My Bahamas cruise starts exactly four weeks from today!  I've already started putting together my packing list and I also just went clothes shopping over the weekend, so I figured now would be a good time to do a post on all of my cruise outfits.  Some of them are the same outfits I wore on my last cruise, mostly because I haven't really added many summer clothes to my wardrobe since the last cruise.  Here are the outfits I'll be wearing on my 8-day trip:

Here are all of my clothes laid out.  It was slightly less overwhelming to pack for an 8-day trip instead of my last trip, which was an 11-day trip.

It's been about three weeks since I've strictly followed the Tone It Up workout schedule or stuck to the guidelines of the nutrition plan.  I've still been tracking everything I eat but it hasn't been anywhere near as healthy as I was eating before.  I'm not sure if the reason for my break was that I momentarily gave up or if I just needed some time away from the pressures of following a strict plan.  

Either way, I did a lot of soul searching and spent time figuring out where my issues with food come from and why I've struggled with weight loss for almost my whole life.  Now that I've spent this time on contemplation and inner dialogue I feel like I have a much clearer picture of where I want to go and how I need to get there.  

I've decided to re-start the program slowly and take it one day at a time.  It feels like if I were to dive in and go at it 100% I might just get overwhelmed and quit.  So instead of going full-force, I'm going to ease into it.  This means I will not be following the workout schedule posted on ToneItUp.com right away.  I'm going to make it a point to walk on the treadmill for 30 minutes at least three times a week, and maybe more if I can make that happen.  

I will start following the nutrition plan as closely as possible so that I can get back into the habit of eating healthy and giving my body the food it deserves.  So for now I'm basically following the well-known quote that says "Abs are made in the kitchen, not in the gym".  I plan on getting back into a full fitness routine eventually, but only once I am back into the swing of things with the nutrition plan.

While I would like to report that I've been doing great on the Tone It Up plan, it hasn't been all sunshine and rainbows.  I'm hoping that being honest about my struggles will show others that the path to being healthy is long and sometimes overwhelming.  Everyone's story is different, but I'd like to think that mine is inspiring to someone else who feels like they are the only one struggling.  

There are two things that indicate to me that I really like a book.  The first is that I can't put it down until I'm done.  The other is that I keep thinking about it after I've finished the book.  A bonus is when I want to start right back at the beginning so I can experience the story again.  The books in The Selection series had all of these qualities for me.  

The last time I got so wrapped up in a series was for The Hunger Games.  I don't want to get your hopes up and make you think The Selection series was on the same level as that ultra-popular series, but for me this reminded me of my insatiable, can't-get-enough feeling I had when reading The Hunger Games.  In fact, an article on Hollywood.com referred to the series as "The Bachelor meets The Hunger Games".  No wonder I liked the series so much; those are two of my favorite things!  I can only hope this series is made into a movie trilogy so I can experience it in the theater.

In case you haven't heard of The Selection series or don't know what it's about, here is the summary of the first book from Amazon.com:

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

Apparently I'm not the only one who enjoyed the series.  The ratings on GoodReads are all right around 4 out of 5 stars.  Let me know if you get a chance to read the books because I'd be interested to hear what other people think!

Fall is my favorite time of year and I decided the best way to celebrate the upcoming season change is to splurge on some amazing fall scents at Bath & Body Works.  It seems like I get a new email from them every day with a new deal, but the other day I got one I couldn't resist.  Not only did they have $12 candles, they also had buy 3 get 3 free and $4 hand soaps.  Here's everything that I got:

3-Wick Candles for $12 each:

• Sweater Weather
• Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin
• Cranberry Woods
• Warm Caramel Cider

$4 Hand Soap:

• Market Peach
• Farmstand Apple
• Vanilla Berry Sorbet
• Black Raspberry Vanilla

Buy 3, Get 3 Free Shower Gel:

• Sheer Fresia
• Black Raspberry Vanilla
• Be Enchanted
• Dark Kiss
• Brown Sugar & Fig
• Enchanted Orchid

The best part is that they also had an offer free shipping that I used, so I didn't have to pay for shipping.  But after I finalized my order I realized I had forgotten to use my 20% off coupon.  Their customer service department was amazing and gave me the 20% off anyway, so I saved an extra $20!  So an order that should have cost me almost $200 only ended up costing me $95!  

The worst part is that they sent me another coupon to save $10 off an order of $30, so I'm tempted to buy even more stuff (probably candles)…but I'll try to contain myself!

What's your favorite fall candle from Bath & Body Works?  Mine from last year is Marshmallow Fireside, but Sweater Weather may win this year.

Today I finished my Week 12 on the Tone It Up nutrition plan.  Two weeks ago I started following the 8 week Bikini Series workout schedule from ToneItUp.com and did really well on my first week.  I worked out 5 days that week and followed the nutrition plan really closely.  You would think that doing so well would encourage me to keep up the good work, but this past week was not good at all.  My motivation tanked out and I just couldn't convince myself to keep going.  Here's a post I made on the TIU community:

• It seems like I've hit a wall with my motivation.  I feel like I've put in a lot of hard work and gotten very little back as far as results go.  My body has barely changed and it makes me question whether this is worth it.  I need some words of inspiration to keep fighting for this and to remember why I started in the first place.  
  

And here are some of the comments I got back from the amazing women in the community:

• Don't give up - you're so much stronger than you think you are! <3 
  
• We are all works in PROGRESS, and you are progressing, even if you aren't seeing it exactly the way you would like at this time!  
  
• Just keep going! It will be worth it! I know how hard it is!  You will see results, and it will be worth it! Just keep going, and eventually, it will show!! This is for you, and you deserve it :D if you treat your body right he will respond accordingly!  Keep strong :D good luck! 
  
• Don't be discouraged, you'll get there. Quick fixes never work,, cause they're quick.. sudden.. You need consistency and perseverance and we're all with you!
  

Aren't these women amazing?  And these are just snippets of the long messages I got with encouragement and words of wisdom!  It's such a good feeling to know that I am not going through this journey alone and that I have the support of so many women, including our awesome trainers, Karena and Katrina!

With that being said, I decided to take the rest of the week off and haven't worked out or followed the nutrition plan for the past week.  For me it was important to take a break so I could realize how good I feel when I am on the plan and use that as motivation to get back on track.  Tomorrow is the start of a new week and I will be getting back on the plan.  Wish me luck!

If you have any questions about the plan, please feel free to leave a comment and I'll get back to you with my input!  I am so grateful for the help I've received from the TIU community and I am happy to pay it forward.

Even while following the nutrition plan from Tone It Up, I still need an occasional treat from time to time.  Instead of derailing my progress by eating something unhealthy, I like to find recipes for healthy options.  Here is a link to find the original recipe for apple "cookies" on the blog by Rachel Schultz.

Apple Cookies
Serves 1

Ingredients:
1 apple
2 tablespoons peanut butter
Pecans (I've also used sliced almonds)
Coconut shreds
Chocolate chips

1. Slice apple into thin rings and remove core. 
2. Spread peanut butter over one side of ring.
   
3. Top with pecans, coconut shreds, and chocolate chips.

I'm always on the lookout for new recipes, so leave a note in the comments if you have any you would recommend!