Back in Action!

I'm back with a vengeance! ...meaning I've rededicated myself to the blog! Good news for you, yeah? 

So, About the Diet...

I've been pretty much rocking it! I love natural foods now and cringe at the idea of processed and chemical filled food at most every pass. I had a half a glass of dr pepper last week at a birthday party...it was gross and I dumped it. Greek yogurt with a half handful of raw unsalted almonds and some chia remains a mainstay for a sweet tooth, as well as coconut granola chia cereal by open nature with unsweetened almond milk and 70%+ dark chocolate, (with no corn syrup). 

I've implemented iced decaf green tea as a drink during the day but I do indulge with coffee creamer still.  Fruit and veg are a GIANT part of every meal, in a lot of ways my meals are now made around them vs starches and proteins. I recently returned to Arkansas and I've been spoiled by my mother in law and family with some delicious home grown veg! 

All around food is amazing, I'd never expect you to not be in love with food because as a human you are programmed to be in love with food. It's in our DNA. It's extremely important, I mean imperative, that you find food that are clean and lightly processed that you LOVE. There's so much out there, so many choices! I also spend a lot of time in the produce section, and suggest local stands all the way. I try and buy new stuff frequently. So what if I've never heard of it, I take the name down, google it and find a recipe with lots of high reviews...not too complicated and keeps it lively! (I have okra for the first time in my fridge now! (Thanks Juanita if you're reading this!). 

Exercise for Life!

I hate the couch now. I mean, love hate I guess. After a long day on the run its nice but I really try to stay off it and I keep the tv off now. I found I used to leave it on for background noise and that sucked me onto those cushions! I turn off the tv now, like maybe get two hours a day, which is amazing considering I stay at home 24/7 with kids and no car right now! I ride my bike with the girls now. Bee just picked up pedaling and can ride along and Cupcake has a seat on the back. Or I put them into their Power Wheel Jeep and follow them back and forth on our street. I've walked three and a half miles to and from the store in the last week but it's super humid and hot here and I don't see that happening again for a while. Bee also loves the game Just Dance so when I haven't gotten cardio in its been a perfect alternative! Strength is still the same routine for me but I did figure out a new secret! When I'm sitting on the couch at night watching something and workoutable background music starts I lay down and bust out some crunched to it! That forces me to push further than a set number that could limit my progress. Last night I did 150, the night before was just 50 so it mixes it up as well. 

I FEEL GREAT!

I'll save the specific number of my weight now for later, like normal, but I will say this, I'm OFFICIALLY 60 lbs DOWN and it's been a year and a month since cupcakes birth and because I had a c section I count my weight loss ability to about then for surgery recovery time. 

How I Look

My clothes fit me! Prepregnancy jeans back on this tush! My skin is super clear! I'm not bloated or sluggish! I take pride in how I look again and in turn I'm more confident and happy all around and everyone benefits from that. 

Well that's it for this week! See you next Sunday! Download the My Fitness Pal app and add me, karenlobato, and the pedometer sister app is amazing! MFP is an amazing tool that will get you up and loosing in a healthy way with the quickness. Till next week! 

Weight 190

Down 60 from baby 30 since clean eating 

Here I am! Swear it.

I officially met my 'set weight' meaningI'm  back to my pre pregnancy (Jaysine) weight, which means a leveling out of the amount of weight loss and I'm seeing, around a pound or two a week. I've decided to let a little more time pass between entries to keep things interesting. In the meantime I'll start posting some other things, stuff you should know. 

As a stay at home mom I have the ability to spend a fair amount of time researching health, fitness and nutrition. If you've followed my journey you've witnessed, in a sense, the removal of most destructive behaviors health wise, experimentation in the kitchen and grocery. I've learned so so much and I'd love to share it. 

I'm going to start having themed weeks and week number one will be human nutrition. Do you know how many grams of protein, fiber, fat, etc. you're supposed to have each day? Me either so here's your homework, download My Fitness Pal on your smart phone. This free and amazing app shows you the equivalent to a nutrition label for your body. You add your food consumption and workout in and it does all the math for you! I love this thing and highly recommend using it if you're serious about realizing your body's full potential. 

