Hello Darlings!
I'm very excited to share my Veggie Elite 2 week results with you!
I have not once exercised in the last 2 weeks, only had a Veggie Elite shake mixed with cashew milk every day for breakfast.
I've lost five pounds without effort!
I've grown to crave the taste of this shake so much that I usually want to have another after work instead of a dinner. I haven't done that, but Oh I've wanted to..
I'm not hungry all morning. I go to lunch later, not starving, and eat whatever I want in a regular portion size - not the monster portions I was so used to having.
When I get home, I'm not immediately raiding the fridge. When I do eat, it's whatever I want, just on a smaller scale, because I'm already satisfied with what I've had previously throughout the day.
I've had Chinese buffet, pizza, a Whopper... (and Fries!)
though I don't recommend eating this way.
For the most part, I want healthy foods. I cook a protein, carb, and veg most nights for dinner, adding things like flaxseed to my tortillas, spices to make me slow down and enjoy my food, snacking on nuts, lots of water, endless fruit...
Yet I do feel bloated lately. I'm not sure why. Even though the scale says I've dropped 5 pounds, I feel like I've gained 10.
I think I need to do a cleanse of some sort and start fresh with clean foods, and really make an effort to not get takeout anymore. Exercise again.
I've wanted to exercise. I actually love working out and using my boyfriend. It's so much more fun when we're making each other laugh while I try to bench him... My puny efforts...
He's amazing, and a great sport.
I can't believe I have someone so perfectly made for me.
So... In conclusion,
I have to have my Veggie Elite every day.
It's awesome.
8 ounces of cashew milk, a scoop of powder, and blend like the dickens.
You can't stir it. You can't shake it. A blender or bullet of sorts is necessary to get rid of all the lumps.
Try it for 2 weeks. You'll thank me.
I'm off to have a glass...
Cheers!
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Thursday, October 16, 2014
New Foods! Veggie Elite Performance Protien review
I went all-out at Sprouts Farmer's Market yesterday...
I got things I've never tried before.
I got all different kinds of squash/pumpkin things, tofu, cashew milk, weird black rice and flaxseed...
I got all the ingredients to make breads and tortillas from scratch.
I'm worried that I won't be able to finish all the fruits I bought.
Everything I got was on sale, and I still managed to spend just under $200
Yikes.
I wanted to try a meal replacement/supplement that was all vegan.
Everything there was so expensive! 40-60 dollars for 20-30 shakes, depending on the brand.
I decided to buy a powder from MRM. The lady helping me said that it was a good brand.
It's called All Natural Veggie Elite Performance Protein in Chocolate Mocha.
No artificial Flavors or sweeteners.
24 grams of complete protein.
Allergen, gluten, gmo, and cholesterol-free.
Vegan and Vegetarian friendly.
Per serving,
24g protein, 5g carbs, 3g fiber, 1.5g total fat, 130 calories
Supposed to mix it with 8oz of water or favorite beverage.
I blended it with Ice and a cup of water.
I never got thick, but needed to be stirred before drinking. It tends to settle.
The taste... is awful. It's very chalky in texture, and tastes like chocolate-ish necco candies.
I had such a hard time getting it down... Gagged me at first.
Maybe I just need to give it another chance.
Tomorrow I'll blend it with cashew milk or a chocolate soy and see if it gets any better with a thicker liquid.
On a positive note, I wasn't hungry all morning. It took me a couple of hours sipping on it to finish my glass. I did feel full. I had a decent lunch, and I'm hungry now, but I don't want to binge on dinner. That's a first.
I do like that it seems to keep the hunger away. It's about $1.20 per glass, when it's on sale.
I hope blending it with something else makes it tolerable though.
Maybe a banana or something will make it a better meal option. Technically, it's a protein shake and not meant to replace a meal. It's for endurance, recovery, and strength. A good choice if you work out early in the morning and want to combine it with fruit to keep your muscles and belly happy.
I'll keep giving it another go until I run out of powder. I spent a lot on that little can of stuff.
Edit:
Cashew milk does wonders for this!
I used a scoop of powder, a cup of cashew milk, and 6 ice cubes. Blended well.
The cashew milk gives it a sweetness that it didn't otherwise have.
It was still a bit chalky, but the thickness of the milk masked it fairly well, and prevented the powder from settling to the bottom of the glass.
I actually drank it pretty quickly and wanted more.
What a difference...
Edit Edit:
Chocolate Soy milk also thickens up the shake, but it's a bit too much chocolate for my taste.
If you like something extremely chocolatey, this may be a good option for you.
It's not as creamy as cashew milk, so it has more of the chalky consistency.
I still feel hungry after drinking this combo. I had a light salad an hour or so later.
Maybe it's because it's the weekend and I always make a big breakfast for the kids to celebrate.
Mmmmmm....
The lady at Sprouts really recommended a brand called VegaOne.
I ended up buying sample packets of single-shake powders in all sorts of flavors. It's a bit pricier, but worth a try. I'll do a review on those once I finish all the flavors.
I would post videos, but I leant out my camcorder and haven't gotten it back yet.
I think I'll be looking into finding a new one.
Anyone have any good meal replacement ideas?
I got things I've never tried before.
I got all different kinds of squash/pumpkin things, tofu, cashew milk, weird black rice and flaxseed...
I got all the ingredients to make breads and tortillas from scratch.
I'm worried that I won't be able to finish all the fruits I bought.
Everything I got was on sale, and I still managed to spend just under $200
Yikes.
I wanted to try a meal replacement/supplement that was all vegan.
Everything there was so expensive! 40-60 dollars for 20-30 shakes, depending on the brand.
I decided to buy a powder from MRM. The lady helping me said that it was a good brand.
It's called All Natural Veggie Elite Performance Protein in Chocolate Mocha.
No artificial Flavors or sweeteners.
24 grams of complete protein.
Allergen, gluten, gmo, and cholesterol-free.
Vegan and Vegetarian friendly.
Per serving,
24g protein, 5g carbs, 3g fiber, 1.5g total fat, 130 calories
Supposed to mix it with 8oz of water or favorite beverage.
I blended it with Ice and a cup of water.
I never got thick, but needed to be stirred before drinking. It tends to settle.
The taste... is awful. It's very chalky in texture, and tastes like chocolate-ish necco candies.
I had such a hard time getting it down... Gagged me at first.
Maybe I just need to give it another chance.
Tomorrow I'll blend it with cashew milk or a chocolate soy and see if it gets any better with a thicker liquid.
On a positive note, I wasn't hungry all morning. It took me a couple of hours sipping on it to finish my glass. I did feel full. I had a decent lunch, and I'm hungry now, but I don't want to binge on dinner. That's a first.
I do like that it seems to keep the hunger away. It's about $1.20 per glass, when it's on sale.
I hope blending it with something else makes it tolerable though.
Maybe a banana or something will make it a better meal option. Technically, it's a protein shake and not meant to replace a meal. It's for endurance, recovery, and strength. A good choice if you work out early in the morning and want to combine it with fruit to keep your muscles and belly happy.
I'll keep giving it another go until I run out of powder. I spent a lot on that little can of stuff.
Edit:
Cashew milk does wonders for this!
I used a scoop of powder, a cup of cashew milk, and 6 ice cubes. Blended well.
The cashew milk gives it a sweetness that it didn't otherwise have.
It was still a bit chalky, but the thickness of the milk masked it fairly well, and prevented the powder from settling to the bottom of the glass.
I actually drank it pretty quickly and wanted more.
What a difference...
Edit Edit:
Chocolate Soy milk also thickens up the shake, but it's a bit too much chocolate for my taste.
If you like something extremely chocolatey, this may be a good option for you.
It's not as creamy as cashew milk, so it has more of the chalky consistency.
I still feel hungry after drinking this combo. I had a light salad an hour or so later.
Maybe it's because it's the weekend and I always make a big breakfast for the kids to celebrate.
Mmmmmm....
The lady at Sprouts really recommended a brand called VegaOne.
I ended up buying sample packets of single-shake powders in all sorts of flavors. It's a bit pricier, but worth a try. I'll do a review on those once I finish all the flavors.
I would post videos, but I leant out my camcorder and haven't gotten it back yet.
I think I'll be looking into finding a new one.
Anyone have any good meal replacement ideas?
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Workout/Body Update
It's been a good while, hmmm?
Let's see here...
I got frustrated with my workouts and not seeing the results, then stressed out about home renovations, new home shopping, work, and everything else life tends to throw.
Yesterday I restarted Focus T25 Alpha round.
Even though my weight is the same, my body looks and feels different.
The workouts are still tough, but not painfully difficult anymore. I don't need to rest between exercises like I did the first time I tried Alpha. I still like workout out in my underwear. Better now, anyway.
There's still the little jiggle, but I see muscle tone underneath. That makes me happy.
Before, It was all seismic wiggling - like a sack of Jell-O around my stomach. Not so attractive.
Now though... it's getting there :)
My chest is more toned and my shoulders are all sexy again. My butt is its own continent.
I love it.
No weight loss though.
Interesting.
I'll post some measurement stats later.
Love
Let's see here...
I got frustrated with my workouts and not seeing the results, then stressed out about home renovations, new home shopping, work, and everything else life tends to throw.
Yesterday I restarted Focus T25 Alpha round.
Even though my weight is the same, my body looks and feels different.
The workouts are still tough, but not painfully difficult anymore. I don't need to rest between exercises like I did the first time I tried Alpha. I still like workout out in my underwear. Better now, anyway.
There's still the little jiggle, but I see muscle tone underneath. That makes me happy.
Before, It was all seismic wiggling - like a sack of Jell-O around my stomach. Not so attractive.
Now though... it's getting there :)
My chest is more toned and my shoulders are all sexy again. My butt is its own continent.
I love it.
No weight loss though.
Interesting.
I'll post some measurement stats later.
Love
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Plateau and Confusion
Each week I weigh in between 158-165 lbs.
I don't know why if fluctuates so much. Maybe because of water weight, girly time grossness, overeating? I don't know.
I've been focusing on my portion control the past couple of weeks.
Breakfast is a small something leftover from the night before, or a coffee and grapes, granola bar.
I'm bringing in a Progresso Soup for lunch and getting a very grumbly belly by the time the work day is done.
Then I come home and eat a sensible meal. Wild rice and veggies mostly. Beans or eggs. Small handful of nuts. I rarely eat meat anymore. Rarely get takeout.
I'm chugging Mio waters. Or homemade lemonade made with just a touch of raw honey.
I'm on-and-off with my Super HD and CLK stack.
I get very hot with them, and it's not very attractive to have sweaty pits in the front office.
I'm finding that on days that I don't take them, I get a wicked headache. I'm irritable. I end up taking a Super HD capsule early afternoon just to take the headache away.
I thought it would get like this. It's a caffeine based stimulant. Hard to quit.
Now that I have no Implanon hormone implant, I'm losing my boobs. I think I've lost 2 cup sizes these past couple of months. It's good though. It just means tighter skin. No more mom boobs lol. I actually like my smaller chest. I've had to throw out my poor old bras. Until I can shop again, I'm relying on sports bras to get me by. Even half of those are too large to be of much use.
I had bought a couple of smaller ones, hoping exercise would allow me to wear them in a few months. The deal was too great to pass up, and the quality of these bras is absolutely amazing. I found them at a thrift store for $3 each, and they still had tags on. almost $40 originally. Now they fit, and I couldn't be happier.
I am starting to see the lines where my abs will be someday. The one running down the center, and my top squares are starting to show up. I'm not exercising daily like I should. 3-4 times per week is all I've managed the past couple of weeks. I've bought a car, driven 1000 miles in 2 weeks to make sure it's in perfect condition, driving city to city to rehome my birds and pick up our new dog, getting my children every day possible. It's been nuts. I haven't had a day to just relax in a long while.
Now I'm looking for a second job to make some extra just-in-case money.
I'd prefer to sell supplements and health things. I'm pretty passionate about becoming the healthiest, fittest me. I'd love to start a fitness group or challenge. I'm honestly just burning myself out. I'm still seeing changes in my body, but it's a slow process, and the scale never ever changes.
Yet.
.....
Yet.
.....
Still working on it. Can't give up.
I don't know why if fluctuates so much. Maybe because of water weight, girly time grossness, overeating? I don't know.
I've been focusing on my portion control the past couple of weeks.
Breakfast is a small something leftover from the night before, or a coffee and grapes, granola bar.
I'm bringing in a Progresso Soup for lunch and getting a very grumbly belly by the time the work day is done.
Then I come home and eat a sensible meal. Wild rice and veggies mostly. Beans or eggs. Small handful of nuts. I rarely eat meat anymore. Rarely get takeout.
I'm chugging Mio waters. Or homemade lemonade made with just a touch of raw honey.
I'm on-and-off with my Super HD and CLK stack.
I get very hot with them, and it's not very attractive to have sweaty pits in the front office.
I'm finding that on days that I don't take them, I get a wicked headache. I'm irritable. I end up taking a Super HD capsule early afternoon just to take the headache away.
I thought it would get like this. It's a caffeine based stimulant. Hard to quit.
Now that I have no Implanon hormone implant, I'm losing my boobs. I think I've lost 2 cup sizes these past couple of months. It's good though. It just means tighter skin. No more mom boobs lol. I actually like my smaller chest. I've had to throw out my poor old bras. Until I can shop again, I'm relying on sports bras to get me by. Even half of those are too large to be of much use.
I had bought a couple of smaller ones, hoping exercise would allow me to wear them in a few months. The deal was too great to pass up, and the quality of these bras is absolutely amazing. I found them at a thrift store for $3 each, and they still had tags on. almost $40 originally. Now they fit, and I couldn't be happier.
I am starting to see the lines where my abs will be someday. The one running down the center, and my top squares are starting to show up. I'm not exercising daily like I should. 3-4 times per week is all I've managed the past couple of weeks. I've bought a car, driven 1000 miles in 2 weeks to make sure it's in perfect condition, driving city to city to rehome my birds and pick up our new dog, getting my children every day possible. It's been nuts. I haven't had a day to just relax in a long while.
Now I'm looking for a second job to make some extra just-in-case money.
I'd prefer to sell supplements and health things. I'm pretty passionate about becoming the healthiest, fittest me. I'd love to start a fitness group or challenge. I'm honestly just burning myself out. I'm still seeing changes in my body, but it's a slow process, and the scale never ever changes.
Yet.
.....
Yet.
.....
Still working on it. Can't give up.
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
My diet Failures
It's been a terrible couple of weeks, health wise...
My car started falling to pieces, so I spent many days at different dealerships trying to find the perfect, affordable one for me. I did find a Mazda6 that I love to pieces, and I got my first ever loan to cover it. I'm now happily in debt.
I haven't gone grocery shopping in a couple of weeks, so I've been basically living off cheap pizza and freezer leftovers.
I have been running around trying to get all the necessities done, and come home pretty late on nights I don't have my girls, which are few now. Horray!! I love getting them more and more.
I had been replacing some Focus T25 workouts with trips to the park, teaching the girls to ride bikes, some Hip Hop Abs, dancing, and yoga.
I missed T25 terribly.
