Year 3... will it be any better??

My weight is down.  I'm a size 7-8 from a 14 just 2 years ago.  That's the good news.  Bad news?  I didn't do it the healthy way so it'll be hard to keep off.  I fell into my old bad habits of quick weight loss. I'm back to walking now and playing outside with the dog, but I'm hoping it's not too little too late.  I do not want to gain the weight back, as I have done for the past 20 years.  But, I should have thought of that before taking the easy way out... again.

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More bad news, my son has been diagnosed with testicular cancer. He had the mass removed, but we
 won't know if it's malignant until after the biopsy.  I'll keep everyone posted.  Pray for the best.

THEY FIT!!! THEY FIT!!!!

I bought a size 10 pair of shorts because they were too cute to pass up and I figured eventually they'd fit... THEY FIT NOW!!! I must have lost more inches than pounds!  Happy Easter to all!!

I'm feeling good lately.  Going to psych dr. to try and get rid of this anxiety.  She has already told me that I am borderline agoraphobic and if I don't get a handle on it, I will not be able to leave my house, even to get out in my yard amongst my wonderful flower beds and hummingbirds.  Not cool...  I can't have that happen.  Getting out in the dirt and planting to make something look beautiful is a great joy in my life.  I call it "dirt therapy".  I can't lose that.  So, even though it takes a huge toll on me emotionally to get out there to go to the doc, I'm not giving up!  

Pics tomorrow of my new hibiscus.

24-Day Challenge, of sorts....

With Christmas right around the corner, I can't afford to purchase products.  However, I wanted to start the 24-Day Challenge with the others.  So I decided to do a little experiment.  I am taking my 24 days and exercising at least 30 mins every day, eating the Dr. Oz slim down plan, and taking better care of myself.  I will see how much weight I lose that way, compared to the other girls who are using Advocare.  Then, next month, I'll do my real 24-Day Challenge (with products) and gauge the difference in weight loss no products vs. products.  Wish me luck!  Day 1 down and did pretty good....

I am now selling the Advocare line of weight loss products:

I love and believe in these products so much that I've decided to become a distributor!  Follow the link to order products.  If you have any questions, find me on facebook or email me at parnold0623@live.com.

BACK ON TRACK!

Although I won't have my Advocare products for a couple of weeks, I'm back on track with my weight loss.  I have to get up at 7am to be ready for the baby coming over, so that gets my day started earlier.  My exercise routine still isn't up to par, but I've added more protein into my diet and I do move constantly with the baby here.  When he's not here, I'm doing yard work and gardening.  As a result, I lost 4 lbs this week.  I'm at 161 though because I had gained 6 back from the yucky feeling days (Mother Nature helped).  If nothing else, I'm proud that I didn't let the bogged down feeling KEEP me down.  It could've been my bipolar cycling as well, so YAY that it didn't last weeks as it usually does.  At any rate, I'm back at it and happy.  I put a dry erase board on my fridge that has BREAKFAST: protein, oatmeal, fruit, water... Catalyst, exercise, water... LUNCH: protein, veggie, fruit, water...  DINNER: protein, veggie, fruit, water... Catalyst, exercise, water... SNACK: choice of nuts & berries OR Activia yogurt, water...  along with boxes for check marks, of course.  Not all of them are filled in (I don't cheat), but most are so I'm proud but need to do better.  And I get extra water when I'm outside in the yard, sweating out most of what I've already drank for the day.  I'm getting about 3-4 hours of yard work exercise per day.  My yard is looking spectacular.  Pics tomorrow.  

3 days left of the challenge:

I'm on day 21 of the 24 day, so I guess including today is 4 days left.  Still feeling absolutely fantastic!  I've noticed the scale being stuck at 160 for the past week.  Hoping it goes down next week, but for now the clothes are still fight better, I have way more energy, and my measurements are also going down.  Did measurements this week, along with weighing.   Here are the results:

3/24/11
R. ankle 9  L. 9
R. calf  13  L. 13 3/4
R. knee 15 1/2 L. 15 1/4
R. thigh 22 3/4  L. 22 1/4
hips 42
waist 32 3/4
bust 37
R. upper arm 12 3/4  L 12 3/4 (hey, they match YAY!)
R. L. arm 8 3/4  L 9
neck 12 1/4

