Day 1 of the 90-Day Challenge

I'm challenging myself like I never have before:

The biggest part of this challenge (for me) is the "no alcohol" rule.  I love wine.  I love it so much that my friends have come up with a phrase about it:

"I'm on that wine and I can't get off it!"

It's cute and funny, but I feel like my love for wine is KILLING my fitness goals.  I feel like it's the barrier between me and my six pack.  So I'm testing out this theory for 90 days.  I'm excited to see the outcome of this challenge.  I'm not trying to reach a certain weight or size.  I just want to feel confident and happy about my body.

So here are my "numbers" for Day 1:

weight - 151.4

waist - 35.5

Normally, I'd be mortified to share this info, but it's time to get real.
I have to track my progress (even though I'm not focusing on
the numbers), so I chose my weight and waist size to monitor.

So here's to 90 days of hard work and healthy living!

Tumblr!

This whole photography thing has me so pumped.

I'm so excited about sharing my pics!

I started a Tumblr account:

Click the picture above to head over and check out my pics!

A New Lens…A New Perspective

My D3000 came with a 18-55mm lens.  I like it and it takes fabulous up close shots, but the zoom capabilities were killing me.  I knew I had to step it up with my lens.

So I got some more advice from my photography friends and this baby was the result:

And now a new chapter of my photography love begins!

The day after getting the lens, I knew it was practice time.  I went to a park near my house and took several shots.  Well, 75 shots to be quite honest.  Here are some of my favorites:

And my absolute favorite:

This little guy sat there and let me take the pic even as another person passed by!  I can't wait for more opportunities to practice!  Trust me, I'll be sharing with y'all!

The Fuel to My Photography Fire...

I bought a camera (Nikon D3000) in August of 2013.

I got the recommendation from my cousin's wife who is a fabulous photographer.  I figured I should ask an expert rather than jumping on Amazon and shelling out 1000's.

I loved the camera from Day 1.  Only problem - I didn't know what in God's name I was doing.  So the camera sat in the case for several months.  I went about my business and time just rolled on.

Then I got inspired.  A fellow teacher blogger shared a post about her own DSLR.  That was it.  I had the equipment.  I had the time.  Classes/lessons were available (somewhere).  What the heck was I waiting on???  

I got on FB and asked for some Beginner Class suggestions.  They suggested Joe at F8 Atlanta.  Little did I know this was going to be the lighter fluid to my photography fire!  I am so thankful that I spent that December afternoon at his studio learning what all those dang buttons and settings meant.  Time and money well spent!

I came home and took some pics of my Christmas decor:

And that's when I fell in love…with photography.

Ever since that first class, my camera is always with me.  At home, out to eat, on trips…you never know when an awesome photo op will arise!

So I'm excited to say that I'll be adding photography to the list of things I'll be blogging about!

Burn, Calories, Burn!

I've been back at the gym for a little over a week now and it feels so good!  

I've already lost 2 pounds.  And those jeans that used to be too tight - already loosening up.  :)  And I love that feeling when you walk out of the gym...like you're Superman or something.  That feeling that you can take on the world.  Needless to say, it's an amazing confidence booster being back in the gym, knowing I'm working on myself.

I've been working up my endurance during cardio:

Slowly but surely, I'm going to increase the distance and 

calories number without killing myself.

And I started working on the machines late last week.  I do the alternating things of arms one day and legs the next.  Getting on those machines and grinding it out feels incredible.  I may not be able to see a huge difference now, but come next summer....dead sexy.  LOL!  Ok, maybe not "dead sexy," but I'm dang sure not going to be the frumpy girl by the pool anymore!

I took pics of myself in a bathing suit a couple of weeks ago just to be able to do a before/after shot.  I love that motivation to be able to show you an incredible after shot!

- Dana

Best Fitness App EVER!

Keeping track of calories and my workouts is challenging...
unless you're using this app:

It's absolutely amazing!

It tracks your food and even breaks it down into breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.  It also lets you scan a product's barcode to get all the nutritional info so you don't have to plug in all the info.  You choose a goal (inches or weight), it gives you a daily calorie amount, and then it keeps tabs of your calorie intake.  

It also tracks your fitness.  Whether it's cardio or weights, it keeps track of it all!  It also keeps track of your water consumption.  That's a biggie for me because I don't drink enough water each day.  It's nice to have that little reminder.  

The part that I think is the coolest is that you can connect with friends, share your workout goals and progress, and provide encouragement to one another.

Do you use this app?  If not, do you use something different?
Feel free to share!

*I'm not getting paid to write this post.
I just think the app is that awesome!
Check it out!

- Dana

Fur Baby Halloween Fun!

I am a HUGE dog lover!  My pup is like my child.  

Her name is Maggie.  She's a 3-year old Cockapoo and is the thief of my heart.  She barks at small dogs and loves big dogs.  Her BFF is the neighbor's cat Monkey.

When it comes to dressing her up, I've never been too big on it.  The first time I picked her up from the groomer, they had little pink bows on her floppy little ears.  Those didn't even make it to the car.  The new groomer gives her a cute handkerchief each time:

   Maggie actually loves these and she doesn't try to rip them off.

So when it comes to Halloween, I've never entertained the thought of dressing her up.  But during my latest trip to Target, I saw this:

I picked it up, checked the sizing and price, and put it back.  I walked a little further down the aisle and checked out some of the Halloween decor for the house, but something kept pulling me back to that dang costume.  So I pulled the trigger.  I bought it.  I don't know if she'll like it.  I don't even know if she'll let me get it velcroed around her neck.  But either way, it's worth a shot.

I'll be sure to post pics of the actual attempt.  :)  

What about you guys - do you dress up your pets?!

- Dana