Here We Go Again.

I woke up this morning with some optimism, so I'm starting over.  I'm trying real hard to be "real," and keep up the blogging regardless of whether I'm having a good day or not. 

So for breakfast, here goes:

Yogurt/Oatmeal/Raisins/Almond mix.  I added 1tsp flax seed.

I think I'm gonna have some hot tea with my breakfast.

Lunch: Hamburger Patty, Feta Cheese, iced tea

Dinner: 4 chicken tenders, iced tea.

My thots:

I'm tired of feeling like crap.  I really am.  So when does the "sick and tired' turn into something productive and progressive?  Last night I was so miserable again.  I was bloated and sore.  I don't understand why I'm sore.  I didn't do any major exercise and I didn't exert myself.  I'm debating whether to tell the Doc about my left arm, how it starts hurting if I move the arm into certain positions.  I have a little trepidation about my upcoming Doctor appointment.  I'd say it was 50/50 on healthy eating, maybe a little more healthy than unhealthy.  However, since the trip to Illinois I let go of my commitment on eating better.  Now I'm struggling to find my way back on the healthy track.  

What does it take to find the "something" you need, deep down inside, that inspires you to do everything you need to do to better your quality of life?  I see and read a lot of those stories of people who found that "something" that inspired them to drastically change their lives.  It takes time, I know.  I would just like to find the inspiration I need to make a drastic and forever (positive) change in my life.  What is it going to take?  When will I find it?  Where will I find it?  How will I find it?

Blah!

Ok, so ya, I've been silent.  I'm also gonna be real....and real honest.
I'm back on that roller coaster, only right now I find myself on the "up" part, meaning my weight isn't going the right direction and I'm not eating right.  I'm really hoping that tomorrow I can wake up with renewed determination to get back on the right track.

So how do I feel? I feel like crap and I feel like "blah"!  Why do I continue to subject myself to this?  What is so alluring about my doggone addiction that I cannot avoid the bad choices and habits?

Starting The Day With Optimism.

I can, because I think I can!  How much more optimistic can you get?  I'm starting today with optimism and hope.  I have some goals in my mind that I cannot post here, dreams that belong to me- dreams that I want to make happen.  Frankly, I'm tired of letting those goals remain dreams and just out of reach.  I'm stepping out and reaching for those goals.

I started out today with a "kitchen, courtesy of my family".  What does that mean?  There were cups, bowls, cans, spoons, knives, scraps of paper and packaging, crumbs and all kinds of stuff....from one counter to another.  I went in there with the intention of trying this recipe for an Apple Pie tasting smoothie.  My next stop was the livingroom.  There were pillows and sofa blankets that needed straightened up.  Shoes, cans, and cups needed removed.  Finally....I was able to relax a little, and I made my smoothie.

My Breakfast today is an Apple Pie Smoothie:
Red Apple, Milk, Vanilla Yogurt, Almonds, Flax Seed, Cinnamon.

My Lunch: TBD

My Dinner: TBD

I want to share my pup with you today...she's a sweetie.  She's perched in the back door waiting for Sammy Squirrel to make another appearance.  He likes to taunt her, coming real close to the door she's sitting behind, knowing he's safe as long as Jetta's stuck..

I'll be back later with updates.

Not So Smart....

I know what is right, yet I continuously choose to do wrong!

Breakfast:
Yogurt
Oatmeal
Blueberries

Lunch:
Polish Sausage
Lima Beans

Dinner:
Taco Lasagna (w/ground turkey)
(corn tortillas inside, not flour)

Snack:
Dr. Pepper

I lack Discipline!

Usually Dr. Pepper doesn't tempt me, but since we have come home from our trip to Illinois, I am fighting the soda problem again.  I don't succumb to temptation every day, but just one day is too much.  I'm not even real fond of Dr. Pepper.

I also ate a double portion of the meat.  I know that was wrong.

In a perfect world (meaning "if it were up to me"), I would be able to wipe out of this house, ALL things that might be a temptation.  Anything that would be a bad choice would be gone.

ALL Soda, Chips, Candy, Snacks and red meat would be gone.

Usually soda and chips are not an issue.  I'm doing fine on abstaining from red meat....and candy is not ever a problem.  I do not have a sweet tooth that I need to worry about or fight with.

