Health, weight loss and self esteem

I feel like I am continually on the quest for better health, to lose weight and feel good about myself.

I know outward appearances don't matter too much, but I also know that when we feel good about our outward appearance, especially if it coincides with our inner self, we are more confident, which just makes life better.  It makes me happier, not sure about you.

Anyway, so I am always talking about how I eat cleanly, well, most of the time.  No one is perfect, let's be real here.  And I did for a long time.  But my nutrition had gone overboard in the last few months, between cheese, wine, and sugar, I just felt gross.  So I decided to take it into my own hands and change it.

A good friend, if not best friend, found this book and this system.  So I read the book.  It made sense.

The book, "Why Kids Make You Fat and How to Get Your Body Back" by Mark Macdonald, made sense.  I liked what he was saying and I liked what I read about the program.  They, to me, took a real life approach to nutrition.  I do feel like our society is going down a slippery slope.  And I had an unhealthy relationship with food, and wine.  And by the wine part, I mean if I had a trying day, or long day, or the kids acted up, or whatever, I would have a glass or two of wine a night.  I decided I needed to "dry" out.  Don't get me wrong, once I feel better and feel like I am on my way to better health, I will indulge in my favorites, like wine and chocolate.  Sugar was also a big thing for me.  I was eating way too much of it.  So I cut them out... for a week.

So far, it has been a LONG week.  But I have felt better.  My week is up on Sat.

Back to this program.  It is all about eating in 3's... protein, carbs (but good carbs like fruits and veggies) and healthy fats.  Whole foods, good foods, not processed.  So it seemed to fit into what I wanted my nutrition to look like.

One thing I have found, for myself, that I'm not sure it is enough food.  The book says to throw what we all know about calories out the window.  So we aren't counting calories, or macros, but instead eating portion sizes.  This part fits with the 21 Day Fix (affiliate link) that I love so much!  Similarities are that it is recommended to eat every 3 hours, and to eat smaller meals.  Where it differs is that at each meal you are to eat your 3's, but the portion sizes are considerably smaller.

21 Day Fix focuses on eating enough fruits and veggies.  This program says one lean protein (chicken breast, turkey breast, ground chicken breast, ground turkey breast, etc.), one carb (fruit or veggie) and one good fat (nuts, seeds, avocado, etc.).  There are some "free" foods on this program, but they are mostly herbs, and lettuce, spinach, pretty much anything you'd make a salad with.  That's it.  Easy, because meal planning has been easy.  But difficult, because I'm not sure I am getting enough.  Oh and I almost forgot, no caffeine... well if you can do it.  Some people do "detox" off the caffeine.  I personally do not.  But I do miss my morning coffee and all it's horribly delicious chemical goodness.

There are supplements that you are supposed to take.  But you need to read the book to get those and the dosages.

The first two days, I hit the afternoon slump BIG time!  As in falling asleep in my chair, hit the slump.  I am feeling better.

I do not know if I have lost weight, but I definitely feel less bloated, and day by day, I am having less cravings for bad things.

I went out for lunch with my mom yesterday, and had a hard time finding something I would enjoy eating and was on plan.  WOW!  I never really thought about that before.  So I cheated, a bit.  I had whole grain bread.  Oh yeah, did I forget to mention no breads, carbs - like rice, etc, salt or cheese.  All of which I love.

But don't fret, you do slowly add these back in, in the later phases of this nutrition plan.  It is supposed to be an 8 week run for health, which leads you to making a lifestyle change.

So my friend who introduced me to it, lost 12 or 13 lbs in her first week.  Yes, the book acknowledges that this is mostly water weight.  After the first week, you move into the fat burning phase.  You get to add back in other foods, and even a cheat meal, or off plan meal.  And finally the third phase is supposed to be your forever phase, with life happening when it happens.

