Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Cyber HIGH FIVE!



High five to YOU! You are doing it! Whether you're here on this weight loss journey, you're a fitness junky, a cigarette quitter, working on your spirit and your mind, or all of the above, or some other life changing thing that I am leaving out....I am giving you a cyber HIGH FIVE! Kudos to you for recognizing your worth. Recognizing the importance of your health. And not just recognizing it but DOING something about it! It's easy for someone to say "Yea, I need to get healthy" and it's a whole new story when someone actually gets up, puts on their running shoes, throws out the junk food, throws out their cigarettes, puts down the bottle, and makes - a- change. I congratulate you. :)

A couple things:
  • If you missed my conference call with Healthy Women On The Move on Sunday, I was the guest speaker! It was such an awesome, awesome experience! But if you weren't able to make it on the call and would like to hear the recorded version of it, please dial 424-203-8099 and use the pin code 301815. As awesome as it is to be blogging and Facebooking and on the Weight Watchers page with all these women, it was so incredibly AWESOME to hear their voices!! Shout out to all my friends and family who were on the call supporting me and shout out to my honey for being the supportive man that he always is. He sat next to me the entire time wanting to hear every word and telling me I was doing great. They have calls every Sunday evening at 8PM Eastern Time. It is a really fun, educational, inspiring experience. I encourage you all to join the Healthy Women On The Move Facebook page by clicking here. And join us on the weekly calls!
    • ALSO! Please tune in on January 7th, 2012 to hear the story of one incredible woman who I am honored to call my friend!! Ms. Daphne Mills. 
Here is Daphne the day she started Weight Watchers in a size 20 weighing 257lbs 

and here she is after losing 107.6lbs!! Wearing a SMALL dress! 

Women like Daphne (and Michelle, LaWanda, Vonda, Nicole, Najah, Laurene, Bridgit, and so many more of my weight loss sisters) have made this journey worth taking. I know that when I am down and out I can turn to these ladies and they are either going through it too or have been through it and always lift me right back up. I also know that when I have something to celebrate, they are right there in Connecticut, in Chicago, Kentucky, North Carolina, New York, all around the country and the WORLD doing the HAPPY DANCE with me!! If you don't have a support team like this, get on a social network, reach out, and get one! It makes all the difference in the world. 

  • Speaking about support....my cousin....sheesh. He made me cry! He sends me a text the other day that said "I just sent a really nice email to Weight Watchers about you..I'd send it to you but I know you will cry" ....Well Duh. But I made him send it to me anyway so I wanted to share it with you. Even if nobody at Weight Watchers ever reads it, it means SO MUCH to me that he chose to send this. Mind you, him and I are close but we don't talk every single day or anything...he reads my posts and he keeps it moving but to know he is watching and know how inspired he is, means the world to me. 

Here is the email: 
To whom it may concern:

My name is Ray Straccione and I am from Philadelphia, Pa. My cousin Krystle Bailey recently won the "Story of You" contest. I am writing this message because I want to express to you how much of an inspiration she is to not only our family but to so many other people facing the same problems with their weight and failed diets. She has an amazing blog (http://skinny-jeans-dreams.blogspot.com/) where she shares her everyday successes, bumps in the road, and everything in between. Every day I read her posts on Facebook about how her life has changed so much and how she cannot believe how far she has came. She always ends her posts with, Weight Watchers- Because it works! She is literally a living and breathing advertisement for Weight Watchers. Her goal is to help people see that they can achieve greatness as long as they put their mind to it.

The purpose of my email is that Krystle would be such an amazing leader and motivator. She has the charisma to draw people in and has a heart the size of this world. Krystle also has to drive to do whatever she puts her mind to. She really is one of a kind and I think she would be a great addition to the Weight Watchers family and staff. She dreams about being in commercials and telling her story one day. I ask you to please take a look at her. Follow her blog and see how she inspires so many people. As of today she is down 92 pounds (70 since last Thanksgiving). She is so close to her goal of 100lbs and it would be such a great present to get her some recognition and help her achieve her goal of becoming a Weight Watchers spokesperson. I thank you for reading my email and hope you will be inspired by her just like so many of us are. Thank you and have a wonderful holiday season.


 
Krystle.  

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Thanksgiving Wrap Up / Inspirational Moments / Healthy Women On The Move!

I've been a horrible blogger!!! Haven't blogged since last Sunday?? I do apologize! It's been a hectic week.

First and foremost: To answer the question, "Do you ever have weeks when you gain?"....YES. YES, I do. This week, even though I felt as though I did pretty well (despite my lil slip up on Friday), I managed to gain 2.8lbs! Almost 3lbs! I was pretty bent out of shape yesterday about it but with the help of friends and family who know exactly what I would say to them if the tables were turned, I was able to shake it. Onward and downward!!