3/19/11 (JUST 5 DAYS AGO!!)
R. ankle 9 1/4  -1/4  L. 9  stayed the same
R. calf 13 3/4 -1/4  L. 13 3/4 stayed the same
R. knee 15 +1/2 (that's odd)  L. 15 + 1/4
R. thigh 25 -2 1/4  L. 25 1/4 -3 (I KNEW it, I can see a big diff in my thighs)
(note for above...  probably from all the squats on the 30 day Wii challenge)
hips 43 -1
waist 36 -3 1/4
bust 37  stayed the same (thank God.  Don't want to lose that)
R. upper arm  13 7/8 -1 1/8  L. 13 5/8 -1 1/4
R. lower arm  9 -1/4  L. 9 stayed the same
neck 12 1/2 -1/4
GRAND TOTAL OF OVERALL INCHES LOST: -9 3/4" 


ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.....  that was only in 5 DAYS!!!  I wish I would have taken my measurements right BEFORE the 24 day challenge!!  But I didn't think of it.  So, it's been 30 minutes and I'm going to drink my "Almond Joy" (for those of you who haven't been following, that's my advoCare chocolate meal replacement and 1/4 tsp. of almond extract!)

Last day of the cleanse.... Day 10

I'm a little nervous, as today is the last day of the cleanse process of my 24-day challenge.  The reason I am nervous is because starting tomorrow, my system will no longer be flushing itself out.  I am starting Day 11, with pre-meal pills, during meal pills, and still taking the Omega-3's at evening.  I am also still going to be taking the Catalyst.  I have been steadily losing a pound/day and I don't want that to stop.  I plan to increase my exercise even further to make sure that my weight loss stays steady.  I am starting to look a lot better, and I FEEL tremendous!!  The energy level feels like I did when I was in my early 20's, and that is saying a lot, because I am 43!!!  Today's breakfast consisted of melon balls, an apple, and an egg white.  Lunch was a piece of celery with my homemade guacamole on it and 3 tbs. of dried fruit w/pumpkin seeds.  Dinner consisted of 4 oz. of b/s chicken breast and steamed broccoli.  Snack was 18 grapes.  I have also been taking Zzz every night 60 mins. before bedtime and I am consistently getting between 8-10 hours of sleep!  Advocare and Becky are quickly becoming indispensable to me!!!!  On the gardening front, my cucumbers (both the climbers and the bush ones) are starting to pop through the soil, as well as the peas and 2 of my tomato varieties.  I picked my first ripe strawberries today.  Those are part of my breakfast tomorrow!!  Nothing like garden fresh fruit!  Tomorrow's post will include a picture of my rose bush (the pink one has SEVERAL roses on it~gorgeous!)....

Day 4~Monday..... also day 4 of no smoking :)

Loads of energy still.  Last night was a bad night due to unwanted phone calls in the middle of the night, but thanks to Oasis from Advocare, the stress and tired feelings went away.  Did 3 hours of gardening today, putting in my rose garden and fencing.  Breakfast was Oasis and Spark and oatmeal with dried berries and almonds in it.  Lunch was a cucumber, some almonds, and a hard boiled egg for protein.  Dinner consisted of tilapia cooked on the grill using hickory charcoal~yummy, steamed peas, and romaine lettuce with balsamic vinegar on the side.  I took my 5 omegaplex at dinner time and my 3 fiber pills 30 mins. before breakfast.  Feeling great!!!!  I am NEVER hungry! But I do force myself to eat or the 24 day challenge is not going to work the way it is supposed to.  Need the calories for my metabolism to get--and then stay--in gear.  Trying my Flexbelt for the first time tonight, as it arrived in the mail today.  I'll tell you how my abs feel tomorrow.

Bringing you all up to date.... Days 2 and 3 of 24 day challenge

I missed posting for the last 2 days.  Doing, and feeling, absolutely fabulous on the 24 day challenge.  The energy level I have feels like I'm a teenager again.  I found out through my friend and advocare advisor that I was doing part of the program wrong.  I was taking the pre-meal pills and those don't start until the 11th day.  Thank you for catching that so quickly, Becky!!!!  Also, I needed to be taking 4-6 of the Omegaplex with dinner.  So all is corrected now.  For the past 2 days, B-L-D has pretty much been the same so I'll condense.  Breakfast=fiber drink, fresh fruit consisting of melon balls, apple, and canteloupe, advocare Oasis drink~yummy blueberry flavor.  Lunch=trail mix, dried berries, hard boiled egg, advocare Spark (fruit punch flavor).  Dinner=steamed peas, dried apricot, romaine lettuce w/tomatoes, and chicken breast. And water, water, water, water,.... all throughout the day.  Day 2 I babysat for a 10, 5, 8 month, and 2 month all at the same time and cleaned the house while I was doing that.  Then I came home and gardened, which included mulching and laying soil beds, so heavy lifting. Day 3, I walked a mile and rode my bike a mile, gardened some more.  Still waiting for my Flexbelt to get here.  Should be any day.  Today's fish day as I am going to strive for fish or tuna 3 times per week.

