't turn into fries the way I like. Crispy and such. So I had heard from another fixer to add peanut butter to a sweet potato. I had almond butter for my apple for later so I decided to try it. Seriously it was heavenly!!

Again if you're thinking about a fix give it a try. You might just be surprised.

21 Day Fix in the Middle

Ok so my 21 Day Fix arrived Friday before last. I officially started on Monday of last week. I just wanted to post and update how it's going for me.

I'm in LOVE with the fix. It has done amazing for me. In just one week I have amazing energy, I feel better in my own body, plus I lost 2 pounds!! All of these combined don't sound like a lot but trust me when you're doing it the right way slow and steady wins the race. For just one week I feel like this is a HUGE accomplishment.

Not to mention I just feel amazing. I can't get over the way I feel. No diet or pill has ever given me this much energy. It's unreal!! If you're on the verge or looking for something to get you started I highly recommend the 21 Day Fix.

I won't sit here and tell you it isn't without it's obstacles, because it is. The first for me being that I'm super SUPER busy and finding the time for meal prep is a struggle. If I can make it work then anyone can!! Another struggle is good produce. I live in a smallish town with one grocery store. Unfortunately for me that store's produce choices are slim. But I haven't let those things get me down. I will succeed. I'm VERY determined ;)

One more small kink in my 21 day journey is my family is going on a mini vacation this Friday...Yikes! Again it won't get in my way. The thing I have learned is this program will work if you change your lifestyle. I can't change my plans because I'm working out more or eating differently, I have to make them fit the flow of my life. So I've been planning how to make this work.

Here are some things I've planned so far:
-the hotel has a fitness center!! This means I will take my resistance bands and the awesome cheat sheets I found via Pinterest to help me stick to my work out
-I will take my nutri-bullet so that I can have my Shakeology on the road. I might get some resistance from the hubs at first but he knows this is important so I know he will cave :) I'm also planning to measure out my shake mixes into ziplocs so I can add ice and water and blend. (butterfinger
 shako and YUMMO!!)-I'm also planning healthy snacks for on the road to keep me from travel temptation

I will try to post again as I pack and prep to let you know how it goes and of course when my 21 days is up. I know I will see amazing results!!

A Texas Girl Does the 21 Day Fix

Ok some may laugh at ^^that title, but I seriously feel like it's different for me then it is for others. Not just because I'm from Texas. I know there are several Texans who probably completed the program successfully without an issues.

Ok let me back up. I have recently started the 21 day fix work out/weight loss program from Beach body. It's designed to help you eat healthy and work out to get maximum results.

It seemed simple but I know myself. I am a meat and potato kind of girl (so is my husband). I'm also a junk food junkie who is too busy to make something so why not hit a drive thru?

Plus do you see those containers ^^ they're tiny!! How in the world was I ever going to get full?!?!

So what changed? Why am I doing it?

The answer: I don't really know. I guess I'm just tired of making excuses and tired of being tired. I was sick of being the "big" one in my group of friends. (bless their hearts they say I'm not but I am!!) I wanted to make a change for me and no one else. I've tried all kinds of diets and weight loss pills and gimmics and I can say I have learned one thing: all the people with serious good weight loss have changed they're eating habits. So the way I see it I have nothing to loose except weight :)

I'm only 3 days in but I feel awesome!! It has tested my will power but it's also just made me feel good!! I've learned that there are tons of recipes that have the clean food nutrition but also make you feel like you're cheating. Thank you pinterest!! I can't wait to see how it goes and I'm determined to make it my best 21 days ever!!

Dogs, Marriage and Cheer

It's been one of those days. It's probably just a woman thing or maybe I'm just really strange but my emotional state this week has been...um horrendous. Yes I said it the first step in having a problem is admitting you have one right?!

I mean seriously my poor husband. It's been such a roller coaster of tears and outbursts that even I have started to wonder about my sanity. I blame the majority of it on the stress of running my own business. I won't go to far I'll leave that to other posts but I'll just say I run a gym with about 60-100 (depending on the time of year) alone. I have help here and there but it's mostly on my shoulders.

Anyways back to my day, I'll keep it short and sweet...the good part will come in the end. It was just a humdinger, starting with a sore throat yet a desire to get my nails done. For background here I haven't had them done since before my wedding which was in September. I would love to say it's because I'm so low maintenance but really I just have no time!! It was definitely an "I want to be pampered and spoiled for half a second could you let me have that please real world?!?"

