Change your life forever with my Dave Ramsey Giveaway!

It is just as important to be financially fit as it is physically fit; I can't stress than enough. Recently I started reading a book that is steadily changing my life. I want nice things in life and more so, I want to be able to live a comfortable life. I am single and live alone, and it can be hard without anyone's else financial support. So I picked up Dave's book and I am so grateful at the knowledge I am learning when it comes to becoming financially stable. I posted a picture of my book on Instagram and Facebook, and was really surprised at the feedback I received. Dave Ramsey is incredible when it comes to budgeting and money. He has helped millions of people transform their lives.

Whether you are young, old, married, single, male, female, black, white, purple, or blue, The Total Money Makeover will change your life. If you still are not convinced, just check out the reviews.

There will be two winners from the giveaway! Both winners will receive a copies of the book with first place also receiving $25 PayPal giftcard. 

The contest is open to all residents of the United States. ALL entries entered into the giveaway will be verified. Winners will be chosen at random via Random.org and contacted via email once their entries have been confirmed. 

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The Hump Day Blog Hop!

Happy Hump Day everyone! We are halfway through the week and the hump day camel is too freaking cool, so lets have some fun and a blog hop to celebrate.

This is a little different than a link up. To participate, simply add your blog link. There is no required entry or anything like that. This is about networking, making new friends, and finding new blogs.

All I ask:

1) "The Hump Day" blog hop button button be displayed anywhere on your blog page or a specific entry with a link back to me or the weekly co-host. (Please do this. These blog hops take a lot of work and preparation.)

2) You don't have to follow me, but in the words of Blake Shelton: it'd sure be cool if ya did.

3) Please follow the co-host. I love helping and promoting these amazing women in the blog world! I do this to not only meet new people, but help my friends make new friends and readers.

4) Mingle with your fellow Bloggers.

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<a href="http://www.fitnessblondie.blogspot.com" title="The Hump Day Blog Hop"><img src="http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a593/fitnessblondiel/humpday_zps418f63f6.jpg" alt="The Hump Day Blog Hop" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Please join me in welcoming this weeks co-host, one of the most inspiring (and hilarious) women I have ever had met in blogging; Val @ "Fab Chick Gets Fit"

ALSO...

My Weekly Nutrition and Training Plan

The below nutrition plan is what I eat Monday through Friday. Saturday and Sunday during the day I still eat clean but will eat whatever is left over or what I have around my apartment. Two nights a week I have "treat" meals - whatever I choose. They are usually Saturday and Sunday night, but it does vary. I switch up my eating every week. I plan the week before what I want to have for meals, make the grocery list, and prep the food on Sunday's. A lot of times people will ask me if I get bored eating the same thing everyday. The answer is no. It is only 5 days a week that I eat the same thing. I eat to live - not live to eat. It took me a long time to come to that.  I also do this to save money. I live alone so I can't really cook tons of different things during the week because it's too expensive and will go bad. There are also ways you can switch up your eating day to day. Like my Quest Bars for instance; I eat a different flavor everyday, same with my yogurt. You can read here for meal prep ideas!

Total down (since 11/25/13):  54 pounds!

Meal 1 (7:15 AM)

Meal 2 (4 10:30 AM)

Meal 3 (1:15 PM)

Meal 4 (3:45 PM) 

1 pack of Kay's Natural protein chips and fresh grapes

Gym 4:30-6PM

Meal 5 (6:30 PM) [Post workout]

1/4 cup of plain grits with 2 tablespoons of turkey bacon pieces

Meal 6 (9 PM)

4 oz. Turkey meatloaf with fresh asparagus, and dark red kidney beans.

Bed time 11PM

-------------------------------

Sunday: (Hiking) - done!

10 miles of hiking at Crowder's Mountain

Monday: (Weights) - done!

-30 minutes of cardio: StairMill (80 SPM regular work and 70 SPM with skipping every other step, 60 SPM for resting work - alternating all 3 levels every 3-4 minutes. Rest work is only 1 minute)

-Weight Circuit:

   -Shoulders: 3 x 15

   -Back: 3 x 15

   -Biceps: 3 x 15

   -Chest: 3 x 15

   -Triceps: 3 x 15

    Sample workout

-15 minutes cardio: Elliptical (Incline 9, Resistance 10)

Tuesday: (Core)

-25 minutes of cardio: StairMill (80 SPM regular work and 70 SPM with skipping every other step, 60 SPM for resting work - alternating all 3 levels every 3-4 minutes. Rest work is only 1 minute)

- 3 sets of 45 second planks

- 3 sets of "Russian Twists" with a 10 pound weight plate

- 3 sets of 20 crunches

- 3 sets of 20 heel touches

- 3 sets of  10 elevated leg crunches

-20 minutes cardio: Elliptical (Incline 9 and 12, Resistance 10)

Wednesday: (Weights)

-15 minutes of high intensity interval training: Tredmill (Work: 3 minutes at 3.2 speed and 12 incline and rest 2 minutes at 3.4 speed and 0 incline. No holding onto the tredmill at all)

-15 minutes of cardio (Elliptical: Incline 9/10, Resistance 10)

-Weight Circuit:

   -Shoulders: 3 x 15

   -Back: 3 x 15

   -Biceps: 3 x 15

   -Chest: 3 x 15

   -Triceps: 3 x 15

    Sample workout

-10 minutes cardio: StairMill (5 minutes at 80 SPM and 5 minutes at 60 SPM. No holding onto machine)

Thursday: (Core)

-20 minutes of high intensity interval training: Tredmill (Work: 3 minutes at 3.2 speed and 12 incline and rest 2 minutes at 3.4 speed and 0 incline. No holding onto the tredmill at all)

-10 minutes of cardio (Elliptical: Crossramp 9/10, Resistance 10)

- 3 sets of 45 second planks

- 3 sets of "Russian Twists" with a 10 pound weight plate

- 3 sets of 20 crunches

- 3 sets of 20 heel touches

- 3 sets of  10 elevated leg crunches

-10 minutes cardio: StairMill (5 minutes at 80 SPM and 5 minutes at 60 SPM. No holding onto machine)

.

