Everyone struggles

So....I've had a black slide...again.  Prompted by not wanting to get out of bed, a new job, and laziness.
Truth. 

And I stopped posting, which doesn't keep me accountable, but also because I'm having technical difficulties.  Firefox isn't liking blogger for some reason for me lately.  So since I can't open it, I can't post, and since I have no good news, I can keep going on...right?

Wrong.  Time to get back.  

The struggle is real for everyone.  Everyone has bad days and good days.   A lot of people have bad weeks and good weeks.  It's life.  Keep working on it.  The only way to have a HEALTHY life is to keep with it.  It can't be a part time thing that you do once a year and you're good.  It's a lifestyle to try to make what you have as good as possible.   Everyday in the office I see diabetics, people with high blood pressure and people with high cholesterol.  They try to look at me like I don't understand their struggle.  I do.  I might not have as far to go, but I have as much on the line.  That's where I'll be if I don't keep with it.  We all have to start somewhere, but you have to START!

So, my measurements today:
Weight- 173 pounds (+5 pounds)
Waist- 36.5 inches (+1.5 inches)
Hips- 42.75 inches (+2.25 inches)
Chest- 38.75 inches (+2.25 inches)
Thigh- 22.75 inches (+1.75 inches)

Yuck.

On to happier things... a few recipes.  Advocare approved (or modifiable)
So the first think is simple.  I tried fried potatoes for breakfast but with sweet potatoes. 
Same recipe you'd use for white potatoes... canola oil, sliced onions and sliced potatoes, cooked until done.
It was good...but actually didn't pair well with over easy eggs.  It was good with toast, but not advocare friendly.  Not the best sweet potato substitution. 

Next is Ella's version of a protein bite.  She mixed raisins, oatmeal, and peanut butter.  She then rolled in ovaltine.  Rolling in the chocolate powder was something I never did, but I could probably do with the meal replacement.  You can add whatever you want- chia, flax seed, coconut flakes, dried cranberries or other dried fruit.  You can substitute sunbutter or almond butter.  Almost endless options.

Back to it.  Till next time!

24 day results and Oatmeal Protein Muffins

The Advocare All-In Challenge is complete and our results are in!

Weight: 170 lbs (-1 pound from last weight in, -7 lbs total for challenge)
Waist- 35 inches (no change from last measurement, - 2 inches for challenge)
Hips- 41.5 inches (no change from last measurement, - 1.25 inches for challenge)
Chest- 37 inches (-1 inch from last measurement, -1.5 inches for challenge)
Thigh- 21 inches (no change from last measurement, - 1.5 inches for challenge)

That's a grand total of 7 POUNDS DOWN and 6.25 INCHES OFF!

Sounds Great to me!  And Looks great too!

Jan 2, 2015

Jan 30, 2015

Jan 2, 2015

Jan 30, 2015

Jan 2, 2015

Jan 30, 2015

I'm happy!  And this is just the start!  I'll be doing a posting on my continued work, workout and maintenance products!

Recipe: Oatmeal Protein Muffins

This is a muffin recipe from Pinterest that I changed up based on what I had on my pantry!

• 2 cups of unsweetened applesauce or 4 very ripe bananas smashed (I used applesauce)

• 1 tablespoon of cinnamon

• 1 teaspoon of sea salt

• 3/4 cup of natural peanut butter or almond butter

• 1 chocolate meal replacement shake or 3 scoops of chocolate muscle gain (I used 1 scoop of my husband's vanilla protein powder and a tablespoon of chocolate ovaltine)

• 1/2 cup of chopped pecans (I had walnuts in the pantry)

• 1/2 cup of dried cranberries (I only had a little, so I used raisins too)

• 3 cups of rolled oats

• 2 table spoons of melted coconut oil (I used corn oil since it's what I had)

• 1 tablespoon of ground flax seed (optional, makes them a little bitter)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

In large bowl mix: applesauce or smashed bananas, cinnamon, sea salt, nut butter, chocolate meal replacement shake or muscle gain.

Once all mixed fold in: chopped pecans, cranberries, rolled oats, melted coconut oil, flax seed flour.

Place mixture in muffin tin and bake for 30-35min or until golden brown. Let cool and serve! I keep mine in the refrigerator after I bake them.