Answer? NO! Yes my husband so lovingly said go, here's the money. But in reality we had plans for the evening and still had to run to town. Now let's stop for a moment I must clarify "town" for probably the majority of you people who grew up in a town with more than two cops and more than 1 stop light. GASP yes those places exist. The ones with two cops I mean. I can smile when I say I grew up in one. More on that later....I know I know but I tend to ramble so I'm trying to stay slightly focused in each post. Ahem anyways, the town I live in now is far from where I grew up, but it still doesn't posses things such as chain grocery stores, aka HEB, Wal-Mart, and the mother ship Target *sigh*. Anywho we have to make weekly/bi-weekly trips there to save our sanity. So I being the planner that I am knew that if I had my mani/pedi as I planned to I would spend the rest of the day beating myself up for being selfish...yes I'm one of those.

Fast forward and we are sitting in the mall parking lot fighting. WHY? I'm not sure either of us really knows. I know really it was my fault. I was blaming him for me putting myself second. Again. Again. I'm really new to this whole marriage game but I'm learning that you really shouldn't do that. I will stop here to brag on my husband. He puts up with me really well. I can put on airs of being the perfect catch but sometimes I'm a mule. At least I know this. Now having said this he's not always the best comforter. Which in all honesty is what I needed. So how exactly does he make things better? He takes me inside and buys me a wedding ring.

Yes a wedding ring. We skipped that step. We had a kid (his not mine), got engaged, bought a house, had a wedding, and finally bought a ring.

I have not stopped staring at it and the picture doesn't even do it justice!!

I was kind of on cloud 9 for the rest of our trip, until we returned home to find our newly adopted lab Leo had escaped from the backyard.

Isn't he a cutie?? And a total sweetheart. Except for his unfortunate chewing habit which is what landed him outside. I'm hoping he will come home but I really think someone picked him up he's just too sweet.

To make matters worse or better depending on how you see them. our evening plans were to attend a marriage banquet. Now you can probably deduce from the a fore mentioned fight we need all the help we can get. Marriage is hard. Through in a divorce, a kid, in-laws, and a girl who's been doing her own thing for ten years...well yea you catch my drift.

This banquet was different. It was food and friends just talking and hanging out. The guest speaker was Kevin Leman. If you've ever heard him speak you know why it turned out to be such a fun night. If you haven't I highly recommend him.

You can check him out here http://www.drleman.com/store/index.php and it's not a plug he had really interesting things to say. Plus all of two people read my blog so why bother?! Ha!

I will say this he talked about birth order and relationships. First borns are driven perfectionists. Babies of the family are social, not very driven, but very loveable. The thought provoking thing for me is I'm the baby but I act like the first born. My husband is the first born yet acts like the baby. Yes I plan to study more to see what I can find out!

The were just some candy hearts on the table :)

A Year Ago Today

I know people always say if you had told me a year ago I'd be where I am today...well you know. My life has been a never ending series of twists and turns. Every now and then I get comfy and I think to myself "Ah this is where I belong." Then reality comes and dumps me out on my butt rear.

So where has that lovely queen of fate have me today?

Well let see...I'm a newlywed

*Que awe's here*

I'm a former teacher.

Just some of my favorite teacher humor.

Now this one would make any knowledgeable person teacher screech in horror "YOU'RE A FORMER TEACHER?!?" Why would they do this a normal person might ask? Because it's January. Stating that I'm a former teacher means I must have done the horrifying, unbelievable, speak not thus you be involved act of quitting mid-year. 

Yes I, Amanda Cooper, am a quitter. I'm even a special breed, I'm a teacher quitter. I'll go into greater detail later but if you're a teacher, married to a teacher or know a teacher really well you can probably sense the above mentioned never thought I'd be here comment might apply to this.

But wait there's more....

I became a (step)parent. I prefer bonus mom

I love it so much sometimes I think my heart will explode and then it infuriates me so much the next minute. More on that later and it doesn't infuriate me for the reasons you might think!!

(And I know I'm shameless with the wedding pics but what a better way to show them off)

there's still more....

I'm a competitive cheer coach and gym owner.

 This last one has sure been a doozy. I mean I think somewhere along my life growing up I kind of...maybe thought it might happen. But this time last year was when I put this crazy plan into motion. I can joke about it but it truly is one of my greatest accomplishments. It's my baby and my girls are my world. I will share more about this wild ride in the future because I promise if you've ever seen Cheer Perfection my gym has the same drama on Texas size steroids!!

So I'd love to say I'm one of those super confident people who says bring it on 2015...but after my 2014 and fate who is not always my friend I think I'll just say thank you God for the blessings and please let me survive the next year.

Headed Downhill

Ok I know I'm an awful blogger but hopefully that will change this time. I know I always say that but hey one day it will stick!! (I hope ;) This is also the first time I'm posting from my new (in December) iPad. So if its easier then it just might help keep me on track.

Ok so on to the post...

My last post was all about resolutions. I'm very happy to report that I'm am making progress.

