Day 16- 24 Day Challenge.

So I am annoyed and uninspired today. Very moody and cranky. No particular reason - just annoyed.

I need to remind myself of my triumphs. Like not gaining over my girls weekend. I came home and on Monday morning I was 138.2 - a great feeling! Even after two free meals. My muscles very sore though from the personal training on Friday and Yoga Saturday morning.

I can get back on track - I am on track. yesterday I did well with my eating and kicked some major butt at the gym. My error was putting onion in my veggie/chicken stir fry I made last night - onions always upset my stomach so I woke up very cranky.

I only have one more week of this challenge and I am frustrated with the results. I am being too hard on myself I know - and I need to be excited because I HAVE built muscle, lost weight, and Body Fat. Just one of those days when nothing will make me happy.

All I want is a cup of coffee and I might indulge myself.

Hopefully tomorrow I will be feeling better.

Day 11 - 24 Day Challenge.

Almost half way there!!!!! Still in the 138's - UGH! But I hope tomorrow the scale will be lower -
I stayed faithful to my eating habits and I got a kick butt workout in despite ANOTHER hectic day.

Also I am in phase two and I am excited to see how the next phase of Advocare products work.

Tomorrow my best friend and I are having a girls fitness getaway weekend :) I am so excited! I can't remember the last time we had uninterrupted time together - plus we are hiring a trainer tomorrow and then a yoga instructor for Saturday! :) Should be a blast! I will TRY to keep the blog updated but I can't promise anything! :) I'll write tomorrow about what my game plan is and then I will check in on Sunday about how it all went.

Ciao Ciao!

Day 10 - 24 Day Challenge.

Day 10 was another blah day. But I stuck to my food and I even got to the gym thanks to my wonderful hubby who pushed me to go and even went with me. I was glad I went in the end -

I'm at 138.8 today - Oh yeah here is my Day 10 info:

Weigh In	Day 1	Day 10
Weight	142.00	138.8
Body Fat %	27.00%	25.10%
BMI (optional)	24.9	24.3
Chest	34.00	34
Tricep	10.50	10.5
Waist	27.75	27.5
Stomach (bellybutton)	33.00	32
Buttox/Hips	38.00	37.5
Thigh	20.00	19
Calf	10.00	11.5

Hopefully with my workout tonight I will break through that 138 Plateau I mentioned last week!!!!
Happy, healthy eating everyone!!!!!

Day 9- 24 Day Challenge. Wind out of my sails.

So I have stuck to my diet - duh.
I've stayed on track with my workouts - but I am feeling deflated.
It's just a moody - blah day I guess.

I am trying to push myself once more out the door and to the gym. I am finding ANY excuse to preoccupy my mind with other "to-dos" when my main TO DO is to take care of my body!

So I'm going - I'M GOING!

Cardio only today - I did weights yesterday and Thursday is bootcamp followed by a PT session on Friday... so I'll be dying - I'm sure.

Day 8 - 24 Day Challenge.

Back on the Fiber drink in the morning. I have two more days (minus today) of the "cleanse" part of the 24 day challenge. I will be glad when I don't have to drink that stuff anymore.

Today I did well. I am on my way to the gym right now and I stayed on track with my eating! Yay! me!

I am really tired so I don't WANT to go to the gym but I know I need to and once I am there I will be glad I went. I need to take it easy on my wrist so I plan on doing 30 min cardio and then focusing on leg work even though my calves are still burning.

Day 7. Hello Cupcake.

Hello there everybody. Well today consisted of one meal and one meal only - really bad of me. IT was a free meal day and so that meant going to have pasta/brunch at Filomena - I was actually VERY proud of myself. I didn't go totally nuts and make myself sick at Brunch - I in no way binged. After my sister in law and I walked around and picked up Georgetown Cupcakes - the famous ones that have their own show on TLC "DC CUPCAKES" and also Baked and Wired cupcakes. I had one strawberry cupcake for desert and sampled two others - again a feat for me - given I am a sweets junkie - not candie but I LOVE LOVE LOVE cakes and brownies, etc. However I think with eating clean for even just five days in a row with little to no sugar at all (only in fruits really & carbs) it was all too much for me. I'm not really hungry again. I'm sure I have had my share of calories for the day and I am NOT going to obsess about the number on the scale tomorrow. I am sure that by Wednesday the world will be how it should be and I will be right on track given all the hard work I put in working out, and eating right this week.

See you tomorrow!

Day 6 - 24 Day Challenge - CHEATER.

