You've seen my blog. You've read my posts. You know I'm a Beachbody coach. Now you are wondering what EXACTLY is a Beachbody coach. and could YOU do it???
The answer is YES. Honestly, ANYONE could do this. All it takes is a willingness to improve your own life and health while helping others improve theirs. You don't have to be a salesperson. I'M not a salesperson. I had a telemarketing job when I was 18 calling business to business. I got fired after 3 months because I was SO BAD at it. I HATE salespeople. I would never be involved in a company like that. I am a SHARE person. I share my own experience with Beachbody products. They work well for me. I share the opportunity to join my monthly challenge groups on Facebook. Challenge groups are what I firmly believe has led to my success in my health and fitness journey. I share my journey of not only my physical fitness, but also my mental and spiritual fitness as well. I hope that by doing this, I inspire others to take charge of their own health and wellness, even if it isn't with Beachbody programs.
So what exactly DO I do as a Beachbody coach besides be one of those super annoying, constant selfie-takers? Well, I workout daily, I drink my Shakeology daily, I run a monthly accountability group for 10-30 people who are starting on their own journey, I mentor my new coaches and help them grow as coaches, I read or listen to 20 minutes of personal development a day, and I invite people to join me on this journey.
What's in it for me as a coach? I get a super awesome discount every month on everything including my Shakeology (which you can also get without actually coaching! Ask me how). I get to take trips with my friends who are also coaches. I get paid a nice compensation plan that has helped me massively pay off debt. But most importantly, I get to HELP people. I get to cry with them and try to help them through some of their biggest struggles. I get to celebrate with them when they reach goals they never thought they'd reach. I get to be their friend, cheerleader, and mentor. And I get to do all of this and still have time to raise my babies and spend time with my family.
Honestly, I can't think of anything I would rather do in the whole world. I am so unbelievably thankful for this opportunity. It has been such a blessing in my life. If this sounds like something you would like to do or want more information on, contact me here via email or fill out this application. I am looking for 5 new people to mentor on my team who want to be their best, physically and mentally while earning financial freedom.
Monday, May 4, 2015
Friday, May 1, 2015
Why didn't he just tell me I was fat?
One year ago yesterday, I went to the doctor for the second time in less than a month. I had convinced myself that my thyroid wasn't functioning and I needed to be medicated. I couldn't lose the baby weight from my pregnancy with Emy, I was tired all the time, I was kind of depressed, and I even convinced myself that my eyebrows were falling out. Yes, I was a little bit of a hypochondriac. Dr. Google didn't help. NEVER Google your symptoms. You'll go from having a cold to dying in about 5 seconds flat.
On my first visit, my doctor ran my labs but they came back fine. He suggested that maybe I was having a prolonged case of postpartum depression and I should think about trying Prozac. I refused. I wasn't depressed! It was my hormones! I went back a few weeks later, still complaining, and now complaining that my cycles were ridiculous. He decided to put me on a synthetic hormone. I took it for 4 days and gained TWELVE POUNDS. I threw it in the garbage. The picture on the left is from day 3 of those awful pills. He told me to take them for SIX MONTHS. I would've been 300 lbs!!
You know how they say hindsight is 20-20? Well, it is. Looking back, what my doctor should have said at my FIRST visit was, "Sheena, you need to get up and DO SOMETHING. Stop sitting on your butt. Stop eating garbage. Stop drinking pop from sun up to sundown." I mean, come on. I was 195 lbs at 5'2". That's a BMI of 35, for crying out loud! Anything over 30 is considered obese. I know BMI isn't an accurate indicator of someone's health all the time, but it was OBVIOUS that I needed to lose weight. My problem was not my hormones. It was that I was lazy and slowly killing myself with food and inactivity.
Today, I am healthy. I'm not tired all the time. I'm not depressed. And my eyebrows aren't (and never really were) falling out. And as you can see by the picture, I'm obviously losing weight. I haven't been back to the doctor since that last day. Not because I'm mad at him or protesting. I actually have a ton of respect for him, and I still take my kids to see him. I'm just not convinced I'm dying anymore. I KNOW I'm healthy and as long as I continue my path of exercise, Shakeology, and proper nutrition in general, I will stay healthy.
Thursday, April 30, 2015
I am a highly sensitive person.
I was recently mindlessly scrolling through my Facebook to waste time when an article that a friend posted caught my eye. It was called "16 Habits of Highly Sensitive People." (Found here.) I have no idea why, but I clicked on it. There was a link to Elaine Aron's website to take a quiz to see if you are highly sensitive. I took the quiz. If you scored 14 or more, you're most likely highly sensitive. I scored 20 out of 24. Did I freak out? Did I start thinking, "Oh my gosh!! I'm overly sensitive! I'm crazy!" No. Actually, I breathed a HUGE sigh of relief. For the first time, I DIDN'T feel crazy! I had an answer as to why I couldn't stand violent tv shows or movies. I knew why I burst into tears at the drop of a hat. I knew why music so strongly affected me. I knew why I am so susceptible of "catching" other people's moods, good and bad.
I am a reading junkie, but I find it hard to find time to read lately. I have become a huge fan of Audible because I can listen to books while I'm working, driving, running, whatever. I immediately went out and downloaded The Highly Sensitive Person by Elaine Aron. Let me tell you-I am not only learning so much about myself, but about my son. He is also an HSP (highly sensitive person).
Signs of HSP people can include:
- Being sensitive to loud noises
- Strongly disliking violent television shows or movies
- Crying or getting upset easily
- Being extremely empathetic (this can be a good and bad trait!)
- Being easily overwhelmed by smells, textures, and bright lights
- Getting rattled when you have a lot to do in a short period of time
- Enjoying fine arts and music
- Being sensitive or shy as a child
- Arranging your life to avoid things that upset or overwhelm you
- Highly susceptible to other people's moods
- Being overwhelmed by negativity
- Strong intuition
- Low pain tolerance
- Needing frequent alone time
- Being a dumping ground for other people's problems (because you are empathetic)
This personality type can be one that can inhibit your life greatly if you don't know how to deal with it. You can start to feel crazy. You are probably often told, "Stop being so sensitive." You may think you have anxiety, especially social anxiety. I know I did, and I was extremely frustrated because I couldn't understand why no treatment I had tried for anxiety, both pharmaceutical and naturopathic, worked. This book, however, is helping me to really understand myself and my son more. It's giving me ideas for dealing with both of our high sensitivity in a healthy manner. I feel like I can finally move forward with my life. I feel armed with the proper tools to say, "Yes, I am an HSP and no, it won't inhibit me anymore!
If you feel you may be an HSP, I HIGHLY recommend you download or buy Elaine Aron's book, and know that you are NOT crazy, you are NOT overly sensitive, and you are NOT ALONE!!!
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
When the pain doesn't stop.
I had a miscarriage at 14 weeks over three years ago. I went in for a routine checkup, and she was just gone. No reason. No signs as to why. She was just gone.
The next several months are a blur of darkness and pain. I barely have any memories of them other than laying in my bed or in my bathtub crying and crying and crying. But every storm ends. And at the end of every storm is a rainbow. A bright, beautiful rainbow. Mine is a 2 1/2-year-old spitfire named Emalee.
The trouble with grief, though, is it doesn't end. It is always there somewhere. It just gets easier to deal with. Instead of hurting and being depressed all the time, the hours turn to days, then weeks, and then months between unbearable episodes. I am at a stage in grieving the loss of my 3rd child where while I think about her every single day, I only feel overwhelming feelings of loss twice a year-on the date I lost her and around her due date, which is coming up next week.
