Moment on the Lips for a Lifetime on the Hips

Did you ever know that it actually takes your stomach 20 minutes AFTER it is full to signal to your brain to stop stuffing your face?  No seriously... it's the worse delayed reaction EVER!  

I actually think it's because of this and one too many little beers that I feel like absolute CRAP today!  After having several weeks of unrelated stress I decided to let loose for St. Patty's Day.  Why not right?  Take a day... have a few... I've worked hard to lose weight and tone up so I could afford a few extra calories.  I mean... who doesn't emotionally eat every now and then. Well...  NEVER AGAIN!  

I'm miserable!  I actually was trying to think of a way to inject poop tea directly into my large intestines.  I've also tried several different 'wind releasing' yoga poses to release the pressure of the giant brick in my stomach.  And I'm pretty sure that I can't even suck it in right now.  The brick is that large and that hard!  It's really the most uncomfortable feeling ever! I even thought that if I could take a hot enough bath that I could some how melt the 'waste' in my stomach so it could just fall out.  Too much?  Oh well.  If I can't get it out one way I can at least complain about it.  

This is when I've realized that I have really developed some great habits.  You realize it when one day of crap can make it so you want to curl up in the fetal position and just pray for a good poop!  And to be honest, I didn't eat that horrible.  A few chicken burger sliders, some fries, some shots, a beer, rum and coke, Reuben dip, a grasshopper and some popcorn.  Ok... once I listed everything, maybe it was kind of bad but nothing like the Danny Greenburger sandwich Josh consumed (a burger stacked with corned beef, sauerkraut, swiss cheese and thousand island dressing - just in case you were wondering).  And there was NOTHING left on his plate!  Don't worry ... he paid for it too today.   

But I have to wonder... was a few hours of a good time really worth it?  I maybe was out 'celebrating' for 6 hours and am still paying for it 24 hours later!  I don't even want to glance at the scale tomorrow before my TRX class (which I will be finding some very baggy workout clothes for).  Now most things are fine in moderation but let me tell you, your body will have no problem telling you that you suck if you decide to overindulge!  Trust me!

What did you eat?!?!

These are some pretty famous words from my best friend's husband... but it's so true!  (we laugh at the comment now even though it was not as funny at the time it was said).

No seriously... what did you just eat?  Drink?  Snack on?  Are you addicted to pop or soda if you're from the south? Is it showing physically and I don't just mean in your waist.  I know I've drilled everyone on my nutritional supplements and how important the right one is BUT this really isn't about that.  This is about your actual food consumption.  And I would just like to add the disclaimer: I AM NO ANGEL myself!  I have my junk food binge days.  Generally these days are accompanied by stress, self pity, and laziness.  

Moving on...

But what if eating healthy was not just good for you but just plain GOOD?  Today I was reminded of just that.  

WARNING: This post may be slightly aimed towards those pop drinkers.  And I love you all but that alone is creating 5-15 lbs. a year in weight!  It's also doing some crazy things to your teeth and even worse things to your stomach. And I don't care if the label says diet or zero or caffeine free - they all suck! Read the ingredients... can you even pronounce what's in it?

Anyway... Today while out having a glass of wine with a friend... we were given a glass of water to start.  It was just a simple glass of water but there was one difference... a slice of cucumber was added.  I now have a new favorite beverage!  Cucumber water!  It was actually the most refreshing thing I have ever drank!  I didn't even finish my glass of wine because I just wanted to drink this water.  Silly? Maybe but this was amazing.  And maybe you hate cucumbers.  I personally think you're nuts but if it's not your style then try adding a piece of fruit like raspberries or pieces of mint or ginger.  I am not kidding I'm almost more excited about this little twist to a beneficial drink as I am about my poop tea! Obviously you now know how excited I must be then.  

So today... here is your challenge.  Try this!  Get rid of your pop or any other sugary drink you're consuming multiple times a day and replace it with a water twist!  I know it's hard to get your daily recommended intake of water so why not make it something you actually crave?  You will lose weight and you'll feel better too.  I promise.  Baby steps... to a better you!