Long day. I get two "free meals a week" and I was planning on only doing one this week (tomorrow's brunch with my sister in law to celebrate her job offer) but after a grueling 5 hour work session of doing hair and makeup I was hungry, tired and in need of a "free meal" aka "no think meal".

So I indulged - here is what I ate today... One clean meal - one free meal.

Meal 1 8:30 am	2 pieces quinoa bread
	4 egg white (3 egg whites, 1 yolk)
	strawberries
Meal 2 11:00 am	SKIPPED
	SKIPPED
Meal 3 2:00 pm	1 bleu cheese scone
	1/2 panera mozerella sandwich
Meal 4 5:00	brownie (panera) w/1/2 c. ice cream
	hazelnut coffee w/ cream and sugar
	1 small bag kettle chips
Meal 5 7:00	SKIPPED
	SKIPPED
Meal 6 9:00

On top of that I had to take a pain killer because my wrist/ hand is very sore and swollen. I didn't work out but I will tomorrow. Still need to give myself credit for this past five days of PERFECT EATING and 5 days in a row of hard core exercise despite my surgery!

Day 5 - 24 Day Challenge.

Day 5 - 138.4 (down from 142 on day 1 - very exciting)

Today has proved to be a challenge thus far. My sweet sister in law is in town for job interviews in D.C. and it was my task to get to and fro so that meant having to pack my food and plan my meals very carefully.

I almost missed breakfast but I was insistent with myself to eat! So I made it through that hurdle. Brought a snack for the road and my water. Picked my sis up around 1:30 and we got home to a near Potbelly to eat!

So here is what I have had thus far today:

Meal 1 8:00 am	2 pieces of toast
	4 egg white (3 egg whites, 1 yolk)
	strawberries
Meal 2 11:00 am	(see meal 3)
	small apple
Meal 3 2:00 pm	Turkey (Potbelly w/ L,T,O & light mayo)
	(see above)

My sis wants to workout with me so we are going to go to the gym around 5:00 - 6:30. I plan on doing 45 min cardio (2o minutes treadmill, 20 minutes bike) Followed by weight training circuit... I found this great one on Women's Health Magazine Website to bust through a plateau - which I talked about being at the "138 plateau" yesterday - lets hope this kicks it's butt!



My eating plan for the rest of the day:

Meal 4 4:30 pm	4 oz. chicken
	1/4 c brown rice
	asparagus
Meal 5 7:00 pm	10 oz. Tilapia
	spinach
Meal 6	(see meal 5)

Day 4 - 24 Day Challenge.

Weight this morning : 139.2 :) Felt good to be back in the 130's! yay me! But 138 has my plateau zone since after the holidays - so I am eager to see the scale drop below that number...

I made a big mistake today and that was not eating every 2-3 hours. Woke up feeling very dizzy for starters, and so I had a late breakfast anyways. Then I still wasn't feeling so good so I went back to sleep, by the time I woke up again my dog, Reese, was crying - poor thing hasn't had a good run in 3 days since I've been laid up with my surgery. So I decided to take her to the dog park then go to the grocery store.

I had my first meal around 9:30/10 (I didn't look at the clock, another mistake), but at least I didn't have to have the fiber drink which is very thick and hard to stomach! I didn't eat again till 2:00 pm. This is a really bad thing to do when you are trying to stay away from sweets, and bad cravings. My blood sugar was low and I was getting very fatigued, so I made meals two and three and combined them. I am starting to feel better.

My very late breakfast

Here is my food log/plan for today:

Meal 1 - 10am?	1/2c. Oat bran cereal
	4 egg white
	5 manderine oranges
Meal 2 - 2pm	6 oz. Lean Steak
	strawberries
Meal 3 - 2pm	(see meal 2)
	Quinoa bread (1 serving=2 slices)
Meal 4 - 4pm	4 oz. Chicken
	1/4 c brown rice
	asparagus
Meal 5 - 8pm	3 oz. steak
	spinach
Meal 6 - 6pm	4 oz. Chicken

Day 3 - 24 Day Challenge.

Not feeling well today (due to my surgery yesterday). I have stayed on my eating plan with no cheating, but it has been hard to eat all the food when my pain killers are making me dizzy and nauseated. Not to mention pain killers tend to make me bloated, gassy, and constipated (sorry if TMI, but that is the reality of being on pain killers)- so I am trying not to take them and that means sucking up the sharp pain in my wrist.

I plan on doing a 30 minute cardio workout this evening - stationary bike with no pressure on my wrist. Gotta get my burn in somehow since I have been on the couch for a day and half and since I can't drive I have to wait for the hubby to drive me when he's home from work.