As time passes, I learn more and more ways to deal with my loss in a healthy manner. I find ways to distract myself and keep busy. I try really hard not to let myself have any downtime during those two weeks of the year because I feel guilty letting myself grieve when I have three healthy children who need me.
Today I realized that I need to stop fighting these feelings and allow them to just play out. I read a quote once that said it's okay to cry and have a breakdown. Just don't unpack and stay there. Yesterday, I had my breakdown. Now it's time to pack up and go home. All the tears in the world won't bring McKenna back. It's time to focus on making a healthy life for myself and for her three siblings.
Thursday, April 9, 2015
SHAKEOLOGY!!! Why you NEED it and why you should buy it from a coach.
What is Shakeology? It is an extremely yummy meal replacement shake that is LOADED with nothing but ingredients that our bodies need and usually don't get from our daily eating habits. I'm not going to bore you with the long list of superfoods that are in it, but I will tell you what it's done for me.
Since I started drinking Shakeology 9 months ago, my blood sugars are level for the first time IN MY LIFE. I've ALWAYS had problems with crashing several times a day, and now I can't even tell you the last time that happened.
It has pretty much taken away my bad cravings for most things. It's pretty rare that I want to sit down and demolish a bag of chips or half a dozen cookies.
My digestion is regular for the first time since I had kids. After I had my gallbladder out, my digestion went from wacky to downright awful. Within 3 weeks of starting Shakeology, it was normal again!
Oh, and don't even get me STARTED on how fast my hair is growing since I started drinking it. I have always had short hair, but my trips to the salon were getting quite frequent, so I've given in and am letting my hair grow. :D
I've heard over and over again that Shakeology is TOO EXPENSIVE, though. Well, I guess that is a matter of perception. To me, it isn't. It works out to just over $4 a day for customers and only $3.25 a day for coaches. If you're going to go out for coffee or lunch, it is going to cost more than that, sometimes even more than double! Plus, I can personally tell you that I haven't been to the doctor ONCE since I started drinking it daily. My whole family got influenza this winter, but I didn't, and I'm normally the first one to get sick!
So why shouldn't you buy it on eBay, Amazon, or other places online you might find it that aren't directly through a coach or Beachbody? Well, would you buy your groceries through eBay? My absolute number one concern with this is SAFETY. Shakeology is a FOOD. It has an expiration date. When you buy it through your coach, it comes directly from Beachbody, it is fresh, and it is sealed. It also comes with a bottom-of-the-bag money back guarantee. Even if you drink the whole bag, you can still return it in the first 30 days for a refund if you don't believe it's working for you.
I have heard horror stories of people buying Shakeology on eBay and getting bags that weren't sealed, product that was tainted, or having a bag that was filled with SAND instead of Shakeology!! To me, the risk just isn't worth it to save $10, $20, even $30, especially when you can sign up as a coach and save over $30 every single time you buy it!
Another reason to buy from a coach is because part of their job is selling Shakeology. This is how they make their money to support their families. To me, it is the same as shopping locally versus buying from a big box store. Yes, you might pay a little more, but you are helping to support a family that you KNOW. I personally shop locally as much as I possibly can because I would rather support families in my small town than large corporations.
If you are interested in trying Shakeology, I URGE you to please contact your coach! If you don't have a coach, contact me here! I would be happy to help you get started on your journey to a healthier you.
Monday, April 6, 2015
SMILE!! You're going to get there!
I spent all weekend trying to decide what program I was going to do when my April accountability group started today. I am just under 100 days away from my trip to Nashville for Beachbody Summit, so I knew it needed to be something that was going to give me kick ass results because I may or may not have raided my kids' Easter candy one too many times yesterday.
Having access to Beachbody On Demand opens a HUGE library of programs to choose from, so it wasn't an easy decision. I had to take into account that I don't have much time, so something that is 30 minutes or less was a requirement. I decided to go with P90X3.
Um, HELLO!!! That workout is NOT easy, but it's effective! Several hours after I finished it, my abs are STILL SO SORE!
Um, HELLO!!! That workout is NOT easy, but it's effective! Several hours after I finished it, my abs are STILL SO SORE!
So why am I smiling even though I'm dripping sweat and am beet red? Because I accomplished something this morning that I have NEVER done. I did a FULL WORKOUT without modifying ANY moves!!!
Just three short months ago, I was laying on my yoga mat bawling my eyes out after a workout because I still couldn't do a sit up without pushing myself up with my elbows. I was so broken hearted. I thought for sure at that point that I would have been able to, that my abs would've been stronger.
Today, I did it. I was able to go from laying flat with my legs out and my arms over my head to sitting up into a V. And then I fell over laughing like a crazy person.
Don't stop. If you've recently started on your fitness journey, DO NOT STOP. It is a JOURNEY. You aren't going to get fit overnight. It's going to take time. It's going to take patience. When you get there, you are going to be so ecstatic and that the pay off for that goal that you thought was going to be impossible to reach is going to seem SO much sweeter!
Today, I did it. I was able to go from laying flat with my legs out and my arms over my head to sitting up into a V. And then I fell over laughing like a crazy person.
Don't stop. If you've recently started on your fitness journey, DO NOT STOP. It is a JOURNEY. You aren't going to get fit overnight. It's going to take time. It's going to take patience. When you get there, you are going to be so ecstatic and that the pay off for that goal that you thought was going to be impossible to reach is going to seem SO much sweeter!
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Help! I'm lost in a world of CLUTTER!
One of the three daily vital behaviors of being a Beachbody coach is reading personal development books. I'm a book worm, so if the book is interesting to me, this isn't a problem. We're supposed to read 10 minutes a day, but I read closer to an hour a day.
Right now I am reading "You Can You Will" by Joel Osteen. Whether you agree with his religious stance or not, he is a great motivational speaker. I don't always agree with his religious views, but a lot of what he says does make sense. This book is really changing my perspective on my own attitude about myself and my surroundings. (I'm not officially endorsing this book, but rather just sharing my own personal opinion of it.)
Now I must admit, I am a totally messy person. It bothers me sometimes, but most of the time, I just overlook it. I am usually dressed nice and have my hair and makeup done, but my house and my car are just a cluttered mess. Quite frankly, we just have way too much stuff for our small house, and I find it very difficult to organize. I don't even really try. I have noticed, though, that this affects other areas of my life. I really find it hard to concentrate when I sit down at the computer to work or do homework when the house is a mess.
In one part of the book, Osteen says that to be abundantly blessed, you need to take care of what you have. This means your material possessions, your surroundings, your environment, and YOURSELF. I have the taking care of myself part down pat. I eat well, exercise daily, and keep my appearance nice. My surroundings-not so much. This is something I need to really work on. It is an area of weakness for me. So, this weekend, I am going to tackle first my bathroom since it's always a mess, and then I'm moving on to the kitchen. One room at a time, I will get myself organized. If you drive by this weekend and see me pitching stuff out the windows, don't be alarmed. I'm just cleaning. :)
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Ultimate Reset-DAY 21!!!!
I DID IT! I completed the Beachbody Ultimate Reset!!!! YAY!!!! I am SO excited that I stuck it through to the end and actually completed it. It wasn't without some bumps in the road, some hiccups along the way, but it is DONE. I didn't quit.
I lost a total of 10 pounds and TWELVE INCHES!!! I was STUNNED to see that I lost that many inches! I'm sleeping better, my skin is SO clear, and my energy is finally starting to pick up. I am ready for my next journey!
