Big things coming our way!

 We are very excited for what is coming our way in the near future!  This journey has introduced us to so many wonderful people and opened up some very cool opportunities.  We are in the process of setting up our new website, EXCITING!  The sooner we can understand all of this techy stuff the sooner it will be up.  We want to say thanks to everyone who has and is helping us with this.  We could not do it without all of you!

In this transition we are planning on adding many things to our site.  Here are a few things we are thinking about:

•  Food and product reviews  * Ask us to try something out, we will try it and give our report.
•  Utah restaurant and health related business reviews. *We need UTAH places and suggestions, please send them our way.
• Video blogging *This will take some work but we will figure it out 😉
•  Fabulous Deals Store *What would you like to see in it? Clothing, accessories, jewelry, food?  Let us know!
• Dear Fab Fattie section *You can ask a question and we will answer kind of like Dear Abby but with us instead, lol.
• More Fab Fattie Challenges, YAY!  *Prizes needed to do this more often if you want to contribute let us know.

 All of this revolves around YOUR INPUT so we are looking at suggestions from YOU!  Please leave us ideas and what you would like to see in the comment section.  We want this to be a joint effort so the end result is FABULOUS!

We have some upcoming events that we would love for you to listen to:

• Starting July 3rd we will be guests on a weekly podcast with our new friends on twitter they are @CELEBSIDEDISHand you can catch their podcast HERE 
• We are going to be on Power Women Magazine’s radio show on July 21st.
• We will be a guest on Debra Mazda’s radio show…date to be determined.

This is all very humbling and we really are thrilled to have the opportunities that this journey has opened up.  Please continue to let us know your thoughts and opinions we love them! 

XO Shannon & Angie

I think I CAN!

“Sometimes you just have to put it all out there.”  I got that quote from watching Denise Richards show.  I really like her.  If you watch it she really gets a lot of flack and has chosen to just put it all out there and let the cards fall where they may.  To me, that is one of the smartest things anyone can do.  Of course I am not a hot famous model/actress but I have always believed I just happened to be born in the wrong place.  I am certain if I would have been born in Beverly Hills I would have my own reality show or 2 by now, drive around in a Mercedes and not know what a Wal-Mart is, lol. 

This past two or three years for me have been life changing.  Mostly all good things but some bad as well.  I have really made big changes in my life.  I have learned that I am a pretty cool person and I have talents that I never thought I had.  This has all come about from taking time to look inside of myself, forgiving myself and not being afraid to try.  “I would rather have tried and failed than to never have tried at all.”  I don’t know where that came from but I firmly believe in it.  Sometimes when we change even for the better, we have to let go of what may be holding us back.  One of those things for me was negative and unhealthy relationships.  I noticed when I was around people who are negative it had a huge effect on me.  It makes me anxious, insecure and my outlook changes from “I can do anything “to “I can’t.”  After I realized what was going on I started staying away from situations that had a negative effect on me.  By doing this I became more confident and really happy.  I can honestly say that I am happy and content with my life.  It has helped me get through some pretty rough times by looking at things from a positive perspective.  In this little journey I have noticed that those Negative Nellies that I mentioned, don’t like it.  Sometimes when we change for the better people we have known for a very long time just think we are crazy.  In my case they are partially right I am a little crazy, but that is part of who I am.  Should that make me cow down and go back to how I was before?  Hell NO!  If you think about it how many times have you heard something similar to this “she used to be so great, but since she lost all of her weight she is a different person.”  Really, a different person?  Do you think?  The truth is whether it be weight loss or another aspect of your life.  Anytime you make changes for the better you will be different!  Chances are you have always been that person and just afraid to show it.  When you feel good about who you are and what you are accomplishing your confidence goes up and you put yourself out there in ways you never thought you would.

My whole point of this is that no matter what it is in your life, if you have negative around you it will effect your progress.  Don’t be afraid of backlash if it is going to make things better for you.  Yes, it may be unpleasant but it will be worth it.  Those  Negative Nellies that you may even love, they will come around or go away.  If they go away because you are better, healthier and happy then they need to go away.  Another quote, I know I am full of them today but I have been thinking a lot about this. “You are a product of the 5 people who you associate yourself with the most.”  That is something to really think about!  If you are around people who you don’t really like, then how are you going to like yourself? 

