Cize Challenge Week 5

I have had a rough couple of weeks. I don't share publicly often, but I suffer from severe PMS fatigue for about a week every month. Takes every ounce of energy I have to just make it through a normal day. Working out helps, but sometimes there just isn't that energy there. Add to that some sort of creeping crud/cold/allergy thing going around our house, and somehow I have been very out of it.

That said, week 5 went pretty well. I got in three work outs with Go for it, and two with Livin' in the 8's. That latter is dang hard. Gah!!

Go for it

 

Livin' in the 8's

Transformation Tuesday

I had a great start to my morning. I woke up with time to get my sister up, poke at the nephew and son, get my workout clothes on, and then push those boys some more. They had breakfast and were ready for the bus with ten minutes to spare. It was awesome!

Here's the transformation part. I went up to the attic to complete day 16 of the 21 day fix, which is upper fix. While my disk loaded, I unwrapped my new weights. I transformed my weights from zero and 2 pound to three and five pound weights. I am sure my arms will be jelly tomorrow, but it felt so good to make that progress.

I tried very hard to hold onto this feeling as I realized when I was ten minutes from work that I didn't have my military identification on me. This meant I had to drive all the way home and back, which resulted in me being 40 minutes late. Top this off with some serious hormone surges, and I was a wreck. My take away from this is to not deviate from the plan, i.e. always wear/place put important stuff in the same place. It is important to adhere to some of these rigid structures to enable us to grow, and do the things we need to do without having to worry. There you go, a Tuesday thought, as well!

P.S. Don't let weather related internet issues get you down!

Ultimate Reset Journey

I started my journey on the Ultimate Reset full of high hopes and conviction that the only issue would be my addiction to coffee. Oddly enough my coffee addiction only reared its head once or twice, and really as a desire for the comfort a warm cuppa brings and not for the jolt.

The first week was easy. Got used to the schedule of supplements. The food was fabulous and easy to prepare. It took some juggling, but I managed the time even when things didn't go according to plan. I didn't experience any of the mood swings or exhaustion I was counting on. In fact, I was peppy and filled with energy. I figured I had this licked.

Then I missed a supplement on day 8. I figured I would just keep going and get back on track at lunch, which I did. I discovered that this week was not as easy in terms of food preparation, but I made it through the week with the help of my Facebook community and through strength of will. No way was I going to give this up at this point.

At the end of week two and beginning of week three, the exhaustion and mood swings started. When I spoke to my doctor at my follow up appointment to blood work, she mentioned that since hormones are stored in your fat when you lose weight they are released. (Note: this is my interpretation of our conversation.) This made perfect sense to me since at that point I had lost 7 1/2 pounds in two weeks. It wasn't pretty, but the everybody is pissing me off feeling left after a few days. The exhaustion stuck around though through most of week three. This might have been helped by my absolutely insane schedule at work. Other than these two things, week three went well enough. I had to substitute or repeat more meals during this week as I found that making all the aspects of a meal were often to much food. Stayed within that weeks menu plan, though. No straying from the vegan lifestyle.

So here I sit three days post-Reset having successfully eaten dairy and not so much success with a piece of turkey. Wondering where this leaves me in the grand scheme of things. I think that what the Reset did for me was show me where I can be more purposeful in my eating. I wasn't eating badly before, but I have places where I can make changes including in my beloved oatmeal. I have cut way back on my intake and I am actually eating fresh fruit and using natural sugar. I, also, learned that I need to measure more deliberately and not just eyeball things. What I used to think was two tablespoons of dressing really isn't, and honestly I don't need more than the two called a serving.

I am a changed woman in more than the physical ways. It is internal as well. This was a definite growing season for me.

