7 year itch

I just realized that it has been 7 years since I started my fitness journey. SEVEN years. When I started this, I weighed 165+ lbs. I am 5'3". I was moving into a size 14. I felt like crap. On the outside AND on the inside. I didn't value myself.

I have kept off close to 40 lbs for 6 years. I no longer workout every day (I wish I did, but i'm being truthful). Sometimes, it's 4x a week, sometimes, it's 1x a week. I do, however, continue to follow the 80/20 rule: 80% clean eating, 20% eat-whatever. It works for me. I STILL drink my Shakeology every day! My body craves it, so I listen.

The hardest part about this lifestyle change was that first step. When will you take yours?

:)

Slacker alert

Holy crap, I am the biggest slacker ever! hahaha! Life has been....well, busy...and i've neglected my blog. 

Last time i blogged on here was 2013--yikes! And i was saying how i was getting "back on the wagon." So did i? I know inquiring minds want to know. So...here's the truth:

2013: At the top of the year, i had just had a double mastectomy (12/28/12). I had the tissue expanders removed in March of '13, and replaced with implants. At that point, I had already been working out (slowly) again (even with the tissue expanders). After the implants were put in, I waited about 2 weeks for the stitches to heal, then--with very supportive sports bras--started working out full-force again. 

I was exceedingly annoyed because i couldn't do a lot of things that i could do before--mainly, pull-ups and push-ups. Anything that involved the chest wall hurt, and for those exercises, i was essentially starting at square 1. It totally sucked. 

During 2013 I continued to drink my Shakeology (i'm an addict), worked out to my best ability, and gained...wait for it...4 pounds. Yep. A measly 4 lbs. :) 

2014 and 2015 were pretty much the same. To be honest, i haven't physically challenged myself in a while. 2015 was extremely busy--we were in several shows at theatre, we moved (and all the fun stuff that comes with that), and we just NOW feel like we're really 'living' in our house and getting into the swing of things. 

Right now, i'm doing Hammer and Chisel. I LOVE it. And, as usual, i'm working out when I can--meaning, I can't always follow the schedule the program sets. And that's okay--it's called LIFE, people. I work out a MINIMUM of 4 times a week. Wednesdays are difficult--I have meetings all day, I office at the theatre, and we get home at 10pm or later. Could I get up earlier than 630am and work out? Yep, I sure could, but it's my CHOICE not to. I hate working out in the morning. Hate it. 

What I DO do, and have since I started Beachbody, is eat clean 85% of the time (if not 90), and drink my Shakeology EVERY DAY. My shakes are important to me. Full, CLEAN nutrition in a single glass. No preservatives, no artificial flavors, nothing you can't find in nature. It's the best thing I can do for my body. (And, as a side note, when i was going through cancer crap, my oncologist--who is NOT affiliated with Beachbody at all--said that Shakeology was the best nutritional drink she had ever seen.) << That made me happy, and I honestly feel like my health attributed to my awesome healing process (double mastectomy on 12/28/12, and back to working out by 4/13)! Holistic health, baby-- from the inside out! 

So that's where I am. Much love to all of you. Make the choice to be healthy. Make the choice to take care of yourself. You have one life. I encourage you to wake up every day and CHOOSE to love yourself and take care of yourself. I'd be honored to help you--I can offer an encouraging word, I can recommend workout programs and eating plans, I can create a personalized workout plan (I'm a CPT, too!). Life is so precious. Create a mind and body that helps you live it!! 

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It's a new day!

Last week, beginning Nov. 11th, was my first day back on the wagon--for about a YEAR. Yep, that's right! Nearly a year off the I-work-out-every-day wagon. Am I upset about it? Nope. I mean, let's face it--I only gained 6lbs. Yep. A year of breast cancer, multiple surgeries, and NOT working out consistently, and I gained 6lbs.

Even though I wasn't working out (I couldn't, most of the time), I remained as active as I could and continued to eat clean. Shakeology truly was my lifesaver. I knew, that as my body was healing, I was getting all the proper nutrition I needed. AND...all my doctors were so impressed with my level of health--especially with my blood pressure. (Again...thank you, Shakeology!) If I wasn't 100% sold on this stuff before, I am now.

So...as I embark on my fitness journey, AGAIN, I have a renewed vigor for my life, and this body that puts up with me so well. There are still a few things I have problems doing: pushups, pullups...pretty much anything that takes chest muscles. But i'll get there.