Proper nutrition, water intake and fitness are key to a happy healthy body. Your skin will glow, you'll have more energy than ever before, and really just feel ready to take on the world, dare I say feel like a teen again?! 

So that's this weeks topic, feel free to keep up on my Facebook group, The Human Diet and learn more daily! Thanks for reading! 

Proportioned meals: fist size chicken breast with homemade BBQ sauce, medium diced red potato cooked in pesto, a green leafy salad with organic Balsamic (a tbsp only), a handful of blueberries, for good measure, and a tall glass of cold water. Easy, quick, delicious. 

Weeks Seven.....and Eight....

Well! Here it is! The whole part of this that's supposed to separate it from every other weight loss or diet blog, REALITY!!! The last two weeks were a ton of fun for my gluttonous side but not so great for my mission! Graduation season hit and, boy, was it a doozie! This weeks goal, back on track, for REAL! 

So I'll start with the good stuff for week seven, weighed in Sunday at 202. That's a total loss of one whole pound all week despite the clean diet and active days, this was a tad bit discouraging after I had exercised a vast amount of control in a boss kind of way at my little brothers high school grad party....munched on veggies and cast out ideas of ruffles and other chemical filled crap. I did, however, indulge in a piece of cake and a few drinks which I'm sure didn't help my fat busting body do its thang. Sad thing is I stood on the scale Sunday and it just destroyed my willpower for the week...never should have stood on that DAMN SCALE! In the wee hours of the morning, after a very tiny amount of sleep following those festivities, we headed to Oregon for my cousins high school grad. 

Pitfall número UNO: BK on the way 

So lack of planning combined with poor packing lead to little to no option as far as eating went for me on the road trip. Pretty much it went like this: 

grandma: you need to eat 

me: I don't eat processed crap 

grandma: well, you won't have another chance till at least four

....crap. 

Hello Whopper! And four fries...no chemical sludge though, go me!

Anyhow, wish that was my only confession but the rest of the week, to Saturday, was pretty much a free for all but still controlled in amounts.

I did strength training today but did not during most the mishap week though we were pretty active and were very much out and about, so to say. 

Tomorrow: back to no processed food! Back to cardio and strength! 

I looked at my progress charts on My Fitness Pal (great app, totally recommend this!!! And my user name is karenlobato) and I found I've only lost five pounds all month so it's time to hit it! 

So that explains where I've been. At first I was a little ashamed and afraid to post because I have people watching and following along but then I realized, hey, this is what it's all about! This is my journey! And I'll be damned if I let one whopper and a week of chips and ice cream keep me fat and unhappy for life! Here's to breaking 200 this week! Celebration to come!!!

Weigh in Sunday: 201

Down a pound!

The Human Diet

It just occurred to me that I've never fully explained why I call this The Human Diet or laid out what I do. So here it goes! 

I call this The Human Diet and the reason I do is its based 100% on nutrition and the natural way to be healthy and fit. No gimmicks, no punch line, no fancy stuff. I eat whole clean foods, meaning a vast majority of my diet is unprocessed and what is is lightly and still food as it was meant to be. If you can find it in nature or close to it, like bread, cheese, yogurt, then I don't eat it. I eat about 250-300 calories per meal and shoot for 150-250 for snack, however I am nursing so my calorie allotment is a little higher than average. I drink water and still allow myself two cups of coffee a day. My sweetener of choice is stevia or pure local honey. I buy organic, shop, for the most part, local, which is cheaper for me. I try to limit carbs but don't cut anything out nutrition wise. I don't not eat white sugar and I'm about to cut regular white flour. My diet is largely based on fruit and veg in raw form but I do that because I prefer it that way and I actually enjoy it so its not hard for me. I eat what I'm meant to eat as a human, hence the name. 