What's next, you ask? Well that would be 21 Day Fix Extreme!! I'm kicking it off tomorrow with Plyo Extreme. Beachbody CEO, Carl Daikeler, posted this message on his Facebook page on Friday:
"This Monday the Beachbody Challenge Du Jour can do a lot of good for a lot of people!
Complete “Plyo Fix Extreme” from 21 Day Fix Extreme as your workout on the Beachbody On Demand platform Monday 3/23/15 between 12:01 AM PT to 11:59PM PT – and I’m donating $100 to IjmInternational Justice Mission to help end slavery, up to $100,000!
Last Monday 500 people did Plyo Fix Extreme. So the question is; can we double it this Monday?
I’ll be doing my workout at 5:30AMPT if you care to join me – but that’s beside the point. If you’re a member of Team Beachbody club and complete the Plyo Fix Extreme on Monday – your workout counts and $100 goes to truly make a difference. I hope you share this, and I hope we can count on your workout!"
If you would like to join me and the rest of my team, you can do so by contacting me here or email me and I will help you get started!!!
Watch for updates on my 21 Day Fix Extreme journey as well as my thoughts on the program. I'm even planning on sharing a few of my favorite Fix Extreme-approved meals!!
Watch for updates on my 21 Day Fix Extreme journey as well as my thoughts on the program. I'm even planning on sharing a few of my favorite Fix Extreme-approved meals!!
Saturday, March 21, 2015
Ultimate Reset Day 20
I missed a few days of posting. Sometimes, life is just hectic, and mine has been the last few days!! Being a coach, mom, and full-time student leaves my plate full most of the time. I can promise you I have kept on my journey even if I haven't been posting because my health is on the top of my list of priorities. I can't offer my best to others if I'm not giving it to myself!
The last few days of Reset have been mentally tough. I am just ready to be done. I miss meat. I miss cheese. I missed working out REALLY bad, so I did get back into that yesterday. I didn't push myself too hard. It felt SO good to move and work my body, though!!
At this point, I haven't weighed myself. I can tell you that I feel pretty good. My skin is SO soft and more clear than it's ever been. I really do feel like I'm glowing for the first time ever. I have been sleeping great. I fall asleep right away at night, and I stay asleep all night. I've never been a good sleeper, so this is something that I am greatly pleased about. I have also noticed that my teeth seem to be a lot more white, and I'm sure that's from not drinking any pop or coffee, and I've also heard that certain foods like strawberries help whiten your teeth, and I've been eating a lot of those!
I did discover a food that I have become completely OBSESSED with. Actually, a couple of foods. I found this stuff at our grocery store called broccoli cole slaw. It's shredded broccoli, carrots, and cabbage, and it is SO GOOD added to salads with baby greens and spinach. Another thing I really love on my salads is sprouted pumpkin seeds. These are a little more expensive, but the bag lasts forever. They are also super good as a snack if you toast them in the oven at 450 for around 5 minutes with a little bit of olive oil and Himalayan salt.
The broccoli slaw I found at our small grocery store in town, and the pumpkin seeds I got at the health food store. I keep the pumpkin seeds in the fridge to help them last longer. I've had this bag for 3 weeks, eat them almost every day, and you can see there is still quite a bit left in there.
Tomorrow is my LAST DAY. I feel like I have learned a lot about myself doing this cleanse. I already knew I was an emotional eater and one to eat when I was bored, but I have found alternative methods to dealing with my feelings other than eating. I also learned that I am terrible at remembering to take pills. They aren't my thing. I've missed the supplements a few times on this journey. Whoops.
I am looking forward to completing 21 Day Fix Extreme over the next 3 weeks, and I know it will be easier to stick to the meal plan after completing Ultimate Reset as most of my cravings are gone, and the meal plan for Extreme isn't nearly as restrictive. I am going to miss the detailed meal plan, though. I think that was my favorite part of Ultimate Reset! It took all the guess work out of every meal of the day.
I am looking forward to completing 21 Day Fix Extreme over the next 3 weeks, and I know it will be easier to stick to the meal plan after completing Ultimate Reset as most of my cravings are gone, and the meal plan for Extreme isn't nearly as restrictive. I am going to miss the detailed meal plan, though. I think that was my favorite part of Ultimate Reset! It took all the guess work out of every meal of the day.
Monday, March 16, 2015
Ultimate Reset-Day 16
Today shall forever be known as the day I had a major panic attack in the bathroom.
So last night, I had beets and asparagus for supper. I LOVE beets, so I ate my fair share. I warned my children that if their pee was orange or pink today, it was from the beets and there was no need to panic. I should've taken my own advice...
Breakfast today was Chocolate Vegan Shakeology with coconut oil and a side of fresh raspberries and strawberries. YUM!!
Lunch was cabbage salad. It was DISGUSTING. I barely ate.
I spent all day with a HORRIBLE headache and stiff neck. I was pretty sure I was coming down with something. I even came home and took a nap after work because I felt SO rotten.
Supper was a baked sweet potato and steamed veggies. It was ok. I didn't eat much because I still wasn't feeling that great.
Ok, the rest of this is TMI, so if you have a problem with poop, stop reading here. If not, read on. So after supper, I had a major stomach ache. Kind of a crampy in my guts, yucky feeling. I went to the bathroom, and had a pretty decent movement. When I wiped, I just about had a heart attack. The toilet paper was all RED. For a good 20 seconds (which feels like an eternity when you think you're dying), I was convinced that I had a GI bleed or something. Then I remembered....the BEETS. I had a pretty good laugh at myself after I got done panicking. Strangely enough, after I went to the bathroom, my neck quit hurting and my headache got a lot better. I must have been holding on to a bunch of toxins.
I am down to just SIX DAYS, and I am SO looking forward to being done!!
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Ultimate Reset-Day 15!!!
I decided to do one extra day of week 2 since I was sick on Friday night and all day Saturday and missed pretty much a whole day of supplements. So since there is no meal plan for day 15 in week 2, I decided to do Shakeology for breakfast (since I refuse to skip a day anymore and we had church today), the super yummy cucumber tomato quinoa salad for lunch, and then steamed broccoli and asparagus for supper. There have been a lot of recipes that I will never eat again (like the pinto beans and rice), but some of them will DEFINITELY be incorporated into my regular meal planning. That cucumber tomato quinoa salad is my favorite by far in this plan. The southwest veggie tacos from week one were super yummy, too. One good thing about this plan is there are a lot of recipes in it that I would've probably never tried if I wouldn't have had to, and some of them were super good.
Tomorrow I will start week three. It's going to be possibly the most challenging week yet as there is NO grains at all. It is just fruits and veggies. The good part is there is no beans. Haha. I am getting really excited to finish and see my results.
Saturday, March 14, 2015
Ultimate Reset-Day 13 & 14
Day 13 started out great. I ate my fruit for breakfast, had a microgreen salad for lunch, remembered to take all my supplements on time, got my water in, and felt really good. Then mid-day, I started to not feel so good. As the day progressed, I felt worse and worse. By evening, I had a full-blown case of the stomach flu. Great.
I started drinking Shakeology in July of 2014 and have not missed a single day since until I started doing Ultimate Reset. I really truly believe that Shakeology keeps my immune system operating at peak performance because my whole entire family had influenza this winter, and I didn't get it. My daughters both had strep throat which I am highly susceptible to, and I didn't get that either! The worst thing I had all winter was a small case of the sniffles for a couple of days, and I'm normally sick several times in the winter. There is a reason why they call it "The healthiest meal of the day." I truly believe that all of the nutrients in it have helped improve my health so much.
