Not Skinny!

I was so wrong last weekend when I said the competition was 3 weeks away.  It's not on the 12th.  It's on the 19th!  So now it's 3 1/2 weeks until I get my batch of cookies and pork burrito.  But that's okay.  A relief, actually.  I'm almost ready but there are some tricks I still need to accomplish before then.  

Suit:

I got my suit!  First of all, there's no way I'm spending $250 +++ on a swimsuit, which is the price of a nice blingy suit.  Unless I'm being paid to be in it, it's not worth it.  So I did some internet-ing and found a how-to on competition bikini making.  It started with a trip to Target and another to Hobby Lobby.  After all is said and done, my blinged-out suit cost maybe $50.  

Recipe:

I have a recipe to share.  It's kind of like chicken salad, but without the fat and calories of real chicken salad with mayo.  I don't have exact measurements so if you do it you'll have to just do it according to taste.  

Put thawed chicken breasts in the food processor.  Once they are ground and not chunky, add celery.  Real stocks of celery.  Then add some ranch seasonings (or Italian or Caesar salad dressing seasoning). Cook it like you would cook ground beef.  Put it over salad with rice.  Enjoy!

There are a couple of things I want to address.  I've had some comments where people are concerned that I'm not at a healthy body weight or that I'm making my readers think that being "skinny" is the thing to be.

During this entire process I have been at a healthy body weight for my height.  I am 5'8" and from start to finish (post baby until now) I have been between 170 and 129 pounds.  I should be anywhere from 126-167 pounds according to healthdiscovery.net.

I do not like the word "skinny."  I am not skinny.  I am healthy.  I am fit.  I eat a lot.  I lift weights.  Anyone could do the things I do and get the results I get.  It has taken 10 months to get where I am so if anyone is looking for a quick weight-loss plan, this is not it.  BUT, this is a healthy weight-loss plan.  And when I say "weight," I mean "fat."  I have gained muscle and lost fat, which I think is most people's goal.  So yes, I do have a low body fat percentage and no, I am not unhealthy nor skinny.

I teach my daughter the difference in "treats" and healthy food.  She would choose treats all the time and I let her sometimes.  I don't ever say "skinny" or say that I'm fat.  I don't want her to focus on those things.  She needs to learn how to eat well and I'm trying to teach that.

The second thing I want to address is pictures of me in a bikini.  Honestly, I'm not super comfortable in a bikini.  I go to church and there are a lot of judgers at church.  I don't love that.  I've been called "worldly" behind my back by someone who was once a good friend.  Most people understand but I guess I feel like I have to explain it to that small percentage.  I'm not doing this for sexual attention.  I am doing this as a goal for me and I post it on my blog to motivate others.  Not to brag, not for attention.

The pictures below are of me before my phone call with Jerry yesterday.  I made breakfast for my family before and changed a poopy diaper after.  I feel like I'm going to roll my ankle in 4 1/2 inch heels.  All of those things are real life.  My life.  Not a fantasy.  But I love it!

PS  The tanning bed has done wonders.