Curvey College Grad

Protein, Portion Control & Peanut Butter (3 Ps)

2012-06-24T19:46:00.004-07:00

When anyone hears that I am starting a lifestyle change they immediately say "are you sick of grilled chicken yet?" I didn't really understand what that was suppose to mean, I haven't eve had grilled chicken yet. Then my mom enlightened me that grilled chicken is the least fatty way to get the most protein, DUH APRIL!

I have been on the hunt for other ways to get that pure protein to assit my muscles rebuild. I am a huge peanut butter fan, now before you freak out let me at least try to convince you that peanut butter is beneficial. A good piece of advice I am learning is that before you start the battle with your fat, you must do your research and I have done mine now!

The Key is to portion your intake. I love peanut butter and if you leave me alone with the jar, bad things will happen (well just as far as my body is concerned). So I elect to buy the JIF 2 Go cups that are pre-portioned for me, so that I can have a sweet protein treat without ODing.

I like to put it on rice cakes too because they give me the crunch of a potato chip and the style of a piece of bread, BUT its a healthy alternative to both! I know rice cakes have a bad reputation but they are a great snack or breakfast item. I'm not to keen on eggs or cereal or breakfast food in general, so this is a good choice for me.

Here are the Facts:

Rice Cakes: Gluten Free, 9grams Whole Grain, 35 calories per serving, lightly salted

Jif To Go Cups: 167 calories, 13 grams fat, 6 gr Protein, creamy & delicious

I am going to talk more about portion control soon, keep on the look out!

Reading @ the Gym?

2012-06-23T20:20:00.002-07:00

Today I was at the gym and I noticed that every third person was reading a magazine, a book or a nook. I'm sure this is not a new fad but is just something I newly noticed. Is this an enhancement to your workout by distracting you from how hard you are working or how long you have been there or is it distracting in a bad way of not allowing you to focus on the task at hand (which is to burn fat and sweat) ???
I love reading and am constantly running my nook still it's dead but, I just don't know how I feel about it at the gym, how can someone even read a sentence while running on a treadmill, I can barely stay breathing? All the power to them I suppose, If it works for you then in keep it up....but let me know what you think about all of this.

Keep up the hard work (by the way i'm 3 pounds down! yay me!)
~A

Water, Water, Water

2012-06-22T18:11:00.001-07:00

Water, Aqua, H2O, Rainwater whatever it is you call it water is very essential to our well-being and a big key to loosing weight. A good majority of the time our bodies confuse thirst for hunger and without even really thinking about it we open the fridges and pantries and begin our hunt for junk food.

Aqua effects our bodies more than we think, being 1% dehydrated can slow down your metabolism significantly (which no one wants!) and if you drink 1.5 liters of water a day you will loose an average of 5 lbs more. No I am not recommending an over dose on water, cause that could be very dangerous as well but I am suggesting ditching the soda and ice tea and grabbing an ice cold poland spring or bobble. It is very beneficial and your body will thank you and so will your fat (when it disappears).

I am not the biggest supporter of sports drinks like powerade and gatorade but, If you are not a water gal (which I am) you still have healthy options such a Mio. My boyfriend dislikes the taste of water and has fallen in love with Mio, which I totally support. Mio is water enhancer with 0 calories and carbs, it's sugar-free, gluten free, tasty and good-looking. It's not very expensive about $4 and you have your choice from 9 different flavors. You Should At least Give it a Try!

Keep Drinking!

Lookin' Good Makes You Feel Good!

2012-06-20T12:39:00.000-07:00

I truly believe that if you look good you feel good for every aspect in life. A power suite can land you any job you want because you radiate confidence while you're in it. If you feel good at the gym you will want to go more often, if not just to show off your new cute & comfy outfit.

It is not the easiest thing in the world to find activewear in plus sizes but through some research and a lot of online shopping (bigger sizes are rarely offered in the stores) I have acquired a pretty wide selection of clothes myself, that are flattering and boost my confidence. Here are a few good options, depending on if you are a shorts or yoga pants kind of a girl, there is still something for everyone!

Old Navy is one of my favorite stores, I have my own bones to pick with them about not selling all their sizes in stores that are offered online (Why Should I have to pay shipping when "skinnies" don't?). Regardless, I still love their style, selection and price frame. Their activewear is great quality for wear and tear and super comfortable for all kinds of of movement.

I am less familiar with Champion and Nike but I do know that they last forever and are pretty cheap, I am fans of their sports bras, shorts and tennis skirts mostly.

Lookin' Good Makes You Feel Good! by april-eve featuring a nike sports bra

Nike activewear, $58
Old Navy yoga activewear, $15
Old Navy activewear top, $10
Champion activewear, $22
Champion seamless sports bra, $20
Nike sports bra, $35

Give them a try & Look Good While Doing It

~A

A Good Playlist Makes All The Difference

2012-06-19T18:59:00.000-07:00

It's hard to decide how long to stay in the gym for without getting bored. A good idea is to make a playlist, with beats and lyrics that inspire you and for as long as you want to be in the gym for so when the list is done..... so are you! For me, I need a good good beat that I can move to (which is the point of being at the gym....to move).
I know that it is just easier to use Pandora but to get the best results you have to put in the work and I know that I move more when I like what I'm listening to, and I dont have to change the song every 5 seconds. Add new songs to mix it up often so it doesn't get boring. Here's What I was listening to at the gym today.....