:)

Life happens

...doesn't it? Life often gets in the way. In the way of things we want to do AND things we want to accomplish. You can look at it two ways: You can either give up or move on.

I say this because I'm looking at my calendar, and I haven't worked-out consistently since the first week of July. And...ready for it??

I'M OKAY WITH IT.

It's not like I've been lounging around, enjoying free-time, because man...that's the farthest thing from the truth. BUT...life happens. I've been away from my home nearly every night in July, not crawling into bed until around 11 or 12...and sometimes, later. During this crazy month, I've managed to lose 4lbs. How? I continued to eat clean.

A large portion of my time was spent at the theatre (my daughter was in a show, and I worked backstage), and the food that is catered in is NEVER the healthiest option. Pizza, sandwiches (on white bread), snacks--cheese, crackers, chips, pretzels, etc. But sometimes, you're starving and you have to eat. So, yes, I did indulge on a few occasions. BUT, I remained a clean eater 95% of the time. It makes SUCH a huge difference.

This week, I most likely won't work out, either. I have missed my family, and I want to have some downtime with them. I'm going to cook dinner every night, i'm going to sit down and enjoy some tv, and i'm going to RELAX! So next week, i'll be raring and ready to go!

So you see? Life happens. It doesn't mean you quit--it means you just give it a new start!

Steph

Genetics--That's not why you're overweight

As a personal trainer, I hear more often than not, "I just have bad genetics." Whenever I hear that, I'd like to respond with, "No, you just have a bad attitude." Let's set something straight here: Genetics don't make you fat. PERIOD.

Genetics give you the body type you have, your shape, and yes, even a predisposition to WHERE your fat will lie on your body. For instance, when i gain weight, the first place it goes is my butt/hips. That's genetics (and scientifically, it's part of being female). Some women gain it in their belly first; some women, in their boobs. HOWEVER, one more time: GENETICS DON'T MAKE YOU FAT.

So, what does make you fat? Here's a list:

• Your lifestyle
• The food you put in your mouth
• Excuses

By 'lifestyle,' I mean what you do on a daily basis. Are you sedentary? Are you active? I sit at a computer ALL. DARN. DAY. (As does most of the working population.) But I make it a point to get up and move at least every 30 minutes. I have a nifty little device called a 'Jawbone' which has an alarm on it. If i'm sedentary for more than 30 minutes, it buzzes on my wrist--reminding me to get up and move. I'll usually get up and do squats. (Always gotta work those glutes!) If you need a reminder, then set your Outlook to ding a few times a day! Heck, get up and walk to the water machine and get a cup of water--do SOMETHING to get moving.

The food you put in your mouth: The easiest thing to change, yet people have the hardest time with this. Eat clean. Eat clean. Eat clean. And one more time: EAT CLEAN. That means no: white flour, enriched flour, white sugar. Remove those few things from your diet, and you're pretty much golden. AND i promise you--you'll see a difference in your body within a week. No, not some kind of crazy, magical, weight-loss promise--A REAL PROMISE. Take care of your body by feeding it right, and your body will thank you by reducing bloat and functioning on a higher level. You'll feel better, sleep better, and look better!

Excuses: I have heard them all. They range from the usual, "I just don't have the time" to the lamest of all, "I'm just too tired to exercise or eat right." WHAT??? You're kidding me, right? With 2 kids, a full-time job, homeschooling (thank God we're out for summer), competitive gymnastics, theatre, piano, Girl Scouts, etc., I have an entire reel of excuses I could use. But I don't. You know why? BECAUSE THEY'RE EXCUSES. Quit making them. You shouldn't have a flippin' excuse for not treating yourself right. It's just as easy to walk around the block than it is to sit your butt on the couch and watch tv. And guess what? If you're tired before you walk around the block, you're going to be tired when you sit down to watch tv, too. Choose the better option. Don't sit there and tell yourself you're too tired to eat something healthy because 'McDonald's is faster,' or 'a frozen pizza is easier.' You're kidding, right? Believe me, I have days when I can't cook; honestly, most days. But we always have healthy options! Our favorite: Amy's Organic Burritos. Clean and tasty. Kashi Organic pizzas--yum. Oatmeal--i'm surprised we're not pooping straight oats. Snacks: mini carrots, fruit, greek yogurt...the list goes on. It's NOT HARD. Don't be a lazy eater.

