tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52770050703318055212024-02-20T08:44:38.424-08:00Coach Melissa BlairPersonal Fitness JourneyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15971837500725545696noreply@blogger.comBlogger86125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277005070331805521.post-29342682787446898092017-02-09T16:00:00.003-08:002017-02-09T16:00:30.269-08:00Follow me on FacebookTo all of my fitness friends:<br />
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As you may have noticed, I an not currently keeping up with this blog. Right now, life is just keeping me so busy that I just have to take a step back. You can continue to follow my journey or contact me via<br />
Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JourneyMelissaBlair/">https://www.facebook.com/JourneyMelissaBlair/</a> OR<br />
Team Beachbody <a href="https://teambeachbody.com/signup/-/signup/free?referringRepId=263743">https://teambeachbody.com/signup/-/signup/free?referringRepId=263743</a><br />
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Coach MelissaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15971837500725545696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277005070331805521.post-49467769782885275292016-09-13T13:27:00.002-07:002016-09-13T13:32:10.692-07:00September 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It has been a while since I have left you with an update. I actually sat down at the beginning of August to start a post, but I only got a few sentences in before I got called away to other tasks. I'd like to say that I am far too busy to blog about my progress right now, but that is only partly true. The other reason is that I just haven't been "feeling it". I have been completely off of my game on nutrition, and a little lax in my exercise. I am not seeing ANY results since the beginning of the summer. <br />
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I am not really sure where to begin. Summertime, and the lack of a consistent schedule, left me unmotivated to stay on track. I was still exercising 3-5 days a week, but my nutrition goals went out the window! I have been indulging in far too many treats....and yes, they DO add up. School started back up a month ago, and got me back on a schedule. I home school my kids, and this year it proving to be a challenge with our schedule and fitting in time with each of my kids for school work. I think though we have finally found a rhythm that works for us. Fortunately for me, my daughter is taking a PE course this semester, and is required to do regular exercise (<b><i>hello motivation</i></b>). So, over the past month, I have been on a pretty strict exercise schedule of about 60 minutes a day 6-7 days a week. That has been a tremendous help in getting my fitness on a good schedule again. Although 60 minutes a day is more that I am used to, it is working out well. My daughter and I often do a 30 minute workout video during the day, and then take a 30 minute walk/run in the evening (an excellent activity for you mental health too). We aren't following a program because her class requires more variety than any one program can provide. It has been a hodge podge of workouts, but we are having fun. We have been enjoying <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCPBE180?referringRepId=263743">Body Beast</a> (much to her surprise, my daughter loves lifting), <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCPCH160?referringRepId=263743">Country Heat</a> (the newest Beachbody program...lots of dancing fun), <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCPT25205?referringRepId=263743">T25</a>,<a href="https://teambeachbody.com/signup/-/signup/club?referringRepId=263743"> </a><a href="https://teambeachbody.com/signup/-/signup/club?referringRepId=263743">Brazil Butt Lift</a>, <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCPMHC180?referringRepId=263743">Hammer and Chisel</a>, <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCP22M140?referringRepId=263743">22 Minute Hard Corps</a>, 3 Week Yoga Retreat (a <a href="https://teambeachbody.com/signup/-/signup/club?referringRepId=263743">Beachbody on Demand</a> EXCLUSIVE), <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCPSL6160?referringRepId=263743">Slim in 6</a>, and <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCP21D160?referringRepId=263743">21 Day Fix</a>. I am happy to report some increased muscle definition again, and my endurance is back!<br />
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On the nutrition side.... As I have mentioned in previous posts, when I don't stick with a clean eating plan, my body knows! I get very bloated from intestinal inflammation and swelling, and my digestion is noticeably slower. I get cramps, and I am gassy, and constipated. Yup, I know TMI, but it is what it is. All of the inflammation is caused by foods that kick my autoimmune disease into high gear. Things that are high in fat, sugar, and even lots of gluten and dairy are problems. Other foods, like corn and potatoes have negative affects on my digestive system too....however, when I have my eating under control, my body can sometimes tolerate these foods in some forms. My body attacks my trigger foods as if they are an illness. You might equate the bloating from a food intolerance to a fever, when you have the flu. It's the body's natural response to an intruder. I know all this, and yet I have still been off my game. I finally made the decision to get strict this week. I am following the 21 Day Fix meal plan, and in just 3 days, I am seeing FAR LESS bloat!!! That is HUGE. It is motivation to keep going. <br />
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Something else that I want to touch upon that has been affecting my progress and motivation, is anxiety and depression. <i> Everyone </i>has struggles with both on occasion, especially when stress levels are high. For others, it is a more serious problem. My issues with anxiety and depression ebb and flow. Most of the time it is very much under control, and simply maintaining a regular exercise routine helps keep everything in check. However, sometimes, my stress levels kick up and my anxiety and depression (they always seem to come at the same time for me, never just one or the other). I have been lucky enough to know that changing up my diet, and adding in a special regimen of supplements will help me to get back to normal. I wanted to bring this up because it is important to recognize that mental health can have a huge affect on one's physical health. If you are struggling with anxiety and depression, try adding in some regular exercise. It WILL help. If you still feel like you are not "getting back to normal", please talk to your doctor!! Anxiety and depression happen to all of us at one time or another, and it is OK to admit that you need help when it gets out of hand. It is NOT a sign of weakness, but instead a recognition that your brain chemistry is off. If you felt your heart rate was off, or if your breathing is off, you would likely get that checked out. Don't let your brain be any different!! I would be happy to share what has worked for me, but everyone is different, and your doctor is the best place to start for a plan of action. <br />
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So what will the rest of 2016 bring for me? Well, my goal is to drop 15 pounds by the end of the year...yup, even over the holidays. I want my clothes to feel comfortable all winter long. Now that I FINALLY have my energy levels under control (thank you vitamin D), I just need to get my mind focused back on keeping the rest of me healthy. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15971837500725545696noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277005070331805521.post-38725477566583162362016-06-21T09:13:00.000-07:002016-06-21T09:26:34.498-07:00Spiritual JourneyI haven't posted in awhile, and I thought I should update. I have not fallen off my journey, and I am not taking a break from coaching, but I feel like I have been "quieter" than usual. Something I have been trying really hard to to this year is to stay focused on myself. I am learning to cut out all the noise, and find my own center of peace. I am going to touch upon a topic that I never really discuss on social media because it is very personal. But I feel it is an important part of my journey, and that I should share, so you can better understand my journey.<br />
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I am not a religious person. Although I grew up in a home and with a family that are Christian, I do not consider myself a follower. It isn't that I haven't "found God", or that I am a lost soul. Honestly, I disagree with many of the mixed messages that religion teaches. Yes, I celebrate Christmas, but I view is at a focus on family, friends, and to celebrate and appreciate those that are important in your life. It is a chance to be thankful for what you have, and an opportunity to give to others and be selfless. To me is is a way to make the world better. I won't get into Easter, but I have a really hard time celebrating that as a holiday because it does not have the same significance as Christmas does to me. Anyway, I and not sharing this to start controversy, or to discuss my reasons for my beliefs, but because often times when folks find themselves on the sort of journey I have been following over the past year, they tend to find their inner spirit. Many of my fellow coaching friends have turned toward their religion to help them reignite their passion and beliefs. It helps them find a sense of purpose and calmness within their lives. For me, my spiritual journey is more of an internal journey. I find that focusing inward on myself and my family gives me a sense of purpose. I find my peace through meditation, reflection, and education. THAT is what helps me to find my inner spirit. I feel most calm when I am at one with nature - when I can breathe in fresh air and nourish my body with naturally healthy foods, and when I exercise to make my body feel good, and when I modify those exercise moves that I feel stress my body in the wrong way. I am learning to listen to my body and to recognize what works well FOR ME. I am making extra effort to really make quality time with my family, and to make them my priority above all else. I am embracing my journey to seek out a true balance in my life that leaves me completely fulfilled and happy. It is funny, it wasn't until this year, when I started to REALLY focus on myself, that I have come so close to finding myself feeling truly at peace with my life. I truly love this peacefulness. </div>
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I am trying to take you along on my journey as I find the best, and most healthy lifestyle for myself. However, I am also finding that social media really adds stress to my life. It seems to be even more difficult this year because it is a presidential election year. I know what principles I believe in, and what issues are important to me. I know the candidate that best represents me, and I know who will be getting my vote. I believe in your right to your opinion, and your right to express your opinion. However, posting your political opinions all over Facebook, is NOT going to change my beliefs. It is NOT going to make a point that will override my opinion. It just makes a statement about who you are and what you believe...and your desire to share it with the world. You are entitled to do that. Isn't it great that we live in a country where you can do that? I'll be honest, I utilize that little "hide" option on Facebook ALL THE TIME!! Just because your view is different than mine, does not mean you are a bad person. It just means that different things help us find our own inner peace. Personally, I don't want to be angry with the world, with our country, with our government, or with people in general. I don't want to look to blame others for what is wrong in my own life. I am an adult. All of the problems I face were cause by decisions that I made, and not because of something that "happened" to me. Yes, others have made my decisions, or outcomes of my decisions more difficult or complicated, but I MADE THE DECISION to begin with. On the same note, all of the good things in my life are also a result of a decision that I made. Sometimes I get it right, and sometimes I get it wrong. Either way, I am glad to be able to guide my own future. </div>
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One of the biggest decisions that I have made this year is to try to spend less time on Facebook. I don't like scrolling through my news feed and reading so many opinions of things that people have no control over. You have every right to form an opinion. I have every right to ignore your opinion. However, it is hard to scroll past things you see on Facebook...and I can't "unread" things. Even though I use that wonderful little "hide" option, I still get tired of all of the drama. My journey is telling me that I need to avoid that drama in order to find my inner peace. I am not leaving behind social media. I am just making sure that it is not working against my goals. I am committed to helping others to reach their fitness goals, and I do most of my work through Facebook. However, you may find that connection with me through social media might be a little less frequent (except in my Facebook support groups). </div>
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Thank you to everyone that takes the time to follow my journey. I hope that in some small way, my journey is helping you to find your own path to health and happiness. ❤️❤️❤️❤️</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15971837500725545696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277005070331805521.post-70325336181341242422016-06-01T08:32:00.002-07:002016-06-01T08:32:36.719-07:00It is what it is<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you are just starting to follow my journey, you may be wondering why I am going about my nutrition and exercise so meticulously. I really don't want to be, but the truth is that I have been on quite a journey over the past 2 years, and I am finally starting to find progress again...and I just don't want to lose that. Here's a little background.....<br />