 I do not have the option of throwing this junk food out. 

What can I do instead?
~The things that do tempt me, like leftovers from dinner, I can throw away as soon as dinner is over...therefore leaving NO leftovers for me to go after.
~I can also go take a shower or go for a walk or just go outside.  I can remove myself from the vicinity of the temptation.

I wish I could have a little more control over my environment. 

Monday's Accountability

I've already posted in another post, my thoughts for today. 
This post will deal with my accountability.

Breakfast:
Activia Vanilla Yogurt
Oatmeal, 1/4 cup
Blueberries, 1/4 cup

Lunch:
Iceberg Lettuce w/carrots, cabbage. 1 cup
Russian Dressing, 2 Tbsp
Feta Cheese, 2 oz
Red onion, 1 slice, chopped

Dinner:
Tilapia
Zucchini
Spanish Rice (heavy on tomatoes)

Dessert:
White cake (small piece)
w/cool whip dressing & sliced strawberries

Setting Goals

I am at a point in my life where I guess you'd say I've come to a crossroad.

The "fork" in the road has many different paths, and not all are parallel.  

I'm so tired of carrying excess baggage around in my life. 

I want to just un-pack that baggage and let it go.

How do you reconcile your "debts" and "deposits"?  I'm not talking finances here.  I'm talking about the negatives and positives that are in your life.  These same negatives that weigh you down...and the positives that are struggling to become more pro-active in your life?  

Old habits can be a part of the excess baggage as well...when something has been a part of your life for over 30 years....how do you let it go?  How do you remove that kind of habit?  

When you live in an environment where there are things that contribute to your addiction, how do you get the others in your environment to understand why you cannot "live with it" in a healthy manner?  Yes, it may be their right to have certain rights and things...but at what cost to another person's well-being? 

What happens when you "out-grow" parts of your life that have always been a part of your life?

How do you move forward without leaving everything that plays a part in "un-healthy" behind?

I know what needs "cleaned up" in my life, but my addiction is still very strong.  You know what, my addiction should be my addictions.  

Someone close to me recently pointed out that the way I present myself, sometimes is colored negative.  I had not realized that I was playing the part of a victim, making myself a victim.  I am not a victim, I am a survivor and I overcome my obstacles.  Sometimes I choose to let the obstacles keep me restrained, but that is MY choice....I am not a victim in these times, I am just being stupid.  I am allowing my obstacles to hold me back.

I do not want to be a victim, nor do I want to present myself as a victim.  I do realize there are times where I feel I need to justify myself....but not because I am a victim, but because I have felt inadequate or unworthy.  I have to and need to learn how to change my perspective, change my presentation, and how to change me so that I can believe in myself again.  Only after I believe in myself again, can I fully present self-confidence rather than victim mentality.

The first step is realizing what a problem habit is so that I can first recognize it, and second, stop repeating it.  That's never easy.  This can be applied in my life in many different aspects.  My addiction, my relationships, my presentation (of myself)...are just a few of those aspects.

I am working on that.  I think the process of moving from the victim mentality I've held onto for so long, and coming into the realization that I am important, that I can believe in me, is what has brought me to the crossroad I find myself at.

I just do not know how to reconcile the changes that come with choosing the path I will travel, from this crossroad I find myself at.  As I said before, not all of the paths are parallel.

This crossroad decision will have a great impact on my addiction.  I will continue to choose to enable my addiction, or I will choose to say "enough is enough" and refuse to be an enabler.

I am so ready to move on with my life and want so badly to leave my addiction behind.

I want to try something that I have never done before, at least not with 100% commitment and determination.  I want to set three goals for myself.  These three goals I want to accomplish within the next year....01 September 2013 - 01 September 2014.  I'm really going to start today, but I like the idea of starting at the beginning of a time frame, like the beginning of the week, month, year.

These are the goals I want to accomplish within the next year:

01- I want to journal every day, my diet and my thoughts.  Here.

02- I want to consistently lose weight, and accomplish a healthier body.

      (I have a goal in mind, I don't need to publish here, what # I want to get to.)

03- I want to get my finances into a healthy state.