I workout daily. It's rarely the same workout with the exception of strength and core building which I routinely follow but regularly add to and bulk up:

Lower body-

50 Squats (since the squat challenge)

20 lunges each side

Core and abs-

Working crunch month challenge see below

And I've added side crunches to this to make it more of a challenge

20 pelvic leg lifts

20 scissor kicks

20 sit ups

20 flutter kicks

60-90 plank depending on how I feel

Arm strength-

2lb arm lifts and curls every way I can think, 20 reps a piece 

10 push-ups

20 'girly' push-ups 

10 reverse push-ups 

Cardio wise I mix it up! If it's outside and active I'm up for it! If I can't squeeze something new in my fall backs are running and long walks with the kiddos I the park. 

Well, there it is! It's not rocket science! Everything in moderation, eat what was naturally put here for you to consume and get off the couch!!! 

I also take a vitamin supplement everyday and drink enough water. If you have any questions drop by the Human Diet on Facebook add and ask away! 

Week Six!

Hey there! Sorry I'm a little behind this week again...it seems the more we get into summer the less down time I have, which is fantastic for my blog but bad for my writing time. Lots to share about this week and particularly the weekend! 

Exercise, who knew it could be so much fun!

I have yet to note an important fact, while getting out and moving I believe I've upped my parenting game like 30% or so in the sense that my kids get out just about everyday to do something fun and stimulating. This week we went on a three mile walk to a new park, unfortunately the sun didnt cooperate and I had to summon a ride home, (thanks little brother Dan!) and I'm in love with this park! It has plastic tube tunnels the baby can crawl through which is a huge plus for her plus the change in scenery for our walk is welcome for all of us. Chasing my toddler around the play structure has never been so easy or FUN! I am officially of the opinion there should be adult size parks, who says we get too old to play?! 

My brother Dan and I also went on a 2 mile run this week...never run with an 18 year old boy in peak condition unless you want to feel old and slow haha. It was really nice to have a running buddy though, he pushed me to run more than average just on a competitive level. 

Memorial Day weekend was extremely eventful for my little family. We went camping and spent the weekend on the water where I got some knee boarding in, man three days later I was still feeling that in the arms, back and glutes! Monday Mother Nature decided some rain was in store so my family packed up camp and we joined some more family for a foothill hike in around some old coal mining towns. Four miles later up and down and up and down some extreme inclines my body was done and I can say I worked like a boss this weekend. 

My ab challenge got put off for the week but I started it back up this morning (Wednesday) and I'm on a mission for that!

Food Time!

I learned this week that eating a clean whole food diet is not only doable in every situation but easy as well! We ate clean all weekend even with all the junk food junkies around, chips here, candy there, BBQs and s'mores galore! The only thing I did cheat a little with is beer...I am a beer girl and it's ok in moderation. I've been experimenting with quinoa and Greek yogurt pancakes, (see my Facebook page the Human Diet for recipes) and came up with a new delicious salad. 

Dirty little habits? What habits?

Six weeks tobacco free this week! And still sticking with coconut cream and stevia for my coffee. Now for cheating, I had A small slice of chocolate cake this week...oh well. 

How I feel

This week was a little tough. I was struggling with progress and it's funny now that I think about it. I've lost 17 lbs in 6 weeks, defiantly nothing to snub my nose at. I have to look at it as a whole and remember that I have no deadline! It will happen in it's own time I have a renewed attitude about it and I'm more excited and determined than ever!

How I look

Still sliming down! I cut all my 'fat jeans' into shorts this week! The issue was the legs, they were too baggy and I like tight skinny jeans and a little more room in shorts legs so it's a perfect transition. Emptied about a quarter of my shirts from my wardrobe as they are way too big now! So so SO ready to be rid of this baby belly! It's really bugging me now. This week I also saw a picture of myself that someone else took, I didn't know they were and it was the first time I thought, damn, I look good. 

So excited for my future, I feel so much more confident already!

Well that sums it up for now! Stay tuned and check in on the Facebook page (the Human Diet) for recipes, exercise ideas and more! Have a great week!

Weigh in May 28th 

203 lbs

Down 17! Four more to 199!!!!

I'll be taking measurements next week to let a little time pass for real results. From today forward they will be biweekly. 