So here is my food log for today:

Meal 1 - 9:30 am	1/2c. oatmeal
	4 egg white
	1/2 Grapefruit
Meal 2 - 11:30 am	(see meal 3)
	Manderine oranges (5)
Meal 3- 3:30 pm	8 oz. chicken
	1/2 c whole wheat penne
Meal 4 - 5:30 pm	1/2 c greek yogurt
	1/4 c whole wheat penne
	brussell sprouts
Meal 5 - 8:00 pm	8 oz. chicken
	brussell sprouts
Meal 6	(see Meal 5)

Day 2 - 24 Day Challenge Part 2.

Surgery went well and I was not under the type of anaesthetic where you stop breathing on your own but I was asleep! Because of this I did not experience the type of dizziness and sleepiness you usually will have after being put to sleep. The pain is very localized and I am feeling great except for the pain in my wrist.

My husband has been amazing at keeping me on track with all my food! And I even got to the gym to do the stationary bike for 30 minutes!

Here is what I ate today...

Meal 1 - 1:30 pm	1/2c.oatmeal
	4 egg white (3 egg whites, 1 yolk)
	1/2 Grapefruit
Meal 2- 3:30 pm	4 egg white (3 egg whites, 1 yolk)
	1/2 Grapefruit
Meal 3- 6:00 pm	4 oz. chicken
	1/2 whole wheat penne
Meal 4 - 8:00 pm	8 oz. chicken
	1/2 whole wheat penne
	spinach
Meal 5	(see meal 3)
	(see meal 3)
Meal 6	(see meal 3)

Day 2 - 24 Day Challenge Part 1.

Yesterday went off without a hitch - I ate perfectly (though I had dreams last night that I ate half a piece of chocolate cake), got my workout in, and took all my supplements as instructed. I got on the scale this morning (slap on wrist, but I was just curious) and I was down to 140.2 - I know a good majority of that was water weight from all the Easter treats but I was still none the less really happy. In the past 8 weeks when I have gained, "water weight" over the weekend, it has taken at least 3-4 days to shed it.

In another news today brings on a new set of obstacles - I am having wrist surgery this morning and so I am not allowed to eat anything or drink water (or anything else for that matter). I have no idea how I will be feeling afterwards so I have asked my husband to make my food for me (chicken is already prepped and in the fridge). I will just take all my supplements the same, and hopefully by tonight I will be feeling good enough for a bike ride at the gym (that puts no pressure on my wrist what-so-ever).

My plan is after surgery to have "breakfast" and just continue my normal day - even when you have things that stand in your way of achieving your goals you must be committed and not let a mental block get in your way! Feel free to share any barriers YOU might be having on your journey in the comments & I will respond with encouragement or suggestions.

Day 1 - 24 Day Chellenge

Monday April 9, 2012	Day 1
Weight*	142 lbs.
Body Fat Percentage	27.0 %
BMI (optional)	24.9 in.
Chest	34 in.
Tricep*	10.5 in.
Waist	27.5 in
Buttox	38 in.
Thigh*	20 in.
Calf*	10 in.

*Measurements & Weight taken first thing in the morning. Thigh, Calf & Tricep measurements all done "half way" between joints (i.e. ankle to knee, knee to hip, elbow to shoulder).

To measure my BF% and BMI I used this Omron Fat Loss Monitor - This is very useful during weight loss because you want to be able to determine if you are losing FAT. That is the problem I have had in the past. Last year I lost 20 lbs but I did not build the lean muscle I wanted and I did not burn enough fat off my body which caused me to gain 10-12 lbs of it back.



I started this entry with all my measurements & weight information. Oy! It is hard to post but I want to help and inspire whoever I can so I am being transparent here. You can read more about the details of the challenge here : http://housewifewithalife.blogspot.com/2012/04/24-day-challenge.html - It tells you about the cleanse and some of the products.

I have to say eating this way (see below) isn't foreign to me. This is a very "clean" way of eating and how I typically eat and cook - however there is far more protein, and the supplements are something I have never done. The Fiber drink this morning tasted fine but it was very thick and hard to stomach - I held my nose and downed it as quickly as I could. I also have added the OmegaPlex (omega3 supplements) into my routine.

This program uses Advocare products to in addition to diet and exercise. Currently in Days 1 - 10 I am using a Cleanse and also beginning to take an Omega - 3 vitamin.

