Slow and Steady Wins the Race!

So, the Martinez household is on week 2 of meal prepping every Sunday instead of waiting til 6:30 pm every night and not having anything planned for dinner and just going to pick up something "easy".

I have to say, the results of just clean eating are indisputable. In the last week and a half I have already dropped 9 lbs... I'm sure partially due to the large cut down of soda and increase of water. 

Plus I am realizing just how much money I can save by just cooking all the food on one day and not spending $20+ every night for the 4 of us. 

I have decided to change the way I approach the healthy lifestyle venture; usually I just go balls in and think I can cut out all the bad food and drinks and smoking AND lack of exercise overnight and that I can maintain it. Obviously that route hasn't yielded any long lasting change to my life. 

This time around I am trying to take it slow, I have cut down soda substantially to one a day, I have been cooking a lot healthier a.k.a nothing out of a box or can... all natural organic stuff. Lots of chicken, fruit, and veggies... I started back at the gym, but not every single night. 

But most importantly I have been trying not to beat myself up too badly when I slip and eat fries or miss going to the gym, I just remind myself that tomorrow I will do better. And I have been! My cravings for the wonderful delicious pizza or burgers are still there of course... But I have made the choice not to let those foods be part of my everyday. And I already feel so much better!

Can't wait to see how I feel in a few weeks  :)

Meal Prep Shortcut

I found this super helpful list of things that fit perfectly into meal prepping so that you can dive right in! Enjoy! Let me know what your favorite prep meal is... 

Change... It's a good thing. Right?

So, it's been an interesting year so far... November we moved off base finally and moved into a wonderful quiet neighborhood that has allowed me to take a step back from everything and focus on myself and my family. 

I have started going back to therapy to deal with a few issues.. one of which is me being bipolar. I have always struggled with severe depression, but never considered that I was bipolar. It is scary and I am doing my best to deal with it in a positive way... 

I am starting back to college in the next few months and I am beyond excited. I have decided to pursue my one true love and get my degree in social work. I can't wait!

I have also started to change my diet and start exercising again in hopes that it will help keep me more balanced and will help me get to where i need to be health wise... I want to feel comfortable in my clothes... i want to feel like a bombshell when my husband looks at me... I don't want to ever feel like people wonder why the hell he is with me... 

I hope to get better about writing and letting some of you know that you are not alone... We all deal with something, we don't have to do it alone though. 

My life is changing. And honestly, I am terrified. But, I am also excited about what is in my future! 

Scatter Brain Marlena

So, Texas has been fun I suppose. I genuinely miss Florida and the life I had established there. I miss my friends, my house, I miss it all.

Since we have been here in Texas (10 months now) I haven't really done too much; I think I am just going through adjusting to it all still honestly. I should be starting school again next month. For what? I don't know. I am still trying to decide what I want to be when I grow up... All I know is that i want to work with people, I want to help people. Whether it be social work, nursing, or psychology... I have no clue.

My eldest daughter is starting kindergarten in August and she is just thrilled... She is looking forward to seeing all her friends again and getting out of this house. She is getting so big and growing into her self. She is intelligent and funny.. Watching her grow these last 5 years has truly been a blessing. 

My baby girl is turning three next month and I just do not know where the time has gone, she is such a big personality and doesn't take shit from anyone. She is indeed her mother's daughter. She is silly and warm spirited. She definitely keeps me on my toes!

As usual this is a scatter-brain post, but I just wanted to write a little and try to get myself back into it. Writing was fun once upon a time... 

The Epiphany That Changed It All

I'm sitting here on my couch watching tv and thinking about life...

I am 22 years old and I have been overweight for the last 5 years of my life. I obviously didn't wake up one day and decide that I wanted to gain almost 100lbs.
 But, I did know what I was doing to myself. I did know that eating out wasn't good for me. I did know that drinking 5 or 6 sodas a day wasn't going to keep me in good health. I did know that when I was sad or happy or depressed I ate my feelings.
And for the last 5 years I have been listening the little voice in my head that tells me that I am ok even though I am overweight and unhealthy. I have been telling myself that "I could be worse"  "well, thomas still loves me and finds me attractive so, I'm ok" And now... I hear me. I hear my body. And it is time for a change!


In the last week I have made the choice to change my life; I have made this choice several times in the last 5 years... this time is different. This time I am stronger and I know that failing is not an option anymore... This time it is truly not about my weight; It is about my health.
In the last week I have cut out soda and smoking and I feel good. No more cravings and no more withdrawl symptoms. I am feeling happy again!

I am going to continue blogging throughout my Journey to a healthier and happier Marlena.. Let me know how you all are doing too! :)

New Working Laptop :)

Ok... so a few months ago my laptop died :(
Blue screen of death and everything.


Yesterday i finally commited and decided to get myself a new one and let the old one go. So here i am again! Back in business haha

I will start posting immediately.. cant wait to share my life with you all again!

Changing MY Eating Habits

Trying to find ways to cook and eat while getting rid of most of the "bad" carbs I eat is definitely not my favorite thing to do.. It means no fettuccine alfredo, no more spaghetti, no more big juicy cheeseburgers, no pancakes or french toast. It really is hard for me considering that i am full on addicted to all of the above.

I have been reading and apparently i need to purge my home aka get rid of all of the things that i shouldn't be eating. If it's here i will be so much more tempted to eat it. So tomorrow i will be getting rid of all the canned stuff and all of the wonderful things like cup a noodles and any other microwaveable foods... And then i will have to go grocery shopping to stock up on lean meats, fruits and veggies, and whole grain/whole wheat bread and pastas. Tomorrow i will make a full list of what i buy! 

I found this list of substitutes i found helpful  

 Let me know if you guys have any other substitutions that you use!