Certain songs make you want to move in different ways. For example, I hate the song "Dance (ass)," but the beat is so catchy to run to I always include it on my playlist. Other song are better for motivating that Ab workout like "Call Me Maybe." No one can tell you what will get you pumped but when you find it, I think it will make a huge difference in the gym.

What gets you grovin' ??
Keep Giving It Your All!!
~A

What Inspires YOU?

2012-06-17T20:05:00.003-07:00

Whether you're just starting a life style change or you are smack dab in the middle of it, inspiration and goals are the hidden key to success. Some would say feeling better is incentive enough but I feel differently.

There are various approaches that would work for everyone differently. A friend of mine use to put a pictures of an Abercrombie & Fitch model on the fridge so that every time she went in to cheat she was reminded of how badly she wanted to look like that girl. It worked for her but every time I saw it I just wanted to go shopping, which is why my method works for addicted shoppers.

I am going to go buy a pair of shorts that were not my goal size but just the next size down, so that when I hit that I will feel accomplished and be rewarded with cute shorts. It might not be for all but I hope it works for me, fingers crossed. I dress pretty preppy and will look for something either J.crew or Ralph Lauren and probably going with the bright colored trend perhaps something like this....

There is also a good idea on that I might try that I saw on Pinterest. Having two jars with pebbles 1jar with them representing Pounds to Loose and 1with Pounds Lost. It's a good way to keep your pounds lost in retrospect to your ultimate goals. I'm def going to give it a chance, you should too!

Keep Motivated & Keep Reading....
~ A

Day One Down

2012-06-13T19:35:00.003-07:00

I think that hardest part about starting a diet is actually starting it!! At least for me I am always saying tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow and I'm glad that I started today.

Today I slept alittle later than usual so I hada light B-fast because I had a lunch date with my girls not long after. I opted for a nectarine and some strawberries and I thought it was a pretty picture perfect morning munch. It was filling, low calorie and sweet, perfect combination!

As for lunch we met at Panera so that I could get a salad (how very skinny girl sounding of me) But my greek salad, apple and diet coke was delicious and again filling. When you're on a diet it's very important to stay full to resist the erge to snack. I have nothing against snacking but I usually do it on the wrong things if I'm super hungry and desperate.

I confess I did have a snack today but it was a Stew Lenard's frozen yogurt (all you CT ppl know how irresistible stew's is). Yogurt is good for your immune system and digestive track an important thing for your body. As for dinner I was not very hungry and only had a few Jalepeno popers another oddly healthy thing because spicy foods chick start your metabolism, something I really need!

Today was kind of crazy but tomorrow (there I go with tomorrow again) I am going to the gym and will let you know how it goes and give you some tips on how to feel good while working out....

Wish me Luck on Day 2!

Final Life Style Change!

2012-06-12T21:08:00.000-07:00

Ok so I've been "fat" my whole life and I am never going to look like a victoria secret model but have tried ever diet there is out there and never had any lasting progress and I think I'm finally figuring out why.

I don't hate how I am and I want to say Screw Societies Expectations I want to be myself, but I have come to realize that I need to start eating better and exercising more to be healthy and truly happy. When you eat badly you feel badly.

With college over it is a new start and I want to be a new April that can start something and finish it and be Proud of myself! I hope this doesn't make me a sell out to the fat community but I want to be able to wear the same things as my friends and be able live without anxiety of if I'm going to break a chair or fit on a roller coaster. There is not one feature on my body that I like (Fat girls are at least suppose to have boobs, stupid genetics!) and I want to change that.... I will change that!

SO This is my pledge to myself and my readers (that I hope will emerge) That tomorrow I am starting my lifestlye change, although strick it will not be a rice cake only diet. I want to eat natural healthy things to recieve as much good vitamins and nutrients possible. Following the new trend of the raw food diet (one of my friends lost 30 Lbs on it) but I will be on a variation because I love fish and Chicken I think they are very essential to my well-being.

I will be enjoying:

Fresh Fruits

Fresh Veggies
Grilled Chicken
Fish
Nuts & Beans

*Nothing Processed, No Carbs & No Cheese (My Kryptonite!)

It seems limited but for me to have succes I need serious restrictions...

I am the queen of having a gym membership (boy do they make $$ off of me!). My friend Case Face and I have vowed it each other to be support systems for each other and gym buddies. I will devise a work out plan soon to share with you all!

I'll keep updated on my progress & Plans

WISH ME LUCK!!

Pretty New At This....

2012-06-12T15:47:00.001-07:00

Hey Readers!! I am really excited to be starting a blog, it's something that I have been wanting t do for awhile but just didn't have the time for while in college and now that I'm newly graduated all I have is time it seems.

Alittle about me, My name is April and I'm a 21 year old who just freshly graduated from Rhode Island College in Providence with my Bachelors of Science Psychology and a minor in Gerontology (ya know geriatrics.....old people). College was the best 4 years of life. I learned a ton about myself and who I want to be. I just moved home with my parents and my boyfriend will be joining us soon (we'll see how this mix goes...)

I am a curvey lady, always have been I came out at birth twice the size of normal new borns. And I wanted to start this blog to hopefully be someone a majority of young girls can relate to, especially considering the average size woman is a size 14, it's true!! America is getting bigger and that is not necessarily a bad thing. I want to be an Advocate for young women who feel that they need advice and tips on how to get through each day loving themselves.

Here are a few Pics of my family and friends who mean the world to me and I will reference in my posts I'm sure.....

My Boyfriend and I at Graduation!

My 3 Best College Friends on our Graduation Cruise

My Biggest supporters, Mom and Dad