The supplements

The added 'supplements' I've found to add to my daily diet are delicious & super cheap! I found both at Costco & both around 10 for the entire months supply. The top one is Chia seeds in a squeeze format. Now, the texture of chia seeds isn't the best but they are a amazing super food. I love them in this version because I can quickly swallow then down in three big sips & not taste the seeds at all, just the yummy after flavor of great juice.

The bottom picture is my 'energy' drink. What's great about this mix is that you can mix it with only 2 ounces of water (like a shot glass sized amount of water) stir & as soon as it's done fizzing, take it like a shot. It tastes sour, like the old fashioned chewable vitamin c's (which I love) & follow it up with a big glass of water. There is so much vitamin c & all the vitamin b's that you get an instant charge of energy that doesn't drop you on your head a few hours later!!

So, those are my supplemental supplements.. total cost, under 25 for the months supply & so far, working great!!

Day 1... let's get real!!

Hey, at least it doesn't say 145 today. On some molecular level, 144.6 is better than 145, right? Ok, not really. Well, now you know why (aside from simply beating my sister), I must do this diet! I am so tired of seeing the scale read between 145 & later at night closer to 150. I don't feel like 145. I've been 120 since high school, well into my 30's.. I was always 120ish. But, for some reason... ok, I know the reasons... since I stopped working and became a full-time mom, the scale has crept up and up & it has to stop! Better yet, I'd like to reverse what my sedentary life has done to me. Wait, I can exude more confidence than that.. I Will reverse the scale!!

I'm going to lose this weight the simple, old fashioned way..no fad diets, no expensive supplements, just good old...eat less/move more. Ok, so that sounds really easy &I know, for most of us.. it never works out that way. So, I've developed a plan of action that even the laziest of us (mmm me) can stick to & find success.

I hope you follow along find success for yourself as well. Today, day one.. the rule is simple.. actually this is the rule of everyday of this diet. Today, I have to eat better & move more than I did yesterday.. simple, right? Well, considering yesterday was my sort of 'fat Wednesday' pre diet day. Including candy bars& fast food & no exercise..yes, today should be easy.

Wish me luck ;)

24 day challenge for me by ME

Ok, so the name is obviously still a work in progress considering that no one would be interested in reading, trying and definitely not buying a diet plan named "20 day challenge for me by me" However, the general idea is this.. My sister, Michelle is getting ready to start a diet plan by Advocare called the "Advocare 24 day challenge". The basic idea of the program is the similar to most.. a special diet and exercise. The only difference is that with this program, you have to buy nutritional supplements (vitamins and powdered shake mixes).

I considered purchasing and eventually selling these products to go along with my own personal training program. However, these products are similar to what is offered over the counter and significantly more expensive. So, I've decided that while she tests these products on her 24 day challenge, I will be the control group. I want to go on a 24 day challenge and develop my own diet, exercise routines & store bought supplements. I'm going head to head with my sister (which is always fun and exciting) and with advocare.

If, at the end of this journey, I've succeeded at my personal goal (to lose 15 pounds and generally tone up all the lose ends) without advocare then I will write & publish my plan to share with everyone on a professional level as part of my training program. Those potential clients that have the luxury of living close to me will, of course, get the full personal training package complete with bi-weekly exercise sessions and unlimited text/email support for the coaching aspect. However, for those who wish to follow my plan from elsewhere in the world, I will ideally have the basic outline of program ready to go by the end of these 20 days.
 Win-Win, no??

At the other end of the spectrum and a the very unlikely event that my sister actually beats me in this challenge, then I will admit the advocare supplements are worth the extra buck & sell them with complete confidence to my clients. I wouldn't be able to sell anything any other way, honestly.

So, tomorrow is the day!! The day will bring the beginning of hard work and dedication. I am glad to be competing with my sister, I can think of no better adversary. Good luck, Michelle... Good luck, Advocare... It's ON!!!

Feeling grateful

Well, we've gotten through my birthday. Which, by the way, ended up actually being nice this year. Jonathon & the girls spoiled me with gifts & made the day special for me. Then, Madi's actual birthday was nice... busy because of the unexpected visit of Peyton& Sully but nice nonetheless. I, of course, spoiled her with gifts & that always feels great. However, what I'm really feeling grateful for is her birthday party.

It's so easy to feel grateful this time of the year because less than 5 years ago, I was very sick. I was so sick that I spent weeks at a time in the hospital & was even in the icu after having surgery on the day of Madi's 'best birthday party ever'. I, did, however plan this party. I invited all of her friends very secretive. Planned exactly how she would be taken to the park with her best friend while her entire class snuck over to the party after school. I made it all prefect & then ended up having emergency surgery & missing the whole thing.

While it was all very sad, it makes it really easy to feel grateful on the day off Madi's birthday party every year since, along with every day...really.

Thank you God for my continued health. It may not be perfect. I may have my limitations, but today... I will attend my daughter's birthday party & for that, I am so grateful. Amen

Cailou ??