Assignment of the day…Do not use the words I CAN’T, replace them with I CAN!  It is amazing what can happen when you think you can.  Be the little engine that could, chug away until you meet your goal.  Once you get to the top of that hill it will be exhilarating!

I think I can! XO Shannon

Motivation for the Unmotivated

Monday was one of those days when I somehow ended up mixing a skrewitol pill in with my daily vitamins… Oops!  I think it started when I got on the scale and realized I only lost one more pound.  Ya know me, “Miss Show me the Skinny”!  I just need to tell you the junk food isn’t worth it and really doesn’t taste that great especially when it makes you feel sick! (I now know from experience – YUCK)!

Today, Tuesday, however, I woke up at 5:45 am went to the track, packed my lunch and healthy snacks, drank lots of water and went to a Zumba class to end the evening.  It was a great day!  So you are probably wondering where the change came from.  I read the following paragraph from Absolute Weight loss and Nutrition Center’s binder:

“This year alone over 50 million people will go on a diet.  Only 5% of those people will keep the weight off.  Research shows that more than 50% of all deaths in America may be directly connected to improper diet, inadequate nutrition, and lack of exercise.  40% of cancer among men and women is directly related to improper diet and is therefore, preventable”

I had posted on Twitter that I lost a pound and was wishing it was more.  Yes, I posted it wanting ya’ll to boost me up and you did.  I got great comments like “slow and steady wins the race”.  I was feeling a bit better, but there was still the feeling of failure because I am not seeing the pounds melt away as quick as I would like.  Until, I read that paragraph.  I realized there are a million more reasons why I am on this journey that to be hot and skinny and lose weight.  I am making life changes to be healthier and happier.  What I am doing takes constant effort, well at least for me, and mean I need to continually improve rather than doing good here and there.  Eating healthy and exercise cannot be the exception, but must be the norm.  Saying that I know I will have days were I don’t exercise and I eat junk, or don’t drink enough water and that is okay, but they must be few!

I know this is simple stuff to many of you, but it is part of my journey and the realizations I am experiencing.  I love those moments when you realize why you are doing this and feel like you want to do it for the rest of your life for all the right reasons.  Everyone has different goals and will achieve them in different ways… I am thankful for the lessons that have brought me to learn the blessings of healthy living!

Angie, on her way to become a fit healthy happy person!

To Cleanse or Not to Cleanse….

Well this post is a little challenging.  I have been thinking about it for a couple of days now and have decided I want to share it after all.  When Angie and I started this journey we let everyone know that we are sharing everything, keeping it real.  The good and the bad.  We also let you all know that we are not nutritionists or dietitians.  We are real people who do real things trying to make real changes.  So with that being said I have decided to share my latest venture.

The reason I have hesitated is because everyone has their own opinion to what you should do to lose weight and what you should not do.  This past weekend I mentioned a cleanse on twitter that I was thinking about doing and quickly got scolded for even thinking about it at all.  SCOLDED LOL!  I know it is out of love and support and I really do appreciate everyone’s help and opinions.  At the same time I got support from friends who understand the benefits of cleansing and completely support it.  It really made me think twice about doing a cleanse at all.  Things that I worry about are that you won’t like me any more if you don’t agree…lol, but really I do worry.  I also worry that someone may try to do what I do and I want it to be very clear that this is MY thing and MY choice for ME not something I am promoting or telling you that you should do as well.

I am doing a cleanse.  I have looked into the good and the bad and know several people who have done this exact cleanse with much success.  I am not trying to replace a good healthy diet and exercise program with a cleanse.  What I am expecting to get out of this is a bit of a jump start over a little bump in the road.  If things go as planned I should feel better, lose some weight and have a healthy glow with a rainbow coming out of my ear!  LOL Just kidding 😉  Right now I am just finishing up day 1 and have felt really good about it.  I am following all instructions and am having the effects that I was told I would have.  Today I feel like I can do the whole cleanse, but that is today.  My plan is to finish it out, but if I feel like it is not good for me or like I just cannot do it I will stop.  I plan to post the good, bad and results about this because it is part of my journey and I want to share it.  However right now I am not going to be posting the name of this cleanse.  Feel free to ask questions and share your opinions and experiences with me in the comments.