For more about this Challenge check out Lisa Reed Fitness : http://www.lisareedfitness.com/index.html

Meal Plan/ Food Log:

Meal 1 (9:30am)	1/2c.oatmeal
	4 egg white
	1/2 Grapefruit
Meal 2 (12:00 am)	1/2 c Greek Yogurt
	1/2 Grapefruit
Meal 3 (2:00 pm)	4 oz. chicken
	1/2 c quinoa
Meal 4 (5:00 pm)	5 oz fish
	1/4 c brown rice
	asparagus
Meal 5 ( 7:00 pm)	4 oz. Chicken
	spinach
Meal 6 (3:00 pm)	4 oz. Chicken

Day One Meal One

Easter Food Coma.

So after a day of treats and good home cooking I am preparing myself for what is ahead of me in the next 24 days. I am currently in a food coma - too much sugar and coffee. Good thing my 24 day Challenge begins tomorrow. I am beyond excited to work hard and see my body transform.

I will be sharing what I am eating, what my exercise routine is on my blog and hopefully you will also be inspired to get healthy and fit as well.

I will also be sharing any failures, frustrations and crazy cravings I have on here too - after all I am a REAL person, not a super human but I will do this and I will succeed!

Stay tuned.

24 day Challenge.

So my gratitude blog has fallen a little short. But that's okay! This year has been busy and wonderful in so many ways! Life with the hubby and the pup are going really well. In order to get fit pre getting pregnant (that coming soon this year) - I am taking on a 24 day Challenge. I am going to try to keep a food long and journal using this wonderful blog I have created. I will also post photos of my journey.

Here is what I am doing from Lisa Reed Fitness:

"YOU DO NOT HAVE TO LIVE IN THE DMV! You can live anywhere and still participate! LRF clients have lost up to 15 pounds while on the 24 Day Challenge! LRF clients Christine from VA lost 13 pounds, Lisa from IL lost 7 pounds, Todd from DC lost 16 pounds! Heather lost 22 pounds! Now, it is YOUR turn!

What does the The 24 Day Advocare Bundle & LRF Program Include?

Days 1-10 Cleanse Phase: The first ten days are about cleansing your body of toxins and preparing for optimal nutrient absorption, and you may enjoy weight loss as well! Includes a Fiber drink, Omega Fatty Acids, Probotics and Spark energy & appetite fat burning drink. Days 11-24 Metabolic Nutrition System (MNS) Max Phase. Gives your body the best tools you need to achieve your next weight management goals. (I lost 5 pounds during this phase!!!) Assits in weight management, appetite control and overall wellness! In addition, you will receive a box of Meal Replacement Shakes with your choice of chocolate, vanilla, or berry: Complete nutrition in a great-tasting shake! Plus more Spark! LRF will also provide a Nutrition & Exercise Guide!!!

To get started on losing weight, feeling and looking great, click here: Advocare or go to www.lisareedfitness.com and click on Advocare (bottom left corner), go to products then Trim to order 24 Day Challenge Bundle-selecting MNS3 with your choice shake flavor= $185 plus shipping. It takes four days to receive products. I will provide detailed instructions when order is confirmed & provide you with an LRF Nutrition & Exercise Guide! Wahoo! Contest begins asap and last day to order for the LRF contest is April 7th. Share it and Forward to a friend!

Any questions, please email me Lisa@lisareedfitness.com"

Me last August, Red Headed and in good shape. Hope to get back to this & BEYOND.

I begin my 24 day challenge on Friday or Saturday depending on when my Advocare products get here! So excited!

Grateful #18

I am grateful for wintertime. Most people hate the winter - I used to be one of those people. I always seemed to get the winter blues but I actually look forward to this season of slowing down and having an excuse to stay in with a movie and a bowl of popcorn.

I am grateful for hibernation season for sure. :)

Grateful #17

I am grateful for all the freedoms we enjoy in our country. I am grateful that as a women in my country I can vote and run for office if I choose to do so - in many countries women are still considered second class citizens.

I am grateful for the different opinions and loud voices because it still proves that the American spirit is alive and well even though sometimes it feels we are living in very very dark times. There are places where you get killed or go "missing" for speaking out or even telling the truth.

I am grateful to live in a place where I can take a WALK or go for a run whenever I want. Some people are born into war and only know destruction, unrest, slaughter and hate. No place is safe where these people live.

I am grateful that I can go to the store and buy ANYTHING I can possibly think of at almost anytime of day - some people don't even have water to drink, or food to eat.