Progress Five Weeks

Week Five Stayin Alive!!!

Officially over a month and still going strong!! This week I finished my squat challenge, reveal this months challenge and try out some new super foods!!

Exercise...love it! Live it! It's part of my life!

I've discovered I love to run!! I picked up some hand and ankle weights and I've been going father and longer each time. It's such a great escape! Walking is great with the kids but having this time for myself is fantastic! Only downfall is my shins! They kill! But here's to waiting out being fit enough for that to not happen anymore...I've completed the squat challenge! One month of kicking my own butt! The results are astounding! My thighs are super tight and have hardly any softness left to them, my butt is nice and lifted and firm and my legs are super strong! This months challenge is for the abs! Starting at 20 adding 5 everyday of crunches, bicycle and crunches to each side. Here's to a tight core! I find working out is so much fun for me now! I feel like I'm shaping my body, molding it into what I want it to be and flexing what I've worked for thus far...it's almost like working out is really playing with my new shiny toy of a healthy body!   

This Week's Ingestibles 

I've discovered that Raleys  is a fantastic grocer who carries a vast selection of health foods, which is a super plus for anyone working to learn to eat clean! I'm on a Greek yogurt kick, have one everyday with chia seed. Chia is super high in nutritional value and way easy to add to all sorts of things but the best thing is it's a fantastic natural detox aid and will clean you out super quick! I feel amazing! Still living on my green leaf salads and eggs on the regular. Food is great but organic clean food is devine! 

No More Dirty Little Habits!

I'm five weeks tobacco free this week! And as for my coffee I still enjoy two cups a day, which is ok by my standard, and I found out So Coconut products makes hazelnut creamer! When I can't find the flavored I go with plain and use a packet of stevia and it satisfies me. 

How I Feel

I'm pretty sure it's obvious, as I notice all the exclamation points above, but I am so happy with life right now! My body feels and looks amazing! I have tons of energy, I'm eager to get ready in the morning. Everyone around me is starting to notice a change on their own and I love that! 

How I Look

My clothes fit so much better and are even getting a little big! My stomach is weeks away from being flat, I just know it, and that's been years! I have a skin condition called milia, my pores are so tight they don't release sebum (oil) and so it turns into a hard granule, almost like sand, and gets stuck there. These are coming to the surface and being extracted on the regular for the last few days, a first since I learned of the issue in 2005.  

I am hooked. I'm becoming passionate about where my food comes from and not just for taste but because it what I use to fuel my body (shameless plug: March Against Monsanto May 25th, google it for location and if you don't know what Monsanto is please take the time to do some research, this company along with a few others are

Poisoning our food, ground and water, control the FDA and even have legislation passed where it's illegal to stop them even if it's found they are hurting people or the environment). I love my new lifestyle and it's paying off for myself and my children! 

Weigh in May 19th

204

Down 16 pounds!

May 10

Chest 44

Waist 39

Hips 44

Left Leg 24

Left Arm 14

May 22

Chest 44

Waist 39

Hips 44

Left leg 23.5

Left arm 13.5

Week Four

Week Four May 13, 2013

This week was awesome! We were up to all kinds of adventure! We had a walk to the park, a total of five miles, went to a swim park, ran, and upped my workout! We went to the local farm stand and I finally grubbed down on a cheat day!

Exercise is routine!

I've gotten to the point when I miss a workout I MISS my workout! I'm not nearly as sore as I was before and I feel even stronger. I've upped my reps from 20 a piece to three sets of twenty and this week I finally achieved real push-ups!!! I'm five days away from completing the squat challenge and it's getting harder to complete. I've added in an arm workout with 2 lb weights and I pretty much just lift them every way I can think with no set pattern but my arms are way more strong than they used to be. I've never broken down my workout so here it is: I start with the squat challenge then continue with legs and do leg lifts on both sides. Next is core and abs, crunches, bicycle, butterfly kicks and planking front and both sides. I try to get in cardio everyday and pretty much do but if I don't I have two kids to chase around!

Food!!!

