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Wednesday, January 20, 2016

101 in 1001: Week 2 in Review


With another week done on my 101 things in 1001 days it is time for another status update.  This week has been a little bit easier and harder at the same time but lets see what we are on our way to completing on our list now.


1.  Lose 100 pounds - I know that this one is a big one on my list of things but I have made it to my first milestone of my 100 pounds lost and took off my first 20 pounds.

Update on my weight loss story

A photo posted by Samantha Jo (@amethystprincss) on


3. Give up Fast Food for 1 Month - Though this one was a hard one to start, it is official and I have been without fast food for 7 days.  Hopefully I can go a few more weeks without fast food.  Though this has been hard on me this week the next one on my list has gotten a little easier.

4.  Give up Sodas for 1 Month - Yep, I have now completed 20 days without a soda.  Though the first few days of this goal was pretty hard this last week was pretty easy.  I just have to survive the next few days to make the 31 day goal.

6.  Workout 4 times a week - This one continued really well this last week, I was able to find time to get in a workout everyday even though 1 of them was only a quick 20 minute walk before having dinner and game night with friends.  But overall I did good and got in 6, 30 minute or longer walk.

37. Complete the Zombies Run 5K - Well I am happy to say that I am on my way to completion on this one with week 2 being complete.

Week 2 of #zombiesrun5k complete. Glad for a day or two before I start week 3.

A photo posted by Samantha Jo (@amethystprincss) on


Though we are still at the beginning of this list, I have slowly gotten to the point of getting on my way to getting things on this list complete.  It makes me really happy how well I have worked on this list and how well it seems to be going.  Yeah, I am just starting and there is nothing really complete but I am almost done with a few things and hopefully will make it through some more.

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

101 in 1001: Week 1 in Review



This first week of my New Year, New Me has been amazing.  Though I have not completed anything on the list I have made progress to a few of them.

4. Give up Soda's for 1 month - Though I started this one a little bit before the start of my challenge to myself (Jan 1) I am still going strong.  I have replaced the Soda's with tea in the morning which has been great.  Check out some of my good morning tea posts on Instagram

A photo posted by Samantha Jo (@amethystprincss) on
6.  Work out 4 times a week - Though this one is kinda open ended on how long I have to do this, I think I am going to leave it open ended til I reach my goal weight I am not really sure.  This week alone I have worked out almost everyday.  I did miss Wednesday when posting this due to bad weather but I did at least go for a 30 min walk even when I was not doing one of my Zombies Run 5K training workouts.

37. Complete the Zombies Run 5K training - As you can see in the above statement I have started the Zombies Run 5K training and have already started week 2 of the 8 week training.

A photo posted by Samantha Jo (@amethystprincss) on

Though I have not really started everything on this list in full, I have gotten my feet in the waters and looking into making sure I get everything done.  I can not wait to get to some of the other items on the list and look forward to sharing the journey with all of you.

Monday, January 11, 2016

Thoughts during Zombies, Run 5K training



So Zombies, Run 5K is more of an introduction into the Zombies, Run Universe.  The first mission I have dubbed Zombies 5K 0.0 is the exact same first mission as you see in the main Zombies Run program.  This is your arrival into Abel Township.

Now that you have done your introduction as Runner 5 it is time to get into shape and ready for the Zombies.  In this story the Doctor and Sam Yao are teaching you to be a faster runner which is something that the town needs as it seems all their runners have been victims of smoke inhalation.

The first week you are going pretty easy getting into the work out with:
10 min walk

(repeating 10 times)
1 min walk
15 seconds slow run

10 min free form run (I was not sure what this was, but it is a run/walk at your own pace)

Now let me admit, before really starting this program I have not really been a walker/runner.  I would rather read a book or just about anything else than do this, but with my goal for the year being to make healthier choices I need to get up and move some more.  Why not make that movement be a story mode workout.  But in order to get the the story I need to get some stamina on workout going.  Like every person who starts a new workout you have some thoughts that go through your head when you first start out and here are some of the thoughts that went through my head as I did my first Zombies, Run 5K workout.


  1. I can do this
  2. 5 minutes in and I am still going strong
  3. Ok, 10 minute walk done my legs burn, but I can do this.
  4. First 15 second run wasn't so bad.
  5. 4 of my 15 second runs done now I hurt and I really want to quit.
  6. OMG, I love this song, I can go a little longer.
  7. Only 2 more 15 second runs to go, yep I can do this.
  8. OK, last 15 second run, lets make it count.
  9. Last 2 minute Walk/Run and I can see my car, lets go.
  10. FINISHED, see I knew I could do this.


Though there was a lot of questionable moments on surviving this workout you will see that I did in fact complete the workout and live to tell the tale.  I would also love to tell you that I did make it through the other 2 workouts for the week.  There may have been a little mud a few times but I got the workouts in and was very proud of my 3 completed workouts last week.  I can not wait to get on to week 2's workouts this week.

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

New year....new me



So I have started this many of times: my goal to lose weight and be a better me. So hopefully 2016 is the year of success. 

When I was in high school, I was able to have some success in weight loss with the Atkins diet so I am attempting it all over again.  So here is to a new year with healthier choices from eating salad at work instead of a burger and fries and even walking after work at the park instead of going home and binge watching shows on Netflix.  