So she has continued to lose another 2-3 lbs in the last week or two.  She has been on this plan for about 3-4 weeks.  I think it is fantastic that she isn't starving on this plan.  I am... which is why I don't know if it is the exact program for me.  Does this mean I am stopping completely?  No...  I am just modifying it.  And once this first week is over, which is what the book suggests, I will be adding back in exercise.  I have a few races I want to run and am thinking about pursuing a certification for a particular exercise program that I have fallen in love with.

So tell me, what kind of program do you follow?  Do you meal plan?

What are some of your favorite go-to recipes?

So, in my journey to better health, loosing weight and just over all reshaping my self, I am trying to come up with new recipes.  My go to dinners are typically baked chicken and veggies.  They are good... almost like comfort food, because you know what you are getting.  But I want to change it up.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE stuffed peppers.  And have found that the Stoffers frozen ones aren't too bad, but I do want to try to make my own.

So that being said, talk to me... give me your favorite healthy recipe.  I am trying to eat cleanly, and train meanly, but I can always clean up a recipe, if need be!

Now, on a completely different subject, have you hear the news of the newest Beachbody program?  It is coming out in the next few weeks.  It is a low-impact, huge results program!  So far what I have seen from the test group, their results are AMAZING!  The program is called PiYo.

I have a new challenge group (and no, Shakeology isn't required to be a part of it) starting soon for PiYo.  Email me here to learn more about it, or for me to send you the link to be added to my mailing list.

If you are interested in Shakeology, click here to learn more.

This is my FAVORITE Shakology recipe.

We are settling in!

The one thing about moving, especially every few years, is that we settle in very quickly.  So we've been here for a week and are settling in nicely.  I have my new driver's license, got my car registered, and have all the appropriate items to get into and out of our gates at the neighborhood we live in (we live in a gated community).  I have even started to book makeovers, so if you are in the Ft Myers/Naples/SW FL area, send me an email and schedule your own Beauty Bar, or makeover, or pampering session!

Anyway, one of the promotions I am running right now, for my Beachbody business is a 12-day Shakeology Group!  Here's what it includes.




Shakeology is my FAVORITE meal of the day.  I do replace one of my 4-5 meals a day with Shakeology.  I have a TON more energy, feel better and it truly fills me up.  To learn more about Shakeology, click here.

I will be updating everyone.  One of my good friends has challenged me to run the Disney Princess 10K & half marathon.  This scares me.  I have never done a half.  But I promise I will keep you updated on my training progress.

I also have a new 21 Day Fix Challenge Group starting soon.  Click here to learn more about the 21 Day Challenge, or to purchase!

Hope everyone is having a great summer, so far!  And I am thinking about all my military friends who are PCS'ing right now.  I hope it goes smoothly and that everyone and everything arrives to their new duty stations safely.

Moving sucks!

So we are in day 2 of our pack up.  They should be done packing us all up today.  And tomorrow, they load up the trucks.  I hate this part...  It makes it even more real that we are leaving.  It is completely bitter sweet.  I know we are on for more adventures, and new places to live, but I also really like it here.

Anyway, so now for a bit of business...  I am currently inviting you to join my next challenge group!  June 9 we will be starting a 14 Day Clean Eating challenge group (click here to join this group).  It is totally free and will give you a GREAT idea of what I am trying to accomplish with my nutritional goals.

Looking for more with an accountability group?  Want a specific exercise program to go with it?  Check out my next 21 Day Fix Challenge group, which starts also June 9.  Click here to learn more about this program.  It involves a portion controlled eating plan, an intense, but short, daily workout and if you are a part of the challenge group, you will get daily accountability, tips, tricks, and recipes and so much more!  I'd love to have you join me!  Click here to join me and get healthy, strong and leaner!

On my other business, I am offering something I've never done before.  I am offering a "Pink Package".  This is a sneak peek box, similar to those other boxes you see people posting about all the time, that will have the latest Mary Kay products.  This is a quarterly box, so you will get one 4 times a year or every 3 months.  It does include FULL sized products!  Which are always backed by our 100% satisfaction guarantee!  Plus, you will get special samples and offers.  All this for only $25!  Click here to sign up for this special deal.  Sign ups end June 5, and boxes will ship June 12.