I don't feel right if I'm not working out with Shaun T. Days without him are wasted.
In 25 minutes, I feel like I've accomplished something amazing. I'm challenging myself. Sweating buckets. Getting stronger.
I re-started beta cycle today because I've missed too many workouts.
I gained a couple of pounds back this week, but GUESS WHAT???
I saw major abs for the first time in YEARS!
I'll take some weight gain for sexy muscles anytime.
But I'm wanting to purge my body of all the crap I've eating these past couple of weeks and start new.
I miss eating all my fruit all the time.
So I'm trying the salt water flush and lemonade master cleanse, but to a smaller degree.
You're supposed to mix 2 teaspoons of unrefined sea salt with 32oz of warm water and chug it, but it has no affect on me. I drink it at night, but I guess you're supposed to do it first thing in the morning.
Ah well.
Then I'm making my own lemonade in one of those QuikTrip XL cups, 3-4 lemons and 2-3 tablespoons of raw honey, dash of cayenne, then drinking it throughout the day. I actually like the sourness. I'm not a sweet kind of person.
I don't know. I'm not following the cleanse properly, I know, but little bit at a time...
I don't agree with going for days without solid food. It's ridiculous, so I'm aiming for smaller, sensible meals to go along with this. I'm not looking to starve myself, just shake up my diet a little and get back on track.
I guess I'll let you know of my results next Saturday.
I can't skip another workout. Makes me sad.
Especially when I'm still seeing the results.
Kayla
My car started falling to pieces, so I spent many days at different dealerships trying to find the perfect, affordable one for me. I did find a Mazda6 that I love to pieces, and I got my first ever loan to cover it. I'm now happily in debt.
I haven't gone grocery shopping in a couple of weeks, so I've been basically living off cheap pizza and freezer leftovers.
I have been running around trying to get all the necessities done, and come home pretty late on nights I don't have my girls, which are few now. Horray!! I love getting them more and more.
I had been replacing some Focus T25 workouts with trips to the park, teaching the girls to ride bikes, some Hip Hop Abs, dancing, and yoga.
I missed T25 terribly.
I don't feel right if I'm not working out with Shaun T. Days without him are wasted.
In 25 minutes, I feel like I've accomplished something amazing. I'm challenging myself. Sweating buckets. Getting stronger.
I re-started beta cycle today because I've missed too many workouts.
I gained a couple of pounds back this week, but GUESS WHAT???
I saw major abs for the first time in YEARS!
I'll take some weight gain for sexy muscles anytime.
But I'm wanting to purge my body of all the crap I've eating these past couple of weeks and start new.
I miss eating all my fruit all the time.
So I'm trying the salt water flush and lemonade master cleanse, but to a smaller degree.
You're supposed to mix 2 teaspoons of unrefined sea salt with 32oz of warm water and chug it, but it has no affect on me. I drink it at night, but I guess you're supposed to do it first thing in the morning.
Ah well.
Then I'm making my own lemonade in one of those QuikTrip XL cups, 3-4 lemons and 2-3 tablespoons of raw honey, dash of cayenne, then drinking it throughout the day. I actually like the sourness. I'm not a sweet kind of person.
I don't know. I'm not following the cleanse properly, I know, but little bit at a time...
I don't agree with going for days without solid food. It's ridiculous, so I'm aiming for smaller, sensible meals to go along with this. I'm not looking to starve myself, just shake up my diet a little and get back on track.
I guess I'll let you know of my results next Saturday.
I can't skip another workout. Makes me sad.
Especially when I'm still seeing the results.
Kayla
Monday, August 18, 2014
Supplements Came In / T25 Beta!!!
I was more than ecstatic to find that the Cellucor supplements arrived a day earlier than expected,
so I got home, took a Super HD capsule and 2 CLK softgels and munched on some guacamole. MMMMMMMMMM....
Flippin Delicious.
Anyway, I went to visit my parents and came home to work out.
It was nearly 3 hours after I had taken the pills, but I still felt like I had a great boost of energy.
I tried Core Cardio from the Focus T25 Beta round.
Holy Cow!
This was so much more intense than Alpha Cardio!
It combined a lot of strength moves and balancing with the cardio, and I felt amazing afterward.
Shaun T is more drill-sergeant-like in Beta, but that's perfect for me.
You should have heard me and my battle roars lol...
I felt strong. I finished strong.
Buckets of glorious sweat everywhere. I had to strip as I was going, but like I say, working out in your skivvies is the best motivation you can have.
I even tried a good portion of Hip Hop Abs for the first time.
The discs I have are borrowed and scratched, so I couldn't watch the second half of the workout. It just skipped everywhere.
What I did notice, was that it was actually fun, hard on the core, but much less intense that T25.
It was like a dance party.. and for a second... I felt... mmmm.... club ghetto. Hahahaha!
It was fantastic.
I'd probably buy the program and use it as a cool-down after T25.
I don't have an appetite tonight because of the Cellucor combo.
I'm just drinking a lot of water. I like not feeling hungry.
Now it's 11pm and I'm ready for bed. I'm not crashing, just slowly winding down. This is my normal bedtime, and I'm good to go.
Thinking about getting up an hour early for another round of T25 so I can do a little shopping in the evening.
Loving Craigslist at the moment.
Sweet Dreams,
Kayla
so I got home, took a Super HD capsule and 2 CLK softgels and munched on some guacamole. MMMMMMMMMM....
Flippin Delicious.
Anyway, I went to visit my parents and came home to work out.
It was nearly 3 hours after I had taken the pills, but I still felt like I had a great boost of energy.
I tried Core Cardio from the Focus T25 Beta round.
Holy Cow!
This was so much more intense than Alpha Cardio!
It combined a lot of strength moves and balancing with the cardio, and I felt amazing afterward.
Shaun T is more drill-sergeant-like in Beta, but that's perfect for me.
You should have heard me and my battle roars lol...
I felt strong. I finished strong.
Buckets of glorious sweat everywhere. I had to strip as I was going, but like I say, working out in your skivvies is the best motivation you can have.
I even tried a good portion of Hip Hop Abs for the first time.
The discs I have are borrowed and scratched, so I couldn't watch the second half of the workout. It just skipped everywhere.
What I did notice, was that it was actually fun, hard on the core, but much less intense that T25.
It was like a dance party.. and for a second... I felt... mmmm.... club ghetto. Hahahaha!
It was fantastic.
I'd probably buy the program and use it as a cool-down after T25.
I don't have an appetite tonight because of the Cellucor combo.
I'm just drinking a lot of water. I like not feeling hungry.
Now it's 11pm and I'm ready for bed. I'm not crashing, just slowly winding down. This is my normal bedtime, and I'm good to go.
Thinking about getting up an hour early for another round of T25 so I can do a little shopping in the evening.
Loving Craigslist at the moment.
Sweet Dreams,
Kayla
Sunday, August 17, 2014
T25 Alpha results - Sort of
I don't feel this is an accurate account of Focus T25 Alpha round, because this past week was sabotaged by yours truly.
I only did 2 workouts this past week, and mostly because I was at the casino 3 days in a row.
Between wanting to get away, birthday celebrations, removing my implanon, car shopping, and grandparents treating me to dinner, I just failed at health.
I had buffet twice...
: /
So...
This week, I gained 0.8 pounds and gained half an inch in my waist.
Overall,
Since Starting the Focus T25 Alpha phase,
I lost 1.8 pounds, 2 inches off my waist, and half an inch off my hips.
It seems like nothing, but I had to buy a new wardrobe.
All of my pants were too large, my belt isn't usable anymore, and my shirts have no form.
I bought 2 new pairs of jeans, a pair of capris, half a dozen skirts, a couple shirts, and a wrap. I've never spreed like that before.
Thank God I'm a cheap-o and I love thrift stores. I only spent $60.
I also felt bad for my binging and ordered some Cellucor products for the Beta round.
I got the Super HD and CLK combo kit online. I'm excited for it to get here. It gives me great energy... I'll be powering though those workouts.
That, in combination with the removal of the hormone stick, I should drop the extra weight like it's nothing.
I've also fallen in love with the MIO water enhancers. I have a half gallon monster cup that I fill at least twice a day. I've already drank nearly a gallon, and it's only 1pm.
Grocery shopping is always amazing and dirt cheap.
I take the Aldi ad to WalMart and price match produce. I get everything from 50-75% off. There's no excuse not to eat healthy foods when they're much cheaper that junk.
HyVee and Price Chopper sometimes have unbeatable sales... I just keep reading over the circulars and only buy the best deals.
I only did 2 workouts this past week, and mostly because I was at the casino 3 days in a row.
Between wanting to get away, birthday celebrations, removing my implanon, car shopping, and grandparents treating me to dinner, I just failed at health.
I had buffet twice...
: /
So...
This week, I gained 0.8 pounds and gained half an inch in my waist.
Overall,
Since Starting the Focus T25 Alpha phase,
I lost 1.8 pounds, 2 inches off my waist, and half an inch off my hips.
It seems like nothing, but I had to buy a new wardrobe.
All of my pants were too large, my belt isn't usable anymore, and my shirts have no form.
I bought 2 new pairs of jeans, a pair of capris, half a dozen skirts, a couple shirts, and a wrap. I've never spreed like that before.
Thank God I'm a cheap-o and I love thrift stores. I only spent $60.
I also felt bad for my binging and ordered some Cellucor products for the Beta round.
I got the Super HD and CLK combo kit online. I'm excited for it to get here. It gives me great energy... I'll be powering though those workouts.
That, in combination with the removal of the hormone stick, I should drop the extra weight like it's nothing.
I've also fallen in love with the MIO water enhancers. I have a half gallon monster cup that I fill at least twice a day. I've already drank nearly a gallon, and it's only 1pm.
Grocery shopping is always amazing and dirt cheap.
I take the Aldi ad to WalMart and price match produce. I get everything from 50-75% off. There's no excuse not to eat healthy foods when they're much cheaper that junk.
HyVee and Price Chopper sometimes have unbeatable sales... I just keep reading over the circulars and only buy the best deals.
Friday, August 15, 2014
Removing the Implanon
I was very excited to get my implant removed.
I checked in and waited in the tiny room, alone, freaking out like I tend to do..
My nurse was amazing. She asked me questions about my family plans and then we chit chatted a bit while she prepared for my slicing.
Doctor finally came in, and he asked me to lie down on my back with my arm extended up.
He did a couple of iodine swabs, then injected the numbing solution.
I'm resistant or something.
I wasn't really numb when he started cutting.
It was a small incision, about a centimeter long, but about just as deep.
He fidgeted around with the hole until the end of the implant poked out, then he grabbed it with these big tweezers and yanked!
Holy cow I felt that! It was painful, even with the numbing thing, but not unbearable.
It was fast though.
He washed his hands and was out the door without another word, while my nurse popped a couple bandaids on and wrapped me in gauze.
She said I only had to leave it on for an hour or so, until the bleeding stopped. I bled through my 2 bandaids, but no more.
The whole procedure lasted maybe 3 minutes, mostly getting the are sterile and wrapping me up.
There's no bruise.
It was sore the day it was removed, and only slightly sore the next day. Honestly, I barely noticed it.
Glad it's over...
but condom prices are ridiculous.
Just saying.
I checked in and waited in the tiny room, alone, freaking out like I tend to do..
My nurse was amazing. She asked me questions about my family plans and then we chit chatted a bit while she prepared for my slicing.
Doctor finally came in, and he asked me to lie down on my back with my arm extended up.
He did a couple of iodine swabs, then injected the numbing solution.
I'm resistant or something.
I wasn't really numb when he started cutting.
It was a small incision, about a centimeter long, but about just as deep.
He fidgeted around with the hole until the end of the implant poked out, then he grabbed it with these big tweezers and yanked!
Holy cow I felt that! It was painful, even with the numbing thing, but not unbearable.
It was fast though.
He washed his hands and was out the door without another word, while my nurse popped a couple bandaids on and wrapped me in gauze.
She said I only had to leave it on for an hour or so, until the bleeding stopped. I bled through my 2 bandaids, but no more.
The whole procedure lasted maybe 3 minutes, mostly getting the are sterile and wrapping me up.
There's no bruise.
It was sore the day it was removed, and only slightly sore the next day. Honestly, I barely noticed it.
Glad it's over...
but condom prices are ridiculous.
Just saying.
Sunday, August 10, 2014
Week 4 T25 results
Ohhhh....
I did not use any supplements this week.
The first 3 days, I woke up early and did the exercises before work... then I switched back to after-work exercises. I skipped my workout yesterday running the kids all over the world, and had my weigh-in this morning.
I only lost 0.2 pounds this week, but
another half an inch off my waist.
It's incredibly disappointing, seeing the scale drop by less than half a pound each week.
The boyfriend says he can feel a difference in my body, though. He says my stomach is tighter and my back and shoulders have more definition.
Even I can feel a difference in my butt... like a pair of globes dancing. hahaha..
My pants are so loose in the waist, but still fit me in the thighs, maybe a tad bit too big, but about the same.
My mom commented on my flat belly.
So there are differences...
Honestly, weight is just a number, but it still bums me out.
Angers me a bit, that I've worked out so hard and watched what I ate like a hawk, but haven't lost pounds... Less than 2 all month.
So I binged. I had pizza, ate fast food, drank sugary beverages... anything I wanted to do.
Now I feel guilty... but not really. I think I needed that day of utter gluttony.
It wasn't all that bad though.
Apart from the diet fail, I took the minions to the park and played on all the equipment with them. We ran, I pushed the round spinny thing, taught Minion #1 how to swing, and really enjoyed the afternoon.
And you know what else? I wore SHORTS.
I know.
Holy cow.
I haven't worn shorts over my pasty white honkey legs since I was in high school.
Yeah,
T25 has been a huge ego boost to me.
I'm stronger and do look better.
Losing fat and building beautiful muscles,
but still hating the damn scale.
I'll be eating clean again today, and for the next long while.
I actually miss working out...
I feel off on days that I don't.
Even choosing to skip a workout over self pity and spite makes me feel terrible, to be truly honest.
There's no reason for it.
*************
The boyfriend is making me breakfast for the first time...
will he burn it??
Kayla
I did not use any supplements this week.
The first 3 days, I woke up early and did the exercises before work... then I switched back to after-work exercises. I skipped my workout yesterday running the kids all over the world, and had my weigh-in this morning.
I only lost 0.2 pounds this week, but
another half an inch off my waist.
It's incredibly disappointing, seeing the scale drop by less than half a pound each week.
The boyfriend says he can feel a difference in my body, though. He says my stomach is tighter and my back and shoulders have more definition.
Even I can feel a difference in my butt... like a pair of globes dancing. hahaha..
My pants are so loose in the waist, but still fit me in the thighs, maybe a tad bit too big, but about the same.
My mom commented on my flat belly.
So there are differences...
Honestly, weight is just a number, but it still bums me out.
Angers me a bit, that I've worked out so hard and watched what I ate like a hawk, but haven't lost pounds... Less than 2 all month.
So I binged. I had pizza, ate fast food, drank sugary beverages... anything I wanted to do.
Now I feel guilty... but not really. I think I needed that day of utter gluttony.
