NSV Sunday

In light of it being a new year, I have decided to resurrect NSV Sundays. I want to focus not only on the weight loss, but also on changes I am noticing in me, my life, and yours too! So feel free to comment or link your own NSV post in the comments.

So, tonight's NSV is all about new starts. I started this journey almost a year ago. January 8, 2013 was the day I started tracking on My Fitness Pal. January 27, 2013 is the day I ordered my supplements. Something changed in me last year. Someone believed in me (actually several someones) and gave me HOPE for the first time in a long time. Last year was full of NSV's, but this was the most important one.

Tomorrow I begin a new start of sorts. The past 3 weeks have had children home, a houseful of sickies (including me) and the holidays. I am thankful that I only am up 5 pounds from my lowest. That is manageable. Forty pounds gone in a year may not sound like much to you or others, but it symbolizes more than just a number on the scale. For the first time in 15 years, I can shop in the misses' section, I can purchase "foundational" items off the rack and not have to try them on. I can keep up with my kids. I have HOPE.

Tomorrow, I get back on the wagon. I know I am carb resistant. I know that wheat and I do not agree. I am continuing with my supplements, and transitioning to a more paleo approach to eating. I am excited and a bit scared at the same time. I think this is the boost I need to get back at it. I am excited to see where it takes me. Please pray for me, and know I pray for you.

So, what NSV's do you have? I am looking forward to see what 2014 is going to bring.

January, 2014

Wow! I cannot believe it is 2014. So much happened last year, and so much has changed. I am ready for 2014 like I have not been ready for a new year before. I thought I would start with my word for 2014:

Trust. It is something I struggle with, and something I need to work on this year. Oh, how hard it is to let go and let God, yet, I know during this season in my life, I have to!

No resolutions this year, but I do have goals:

• Get up early enough to get morning prayer done before the kids are up (this is something I have not had success with yet, but I need the kids back in school before I can).
• Get back on track with my eating plan. I am still taking my supplements because I feel good when I take them, and they fill in nutritional gaps that EVERYONE has (if you think you don't, I can promise you do). I was doing great, but then we had influenza in the house. I was sick for 10 days with a cough I couldn't shake. I didn't really care what I ate. The result is I was up 4-5 pounds. Today is a good day so far, and this weekend we will clean out all of the treats. I will be good to go! Onederland is close, and I would like to hit it before my 1 year anniversary with the company. 50 pounds gone when that happens!!! Spueeeeeeeee!
• Get back on track with regular exercise. I always get off track as the frigid cold makes me not want to get out. Excuses no more! I will do this!
• Grow my business. I am participating in a 90 day challenge to do just that. It is going to be hard, but I think so worth it! The company has the best compensation plan from what I have seen, so I am going to be working on that with gazelle-like intensity!

In order for all of these things to happen, it starts with my word, TRUST. I need to believe and trust in myself and my mentors, and above all, I need to trust in HIM.

Day 1 Wrap-up!

Day 1 is almost in the books! I had a very rough start. Woke up with what I think was a sinus headache (mine can be as bad as a migraine), but I pushed forward with the plan!

I tend to swap my protein and shakes on shake days. I just do better when I start out with food. So I had 2 eggs for breakfast. YUM! For my other protein, I had greens and tuna. Again, YUM!

My shake mid-morning was good. I have to say that I have tried lots of different ones, and none compares to the one from the plan I follow. Seriously-it has 10 grams of protein and less than 1 gram of carbs. It is very hard to find that anywhere and have it taste good. For 2 of my shakes today I added chocolate PB2. Tasted just like a Reese cup!!! YUM!

Onto water...this has always been a struggle to me. The guidelines are either half your body weight in ounces of water or a gallon. I opted for half my weight...I had hit 105 ounces by 2 PM. This is huge for me. I actually am drinking more right now.

As of right now, there are 1317 people participating...WOW! It is unbelievable to me that we have formed such a community. I love the support and friendship I have gained because of this system. In fact, today, when I was struggling with my headache, someone recommended our super fruit juice. I am completely out right now. (Just an FYI, this juice is taken at a capful a day and is full of all the good fruits that have tons of antioxidants) Someone that I just met today offered to send me her extra bottle...FREE OF CHARGE. Talk about kindness and generosity. I am definitely going to be paying it forward sometime soon.

