Why Series Vol. 3: Low Carb Lifestyle

In January 2015, I made a New Year's Resolution to lose the weight I had gained post-college and get in shape. Not just because I had a wedding in the future {at that point, we didn't even had a wedding date!}, but to be healthier for me, my future spouse, and my future family.

I had gained a little bit of weight in college, although not your typical Freshman 15, but it was post-grad that I really began to "pack on the pounds." A new job, major family stress, and lots of traveling to see my fiance does not a well-rounded diet/lifestyle make. Once I moved back to Statesboro, and started to get grips on my life, I realized what had happened: I was almost 30 pounds heavier than I was the day I graduated high school! And while that number may not be the most realistic goal for someone in their {almost...eek!} mid-twenties, I knew something had to change.

It had gotten to the point where I didn't enjoy seeing myself in pictures or shopping for clothes. I knew I wasn't healthy, and I was finally tired of feeling yucky. As someone with long-term health inhibitors {I don't really like the term issues...inhibitor requires some work to get around, but can be conquered!} like hypothyroidism and PCOS, managing my weight has always been my number one issue. I learned early on that a Low Carb Diet works best for my body.

Diet or lifestyle...whatever you'd prefer...it's something that I've seen change lives. I've seen countless people lose weight eating low carb, and saw the immediate benefit of the low carb/high fat diet when my youngest brother was diagnosed with epilepsy. I am by no means a doctor or nutritionist, but eating low carb is what works best for me, and really my whole family. I feel mentally clearer, my skin glows, I can lose and keep off weight. I definitely sleep better, and have more energy, too.

I am by no means perfect and definitely have cheat days, and weekends, but try to stick to an 80/20% kind of outlook. It's much easier for me to 'low carb' during the week with some quick meals {like my eggs & avocado dinner!} and meal prep. Eating low carb has helped me lose 20 pounds over the last year, and I'm back to where I was throughout college. I'd still like to lose a little more to be back in that high school bod, but we'll see!

Here are two recipes I am practically addicted to that have made this journey a little easier...and yummier:

Eggs & Avocado
Two slightly runny eggs seasoned with pink Himilayan salt and ground pepper over half an avocado, seasoned with red pepper and garlic salt. I cook the avocado on the other side of the pan while the eggs are cooking, and layer them on the plate when it's all done. The runny egg goodness and the avocado together is rich and delicious...even if it does look a little bit like a Dr. Seuss specialty!











Spicy Stuffed Chicken Breasts
Equal parts ricotta, shredded pepper jack cheese, and frozen kale or spinach mixed together with a dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of garlic salt, and a few red pepper flakes. I slice chicken breasts lengthwise in half, so they're thinner when cooking, spread the mixture on half of the breast and roll. Place the stuffed breasts in a baking dish sprayed with oil, sprinkle rotisserie seasoning, and top with any of the remaining cheese mixture. I bake for 30 minutes uncovered at 375 degrees on a middle rack. This dish is quick, easy, and savory, and is something that makes a lot that I don't mind eating on all week. It's very yummy with a side of green beans or broccoli! 

The next step for me is exercising. Ugh, exercising. I hate it. I've never enjoyed it unless it was through dance, or cheer leading. I don't enjoy the gym, and I hate for people to see me sweat buckets {and turn bright red!}.

I've been doing a lot of YouTube videos now that I have Amazon Fire TV, and it's so easy to pull them up or fling them from my phone! I've also developed a love of the kettle bell for the quick workouts, quick results, and full body workout. I'll do a roundup soon of my favorite YouTube workouts, and Pinterest fact sheets, so stay tuned!

Why Series Vol. 2

Why Statesboro? I still remember my first visit to Statesboro. I came in the spring for a Georgia Southern Open House mid-way through my high school career. It was a warm, April morning, with azaleas in full bloom and smiles on everyone's faces. The campus was gorgeous, and I fell in love.

