"What's Your Excuse?"

A few months back this woman and her image (pictured above) were circulating all over Facebook. Mothers everywhere were freaking out and getting angry and lashing out at her… why? They were offended. Offended that another women out there would point out that they were making excuses for their unhealthy diet, and the extra weight they were carrying around. The dirty honest truth is moms saw this as a personal attack on their inability to get their shit together and make these kinds of results happen for themselves.

If we were all being honest with ourselves we would say she is right. We makes a million excuses. We do it all the time. Whether they are legit or not. Her goal was to inspire, and probably to make people upset, ruffle some feathers. Why? Because that moment when you get angry is the moment you make a change. You either get mad at her whine and complain and bash her for being "judgmental" or you get mad at yourself because you realize you are your own worst enemy. You are your problem, you are your road block, and you ARE making excuses. We get offended by this image because we recognize the truth in it. It forces us to take a good hard look at ourselves and face some unhappy demons we have avidly tried to avoid.

What's my excuse? Well how much time do you have? I joke, but seriously I could give you a room full of excuses. I am tried, I work, I have kids, I like good food, I have a birthday, wedding, party, event. The list changes based on the day and my mood.

YOU make excuses, I make excuses, we all do it all the time. Getting angry with women like her is not going to make you any happier, it's not going to make you any healthier, or any thinner, or any stronger. It's also not going to make her fat, unhealthy, or out of shape. So what's the point really?

My goal to reach my target body shape weight etc. has been a hard road. It hasn't been easy, and sometimes it hasn't been fun. Some days I hate it so much I want to quit, some days I try to convince myself I don't care that much, some days I whine like a two-year-old and throw a fit (seriously ask my husband). This is hard. It is not easy, it will probably never be easy. You may have to think about it every day and make a conscious effort your whole life. That's the hard truth. But it is worth it. It really is.

So throw out all of your excuses. Just do it. Toss them all and make up your mind to make a change. You will be so happy you did.

Day 6- 21 Day Fix *An Honest Review*

Ok day 6, it's becoming more automatic. I don't miss the cheese as much as I thought I would, but avocados... that's a whole other story. Sweets too, that's a hard one. Some friends recommended date roles, which are in fact pretty tasty and can satisfy a sweet tooth. Finding out they were considered a yellow (carb) was pretty disappointing, I was so hoping they were a fruit since my goal is only two yellows a day.

I increased my calories a bit and I am feeling much better. I think that is something important to note with this diet, because you are eating within a bracket it is entirely possible that you are eating towards the low end of your goal. If this is the case you may feel tired, weak, faint etc. Be careful with your body. This "diet" is designed to have you eating at a deficit and then working out creating an even greater deficit. For those of us in the lowest bracket 1200-1499 calories it is very easy to net less than 1,000 calories a day after a workout. That is not healthy! Be careful and if you feel hungry or tired or run down you need to add a red (protein)  and some greens. I use myfitness pal in conjunction with this plan and so I am tracking my caloires. I do this mostly because I have been doing so for over a year now and it's a habit. But I am so glad I was because it very clearly showed me I was not eating enough.  The last thing you want to do is hurt your body or starve yourself.

The whole idea of this program is to help you understand portions, understand how much of each kind of food you should be eating, and to shock your body into making fast changes. I think the premise of the program is awesome and helpful for people struggling with weight loss. I also think there should be some careful considerations. The plan promises up to 15lbs in 21 days. Any nutritionist will tell you that is not really a healthy amount to lose in such a short amount of time. You should technically not lose more than 10lbs a month.

With that in mind if you start to feel terrible on ANY diet plan take a careful look at your calories. Don't try to take short cuts, this is meant to help you make a lifestyle change. It needs to be sustainable or you will gain it all right back. Healthy changes, that's what you are striving for.

I have learned a lot about what my body needs vs. what my brain wants. I have learned that I am capable of more than I realized. I feel good. I feel healthy. I don't feel bogged down by fatty crappy foods. I feel thin, I don't ever feel bloated and gross. I enjoy the challenge. Truthfully I do whine a lot, but I stick to it. Sometimes we all need to push our limits and push through the "pain."

After a lifetime of making terrible food choices it is difficult to make such drastic changes, and not just in the way you eat but the way you think. I feel some days like I miss donuts, I mean geez it's a food! How can I "miss" a food? Training your mind to think of food as fuel for a healthy body is a challenge.  Training your mind not to think of food as a reward or a celebration or a way to be happy is HARD. That's why we do this 21 day fix. To push our limits, to retrain our brain.

My coach asked today to give 3 feeling words to describe why we are doing this... my words? To feel sexy, confident in anything and strong. I want to add one more, proud. I want to be proud of myself. What are your words?

Lunch Hour Work Outs

Working out on my lunch hour is both awesome and sucky at the same time. It's hot as hell in that gym, I literally sweat from every pore. They do have showers (yay!), but my metabolism is so revved after a workout that even a cold shower doesn't do the trick, I sweat as I get back into my work clothes. Getting caught stark naked in the locker room, not fun either especially when the gym you workout in is full of professional body builders.. "yes get a good look at my saggy mommy tummy people." This is why I started the 21 day fix, ready for that bag to disappear! 

Working out on lunch hour rocks because I get away from desk, away from the office and I get some energy for the rest of the day. Working out at this particular gym is motivating, everyone is so freaking fit! It makes you want to push a little harder. When you are a working mom you just have to squeeze it in when you get the chance. Thankful for a company that offers a gym discount, and an hour lunch so I have the opportunity to meet my goals!