With almost 200 pounds to lose to reach a healthy weight for me, I really do have a long ways to go on this journey.   I am really excited to get started on it. So excited that during my day off yesterday I went and got somethings to make some healthy grab and go lunches to take to work.  

So with a few days into 2016, I am starting my journey of hard work and hopefully great payoffs.


This was a picture I took of myself just a few days ago, so lets see how well I can take some of this weight off and get to a healthier, happier me.

101 Things in 1001 Days



So it is a new year and I have always wanted to do one of these lists and I have tried to start one before, but life kind of got in the way and I never really got into making my list and completing it.  With my 30th birthday not even two months away I have decided to try my luck at getting somewhere on those things I have never done which I have always wanted to do and hope to complete at some point in my life and even those things I just need to do.

Start date - TODAY January 6, 2016

Goal Date - October 3, 2018

But without further ado my list of 101 things

Health/Body
1. loose 100 lbs 
2. Reach my Goal Weight (145)
3. give up fast food for 1 month
4. Give up sodas for one month
5. Get 10,000 Steps on my fit bit 4 times a week for 1 month
6. Work out 4 Times a week (Failed)
7. Run in a Disney Princess Run

Creative
8. Make Christmas cards like my mom did a few years ago and send them out to friends and family with pictures and updates
9. Send a secret to postsecrets
10. Complete a Photo-a-Day project on instagram
11. Learn to Knit
12. Complete at least 1 365 Project or 2
13. Make my own outfit for a Disney Princess Run
14. Make a quilt 
15. Learn to crochet
16. Do a Photo-Scavenger Hunt

Education/Books
17. Read 50 most challenged/banned books
18. Read 100 books in 1 years time
19. Read 1 non-fiction book
20. Go Back to School Completed 5/16
21. Become fluent in Spanish
22. finish college with a BA Degree
23. Apply to start my Masters degree

Entertainment
24. Watch 30 movies newly released in theaters
25. Write a Novel/Book
26. Complete NaNoWriMo at least 1 time
27. Participate in VEDA (Vlog Every Day in April)
28. Host a Movie Night (Girls Night with Friends)
29. See something on Broadway
30. See the nutcracker
31. Throw myself a GREAT Birthday Party
32. Go to 1 concert 
33. Listen to 1 artist I have never heard of before
34. Blog at least once a week during this 1001 Days (Failed)
35. Play any Video Game all the way through
36. Complete the Zombies, Run 
37. Complete the Zombies, Run 5K
38. Go Ice Skating during the winter
39. See 200 Movies never before seen movies

Travel
40. Get my Passport
41. Go to Universal Studios
42. Go on an European Cruise
43. Fly 1st Class
44. Visit at least 2 Never before Visited Countries
45. Visit at least 5 states never been to before
46. Swim in the Pacific Ocean
47. Go on a cruise leaving from Galveston
48. Go to a Book Festival
49. Go to Mardi Gras
50. Go to A Book Conference
51. Visit Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory/Blue Bell Ice Cream Factory
52. Go to Stone Mt. and walk to the top.
53. Visit all three Schlitterbahn parks in one summer
54. Visit the Riverwalk in San Antonio
55. Visit Colorado again
56. Go to Comic Con once
57. Go to VidCon
58. Visit Disney Land
59. Go to Disney World again

Shopping
60. Get my own Domain and Hosting for this site/Book Blog
61. once I move out get a small dog
62. Buy a New Computer (Desktop)
63. Get a MacBook 
64. Get a Little Black Dress
65. Go to a Wine Tasting and Find a Favorite Wine
66. The Items on THIS LIST http://familyshare.com/money/10-things-every-girl-needs-in-her-closet

Social
67. Take a #Selfie a day on instagram for 1 Month
68. Make a friend and become penpals
69. Have at least 500 twitter followers
70. Have at least 50 e-mail followers/and 5,000 page views on the blog in one month
71.  Have 500 Instagram Followers
72. Meet 10 new people
73. Tell a month of my life in photos
74. Learn to Speak Spanish
75. Send a Message in a Bottle
76. Ask 20 people to suggest a book and read them all
77. Don't say anything negative for 1 day
78. Send a secret to Post Secret

Myself
79. Fall in Love
80. Move out of my parents house
81. Make a list of 101 meaningful quotes to me
82. Try 5 drinks I have never tried before
83. Organize my Closet
84. Complete 10 items on the 75 skills every Woman Should Master list
85. Save $1251.25 which is the price of 1 coke a day from the vending machine at work
86. Make a Dress from Scratch
87. Answer the 5000 Question Survey
88. Redecorate bedroom and bathroom
89. Learn to apply makeup correctly and make it look nice.

Car
90. Pay off my Car
91. Get my Tires Replaced
92. Keep my car clean and well cared for (this means learning to take care of my car myself)

Charity
93. Learn to Crochet and donate a blanket to a woman's shelter
94. Do one Project 4 Awesome Video
95. Give away old clothes never worn anymore
96. For every Failed ITEM donate $1 to a charity of Followers Choice 
97. Find a Charity of MY CHOICE and donate $100

Other
98. Keep up with the information on this list. Not everyday thing but at least weekly if not twice a week. (Failed)
99. Save all change for the duration of 1001 days and cash in for something fun to do.
100. design a t-shirt to sell
101. Write a new list like this one