Day 47: Weight loss and sleep

Due to my excessive tiredness and inability to focus, I found a great article about how sleep effects our weight loss.  Since right now all I am able to do really well is sleep, I thought I'd write about that.

Today I am home alone with the kids, Gary went to work, and the past few days he has been home with me.  So, fortunately the kids slept 2 hours longer today than yesterday.  I had a small burst of energy, and I thought, I should clean the house, but instead I decided to bundle the kids up and take advantage of the sunshine.  So, I bundled them up, and wanted to lay down and go to sleep.  I can't believe how mono can affect me so badly.  I brought out a chair and let them play in the snow.  They climbed around, we squired the snow with water bottles filled with food coloring and water, and blew some bubbles.  Mama feels like she just finished the Iron Man.  I brought them back in after they were good, tired and cold, fed them a quick and easy lunch with hot chocolate and sent them up to bed.  Now I am writing quickly so that I can sleep until I wake up.  So, here is a great article I found about sleep and weight loss.  I found it very useful, and good to read when all I want to do is sleep!  Keep in mind that on average you only burn 50 calories an hour while you sleep.  

You can find the article online by clicking here or read below.
Weight: 201

Weight Loss Hormones: Ghrelin and Leptin

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By Kathryn Vercillo

Ghrelin and leptin are hormones in the body that you should know a little something about if you're interested in the topic of weight loss. Basically, ghrelin and leptin are hormones that we all have but we each have different levels of them. These hormones are related to weight loss as well as to oursleep patterns and in some ways form the link between our internal urges to sleep and to eat. Understanding how ghrelin and leptin work in the body can help us to understand and moderate these urges so we can engage in proper healthy weight loss.

Ghrelin and leptin are both produced in the body. It has been found that thinner people have higher levels of ghrelin production during certain nighttime hours which is lacking in people who suffer from obesity. People who fail to sleep properly over-stimulate their ghrelin production which increases the desire for food. Simultaneously, lack of sleep reduces the production of leptin which is the body's appetite suppressant. So in short, if you don't get enough sleep, the hormones in your body get all out of whack and you think that you're hungry when really you don't need that food. Caving in to such hunger will lead to excess weight gain.

Knowledge about this has led weight loss experts and scientists to work on harnessing the information to assist people in losing weight. This has been realized in the form of an anti-obesity vaccine which reduces the production of ghrelin and therefore reduces weight gain. Although you can use drugs such as these, what you really need to do to start balancing out your ghrelin and leptin hormones is to make sure that you're getting the proper amount of sleep that you need. Why take supplements and vaccines when you can just treat yourself well and naturally lose weight?

Getting the right amount of sleep can be the first step to making sure that you're getting the ghrelin / leptin balance that your body needs to naturally maintain a healthy weight. You should also be getting sleep at the right times, not going to bed excessively late and not sleeping only a little bit one day and then a lot the next to make up for it. As much as possible, you should try to get between 6-8 hours of sleep per night if you want to naturally balance out your ghrelin and leptin levels.

Some people have found that there are different diets that can also help people improve sleep, probably for reasons very similar to those discussed above. People who have naturally healthy diets are more likely to have better sleep habits and so they get the correct balance of ghrelin and leptin which leads to a healthy cycle of sleeping and eating. As a general rule, people who maintain healthy diets as well as healthy sleep patterns are going to have an easier time with weight loss because of the benefits of this kind of a cycle. So, you just need to sleep and eat right; who knew?!

Day 46: Don't Drink Your Calories

As I am in and out of sleep I am still concerned about weight loss.  Not in an unhealthy way, but a healthy way.  I was reading about how many calories can get consumed via beverage.  It is true...I know that I used to consume way too many calories via the straw.  At one point I would drink 2-4 Cokes a day!  That is a lot of sugar.  40 grams of sugar per can of coke!  I read in YOU on a Diet that I should avoid anything that has more than 4 grams of sugar!  So, yeah Coke is a good one to cut out.  Other drinks like juice, energy drinks, sweet tea, and alcohol, they are tasty, but are not adding much to your diet, while they may add to your waist.  So drink your weight in water by using this calculator.  A cup or two of coffee is fine to drink but avoid putting anything in your glass that your body doesn't need.  It does need water, this will also help with digestion as well as weight loss.