These goals ARE in order of importance, for my overall picture of where I want to go...which path I want to travel.  I believe that by making a journal of my daily struggles with diet and thoughts, I can aid my journey to becoming healthier.  When I stop throwing away money on food, clutter and careless spending, I will find myself in a healthier financial state.  They all work together to help me progress toward where I want to be in the future.  

I am going to believe in me and believe it now.  I am important.

Game on!

The Path Isn't Always Easy

The frustrating part about the weight-loss aspect of getting healthier, is that it is one heckuva lot easier to put on the pounds, versus taking them off.  For quite a few days I saw a steady decrease in weight on the scale.  The past two mornings....nada!  I can't let this discourage me or bring me down..  Allowing little set-backs or stalls become problematic excuses is what got me to where I am now.  I cannot let a little mole-hill turn into a mountain.  I have to keep traveling in the right direction and refuse to let hiccups throw me off course!

I'm down 18 pounds so far, and that is a big step in the right direction.  When I think about it, I've lost hundreds of pounds, but I've re-gained those same hundreds of pounds over and over again.  Why would I want to let a little stall in the road I'm traveling, take me totally off my intended path?

I gained a walking buddy this morning, which means I will likely get to talking and put in even more time.  This is good.  In the interest of getting more exercise, I am likely to double my time every day.  The time flies when you have company.  It makes you want to do more, just to hang-out a little longer.

Eventually I am going to start doing both the walking and HipHopAbs every day.  With our upcoming trip, I am going to miss a week or so of the combination, but I will be back.

Apple juice & blackberries & pomegranate....yummy.  This is my breakfast this morning.

So, for my "to-do" list, I've gotten in the bulk of my exercise, eaten a good breakfast, read- got in the inspirational time, and I'm well on to the fun parts of the list.  Need to make three phone calls.  Need to get ready for my trip. 

I know, THINK POSITIVE!  :)

I Am Down 14 Pounds in One Week!!!!

I just wanted to share with you that I have been juicing, drinking Shakeology, walking and doing HipHopAbs, and I am down 14 pounds, as of today.  I started with my 100% commitment a week ago, 7 days!  It really pays off to make the commitment and stay focused.  I have not eaten meat in a week now.  I am taking the Ultimate Reset supplements.

What else am I doing?  What have I learned?

I am refusing to let hurdles stand in my way.  When I cannot do HipHopAbs, I make sure I walk or get some other form of exercise.

I have found that I do not have to eat meat, cheese, bread, pasta or any white starches, to be happy.

I read something motivational or inspiring every day.  This helps me stay positive and focused.

Every day I grow stronger and healthier, and feeling good - sooooo trumps the miserable that I was before I began this journey to change.

Taking small walks, multiple times a day, relieves the overwhelming feeling of exercise.  Think about it, you can invest an hour or more- and every day fight the mental battle of "it's that time again," or you can split it up into smaller increments that are over before you know it. 

If you take your dog for a walk, you focus more on the dog than the exercise factor.

I love water and I'm losing my dependence on (unsweetened) iced tea.

It's not hard at all to pass on McDonald's, Subway, and every other easy temptation that's out there for you to buy at the check-out aisle.  It gets easier, each and every day.

-------------------------------

I am so thankful that I have the opportunity to do this Journey To Change, without a life-threatening prompt.  I have high-cholesterol and very high triglycerides.  I currently am taking medication for both, and also blood pressure medication.  I take medicine for diabetes (type 2).  I want to wean myself off of this stuff.

With the Obamacare factor, I do not want to have to be judged for my medical needs, when I have to obtain insurance after the military.  If they can determine your vehicular insurance rate based on your credit report and your driving history....I can only imagine what they will do with mandatory health insurance.

Most of all, I just want to be a healthy weight and have a healthy body.

Incredible!

Who knew that freshly squeezed Orange Juice would taste so good!  I sure didn't.  I made a "What A Day OJ" Juice from my juicer this morning.  Pretty good stuff!  I remembered the lemon in the "Mean Green Juice" this morning, wow that sure makes a difference!!!!