My mother was determined to let me know just how hot it could get in South Georgia. So we headed back south in August that year, planning on being engulfed in oppressive humidity. To her disbelief, it was sunny and 75 that week. While it may have been a fluke, I've learned to love the heat {and how to make my hair cooperate} after too many snowy North Georgia winters.

Statesboro is a small town with a large college in it. Growing up in Clemson, I loved the energy the school infused into the local community. There are so many perks about living in a college town, besides Saturday football games and cheap drink prices at the bar. We may not have a Target, a well-known grocery store, or a Red Lobster, but we have fantastic local boutiques, some of the best food I've ever eaten at locally owned establishments, and some of the funnest and happiest people I've ever met.

I've lived a lot of places. I've seen all kinds of communities, but Statesboro is my favorite. It's one of the only places I've ever lived that I've felt 100% accepted, and not at all like I'm "not from here." It's somewhere I want to start a family--where I can take the Littles to First Friday Downtown each month before heading over to a football game on Saturday. Where I could possibly walk across the street to their preschool and visit during lunch. It's where I have life-long friends, and where I think Christopher and I can make so many "couple friends." It's a place where I have thrived emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

Statesboro is home to yellow school buses, beautiful Eagle Creek, the prettiest little stadium and greatest university in America. It's where Cole Swindell got his start, as well as a dozen other well known artists, athletes, etc. It's the place that gives you those "Statesboro Blues" any time you drive through or reminisce about your college days. It's the place where the community has come together to progress to the top 15 of the America's Best Communities competition out of over 400 community applications.

It's the place that has made the most difference in my life...made me who I am...and where I can make a difference, too. That's why I love Statesboro.

Why Series Vol. 1

Why Blog? I started this blog in April of 2013. I was ending my college career and had just gotten engaged. There was a lot going on in my life, and a lot of upcoming changes. My mother suggested I start blogging again after a somewhat failed attempt during my freshman year. I would have more time for it now with no homework or group projects to take up my evenings.

It started out as a way to document my projects as I worked to make my first apartment my home. Followed me as I got my first baby dog, Layla Claire, and how she grew over the first year. A place to share all the fun I had when visiting my fiance in Savannah once a month or so.

It became a place of release. To share a little bit of the heartache I had been experiencing. I don't consider it a facade, but the happy posts inspired me like I hoped they inspired you. Sometimes it's nice to see a bright pop of pink on your normally negative Facebook timeline. I hope I've provided a little bit of sunshine and inspiration on your gloomy days.

Fast forward to a big move, and creating a new life in a town that I love. This blog is a diary for me of sorts. I've never been good at keeping a diary, which is why I doubt I'll ever be able to post every day. As much as I crave routines and habits, writing daily is just not one that has stuck with me. Creativity for me comes in spurts.

The blog is a way to chronicle my wants and needs, and the parts of me that change. Now, it's becoming a keepsake of wonderful wedding memories. I have great plans to make a true wedding scrapbook, but I know how great plans go. So this will do for now.

Why Starting Out Southern? When I started the blog, I was truly starting out. Starting my adult life, starting my engagement, and starting to be a true individual. Southern, because I love the South and my heritage, and I never want to leave the warm confines of the Southeast. Because there is something different about the people and places here, about the way of life, the food, the music. The way I feel more alive every single time I cross that South Carolina border.

There is something fresh that hits me every time I sit down to write, or go back and read my old posts. I think the idea of starting something, whether it be beginning a new project, relationship, or hobby, keeps me inspired and renewed. Everyday is an opportunity to start something new, even if some days it's just starting a new show on Netflix.

I need to work on being more confident and proud of this little blog. I so appreciate the supportive comments that sometimes come from the most surprising people, letting me know how often they read and how much they enjoy it. It's exciting to watch that little "post viewed" number creep up and up as the months go by. I hope you enjoy this as much as I do. And maybe someday I'll get up to writing every day, but for now, this is for me, and for me to share with my friends. And I love it.