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???

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?

A Plan!

Wow! This has been quite the week. I can hardly believe it is actually July and half the year has gone. Where did it go??? The kids have been home almost a month, and while I am not ready by any means for summer to be over, I always feel like we are in a downward slide after the Fourth.

This month has started with me feeling inspired. My team that I work with in terms of the supplements I take is absolutely amazing! In the final hours of June, we really encouraged each other to finish strong both personally and professionally. It left me feeling absolutely loved, encouraged and, again, inspired!

So, Monday started a new month. Last week, I joined in a group on an 8 day challenge. I lost 3-4 pounds which was awesome! We finished on Thursday, and rolled into a very busy weekend. I made healthy choices all around, but as can happen when I am in a position to have to eat out or attend something where I can't choose the food, I took in too much sodium and did not drink enough water. Result? I was up those 3-4 pounds. Monday I was discouraged but determined. I followed plan and drank a ton of water (not my strong suit!), and was down 2 of those pounds today. I kind of expect the rest to be gone tomorrow. It is the natural ups and downs of weight loss, and I need to expect that.

So, the plan? I feel like I have been winging it for a while. I follow plan because I know it works, but I also get very confused sometimes as to choices. I also feel like I need to put more energy into the business side of the supplements. I know they work, and I totally believe in them and that is why I share them, but to date, I have been reticent to make a plan. My mentor has encouraged me to make a plan as has my accountability group.

I spent some time on Monday etching out my plan. Stay tuned...