Challenge Day 14 (SATURDAY)

Last day.  And it was one of my lowest for points in the whole thing because I had date day with my husband.  Spent SO MUCH time in the car that I was fearful about drinking all of that water and having to stop, stop, stop and stop.  And we ate out and I chose the All You Can Eat Salad/Pizza/Soup bar.  Chose Salad, twice!  Only ate 2 pieces of PIZZA and they were thin (all though still not "healthy" pizza).  Should have skipped the soup.  SO FULL, though.  And we'd taken a beer tour where we got free beer, so...
Finished the day with a sandwich and a milkshake.  SPIRALING OUT OF CONTROL!!!!  But I am FINISHED with the cleanse and I must say, I'm not really sure that it made a big difference.  Perhaps it did, but I just don't know what it was.

Affirmation
I am destined for success as I can do anything I put my mind to with the love and support of family and friends.  And if I seek out the right tools with which to succeed.

I'm not sure in the end that I lost any weight.  However, I do feel healthier, I am still committed to making some of these steps habits.

Challenge Day 13 (Friday)

Almost done.  I am interested in seeing what I do when I "finish".  Will I go all hog wild?  Will I have created some new healthy habits to keep me going?  I fear the first, but pray for the latter.
So, good intentions aside, unless you call house cleaning and cleaning out a work out (I don't), no work out today.

So happy to see just one remaining cleanse packet in the box!  However, if it is Friday, it is happy hour by the tennis courts, so I didn't drink only water today.  On the plus side, I didn't come home and keep drinking wine!  One glass, please and thank you!

Affirmation:
A certain bad habit I have is drinking diet soda and not once during this challenge have I craved it.  I hope I have broken its hold on me and that is a good thing because I've read the studies and I believe that drinking diet soda leads to break downs in other healthy eating habits.

I'll be solid with you, I miss my chocolate.  I wish I didn't but I do.  Perhaps, that is a challenge for another day.

Challenge Day 12 (Thursday)

Ya know how I knew it was day 12?  I only had 2 more Cleanse packets in my box after I took out today's dose.  It made me happy.

We mixed it up today with a water workout... my legs are dying from the 5K intense training, so a water workout made sense.  I had poor planning today with running here, there and everywhere, but I still managed to get in my veggies by making spaghetti squash with homemade marinara for dinner and a little grilled chicken thrown in for protein.  I had forgotten how easy and quick it really is to make spaghetti squash!  I have another really good recipe that I'll have to pull out and use with the other half.  YUMMY!

Today's affirmation gave me pause... how brave and unfearful you are.  Brave isn't really an attribute I would normally list, however, as I think back over the years, I have had to be brave for my children.  I am brave when I get my flu shot first so that they will line up behind me and get theirs.  I am brave when I hold Rosie the Tarantula at the Butterfly Pavilion because in inspires my children that it is okay to hold creepy spiders.  I am brave when my children need school support and aren't getting it... I teach them to advocate for themselves by modeling appropriate behaviors in asking for the help they need and deserve.  I have horrible nightmares about horrible things happening to my children, but I don't tell them.  I keep the fears to myself and allow them to go out into the world to learn and be and grow.  I suffer from mental illness, but I don't keep it in the closet; I share my tale to help others and to model for my children that to face our weaknesses is a strength.

I am brave and un-fearful because I am a MOTHER and in everything I do for my children, I am bravely teaching them to be brave.

Challenge Day 11 (Wednesday)

Triumph!  I solved the problem!  I need to NOT take my vitamin first thing, NOT drink 12 oz of water and my shake, and NOT forget to use TONS of ICE in my Cleanse, before drinking my Cleanse.  Let's break that down...

1. First thing in the morning, I take my vitamin with my early morning 12 oz of water, but cannot chug it down because I puke the water back up.
2. Next, I have a banana and a ready shake because I have so many of them that need to get used before expiring.  So even though I LOVE making a protein shake, this is my routine for now.
3. Then I make my Cleanse and take it with me to swim practice/the hospital/wherever I go when I leave in the morning and I choke it down.

Today, I didn't do that...

1. I made my Cleanse with 2 pomegranate fizz sticks and a LOT of ICE.  I never usually use ice because I usually do not like cold cold drinks.
2. I ate a banana and put my shake in the car and vitamin in my pocket.
3. I put my Cleanse and an empty cup for water later in the car and left.  Traffic light, drink Cleanse; next light, drink some more.  And more.  And more.  Then, it was GONE.  I was not nauseous.  And I wasn't whiny about drinking it.  Cold and first, it went down smoother.  Great?  No.  No way.  Not at all.  But it did go down better.

