Sweet potato salad and an update!

Sweet Potato Salad: 

With trying to be healthy and eating only good carbs (or mostly :)  )  so I decided to do an experiment to replace regular potatoes with sweet potatoes for my potato salad recipe.  I got the idea after I had a great sweet potato salad at a local restaurant.  

So this delicious and healthier potato salad includes:

Boiled sweet potatoes- boiled in salted water

Mayo

Mustard- just a little

Boiled Eggs- 2-3

Chopped pickles or relish- we like a lot!

Dill seasoning- just a dash

Marzetti brand cole slaw dressing- maybe a 1/4 cup?

If you can tell my the "recipe" I just throw it together until it looks right and tastes great, and it does!  

Now that Eli can have soy and eggs he can also eat it- so we'll be having this for dinner with baked fish.

So how is my exercising working out?  It's tough!  Lifting weights is hard work and I could barely walk for a day after squats and lunges!  I decided for now I'm doing two days on and one day off because I couldn't move to do the third day!  Just remember to listen to your muscles and mine were screaming.
I've been doing tabata using weight exercises that came with my set of barbells.  Here's the poster:

I wasn't worried about getting a good picture because I'm sure it's copyrighted by Gold's Gym- so look online for good exercises.  That's what I'll be doing when my muscles don't hate me as much as they used to. :)

My measurements:

Weight- 181 lbs (+ 1 lb)

Waist- 38.75 inches (- .25 inches)

Hips- 42.75 inches (- .25 inches)

Breast- 39.75 inches (- .25 inches)

   

New idea for exercise- weights

So I have a friend in another state.  A little over a year ago she was challenged to slim down and buff up and do a swimsuit competition.  After a lot of hard work and dedication she looks amazing and did the bikini contest.   For all of those who were impressed with her results(including me) had questions like: what was your exercise routine, what do you eat, any supplements?
Her answers were kind of surprising.   She then posted pictures of herself on facebook at similar weights but two different diet and exercise routines and THAT was amazing!   She looked good in both, but there was not a bit of fat on that second picture!   She was toned, tightened and strong.
The difference was lifting weights, and her suggestion to any girl who wants to slim down is to lift up.  Literally.
The first picture she would do over 2 hours of cardio almost every day of the week and not eat one carb.  None.
The second picture she would do weights for 45 minutes a day and cardio 10-20 minutes a day and eat complex carbs and even eat what she wanted on the weekends.
The reason why this works is because your muscles will burn the fat if we keep it up and give it a chance.

So my latest idea is how to find a way to incorporate weights, and not just wimpy 5 lb dumbbells into a daily exercise.  This is hard for me and probably would be for most women.  We don't know how to do this, or where to start.  I don't have money to invest in a bunch of weights or a gym membership let along the training.  I don't have time to go to said gym and work with a personal trainer.
What I do have is 5 and 8 lb dumbbells and time in the evening to workout.  My new workout for at least three weeks is going to be Tabata strengthening 3 days on, one day off (very similar to a cross training program).  I hope this will get me jump started and time to save to buy higher weights as I go on.  My weight set came with some whole body weight exercises I've never tried and I know will make me sore the next day for awhile.  I'll let you know how it goes and keep posting my results and pain.  :)

10/18 measurements:
Weight- 180 (same)
Waist- 39 inches (-.75 inches)
Hips- 43 inches (-.5 inches)
Breast- 40 inches (same)

Remember, the turtle wins because he didn't give up....

So the turtle and the hare.  Slow and steady wins the race.  No sitting on the sideline because you did good for awhile.
This is where I am.

I didn't feel good and skipped two days of exercise because of it.
You know how hard it is to get back to work after you skip?  SUPER HARD!
Don't skip unless you have to.

We also ate dinner out two days because I didn't feel good.  It didn't help.  I felt worse after eating junk.

So my words of advice are short and sweet this week.  Don't eat crap and don't skip exercise or you'll feel worse afterwards and results will go backwards.

My numbers this week:

Weight- 180 lbs (- 3 pounds)

Waist- 39.75 inches (- 0.5 inches)

Hips-43.5 inches (same)

Breast- 40 inches (+0.25 inches)

I have also been hindered by being out of my Advocare Products.  This week I have been only using Leptilean (because that's all I have) two tablets 45 minutes before breakfast and 45 minutes before dinner to curb appetite.  The cost of that product is about $45 a bottle which is for 30 days.

When I have money to order I'll be giving all the details of what I'll be ordering, why and the costs. :)

Want to order some Advocare products?  Order here:  https://www.advocare.com/130346245/default.aspx

Lost and Found

So it's been a long time. 
The first reason is because it's been so busy I hardly have time to keep my eyes from crossing let along write on my blog.
The second reason would be because this blog is about healthy living, eating, exercise and weight loss....all of which I have been slacking on.
You know how I lost of the weight and did a decent job of maintaining it....well I found what I lost.  Apparently it lived in Florida and when we moved it found me.  :)
All joking aside...I stopped exercising daily and eating healthy.  I started to load on the carbs and sweets again and I went back to my highest weight again.  Not fun. However this can be a fact of life and something many people run into, so now that I'm working on getting back on the right track I wanted to share.
On 9/22/14 my numbers were:
         Weight- 185 lbs
         Waist-  41.25 inches
         Hips-  44.5 inches
          Breast- 40.5 inches.
This had to stop.
The next day I started my Advocare Regimen again.  It's the best way for me to get back on track and I usually get some results.  Results help a lot.  If you exercise for months and don't see anything or diet and diet and lose a pound and half an inch you feel horrible.   I love Advocare for helping me make my goals, getting me on track and boosting my results.
On October 2, 2014 my results after a 10 day Herbal Cleanse (Only about $30), taking Catalyst daily (about $35) and walking on the treadmill a minimum of 20 minutes per day my numbers were....
        Weight- 183 lbs.
        Waist-  40.25 inches
         Hips- 43.5 inches
        Breast-  39.75 inches.
Another HUGE tip!  Always take measurements!  My weight didn't decrease dramatically- but look at those inches!   Almost one inch off each of the biggest fat deposits in my body!   I could tell the difference when I look in the mirror at my fat rolls and when I put on pants I couldn't wear a week ago without feeling like I was going to bust the buttons.
My continued goals- continue this diet and exercise routine.  The diet with the 10 day cleanse is just healthy eating.  You can live your life easily with that diet and I will continue to.  Exercise daily is a must.  You skip one day then it's easier to skip the next.  I work out best in the mornings but I've found that doesn't work for me now.  So I've been taking my book and reading for 20-30 minutes while walking on the treadmill each evening after the kids are in bed.
My other goal- to update this blog either weekly or every other week.  I'll have to play with it and see what works.  I want to really share my results and story and introduce whoever I can to products that help.  There are no magic pills for weight loss, however if a food or supplement helps then it's worth it as long as it's not bad for your body!   

Want to try Advocare? order here: https://www.advocare.com/130346245/Store/
Want more info?  E-mail or message me here!