Weight Loss | 30 day Challenge

If you follow me on Instagram, you are aware of the changes that I implemented in the "G" household...and you are probably aware of the weight that my Husband has shed in the last 34 days. 

I'll be honest, I knew that my Husband had put on a few extra pounds since IV was born. You just don't have all that much "free" time to work out or go for a jog with a newborn/baby. Did we get out and walk? Yes. Did we eat pretty well? Yes. Did we like our share of beers while laying out by the pool? You bet your ass we did. 

So, Summer was coming to an end and I knew I had to help my Husband out. I knew he wouldn't ask on his own and I knew he wouldn't ever want to hit the gym after work - he'd miss out on spending time with IV at night and our nightly family dinners. 

After a little research, I knew the route I was going to take. I was up for the challenge and I was going to help my Husband lose some weight. 

I decided to use the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred. It was intense, fast and would get results. 

I also decided to change our diet. I went with a straight and simple eat CLEAN approach. 

The 30 Day Shred:

I purchased the DVD on amazon for less than $7.00. After putting IV to bed, we changed into our workout gear and got started. Seeing that the Shred is divided into 3 levels, I thought it'd be best to do each level for 10 days...every day. No breaks. 

We started August 15th - Level 1. 10 days into the Shred and my Husband lost 10 pounds. 

Onto Level 2 and soon onto Level 3. 

On September 15th, my Husband stepped onto the scale and had officially lost 22.4 pounds in 30 days. 

Clean Eating:

I found a great website which I've mentioned before - Dashing Dish This website has some great clean eating recipes which include nutritional facts. This was a big help, because we watched our caloric intake each day - tracking it with the iPhone app MyFitnessPal. 

Extras:

For an extra kick, Stew and I would run or walk anywhere from 2-5 miles each day (on weekends for Stew). We felt so much stronger just half way through that you almost wanted to run. Which if you know me, I get bored running. 

So that's it. The 30 Day Shred and Clean Eating. But as I sit here on day 35...it's far from over. This is not a diet...it's a lifestyle change. Ha. How cliche, but true. 

And finally, I'd like to thank my Husband for allowing me to share these before and after photos. He did amazing over the last 30 days. I'm so proud of him. 

Feel free to email me allie.gregory{at}gmail{dot}com or comment with any questions, Friends! 

Wordless Wednesday: Fall Photos

Fall photos of my sweet, IV:

Easy Fall Wreath & No Bake Cookies

Ok - my Fall decor is sitting on the dinning room table as I type this - I have yet to set everything up.

I did manage to sneak in a quick Fall wreath over the weekend and some super easy "No bake" cookies.

Up first, Bunting and Burlap wreath:

If you know me, you know that I love all things burlap and I have a strong love for bunting. So after a quick trip to Michaels, I came up with this:

This was super easy to create. I had a small roll of burlap left over from IV's 1st birthday party - so wrapping the styrofoam wreath was very simply. After that part was done, I moved onto hot gluing the flowers and berries that I picked up at Michaels. (99 cent per batch) 

And finally I printed out the FALL letters, glued them to my mini bunting that I made and that was it. Very easy and you can pretty much do any season seeing the burlap is so versatile. This wreath was made for less than $12. Not bad. 

Ok, up next - No Bake Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies: 

• 3/4 cup quick oats 

• 1/2 cup oat flour (I made my own in the food processor)

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1/4 tsp baking soda

• 1/4 cup splenda or sugar (I used Splenda)

• 1/4 tsp cinnamon (optional: a pinch pumpkin pie spice as well)

• 1/3 cup canned pumpkin 

• 2 to 2 1/2 tablespoons skim milk 

• 1 tablespoon oil 

I combined all ingredients in a mixing bowl, then let the mixture sit in the refrigerator few a 1/2 hour or so. After that, I made into teaspoon size balls. 

Note: This recipe made about what you see (minus two). So if you're looking to make a bigger batch, just increase the quantity of each of the ingredients above. 

Let me know if any of you give these a try! Enjoy, Friends.

Apple Picking

IV had his first apple picking experience...and he loved it. 

The morning was crisp and we stopped to get a much needed Pumpkin Spiced Chai before heading out the farm. 

The end. 

But check back in tomorrow - I'll be sharing a no bake pumpkin cookie recipe along with a tutorial on the burlap wreath I made this weekend. 

Happy Monday, Friends. 

Fall Printable

Stew and I are taking IV apple picking today and I'm pulling out all my Fall decorations.

There will be lots of football food made.

My Fall candles will be lit. 

And the Patriots game will be on. 

I'm in my glory!

If you need a Fall printable to frame and display in your home - feel free to download mine. 

These are just a few of my favorite Fall things. 

Printable is 8x10 - but you can print to any size you'd like. 

Enjoy and Happy Fall! 

Pumpkin Spice Martini

I have been craving pumpkin spice everything since flipping the calendar to September. Coffee, tea, candles - you name it. But I needed something more...so after quick text to my Husband (who was on his way home from work and close to a liquor store) I had all the ingredients I needed.

I present you with....

A pumpkin Spice Martini. 

If you like pumpkin spice - you will love this cocktail. The pumpkin flavored liquor is to. die. for! I would seriously just drink it on ice. It's that good.

Labor Day in Photos

I have the post Labor Day blues...so this post is strictly photos.

Friday I received my mini baubles necklace that I ordered from GroopDealz! I'm in love with it. I love the small version of this necklace.

Saturday morning we went downtown to the Farmers Market...

(all photos from my iPhone)

Our sweet IV wasn't feeling well though - he was sneezing and had a runny nose most of the morning...even this huge donut didn't help. 

We came home for IV to take a nap and that allowed Stew and I to get our work out in and then get cleaned up. Our after was spent running some errands. 

And every night we take the boys for a walk before bed. The sunset was amazing on Saturday. 

What our Sunday Morning looked like...

And finally by Monday, I whipped out my big girl camera and snapped a few pictures while we were at the State Fair. 

I hope you all have a great Holiday weekend!