So my goal with this blog is to honestly share my journey so my readers can see the reality of the struggle to loose the pounds...with that said I was bad this week... I'm still journaling and eating clean but I found all kinds of healthy alternatives to crap food last week and found I indulged a bit much and it took away from my fruit and veg intake. Gluten free whole wheat pancakes are delicious but do not replace a nutritious breakfast. 

I love my 'diet'

Almond milk fast became a love of mine. I tried all kinds of alternatives to coffee creamer and I think I'm ok with stevia and coconut cream but I have noticed it cut back on my coffee consumption because I don't enjoy it as much and it's a good thing. Mother's Day was yesterday and I went a bit crazy though I only went over 250 calories...lets just say the German chocolate cake and mimosas were worth it. Next week I'll be cutting sugar intake down and working on more fruit and veg. 

Dirty Little Habits Becoming a Thing of the Past

I've given up smoking, (a month tomorrow!!) and coffee creamer, the processed flavored sugar garbage. Drinking used to be a weekly thing but I've cut way way back on that as well. 

 

How I feel

Much more confident! My clothes fit way better and I'm down two sizes!!! I have tons of energy and I find I wake even before my kids now! I much happier! I don't feel depressed at all and I used to for no reason all the time. I don't have bad breath and when I swear it doesn't smell bad.

How I Look

 My skin is clearing up and here's a funny thing, my conditioner over conditions my hair now because the roots are way more healthy! We went to a water park and I wore a swimsuit confidently! My legs don't jiggle anymore! I didn't have to hide and that was amazing. 

So this week has been another huge success. I don't know why I ever thought this was work before. I'm more excited than ever before about the future and stoked with my progress. See ya next week!

Weigh in 207

Down 12 lbs total

I started measuring this week for a more complete view of my progress. 

May 10

Chest 44

Waist 39

Hips 44

Left Leg 24

Left Arm 14

Week Three, May 5th, 2013

Still going strong this week and feeling strong as well. I spent the time experimenting with new foods and new exercises and learning about where my food comes from, where I can find good food and why it's so important to know and do these things. Catch the link below to find out for yourself.

Exercise! Yes, please!

This week I've been super active. I ran two nights, went on an eight mile walk in bad wind and pushing a jogging stroller and kept up my regular routines. I'm on day 18 today of the squat challenge!

My body is sore everyday but it's getting less and less as time goes. I actually feel strong! My legs are powerful and i can feel it in my stride. When I just go walking I walk super fast because it feels good as sometimes I even break into a jog. On our day trip to San Francisco we walked 8.8 miles and I wasn't even tired!! I kept taking off at a jog with the stroller because I felt like it. What a change!!! I've never had more energy and passion to get up and get out!

Getting to know THE enemy, Monsonto, and the big switch

I've always wondered about the organic movement and have splurged on a few items a few times because supposedly it was better for you. The science behind GMOs in our food is undeniable and not the risk to gamble on. I've switched to a primarily organic diet except in the case of not being able to find it that way, like brussle sprouts which I'm quite fond of. Pay fast attention to the dirty dozen, I don't touch those wether I can find them or not. I went to the local farm stand and picked up a majority of my produce, for locals it's 'The Stand' in Kightson and I highly recommend it for quality, fair price, care of your food, it's all organic, and the have a huge variety including most staple fruit and veg, local honey, olive oils and farm fresh eggs the hens that run around the property free lay, (plus its a mom and pop and they're there everyday and I've never seen anyone else work there and I think that's cute haha). Then we went to Trader Joes and finished up groceries. There I picked up some real peanut butter, maple syrup, tons of rice, quinoa, Greek yogurt, and a ton more. I'm expanding my menu and it's amazing. I juiced for the first time! One part tomato three parts watermelon and it was surprisingly delicious! I guess they're complimentary flavors???

My diet and things taste better!