Then, 5K training work out followed by machine work on arms.  I shared my KNOWLEDGE about the DUMMY machines with my work out buddy and showed her where the other bathroom was!  I was in a very sharing mood!  

Affirmation:  I am a good wife - I rub my husband's back at bedtime though I find it tedious.  It means so much to him.  I am a good mother - I have volunteered for lots of stuff I do not enjoy in order to set a positive example and to do the best for kids.  I am their mother first, friend second.  I am a good friend - in good times and in bad, I SHOW UP.

Challenge Day 10 (Tuesday)

"Why are you so whiny?  You aren't usually so whiny?" Words of love from a sister of my heart in response to me complaining (again) about my Cleanse.  Choked it down, but boy was I feeling icky when it was done.    Feeling icky, AGAIN.  Like every other day I had taken it.  Thanks for the love, sister.

Then it was off to the gym to meet my buddy for more 5K training.  We've got a date and a plan and we gotta get ready!  Then, I discovered something while walking around looking stupid in the machine area:  There are machines for DUMMIES.  Like me.  A very nice trainer guy explained how one worked and then I noticed that among all of the machines, there were more like this one, that had directions for dummies on them.  Not all of the machines, just some of them.  I have knowledge, it will make me powerful.  He also wanted to sell me a test (and 3 months of nutrition and exercise plans) to help me work out at my OPTIMUM.  Not for $313.  Sorry, for that I can go to see my mom.  Then I got on the scale.  Perhaps, I should spend the money cause I'm not seeing it on the scale.

My Buddy reminded me that I do feel better, and that it may be another week or two before I really see the results.  She got that from someone else, and she's feeling just like me.  Ahhhh, we're in the same boat.  And we are going to keep on, keepin' on!  In fact, when I headed out for FroYo and Bingo (yes at the same place), I chose a healthy sorbet with fruit... all fruit on top.  No whipped cream, no hot fudge.  I gotta tell you, it was really good.

Affirmation:   I love to read and learn. Last year I read 64 books and I'm on book 30 for this year. I read trashy romance and a lot of biography/autobiography because you can learn from others. Best book this year: Carry On, Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton.

Challenge Day 9 (Monday)

Week 2 we are supposed to memorize the following:

People are often unreasonable, irrational and self-centered.  Forgive them anyway.  If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.  Be kind anyway.  If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.  Succeed anyway.  If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you.  Be honest and sincere anyway.  What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.  Create anyway.  If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.  Be happy anyway.  The good you do today, will often be forgotten.  Do good anyway.  Give the best you have and it will never be enough.  Give your best anyway.  In the final analysis, it is between you and God.  It was never between you and them anyway.  

This was said to be written on Mother Teresa's wall in Calcutta, India.  This means something to me.  I can live by these words.  In all fairness, I was prepared to NOT memorize another passage.  I mean, you know how I felt about the last one, (http://thirtydaystoahealthierme.blogspot.com/2013/06/challenge-day-6-wednesday.html)  but I am a TEAM member and will do my best for the team.  However, I really was not going to learn another as I am working still to finish the last!  But, I found it in a form easier to memorize here:  http://www.oneworldinsight.com/pdf/Mother_Teresa_Prayer.pdf and I have posted it above my desk because these are words to live by.

I had dessert today.  Twice.  One was really pretty healthy with lots of fruit, but it came after 8 pm as a snack.  So I lose TWO POINTS for that one treat that had a serving of fruit bringing me to three servings of fruit.  OY.  Today, I added the other flavor of fizz tabs to the cleanse.  In fact, I added 3 packets of Citrus trying desperately to cover the taste.  Pomegranate definitely masks the taste better.  I got it down.  Barely.  On the positive side, I did a 5K training workout solo today when my workout buddy and I couldn't coordinate our schedules.

Affirmation:   I am special and unique because I get along with everyone... democrats and republicans, Catholics and everyone else, happy people and cranky people. Since I get along with everyone, I can bring them together for the greater good.

For the record, just because I get along with everyone, it doesn't mean I always like them.  Just being real.