Stress ... Spring Ahead

Well... this week has been a fall off the wagon kind of week.  AKA Epic Fail!  I thought with it being 'spring break' I would have the much needed opportunity to get that REALLY REALLY long to do list accomplished, get ahead on some continuing education, and possibly relax.  WRONG!

This week has instead been filled with multiple trips to the hospital for several different reasons, stress, stress and well more stress.  And like any normal person, I deal with stress by first neglecting myself, second taking care of others, and third continuing to neglect myself.  I understand this is a common trait for both women and most parents but it's not healthy.  You begin your day and by the time you even remember your morning coffee you should be sitting down to have your poop tea (yes... I love my poop tea so I will continue to call it that for as long as I live).  

So where to begin.  One I have not taken my vitamins.  Actually I'm pretty sure it's now Thursday and I haven't done my normal nutritional regiment since maybe Sunday.  I really didn't think it was possible to feel this sluggish.  I'm mentally and physically exhausted.  My sleeping pattern is out of whack.  And I'm pretty sure I've managed to eat enough crap at the wrong times combined with completely missing meals to cause my metabolism to possibly hit a standstill.  Ugghhh!  You never really truly appreciate feeling so good until you remember how it feels to feel bad or what I used to consider NORMAL.  

I've also managed to not work out... AT ALL!  (unless you count lifting a 32lbs lil man who might I add is the MOST adorable child on this planet - I'm not biased).  Even a walk would have been good but that just didn't happen.  I missed my TRX class, didn't do Pilates, or even think about an elliptical.  Oh well... tomorrow is a new day and it's time to get back on track.

So here's my point... don't let the stress of today impact your tomorrow.  It's hard to remember but if you feel like crap during a time of stress you are probably creating more stress b/c you have less energy to deal with what is coming at you.  All aspects of our life are linked together and unfortunately create a domino effect when just one becomes knocked down.  Pretty soon you're missing the very component that starts you off on a good foot and then forgetting your poop tea when you go to bed.  Did I say poop tea again?  It's on the brain... I need to be cleaned out of all these toxins!

When you find out what really works for you ... go with it.  Log it and remind yourself to continue to do it.  (Remember the 21 day thing in my last blog?)  B/c if you have a week like I've had... It's hard not to feel like you're starting over again.  Don't get me wrong... I did do some retail therapy yesterday and I really liked what I saw BUT if I continue on this way... I will be back to being miserable with the way I look, the way I feel, and my overall life performance! 

Making the Commitment

Let's be honest... commitments are hard regardless of the reason behind it. Relationships, diets, exercise, heck for some people even dinner plans are hard to keep.  Therefore you have to be ready mentally and emotionally to make that commitment for it to ever work. KEEP THAT IN MIND!

I hear it all the time.  I want to lose weight.  I want to be healthy. (yes this has been heard from my own little mouth)  And before the first week is up they have already pulled through McDonalds and supersized a number 1 extra value meal. (Let me just state for the record I have no clue what number 1 is on the menu... I am currently boycotting McD's for a whole other reason that I won't get into but let's just say it has to do with another passion - Pit Bulls).  Anyway... where was I?  Oh yes.... commitment to change takes 21 days!  21 days is almost a month for those who have a hard time with math.  THREE very long weeks!  So before you decide to do anything... can you handle the first 21 days b/c in that 21 days you will have formed a new habit. 

Recently I decided to make a change.  I was finally committed and decided this wasn't going to be a goal to get me in shape for summer or by my wedding (this was a previous time I 'got healthy').  This is for life.  I'm not dieting.  I'm changing every habit of nutritional intake.  I'm not just belonging to a gym... I'm going.  A gym membership is extra expensive if you don't go just an FYI.  

So now what? It's purge time.  It's time to get rid of the crap in my pantry (as well as in my a$$ but we already know that I have some great poop tea for that).  PAY attention to those labels on food if you buy anything that comes in a bag or box or carton.  There is so much out there that is literally toxic that we as a nation consume on a daily basis!  And I hate to break it to you... if you're favorite show is Extreme Couponing the best you're going to do is a year's supply of laundry detergent.  You want free food... GROW IT!