Ultimately weight loss is a journey that only you can take.  How you choose to take that journey is completely up to you no one else.  Everyone’s journey is different even if they are on the same plan.  There will be people telling you that the only way is this “Super Plan” and then there will be people telling you that the same “Super Plan” is a bunch of crazy rubish!  The thing I believe, is that good nutrition and exercise are what you need for long term weight loss, but I also believe it is okay to give it a little kick in the A** if need be 😉

XO A soon to be cleansed Shannon

It takes 21 days to break a habit.

 

I have heard that it takes 21 days to break a habit.  It has come to my attention that this may be true!  We have been on this journey 2 full months now and I have noticed many things that have changed.  Not only have I lost weight I have lost 7.5 inches from my fatness, quit eating Hershey’s and quit drinking soda.  That is all HUGE in the big picture of it all.  It has gotten to the point that I do not even crave Hershey’s or soda any longer.  I prefer water over soda and I have found other more healthy ways to curb my sweet tooth.  As many of you already know one of our favorites is fat free frozen yogurt.  YUM!   By the way the coolest place ever just opened up nearby so we will be doing a post about it soon.

I guess if you just hang in there you can over come anything.  That is pretty empowering to know.  By over coming the few things it has put me on track for bigger and better things.  If you would have asked me 4 months ago if I would do a 5k.  I would have laughed at you and thought never in a million years I can’t do that!  Well, I am starting my 3rd week of c25k training today!  Not only that my original plan is to run a 5k by my birthday in September and now we are going to try one at the end of July.  We are planning a run/walk version in July, but we are doing it.  This is exciting and scary at the same time.  The best thing about it all is that I know I can do it if I want to!

When you start doing something good and making positive changes it creates a chain reaction.  We have so many people who are joining us in this journey and planning on doing the 5k with us.  That is very cool!  21 days to break a habit…Right now I am working on cutting bad carbs out I only have 15 days to go and I am very excited to get there.  When you put together no Hershey’s, no soda, exercise and no bad carbs.  You have a recipe for a healthy, happy, fabulous fattie!

XO From a happy healthy Shannon

3 + 9.5 = Stoked!

The pounds have been coming off somewhat slow for me and since I am the type of girl who is all about instant gratification.  Seriously… give me results now or get out of my way!  I have said this before and this is why I keep getting fat and not losing.  The scale doesn’t move fast enough and drinking soda and eating what I want is an instant reward.  I have wanted to quit approximately 986 times, but Shannon wouldn’t let me, my boss won’t let me cheat, my mom makes me feel guilty if I do and all the fabulous people I have met through this journey inspire me to trudge forward.

Today I got a little bit of pay off!  I was picking my kids up from the babysitter and she says “have you been working out?  You are losing weight, I can tell.”  Sweeeet!  That felt great to hear.  Also, notice she said “have you been working out”.  That was great, I liked it even better than have you skipped a few Twinkies!  Then at the baseball field a friend I haven’t seen in a while saw me and the first thing she said was “You are looking good”.  At this point I am feeling pretty good, but it gets better… I run into another friend who has been following Shannon and my little journey tells me how proud she is of me and how I look so good and she can really tell a difference.  Really?!  I am so touched by this… I guess patience and hard work (maybe just average rather than hard work) pays off!

So 3 compliments in one day!  WooHoo!  Shannon and I decided to hit the local high school track and realized the treadmill and outdoor running/walking is two totally different things.  Good to know, we will be doing more outdoor training to prepare for the 5Ks we will be running.  By the end of the day I was feeling good about myself and motivated to work harder. 

Shannon and I realized we haven’t taken our measurements in a month.  Honestly, I was a little nervous knowing I could have done better this past month, saying that I haven’t been bad per say I have just left some room for improvement and the scale is only ticking down very slowly.  Shannon did hers first and I was impressed at her improvement and even more nervous to do mine.  As she was writing my numbers down she kept getting this surprised look, but wouldn’t tell me results and even had me measure my waist twice.  Yikes… then she totaled the inches lost and… I have lost 9.5 inches in the past 2 months!  I am stoked and motivated to continue on and try to do better!