Do you want it? Do you WANT to be healthier?? Than you've got to make changes. YOU'VE got to commit to change. Don't fall into unhealthy habits, and break the unhealthy habits you DO have. You can do it.

I did it. :)

Steph 

Can i have some cheese with my whine, please?

UGH. Just...UGH. I tried to do a pullup today. Ouch. Breastcancer has really pissed me off--and although the CANCER is gone, i'm still dealing with it's crappy cousin, Repurcussions.

I love pushups. Now they feel so funky, I don't want to do them. Think of what a pushup does to your pecs. Now, imagine you have balloons UNDER your pecs. What happens to said balloons when you do a pushup? Yeah. They squish into your armpits--well, towards your armpits. And the pecs squeeze the balloons. Dammit. Same thing happens when I do presses, too.

I just tried a pullup. Like pushups, I LOVE pullups. 11 non-kip is my 'good day' record. I can't even pull myself up once now. Wait....let me rephrase. I attempted to pull myself up, then it felt like someone lit a fire under my right side, so i stopped. Again, DAMMIT.

I know patience is key here...but when it comes to working out, i'm quite limited on patience.

So...what AM i happy about when it comes to my recuperating fitness level? Hmmm.... I'm using 15s for shoulders (I had to start at 5s); 25s for lawnmowers (again, had to start at 5s). I have most of my flexibility back in my chest wall. I was able to do handstands against the wall last week, with TINY presses. I was able to do a backbend/bridge with minimal pulling in my chest. My cardio is completely back, which i'm insanely happy about.

Bummer: Arm strength definitely isn't back yet. And...I still can't scoop ice cream. --sigh--

I like to end these 'ranty' types of posts with my reaffirmation: At least my boobs didn't kill me.

Tripping on self-judgement

Today, on my Team FitWisdom FB page, I posted:
When you work out today, don't trip on self-judgement. You are who you are. Work at making yourself a healthier version of YOU--not a version of someone else. #FitWisdom

This is something that I continually struggle with. I know what i'm made of: 5'3.75" of pure badassedness. But, that comes with a few items from the gene pool that i'm NOT fond of. Oh, say, for instance, my thighs and butt. These things were 'heftier' than most girls my age when I was younger, and as an adult (and after having kids), they remain not only 'heftier' but saggier as well. Yay me.

Of course, i have my days when i'm in the workout room and I see myself and think, "Alright, alright...not bad for a nearing-40 mom of two." Then there are the days that my mind is replete with images of people I don't even know, that are in crazy-ass good shape, and I begin to trip.

I trip on my own self-judgement.

Now, THIS got me into a lot of trouble in highschool and college. If I could go back to those days, I'd smack myself in the fool head and shove a burrito down my throat. The days of self-starving in highschool; sneaking Dexatrim and SlimFast from my mom. Then surviving college on Diet Coke, animal crackers, and Phen-Fen (procured from the 'doctor' at the Quack Shack). All of those years, no one ever, EVER stepped in to tell me this wasn't healthy. No one ever told me that I needed to work with the shape I had, instead of trying to look like someone else.

Random story time: The summer of 1993, I was a professional cheerleader. I weighed around 130lbs. I was teaching at a summer camp and the whole lot of us (the girls) were starving ourselves. We'd go to lunch at eat plain lettuce. The staff trainer came in and yelled at us. Said that we NEEDED to eat. And said something that, for some reason or another, stuck with me: "If your stunt partner says you're too heavy, then HE's not strong enough." We thought that was funny. We giggled, put more food on our plates, then when the trainer left, we dumped it. Each of us had a vision of what we NEEDED to look like in our heads. SELF-JUDGEMENT.

As a grown woman, I still trip. It's hard not to. We're bombarded every day with what 'looks' healthy--not what IS healthy. I piss my husband off more often than not, because i am hyper-critical about my body. I take pictures of my progress and often post them on my fitness page--not because I want people to swamp me with accolades, but because it's a big part of me accepting ME. THIS is what I look like. And when people DO say positive things, it makes me think, "You know...maybe I don't look so bad." Progress is progress.

As women, we need to stop tripping ourselves. There are so many different body types and shapes. We need to accept our body type/shape and work to get THAT in the healthiest form possible for US. Not someone else's healthiest from. OUR healthiest form.

Quit tripping.

"Thigh Gap"

I just saw an article this morning about teen girls trying to acheive 'thigh gap.' This is utterly ridiculous. As a health nut, and a mom of two young girls, this just ticks me off.