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In 2012 was going through a very stressful time in my life, and in my marriage. My husband, Jeff, had jumped into his own business venture, and he was busy ALL THE TIME. It put a real strain on our marriage and our family. I started focusing on my health and fitness. For 2 years, I worked hard to get fit. In May of 2014 I was in the best shape of my adult life. I lost 60+ pounds. I slimmed and toned my body. For the first time since I was in high school, I felt confident in who I was, and was not self conscious about my weight and my appearance. I was also coaching others on their journey. Fast forward to the fall of 2014....I started gaining weight, despite the fact that I was still eating right and exercising. It didn't seem to matter what I did, I could not lose the weight again. My efforts seemed to pause the weight gain, but would not reverse it. I was also VERY tired, and never seemed to have enough energy. I became more frustrated and self conscious. In spring of 2015, I finally made my way to the doctor. I was certain I was having thyroid issues. Hypothyroidism runs in my family, and I thought for sure it was finally hitting me. After a handful of blood tests, it turns out I have <a href="http://melissablairjourneyfitness.blogspot.com/2015/05/diagnosis-ebv.html">Epstein-Barr Virus</a>...and my numbers were HIGH. I decided to slow down and try not to stress my body anymore that necessary. I did for awhile, but when you are into regular exercise, it can be REALLY HARD to stop. I was continuing to exercise, and still not seeing progress...nothing on the scale, no inches lost, no change in progress pics. This created more stress. I was doing the things I needed to do for my EBV, and trying to keep my numbers down. The energy was increasing, but I was jumping full speed into intense workouts, and spending all of that energy as quickly as I could create it. The fall of 2015 was tough. I kept exercising, and not seeing much progress. I was still holding steady. However, whenever I took a break, I gained weight...weight that I could not lose back. Finally by January of 2016, I found myself 30 pounds heavier...even though I was trying to eat right, and I was exercising regularly. Jeff and I started into the <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCPMHC180?referringRepId=263743">Master's Hammer and Chisel</a> program (which I love). We completed the full 2 months of the program. I did not expect to lose weight with the program because it is about building muscle and toning the body. However, I did not lose many inches wither. My arms and shoulders looked amazing, but my midsection just was not changing at all. I was ready to jump into the <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCP22M140?referringRepId=263743">22 Minute Hard Corps</a> program, in March. Unfortunately, we had a spell of really warm weather, and my allergies (asthma) hit me hard. I had to stop working out. It was a total wake up call for me. I started to research and focus on my nutrition. I have been learning a lot about organic food, and GMO's and how they affect the body. I stopped stepping on the scale, and instead trying to focus on my health and how I was feeling. My energy was low again, and I was having some issues with my <span id="goog_1899260082"></span><span id="goog_1899260083"></span><a href="http://melissablairjourneyfitness.blogspot.com/2016/03/raw-and-real-my-recent-struggle-with-my.html">Mirena birth control</a>. After I had it removed, my hormones were WAY out of whack. I spent all of March and April, NOT exercising, and just focusing on my nutrition in order to reset my hormones. I was feeling a little better, but I couldn't seem to shake the fatigue. I called up my doctor again and made another appointment. THIS TIME, I insisted on the full panel of thyroid tests. Well, those all came out perfectly normal. I can officially rule out my thyroid. It turns out my vitamin D was low, and my EVB was flaring up a bit. A week before my doctor's appointment, I made the decision to purchase the <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCPCLN305?referringRepId=263743">Ultimate Reset </a>program (it was on sale). I had done the reset before and had excellent results. However, it was a tough program, and I was intimidated about doing it again. However, the timing was perfect. I KNEW it was a sign that I needed this program RIGHT NOW, to help reset my body. So I took the leap. You can scroll back my last few posts to see my reset journey. What is important from that program is that I FEEL BETTER. My energy is up, and I feel like I can move back into working out again. Also, for the first time in 2 years, the scale is working in my favor. Slowly but surely, I am seeing progress. <br />
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I have learned a lot through my journey. My biggest lesson is that you have to REALLY learn to listen to your body. Working harder and being more strict with your eating is NOT ALWAYS THE WAY TO SEE PROGRESS. Sometimes, doing those things can make things worse!! If you are working hard and not seeing results, then try taking a step back. Allow your body to HEAL. Don't end up in my situation where I was working so hard to see progress that I was over stressing my body, and hindering my ability to have results. <br />
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If you are struggling, and need some help, please reach out to me. I have BEEN THERE! I know how frustrating and stressful it is, and how that stress can really work against your progress. If you can trust the process, I can help you reverse it. It won't happen over night, but it WILL happen. <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15971837500725545696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277005070331805521.post-63094567957803849302016-05-24T13:46:00.002-07:002016-05-24T15:06:39.818-07:00Ultimate Reset - Week 3...and resultsI am sorry for the delay in sharing my <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/URComplete?referringRepId=263743">Ultimate Reset</a> week 3 experience, and final results. As many of you know, it is nearing the end of the school year, and things are CRAZY in our house!! Nevertheless, I am here now, sharing with you :). <br />
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OK, so week 3 was a little harder that weeks 1 and 2. During week 3, in addition to the vegan eating plan, I removed grains from my diet. My daily breakfast consisted of a plate of fresh fruit...I didn't take daily pics of my breakfast. Lunch was usually a salad, sometimes accompanied with soup. Dinner varied from roasted veggies, to soup, to stir fried veggies. This last week was the ONLY week, I really found myself having cravings. They were not big cravings (I wasn't feeling deprived), but just missing some foods. I REALLY started to miss my coffee. Victories for the week - I took my son and his friends out to dinner at Steak 'N Shake and a movie, to celebrate his birthday...and I DID NOT EAT A THING! I had my Shakeology before we went to dinner, and had all of my dinner food prepped and ready to go for when I got back home. Then on my LAST day, we were invited to a friend's house for dinner. I brought my own food with me! My friends are super understanding about my commitment to my health and completing the reset. They were not at offended. <br />
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<a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/URComplete?referringRepId=263743">Ultimate Reset</a> RESULTS: I am down a total of 10.4 pounds, 3.5 inches off my waist, 2 inches off my hips, 2 inches off my chest, and 3 inches off each of my thighs! My before and after pics do not show a huge change to me, because my brain focuses on my problem areas, and I don't SEE a lot of change there. HOWEVER, you can definitely see the difference in my face. I feel great. I have lots of energy, and I am sleeping well, and waking very well rested. <br />
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What I have learned after completing the reset.... <br />
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<ul>
<li>I can do ANYTHING for 3 weeks.</li>
<li>There are more ways to eat vegetables than steaming them and having as a side dish</li>
<li>I don't NEED meat (although I do enjoy it, and have no plans to give it up)</li>
<li>I am not eating enough healthy fats in my diet</li>
<li>My food digests better when I do not drink water (or any other beverage) within 15 minutes BEFORE and 30 minutes AFTER eating. Seriously, this was a HUGE thing. When you drink during a meal, it dilutes the stomach acids, which hinders your body's ability to digest food properly. Give it a try, and you will notice a big difference.</li>
<li>I need more meditation and calmness in my life. I really have this need to just be one with nature. </li>
<li>I have a true appreciation of how my environment affects my health.</li>
<li>I LOVE baked sweet potatoes. </li>
<li>I LOVE beets.</li>
<li>coffee is an important part of my life.</li>
<li>I miss my workouts. I am ready to start lifting again. </li>
<li>My family needs to eat more of these veggie dishes</li>
</ul>
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What now? So coming out of the reset, I am taking my time. I do not want to undo all of my hard work. I also want to avoid the inflammation of unfamiliar foods in my diet (specifically with foods that I typically eat, but have taken out of my diet for the past 3 weeks). I am slowly reintroducing foods back into my diet. This week, my goal is to increase my calories, and add grains and legumes back into my plan. Next week, I will be adding in meat. I am going to continue to avoid dairy, and processed carbs, and I plan to keep the sweets and treat low. I will also continue drinking my <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/MDSUSH311G?referringRepId=263743">Shakeology</a>. Once I am back up to eating enough calories to sustain my workouts, I am going to do another round of <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCPMHC180?referringRepId=263743">Hammer and Chisel</a>. Now that my body is prepped and ready to go, I am ready to build muscle and sculpt my body. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15971837500725545696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277005070331805521.post-16209581054767285602016-05-16T13:36:00.000-07:002016-05-16T13:36:57.771-07:00Ultimate Reset - Week 2 DONE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The 2nd phase of the Ultimate Reset is called Release. The idea is that in this week, is that you release all of those toxins from your body. During this week, many folks may experience fatigue, body aches, even acne. It is all because the toxins that have been hiding deep in the body are trying to make their way out. Fortunately, I only had a bit of fatigue (not as bad as last week). I did however, suffer from some bloating and constipation. I know TMI. But, I have to be REAL, and let's face it, going to the bathroom is part of healthy digestion. OK, so , this week, all dairy and meat were eliminated from my diet. I was still able to enjoy plenty of veggies, healthy fats, and some whole grains (rice, quinoa, millet). In addition, a detox (high fiber) drink was added to my supplements before each meal. One would think that such a drink would cause more"release" rather than constipation, but this particular detox drink is designed to slow things down just a bit, so the intestines are better able to absorb the nutrients from the food I am eating. So, now all of my cells are getting some high quality nutrients from REAL food, and those nutrients are helping to create new, healthy cells in my body (because you truly are what you eat), that will work hard to help my entire body function better. My gut is healing from the stress of working so hard to digest foods that were not pure nutrition. I just can't express to you how much better I FEEL. <br />
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There is something about doing something extraordinarily HEALTHY for your body, that just makes you FEEL amazing. I think a lot of that can be attributed to the body's ability to function better. Imagine that you are a person that wears glasses. Now imagine that junk food and processed foods are like trying to look at the world without your glasses on. You can kind of see things, but stuff isn't very clear, and the details may be too hard to make out. Now, when you put your glasses on, everything is much clearer. You can make out the details, and probably see things that you didn't notice before. Putting those glasses on, is similar to how the body responds to healthy REAL food. What do I mean by REAL food? I mean the stuff that nature made. When you go to the store and buy a box of something that is labeled healthy, that is not REAL food. REAL foods are your fruits, veggies, healthy fats, whole grains, even lean meats. It is the stuff that people ate BEFORE the invention of factories. It is the stuff that you buy fresh, and will not keep as long in your refrigerator.<br />
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I embarked on this program as part of my journey because my body NEEDED to be reminded that food is a means to fuel my body and help it function as efficiently as possible. Although I enjoy the taste of sweets and treats, this REAL food can also be made to taste AMAZING. I had forgotten that some of the meals in this program are so delicious...and not at all difficult to incorporate into my daily eating. My biggest struggle is that I don't like to cook. I know how to cook, and I can make amazing dishes, but I just don't enjoy taking the time to do it. The beauty of a program like this is that you have to take time to prepare your food. For someone like me, it gets me into the habit of prepping ahead of time. That is something I am not very good at. However, it is something I need to practice more. <br />
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I know you are waiting to hear my week 2 results.....<br />
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<b>This week, I lost 2.5 inches in my waist, and I am down ANOTHER 4 pounds!!!</b> Wow!! That is 8 pounds total in 2 weeks. I never really expected to be dropping the pounds this quickly. There are folks posting in my support groups that have lost 10 pounds in a week. My body has never really worked like that. Typically, I lose VERY slowly, and only about every other week. FYI - I DO NOT weigh myself daily. I have only been stepping on the scale once a week for my Reset. <br />
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The food continues to be delicious. I am getting a little tired of salads, but at least the plan is mixing them up a bit. I didn't take as many food pic this week because, many of the meals are similar to last week, but I will still share. My FAVORITE meal of the reset is the Mediterranean roasted beets. They are good hot or cold, by themselves, or topping a salad! YUM!! <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15971837500725545696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277005070331805521.post-59281571997266278692016-05-09T19:37:00.002-07:002016-05-09T19:37:27.927-07:00Ultimate Reset - Week 1 DONEThis is not my first time doing the <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/URComplete?referringRepId=263743">Ultimate Reset</a>. I did it in February of 2014. While I really loved the recipes, and the experience, I did feel that it was extremely rigid. I had great results, and learned a lot, but all of that strictness with the timing of supplements, and food just had me stressed out. I am sure that is what has prevented me from repeating this program again. This time around, the experience is VERY different. Over the past few months, I have been trying to do something similar with my eating all on my own. It just wasn't working out for me. I needed to be on a plan that would keep me focused and really steer me away from cheating. I am so glad I decided to do the reset! This is EXACTLY what I needed, EXACTLY when I needed it. <br />
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I am 1 full week in (and a few days), and I am surprisingly down 4.6 pounds. It is sorta funny because I have hardly lost any inches...in fact, I have gained a little in the inch department. THAT NEVER HAPPENS to me when I start a program. It's all good though. It is all part of the process. The first week, Phase 1:Reclaim, is sort of a prep week. During this week, you are starting to change your eating over to a vegan diet. You phase out meat and dairy, and by the end of the week, you will be eating all vegan. This is also the phase where folks will experience some detox side effects, caffeine withdrawal (if you are a regular coffee or soda drinker) ...YUP, I experienced that one! Going strong with NO COFFEE for 9 days now! Along with the headache, I had some crazy nausea. As with any detox, your body will go through changes. The purpose of the Ultimate Reset is to do just that, "Reset" your body. Part of that process involves getting all of the toxins out of the way, so your body can run more efficiently. It isn't just a physical detox either. Often times individuals will feel an emotional detox too. For me, I am just feeling very zen about the whole program. I don't know that zen is the right term, but I just feel a sense of calm. I am embracing this program and seeking that change in my body and my mind. I think with all that I have learned about food and what my body really needs to run smoothly (and get me healthy), that I just needed this program to set the tone. I don't see having to cook two meals (one for myself, and one for my family) as a hassle or an inconvenience. Typically, I would, but I am really enjoying my meals, and I am actually enjoying cooking for my family too (don't tell them that). as strange as it sounds, I am NOT feeling at all deprived. Although the food that I am eating is fairly low in calories (between 1200-1400 calories per day), it is super nutritious. Besides a salad that starts with 3 cups of lettuce, is no small salad! One of the best parts of this program that I truly enjoy (and also enjoyed when I completed it a few years ago), is the quality of my sleep. I truly sleep like a baby. I feel so relaxed, and wake up feeling like I truly got a good nights rest. Even with the great sleep, I have been plagued by fatigue during this week. It's not the 'I'm sleepy' sort of fatigue, but the 'my body is so tired that I can't seem to make it move across the room' sort of fatigue - on a side note, I went to my Doc last week, and she is testing me to see if my Epstein-Barr is having a flare up, among a bunch of other blood tests. The fatigue is much better this week.<br />
