Author: Victoria Elizabeth

Victoria Elizabeth http://www.victoriaelizabethann.com Bubbly and enthusiastic, I am a lover of all things pink. My writing style is as eclectic as my personal library, so you'll see everything from dark poetry to light-hearted short stories posted in my portfolio.

Saturday Accountability Report

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Whoops!

I totally crashed last night and forgot to post my nutrition/fitness journal for the day. Ha!

Here’s how I did:

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I indulged (a lot), but I didn’t really feel that guilty. I’m kind of in a slump with my diet/nutrition, as I’ve been working out hard and not seeing results. I’m hoping that a few weeks of not caring will jump start my metabolism a bit and motivate me to get started strong on Monday.

I didn’t add this to my calorie counter (I had no idea what it contained), but it was delicious:

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Let’s pretend it was low-carb, low-calorie, and sin-free, mkay? 🙂

Bon appetit, my friends, and enjoy your Sunday!

Tori

Friday Accountability Report

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We had a birthday in the office today so you know what that means: cookies, Publix cake, and snacks galore!

While I resisted the siren call of both the cookies and cake, I was sucked in by the sweet Chex Mix (such crunchy goodness) and a generous serving of Jif Mocha Cappuccino hazelnut spread (like Nutella, but even worse for you).

My dinner was healthy (but included bread – so not Paleo), but the post-dinner cupcake sort of sealed the deal on the calorie fiasco.

Fortunately, I did enough cardio today to cancel out, so let’s hope the damage isn’t too bad on the scale or the waist.

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Hope everyone had an awesome Friday night!

Bon appetit, my friends!

Tori

A Frightening Throwback Thursday #tbt

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All I can say is …yikes.

This was shortly after my pre-senior year haircut disaster and before I began any healthy attempts at weight loss. Even though you can’t see my body, you can definitely see the weight I was carrying in my face.

I’m pretty sure I was solidly over 210 lbs here.

It pains me to see this photo, as I know at this age I was deeply aware of my weight and the alienation/prejudice I faced because of it. I think back to how badly I felt about myself during this time and it makes me sad. Can you hug your former self? If it were possible, I absolutely would. Lord knows I needed it then.

Seeing this picture reminds me how far I’ve come, but also how aware I need to be about the feelings of others. It’s easy to judge someone in a single glance, but that surface judgment likely doesn’t do justice to their story, their circumstances, and their struggles. Seeing my old self reminds me to be more empathetic, and to recognize that everyone is on a journey of some kind; some just haven’t identified the road yet.

Be well, my friends, and enjoy the journey.

Bon appetit!

Tori

Wednesday Accountability Report

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Whew! I’m exhausted after a long workout (cardio and strength), so my post will be short and sweet.

Here’s how I did for the day:

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While I’ve been a bit disappointed in my weight the last week or so, I must admit that I can see noticeable definition starting in my legs and I’ve officially maxed out the calf-press machine (400 lbs, 9 reps)!

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Don’t judge the bug bite: it’s Florida, it’s summer, and mosquitos are basically eating children whole. This is minor compared to how legs, arms, and exposed body parts look mid-summer.

I hope everyone had a great day, squeezed a workout in, and took good care of their bodies! And, if you enjoyed a few indulgences, good for you for taking care of your soul! :

Bon appetit, my friends!

Tori

Current Temptation: Raphsodic Bakery Cupcakes!

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These beautiful cupcakes are my current temptation.

Eighteen vegan, gluten-free, and DELICIOUS cupcakes are sitting in my fridge, begging to be devoured.

If you are vegan and/or following a gluten-free diet and live in the Orlando area, you NEED to check out Raphsodic Bakery on Mills Ave. Located right next to the Colonial/ST RD 50 intersection, this co-op is a haven of delectable treats and kind bakers.

I’ve always been greeted with a smile (and a free sample), and I’ve never made it out of the store without a box of goodies to savor for the week.

