The (NOT SO) Skinny Girl

Although most of us will not make eye contact and shift uncomfortably around and make 101 excuses- and otherwise struggle to avoid the unpleasant reality- when asked about why we don't get up and exercise of SOME SORT we get almost defensive about it. The mindset of "don't judge me, you don't know my life" is quite apparent across the board. But the truth of the matter is--- unless we are injured or sick, being or not being fit is a choice. Oh yes, it really is a CHOICE. Sorry(not sorry) about pointing that one out.  Each and every day has 24 hours. So: sleep 8, work 10, (which most don't) and that still leaves 6 hours. Maybe commute 2? 4 hours left. Somewhere in that 4 hours there is a half hour to do some active physical exercise- studies show that even a half hour of focused exercise is good for the mind and body. I find it hard to exercise in the morning. I'm better at getting it in at night or during my lunch break- half hour walk at lunch is ...

I will not bash anyone - even though I really want to. But- positive vibes win http://www.dallasnews.com/news/metro/20150131-ex-nfl-linebacker-gets-a-fresh-start-giving-others-a-fresh-start.ece And there is a video on Upworthy Here's how I see it. Former NFL player- not even a super good one and he kinda knows that- he got injured, got addicted to the painkillers, knew he had a problem and he asked people to help him. He embraced it and got himself help and made himself better. He re-evaluated his life and said "what can I be if I can't be a football player"? He decided to start an elite athlete training gym. Pretty cool. He found a way to exist without drugs, without football, and made something of himself. And then one day he sees someone way down in the pits of despair. He finds out the guy is an army veteran, he's addicted to drugs because they stopped giving him the painkillers, and he sleeps with a gun - just in case. That's when something mira...

I will not bash anyone - even though I really want to. But- positive vibes win http://www.dallasnews.com/news/metro/20150131-ex-nfl-linebacker-gets-a-fresh-start-giving-others-a-fresh-start.ece And there is a video on Upworthy Here's how I see it. Former NFL player- not even a super good one and he kinda knows that- he got injured, got addicted to the painkillers, knew he had a problem and he asked people to help him. He embraced it and got himself help and made himself better. He re-evaluated his life and said "what can I be if I can't be a football player"? He decided to start an elite athlete training gym. Pretty cool. He found a way to exist without drugs, without football, and made something of himself. And then one day he sees someone way down in the pits of despair. He finds out the guy is an army veteran, he's addicted to drugs because they stopped giving him the painkillers, and he sleeps with a gun - just in case. That's when something mira...

SO, I paid big bucks for 30 days of Isagenix- And then I get outside the "Strict 30" and find myself back where I began: Eating like crap. Bloated. Gaining weight. Sluggish. It's hard to be "strict", it's hard to say no, it's even hard to make healthier choices. I know- I did it! McDonald's or Little Cesars is easy and cheap. Getting a drink 2+ nights a week is fun! Making healthy lunches the night before is often a hassle. :/ Excuses are easy to make. So little by little I try to remember something I learned- like hey, instead of that chocolate bar, eat an Isadelight and it will satisfy that craving and not throw your whole day off. If you haven't packed lunch, go with something safe when you pick something up- when in doubt a salad with some grilled chicken will get you by. Drink as much water as you possibly can because water will fill that void that you think should be filled with free pastries or chips. If you don't wanna/can...

Official numbers after 30 days are: Weight lost: 7.5lbs Inches lost: 16 (not sure if I did this right- please comment if you know I did NOT) Body fat: -3.5% BMI: still in normal range Here's my progress tracking worksheet for reference. I have no idea why I forgot to log my 18th day results...

