BAM! New Motivation!

You should know I get bored with projects easily but it also doesn’t take much to make me excited about it again. Everything in life can become exciting to me with a simple twist. I’m easily impressed by anything new, shiny, or well designed (functional and esthetically pleasing).

That said, I GOT MY NEW SHOES IN! I have been hitting the gym like I said I would. Routines become a “routine” after 20 consecutive days for most people. I’m currently on day 9. My new shoes actually came in on day 4; and if it hadn’t been for them, this would be day 0. The Saucony Stabil CS 2 is what I purchased. They’re not my favorite style, but they fit my feet and give me all the support I need. I am flat footed, so I need motion control shoes. I need the support. If you’ve never had your foot professionally fitted and feel uncomfortable going to someone, try going to RunningWarehouse.com. Watch the video on this link. It’s amazing the difference a good, fitted shoe can make. It seems strange, but if you take care of your feet now, the rest of your body will thank you for it later. Yes, it is sad new shoes motivate me to get off my butt. I do love them for every reason mentioned above- New, Shiny, and Well Designed. BAM! New motivation!

My other new motivation is a scheduled cruise for this summer. Please note: this motivation is similar to the one I had for the wedding – look good almost naked (in a swimsuit), but the twist is it's for a cruise instead of a wedding. It’ll be just me and my husband, AND my in-laws, AND thousands of strangers on this boat for a week. I want to look good all the time, but especially in a swimsuit. Doesn't everyone? I want to be able to wear those cute summer dresses without my arm jiggling like there’s an ongoing earthquake from my shoulder to my elbow. Plus, if I lose enough, I’ll need new summer clothes. Shopping for new clothes because I’ve lost weight is always more appealing than if I have to because I’ve gained. BAM! New motivation!

Lastly, my husband has always tried to motivate me in one way or another. He’s almost always successful. I say almost because there are THOSE days when a million dollars couldn’t motivate me to get out of bed. However, recently he’s motivating me in a new way. I don’t even think he knows it. Jonathon has always worked out. ALWAYS. However, lately, he’s been doing something different. I’m not sure if he has changed his workout or what he’s eating at work. But whatever it is, it’s working. I’ve noticed a physical change on him. He’s becoming more cut, defined. His shoulders and chest seem to be getting bigger as well. Why does this motivate me? I guess because I want to see changes on me too. I suppose it is true when they tell you couples who work out together lose more and stay at it longer. Jonathon would do it anyway, but he’s definitely pushing me. BAM! New motivation!

I lost a total of 27lbs for my wedding. I’ve gained back nine and currently weigh 169. My goal weight is now 155. Even if I don’t reach that exactly, I want to be slim, toned, and tan come time for the cruise (as well as the rest of my life). I can make it happen. I just have to keep pushing and looking for that simple twist on the old. All so I can have that feeling of “BAM! New motivation!”

Getting back to it!

Hello! Let me introduce myself, my name's Erica. I'm recently married and have no children at this time. Those closest to me call me "E" (notice the blog title). I work at a body shop in southern Mississippi as well as an independent consultant for Scentsy.


It's been over a year since I've blogged (I'm beginning to sound like I'm at a special meeting). I deleted my old one so I can start fresh! So, what am I going to blog about? Why did I decide to start back? The truth is I held myself accountable when I blogged. It relieved stress as well as helped others try new things.





So, nearly 5 months ago, I got married. Johnathon, my now husband, was/is better than I ever dreamed of. Our wedding was fabulous. Everything went perfectly. I wouldn't change one thing about it. It was on the beach with perfect, comfortable weather, a beautiful sunset, and about 300+ uninvited guests. Everyone who was at the hotel came out to see OUR wedding. It was incredible to have every balcony filled with strangers all watching my now husband and I exchange vows of "forever and always."



Saying our vows.



The set up we designed.











We bought our house before we got married, in October of 2009. The only thing we've completed so far to the house is to paint and decorate one wall in our kitchen. We have hung up photos sporadically, but I LOVE our kitchen wall. Forgive the low quality; it was taken on my cellphone. I'll get another photo posted with it fully decorated later.



Our newest project has already begun as nightmare. The third bedroom will be Johnathon's sports gallery/guest bedroom. He has wrestling awards and photos, baseball and football memorabilia, as well as comic collectables we would like to take out of a box and put on display. This room has that awful fake wood paneling in it. The previous home owners decided they would paint over the paneling without prepping it first. They did not sand or strip it like you should before painting the varnished wall. They also did not pull out any nails that were left. They simply just painted over it... When I started pulling out nails THIS is what happened...

I was beyond frustrated. My wonderful in-laws allowed us to borrow a sander and we got to work. The room is now primed. Next weekend we will paint. The really good news? The pastel poop color is gone. The room already looks bigger. I can't wait to show you what the new color looks like along with the repainted trim.

I suppose that's all for now. I'm trying to get back in to a routine at the gym. I bought new shoes for motivation (don't laugh, it works for me). I did lose a total of 27 lbs. for the wedding. I feel great! You'll be hearing from me soon! Lots of love and happy health!