2015 Begins - and so does another Diet - here is my MEDIFAST Journey (What works, what doesn't)

First off I have to say that it has been a very long time.  I have done a lot of things in my dieting scheme, but over the last year it has really been put on hold.  Oh, sure, I still bought PIYO when it came out - I even did Yoga last January... but somewhere along the way I just wasn't feeling it.  Probably because I had bought a new home and I was exhausted from moving, painting, organizing, and just getting used to things in general.  I just could NOT add one more thing.  So, I was explaining to a close friend that I just did not have time to think about it all.  I did not have time to eat right, go to school, work on homework, have a full time job, drag the kids around, keep up the house, exercise, and keep it together in general.  I put her under a microscope - I mean, she was as busy as me but she had lost a lot of weight.  How did she do it?  I chalked it up to her being a runner, and living in Alaska where she had ample room to grow her own food and monitor those things.  I would be wrong about that though.  She had done Medifast.  Now she is a coach!  She looks great, she is amazing, and she promised results.  I had to see this for myself.  So - before I get too far ahead, here is her link to the Take Shape for Life website:

https://iloseitwithlori.tsfl.com/

If this is a journey that you want to be on, you couldn't ask for a better coach.  She is amazing!  And not just because she is a great friend, but because she is encouraging and she has been through this journey herself.  I like having someone on my team that has already gone through a program so they know what I am going through.

SO, the story goes something like this - Lori knew that I was busy.  She knew that I had no time to work out.  (I am trying to get my degree and work a full time job and take care of a house!).  And, she knew that I had an unbelievable sweet tooth.  I get hungry - I love food - and if the mood strikes, by gosh, I am going to make a dessert!  She knew that I was unhealthy too - both of my parents were diagnosed with the big D, and I am just a hairline away myself.  Changes have to be made!  But, I have to have a plan. . . I can't be planning out every single calorie - I am a grab and go kind of gal.

So - Medifast.  It's all planned out and it's grab and go.  You want to eat chewy peanut butter bars for 5 of your 6 daily meals, you can do that.  You can't stand the food?  Trade up with a friend in a group or send it back.  Need a recipe because things are a little bland? There are a TON of sites out there with creative people who have taken the guess work out of it for you.  And all you have to do it be diligent until you reach your goal weight.  (The first WEEK on the plan, I lost 10 pounds).

So, here's to another journey - started before the new year thank you very much.  And a healthier journey than my HCG Journey.  So far I am starting my 3rd week and I have not felt hungry at all.  I have not felt weak.  I am losing the weight and I have not even exercised once - I am sure that I will get started with that after I get school started.  But, at the very least (If I don't) At least I am eating healthier, right? (And Losing weight?  BONUS!)

Post if you have any questions and I will be happy to get you answers.  Otherwise, just go check out the Take Shape for Life website.

Here's to another healthy journey - except, this time, it's going to stick!

Over a Year

It has been over a Year since my last post in regards to my Health.  Who want's to be Healthy, right? 

 It's the new Year, and everyone has their "resolutions"

- most will aspire to shed those unwanted, unhealthy pounds.  I am planning on doing this, but probably not until March.  Not until all of the Hype slows down about how you should be exercising an hour or more a day in order to burn off those calories... The gyms are packed with people that have "resolved" to make a change. (see all those people - though, this is not my gym - mine looks like this though... )

I am not going to be one of them - yet.

Instead, I am working on slowly adjusting my diet.  I had done the HCG Diet with fantastic results.  UNTIL - I let everything go and started eating like a madwoman again.

No... this is not me - but doesn't she look like a madwoman?

I am back to where I was when I stared the HCG diet over a year and a half ago.  (Took me a while to get here, but I finally made it again!)  I did notice - that scale has GOT to be wrong.  There is no way that those legs belong to a 126lb woman - or man with lovely toes.  Not happening.

I just see this picture and cringe.  I think - that must be what I look like somewhere on a machine.  Though, I don't have as many rolls and curves as the person to the right of the image, I am not as trim and thin as the one on the left.  I am somewhere in the middle of Healthy and really not that healthy.  I physically imagine that I feel like the woman on the Right - and yet my soul feels like the woman on the left.

So, why not get started right now?

It's not like I don't have time!  But it's that whole Gym thing again.  I see so many people and I think - just wait your turn.  So, instead I am going to start eating better.  I started doing this by researching and taking the right vitamins.  I started drinking my vitamins - Beyond Tangy Tangerine -

Seems like a great plan, right?  Start getting healthy on the inside - work on my diet (which part of weightloss is the actual eating of things that are good for you, right?)  Take my vitamins and minerals each day... and then, start to work out a little later.  I can say that just with the vitamins since the beginning of the year, I no longer "CRAVE" certain foods.  I don't crave french fries and chocolate as much.  I don't feel like I NEED to eat - and this alone has lost me 3 lbs in the last week.

So, what if that is it?  What if we crave food because our body is not getting the nutrients that it truly needs.  We feed it, and it still craves, so we eat more?  A vicious cycle if you ask me.  Maybe this vitamin thing really will work.  I say that My vitamin is better than your

any day - and if you want to order it - you can through this site... http://whythetruth.youngevity.org/

LOOK At all the vitamins and Minerals in mine - then compare it to yours... then give it a shot -  (Yeah, you can blow up the picture)

After the Cruise

I just thought that I would announce that after the cruise, I only gained 4lbs. Yeah - 5 if you want to round up, but still... no the 10 -  20 that I was hoping for. (Kidding).  I start round 2 of HCG on the 15th of October... Guess I will let you know how it goes. :)

BTW - this morning...

