Felt like my class

This past November a couple of gal friends and I decided to do a 30 day squat challenge. We figured with all the holidays around we wanted to help or butt from falling to the floor.. And, we all wanted the girls butt in the picture.

We started out great, we would knock them out in the morning before work.  And, as they increased some of us broke them down into groups of 10 and did them throughout the day.

November 22 sucked for me. I was at work and forgotten all about my squats. I was at work at my desk and had a few minutes, I figured that knock out 190 of them.

I took my shoes off, raised my desk and proceeded to do the deed. I did them in groups of 10 or 20 making sure I had good form. After that, I lowered my desk back down and went about my work. About 2 hours later I noticed an unusual tightening, I tried a few stretches to loosen it up but it was on its way to seizing up. I didn't  have any way to get home for relief so I worked though the day. As soon as I got home, my husband put tried to work out the muscle kinks and apply ice. All I could think about was I had to to prepare Thanksgiving dinner in two days, what am I going to do? I managed to prepare the meal very carefully with a lot of help from family and friends but, I was not able to finish the squat challenge. That to me was the worst part of it. 

After 2 weeks my back pain finally let up enough for me to attempt a yoga class. I knew my limitations and capabilities to modify when I needed to.  

I arrived to class a little early to relax in the heat and ended up talking with Lauren, the instructor. One thing led to another in conversation and I mentioned that my back was a little weak and that I might have to modify a few poses.

The whole class was amazing and the movements we performed were centered around core strength. Not once did I feel a twinge or a pain or did I have to modify. At the end of class I felt energized and like the class was wrapped around my needs.  Thanks  Lauren at Fire Fly

People are idiots.

Have any frustrations set in yet? Not seeing a difference physically? Are people giving you shitty advice thinking the're helping you?  Telling you that you will never maintain or you will never be successful with a diet. You can't survive on a low calorie plan.

If you've answered yes to any of these questions, welcome to the stupid human race.  Naturally people suck when it comes to helpful advice and don't understand that they are more negative than positive. It's not their fault, people can be idiots.

First of all. We eat! we all have a diet. Some diets are better than others. What you put into it is what you're going to get out of it. Do your homework!

I chose to lose weight and I worked very hard at it. I should be able to brag. I'm proud of what I've accomplished. If you can't be supportive of me, then move on. I don't have time.

Change is hard for people, its baby steps. We have friends and family that mean well, but frankly you need to take what they say with a grain of salt. DON"T eat  the salt, throw it over your left shoulder for good luck.

Second of all. Things take time. Don't be so hard on yourself, you know what you can handle and what you can't. Don't get caught up in the hype. It's not a one size fits all.

Step out of the comfort zone, a little at a time. As you are successful, you try the next thing. I'm in my late 40's and I definitely don't care what other people think anymore. (I always wondered why Grandma was a spit fire.)

I'm a good person, I know that. But, I also know that if I'm good at something I'm going to talk about and share with others to maybe motivate. I love to help other people shine. Tt's not a competition, none of us get out of here alive.

Moral to my story as I RANT away. Be kind to yourself and others. It takes time and you need to keep a positive edge going. It's catchy, trust me.

You ARE seeing results from all your hard efforts, maybe not in clothing size, its only been a couple weeks. But, what you are learning about yourself is much more important.

Be Patient

It's your story. Be Fabulous

So it's January, 2016.  I hope you fabulous people didn't do the same resolutions that didn't work last year. Or make ones that are impossible to reach.

Last year, my resolution was to learn another language because I figured I had the food thing down. I jumped in both feet and worked hard at it. I took classes, bought books and I was going to conquer this. However, life gets in the way and I had to put it on the shelf to study for a work thing. Exceptionally boring stuff I might add.  I'll get back to it this year.

This year my goal or resolution was simple. I wanted to lose 20 lbs to get my eating back on track. All the summer craft beers and margaritas can catch up with you.  Healthy eating and movement have always front and center but something about the end of the year that makes it so final.  A new year makes it feel like it's a free pass to start over and be great at it. I'm working on with some gal pals that have the same mission. When you can network, you have power to get thought situations to vent about and to celebrate victories and there is success in numbers.

