Hello, everyone!!!!
I am sorry for not having a blog post in a while.  The last two weeks have been a whirlwind, and I have no idea where the last 2 weeks have gone.  Work has been very busy and a dear family member of the boy passed a way. So, needless to say, it has been a little emotional.

I have been much better on the fitness track. Although it has been hard to find time to exercise, I have been doing my best to work in 20 minutes a day. Like I said in my last post, I am happy to report I am officially on the left hand side of the 150 mark, and I am looking forward to keep moving down. The next two weeks look quite busy with family and big decisions being made and big decisions being made for myself and the boy.  It is a little scary, but hopefully things will work out in the end.

The post today though, is hopefully going to be a little helpful for you. As all of these decisions are being made, something that has made it easier is Pinterest and the search of organizing printables. A budgeting printable and to do list printable has really been helping me get a handle on things.  Below are some of my favorite printables, and I hope they can come as in handy for you as they have me.

This one is from http://jayme-pierce.blogspot.com/2013/01/free-budget-printable.html and it is absolutely invaluable to me right now. 

This has some great printables for parties as well as budgeting printables. Visit: http://www.thecreativityexchange.com/category/printables

Again, thank you for sticking with me on this journey. It means a lot you are here.

Until next time...
BBackpack

Yikes...

Yikes, everyone, it has almost been a week since I have posted. Sorry about that.

Fitness Update:

We have been doing alright with the getting fit thing. I am happy to report I have officially broke 10 pounds! I have officially lost 10 pounds since I have started this whole journey which was the beginning of this year.  I am very excited about this. I am hoping to keep going. I am looking for another 15 pounds which would put me down to 135. I haven't been 135 since I went to college. So, that will be fantastic!!! I've also been very aware of the clothes I'm purchasing to be sure that I don't buy clothes that are too big.  So, you all get a big thank you for keeping me honest!!! 

Clothing Update: 

So, if you have even read one of my posts, you know that I really love me some fun fashion.  My friends at school told me how much they love their vinyasa scarves from lulu lemon. I decided to take the plunge and get one myself.  I purchased this absolutely adorable mint green and black stripe one. 

I was very content with this until the guy and I hit up a lulu lemon store and he actually found one on sale. I was amazed and so proud.  So, I also got an orange and blue stripe one. That was the splurge, but you find a sale there, you run with it. So, what's so great about the scarf you may ask...well it is worth every penny.  This scarf is comfortable, warm, and so versatile.  It is made out of a stretchy material called rulu.  Think Under Armor Shirt, but slicker.  

This scarf is so great, and I am excited to use it on a plane and almost everywhere else.  Below are ways you can wear it. It is a little bit more than I am used to spending on a scarf, but it is absolutely wonderful.  Shout out to my work friends that recommended it!! 

Until next time...

BBackpack

A little fashion, a little love and a little blue flower...

Hello everyone, 

Thank you all for sticking with me through yesterday's intense blog post. It really did help me have a much better day today.  The beginning of the day was a little rocky, but got a lot better. I'm sure because we are on the other side of a very long week.  I really appreciate it. We are going to change the perspective a bit from yesterday. Yes? Fabulous! 

A little fashion...

So this last weekend, I went to the Burton store.  Let me back up a bit. The boy is an amazing snowboarder.  He really is fabulous. (Even if he doesn't agree) He introduced me to this world, and I have been out once, and during that time I didn't fall a lot, and although I was a little nervous, I really loved it a lot. We went last year for New Years, and we celebrated an amazing first new years together.  Sadly, we haven't been in a while, but once he graduates, we will be going snowboarding a lot more. I was promised. :) So Burton is one of the boy's favorite brands.  So when I went to the store, I ended up finding this amazing vest. It was way more expensive than I normally spend, but it is quite possibly one of the most fabulous pieces of clothing I own.  I ended up getting a blue one (one sale by a lot) a few days later. They are wonderful and comfy, and I can't tell you how much I love it! The fabric is a jersey like fabric and the inside is also a jersey material. The blue one has a satin inside, but is still comfy and very, very warm. It can be dressed up very easily. If it's in your budget, it's a great bottom layer for snowboarding or just being out and about!!! 

A little love...

My guy is pretty amazing. A lot of people were very surprised when we got together, but we have found that it is the most fantastic and stable things in our lives. Our whole relationship caught both of us off guard a year plus ago, but I don't think that either one of us would go back. Today, I came home to find the most amazing Valentine's Day flower ever.  It was a Blue Diamond Orchid, and it is quite possibly the most beautiful flower I have ever laid eyes on.  When I called to thank him, he said that he didn't think that roses (or anything else) looked like me, and this one did.  On top of the flower, that comment really made me realize how lucky I really am.  That comment really showed me how much he really knows me.  It is a pretty awesome feeling!!! 