Well, that's it for Day 1.  I hope if you are a part of the Turkey Trot that you have had an awesome day. If you aren't, what are you waiting for???

Day 1

And away we go!!!! Off to a great start this morning! I weighed and did my measurements. Now, I am having some water. I am at 24 ounces so far which is VERY good for me for this point in the day.

Weight wise, I am starting out 2.4 pounds above my lowest low. I am OK with that. For the first time, I am at a great point in my cycle to be doing one of these. I am pretty excited!!! We shall see what today will bring.

Make it an awesome day!

Turkey Trot to Take It Off!!!

Tomorrow is the day!!! Rewind on the 8 day challenge! I am ready! I feel strong!!! And most of all, I feel prepared!!!

I love doing this in groups. Last year, the Turkey Trot had 78 people and they lost 541 pounds. That is 7 pounds a person! In 8 days!

I am very excited. We have over 1200 people who have signed up. I just think about all of the lives changed. All of the people who are facing the holidays for the first time with the tools to not gain weight through the holidays...including myself. I am hoping to get closer to Onderland. I love that Thanksgiving Day will be a "cheat day", and I love that I have the tools to move on afterward.

I am not worried about the frustration I felt in the last 8 day challenge when I threw in the towel. I have accountability. I also had the opportunity to talk to our product developer about some tweaking I can do to help me make it through. So, here we go! I hope you will check back, and I hope you will leave a comment of encouragement. Thank you for following this journey with me.

Day 7 Where I am at...

It is day 7, and I think this picture kind of says it all. This was not the best week to try the new plan. Work has been really busy/stressful. Soccer season is in playoffs. I know-excuses, excuses. Let me be clear though, I am not throwing in the towel on weight loss. I am just not following the plan as it is laid out.

It started yesterday, day 6, a shake day. We had soccer right in the middle of the day. For personal reasons, I did not want to take my shake up to the fields. So, I skipped it (mistake 1). Then, by the time we came home, it was 3:00. Should have been time for a protein snack. DH had a headache and went to lie down, and I was so cold from being outside, that I decided to do the same. Missed the snack, and it was dinner time. I chose to forego the shake and have chicken and spinach for dinner. I was not prepared for the rest of the night.

For those of you who follow me from my previous blogs, you know I have issues with anxiety and depression. I kind of spiraled last night. I was depressed and the thought of doing days 7 and 8 had me in a real funk. DH kind of had me convinced to finish it out, but knowing that AF would soon be starting and that fact would most likely stall any success I had the last couple of days, I felt like I just couldn't do it.

I felt better this morning, and started out right. Then, we had the same issue. Soccer. On day 7, I was supposed to have lean protein and either brown rice, quinoa or steel cut oats. We went to church and the grocery store. There was no time to cook before heading up to soccer. I threw together a salad of lettuce, chicken and some balsamic. It was really all I had time for. My schedule was sabotaging me.

On the positive side, I have continued to make healthy choices, and in the end, I guess that is what matters most. I have decided not to do a shake day tomorrow because, well, I need a break from shakes. Don't get me wrong, I love our company's shakes, I just need to chew...LOL!

So, that's it. It was a real challenge, and I will try again, just not at this point in my cycle. Total loss for the 6 days? 5.1 pounds. I am now at -42 pounds (and counting). Thanks for sticking with me. The support means a lot!!!

Day 4

It is day 4! Another shake day, but honestly, I am kind of glad. I think it balances out the amount of food you eat on day 3. I started this post this morning excited for day 4. It has been a bit harder than I anticipated. I am a bit hungry, but drinking my water and making it through.

As of this morning, I was down another .4-this is the first time I have lost on a day 4! I have lost 5 pounds so far. I know I am not supposed to weight, but I am seeing how this plan works.

Thanks for following me this week! :D

Day 3!!!

Oh how I love day 3! From here on out it gets easier as I will flip between shake and eating days. I get to try quinoa today-I will let you know how that goes.

As far as progress, I have hit a new low, a new decade!!! I lost another 2.2 pounds for a total of 4.6. This is more than I have lost in ANY 8 day challenge! SO EXCITED!!!

