Beverly Garland.
My grandmother.

The woman I’ve been blessed to know so closely for the past 23 years of my life was Mrs. James A. Garland, and boy did he love her, and she loved him. They came into this world seven weeks apart, and 83 years later, went home to Heaven seven weeks apart. A beautiful love story.
They left behind three sons, one daughter, five grandchildren, and one great granddaughter. They loved their family with grace, compassion, forgiveness, and an unconditional, unshakeable warmth. They will forever live through us, when the years of being with them come out in our laugh, in our smile, in our tears, and in our joy. When we think back to memories both good and bad. When we treat others with same grace reflected in Beverly, or do a selfless act as Jim lived his life to make the life of others a little bit better. As we look at each other and see the physical traits of our beloved in our eyes, our nose, our skin, and our hair. They may not be here with us physically, but they will always be with us in spirit, and until we see them again in Heaven they will live through us and the generations to come.
Their first born son, Jimmy, followed in his fathers footsteps not just in his name, but by serving in the U.S. Military, and the path he chose for his career. He wed a fantastic woman, Susan, who has been so dear in our family, and especially in the last years, has become a rock in the Garland family.
Next came Danny, Grandma was always so proud of her son, and she was blessed to see him marry his wife Paula. Later they continued to bring their parents joy when they welcomed Katie into the world, a beauty just like her grandmother.
They had one girl, Sarah. My grandmother adored her daughter Sarah and would always talk about how beautiful she was and how proud of her three children she was. Sarah has one boy, Franklin, whom is their one and only grandson. She also has two girls, Virginia, and Olivia. They live in Vermont and are all very creative and active.
Finally came David. Her youngest that she loved so dearly. David is my father and she was so proud to see her son get his life together and live a life of sobriety. But the greatest gift he gave her was cutting his hair. Over the past couple of years my Dad was able to give back to his mother the greatest gift she could have wished for. Because he helped her everyday, which is not an easy task, she was able to live out the rest of her life in her own home, which she is eternally grateful for. She also was blessed to see him find the woman that would be everything he needed, Jeannie. I am David’s daughter, and recently we’ve been blessed to meet his other biological daughter, my sister I never knew existed, and her daughter.
My grandparents loved me unconditionally. They showed me how to love both by the warmth of their marriage, and the way they always showered me with love and kindness. Because of them I am no longer afraid to love and lose, because they taught me that with true love, the experience far outweighs the sadness and grief.

When I was 16 years old I started gaining weight for the first time in my teen years (because I can’t exclude the days my family refers to as the “teddy bear phase”.. a nice way of saying I was chubby when I was like 9 years old.. Whatever) When I was 12 my metabolism was so fast I literally went to McDonalds multiple times a week and was the definition of a stick figure. I know this because my 7th grade boyfriend broke up with me because I was, in quote, a 4x4. This lasted into my junior year of high school and then it happened. I stopped playing sports and got a job at Honey Dew. After a few months I could tell the dew drops were depositing into a donut around my belly.
Because I had experienced a couple of years of feeling uncomfortable being a few pounds over weight, I decided I was not going to allow this to happen. The South Beach Diet was all the craze at that time, so I got my hands on a copy, read it, lived it, and changed my life. I began doing a Pilates video at home (http://www.amazon.com/10-Minute-Solution-Lara-Hudson/dp/B0002J58ME) and then began working out at the gym after school. I lost the weight quickly. It took work and dedication to be healthy in high school though, when all my friends were eating burgers and French fries, I was bringing in salads with turkey and an apple. But I loved my new life style and eventually it lead me to working at a gym.
While working at the gym I lost too much weight and at one point got down to under 100lbs because I didn’t have the correct knowledge and spent way too much time trying to burn calories and wasn’t eating enough. To put on weight the right way I trained with three different personal trainers and reached my goals and maintained them for quite a while.
Here I am 7 years later, 23 years old. The past year has been tough for me in terms of weight and over balance of life. The reason I am writing this is to talk openly and honestly about something many Americans of all ages, have more than likely struggled with in the past or are in the middle of the battle right now. The battle of the bulge. Feeling out of control of your body. It’s not fun and it’s a serious problem in so many lives. I’m not going to get into statistics because we hear them everyday. This is my personal story.
Up until around September I was able to work out a good 6 days a week for 1 to 2 hours a day.
My work out schedule looked something like this:
Mon: a.m. 20 min walk on the tredmill p.m 1 hr arc trainer (cardio machine)
Tues: 30 min weights, 30 min arc, 1 hour dance class
Weds: a.m 20 min walk, 20 min pilates p.m 45 min kickboxing class + abs
Thurs: a.m hour cardio work out p.m 45 min kickboxing class
Fri: Hour cardio work out and 50 minute step class
Sat: 45 min kickboxing class
In the fall I started babysitting everyday during the same time I would normally be going to the gym, and just like that my body began to change. It was slow but steady, something like 3lbs a month. I was still working out but not nearly as much, and my work outs were nothing like what I was doing before.
In October my doctor tried my on a new medication that also contributed to weight gain, which was something she warned me about before I started. I started a new work out plan and then injured my ankle which forced me to cut back even further on cardio.
Then came the holidays. Every year I gain weight during the winter and it comes off as fast as it goes on. Not this year. This year I gained weight and kept gaining. My metabolism was out of whack. My diet was terrible, my self control non-existent, and my weight gain out of control.
In February I went off the medication and dropped a few pounds and felt a lot better, less bloated and puffy. I got my schedule under control and now have a great work out plan where I do the Tracy Anderson Method, “Metamorphosis” 6 days a week with a half hour to an hour of dance. I also do yoga and pilates in the morning before work. I began to get things back under control, but there was one major component I had yet refine. My diet. What you put into your body is the biggest contribution to reaching your weight loss goals. You can not out train a bad diet. So I decided to get on the 17 day diet.
I have been doing the diet for 14 days so far and I can see a huge difference. Last time I weighed myself was after 10 days and I was down 5lbs and an inch around my waist. I plan on doing the diet until I reach my goal and then moving to the maintenance cycle as my life style.
No matter who you are or how much you weigh, the struggle has probably touched your life at some point. Remember that you are not alone, even the most educated in fitness and diet have times they feel out of control too. Just know that not only do you have the power to take control back of your body, it is also essential in order for you to live a full life of happiness, success, and health. Never give up on your life.

