Monday, August 13, 2012

Vision Board

Making a vision board may seem like something you'd do in 7th grade...but it helps, I swear.  It gives you something visual to look at to help keep you motivated.  

Grab a few old magazines or photos of yourself (don't use ones where you feel you look bad...use photos of your GOALS) and cut away...glue 'em on a piece of paper and viola!  

Here's mine: 



Let me explain some parts...
See the woman with her hands on her hips and her legs crossed?  I haven't been able to comfortably cross my legs for years.  My thighs are too fat and it hurts my knees.  It's something so simple but I can't wait to be able to comfortably, painlessly cross my legs.  
And the 'Fit back into your wedding dress'?  When we got married I had photos taken and I love them...but I'd LOVE to have photos taken of Nathan and I on our 15th anniversary in my dress and his tux.  
There's a marathon runner in the upper left corner...I used to LOVE running, but my weight puts too much stress on my knees, causing me MASSIVE pain if I try and run.  I want to get back to my running self.  
Sprinkle in a bunch of positive words like miracle, beauty, happiness, great, strength...and you've got my vision board.  I have this propped up on my dressing table so I see it every morning when I get ready. 

If you create one I'd love to see it...leave the link in the comments!

Sunday, August 12, 2012

30 Days!

Well, we finished our first 30 Days!!  (well...I did, Nathan is traveling out of the country on business so he's on a modified version...we'll check up on him next time) 

I have to say that I feel GREAT!  Not just because other people are noticing that I'm losing weight, or because I am down TWO pants sizes (!), or because the number on the scale is going down...those are all wonderful things...but I feel great because I set a goal, stuck with it and finished it!  I wanted to try out Isagenix for 30 Days, see how I liked it and then go from there.  I admit I was a bit skeptical...nothing has worked for me in the past so why should this??  But it did work.  I feel healthier, I sleep better, I have less stress...Isagenix is AMAZING!!  So what now?  Well, because it's actually working I'm not stopping!  I want to get back to my healthier weight, where I will be able to run again.  I just can't do it at the weight I am...my knees won't let me.  

Ok, accountability time.  I didn't cheat for the 30 days.  Not. once.  No soda, candy, baked goods, bread, pasta, fruit (that one was the hardest!), chips...not even so much as one chocolate chip or a bite of Miles' Mac n' Cheese.  It wasn't always easy, especially at the baby shower I went to, the many BBQ's I attended and having to say no to dinner invitations, but it's been worth it.  

Now for the numbers: 

I am now at 215lbs and 338.25" - I started at 232.5lbs and 360.75" (inches measured across 12 points...see my tab for details)

That's right folks, I lost 17.5lbs and 22" in 30 days!!!  Here are some before and after pics.  I think I notice it the most on the side pic...what do you think?




17.5 down, 65 to go!!

Friday, August 10, 2012

Daily Routine

I thought I'd give a rundown of what our daily routine is...just as an idea.  You don't have to do it exactly like this...I developed this plan based on my lifestyle and several other plans I read about.  You take the system and make it work for you!

First, we are using the 30 Day System...it has everything you need conveniently packaged together for you.  The only thing you'd have to add to the order is the Ageless Essentials vitamins (if you want...totally up to you) and some more of the Want More Energy...you only get a few and you'll definitely want more.  Nathan has one every morning in his shake...I prefer mine in water, almost like a Gatorade. 


7:30am - Ionix Supreme.  This is the FIRST thing I do when I get up...before I get the baby up or pee or anything...I take my Ionix (that way I don't get sidetracked) You can get this in liquid or powder versions.  We do liquid, I've heard the powder doesn't dissolve well except in warm water and I don't want to have to deal with that.  I'm all about ease of use...and pouring it out of a bottle is pretty easy! You take 1oz of the Ionix Supreme and mix it with 3-4oz of water.  It isn't the best tasting thing...but I just quickly drink it down. 


Natural Accelerator & vitamins - Immediately after I take the Ionix Supreme I take my Natural Accelerator capsule and my morning pack of vitamins. We have been taking the Ageless Essentials for Men/Women from Isagenix...haven't yet decided if we'll keep doing this or find a cheaper alternative.

8am - Breakfast: IsaLean shake.  I've talked about the shakes before...and I still REALLY enjoy them.  I think the key is to change it up...I try not to have the same flavor combinations two days in a row...so I don't get bored.


(this is when I usually exercise...after my shake, and before lunch)

10am - Snack.  Isagenix has Snacks, and I also do almonds.  The IsaSnacks are the shape of a large Tums.  They taste like hot chocolate pressed into a tablet form.  I think they're actually not that bad.  If I do IsaSnacks and almonds, I have one IsaSnack and 3 almonds. (NOT salted...just plain, old almonds)  If I do just Isagenix Snacks I have 2, or if I have just almonds, I have 6 almonds.  If you have trouble getting 24 oz of veggies at lunch, sometimes I'll add a handful of tomatoes or a wedge of cucumber to my snack. 