And a little blue flower...

And a little fitness update...

I did much better today. I ate well, I worked out, and I did very well with moderation. I'm very excited to be headed into my last day of working out tomorrow.  I intend to really push it tomorrow to finish out the week strong!!! Thanks for the extra motivation all!!! :) 

Until next time...

BBackpack

Thoughts on a weird day.

It still intrigues me how one super random act can affect your whole day. It can be small, and the person has no idea that they even have done that. Although I have to come, as many of us have, to just brush this off and keep going. Today, I just couldn't do it. I just kept moving on, but sadly it really affected my mood, and that frustrated me. I know that we all aren't perfect and we all have these days, but it has been so long since I have had one that it is really frustrating.

Another part of the day that was bizarre was that apparently after a couple weeks of being really good about my eating habits, today it just didn't seem to matter. I worked out and went to intervals of 4 minutes walking and 3 minutes running, so that was good, but again, it was just frustrating that apparently a half of a raspberry paczki is way more important than all the hard work I put in.

So, I promised you all a more uplifting blog, and this one is not so uplifting, but I hope you know that just putting this on "paper" has really helped me, and move on. The Hawks are playing, so that should help, and I guess the best advice is just watch the game, go to bed, and wake up again tomorrow and try it out again....

Until next time...
BBackpack

All about food....

That's right, ladies and gentlemen, this motivational workout journal blog is going to talk all about food today. Not healthy food, but food that makes you want to workout because it was so worth it! So, here we go....

This weekend was a rediculously relaxing and absolutely lovely weekend in the fabulous city of Chicago. It happened to be restaurant week, but that did not have any bearing on where meals were had.

We started off Friday at a sushi/Japanese restaurant, Sunda. This was my first time at the restaurant, and I was absolutely blown away. They had a lot of noodle bowls and other Japanese style food, but we really went for the sushi. We were not disappointed. We had a rainbow roll, a sumo roll, and a "no you didn't" handroll. This with some amazing shiitake and edamame dumplings. It was an amazing dinner. The rainbow roll had tuna, white tuna, and salmon along with avocado and other various vegetables. The roll was large and the fish was cut quite thick. The sumo roll was a little spicier with salmon, chipotle mayo, and jalapeños. The handroll looked a like like a waffle cone. It was a more traditional Japanese style sushi which was interesting. The executive chef was also walking around and since it as our first time there offered us a shot of sake with him as a welcome. It was quite good! After the Kung Fu Reisling it was a little interesting, but so worth it.


The next day we had reservations at RPM. There are no words to describe how good this was. As many of you know, this is the restaurant that Giuliana and Bill Rancic own. A lot of people may feel that it is only popular because of them, and that may get people in the door, but the amazing creations of their amazing chef will get you to say. They have a house made Ricotta which cannot be beat. If you go, get it. You will not be disappointed. We did go with the Restaurant Week menu for that. It was very much worth it.
The appetizers were prime meatballs and a tuna. The tuna were out of this world! Very ahi tuna like and was amazing.
The only addition we had was the Smoked Cavatelli. Great addition. It has a veal ragu and tomatoes with a fantastic smoked ricotta over it.
Our main dishes were the pork and then the risotto with mussels and shrimp. We finished off with Bill's dessert which is an amazing chocolate and salted Carmel. The other was a blood orange dessert with pistachio and white chocolate gelato. Out of this world.
Below are picture, and even the take out bag makes a fabulous piece of art!!

This weekend was an amazing time to relax and rejuvenate. I know that I've been doing a blog on fitness, but this weekend made me remember that although I want to get a little more fit, good food is also important to your psyche. The workout starts up again tomorrow, and we will hit the ground running....literally!!

Until next time...
BBackpack

I didn't forget about you all...and Super Bowl Halftime Live Blogging...

...really, I didn't.

Been a bit of a week trying to find a happy medium and a true workable schedule for my workout plan so that way I will actually stick to it.  I am happy to report that I think I have found it. It looks as though I have the desire and the focus to workout Sunday through Thursday.  To me though, this is the true week.  So, this is what I am sticking to.  I'm not doing anything crazy. Usually the first two days, I am sticking to 30 minutes of walking at about a 3.6-4.0 speed with an incline anywhere from .5-2.  As the days progress, I am finding that doing some interval running and walking is pretty great.  Usually walk for 5 and run for 3.  So, that seems to be the rhythm I am in. And it seems to be working for me.  I find that I have more energy, and overall making healthier choices.  

I know some of you reading this may feel that I am not truly working out. I'm just "walking." I get that. I'm not that old and I should be pushing myself and really making a difference.  Does it make me a "bad person" for not doing this? I love my food. I want to lose weight just life everyone else, but I don't want it overtaking my life. I just want to be a little bit more fit. Every time I have started a workout, I have quit after the first 2 weeks because other things seem to get in the way. I feel like this time I won't be like that. 30 minutes is not a long time, and watching shows while I'm doing it makes it go by really fast, and I truly am enjoying it.  