I can’t speak highly enough for the quality of their products, their customer service, and the overall warmth of their environment. In fact, when I called in my order last night (I pre-paid for two cupcake boxes after they announced a special on Facebook!), they threw in two free scones (also vegan and gluten-free) as a thank you for my repeat business.

Seriously, how amazing is that?

Regardless of what diet you’re on, Raphsodic Bakery is the place to go in Orlando when you’ve got a sweet tooth. So, what are you waiting for? Go check them out and tell them Victoria Elizabeth sent you! 🙂

Bon appetit, my friends!

Tori

Last Month

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Uh oh. Today is June 11th. Crap.

That means I’m officially one month away from my thirtieth birthday.

For the first few weeks of my Dirty Thirty Weight Loss Challenge, I had been very strict with my diet and exercise and the weight poured off. I went from 131 to 125 in the span of 10 days (a little fast), but have since stalled out and even gone backward a bit.

I’ve been REALLY into sweets lately and it’s showing on the scale – I’ve been stalled between 127-128 for almost two weeks. Seeing the calendar today was exactly what I needed: a swift kick in the butt and a reminder that I’m not getting any younger. It will only getting harder to lose this weight the more I postpone it, so I need to kick myself into gear and finish what I’ve started.

Starting today, I’m back on clean eating (with a small, daily cheat permitted – I am human) and a rigorous exercise program.

My goals will be to stay under 1,300 calories, stay moderately low carb, and to burn at least 5,000 calories per week through my workouts. That means intense gym visits, but I know I can do it.

The goal: under 120 by 7/11/2014.

Let’s make it happen!

Bon appetit, my friends!

Tori

Tuesday Accountability Report

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My sweet tooth was in overdrive today and I definitely overindulged. Whoops!

I was at work 9-9 again so I wasn’t able to make it to the gym again (second day in a row).

I plan to hit the gym HARD tomorrow (think 2+ hours cardio AND strength training) to cancel out some of the munchies I’ve had the last 24 hours.

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Hope everyone else has been doing better with clean eating than I have this week! 🙂

Bon appetit, my friends!

Tori

Monday Accountability Report

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Amazingly, I’m not horribly sore today. My legs feel like lead — they are puffed up and swollen — but I’m able to walk normally despite yesterday’s intense 60+ trek.

My appetite was crazy and I barely kept myself under 1,500 calories. I have class Mondays, so the gym isn’t an option – fortunately, we had a brief field trip to the Genius Reserve (48 acre wilderness preservation in Winter Park), so I was able to squeeze in a little bit of walking into my evening.

And I snapped a few awesome pictures! Here are a few:

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All in all, it wasn’t a terrible day:

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I’m hoping Tuesday brings a return of my normal appetite (today has been beastly on my self control) and a return to the gym.

Bon appetit, my friends!

Tori

Sunday Accountability Report

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Today was a very, very good day.

Why? Because I woke up with a CRAZY fitness idea and I ran with it.

I live very close to the Cady Way Trail, which is a 6.5 mile shady bicycle/walking trail that cuts through Winter Park. What a lot of people don’t know is that Cady Way Trail connects to the Cross-Seminole Trail, a 23 mile tour that dissects Seminole County, Florida. It leads from Winter Park/Oviedo border all the way to Lake Mary – a solid 30 minute drive down I-4 on a day with no traffic.

My wild idea was to ride my bike (not a race bike, mind you, but a mountain-hybrid) the 60+ miles round trip to Lake Mary for lunch.

And guess what?

I did it!

Here’s how I looked PRE-departure:

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Here is how I looked after 31.55 miles (I got lost on a trail detour!) as I sat down for lunch at Dexter’s in Lake Mary:

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And, unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture upon arriving home; I was too exhausted and proud of myself to remember!

I tracked my food today purely out of habit, as I burned off WAY more than I could eat — a very good Sunday, indeed.

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Did I mention Dexter’s had unlimited mimosas for $12? Don’t mind if I do:

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Such a great day! I hope everyone had a stellar weekend and, as always, bon appetit!

Tori