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OK, So I know you are wondering what kind of food is on this plan. Well, no need to worry...I took pictures! This plan is set up with 3 meals per day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), and an optional snack. Shakeology is allowed on this program, but is recommended that you only have it a few times a week. Since I committed to 366 days of Shakeology at the beginning of this year, I am making the program work for me, so I don't lose sight of my commitment and goals. Sometimes I have my Shakeology for Breakfast or an afternoon snack, using the special recipes provided for the program. Other days, I have my Shakeology for an evening snack, using only 1/2 a serving and mixing with only water. That is not part of the plan, but one thing I have learned throughout my journey is that plans have to be adaptable to your specific situation. Every plan will be different for every person that tries it. Just because you follow it to a T, does not mean you will get the same results as your best friend that did the program with you. Our bodies are super complex, and respond to things differently. So, you have to be flexible when it comes to your plan. <br />
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With no further adieu, here are some food pics :)<br />
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This certainly was not ALL of my meals for 7 days, but it gives you a great idea of what delicious things are in this plan. Best part...no guess work. The <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/URComplete?referringRepId=263743">Ultimate Reset</a> comes with shopping lists, and the recipes for how to make each meal!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15971837500725545696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277005070331805521.post-18775450439213405762016-04-22T05:23:00.000-07:002016-04-22T05:23:26.764-07:00Ready, Set, RESETI FINALLY did it. Have you noticed that I have mentioned several times on this blog that I did the <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/URComplete?referringRepId=263743">Ultimate Reset</a> in 2014, and I have never felt better in my life? You were probably also wondering, with all I am going through, why I was making excuses about why I was not jumping into another reset again. Seriously, this program is a no nonsense detox. It tells you exactly WHAT to eat, HOW to prepare your food, and WHEN you need to be eating. Shopping lists and recipes are provided. The truth? I didn't want to pay the price for the Reset, and because it is an intense eating plan, I wan't ready to commit to 3 weeks of super healthy eating. I know, it is exactly what I need, but I just wasn't ready, mentally. <br />
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2 days ago, I saw this <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CarlDaikelerCEO/videos/1286582114692537/">VIDEO POST</a> on Facebook, and had one of those "get off your ass and make a REAL change" moments. I sat down and ordered my <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/URComplete?referringRepId=263743">Ultimate Reset</a> RIGHT THEN. I wish I could share the actual video on here, but I couldn't find it anywhere except Facebook. Anyway, after watching this video, I KNEW it was time. I think the fact that the program is on sale through the end of April (discount on shipping too) made all the difference. I am ready.<br />
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I was planning on starting my program on May 1, but I have already changed my mind and decided that if my kit arrives sooner, I am going to start sooner. I NEED this focused detox. I NEED to really get my head in the game, I NEED to make sure that I get control of my health. <br />
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Overall, I have been feeling pretty good lately. My energy levels are staying up, and my digestion seems to be functioning pretty well. I am confident that the liver detoxing is working. I have been abstaining from intense exercise...I REALLY miss my regular workouts, but I am determined to HEAL my body, and right now it needs rest. I am trying to do my detox stretches daily - wow, do they really help me FEEL good. I am consciously making sure that I stay active and get in my Fitbit step goal daily. My eating has been decent. I am focusing on organic, and minimal ingredient foods....BUT, I am not gonna lie, I have been eating more than I should, and allowing myself some extra treats. <br />
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You know getting out of your own way is half the battle when it comes to fitness and/or weight loss. Sometimes, it can be a real challenge. In my years of experience as a coach, I know that I can't make people do something that they don't want to do. I know that unless you are mentally ready to make a change, that you WILL NOT be able to make that change. I think I have been stuck mentally, for the past few months. This time of year is always tough for our homeschooling (we get spring fever too, and still have requirements we need to finish), and with birthdays and events, and with Jeff's travel schedule picking up. My focus has just been elsewhere. I need to start focusing on myself again. I would love to have some friends to do this with. If you think you are mentally ready to get in the game, and want to get some extra support, <a href="https://journeymelissablair.wufoo.com/forms/mzmjdqu00degyg/">CLICK HERE</a> and fill out my survey, or send me a message (here on the contact me section of my blog, or via facebook,). I will set up a special Challenge Group where we can share and support each other along this journey. Facebook will not be required, but you mys have a smartphone or tablet, so you can download a the FREE app where I will host the group. THERE IS NOTHING TO BUY, I promise. It will just be accountability, support and motivation. The only thing I ask is that you check into the group daily. If you are interested in the <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/URComplete?referringRepId=263743">Ultimate Reset</a>, you can join me and we can do it together!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15971837500725545696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277005070331805521.post-66643871311957010812016-04-11T13:52:00.001-07:002016-04-11T13:52:02.941-07:00Do you Facebook? I have recently discovered this great little tool over on Facebook that allows me to do LIVE videos. I have found that it a great way to share information. Essentially, I can use it as a video blog :). You might find that I am on Facebook MUCH MORE that I am here, blogging. I wanted to share my Facebook Page link with you, so that you can follow me, and maybe catch some of my videos and tips :).<br />
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I hope to see you over there!! Please feel free to send me your suggestions on topics for my videos!!<br />
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If you are NOT on Facebook, I will still be posting here. You can also follow me on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/BlairMama">@Blairmama</a> - I share all of my Facebook posts to twitter (my videos won't share...I wish they did). <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15971837500725545696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277005070331805521.post-85359225508291728172016-04-01T13:51:00.002-07:002016-04-07T00:32:35.443-07:00Being patient is HARDNo JOKE, right?!?!? So, I mentioned in my last post that I am following an eating plan that focuses on detoxing the liver. Did you know that when you are following a plan to HEAL your body from the inside out, that you need to take the time to focus on the healing? It's true. Because of that, I have been going at a much slower pace than I prefer with my fitness. I miss my heart pumping and heavy lifting workouts. I was actually supposed to start following the <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/22MinHCBase?referringRepId=263743">22 Minute Hardcore</a> program on Monday. That is going to have to wait. My body NEEDS this time to rest and reset. This particular blog is only a little over a year old, but if you have been following me through my other blog, or via Facebook (or Twitter), you know that 2 years ago, I did an amazing program called the <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/URComplete?referringRepId=263743">Ultimate Reset</a>. I have NEVER felt so good in all my life as I did at the end of that reset. You can read my results blog post <a href="http://journeymelissablair.blogspot.com/2014/03/ultimate-reset-results.html">HERE</a>. During the Ultimate Reset, I was not supposed to exercise AT ALL. For someone that really enjoys the routine of daily exercise, it was really difficult to slow down and let my body reset. The human body is such a complex and wonderful machine. But just as any other machine needs regular maintenance, so does the body. Your muscles, your organs, and your mind all need to be relieved of the constant stressors that we put on them. Stressors from the food we eat (chemicals in our foods), the air we breathe (pollutants), and the physical strain we put on our entire body through exercise. Don't get me wrong, exercise is a GREAT thing. However, every so often, you need to give your body a chance to recover. Allowing that recovery time will let your body perform BETTER, <br />
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So why not the <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/URComplete?referringRepId=263743">Ultimate Reset</a> now? While it was a fabulous program, and one that I would definitely like to repeat again, the Ultimate Reset is an extremely rigid program. The program is so precise that you know exactly WHAT to eat, HOW to prepare it, and WHEN to eat it. There is NO GUESS WORK AT ALL. Seriously, if you need something that will provide a lot of discipline, then the Ultimate Reset is perfect for you. It is only a 3 week program, but I promise you will lose weight, sleep better, have more energy, and just feel amazing. I chose not to do the program (right now) because I need the flexibility of being able to make food choices. <br />
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THIS is WHAT MATTERS to ME....<br />
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I made a decision earlier this year to try and transition our household to the world of organic (and eventually non-GMO) eating, and non-toxic, earth friendly household chemicals and personal products. It really is a process to transition from being that family that would buy the most INEXPENSIVE foods, just to save money, to a family that is being conscious of our health and environment. We have BAD habits that are going to take awhile to break. Since we are doing this as a family, I need to make sure that we choose a plan that works for all of us. The Ultimate Reset is NOT for kids. for now, as we run out of items in our house, we are replacing with healthier options. I am still choosing the most inexpensive ORGANIC brands. I know there are BETTER options, but we are just getting started, and I still have research to do the be fully educated in the art of going organic and chemical free. The way I see it, is that EVERY step to a healthier family is a POSITIVE step! I have also started ordering things from <a href="http://www.honest.com/refer/990758">The Honest Company</a>. They are extremely cost effective, if you sign up for one of the monthly subscription plans. I am buying organic make-up too. I am learning that going organic is not just about what you put IN your body, but what you put ON your body too. I am learning SO MUCH.<br />
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My eating plan is focusing on Organic food choices, as much as possible. We are still working through all of the food that we ALREADY have in our kitchen. I have incorporated making and consuming organic, homemade bone broth. OMG, I am learning so much about bone broth, and it's health benefits. I'll be sharing more as I continue through this process, but seriously, start looking into bone broth!! Of course, I am still drinking my <a href="http://www.myshakeology.com/mb5155">Shakeology</a> DAILY. I have done my research on Shakeology, and I KNOW that it is already full of the whole food nutrition that I am transitioning to in my eating plan. <br />
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For my fitness plan, I am following a Muscle Meridian Method (part of Chinese Meridian Theory ) of stretching, specifically designed to create an energy pathway to a specific organ. In my case, it is the liver. I am amazed at how well this targeted stretching works, and how much better I am starting to feel. I am still fitting in <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/PiYoBase?referringRepId=263743">PiYo</a> and some <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/21DayFix?referringRepId=263743">21 Day Fix</a> Yoga, several time during the week. I would LOVE to be following a program calendar, so that I can get results faster, but I KNOW my body needs to heal. If I don't give my body the time to heal, it will just have to work harder to get the results I want, and that will lead to more stress on my organs....just not a good plan for me. So, I am *trying* to be patient, and REALLY listen to my body and what it needs. Patience is a virtue, right? <br />
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I'm curious...Who else would be interested in learning why it is important and how to start transitioning to organic eating? Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15971837500725545696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277005070331805521.post-89934146267008869192016-03-29T10:49:00.001-07:002016-03-29T10:49:24.631-07:00Mind, BODY, and soulIf you have been following me for awhile, you may have noticed that I have not been as frequent with my posting....especially on my Facebook page <a href="http://www.fb.com/journeymelissablair">www.FB.com/journeymelissablair</a>. I am really trying to focus on ME. Sometimes, you just have to shut out the rest of the world and focus on healing your body and your mind. This past year has taken a toll on me, not only physically, but mentally and emotionally. In my line of work, I am always positive, and encouraging to others. I KNOW that half the battle of reaching your goals is all in your mindset. I have been struggling with my mindset, and therefore, I struggle to find the motivation to help others find their mindset. Recently, social media in general has me burnt out. I think a lot of it has to do with this election year. I am not going to get into politics on here, but seriously, reading other's posts (especially when you disagree with their point of view) can be mentally exhausting. I have used that 'Hide' button in my Facebook news feed, much more than I care to count. While I am totally on board with everyone having their own opinion, and being able to express it, I am just not equipped right now to handle the negativity that it is bringing to my life. So, I have been staying off social media. <br />
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What AM I doing?<br />