I recently spent several weekends volunteering with a community theatre. They were doing a production of "Annie," and I was surrounded by a number of young girls daily. Several times, I would hear one or more utter something to the effect of, "I shouldn't eat this, i'm on a diet," or "I'm fat." Lucky (or unlucky) for them, I was doing the orphans' makeup, so I took that opportunity to talk to a few of them that I had overheard.

This EDUCATING of our young girls is SO important, and really, I feel it on my heart to do this.  I told these girls that they should NOT be on a diet. A diet is temporary. What they need to be doing, is ensuring that they're living a healthy lifestyle! They're GROWING!! They need to be fueling their bodies correctly with good, nutritious food. And yes, it's okay to have cookies once in a while, or a piece of birthday cake!

I hate that we live in a society that PUSHES diets on these young (and very impressionable) girls. So,  I encourage you to...well...ENCOURAGE young girls to live a healthy lifestyle. A stick-thin body with no fat is NOT typical, nor should it ever be unless it is in your genetics. Encourage them to eat well to fuel their growing mind and body. Encourage them to accept ALL body types. Encourage them to see the beauty in their body shape. Just ENCOURAGE them.

 

Back in the game

Well, I am exactly 1 week out from my tissue expander to permanent implant exchange surgery, and I feel FABULOUS!! Those tissue expanders were like rocks in my chest, and inhibited me from doing way too much. Having squishy boobies is NOT overrated! :)

I started working out (carefully!) on Monday of this week and already I can see and feel a difference. I also cleaned up my eating. Over the course of Boobmageddon, I lost 7lbs of muscle (i had just completed Body Beast before I found out I had breastcancer). I only ended up gaining 2lbs or so--no big deal. However, I sure didn't keep it clean over the past 3 months. I wasn't horrible, but i wasn't eating my best. I'm one of those people where exercise fuels my desire to feed my body properly. I'm pretty sure a box of Valentine chocolates didn't account for proper fueling. :-/

One thing I didn't do, and i'm proud of myself for it, is that i never used cancer or my resulting surgeries as an excuse. I KNEW what I was doing. I KNEW i was eating crap. I KNEW i wasn't fueling properly. I accept it. To me, it's better to accept what you're doing, rather than make excuses for it (in all walks/situations in life). If you keep making excuses as to why you're eating crappy food (ex. It's my birthday, I 'deserve' it, I had a rough week, etc.) you're only kidding yourself. Be accountable to yourself--it will make your life that much easier. So, in that regard, I stayed accountable to myself over the course of my treatment. And now, I'm dealing with the consequences of the chocolate and white flour/sugar I was accountable for.

I'm back to drinking a gallon of water a day, back to eating super-clean (but still allowing myself a 'treat food' every once in a while), and back to daily workouts.

I credit my super-awesome recovery time to my health. That's more than anyone could ask for.

Not on a workout program? Start one. Start slow. JUST START. Your body will thank you for it!

I'm back in the game,
Steph

It's been a while....

Wow...it's been quite a while since i've blogged on here, but i've been a TAD bit preoccupied. I believe most of you know what's been going on, if not, feel free to visit www.evilpigs.blogspot.com, where my guts are spilled.

So...where am I now? From 19% bodyfat up to 25%, I've lost 7lbs of muscle (ugh), and at this point, gained no pounds. I went from lawnmowering 25lb dumbells to not being able to lawnmower at all, from hammer curling 15lb dumbells to sweating 8s, and from having kick-ass cardio to not being able to breathe much at all. Good times.

The good news is, I know I can do it. I KNOW what i'm capable of, and i'm determined to come back even stronger than before. The bad news? It's still going to be on hiatus for a while. I can only do 'so much' when working out, and as much as I want to 'try' more, it's front and center in my mind that i need to obey doctors orders in order to heal properly. Like last week, for example: I planked. The doctor didn't say I COULDN'T plank, but i didn't ask. He only said i couldn't do pushups. I planked. I planked on Friday and Monday, and Tuesday. Then, I had this horrible pain under my left tissue expander. See? That's what happens when your MIND knows better, but you ignore it. I'm now listening to my common sense. (Even though I planked today...but i only did it for a minute and didn't do any mountain climbers. Okay...maybe i did a few, but not a lot.)