I did have a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving! Food came out fabulous. Spending time with the family is always awesome. I am very blessed to have future in laws who I love dearly and who treat me like their own. Here are a few pics from our Thanksgiving:

The proud chef!

Everybody getting down!

Hanging out with my family :) 

 After dinner my sister in law and I walked to Starbucks for coffee and along the way we wanted to take a picture by the Christmas tree in the casino. So we were looking for somebody to take our picture and noticed a family looking for the same thing. I am so glad that I offered to take their picture because what an inspiring moment that followed!!! The ladies started asking us where we were from and what we do and the one lady said "I'm from California! I can't wait to run on the boardwalk in the morning. I run 10 miles!" and simultaneously my sister in law and I said "10 MILES??!" .......turns out she is an 80 YEAR OLD MARATHON RUNNER!!!!! She is running the Disney Marathon in January. She has been running all her life and she was just so proud of herself. She was so precious. She said "Last year I wore a jacket and on the back it said 'You just got passed by a 79 year old!' but this year I need a new one because now I'm 80!" LOL! They ended up jumping in on a picture with us and I am so glad they did! If that doesn't inspire you to get up and DO SOMETHING, I don't know what will!!

She is in the yellow jacket to my right. 

That was quite a coffee run!!

Last night I took my honey out for his birthday a couple days early (His bday is tomorrow) and after I got dressed I said:
1) Babe...you got a HOTT girlfriend. and 
2) Gain? What gain? 

I felt so dag on good about myself...check me out! 


The love of my life. 

We had a really good time. I've said it 100x before and I'll say it again. This man is my world. He has loved every inch of me from the very beginning and is definitely double loving every inch that's left!! He is simply the best. 

LAST but definitely NOT least! 

TONIGHT!
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Check me out on the conference call with the lovely ladies of Healthy Women On The Move. You can LIKE them on Facebook by clicking that link. Even though many of you know my journey from reading my blog, I found last week that it is a whole new world actually listening to a woman tell her story rather than type it. So please join us at 8PM Eastern time. You can tune in by dialing 424-203-8000 and use the pin code 301815. Hope to hear you on the call!

Count your blessings! 

Krystle

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Thanksgiving day/week survival plan

Gooood Sunday Morning!!!

Yesterday I reached the 90lbs milestone!!!! 90.2 actually! It was pretty freakin' exciting but it didn't really hit me until I got home and sat right here in my computer chair and said HOLY SMOKES...90lbs.......
.....9 0 p o u n d s!......

I celebrated with a kick ass 2 hour workout with some of my favorite fitness folks! My sister in law, my friend Amanda, and Turbo Kick & BodyPump instructors Kim and Katie. We had so much fun. I love keeping up with my sister in law. She is so fit and so much fun to workout with. We really hype each other up. Kim is so funny...in the middle of Turbo Kick she said "Hey Krystle I'm gonna take a picture of you for your blog" (see below)





and she posted this picture to the Tilton Gym facebook: 


Bodypump is no JOKE!! I am sore in every possible area today and I can't wait to do it again next week!! I loved it so much. Thanking God that my back was capable of such an awesome workout. I really think that my computer chair is causing my back to hurt more than it should. It hurts worse when I sit here all day. I'm gonna get a back support from my chiropractor tomorrow!

Anyway, I am PREPARED for Thanksgiving!! In the weekly at the meeting yesterday it said "It's Thanksgiving Day ...not Thanksgiving week!" ....even though that is very, very true. You still have to plan for the entire week. We are celebrating two Thanksgivings. A family friend of ours works on Thanksgiving so is throwing a big get together today for her friends and family with a Thanksgiving feast but she is so sweet. She called me yesterday and she said "I bought fruit and low calorie crackers and X, Y, and Z so you and your mom and everybody can stay on plan!" I made a strawberry no bake cheesecake from Skinny Taste and it looks pretty yummy! 

Hers! 

Mine! 

 It's a little hefty on the PointsPlus - 6 PP's for 1/8th but there is nothing wrong with having a sliver of it! A "serving size" doesn't mean you have to eat THAT serving size. 


The Thanksgiving Week Survival Plan: 
- Earn as many Activity Points as possible 
-On the days I go over (like yesterday), use the activity points that I earned that day
-Save all 49 weekly points for Thanksgiving day. 
-Track everything. 
How, you ask? 
 (^Drag and drop food on to your cyber plate and plan ahead^)
The weekly this week also has Thanksgiving PointsPlus values. 