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I have been focusing on detoxing my liver and re-balancing my hormones. I have been doing A LOT of reading on how food affects our bodies. We don't often think about it, but there are MANY chemicals that are used in and around our foods, and in our environment, and those things can often affect us negatively, and we don't even realize it. I'll be honest, I have never really completely bought into the whole all organic, and non GMO eating. I LOVE the idea that going organic and GMO free because it really is so much healthier. On the other hand, I have a family of 6, and it can be EXTREMELY costly to eat all organic and non GMO. This year, I have made an effort to try and purchase more organic fruits and veggies, and cut out chemicals in our foods and other places in our house (cleaners, lotions, etc.). It is a slow process. However, after all of the reading I have been doing, I really think it is necessary to move toward better choices for my family. <br />
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I am currently studying how the liver functions in the body. One thing that is sticking out to me is that with all of the added chemicals in our food (even the pesticides used during the growing of fresh produce), are not digestible by our body. The liver serves as filter for the whole body. It filters out all of the toxins. With all of the chemicals we ingest in our foods, put on our bodies (make-up, lotion, soap, shampoo), or breathe in from our environment, the liver is working overtime. I am 38 years old. My liver has been trying to process all of these hidden chemicals for so long that it is getting "stuck". Just like when you need a vacation to break away from reality, and relax and regroup, your liver needs a break from all those chemicals. Did you know that a "dirty" liver can be a huge reason that a person is not able to lose weight? Since the body can't filter out the toxins properly, those toxins make their way into the rest of the digestive system, and into the bloodstream, and "pollute" the rest of your body...which affects the ability for your other organs to function as efficiently. Think of it like taking care of your car. Imagine your body is like a Rolls Royce. You want to keep this VERY expensive, luxury car running smoothly, and in tip top condition. You are going to make sure you buy premium gasoline, get the oil changed regularly, and tune ups on time. You are also going to make sure you drive it regularly, because that will keep all the parts running smoothly. Many of us don't have a Rolls Royce, but we still make sure our car gets a regular tune up, an oil changes, we will probably use regular gasoline, and we drive it regularly. Imagine premium vs. regular gasoline is like organic vs. non-organic food. Regular oil changes are like getting in the right amounts of nutrients. Driving your car is like getting regular exercise. Your car will still run with regular gasoline, less frequent oil changes, and even when you don't drive it often. You might have a bit of trouble getting the engine to start, and it might sound rough when it drives, but it will still get you from point A to point B. However, your car is going to run MUCH better, if you get the higher quality gasoline, oil changes at exactly 3 months or 3000 miles, and continue driving it on a daily basis. Your body works the same way. If you fuel it with premium fuel, and take really good care of it, you are going to FEEL the best, and your body will last longer. Now, even if you can't manage (or afford) to eat the "premium" fuel for your body all the time, try to do it for few weeks, every once in awhile. This will give your liver a "vacation", so that it can get back to better function, which will lead to better function throughout your body.<br />
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I am a firm believer in natural healing. Don't get me wrong, I think modern medicine is fantastic! However, I don't think it is always the answer. I think healing starts from within the body...not from a pill or by treating symptoms. While I am the first person to pop an Ibuprofen at the sign of a sinus headache, I also believe that there are things I can do to prevent that headache from occurring to begin with. I use a neti pot on a regular basis. I avoid dairy (which can lead to more nasal congestion, causing more pressure). If I had more patience, there are probably other ways that I could get rid of a sinus headache after it hits, but sinus headaches are my weakness. I can't function when my head throbs. I take my allergy meds regularly, during allergy season. I know, I said I prefer natural methods to combating illness, but my seasonal allergies are really bad. I used to have to take allergy meds year round. Now I drink apple cider vinegar regularly and I use LOCAL, raw honey (local because it contains local pollen, which cause my allergies) to combat my allergies in the "off season", but I still need the modern medicine during my peak season. I think there is a fine line between finding things that work with in harmony with the body to make it function better, and adding in additional chemicals that will alter the natural function of your body in order to lessen symptoms. Each individual is different. I always try the natural/alternative methods FIRST - unless is is something serious. You can't stop a heart attack on your own. Taking an aspirin might slow the process, but you will still need to get yourself to a hospital ASAP to clear the blockages that caused the attack to begin with. Personally, I don't like to let things get that far. I want to PREVENT illness in my body. That is why dealing with my health issues this past year has been so frustrating. I could go to the doctor to get meds that will help me feel better for a time, but in this case, it is just treating symptoms. It doesn't solve the issues. I don't want that. I want to get to the root of the problem, which will cause all those symptoms to go away. That is my struggle with modern medicine. It is hard to find doctors that will help you dig deep enough to find the root of a medical problem. I think many medical professionals are not educated enough in natural healing. I don't think they are misguided, they just are not aware that drugs and excessive testing are not always the answer.<br />
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So here's where I am. I have a hormone imbalance that was caused by the use of years of hormone birth control. That hormone imbalance is affecting my EBV levels, my thyroid function, my ability for my digestive system to properly absorb nutrients, and my mind to stay in a regular brain fog. It is causing me to feel fatigued, un-motivated, and to have mood swings. I don't want to mask the symptoms, I want to FIX the problem. My body needs a serious detox. I am starting with a liver detox. I am focusing on whole food nutrition, that is GMO free. I am slowly getting myself into this process, because I want to be able to stick with it for longer. I am not doing any heavy workouts. I am walking regularly, doing <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/PiYoBase?referringRepId=263743">PiYo</a>, and incorporating some simple stretches (designed to specifically bring qi to the liver and help it improve it's function). I am also learning about the benefits of bone broth and trying to add that into my daily routine. <br />
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I'll be honest, it is HARD trying to embrace such a strict eating plan. Mentally, I am tired of forcing myself to stay positive and try new ideas. I find it harder to say no to my favorite foods. My emotions are out of whack because of my hormones. My confidence is not as prominent. I find myself questioning my ability to coach others, since I can't seem to "coach" myself. I struggle to balance my world. Homeschooling AND coaching used to be easy for me to fit into my daily routine. Now I struggle with BOTH. I am not doing all of this alone. My husband has also been a huge support in all of this. Although he doesn't quite understand the complexity of the entire situation (he doesn't research like I do), he knows that I need his support and patience to stay focused and on a path to healing. Even my kids have been supportive. They don't understand much of what is going on, but they know that I need to take some time for myself, so that I can improve and be a better mom to them. I am so thankful for my own coach, Jen. She has been incredibly encouraging and patient with me. I have shared my story with her, and she understands that I need time to work all of this through in my own head. Yet, she still takes the time to reach out to me and check in. <br />
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I AM working through this. If you too feel like you need to make a change, please don't be afraid to read out to me and share your struggles and ask for advice. You don't have to fight your battle alone. Honestly, helping others is great therapy (and validation) for me and my coaching. It encourages me to continue on my own journey, and to know that I AM making a difference. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15971837500725545696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277005070331805521.post-30444207041343610742016-03-24T08:00:00.000-07:002016-03-28T20:06:12.954-07:00Taking a Step Back<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There are times in your life where you are so anxious to get started and accomplish something that you can't imagine slowing down for any reason. Over the past few weeks, I have felt that way. After the Mirena removal, I finally felt like I might actually start making some progress with my fitness again. I jumped right into <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/T25Gamma?referringRepId=263743">T25 Gamma</a> with my husband. In the back of my mind, I thought I might start seeing results right away. That WAS my March plan. The truth is that my body was on a downward spiral for so long, I think it will take awhile to start seeing some real progress. I'm still fighting to get my energy back. On the good side, the scale is holding steady. I will take it...especially after the unwanted steady increase. On the bad side, last week, I started having issues catching my breath. Before you get all concerned that something is terribly wrong, I typically have issues with seasonal asthma in the spring and early summer. Here in Ohio, we have has some unseasonably warm weather lately, and that brought spring on a little earlier...and it didn't give me a chance to stay in front of the allergy game. Now that I have a few solid weeks of allergy medicine in my system, the symptoms are subsiding, and the breathing issues are lessening significantly. Those doctors weren't kidding when they said you should start taking your meds a month before allergens are expected 😉. Anyway, with this setback, I was struggling to catch my breath during T25 Gamma. I made the decision to switch over to something much less intense, and started doing <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCPPY160?referringRepId=263743">PiYo</a>. <br />
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I'll be honest, I was really nervous about starting <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCPPY160?referringRepId=263743">PiYo</a> again. I did the full program when it first came out in the summer of 2014. That was also the same time all of health issues started to hit. I do not think the two are related, but somehow my subconscious planted the idea that PiYo was not going to be effective for me. My mindset is totally different right now. I am in a place where I am just striving to <i>FEEL BETTER</i>. As much as I would like to lose back all of the weight I gained (because I really would), right now I am just trying to focus on doing things that help me get healthy. PiYo, is what my body needs right now. I NEED the stretching, flexibility, and low intensity. I am going to let you in on a little secret too...I am not following the program every day either. My energy levels have been fluctuating, so if I feel like my body is telling me that today is not a good day for PiYo, then I do not do PiYo. One thing I have been VERY focused on, is wearing my fitbit, and making sure that I get in my 10k steps a day. I have noticed over the past year that I have become more sedentary. I recently realized that after we finished all of the home improvement projects and put our house up for sale last year, that haven't really had anything to "do". I have not been up and moving around as much. I have been wearing my fitbit this whole time, and in the past 6 months, I was averaging about 3k steps a day. Even with my workout regimen, that is just NOT enough movement throughout the day. Especially when a good chunk of my day is spent sitting during our home school hours. I made the decision that I NEED to make an effort to be on my feet more. I have been trying to get into a house cleaning routine. That has been a challenge because now that my kids are a little older, they are just less messy. Nevertheless, I am making sure I still get daily dusting, vacuuming and sweeping done. In addition, I have been taking walks. I am not power walking (which I LOVE, and used to do daily ALL THE TIME), but I am just trying to get in the steps. My 9 year old has been walking with me, and it has been great to spend the one on one time with him.<br />
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My current goals are to get my body back in balance, get to a point where my energy is consistent again, and focus on healing my body through food and stretching. I have a whole post in mind for the eating plan that I am starting to follow. Stay tuned for more on that!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15971837500725545696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277005070331805521.post-68799502572432193402016-03-16T20:33:00.001-07:002016-03-16T20:33:53.019-07:00Thank you!I have a bigger post coming in the next week with my updates on my workout and progress. In the meantime, I just wanted to thank all of you that sent me personal messages in response to my last post. I truly appreciate your willingness to share your stories and offer suggestions on things that worked for you. I have officially hit the Mirena crash (body's adjustment to the Mirena's hormone withdraw) and am feeling even more crappy. Your messages and stories continue to remind me to be patient and they keep me inspired. I am hopeful that after time, I will get my body back. Thank you!! ❤️❤️❤️Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15971837500725545696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277005070331805521.post-48608680737160011492016-03-07T08:47:00.001-08:002016-03-07T11:45:30.141-08:00Raw and Real - My recent struggle with my weight<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Let me start off by
apologizing for my lack of posting recently. I truly <i>think</i> about
posting way more often than I actually do it. Recently, I've been doing a
lot of "thinking" and "organizing" in my own head. As
I am sure you know, when your mind is filled with that sort of activity, it is
really hard to share with others what is going on. I suppose the best
term to describe my current situation is soul searching. I would really
love to be typing up posts about my workout programs, and my eating plan, and
how they are working great for me. The truth is that they are not.
Don't get me wrong, I HAVE seen some great results from my 8 weeks of <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCPMHC180?referringRepId=263743"><span style="color: blue;">Hammer and Chisel</span></a>...I know, you are expecting
some before and after pics, and I will get to that. The thing is, my
results are not at all physical in nature. That is frustrating to me.
I didn't lose ANY weight from the beginning to the end of the program.
Realistically, I did not expect to lose much either. After all, it
is a muscle building/sculpting program, and muscle is much more dense than fat,
which meant that if I am increasing my muscle mass, my weight should increase
too. Even, if my inches decrease. Which they did....a little.
After the first 4 weeks of <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCPMHC180?referringRepId=263743"><span style="color: blue;">Hammer and Chisel</span></a>, I lost 4.5 inches off my waist
and hips. I was feeling pretty awesome, and was ready to see what month 2
would bring. I continued to follow the workout schedule, and modified my
eating to better fit my needs. By the end of the month that 4.5 loss
shrunk down to a total of only 2 inches lost. REALLY? All that hard
work...for nothing? I know that is what most people would think.