So what DO I do when I plug in my headphones and get to sweating? Legs. A lot of legs. Speed skaters, squats, lunges, calf lifts, power legs, weighted leg lifts, kick backs...anything i can think of to push my body to the edge. For arms, i'm doing LIGHT weights (OMG...it's KILLING me; I feel like such a wuss). Bicep curls, hammer curls, a few shrugs, some overhead presses...i have to be careful with the arms.

What i miss the most: Flys, chest presses, and most of all--pushups (particularly, wide sets) and pullups. Before this crap, I could do 8 non-kip underhand pullups. Who knows how many i'll be able to do after this...THEN i'll have to kip them. Argh. Frustrated? YES. A LOT. Confident that I can get back to where I was? TOTALLY. (But still irritated? Yep.) 

xoxo

Eating Clean--YES, YOU CAN

I eat clean 95% of the time. I started out slow--eating clean on an 80/20% basis (which is what i often recommend to people just starting out). Starting with the 80/20 makes this jump more realistic, and once you get the hang of it, it's easy to make a larger transition. I had posted, a few months back, a partial grocery shopping list; this one is more exhaustive, and will really help you to learn what is/isn't clean.

To get started right, you want to instill a few new habits: 1) Shop the perimeter (I know you've heard this before) 2) Read the labels 3) Don't be afraid to try new things.
Breads

• Trader Joe's brand--Their 'whole grain breads' are clean. I've never tried them, but I've heard they're good. Particularly the Sprouted Multi-Gran and California Protein.
• Ezekiel brand breads--In the freezer section. There are several different varieties--ALL OF WHICH ARE NOT CLEAN--but most are. Read the label.
• Alvarado Street Bakery brand breads--Great selection of rolls, loaves, buns, etc. All of these are clean.
• Tortillas--Hard to find. They should contain only corn, lime, and water. Again, I've heard Trader Joe's carries a sprouted wheat tortilla that is clean, but I've never tried it.

Dairy & Non-Dairy
If you're going to eat clean, personally, I don't recommend dairy. I limit it to cheese, which I only 'treat' myself with--it's not part of my regular eating plan.

• Greek yogurt
• Unsweetened almond milk
• Unsweetened rice milk (made from brown rice)
• Unsweetened soy (always buy organic to avoid GMOs)
• Unsweetened coconut milk (buy 'light')

Meat

• Poultry--Eggs. Mostly the whites, but the yolks, in moderation. Buy organic, please. Boneless, skinless chicken/turkey breasts are awesome.
• Beef--not considered 'clean', but if you want to eat it, buy organic, lean cuts.
• Wild game--Go for it.
• Pork--Generally not part of a clean diet. Skip it.
• Duck--Too fatty.
• Fish--Go for it.

Produce

Stock up, and do your best to buy organic! MOST of your diet should come from this section!
Fruits: All of it.
Veggies: All of it.



The Aisles

Try to keep out of 'em, except for:

• Green Tea
• Decaf coffee (if you must)
• Oatmeal--steel cut or traditional rolled oats.
• Canned items--eeeee...try to stay away, but if you must, read the label. Go for no added sugar and watch the sodium content.
• Dry beans and legumes (I DO buy canned, organic)
• Brown rice
• Whole wheat pasta
• Other grains
• Sweeteners/condiments: Truvia, Aminos, pure maple syrup, spices (no seasoning packets!)
• Flour: oat flour, whole wheat flour
• Chips: There are some really tasty, clean organic chips out there! I buy a flaxseed/red quinoa chip that i love!

That should do it!

Shop away, my friends!

Post Ultimate Reset

So, it's around 2 weeks post Ultimate Reset, and i've noticed a few things:
1) I've put on 3lbs
2) I crave green vegetables
3) I no longer crave crap food on the weekends, NOR alcoholic beverages

In fact, in relation to number 3: My husband and i usually drink on the weekends. We'll buy a bottle of wine/sangria, he'll drink beer while hanging in the pool, etc. This past weekend, I had a few "Mike's Hard Lemonades." They made me feel gross. Like really gross. Not 'drunk' gross, but just bloated and nasty. Ew. I'm a big red wine drinker. The last few times i've had red wine, I feel gross. I get all stuffed up, and feel sluggish the next day. White wine, however, doesn't have that affect on me. What's weird, is i've NEVER been a white wine drinker. Okay...end alcohol rant.