Clean eating

Let's talk fitness and nutrition today.  For many years, I have been super interested in making my body as healthy as possible.  No, I haven't always been good about what I put into my body, and I've probably done some questionable things.  But since I found the 21-Day Fix program, from BeachBody* (click here to learn more about it), I am focused more on what is actually going into my mouth.

Don't get me wrong, I've always eaten pretty good, although I have indulged since living in New Orleans.  The food down here is like nothing I have ever encountered before.  But that's not what this post is about.

There is so much information out there, and science (having been a scientist in my former life) is ever changing.  Scientists are forever finding out that their "findings" aren't accurate.  This happens because the methods change, technology gets better and so do the instruments they use to analyze what they are trying to prove.

Okay, so I'm good at getting off topic.  Let's get back to the topic at hand.  I am forever striving to eat cleanly.  What does that mean?  It means, I really try to watch the foods that go into my mouth.  I strive to eat non-processed foods.  This isn't always easy and I am still learning how to eat cleanly, and effectively.  But I am definitely making progress.

Throughout the upcoming weeks, months, and possibly even years, I will update you all on my progress.  I am not ready to post my before pic yet, because, although I see progress, I'm not ready yet to put out there what I actually look like (full body).

So, today, I ask you....  This is my favorite healthy meal, what's yours?

*I am a BeachBody Consultant.  If you would like to sign up for a free BeachBody account to get access to a great community, with TONS of tips, click here.
**There is still time to join my 12 Day Challenge.  Click here to email me.

Started a new eating plan

So, I've been doing the P90X3 exercise program for 5 weeks now.  And I am definitely getting stronger.  I also have been trying to get my 3 runs in every week as well.  I have a 5K coming up in April.  I am nervous.  This week, my first running day was 5 min runs with 3 min walks. It was hard, but I did it.  My 2nd day is supposed to be 8 min runs with 5 min walks.  And the 3rd day is a straight 20 min straight run.  That one scares the pants off of me!

Anyway, mixed with my workout program, I added the 21-day fix eating plan.  I will keep you all updated with my results.  Today is day 1.  So far so good.  I have learned that I need to plan my eating.  I've always been more of a "fly by the seat of my pants" kind of eater.  I do watch my portions, but not nearly as much as this program.* I am excited to see where it takes me.  And once I finish my P90X3 program, I will be adding the 21-Day Fix workouts to my program.

This time I will succeed.  I am ready to do the work to loose the weight& get in great shape!

*i am not a BeachBody Coach, but if you are interested, I can get you in touch with my friend & coach!

Fitness

I know... I know... that title sucks.  Sorry!  I am just not being very creative at the moment.  I started doing the P90X3 program almost 3 weeks ago.  It may only be 30 mins, but wow, it is a GREAT workout.  But I digress.... I have been struggling with my weight for the last few years, pretty much since I had kids.  Although my struggles did begin a little before that.  Anyway, my goal is to lose the 50, or so, lbs that have crept up on me since I pretty much got married.

I will not post pics right now, b/c I am just not that confident yet.  I think in my mind that my body is a size that it isn't, or doesn't appear to be in pictures.  And no, I do not have issues with food.  I eat fairly healthy, and indulge every once in a while.  I think it is just genes and getting older.

I am not only doing the P90X3 program but also doing the couch to 10K program.  I am running a 5K with a friend of mine in April, but I've been wanting to up my game and go for a 10K in 2014.  YIKES!  I said that out loud.  I also dream of doing the Disney Princess 10K.  I don't know if I have the mental focus to run a half marathon.  LOL  I can go for 30-45 mins right now, but not much longer.  And no, I am not at the point of running the whole time.  But each week I am getting better.

Anyway, I am going to update you all every so often of my progress.  I will post some stats, mostly lbs lost and inches lost.  And maybe, just maybe when I get where I am going or I get closer to my goal, I may post my transformation pictures.  :)  Until then...  you'll just have to look at my pretty picture in the upper right hand corner of this blog.