   

So here is a picture of my breakfast!  I'll have another 2 cups of the Mean Green Juice, minimum, later today.  I'm JUICING!  Now, while I wanna 100% juice, I am going to eat some greens until they're gone.  Waste not, want not....I know no one else will eat collard greens with me, figured that out last night.  None of the girls wanted them.  They did eat the green beans.  :)  So until the collard greens are gone, we're gonna eat greens for dinner.  And before you say "yuck" or question my ability to eat them for dinner on consecutive nights, I happen to like them...so it's no burden for me.

I started taking my dogs for a walk.  Jetta sure gets upset when I take the other two.  It's kinda cute, but it shows me she enjoys going.  She's learning "walk" and "bye-bye".  Definitely one of those pups who enjoys car rides, as well.  I went and bought the pet seat cover you see on TV.  I got it at the PX for $9 each.  Not bad.  Sure will beat vacuuming off dog hair off the back seat of the car, for an hour.

I'm down a pound this morning.  I sure fought the cravings last night.  I'm gonna fight again tonite, I'm sure, but I'm determined to succeed.

Will update more, later today.

Mean Green Juice

I watched the video for "Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead" again...this is the one with Joe Cross, who changed his life with juicing.  Well, I am re-inspired and I decided to do this.  This is compatible with my Shakeology (the Vegan Strawberry) and my HipHopAbs program.  I am really inspired to see what I can do with 10-30-60 days of doing this.

I made the "Mean Green Juice" today.  Here's a pic of my drink:

I'm not sure if I'm doing walking today, or HipHopAbs.  With him home, it's harder to get time to do the program.  I am NOT going to put myself out there to have him ridicule me for exercising.  I figure I'll take the dogs for a walk (usually a mile) and be happy that I got exercise.

P.S.  I'm down 2 pounds this morning.  :)

Still On Track

 

Blackberry Smoothie

Sunrise Smoothie

recipes can be found at:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/dreamteamnutrition/

Thankfully I am finding my willpower and commitment growing.

I'm getting daily exercise and eating healthy!

Tuesday (07/30/13) Day 15

I did "Fat Burning Cardio" and "Ab Sculpt" today.
Same thing on calendar schedule for Wednesday.

Day 12 of HipHopAbs

So I have been doing my dvd - Hip Hop Abs - every day, I just haven't been posting.  I can tell you this, I can feel it in the abdomen area.  I'm not seeing a lot of weight loss because I am not eating right at night.  I have a lot of things coming up in the next few months and I'm stressing.  When I am stressing, I tend to cave in to eating things I shouldn't.  So, lack of weight loss is on me, not a shortcoming from the dvd.

I think today I'm going to start working toward the upcoming move. I feel like there is this "overwhelming mountain" is looming in front of me, and that it has my name on it.  No one in this house seems real interested in helping work toward getting ready for our upcoming move.  I think they are falsely believing that there is still a lot of time before they have to worry about it.  To me, it's coming quickly and I don't wanna wait until the last minute and see my stress magnify by like 10,000.  I already have enough to worry about with school and all.

Mary suggested I combat the "overwhelming mountain"....15 minutes at a time. 

So, in the interest of making progress....I am gonna cut this post short and go "get busy".  I need to vacuum out my car and put at least 15 minutes into the back room.  The back room is our "storage" area, if you can call it that.  It looks more like a "catch all" to me.

Day 8 of Hip Hop Abs

Hmmm....I see I missed posting on Friday and Monday.  I had good reason, I had a crap load of homework for my classes, and I still do.  I'm just approaching things differently this week.  The last two weeks were rough, where school was concerned.

Click the pic of Shaun T for more info.

I got my work-out done!  Some days I do it earlier than others.  I'm actually considering adding a second round into my week.  Someone said you could add 2 work-outs a week, to make up for the 2 days you miss on the week-ends.

I have to be honest here, I am still doing the first section where you learn moves such as "Saturday Night Fever", "Grapevine", "Throwdown", and other moves.  I want to get it down good before I move on and find other moves I am not able to do.  I am going to go through this dvd set very thoroughly.  So....it may take me 3x-4x-5x as long to do the entire program, compared to others.  I actually want to gain some coordination.

I've had a couple rough days on the diet thing.  I've succumbed to temptations later in the night.  I am noticing something new, now.  I am actually "throwing away" stuff.  This means that I succumb to the temptation, take a few bites (versus eating the entire amount) and get up to go throw it away.  I've changed my mind and lost my appetite.