Ultimate Reset Results

So, I was a little behind in posting. Life got in the way of things as it sometimes does, and I chose to spend some of my free time with the Monkey. It was beneficial for both of us. :) 

I have reached the end of my journey on the Ultimate Reset, and wanted to share my physical results with you as soon as possible. You should be looking for a post on the journey by the weekend. I started this journey 21 days ago at 203 pounds according to the Wii Fit board. I weighed in this morning, and I am officially 193 pounds!! That is 10 pounds! And I feel a kick start to my journey in the weight loss department. In addition to that, I lost 7 inches total with the most significant being 2 inches of each my waist and hips. I am very, very pleased with these results and with the changes I see coming.

 

Thoughts at Mid-Week 1

I have been struggling with the timing of the supplements still. Our schedules with day camps, markets, working nights at a job that doesn't always allow for getting things on time, and just general forgetfulness sometimes makes it difficult for me. I am learning that I need to prepare ahead of time, and that I need to make sure I have everything with me. This means a little cup to do my grass drink in as well as my meal and utensils and the rest of the supplements. Yes, I said grass. :) Oh, and I have been a little light headed once or twice from drinking my oxygenized water a bit to quickly when I am at work.


Otherwise, I have been doing pretty good. Making substitutes to the meal plans as necessary due to timing, quantities of leftovers or inability to find certain ingredients. I really can't wait to see what tomorrow's weigh-in brings, but no matter what it brings I am feeling so much better about myself & the way I treat my body. 

Day 4: Yogurt and Fruit for breakfast

 Day 4: This was lunch. Microgreen salad, Lentil-Lime salad and Nori rolls in a bowl (no seaweed)

Day 4: Stir fry veggies with quinoa (I was so full I didn't eat the cucumber salad)

  

Day 5: Oatmeal with blueberries, pecans and maple syrup

Day 5: lunch was Quinoa salad with a veggie tray and hummus. Dinner was a repeat of day 4. Loved those stir-fry veggies!

And this is me pre-Reset

Ultimate Reset Beginnings

I have been fairly quiet around here. Part of that was some weirdness going around our house, i.e. mysterious illnesses and the joys of summer day camp schedules. The other part was me preparing myself for the Ultimate Reset from Beachbody. I was reading my book, studying the recipes, and watching my DVD all to prepare for the 3 week detox of my body. Honestly, I was a little nervous as to how I would do without my coffee and without any sort of strenuous exercise (yoga and walking are all that are recommended since you are giving your insides a workout). Been doing fine with both of those so far. Want to know what is killing me? I want a cookie soooo bad. I know it is the PMS talking, but still I can't shake it. Have I reached for those dang cookies? No, but I did give them a good hard look at the grocery store. 

I know I was under-hydrated yesterday as I ended the day with a headache, but otherwise I have been feeling no ill side affects. Am I having a hard time working out the supplements with my schedule? Yeah. Working two jobs is rough on a body, and figuring out when to take things so you can eat at a time that works between the two or all the children's activities/appointments? It is a challenge I can overcome. Just going to take some changing things up. And least you all think I am starving, these are my meals from the first two days. I think I had plenty. :)

Day 1

Day 2

Summit Day 3

It has been a week since the last day of Summit, and I am still reliving the memories and thinking of all the ways I can put into action the many ideas that were shared. Someone asked me today if I was ready to go back right now. The answer? Heck yeah!!

Workouts, workshops, friendships born and continued, amazing speakers (including our CEO, Carl Daikleer), product releases and previews. Summit had it all and I would do it all again in a heartbeat. In fact, I am working on getting myself together to get the special rate for next year's Summit, which will be in Vegas again. Who is going with me?

This is me at 8:00 a.m. after 90 minutes of working out with several of the celebrity trainers and just shy of 5000 of my fellow coaches. Not a single person needed the EMT's that were there. How awesome is that?! Bonus? I did my first plank push ups. Ten of them. I may not be chest to ground, but I am making progress. Bam!

Showered and ready to head out for the day's activities. I won't tell you that I dozed off during the first session, and that thankfully I only snored once according to my roommate. The second session went much better, and I think will be a great benefit to me as it was on developing confidence.