Since weight loss journey began, STATS SO FAR:    Down 19 lbs. and 2 pant sizes.

Since advocare 24 day started:  STATS SO FAR:  Down 2 1/2 lbs. in 3 days!!!  Energy level thru the roof!!!!!

OK, NOW I'M ARMED AND READY......

Wii Fit... check
Advocare 24 day challenge... check
Flexbelt for abs.... check
Bike.... check
iPod Shuffle... check
Motivation.... check
Happy.... YOU BET!

I am sooo BEYOND motivated now!!!  I can't wait to get bikini beach body ready!!!  Told you 2011 was my year!!!  LOVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST RIGHT NOW!!!!

15 down and counting.....

Wow!  I have lost 15 lbs. since the first of January!  So excited!  Can't wait until I am able to get my Advocare 24 day program!  Right now I am taking that Mega T Green Tea supplements and I can literally FEEL myself getting thinner every day...  it's awesome.  As for diet, yesterday for breakfast I had a yogurt, coffee, and my T.  For lunch I had a salad, water and my T.  For dinner I had boneless, skinless chicken breast cooked on the grill and watermelon.  For exercise, I did some bicep curls, tricep curls, leg lifts, walking, and taking care of an 8 month old baby for 3 hours.  I've started tracking my fitness and nutrition on SparkPeople.com.  It's a free fitness and nutrition site that I adore!  I didn't know until yesterday that I could connect it with my Facebook (thank you, Becky, for letting me know).  GREAT NEWS on the nature front......   I've finally started getting some birds eating at my feeder!!!  No hummingbirds yet, but I'm still praying for them, and both of my hummingbird feeders are bright red so it's only a matter of time.  Ok, so til tomorrow then.....

Loving my life right about now...

Now that I am getting "back to myself", I am really loving life!  The weather has been very cooperative, and so I have planted all of my marigold seeds, as well as some pansies and violas.  My morning glories are about an inch high.  As for my diet, today I had Special K cereal w/banana and ff milk.  For lunch, I had New York strip steak (1/4 of a whole one) on a whole wheat bun.  Loads and Loads of water.  And with both meals I took 1 Mega T green tea capsule.  My scale is still not working, despite replacing the battery so I don't know for sure how much weight I've lost, but I can see it and feel it.  It got too late for dinner, and I was not hungry anyways so I didn't have any.  Til tomorrow then....

Another beautiful day!

Yesterday, I spent all day outside planting my new flowers and doing yard work.  Very good for the arm and leg muscles.  Lots of water all day. For breakfast I had Special K w/ff milk.  No lunch.  For dinner I had a salad with chicken and grape tomatoes on it, very little dressing.  And that was it for the day.  Today, I started taking Mega T green tea dietary supplements.  A friend of mine lost 20 lbs in one month on them, without changing her diet or exercise habits much.  I am going to be taking them IN ADDITION to changing my daily exercise habits, so we'll see what will happen.  I bought hand weights yesterday and worked out my biceps and triceps quite a bit.  I did 100 (on each side) leg lifts... thigh muscles were screaming!  Of course, I had to do them 25 at a time, with about a minute pause in between the 4 sets.  Also did 25 (core very weak still so unable to do more than that) front leg lifts, that works out the lower abdomen and the core muscles.  At the end of the month, when I have the money, I will be buying an exercise ball (replacing my office chair with that for extra workout, even while I sit), Perfect Sit-up Machine (saw that at Walmart), an elliptical machine, Advocare 24-day program, and the Zumba Body Transformation series.  I am serious about getting this weight off of me.  Oh yeah, and a bike to ride outside.  Also, those tennis shoes that tone while you walk.  Find out that I have lost 10 lbs. since leaving my ex, so that would be since the 2nd week of January... about a month, or a little over a month.  Feeling extremely motivated.  To top of the day yesterday, I got a phone call from a very dear friend, whom I miss very much.  Life is good.......