17 Day Diet Cycle One
Blueberry Apple Greek Yogurt

1/2 Serving of Fresh Blueberries
1/2 Small Apple (no skin, diced)
1 serving plain Greek Yogurt
1 packet splenda

In small breakfast bowl, mash fruit then add yogurt and splenda. Mix together and enjoy!  

I’m on day 3 of cycle 1 and so far I’ve lost an inch on my waist :) I had this for breakfast this morning (decided to be creative) around 8:30 and i’m not hungry at all still, even after an hour work out including muscle training and dancing. 

This counts as a probiotic, and a serving of low-sugar fruit.. just be sure not to eat it past 2pm to follow the no fruit after 2pm rule!  

A great friend just told me about his buddy’s singing contest and I’m in awe of how good he is…

Help him out by voting for him and be blessed by his talent!!

Just go to this link… http://justletmesing.com/videos/view/219/
Then sign in using facebook, go to Taylor Sibala’s video, and click the lightning bolt to “Powervote” (worth 100 votes) this can be done once daily!!

The video above is an original song he did.. check it out!
Taylor Sibala - Rectified (Original) (by TaylorMusic13)

And check out more of his music on YouTube (TaylorMusic13)

Getting licensed to teach Zumba next month! (Taken with instagram)

You know those dying days in the life of a manicure? The polish is fading, possibly some chips, but it’s not time to go back to the salon. I learned a great new trick to get you to your next trip into the professionals… a clear coat with sparkles!

It hides imperfections and brings back the sparkle! I used Wet n’ Wild, which was like $1.99 at Target!
Another tip: Use clear coat every night on your manicure- it helps to preserve the polish. I’m not so good at this tip I usually wait a few days before putting on the clear coat, but I have found that it helps :)

Today, I almost bought Justin Bieber’s Christmas Album…. but I resisted. How? I do not know

I never wear my hair up! (Taken with instagram)

The weekend has ended.
The alarm clock has gone off, I hit snooze- 3 times.
Get dressed, go to the gym, don’t forget my lunch, work clothes, towel, magazine, you know all the necessities.
It’s just another manic Monday.
Finish my work out, get ready for work, in my car.. off to work I go.
And guess what, I feel wonderful!
Yesterday I had a day of the 3F’s (Football, family & friends) and it was great, but I’m glad to be back on a schedule. As fabulous as the weekend is, structure is a much better breeding ground for motivation, sticking to goals, and success.
I like waking up early before the sun comes up and sweating away the mistakes of the weekend. And how much easier is it to stay on a meal plan during the week!?
Without the work week, the weekend wouldn’t be as much fun. (Seriously, because work=$$$, no work=broke=no fun)
So the moral of the story is, instead of posting negative status updates on Facebook (“Monday again, ugggggh”), moping around the office, and staying in bed until the last minute… get motivated on Monday, I mean seriously it’s going to be a great week :)

At work.. Day dreaming of turkey

This is my first year being in charge of cooking Thanksgiving Dinner… I’m very excited and equally nervous! I’d love people to share some favorite recipes and tips to make this a great day!

I’m not selling it I was just writing about it because it’s amazing but you can buy it on her website it’s so worth it! http://tracyandersonmethod.com/metamorphosis/dvds/