Yes, those thoughts did cross my mind. However, I REALLY did see
some fantastic progress. Just not stuff that will show up in a before and
after pic. Some personal victories for me as a result of the <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCPMHC180?referringRepId=263743"><span style="color: blue;">Hammer and Chisel</span></a> program:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I challenged myself with my
weights. Going from 5-8 pounds on most upper body exercises before
Hammer and Chisel, to 15-18 pounds. For the lower body, I went from
12-15 pounds to 20-30. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I am able to do push-ups. I know
that sounds silly, since I do them all the time. The truth is that I
almost always do push-ups on my knees, maybe cranking out one or two on my
toes. Even then, I was only able to do about 10 push-ups before
needing a break. Now, I can do about 10 on my toes before having to
drop to my knees, AND I can keep going. I still struggle with doing
more than 20, but that is still a huge accomplishment for me. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I know these are not huge
victories to most of you. I would much rather have seen a lot more
progress on the scale or with the tape measure. But, the one thing I have
learned over my journey is to focus on where you found success, not where you
had failure. After all, failure is just success in progress.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />
That brings me to what has been weighing my brain down over the past month.
Part of the reason that I am not seeing the results I want, really
doesn't have ANYTHING to do with whether or not I am following the program, or
sticking with my eating plan. The problem is that the same health issues
that were plaguing me this time last year started to creep up again. This
whole situations is just getting completely ridiculous. I am seriously
struggling with my weight. It doesn't matter if I am sticking with a plan
or not, I am slowly seeing the scale go up. Not that the number on the
scale is that big of a deal, but when it creeps up 30 pounds in several months
time regardless of diet or activity level, something HAS to be wrong.
Before you say anything, I am still pushing for thyroid tests.
Hypothyroidism runs in my family, and I am very much aware that I am
likely to struggle with it. However all of my tests keep coming back
normal.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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What do I do now? I start researching. I am one of those people
that will put my symptoms in on WebMD and then look up every possible condition
to see what might be ailing me. I am not trying to self diagnose (well,
maybe a little), but I like to be armed with information. What have I
been experiencing? Fatigue, brain fog, shifts between low and high
energy, steady weight gain, bloating, gas, digestive issues, sinus congestion,
insomnia and trouble sleeping, low sex drive, appetite shifts (hardly hungry
for days, then struggling not to eat everything on the planet), increased
backache with my periods, that may or may not go away for weeks on end, and a
general sense of just not feeling well. With a list that long, there are
a number of things that could be behind this. I found a lot of
"conditions" that could contribute to some of the symptoms, but when
it came to the weight gain part, the symptom was often weight loss, not gain.
Kind of a relief, because all of the really bad stuff was usually accompanied
with unintentional or rapid weight loss. I kept coming back to IBS and
PCOS and the 2 things that seemed to be a hit for more symptoms than not.
I have struggled with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), that was attributed
to gallstones. After I had my gallbladder removed, those symptoms went
away pretty quickly. I was a little concerned about the PCOS (</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) because many women
that suffer from PCOS have problems losing weight. Still, I wasn't
convinced this was in fact the issue. I couldn't figure out
why all of a sudden, in my late 30's would this start to be a problem?
The more I read and researched the more I considered that I likely was
suffering from some sort of hormone imbalance. It just seemed to fit.
Additionally, Epstein Barr Virus, which I have, can often lead to issues
with hormone function. After a lot of reading and searching for answers,
I FINALLY came across an article about birth control that really got me
thinking. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">FYI<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">– this might be more information than you really want to know, but…</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Almost 5 years ago, in 2011, I opted to get the Mirena IUD birth
control. My youngest son was about 18
months old. It seemed like a good choice
for a busy mom of 4, with no intention of having more kids. No hassle, low hormone, birth control. I was also looking for something to help with
crazy mood swings and really heavy periods.
For the </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">first few years, it was FANTASTIC. <span style="background-color: black;">
This </span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">was about the same time I started my fitness journey,
so I was feeling great, eating better, and exercising regularly.
My periods were lighter and more regular. And, I was losing
weight. I felt it was slow weight loss, but still moving in the right
direction. Then about halfway through 2014, things started to slow down. It
was around the same time I started doing the <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCPPY160?referringRepId=263743">Piyo</a> </span>workout program (which I
LOVED). I thought perhaps I just needed a little more cardio in
my life. I kept working hard and focusing on my eating habits, but I
stopped making progress. Then in December of 2014, I gained 10 pounds in 2
weeks. At the beginning of 2015, I started this blog. I'm not going
to repeat all of my posts from last year (you can go back and read about my
journey, if you want more detail), but I will tell you that my weight has been
making steady progress in the wrong direction ever since. Then to add to the
issues, over the past 9 months, my periods became irregular. I would get
all the PMS symptoms each month, but only get a period every other month.
I think by the time December roller around this year, I decided that I
was done with the Mirena. I was going to have it removed at the end of my
5 years (coming up in May), and switch to something else. However, in
mid January, I started really struggling with all of my above
symptoms. After stumbling across this article, I really started taking a good
look at the Mirena, and noticed that I had almost every symptom on the
"uncommon" side effects list. That was it. I set up an
appoint to have it removed. So that brings us to now. The Mirena is
gone, and I am trying out some other birth control options. I am really
leaning toward hormone free birth control because I want the control back over
my body. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">So that is why I haven't been posting
much lately. It isn't that I didn't want to share my progress and my
struggles. It is because I am going through a really difficult and
personal time with my health journey, and I didn't quite know how to share it.
I do want you to know that we all have struggles, and perhaps that
sharing mine might help you to figure out what may be causing yours. If
you have gone through something similar, I would love to hear your story :).</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15971837500725545696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277005070331805521.post-32768069261705823942016-03-02T14:41:00.002-08:002016-03-02T14:41:59.905-08:00Really Quick UPDATEIf you follow my blog, you know I was supposed to finish up the <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCPMHC180?referringRepId=263743">Hammer and Chisel</a> program over the weekend. Well, as you all know, sometimes life just happens, and things get postponed. Jeff and I have been doing the program together. After travelling and trying to sleep on an airplane, last week, Jeff had a stiff neck/shoulders for a few days. We decided it would be best to hold off and avoid the risk of stiffness leading to injury. In addition, I have been trying to tackle some more health issues that have risen up over the past few months (this autoimmune stuff sucks). I think I may have stumbled upon the root of many of my more recent issues and took a step to correct the issue. It will be awhile before I know if I will see some relief from my symptoms, but I promise to post about it, when I know more. Stay tuned... <br />
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We are ALMOST finished, and will be posting some before/after pics next week.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15971837500725545696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277005070331805521.post-84018380471468112112016-02-24T07:41:00.001-08:002016-02-24T07:41:23.465-08:00Hammer and Chisel - Last weekI haven't updated in awhile. It seems as though my days seem to run together. I am fairly certain the winter blues are getting to me, and I am just lacking motivation. Despite that, I am still committed to my <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCPMHC180?referringRepId=263743">Hammer and Chisel </a>workout calendar. Today is Day 52 of the program. Tomorrow is rest day, then 3 more days and DONE! <br />
<br />
So what are my results gonna look like? I am sure the scale has not changed (or changed much). I have been avoiding the scale because with a strength training program, the scale does not like to move. I am building muscle. Muscle is much more dense than fat. A pound of muscle with take up far less space than a pound of fat. Although I clearly know that fact, because of the weight gain I have experienced over the past year due to health related issues, I get easily frustrated by the numbers on the scale. Turns out that if I don't step on it, I don't get frustrated...problem solved! I will step on the scale next week for my final weigh in, but I don't expect it to be a good indicator of my progress.<br />
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What I CAN tell you is that I have REALLY toned up!! Even though I still have the annoying belly fat lurking around, I can see where the beginnings of a six pack abs are. There is definition along my obliques! It is probably not very visible, my the strength in my back and shoulders has increased tremendously!! In the past 8 weeks, I have gone from being able to do only a few push ups on my toes before dropping to my knees in order to still STRUGGLE through a minute of push ups, Now I can hold out for about 7-10 push ups on my toes before dropping to my knees....AND I can complete that minute of push-ups. My legs are SOLID. With previous programs, I often ended up bulking up my thigh muscle with the leg exercises. With <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCPMHC180?referringRepId=263743">Hammer and Chisel,</a> my leg muscles are solid, but not bulky. They are not quite long and lean, but I am loving my leg strength!! I was really able to challenge myself with my weights for this program. For most upper body exercises, I use a 12-18 pound weight. With any type of reverse fly or tricep kick back moves, I can only manage 8 pounds for a full minute of exercises...but that is up from struggling with only a few reps holding my 5 pound weights. With most leg exercises, I find myself using between 20 and 35 pounds. <br />
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Over all, I just FEEL stronger. My clothes are fitting more comfortably (most days). I was following the <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCPMHC180?referringRepId=263743">Hammer and Chisel</a> meal plan for month 1, and then kind of followed my own plan for month 2. Why? While the <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCPMHC180?referringRepId=263743">Hammer and Chisel</a> meal plan is generally a great way to help someone find a good, well rounded approach to healthy eating, I have found that the approach does not work well for me. When I HAVE to get in a certain amount of containers (Hammer and Chisel uses the <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BBPortionFix?referringRepId=263743">portion control system</a>) each day, I end up overeating at the end of the day to fit in all of my containers. In addition, I find myself making food choices that do not mesh well with my food intolerances (too much dairy and gluten), which make me feel bloated. I know there are ways to adjust my eating to make the containers work, but I just find the calorie counting a little easier. That being said, I STILL follow the idea of more fruits and veggies, lean proteins, and a few healthy carbs. I am mindful of where my calories are coming from, and I strive to stick with better choices. The <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BBPortionFix?referringRepId=263743">portion control system</a> DID help me get back on track with my eating. I NEEDED that. Being clearly back on track with my eating got me to a place where I can modify to meet my specific needs. <br />
I have also continued to use the <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BBPAdvStack?referringRepId=263743">Beachbody Performance line</a> - especially the <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BBPEnergize?referringRepId=263743">Energize</a>, <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BBPHydrate?referringRepId=263743">Hydrate</a>, and <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BBPRecover?referringRepId=263743">Recovery</a>. I truly believe that the <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BBPRecover?referringRepId=263743">Recovery</a> drink has helped me to avoid muscle soreness after workouts, so I can still put in 100% to my next workout. On really tough workout days, I also use the nighttime <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BBPRecharge?referringRepId=263743">Recharge</a>.<br />