It wasn't all that bad though.
Apart from the diet fail, I took the minions to the park and played on all the equipment with them. We ran, I pushed the round spinny thing, taught Minion #1 how to swing, and really enjoyed the afternoon.
And you know what else? I wore SHORTS.
I know.
Holy cow.
I haven't worn shorts over my pasty white honkey legs since I was in high school.
Yeah,
T25 has been a huge ego boost to me.
I'm stronger and do look better.
Losing fat and building beautiful muscles,
but still hating the damn scale.
I'll be eating clean again today, and for the next long while.
I actually miss working out...
I feel off on days that I don't.
Even choosing to skip a workout over self pity and spite makes me feel terrible, to be truly honest.
There's no reason for it.
*************
The boyfriend is making me breakfast for the first time...
will he burn it??
Kayla
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Exhausted
I've been waking up an hour earlier each day to work out.
I hate waking up early. Not my thing. I'm not a rooster.
Yet, I make myself. I pop the Focus T25 discs in with half an eye open and start the workout. It takes a good 3 minutes before I fully realize what I'm doing.
Then I'm alert enough to really focus on the exercise.
I immediately jump into the shower after putting my eggs on to boil, and by the time I'm out and dressed, eggs are done and cooling. I fix my hair and makeup (which I didn't care to do before) because I actually have more time and I'm aware of what I'm doing.
I like getting pretty now.
It isn't all that bad. It's just hard making the choice to fling the super soft blanket off of myself.
I have to force myself, but it's for the best.
This way, I make sure I never skip a workout.
It's done and over with before my day's even begun.. and I don't want to spoil my hard work with drive-thru breakfast.
I eat fruit with chocolate soy milk for breakfast, snack on fruit, and lunch is generally something healthy I had leftover. Today, I had my salad with the boiled eggs, but I must confess... I just ate the eggs and croutons... But I tried.
Tonight I'm going out to a buffet with my family.... scary thought.
I'm going to eat all the veggies I can... hopefully some nice fish or seafood.
I've worked waaay too hard to sabotage my week.
Anyhow,
Great news!
Last year I bought a belt. It has 5 notches. It fit me on that third notch.
I started casually running... so
When I started the T25 program I was on the very inner notch.
Now, 3 weeks after starting T25, my belt is too large.
I can pull it in another 2 inches or so....
I must make my own notches...
Or go shopping!
How's that for motivation?
Kayla
I hate waking up early. Not my thing. I'm not a rooster.
Yet, I make myself. I pop the Focus T25 discs in with half an eye open and start the workout. It takes a good 3 minutes before I fully realize what I'm doing.
Then I'm alert enough to really focus on the exercise.
I immediately jump into the shower after putting my eggs on to boil, and by the time I'm out and dressed, eggs are done and cooling. I fix my hair and makeup (which I didn't care to do before) because I actually have more time and I'm aware of what I'm doing.
I like getting pretty now.
It isn't all that bad. It's just hard making the choice to fling the super soft blanket off of myself.
I have to force myself, but it's for the best.
This way, I make sure I never skip a workout.
It's done and over with before my day's even begun.. and I don't want to spoil my hard work with drive-thru breakfast.
I eat fruit with chocolate soy milk for breakfast, snack on fruit, and lunch is generally something healthy I had leftover. Today, I had my salad with the boiled eggs, but I must confess... I just ate the eggs and croutons... But I tried.
Tonight I'm going out to a buffet with my family.... scary thought.
I'm going to eat all the veggies I can... hopefully some nice fish or seafood.
I've worked waaay too hard to sabotage my week.
Anyhow,
Great news!
Last year I bought a belt. It has 5 notches. It fit me on that third notch.
I started casually running... so
When I started the T25 program I was on the very inner notch.
Now, 3 weeks after starting T25, my belt is too large.
I can pull it in another 2 inches or so....
I must make my own notches...
Or go shopping!
How's that for motivation?
Kayla
Saturday, August 2, 2014
T25 Week 3 Results
Today I weighed in at 160lbs even.
38.5 - 31.5 41
Bicep - 12.5
Thigh - 24
I didn't miss a workout this week,
but gained .1 pounds,
lost half an inch off my waist,
half an inch off my hips, and
a quarter inch off my arms.
So total since starting the Focus T25 program,
I've lost 1.4 pounds,
nothing off my chest (could be the difference in bras though... I opted for a non-sports bra today),
2 inches off my waist, and
half an inch off my hips.
If I were to do this all over again,
I'd remember which clothes I wore and put on the same outfit for each measurement and weigh-in.
I've noticed my midsection is quite a bit tighter than it was, as are my thighs. My arms are always hard as rocks now.
I haven't missed a workout because I put priority on them. I have to do my workouts as soon as I get off work. My kids even do them with me (between running around and coloring) and sit on my back when I'm doing pushups. Ouch!
I've only eaten out one time, a small sandwich and small fries... Other than that, I've cooked all of my meals. Lots of salads and veggies.
I'm still baffled at how I'm losing inches but gaining weight, but eventually it will make sense. My pants aren't tight anymore.
38.5 - 31.5 41
Bicep - 12.5
Thigh - 24
I didn't miss a workout this week,
but gained .1 pounds,
lost half an inch off my waist,
half an inch off my hips, and
a quarter inch off my arms.
So total since starting the Focus T25 program,
I've lost 1.4 pounds,
nothing off my chest (could be the difference in bras though... I opted for a non-sports bra today),
2 inches off my waist, and
half an inch off my hips.
If I were to do this all over again,
I'd remember which clothes I wore and put on the same outfit for each measurement and weigh-in.
I've noticed my midsection is quite a bit tighter than it was, as are my thighs. My arms are always hard as rocks now.
I haven't missed a workout because I put priority on them. I have to do my workouts as soon as I get off work. My kids even do them with me (between running around and coloring) and sit on my back when I'm doing pushups. Ouch!
I've only eaten out one time, a small sandwich and small fries... Other than that, I've cooked all of my meals. Lots of salads and veggies.
I'm still baffled at how I'm losing inches but gaining weight, but eventually it will make sense. My pants aren't tight anymore.
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Super HD and CLK by Cellucor
I made a YouTube video of my current progress with Focus T25
and the supplement I mentioned before...
Super HD and CLK
View it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79kKDKQCGZM
I do love this supplement, simply because I have energy all day, I'm not jittery, and I have no crash afterward.
I'd love to try a full month of this combo along with my T25 and see the results.
Each day I'm working out, I'm covered in sweat.
I love it.
I'm getting even better!
Tonight was Lower Focus, and I did it without a supplement. It is such hard work!
I could not do another squat after the video, but then I took a hot bath and I feel lovely again.
I even made scrambled eggs with yummy veggies to celebrate.
mmmmmm avocado......
I haven't even had my first bite!
I'm off!
Kayla
Hating my Implanon/Nexplanon thing
This could turn into a messy TMI post... read if you dare!
Here's the story about how I was urged to get the birth control implant, how I loved it, and how I now hate it:
Once upon a time, my uterus preferred to not be a landlord.
I had several miscarriages in a row, then 'Wow a kid!,' then, more miscarriages, one more little angel, then another miscarriage.
I told my OB that I didn't want more children, I'm wonderfully happy with the two that I do have, and I wanted to get the tubes tied and not worry about getting pregnant and having complications in the future. He refused, saying I was too young and I may want to try again later, and he couldn't take that from me. I was pretty frustrated. I've had too many ER trips and blood loss for a lifetime. It's just something I know I don't want to chance again.
He told me my options, and I liked none of them. I want to be sterile. I love my children, and they're enough.
I just hate the idea of something foreign inside my body, giving me a dose of Who The Hell Knows, altering my hormones and my mood.
I want to be as natural as possible.
I get it though... he's a doctor... slave to prescription drug companies... and he wants me to continue to see him and spend my money on things that he says are good for me. I don't buy into all that.
I'm a firm believer in natural remedies and good nutrition and general, chemical/drug free health.
There's got to be something for me.
Which is why I loved the idea of being sterile. No hormones. No shots. No pills. No strange things hiding in my body.
But that wasn't an option.
Also, my insurance would have expired within the next 6 weeks, so I needed to figure out what I was doing right away.
The doc told me the implant would be my best option because it would basically make me sterile for 3 years. He said it had better statistics that getting my tubes tied would.
So I begrudgingly agreed.
It hurt. I'm resistant to most pain meds. They take longer to kick in, and I generally need a higher dose than the average person. I don't understand why. I've never been the type of person to take medicine unless I absolutely can't stand the pain anymore.
He put in the local numb maker and I asked him to wait a few minutes before jamming in the giant needle, but he said it had been enough time and I wouldn't feel a thing. Wrong, Doctor. I felt it all. I felt the giant needle and watched in horror as my skin was stretched further than I ever thought it could go... but it was over in a minute and he wrapped up my arm and left. He hadn't even spent 5 minutes in the room with me. I was to call him after 3 years to get it removed.
The first 3 weeks were awful. Heavy period the entire time. Feeling it poke me under my skin.
After that though.... 9 months of virtually no period. I'd spot occasionally, sure. My "period" lasted 1 or 2 days every other month or so....
but recently, it's like the first month of having it in. It's been over 2 weeks since my period started. It's dark and gross...
Sex seems to trigger it. The last few times I've been able to... I go to clean up afterward and I'm already bleeding and embarrassed. Then the heavy stuff starts the next day. Every time.
Forget a physically intimate relationship!
I still feel the implant poking me sometimes, and I hate that.
I hate the hormones.
I hate that I've been eating pretty clean since the first of the year and running the majority of it, and now trying T25, and I've lost only 3 pounds?!? Since January 1st ?!?
I know it's keeping the weight on.
I got the implant right after a miscarriage when I was really puffy and out of shape, and I still weight practically the same, with all my healthy changes over the last 7 months.
I want it gone.
I want to be me again.
I want my good ol' predictable period and regular weight back.
No more hormones.
No more doctor drugs.
Here's the story about how I was urged to get the birth control implant, how I loved it, and how I now hate it:
Once upon a time, my uterus preferred to not be a landlord.
I had several miscarriages in a row, then 'Wow a kid!,' then, more miscarriages, one more little angel, then another miscarriage.
I told my OB that I didn't want more children, I'm wonderfully happy with the two that I do have, and I wanted to get the tubes tied and not worry about getting pregnant and having complications in the future. He refused, saying I was too young and I may want to try again later, and he couldn't take that from me. I was pretty frustrated. I've had too many ER trips and blood loss for a lifetime. It's just something I know I don't want to chance again.
He told me my options, and I liked none of them. I want to be sterile. I love my children, and they're enough.
I just hate the idea of something foreign inside my body, giving me a dose of Who The Hell Knows, altering my hormones and my mood.
I want to be as natural as possible.
I get it though... he's a doctor... slave to prescription drug companies... and he wants me to continue to see him and spend my money on things that he says are good for me. I don't buy into all that.
I'm a firm believer in natural remedies and good nutrition and general, chemical/drug free health.
There's got to be something for me.
Which is why I loved the idea of being sterile. No hormones. No shots. No pills. No strange things hiding in my body.
But that wasn't an option.
Also, my insurance would have expired within the next 6 weeks, so I needed to figure out what I was doing right away.
The doc told me the implant would be my best option because it would basically make me sterile for 3 years. He said it had better statistics that getting my tubes tied would.
So I begrudgingly agreed.
It hurt. I'm resistant to most pain meds. They take longer to kick in, and I generally need a higher dose than the average person. I don't understand why. I've never been the type of person to take medicine unless I absolutely can't stand the pain anymore.
He put in the local numb maker and I asked him to wait a few minutes before jamming in the giant needle, but he said it had been enough time and I wouldn't feel a thing. Wrong, Doctor. I felt it all. I felt the giant needle and watched in horror as my skin was stretched further than I ever thought it could go... but it was over in a minute and he wrapped up my arm and left. He hadn't even spent 5 minutes in the room with me. I was to call him after 3 years to get it removed.
The first 3 weeks were awful. Heavy period the entire time. Feeling it poke me under my skin.
After that though.... 9 months of virtually no period. I'd spot occasionally, sure. My "period" lasted 1 or 2 days every other month or so....
but recently, it's like the first month of having it in. It's been over 2 weeks since my period started. It's dark and gross...
Sex seems to trigger it. The last few times I've been able to... I go to clean up afterward and I'm already bleeding and embarrassed. Then the heavy stuff starts the next day. Every time.
Forget a physically intimate relationship!
I still feel the implant poking me sometimes, and I hate that.
I hate the hormones.
I hate that I've been eating pretty clean since the first of the year and running the majority of it, and now trying T25, and I've lost only 3 pounds?!? Since January 1st ?!?
I know it's keeping the weight on.
I got the implant right after a miscarriage when I was really puffy and out of shape, and I still weight practically the same, with all my healthy changes over the last 7 months.
I want it gone.
I want to be me again.
I want my good ol' predictable period and regular weight back.
No more hormones.
No more doctor drugs.
Saturday, July 26, 2014
STATurday - Week 2 results
Once again, I was a little disappointed with my results.
159.9lbs
38.5 - 32 - 41.5
Arm - 12.75
Thigh - 32
This week I lost 1.3 lbs and half an inch off my waist.
I guess I gained a quarter inch in my bum, but that could just be the way I took the measurements or my pants.
So from the time I started the program, I've lost a pound and a half, and an inch and a half off my waist.
I suppose I should be celebrating. I've been eating my fill of healthy foods. I'm never ever hungry.
I look forward to working out, and with each workout I'm better. It's easier, and I'm sore a lot less this week than I was in the beginning.
What I'm gaining is my health. My endurance. My physical strength. It's helped clear my mind and give me a goal.
I just hoped that all the hard work and sweat and muscle soreness would have translated to the scale.
but now that I think about it... 1.3 lbs is a lot in a week, if it's fat. No doubt I'm gaining muscle mass with all these squats and planks and push ups.
I'm drinking about a gallon of water a day now, if not a little bit more.
I'm cooking all of my meals so I know exactly what's in them.
And I do have a new supplement to try....
Supposed to be a good one ; )
I'll do a post about it later...
and probably a YouTube video...
wanna see?
Kayla
159.9lbs
38.5 - 32 - 41.5
Arm - 12.75
Thigh - 32
This week I lost 1.3 lbs and half an inch off my waist.
I guess I gained a quarter inch in my bum, but that could just be the way I took the measurements or my pants.
So from the time I started the program, I've lost a pound and a half, and an inch and a half off my waist.
I suppose I should be celebrating. I've been eating my fill of healthy foods. I'm never ever hungry.
I look forward to working out, and with each workout I'm better. It's easier, and I'm sore a lot less this week than I was in the beginning.
What I'm gaining is my health. My endurance. My physical strength. It's helped clear my mind and give me a goal.
I just hoped that all the hard work and sweat and muscle soreness would have translated to the scale.
but now that I think about it... 1.3 lbs is a lot in a week, if it's fat. No doubt I'm gaining muscle mass with all these squats and planks and push ups.
I'm drinking about a gallon of water a day now, if not a little bit more.
I'm cooking all of my meals so I know exactly what's in them.