Make this year all about you. As I get older it's about pampering yourself a little more, be with loved ones and enjoy life. Over this past year I've met some wonderful people that I now consider friends. New relationships and new ideas have blossomed. In 2015, I took a belly dancing,a burlesque class and I learned yoga.  I accomplished more in 2015 but these ones were memorable moments.

Pole dancing popped up in conversations recently, but that one is on hold. Not sure about that one. I can see myself sliding down a pole flat on my face. My point is try something new. Take a dance class, join a team, yoga or get a dog or cat.

So far January 2016 is working out for me and my food plan. Using hCG Activator I'm down 10 lbs and feeling great.  I keep my self accountable with my chalk  board cupboard doors. I get excited to cross of each day.

Whatever big or small just do something that you can call your own and be fabulous about it.

It's been a week

It's my first week on hCG Activator and I've lost 6 lbs in 3 days. I put together a 6 week challenge of a consistent exercise and an eating plan. I've cleared my calendar so nothing is to get in my way.  I've taken the time to set this up, but what really put me over the edge was my waist measurement. I gained 3 inches around my middle.  I thought I was going to lose my mind. I knew my pants were getting tight and I would try on 12 tops before settling for the one that hid the muffin top the most. I don't even like muffins!

I know you gain weight rather slowly but you always seem to justify it until something happens and BOOM where that 20 lbs come from? Time to reel it in.

My first experience with hCG Activator I lost over 60 lbs in 2010. I know the plan works, and as a creature of habit I will do what works for me again. I have been so unsuccessful in the past  with my weight control that I did not want that frustration again. Plus, the food plan makes perfect sense. It's full of energy and it makes me feel good. It's all fresh wholesome foods how can you go wrong?

My opinion is that processed food companies want you to buy their crap. Yes, it's all crap. if you want to eat right, pretend you are eating like your grandparents or great grandparents. They didn't run out to a fast food joint or open a box or eat a cereal bar. Okay, maybe a little of my consumerism came out there but you get my point.

This year is a bit different, I have a lot of friends and co - workers that really want to make positive change too. So, we all jumped on the band wagon and are positively reinforcing each other.

It's nice to know that you're not alone in wanting to better yourself. Facebook maybe full of crap, but having online friends that share positive words help motivate and send good vibes. Heck, we share recipes, suggestions, questions and stupid memes.

With all my success in the past I was asked to do an ad in a GNC magazine for hCG. I did this  photo back in 2011 and I can honestly say it's not altered. I have the original photo in file. It just looks weird cut and pasted. But this helps remind me of what I need to do.

Along with my food program I have incorporated Hot Yoga a few days per week. I'm not totally busting my ass, but Hot Yoga is no walk in the park, and its great workout Mentally as well. Plus, a few of gals are doing a monthly physical challenge to keep us on task.

I'm on a a restrictive meal plan of lean meats and veggies but yoga allows me to stay active and strong. Its' a win win combination.

Moving forward, its only begun!

I'm Hangry

There are some days that I just don't feel like getting out of bed. It's a Saturday and you could care less if the world had ended sometime the night before.

I know  most of you can agree, but  then you might have a family that couldn't feed themselves without you! Feels like that anyway.

In my case, I have all boys. And yes,  I'm including my husband as one of the boys.

The rest of my family doesn't have a weight problem, BECAUSE I feed them. But, if I don't prep food they act like the 3 stooges fumbling around the kitchen.

On Sunday's me and my husband tackle the local food store and load up for the week. I work hard to prep in the early evening as much as possible so we can just grab.  Otherwise during the week, we are taxed and start making bad choices.

I can't say every Sunday is open to just prep. but we do the best we can and the majority is done.

We eat leftovers in my house period. But they don't have to be boring.  Tons of recipes on the internet that you can spice things up. Just Google it!