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I am really excited to take my progress pics and measurements next week, so that I can really see what kind of progress I have made with <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCPMHC180?referringRepId=263743">Hammer and Chisel</a>. Stay tuned for a post next week!!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15971837500725545696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277005070331805521.post-28480169295533027572016-02-02T10:25:00.000-08:002016-02-02T10:25:12.397-08:004 weeks inI am officially on week 5 of my <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCPMHC180?referringRepId=263743">Hammer and Chisel</a> program. I really like this program and the challenge of the workouts. It really is a great lifting and strength training program with a little cardio mixed in. I truly feel challenged during these workouts, and I feel like I am able to grow with the program and challenge myself even more each time I do a workout. I also love that there are so many different workouts in the program that I went a solid 3 weeks without repeating a workout!! For month 1, I followed the Hammer and Chisel eating plan (which uses those nice color coded, portion control containers - <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BBPortionFix?referringRepId=263743">Portion Fix</a>) and I felt great. I found a great routine with my containers and it was easy to stay on track. I also supplemented my workouts with the Beachbody Performance Line or products. I used the pre workout <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BBPEnergize?referringRepId=263743">Energize</a> drink, during workout <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BBPHydrate?referringRepId=263743">Hydrate</a> drink, post workout <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BBPRecover?referringRepId=263743">Recover</a> drink, and nighttime<a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BBPRecharge?referringRepId=263743"> Recharge</a> drink. I have never really been one for supplements like this, but these REALLY have improved my performance. The <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BBPEnergize?referringRepId=263743">Energize</a> gives me a boost of energy to push harder during my workout. The <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BBPHydrate?referringRepId=263743">Hydrate</a> helps keep my electrolytes in balance during my workout (imagine a healthy version of Gatorade). The post workout <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BBPRecover?referringRepId=263743">Recover</a> helps to repair muscles post workout, and REALLY cuts down on the soreness. <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BBPRecover?referringRepId=263743">Recover</a> is my FAVORITE of all the products....if you deal with a lot of "next day soreness" with your workouts, this will REALLY help!! The <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BBPRecharge?referringRepId=263743">Recharge</a> is also a gem! It does the same thing as the recover, but you drink it right before bed, and it works all night using slow release proteins in casein to help repair your muscles. Because of these products, I truly have not been very sore during the past 4 weeks. It makes me feel like I really got 100% out of my first few weeks of this program. And of course, I haven't missed a day of my <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/MDSUSH311G?referringRepId=263743">Shakeology</a> this year.<br />
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OK, so what results am I seeing? This is a tough one for me. I was really hoping to see the scale drop with this program, but as I am learning it is not common to lose much weight (or lose weight quickly) during a weight training program. I am OK with that. I can tell you that I am losing all the flab in my legs and arms....and slowly in my belly. As of this morning, I have lost 7 inches off my body with <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCPMHC180?referringRepId=263743">Hammer and Chisel</a>....4.5 of those inches in my waist and hips. I knew my clothes were fitting better, but I didn't really realize that I had made that much progress until I took some progress pics.<br />
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I am excited to see what month 2 will bring.....Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15971837500725545696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277005070331805521.post-15581237636722042712016-01-20T08:37:00.002-08:002016-01-20T08:37:39.194-08:00**I'm NOT a product of my scale**<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">I'm in week 3 of my <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCPMHC180?referringRepId=263743">Hammer and Chisel</a> program, and I've been feeling a little bummed. After a really rough 2015 with my health and my weight, I was ready to take control of everything again. I had some awesome progress on the scale during week 1 of the program, and I was psyched to see the progress continue. I've been faithfully following the meal plan (I may be tweaking it a wee bit, but I also believe in the 80/20 rule), doing the workouts daily (giving them my all because I WANT results), and using the <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BBPAdvStack?referringRepId=263743">Beachbody Performance</a> line (I've heard that it really enhances results...plus I love the lack of muscle soreness I have because if it). BUT, this week the scale hasn't really moved AND I have been feeling "fluffy". </span></div>
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Sound familiar? I'll bet that at least 50% of the folks reading this have felt the same way after just a few week into a new diet/fitness routine. You probably even thought about giving up. I know that thought has certainly crossed my mind. </div>
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It is such a mental game to keep at it and TRUST the process. </div>
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The truth is that a healthy diet/fitness regimen is designed to CHANGE YOUR BODY. Your body's progress is not reflected by the number on the scale!!!! Did you read that? YOUR BODY'S PROGRESS IS NOT REFLECTED BY THE NUMBER ON THE SCALE! It's true!!! So what if the scale says a certain number? Maybe the earth had a small surge in its gravitational pull and the scale went up because of that 😉. The reality is that if you are losing inches, if your clothes fit better, if you have more energy, OR if you JUST FEEL BETTER, then you HAVE MADE PROGRESS. </div>
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So dispute my lack of progress on the scale, I am still losing inches in my waist and hips. I may have gained some inches in my arms 💪🏼💪🏼, but that's ok 😉. I am really enjoying the workouts AND doing the program with my husband. I am embracing the meal plan because I REALLY need the focus to fight my <a href="http://melissablairjourneyfitness.blogspot.com/2015/05/diagnosis-ebv.html">EBV</a> and keep in in control. I am NOT hungry with this meal plan. I definitely have MORE energy. The truth is that I just FEEL GOOD. <br />
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I'm determined to make 2016 my healthiest year ever. I will continue exercising, eating right and drinking my <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/MDSUSH311G?referringRepId=263743">Shakeology</a> (29/366 days for 2016...#healthiestmealoftheday), and I WILL see progress. Who really cares about the scale anyway? Deep down, we all just want to feel good about ourselves, and have the confidence to just be us!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15971837500725545696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277005070331805521.post-37759556461666599492016-01-06T19:17:00.001-08:002016-01-06T19:17:19.217-08:00Happy New Year!It is January 2016, and the time for the annual "New Year, New Me" mantra. I am not doing that this year. My slogan for 2016 is "Consistency Counts". My goals for 2016 all revolve around my ability to remain consistent in my workouts, eating plan, and journey to better health. I do not want to battle with lots of health issues in the same way I did in 2015. I do not want to stop exercising because my poor eating choice let my autoimmune disease rear it's ugly head and cause me to have low levels of energy. I am NOT making resolutions this year. I am just setting goals. Goals that I KNOW I WILL ACHIEVE.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Goal #1</b></span> - drink my <a href="http://www.shakeology.com/mb5155">Shakeology</a> EVERY DAY in 2016...all 366 days. I truly believe in the health benefits of this amazing product (I'd be happy to share, if you want to learn more...<a href="mailto:journeymelissablair@gmail.com">Message me</a>). I am committing to being proof that <a href="http://www.shakeology.com/mb5155">Shakeology</a> really is the healthiest meal of the day, by drinking my shake every day and enjoying the added benefit of all those antioxidants, adaptagens, and natural energy boosting, immunity building, super foods.. I deserve to be healthy in 2016! <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Goal #2</b></span> - Be consistent with my workout programs. This is something I have been pretty good about in the past. However, 2015 dealt me a rough hand when it came to energy. Because of my big flare up of EBV (<a href="http://melissablairjourneyfitness.blogspot.com/2015/05/diagnosis-ebv.html">Epstein Barr-Virus</a>), I allowed myself to slow WAY down and NOT workout regularly...sometimes not at all....for weeks at a time. I made excuses, or chose workouts that were not challenging me at all. That was not always the case, but enough that it impacted my fitness goals pretty significantly. This year will be different! I am committing to completing my <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping?referringRepId=263743">Beachbody fitness programs</a> from start to finish ALL YEAR LONG. On January 4th, my hubby, Jeff, and I began Beachbody's newest workout program, The<a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCPMHC180?referringRepId=263743"> Master's of Hammer and Chisel</a>. This is a 60 day program that is dedicated to REALLY sculpting and toning the body. It is the first program to feature 2 top celebrity trainers, Autumn Calabrese from the <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCP21D160?referringRepId=263743">21 Day Fix</a> and <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCP21E160?referringRepId=263743">21 Day Fix Extreme</a> workout programs, and Sagi Kalev from the <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCPBE180?referringRepId=263743">Body Beast</a> program (<a href="http://melissablairjourneyfitness.blogspot.com/2015/03/beastmode.html">which I did part of last year</a>). After 3 days, I have to tell you, this is ONE TOUGH PROGRAM....and I LOVE it! I am also sticking with the meal plan for the entire program.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b> Goal #3</b></span> - I am committing to really putting my foot down with my eating habits! I TRULY want make a lifestyle change toward an eating plan that will impact my health in a way that I don't have to worry about EBV flare ups, and other autoimmune issues that can stem from the long term effects of having EBV. I am going to nip this in the bud, and figure out what MY body needs to be healthy. That is one of my biggest reasons for Goal #1! I am also going a step further and making an effort to turn my kitchen into an organic one. In the past, I have always done the best I could to eat right and stick with healthy foods that were not overly expensive. It can be pretty tough when you live paycheck to paycheck. Now that things have become more financially stable in our house, I am ready to step up my game and make a difference. Not only in my health, but that of my family as well. I don't want my kids to have to deal with the health issues that I have had to endure. Going organic will be a great way to remove (or at leas lessen) all those unhealthy chemicals from the foods we eat. Don't worry, I won't make my family go cold turkey, or even deprive them from occasional treats like Oreo cookies. I just want to make a huge impact on their perception of what healthy eating should be.<br />
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On a side note, I am LOVING the <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCPMHC180?referringRepId=263743">Master's of Hammer and Chisel </a>eating plan. Because it is a muscle building and sculpting program, I get a little more food in my meal plan than I would with other programs. IT IS AWESOME!!! Here was my dinner from tonight: <br />
RED - chicken <br /> FREE - Spicy mustard dipping sauce (link to recipe in comments)<br /> GREEN & TSP - Boy Choy sauteed in coconut oil<span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> GREEN - Brussels sprouts<br /> 2 YELLOW - baked sweet potato fries</span><br />
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As a bonus, I get to use the products from the <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BBPerfStack?referringRepId=263743">Beachbody Performance Line</a>...and as long as I use them as the directions say, I DON'T have to account for those calories in my eating plan!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Goal #4</b></span> - continue to help as many people as I can on their own journey to better health. Believe it or not, I am a fitness coach because I believe, from the bottom of my heart, that EVERYONE deserves to be healthy and happy. If any part of what I do as a coach can help just one individual to find their own path to health and happiness, then I have done my job well. And, no amount of money could replace the joy I get from seeing someone smile again because they FEEL GOOD about themselves!! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjs1v9_k0SxSG4jC0GJnI0FJIr8e27sdMEEqibdDIjhH0GjhDxXczDURpCwrbZ_V8rFuCzyBFHfmZHsvdofqxrJHaWuQQ4NMg7Bq829sAXWLWLhOl6me2WQWD2Ls_9dHoi_FFX9MQlBw/s1600/947381_931795770219963_5421433649452143948_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjs1v9_k0SxSG4jC0GJnI0FJIr8e27sdMEEqibdDIjhH0GjhDxXczDURpCwrbZ_V8rFuCzyBFHfmZHsvdofqxrJHaWuQQ4NMg7Bq829sAXWLWLhOl6me2WQWD2Ls_9dHoi_FFX9MQlBw/s320/947381_931795770219963_5421433649452143948_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