The point of the Ultimate Reset is to teach you to eat and eat the proper foods for your body to operate properly. Therefore, Shakeology is allowed, but is not worked into the daily meal plan. It is okay to sub it for breakfast or snack a few times a week, but it is encouraged to EAT your meals. So while I have had it a few times for a snack or breakfast, I haven't been doing it every day like I normally do. Never again will I miss a day. I don't care what the reasoning is. I have spent the last 18 hours running to the bathroom. I am not enjoying this.
I am not taking the detox supplement today as I believe it is just aggravating my poor system. I am also trying to still make smart decisions for food, but I am avoiding greens and other things high in fiber because I just don't need them today. Tomorrow, I will resume on plan on day 15 assuming I am feeling better.
Friday, March 13, 2015
Ultimate Reset-Days 11 & 12
I didn't post for the last two days. In the program guide for the Ultimate Reset, is says that there will come a point in the cleanse where you start to have an emotional cleansing, too. Apparently days 11 & 12 were my days for that. I pretty much cried continuously from the evening of the 11th day through most of the day yesterday. I even cried at work which I never do! By the end of the evening last night, I felt much better. I felt like a weight had been lifted off of me, and I slept great last night. I woke up feeling at peace and well rested.
I am really looking forward to the end of this journey. I am ready to move on to the next phase. I know I've been saying this a lot, especially if you follow me on Facebook, but I miss working out. I am eager to get back to my morning routine!
I am really looking forward to the end of this journey. I am ready to move on to the next phase. I know I've been saying this a lot, especially if you follow me on Facebook, but I miss working out. I am eager to get back to my morning routine!
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Ultimate Reset-Day 10
Yes, I know I'm a little bit late with my post. I'm sorry. I was on a really awesome team call for our Beachbody coaching team last night, and was all inspired to get to work afterward and I just plain forgot to post!
Yesterday, I FINALLY got over my headache. I was seriously starting to think it was never going to go away. I was also quite excited to get dressed yesterday and discover that the dress pants that I couldn't even GET ON a few months ago were loose! Yay!!
I am officially on the downhill slide of this program. I am feeling pretty good. I am a little bit nervous about completing it because it's been really nice having all three meals a day laid out for me. I AM super excited to be done, though, so that I can work out again. I am itching like crazy to get moving, sweat, and start carving out some muscle on this mom body! Summer is COMING and I'm going to be READY. I may even buy shorts for the first time since I was about 10. :D
Monday, March 9, 2015
Ultimate Reset-Day 9!
I did much, much better today staying on plan. I didn't make the sweet potato and roasted red pepper bisque because I was fighting a horrible headache all day, so I had leftover rice and beans and steamed broccoli for supper.
The weather was so beautiful here today, and I really wanted to go for a walk, but my youngest wasn't feeling it, so I decided to fire up the new Beachbody On Demand and pick out a new yoga workout. Since there are a total of 11 of Beachbody's most popular full programs on there, narrowing one down wasn't easy, but I decided to go with P90X3 Yoga, and I am SO glad I did! It was just what I needed.
I noticed that I am a lot more flexible than I was before I started doing the Reset, which is nice. I used to be super flexible, but I've lost it somewhere over the years. One of my goals is to get back into yoga and get flexible again.
I am feeling really good except for this darn headache. I can't figure out what it is from. I'm not a heavy caffeine user, so I know it isn't from caffeine withdrawal, especially this far into the game. Apparently I'm just really toxic. I'll take the headache as a good sign because it means everything is getting worked out of my system.
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Ultimate Reset-Day 8!
Day 8. I made it through one whole week. And today I bombed. Big time. I did okay for breakfast (a sliced apple and Shakeology because we were running late for church.) I had a salad for lunch before the church council meeting. I drank lots of water all day. And then supper came, and my husband suggested we go out for supper because the two big kids were with Grandma for the night, and we just had the littlest one. I had every intention of getting a caesar salad with no meat, dressing, or croutons. Then we got there and I caved. I ordered pizza. And it was delicious. I only ate one piece, and stopped. And I DIDN'T have any pop. I was good there and drank two big glasses of water. But I felt SO guilty afterward.
Tomorrow is Monday. Tomorrow I am getting my head back in the game and staying on track.
Honestly, I am finding this detox to be a lot more of a mental challenge than anything. I find it really hard to explain to people why I can't eat the cookie they're offering me. I find myself wanting to lie and say I'm diabetic or something so that they'll leave me alone. I can't even clearly explain what I'm thinking. Physically, I don't really feel the cravings anymore. My mouth doesn't water when I smell pizza or cookies or whatever. It's all mental. I never realized what an emotional eater I was until I started this. I guess that's all part of the process.
I must confess that I am really looking forward to being done and working out again. Today was a beautiful day outside (over 30 degrees which is a heatwave in Minnesota right now), and I wanted SO BADLY to go for a run. Just 15 more days. I can do this. I WILL do this! And tomorrow, I will gag down beans. :P
Saturday, March 7, 2015
Days 6 & 7-Ultimate Reset
I realized last night when I finally crawled into bed at 11:30 that I forgot to post, so you're going to get a summary of yesterday and today in one post. :)
Yesterday, I woke up and was absolutely AMAZED at how much my stomach had started shrinking. I wasn't planning on sharing any progress pictures until the end of the process, but I had to share because I was so blown away!
Yesterday, I woke up and was absolutely AMAZED at how much my stomach had started shrinking. I wasn't planning on sharing any progress pictures until the end of the process, but I had to share because I was so blown away!
I still have a lot of progress to make, but I was quite pleased with these results after just six days! I booked our family vacation to Wisconsin Dells today, so that's even more motivation to stick to this and hit my workouts hard after I finish.
Today I am now going to refer to as the day I decided to become a vegetarian. I never ever dreamed I would say this, but I am starting to LOVE fruits and veggies so much. I had a huge plate of fresh fruit for breakfast this morning, and each bite was a flavor explosion in my mouth. It was so delicious. My husband made burgers on the grill tonight for him and the kids, and when he brought them in the house, I almost threw up. They smelled so bad. I am a HUGE burger fan, but it smelled awful to me! I haven't been this repulsed by the smell of meat since I had morning sickness with my first pregnancy.
Tomorrow is the start of phase two. I'm a little bit nervous about the detox supplement. I'm really hoping it doesn't upset my stomach because I have a rather sensitive stomach. All the reviews I have read have said that it is gentle on the system, so I'm probably just being paranoid for no reason. :)
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Ultimate Reset-Day 5
Today's blog post is brought to you by the letters S and F for SHORT FUSE.(I bet you thought I was going to say something naughty!) Oh my goodness. I have ZERO patience today, and everything is making me want to scream and/or cry. I just keep telling myself that it's a sign that the cleanse is working.
My day started out with me oversleeping which I never do. I must've been tired! Then I had steel cut oats with apple chunks and walnuts. It was SO GOOD!!
For lunch, I had a quinoa salad with cucumbers and cherry tomatoes. I seriously think that is THE BEST thing I have had yet!
I seemed extra accident-prone today, too. I whacked my head on a shelf at work, ran into a post at the gas station with my car, and fell down the stairs at home. I don't think this has anything to do with the detox, but it sure didn't help my mood. It is a full moon tonight, so maybe that has something to do with it.
The good news is I am starting to get over my cravings, and my body seems to be adjusting to 3 meals a day. I didn't even have a snack today! I never thought I would enjoy a meal plan that omitted meat and dairy, but I am really starting to develop a love for vegetables. I have always liked a fair amount of them, but now I am learning new ways to cook them, and it makes them even better!