I am not trying to be political or get on a soap box I am just grateful.... even people who are struggling in our country still have freedom. We are still 99 % of the wealthiest people in the WORLD, not just because of what we make per year or our household income but because of the quality of life we enjoy because we are Americans and because we are free. I am grateful to all the men and women who generation after generation have fought to defend that freedom and the belief that we are a country who's creed STATES that we have inalienable rights not from government but from GOD. We are not a perfect country, to say we have a lot to work on and much to learn is an understatement, but I am still and always will be proud to be an American.

I am grateful for my country.

Grateful #14,15 & 16

14. I am so grateful to come home to SPOTLESS house :)

15. I am grateful for my sister Libby who reminds me to RELAX and have fun, enjoys a good latte just as much as me, makes me laugh and is an amazing women. I love you.

16. I am grateful for dinner out with my Dad! It will never get old going out & it's one of our favorite past times.

:) What a great day!

Grateful #12 & #13

Two things I am grateful for the YMCA & my awesome bootcamp instructor there who doesn't play. She kicks our butts every thursday night. I am so sore & I love it.

Thanks for helping me get in shape!

Grateful #11

I am grateful for friends who I can call and vent to and who offer me validation, prayer and support. Even though it's taken me a long time to make new friends here, and I often shed a tear or two (or 100) over missing my "nashville girls" I know I am so blessed. I have friends who know me and know my heart, and I have new friends that are godly, wonderful, fun loving, joyful, silly, yet deep women who are becoming dear friends. I also have old friends who are there whenever I need them. I need to remind myself how blessed I am and be grateful for every relationship I DO have instead of harping on the ones I don't. Or my lack thereof. I should spend more of that time in building the new relationships I have started! Thank you Lord for friends!

Grateful #10

Today I am grateful for my husbands hard work. We have been going through hell and back with the new townhouse we are renting and he has been so strong throughout the whole process. I am grateful that we are able to lean on each other and get through things even when the stress levels are through the roof. I am blessed to have someone like him to walk through life with. When I see what he endures day in and day out with running a business and dealing with all the home stuff too I am reminded to be grateful even in the midst of trials and frustrating circumstances.

I love you Thomas. SHMILY.

Grateful #9

I am grateful for quiet nights alone. I know once little kiddies arrive one day there won't be so many of these. So right now I will enjoy these moments of silence and alone time.

Grateful #8.

I am grateful for a good read and hot tea.

There's almost nothing better then escaping into a story to ease stress or keep our minds fresh. It's such a better option then sitting in front of the tube or even the computer.

It took me a long time to find a genre like I liked but I absolutely love David Sedaris and Jodi Picolt. They are my two favorite authors. Now I don't beat myself up if I don't like a book even if it was on a best sellers list or Oprah's book club I just read what I like and if I get half way through a novel and I want to gouge my eyes out I return it to the library and get a different book without any guilt.

Right now I just started Bossypants by Tina Fey. Just FYI.

Grateful #7.

I am grateful for Crest 3D White Strips!

Seriously they make whitening so easy and affordable! Now they even have an adhesive on them so they don't slide around on your teeth. I remember when I used to use baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to whiten after I brushed.

Grateful #6

I am grateful for my pup Reese.

There is nothing like coming home to a sweet dog who is so energetic and excited to see you. Upon my arrival home she usually acts as if she hasn't seen me in years and then she doesn't leave my side. She doesn't judge me when I have a bad day, she doesn't criticize how I look or if I gained a few pounds over the holidays. She is content. She is joyful and playful and loyal. I am grateful that I get to be her Pup Mom.

Gratitude.

I haven't updated this blog in a long time. But I decide for one of my New Years Resolutions that I wanted to be a more grateful person. I think gratitude is a choice. We choose our attitudes and beliefs and those beliefs shape our emotions and responses that aren't always by choice... so I am choosing an attitude of gratitude this year.

In order for a resolution to stick or be attainable it must be measurable so I am going to blog something I am grateful for each day of 2012.

I am a few days behind so here are my first 5:

January 1, 2012 - I am grateful for amazing, lifelong friends who support me and love me for who I am.

January 2, 2012 - I am grateful for lazy days of doing absolutely nothing.

January 3, 2012 - I am grateful for local food and the places that serve them popping up all over the place! It's so nice to eat fresh, yummy, hearty food.

January 4, 2012 - I am grateful that I can remember the days when going through airport security was hassle free and you didn't have to take off your shoes. My generations Y "Good Old Days" Moment.

Today January 5, 2012

I am grateful for my husband who cleaned the house, lit candles everywhere and had romantic music playing for me when I got home from being away for a week in Nashville with my best girlfriends. I am the luckiest girl alive and I still can't believe he chose me. <3

Happy 2012 everyone. Here is to another year to be filled with gratitude.