For Thanksgiving day, as I mentioned before, I am hosting! So I have typed out all the PointsPlus values and serving sizes of my menu on a little cheat sheet for myself. The only thing I am not making is the Macaroni and Cheese, which I will count 10 PP's per cup and I won't be eating a whole cup of M&C along with everything else and the salad that I'm making my mother in law to make. Everything else, I will know exactly what's in it and how many points it is! 

Here's my menu: 
Appetizers: 
Skinny Taste Bruschetta 

Pesto Cheese Blossom from Paula Deen 

 Main Dish:

Stuffed Turkey 

Skinny Taste Spinach Gratin 

Skinny Taste Buttermilk Mashed with Chives 

Skinny Taste Sweet Potato Casserole 

Rosemary Garlic Parmesan Biscuits 

Corn Salsa 

Stuffing 

 Plus my SIL's mac and cheese, a salad, the strawberry cheesecake, pumpkin pie dip, and whatever else they bring. 

The wonderful thing about SkinnyTase.com is that you can guarantee that taste will never be compromised for less points. She will make sure it's a delicious recipe even if it's a couple more points and that's what I love about that website!! 

My measuring cups will be on the table right next to my fork and knife. I am doing this! I am not going to weigh in on Saturday and regret my decisions. 

My expectation: Weight Loss this week!

Friday, November 18, 2011

Live the life you love, Love the life you live.

I love being KJB. Like I really, really, really enjoy this life I am living to the absolute fullest. When I tell you I cherish everything about my life, I do mean everything. I love the feeling of being alive! I really don't know how else to explain it. I sit and I focus on what it FEELS like to be alive and breathing. I focus on the fact that I can breathe in and out without complications. I touch my skin and am amazed at how I can feel the touch both with my hand and with the area of skin that I am touching. I can literally feel my inner beauty. When I make a face or I move in a certain way, I feel beautiful and I didn't look in the mirror or have someone tell me I'm beautiful to feel that way, it's my inner beauty that I feel. I really love the woman I have become. 


I didn't always feel this way. There was a very long period in my life when even if I seemed fully happy on the outside and laughed with my friends and family, there was always a piece of me that was unhappy. No particular piece. I just wasn't FULLY happy. My soul wasn't happy like it is now.


I sit and I break down every aspect of my life and even if things aren't perfect, they are perfect for me and could always be much worse::
  • I look at my relationships that I have with people. My boyfriend, my family, my friends, people I meet at school or on social networks and the relationships I have with people are GENUINE. At this point in my life I feel as though I have rid my life of toxic relationships and the relationships I hold now are with people of character and respect. Yea, there are people IN my life that don't live up to that but they are simply background characters, far from main characters in my movie. I have made so many new friends as an adult and reevaluated long time friendships that I have had since I was a child and made appropriate changes. 
  • I look at my self image. I used to stand in the mirror in disgust before or after a shower. These days when I stand naked in the mirror I see stretch marks, a baby pouch (That I had long before I had my baby), a see a huge, uneven c-section scar, not so perky breasts, arms, or thighs, but what I see is a beautiful work in progress and it makes me smile! I see someone who is determined and who is reaching her goals. I see someone who has lost almost 90lbs. I see someone who birthed a child - a task made only for the strength of a woman. I see someone who loves herself inside and out and that in and of itself is a huge milestone for me. 
  • I look at my relationship with God. No, I don't go to church every Sunday but I feel as though my relationship with Him is stronger than ever. We talk all day long. Sometimes he answers prayers in the way I think they should be answered and sometimes He answers them the way He thinks they should be answered but they are ALWAYS answered and I put my full trust in Him to see me through 110% of the time. I didn't get this far without Him! 
  • I look at the way people view me. An inspiration. And I can't believe that this is really the life I am living...a life of someone who inspires and motivates and enjoys seeing others succeed. A life free from jealousy and "wishing I could do what they are doing". A life of doing. I'm sure there are a few people who don't see me in the same light but I know that there are more that admire and respect my journey and I think it will be a long time before I can fully wrap my head around that. 

  • The way I love my daughter. I have more love in this heart for her than I ever knew I could hold. She is my everything and more. I am proud of the mother that I am and I owe it to my amazing mother for showing me the way. (By the way today is my mommy's birthday!!) 

I could go on forever. The only thing missing from my physical life is my father. I would give anything to feel his big bear hug again but one thing I know for sure is that he is one heck of a guardian angel! When I miss him, I simply think really hard about him and then I can feel his presence surround me. He is definitely watching over and pulling strings in my favor up in Heaven!! I know one thing for certain - he is 
"one proud papa"



Thank you all for being part of my awesome life. I wish you all the same happiness that I feel every day. You don't have to DO anything out of the ordinary to feel as though you have an extraordinary life. Just break it down, cherish it, and remember - somebody always has it worse than you. Be thankful! You only get one life to live, make it the best life possible!