On a different note, I do apologize, but I may have to just update you quickly, with no pictures on the glasses saga.  The company is Warby Parker.  It is awesome. They send you five classes for free to try on for a full week, and they you send them back for no cost.  If you choose to buy glasses, they range from 95-145 dollars. For those that wear glasses, you knew this is an epic deal.  So, instead of the saga, I will tell you that the company is fantastic and that my choice was Linwood Violet.  Take a look...totally worth it.  Plug for the day.  

As I write this, I'm watching the halftime show....thoughts......Yay for Live Blogging...

• The vases/face is pretty neat.  
• Do you think we will see Destiny's Child? 
• Still not 100% on how I feel about Beyonce...after all these years...I am still not 100% sure.  i like 90% her....
• Love the music.....Crazy in Love, fabulous!!! 
• Question: If this is bad, will they criticize her for NOT lip syncing? 
• The stage is super cool!!! 
• I do love that the girl does have the curves.  That is awesome to see!!! Hope for "normal women."
• Is it bad I'm partly hoping for Andy Samberg and Justin T for Single Ladies?!?!
• Very girl powered halftime show...Nice!!!! 
• 90s LOVE WHOOOOOOOOOO!!! DESTINY'S CHILD!!!!!!!!!! 
• Bet the old fourth member of DC is not happy......
• Love the Single Ladies? Samberg Timberlake? Nope...ok.....Girl can hope....

• That's a lotta Single Ladies Dance....
• Still all time fav Super Bowl Halftime still has to be the Aerosmith/NSync/Britney one.  Not just because I'm not a 90s kid. Just because it was awesome!!!! 
• Halo was a tad overdone-good voice, but a little too much hair flipping...also would have not ended with that...but ok....
• Not bad B...not bad at all....

Well, guess that was a lot...

Hopefully entertaining for you all!!

Until next time...

BBackpack

Avocados and running?

Hello there, everyone...

Really pumped about the work out today. It was definitely not as calm and not as "easy" as it was yesterday. The one yesterday I felt really energized and pumped.  This workout left me tired and exhausted.  I definitely pushed myself, so that is really positive.  I guess that is an ok deal though.  Means I worked really hard.  I am looking forward to these workouts, and that is still positive. Today I worked out with a good bud which was incredibly helpful. West Wing, Coach, and Pitch Perfect definitely didn't hurt. Walked/Ran (yes, you read that right) for 2 miles and burned about 180 calories.  I actually gained a pound, but after talking to a fitness guru, it seems that it can sometimes happen when you add a new part of your lifestyle, so I'm just going with it.

After the workout today, I wanted to be sure that I stayed on the same track. My parents wanted to have   burgers tonight. I really didn't want to kill what I had done, so I decided that I would spice up my burger.

I had just a basic burger. No bun. Added a little cheese (major weakness) added butter lettuce (grown hydroponically-dad was excited) then added tomatoes and finally my new favorite food-avocado.  It was absolutely awesome.  Making a few more choices to have more vegetables, I'm hoping to really make sure this healthier choices thing sticks.  

Also got some great advice from a dear friend who is an inspiration for weight loss said that if I worked out during the five days of the week that taking the weekend off to rest the body would be alright.  I am going to take this advice and run with it. I don't want to let myself or anyone else down. I want to do my best to keep up with all of this this time...

Until next time...

BBackpack

I worked out today, guys!!! I did!!! And, I absolutely loved it!!! Yes, ladies and gentlemen, you heard me right, I worked out directly after school, and it was awesome. Sure, my workouts of 30 minutes going up a small incline at like 4mph isn't exactly what I would call craziness, but I really enjoyed it. Apparently it takes about 21 days to make it a habit. It looks like I will have luck with the workouts during the week.  So, the thought is to take 30 minutes, every day after school and then we will see how the weekend goes.  I will feel less bad if the only take weekends off, and do five days during the week.  I'm hoping that this will work out.  If I get to watch West Wing and just walk for 30 minutes, I'm ok with that! Here's to motivation...

So, yesterday was a quite a fun day. It was a very different, but quite fun.  The boy and I looked at apartments downtown. Quite crazy, but we had time, and it started a great dialogue between us, and it is so nice that we are on the same page.  Now the hard part is waiting for all of this to happen.  We then went to the Art Institute. I haven't been there in a while, but it always amazes me how much I take for granted when it comes to how much Chicago has to offer. Seeing the Monet and Surat painting is still awe inspiring, but I forget how close it is to me. I could go and see it whenever I wanted to.  J had never seen any of these awesome paintings, and it was great to walk around with him there.