And I know not drinking pop will be hard or eliminating your favorite International Delight's coffee creamer (personal favorite).  But I promise... give me 21 days and you won't even miss it!

TRX, Wraps, Tea, and Websites OH MY!

So I have been slacking on my progress blog so this should be just a bit ALL OVER THE PLACE!

First up TRX!  I SO LOVE IT!!!  I realized how out of shape I was by the time the 60 minute class was done but I that's just encouragement!  Suspension training forces you to use proper form which then in turn forces you to engage your muscles properly.  After losing most of my upper body strength following Vaughn's big debut, form has been a big challenge for me. (Don't get me wrong... I have amazing arms from holding the 32 lbs lil man but I seem to have misplaced my abs)  Now I know all this super cool working out is going to probably cause my weight loss to slow dramatically.  It's hard to remind yourself that muscle weighs more than fat so that's why I incorporate the NO SCALES allowed in the house rule.  I only weigh myself when I go to the gym and I base my true progress on the fact that my size fours are becoming loose!  So does it really matter what I weigh as long as my size is where I want to be.  I've never met someone that was able to accurately able to guess my weight anyway!!! Plus the human head weighs 8 lbs.  Isn't that an automatic deduction?

On to getting wrapped... why not try everything right.  

It was an interesting experience.  I had my midsection (every woman's problem area) done.  I wore it for a little more than five hours.  This was five hours of crazy water drinking while being wrapped in saran wrap while having to tinkle every 30 minutes.  Ok... Let's be honest... that was kind of annoying.  Not so much the actual wrap because I had amazing posture AND it was like having a corset on the entire day but the constant trips to the bathroom were just a bit excessive.  According to my measurements ... I lost almost 2 inches BUT because the genius that I am forgot to write those down... I have no clue if those 2 inches are still gone one week later.  So what I can say is it does 'tighten and tone'.  My skin was so tight that I actually became extra ticklish but that has since went away but my skin does still seem to be quite soft.  The verdict is still out but I might try it again.

Tea... So from my earlier blogs I'm sure reading about my adventures with tea can be an all time favorite but let me tell you... I have a TOP notch detox tea!  I do affectionately call it poop tea.  Let's be honest... that's what it is.  It messes with your poop!  Now here is what I need to say about it: BEWARE OF THE STEEP TIME!  I might or might not have let my tea steep for an hour.  The next day I lost 5 pounds of crap... LITERALLY!  Now that's not the 'norm' but that's where my warning is to be considered.  I have to say though... I secretly liked it.  I might have lost 2 inches with the wrap but I lost 2 dress sizes and hit my goal weight with my tea! Too much?  Oh well... if you haven't noticed the title of my Blog is 'Let's Be Honest...'

And now onto the website... MY WEBSITE!!!  I figure part of the transformation is not just body... it's mind, body and soul!  It's become for me a true indication of the path I want to take... emotionally, physically, & professionally.  This will start with my website (as well as a FB page, Blog, Twitter - Social Media is big right now).  My mission will be to truly become a Health Coach providing information, links, recipes, etc.  I have never been so energized for something.  Maybe it's the Zija or was it Zija that started it!  I just want to do my part in making the world a little healthier.  And once I'm a millionaire... I will also do my part in dog rescue but before one must come the other! 

Life is not always sunshine...

I'll admit it.  I don't always wake up ready to jump out of bed and have the BEST DAY EVER!  I also don't always have a great night's sleep or feel amazing when I wake up but there has been a difference.  By the time I have nourished my body and removed the toxins... I feel amazing once again.  The key is knowing how...