Day 45: Calories vs. Pounds

I am a bit laid up at the moment, so I am pushing back P90X until I am healthy again.  Which may take a minute because I have mono...YUK.

Ever since yesterday at about 3pm when I got my diagnosis I have reading about what I can do in lieu of exercising to still stay on target with my weight loss.  I have found that 3500 calories equal a pound.  That is crazy!  No wonder it is so hard to lose weight!  Well, for me to maintain my weight I need to eat 2000 calories, so for me to lose weight, I must have a 3500 calorie deficit to lose one pound and I'd like to lose 2 pounds a week during this down time.  So I have done the figuring and I just need to consume 1300 cals a day to do so.  It isn't too hard either, because I am not hungry and honestly feel kinda yucky.  So I think I can stay at 1300 cals for now.  

I did read that it is very important that anyone stay above 1200 calories a day for your health.  No matter how tiny you are!  

Well, off to rest a bit more before bed time comes!  I hope I can stay awake for Biggest Loser tonight!

Weight 202.8

Day 44: Food Diary

At the beginning of this journey 44 days ago.  I was pretty good about tracking my food choices and then documenting them here.  However, after I felt confident about it I decided not to do that any more.  For a week or so after I stopped telling you all what I ate, I still tracked it on an online calorie counter.  However, now I haven't been doing that, and my weight isn't doing as good of a job of coming off.  I also can't remember what I ate.  So starting back today, I will be counting my calories.  With my new Polar Heart Rate Monitor watch too, I can input my calories burned, that way I can see what my actual burn is, instead of just guessing.  This will likely give me a better result.  The kind that I am looking for!  I won't bore you with the details of my food, but I will be documenting it on My Plate.  All of the successful weight loss programs recommend that I do document my foods so I will.

Ok, on to some other things.  My enzyme and Vemma intake.  I started taking both of these a few days ago.  I do have to say that the Enzyme has taken away any gassy problems I have had in the past.  It seemed to work immediately.  I am taking the TriEnza by Houston Enzymes.  The Vemma I think has stopped a cold in it's tracks!  I was starting to feel sick on Saturday, with a sore throat, then yesterday with my extreme fatigue.  I have remained faithful in my drinking of this yummy vitamin drink and today, while I don't feel perfect, I feel much better.  I have also been giving my kids the children's version called Next!  My friend Cheryl gave me some as a gift to try out.  My dad and I have been trying these juices out for about 3 years, including Glacier Milk, Mona Vie to name a few.  We were doing this to see if it could help with his cancer.  My dad's side of the family has a continuing relationship with different forms of cancer, so we were trying these out to see if they would help with health.  I am excited to try this out.  I am hoping my mom, dad and aunt will try it too.

Next topic.  Ok, so I got this email from a friend of mine, with some pictures of him starting in November and the last picture was of him a week or so ago.  The first picture was not the most flattering one, but with each picture he looked more and more fit!  This is in a little over 3 months.  Now, the dude has ABS and I can see them!  So when I talked to him on the phone, I asked if he did P90X.  He laughed, and asked if I was joking, I said "NO, I am going to start doing it in a few weeks when I am a little more fit".   He said, "Yes, I did do P90X, and don't wait until you are fit to start."  He said the last time he worked out prior to doing P90X was in high school and he is in his 30s too.  So, I talked with the Hubs and we are going to start P90X today!  I am nervous because it was SO hard the last time I tried, but what the heck.  I am 44 days into my new life, I have been much more active so here I go!  Wish me luck!