If YOU want to start on YOUR fitness journey, and would like my help, please drop me a message <a href="mailto:journeymelissablair@gmail.com">HERE</a>. We will talk about your goals, and get you started on your path to success!<br /><br />
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<br />
<br />
My journey has been one of MANY ups and downs. The one thing that has remained consistent is my goal to be a better ME. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1mjUtcvk_4q0IZlnJqhYPDhMxhH792aQ6AFR0Zb2LmZ8grNmns8QrrxW9Hm3egQVvMMheSdnKUT35Z0cK_VfxZXtqd84CRYf_oc7T8ZSPa6O3JQbEvrYQqHiMfo19OJYJlhZsf04X28/s1600/File_000.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1mjUtcvk_4q0IZlnJqhYPDhMxhH792aQ6AFR0Zb2LmZ8grNmns8QrrxW9Hm3egQVvMMheSdnKUT35Z0cK_VfxZXtqd84CRYf_oc7T8ZSPa6O3JQbEvrYQqHiMfo19OJYJlhZsf04X28/s320/File_000.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15971837500725545696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277005070331805521.post-70199447992360098162015-12-16T08:37:00.002-08:002015-12-16T08:37:50.121-08:0021 Day Fix Extreme December UpdateIt has been busy, busy, busy around my house. I wish I had the time to sit down and write a proper blog update right now, but I am really strapped for time today. I also didn't want to leave you hanging for another few weeks, while we all manage to get through the holidays. <br />
<br />
OK. Quick update on my <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCP21E160?referringRepId=263743">21 Day Fix Extreme</a>. I am really embracing the workouts this time around. When I first tried <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCP21E160?referringRepId=263743">21 Day Fix Extreme</a> back in February, I REALLY struggled with the workouts. They were almost too challenging for me. This time around, I know what to expect. although the workouts are still quite a challenge, I am finding that I am able to go longer, and I am a lot stronger (Thank you <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCPIM205?referringRepId=263743">Insanity Max:30</a>). I still can't complete some of the exercise sets in full, but I am definitely getting better. My shoulders and arms are really showing progress - lots of slimming muscular definition. I have NOT been following the meal plan...didn't even attempt, since it is the holiday season. I HAVE been very diligent about my food choices though. I am sticking with lots of healthy options, and steering clear of my allergen food triggers. I have also been drinking staying away from the sweets. I don't know if it is the daily <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/MDSUSH311G?referringRepId=263743">Shakeology</a> that is helping with that , or the <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BBPAdvStack?referringRepId=263743">Beachbody Performance</a> line...specifically the post workout <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BBPRecover?referringRepId=263743">Recover</a> drink...which is chocolate...and delicious....tastes like a Wendy's frosty. I also really enjoy the vanilla <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BBPRecharge?referringRepId=263743">Recharge</a> drink, right before bed. PLUS, with both of these products, when consumed with proper timing post workout, or before bed, the calories cancel themselves out because of the muscle repair that results from it (it is all fancy scientific stuff, you can learn more about it <a href="http://beachbodycoach.com/esuite/home/Mb5155?bctid=4387728989001">HERE</a>). <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7hwRh03WU8OIhulJXR9O4BBKxDH8nmTOnH-Qy-tP8TczxAXFtu1mGlfbdbRnMZdvG302NFsj9OrjCKmVM86LTW49wgxlCc4nls68CvhjNQTXJuAu8HPcJZQs_ySw6UXfx0qpkI0VgYM/s1600/12107729_925731757493031_3005542182990191863_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7hwRh03WU8OIhulJXR9O4BBKxDH8nmTOnH-Qy-tP8TczxAXFtu1mGlfbdbRnMZdvG302NFsj9OrjCKmVM86LTW49wgxlCc4nls68CvhjNQTXJuAu8HPcJZQs_ySw6UXfx0qpkI0VgYM/s200/12107729_925731757493031_3005542182990191863_n.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIS6yIhPEzR-r5Wjsr8bgnLukB3YL1T-qdPcJYDOC-RYyBaiWVOsfhcIsiIQMCRWWt7C17_dQqcHmJBdF7_8doabWIgNs0rlz7OrLDClsDg_a-lQd5cls8ONc9p94aqeUciLnpaxdFsOA/s1600/IMG_0071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIS6yIhPEzR-r5Wjsr8bgnLukB3YL1T-qdPcJYDOC-RYyBaiWVOsfhcIsiIQMCRWWt7C17_dQqcHmJBdF7_8doabWIgNs0rlz7OrLDClsDg_a-lQd5cls8ONc9p94aqeUciLnpaxdFsOA/s200/IMG_0071.JPG" width="171" /></a></div>
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<br />
That is my quick update. I will leave you with a fun, and not really healthy Eggnog Bread recipe that I enjoy this time of year. <br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/JourneyMelissaBlair/photos/a.502831373116407.1073741826.502819509784260/924836137582593/?type=3&theater"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsnWhRwGzsPLy-wI76WvRELnN7CLWLuqmknKcQimYj4HshbjVeMHeMCA8uvrSgimaRSGVF2y0sks9iTEbibxvhNhee3HMpbKcKw2vFCW2M8GxSRzcFtZnPGOF6fT8mqw6mq4VOU68AWRI/s320/12373435_924836137582593_1979174818706319142_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/JourneyMelissaBlair/photos/a.502831373116407.1073741826.502819509784260/924836137582593/?type=3&theater">CLICK HERE</a> for the recipe. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Happy Holidays! </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15971837500725545696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277005070331805521.post-27394734252688595812015-12-04T07:07:00.000-08:002015-12-04T07:07:57.184-08:00Back from vacation and Refreshed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ucIlHatY5wwFQM8sUWGDmq7In_EFgepW54NRoCjgdDKfco20KKtpj9T7ODeOLRdF-6FtJf2fq8lpZ8DviSRJ1hchrmwcyIHrIMgSKA48WCrPysI21701Tx_-asE-2EJqoNZpO-8o33w/s1600/THIS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ucIlHatY5wwFQM8sUWGDmq7In_EFgepW54NRoCjgdDKfco20KKtpj9T7ODeOLRdF-6FtJf2fq8lpZ8DviSRJ1hchrmwcyIHrIMgSKA48WCrPysI21701Tx_-asE-2EJqoNZpO-8o33w/s320/THIS.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I had a wonderful vacation, and really enjoyed myself. I definitely took the time to indulge and have some treats. We arrived home on Monday, after a long 15 hour drive. I don't know about you, but when I travel, I am more prone to digestive upset - cramping, bloating, and constipation. It is a common occurrence for many. When you travel, you are taking yourself out of a normal routine. That causes stress on your body, which makes digestion more sluggish. <br />
<br />
Before I left on vacation, I had already planned to come home and jump right into a <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/3DayRefresh?referringRepId=263743">3 Day Refresh</a>. So, Tuesday morning (even without having been to the store yet), I jumped right in. If you have not read my posts about the Refresh before, let me give you the scoop. The <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/3DayRefresh?referringRepId=263743">3 Day Refresh</a> is a 3 day quick detox, that is designed to cut your craving for sugar, cleanse the digestive system, and help you drop the bloat. It takes a cold turkey sort of approach...after all, it is ONLY 3 days. The eating plan is Vegan, so you will be focusing on the fruits and veggies. You get to enjoy REAL food, along with Shakeology and a high protein Vanilla Fresh shake (dairy free and soy free), lots of water, herbal tea, and relaxing exercise (optional). Every time I do the <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/3DayRefresh?referringRepId=263743">3 Day Refresh</a>, I lose 3-8 pounds (mostly water), I drop the bloat, and I just FEEL better. I am also much more inclined to make healthier eating choices because I get a reminder or how great my body feels when I eat right. <br />
<br />
A typical day on the refresh starts with Shakeology and a serving of fruit, in the morning. Mid way through the morning you will have a Fiber Sweep drink. Don't worry, it is a gentle fiber drink, and won't send you running to the bathroom. Lunch consists of a serving of fruit, a serving of veggies, a healthy fat, and a Vanilla Fresh Shake. You also get an afternoon snack of veggies and a healthy fat. The 3 Day Refresh comes with a bunch of dinner recipes that you can choose from. Asparagus with almonds, and Cucumber Tomato Salad are 2 of my favorites. You also get to enjoy a Vanilla Fresh Shake with dinner. FYI - the Vanilla Fresh Shake contains 20g of protein, and runs about 200 calories. It really does help to keep you full. there is also an option to have some vegetable broth along with your meal. In addition, you will aim to drink plenty of water, to help flush out your system. Herbal tea between meals and in the evening is allowed. All in all, while on the refresh, you will consume about 1100 calories a day varies based on your food choices). It is encouraged that you stick to very light exercise (yoga, PiYo, or walking), or just take the time to rest your body.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvvwPPHn0ZkLmLYKu-2fxGfLYJdElTZ8xjXIS7HhjK2bSq0nn8v4lFFelTi2P0X8FxJenKA-yakZctV84tN8-tpmJ1vOQhG_NJCAnFzm0DFk7vEqoUXeXXL5Motuux8-xy9-7b3tKz_Q/s1600/12308262_921350564597817_3381134266949184390_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvvwPPHn0ZkLmLYKu-2fxGfLYJdElTZ8xjXIS7HhjK2bSq0nn8v4lFFelTi2P0X8FxJenKA-yakZctV84tN8-tpmJ1vOQhG_NJCAnFzm0DFk7vEqoUXeXXL5Motuux8-xy9-7b3tKz_Q/s320/12308262_921350564597817_3381134266949184390_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1V2d0Dip8U6WkpjKw4K-2K-kbyUvsj8FH8MRh8rKWyLzES73_h2X363ZR4aTAhnTkGkpaqcjitUFmPfooL3dV7eg-MWLbtu9KIMeM9ghQUZa6rOYkL2c5Yal4DA7ktDa272uU433D6iE/s1600/12348066_921748467891360_8293715258111227706_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1V2d0Dip8U6WkpjKw4K-2K-kbyUvsj8FH8MRh8rKWyLzES73_h2X363ZR4aTAhnTkGkpaqcjitUFmPfooL3dV7eg-MWLbtu9KIMeM9ghQUZa6rOYkL2c5Yal4DA7ktDa272uU433D6iE/s320/12348066_921748467891360_8293715258111227706_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Get the Recipe <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JourneyMelissaBlair/photos/a.502831373116407.1073741826.502819509784260/921748467891360/?type=3">HERE</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I have done this <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/3DayRefresh?referringRepId=263743">3 Day Refresh</a> MANY times over the past few years, and I have to say it is great for getting back on track with your eating. This round helped me drop 3 pounds. I definitely dropped the bloat!! I feel better, and I am ready to stay focused on my eating choices for December...you, I have the WILL POWER to skip the holiday cookies. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg93IBQy3mYW4hmbEyFfvT1xu4OjHSRzBBXAwzWTDn_GcQSqX0gm1LIjYMaBAjYik9i_3hsNY0fxSrx34iojA2lrSI85nwVnS4rXeof_2QTfBuW3MPPQ6hQGNi5ohrzVnhnpzSWEnUK2mc/s1600/IMG_9900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg93IBQy3mYW4hmbEyFfvT1xu4OjHSRzBBXAwzWTDn_GcQSqX0gm1LIjYMaBAjYik9i_3hsNY0fxSrx34iojA2lrSI85nwVnS4rXeof_2QTfBuW3MPPQ6hQGNi5ohrzVnhnpzSWEnUK2mc/s400/IMG_9900.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I am jumping back into my regular exercise routine today! I have decided that I am going to do <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/21DFEXTREME?referringRepId=263743">21 Day Fix Extreme</a> for the 3 weeks leading up to Christmas. Why start on a Friday? Because I do not want to wait until Monday. Besides, starting today will have me finish my round of the Fix on December 24...Christmas Eve. That means no pressure to get my workout in on Christmas ;). I selected to do Extreme over the regular <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/21DayFix?referringRepId=263743">21 Day Fix</a> because I just finished up <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/MAX30Base?referringRepId=263743">Insanity Max:30</a>, and I wanted to stick with the more challenging workout through the end of the year. I will be jumping into the brand new Master's of Hammer and Chisel program (including the meal plan), right after Christmas. I am ready to commit to this program, and REALLY get some results in 2016. Want to join me with ANY of these programs? <a href="mailto:journeymelissablair@gmail.com">Message me</a> and let me help you get started, support you through the process, and help you reach YOUR goals.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15971837500725545696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277005070331805521.post-53007696882138220572015-11-25T08:32:00.000-08:002015-11-25T08:47:03.420-08:00What does splurging mean?I am on vacation this week, and after some comments on a few posts
that I made on Facebook, this post started brewing in my head. I really
enjoy posting photos of foods that I enjoy while on vacation. The
posts usually get a bunch of likes and often comments about how yummy
the foods look. I also get a few comments like, "You are on vacation.
You should enjoy yourself. Don't worry about eating healthy." The
truth is that I DON'T focus on eating healthy while on vacation. I DO
splurge. I DO eat things that are incredibly unhealthy...for me. That
is the KEY...I eat foods that are unhealthy FOR ME...or you might say,
unhealthy for my typically healthy lifestyle. My idea of splurging is
probably WAY different than yours. <br>
<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0KHgKIIG_BMVouy5ldSyMvEyfR-OwHDoZCHQuWK7Hsp7EnUbZPRxqJdgCGZWpqdv7TSGHo3CwQqmCaRdL-g3TQDeNVTPmsydBYHGWvJFX70UnYjYEg1b7J__wFOIksQQba2R70ZnsxWQ/s1600/11986447_10207259197510832_6416583767559245579_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0KHgKIIG_BMVouy5ldSyMvEyfR-OwHDoZCHQuWK7Hsp7EnUbZPRxqJdgCGZWpqdv7TSGHo3CwQqmCaRdL-g3TQDeNVTPmsydBYHGWvJFX70UnYjYEg1b7J__wFOIksQQba2R70ZnsxWQ/s320/11986447_10207259197510832_6416583767559245579_n.jpg" width="240"></a></div>
<br>You see, I don't
diet. I have not dieted in YEARS. Did you know that dieting leads to
weight gain? It's true. How many people that you know go on a diet to
lose weight (and they do), but as soon as they reach their goal, they go
right back to the same habits that got them gaining weight in the first
place? When I decided to really start my weight loss journey, my REAL
goal was to be healthy. My plan has always been to make small,
realistic changes to my regular eating, that I can maintain for the rest
of my life. It is called a lifestyle change. It requires a complete
shift in mindset. Once you make that shift, it is REALLY hard to undo
the way you think. There are things that I simply do not eat anymore.