And I do have a new supplement to try....
Supposed to be a good one ; )
I'll do a post about it later...
and probably a YouTube video...
wanna see?
Kayla
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Run Naked
Maybe not quite naked...
Today I rearranged the bedroom.
I used to have my dresser in the closet to save space, but I brought it out for a change.
The great thing about doing that was that it has a giant antique mirror that attaches to the back. There was no room for the mirror in the closet. Now I have this giant me to look at when I'm doing my T25.
I can focus on my form. Perfect it. Work harder.
When I started the cardio disc, I had a tee, shorts, and my underroos.
Then I thought, it's just me. Let's get down to the skimpiest thing possible.
It made the workout seem to fly by.
I was more focused on imagining my tummy a little firmer, wondering why my dang thighs jiggle like that, loving the way my shoulders are getting toned... things like that.
I was able to appreciate the changes in my body and getting amped up and working harder to see bigger changes in the future. It was highly motivating.
I didn't use any supplements for this workout. It was hard, but not unbearable. I still wanted to do more though. I even did extra squats after the T25 was over.
I have plans for bikini shopping and exotic vacations and photo shoots when I reach my goals.
Today I rearranged the bedroom.
I used to have my dresser in the closet to save space, but I brought it out for a change.
The great thing about doing that was that it has a giant antique mirror that attaches to the back. There was no room for the mirror in the closet. Now I have this giant me to look at when I'm doing my T25.
I can focus on my form. Perfect it. Work harder.
When I started the cardio disc, I had a tee, shorts, and my underroos.
Then I thought, it's just me. Let's get down to the skimpiest thing possible.
It made the workout seem to fly by.
I was more focused on imagining my tummy a little firmer, wondering why my dang thighs jiggle like that, loving the way my shoulders are getting toned... things like that.
I was able to appreciate the changes in my body and getting amped up and working harder to see bigger changes in the future. It was highly motivating.
I didn't use any supplements for this workout. It was hard, but not unbearable. I still wanted to do more though. I even did extra squats after the T25 was over.
I have plans for bikini shopping and exotic vacations and photo shoots when I reach my goals.
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Focus T25 - Alpha Total Body Circuit with Cardio Cuts
I was scared to try this DVD because I had heard that Total Body Circuit was the toughest workout in Alpha T25.
I got off work, drank a bottle of water with my last sample of Cardio Cuts, waited about 45 minutes before popping the disc in.
Golly, it seemed like a breeze at first. It was about 5 minutes before I started feeling a bit of fatigue.
The squats seemed easier to do. I could go lower and do more reps with ample energy. The cardio wasn't killing me.
I seemed to have fuel for this workout. I was sweating like I never have. I dropped down to a plank and watched the drops fall off my nose and chin. It was an awesome thing, knowing that I was drenched after only fifteen minutes or so.
I had to start using the modifier when the plank progressions started. I can plank decently. I can pushup alright.... but I've never worked my arms or shoulders, so I burned out easily. I really struggled after a while.
What got to me was squatting as low as I could, and trying to jump and 180 and squat back down again facing the opposite direction. I can't seem to manage that. It's hard to jump straight up from a squat alone.
Then getting into plank position and doing a pushup while bringing one leg up?!? Impossible at this point! I tried and fell over on my face.
The last 10 minutes of the workout was entirely modified... but at least I made it through to the end. I just need to build up my muscles to properly execute these moves.
It's been about 20 minutes since the end of the cool down routine, and my heart rate is still up.
My shoulders are already sore. I'll be feeling this tomorrow for sure.
Awesome thing though...
I wasn't sore after yesterday's workout. I'm not sure if the Cardio Cuts had something to do with it, because of the recovery component, or if I'm finally adjusting to an intense routine.
Tomorrow, I'll try my workout without a supplement and see how I feel.
I love how I'm excited to rush home and sweat. It makes me happy. I'm finally doing something good for myself, instead of focusing on everyone else.
I got off work, drank a bottle of water with my last sample of Cardio Cuts, waited about 45 minutes before popping the disc in.
Golly, it seemed like a breeze at first. It was about 5 minutes before I started feeling a bit of fatigue.
The squats seemed easier to do. I could go lower and do more reps with ample energy. The cardio wasn't killing me.
I seemed to have fuel for this workout. I was sweating like I never have. I dropped down to a plank and watched the drops fall off my nose and chin. It was an awesome thing, knowing that I was drenched after only fifteen minutes or so.
I had to start using the modifier when the plank progressions started. I can plank decently. I can pushup alright.... but I've never worked my arms or shoulders, so I burned out easily. I really struggled after a while.
What got to me was squatting as low as I could, and trying to jump and 180 and squat back down again facing the opposite direction. I can't seem to manage that. It's hard to jump straight up from a squat alone.
Then getting into plank position and doing a pushup while bringing one leg up?!? Impossible at this point! I tried and fell over on my face.
The last 10 minutes of the workout was entirely modified... but at least I made it through to the end. I just need to build up my muscles to properly execute these moves.
It's been about 20 minutes since the end of the cool down routine, and my heart rate is still up.
My shoulders are already sore. I'll be feeling this tomorrow for sure.
Awesome thing though...
I wasn't sore after yesterday's workout. I'm not sure if the Cardio Cuts had something to do with it, because of the recovery component, or if I'm finally adjusting to an intense routine.
Tomorrow, I'll try my workout without a supplement and see how I feel.
I love how I'm excited to rush home and sweat. It makes me happy. I'm finally doing something good for myself, instead of focusing on everyone else.
Monday, July 21, 2014
Cardio Cuts Review, and first YouTube supplement review!!!
Hello my dears!
Here is my first YouTube Supplement review featuring Cardio Cuts by NDS Nutrition Products, Inc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DMA5-Yku0U
I was so excited to try this product.
I called GNC to see if they had any samples of pre-workout supplements, and the lady told me this particular one was amazing. She said women absolutely love it.
I got it home, mixed the powder with a bottle of water, and was absolutely surprised that it tasted fantastic. I got the green apple flavor. Not too sweet, but still good. It had a slightly chalky feel to it toward the end, but I just continued to shake it up as I drank. It wasn't all that bothersome. I've heard that most supplements tend to get gritty at the end of the bottle, but this wasn't true with Cardio Cuts.
To be honest, I wanted more than just the one bottle.
Immediately, I felt energized.
I had to wait 30 minutes before my workout.
I popped in Focus T25 Alpha Cardio and got to work. It was still a workout. I was still out of breath and drenched in sweat. It seemed easier though. I found myself using the modifier less, and even had a good energy level during the final 5 minutes. Generally I'm ready to give up by then. I felt strong. I felt like a beast!
After the cool down, I felt like I could do a little strength training, which is weird, because I never have any leftover energy after cardio.
The package says don't consume any caffeine products or take within six hours of bedtime. I took my drink at 6, finished my workout a little after 7.... It's 9pm and I'm still stimulated.
I'll probably end up watching some TV and doing a stretching routine to calm down.
I just love that I'm amped and ready for more.
I had to make myself stop because I tend to overdo it and hurt myself.
What's the point in working in overdrive if I can't move for 2 days afterward?
I love Cardio Cuts.
I don't even know how much it costs, since she gave me a free sample.
I'm not paid for the review, but goodness knows I wouldn't mind some free product in the future ;)
I'm completely happy.
Let's go again tomorrow!
Kayla
Here is my first YouTube Supplement review featuring Cardio Cuts by NDS Nutrition Products, Inc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DMA5-Yku0U
I was so excited to try this product.
I called GNC to see if they had any samples of pre-workout supplements, and the lady told me this particular one was amazing. She said women absolutely love it.
I got it home, mixed the powder with a bottle of water, and was absolutely surprised that it tasted fantastic. I got the green apple flavor. Not too sweet, but still good. It had a slightly chalky feel to it toward the end, but I just continued to shake it up as I drank. It wasn't all that bothersome. I've heard that most supplements tend to get gritty at the end of the bottle, but this wasn't true with Cardio Cuts.
To be honest, I wanted more than just the one bottle.
Immediately, I felt energized.
I had to wait 30 minutes before my workout.
I popped in Focus T25 Alpha Cardio and got to work. It was still a workout. I was still out of breath and drenched in sweat. It seemed easier though. I found myself using the modifier less, and even had a good energy level during the final 5 minutes. Generally I'm ready to give up by then. I felt strong. I felt like a beast!
After the cool down, I felt like I could do a little strength training, which is weird, because I never have any leftover energy after cardio.
The package says don't consume any caffeine products or take within six hours of bedtime. I took my drink at 6, finished my workout a little after 7.... It's 9pm and I'm still stimulated.
I'll probably end up watching some TV and doing a stretching routine to calm down.
I just love that I'm amped and ready for more.
I had to make myself stop because I tend to overdo it and hurt myself.
What's the point in working in overdrive if I can't move for 2 days afterward?
I love Cardio Cuts.
I don't even know how much it costs, since she gave me a free sample.
I'm not paid for the review, but goodness knows I wouldn't mind some free product in the future ;)
I'm completely happy.
Let's go again tomorrow!
Kayla
Sunday, July 20, 2014
Focus T25 - Week 1 STATurday results
I was actually really upset about my week 1 results.
I only lost 0.2 lbs, but an inch off my waist.
So I weighed in at 161.2
38.5 - 32.5 - 41.25
I feel like I should have had better results than that.
I worked out so hard, drenched in sweat, and completely changed my diet.
Fruit, salads, and homemade dinners...
I drank 100 oz of water plus my teas and coffees.
Maybe that's most of it. I'm holding onto the water I don't normally drink, like a desert camel, before my body thinks it's normal and flushes it out.
I don't know.
I was just completely bummed.
Anyhow, because of the seventy thousand squats I did on Friday, I couldn't really bend my legs on Saturday. Even today, it hurts when I pee.
...
I mean, not when I Pee pee.... just... sitting on the toilet.
...
I can't recover from that, huh?
So I didn't do the workout yesterday.
I didn't know that I was so out of shape... I'm going to keep going with this program, finish out Alpha phase and probably maybe do another round of it before I start on Beta. It depends on how fast my body adjusts to the intensity of the workouts. If by the end of Alpha I'm keeping up and able to work out every day, then I'll just continue on as normal.
I'm not quitting though. I'll only get stronger by continuing.
Kayla
I only lost 0.2 lbs, but an inch off my waist.
So I weighed in at 161.2
38.5 - 32.5 - 41.25
I feel like I should have had better results than that.
I worked out so hard, drenched in sweat, and completely changed my diet.
Fruit, salads, and homemade dinners...
I drank 100 oz of water plus my teas and coffees.
Maybe that's most of it. I'm holding onto the water I don't normally drink, like a desert camel, before my body thinks it's normal and flushes it out.
I don't know.
I was just completely bummed.
Anyhow, because of the seventy thousand squats I did on Friday, I couldn't really bend my legs on Saturday. Even today, it hurts when I pee.
...
I mean, not when I Pee pee.... just... sitting on the toilet.
...
I can't recover from that, huh?
So I didn't do the workout yesterday.
I didn't know that I was so out of shape... I'm going to keep going with this program, finish out Alpha phase and probably maybe do another round of it before I start on Beta. It depends on how fast my body adjusts to the intensity of the workouts. If by the end of Alpha I'm keeping up and able to work out every day, then I'll just continue on as normal.
I'm not quitting though. I'll only get stronger by continuing.
Kayla
Friday, July 18, 2014
Focus T25 - Alpha - Lower Focus
After two rest days from T25, I'm not feeling like such a pansy. I wore my high heels all day to stretch out my baby cows and I felt great after work.
I picked up my girls, took them to the store, and they helped me prepare dinner.
They peeled the potatoes, I mashed and added soy milk, salt, and light butter. Not too bad.
Then they picked carrots as the nightly veg. Mac and cheese... and sausages.
As long as they eat their veggies, I figure I can let them pick their meat.
Except for tomorrow. We're doing crock pot chicken tacos. mmmmmmmmmmmm....
After I put them to bed, I popped in my Lower Focus disc.
The first five minutes were a breeze. I do better with strength training and reps than I do with cardio.
But after 10 minutes... I was really getting fatigued. I couldn't squat as low as the people in the show.
My muscles were starting to shake and give out, but by that time or very soon after, they'd switch to a different muscle group to work and make cry...
By 20 minutes, my muscles were completely shaking. I tried, but I could not do another squat. I kept falling over. My legs just wouldn't support me. I did the modifier, and sometimes much slower.
I kept going though.
I love the last minute. Everything gets slowed down and it becomes a stretch. It's pure relief.
Still working the legs, but happily.
There is a 3-minute cool down at the end, but I couldn't do the hamstring stretches. My legs were jelly.
All in all, I'm happy with the workout. I'm just lounging on the couch now, but I still feel like my legs are burning... in a good way.
We'll see how I feel tomorrow. It's STATurday..so I'll be weighing in and doing my measurements.
I only got in 3 workouts so far, but in general, I've eaten so much healthier this week.
Fruit for breakfasts and snacks, salads for lunch, then whatever for dinner... but it's still a big step from where I was last week.
See you tomorrow!
Kayla
I picked up my girls, took them to the store, and they helped me prepare dinner.
They peeled the potatoes, I mashed and added soy milk, salt, and light butter. Not too bad.
Then they picked carrots as the nightly veg. Mac and cheese... and sausages.
As long as they eat their veggies, I figure I can let them pick their meat.
Except for tomorrow. We're doing crock pot chicken tacos. mmmmmmmmmmmm....
After I put them to bed, I popped in my Lower Focus disc.
The first five minutes were a breeze. I do better with strength training and reps than I do with cardio.
But after 10 minutes... I was really getting fatigued. I couldn't squat as low as the people in the show.
My muscles were starting to shake and give out, but by that time or very soon after, they'd switch to a different muscle group to work and make cry...
By 20 minutes, my muscles were completely shaking. I tried, but I could not do another squat. I kept falling over. My legs just wouldn't support me. I did the modifier, and sometimes much slower.
I kept going though.
I love the last minute. Everything gets slowed down and it becomes a stretch. It's pure relief.
Still working the legs, but happily.
There is a 3-minute cool down at the end, but I couldn't do the hamstring stretches. My legs were jelly.
All in all, I'm happy with the workout. I'm just lounging on the couch now, but I still feel like my legs are burning... in a good way.
We'll see how I feel tomorrow. It's STATurday..so I'll be weighing in and doing my measurements.
I only got in 3 workouts so far, but in general, I've eaten so much healthier this week.
Fruit for breakfasts and snacks, salads for lunch, then whatever for dinner... but it's still a big step from where I was last week.
See you tomorrow!
Kayla
Thursday, July 17, 2014
I Feel HAPPY!!!!!
I feel like everything is going the way it's supposed to go.
Let me tell you how much energy I have - just by changing my diet.
I generally have fruit for breakfast and a bowl of fruit at my desk to nibble on throughout the day.
Once I get home, I do some sort of exercise and I don't want to eat a nasty, fatty, dense meal afterward.
I'm craving the peaches I left at work. They're now perfectly ripe, and the juiciest peaches I've ever eaten.
