My Healthy Journey for Better Living

This has been a long week. My two sons finished school for the summer, but when next school year rolls around they will both be starting new chapters, one as a freshman in high school and the other as a 7th grader in junior high. My niece graduate from high school, and her sister will be a freshman next year. My sisters children are starting a new chapter as well, because her son was accepted into the P.E.P program and both her school aged children will be attended a new school so her son can participate in the P.E.P. program. (P.E.P. is a program for gifted students). 

I have been frustrated because the scale had not been moving in the appropriate direction, but I think I found the key, I was consuming too few calories. So, I will try to change my approach, again. It gets very frustrating when you put in the time and effort to eat better, make sure your getting exercise and the scale doesn't move GRRRRR!

This weeks Numbers are:

Weight 219

Waist 38.75

Hips 43

Thighs 24.5

Bust 38.75

Forearm 11.5

Bicep 14.25

Neck 14.8

This week I got the scale to move a little bit, and I continue to lose inches, although not as much as I wish. I just have to learn to be patient and realize it didn't take a month to put it on and it will definitely take longer to lose it!

I have found my niche on what foods I should and should not consume to help me in my battle of the bulge, and sadly, it is NOT the foods I had been consuming for the past two weeks. I only say sadly because even though it was unhealthy, it was so yummy. I am an ice cream addict, and I had been eating a lot of that lately. However, being lactose intolerant and trying to lose weight, I should know better and just step away from the cone. I need to just go back to my more whole food, no meat, no sweets way of eating, because that was working, and I was full. The green smoothies really helps a lot too.

This weeks numbers are not so hot, but nonetheless, here they are:

Start/Previous Week/This Week

Weight= 226/219.6/220.6 = +1.00

Neck= 15.25/14.8/14.8

Bust= 42/39.5/39.5

Waist= 42.25/39.5/39 = -.50

Hip= 44.75/43.5/43.25= -.25

Thigh= 25/24.5/24.5

Bicep= 15/14/14

Forearm= 12/11.5/11.25

Overall gained +1 pound and lost -.75" I only worked out once this week and walked twice. I need to stick with my regimen of 5-6 days a week and get back to eating the better foods. I felt better those few weeks than I have these last few too. I had more energy and was more peppy.

With today being a day to remember, I apparently forgot that I was on a well eating plan. But spending time with my family was awesome. We spent the day playing games and grilling out, enjoying our freedoms that the many selfless people fight day in and day out for us to have.

I went over my calorie intake at the cookout, but only by 415 calories, which was 2 of the Red's Strawberry Ales I drank. Then on the way home, it was so hot we stopped at Dairy Queen for a treat, I order a peanut buster parfait, which is high in calories, but not as high as what I ended up eating. The peanuts were stale and all the salt that accumulated at the bottom of the peanut container ended up on my parfait. It was WWWAAAAYYYY to salty to eat. My hubby being the awesome guy he is scarificed his treat and traded me. Sadly, his treat was a large strawberry shortcake blizzard that scored out at 990 calories- YIKES! So, yeah, today I went WAY over on calories, another week of busting my ass to make up for today. The only up side is that even though I indulged this weekend, up until today I was still in my daily calorie intake. Not to shabby, so I am ok with that.

Thank you to all the men and women that scarfice their lives, families and time to help keep our country safe and free!

Ok so I went extra hard on the workouts, but I also went a little overboard with food intake. I had a crazy weekend last weekend with attending my sons baseball games and going to a wedding, and of course I have no self control, so I over ate. The good news is that I still lost weight and inches 

4/29 Start-5/23 Today

Weight= 226/219.6 -6.4 pounds

Neck= 15.25/14.8 -.45"

Waist= 42.25/39.5 -2.75"

Hips= 44.75/43.5 -1.25"

Thigh= 15/14.5 -.5"

Bust= 42/39.5 -2.50"

Bicep= 15/14 -1"

Forearm= 12/11.5 -.5"

Total Lost= 6.4 pounds and a total of 8.95" (in 3 weeks)

I'm FINALLY seeing numbers on the scale that I have not seen in about 8 years. Only on my way up to my previous weight in 2011 of 252. I had been slowly losing weight for about 2 years, but I wasn't really doing anything to warrant it. Now that I am working hard at trying to lose the weight, I am losing it a little faster (but not too fast) and I am really happy with the results. 