Friday: (Legs)

-20 minutes of cardio: Elliptical (Incline is switched between 1, 9, and 20. Resistance is switched between 9 and 10)

-Leg Workout:

   -Squats (4 x 15. Two sets of 55 pounds and Two sets of 75 pounds)

   - Leg Extension (3 x 15, 50 pounds)

   - Leg Curl (3 x 15, 110 pounds)

   - Leg Press (3 x 10, 270 pounds)

-10 minutes of cardio: Elliptical (Incline, 9/12 and Resistance, 9)

-Hard, long Stretch

Saturday: (Rest)

Weekend recap with a big haircut and announcement!

It was a lovely weekend for me!

It was the first weekend I have not had to travel in a few weeks. I was able to take it a little more easy than normal and enjoy myself. It was low key, but a lot of fun. Plus, I only gained a pound, but still lost in fat mass. The scale was probably up due to water. Normally, I would not be happy at ALL about gaining weight, but after my long Memorial Day weekend paired with 4 days out of the gym, I was worried. I have been back on the grind though.

Friday after work, I went to my stylists house to get my hair done. She has been working so hard at building her home salon and it is really coming together. I am so proud of her. She is literally the best with hair; she's taught at schools, managed salons, and is so creative. If you live near Charlotte and want her information, let me know. She can do anything.

My hair ended up taking about 4 hours. Ugh. And well, it is quite a bit of a change. I had 4 inches cut off, side bangs added, and no red streaks. 

Here is what I thought about it...

I'm not happy. I'm working on getting there, but it is hard. Luckily it is just hair and I know it will grow back, but I do not feel like me. I love my long hair and my red streaks. However, my ends were really fried and stringy, so the cut truly needed to happen. Now time to embrace it and make the best of it.

After, I did an Ulta trip. I had $200 points to use and Redken products were 2 for $22. Plus I was out of translucent powder. I love the Sulfate free shampoo, it is wonderful. It's light and does not weigh the hair down. Which for me right now is essential. If I have the short hair, I want it BIG! Also, for the first time ever, I tried Bare Minerals.I bought the mineral "veil" powder and it is so soft. I am really enjoying the product thus far. Of course I had to get a hot pink brush to go with it... hashtag true Fitness Blondie style!

I was in bed by 11 and slept until 10 AM on Saturday. I have no idea why I slept so late. Once I got myself up and awakened from my zombie-like state, I downed a Quest Bar for breakfast then walked to the gym. It was a gorgeous, sunny, and breezy morning. I lifted and did 40 minutes of cardio.

Once I finished at the gym, I walked back home to shower and get ready for the day. I tried to work and play with my hair to try and manage it to my liking. I did OK, but I am not content with my bangs yet.

Once I was ready, I ran by GNC then met my friends Karen, Johnathan, and Alexis at the movie theater. We went to see "Maleficent". Y'all I cannot rave about this movie enough! We saw it in 3D and that made it that much more spectacular. Angelina Jolie is majestic... breathtaking... perfect. The movie was just so awesome. I LOVED the story, graphics, and acting. I would love to go see it again and cannot wait for the movie to come on DVD. If you get the chance, go see it.

Before the show, I wanted a treat. I did not want to get a huge popcorn or drink, so I asked the cashier if I could get a kids box, and I was able too, ha!

After the amazing movie, Alexis and I went to one of my favorite neighborhood spots "Cantina 1511". It was a gorgeous, breezy evening, so she and I had dinner and a cocktail on the patio. There was also a cute guy singing and playing the guitar, so I mean, it was totally an all around win. Also, since Lex and I had movie tickets, we were able to get free guacamole dip. Unfortunately I had to pass because avocados give me awful, awful stomach pains... even though I love it. Ugh. It was cool though - the waiter made it right in front of us! I sipped on the drink to the left; a mint and strawberry Mojito. I loved it - it was refreshing and best of all, no syrup. I cannot stand cocktails with that syrup crap.

After dinner and music, I went to Target and Harris Teeter for my weekly groceries (I know, I am rockstar) then spent the rest of the evening watching George Lopez and Roseanne comedy specials on HBO. Ha!

Today I left around 11AM to go to my happy place; hiking at Crowder's Mountain. I had 10 miles on the agenda.

I made it to the top as usual. However, when I was coming down, I took quite a tumble. I tripped over a tree root (I think) and fell into a tree. I'm thankful the tree was there, because if it wasn't, I'm sure I would have kept going. To make the fall even worse, of course there was a big group of people slightly ahead of me who heard me fall so they all came over. I was thankful for them checking on me, but it was still so freaking embarrassing. I was slowly able to finish my hike and the damage just seems to be a slightly swollen ankle with scrapes on my legs. I feel fine; just a little achy and very tired.

Once I got home from my fun adventure, I propped and iced my ankle and legs for about an hour. I felt better so I was able to get my food prep and cleaning done.

Now I am finally settled down and able to rest. But I have one more thing...

What an amazing opportunity. I am so excited to be able to host this giveaway. This book is for everyone - men, women, black, purple, white, yellow, young, old, married, single - EVERYONE. It will change your life! Seriously, ask anyone who has read Dave Ramsey books or listens to his show. The giveaway starts this Wednesday at noon EST. More details follow then!