Very yummy and full of protein! NOT ALLERGY FRIENDLY. Sorry kiddo. :)

NEW INFO!!! I was asked to try to find the calories/fat/carbs etc per serving. I put the recipe in as directed on the website (not what I had laying around) and here's what it spit out! This is if you make 48 muffins from the recipe- which are small. :)

Nutrition Facts
Servings 48.0
Amount Per Serving
calories 60
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 4 g	7 %
Saturated Fat 1 g	5 %
Monounsaturated Fat 0 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0 g
Trans Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 1 mg	0 %
Sodium 24 mg	1 %
Potassium 24 mg	1 %
Total Carbohydrate 6 g	2 %
Dietary Fiber 1 g	4 %
Sugars 2 g
Protein 2 g	4 %
Vitamin A	0 %
Vitamin C	0 %
Calcium	2 %
Iron	2 %
* The Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet, so your values may change depending on your calorie needs. The values here may not be 100% accurate because the recipes have not been professionally evaluated nor have they been evaluated by the U.S. FDA.

Until next time....be healthy!

All In for the New Year!

My last post was about the Advocare All-In Challenge!  I have heard that for those who want the challenge you can still get the shaker bottle and wristband as supplies last, just no free shipping now.
Order here!  http://www.advocare.com/130346245!   Nationwide challenge starts January 7th!  Myself and a friend are doing it together!

My latest and greatest- I didn't quite meet my goal at my last doctor's appointment to be down 10 lbs, but I was down 7 lbs so that's pretty great!
My current numbers are:
Weight- 177 pounds (+1 lb)
Waist- 37 inches (-0.5 inches)
Chest- 38.5 inches (+0.5 inches)

Mostly maintaining...which is okay.  But now it's time to bust a move!   January 7th I start the 24 day challenge from Advocare!   This is a 24 day nationwide challenge!  I also have a plan for a healthy maintenance of supplements that I will share when I get there!

I plan on sharing recipes at least weekly that are Advocare friendly and also Allergy friendly!  Lots of fruits and veggies and soups (because I love soups!)

My exercise plan, which has been evolving but getting better will including walking/jogging every day for at least 30 minutes.  I will then add strengthening Tabata at least 4 times a week.  This is new for me.  I have been able to exercise 20-30 minutes every morning, and another 20-30 minutes at night.  When I stick to this routine I do my best at sticking to it!  And I strongly feel if I keep up my exercise I do better at eating healthy too!
Meal planning is on, exercise routine is started, and Advocare products have been shipped!  I'm ready to get the last 20 lbs off!  It will happen!

https://www.advocare.com/130346245/default.aspx

Set yourself up for success!

If you plan on using Advocare products the best advice I can give you is set yourself up for success!
If you use the cleanse but don't diet and exercise, you've wasted $30.  That's all there is to it. 
You can buy all the supplements in the world you want, but if you don't do the basics of any weight loss program that really works- diet and exercise- it won't help.

If you want to get the most for  your money, you simply plan!

• Have good things to eat at home: vegetables, fruits, lean meats.
• Get rid of snack foods that will tempt you!  Get rid of the Halloween candy that you haven't managed to eat!  It was a month ago anyways!
• Plan meals ahead of time and go shopping so you know you have ingredients so you don't fall back on processed/prepackaged things that are usually full of sodium and refined carbs.
• Decided on a reasonable exercise routine that will work with your life.  If you can't get up in the mornings, don't expect to rely on that for exercise time because you may do it a few days but you will have trouble setting a habit which is the goal.
• Don't start a cleanse when you have something coming up that you know will be impossible- Christmas Parties are close and if you aren't able to resist temptation you'll be wasting your money and supplements!  However, if you're able to hold off if you're doing a program it can help you from overeating. 
• If you are sick- delay. This happened to me and why you haven't heard from me lately.  I had a cold last week.  Runny nose, sore throat.  The last thing I was going to do is exercise.  I'm not starting a diet to boost results while going through that, it wouldn't help as much as I would be looking for!

I have started my cleanse- today is Day 1!
My current numbers:
Weight- 177 lb (down 3 lbs from last weigh in 11/15)
Waist- 37.5 inches (Down 0.5 inches)
Hips- 43 inches (up 0.5 inches)
Bust- 39 inches (down 0.5 inches)

These decreases aren't accidents- I did exercise and watch what I ate these last two weeks.  I just had a cold and didn't want to put pressure on myself to do something that wouldn't let me heal.  I walked instead of jogged.  I ate soup that had some noodles.  If I'm going to spend the money on supplements and cleanse, I'm going to get my money's worth and I wouldn't be able to while sick with the creeping crud.  

If you have any questions on Advocare, let me know!    They've helped me meet my goals before and I know it will again!  I'm ready to get back!