Sick lately....

Been sick with flu lately.  Body aches (and not the good kind from exercise, but the bad kind from flu)... Thought I'd check in, but now I'm going back to bed.  Gonna have Jillian Michaels kick this crap out of me tomorrow whether it's gone or not!

Here she is...

Haven't written in a week...

Hello, I'm back!  Literally, but not figuratively (meaning my figure!).  I have the "old me" back, as far as my attitude and personality.  Now I just need to shed this extra person that has settled herself over top of my real body.  I sound like I'm talking about a pod person or something, I know, but that's really what it feels like.  So, the remainder of my blogs will consist of holding myself accountable for the calories I take in and the calories that I expend.  Of course, there will be some gardening tidbits along the way!  I'll be writing again tonight, tallying the day's totals.

Well, darn it....

Good thing I'm not all that hungry today, because I'm eating my words!!  Steelers lost :(   Good game, Packers.  Hung outside, waiting to see some hummingbirds at my feeder, but they aren't around yet.  So, I'll hang out there again tomorrow, waiting and hoping.  Oh, and I lost 2 more lbs.  YAY, me!

GO STEELERS!!!

No time to write today.  Steelers are about to win the Super Bowl (again).  Please don't make me eat my words, Steelers!!!!  lol.....

Ok hummingbirds, now you can eat....

Very excited today as I put my hummingbird feeder out.  I was having my morning coffee, patiently awaiting the arrival of my new "guests" when the rain that God has been promising us for the last three days finally arrived.  My morning glories have started to emerge from the ground around the tree.  They will be an extra treat for the hummingbirds when they are in full bloom.  I expect they'll grow all the way up the tree, just like they did last year.  The hummingbirds love to suck the nectar from morning glory blooms.  I think this year, I'll put in one of those mist spraying bird baths also.  Was able to wake up earlier..... 8 am to be exact! YAY, me!  So, in honor of the new hummingbird feeder, I leave you with this image......

Ok, bump in the road notwithstanding... back on track

Rough night last night, as all who are keeping up with my blog already know.  But, today is a new day and I'm facing it with a smile!  I worked out in the garden area today.  Can't call it a garden yet, as it is just in the planning and building stages.  I've got the newspaper laid out to kill the grass and weeds, right where I want my vegetables to grow.  Later on tonight I'll be going to Walmart and buying my topsoil and additives to throw on top of that.  Muscles are definitely feeling the burn from moving all of the bricks that I used to hold the newspaper down, as well as pushing the wheelbarrow around and raking up last years leaves.  Starting to see some green in my brown grass finally.  Spring is emerging!  I think it's absolutely miraculous that I can say that already, when so many of my Northern friends are snowed in. . . .  Sorry, guys!  I am thinking warm and wonderful thoughts of you all, if that helps in the least bit.  I'm hoping that you all will be thinking cooling thoughts of me come June and July when your weather is beautiful and mine is scorching!!!  As for diet and exercise, my Special K Challenge is still ongoing... and the yard work speaks for itself with the exercise portion of my self-renewal.  Although yard work is a natural way to exercise, I still need to add some "formal" cardio to that, to get my metabolism racing.  I must admit, today I actually woke up at 8:30 am fully intending on popping in my Jillian Michaels DVD.  Alas, I went back to sleep instead.  In this case, I'm reminded of the "road to ... is filled with good intentions."  So, I admonish myself and resolve to get up earlier tomorrow.  'Til then, here is some pretty color for you Northerners.... (my Ipheon bulbs, when they are in full bloom)

Just when you think that part is over with....

Why is it when I'm doing good, the person who brought me down the most decides to burst my bubble??  What part of "NEVER CALL ME AGAIN" is unclear?  I didn't leave any doubt in that sentence whatsoever.  No, "well, you know maybe someday..."  No!  I said, plain as day, "NEVER CALL ME AGAIN".  My mood was improving.  I'm losing weight, inches even!  I am getting back to being my old self and then BAMMM, there he is.  Very proud of myself though, that I did not talk to him.  I just reminded him, AGAIN, that he is not to call me.  I am either going to have to change my phone number or invest in a phone with caller ID.  Ok, well.... back on track tomorrow.  Can't let this get me down.  Head is spinning, kind of at a loss for words so.....

'Til tomorrow...