Flattening a figure

I decided a before picture would be a good idea, a motivator, and hopefully a stark contrast to the future me. Beth took this picture on a hike we shared in Colorado a few weeks ago. I feel pretty disgusting-looking in it, to be honest. I don't know what happened. I haven't always looked or felt I looked like this.



This Skinny B quest, journey thing is really hard. I've been doing really well -okay, great compared to where I was- with working out. But then my brain thinks it can feed my body whatever it wants just because I ran a little bit.

I was adding to my food journal on FitDay.com yesterday. I had such a great "eating day". And then I remembered I had to add in those peanut butter M & M's I had eaten. The half cup I ate was an extra 537 calories! It's such a constant inner struggle to be balanced with food and exercise. I don't want to do anything crazy.

I just want a healthy body and healthy perspective on -I don't know- reality?

Well, I think I'm getting closer to that goal, one day at a time. We leave Alabama tomorrow. Next week at home I'll remeasure my inches and pounds. I hope I've made some progress in that dimension, too!

Feasting isn't just for thanksgiving

One thing we know for sure is that perfection is not achieved overnight nor just because you want it.

We have done some great things for our bodies and minds in the last week, but we have also caused some devastation, maybe even like oil-spill-level devastation. Last week we ran and raked the horse pen and climbed a mountain. Then, on Friday, we ate Hibachi and devoured all of Coldstone's candies and creams (i.e. a chocolate dipped waffle bowl filled with chocolate ice cream, chocolate fudge, chocolate brownie, and chocolate chips).

As if this wasn't damage enough, on Saturday we visited P.F. Chang's with Becca. Our "girls' night" splurge for three consisted of 6 cocktails, 2 appetizers, 2 entrees, and 2 desserts. The leftovers: one teeny-tiny box of crispy honey chicken. It was divine, it was delicious, it made our bellies hurt. It was, however, good for the heart (well in at least one way).

And here we go, back on track again. Stay with us!

Brownies

That's right, our first "real" post is going to be about brownies. 

Yes, Brooke's goal is to not be a dessert fiend, but we're having brownies nonetheless.  But don't worry, they're No Pudge Fudge Brownies - you make them with fat-free yogurt instead of the oil.  Apparently they're good, but I (Beth) am not quite convinced yet. I was eyeing the box of Ghiradelli Dark Chocolate Brownie Mix at the grocery store- but good sense and Brooke prevailed, and we're about to make these apparently healthy AND yummy brownies. 

We'll let you know how they go.

In the Beginning...

...there were two RAs at Colorado State University. But that's really the beginning of our friendship, and not the beginning of our blog. Brooke got into blogging first, to write about life in Texas with her pilot hubby, Matt. Beth followed suit, writing about her life several hundred miles away with her Husband. Both love it. By both, I mean us- Beth and Brooke, the Skinny Bs.

Brooke just flew into town to spend a couple of weeks at my (Beth) house. Both of us have really been wanting to be healthier people. By no means are we super, super unhealthy - in fact, we know quite a bit about nutrition and exercise- but like most people, we struggle with self-control and will power. Brooke's weakness: dessert. Beth's: snacking. As bffs for the reals, being healthy together sounded possible. And since blog-world brings long distances closer together, we're blogging about it as a way to keep each other accountable.

And, on the off-chance that any of you random readers stumble upon our blog, we hope we make you laugh and encourage you to join in on your own journey towards a healthier life, too.