In relation to number 1: I know it's because i've a) had alcohol on the weekends b) not been drinking a gallon and a half of water every day and c) not working out as hard as i usually do. That's all about to change. It's amazing how, when you reset your system, you actually NOTICE, once you start back into your old habits, which of those habits are holding you back from the results you want. BINGO.

In relation to matter 2: Kale. Really. Kale. Never saw that one coming. I want to eat it every day. Weird, I know.

Even my morning coffee doesn't seem to give me the same satisfaction that it used to. Although I complained about the structure of the Reset while I was doing it, it actually gave me a great sense of satisfaction. I'm not saying i'm going to go BACK to that kind of massive structure, but i definitely, after these past 2 weeks, see how much that structure helped me to be my best.

SO...today: adding more vegetables, skipping the morning coffee (already had one this morning, so that'll have to wait until tomorrow), and going back to my water-drinking ways.

Also, i've been doing the Muscle and Fitness Hers 12-week Trainer program. Unfortch, i'm not impressed with it at all. I'm on day 15 of it, and although I LIKE it, i don't feel like i'm getting much out of it at all. I do believe, that i'm going to go back to Asylum and the bain of my existence, Shaun T.

Eat Clean. Be Fit.

Ultimate Reset--Day 22!

I did it! I successfully completed the 21-day Ultimate Reset, and I'm proud to say that I cheated ONCE. And that was on Day 21. I had a tiny piece of a brownie. And guess what? It wasn't worth it. So...my thoughts:

I dropped 9lbs. I didn't think i had 9lbs to lose, but apparently, I did. I always weigh myself first thing in the morning--that's the best, and most true time to weigh-in. For 21 days, I had a love/hate relationship with the reset. It went something like this:

Phase 1: WOW! Look at all this cool food i've never tried! I'm cooking so much! I love cooking! And salad! Good thing I love salad!! YAY!
Phase 2: WOW. Look at all this cool food i've never tried. I'm cooking so much. Cooking is getting old. MORE salad? What the hell is 'millet'? I think that's what's in the bird feeder.
Phase 3: MORE FRUIT?? Can't I just have oatmeal, for the love of GOD. I hate salad. I refuse to cook. All of my vegetables will be eaten raw. I want my chocolate shakeology. Stat.

Day 22: Holy crap. Look how thin I am. My skin is glowing. Most of the cheese on the back of my thighs has gone away. My thighs are SMALLER. I LOVE THE ULTIMATE RESET! :D

See? Love/Hate.

I'm going to be straight with you--it's tough. Now, if you are a single woman with no kids, or a married woman whose husband was doing this with you, it would be much easier. Here's why: It is ridiculously tough to cook your family meals, and watch them eat delicious nums like turkey spaghetti, grilled brisket, and baked chicken--while you sit there with a pile of beets and a salad. Granted, the pile 'o beets and the salad are equally delectable, but let's face it--it's not a grilled brisket. Have you ever pulled a pot roast out of a crock pot, and it's falling apart because it's so tender? And then you sit at the stove and make gravy with the drippings and it smells delightful? Yes, me too. Except I didn't get to eat it. I had to ask my husband if it tasted okay because i'm so good, i didn't even taste it. However, I cannot lie: When I made the brisket, I put a piece in my mouth, chewed it until it was liquified, then spit it out. I had to. It was a briskit. I know you people understand the conundrum I was in.

Anyways...you also can't work out while doing this. I LOVE to workout. It's my stress relief for the day. If i'm not yelling at Shaun T for kicking my rear, my day is not complete. With the Ultimate Reset, you're allowed 'brisk' walks and Tai-Cheng or Yoga. That's it. That simply doesn't cut it for me. By week two, i'd walk into my workout room, roll on my rumble roller, lovingly caress my weights, and kiss my workout shoes. Awful, i tell you.

How do I feel? The Ultimate Reset says, and I quote: "After just 21 days on the Beachbody Ultimate Reset, you'll be feeling dramatically better--physically, mentally, and emotionally." So...do I? Physically, I feel awesome. Mentally and emotionally? I feel more...calm. More centered with my body. Anything extravagant? No, not at all. But let's face it--I ate 90% clean before. I CAN imagine, that if you don't eat clean and do this, you'd feel all kinds of amazing. Even though i eat clean, about mid-way through the 2nd phase, my body felt...different. I just feel better. Definitely more energized.

