The Results Are In..

Hi Lovies!

I am anxiety ridden today.. it's a real biotch. But then my boyfriend released a new single, and he said this.. "And I'm trying not get stuck in my head." Then I laughed because that is my life story. Always, always in my head trying to over analyze every situation and I've gotta snap out of it. Boom, done. Also you should go download this song, because it kicks butt and I love it and him so many.

If you follow me on Twitter, you may know that last night was my final training session with my personal trainer, Brooke. Over the course of two months, I completed 24 sessions with her. Today I am going to share my results.

April 15th:
208 lbs
Body Fat 35%
Measurements-
Chest 44 inches
Bicep 13 inches
Waist 39 inches
Hips 49 inches
Thigh 26 inches

June 17th:
193 lbs
Body Fat 30%
Measurements-
Chest 42 inches (-2 inches)
Bicep 12 inches (-1 inch)
Waist 36 inches (-3 inches)
Hips 41 inches (-8 inches)
Thigh 24 inches (-2 inches)

Total lbs lost: 15 lbs
Total Body Fat % lost: 5%
Total inches lost: 16 inches

Am I happy with these results? Well, they are better than nothing.. but this is hard. This was the course of 64 days and I worked out 52 of of those days. That's a lot I feel. I also diligently tracked my calories on My Fitness Pal and did not go over with the exception of about 5 or 6 days. I was very dedicated to this, but doing it in a way that was healthy and safe.

I did take some comparison photos and while my wonderful friends (Max and Brin) insist that the changes are there, I just don't feel comfortable sharing them with the interwebs just yet. I think that maybe in another month or two when it's more obvious and noticeable to me I will share. With that being said, if you are super interested and feel that pictures will help motivate you.. Email me and I will more than likely show them to you.

Where do I go from here? Well first of all, I will not be continuing with a personal trainer. While we did have our ups and down, I am truly grateful for everything that she did for me and I would love to continue with her. However, the expense is just not something I can manage long term. Her and I both decided that she would be willing to check up on me often, and I would work towards saving the money for more sessions.

With that being said, I think I am ready to work at this on my own. I know what to do in the weight room and I am slowly but surely gaining the confidence to do it on my own. I'm not perfect, but I'm getting there. This is and will continue to be one of the hardest things I have ever tried to accomplish, but the benefits are worth it. All of my clothes are starting to feel too big, and people are starting to notice the changes in my body. As long as I keep reminding myself of these things, I know that I will be able to motivate myself to keep going.

A big, huge thank you to everyone that has left comments, tweets, and emails of encouragement. You all have no idea how motivating they are and how great they make me feel! As always, if you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask!

It's Time for Weekend Shenanigans!

Hi Lovelies!

It's time for Weekend Shenanigans.. a mutual place to share our weekends, catch up on other people's weekends, and find new blogs.

Here's how it works:
- Post about your weekend
- Grab the button
- Link-up on Monday at 5am MST
- Click around and meet new friends!

**My only rule is that you post something about your weekend, and post the button or link back to me!**

Let's get to it and have some fun!

<div align="center"> <a href="http://www.samisshenanigans.com/search/label/weekend%20shenanigans" title="Sami's Shenanigans"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/bN3GboQ.png" alt="Sami's Shenanigans" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

one. Fitz got an extreme makeover! He went from a mop to a sophisticated gentleman and I think he was scared the first time he saw his reflection.
two. Just posing for photographs on our roadtrip, the usual. My parents love being parents to a blogger!
three. Not 30 minutes after we reached our destination we had beer in hand. My dad is to thank for that!
four. Hanging out at the Hot Springs. It smells like stinky eggs, but it's so relaxing.
five. Loving off-white nails for Summer. {OPI- Fit for a Queensland}
six. Natural hair, don't care. This weekend was all about natural hair and little makeup and I loved it.
seven. Amazing dinner at The Pullman in Glenwood Springs. No, this is not on my healthy eating plan. We shall call it "Cheat Weekend" and never mention it again.
eight. Dad and I about to leave for whitewater rafting! Do I look nervous?
nine. Fitz is obsessed with having his head out the window.. until he completely embarrasses me by barking at other people in their cars. Cool.