Challenge Day 8 (Sunday)

• I feel like using bullets today, so I will.
• I started the cleanse.  It tastes nasty.  I even mixed it with my fizz sticks.  But I know it will cleanse my insides of gunk as I am cleansing my brain through the daily reading of the bible.  
• Quote of the Day "Being healthy requires planning."  Trying to plan to eat fruits and veggies everyday at every meal is a new habit that needs continual work.  I guess I need to memorize the need to plan for this healthy habit.  LOL
• The more water I drink, the more water my body craves (I know, you thought I was going to say the more I pee!).
• I affirm that I will control my tongue when my comments will fall on deaf ears and lead by example, not with words. 
• I haven't finished memorizing our quote and I am going to retype it because it helps me learn it:  Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.  It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most.  We ask ourselves who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous.  Actually, who are you not to be?  You are a child of God.  Your playing small does not serve the world.  There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure around you.  We are all meant to shine, as children do.  We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.  It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same.  As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.  Marianne Williamson.

Challenge Day 7 - Saturday

What?  Saturday?  How could this be... wasn't the last Challenger Day a Wednesday?

Due to the challenges in our world, including leaving home for a bit by several of us, our team has taken a break.

Saturday brought us back strong.  Exercise, check.  Water, check.  Scripture, Affirmation, check, check.  Then an evening out with friends caused a bit of a nose dive in my world, but I still managed to get in my fruits, which has always been a challenge for me.  Tomorrow, we add a cleanse to our day's requirement.  I wondered the purpose of this and this is what I found...

Helps cleanse and detoxify the system and support the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Assists with the gentle elimination of toxins. 

I can rock that.

I am recapping my affirmations because it was suggested that we do so:

1. I affirm to help others by sharing my experiences with them.  Everyone should know they are not alone which is why I share my tale; I am more like you than you know.
2. I affirm to eat fruits and veggies as part of every meal because I feel so much better when I include them.
3. Memorizing is a skill that needs practice and work.  I find I remember children's names first and parents' names sometimes later, if at all.
4. When I set goals, writing them down, I move forward to achieving them.  That is why I set a new goal every week.
5. I am affirming to be disciplined in my health so I can continue to be the mom/wife/daughter/sister/cousin to my family.
6. I am patient and kind with the special needs children I encounter in my job, and all children, for children need kindness in their lives.
7. I can do anything I put my mind to with my family, friends and God.

I can be anything.  I can do anything.  I just need to believe.

Challenge Day 6 (Wednesday)

An all-time low point score.  No exercise.  Didn't finish my water.  Ate after 8 pm which basically means I lost 2 points because it was a snack.  I drank other than water therefore not enough water.

I am a stress eater.  I packed my suitcases preparing to evacuate if necessary.  I watched the news and read Facebook and worried and worried and worried. I snuggled my worried child and ate.

I need to defeat the stress eater inside my soul.  So I am turning toward the scripture and memorizing my quote:

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.  It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.  We ask ourselves who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?  Actually, who are you not to be.  You are a child of God.  Your playing small does not serve the world.  There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure around you.  We are all meant to shine, as children do.  We were born to make manifest the glory of God that  is within us.  It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same.  As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. - Marianne Williamson.

I wasn't sure, as I learned this quote, if I truly believed it.  And in order to memorize something, it needs to make sense to me.  I need to see the order of it.  So I Googled Marianne Williamson and learned that she is an acclaimed author.  Nice.  I also read this quote,

"In December 2006, a NEWSWEEK magazine poll named Marianne Williamson one of the fifty most influential baby boomers. According to Time magazine, "Yoga, the Cabala and Marianne Williamson have been taken up by those seeking a relationship with God that is not strictly tethered to Christianity."

See, my relationship with God is tethered to my Catholicism.  And although I mostly agree with the intent of the thought behind this quote, I don't agree "playing small does not serve the world" and perhaps that stems from my upbringing.  I don't need accolades or applause.  I serve my schools, my church, my community for ME and if someone else needs the credit, who am I to not serve them by giving it to them.  I live by example and wouldn't that then teach them not to take credit for others, but rather to give credit to others.  So I am working on it.  It is a far better thing to think about than the crisis in my community.

Challenge Day 5 (Tuesday)

Today was a challenge.  There is some lousy stuff happening close to me.  CLOSE TO ME!

So although I did eventually go out and exercise (5K training) and post my affirmation (6 minutes prior to the end of the day), I also indulged in some stress chocolate and non-organic meat pizza.  Lowest point total to date (didn't get fruits or veggies due to the feeling I was going to puke any moment), however, I made some efforts today that I don't usually make.  Fruit and a vegetable at lunch with my shake.  NOT IN MY SHAKE, but with it.  If I could do that forever, I know I would be healthier.

Also, today we had the exercise challenge of tricep dips; however they include the whole knees squat thing so that doesn't work so well.  I also discovered that my arms are sore from moving my son yesterday.  But I tried.

