Wednesday Reality Check: WEIGH IN!

Summer Loving! 
Read Time; 20 minutes

Hello everyone! For the first time in my professional career, I am on vacation. For two months. 
Being American and having that salivating taste for work, I must admit, two months of vacation seemed like a nightmare.Then again, I am easily entertained and adore the pleasure of my own company, so I decided to get a little creative and fill my time with things that I love! When I was kid, I spent my summer vacation with my Yaya in Corpus Christi, TX. My summers were spent at the beach, getting my hair done, eating Whataburger and not having a care in the world! 
Living in France is reminisant of my teen years in Texas, the food being the only difference, of course! Ahhh, but what I wouldn't give for a number one with cheese, no onions, toasted buns both sides and a Dr Pepper to drink -- soon Whataburger, soon. I am grateful to France for giving me the opportunity to see things in a different light or through rose colored glasses. 

With all this time on my hands, I must profiter, as the French say or take advantage and simply enjoy! I came up with a list of summer camp ideas to discover and rediscover something new! Here is a quick list of what I have done or in the process of doing... Perhaps you shall be inspired to do the same:

-- self Beauty day (waxing, mani, pedi, haircut) 
-- reading day  (Bonjour Tristesse, The Lover, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes)
-- cooking day -- try a new summer recipe 
-- organizing day (clothes shoes, crafts, and crap -- outta here!) 
-- movie marathon day (I picked Audrey Hepburn) 
-- cleaning day -- is EVERYDAY!
-- exercise day -- is EVERYDAY! 
-- swimming pool -- beach day 
-- be a tourist in your own town day 
-- date day (going to a movie, lunch, and buying myself flowers!)
-- organize a degustation/dinner with friends! 
-- GIRLS slumber party! 

This summer has also given me the time for self reflection and care. As you know, I am still on my weight loss journey and just recently, my sweet husband gifted a gym membership to me.  It was around this time that my beautiful bellydancer friend, Tiffany Blue, showed off her new physique that left me salivating! 

She shared via Facebook, photos of a fitness competition she recently attended. I was like one of those cartoon characters in my reaction -- my eyes popped out of my head, my tongue flapped to the floor, my whole body reacted to her dedication and beauty. I was SOLD! 

See what I mean?! Isn't she perfection? And exterior aside, she is a true lady. She is Grace. She is Fierce. She is Unstoppable. She is Me. She is YOU. 

Tiff will be the FIRST to tell you that it is NOT genetics, but the willingness to take it to the next level. That's the message I received. And receive it I did. She inspired me to have the desire and willingness to LEVEL UP and for that, THANK YOU! 

My Heaviest weight: 215 lbs
Current weight: 125 lb

My sweet husband and I at the Grand Canyon 2009?

August 2014 -- I was Glamour Barbie that night! Thanks to my sweet Scot -- Heather!

My sweet husband and I met this gentleman who teaches a form of Tai Chi along the Quais of Bordeaux. He invited us to practice with him and we did, only seperately. When our instructor saw me, his first thought was that my husband found a new wife, until he realized it was me. He was shocked at my transformation. He complimented my efforts and said that I was now more French than American. He simply meant that I was softer and more reserved, perhaps even less threatening than before. 

I measure my weight loss success to the little details. I am able to tie my own shoes with ease. I can jog, don't know how that happened! I can keep up with my husband. I feel good in my skin, but I want to take it to that next level.

So, I am leveling up, baby! 

Tiffany inspired me and then I got busy, then I realized I'm on vacation! What's a girl to do? Like Tiffany, I have the willingness and desire to go there. 
I hired her online trainer, Mr. Daniel Rocha out of the great state of New Mexico and without going into detail, the plan is tough. I'm a little tougher.

Have a nice summer! Take care of yourselves! Remember: Life is too short to eat bad food!

Frenchified for Life!
xx -- Jenny