After a water soaked trip, we headed out to "home," the UC. This was my first game back, and it was insane. I forget how much I get into these games.  From being nervous, to being so excited, to yelling my head off.  If you have never been to a professional hockey game, you must go.  Find a way and go. I owe my love of this game to a dear friend, and I although I will love here for more than this, it was always be one of the reasons she is my dear friend.

I guess this wasn't the most inspirational post, but I am excited to be finding a happy medium. I think the blog is helping, and it is very therapeutic. I hope you all are still with me, and thank you for sticking around.  Maybe a fun cooking experiment should be coming up soon.  And the first chapter in the glasses saga should be coming tomorrow!!!

Until next time...

BBackpack

Hangin Tough

Sometimes I forget about how amazing the people in my life are. I mean, sure, we all do it. Life gets busy. Extra stuff gets in the way, and sometimes you just decide that the DVR and Hulu is really just how you want to spend the day. I get that. Heck, I do that. However, when you get to spend a couple hours catching up with friends you haven't seen in a while, it really makes you appreciate them in your life. I really feel that true friends are ones you don't see all the time, but when you spend time together, you pick up as if no time was lost. Now, if you asked me what a true friend was in high school, I'd tell you someone with a pool...I mean, someone who you saw day in and day out. I am lucky enough to still have a few friends from high school, but they now are more the ones where we pick up where we left off. Think about it. What do you consider to constitute a true friend?

I know, when I started this blog, I said I would do most of the talking, and all you had to do was listen. So, sorry about that. But, yesterday after having coffee with two amazing friends in my life, I felt so fulfilled and ridiculously happy, and I want you all to feel that too.

Now, with all this being said, I have to say I do have this feeling everyday when I go to work because I am super spoiled due to the fact that I work the best people on the planet. They will never be mentioned unless in witty nicknames that I give them or nicknames they give themselves (because I see them doing that). They are just that amazing, and I have learned so much about my job and life through them, that what they have given me is so much more than I could hope to give them.

So, after the short love letter to my friends and the people I work with. I'd like to turn my love letter to food. Hence, why I started the blog. I love it. I love good food. I love trying new places and different types of food. Probably why I'll never be a size two, and I think I'm starting to believe I'm ok with this. That being said after a fabulous visit with friends, and a great dinner out with the family, I didn't work out yesterday. I know what you're thinking. Come on now, you started this and didn't even work out on day 2. Pull your life together! Not what you were thinking? At least one of us didn't think that... I'll get back on the workout horse today, and will hopefully have a better news for you all on the workout front tomorrow. I'll find a rhythm. I'm a musician...how hard can it be? *Du dun cha*

As many of you may be able to tell, I'm reading Bossypants by Tina Fey. It's such a great book. Really giving a voice to modern women and inspiring me to stand up and just be me. Hopefully, that is coming across to you...


Until next time...
BBackpack

The start of it all...

Hello everyone out there...

I have a few hopes for this blog, but first, I'd like to start with a story about how the Blog got it's title.  There are many things that provide inspiration for me, and a big one for me is (believe it or not) this blue backpack. 

This backpack represents so much to me. It was the first big purchase I made on my own when I got to school.  I saved the money and bought it. Since then, it has traveled with me through the best and worst days of school. Happy vacations, sad trips to say goodbye to friends and family, and many upon many marching band competitions. The bag is worn,  but works hard, and is very reliable. When I started my "big girl" job, I put it away, and it seems that I put a lot of myself with it to. I seem to have lost a lot of my inspiration, my fire, and finding the joy in the littlest things throughout my day. Yesterday, I made a decision.    

A decision to allow a very simple thing to inspire and push me once more.  

I am starting this blog to share random thoughts and this inspiration journey with you. One, to keep me honest. On this journey, I would like to work on my fitness, and keeping you all updated with this keeps me very accountable. The goal: to work out 30 minutes a day at least 5 days a week.  Nothing too crazy.  I'm 155 pounds, and the goal would be 135/140.  I am not in a huge hurry to reach this goal, but I am hoping to chip away at it. So, you all have a big job! ;) 

I'd also like to share with you some great outfits, good recipes, and some fun stories.  I want this to be a blog where you get to laugh and hopefully get a little inspiration from my stories, outfits, and recipes. Something fun to read for a little entertainment, and hopefully I can inspire you as much as your sheer presence of reading this inspires me. 

I am happy to report that the outfit worn today (inspired by Pinterest) was a huge hit today, and I loved it.  I'll have to get more pictures at a later date, and that I had a great day finished off by a great workout  for 30 minutes and 1.82 miles.  Also, keep coming back for the fun glasses saga that will be coming up quite soon.  

I hope you all stick with me, and I promise to bring a little laughter and a little levity.  

Until next time...

BBackpack