It is also quite pleasant to not need caffeine to get through my day, especially since I enjoyed mine in the form of diet soda a,k.a poison in a 20 oz bottle. I feel like I am sleeping so much better since I'm not drinking caffeine during the day, too. And my belly is starting to shrink! I am SO excited about that!!
Now, I am off to take my tired, grumpy accident-prone butt to bed. :O)
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Ultimate Reset-Day 4
Today I learned that I hate lentils. Really, really, hate them. I literally had to force myself to not throw up. I have a major thing with textures. I am really struggling to eat all these beans, but I'm getting them down. I just couldn't do the lentils. I think my face speaks for itself.
The lady pictured below is my grandma. The baby is me. From the time I was born until she passed away when I was 27, she was a daily part of my life. I didn't go to daycare as a child. My grandma took care of my brother and me when my parents were at work. My grandma was a food pusher. My dad jokes that if she would've pushed drugs the way she pushed food, she would have been a millionaire.
I woke up this morning at 5:30 with no alarm. I watched TONS of videos on reviews of the Ultimate Reset before I decided to do it, and when the people said they would literally jump out of bed in the morning, I thought they were lying. While I didn't quite jump, I didn't have to drag myself kicking and screaming like I normally do! I felt pretty fabulous until about 3 pm.
As you go through the Reset, you become more in tune with your habits regarding everything, not just eating. I am learning a lot about myself. I am really struggling to get through some of my bad habits like gorging on crap every afternoon between 3 & 4 pm. I've been doing it for as long as I can possibly remember, and it's such an AWFUL habit. I'm about to get a little sappy here, so just bear with me for a minute (another part of Reset-dealing with your emotions).
The lady pictured below is my grandma. The baby is me. From the time I was born until she passed away when I was 27, she was a daily part of my life. I didn't go to daycare as a child. My grandma took care of my brother and me when my parents were at work. My grandma was a food pusher. My dad jokes that if she would've pushed drugs the way she pushed food, she would have been a millionaire.
My grandma spoiled me rotten. I won't deny it. Whatever I wanted for food, I got. She never tried to make me eat anything healthy, either. When I was in elementary school, I rode the bus to her house every day after school, and every day, she would either have a Totinos pizza, pizza rolls, chicken strips, or those little square southern style hashbrowns and Dr. Pepper waiting for me. Whatever I wanted, I got. This continued on through high school. I basically ate 4 meals a day. Normally, this is fine, but none of the meals I was eating were overly healthy. Everything was processed, pretty much. Back in the 1980s and 90s, we didn't know that was so bad.
I never realized it until today but I have continued to keep that habit of eating crap in the late afternoon. I'm not even hungry most of the time, it's just a habit. Maybe it's an emotional thing because I miss my grandma so much. I don't know. What I do know is I'm going to take full advantage of this Reset and kick that habit once and for all.
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Ultimate Reset-Day 3
Today was rough. It was one of those days where nothing goes right, and I just did not feel stable enough to handle it all today. When the internet went down and work and didn't come back on for 3 hours, I took that as a sign and I went home.
The guide for the Ultimate Reset says it is normal to feel emotional at different points throughout the program, and I sure did today. I felt like biting people's heads off at the drop of a hat. I went home and took my frustrations out on my kitchen and cleaned it from top to bottom, even cleaning the microwave!
(Side note-if your microwave is SUPER gross like mine was, put a microwave safe bowl full of water with some apple cider vinegar into the microwave and turn on for 5 minutes. Let sit another 5 minutes after it goes off. Everything inside will just wipe right out!)
Today was once again a day of HUGE portions. There is definitely no starving on this plan! Breakfast was by far my favorite meal. I didn't eat all of my lunch. I honestly didn't care for the creamy garlic salad dressing. All I could taste was the apple cider vinegar, and I am NOT a vinegar fan. I will be eating my salads naked for the rest of the program.
On the positive side, my headaches have gone away, and I'm not finding myself running to the bathroom every 15 minutes, so my body must be adjusting to all of this water.
I started reading the book Superlife by Darin Olien last night, and I'm only on the first chapter and have decided that I will be sticking to this type of eating after I finish the Reset as it is what is best for our bodies. I may need to find an alternative to the tempeh and salmon though. ;)
The guide for the Ultimate Reset says it is normal to feel emotional at different points throughout the program, and I sure did today. I felt like biting people's heads off at the drop of a hat. I went home and took my frustrations out on my kitchen and cleaned it from top to bottom, even cleaning the microwave!
(Side note-if your microwave is SUPER gross like mine was, put a microwave safe bowl full of water with some apple cider vinegar into the microwave and turn on for 5 minutes. Let sit another 5 minutes after it goes off. Everything inside will just wipe right out!)
Today was once again a day of HUGE portions. There is definitely no starving on this plan! Breakfast was by far my favorite meal. I didn't eat all of my lunch. I honestly didn't care for the creamy garlic salad dressing. All I could taste was the apple cider vinegar, and I am NOT a vinegar fan. I will be eating my salads naked for the rest of the program.
I started reading the book Superlife by Darin Olien last night, and I'm only on the first chapter and have decided that I will be sticking to this type of eating after I finish the Reset as it is what is best for our bodies. I may need to find an alternative to the tempeh and salmon though. ;)
Monday, March 2, 2015
Ultimate Reset-Day 2!
Wow. The first half of today was kind of rough. I fell asleep at 8:30 last night, but I didn't sleep super well. I got up at 6 like normal, and I did have a super yummy breakfast. Really, who can eat all this food?! It's so much!
Most of the day, I had a BAD headache, and I just felt like a slug. I also felt kind of sad for no apparent reason, but I read that that was normal in the program guide, so I wasn't too concerned. And oh my gosh, did I ever ITCH everywhere! From doing cleanses in the past, I know this is a good sign, though, as it means your body is starting to release toxins.
Around late afternoon, I suddenly had this burst of energy and this mental clarity. I don't know where it came from, but I was able to sit down and knock out a two page paper for school in 15 minutes that I've been trying to write for 4 days with no luck!
I am still having some cravings, but I am also learning the difference already between actual cravings and wanting to eat out of habit/boredom. I have been wearing my bracelet that came with my kit, and every time I get the urge to cheat, I look down, see it, and resist the urge.
So far, so good!
I also discovered that plain organic yogurt tastes exactly like sour milk. Yum! Haha. You are allowed to add a tiny bit of pure maple syrup to it, but I decided that if I'm cutting sweets, I'm cutting all sweets. Yes, I'm kind of stubborn.
Most of the day, I had a BAD headache, and I just felt like a slug. I also felt kind of sad for no apparent reason, but I read that that was normal in the program guide, so I wasn't too concerned. And oh my gosh, did I ever ITCH everywhere! From doing cleanses in the past, I know this is a good sign, though, as it means your body is starting to release toxins.
After I picked my kids up from school/daycare, we went to my grandma's house. She had a PIZZA waiting for the kids, but not just any pizza-my FAVORITE overly processed, chemical laden frozen pizza. I didn't eat any, though!! I was quite proud of myself! That is a HUGE step for me!
Around late afternoon, I suddenly had this burst of energy and this mental clarity. I don't know where it came from, but I was able to sit down and knock out a two page paper for school in 15 minutes that I've been trying to write for 4 days with no luck!