This (throwing away) isn't a bad thing, it's (eating less) a good thing.  I think it's a part of the "not wanting to waste food" problem.  I used to clear my plate because I didn't want to waste food.  I grew up being taught to clear my plate.  My grandmother cooked for an "army" and when I had younger children, I cooked for an "army".  I've learned how to cook less, but I still was struggling with not feeling like I needed to clear my plate.  Now, evidently, I am learning how to let go of that bad habit.

Back to the exercise, I am getting into the "habit" mentality.  I am making the right choice even though the temptation to skip is there.

So I have another event to look forward to.  I am making a trip to visit family in late August.  This means I have about 4 weeks to seriously make my changes, so the people I see will see a drastic change.  I cannot put off any longer, the things I want to accomplish.  I am at that point where if I want to have the results on a specific and soon to come "tomorrow", I have to start NOW!

I think I may start the Ultimate Reset TODAY.  Click the pic below for more info.

Day 5 - Hip Hop Abs

Today was Day 5.  After a painful day yesterday, I am back on track.  I refuse to be defeated!

I'm seeing the progress in my ability to more imitate the people in the Hip Hop Abs video.  I'm no where near coordinated still, but I am able to keep up better.  This is good.   I like how the entire work-out is under 30 minutes.  That's not much time to be stressing over.  It's done before I can think otherwise.

The scale read another 2 pounds down this morning.  This is good!  I love seeing progress.

I had my Vanilla Shakeology for breakfast this morning.  Lunch will likely be some cucumbers and tomatoes, with chicken breast.  That's what I am craving.  I think it's cute how my 3 dogs want my cucumber slices.  I hope they're good for them, as I do give them one each when I'm eating them.  They like tomatoes too.  Dinner for me may be chicken & rice soup.  I'm making meatloaf for the family, and I am abstaining from red meat.  Whenever I can, I want to cultivate the ban on red meat for me. 

Well, I'm happily making progress and I'm thinking positive!  Down 17 pounds total.

Sick Day 4 Me & T25!

FOCUS T25

This is the new Shaun T program!  Check it out! Click the link, or the picture!

I'm not feeling good today, so we're gonna call it a "sick day".  There is no way I can work out with my Hip Hop Abs after being up all night and with the back pain I have today.  I feel terrible.

11:15 p.m. update:
It was a long night last night and a long day today.  The pain let up about 12:30 pm today, I was able to take a short nap, and I woke up with a headache that I can take nothing to alleviate.  :(  Not cool.  Something I ate last night did NOT agree with me, and that was what kept me up all night and is causing me so much pain.  Along with this, because of my discomfort in trying to sleep last night, I messed up my spinal cord. So from last night (about 1 am) until even now, I have only had a short break from the back pain.  There is no way to be comfortable, I can only sit up to bring down the pain from a 10 to a more tolerable 7.  I am sincerely hoping that I will be able to sleep tonite, as I am very tired.  Otherwise I will have to try to sleep sitting up in a chair.

I wanna be back to normal tomorrow.  I wanna get back to my Hip Hop Abs, and may attempt to do it regardless of the pain, if I can get a lower level of pain.  The pain was so bad that I had to take some Vicodin last night.  I don't take that stuff unless it's really bad.  I've had the medicine for 6 months and have taken it twice.

I was able to drink one Shakeology shake today, and I tried to eat some chicken & rice soup for dinner.  Hot tea seems to be a friend, as well.  Not a real good day on the diet plan today.

I remain optimistic and focused.  I will triumph.

Day 4 - Hip Hop Abs & Shakeology

Day 4 - Making progress!  I still am not coordinated enough to keep up with them, doing ALL that they're doing, but I'm definitely making progress.  I got on the scale today, down another pound.  How cool is that???

I had my Shakeology for breakfast, will likely do so for lunch as well.  I really like the Vanilla Shakeology.  I get the packets (versus the 30 svg bag) and since I am not a super "sweet" person, I only use 1/2 a packet.  So, it's 1/2 a packet + 1 cup skim milk + ice cubes = one yummy shake!