So let's get a little personal.  Feel free to stop reading now.  Earlier in the week I decided to punish my self once again with an intense strength training workout.  It really does seem like a great idea at the time.  Feeling the burn... Pushing for just one more rep... I'm not going to lie... I get a personal high off it.  But this week, my abs made sure to remind me every two hours during the night that I had maybe (ok probably) pushed it just a little too far.  By the time I got to bed and got comfortable, I quickly found out that after about 30 minutes, no position was really comfortable.  My muscles were so inflamed that it felt like my abs were like speed bumps when I would lay on my stomach.  Now I imagine that is my inner six pack breaking through but I am ok with being soft when sleeping!  I'm sure you can see where I'm going with this.  This was not one of those nights where I woke up the next morning ready to jump out of bed for the BEST DAY EVER!  Just a note... I was planning on going to a morning yoga class but that was quickly scratched.  I needed energy as well as a little more flexibility to make that happen.  At this point in the story... I would have told you that it ruined my entire day.  That I couldn't move for the next two days (BTW today is day two) but that was the old me.  The new me now knows how to give my body what it needs to repair and bounce back after my torture.  And I was as good as new within an hour after I got my butt out of bed (which was actually my biggest challenge of the day).

Still reading?  This is where I actually do get personal but I figured I would put just a little buffer. WARNING!  

So as any woman can attest... UTI's suck.    There is no way around it.  Your stomach hurts... It's annoying.  You got to go but you can't (yes that was personal).  Well... after my gym torture on my normal day two of body soreness... the real issue became a possible UTI.  Obviously there is an infection.  Obviously it completely affects every part of my day so what do you do about it.  Drink lots of water... drink some cranberry juice... try and get into the doctor (I'm not big on doctors so normally I just suffer).  So I decided to try something.  I had a detox tea (you know... just laying around).  I'm sure you're thinking.  This woman is nuts.  A detox tea?  So b/c it's not coming out one way she wants to lose control of the other?  This isn't the way I was thinking.  My logical side thought... well... this is an infection so in order to possibly feel good, I should try and get those toxins out.  I'm not kidding within 1 hour of drinking what I used to refer to as 'poop tea', the 'symptoms' were gone!!! 

And on that note... it's time for bed!

SEEING the change...

I once read that it takes FOUR (very long) weeks to notice a physical change in one's self and EIGHT even longer weeks for others to notice (this includes your husband ladies).  Well... it's been almost FOUR weeks since I started my journey to a healthier me and I SEE IT but what's even better is in the last two days my husband has made several comments about how good I look and how wonderful I've been doing on my journey (the eating right, the workouts, the tanning - ok... not quite as healthy but everyone has their vice). 

And I truly feel amazing.  The best way to describe it is like the way a tree grows ... from the inside out.  I am taking care of my insides ... therefore ... my outsides are starting to show the results.  EVEN MY HAIR is amazing!  No seriously... it hasn't been this pretty since I was pregnant (no I'm not pregnant).  

My migraines have also completely gone.  Prior to this... I would get at least one a week (and before I left my job... it was almost one a day but that's a whole other BLOG).  

Now I know I said it before but the first few weeks are rough when you're a visual person but you have to give it time.  If you've been eating like crap for the last 10 years it's not going to go away in 10 days.  You might even find that your body will react in crazy ways to 'good' nutrients but after you've made that commitment and get to that point where you can see it ... it's AMAZING!  And to be honest... the weight loss has become secondary.  It's feeling good and being able to keep up with my little man that's made all the difference!

Oh and here is where my confession comes in... I'm not a saint!  I still have crap every now and then but it hasn't effected my progress.  The key is not to deprive yourself because that will be the only thing you want to have.  Just know that you can't have it ALL the time.  And after a while... after you start to see what is resulting from your conscious health choices... you won't even crave it!  Remember... physically (inside and out) comes from 90% nutrition and 10% physical activity.

[FYI - from my supplement alone... I get the following: Vitamins A, B, B1-B6, B12, C, D, E, K, Folic Acid, Biotin (to name a few), 15 Minerals (Calcium, Chloride, Chromium, Copper, Fluorine, Iron, Manganese, Magnesium, Molybdenum, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Selenium, Sulfur, Zinc), All Eight Essential Amino Acids, 10 Additional Amino Acids, Chlorophyll, Carontenoids, Cytokinins, Flavonoids, Omega (3,6,9) oils, Plant Sterols, Polyphenols, Lutein, Xanthins, & Rutin] - Now look on the back of yours... Look at your vitamins... are you getting what you need?