I am still having some cravings, but I am also learning the difference already between actual cravings and wanting to eat out of habit/boredom. I have been wearing my bracelet that came with my kit, and every time I get the urge to cheat, I look down, see it, and resist the urge.
So far, so good!
Sunday, March 1, 2015
Beachbody Ultimate Reset-Day 1!
Day 1 of the Beachbody Ultimate Reset is DONE!!!
What is the Ultimate Reset, you ask? It is a cleanse/detox, but unlike most cleanses on the market now days, it doesn't make you starve, and it doesn't have any harsh laxative effects.
In three gentle phases over the course of 21 days, the Ultimate Reset takes you through the natural steps needed to help your body Reclaim and rebalance itself, Release harmful toxic compounds that may be stored within, and Restore your system to its maximum health.
I started this Reset because I seem to have developed bad cravings for junk food again, and I'm struggling to kick them on my own. I also have some very stubborn midsection fat that I cannot seem to get rid of no matter how much I work out. I decided it was time to take the bull by the horns and just reset my whole system.
I am not too proud of my "before" picture, but I KNOW that I will not look like this in 21 days. (Please ignore the messy bathroom. I have a 6 year old son. Haha.)
The only thing I wa really skeptical about was the Alkalinize. Green liquids don't appeal to me.
Luckily, it is only 4 oz, so I just slammed it. It tastes like canned spinach. It isn't delicious, but it's definitely tolerable!
As I am winding down day one, I am definitely feeling more tired than I usually do at 8 pm. I'm sure it's from not having any caffeine today. Other than that, I feel pretty normal. I am so excited to see how I feel in 21 days!
Stay tuned for my daily summary of this awesome plan!
What is the Ultimate Reset, you ask? It is a cleanse/detox, but unlike most cleanses on the market now days, it doesn't make you starve, and it doesn't have any harsh laxative effects.
In three gentle phases over the course of 21 days, the Ultimate Reset takes you through the natural steps needed to help your body Reclaim and rebalance itself, Release harmful toxic compounds that may be stored within, and Restore your system to its maximum health.
I am not too proud of my "before" picture, but I KNOW that I will not look like this in 21 days. (Please ignore the messy bathroom. I have a 6 year old son. Haha.)
The supplements that come with this system are pretty tolerable, and the meal plan is AWESOME. Not once today did I feel deprived or hungry at all. Plus it comes with a nifty DVD that shows you how to make the recipes in the book. I am very excited about having my meals laid out for me for the next 3 weeks because while I love to cook, I HATE to meal plan!
The only thing I wa really skeptical about was the Alkalinize. Green liquids don't appeal to me.
As I am winding down day one, I am definitely feeling more tired than I usually do at 8 pm. I'm sure it's from not having any caffeine today. Other than that, I feel pretty normal. I am so excited to see how I feel in 21 days!
Stay tuned for my daily summary of this awesome plan!
Thursday, February 12, 2015
Ultimate Reset, HERE I COME!
YOU GUYS!!!! I am SO EXCITED!! Yesterday, I ordered the Beachbody Ultimate Reset after seeing the AWESOME results one of my fellow coaches got from using it. I have looked at it before, but was not too inclined to try it. However, I have realized that I am a complete SLAVE to my cravings, and I'm not kicking them on my own. Pizza? Love it. Onion rings? Love them. Big, fat, juicy cheeseburgers? Love them!!!
This stuff is fine in moderation, but I have lost the ability to moderate. I have fallen completely off the food wagon, and I can't get back on.
So what is the Ultimate Reset, you ask? It is a comprehensive, no-starvation, inner-body
tune-up that offers much more than the typical cleanse and detox programs on
the market. The Ultimate Reset not only helps you eliminate toxins and waste
gently and naturally, but it also maximizes your cellular energy production,
helping your body process food more efficiently and your systems run more
smoothly. The best part? You get to EAT!!! And it's even normal food! Just nothing processed, which is PERFECTLY FINE with me because I KNOW I need to give up processed garbage, I just haven't figured out how.
It comes with a comprehensive meal plan that tells you EXACTLY what to eat and when. I spent about 4 hours yesterday watching videos on YouTube from people who have done the Reset, and not a single one said they were hungry at any point during the program. Most people in the videos I watched also lost anywhere from 5 to 40 lbs, dropped points on their cholesterol and lowered their blood pressure, too!!
The only thing I'm a little nervous and bummed about is that you can't work out for the whole three weeks because your body is trying to repair itself from the inside, so you don't want to put any additional stress on it. I am afraid I won't want to get back into working out afterward! BUT most of the people in the reviews I watched all said they feel so much more energetic afterward, so maybe I will want to exercise more after I finish!
If you want to join me on my 3-week journey with Beachbody Ultimate Reset, message me today so I can help you order or go here and we can support each other!
If you aren't ready to jump in yet, make sure you start checking in here daily starting on February 22 because I am going to do a daily review video of the program!!
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Adventures in Potty Training Part 2
If you missed the first part of our potty training adventure, you can find it here. Let me tell you-this is not a task that is for the faint of heart. It takes more work and patience than anything I've ever done.
We are on day 5. Monday was pretty uneventful. Emy went to daycare with her "big girl boomers" and did quite well.
Yesterday, I got the bright idea that we should go grocery shopping after I picked her up from daycare! I didn't have a diaper with, extra pants, "boomers" or anything. Oh, and the grocery store is about 35 miles from home. Yep, I'm a genius.
So we get to Target, and go right to the potty. Now, I hate the auto flush toilets. If you make one wrong move, they flush and if you're in the line of fire, you get sprayed with public toilet water because most seem to have aggression issues and flush as hard as possible. GROSS. Imagine being 2, barely 3 feet tall if that, just learning to use the big potty, and having the thing go off while you're sitting on it! I have never in my life seen Emy move so fast or scream so loud. This set off a chain reaction the rest of the night of "Do you need to go potty?" "No! The potty MEAN!"
An hour or so later, we go to supper. I asked her about 6 times if she needed to go potty and sat close to the bathroom so we could run if need be. About 20 minutes into the meal, I found out the hard way that a 2-year-old bladder holds enough to fill up a booster seat and 2 snow boots. Yep, that's right. She flooded the place, and I had no change of clothes.
Off to JCP we go to buy new clothes! We went into the restroom in the mall to change her into dry clothes, and guess what was in there? More auto flush toilets! Let me tell you, I have never changed her clothes so fast in all my life to avoid her having a total meltdown. This child is SO easy going, so for her to have a meltdown, she has to be truly terrified.
Fast forward through the rest of the shopping trip and the ride home because they were uneventful. We get home, and my oldest who is 9 ran to the bathroom. Emy is hot on her heels yelling, "Sissy!! GET OUT!! Emy needs to go potty!!!!" Ok, this is a GREAT sign! Well, Rhianna is SLOOOOOWER than molasses in January. About a minute later, I hear Emy crying. I asked her what was wrong. She said, "I poopy on Doraaaaaaaa!!!!!"
Now, normally, this might upset me a little bit, but I am going to take it as progress, because she KNEW she had to go potty and probably would've made it if her slow poke sister hadn't been homesteading in the bathroom. We will call it a draw.
Oh, and Rhianna is permanently banished to the downstairs bathroom. ;)
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Now Hiring!!!
I am so thankful every single day for the opportunity to join Beachbody as a coach so that I can better myself physically, mentally, and financially while helping others do the same. I cannot even begin to tell you everything that has changed for the positive in my life since joining this company. Just a highlight of a few things are:
-I have lost over 30 lbs.