Bum knee=bum results

Here's my numbers this week:
Weight- 180 lbs (no change)
Waist- 38 inches (+ .25 inch)
Hips- 42.5 inches (no change)
Breast- 39.5 inches (+.25 inch)

So I've done better with sticking to my diet (which I haven't done the best and there were still a few not great choices this week) but I hurt my knee somehow and it makes it rough to exercise.  Actually it doesn't hurt when exercising but it's killing me at work and trying to sleep it keeps me awake.  I think it's something with my MCL because it's my left inner knee.  
Anyways, I tried a few days of rest and avoided anything lunges and squats and my numbers aren't as good.  Moral of the story: exercise.  
:)
We'll see what next week brings.
Here's a cool picture I stole from Pinterest about Spark!   I love the stuff personally so here's some FYI!
 
I didn't put this picture together so I won't promise everything on it is correct.  If you want to try and order some here's a link for you:  https://www.advocare.com/130346245/
 

My products are here!

My products are here!  Good thing, because I'm been bumping up my determination after going to the doctor Friday.  When I said I had lost over 30 lbs three years ago and gradually put it back on she looked at me like- yeah, right.  So when I go back in about a month and a half I want to be AT LEAST 10 lbs less!  There's my goal.  To prove to her I did do it once and I WILL do it again!

My last two weeks measurements:
11/2/14
Weight: 180 lbs (- 1 lb)
Waist- 38 inches (-3/4 inch)
Hips- 42 3/4inches (no change)
Breasts- 39 1/4 inches (- 1/2 inch)

11/7/14
Weight- 180 lbs (no change)
Waist- 37 3/4 inches (-1/4 inch)
Hips- 42 1/2 inches (- 1/4 inch)
Breasts- 39 1/4 inches (no change)

Mind you for these measurements I have had an injured knee and been only exercising about every other day.  I also haven't been good about not eating the yummy carbs- think apple pie, chocolate chip cookies, cinnamon rolls.  I've got all my tools now and I have a deadline- time to stop the excuses and go!

Here's my "tool box" with the prices!

Spark!-A 45 calorie, sugar free drink to boost energy!  It has 21 vitamins and minerals and it does have caffeine for those addicted to soda.   I have pictured Green Apple "to-go" packs-(14 servings for $22.95) Mandarin Orange Pouches (14 for $22.95) Canister of Pink Lemonade and Fruit Punch (42 servings for $51.95)

Catalyst- A supplement designed to protect muscle from being broken down so your body burns fat.  30 servings for $31.50

ThermoPlus- A supplement designed to increase metabolism. 90 servings for $31.95

Herbal Cleanse- A combination of probiotics, fiber drinks and herbal cleanse tablets to restore digestive health.  I use this about 2-3 times a year to help refocus my efforts. $31.50 for 10 day cleanse

Meal Replacement Shakes- Can be used to replace a lunch or breakfast while on cleanse or just trying to maintain.  I like the Mocha flavor best. 14 servings for $44.95

Omega Plex- An Omega 3 supplement that was actually endorsed by Dr. Oz as being a high quality supplement and source for these good fats! 45 servings for $21.95

Like all supplements these are not monitored by the FDA and they are not magic pills.  These are the tools I use with diet and exercise to help me succeed!  

If you want to order go here- https://www.advocare.com/130346245/

If you have more questions about the products or distributor discount just message me or e-mail at lemastersb@gmail.com

My Advocare Products

I just ordered some more Advocare products!  I'm excited since I've been out awhile.

I'm also due to check my weight and numbers but it's been a bad eating and exercise week so I'm not sad that I won't be sharing that today!  ;)

1. Spark!  This is an energy drink that has 21 vitamins and minerals, no sugar and only 45 calories.  I got on the go packets because I want more green apple.  This retails as $22.95.  That is $1.64 a serving.  Not any worse than a soda but tastes better.  The big canister which I normally get for fruit punch or grape is $51.95 but has 42 servings (or more if you don't do a full scoop- it depends what flavor how full I make the scoop) and is $1.24 a serving.   This does contain caffeine so if you have heart problems you should probably stray away.  But, it's perfect for those wanting to get off soda and don't want a headache from caffeine withdrawal.

2. Catalyst-  This supplement is made to help protect muscle from breakdown.  What this means is when you exercise your body won't use the muscle you have for energy but the fat.  It costs $31.50 for a 30 day supply.

3. Thermoplus-  This supplement is created to boost your metabolism to help stretch weight loss through the day.  It is $31.95 for a 30 day supply.