I've lost my taste for meat and cheese. It just doesn't satisfy me...
Except a Wyandotte BBQ beef sandwich... mmmmmmmm....
Today I had a boiled egg and grapes for breakfast with coffee,
lunch was a small salad, a boiled egg, and a peach,
snacking on grapes all day,
dinner was a chicken sandwich... just didn't do it for me.
*****
Since I'm still cramping in the legs from overdoing my first couple of workouts, I decided to do a lighter workout. I took my daughter to the park. We ran the track, played in the grass, I pushed her on the swing focusing on crunching my abs. We climbed playthings. We were running around for 2 hours.
We left to get cat food, and ended up picking out a parakeet as well.
She's just a baby, and will need handling, but she seems calm enough.
My kids need to learn more responsibility. They already feed the cat, but I'm hoping a bird will teach them to be gentle and more patient.
Fingers crossed.
I'm so happy to be spending more quality time with the kids, more active with the kids. I'm able to keep up with them. I think the cleaner eating is just making my energy skyrocket, and the workouts are giving me extra stamina on top.
I'm alive.
I'm happy.
I'm the best mom in the world.
Let me tell you how much energy I have - just by changing my diet.
I generally have fruit for breakfast and a bowl of fruit at my desk to nibble on throughout the day.
Once I get home, I do some sort of exercise and I don't want to eat a nasty, fatty, dense meal afterward.
I'm craving the peaches I left at work. They're now perfectly ripe, and the juiciest peaches I've ever eaten.
I've lost my taste for meat and cheese. It just doesn't satisfy me...
Except a Wyandotte BBQ beef sandwich... mmmmmmmm....
Today I had a boiled egg and grapes for breakfast with coffee,
lunch was a small salad, a boiled egg, and a peach,
snacking on grapes all day,
dinner was a chicken sandwich... just didn't do it for me.
*****
Since I'm still cramping in the legs from overdoing my first couple of workouts, I decided to do a lighter workout. I took my daughter to the park. We ran the track, played in the grass, I pushed her on the swing focusing on crunching my abs. We climbed playthings. We were running around for 2 hours.
We left to get cat food, and ended up picking out a parakeet as well.
She's just a baby, and will need handling, but she seems calm enough.
My kids need to learn more responsibility. They already feed the cat, but I'm hoping a bird will teach them to be gentle and more patient.
Fingers crossed.
I'm so happy to be spending more quality time with the kids, more active with the kids. I'm able to keep up with them. I think the cleaner eating is just making my energy skyrocket, and the workouts are giving me extra stamina on top.
I'm alive.
I'm happy.
I'm the best mom in the world.
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Taking a rest day
Today was supposed to be day 3 of my T25 workout plan, but I've overdone it and hurt myself.
I like a little muscle soreness. It makes me feel like I actually put effort into my sessions.
This is different though. All day, my calves were so tight it was very painful to walk. I was limping/waddling all day at work. Forget about stairs! It took me a full minute to walk down the 5 we have. The worst part was waking up in the morning and standing for the first time. I wanted to cry.
The boyfriend even made fun of me, thinking I was joking around.
Believe me, I'm no puss to pain.
I went shopping after work to find shorts that fit, and it was difficult to step into them.
I must admit though, that having tight muscles made my legs look amazing.
I went on a spree at the thrift store and got a few dresses and summer outfits for the girls, along with 4 sports bras, 4 running shorts, and 4 workout tops for me.... and a stuffed minion from Despicable Me. I'll say that's for the girls, but we all know otherwise :) I love the minions..
I only spent $60, and this giant bag is overflowing with summer goodies.
I love a great bargain.
I'm in too much pain to do a workout today.
I've been taking the maximum dose of Advil and Aspirin all day, but the tightness is killing me.
Tomorrow I'll probably skip a session too, but I'm taking the girls to the park instead. I'll be running (hopefully) and playing dinosaurs or pretending to be a horse.
That in itself is a workout.
I didn't really put together a food log for today.
Just more green tea and water,
Leftover sandwich for breakfast,
Grilled chicken breast and sides from KFC for lunch,
and spaghetti with garlic bread for dinner. Parents made it for me. Love them.
Sweet dreams,
Kayla
I like a little muscle soreness. It makes me feel like I actually put effort into my sessions.
This is different though. All day, my calves were so tight it was very painful to walk. I was limping/waddling all day at work. Forget about stairs! It took me a full minute to walk down the 5 we have. The worst part was waking up in the morning and standing for the first time. I wanted to cry.
The boyfriend even made fun of me, thinking I was joking around.
Believe me, I'm no puss to pain.
I went shopping after work to find shorts that fit, and it was difficult to step into them.
I must admit though, that having tight muscles made my legs look amazing.
I went on a spree at the thrift store and got a few dresses and summer outfits for the girls, along with 4 sports bras, 4 running shorts, and 4 workout tops for me.... and a stuffed minion from Despicable Me. I'll say that's for the girls, but we all know otherwise :) I love the minions..
I only spent $60, and this giant bag is overflowing with summer goodies.
I love a great bargain.
I'm in too much pain to do a workout today.
I've been taking the maximum dose of Advil and Aspirin all day, but the tightness is killing me.
Tomorrow I'll probably skip a session too, but I'm taking the girls to the park instead. I'll be running (hopefully) and playing dinosaurs or pretending to be a horse.
That in itself is a workout.
I didn't really put together a food log for today.
Just more green tea and water,
Leftover sandwich for breakfast,
Grilled chicken breast and sides from KFC for lunch,
and spaghetti with garlic bread for dinner. Parents made it for me. Love them.
Sweet dreams,
Kayla
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
T25 Day 2 - Speed 1.0 and Grocery Haul
Today's workout was a blast! Speed 1.0!
It was high intensity, but it was broken off by bits of stretching.
Every time I thought I couldn't go another rep, it switched up to work a different muscle group.
It seemed a lot easier than the cardio disc... At least there were chances to catch my breath.
I only used the modifier at the very end. My body gave out on the last burpee, and I was drenched in sweat. It seems to take a long time when you're working out, but as soon as you're done, you think "Wow, I did all that in only 25 minutes!"
Speed 1.0 is a proper title for the disc. It is fast paced. I found myself slowing down to focus on my form. I want that done properly. The speed will come with continued workouts.
My calves are so sore from yesterday's workout, so I was scared to start the workout today.
Once I pushed the play button and actually started, the pain wasn't there. I couldn't notice it.
Maybe I needed to work them more to ease the soreness.
Maybe the 4 advil I popped right before helped.
Now though... I'm having trouble walking down the stairs in my home. I worked out hard.
**************
Groceries!!!
I went to Hen House to get the Buy One Get One Free items.
Once I got there, I got the manufacturer coupons, and the Hen House card and went on my spree!
28 salad dressings.
10 blocks of cheese.
10 pounds of frozen veg for $10
Lunch meats half off.
Box dinners, mac and cheese half off.
Half off first aid sprays.
Then my regular purchases, bread, soy milk, ice cream, laundry detergent, deodorant...
The total was $250.
After card savings and coupons, I paid $104.
Then we went over to Walmart to price match on produce with the Aldi ad.
I got 30 avocados,
8 pounds of grapes,
8 mangoes
for $20!!
Saved $45
I paid $125 for everything,
Saved $190.
Unbelievable.
I took so much over to my parents and grandparents... I practically got $200 of extra food for nothing.
I'll be doing this in the future.
I feel so accomplished today.
I'm exhausted.
*******************************
Meal Plan today:
8am - large cup of coffee with a packet of Stevia
9am - 20 oz water
10am - Grapes
11:30 - Leftover salad with mozzarella cheese and 2 boiled eggs, 20 oz water
2:30pm - 20 oz water and 4 Hershey's drops
7pm - 20 oz water
8pm - 2 sandwiches - chicken, roast beef, lettuce, mustard on French bread.
10pm - 20 oz water
I'm stuffed. But still thirsty. Like a camel.
I'm off to bed!
It was high intensity, but it was broken off by bits of stretching.
Every time I thought I couldn't go another rep, it switched up to work a different muscle group.
It seemed a lot easier than the cardio disc... At least there were chances to catch my breath.
I only used the modifier at the very end. My body gave out on the last burpee, and I was drenched in sweat. It seems to take a long time when you're working out, but as soon as you're done, you think "Wow, I did all that in only 25 minutes!"
Speed 1.0 is a proper title for the disc. It is fast paced. I found myself slowing down to focus on my form. I want that done properly. The speed will come with continued workouts.
My calves are so sore from yesterday's workout, so I was scared to start the workout today.
Once I pushed the play button and actually started, the pain wasn't there. I couldn't notice it.
Maybe I needed to work them more to ease the soreness.
Maybe the 4 advil I popped right before helped.
Now though... I'm having trouble walking down the stairs in my home. I worked out hard.
**************
Groceries!!!
I went to Hen House to get the Buy One Get One Free items.
Once I got there, I got the manufacturer coupons, and the Hen House card and went on my spree!
28 salad dressings.
10 blocks of cheese.
10 pounds of frozen veg for $10
Lunch meats half off.
Box dinners, mac and cheese half off.
Half off first aid sprays.
Then my regular purchases, bread, soy milk, ice cream, laundry detergent, deodorant...
The total was $250.
After card savings and coupons, I paid $104.
Then we went over to Walmart to price match on produce with the Aldi ad.
I got 30 avocados,
8 pounds of grapes,
8 mangoes
for $20!!
Saved $45
I paid $125 for everything,
Saved $190.
Unbelievable.
I took so much over to my parents and grandparents... I practically got $200 of extra food for nothing.
I'll be doing this in the future.
I feel so accomplished today.
I'm exhausted.
*******************************
Meal Plan today:
8am - large cup of coffee with a packet of Stevia
9am - 20 oz water
10am - Grapes
11:30 - Leftover salad with mozzarella cheese and 2 boiled eggs, 20 oz water
2:30pm - 20 oz water and 4 Hershey's drops
7pm - 20 oz water
8pm - 2 sandwiches - chicken, roast beef, lettuce, mustard on French bread.
10pm - 20 oz water
I'm stuffed. But still thirsty. Like a camel.
I'm off to bed!
Monday, July 14, 2014
Focus T25 Day 1 Cardio
When I bought BeachBody's Focus T25 Set, I was surprised that it came in such a Tiny Box.
The sets are Alpha (5 week course), Beta (5 week course), and Gamma (sold as an add-on, 4 weeks Pure Gamma and 4 weeks Pure Strength Hybrid). Total of 14 Discs.
It tells you which workouts to do on each day,
one workout each day Monday-Thursday
two workouts on Friday and rest day Saturday (recommended)
or
one workout Friday, one workout Saturday
Stretch workout on Sunday
You're supposed to take your measurements on Saturday (STATurday)
It also Includes a nutrition guide that seems pretty basic. Lean proteins, complex carbs, fruits and veg. Some of the recipes look downright delicious...
There's a 5-day Fast Track that tells you exactly which foods to eat during the first 5 days. Everything looks delicious, but honestly... the grocery list is ridiculous. There's an incredible variety, but it's not practical for a single person with limited food budget.
It also promotes Shakeology. I haven't tried the shakes, but they're about $4 per serving. It's too rich for my purse.
Lastly, you're given a resistance band, which I failed to picture. I won't use it until the Beta phase, so it still sits in my tiny BeachBody box in the closet.
The Discs!
Alpha
Cardio
Speed 1.0 & Total Body Circuit
AB Intervals
Lower Focus
Stretch
Beta
Core Cardio
Speed 2.0 and Rip't Circuit
Dynamic Core
Upper Focus
Core Speed *
* I hear, unless you get it directly from BeachBody, you have to order this disc separately
Gamma
The Pyramid
Rip't Up
Speed 3.0
Extreme Circuit
**********************************
I think we all hit that wall at some point.
This is it? This is too far... How did I let myself go like this?
I need change. I need a miracle.
This past couple of months have been full of stress and eating everything.
I mean EVERYTHING.
I wanted to do this review for some time, but I never allowed myself the time to do so.
This too will change.
It's time for another make-me-over.
I guess it really didn't sink in until I took my Day 1 pictures.
Where did my tummy come from?
Have my arms always been that big?
I used to have the gap between my thighs...
I'm a completely different person.
I don't spend a lot of time in front of the mirror, and I don't consider myself vain in any way.
How can I not see myself for what I am? I still picture myself as the 120lb cheerleader in high school.
Reality check.
I'm 161.4lbs.
38.5 - 33.5 - 41.25
5'3 on a tall day.
********************************
Day 1 - Alpha
CARDIO
This was more difficult than I thought it would be.
It starts out doing..... guess...... pure cardio.
After 3-4 minutes my lungs were burning and I was gasping for breath.
Just when I thought I couldn't go anymore, there came a portion of lunges that allowed me to catch my breath, but were still repetitive enough to fatigue my muscles.
More cardio!
I started off strong, but had to use the modifier halfway through.
Still soooo very hot and tired and sweating everywhere.
I love that feeling though.
Then another brief lunge-twist thing.
More cardio.
By this time, I'm using the modifier consistently. Still trying, but for someone who doesn't regularly work out like I used to, it's going to take time to work back into it.
By the last 5 minutes I'm completely winded. My leg muscles have all been worked to the max, and it was all I could do to keep going.
Finally he called TIME!
and the disc skipped to a 3-minute cool down stretch.
My legs were part jelly - part solid rock. I haven't worked them like that in years, I bet.
What I love about T25 is that there are no rests. It's difficult, but it will get easier with time. There's always a modifier to follow, and you should always listen to your body. I'd much rather take a 20 second rest than injure myself.
I have a feeling I'll be popping a bunch of Advil in the morning and getting at it again tomorrow night.
*********************
Going along with my fruit shopping spree yesterday and my new goal to exercise daily, I made some changes to my diet.
8am - Large mug of hot green tea and grapes (snacking on grapes all during work hours)
10am - 20 oz bottle of water
11am - 20 oz bottle of water
1pm - Bowl of leftover stew
2pm - My daily dose of 4 Hershey's chocolate drops
3pm - Large mug of green tea
4pm - 20 oz water
6pm - Salad with 2 boiled eggs, shredded mozzarella, Green Goddess and mustard dressing.
6:45-7:15 - Focus T25 Alpha Cardio
7:30pm - 20 oz water
I'll probably have another bottle of water before bed.
I must have eaten 3lbs of grapes today. It was almost the entire bag.
I believe that if it's pure food, you can eat as much as you want.
No regrets.
I had a good day.
<3 kayla="" p="">
Friday, July 11, 2014
Price Matching for Best Produce Deals July 9-15
Grocery shopping is one of my favorite hobbies, because I love finding the best deals and getting 2-3 times the food for my money.
Here are the ads I'm using this week, what I'm getting... I hope you find it useful.
My boyfriend and coworkers save the ads for me. I don't always get all the ads in the mail, and I love the variety I get from different cities. It allows me to get things for bottom dollar, and I love it!
I just take the ads to Walmart, and save save save!
The people in line behind me aren't happy, but I can't afford not to pinch where I can.
Besides, I only get a few different items each week, but enough quantity to stock up for weeks to come. It works out amazingly.