-I have gotten control over my thyroid, blood sugar, and hormone imbalance issues.
-I have gained a lot of self-confidence.
-I have made a ton of new friends.
-I have paid off my car and 3 credit cards.
-I no longer have to work full time outside the home, and I don't live paycheck to paycheck.
I am looking to expand my team and share this wealth with others. I want to take on 10 apprentice coaches to mentor, support, and share this opportunity with.
I want my apprentices to be like me: driven, goal-oriented, dedicated, and FUN. You do NOT need to be in great shape or the best clean-eater. In fact, works in progress are PERFECT. I'M a work in progress! I want team members who I can identify with! I want people who are willing to let Beachbody workout programs and Shakeology change their health, bodies, and lives like they have changed mine.
You must be willing to put in some hard work now to have the easy life down the road. I won't lie. This isn't a get-rich-quick opportunity. Just like with fitness, the best results are the ones you work for, and they take some time. The possibilities are endless, though, so long as you are willing to put in the work. The harder you work, the more quickly you will see financial freedom!
If this sounds like something you are interested in, fill out this application!
Coaching Apprentice Application
If we are not friends on Facebook and that is your preferred method of contact, PLEASE send me a friend request here so I can contact you!!! I won't turn you down unless you're an obvious creeper. ;)
-I have lost over 30 lbs.
-I have gotten control over my thyroid, blood sugar, and hormone imbalance issues.
-I have gained a lot of self-confidence.
-I have made a ton of new friends.
-I have paid off my car and 3 credit cards.
-I no longer have to work full time outside the home, and I don't live paycheck to paycheck.
I am looking to expand my team and share this wealth with others. I want to take on 10 apprentice coaches to mentor, support, and share this opportunity with.
I want my apprentices to be like me: driven, goal-oriented, dedicated, and FUN. You do NOT need to be in great shape or the best clean-eater. In fact, works in progress are PERFECT. I'M a work in progress! I want team members who I can identify with! I want people who are willing to let Beachbody workout programs and Shakeology change their health, bodies, and lives like they have changed mine.
You must be willing to put in some hard work now to have the easy life down the road. I won't lie. This isn't a get-rich-quick opportunity. Just like with fitness, the best results are the ones you work for, and they take some time. The possibilities are endless, though, so long as you are willing to put in the work. The harder you work, the more quickly you will see financial freedom!
If this sounds like something you are interested in, fill out this application!
Coaching Apprentice Application
If we are not friends on Facebook and that is your preferred method of contact, PLEASE send me a friend request here so I can contact you!!! I won't turn you down unless you're an obvious creeper. ;)
Thursday, January 22, 2015
DAY 5 of Parasite Cleanse and LAST DAY of Tabata Strength!!
So yesterday I told you all about this cleanse that I'm doing to rid myself of parasites. I shared with you how awful the tincture tastes, too. Well, I'm here to tell you today that the horrible taste and the funny looks from people watching you scratch like you have fleas for a day or so are worth it!! My energy is better than it's EVER been.
When I got home around 3:30 yesterday, it was still pretty light out, and the weather was a balmy 20 degrees. (Hey, I live in Northern Minnesota...20 degrees in January is a HEAT WAVE!) I pulled into the driveway and parked in front of the wood that my husband had cut for our outdoor wood boiler. I was thinking of going for a walk because I had this crazy amount of energy which is unusual for me that time of day, but I didn't want to take my kids out in the cold for that long. Instead, I got the bright idea to surprise my husband and stack the wood for him. I ran in the house, changed, and ran right back out and spent the next hour tackling that wood pile. Never ever before would I have had the energy to do this. It was insane! I couldn't believe how great I felt! I just kept stacking until I ran out of cut wood to stack. When I was done, the pile was taller than me!
Last night, I slept through the night for the first time in YEARS. I woke up this morning so energized and ready to take on the day. I did the last day of Insanity Max:30 Tabata Strength. My previous max out time was around 9 minutes or something. Today, I was shooting for 12 unmodified as much as I could. Weeeeellllllllll, with the exception of the push-ups that I did on my knees, I modified NOTHING, and I made it to 20:43 before I maxed out!! INSANE!!! I was completely blown away! I felt like the Energizer Bunny. I just kept going and going and GOING.
Between this cleanse, eating clean, and working out daily, I am on track to have one kick ass year in 2015 health-wise. I can't wait to see how great I feel by this time next year!
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
I have WHAT!?!?!?!!!?
So I've been at this working out almost daily and clean eating thing for about 7 months. While I have lost over 30 lbs and I do feel better, I don't feel great. I thought by now I would be feeling great. I also thought I would have lost more weight.
I was reading a fellow coach's blog and it felt like she took the thoughts right out of my head. Her blog post was about parasites and parasite cleansing. (You can read about her experience here.) I was disgusted and intrigued at the same time by what I was reading. She recommended picking up "The Cure of All Diseases" by Dr. Hulda Clark. I did. I was SHOCKED. And disgusted, but mostly shocked. I had most of the symptoms of parasites that were on her list! How on earth does this happen?! I'm clean (I shower twice a day and wash my hands like a crazy person), I eat well, what gives?
It turns out parasites aren't particularly picky about who they inhabit. You don't have to be dirty or live in poor conditions to get parasites. Most people have them. If you have pets, you're even more likely to have them. The list of symptoms include:
I was honestly SHOCKED by some of these because I assumed they were just things that I had and could do nothing about like the dark circles under my eyes and the development of food allergies later in life. And don't even get me STARTED on the bowel issues I've dealt with most of my life! Let's just say I have NEVER been regular. I always have one extreme or the other.
So I decided to take the bull by the horns and do this cleanse. I was sick of feeling like crap even though I was doing what I thought was everything that should make me feel good. I ordered the stuff off of Amazon, and on Sunday, I started. Today I am on day 4.
I'll be honest. The shake that you drink for the colon cleanse isn't bad. Kinda thick, but doesn't have much taste. The tincture, however, is HORRIBLE and hard to gag down the first few times.
Day 1 was pretty uneventful. I did feel like I was getting constipated and my belly bloated up pretty good, but I drank a ton of water, chugged my Smooth Move tea before bed, and dealt with it. Day 2 I started to feel kind of blah. I got the surprise of my life when I used the bathroom that day. Let's just say this wasn't a bunch of hooey and you do not want to know what was expelled from my body. o.O It made me more determined to stick this long, 9 week process out.
Day 3 was pretty bad. I felt like I had the flu. I woke up in the middle of the night with the worst stomach pain I have ever had. I ran to the bathroom pretty sure I was going to throw up. I didn't, but I sure felt like crap all day (no pun intended). I didn't do ANYTHING but hide in bed when I got home from work.
Today is day 4. I don't feel flu-ish today, but I itch like crazy everywhere. There are no rashes, so I'm not too concerned. From my reading, I know this is a good sign because it means that the tincture is killing the parasites. The itching is caused by the toxins being released as they die. My belly was also the most flat today as it has been since I had kids. Mentally, I feel better than I have in months, maybe years. My cravings aren't nearly as bad as they usually are, either. All of this is a good sign, and I plan on going forward with this cleanse.
Stay tuned for more updates, and I promise not to share anything TOO gross. ;)
I was reading a fellow coach's blog and it felt like she took the thoughts right out of my head. Her blog post was about parasites and parasite cleansing. (You can read about her experience here.) I was disgusted and intrigued at the same time by what I was reading. She recommended picking up "The Cure of All Diseases" by Dr. Hulda Clark. I did. I was SHOCKED. And disgusted, but mostly shocked. I had most of the symptoms of parasites that were on her list! How on earth does this happen?! I'm clean (I shower twice a day and wash my hands like a crazy person), I eat well, what gives?
