Turkey pesto sandwich

When I was doing the five day fast track with my new workout program, Focus T25, I posted a lot of yummy food photos. Someone mentioned that I should post the recipes or at least share. This is my take on the turkey pesto sandwich, which was the highlight of the foods I enjoyed & proof that "dieting" is not about deprivation. 

Start by toasting two slices of whole grain bread. In my case, I used Rudi's original gluten free bread.

Then add a slice of Swiss cheese.

A tablespoon of prepared pesto.

Two slices of deli turkey.

Some cucumber and red bell pepper.

A small mound of fresh spinach.

Slice in half and enjoy!!

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

Body Gospel Round 2

Okay, this is yet another post that has been waiting to be written. I decided to start another round of Body Gospel, and did so last week with some new photos. This round will include judicious use of bands, but still be low impact to accommodate my still recovering neck and back. Though on that note, the physical therapist thinks I may be ready to graduate. :)

In addition, I have been putting a quarter in a jar each day that I get in my scheduled workout and drink my shake. This is both motivation and a way to start saving for the matching tattoo my best friend and I are getting for our 40th birthday's next year.

QOTD: What do you do to keep yourself motivated?

Renewed Wellness Commitment

My wellness was not derailed by the holidays. In fact, I did pretty well during the eating holidays with keeping on track with my calories. It was brought to a stop by the car accident and the change in my schedule due to a new job as a cashier working nights and weekends. The car accident caused me to not being able to exercise like I had been, and my new schedule had me eating at all sorts of different hours of the day. And then we went on vacation for ten days to Disney World.

okay, this is actually in Harry Potter at Universal!

There was lots of walking, and lots of eating. There was, also, some days where I didn't drink coffee due some vertigo. I don't like to think about that part to much. On the whole, I would say that my food consumption was mostly on the healthy side. A little heavier than I was used to, but I did take my new little blender and had my shakes (when I remembered).

That said, between the accident in early November and February 4th I gained 15 pounds. I wasn't happy about it, but I knew that my body had changed. I had already decided I was going to start over, but that clinched it. I did a two day Shakeology cleanse, and lost 7 pounds. I, also, started my favorite program, Body Gospel, over again. And realized that my range of motion is very, very limited. I am working through that with the help of my physical therapist. Until then I do what I can modified and without the bands. I AM back on track to the healthier me I deserve to be.

Pre-pregnancy Weight Achieved

Can I get a few Hallelujahs here?! :)

A little back story: Flash back to 2003 when I was just in a low place and worried about my health. A friend (hi Jill) talked to me about Jazzercise, and I started going two to three times a week (hi Paige!). I, also, started weighing and measuring my food. I was determined to get healthy. Over the course of a year, I lost 25 pounds, which brought me down to 200 pounds. Then in March 2004 I got pregnant. Deliberately.

Did I go out of my mind with I can eat for two? Not a chance. I kept eating reasonably, and measuring my portions. I kept walking the dog, and going to Jazzercise. I gained exactly 25 pounds with my pregnancy. At my one week check up post birth, I weighed in at 192. I felt fabulous.

Present day: I have been stuck since April or May at the weight of 205. I have said that it was beginning to piss me off. And that the scale makes me crazy. I didn't want to weigh today, especially after last night's measurements showed an increase in certain locations. I was not ready for more disappointment. When I went to weigh, the Wii board's battery pack was dead. So I decided to try the regular scale. Imagine my surprise when I thought I was just over 200, and had my sister look....twice. Yep, 200 pounds. That is 5 pounds lost in this first phase of P90x (total of 33 in 11 months), and reaching my pre-pregnancy weight. I am over the moon.

Next up? My post-pregnancy weight!!

Turbo Jam & Wellness Update

In the middle of my April workouts, I decided to dedicate April to Turbo Jam, and do a full round. With minimal convincing from my friend/coach Sarah, I decided to dive in at the Advanced level since I had incorporated it into my workout routines for a full month. And why not right?! :)

Post Cardio Party 5/28/11

I started the month at 205 and with some significant losses in inches from my thighs and arms. I was very excited by the inch and a half off of each thigh since I hadn't seen a real change in a month or two in actual numbers. My clothes were fitting differently, and that was great! The lack of change on the scale and the tape measure were bothering me.