By far, my favorite ad is Aldi.
This week at Aldi,
33 cent avocados. I'm getting 9. There's 3 dollars. (Generally they're $1.50 each) Saving $10.50.
79 cents/lb grapes. I'm getting 3lbs for $2.40. (Generally $2/lb) Saving $3.60
39 cent mangoes. I'm getting 7 for $2.80 (Generally $1.50 each) Saving $7.70
***EDIT***
Walmart was out of Avocado?!?
I got ten mangoes instead.
***
peaches at aldi are 25 cents each
peaches at RedX are 89 cents/lb.
I don't regularly weigh peaches, so I don't know the better deal, but I'm getting $2 worth.
***EDIT***
Walmart sells by peaches by the pound, so they can't honor the 25 cents each.
I would have gotten 8 peaches at 3 and a half pounds. 25 cents each is a much better deal
***
At Save a Lot,
56 oz Sunny D Chillers are 99 cents each.
I'm getting Lemonade and Grape.
It's not healthy in the least, but it tastes delicious with cherry rum!
***EDIT***
Did not get chillers. We can drink water. Health nut is kicking in.
***
Price Chopper
has Buy One Get One Free
Kraft Cheeses and Oscar Meyer Deli Lunchmeats.
Again, not the healthiest of meals, but for a quick lunch on the run, it helps.
Saving 6-7 dollars here.
***EDIT***
Walmart doesn't honor BOGOs unless a price is listed.
Didn't get lunch meat or cheese.
***
HyVee
has a dozen large eggs for 99 cents.
Limit of 1
I'm getting 2-3 dozen.
I boil them for salads or take an egg or two for breadfast.
Eggs are my main source of protein.
Saving a dollar here.
Hen House
has buy one get one free Kraft dressings for $1.99
Some bottles have a 50 cent off coupon attached.
They will double coupons up to a dollar.
I'm getting whatever the limit is.
2 for a dollar!
They're usually over $2 each!
I'm actually going to Hen House to get this deal in person.
The coupon on the bottles make this deal worthwhile.
I plan on spending about $25, but saving about $33.
***EDIT***
I actually spent $16 because I couldn't get all that I intended to buy.
I did get a couple of heads of lettuce though.
10 mangoes
8 peaches
3.5 lbs of grapes.
2 dozen eggs.
A good haul though.
I saved $16.
I'll take half off groceries anyday!
***
It's not my complete grocery list. I still need bread and soymilk, salad things and veggies, but those I'll pick up as I need. At least I'm good on fruit and eggs, bulk of my diet.
Hope you can use these tips too!
Happy Shopping!
Here are the ads I'm using this week, what I'm getting... I hope you find it useful.
My boyfriend and coworkers save the ads for me. I don't always get all the ads in the mail, and I love the variety I get from different cities. It allows me to get things for bottom dollar, and I love it!
I just take the ads to Walmart, and save save save!
The people in line behind me aren't happy, but I can't afford not to pinch where I can.
Besides, I only get a few different items each week, but enough quantity to stock up for weeks to come. It works out amazingly.
By far, my favorite ad is Aldi.
This week at Aldi,
33 cent avocados. I'm getting 9. There's 3 dollars. (Generally they're $1.50 each) Saving $10.50.
79 cents/lb grapes. I'm getting 3lbs for $2.40. (Generally $2/lb) Saving $3.60
39 cent mangoes. I'm getting 7 for $2.80 (Generally $1.50 each) Saving $7.70
***EDIT***
Walmart was out of Avocado?!?
I got ten mangoes instead.
***
peaches at aldi are 25 cents each
peaches at RedX are 89 cents/lb.
I don't regularly weigh peaches, so I don't know the better deal, but I'm getting $2 worth.
***EDIT***
Walmart sells by peaches by the pound, so they can't honor the 25 cents each.
I would have gotten 8 peaches at 3 and a half pounds. 25 cents each is a much better deal
***
At Save a Lot,
56 oz Sunny D Chillers are 99 cents each.
I'm getting Lemonade and Grape.
It's not healthy in the least, but it tastes delicious with cherry rum!
***EDIT***
Did not get chillers. We can drink water. Health nut is kicking in.
***
Price Chopper
has Buy One Get One Free
Kraft Cheeses and Oscar Meyer Deli Lunchmeats.
Again, not the healthiest of meals, but for a quick lunch on the run, it helps.
Saving 6-7 dollars here.
***EDIT***
Walmart doesn't honor BOGOs unless a price is listed.
Didn't get lunch meat or cheese.
***
HyVee
has a dozen large eggs for 99 cents.
Limit of 1
I'm getting 2-3 dozen.
I boil them for salads or take an egg or two for breadfast.
Eggs are my main source of protein.
Saving a dollar here.
Hen House
has buy one get one free Kraft dressings for $1.99
Some bottles have a 50 cent off coupon attached.
They will double coupons up to a dollar.
I'm getting whatever the limit is.
2 for a dollar!
They're usually over $2 each!
I'm actually going to Hen House to get this deal in person.
The coupon on the bottles make this deal worthwhile.
I plan on spending about $25, but saving about $33.
***EDIT***
I actually spent $16 because I couldn't get all that I intended to buy.
I did get a couple of heads of lettuce though.
10 mangoes
8 peaches
3.5 lbs of grapes.
2 dozen eggs.
A good haul though.
I saved $16.
I'll take half off groceries anyday!
***
It's not my complete grocery list. I still need bread and soymilk, salad things and veggies, but those I'll pick up as I need. At least I'm good on fruit and eggs, bulk of my diet.
Hope you can use these tips too!
Happy Shopping!
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Getting antsy for a Workout!
It's Summer!!
Let me tell you a secret...
I've been holding on to my favorite bikini for ten years.
It's this beautiful deep green with swirly light blue girly designs all over. It's just amazing on my olive skin.
Anyhoo... I bought it when I was sixteen, got pregnant a couple years later, and it has been in my top dresser drawer ever since.
I finally got the nerve to throw it away.
I need a transformation. New routine, new body, new bikini.
I'm excited to shop around again.
I still have a while to go before I'm ready to do that though.
I've been shopping around for supplements. EHPlabs never returned my e-mail requesting sponsorship. I guess my tiny blog isn't well enough known, even with my 9500 page views. It does bum me out a bit, to be honest. It won't stop me from trying to find other sponsors. I can't wait to do detailed reviews and take pictures! Hello YouTube videos!
I've dug out my BeachBody Focus T25 dvds.
I'm going to start new and do the entire program, Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and the modified Gamma once I've completed the set. There should be tons of results from that alone.
I plan on pain. Lots of pain. Soreness. Initial hatred. Ending Satisfaction.
I really just want to find a nice supplement to help give me that boost while I'm working out. I want to train hard and be beautifully toned again.
I also plan on helping you guys out with your grocery shopping.
My goal is to find inexpensive, healthy foods. I want to build my pantry on a budget. I'll post which weekly ads to watch for. For the past couple of weeks I've been taking the best ads to WalMart to price match. I've gotten produce for over half off just by doing this. I get to buy in bulk for the same price as I used to get on a few items... now my entire family eats cheap, and nutritious!
It's amazing!
Here's to good changes!
If you're interested in sponsoring me for reviews, please contact me!
Kayla
Let me tell you a secret...
I've been holding on to my favorite bikini for ten years.
It's this beautiful deep green with swirly light blue girly designs all over. It's just amazing on my olive skin.
Anyhoo... I bought it when I was sixteen, got pregnant a couple years later, and it has been in my top dresser drawer ever since.
I finally got the nerve to throw it away.
I need a transformation. New routine, new body, new bikini.
I'm excited to shop around again.
I still have a while to go before I'm ready to do that though.
I've been shopping around for supplements. EHPlabs never returned my e-mail requesting sponsorship. I guess my tiny blog isn't well enough known, even with my 9500 page views. It does bum me out a bit, to be honest. It won't stop me from trying to find other sponsors. I can't wait to do detailed reviews and take pictures! Hello YouTube videos!
I've dug out my BeachBody Focus T25 dvds.
I'm going to start new and do the entire program, Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and the modified Gamma once I've completed the set. There should be tons of results from that alone.
I plan on pain. Lots of pain. Soreness. Initial hatred. Ending Satisfaction.
I really just want to find a nice supplement to help give me that boost while I'm working out. I want to train hard and be beautifully toned again.
I also plan on helping you guys out with your grocery shopping.
My goal is to find inexpensive, healthy foods. I want to build my pantry on a budget. I'll post which weekly ads to watch for. For the past couple of weeks I've been taking the best ads to WalMart to price match. I've gotten produce for over half off just by doing this. I get to buy in bulk for the same price as I used to get on a few items... now my entire family eats cheap, and nutritious!
It's amazing!
Here's to good changes!
If you're interested in sponsoring me for reviews, please contact me!
Kayla
Sunday, June 22, 2014
What is death?
I am very fortunate to have lived 25 years and never seen death.
I have a large family, a few good friends, and people I love, but no one I've ever been close to has ever died.
We've had plenty of close calls in surgery. We're cancer survivors. We're blessed.
I was asked not to post specifics because it's very sensitive... but one of my relatives has been in the ICU for a week. All that I can say is that he's very ill. Machines keep him alive, and that's a terrifying thought. At one point, I considered him a father figure. We used to be close, but have drifted apart this past decade because of petty misunderstandings.
I was scared to see him today.
Me, scared of so little, standing next to his bed, silent, terrified.
All past crap aside, I still love him.
I stood next to my grandmother as she talked to him. Whether he can hear us or not... nobody knows.
After she finished, I stayed by her side and just walked out. I didn't know what to say.
She's so strong, my grandmother. Afraid, but she's not showing it. She had lost a daughter the year before I was born, and had always told me how I'm the image of her.. We've always been close, partly for that reason, I think.
Anyway...
My family, large as it is, has always been close.
They're Christians. They follow the Bible and attend church weekly and pray for everything.
I've never been religious. I don't care one way or the other, as long as people are good people, that's what matters to me. I will always be a good person, and I don't think my religious views would condemn me to burn for eternity if there even is a Hell.
But I watch them and listen to them all get together and pray. It's never anything petty. It's just for faith and good judgment and health. We always take care of each other. Feed each other. Listen. We were taught to give everything we have, if another person truly needs it.
I feel conflicted, because I'm not in that circle of religiousness.
Yet everyone else in my family is so sure about God taking care of us when we need it.
I wonder if there truly is power in prayer, because the few deaths in our family have been of old age, peacefully.
We've been so lucky.
Now, seeing him supported by tubes and wires...
this is new.
Yet I have every faith he'll get better, and I don't understand why.
Is it possible that faith is keeping us alive and together?
Is it God and prayer?
or are we just really resilient?
I have a large family, a few good friends, and people I love, but no one I've ever been close to has ever died.
We've had plenty of close calls in surgery. We're cancer survivors. We're blessed.
I was asked not to post specifics because it's very sensitive... but one of my relatives has been in the ICU for a week. All that I can say is that he's very ill. Machines keep him alive, and that's a terrifying thought. At one point, I considered him a father figure. We used to be close, but have drifted apart this past decade because of petty misunderstandings.
I was scared to see him today.
Me, scared of so little, standing next to his bed, silent, terrified.
All past crap aside, I still love him.
I stood next to my grandmother as she talked to him. Whether he can hear us or not... nobody knows.
After she finished, I stayed by her side and just walked out. I didn't know what to say.
She's so strong, my grandmother. Afraid, but she's not showing it. She had lost a daughter the year before I was born, and had always told me how I'm the image of her.. We've always been close, partly for that reason, I think.
Anyway...
My family, large as it is, has always been close.
They're Christians. They follow the Bible and attend church weekly and pray for everything.
I've never been religious. I don't care one way or the other, as long as people are good people, that's what matters to me. I will always be a good person, and I don't think my religious views would condemn me to burn for eternity if there even is a Hell.
But I watch them and listen to them all get together and pray. It's never anything petty. It's just for faith and good judgment and health. We always take care of each other. Feed each other. Listen. We were taught to give everything we have, if another person truly needs it.
I feel conflicted, because I'm not in that circle of religiousness.
Yet everyone else in my family is so sure about God taking care of us when we need it.
I wonder if there truly is power in prayer, because the few deaths in our family have been of old age, peacefully.
We've been so lucky.
Now, seeing him supported by tubes and wires...
this is new.
Yet I have every faith he'll get better, and I don't understand why.
Is it possible that faith is keeping us alive and together?
Is it God and prayer?
or are we just really resilient?
Thursday, June 19, 2014
HSN's Beginner's Guide to Bronzing, Highlighting, and Contouring
This morning, I was surprised, honored, and intrigued that HSN contacted me to review a beauty video that has yet to be released.
It's their Beginner's Guide to Bronzing, Highlighting, and Contouring.
In all honesty, I haven't really experimented with any of these concepts. I'm generally a foundation and mascara... maybe chapstick kind of girl. I love the natural beauty look.
I was excited to get home and play around though.
I watched the video - beautifully shot, by the way - and thought "Hey that looks easy!" before rummaging through my limited collection of makeup. I used to have so much... but I'm sure the kids have made off with it somewhere... cat ate it... I'm really not sure what happened.
Watching the video, the woman is captivating. She's the drop-dead beauty every girl wishes to be.
She touches on where to add darker shades and where to highlight before hinting at bronzer.
To a makeup sorta-beginner... I'm still looking for something more. I need more detail. I need specifics. I need practice in general....
The video is a general overview, which is great for girls with the tools and basic idea of the products...
yet for someone like me just now trying it out... it still left me a bit... without direction. I felt like I just had to wing it.
It actually ended up being easy... I don't feel like I could have messed it up.
Honestly I loved the way my skin looked afterward.
My boyfriend walked in when I was finishing, and the first thing out of his mouth was "Wow, you look really beautiful today."
It kind of hit me then, that if someone who sees me every day can tell a big difference just by following this basic guide..
I don't know.
I feel pretty.
I feel the need to do this every day because it makes me feel good.
Maybe now I'll look for more in-depth videos. I find it fun to play around and build color and blend, while still looking radiant and natural.
Here are some pictures for you:
This was me, hair back and unglamorous, with only some cc cream and a bit of concealer under my eyes and a light layer of translucent powder.
*Side note- I don't have any contouring products. I used a deep matte blush / eye shadow mix - color "chinchilla" to mimic the effect for the camera*
I feel like my face looks thinner and the light highlighting across my cheeks, bridge of my nose, brow bones, and chin make me look more.. glowing and youthful.
*For highlighter, I used a pearl eye shadow*
I still don't understand bronzer. Won't it be too dark for my skin tone? How much do I need? Which brush do I use? Does it go EVERYWHERE? I'm still a bit clueless, and I have none in my stash... so I didn't use any, but I'm so pleased with the tips found in this HSN video.
Anyone who wants to experiment and look better overall will probably love it too.
********
I've never let you know my real name...
Allow me to introduce myself.
I'm Kayla.
********
You can search HSN and Nurberxo on YouTube for more information or check out these links to buy the beauty products featured in the videos:
http://www.hsn.com/shop/beauty/bs
-and search for your favorite beauty products-
http://www.hsn.com/shop/makeup/bs0001
-specifically makeup-
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Prepping for YouTube
Tonight was a blast!