Memorizing is a skill that needs practice and work; 

I find I remember children's names first and parent's names sometime later, if at all!

Challenge Day 4 (Monday)

So, I am doing this challenge to get healthy and hopefully lose some weight that make these old bones of mine creak with effort.  There are some exercises I find painful (see crunches) and others that my body will not let me do (think lunges... knees are just so out of whack from years of soccer and too much weight).

I can swim laps... actually I kick them.  Check.  I also helped my college student move and discovered that I am already fitter (is that a word?) than I was when I began just by doing daily exercising as I didn't get out of breath moving things.  I also discovered that I have no upper body strength (looking forward to that exercise tomorrow!).  

I found that Noodles & Company serves organic meats making it a smart choice for dinner out!  And if I am going to get 3 fruits a day, I must have one at each meal.  I know that sounds like a simple thought, but for me it took a while.  My proudest moment today came when we were out to dinner.  I ordered the asparagus as a side to get enough vegetables.  They came with this lovely feta and bacon on them.  So I scraped off the lovely feta and bacon and gave it to my college student, enjoying the asparagus without the extras.  Growth, baby!

When I set goals, writing them down, I move forward to achieving them.

That's why I set a new goal every week.

Challenge Day 3 - part 2

So let's talk about crunches.  I got up in the morning and started... after 5, I took a break and tried another 5 later.  And then the day moved along...

Fast forward to the evening, I posted about my successful day and was moving towards a shower and bed when I got an inspiring text from my workout buddy - she'd done 100 crunches.  Well, who am I to not try some more crunches.  I got down on the floor and started, cruising past 10, past 20, past 30.  But at 32, I got the worst, I mean the absolutely worst pain (think 0 to 10 pain scale and it was a 10!) in my abdomen.  As I lay there writhing on the ground, moaning, my sweet husband offered to help me up.  No, let me just lay here and work this out.  So, needless to say, I was done with crunches.

(and now the post script to the story)
When I crawled into bed, freshly showered, my husband said that I must be a complete klutz if I can get a cramp like that by just laying on the floor.  WHAT!  I WAS DOING CRUNCHES!  "Oh.  Well.  That makes more sense," says my witty guy.

Challenge Day 3 (Sunday)

I am rocking the water today and the fruits and the veggies!  Today we were supposed to do burpees.  I tried.  I did.  My teen boy talked me through some tonight after I did my 5K training and about 10 push-ups.  10 might be generous.  There, I got up and did some more.  Only they aren't "real" push-ups.  They are more like planks against a wall, but that's the best I can do.  And I can only do about 10.  Growth... we're looking for growth.  And I'm working on crunches so total to come on that tomorrow.  But burpees are AWFUL!  Now I understand why my little guy abhors dry land workout prior to swimming.  I don't like it either.

Okay, spiritual reading to come at bedtime, but here's where I am with the poem -

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.  It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.  We ask ourselves who are we to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?  Actually, who are you not to be.  You are a Child of God."

Before I can add more, I really got to get this part down.

I am affirming to be disciplined in my health so I can continue to be the 

MOM/Wife/Daughter/Sister/Cousin for my family.

Challenge Day 2 (Saturday)

Today I hit the fruit, not the veggies.  I failed to do the required suggested exercise or actually any exercise.  It took forever to choke down that first glass of water resulting in me drinking most of my water after 6 pm (you can see that I was up and down ALL NIGHT LONG).  But I did many, many other things right and managed to score another 13 points for my team.  Go, ME!  We're also supposed to be memorizing an inspirational poem.  The more I write something the better I remember it.  Plus I am learning it just a few lines at a time.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.  It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.  We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous  Actually, who are you NOT to be.  You are a Child of God."

That's all I've got so far.  And I don't have it, quite yet, I had to go find my notebook and copy from last night.  I've got a week, so I will keep on keepin' on.

Today's affirmation:

I am patient and kind with the special needs children I encounter, and all children, for

 children need kindness in their lives.