I try to prepare as much food items as possible to last most of the week. I'll make rice, couscous, or quinoa as a base item. Maybe cut up veggies for a quick grab and sometimes I make a couple cold salads. My husband likes cucumber salad or coleslaw so that's an easy one. I grill a whatever meat for the week, that can be used tacos, stirfrys or strips on a salad.  Sometimes we eat vegetarian, its just easier than thawing burger or something. Casseroles or crock pot dishes are an option.

I basically make about 3 days worth of meals and the rest are parted out into create your own. My goal is to not throw food away so I'm careful  to not to over shop or prep. But, that's what freezers are for.

Got bananas left over? peal, toss into a baggie and freeze for future smoothies. Same goes for al berries and fruits if they are getting to ripe.

We don't do boxed meals as a rule. Loaded with sodium and words I can't pronounce. Actually, the only boxed meals in my house might be some mac and cheese or Stove Top stuffing left over from Thanksgiving.

GET YOUR STAPLES.We always have things like bread, milk, pasta, soup etc.Good standby's in a pinch. I also stock up on fresh tomatoes, salami, cheese, peppers, pickles, olives for a quick antipasto platter. Bada Bing! That is a big favorite in my house. We're an Italian family, what can I say. Capisce?

Moral of the story is, if you want to be successful in anything you have to make to plan. If you are trying to watch what you eat, you have actually know what you're eating. When we are hangry its hard to follow the rules.

The same concept goes for shopping. Eat first so you won't be the proud owner of Aisle 4.

My Bitchen Kitchen

All exercise and healthy food aside I want to share another kind of health that's just as important. The kind of health that you invite a few girlfriends over and make a total disaster of your home. This is how friendships are strengthen, with wine, laughter and a camera phone for black mail.

A few of us were bitching through Facebook about being too busy and having no time to bake holiday cookies.  For many years, I would  tackle this project as a lone soldier and spend the whole day at it.  My boys turned into stealth ninjas to swipe a cookie every now and then. They were like the wind.

Then idea's started getting tossed around and  the rest is history. It went from "I have recipes" to "Oh, lets do our hair to lets get cool aprons". Next phase I headed out shopping hanging out in the baking and wine aisle. They really should put those aisles next to each other, would make more sales of wine I'm sure.  We were really looking forward to us girls catching up and making cookies.

The idea was for each recipe that was brought you had to also bring a bottle of wine. And a container to take cookies home.

Our theme ended up being retro, along the lines of  Rockabilly. I managed to find enough bobby pins and handkerchiefs for all our up-do's, kind of like Rosie the Riveter. Our aprons reflected the era and added to the excitement.

Our Baking Day turned out to be one of the most memorable events that I have ever put on.  We baked, frosted and decorated hundreds of cookies and laughed through it all. It's amazing how creative you can get when alcohol is involved.

We started around 10am and did not finish until after 10pm, completely exhausted and more than a bit tipsy. Cookies in this picture may not be PG. (You've been warned)  Yes, those are penis and boobie cookies.

On the counter was a severely beaten up vegetable and cheese tray, empty wine bottles pushed together, frosting covered wine glasses, corks and frosting bags drying up. Cookies sheets with remnants of cookie crumbles piled in the corner, the floor riddled  with nonpareils and sprinkles. It was over. We all laughed and joked as our husbands gathered up their tipsy wives and edible goodies. I'm the last one standing gazing over the destruction and mutter "best day ever" as I shut the lights off.  Now it was time for the careful removal of hair pins in hair that was sticky with copious amounts of hairspray.  My flour matted apron had taken it's toll and was finally taken off. My husband helps me lay down as I'm completely exhausted and slighted buzzed.  I curl up with my pillow and all I could smell was the lingering aroma of royal icing.

It was an exhausting but, one of the most memorable experiences I have ever experienced.

Thank you for a wonderful memorable day Cat, Whitney, Adrienne, and Kelly.  

Not all of our men are featured here, but a VERY big shout out to all the husbands for being at our beck and call and with cameras ready. Running for sugar, more wine, real food, taking care of  kids and most of all supporting their crazy wives and their silliness. Thanks, Tom, Eric, Evan, Phil and Nick.

Merry Christmas