I brought out my little Bloggie to do some practice videos.
I needed to find good lighting and set up a place for my shoots.
So far, I've noticed, the lighting here is terrible haha!
I don't have any of the fancy equipment, just standard lamps.
A Bloggie is basically a small camcorder/camera thing with pretty great picture quality.
Maybe it's a setting I have it on, but it wants to auto-adjust itself to the brightness of the room, if that makes sense.
Halfway through the video the thing dimmed out on me and turned the video a muddy brown color...
I'll need to fix that pretty quickly.
I also need to find a stand to mount the Bloggie on. Holding the thing in my hand isn't very functional. I'm limited in movement and it wiggles everywhere.
Even so,
The best part of the night was sitting on the counter in my bathroom, (because it has the brightest light and I wanted a comparison against the other rooms) taking a test video, and falling in the sink. I laughed at myself...I'm thinking about sharing the video for giggles.
I'll work out all the bugs.
I'll be taking this little camcorder everywhere to get used to being filmed again. It feels awkward talking to myself =)
I brought out my little Bloggie to do some practice videos.
I needed to find good lighting and set up a place for my shoots.
So far, I've noticed, the lighting here is terrible haha!
I don't have any of the fancy equipment, just standard lamps.
A Bloggie is basically a small camcorder/camera thing with pretty great picture quality.
Maybe it's a setting I have it on, but it wants to auto-adjust itself to the brightness of the room, if that makes sense.
Halfway through the video the thing dimmed out on me and turned the video a muddy brown color...
I'll need to fix that pretty quickly.
I also need to find a stand to mount the Bloggie on. Holding the thing in my hand isn't very functional. I'm limited in movement and it wiggles everywhere.
Even so,
The best part of the night was sitting on the counter in my bathroom, (because it has the brightest light and I wanted a comparison against the other rooms) taking a test video, and falling in the sink. I laughed at myself...I'm thinking about sharing the video for giggles.
I'll work out all the bugs.
I'll be taking this little camcorder everywhere to get used to being filmed again. It feels awkward talking to myself =)
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
I want to do supplement reviews!
You guys know me,
always wanting to try the next thing and promoting my successes to the masses... and giving my honest reviews about products...
I'm just passionate about that sort of thing...
Blogging is great, but I'd rather make videos and be mobile than sit confined to the desk on a laptop.
I'm aiming to switch over to YouTube and do weekly reviews.
I've come across this product that has limited reviews, called OxyShred, from EHPlabs. It looks pretty promising.
The catch? For a single mother of 2 working a desk job... it's pricey. $70.00 for a can of the powder.
I suppose that compared to other thermogenics it's not insanely expensive, but I, like many, have a limited income.
I'd love to try the product and make before and after videos... model a bit.. become more fit.
I've reached out to see if they'd send me samples.
I will always give an honest review, and this could be the start of a fantastic journey.
This product looks promising.
I'm looking forward to hearing the response from EHPlabs.
They're the only company I've contacted.
always wanting to try the next thing and promoting my successes to the masses... and giving my honest reviews about products...
I'm just passionate about that sort of thing...
Blogging is great, but I'd rather make videos and be mobile than sit confined to the desk on a laptop.
I'm aiming to switch over to YouTube and do weekly reviews.
I've come across this product that has limited reviews, called OxyShred, from EHPlabs. It looks pretty promising.
The catch? For a single mother of 2 working a desk job... it's pricey. $70.00 for a can of the powder.
I suppose that compared to other thermogenics it's not insanely expensive, but I, like many, have a limited income.
I'd love to try the product and make before and after videos... model a bit.. become more fit.
I've reached out to see if they'd send me samples.
I will always give an honest review, and this could be the start of a fantastic journey.
This product looks promising.
I'm looking forward to hearing the response from EHPlabs.
They're the only company I've contacted.
Saturday, June 7, 2014
My Current Priorities
Something over the past few weeks has really changed my wants and goals..
I've been stuck in a rut. My life is falling into place, and because of that, I wonder what is left to really work toward..
I have my career. I like it better than any job I've had. It's accounting, and it lacks variety and excitement. I'm going to sell Mary Kay with my sister to make some extra money and get social interaction. My focus has shifted to hoarding away as much money as possible. So far, I haven't saved anything. I've been frugal with my bills and household expenses, but I tend to go all out on fresh produce and great food. Toss in the car repairs I had to make, and I'm pretty broke.
I need to start building credit. I've been turned down for loans and financing because I have no credit. No bad credit, just... none.
I've never had the desire to be in debt, so I never bought anything I couldn't pay in cash right then. It makes sense to me. Kinda screws me out of bigger things though.
I'm at the point where I'm ready for a house... Pretty sure I wouldn't get a loan with no credit history.
I've been looking at houses I love, and they fall into the 150-280k range. I don't need anything too big, just in a safe neighborhood with good schools. Open floor plan with massive windows, kitchen storage. Other than that, I'm pretty open.
It's a lot for a single mom to afford.
Career, running, meetings, kids, Game of Thrones....
It's all so much.
Shopping around for new furniture to put on a card to build credit...
House repairs...
Eh...
It's been ex-boyfriend central here lately. Every week or so one randomly tries to friend me on facebook, or sends me a text. Obviously it didn't work out before, and I have no intention of repeating my mistakes. I think it's because I'm happier, and occasionally post nice pictures. I'm healthier. More fit. I like to wear makeup and do my hair now. I'm finally happy being me again.
I've been stuck in a rut. My life is falling into place, and because of that, I wonder what is left to really work toward..
I have my career. I like it better than any job I've had. It's accounting, and it lacks variety and excitement. I'm going to sell Mary Kay with my sister to make some extra money and get social interaction. My focus has shifted to hoarding away as much money as possible. So far, I haven't saved anything. I've been frugal with my bills and household expenses, but I tend to go all out on fresh produce and great food. Toss in the car repairs I had to make, and I'm pretty broke.
I need to start building credit. I've been turned down for loans and financing because I have no credit. No bad credit, just... none.
I've never had the desire to be in debt, so I never bought anything I couldn't pay in cash right then. It makes sense to me. Kinda screws me out of bigger things though.
I'm at the point where I'm ready for a house... Pretty sure I wouldn't get a loan with no credit history.
I've been looking at houses I love, and they fall into the 150-280k range. I don't need anything too big, just in a safe neighborhood with good schools. Open floor plan with massive windows, kitchen storage. Other than that, I'm pretty open.
It's a lot for a single mom to afford.
Career, running, meetings, kids, Game of Thrones....
It's all so much.
Shopping around for new furniture to put on a card to build credit...
House repairs...
Eh...
It's been ex-boyfriend central here lately. Every week or so one randomly tries to friend me on facebook, or sends me a text. Obviously it didn't work out before, and I have no intention of repeating my mistakes. I think it's because I'm happier, and occasionally post nice pictures. I'm healthier. More fit. I like to wear makeup and do my hair now. I'm finally happy being me again.
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Combo-pilling... not worth it
Most of you readers are interested in the combo-pilling update..
I am not taking them anymore. I haven't in a month.
I've gained 4 pounds back, but lost an inch off my waist. I'm seeing the hip lines and definition again.
I was not myself on those pills. I was not as vibrant. It took away my hunger the first couple weeks, but I guess I just got used to them and started eating bigger portions like before. Between not feeling myself, feeling like a furnace, and being hungrier every day, I gave up on them. Not worth feeling out of whack.
So I'm 161
38-31-41
I imagine the weight gain is because I am eating more volume, but better foods. Mostly fruit and oats, wild rice... I try to eat as pure as possible. Drinking as much water as I can handle. I'm also running and getting stronger each day. I go further and run for longer periods of time without breaks.
Old friends and even family I haven't seen in a month are commenting on how much weight I've seemed to lose. They can't believe I've actually gained. Must be muscle.
I ended up taking a 3 week break from my running program. I jammed my knee and twisted my ankle when I tripped over a pothole. I should have paid more attention, but I prefer to run when it's dark.... No excuse.
I bought better shoes. Expensive fluorescent yellow ones that I adore. Shoes do make a difference, I've noticed.
So it's progress. Scale is up, but I feel better with diet and exercise. Weight is only a number. I'm a super hourglass.
I am not taking them anymore. I haven't in a month.
I've gained 4 pounds back, but lost an inch off my waist. I'm seeing the hip lines and definition again.
I was not myself on those pills. I was not as vibrant. It took away my hunger the first couple weeks, but I guess I just got used to them and started eating bigger portions like before. Between not feeling myself, feeling like a furnace, and being hungrier every day, I gave up on them. Not worth feeling out of whack.
So I'm 161
38-31-41
I imagine the weight gain is because I am eating more volume, but better foods. Mostly fruit and oats, wild rice... I try to eat as pure as possible. Drinking as much water as I can handle. I'm also running and getting stronger each day. I go further and run for longer periods of time without breaks.
Old friends and even family I haven't seen in a month are commenting on how much weight I've seemed to lose. They can't believe I've actually gained. Must be muscle.
I ended up taking a 3 week break from my running program. I jammed my knee and twisted my ankle when I tripped over a pothole. I should have paid more attention, but I prefer to run when it's dark.... No excuse.
I bought better shoes. Expensive fluorescent yellow ones that I adore. Shoes do make a difference, I've noticed.
So it's progress. Scale is up, but I feel better with diet and exercise. Weight is only a number. I'm a super hourglass.
Monday, April 14, 2014
Combo-pilling week 2 results
You want numbers, I bet?
I'm 5'3 on a good day.
I do carry my weight differently than the average woman. I'm muscular. Even at my most athletic and fit, I've never thought of myself as "skinny." Toned and everything, I have always had curves. Dancer's body and all...
Anyway, fell off the wagon after pregnancies, still kept my shape, just a bit larger haha.
As of April 1st, 2014
164.8 lbs.
38.5-34-42.5
As of today, April 14th, 2014
157.2 lbs
38-32-41
I've lost some butt ;)
noooooooooooo!
I do run about 10 miles per week now.
Breakfast is something small, like a homemade protein bar or a cup of yogurt with a banana.
Lunch lately is a few pieces of fruit on days I need a sugar rush...
or wild rice with veg and beans when I need that starchy, heavy feeling in my belly.
Dinner is whatever I damn well want.
The other day I ate half a pizza and a plate of chicken nuggets, a burger a couple of hours later.
I generally always have pita crackers..
Tonight I had 5 eggs after my run.. haha... that's all I have in the fridge and I'm feeling pretty full..
In complete honesty, I try to have healthy dinners. Once or twice a week I do binge, but for the most part it's more fruit and salads.
Looking back through the last couple of weeks... I'm not eating a lot of calories. My early evening run kills my appetite... so come dinner time, I'll opt for the non-fried versions of what I really want.. mostly whole foods... and go nuts.
I do find that I'm craving veggies much more than I ever have.
So there's that.
When I get hungry, I'm REALLY hungry.
Nothing wrong with giving your body what it needs.
I've lost about 4 pounds each week, which is great.
I'm wondering how much is just pills and/or placebo effect...
and how much a radical diet change and regular exercise plan
stand on their own.
Monday, April 7, 2014
Combo Pilling week one results, Noom app
Overall,
I've lost 2.5 pounds this week.
I've eaten when I was hungry... mostly good things. I've had chicken wings and a kid burger with fries the past couple of days. Too much hummus with pita crackers...
Honestly, I shouldn't have lost any with the way I've been eating at night.
I lost half an inch each off my chest and hips, but nothing off my waist. I did have a good sized portion of wild rice and veg for lunch though..
I downloaded the Noom weight loss app, just to keep my portions in the front of my mind. That's where I mess up. My portions have always been much too much.
I do like it, because it gives me little goals to keep in mind through the day.
It does a breakdown of foods and their calorie ratios.
I did find that it's not completely accurate. It told me a head of lettuce contained 200 calories..
So I've been googling calorie info before I enter my foods just to compare.
Tonight I started running again. I haven't mapped a run since August of last year. I ended up doing 2.4 miles, but it was very slow. Honestly, I spent most of my time walking and clinging to the stitch in my side. I guess I'll just have to work up into it again. For now, 2.4 miles is much better than zero miles.
The Zombies,Run! app makes it fun, but the people in my neighborhood are so nice, smiling and waving at me. It's hard to imagine them as brain munching horror freaks. Still, I try.
So tonight I plan on cleaning and organizing my room, shooting crown and pucker, and watching the game.
I have $100 waiting for me if Kentucky wins.
Can't miss this!
I've lost 2.5 pounds this week.
I've eaten when I was hungry... mostly good things. I've had chicken wings and a kid burger with fries the past couple of days. Too much hummus with pita crackers...
Honestly, I shouldn't have lost any with the way I've been eating at night.
I lost half an inch each off my chest and hips, but nothing off my waist. I did have a good sized portion of wild rice and veg for lunch though..
I downloaded the Noom weight loss app, just to keep my portions in the front of my mind. That's where I mess up. My portions have always been much too much.
I do like it, because it gives me little goals to keep in mind through the day.
It does a breakdown of foods and their calorie ratios.
I did find that it's not completely accurate. It told me a head of lettuce contained 200 calories..
So I've been googling calorie info before I enter my foods just to compare.
Tonight I started running again. I haven't mapped a run since August of last year. I ended up doing 2.4 miles, but it was very slow. Honestly, I spent most of my time walking and clinging to the stitch in my side. I guess I'll just have to work up into it again. For now, 2.4 miles is much better than zero miles.
The Zombies,Run! app makes it fun, but the people in my neighborhood are so nice, smiling and waving at me. It's hard to imagine them as brain munching horror freaks. Still, I try.
So tonight I plan on cleaning and organizing my room, shooting crown and pucker, and watching the game.
I have $100 waiting for me if Kentucky wins.
Can't miss this!
Saturday, April 5, 2014
Disappointing Day 5 Results
I actually gained 2 pounds.
To be fair, I'm pretty sure I need to change the battery in my scale. It gives me a different number every time I step on, so I've been taking the average. Not accurate in the least... but it's all I have so far.
I'm also hosing water like I'm dying of thirst.
I haven't been too hungry for breakfast or lunch because I've been taking the pills before my meals, but come dinner time I'm starving and binging on everything in sight! I generally have an entire head of lettuce salad with a couple boiled eggs, bacon bits, and dressing... then whatever else I think I need after that. Generally, cookies.
I'm trying to do better. I only bought produce this week. Eggs. Fat free salad dressings.
I'm not buying meat anymore.
I'll get my protein from nuts and beans, lentils, quinoa.. maybe fish if I catch it.
I did make amazing protein bars today. I'm so excited for breakfast and post-running snacks.
All it is, a blend of protein powders, peanut butter, oats, and chocolate soy milk.
Phenominal flavor.
I'll have to start running again.
The Zombies,Run app I bought isn't compatible on my new phone. I slightly downgraded to save money, and I'm completely disappointed that I won't be chased by the undead anymore. It was a truly amazing experience.
Maybe I'll try harder not to binge at night,
and see better results next week.