I notice the natural taste of ingredients becoming the tastes I search for when I take a bite now. It's not so much enjoying what I'm putting in my mouth because of what it is rather enjoying the taste.
I had one of day this week though...I couldn't get enough to eat for the life of me! I'd finish something and already be on the way to my next craving! Thankfully I was able to control a majority of it and if I couldn't resist the urge to eat I made good choices and didnt pay too bad. I've cut down my cholesterol sodium and sugar intakes, fat and protein are not as big of an issue for me. I also found this website, http://www.eatwellguide.org/search/advanced/
It's a search engine to find local and fresh from farmers to mills, farmers market to actual markets. Great resource!

My dirty little habits disappearing one by one

I'm not forcing myself to do any of this by the way. It feels good. Tuesday I'm three weeks off cigarettes! I haven't been drinking and I've even cut out coffee creamer, I sub it with plain almond milk now. I did cheat yesterday in the city, I had a coconut haystack from a chocolatier but it was my first real cheat and I earned it.

How I feel

I'm ready to take on the world!! Full of energy and never tired in the morning even if I don't get too much sleep, as mothers of young children rarely do. I find myself planning the next day's adventure while sitting around at night, or I go running because I can't sit still! The last time I went my legs hurt really bad. I had hurt my shins last week before I got my running shoes and it's still taking a toll on me. I wasn't very bright that night and pushed through the pain but should have stopped short and came home. Here's to hoping my shins will recover quickly.

How I look

I'm toning up beautifully and I can tell it won't be long before you can see definition. I'm much more trim and when I chose clothes now it's not so much for what 'makes me look skinny' as what's cute. I just look so much better all around.
My skin is clear, I barely sweat even in 90 degrees, and my breath is fresh.

So this week has been pretty amazing. I feel like this is not only the life I'm going to live but I don't even know how I could ever go back. No fears of regression and all of my cravings are for a natural item, not Oreos or chips. Going strong! Catch you next week!

Weigh in at 210 lbs
Dropping and toning!

Natures Bounty

I've decided to start posting new recipes and share discoveries I make ingredient and fitness wise. I'll still be posting my weekly entries an photo journal.

Breakfast: basic egg white scramble

Ingredients:
Egg whites
Garlic
Red Bell Pepper
Red Onion
Cilantro
Pepper
Heavy Cream

Pre heat non stick pan. It's a good idea to invest in some high quality cookware because when a pan is done right it allows you to cook evenly, deliciously and without any aids like fatty butter or oil.
While heating the pan chop garlic, onion and pepper. Sauté. Whip egg whites with cream and pepper. Add to veg combo and stir constantly minding the bottom of the skillet. Eggs are done when light and fluffy and they don't look wet anymore.

Lunch: Brussel Sprouts, the right way!

This is a veg that I've fallen for hard! It gets a bad wrap because web it's over cooked it releases sulfur and the taste is just offensive. Every person I've ever made these for swore they hated them until they tried them this way! I add them to salads, eat them as a side with eggs or as a snack.

Ingredients:
Beussel Sprouts sliced four ways vertically, be sure they're all about equal is size for balanced cooking
Garlic (which I obviously love as well)
Oil
Black pepper
Pink Hymalayan Salt

Heat skillet with oil and garlic. When hot add sprouts, pepper and lightly salt to taste. Constantly move them to avoid burns and make sure to get all sides equally. They should only take 2-3 minuets to cook and they'll have a super green healthy look to them.

Dinner: Turkey Tacos

Ingredients:
Ground lean turkey
Pico DeGallo
Shredded Cheese
Black Beans
Whole Wheat Tortillas
Garlic
Onion
Avocado*

Prepare pico ( chopped tomato, red onion, cilantro, and jalapino), *guac can be made by just mixing pico in with mashed avocado and some lemon juice, shred cheese, strain black beans and prepare in pot on stove with a little water. Brown turkey and season with garlic and onions. Never serve a tortilla cold so warm them up a bit, if you use a microwave make sure to dampen the too and bottom ones, middle too if there is a lot, so they stay nice and moist. Put it all together and enjoy!

Dessert: Sweet Potatoes and Apple

Ingredients:
Sweet Potato
Apple
Cinnamon
Olive Oil

Slice the potato and apple, heat oil on stove, toss it all in with cinnamon. This one kills my sweet tooth and gets in my carbs!