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

My Moment Of Fame!

Did you see it??? Did you see my moment of Facebook fame???? If not, go check out the Weight Watchers Facebook page! They posted the winners of the Story Of You Contest and posted MY video! It was so cool, so unreal, to be talked about on a page with almost 900,000 fans! When I saw it I seriously didn't stop crying for about 20 minutes. I just can't believe that ME...little old Krystle Bailey from South Jersey is doing something significant in life! If you asked me prior to 2010 if I would be recognized for anything that had to do with healthy, fitness, losing weight, and so on...I would have looked at you like you had 20 heads and told you something to the effect of "Pssh I don't wanna be skinny. I love who I am and I'm not meant to be skinny. I'm big boned" ........... o_O


Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would be living this life right here, right now...losing weight, getting fit, inspiring others, and being recognized for it! It is such a surreal feeling. Where I came from...where I'm at...where I'm headed.....just thinking about it brings tears to my eyes. But trust me, there is much more to come where I'm headed!! I have big plans and they don't just revolve around changing MY life.

Oh and for the record,....I'm not "big boned"...I actually have a rather small frame!

I really am at a loss for words other than that. I am still soaking it all in! I'll bring more goodies soon! 

Krystle

Monday, November 14, 2011

Failure is NOT an option!

................I eat too many sweets...............

The truth has been revealed. I have known it all along, yet haven't made a change. Even though we are supposed to treat ourselves on Weight Watchers and even though eating the sweets and counting them technically means that I am on plan....I still eat too many. I know from reading all kinds of fitness thingies that sweets are no good for toning up the belly and like my woman, Chalene Johnson (we'll talk about her again soon) says, "Fitness starts in the kitchen."  If I am ever going to tone this stomach up, I need to focus and I need to cut back on the sweets. 

If there is one thing I have learned it's that the best two ways to accomplish your goals are 1) Put them in writing. 2) Tell somebody! SO here I am, telling you that I, Krystle KJB Bailey, am vowing to consume 1-2 sweet treats per week. This is a change for me. I currently tend to consume at least one sweet treat per day! (if not more...) So far this week I have had ..1...2....4...........too many. lol So I am going to avoid sweets for the rest of the week and beginning next week will keep my promise to TREAT myself occasionally to a sweet treat.
KEY WORD: OCCASIONALLY!

So, back to Chalene Johnson. I started another challenge of hers. I spoke a while back about doing Chalene Johnson's 30 Day Challenge. Another confession: I didn't finish it. :-/. But that didn't stop me from signing up for a new challenge! She has a book coming out called, PUSH - 30 Days to Turbo Charged Habits, A Bangin' Body, and The Life You Deserve. The book isn't released yet but I signed up for a jump start 30 day session where I watch videos and complete assignments. Assignments which give me the foundation to changing my life for the better. (Yea, you can say I already changed my life but if you're not striving to be better than you already are, you're not living!) Then she is sending the book to you at the end of the challenge. Anyway, you can read/listen more about it at the link I posted above. 



The reason I'm bringing this up is because I seriously want to be just like Chalene when I grow up. She is an incredibly motivating, positive, inspiring person. I read things that she wrote and I WISH that I wrote them myself. I could share with you all day long things that I love about her but for the sake of a uber long blog I will focus on one thing that I read yesterday. 

She talks about deciding to succeed. Not making failure even an option. There is no "If I succeed at this weight loss thing ____________"....it needs to be "When I succeed and reach my goal, I will _______"  One thing that got me really thinking was when she mentions why people start a diet and save their fat clothes, "just in case." .....JUST IN CASE WHAT???? In case you fail??? The point she makes, and that I am making to you, is DO NOT....I repeat, DO NOT allow failure to be an option. When you decide to succeed, whether it is in your personal life, for your health, your business, family, or whatever it may be, that's it, that's all there is to it. You just DO IT.

I could go on and on about the awesomeness that IS Chalene Johnson but I will leave you with that for today. I will share more with you along my journey with this book. I encourage you to sign up for the challenge (I believe you still can) and if not, buy her book. She is an incredible woman and can definitely change your life for the better if you let her! 

So what is your decision???? Will you succeed??? GOOD! I'll see you at the finish line :) 

Have a great night!

Thursday, November 10, 2011

FANTASTIC NEWS!!!!!