It turns out parasites aren't particularly picky about who they inhabit. You don't have to be dirty or live in poor conditions to get parasites. Most people have them. If you have pets, you're even more likely to have them. The list of symptoms include:
constipation
diarrhea
gas and bloating
painful menstruation
irritable bowel syndrome
joint and muscle aches
anemia
cravings, especially sugar
allergies
skin conditions – mostly irritation/itching at nose, ears, eyes, anus – but also potentially rashes, hives, eczema
tumors
nervousness
sleep disorders
hyperactivity, anxiety
teeth grinding
chronic fatigue
fuzzy thinking
headaches
runny nose
blisters on lower lip inside mouth
loss of appetite
bad taste in the mouth
acne
fever
vomiting (may return several times a year)
weight gain OR may have trouble gaining weight, children especially
long-term presence may contribute to the development of food allergies
dark areas under eyes
yeast/candida infection, especially if it returns
So I decided to take the bull by the horns and do this cleanse. I was sick of feeling like crap even though I was doing what I thought was everything that should make me feel good. I ordered the stuff off of Amazon, and on Sunday, I started. Today I am on day 4.
I'll be honest. The shake that you drink for the colon cleanse isn't bad. Kinda thick, but doesn't have much taste. The tincture, however, is HORRIBLE and hard to gag down the first few times.
Day 1 was pretty uneventful. I did feel like I was getting constipated and my belly bloated up pretty good, but I drank a ton of water, chugged my Smooth Move tea before bed, and dealt with it. Day 2 I started to feel kind of blah. I got the surprise of my life when I used the bathroom that day. Let's just say this wasn't a bunch of hooey and you do not want to know what was expelled from my body. o.O It made me more determined to stick this long, 9 week process out.
Day 3 was pretty bad. I felt like I had the flu. I woke up in the middle of the night with the worst stomach pain I have ever had. I ran to the bathroom pretty sure I was going to throw up. I didn't, but I sure felt like crap all day (no pun intended). I didn't do ANYTHING but hide in bed when I got home from work.
Today is day 4. I don't feel flu-ish today, but I itch like crazy everywhere. There are no rashes, so I'm not too concerned. From my reading, I know this is a good sign because it means that the tincture is killing the parasites. The itching is caused by the toxins being released as they die. My belly was also the most flat today as it has been since I had kids. Mentally, I feel better than I have in months, maybe years. My cravings aren't nearly as bad as they usually are, either. All of this is a good sign, and I plan on going forward with this cleanse.
Stay tuned for more updates, and I promise not to share anything TOO gross. ;)
Friday, January 16, 2015
Clean Eating! What the heck is it?!
First, I would like to start by saying that I have no medical, scientific or any other important degree. I'm just a mom who wants to make her family as healthy as possible. The information found in this blog is from my own research or experience. On to the good stuff...
You guys probably hear me talking about clean eating all the time. If you've ever wondered what the heck I'm talking about, here's your answer.
Clean eating means different guidelines to different people. To some, it means absolutely nothing that isn't in its whole form-fresh fruit and vegetables, whole chunks of meat, etc. To others, it is just cutting out the chemicals, preservatives, and just plain unnecessary crap. I more follow the second method. I try to buy organic when feasible and possible, but in our rural area, it isn't always the affordable or possible option. We also raise our own chicken and beef, so I don't so much worry about the hormones that they inject into the animals that are butchered for the grocery stores. If I were buying my meat in the store, this is one place I would probably try to buy organic despite the price. I also try really hard to avoid GMO products. If you are local to me, Harmony Foods Co-op in Bemidji carries a lot of these brands. Some can even be found at Walmart or Target, but not very many of them.
A major component of clean eating is cutting out chemical-laden, overly processed foods. This includes most foods in a box or can, white flour, and sugar (white and brown). An important part of clean eating is READING LABELS. If there are more than 5 ingredients, things you can't pronounce or identify, then it's not clean. When shopping, it's best to shop the perimeter of the store-avoid going down the aisles. The foods that are good for you are generally on the outside perimeter (think fresh produce, dairy (which some clean eaters cut out, but I don't...I just use in moderation), meat). If you have a smartphone, an app called Fooducate is an excellent helper with shopping. A friend told me about this app, and I love it. You can scan barcodes on packaging and it will give the food a grade of A+ through F. It will also tell you if the food is a GMO containing food or not. You should aim to get nothing less than a B. However, this does NOT necessarily mean the food is clean. It could still contain preservatives or sugar. This is why reading labels is so important. Even things that may seem like a good choice aren't always as clean as you would think. I personally try to avoid things like canned fruit and vegetables. I buy either fresh or frozen. Canned are much more likely to contain added **stuff** that isn't a necessity.
If you have any questions about anything, you can always feel free to contact me.
Clean eating means different guidelines to different people. To some, it means absolutely nothing that isn't in its whole form-fresh fruit and vegetables, whole chunks of meat, etc. To others, it is just cutting out the chemicals, preservatives, and just plain unnecessary crap. I more follow the second method. I try to buy organic when feasible and possible, but in our rural area, it isn't always the affordable or possible option. We also raise our own chicken and beef, so I don't so much worry about the hormones that they inject into the animals that are butchered for the grocery stores. If I were buying my meat in the store, this is one place I would probably try to buy organic despite the price. I also try really hard to avoid GMO products. If you are local to me, Harmony Foods Co-op in Bemidji carries a lot of these brands. Some can even be found at Walmart or Target, but not very many of them.
A major component of clean eating is cutting out chemical-laden, overly processed foods. This includes most foods in a box or can, white flour, and sugar (white and brown). An important part of clean eating is READING LABELS. If there are more than 5 ingredients, things you can't pronounce or identify, then it's not clean. When shopping, it's best to shop the perimeter of the store-avoid going down the aisles. The foods that are good for you are generally on the outside perimeter (think fresh produce, dairy (which some clean eaters cut out, but I don't...I just use in moderation), meat). If you have a smartphone, an app called Fooducate is an excellent helper with shopping. A friend told me about this app, and I love it. You can scan barcodes on packaging and it will give the food a grade of A+ through F. It will also tell you if the food is a GMO containing food or not. You should aim to get nothing less than a B. However, this does NOT necessarily mean the food is clean. It could still contain preservatives or sugar. This is why reading labels is so important. Even things that may seem like a good choice aren't always as clean as you would think. I personally try to avoid things like canned fruit and vegetables. I buy either fresh or frozen. Canned are much more likely to contain added **stuff** that isn't a necessity.
If you have any questions about anything, you can always feel free to contact me.
Monday, January 12, 2015
Week 2-IN THE BAG
Week two of Insanity Max:30 has come and gone. I am very happy to report that I lost 4 lbs and over 3 inches in my first two weeks. I am sad to report that the workouts do not get any easier. Haha!!
In all seriousness, the workouts really don't get easier, but that is because as you learn the moves and your body gets stronger, you are able to modify less and less. Each time I've done a workout, I have been able to go just a little bit longer than last time before maxing out which is a HUGE win.
I restarted week three today after a weekend of traveling for Beachbody Super Saturday. After not working out all weekend and not making the best nutritional decisions, Cardio Challenge was......well, A CHALLENGE! It took me a few minutes to recover from that one!
I am very excited about what week 3 holds. This week, a new workout is introduced-Tabata Strength. I will report back in a few days!!
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