Tomorrow, my strength routine that kills my body!! (In such a good way)

Week Two Done!

Week Two - Monday April 29th

I'm weighing up this week... Not stoked about that. I've been diligently journaling my eating and doing both strength and cardio training to the point where I HAD to take a day off today because I can hardly move...With that said I am still happy with the progress I'm seeing in the mirror so I guess that's the thing to reflect on.

Am I Really starting to be ok with exercise???

So I've been sticking with my workout plan and have pretty much solidified it for now. I know what I'm working on and why, what I want to fix and how. I'm on day 14 of the squat challenge which means 135 squats...not happening today, haha, tomorrow it is! I do push-ups, as many as I can and I've gotten to 70 in one day! I started at the beginning of the week with two actual full sit-ups and can do ten solidly now. I get in at least 200 cals of cardio a day, except one day off this week plus I'm nursing so that knocks a few off as well! My thighs are so tender, the worst, along with my tush, shins, abs and feet. My wrists hurt for a day after the 70 push ups. I've got a whole core training workout which involves sit-ups, planking front left and right, flutter kicks and several moves like them. I finally got good running shoes two days ago!! My shins were killing because I was running and walking in flip flops and toms...bad idea. So now I'm paying a bit but did walk today and I'm hoping this day of rest will pay off and I can hit it again tomorrow!

Getting to know my enemy: food

I mentioned 'Hungry for Change' in my last entry and while it still tops my list (I have a list now!!) of foodimenturies I'm enthralled by the wide wonderful world of Netflix where it seems numbers of vegan and vegetarians have produced and release exposé pieces covering everything from basic nutrition to corporate greed mongers and their attack on the public fork style. The great thing is its not so much in defense of the lifestyle as its meant to educate and what they say is backed with scientific and easy to follow common sense ideals. With that in mind I liked 'Forks Over knives' and 'Food Matters', great info, everyone should know this stuff. I'm learning the importance of ingredient lists and what the nutrition labels ACTUALLY mean. I really thought if I cut crap food out (empty calories) and just replaced it with whatever I wanted, as long as it wasnt processed and was REAL food I was doing it right. Turns out it's all a delicate balance but I'm learning the science of that and thanks to 'My Fitness Pal' an app for my phone I've logged every bite I've taken and every calorie I've burned, minus strength cause it doesn't account for that...kinda sucks...but it gives me like a nutrition label for MY body and I love that.

My Diet and what I love to eat

I've pretty much sworn off egg yolks now after discovering the enormous amount of cholesterol one single egg doles out but I do have egg whites just about every morning with some pico and a light amount of cheese when I want to splurge. I got bored of it one morning and made an egg sandwich with 15 grain. Tomorrow I'm buying a mix of wheat squares, wheat flakes, whole oats and Ezekiel to mix with fruits and almond milk...see how that goes but it sounds amazing. Lots of fruit and veg and I've been amazing with my vitamin and water intake. Another up for this week, green smoothies...we'll see about that haha. I've been sticking with non processed foods but now looking to cut a lot of fatty foods I've held onto thinking they were healthy for god knows what reason. Next weeks entry on this will rock, promise.

My other nasty habits

This weekend was a friend of mines 30th bday and so I went out. Had a few, oops...but that was my only cheat all week so were golden if you ask me :)
Haven't smoked a cigarette in two weeks tomorrow!!! Woot! Been puffing on this e cig thing, a much better alternative but only a device to quit for me...I didn't go into it believing that but I am sure about it now.

How I feel

Still very energetic!!! However I find after a long day I'm ready to hit the sack! Early lights out for me this week but I've woken bright and early with the kids ready to up and go which is defiantly a first. Also full of confidence and loving getting ready for the day, again it's been a while for that.

How I look

There's new major definition from my chest to my stomach! Also starting to feel my abs under the fat and can see a little definition in my arms, shoulders and legs. I'll be picking up a measuring tape for measurements this week.

In conclusion it's been a good week. I learned to stop looking at that dumb scale! I'm so excited about nutrition and finding the perfect balance for myself. This next week ill be working on more kid friendly menus and workouts I can do with my tot.