Pre-workout photo.. 

*a side note even a few months ago I wouldn't have felt confident in this dress, but now I am pretty happy in the body I'm in just need a little tweaking.*

Post workout photo

If you look pretty after a workout you are doing it wrong!!! 

A Day in the life of a 21 Day Fixer

My daily goal is 3 greens, 4 reds, 2 purples, 2 yellows, 1 blue, 1 orange, and 2 tsp. 1200-1499 calories

The day starts with 1 Green and 1 Red- Spinach Mushroom omelet (no cheese) 

Snack around 9:30am or 10:00  1 Red and 1 Blue- Greek yogurt with pecans 

Lunch is 1 Yellow, 1 Green, and 1 Red- Brisket, couscous, and broccoli

 11/2  purple- A peach for snack

Dinner is 1 Green 1 Yellow and 1 Red 1 tsp-  Turkey meatballs, spinach and mushrooms sautéed in olive oil and brown and wild rice mix.

After dinner snack 1 Purple and 2 tsp- 1/2 an apple and 2 tsp of organic peanut butter.

(not pictured 1 Red- 1/2 cup pulled pork for snack)  

**Total of 1622 Calories- my daily goal is 1488. However the last two days I netted under 1000 calories a day so going a bit over my limit today seemed reasonable. I had been feeling weak like I was going to  pass out today so I decided I needed to eat more. I also had two cups of coffee today with 2 individual creamers in each. Creamers are technically not "allowed" in the 21 day fix**

My workout today 

Weighing In

Day 4 still no change on the scale. I know I have to stop doing that every morning. I decided I need to actually measure if I hope to see progress from this whole thing. The scale may not be my best measurement at this point. I took before pictures as well today. Not sharing those until I have some amazing after pics to go with it.

07/23/14

Weight 167
Waist: 36"
Hips: 40.5"
Bust: 40.5"
Arm: 12"
Thigh: 22"
Calf: 15.5"

Day 3

Day 3 of the 21 day fix, I am dying.

Not literally, but almost. My legs are still so sore I can hardly walk. I did arms and abs yesterday hoping my legs would rest and heal up, but no. I did 30 minutes on the arc trainer today and sadly was so hungry I resorted to a cookie at the office.

I plan to count that cookie as my two yellow's today and have a nice healthy meal of chicken and broccoli for dinner.

I feel so hungry. I am used to eating lots of veggies in the afternoon, but usually I eat them with a little light ranch dressing. Since I only get one orange a day (dressing) I need that for my salad. So no dressing in the afternoon, which makes cold raw veggies less appealing.

I have cut most all oil's, cheese, and avocado out. I only get one blue (1/4 cup) of healthy fat a day which I use for pecans in my greek yogurt.

So basically I am HUNGRY. I have complained bitterly to my husband, my friends, and my mom for the last 3 days. I am going to stick to it. I hated my diet a year ago too. I can do this. I want too. This is just the shock phase where you whine, complain and get it all out, eventually I will settle with the idea that this is just the way it is and stop whining.

I want to see this work. I want to reach my goals.

21 Day Fix

I started the 21 Day Fix with my husband yesterday. Mostly I just wanted to see if it could help me get over my plateau and finally lose that last 15-17 lbs I have been dying to lose. I started eating a little differently the week prior and lost 6 lbs. So I know it is possible for me to continue without the 21 Day Fix but I ordered it anyway to help my husband and to really see if they had a different solution.

The containers are deceptively large online, when you get them in the nail you will be utterly shocked at how small they are. You may cry  little inside.

The system is incredibly user friendly, you don't have to track calories at all. The key I am finding though is preparation, especially for me working so much. We spent Sunday shopping at Sam's for bulk produce. Literally our fridge looks like we own a farm. I would estimate we spent close to $150 or more just on produce this week. We bought a fully cooked beef brisket and I pulled all the fat off, which was super easy, then measured out the specified amount and put it into ziplock bags. Some went to the fridge others went to freezer. I boiled an entire carton of eggs and those went into the fridge as well. We bought bulk spinach and separated that into bags as well. I still need to cut up all the bell peppers and cucumbers.

This preparation means there is no excuse in the morning. I quickly grab a prepped bag and throw it in my lunch. I take what has been outlined on the meal plan and only that.

My biggest concerns so far have been the small amount we are eating. I have read so much about nutrition in the last year that I am worried about starving my body, and I worry about setting my baseline too low and gaining it all back if I increase my calorie intake after the 21 days.

I have spent the last year counting calories, so naturally I counted these calories too. Yesterday following the plan I ate 1394 calories (my daily goal for weight loss is 1488). I also worked out, burning an estimated 500 calories, leaving me netting less than 900 for the day.... That worries me a lot. That doesn't seem like enough food.

I contacted my wonderful Beach Body Coach and she said I could increase the protein and veggies if I felt like I was wiped out or weak. The only issue I see with the plan is that it is very set and specific, there is no tweaking really. Whether you workout a tiny bit or a ton you eat the same. After a year of reading up on nutrition and working out I know there are adjustments that need to be made.

Overall I like the ease of the program and it has helped my husband especially to see normal portion sizes. And how much of each food group you should really be eating. This is wonderful to finally see it so clearly.

This morning I was 167 on the dot. My goal is 150. Fingers crossed I can stick with this and it works!