For the Apple Cider Vinegar and the Turmeric, for some reason I spaced using them form Tuesday on, so I can't really comment on how it works. I know the ACV worked really well the first day or so for water retention, and I did not feel as sore taking the turmeric. I will have to get back to incorporating that into my daily regimen.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend. I know I will, we are busy, busy, busy. Today starts the festivites by going to U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago to watch the White Sox play the Yankess. We are a divided house, so this should be very interesting!

Let me start of by saying that this week was only productive at the beginning, not to divulge too much information, but my "lady friend" came to visit and lets just say exercising was NOWHERE on my mind from Thursday on. I did TRY to stick to my food regimen, and except for a few indulgent times, I did. However, I will not balk at my results for the week as I am happy for them. I am down a total of 4.2 pounds, from 226 to 221.8. That in of itself is a huge success because I carry A LOT of water at this time, so I'd say the Apple Cider Vinegar is doing its trick, even though today is only the second day I have used it. (*****CAUTION***** If you do use the ACV, make sure you are ALWAYS near a restroom, it makes ya pee A LOT!)

Measurements: Start/today's

Weight 226/221.8

Waist 42.25/40

Hip 44.75/44.25

Thigh 25/25

Bust 42/40 (why do women always lose the most in our boobs? That is where we WANT to keep it!)

Bicep 15/14.25

Forearm 12/11.5

Neck 15.25/14.8

Drum roll please...... the total lost is 4.2 pounds and a total of 6.45 inches. These might not seem like huge strides to anyone, but for me the fact that I am making ANY strides is pretty damn impressive to me! Especially since I was told 10 years ago at the age of 30, I'd be lucky if I wasn't in a wheel chair by 35. Well, here I am at 40, 4 months away from 41, proving those doctors wrong about my fate. It takes everything I have inside of me to do the exercises and to not get discouraged, but damn it I AM DOING IT, and no one can take that away from me!

I am going to start off by saying... The doctors were right, but SSSHHHH don't tell them. They've been telling me I need to exercise more and I would hurt less. This baffled me, I didn't understand how I would hurt LESS by exercising because just sitting around doing nothing made me hurt pretty bad. Well folks, let me tell ya, I feel better than I have in years. I have more energy and stamina than I have had in about 10 years, and I am only 2 weeks into this gig. I don't have half of the the aches and pains that I used to, already. Now don't get me wrong, I have aches and pains but they were earned and I don't mind  I Must say getting healthier is one of the best decisions I have EVER MADE!

Results for 12 days of hard work and dedication:

Previous measurements/New

Waist: 42.25/40.5

Bust: 42/41.5

Hip: 44.75/44.5

Thigh: 25/25

Bicep: 15/14.5

Forearm: 12/11.5

Neck: 15.25/14.75

Previous Weight/Current

225/223.8

To sum thing up I have lost 1.2 pounds and 4" in 12 days. I am a little disaapointed with the weight loss, but I also know it takes time. Plus I didn't really start eating right until 4 days ago. With that being said, I guess I am more pleased than I origianlly thought. Hard work really DOES PAY OFF!

I have even been pro active with pre-packaging meals so they are easy to grab, heat and eat, instead of trying to figure something out. I think this will be my biggest help ever. Also, I am pretty stoked because my sister is walking with me now for 3 days a week. She isn't fat by any means,but she is out of shape. She is trying to get herself healthier so she can work on her kids. YAY!

Today is a workout day, and my youngest son is slated to go with me. Work, work, work.... but it pays off!

