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!