After my "Apple Day" - I lost a whole lb again.  BUT, better than all of that - I am measuring at 37.50 inches around the middle - WOOT!  I started at 42 inches around the middle!  So, that is a result that I can live with ! YAY! :) Just wanted to share.

Hmmm - HCG - I have lost more than 10 pounds with you in less than 2 weeks - (there was a slight delay with my average loss over the last few days, but I think that I have it under control now) - Oooh, Why must you work so well, when I eat so little?  Don't you know that I love food?  LOVE IT - and you are interfering with my  "less chubby for the cruise" goal! My swim suit is happy - My Jeans are Happy - but my stomach is not happy.  You better be happy I am keeping you around a little longer - if it wasn't for your darn good results I would have sworn you off last weekend when there was candy to be had at the theater - I think that my slow down was due to my body smelling things and just holding on to the Esters and absorbing the delicious fatty smells. But I want delicious bread!  I long for a piece of pie!  CHIPS! DANGIT - I WANT THEM!  So, I'll have a few more drops of you and find a way to distract myself from the temptations that are paving the road ahead... glad to be done with you before the cruise - wouldn't know WHAT to do if I was on this diet THEN... 

OK - I'm going for it -
I bought the bottle - and I've started binge eating - well, kind of  - they call it... LOADING - I'm just loading away over here.  Tonight is my last loading night - then tomorrow, the big guns come out.  Tomorrow - I will be cutting back as much as I can - but I still have no idea what I am really going to eat... but I guess as long as it has no sugar and it's got good protein but not a lot of carbs, I should be good.  If I get something weird like the rats that tried Phen Phen , at least I won't be alone... right?!? :)  I'll keep you updated. :)

Still not where I want to be

It's been three days... THREE... see?  Count them.  Three days that I have been working out - and I am just past the 180 mark - below of course, but still ... BLEH.  Not where I want to be at all...

There are personal issues in my way right now - and , well, I am just retaining things over it.  It SUCKS.

Is June too late??

I know that everyone is on this HCG thing - Seems like this phase that everyone want to go through - like South Beach, or Atkins.  I know about 9 people that are doing this right now, and I just cannot bring myself to it - So, back to the gym I went.

Today I worked out - yeah - on a machine.  The bigger questions is not whether I can or cannot do it - but whether or not I can do it before the cruise?

Guess we will have to see... :)

I get depressed sometimes... BUT

Exercise Improves Depression

The idea that regular exercise can improve symptoms of depression and anxiety has been around for thousands of years. If you suffer from major depression, exercise probably won't be the only treatment you'll need, but it will help along with your treatment plan. Working out can enhance the benefits of antidepressant medications, and even produce similar results. But while medication and psychotherapy can take weeks to work, you can start feeling the positive effects of exercise right away.

Research shows that exercise:

• Positively effects the same neurotransmitters that antidepressant medications target
• Produces feel-good brain chemicals called "endorphins," which promote the sense of well-being and satisfaction
• Releases tension in muscles that contributes to depression-related soreness and insomnia
• Reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol, relieving feelings of anxiety and agitation
• Raises body temperature, which appears to have calming effects

Exercise can also promote the following psychological and emotional changes:

• Distraction. Exercise compels you to focus on something besides your troubles for a little while, helping you find pleasure.
• Confidence. By meeting a goal, like a small amount of exercise each day, you can begin to rebuild confidence and self-esteem.
• Self-respect. Taking the time to do something positive to help yourself every day can help you reconnect with the part of you that wants to be healthy and productive.

The shape of SHAPE

So, this is my analogy of how I have been feeling... I am getting SHAPE - I don't notice it like I want to yet.  But I no longer feel like the blob that I had become.  I can tell some difference, not just because of the weight and the measuring, but the lack of craving sweets all the time - yeah, that is a BIG one for me.  Or how about instead of ordering 2 sandwiches at McDonalds, I can actually stick with one, and I don't usually even eat the whole meal.  I don't need to "Biggie" size it anymore to feel like I am getting enough to eat, and that, my friends, is so worth it.  So, The Blob represents how I had been feeling for the longest time.

Now, I am no Pixie yet - not by any means.  I am still full of blubber and flubber, like the lovely shark.  But I am getting aggressive.  I can move without being winded, and I can move faster each day that I exercise.  Instead of not being defined, I am seeing fins, and working limbs that help me to accomplish what I am hoping to.  Right now, I am the shark - and I have SHAPE.

But, I am going for the strong, straight back - the shapely legs, the tone - non-flabariffic body type.  And I think that I can see it just under the surface.  I am averaging about 2.25 lbs of weightloss each week and soon I should be tone and flexible like I have been imaging.  I like what I am seeing and I am glad to be driven to do this.  I am glad for the change to a healthier lifestyle, and I am glad that my sweetie is on board as well.  So, one day, I should have the shape above - firm, tone, solid.  Good luck to you all in your weightloss goals!! I so wish you the best.  A