OMG! 10 Pounds!

I don't know anyone who doesn't like to see results.  After the week I've had - lack of sleep / missing breakfast / protein bars in lieu of meals - I was prepared to be happy if I didn't GAIN any weight this week.  Imagine my surprise when I saw I had lost another 2 pounds!

I promised myself that I would walk more.  I found that I am consistently walking the equivalent of a mile or more per day.  Sure, not marathon worthy, but still burning around 100 calories just by walking.  The results solidified my belief that if you stick to the plan, you will lose weight... and inches!

I lost .5 inches in my hips and another .5 inches in my thighs - total of 1 inch.  Hey, I'll take it!  My clothes fit better and I'm feeling great!  Aside from popcorn, my body isn't craving sweets or sodium.  I don't feel like I'm missing anything at all which is the best thing about this plan.

Today at the Wellness Club Meeting, we talked about making smart choices.  At this point, it's a habit.  My body is making the choices for me now.  I see donuts and I don't even give it another thought because my body says, "Meh" instead of "Nom nom nom".

And as a RESULT, I've lost 10 pounds in 6 weeks.  I would say I was proud of myself, but honestly, I can't take much credit.  This plan is so freaking easy, even a lazy butt like me can follow it for 21 days until it becomes a habit.  I wish I had learned about this lifestyle earlier.  If you want to feel better but think you're too lazy to commit to a plan, this is the plan for you!

We meet every Wednesday evening at 6:30 in the Long Beach Marina (PCH & 2nd St.).  You are welcome to join me as a guest to learn more about it.  Many of my friends have made the lifestyle change and we are all enjoying a better, healthier life.  Email me at wickedmktg@yahoo.com for details.

Rocking a Busy Schedule

Ever get the urge to scream "Stop the world! I want to get off!" or "Jane! Get me off this crazy thing!"  That has been my week.  I've had something to do every night, from taking my daughter to get her hair cut to meeting my financial planner to going to the dentist to a planning meeting with my WineShop At Home associate.  This weekend is continuing with the tradition apparently.  So, staying plan has been quite the challenge and I am thankful for protein bars - portable, filling and perfect for those times when my shake alarm goes off while I'm in the car driving from point A to point B.

Wednesday was the Wellness Club Meeting and every time I go, I am so glad I went.  It's something I look forward to every week.  Not only to get measured and weighed, but because there is always a nugget or two of new, great information to learn about health and wellness.  Linda Compton and Dennis Dennehy talked about why diets fail and reminded us that we're not on a diet, we're changing our lifestyle.

So, my measurements are as follows:

Weight: 162.4 lbs (-1.1) - Started at 170 lbs (-7.6 total)
Neck: 14 in (+.5) - Started at 13.5 in (+.5 total)
Bust: 42.5 in. (+.5) - Started at 42 in. (+.5 total)
Waist: 35.5 in. (no change) - Started at 36 in (-.5 total)
Hips: 42.25 in. (-.25) - Started at 43.5 in. (-1.25 total)
Thighs: 19 in. (-1) - Started at 20.75 in. (-1.75 total)

My neck, waist and arms were about the same or a little more.  I know I've lost in my bust because I've had to change to a smaller bra.  Must be the shirts I'm wearing that increased this measurement.  It's clear to me that my weight was mostly gained in my lower half because that's where I'm seeing the most change.  I'm convinced I need a chiro adjustment to get my neck screwed back on straight.  That should also help with my allergy flair up.

This week, I was challenged to walk more (add exercise) and create a healthy pizza.  I also challenge myself to get back on plan with regular healthy dinners which requires a grocery shopping trip. I'll fit that in somewhere along with doing laundry.  Where there's a will, there's a way.

Where's the Rest of Me?

While today is indeed Wednesday, it is Bunco Wednesday.  Therefore, I will not be attending my Wellness Club meeting for the first time since I began this journey.  So, I took it upon myself to do my own measurements because waiting was not an option for me.  My body has definitely changed this week.  The question is, how much?

Per my morning measurements, it looks like I have lost a little in the bust, waist and hips.  The true test was to try on pants that haven't been able to slide past my butt in many moons.  The slacks I've been wearing are a size 12.  This week, my size 8 slacks came out of the closet and guess who wore them to work?  Me!! That right there is the true test!