SO I think I started this on May 13th... And it's amazing to think that I'm almost done being " STRICT " . AKA RESTRICTING myself. And I think that's what people don't like about dieting. That they have to "restrict" themselves. But let's look at it logically- overindulging got you where you are. Eating the whole box of girl scout cookies in one sitting (guilty), having 6 pieces of pizza, getting a fried appetizer before your meal (which you know will be more than you can eat because you come here all the time), getting multiple sugary drinks while out for the night. All sorts of scenarios where, in your head, you say "Why not? I do what I want!". Believe me, I say that! ALL THE TIME- ask my husband. I get it. But when you wake up after 2, 3, 6 months of this behavior and you say "how could I gain XX amount of weight", deep down you know the answer. We live in a culture (Americana) where more is BAE. Bigger is better. I w...

I'd like to say that when I started this weight loss thing almost 30 days ago (I had hoped I would have a full 30 days under my belt by June 3rd when I left for vacation but alas, shipping did not allow for it) it was with the intention to be at my wedding day weight of 120-122 (not quite sure, hotels don't have scales!!) by today. Reality is, I am nowhere near that. I am lucky if I am at 130 today. -not enough exercise? -too much 'cheating'? (terrible word to use while writing about a wedding anniversary....) -Belly fat is harder to lose than other fats?? But instead of being negative- like so much of the world is ALL THE FREAKIN' TIME- I'm going to look at the positives.   *My husband and I have been married 1 full year. *We have not killed each other. Although I almost burn the apartment building down every time I cook. *Every day he tells me I'm beautiful just the way I am. He says if I want to lose weight, it is for ME. Not every woman can say...

Day 6 of the Isagenix strict 30 days is Day 1 of the "DEEP CLEANSE".  I am skeptical. I only have a little weight to lose, and it's hardest for people to get off those "last few" (10-15?!) pounds. I don't foresee huge results. I'm know I'm not about to lose ten pounds over this two day cleanse. I hope/wish/PRAY to lose it over the course of the 30 days. But seriously, there's almost no solid food involved for 2 days. I guess the Isadelights chocolates are "solid (although I suck on them and they melt lol). Then there's the Snacks! wafers. I suck on them too though and they dissolve. I have not gone #2 since 7:30 am. I'm curious what's going on it there. How do I feel? Not hungry. But HIGH. Like, wired. I know the Isadelights have a little caffeine in them but woo. I feel like I had a red bull on an empty stomach. And I wish I didn't have to sit at this desk until 5ish PM- because it's a beautiful day outside and I HAV...

Friday the 13th is as good a day as any to try something new, right?!?! How about a no dairy, no added sugars, no preservatives, lots of water, no exercise needed (but always acceptable!), no red meat, no wheat/rice/PASTA, diet? Insert {Isagenix} So I woke up and took a shot of "tonic" and then had my first shake. It's Creamy dutch chocolate flavored and not too shabby. And w/in a half hour of the tonic you have to take a natural accelerator. Easy peasy, breakfast is over. For lunch ... oh crap I forgot to run to the store and get healthy food! A salad from Panera will have to sub in (no dressing or cheese!) and another accelerator. In between, I slipped in not only 2 8ozs of water but also an Isadelight chocolate. I got them in dark chocolate. It's awesome #1 that we get to have specially formulated DIET chocolate, and #2 that it has caffeine in it(green tea extract!!) I choose to eat my "fork and knife" meal at lunch because I have more time to de...

People look at me and say to my face "you're so skinny". How come I can't look at myself and say that? I know they say we are our own biggest critics, but seriously. How come people don't see what I see? I ask my husband all the time why doesn't he have a problem with my love handles, my saddle bags, my thunder thighs. He laughs it off, he likes me just the way I am. I have NEVER seen an ab on my body. Ever . I have also never seen my tummy lay flat. It always rounds. Round and squishy. I know you now what I mean. If you don't- teach me your ways!! My arms are skinny, they always have been. I mean ok so I notice the bit of floppyness where hard chiseled muscles should be. They're just not big and strong, they're just... there. I have no upper body strength whatsoever lol. My ankles are skinny. Clearly my calves are not because my slim calf zip-up riding boots (I am an equestrian) no longer zip... they cost $400 brand new. I'm in trouble ...