And the Winner Is . . .

EVERYONE! The Fitter and Finer Challenge Ladies got together yesterday for the Finale and had an awesome time of fellowship. We have already geared up for Round 2!

So, how did Shay Shay do? I WON the POT! I am so proud of myself and know this is just the beginning. I lost 19.4 lbs and 11.4% of my body weight over the course of the Challenge.

Yesterday was a FABULOUS Day! I started the morning with my weigh-in and was quite pleased with the scale! Then I ventured out to the Piedmont Park Green Day 5K. I can't believe I RAN IN THE RAIN! I've come a long way, Baby!

After the race, a couple challengers and fellow runners had a wonderful meal at my favorite breakfast place-Thumbs Up! Yep, I had the heap--fried potatoes, chicken sausage, whole eggs, and cheese! Oh, and don't forget the multi-grain biscuit! It was heaven! I savored it because I won't have it again for probably another year!

The Challenge Finale was at my home. We grilled some tasty lean meats and just had a great time fellowshipping with each other. It was so beautiful to see a group of women together supporting each other toward a Fitter and Finer lifestyle. I was so thrilled to wear my "Leaner" (not skinny because I never want to be skinny) Jeans. I forgot to take a picture, but I'll take one and post them.

I ended my day with a shopping trip to Rose Couture in Riverdale. My trainer Anna Mae introduced me to this FABULOUS boutique. I got some GREAT and UNIQUE and out of my comfort zone pieces! I have some great legs and developing some great shoulders, so I'm going to show them! LOL! I can't wait to rock these beautiful pieces! I'll definitely be posting pictures!

Well, no time to be on the computer for too long. I have a busy day in front of me!

I am Shay Shay and I'm Getting Fitter and Finer and Losing Fat and Winning in Life!

One More Day to the Fitter and Finer Challenge Finale!

Not only am I glad it's FRIDAY, I am excited for the Fitter and Finer Challenge Finale tomorrow. I have worked really hard for over three months to get in better shape and lose more fat--not for the potential cash prize, but for the prize of feeling, looking, and being GREAT!

I feel so empowered as I write this morning. I feel like I am finally getting the hang of the lifestyle. I have lost 19 lbs during the challenge. I am officially the fittest I have ever been in my life! But, as I told some folks last night and this morning, "I know how to lose weight; it's the keeping it off that has been the challenge."

With the Fitter and Finer Challenge concluding and my Fitter and Finer life beginning, I am committed to KEEPING IT OFF this time! And don't get me wrong. I still have about 10 lbs of fat that I would like to lose. So, I will Keep the Momentum Going!

No matter the results of the cash prize tomorrow, I am WINNING! I say "winning" because this is a continuous journey. It will not stop and should not stop. I look forward to continuing the journey and accomplishing more in this wonderful life of mine!

I am Shay Shay, and I am Fitter and Finer!

My Theme this Week: Busy, But Keeping the Momentum Going!

My blog posts are evidence that I have a lot going on right now and just can't spare enough time to really post what I want to post (but I will because I have a lot to share!).

I am happy to say that I am Keeping the Momentum Going! With TWO days left in the Challenge, I've lost about 19 lbs and over 24 lbs since I Stopped the Insanity in January. I still have much work to do to get my body fat to a satisfactory level, but I am so motivated!

Oatmeal and Protein Shake are finished, so I must go!

I am Shay Shay Fit and Getting Fitter Everyday!

So Much to Blog and No Time!

Things are quite busy right now. Lots of challenging and interesting things at work; too many evening meeting obligations; I was in beautiful Charleston area this past weekend for the Family Circle Cup; I'm preparing for the USTA 3.0 State Championship, and I'm still eating clean and working out consistently and LOSING FAT and WINNING!

I am working on time management and hope to load some pictures and share my experience in Charleston.

Until then--have a great week. I'm off to be busy!

Heck, It's Been a Week-Lots of Catching Up to Do!

My how time flies! It's been a WHOLE WEEK since I blogged. Not good.

What was good was my business trip last Friday-Sunday that took my to beautiful Boca Raton, Florida. I haven't really gotten away to a paradise type location in quite some time. This little trip reminded me that getaways are a great thing! The ocean was gorgeous. The hotel was awesome. The food--EXCELLENT! I even managed to stay away from the desserts and ate pretty well. I did have one emergency breakfast moment when the meeting only had a buffet of french toast, potato hash, sugar-laden yogurt and un-clean boxed cereal. My Nectar whey protein came to the rescue along with a few pieces of fruit and a granola bar I found.

Anyhoo, it was a great networking meeting, and I LOVED LOVED LOVED Beautiful Boca! Why didn't I take pictures!

Then I got back to ATL and a very very busy week! Wednesday got here so fast! I'm working--slowly, but working--on better time management between home and work. One thing that I will not sacrifice is health and fitness, but I have to make sure I stay on top of all things--especially when work is super busy as it is now. I don't have too much of a problem with managing work, but managing home and all the responsibilities that come with home ownership and being a grown up can get overwhelming. Staying fit and energetic helps. I know I can get it all done. I'm rarely tired. I just now need to execute on the organization and prioritizing.

Oh, and I can't forget the Fitter and Finer Challenge! It's time for the COUNT DOWN! Just 10 Days to the Finale! Short term goal: Don't blow it this weekend! I'm doing well and expect huge results on April 24th. So, KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING SHAY SHAY!

Just Need to Check In

I don't have a whole lot to say, but I have to blog today. I have found that gaps in my blogging usually means that I have fallen off with my clean eating and consistent exercise. The proof is in my 2009 blog activity. Starting around Memorial Day 2009, I just lost it. I was eating all sorts of bad stuff and often. I wasn't working out consistently.