This also happened, thanks to my Dad. Now everyone on Facebook knows thinks I'm a lush. For the record.. it was bad timing, the bottle was empty, and I only had two glasses.

Oh, this is going to be easy. I'll just paddle along with everyone. No biggie.

Wait, this is kind of scary. Kind of fun too. Not sure yet.

The water is cold, and I'm going to fall out. Also, I'm holding on and not paddling. Sorry about it.

I'm pretty sure that this is when I figured out where the guy was taking pictures of us from. So much cheese!

Again, not paddling. I mean I didn't pay to work right? I paid to hold on for dear life and not die. Okay thanks.

Well that was enough embarrassment fun for one week! Overall, I'm glad I went and I enjoyed it. Next time, we will be going further into Summer when the water is not frigid.

What did you do this weekend? Link-up and tell us!

You Gotta MaxOut on Fridays!

Hey girl hey! 

I know you are all dying for Tweets of the Week to be back (or you don't care at all), but I am off to Glenwood Springs, CO to go white water rafting and try not to die. I've asked my gorgeous and newly engaged bloggy BFF, Maxine to fill in for me. She's blonde, pretty, funny, and on TV so I just know you're going to love her. Plus, you'll put a face to a name when I'm instagramming out the wazoo while I'm in Dallas next weekend.

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Hi pretties!!

I've always wanted to say that but I can't quite say it as well as miss shenanigans, so here I am.. finally using it on her blog today. I'm excited to be in shenanny land where girls are walking around with long pretty locks and there's a Gavin Degraw proposing to them on every corner. Oh, that's not how you picture this blog? Do you even picture blogs? What's blogland without picturing their blogs in real life? Ok too many questions for Friday. Allow me to introduce myself, I'm Maxine I write over at MAXOUT...

I started blogging to write about CrossFit but that lasted about 3 days and I was over it. This blogging thing is a lot more fun when you can write about whatever you want, whenever you want. I was once a fashion blogger but that didn't last long, and I also talk about my boobs from time to time (you're welcome Sami, I'm sure the word 'boob' will get you several hits today)

... that's how my google word search looks 24/7. I wish I was kidding.

You're probably here for Sami's weekly Tweet this Tweet that, and I'm sorry to say that I'm just not that good at twitter to recap the best tweets of the week. The only tweet I care about is this one...

That was my first day of fame and I will forever regret cutting my hair off and dying it brown... little did I know, that hairstyle would make my favorite screenshot yet. And that twitter name, maxx_a_mill, woof. (shameless twitter plug here)

My second favorite screenshot is this one...

It gets me.. every.. time. AMANDA WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?! People used to say we look alike. Something about the face shape or something...

Looking at old pictures of her makes my heart hurt. Now she's on the hot mess express and can't seem to get off. Sami wrote her a letter one time and I secretly printed it out and sent it to her 900 times hoping she would read it and get off twitter or at least get a better wig. I know a girl who can hook her up...

another one of my favorite screenshots. What do you mean no make-up? Go away. #myboysareraisedbynannies sorry Staci. And finally, this shot. This screenshot makes me laugh. Don't look at the picture... look at the comments.

q8ifawaz.... maybe try tweeting her instead? You can thank Sami for spotting that gem. You're welcome and happy Friday!!

-Max

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Don't you just love her? I knew you would.


I hope to return on Monday for Weekend Shenanigans, but with my level of clumsiness and the danger of rafting you just never know. Just in case.. I leave my blog to Helene because I know she will take great care of it. I leave my hair to Staci because she threatened to cut it off once. I leave my doggies to Alexa because she's the best fur mom around. Last but not least, I leave never ending supply of accessories to Max because I know she appreciates a good statement necklace and will make good use of them on the news.

You know you love me,
xoxo Sami

I'm Feeling 21..

Hi Pretties!

Today we are gonna take it back about 3 years. Back to college, back to no responsibilities, and back to when the biggest decision I had to make was what bar to go to that night. I don't know about you, but I'm feeling 21.

Dear Baby (21-year old) Sami,

Look at you, in your last semester of college.. finally able to (legally) go into the bars and you're definitely taking advantage of it. What I wouldn't give for a full night of drinking, only to wake up bright eyed and ready another round. It's not like that when you get older. One night of drinking and you're pretty sure you're gonna die.