To be fair, I'm pretty sure I need to change the battery in my scale. It gives me a different number every time I step on, so I've been taking the average. Not accurate in the least... but it's all I have so far.
I'm also hosing water like I'm dying of thirst.
I haven't been too hungry for breakfast or lunch because I've been taking the pills before my meals, but come dinner time I'm starving and binging on everything in sight! I generally have an entire head of lettuce salad with a couple boiled eggs, bacon bits, and dressing... then whatever else I think I need after that. Generally, cookies.
I'm trying to do better. I only bought produce this week. Eggs. Fat free salad dressings.
I'm not buying meat anymore.
I'll get my protein from nuts and beans, lentils, quinoa.. maybe fish if I catch it.
I did make amazing protein bars today. I'm so excited for breakfast and post-running snacks.
All it is, a blend of protein powders, peanut butter, oats, and chocolate soy milk.
Phenominal flavor.
I'll have to start running again.
The Zombies,Run app I bought isn't compatible on my new phone. I slightly downgraded to save money, and I'm completely disappointed that I won't be chased by the undead anymore. It was a truly amazing experience.
Maybe I'll try harder not to binge at night,
and see better results next week.
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Combo-Pilling Day 2
Let me tell you Readers... there is something to this.
I take one capsule of Zantrex 3 Red and one capsule of Relacore
with breakfast and lunch.
I have no hunger.
I have no cravings.
I could care less about food.
Not even chocolate.
Not even pringles.
Nothing.
You need to eat. That's a given. I worry that people who take these pills will starve themselves, because there's no urge to consume anything but water. You get thirsty, but that's about it.
Breakfast for me is whatever I have in the work fridge. Maybe it's a yogurt thing, a banana...
today I had about half a cup of wild rice with corn and soy sauce.
It's nowhere near the breakfast I would have had before taking the pills.
I take the pills as I'm leaving the house, and 20 minutes later I have a mini meal at 8am and I'm satisfied.
I don't feel hungry for lunch at noon.
I take the other two pills with a small bottle of water and eat about half as much as I normally would before putting the rest in the fridge again. I would never dream of having leftovers before.
Yesterday I had a small Tilapia fillet and half a cup of wild rice and broccoli/corn mix... again with soy sauce. Because why not?
Today I had an orange and a banana.
I don't need a snack.
My boss is amazing. At 2pm daily he passes out chocolate. I don't even want that... but I eat it anyway =)
I'm drinking water all day.
I get home at 5 and I should eat again, but I'm not hungry.
I just had about a cup of watermelon.
I won't take another pill again today because I want an appetite.
I know I'm not getting in enough calories and that's a scary thought.
It's like I have to force myself to eat.
So mom sent home some chili from last night. I'll have a big bowl at about 6.
In the meantime, I have laundry and Frozen to watch.
Side effects to note:
I feel warm. It's like the Zantrex is a thermogenic that raises your body temperature.
(When I take the Zantrex alone, I'm very hot and sweating all the time. This isn't happening when I take the Relacore with it.)
I'm happy, but I'm not overly hyper.
I kinda pee green.
lol
lol
TMI
The Relacore is a dark green pill that smells like a Prenatal Vitamin, but doesn't make me nauseous. It tastes awful though. I'm guessing this is just a weird side effect of the dark green whatever-they-add that's in the pill.
I'm not sure if it's because of mom's chili, or the pills, or my period.... but I have terrible cramps.
I have the Nexplanon birth control implant, and because of that, I only get a period every 3-5 months or so. When I do, I get terrible cramps. I'm sure the cramps are just part of womanly hell. But I'm still noting it, just in case.
I also fall asleep so much easier. I'm ready to crash around 9 or 10pm, and I wake up feeling rested, for the most part.
So I like this combo.
I just hope that the people who take it make themselves eat.
It's easy to portion out meals and stick to it, and not grab a second plate.
And I love food, so for me to say that is odd.
Just don't kill your metabolism by starving yourselves.
It's about $50 with tax to get 72 of each pill at WalMart. Lasts about a month taking 2 of each per day.
Factoring in the money I'm saving by not hitting the vending machine ($25), not going through the drive thru 3 time a week ($20), and being about to portion foods I cook and eating less in general, I'm saving money.
Cutting out fat and processed foods.
I can buy things with great nutritional value and break even. I'm not losing any money.
Who knows how this will affect the body in the long run though?
And I know I'll go back to being hungry and having a French fry massacre as soon as I stop taking them. Gain the weight back.
So... bittersweet.
Keep eating. Don't kill your metabolism people.
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Combo-pilling Zantrex-3 Red and Relacore
I've been doing an amazing job with my diet since the beginning of the year. I've switched to mostly fruits and veggies, eggs, and fish... no processed foods / gluten products... and I feel great. I truly do.
My skin is softer and smoother... glowing even.
My clothes fit differently...
Yet the scale says I'm the same weight as I was before this change. It's incredibly disappointing.
Actually,
The scale first said I'd dropped 11 pounds.
Got back on, and I magically gained 3 pounds.
Stepped off and on, and I gained another 6 pounds.
What the hey!
I think I must need new batteries in the thing.
I talked to mom about my goals and she told me of hers, and I decided I was going to try the combo pilling craze and see what all the hype is about. I figure, try everything twice. The Zantrex-3 Blue pills were aweful for me, but the Reds actually make me feel happy and full of energy. They make me hot too. Physically. It's a good thing for me because I've always been an icicle. For once in my life, I'm not freezing.
So taking these energy-boosting Zantrex Reds and the mood-elevating Relacore pills should make me a happy mess.
Maybe?
Here's to my new experiment:
Cheers.
I start in 6 hours.
My skin is softer and smoother... glowing even.
My clothes fit differently...
Yet the scale says I'm the same weight as I was before this change. It's incredibly disappointing.
Actually,
The scale first said I'd dropped 11 pounds.
Got back on, and I magically gained 3 pounds.
Stepped off and on, and I gained another 6 pounds.
What the hey!
I think I must need new batteries in the thing.
I talked to mom about my goals and she told me of hers, and I decided I was going to try the combo pilling craze and see what all the hype is about. I figure, try everything twice. The Zantrex-3 Blue pills were aweful for me, but the Reds actually make me feel happy and full of energy. They make me hot too. Physically. It's a good thing for me because I've always been an icicle. For once in my life, I'm not freezing.
So taking these energy-boosting Zantrex Reds and the mood-elevating Relacore pills should make me a happy mess.
Maybe?
Here's to my new experiment:
Cheers.
I start in 6 hours.
Sunday, March 23, 2014
I love throwing stuff away.
Most people like to hoard their crap and shop for more and more and more...
I enjoy being minimal.
I've added to my "donate" clothing stash.
I'm going through all the girls' toys and probably donating another bag or two to the church.
I like to see open space in my home. It's sparse, but it's clean and organized... because I have nothing left to organize lol.
What I do have in abundance are odd things.
My Disney VHS collection.
My Glad storage containers.
Coloring books.
Children's books.
High end beauty products (gifts).
Flower pots.
I wish I had a deep freezer. I'd bow hunt and fill it with deer meat.
My goal is to live off the land.
I want a garden so badly. I hate shopping for produce when I could grow it myself.
I want to grow some fruit trees.
I want to hunt. I love to fish.
I'd be a good country wife.
I don't need fancy things. Primping up hasn't ever really been my thing.
Seems like all I do anyway is cook and clean.
I don't know why I enjoy it.
Eh....
Time to finish my laundry and go through those toys.
Then my room is presentable.
Like I have company anyway.
Guess I'll watch Cinderella and do Crown shots and make this interesting.
lol...
I need a spouse.
I enjoy being minimal.
I've added to my "donate" clothing stash.
I'm going through all the girls' toys and probably donating another bag or two to the church.
I like to see open space in my home. It's sparse, but it's clean and organized... because I have nothing left to organize lol.
What I do have in abundance are odd things.
My Disney VHS collection.
My Glad storage containers.
Coloring books.
Children's books.
High end beauty products (gifts).
Flower pots.
I wish I had a deep freezer. I'd bow hunt and fill it with deer meat.
My goal is to live off the land.
I want a garden so badly. I hate shopping for produce when I could grow it myself.
I want to grow some fruit trees.
I want to hunt. I love to fish.
I'd be a good country wife.
I don't need fancy things. Primping up hasn't ever really been my thing.
Seems like all I do anyway is cook and clean.
I don't know why I enjoy it.
Eh....
Time to finish my laundry and go through those toys.
Then my room is presentable.
Like I have company anyway.
Guess I'll watch Cinderella and do Crown shots and make this interesting.
lol...
I need a spouse.
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Overwhelmed by Spring Cleaning and Lack of Boyfriend
I'm in such a funky mood.
I'm trying to get my house in perfect order, but I'm so antsy. I've been working on things as quickly as possible, yet there's no end in sight. Isn't that always how it goes?
After work, I came home and ripped up the carpet in the spare room (with the help of my cousin). I sprayed down the bathroom with cleaner, put smelly good powder crap all over the carpets, collected all the laundry, cleaned out the fridge, took out the trash, reorganized everything I've been storing (meaning, taking all the boxes and stacking them again in a different order), and going through every piece of clothing the girls and I own. I'm donating 2 full black trash bags of clothes we no longer use. I'm storing another 2 bags of clothes my youngest will soon grow into. I still need to hang everything up.
I'm frazzled. I've done so much, yet it looks like I've done nothing, and I am exhausted.
And I still have yet to go grocery shopping :/
.......
Anyway,
I haven't said anything about my promotion. They've decided to try me out as the new company credit manager. I've been in training for about a month, and I absolutely love this job. I get to do a bit of accounting and bookkeeping, make sure everything balances, fix problems. I feel like I'm doing something important. It's about time I got myself a career.
........
Man life is a bit nonexistant at the moment.
I've dated quite a bit, and enjoyed it mostly, but I really do want a relationship. It's been about a year since I've been a 'girlfriend' and I wouldn't mind having that title again with someone I can care for and depend on.
The problem isn't finding someone who loves me... they tend to fall rather quickly... The problem is ME. I just don't get any feelings for guys all that often.
I've been in such an emotional tug-of-war with myself and my dudes that I guess I've switched off my ability to return romantic gestures. I've tried. Believe me, God, I've tried. It just doesn't click. I've had my heart broken a little too much, and I'm pretty much Sasquatch. Cold. Bitter. Fuzzy.
Note to me: book a wax session.
This year alone:
Broken engagement with a guy I'd been with nearly 4 years.
Tryst with first love ending in absolute hatred and disgust.
Dated a man who is everything I've ever wanted and then some, fell too hard, got friendzoned.
Miserable.
Dating site.
Meeting 2-3 blokes per week.
Completely captivated by a total Adonis. Banged. Never heard from him again.
Pissed.
Dating site.
Met a sweetheart. I guess he's still a Facebook Friend? Lost touch.
Met a younger guy who says all the right things. Liking it. Lives 45 minutes away.
Hm.
I don't know. I'm lonely.
Everything in my life has fallen into place through all of this though.
I'm exercising, cooking and eating healthy, delicious meals, I've got the career, kids are happy....
Why doesn't this fall into place too?
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Once again, Hello!
Hello again, Dear readers.
The year following my broken engagement has been hectic. I feel like I've grown and done so much...
My entire demeanor and mindset has changed once again.
-The living situation is obviously ever-changing. I moved out of my ex-fiance's house and into my First Love's home. He was 'going through a divorce' but never actually did. The jackass. I moved back into Mom's for about 6 months before I moved in with my cousin. We now share a little home. He has one side, I have the other, and it works out very well.
I've also been on a dating site once again, and serial dating like no other. I started meeting a couple guys a week just to put myself back out there. I do enjoy dating. I've gotten to meet some neat and very cool guys. Some that creeped me out... others that scared the heebie-jeebies out of me.. but for the most part, I've had fun.
I'm forcing myself to be the mature, good girl. I've never put that much effort into it before. I've noticed that on this particular site, even the guys who seem to have the best intentions are only after that one thing. They're initially alright with not just hooking up, but soon disappear after a couple normal dates.
I'm pretty awesome, no doubt about that lol... but I want something real and lasting. I found that when I did sleep with a guy too soon, he was instantly out of the picture. Across the board.
I'm no dead fish... and I'm worth more than just another notch. It's frustrating and sad.
Maybe by being temporarily celebate... I'll find one worth keeping?
I hope so.
I'm ready for my angel.
------
I also am no longer taking those Zantrex-3 pills.
Yes, they kept me pretty thin because I wasn't eating as much, but the mental toll they took on me was not worth it. I had more panic attacks and paraniod delusions than I care to admit.
Now that I've been off them for months and months, my head is clear. I've grown my balls back. I'm happier.
I've also grown to love my curves.
I plan on doing my first 5k this May. I love running at night. I don't have the best endurance, but it's a work in progress and I have something to aim for.
I also purchased the Focus T25 system.
It's incredibly intense. I find that I can't work out for 2 days after a workout because my body is not used to being so physically challenged. Everything is tight and sore. Just remember, every workout only makes me stronger.
More to come,
more witty humor... I promise.
Kids are hungry.
<3 Friggie
The year following my broken engagement has been hectic. I feel like I've grown and done so much...
My entire demeanor and mindset has changed once again.
-The living situation is obviously ever-changing. I moved out of my ex-fiance's house and into my First Love's home. He was 'going through a divorce' but never actually did. The jackass. I moved back into Mom's for about 6 months before I moved in with my cousin. We now share a little home. He has one side, I have the other, and it works out very well.
I've also been on a dating site once again, and serial dating like no other. I started meeting a couple guys a week just to put myself back out there. I do enjoy dating. I've gotten to meet some neat and very cool guys. Some that creeped me out... others that scared the heebie-jeebies out of me.. but for the most part, I've had fun.
I'm forcing myself to be the mature, good girl. I've never put that much effort into it before. I've noticed that on this particular site, even the guys who seem to have the best intentions are only after that one thing. They're initially alright with not just hooking up, but soon disappear after a couple normal dates.
I'm pretty awesome, no doubt about that lol... but I want something real and lasting. I found that when I did sleep with a guy too soon, he was instantly out of the picture. Across the board.
I'm no dead fish... and I'm worth more than just another notch. It's frustrating and sad.
Maybe by being temporarily celebate... I'll find one worth keeping?
I hope so.
I'm ready for my angel.
------
I also am no longer taking those Zantrex-3 pills.
Yes, they kept me pretty thin because I wasn't eating as much, but the mental toll they took on me was not worth it. I had more panic attacks and paraniod delusions than I care to admit.
Now that I've been off them for months and months, my head is clear. I've grown my balls back. I'm happier.
I've also grown to love my curves.
I plan on doing my first 5k this May. I love running at night. I don't have the best endurance, but it's a work in progress and I have something to aim for.
I also purchased the Focus T25 system.
It's incredibly intense. I find that I can't work out for 2 days after a workout because my body is not used to being so physically challenged. Everything is tight and sore. Just remember, every workout only makes me stronger.
More to come,
more witty humor... I promise.
Kids are hungry.
<3 Friggie
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