I'M LATE, I'M LATE! I haven't told you guys yet!!!! Well, if you're friends with me on Facebook or the Weight Watchers page then you already know the fantastic news!!!

I WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Remember a while back I told you that I entered the Lose For Good Story Of You Contest?? And I asked you all to vote??? Wellll I WON!!!! I was one of the three grand prize winners of $5,000! Can you believe it??! I still can't! I can't tell you how many times yesterday the phrases "I can't believe it.", "Yo, that's so crazy", and "Wow, you/I really won!" were spoken in my house yesterday haha

Words can't express how grateful I am to each and every one of you who voted for my video and the day in and day out support!! I sent the affidavit today and once they receive that and confirm that I'm 18, a U.S. resident, etc... then they will post the three winners on the Weight Watchers Facebook page so stay tuned!

READY FOR SOME MORE CRAZINESS??

When the contest first started, they were having problems with the voting and I commented on their status along with one other woman. We ended up friending each other, wishing each other luck on the contest, and becoming friends along the way. TURNS OUT...she was one of the three winners too!!!! How crazy is that??! Check her out! She just started blogging about her weight loss journey also. You can find her blog here.  So follow her and show her some love!!

So it's been an exciting two days to say the least.

In other news, I decided to host my very first Thanksgiving!! This is my 2nd year in my apartment and I have been wanting to host a get together of some sort but my apartment is so small. Since this is our year to spend Thanksgiving with my boyfriend's family and he has a close knit family with only his parents, brother, sister, and nephew, I decided it would be a perfect time to host my first holiday!

I want to make things a little on the healthier side but not take away from the fact that it is Thanksgiving. I have been looking up recipes on the only recipe site I turn to when in need, Skinny Taste.  So, it should be interesting! I'm excited about it!!

Gotta go! X-Factor is coming on!! :) Love that show!

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Now, you've seen it all!

Hey. Hey. Hey!

Happy Tuesday........geez...it's only Tuesday???? lol So, I had a little bit of a hard time getting back on track after my bday weekend. Yesterday I started out good but then I lost all desire to track anything. At first it seemed okay. I said "I'm not in the mood to binge eat...just not in the mood to track"..........bad move. My girl Daphne told me it would lead to bad decisions and to get my mind right and she was right!! I ended up way over eating!

When I told my mom that I was having a hard time she was pleased to learn that even the most dedicated people have rough days when they don't feel like being on plan. If you didn't have a day when you just didn't feel like it, you might be superhuman. We all have those days! The key is jumping right back on the wagon and today, I did just that. Back on the OP train!

I woke up this morning and got in a Turbo Fire workout. Man I love that program!! I always have so many people ask me about it and why I love it so much so I decided to take a couple videos for you. hehe. I'm nervous about posting them here but you guys are family so here they are.....


But first a couple disclaimers: 
  1. I jiggle. lol
  2. I missed a move at the end of the fire drill one...you'll see the confusion on my face 
  3. Excuse the mess behind me lol 
These are both from Fire 45, which is my favorite routine out of them all! The first one is my favorite Fire Drill (which in case you don't know, is a super high intensity section of each workout that you go balls to the wall for 45 seconds or a minute depending on the workout and then rest for a minute). The second video is one of my favorite parts of the routine but my camera cut off at the end. Anyway, ENJOY! Don't judge me! hahaha





So, now my friends... you have seen it all! I have welcomed you into just about every aspect of my life including my jiggly workouts. :)

Have a blessed night!
Krystle

Sunday, November 6, 2011

The bday pics you've been waiting for! :) 24 years young and 88lbs lighter.

I had THE best time last night!! Thank you all for all the wonderful bday wishes! Even though I said it a bazillion times already, thank you to all my friends who came out last night to make my night truly special! It was so much fun. Here are some pics!!

My sissy and step mommy before dinner 

Birthday girl at The Melting Pot 

my best friend in the world, my sister 

my not so tini, martini

posing in the bathroom!

My right hand Whoa-man. 

The dinner crew :)

Birthday girl in the house! 

Champagne sippin' 

My brother in law, my sis in law, and my man - Fam[ILY] 

Call me the love maker. I introduced these two a couple years back and now they are engaged :) Claire and Julian

Friends since the 4th grade! 

gettin' down on the town!! 

LOL goofball singing something to me! 

Heyyyyy yaaaaa

Love this chic!! 

My friend, my sis in law, my fitness partner in crime 

love of my life. 

My girl Taryn traveled four hours to be with me on my bday! 






CHEERS TO FRIENDS, HEALTH, HAPPINESS, AND ANOTHER WONDERFUL YEAR AHEAD!!!
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