12pm - Lunch.  4oz of lean protein and 24oz of veggies.  This is a LOT of veggies.  Yesterday for lunch I had marinated chicken that we'd grilled on or BBQ, .5lb of sauteed zucchini, half a red pepper cut into strips, a cucumber, a pickle, and a handful of tomatoes.  The most important thing to do is GET A SCALE...eyeballing portions sizes is tough, and I still get it wrong.  Your meal (called your fork & knife meal) should be between 400-600 calories.  CHECK to make sure...guessing isn't going to help you reach your goals!

2pm - Snack (same as above)

4pm - Snack (same as above)

6pm - IsaLean Shake (same as shakes above)

10pm - Cleanse for Life & IsaFlush


In addition to this I drink a TON of water.  How much?  You should be drinking HALF your weight in water everyday.  So I weighed 232 to start.  Half is 116.  I should be drinking at least 116oz of water A DAY.  Don't guess.  Get a water bottle with ounces marked.   Keep track.  I have a blackboard in my kitchen, and I keep a tally everytime I fill it up.  I also try and drink 8oz of that water before each meal (including shakes).   

Also, some rules.  No pasta, bread, or rice.  No fruit.  No soda, candy, chips, cake, brownies, ice cream (duh).  No coffee, alcohol, tea, juice.  And not all veggies are ok...no potatoes (white, sweet, red...all of them), corn, carrots or peas.   Some of these rules change slightly once you reach your goal weight/finish the 30 days.

On RARE occasions if you need to switch your lunch and dinner (so your fork and knife meal is at dinner) it's ok.  But it will slow your progress...the shake puts your body in fat-burning mode, which is where you want it while you sleep.  I've only had to do it once during my first 30 days...and that was all because of lack of planning on my part.  Attaining your goals is all about sacrifice. 



Thursday, August 9, 2012

Others are noticing!

So I've noticed the changes in my body for a week or so.  Clothes are starting to fit looser, I am seeing a bit more definition in my arm/leg muscles.  Nathan notices (well...what he can via Skype...he's out of the country for work for a month), but today my landlady noticed!  She told me (I think...my Italian is still coming) that my belly was getting smaller...and yesterday a friend told me she can tell I'm losing weight.  

I tell ya, hearing that is the biggest shot of confidence.  I CAN DO THIS.  I love that I see results of my hard work on Isagenix!!  For so many years I tried and tried but never got results...it's wonderful to finally be on a program that rewards your hard work!

Our first 30-day stint is over this weekend...I can't wait to take measurements, pics, etc and see how far I've come.  I know I have a ways to go, but it is easier to put in the effort when you see results!!

Monday, August 6, 2012

BBB

I just finished five days of the Bedtime Belly Buster (BBB).  It is supposed to wipe out belly fat.  I have plenty to lose so I was up for the challenge.  So I ordered the stuff for the BBB and anxiously waited.  To do the BBB you need IsaPro and IsaCalcium.  You mix 1 scoop of each (if you get super upset tummy, reduce the calcium to 1 tsp...I was fine)  in 8oz of water and drink on an EMPTY stomach 30 mins before going to sleep.  I found conflicting information on cleansing, so I did NO cleansing for those five days.  (I normally to gently nightly cleansing instead of full day cleanses) 
 
Here's the verdict: it works!!  I lost 3.5lbs and 5 inches across three measuring points (diaphragm, natural waist, and belly button) in five days...that isn't bad!  Here is a pic...it doesn't look like a ton...but I do have a LOT of belly fat to lose, and it's a nice start.  I think you notice it from the side most.  



Ok, now for my tips/impressions:

1 - It MUST be mixed in lukewarm water.  The colder the water the lumpier the consistency.  I never tried it in hot...it is WAY too hot here for that!  (100 degrees today!)  I would fill a glass with room temp water, put the IsaPro in, GENTLY mix, then add the IsaCalcium and GENTLY mix.  Why do I say gently?  Because if you blend it or if you mix vigorously it foams up HUGE and can cause gas and tummy ache.  

2 - It is not the most pleasant thing to drink.  I'm not gonna lie...I had to just chug it down and chase it with water.  

3 - Heavenly sleep is a pleasant, and welcome added side effect of BBB.  I slept sounder the last five nights than I have in a LONG time.   


I will definitely be doing BBB again in a few weeks...let me lose a little more, gain some more lean muscle in my belly and try again. 

Friday, August 3, 2012

Taco Zucchini Boats

I tried something on a whim yesterday and it was YUMMY!  I'd made a bunch of lean ground beef for tacos (using a nice crisp lettuce as the "shell")  I portioned off the leftovers and figured I'd use them the following day in a salad.  Well that night while perusing Pinterest I saw something I thought could work...so I decided to give it a shot.   The result was SUPER delicious so I wanted to make sure I got it down so I'd remember...and so you could try it too!


Taco Zucchini Boats


I took two medium size zucchini, sliced them in half and used a melon baller to scoop a trench in each one.  I chopped up 1/2 a yellow pepper and mixed it with the meat I'd set aside from the day before.  I spooned this into the zucchini, baked at 350 for about 25 mins.  When it was done I pulled it out of the oven, grated some fresh Parmesan on it and gave it a good 2-3 twists of fresh ground pepper/garlic/salt (a McCormick seasoning that is AMAZING)

If you try it, let me know what you think!