Day 1 - 14 Day Team Challenge (Friday)

So I got up and was pumped to do the water before eating.  And I chugged some.  Then I threw it back up. Guess it is going to take some getting used to.  Sipping it and taking a vitamin, I got it down and waited 30 minutes to eat breakfast.  That's worth 2 points (one for the water first thing, one for the vitamin).  Eventually I drank ALL of my required water (half my body weight) and then I drank even more!  Yes, I was running and running and running to the bathroom all day and night.  I exchanged one meal for a shake not two (oops, not getting that point).  And I didn't eat organic meat all day.  In fact, I had a breakfast burrito which had veggies and was super yummy.  And I had dinner at a potluck dinner.  I did get all of my veggies in, but not my fruit.  We are doing bible reading (check) and a daily affirmation (check) and exercising above regular exercising (check).  That exercise bit is new because I hardly call regular exercising twice, so I am now exercising daily.  And we went and biked at the gym AFTER our evening parties.  We rocked. it.  We are working on our spirit and reading the bible and we are ridding ourselves of "stinkin thinkin" by creating daily affirmations.  Mine is below.  All told, I had the chance to earn 16 points and I earned 13 of them. I am proud.

I can do all things I set my mind to with my friends and family and God at my side.

One step up, one step back...

So I was all fired up for the team challenge to start on Thursday.  Nope, starts tomorrow.  Combine that little bit of disappointment with a late wake up and you've got a girl with no breakfast, in the Sonic Drive-thru line for lunch.  Full disclosure - no coffee, no soda.  7 tater tots, cheeseburger with no mayo.  And two thin mint cookies for dessert.

The healthy crockpot chicken and potato recipe looked, well, gross.  Also, I started it late.  Instead, I let the chicken finish cooking and will make chicken salad for the dudes and for dinner we had italian sausage in red sauce over pasta.  At least I kept it to one plate!

I didn't want to go to the gym, but I did!  We used the treadmill for the first time in over a year and we started our 5K training session.  We may try to push our completion date to late July to do one in the dark, which of course sounds like crazy fun!

Recovery after workout was coconut milk.  So not a great day, but not awful.  Tomorrow the team challenge starts. 4 pages!  It addresses the whole body:  diet, exercise, prayer and self-affirmation.  I am really excited to give this a try.  And a bit nervous.

Yes.She.Did.

Bagel for breakfast (oops) with cream cheese.  Grab and go shake for lunch.  No coffee, Fizz drink instead.
Work out for 45 minutes on the bike (3 minutes in the steam room).
Post work-out snack of banana and almonds.
Dinner - Beef stew (carrots, turnips and lean beef in a V-8 based broth).  Water, water, water.

Tomorrow the team challenge for 14 days starts and I am SO excited.

After all... tomorrow is another day.

Yes, that is what I am telling myself today.  And what I told myself last night.

I am an emotional eater.  So when my boy has a breakdown, so do I which is what happened last night.  That included a glass of wine. And a small bowl of pasta with red sauce and cheese.  And a handfull of M&M's.

I had done so great with a shake for breakfast, a fizzy drink, a bar with a big glass of water for lunch, a banana and grilled chicken with sauteed asparagus and onions for dinner.  It was fabulous.  I was proud.  Then I was anxious and sad and upset.  Then I had wine, pasta and chocolate.  And a lousy night's sleep.

This morning there were fresh bagels on the counter, so I had one with coffee.  Then I took the boys out for Bun for lunch.  Mostly because I figured, I'd already messed up, so why not just roll with it.  However, for dinner I'm planning grilled flank steak and salad.  Mmmmm!  But tomorrow, I am getting up, working out and eating like I care about my health.  Cause I do.

I'll tackle that emotional eating another day.

I do so love my Scarlett O'Hara quote:  After all... tomorrow is another day. 

It Starts...

I'm not sure what I've started, but something leading me to a healthier lifestyle.  Something that has me losing the weight I lost last year (in all fairness, it took a year to put it back on again after losing it in about 8 weeks!) and getting fit again (I couldn't figure out how to keep the exercising thing up last summer and fall).

Sad story... this time last year, I had committed to exercising and was able to play and chase my son around the pool for longer than 5 minutes.

Goal:  increase time I can chase and play

More sad story... this time last year I bought two new swim suits.  Now they are tight.  UGH.

Goal:  lose the weight to make them comfortable.

Mostly I care about these because they are interrelated.  And they seem achievable.  And that is what I need to reach for... achievable goals leading me to a healthier lifestyle.

So, what I have begun has a friend and her spouse on the same journey.  It might be the 30 day weight loss challenge of last year, just not sure.  And as of Wednesday we're on a TEAM!  The TEAM thing is 14 days.

So here I am... on a new journey.  And this is what I know... the non-veggie eating child of mine will not be home this summer, so everyone in the house will be able to eat my healthier dinner versions.  Like last night, salad, grilled chicken, green beans and fruit.  MMMMMMM!

Now to the gym...