Have a great day everyone!  I know mine has started out awesome!

Day 3 HipHop Abs

Today was day 3 of the Hip Hop Abs.  Trying to be consistent, even if I have to skip days when the hubby is home.  I'm NOT going to be given a hard time, because I choose to be healthier.  This is all about ME now!  I'm working on ME! I'm FOCUSing on ME!  Maybe I'll learn some rhythm and coordination in the process, lol.  

I am down 10 pounds since I started eating healthier.  It's been about a week.  I didn't put down my start date.  :(  I think I'm gonna go with July 08, because that will be easy to remember, even if I started after that date. 

So what am I doing?  I'm replacing 1-2 meals (breakfast, lunch) with Shakeology.   I'm eating a normal and healthy dinner, and I'm doing Hip Hop Abs.

FOCUS T25

You have GOT to check this out!

This is the new FOCUS T25, 

Beachbody's newest program, and it's on SALE!!!!

Click the link above, or the picture, for more information!

Day 2 Hip Hop Abs

I'm feeling it in the legs, a little wobbly, ya know?   Keep in mind that I am NOT in shape, and I am uncoordinated, so I am gonna be wobbly.  I think this is a pretty easy work-out for any beginner, and especially good for those of us who don't know how to dance.  I think there's multiple benefits.

So on the nutrition side:  I drank my Shakeology today (went with Vanilla).  I'm thinking dinner will be a nice "Spring Greens" salad with tomato and cucumber, and a homemade vinegar & oil salad dressing.  I think I'll add a chicken breast to that, as well as some nuts and craisins.

P.S.  I'm down 8 pounds now, just from a 4 days of replacing 2 meals with Shakeology.  

P90X Giveaway!!!

FREE - P90X - GIVEAWAY

For the next month, I am trying something new.  I've posted how excited I am about Beachbody and the opportunities it provides me.   I've posted about how great I think Shakeology tastes, and how much I enjoy the work-outs that I have done.  I have decided to GIVE FREE, some of my favorite products away!  There's a couple of ways you can win!

Starting 15 July 2013 and ending 15 August 2013, you will have one entire month to win a prize pack from me. So what's in this prize pack? 

• 12 Work-Outs.  Targeted training for lean muscle development and a supercharged metabolism.
• Fitness Guide and Nutrition Plan.  Customize P90X.  Choose Classic, Lean, or Doubles schedule.
• Calendar.  Track your progress and talk to P90X experts.

 There's a lot more with this, over $100 value!!!

So what do you have to do, to get an entry into this GIVEAWAY?  

Each of the following will get you a entry: 

(must occur between 15-July and 15-August 2013.)

• 1 entry for signing up for a free Beachbody account, by clicking this link. (no purchase necessary)
• 1 entry for joining my FREE challenge group on Facebook (no purchase necessary).
• 2 entries for becoming a Beachbody Coach under me.
• 2 entries for purchasing a challenge pack from me.
• 1 additional entry for referring a friend who purchases a challenge pack from me.
• 1 additional entry for signing up for Shakeology Home Direct, from me.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Home Direct? This means your shipping is FREE!

About being a coach:  If you are in the military or a military spouse, you will want to become a coach.  No question about it.  You never have to sell anything.  You don't even have to actively coach anyone if you do not want to.  You just sign up as a coach, so you can get the 25% discount.  That's what I did.  I love Shakeology and I'm loving Hip Hop Abs.  Since I've become a coach, I've found MANY benefits - for myself, and the opportunity to help and encourage others!  There's even a way to earn free leads, as a coach.....what other company do you know, that will GIVE you free customers????  Wow!!!

IMPORTANT RULES TO GIVEAWAY: 

~Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on 15 August!  Winner will be announced 19 August 2013.

~All entries must be done by making 4CoachDesiree your FREE Beachbody Coach.

~Entries are awarded on activity that occurs between 15 July - 15 August.

~EVERYONE who enters, and provides me with your full name and complete mailing address, will receive a FREE gift.

Day One of Hip Hop Abs

Wasn't too bad at all! 
I'm an uncoordinated fool, but I did it and redid the parts I needed to "get down".
Looking forward to day 2.   Nice short work-out, and no sit-ups or crunches!  YAY!