Day 2-Wrap Up

I don't have much to say except I made it through the day. I was OK until this afternoon. I waited too long for my protein snack and got really nauseous. Once I ate, I was better, but then I was grumpy. I had the all too familiar detox headache. I took an extra supplement and eventually felt better.

I also got to do something very exciting tonight! I got to share on the corporate call. I am really honored to have been asked to do this. I love my team and all of their support.

I didn't quite get a gallon of water in (about 16 ounces short), but I came close and that is great progress for me.

I will weigh in the morning-praying to see a new low. I don't know how I will hold off on weighing after that until Day 9.

Sweet dreams, y'all!

Day 2-Midday

Well, we are at the halfway point of my least favorite day. I am doing OK. No major detox symptoms, and about half a gallon of water down. Afternoons are hard for me though. I will pick up the kids soon, which means snack time for them. I would love me some popcorn right now. I will be strong, drink my water and move on.

Day 2!

Good Morning!!! Day 2 is a good place to be. It is a repeat of Day 1, which makes it super easy!!! I am already drinking my water and will have my shake shortly. I am thinking I may add some chai to it. YUM!

Day 2 typically has highs and lows. Some detox symptoms like a headache, but the fact that tomorrow is a different menu is kind of exciting!

I did weigh this morning. I am a scalaholic, but I will try to stay off after tomorrow. I was down 2.4 pounds this morning!!! I am 1 pound away from my lowest low. Hoping to blow past it after today. THAT makes it a great day.

Day 1 Wrap Up

Days 1 and 2 are the hardest for me. Trying to break habits I have fallen back into as well as detox settling in. The one thing I really like about this new plan is how specific and intentional it is. Don't get me wrong the old one was pretty easy to follow, but it was VERY low carb. This one is a carb cycling plan. So, you aren't giving up carbs, but you are learning to eat healthy carbs. I will be trying quinoa for the first time on Wednesday. Have to admit, that kind of scares me. :D

So, I followed the plan to the letter today. That is a first for me. In the past, I have swapped shakes and snacks. This time, I have had them as the plan calls for them. I got in my gallon of water-YAY ME! Of course, now, I feel like I could float!

All in all I feel OK. I had a chiropractic adjustment, and that has helped. I also took a short nap afterward, as I think I needed it. Soon, I will take my last supplement for the day, with a warm berry hug and off to bed.

I can't wait to see what tomorrow has in store...stay tuned...

Day 1

Well, today is the day!!! I am starting an 8 day challenge with the new Ignite Plan! I have weighed (I am up 3.5 pounds from my lowest low) and measured. I have my food ready to go. I will be trying quinoa for the first time. I will be chronicling my journey here.

Right now, I am a jumble of emotions. I am excited. I have heard great things about this plan. I am apprehensive as I tend to not do as well as others. I am stressing the amount of water (as it is still something I struggle with). Finally, I am dreading the inevitable headache that comes on day 2-totally normal when detoxing from bad carbs.

Alright-it's all out there. LET'S DO THIS!!!

Thankful Thursday

Thank you for following me on this journey. 

Part of the Journey

Has it really been almost two months since I last posted? Holy cow-talk about a blogging break. Life has been so busy and I feel like the photo above really demonstrates where I am right now. I knew when I started this journey, it would be a long and winding road. It certainly has been so far.

I looked at my last post-August 1st. I had hit 35 pounds. Almost two months later, I am currently at 37 or so. I have hit kind of an up and down cycle-again, I know all a part of the process. Between work, kids back to school, soccer for the boys and gymnastics for A, I am not getting my workout in as often as I would like. With the chaos of practices 3 nights a week, I am not cooking as well as I normally would. I also think that working from home with no child here is getting me down. This is one big empty house, that's for sure. On the flip side, I am super productive.

Boy, have I been in a funk the past couple of weeks. I want the weight to fall off, and it's not. I am losing still, and I am thankful for that, but I am losing focus. Totally my fault-I take the responsibility for that. I know what I need to do and I need to do it. I need to follow plan and cut out the carbs. I need to take my vitamins. I need to exercise. I am doing this for myself, I am doing this for my family.