I am working day by day to overcome my dependence on the scale and tape measure. I am now forcing my OCD self to measure once a month, and weigh once a week. In addition, I am trying not to allow myself to worry if I gain two pounds, because I KNOW that I am getting lean and trim. The proof is in the clothing. Did I tell you that I bought an Easter dress in a 16 and had to return it less than a month later for a 14?! Yep! I know things are happening!

Despite 7 months of getting progressively more aggressive in my intensity levels, I started Turbo Jam at the very, very low impact level. By this fourth week, I was reaching lower, and doing a wide variety of the higher impact moves. Tonight I even attempted to jump rope, and was reminded why I don't by the soreness in my chest. I will be going back to side to side hop/shakes.

My Abs (gah!) 5/28/11

Did you notice I didn't post a weight or inches lost update? There wasn't a change, and I am okay with that. :)

Results: Two Kinds

I know you are probably itching for the Shakeology cleanse results, but I am going to give you something else first. A few weeks ago, I asked for your votes in the Body Gospel Million Dollar Body contest. Your votes garnered me a spot in the semi-finals, and I am grateful for the opportunities that has given me. Sadly, I didn't make it to the finals, but it was a really great ride. Thank you so much for your support.


Above you see my final photo for the contest from about the beginning of March. I was hovering at that plateau I talked about in my last post and just shy of a 25 pound weight loss. I talked about how the cleanse went a little bit. I think it could have gone better if I hadn't been ill. I was to far under on calories both days for it to be fully effective. There IS a reason they recommend 800-1200 calories a day (or maybe I am confused?). I did get close to 900 calories on Saturday, but with the hacking and the fever things just didn't go as planned. I did, however, lose an additional 2 pounds. This brings total weight loss at this point to TWENTY NINE pounds!! Time will tell (and so will I) if this will kick start my body back into the weight loss that it needs to be doing. For now, I will continue to recover from my cooties and ease back into my fitness routine. Be well!

April 3, 2011 at 204 pounds

Shakeology Cleanse

Generally this is a three day cleanse (my fellow coach, Brent, has a great post on the cleanse), but since I am sick AND really looking forward to my sister's birthday dinner tomorrow, i.e. the first BBQ of the year, I have modified it to two days. The purpose for me was to jump start my weight loss again. I had been stuck at 208.5/209 for over a month, and was beginning to get frustrated. I had added in some more strength training on the advice of my coach Sarah, but it didn't seem to be helping much so I decided to go ahead with the cleanse.

Imagine my surprise on Friday morning when I stepped on the Wii fit board for a pre-cleanse weigh-in to find that I had dropped to 206, which is now a total loss of 27 pounds. Happy dance ensued! :) Guess some of that extra work paid off!

Blended up my first shake after returning from dropping the younglings for their morning walk with Auma and Auntie Bubba before school. The day went well though I was severely under my projected calories for the day. I blame my illness and my odd day in general for the inability to get my third shake in. I was in bed by 8 p.m. :p I did get in a 30 minutes 2 mile walk with Leslie Sansone during the afternoon, which made me feel much better.

Saturday dawned with a headache and a 100 degree temperature. Today's planned exercise is not happening, but the cleanse continues. Lunch was the ice cream version of breakfast. I love the frozen fruit mix I get with strawberries, peaches, mangoes and pineapples in my Shakeology. As a frozen treat, it is nearly unbeatable. Dinner is a beautiful salad with some chicken breast, cheese and cashews. With the cashews and a third shake later, I am at 882 calories for the day. I may add in a cup of tea or a glass of orange juice before bed to help with this cough, but otherwise I am pleased.


Will post a full update on the cleanse sometime tomorrow after we finish celebrating my sister's birth!