4.  Herbal Cleanse-  This is the 10 day cleanse I do periodically.  This helps me get my habits in check and my system happy.  This should not be used more than 4 times a year- I average 2-3.  It's a combination of Probiotics, Fiber Drinks and Herbal Cleanse tablets.  If you do this you need to super hydrate and stay away from fat.  This retails at $31.50.

Of course all of these claims are my own and not monitored by the FDA and blah blah blah.  We all know there is no miracle pill.  These are supplements to help get the goals and don't say otherwise.  Most of my plans revolve around diet and exercise because that is what works!   

I am a distributor and it's for the discount.  I'll explain how that works.

This order alone costs $149.40 retail (one box of spark, 2 catalyst, 1 thermoplus and 1 herbal cleanse).

My discount is 25% or $37.35.

My total is now $112.05.

It costs me $50 a year to be a distributor. 

If I only liked the Spark and drank one a day 5 days a week- 260 servings a year which would be between 6 and 7 canisters of Spark a year.  That's $363.65 a year in Spark!

However, if you have the discount you would have a savings of $90.94 or a total of $272.71!

So even if I ONLY bought Spark I save $40 a year by being a distributor.  

So the meaning of the story is....even if you don't want to be the person selling Advocare, it's worth the investment to become a distributor if you like the products!

Want to try the products?  Order here:  https://www.advocare.com/130346245/

You can also contact me or become a distributor on that site.  

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)

   

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

10 day results

So it's been kind of a rough 10 days, and lots of stress coming up so it's been difficult. 
My numbers are all in the right direction:

Weight- 163 lbs- was 167

Right arm- 12 inches- was 12

Chest- 37 1/4 inches- was 37 3/4

Waist- 36 1/4 inches- was 36 3/4

Hips- 41inches- was 41 1/2

Right thing- 22 1/4 inches- was 23 1/2

Right calf- 12 1/2 inches- was 14 1/2  

My pictures weren't as dramatic as I'd hope, but it's all good.  I hope to keep on track, especially with the stress coming my way!  I'll be starting up some greens and as soon as my sunburn goes away I'll be doing a wrap. 

Before

 

 

After

I'm still going...cleanse day 9

So I'm still alive, although I felt like crud a few days ago which is why I haven't posted much!
Let's go backwards in time.  Today is Day 9.
I've drank my fiber drink, took the probiotic and catalyst.  I'm now drinking my Spark and eating my apple walnut oatmeal.  I will be going to Yoga class in about 30 minutes.  Tonight, I'm sure I will fail miserably on what I'm eating because we are having a slumber party which includes sherbert punch (which is safe from me...yuck), a popcorn bar (ohhhh my...caramel popcorn with m&ms, or cheese popcorn with pretzels, or butter popcorn with gummy bears....uh oh), and subway sandwiches.  Hmm.  We'll see how that goes.

So day 8- Thursday- I did great!
Fiber drink, probiotic, and Catalyst.  Spark and oatmeal.  Then did Tabata at the Y- which kicked my butt!  Then did another 1.5 miles on the treadmill (good bye 200 calories), then mowed the yard.  Lunch was soup (the weight watchers) and 4 slices of ham.  Snack was one boiled egg and 1 cup of red grapes.  Of course through all of this I drank tons of water!   Dinner was brats over the fire and salad.  I had 2 glasses of white wine (a no-no, oh well) and walked around the block about 7 or 8 times with Eli riding his bike.  A leisurely stroll, but would help with the wine calories.  I also threw the baseball with my husband for awhile, since he looked lonely throwing it at the garage by himself.  ;)  Then I sneaked about 4 marshmallows before bed. 
I also downloaded myfitness pal app to my phone again.  I used it briefly once before, but I'm bad about keeping track of numbers.  Takes too long.  But I'm trying and it says I should eat 1890 calories a day.  For day 8 I ate 1832 calories, but exercised about 863 calories.  I'm happy with that. :)

Day 7- Wednesday.  No so good.
I felt bad.  My stomach was churning.   My head hurt.  I was worried about Eli, and stress was getting to me.  I skipped the YMCA because I instead did some mental health time chatting with a friend.  I did zero exercise.  I don't remember what I ate, but it couldn't have been bad or much.  I think I had my oatmeal for breakfast, salad maybe for lunch, and some green beans for dinner.  Just an off day.

Day 6- Tuesday-  ok
Eli went to the dentist this day, so I didn't exercise right off.  I had oatmeal for breakfast, meal replacement shake for lunch.  Exercised on the treadmill for about 30 minutes I think.  Dinner was salsa chicken with veggies.  Just a normal day.