You're a pretty fun girl and you've finally found the girls that have your back. It's about time. Katie and Alex? They are the good ones. They will pick you up when you fall down (literally) and they will have your back when you make bad decisions. Hey you're still young.. and can get away with that kind of thing.When you graduate and go back to Denver, you'll be 100's of miles from them but the good news is that you're friendship is strong and will be around for years to come.

Stop beating yourself up because you don't have the same body as your friends. It's only going to get worse from here, until you wake up and decide to make it better. But remember, it's always going to be hard. You weren't born to be a stick figure. You've got curves! You've also got great hair. Good job on realizing that it looks best when it's long, naturally blonde, and curly. Those bangs on the other hand? They were fun while they lasted, but don't do it again!

I know life seems really hard right now. Yes, being in college.. working a part time job.. partying like there's not tomorrow.. dealing with drama. It seemed so hard. You ain't seen nothing yet girlfriend. Real life is hard! Having a job (or losing one), paying the bills, and dealing with loss. Those things are actually hard. Buckle up and get ready for them!

Try not to sell yourself short and don't you dare give up! You'll have ideas and plans.. some will work and some will fail. Just don't give up on what you really want. It's not going to be easy but it will be worth it (I think). Three years down the road you still won't have it figured out (shocking, I know) but you'll be older and wiser and hopefully have a better grasp on where to go from here.

Don't take life too seriously. You're twenties are meant for fun and for figuring it all out! Start a blog, go on trips, and make new friends. You like to pretend you're shy (sometimes you are) but just be authentic and be yourself and eventually you'll find people who like that Sami just the way she is. Don't try to be something you're not, it will never be worth it.

You've got this girl! I'll be rooting for you all the way (except when you have too many drinks and kiss ugly dudes, cut that out seriously!)

PS. This song will never ever get old, because it takes you right back into all of these pictures.


Love, Grown Up (kinda) Sami

This Seemed Like a Better Idea in My Head

Hi Pretties!

Today is a really important day.. why? Because it is the return of Pretty Little Liars! It's one of my favorite shows and I'm so excited that it's back. I did read most of the books during the hiatus, so I hope I don't get confused this time around, but I'll definitely be texting Alexa and Staci for clues if I do.

Speaking of my pretty blog friends, we all have differing opinions on the men of Rosewood. I am Team Ezra (I mean my dog is named Fitz, duh), Staci is Team Jason, and Alexa is Team Toby. See also we are twenty-somethings and not in high schoolers but whatever.. it is a good show, the guys are attractive and also I checked and the actors that play these guys are all in their twenties so it's definitely not creepy.

I want to know who your pick is! Kind of because I'm nosy, kind of because I've got nothing else to blog about, and mostly so I can take a vote and hopefully beat Staci.. or something. Now that I'm doing this, it seemed like a better idea in my head. Don't judge me.


Choice #1: Ezra Fitz- The high school teacher, turned boyfriend of a high schooler, turned unemployed writer and baby daddy.

 

Choice #2: Jason DiLaurentis- The Brother of the deceased, turned brother of the living, turned missing person.

Choice #3: Toby Cavanaugh- The creepy neighbor, turned boyfriend and devirginizer, turned possible A-team.

I suppose Caleb could be considered a choice as well, but it you pick him then.. ew.

Okay, vote away! Also, if you don't watch the show.. I'm sorry and you can return tomorrow for a blog post that isn't about a show on ABC Family. Okay thanks bye!

It's Time for Weekend Shenanigans!

Hi Lovelies!

It's time for Weekend Shenanigans.. a mutual place to share our weekends, catch up on other people's weekends, and find new blogs.

Here's how it works:
- Post about your weekend
- Grab the button
- Link-up on Monday at 5am MST
- Click around and meet new friends!

**My only rule is that you post something about your weekend, and post the button or link back to me!**

Let's get to it and have some fun!