What am I going to do now that it's over: Eat oatmeal and drink chocolate Shakeology. Those are the two things that are high on my priority list. :) The oatmeal has been eaten (steel cut oats, a heaping tsp of flaxseed, and soy milk---YUM). The Shake-O is next. I'm going to ride out the next 2 weeks and see how I feel. I will most likely be purchasing some of the supplements from the Reset so I can continue taking them. Am I going to eat meat? Probably. I'm certainly not vegan. And I like meat occansionally. I consider myself 'Flexitarian.' I eat mostly vegetarian, but I like ground turkey in my spaghetti and i enjoy the occasional, weekend briskit.

Do I recommend the Ultimate Reset? Heck, yes. It's hard. It takes dedication. It takes absolute determination. But you can do it. I'm so proud of myself that I did it! :)

Here's to your health, my friends! You have one life--make it count!

Phase 2!

Here I am, the first day of Phase 2 of the Ultimate Reset! I feel great! AND...as a bonus, I'm down 3lbs! May not seem like a lot, but I notice my midsection is more lean-looking. I'll take it!

This phase involves a colon detox. They promise not a lot of pooping--I hope they're right! The detox drink (3x a day) tastes like an herbal tea--not bad at all. Much better than the spinachy alkanalize shot!

Can't wait to post before/after pics!!

Ultimate Reset Day 6

So, here I am, entering Day 6 of the Ultimate Reset. My thoughts so far: The Alkanilize is gross, but i choke it down knowing that it's doing fab things for my body. I'm drinking over a gallon of water a day, which I THINK is causing me to bloat a bit in my tummy area. When I wake up in the morning, the bloat is gone (and i think i look leaner), but by 4pm, my tummy looks big again. The food is ridiculously awesome. Not only is this reset causing me to actually TASTE my food, but it's making me step outside of my comfort zone in the kitchen. Tempeh? Millet? Quinoa salad? Sure.

It's a LOT of food. I have a hard time eating it all! I feel amazing. Not tired, not sore, just....rested and healthy. I LOVE THIS!! I'll update with a weight loss, if any, tomorrow!

Here we go!

Today is Day 1 of my Ultimate Reset. Have to say, i'm a bit nervous. It's a lot of food, and i'm not really one for thinking ahead. So...HERE WE GO!!!!

3 years in the making

Last week, or perhaps 2 weeks ago, I posted something on my facebook page about holding off 40 pounds for 2 years. What I didn't realize, however, is that it has been since OCTOBER 2009 that I started my new life. Here is my inaugural post.
It's hard for me to remember, nearly 2.5 years later, that I was ever like that woman i describe in that first post. It's hard for me to remember that I used to just sit at this computer--day in and day out--and never take a break for MYSELF. For a little over 3 years, I RARELY took a pee break, much less a lunch break. Time for myself? What was that?

Now, i'm not saying my life is perfect. I still spend the majority of my day working at my computer (hello, I have to pay the bills!), I still run myself ragged with the kids...but I am ENJOYING IT. Doing 'life' no longer drives me into the ground. Yes, there are still some days where I am completely wiped out--but who doesn't have those? There are days when I want to yell, "Calgon! Take me away!" :) Overall, my HEALTH is better, my ATTITUDE is better, and my LIFE is better. And, I can't forget this--I'm FORTY pounds lighter.

Taking care of myself has allowed me to enjoy my life so much more. I take an HOUR a day to myself. One stinkin' measly lil' hour, and use it to work out. But during that hour--usually spent silently cursing at Shaun T--gives me so much. That ONE hour, started three years ago, has allowed me to change from the inside out. I'm healthier than i ever thought i could be, and now, I stretch myself so much further than I ever thought I could. I'm about to embark on a 21 day body reset. And you know what? I'm not scared of it. My BIGGEST problem with it, is that i can't drink coffee. 3 years ago, this would have freaked me the heck out. But everything listed on the shopping list are things that I eat and buy. Maybe not regularly--I mean, I have yet to go buy seaweed wrap, but I eat it a lot. So, I'm not scared. What a long way I've come.

I am so grateful for my health. When I think about how far i've come, I feel...happy. Proud. Accomplished.

I want you to feel that, too. Because I saw what I was capable of with my limited time, and because i wanted to help others, I became a Beachbody coach AND a Certified Personal Trainer. I certainly can't MAKE you do anything, but once you decide to make a change, I can help you succeed. Join me at my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/FitWisdom and introduce yourself. No pressure, no trying to get you to buy anything. Just good, honest, support. I promise.

What do I eat?