Am I the only person that thinks Cailou (pbs kids) is a spoiled brat?? I can't let me nephew watch it alone. It's one of those shows that I have to watch with him, constantly explaining how the older brother is not treating his sister fairly or not thinking or behaving rationally.

It's disappointing when kids networks such as pbs, Disney & Nickelodeon air tv shows and movies with children acting spoiled, disrespectful or even purposefully annoying. It is for this reason my children grew up with so little tv & to this day still do not have cable.

I remember when my brother-in-law, George, said that my control over what my girls watch was a form of brainwashing. One, is parenting not a form of good well rounded brainwashing in and of itself? And, two, I'm sure he appreciates, now, my persistence with this control for the sake of his own children's development.

If we, as parents or trusted caregivers, don't wash our children's brains... someone else will for sure!!

Happy 2014!! What are Your Resolutions??

Good Morning!!! Goooood Morning!!

Happy first Monday of January! Happy first Monday of 2014!

You know what that means, right?? Resolution TIME!!

I’ve made my list, I’ve checked it twice… Wait, that’s Santa…

OK, I’ve made my list, now it is action time!!

The girls are going back to school today (THANK GOD!!)

So, it’s the first ‘normal’ week of 2014 & Resolution 1 (wake up every weekday EARLY) is complete (check)

Better still, I went to bed early, slept like a rock & woke up naturally at 4:30 (15 minutes before a buzzer disturbed my crazy dreams)

Now, It’s time for Resolution 2 (write everyday) Wait, does this count?? Probably not. I’m sure there are some people out in cyber world that love my antidotes, possibly even in the real world. However, I highly doubt any of you are willing to pay me to blog… So, better write something ‘real’?? (so, uncheck)

Resolution 3 (run everyday) Now that I have been cleared for exercise again, not only will I be breaking my shoulders in physical therapy. I’ve decided to run more marathons this year. Not the full, crazy, sub-human marathon… I’m a firm believer that is only necessary to run once a lifetime. But, 10k’s, half-marathons, 5k’s with the kids?? I’m all over them this year. Not that I need to prove anything to myself, like with the full, but to inspire my kids & maybe even raise some money for good causes along the way.

My resolutions are simple and somewhat vague this year leaving room to add along the way.

The year is 2014 and I plan to be more Fit, Focused, Motivated and Inspired!!!

Wish me luck =)

7 YEAR ITCH

My relationship with Jonathon seems to be in rut. I wonder why, after only 4 years, we seem to be in such a funk. I mean, after all, is it not called the 7 year itch? Then, I remember an interesting fact that most people don't know about us. A fact, which after stated most still don't fully understand. For the first 3 years of our relationship, we spent 24 hours a day, 7 days a week together. To fully understand the relevance of this fact, let me break it down.

In an average adult relationship, couple begin with the dating stage. During this stage (usually 3 to 6 months) couples will go, on average, on one date a week. Let's say that date, if they are lucky, lasts between 4-8 hours (So, stage 1 averaged 6 hours a week for 18 weeks is 6x18= 108 hours)

After this stage in a relationship, the couple begins to get more serious. They move in together. A move in this early, to some, would still be considered moving pretty fast. But, let's say this couple is madly in love. So, they are now living together. However, in most adult relationships, both people are working in this 2^nd stage. So, now they see each other every night after work and spend most of their weekends together. So let's do the math backwards for this stage. There are 168 hours in a week. We will subtract 60 hours a week for work (factoring in differing schedules, commute and random overtime). Plus, we'll take out a girls night/boys night out once a week (8 hours) in this stage as well. (So, during stage 2 they spend 100 hours a week together).

Stage 2 could last till marriage. Let's say 2 years? After marriage, at least one person has to continue working so the 60 hours of work stays put. Perhaps, the alone time with their friends decreases. (So, during stage 3 they spend an average of 108 a week hours together)

Most couples don't spend 24/7 together, besides the occasional vacation, until they are retired. So, 30 years of Stage 3?? Anyway, let's see how we compare to an average couple on the 'fast track' Keep in mind, that today's generation probably moves even more slowly than my averages. Dating for years instead of months before moving in together and even longer before they get married and spend 'all' their time together.

 

On average                            Jonathon & I

1^st year-3,108 hours    Total 3,108                1^st year-8,736    Total 8,736

2^nd year-3,108 hours    Total 6,216                2^nd year-8,736    Total 17, 472

3^rd year-4,800 hours    Total 11,016                3^rd year-8,736    Total 26, 208

4^th year-4,800 hours    Total 15,816                4^th year-5,184    Total 31,392

5^th year-5,184 hours    Total 21,000                

6^th year-5,184 hours    Total 26, 184                

7^th year-5,184 hours    Total 31, 368        

Moral of my story?? Jonathon and I have spent as many hours together in our 4 years as most people spend together in 7-10 years. So, maybe I need not worry as much about our rut and just pray no one scratches that 7 year itch because rumor has it that once past this storm, it's pretty easy sailing.