I'll start with número uno...lose 40 pounds. As of April 17, 2013 I have lost.....dun dun dun...(that's my drumroll;) 20 pounds!!! Now I'm ashamed to admit I went up before I went down, but this is still a huge accomplishment for me! For the first time I can tell I've lost weight. I like looking I. The mirror and putting on clothes. Especially those things I hadn't fit into in quite awhile. This gives me even more motivation to continue. I'm at 159 right now and my goal weight is 130. I think it's totally attainable by the end of the year. Maybe even end of summer if I push hard enough ;)

Ok goal number 2 manage money better and acquire savings....ummm lol. Cough**cough** sorry something in my throat.

Ha! Just kidding. I have done a lot better. I'm quite to the point in savings where I want to be. But I'm managing bills vs. "play" money waaaay better. I know I know that's be a grown up, but I have to say who really enjoys that part?? Definitely not this girl!!

Goal number 3 join a church. Although I have not officially joined I am faithful Stonegate Church goer :) I'm still not completely sold on the big church vibe. However, the preacher is fab and I feel God has me there for a reason.

And last but definitely not least....have a social life. Hmm... Lol just kidding. I have made several wonderful friends here. I go out (not all the time...can't ruin my old lady reputation ;) and have fun. I've even traveled with a group of girls to Austin for a 5k mud run. I know!! It was a total blast :) Aaaand I even have a love interest :))) We're taking it slow but I can't lie I'm pretty crazy about him:)

So all in all it's been one amazing year so far!! And there are even more good things on the horizon.

I'm so excited to continue this crazy, wonderful journey I call my life :)

Oh here are some updated pics >>

The purple was the end of March and the black was on Saturday (4/14).
(Sorry I can't label and move them...only thing about the app I can't figure out)

Newness

For some reason I'm on this resolution kick.

I know its July but still you gotta start somewhere I guess :)

Its partly because of the horrible year I've had (I'm a teacher my years go from August to May) and probably because this is my birthmonth.

As I prepare to turn another year older I'm also moving and starting a new job. I do nothing in small doses!! So I'm looking at all of this as a way to make changes and fresh starts.

Insert my resolutions:

1. Lose 40 lbs.

2. Manage money better and acquire savings.

3. Join a church.

4. Pray a personal life will come will ^^ all of the above :)

My biggest goal is the 40 lbs. I keep seeing all these weightloss blogs on Pinterest and that's where I've gotten my motivation....well kinda ;)

I gained most my lbs in college and through serious relationships. I always seem to date those really skinny teeny tiny guys who can eat ANYTHING and not gain an ounce. Well a girl like me just can't keep up with that.

So I've been wanting to shed the extra flub for quite a while (I've been out of college since Dec 08 :/)

But I am realistic in my pursuit. First of all I know it will take time and it has to be a lifestyle change.

So just to start and ease myself into the groove of things I'm eliminating fast food (I'm a junkie!!), working on my portion control (my eyes are WAY bigger than my stomach), and working out!!

So why blog about it? Most of the weightloss blogs I've seen just showcase the after and I want to show the whole SHUBANG!! It will also help keep me accountable (I hope).

So here goes nothing...

current weight 173 (ouch!!)
current pant size 12

goal weight 130
goal size 6

front view in the very unflattering white :P

side view July 2012

These are pictures from the past year...everytime I see them I cringe. I walk around thinking I'm normal and fine (not skinny but I think I look good ;) Then I see a pic and BLAH!!!'

Last day of school May 2012

Easter April 2012

September 2012 (^^at Stripes...classy I know)
I had lost some over the summer but with a BAD year I quickly gained it back!!

October 2011

I'm always told I carry my weight well....**cough** bullshit**cough** haha!!

I am relieved that people can't actually tell I'm that heavy but I'm 5'2" there's only so many places you can hide it!!

So onward in my journey to become a skinny bitch :)

 



I'm BaaaAAAaack!!

I will keep up with my blog...I will keep up with my blog...I WILL KEEP UP WITH MY BLOG!!!

I know I know yet again I've fallen off the bandwagon but alot of things have been going through my mind. I'm making the decision to start another (since I keep up with this one so well...HA!!) I just want to seperate my teaching world...which is a big one :) and my random world I call my life.

So if you want to follow my wonderful world of teaching check out my new blog

Miss Stallings' Safari

I'm getting it up and running and making it my goal to post at least once a week with pictures and info of all the exciting things happening in my classroom. I'm excited and I hope this will keep me motivated!!

Brain Break

Balancing the stress of two grades is ALOT of work!!!

I constantly feel guilty for the students because I push them so hard during the day. I've seen and heard the idea of brain breaks but I was always scared I'd have a hard time getting the students back on task. But with our busy busy BUSY schedule I think they will be perfect for my kiddos!!