I get my life is blessed with amazing people, endless possibilities and beauty all around… I get that, but to be able to see that I am tackling this life long struggle and something many people will never dare take on is freakin’ amazing to me.  I don’t believe taking on your health and weight is an easy thing to do necessarily, but I don’t know too many things that can change your life for the better in so many ways by just making some adjustments and changes.

So yes, tomorrow morning I am going to water aerobics again even though I told Shannon I didn’t love it and thought it was for old people and fat people (yes I know I am fat so I qualify!).  I guess it is also for people who like a variety of fitness options and enjoy exercise.

So yes, 3 (compliments) + 9.5 (inches lost) = Stoked!  Do you realize if I keep this up I will be looking pretty HOT by Christmas?!  What about next summer?  Watch out MsFitUniverse… I am going to give you a run for your title!  LOL

Angie – I am just happy to be here!

Bad Economy..Good for Weight Loss

 

 

 

Well finally I get to post!  I am excited, with the challenge and all we haven’t been able to post as much.  I guess it is good to get a little break, right?  I have to admit something that I am sure many of you have been dealing with as well.  The economy has taken it’s toll on me and my entire family.  I was in real estate doing fairly well a year and a half ago and as you all know it pretty much has tanked.  Along with that my entire extended family and most all of my friends who own their own businesses have dealt with the same thing.  It has created a very negative vibe in this little world we all live in, just in case you hadn’t already noticed…lol.  I am not trying to sit here and boo hoo poor me.  I am telling you all of this for a reason.

I make it a point to see the upside in things no matter how crappy it all really is.  There is always a bright side isn’t there?  Well this past week I have had more than I can take.  Many people I love and care about have really been hit hard and it is very obvious.  There have been about 3 days in a row that I just felt like giving up.  Nothing is more disheartening than working your tail end off and still being behind week after week.  Not to mention all though I have a great job, I am not a desk person I love to be out and about making things happen.  So the 9-4 job I have is kind of like cutting off a birds wings.  If my boss or his wife read this don’t worry I am a loyal wingless bird I won’t be going anywhere…lol 😉

Okay now to my point.  What I have noticed is that I take my stress out in exercise.  Holy crap I cannot believe I do that!  All I have needed all of this time is a real bad economy to get off my fat A**.  For me exercise is just what I have been looking for.  It makes me HAPPY 🙂  I feel better, things seem like they are possible and it takes my mind off of  all of the negative that is going on.  WHO FREAKIN’ KNEW?!

I have decided to compile a list of what to do if you are in a similar situation.  Keep the glass is half full attitude, do your daily exercise and talk the opportunity to burn more calories whenever possible: 

1.  When bill collectors call….Put the phone on the treadmill and turn it on high.  If they are still there after that then try kickboxing the damn phone!

2.  When bills that you can’t pay come in the mail….Just don’t pick them up!  Let them stay in the mailbox until they cannot fit anymore in it and then maybe the mailman will stop bringing them!  If all else fails just wait until there are 5o+ pounds of mail in the box and get your weight lifting done sorting through it all.

3.  When the power man shows up with your disconnect notice….Chase him out of your driveway running as fast as you can swearing if need be and waving the notice in the air.  This is certain to burn at least 100 calories!

4.  Make sure you lock yourself in the your car when the repo man shows up.  With it being summer and all you are sure to sweat off 1-2 pounds!

5.  Run, run as fast as you can when anyone shows up to collect money for fundraisers, donations and any other form of genorosity.  If you are running you cannot carry a check book so they will never know that you are just flat A** broke.  You may want to do the same thing if you get an invite to a lia sophia party, pampered chef or tupperware party. 

Now please know that these are just suggestions you do not have to do any of them.  Of course I have not tried them but I think I may when necessary.  Please feel free to add to the list and keep smiling because when you smile through adversity you burn even more calories!

Heading out to lock myself in the car and drink my 1/2 glass of water.  XO Shannon

Fabulous Fattie Challenge #2 WINNERS!

WOO HOO It's Over!