Look for me to start posting more regularly. I need the accountability. Will you help me stay accountable?

Weigh In Wednesday!

My dear friend, Margaret, is doing a weekly weigh in, and I have decided to join in with her. I am a day late because we had a family funeral for my DH's godfather, but better late than never, I always say!!!

So, before I reveal my number, I think it is time for some updated progress shots:

 OK, I guess the number is there, but to make it official:

In other words, I have lost the equivalent of my daughter, sweet A! I am so excited and turning my attention towards 40! Working on goals for August today, so check back and see what I have in store!!!

Weigh In Wednesday!

Oh  how I wish I were at that number!!! Seriously, at the suggestion of one of my favorite bloggers, I am moving this to Wednesdays!

So, as of this morning I am down 32 pounds. I have been going up and down the same 2-3 pounds the past couple of weeks, and I am ok with that as it is all a part of this journey. I got back on the wagon full force on Monday, and am turning my focus to that all important 35!!! Wish me luck!!!

Carb cycling

Since beginning this journey six months ago, I have struggled with the concept of carbs. Aren't we taught that carbs give us energy? They have fewer calories. And think back to the food pyramid we learned in elementary school-

grains were at the bottom in plentiful amounts. Even the new plate that has been designed by the USDA has a substantial portion devoted to carbs:

I have been doing a lot of reading and research on this. Think about it. The high carb, low fat diet guideline came about in the 80's. If we are all following it, why aren't we stick thin??? Why such the obesity epidemic? What about those of us with insulin resistance?

Don't get me wrong, I am not saying we should throw out all carbs because not all sources are bad ones. I am saying though, that we need to investigate the KINDS of carbs we are eating as well as the source. I have pretty much ditched bread. I just tend to think that wheat has become overly processed and isn't really all that healthy.

As of this week, I have decided to try carb cycling. It is a concept where on cardio days, you eat low to no carb forcing your body to use it's fat stores for energy, and then on strength building days, you eat moderate or high carbs to feed your muscles. It is a pretty fascinating topic. As I learn more, I will share. So far this week, it is going well. I am on a steady slide down (what happened to not weighing daily? Hello, my name is Therese and I am addicted to my fitbit scale).

What are your thoughts on carbs? I'd love you to join in on the discussion.

Fitness Recap

Well, last week was an OK week for fitness. We only did 7.33 miles total, but we challenged ourselves a couple of times (more hilly terrain, picking up the pace, etc). We had an awesome start to the week, and then both DH and I kind of petered out.

I have a couple of issues going on. I believe they are arthritis related. We have a strong family history on my mom's side, and I believe that I am starting to feel the effects of it. My general doctor suspected as much as few years back, but kind of waved it off because I am young, and because of my weight. I do better when I move more, and no doubt the weight I have lost helps, but I am having pain in more than just my hip now. I have tingling in my neck and pain in my hands and shoulders. So, I am going to the chiropractor later today.

Praying for relief when I go today. If you could spare a prayer for me, I would appreciate it.

Friday Weigh In

 

(Yes, this is the scale I own. No that is not my weight! :D)

So in creating my plan, I decided that Friday's will be my weigh-in update. And no, I am not posting the number (I may eventually, but I am not ready to go there yet!). Yesterday, was the 6 month anniversary of this journey of mine. On the 26th, I celebrate another anniversary. Six months ago on January 26, I ordered my supplements for the first time. Little did I know how much this would impact my life. In six months, I have lost 33 31 pounds (darn hormones!). I couldn't be happier with the choices I am making.

So, onto the weigh update. Yes, it looks like I am up a bit, at least since 2 days ago. When I compare last Friday to this Friday, however, which are my "official" weigh days, I am actually down .6 pounds. I have to say that I am doing this slowly which is OK. The pounds didn't come on in a day, and they won't come off in a day. I am making healthful choices to last me a lifetime.

My goal for this week, is not to weigh until next Friday. I don't know if I can do it, but I know full well what the ups and downs of weighing can do. So for the next week, I am going to focus on my eating plan, my exercise and taking my supplements. Anyone wonder why Friday is my weigh day? I prefer to weigh BEFORE the weekend particularly if I have any activities coming up.

So, when do you weigh?