Weigh in at 216 lbs
Reminding myself it's about how I feel and look, not a number

Week One Done!

I started out at 220 lbs. I hated my body, had no energy, confidence and a real concern for my health and I'm getting older. The possibility of developing a serious health condition is looming in my brain. I want to be happy and healthy for my kids. I met a nutritionist and fitness enthusiast online and he put the bug in my ear.

Everybody Hates Exercise

I started to walk with the kids after finding a double stroller online. Next thing I knew I was walking five miles a day to a park 2.5 miles away plus play with my oldest. After three days of this my friend I mentioned above asked in the evening what I did physically that day and i told him it had been windy so the kids and I hadn't gotten out for a walk, he told me to do 50 squats! What a friend! I begrudgingly knocked them out though the whole time I had a defeatist attitude and though I'd never make it I finished! And it wasnt really that tough to my surprise. The next day I did 55 and started the squat challenge, add five every day and the fourth day is always rest. I joined a Facebook fitness group for support. A girl on there posted ' drop and give me 20' and I tried but only accomplished 5. The next day 7, the next 10, I'm up to 40 today and it's been a week. Everyday I've gotten in some sort of cardio, be it walking or jumping jacks, and muscle training, leg lifts, squats, push-ups, mountain climbers, butt kickers and more. I feel so strong. On Thursday I went to stay with my sister in law and family for a visit. She is in law enforcement and fit. She's been working me out! I tell her where I can't feel the burn and she knows just what to do. She randomly sees me sitting on the couch and makes me get up to do some kind of muscle training and she's eating clean with me. I found my fitness buddy.
When I started I would try to jog on my walks intermittently and could make it maybe a block...yesterday I ran...a lot, and it felt so so damn good. It's hot out finally and I went swimming for the first time in years yesterday as well.

The Perceived Enemy: Food

About half way through the week I watched a documentary called 'Hungry for Change'. I had tried clean eating years ago and was extremely happy with the results but had to give up on it and focus on my health because of another medical condition that required major surgery and I did not take care of myself for a while. My healthy eating succumbed to my families bad eating habits once again.
This film changed the way I look at food. I notice when I walk through a store now and see Ben and Jerry's all I think is how much garbage is sitting in that freezer, My brain automatically goes to what's in that and what makes it bad. Thank god for that film. I went to local farm stands that day and stocked up the kitchen with fresh local organic produce.

My diet (not 'diet', what I eat)

I've started clean eating. My definition of this is I eat real food, not things that are made to taste like food. I avoid processed foods and anything with aspartame or high fructose corn syrup. If its natural I eat it. I've reinforced the thought in my head that what I eat is fuel for my body, not a hobby. I don't go hungry because anytime I feel like eating I do! I have so many healthy choices around me so I never get bored with it. The food I'm eating tastes amazing. I always have loved fresh produce but I never realized the difference buying it from a local grower vs the grocery store made. The meat I buy is organic and the difference in quality is shocking. Oh, and of course, I drink a tooooon of water and a little milk everyday.

Other Nasty Habits

I've been a smoker since 2004 and half way through the week I purchased an e cig. It's not completely quitting but it is much much more healthy for me and the kids. I have t had a cigarette in five days. Go me!
Also I've allowed myself one vice that I refuse to get down on myself about, coffee creamer. I know it's loaded with sugar but for now it stays.

How I feel

My energy level has sky rocketed!!! I'm so excited to work out! In fact if I didn't get up and move I think a tick would set in. I feel strong, happy, confident, excited about being me for more reasons than having my girls, and it's been a while since I've felt that.

How I Look

My arms are getting more thin and I can see a little definition popping out on my bicep. My legs are loosing flab and my face is skinnier. My skin is clearing up. My tummy is getting smaller.


In conclusion, it's been an amazing week. I feel amazing, look better and I'm excited about life again. I have goals and drive for the first time in years!!!

Weight today, 208 lbs.
Down 12 in one week.

Week one Sunday 4/21/13