Well our challenge #2 has come to a close.  It has been so much fun getting to know everyone and you have all been so motivating not only to us but to each other.  It has been so exciting to watch the support and new friendships transpire throughout this challenge.  We could have never guessed that this little challenge would do what it has.  All in all we hope you feel better about yourselves, smile more often and meet new friends.  That is what it is all about to us 🙂 

First place was an easy decision because it was based on most points. 2nd place was SO HARD to choose!  Can we just say that all of you had great little stories and did so much, choosing a winner was almost impossible!  We put our top 10 into a drawing to choose the 2nd place winner or you all would be waiting another 2 weeks for results because it really was that hard to decide.

We want to give a HUGE shout out to Debra Mazda, she gave us some of the prizes for the challenge and they are great!  If you have not tried her workouts go to her site RIGHT NOW and get a video because they are wonderful!

So here are our winners!

1st Place Susan A.K.A. @Foodiemcbody on Twitter

She had the most points earning a whopping: 1798

Our Fabulous 1st place winner Susan’s take on the challenge

The Challenge
The points are in, the chart filled up
Time for final judgment. The bad?  Water.
Could not gulp those 64 ounces, not one day.
The good? Exercise, fruits and veggies.
The beautiful? Good deeds: smiles add endorphins.
Weight? A pound lost, overall. But worth a pound of gold.
Thanks, fabulosas!

Visit Susan’s site here.

2nd Place Jen A.K.A. @bwjen on Twitter

She did a blog post that was great and you can check it out here on her site.

Congratulations to Susan and Jen!  

All of you really are our friends and we could not do this without you!  Thank you so much for doing this with us and we look forward to doing another in about a month.  Any suggestions or ideas are always welcome!

XO Shannon & Angie 

 

LAST DAY OF CHALLENGE #2 WOO HOO!

Today is it!  The last day of Fab Fattie Challenge #2.  We hope everyone has had fun with it and made some healthy changes.  You have all day today to get more points, so what better to do than a couple of good deeds?!  Today only your good deeds are worth 50 points.  So get out there be nice, be kind and SMILE 🙂

• The challenge ends tonight at midnight MST.
• Send us your point total with how you got your points.  It can be a brief description but let us know how you go them. 
• Also you have to include a short 50 words or less story on what this challenge did for you.
• All results need to be to us by Sunday afternoon 4:00 MST so we can get the winner’s chosen and announce them on Monday June 15th.

There will be 2 winner’s chosen.  1 will be based on points and how you got them.  The other will be based on your story and how you got your points but the number of points will not be as important.  So no excuse not to send your results to us.  Everyone has a fair shot to win!  Email your results to us at fabfatties@aol.com Thank you everyone for participating!  You are our driving force and motivation we love you!

XO Shannon & Angie

51 Days Hug & Kiss FREE!

Today is a very proud day for me.  I realized it has been 51 days since I have had a Hershey’s Hug or Kiss!  Now to the average person you may be thinking…WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL?!  Well glad you asked because I am going to tell you.  I want you to think of an addict of any kind.  Now think about them quiting whatever they are addicted to for 51 days straight.  Big deal huh?  

Seriously I was addicted to these little hugs and kisses.  To the point I would eat up to an entire bag a day and 4-6 bags a week, all by myself!  They hid easily behind things in the fridge, in the console of my car and in the back of the cupboard.  Believe it or not here we are 51 days later and I am still finding the little wrappers!  Seriously, do ya think I had a problem?

We all know I have not been perfect in the 51 days on this weight loss journey.  There have been to many days I took Angie’s Skrewitol pills, but I have not had 1 hug or kiss.  Don’t think it has not crossed my mind because it has, especially the day they were on sale and I could have bought 2 bags for the price of 1.  What I have learned is that I am Super Woman Strong!  This is something that I cannot believe I have done.  It feels damn good!  What feels even better is that I do not even crave them.  I am craving things like celery with laughing cow cheese and turkey. 

I have conquered this addiction!  I know better than to try just one because I recognize it is a problem for me.  Today I am a true believer that if you can get past the point of craving something you will forget about it and it will get better and easier to stay away from.  This is a good day, they day I won part of a battle and do not feel like I have to keep fighting!

A Hug and Kiss Free Shannon