I compiled a list of breaks that I felt would benefit my students:

1. 10 jumping jacks

2. Dance break (my kids LOVE dancing!!)

3. Brain Teaser

4. Trivia Question

5. Act like a ____________ (animal)

6. Act like a _____________ (profession, exp. farmer, teacher etc.)

7. Partner up and make a the letter ________

8. Lightning round Rock, Paper, Scissors

9. Mental Math

10. Lightning round Bear, Man, Gun

11. Random question

I tried to come up with a variation of movment and thinking activities.

My plan is to offer stickers for the best actors and also for the right answers of the all the questions.

Then I wrote each on a popsicle stick.

I attached these cute pom poms ^ I got from Target in the dollar bin. They don't have a real function just to know which side goes up and to make them cute :*)

Then to continue the the preparation I compiled the questions I need. I wrote them on index cards so they would be ready whenever the specific stick was pulled.

Then I organized them ^ so they would be easy to find. (Thinking ahead for subs and my sanity :P)

I can't wait to use them in class. I think the kids will really appreciate the breaks!!

Clean It Up

Oh my, its been a looooooong week. I'll try not to bore you with the very stressful details but I'll just say I've been a ball or stress in motion :/.

But I'm trying to stay afloat with the Clutter-Free Classroom Project to reorganize my classroom.



My challenge was start purging my classroom of clutter. (Eek!!!) While answering these questions:

What do you plan to do with your "stuff" you don't want?

Well I'm a keeper (no pun intended :) so I save everyTHING!! Just in case I need it someday. Lucky for me I'm a new teacher so I don't have alot of stuff.

So I made three piles

KEEP         GIVE         TRASH

What are your rules for purging?

1. Go through EVERYTHING!!

2. With each item way the importance and frequency of use.

3. If its important and used often you may keep it. If its not important and never used throw it out. If its important but you don't use it give it away.

I think these are the basic rules most people use. However, for me like I said there isn't much there. For the most part its sorting through everything and finding the right place for it. Also, its about clearing the things I don't use and never will. Its one of those learning things as a new teacher but I'm getting there!!!

What have you gathered to make your decluttering task easier?

Uh oh, now you've caught me!! I didn't gather much. I do use plain wash tubs in my classroom for various things. I have put them to use with my decluttering project.

This ^ doesn't give the best example but I've removed clutter and now I'm using the tubs to hold things through my hectic weeks that pile up. Only one has a definite purpose right now. Its full of to be piled papers (story of my life everything needs to be filed!!)

This picture ^ is just some proof of my progress.

Since I know most of what looms in front of me is filing and finding a proper system and place for everything. I cleared out my filing cabinets. These are the stacks of 4th grade materials and Pre-K/Kinder materials I want to keep. Yes I did go through them to sort out what was necessary to keep and trash. (Should have taken a picture of the trash can its full!! :o )

Next thing on the list of the project is start purging!! Think I've already got that started...YAY!! But I have alot more to go and if this week is as busy as last week I'm glad I got a head start!!

Better Late Than Never!!!

So I recently stumbled on The Clutter Free Classroom. I have decided to link up with the new challenge.

I pride myself on being an organization freak, however it seems like when the school week gets going I can never keep my classroom clutter free. So this challenge is perfect for me!!

I've decided to tackle my desk and cabinets, basically the space that is my domain in the room.

Here are some before pictures (which I feel slightly guilty because I tried to clean them up earlier today because we start back tomorrow...but they still need ALOT of work)

Also I'd like to focus on this cabinet. When I moved (in the middle of last semester :/) I just threw everything in it to get it out of my way!! I would LOVE for it to be a more managable and useful space.

Week 1 Challenge: Take Pictures ^

Week 1 Prompt:

What were your thoughts when you took your before pictures? Was your "current state of affairs" better or worse than you thought. What are you most excited about tackling?

My thoughts were EEK! I'm gonna show that off?? I need to focus more energy and time getting my space organized. My desk area is not as bad as it has been before but there is tons of room for improvement!! I'm excited about tackling my desk because I can't wait for a sound peace of mind when I sit at my desk so I can be ready for anything!!!

 

 

1/4/12-Question of the Day: Do you have an item in your classroom that you anticipate will be challenging to purge, but yet you realize it's just taking up valuable space?

Hmmm you know I'm not actually sure there is an item. My biggest "item" will be every little thing because I'm a hopeless pack rat! Ever so often I get get fed up and trash alot of things but I buy new things that I don't use but can't make myself part with!!

My weekly challenge: Develop a plan for decluttering your space and compose a list of "non-negotiable must purge" rules.

So I'm off to plan on gulp purging my space!!