From Memorial Day to the end of 2009, I only blogged 6 times! I clearly had lost my way. I have already blogged close to 50 times in just the first 3 months of 2010. Blogging keeps me accountable to myself and the faithful few who check me out from time to time or who follow me. If I'm not blogging, I'm not focused on my journey to Lose Fat and Win. If I'm not blogging, I am too ashamed that I have detoured off the path toward lifelong health and fitness.

So, today. I am just writing to say. I'm Keeping the Momentum Going. I'm feeling great! I'm seeing progress, and I know I will reach my goals!

We have just 2 1/2 weeks toward the end of the Fitter and Finer Challenge. I'm doing well in the challenge, but the challenge for Shay Shay will not end on April 24th. I'll be working toward the next goal and blogging about it all along the way!

I am Shay Shay Fit; I'm a Health and Fitness Blogger!

Happy Resurrection Day!

Before I get into my wonderful day, check out my new do. I really like it. THANK YOU so much Cheryl (Allen Mitchell Salon at Studioplex on Auburn Avenue) for taking me on short notice and doing a wonderful job! You're awesome! And, yes. I'm wearing a Lynard Skynyrd t-shirt. I couldn't resist getting it. I can't deny that Sweet Home Alabama is a great tune. LOL!

What a beautiful Ressurrection/Easter Day we had in ATL! My Sweetie and I joined my buddy Reesey Cup for Sunrise Service. Then we hit the gym (the new hairstyle held up) before we headed to a wonderful brunch at one of my favorite spots--Chequer's Seafood Restaurant. I can't help but chuckle at how my lifestyle really has changed.

I recall Easter Sundays where the gym was the furthest thing from my mind. I would eat WAY too much and clean eating was not even on my radar (can you say: lots of baked mac n cheese, too much homemade cornbread, lots of dressing with turkey wings, hunks of cake and/or pie, and bottles of sugar laden sparking apple cidar--all my favorites-oh my!).

This year, I made sure that I had a quality workout before indulging in any Easter meal. I even was careful at brunch avoiding the oh so tasty sweet, cinnamon raisin biscuits and pecan pie and instead filled up on lots of boiled shrimp with spicy mustard and Cioppino (shellfish in tomato broth)(which I LOVE). I didn't deprive myself though. Don't tell my trainer, Anna Mae, but I did have a spoon of the delicious crab stuffing and half of Belgium waffle with pecan and berries--yum!--easy on the syrup, but followed it up with lots of lemon water and green tea.

I left Chequer's feeling satisfied but not full. I have definitely left there in the past feeling like I was going to pop!. Today's feeling was a much better feeling! Enjoying a good meal and not feeling guilty about it. Sweet, because Shay Shay is still a foodie to the core!

To top off the day, I got to spend some time with my first cousin and his family who were in town for their daughter's volleyball tournament. So glad I was able to see them!

Tomorrow is back to the normal strict clean eating way. But, I thank God for today. It was truly awesome!

No Place Like Home: My Gym

There is really no excuse NOT to workout while traveling. Hotels are equipped with basic cardio and strength equipment, and my legs and arms can function as its own gym without any equipment at all.

Yet, after a great workout at my local gym and seeing my morning crew this morning, I must declare: There is NO PLACE like my hometown gym! I realized this morning that the familiar faces force me to crank it up a notch in a way that the strangers at Hotel X can't.

I'm one of those folks who feeds off others in the gym. I'm not as effective alone at home, and now I know that I am not as effective feeling alone in a lonely hotel gym. It's just not the same.

While I won't stop working out while traveling and will try to increase the intensity while away, I will make sure that I make the most out of my hometown gym.

There is just no place like home-gym!

Happy Good Friday!

I am Shay Shay Fit and Happy to be Home!

Shay Shay's Adventures in Travel

I am finally back from a business trip to beautiful D.C. It's peak Cherry Blossom season and the weather was gorgeous. Here is a peak at how I managed clean eats and exercise during this trip:

First, Kudos to Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, Concourse E for having Nature's Table Bistro. My Sweetie had told me about this place. Although I was departing from Concourse C, I allotted time to go to E so that I could have some good ol' grilled chicken and steamed veggies. It was quite tasty. Now, they do have plenty of items that may be calorie busters, but this spot has lots of sensible choices for the most disciplined of eaters!

Second, a big shout out to the conference coordinator for my industry association meeting. Lunch was filled with grilled chicken, roasted veggies, and salad greens. There were VERY mini desserts, wheat rolls, and wild rice too, but these are not a part of my current fat burning food plan. Another day, I probably would have added these to the plate without much guilt.

I even managed to make really good choices at breakfast and dinner, but here is where the adventure comes into play.

Although things went fairly well, I wasn't as prepared as I would have liked/should have been for this trip. Here's the lowdown:

1. I left my sneakers! I wasn't deterred though. I did cardio in my socks! Out with those socks!
2. The hotel had great steel cut oats but didn't grind the flaxseed it provided! I HAVE to remember my ground flaxseed travel packs. Eating whole flaxseed is just not right!
3. MUST remember my Ipod! How could I forget. Music makes me happy and my workouts better!
4. Protein powder must tag along. I can always find water, so if I find myself unable to get in some protein because I'm on the run or in a meeting, a little protein powder would be handy!
5. Always pack almonds! Just a few almonds and the blood sugar is back on track. Can't do without them!
6. Right now I'm limiting natural sugar from fruit to get over the hump, but in the future some dried apricots will definitely accompany me on the road! The grapefruit was great, but just not practical with all the juice (although I am sure glad I had that grapefruit while waiting in the airport this morning!)

I now have a list in my blackberry call Travel Must Pack that I will check each time I have to leave town. I will not be caught unprepared again because . . .

I am Shay Shay Fit to Travel!