<div align="center"> <a href="http://www.samisshenanigans.com/search/label/weekend%20shenanigans" title="Sami's Shenanigans"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/bN3GboQ.png" alt="Sami's Shenanigans" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

one. Obsessed with my Courtney Kerr for BaubleBar necklace and my Forever21 sunnies!
two. Greek Salad with Ground Chicken. YUM.
three. Friday's OOTD {Jeans- Forever21 Top- Kohls Flats- Jessica Simpson}
four. Fitz looks happy because he has no idea he's on his way to the vet!
five. Started and finished the first season in less than 24 hours. So freaking good.
six. Lily and I really enjoyed our lazy Saturday!
seven. Off to grocery shop for the next two weeks.
eight. A full fridge is a happy fridge. Ready to prep for the week!
nine. Made Steph's Cilantro Garlic Hummus and holy yum it's so good.

What shenanigans did you get into this weekend? Link-up and tell us!

Side Eyes for Everyone!

Hi Pretties!

I feel like I'm in a major blog funk right now. I don't even really know why, other than I'm just focused on other things. I'm trying to stay motivated in my journey to get healthy (it sucks and I'm easily discouraged when the numbers don't go down) and I'm also trying to juggle two dogs instead of one (it also sucks and puppies are hard, especially ones that chew holes in the wall). There was also that time that my Grandparents moved into an assisted living facility so the rest of the family had to get their house ready to sell, and ultimately have a war over who got what in the house. That was fun, except not really even a little bit.

I want to say that I'm not trying to make excuses, but I guess I kind of am huh? Needless to say, I feel like a big blog slacker lately and I don't always want to churn out a post just so one is there to read.. especially if it's going to suck. So I'm trying, and you'll just have to forgive me if you feel like this piece of the internet isn't as entertaining as it usually is. A part of me wants to step away and take a break for a bit, but another part knows that would be impossible. So we will just fall somewhere in the middle.

Today I have some things that I'd like to give the side eye too. Old school Lauren Conrad style, natch.

Gavin DeGraw

 
Sigh, gush, gasp. Yes, it's true. I just don't really know what he's doing lately. I mean rumor has it that he's making new music and I hope that's true. I need a new reason to love him all over again. Things I can do without? His weird tweets and his even weirder Instagram pictures. Don't be a creep Gav. Please, I beg you. You're almost 40, it's not cute.

Erin Condren Gold Edition Life Planners

Just in case spending $50 on a planner isn't enough for you, now you can spend $75 and get a planner with hand placed gold leaf. I'm sorry, what? Don't worry you can also add a bunch of unnecessary things like stickers, pens, and notepads to your gold leaf planner that will make it cost over $100. That's pretty expensive for a giant pile of paper that doesn't fit in your purse. So, no.

Mistresses

Y'all should know that I watch a lot of TV and a lot of embarrassing TV. Take VH1's show Model Employee. I started watching because Chrissy Teigen is the host but it's a ridiculous show. Basically they are making models do jobs that even I would never do, like going through trash, swimming with sharks, or cutting off rat heads. It's nasty, but it's so entertaining. I also am one of the 10 people in the world that watch The Client List on Lifetime. So you know it takes a lot for me to say a show is bad. Well ABC's new show Mistresses is where I draw the line. It reminds me of a terrible soap opera and not in a good way. Also besides Alyssa Milano who are these actresses and where did they come from? It's trashy, so no thank you.

White Water Rafting

When my Mom suggested that we go on a family outing to Glenwood Springs to do this I thought.. sure why not? Now that it's quickly approaching the weekend that we are going, I'm sort of freaked out about it. I mean I am in no way an outdoors loving girl and we've been getting a decent amount of rain in Colorado so now I'm convinced that I'm going to drown. I wonder if it's a possibility for me to stand on the sidelines and take pictures? Doubtful. Pray for my safety friends. See also: I am such a pansy.

Creepy Dudes at the Gym

Just once I'd like to go to the gym, do my workout, and NOT get ogled by creepy men. It's literally what makes me not want to do anything in the weight area. I'm about to go and sign up at Curves. Okay not really, but yesterday I was getting so mad. If I'm using something, don't ask me when I'm gonna be done. Just don't. When I'm done, you'll know it because guess what? I won't be using it anymore. Also, I have headphones in for a reason. PS. If you're hot you can ask me any question you want, duh.

I hope you've all enjoyed this snark fest, and if not..