After the morning sessions, it was time for a little lunch at the Core. I grabbed some of the new vegan chocolate Shakeology made with the Carl Daikeler special recipe (rice milk, pb, banana), and proceeded to wander over to get in line for the signings.

I made sure I was in line to get a chance to talk with Donna Richardson Joyner, creator of Body Gospel. She is such an inspiration to me. I just can't even begin to put it into words.

I got a chance to chat briefly with Darin Olien, co-creator of Shakeology. I had to thank him for the newest vegan formula as it means my Monkey can safely drink Shakeology without it causing him issues. Yay! It was then onto the closing session and dinner.

After dinner, I got dressed up and headed to Celebration, which is just what it sounds like. Celebration is a time to celebrate our coach network, and those who have done amazing things in the past year. As for me? That outfit is a petite large top and a petite xl skirt. That is my celebration right there.

Summit Day 2

Yep. Here I am on Day 2 ready to go workout with Donna Richardson Joyner (Body Gospel) at 6 a.m. You read that right. I am wide awake, coffee free and smiling. Who knew?

I am really hoping that the group doesn't mind, but this is the class after Donna got done with us. Still smiling, and feeling blessed. Even more blessed after she said a prayer over us.

Then it was off to have my butt worked off by Leandro Carvalho at 7:15 a.m. Yes, yes. Back to back workouts. He ended the workout, which ran over like every other workout, with a cool-down/dance party to the song, Just the Way You Are by Bruno Mars. Awesomeness!

After the double workout, I was feeling a bit sassy. So, I went with the animal print (don't ask me to identify it) sweater with a white cami and black capri's. They stood me in good stead as I headed out to the opening session in the Grand Garden Arena and then after lunch at Wendy's (side salad & baked 'toe) to a seminar on "Flexing Your Social Media Muscle: How to Stand Out in Social Media."

Hey look at that!!! I made Shakeology daily (except Saturday ) in my room. Brought my blender along, and a collapsible ice chest for the goodies. I know I wasn't the only one, and I don't mean just my room-mates, who brought their healthiest meal of the day along for the ride.

After the workshops, it was time for the third workout of the day. I opted to visit Dr. Mark Cheng and get a little Tai Cheng in for a final workout. This is the workout of one of my challenge-support group members, and I wanted to try it out. Supreme awareness of my body, energy tingling in my hands, and a feeling of peace and sweatyness after just 45 minutes. I can see where this program would be beneficial to people of all ages and agility.

I ended my second day with dinner at the Earl of Sandwich with 2 other coaches before heading back to the MGM for the Beachbody's Got Talent Show. What a hoot! They even took a few talented people from the audience between acts. It was the perfect ending to a perfect day!

Summit Day 3 is coming earlier than expected....

Summit Day 1

So, I have been silent for awhile here. Been just a wee bit busy preparing for a little trip to Las Vegas for the 2012 Coach Summit. What is Summit? Summit is a time for Team Beachbody coaches, Beachbody trainers and corporate personnel to come together to learn from each other, work out, and celebrate the successes of the past year and get pumped up about what the coming year will bring. It started officially this past Thursday, but some of us got there early so that we could connect before all the activities, seminars and workouts took us every which way.

Taking a page from my friend Catherine of Small Town, Big Wardrobe, you are getting daily outfit photos. In my TurboFire tank, I headed out with eight other ladies to see what this Stripper 101 class is all about. I can see why pole dancing is growing as an area of fitness. My quads were sore for two days. 

This is my pretty blue cami and blouse paired with brown capri's & sandals. Heading out to the first workshops on Thursday.

 

I didn't look nearly this pretty after just over an hour with Mr. Tony Horton and 2000 coaches. The workout we did was the same (similar?) to the one he does when he visits the troops. Can we say he whooped my heiney?

Summit Day 2 coming soon......