Day 43: Fatigued

 I have never been so tired.  I was only awake for like 8 hours total yesterday.  So I am posting it today.  Not sure if it is something going around or not...

I ate football man food yesterday in my short day, so I know I didn't get any calorie burn!  However, I am ok about it.  I can't live in a bubble and know that I can make up for it today for sure.

A new week with a fresh white as snow start (literally)  I love fresh snow in Minnesota, since our snow does stay around for 6 months, it gets dirty, so the fresh snow makes it all pure again!  Just like my walk with Jesus.  I live and get all dirty with daily sin, the God comes along and makes me all white as snow.  :o)

So with this new week I am GOING to do what it takes to lose these pesky pounds and bring me down into the hundred club!  :o)

Day 42: Atkins+South Beach

Well, I am kind of doing these diets anyway, but I am going to chat a bit about this "new" diet that people are talking about.  I eat tons of fish, cuz um...it is so good!  So when I read this article in Women's World Magazine last night I thought well, I should share the wealth.  The article titled "Turbo Atkins" caught my eye in the February 15th magazine.  It talks about eating the best protein for weight loss.  This is fish according to Spanish Scientist Fred Pescatore, M.D. and many other studies.  Dr. Pescatore says "Fish has the most fat-fighting power. Studies show that nutrients in fish not only make our anti-hunger hormones work better, they also help 'ignite' fat so flab burns faster."  *Pregnant and nursing mothers need to only eat seafood as instructed by their own doctor.  Not all fish are safe to eat regularly, due to mercury levels.  In general you can safely eat the following fish; wild salmon, cod and halibut.  Avoiding predator fish like shark and swordfish.  You can read more about this at EDF.org and search "health alerts seafood selector" I also learned in this article that having fish as your protein every other day can speed up your weight loss.  As you may know, the Atkin's diet suggests that you cut or eliminate your carbs.  There are lots of produce that have healthy carbs that you can use to get your energy.

Let's talk about carbs for a minute, Carbs to have a "bad rap" in the dieter's world.  However, carbs are energy and we need them for brain function and they give fuel to our major organs like the liver, heart and lungs to name a few.  There are 3 types of Carbs.  Monosaccharides, Disaccharides, and Polysaccharides.  HUH?!  Well, that is great, but what does that mean?  I did some more research and found an article that explained it better.  You can read the full article here, but I am going to paraphrase the article Types of Carbs and Nutrition by Jennifer Murray here.  Monosaccharides are single sugars.  Mono=one.  That will be easy to remember right?  These are sugars like glucose and fructose.  Glucose is found in many sports drinks.  Fructose is found in fruits.  Disaccharides are double sugars. Di=two.  These are sucrose and lactose.  Sucrose is table sugar. Lactose is found in milk.  Both of these types of sugars Mono and Di -saccharides are soluble in water.   Now Polysaccharides are complex found in starches and fibers.  These can be stored and used for energy or broken down and used for digestion.  Ok, now that you know that, what can you do with it?  Simple carbs (mono) digest quickly and found in fruit and dairy products.   These are fine and healthy carbs.  When carbs/sugars are refined and processed in foods it can be found in corn syrup, sugar, cake, pop and candy as well as processed foods.  Refined carbs have been stripped of their vitamins and nutrients.  These Refined Carbs contribute to Type 2 Diabetes, some cancers, obesity, depression and heart diseases.  These are white pasta, white rice, sugary cereals, you get the drift.  Lastly is complex carbs.  These are important to a healthy diet.  They take longer to digest, meaning your body is continuing to digest them, so you are not hungry as quickly, meaning you don't eat as much.  Refined carbs have been known to actually increase eating because they don't send the satiety signal to your brain to tell you, that you are full.  Complex carbs are a great source of fiber are nutrient rich and can assist in digestion, stabilizing blood sugar levels, and longer levels of satiety.  These include beans, whole-grain versions of breads, rice, potatoes and pastas.
I mention all of that to say that eliminating certain carbs is great for your health and weight loss, but not all carbs carry the same bad effect.  Complex carbs are our friend!  So, while I know the Atkins diet does deliver, it is vital we get a well rounded meal plan.