I encourage everyone to eat 'clean,' but a lot of people have trouble distinguishing what is clean and what is not. So, in an effort to help out, here's a list of things that are regularly on my shopping list:

• Organic fruits/vegetables (usually: apples, oranges, bananas, grapes, broccoli, asparagus, celery, iceberg lettuce, spinach, tomato, avocado, green beans)
• Raw almonds (I'm allergic to these, but i can usually eat a handful and be okay--livin' on the edge!)
• Tilapia
• Eggs (organic, brown)
• Soy milk or coconut milk (i use it in my Shakeology--SO good!)
• Laura Scudder's smooth peanut butter
• Organic cereals (granola and shredded wheat squares)
• Triscuits (plain)
• Cheese (sparingly)
• Salsa (Julio's brand--NO PRESERVATIVES)
• Whole grain/whole wheat bread (check the ingredients--just because it says, "Whole wheat" doesn't mean it's whole grain. It can still have sugar and enriched flour in it.)
• Whole grain/whole wheat tortillas
• Tuna
• Chicken
• Ground turkey
• Tofu
• Whole wheat pasta (I eat this about 1x every 2 weeks)
• Truvia (i use this in my coffee during the week)
• Lara bars (I'll sometimes pick up a few of these, but not often)
• Better Oats brand oatmeal (LOVE this stuff)
• Plain, steel-cut oatmeal (Nature's brand)
• Beans (black beans, pinto, red beans, etc.)

I know there are other things--i'm just not remembering! I DO drink Shakeology 1-2x a day. I LOVE my Shakeology, and will never go back to NOT having it! I drink a TON of water, too!

Think you can't?

You can. Think you don't have the time? You do. Think your body can't change? It can. Think you can't change old habits? Throw that crap out the window. Here's an example:

I used to know this woman--wife, mother of two, full-time job. She did what many working parents do: Go to work, sit on her butt at work (Hello, desk job!), eat when she could (rarely healthy), get off of work, run the kids to their various activities, shower, conk out at 11pm, and start the day all over the next morning. Sound familiar? Of course it does--many, MANY houses run like that--you're not alone.

Over time, this woman had lost any "her" time that she ever had. She started to gain weight because, well, as much running around as she did, she was fueling her body incorrectly, and really--driving to and fro doesn't burn many calories. One day, the woman was looking through pictures, and for the first time in a LONG time, actually saw herself. And I mean SAW herself. She saw the extra pounds, the untoned body, the creases in her forehead from stress. And she knew that it was time. So this is what she did:
She made herself a priority.

She stopped scheduling lunch-time calls. She stopped thinking granola bars were healthy. She stopped thinking, "Oh, I look okay for a 'mom'." She stopped making excuses.

She started dedicating 1-hour for herself (at her lunch hour). She stopped eating processed foods. She stopped thinking she looked okay, and decided that she could be healthier. Guess what happened?

She lost 40 pounds. She lost a ridiculous amount of inches. She became a smaller size than when she was in high school. She became happier. She became friendlier. She became a better mom. She became more patient. She became a better wife. She became a BETTER PERSON.

In the big picture, what changed? What did this parent give up? The answer: ONE HOUR A DAY.

So you say it can't be done? I say it can. Because I'm that person who didn't have time.

For one week, write down everything you do. Ex. 6am: wake up. 7am: leave for work/drop off kids. Noon: lunch (can you get in a workout here? No---move on). 5pm: Leave work/pick up kids. 630pm: Dinner, etc.

If you can't make an hour for yourself, you CAN make 30 minutes. Carve it out in the morning or before bed. It CAN happen. You think 30 minutes won't/can't make a difference? IT WILL. I promise!!

You can do this. YOU can make that change. Believe in yourself. You deserve it.

Refrigerator Food

So...what's in your fridge? I want to know. Here's ours:

Granted, i'm about to go to the store, but all i would add is: Two 1/2 gallons of soy milk, a loaf of whole grain bread, fresh veggies (celery, tomatoes, avocado), and some fruit (ours is actually on the counter in a bowl right now).

So, this makes me wonder--WHAT IS IT THAT PEOPLE KEEP IN THEIR FRIDGE? Usually, my husband will have beer on the bottom shelf, and SOMETIMES, there will be yogurt for the girls--but that's it. We rarely have leftovers--i cook what we need, and if there's any left, Chris takes it for lunch the next day.

So what is it? What's in YOUR fridge?