It has only been one day of eating MUCH healthier and I woke up energized and without any stomach bloating or aches like I normally do. I have been up since 4:45 a.m. and it is now 2:00 p.m., and I have not taking any nap. This is a HUGE feat for me, because I took a nap almost everyday no matter how many of night hours I slept. For breakfast I made a snack that lasted from when I woke up until after lunch. I combined dried bananas, raisins, peanuts and cocnut shavings in a bowl and shook it up. It was a very delightful snack, and I did not use any recipe to make it, I created it with just the things I had on hand. My sister stopped by and said she has noticed that I appear to be thinner. (She's my sister she's suppose to say that, obligation!) But whatever, I feel better and that is the important thing!

I tanned last night at Planet Fitness, and took my oldest son along, who ran a mile on the treadmill and worked out his legs while I tanned. It is an awesome feeling to know that in a matter of one week my kids are noticing a change and they are wanting to be a part of it too! AWESOME!!!!!!!!! 

For lunch I made a tasty spinach salad, with spinach (obviously), baby kale, carrots, cucumbers, red pepper, green onion, feta cheese, raisins and gluten free ranch dressing, sprinkled with some coconut shavings. I must say, it was awesome.

I have had a lot of energy today, I have planted seend, bulbs, prepared meals, and my day job of watching a little guy (age 4). I love this new found energy!

Today I took the time and money and invested in my food future. I have decided to go vegan and gluten free. Gluten free is for Gluten Sensitivity and Vegan is because I have horrible stomach issues, and I want to be  healthier in the ling run. Shopping for unhealthy food was hard enough, being strict and cautious is tedious, but I am sure it will be worth it in the end. I just need to start seeing results, then I won't complain anymore about the time.

I was vegetarian for over 4 years, and when I went back to a "normal" diet, I gained 20 pounds. I bought things that I have never eaten or tried before, ready to expand my taste buds horizons. Today, I tried Tahini for the first time. It is a paste/butter made from seaseme seeds. I used it on a vegan sheapards pie to add a little extra flavor and it was pretty good.

I also got a workout in at Planet Fitness. I had my youngest son with me and we did a complete body workout. Usually I feel energize after the workout but this morning I just felt tired, BUT I did not stop moving or take a nap today. All positives and moves in the right direction!

I look forward to sharing recipes, workouts, and ideas with everyone! If you ahve any questions you can email me at [email protected]

This week was an interesting week. I started watching my best friends grandson from 6am-3:30pm 4 days during the week. Luckily, I was still able to squeeze in time for myself. Monday I did the "Stability Ball Challenge", Wednesday I did some pilates and yesterday I went for an interval walk of 1 mile. No it is not much, but my activity rate is up 1000% from the week before. I have lost 1.5 pounds so far, which is awesome, because I broke my plateau of 225. This morning I joined Planet Fitness. I know this is a controversial gym, but the equipment is right up my current ability alley, therefore, I believe $20 a month is worth it. (Also tanning is included in the membership, BONUS).

I think this week has been productive, and I feel better already. I did learn that I have nerve damage in my right leg (from my back). Which I suspected, but when I did the sprints in my intervals, I wasn't able to lift my leg that high, it felt like a dead weight. I can lift it off the ground if I am just standing in place with no problem, but with muscle engaged, and in motion there is an obvious deficit. 

I plan to get my first workout in at Planet Fitness today and tomorrow. I'm also going mushroom hunting with my hubby on Satruday, so that will be fun too.

PHOTO CREDIT: http://insideoutsidemichiana.blogspot.com/2013/08/walker-park.html

http://insideoutsidemichiana.blogspot.com/2013/08/walker-park.html

Today I started my exercise program. Since it is rainy and cold, and I am already sick, I opted for a look through Pinterest to find an indoor activity that looked worthwhile. I stumbled across "The Stability Ball Challenge" from kamafitness.ca. I did all the exercises only 1 time each, but that is a very good start for someone whose biggest feat of the day is doing laundry!

I also took some selfies for my before pics and uploaded them. That was embarassing, but it will keep me in check, that I am sure of! I can't go through all this and let those images of myself in this current state linger, I must get better and be better!

Here is the challenge for those who are wanting to try it!

Credit: Kamafitness.ca