I think this brings us up to date.  I hope I get results, but more than that I know I'm getting back on track!  When I've not followed the diet I have been able to limit myself and haven't been eating when I'm not hungry!  This is a big thing for me.  I eat when I'm....stressed, tired, bored, lazy, studying, busy....always!  I need to keep listening to my body and eat what I need, when I need it!  And tonight I'll watch the popcorn! :)

Herbal Cleanse Day 2

So I've gotten down the fiber drink with my OJ- this is my trick to make it taste better.
I took my Catalyst to kill the fat, and my other regular vitamins and whatnot.
I've already drank 16 oz of water and I'm half way through my Grape Spark today.
For breakfast I've got some Apple Walnut Oatmeal.  Yum Yum.  It's more calories than plain, so not ideal, but I usually don't have a mid-morning snack because I eat an earlier lunch so it evens out because some of  the extra calories are from the protein and fruit in it.
My exercise plan has changed a bit from what I was going to do.  I'm going to do my treadmill routine and then do some Yoga at home.  Usually I do Yoga at the Y on Friday and I really like it.  However, my shoulders are super sore from the work yesterday and I know when I go sore I don't get as much out of it.  So I'll do a little here and maybe next week do Wednesday, not Thursday, and then Friday at the Y.  We'll see :)
Lunch will be one of my soups- I have the both some of the rice/veggie soup and weight watchers soup thawing in the fridge.
Lots of water today.
Dinner will be a Subway Salad because Ella and I are going on a date night. :)
I have to fess up that I cheated yesterday.  Already.  Day one isn't a good day to start that!  We had a work meeting and got a pizza party.  I tried to leave before the pizza came but Ella wanted some pizza. So I had one slice of Taco Pizza with some ranch on it.  But I behaved otherwise yesterday and one slice would have been worked off my what I did yesterday....so I just need to keep eye on the prize!  That's the key!
Don't let one day of missing working out or eating one thing that you shouldn't ruin the new lifestyle change you're trying to make!  I always do worse when I start giving up on one or the other.  It's a slippery slope. Give yourself a break and stop after one!
Have a happy Friday!
Post exercise update:
  I did the treadmill routine that I posted two days ago the way i posted it- except I jumped off during the last fast run for a quick drink because I thought I might die.  But the treadmill kept going so it should be correct ;)

Herbal Cleanse Day 1

So I'm  at it again!  I've been preparing mentally, physically and with my cooking to do this again and get great results.  I do this so often because it helps me refocus/recharge and after awhile of eating crap you feel like crap and need help getting it out of your system! 

So here's my starting stats:

Weight- 167 lbs

Rt arm- 12 inches

Chest- 37 3/4 inches

Waist- 36 3/4 inches

Hips- 41 1/2 inches

Right Thigh- 23 1/2 inches

Right Calf- 14 1/2 inches

And my starting pictures thanks to Miss Ella.  

Apparently I was crossing my eyes? 

 So what I've done today so far:

*  Started with my fiber drink, water, and catalyst.  

*  30 minutes later I drank my Spark (Pink Lemonade- yum!) and during the time between I drank 16 oz of water.

*  After that I had some oatmeal- it had blueberries and hazelnuts in it.  270 calories.

*  Then I was off to the YMCA for Tabata class and sweat my bum off (hopefully!)  Drank 16 oz of water

*  Then I came home and got on the treadmill and did the first part of my post from yesterday- warm up, three songs at Jog/Run, one song at brisk walk, one song cool down.- Drank 16+ oz of water

Here's the results from that-

* Drank another 16 oz of water, took 2 Omega Plex, ate a bowl of Magic weight loss soup, and had 6 slices of oven roasted chicken breast- 70 cal + whatever the soup has (I don't know but it's all veggies and can't be much and what is has is healthy!).

The plan for the rest of the day is to have at least another 16 oz water before an afternoon snack- some sort of protein and fruit- maybe a hard boiled egg and peaches.  

Another 16 oz of water before dinner- dinner will be cubed steak (been thawed).  I will do no or just a touch of gravy if it's dry and we'll be having cauliflower and broccoli with that.  

Another 16 oz water minimum before bed when I'll do the herbal cleanse tablets.  If I do a snack before bed it'll be fruit.  :)

I'll keep you up on progress.  I should be getting my Greens and Wraps from It Works soon, but I'm going to stick with Advocare for the first 10 days, then after my cleanse results I will add the It Works stuff and see what supplementing does!