In other news, the discovery of bell peppers and hummus was made.  This is my new favorite snack.  Bell peppers are also amazing when simply sauteed with mushrooms and onions as a lovely side to a grilled and seasoned chicken breast.  Have I mentioned I'm all about things being simple?  I'm the mayor of Simpleton!

I don't own a scale, so the weight will be measured at the meeting next week.  Another thing that happened this week is I added coffee back into my diet.  Before you freak out, I only have 1 cup of coffee a day. Check out this video to find out 5 things you didn't know about coffee.

I hope to see some of you for Bunco tonight at The Girl Cave!  I'll bring the bell peppers and hummus!

You're Pulling My Leg

No, I'm totally being serious!  I've lost 6.5 pounds in three weeks!  My neck and bust have seen absolutely no change, but I've lost inches in my arms, waist, hips and thighs.  This week has been challenging because my body was preparing for my "monthly gift" and it showed at measuring time.  I felt bloated.  I only saw changes in my thighs (1 inch), arms (.5 inch) and managed to lose 1.5 lbs. even as I was retaining water.

Yesterday (8/5), I actually had to leave work early because I had a bad headache, fatigue and cramps.  I went home and slept for three hours.  Driving to and from work, I nearly fell asleep!  Today, I made it to work but I still had a headache.  Advil was having little effect, so I broke down and had a cup of coffee.  Wouldn't you know it, the caffeine fixed me right up!  I'm hoping I'll be able to make it through the rest of the week without coffee, but it was a nice treat!

Also, I added grains into my diet and I think they might be increasing my inflammation.  I'm going back to chicken and sautéed veggies this week to see if it makes a difference.  Also, exercise will find it's way into my daily schedule.  Ab crunches, sit ups and leg lifts.  I think I'm ready!  Eventually, a resistance band and exercise ball will be added.

Next Wednesday, I will miss my first Wellness Club meeting ever.  Hey, it's Bunco night!  However, when Wednesday rolls around again, my results will be that much better!

A New Journey

Some of you know about the journey that I've decided to embark on regarding my health.  The problem I set out to solve was my energy level and my growing waste line.  I felt that they were connected and the cause was a poor diet.  Over the years, I have moved away from frequent trips to fast food restaurants, drinking soda and indulging in candy bars.  I thought that was enough for me to be healthy.

 

I was wrong.

 

Even though my medical stats looked good, I still felt tired all the time and I also noticed a decrease in motivation and creativity.  It had been on my mind and I was seeking an answer to my dilemma.  Then I saw a friend that I hadn't seen in a few weeks - and she was much thinner than the last time we were together.  I had to find out what she did.

 

CJ was a self-proclaimed lazy person.  She also admits to being stubborn and doesn't like to be told what to do.  CJ isn't a big fan of "diets" and didn't like the idea of exercise.  So, how did she look so incredible in such a short amount of time?  I had to find out.

 

She was happy to tell me about her recent lifestyle changes... and I just about fell over when I discovered the truth.  CJ had gone back to the basics - just that simple.  With the help and guidance of a Wellness Group, she re-learned how to feed her body properly.  We all know about protein, carbohydrates and fats.  We just don't put it into practice.  Instead of starving yourself, how about eating every 3 hours? 

 

Yes.  Every.  Three.  Hours.

 

I eat more often and the fat is melting off of me.  The key is giving your body the nutrition it needs so it burns fat instead of storing it.  For better results, I decided to eliminate sodium, sugar, bread and caffeine all together and engage in a week-long cleanse.  The first week, I lost .25" off my bust, .5" off my waist and .75" off my hips.  Five pounds were gone.  I'm currently on the second week and my jeans are back to fitting comfortably.  The bloating is gone and my energy has risen and stabilized.

 

My motivation and clear thinking has returned and I'm getting so much more done.  They say this is an 8 week program, but I believe this is a lifetime commitment to feeling good.  Just understand that life happens and there are days when you will go off plan.  Don't feel bad about it or beat yourself up - just get back on the plan for your next meal three hours later.  I will have my "off plan" days and I'm okay with that.  It won't happen all the time because I feel much better when I'm "on plan".