Not because I am trying to avoid them, but because I have managed to
(over time) weed them out of my lifestyle. As an example, I do not eat
french fries...well, almost never. Before I started my journey, I would
take the kids to McDonald's, and I would order a meal...up-sizing the
fries and drink, and I would EAT IT ALL BY MYSELF. When I started my
journey to a healthier me, I decided I wasn't going to eat the french
fries. It was a HUGE challenge at first. I would still take the kids
to McDonald's, and I would order just a sandwich, and still sneak in a
fry or two from my kids plate. Over time, my body adjusted to NOT
eating fries. On occasion I may sneak a few here and there. However,
to me, they no longer taste good. They are not enjoyable. I don't
crave them. In fact, I don't really want them at all, and often times
when I do have a few, they make my tummy hurt...I actually have
digestive problems eating ANY form of white potatoes (baked potatoes,
chips, fries, mashed potatoes, etc). That just makes those foods not
appealing. I managed to go through the same process with soda, and many
other of my formerly favorite foods. <br>
<br>
Here's my
point. What might be a splurge for you, might not even be on my radar as a food that<br>
I consider a splurge. EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT. When you have gone out of your way to drastically change your
eating habits, and you have established a new "regular" way of eating,
then you redefine what splurging is for you. For me, eating things like
coconut, macaroon fried shrimp with bok choy and coconut rice is a big
splurge!! The food choices may be healthier, but they are still fried,
and smothered in not so healthy sauces. To me, it is a HUGE treat.<br>
<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8nMBu_GFq-IWybyBdqJPGfoJuzEzw5BJo3S0yASNSR50g0MGm9FxzfH5BOVlbQz-a-GPRIv-UWo1cbnHGFBQWnz_EaWC_wiQy4IfBOdz2Ph4NDRvurCzi7gT0051JeVAzP8P-Qgdk3tI/s1600/12278723_10207253518208853_2453177260030446769_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8nMBu_GFq-IWybyBdqJPGfoJuzEzw5BJo3S0yASNSR50g0MGm9FxzfH5BOVlbQz-a-GPRIv-UWo1cbnHGFBQWnz_EaWC_wiQy4IfBOdz2Ph4NDRvurCzi7gT0051JeVAzP8P-Qgdk3tI/s320/12278723_10207253518208853_2453177260030446769_n.jpg" width="240"></a></div>
<br>
<br>
Tomorrow,
when I enjoy Thanksgiving dinner, I will definitely have some stuffing,
deviled eggs, cranberry sauce, lots of turkey, and veggies. I may even enjoy some wine and dessert, if they look appealing (I am not actually very big on pie). I plan to stay away from
the foods that bother my tummy. I don't want to feel yucky after eating
such a delicious meal. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15971837500725545696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277005070331805521.post-46212940141255953982015-11-21T15:30:00.003-08:002015-11-21T15:30:54.132-08:00Insanity Max:30 = COMPLETE<br />
<br />
I did it! It only took me 10 months to get up the nerve to stare<a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCPIM205?referringRepId=263743"> Insanity Max:30</a>.
I followed the modifier throughout the entire program. I worked hard,
and pushed beyond limits I wasn't sure that I even had. And I came out
on top! My final results are in....I actually lost about 6 pounds. I
was kind of shocked because I have been dealing with health issues that
have been preventing me from losing weight. Even though I was modifying
the exercises, I was still pushing myself to do the best that I could
do. I didn't lose as many inches in my waist as I had hoped, but I DID
LOSE INCHES EVERYWHERE!!! My hips and rear are slimmer, my chest and
shoulders are more defined, I have fantastic arm strength, and even my
thighs have shed some inches (I have never had that happen to me with a
Shaun T workout). FOR ME, better than the actual physical progress, I just FEEL stronger, and that is huge after the year that I have had with my fitness. I am so proud of myself for attempting, and FINISHING <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCPSAN205?referringRepId=263743">Insanity Max:30</a>!!<br />
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When I got up yesterday morning to take my "after" pictures, I was sure that I had not made any visible progress. The truth is that I can ALWAYS tell when I compare my progress pics. So, here they are.....<br />
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BEFORE </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQgXfod3ERvBnUvsIP66lW-HrPYVkdi-45-JjFvrZwZO2UzhNgZJUk6mzMG60Jmr9OJQtieQfeUd8C3M9LTUQaGr53M7veai0867s6sJNoXP-llqYbpVkRJuPm3E1ewwHmzZWjO1VTiNE/s1600/IMG_9503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQgXfod3ERvBnUvsIP66lW-HrPYVkdi-45-JjFvrZwZO2UzhNgZJUk6mzMG60Jmr9OJQtieQfeUd8C3M9LTUQaGr53M7veai0867s6sJNoXP-llqYbpVkRJuPm3E1ewwHmzZWjO1VTiNE/s320/IMG_9503.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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AFTER</div>
I do want to note (for my own piece of mind) that I am wearing a size smaller pants in the "after" pics. So even though I still have some skin bulge happening, I am proud to know that it is happening in a smaller size ;)<br />
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As always, along with this program, I drank my <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/MDSUSH311G?referringRepId=263743">Shakeology</a> daily (my daily dose of dense nutrition). It helps my body function better, and has become an essential part of my healthy lifestyle. Also, for this program, I used the <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BBPAdvStack?referringRepId=263743">Beachbody performance line</a> products. The<a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BBPEnergize?referringRepId=263743"> Energize</a> was great for giving me extra energy to get tackle a challenging program like Max:30. <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BBPHydrate?referringRepId=263743"> Hydrate</a> kept me...well, hydrated during my workout. I LOVE the post workout <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BBPRecover?referringRepId=263743">Recovery drink</a> (my favorite) because it really helped to reduce daily soreness in my muscles. I also used the Nighttime <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BBPRecharge?referringRepId=263743">Recharge</a> whenever I started a new workout in the program, or pushed myself extra hard and was feeling a little more sore than usual. I am not sure I would have been able to make it through the program without these awesome products. If you think you might like to give the a try, there is a <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BBPSampler?referringRepId=263743">sampler pack</a> available.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SbG6yg2LMNE" width="459"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15971837500725545696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277005070331805521.post-3143072909598419992015-11-11T17:11:00.002-08:002015-11-11T17:11:40.014-08:00Almost thereI can't believe that I am almost finished with my round of <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCPIM205?referringRepId=263743">Insanity </a><a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCPIM205?referringRepId=263743">Max:30</a>!! It has been great to do a full program along with my husband. If you don't already know, <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCPIM205?referringRepId=263743">Max:30</a> is a pretty intense program....even modifying, like I am. You really have to WANT to do it. I'm going to be honest here. I don't really get excited about doing the <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCPIM205?referringRepId=263743">Max:30</a> workouts. While I CAN do them, and I AM getting stronger, they are not my style of workout. I am not a huge fan of cardio. While there is a lot of body strength exercises in <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCPIM205?referringRepId=263743">Max:30</a>, there is also a lot of cardio. I really do miss lifting weights....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip1X8JVBr-FcR3SCHjoVOLgbNA43SnZcLe60ELocby-gWdbzarwixGTkbWwdOvTKb7vWD_K-QHSguspB7nacmotmKaRmJXI5GDM4Uk-the858irpGJvkCIVUyO5ioRqZD-eg4M2EMf3n4/s1600/12239755_911988852200655_8040254423131336385_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip1X8JVBr-FcR3SCHjoVOLgbNA43SnZcLe60ELocby-gWdbzarwixGTkbWwdOvTKb7vWD_K-QHSguspB7nacmotmKaRmJXI5GDM4Uk-the858irpGJvkCIVUyO5ioRqZD-eg4M2EMf3n4/s320/12239755_911988852200655_8040254423131336385_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Anyway, my point is that by working out daily with a partner, we are BOTH motivated to spend time together to get the workout done. I am not gonna lie, many times we are both yelling profanities to Shaun T through the TV screen. But, we are doing it together, and we get the workout in EVERY DAY. <br />
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I am going to let you in on a little secret....we are only doing one more week of <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCPIM205?referringRepId=263743">Max:30</a> (GASP). We will be finishing up 1 week short of the 60 day program. '"Why?", you make be asking yourself. Well, we are leaving on vacation next Friday. It is either finish the program on vacation (which I don't really want to do on my vacation), finish up the week after vacation (the week AFTER splurging on food), or just call it a day at the end of 3 weeks of month 2, and move on to a new program for December. Since I am super excited about the release of <a href="http://www.thehammerandchiseltbb.com/?referringRepId=263743">The Master's of Hammer and Chisel </a>in December, I am going to squeeze in a quick round of <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCP21D160?referringRepId=263743">21 Day Fix</a> or <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCP21E160?referringRepId=263743">21 Day Fix Extreme</a> in December , and then jump right into <a href="http://www.thehammerandchiseltbb.com/?referringRepId=263743">Hammer and Chisel</a>. Don't worry, my hubby and I will still post our before and after pics for <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/BCPIM205?referringRepId=263743">Max:30</a>.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15971837500725545696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5277005070331805521.post-18927200168778019442015-11-02T17:57:00.003-08:002015-11-02T18:00:43.003-08:00Every little stepLast week was the end of the first month of <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/MAX30Base?referringRepId=263743">Insanity Max:30</a> for me. I know that I have said this in previous posts, but the scale and I are currently at odds about my weight. That's OK. I am still pushing forward, and I know that the scale will meet up with me eventually. I have heard wise people say to aim for healthy, and weight loss will follow. It really is true. If you are striving to lose weight and not focusing on your health, you are likely to take drastic measures that may result in pounds lost....but will also result in some struggles with health. And often times, when you start 'going back to normal' after taking those steps, the weight will come back too. In any event, my goal right now, is for my clothes to be comfortable. I have been slowly taking steps to get back on track with my eating. I know jumping in full boar doesn't typically work for me. I get frustrated about cravings, and I cave. So, small permanent changes over time it is. Slow and steady wins the race :). I think I am doing pretty good....no candy from my kids trick or treat buckets!! Actually, I haven't been craving sweets at all, and that is a good thing right now. <br />
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Ok, back to my month 1 results. My weight has actually been fluctuating between 5 pounds lately. In all likelihood, I probably lost a pound or 2 during month 1. I HAVE lost 3.4 inches. I would like to note that I took my month 1 measurements this evening. Everyone knows that the belly pudge grows throughout the day. I am pretty sure it is due to gravity ;). Taking measurements in the evening, after dinner, is not ideal. However, I still did it, so that I could create this post. That is dedication! I will measure again in the morning and update you in my next post. So here is the REAL accomplishment of month 1 of <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/MAX30Base?referringRepId=263743">Insanity Max:30</a>. I AM STRONGER!!! I can say that will full confidence. I know it sounds like a silly progress update, but it is so true. Before I started Max:30, I could hardly do 5 push-ups (on my knees), without needing to stop. Now, I can pump out 15-20 push-ups, before I need to stop for a break. I have never been able to do this in any other workout program that I have tried. Shaun T really hits the nail on the head when it comes to developing upper body strength by just using your own body weight. Oh, and I follow the modifier for EVERYTHING. You might be asking yourself, why I choose to modify the exercises. 2 reasons: 1 - I have lots of issues with my ankles and knees, and I require low impact exercises (no jumping) so I don't injure myself)...plus as you can see from my previous sentences, I lack some upper body strength. 2 - I want to follow a full program WITH a modifier, to demonstrate that you can still get some great results while not forcing yourself to go high impact. I am seriously impressed with how much strength that I have gained so far from this program. My friend, talked me into running in a turkey trot for Thanksgiving. Although I HATE running, I am anxious to see how Max:30 has improved my endurance. I know when I did <a href="http://teambeachbody.com/shop/-/shopping/T25Base?referringRepId=263743">Focus T25</a>, I went from running a mile in 9:30 to an 8.5 minute mile. Max:30 is full of some crazy cardio too. I am sure that my lung capacity has also strengthened. The reality is that even though I am still struggling with symptoms of my EBV, I really do just feel better after finishing month 1 of this program.<br />
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Here you go....my progress pics. I have a love/hate relationship with progress pics. Right now, I am not really happy with how I look, and I am working toward a better me. However, I NEED to be able to SEE that my body IS making progress. I tried to wear the same clothing as in my before pic. Although I notice my problem areas (we are our own worst critics), I can still see progress.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15971837500725545696noreply@blogger.com0