Back to the Atkins+South Beach diet.  It sounds great, and do-able to me.  It encourages using Olive Oil as your fat source.  It can help dampen your appetite as well as speed your metabolism.  I am rather confident that a snickers bar will NOT do that.  So use your olive oil in your salad dressing, and cooking.  Of course veggies (especially leafy ones) are going to be a great low-carb option.  You can eat as much of these as you want.  No need to feel hungry when you can nibble on veggies throughout the day.  Fruits are great for you too.  This diet even encourages 2 small glasses of red wine a day!  Oh Yeah!!  Why?  Red wine contains antioxidants, one of which has been studied to lower blood sugar.  So there you have it!  Eat a low-carb (using your new smarts on carbs) diet, high in veggies, eat lean protein every day, eat fish as your protein every other day. Snack as needed on veggies, avoid simple and refined sugars and drink a little red wine each day.  Of course you need to be doing your exercise too.  This will unveil the fit under the fat.

I always tell myself that I am building muscles now (even though, there is no trace of them under their fat blankies) so that when the fat is gone the fit is there.  I don't want to lose my fat and then need to get fit, when I can be doing both at the same time and in the end have a fit and fine me!
I know this is long, but I had so much to share!

Now, here is something I am not getting...MY WEIGHT!
I have gained another pound.  I am back up to 205.  Why?!
I don't get it.  Well, off I go to eat some fish and veggies, then after I put the kids down... I will do Jillian's shred.  Hopefully the scale will be on my side tomorrow!

*If you are pregnant or nursing seek your doctor before considering this.  In my opinion, have the baby, nurse it and then focus on you!
**All diets and workout plans should be discussed with your doctor first.
***If you are allergic to fish and want to do this diet, well, you need more help than I can give you.  If you are allergic to seafood, stay away from seafood!

Day 41: Vemma

I started taking Vemma this week.  It is a powerful juice that you get all your vitamins in one blast.  I have taken multi-vitamins for many years in pill form, and in the pill was Vitamin D. However, I was Vitamin D deficient when my doctor checked for it.  So, I went to thinking (causing a headache, I am sure) and wondered if the pill form is difficult for my body to digest.  I then was thinking about the nutrients in my food and wondered if I was getting all that I could out of those too...The answer I have found is no, I am not.  I do have Microscopic Colitis and my intestines and even my stomach are inflamed.  If you think about it, if something is inflamed then it can't absorb as well.  So in this research I found that I need to eat foods that decrease inflammation and take supplements and vitamins that are easy to digest so I get the full benefit of them.  With all that I found that the enzymes that I will be using (I got for free from Houston Enzymes to test and report on my blog) will help with inflammation and the Vemma will easily deliver me the vitamins I need.  I first thought I'd try each one separate to see their effects, however, I am on the road to recovery and if I can get the most out of the Vemma by working on my inflammation by taking the enzymes it would be counter productive for me not to take them together.  So, after my delivery of Enzymes arrived today, I am going to start taking them both together.  I will let you know how it works out as I go through it!  I do encourage you to read more about Vemma by clicking on the links.  My friend Cheryl who writes a similar blog is who turned me on to Vemma.

Weight: 203~ WHAAAAAT!!!  How?  WHY!?  I don't get it!

Day 40: Loving my HR Monitor

After a good workout yesterday consisting of a 60 minute walk followed by the 30 day shred, I know how many calories I burned. It was so fun to watch my watch as the calories burned kept getting higher and higher. I am planning on wearing it all day just to see how many calories I burn on an average day. :o)
Today, I knew was going to be a crazy one. Got to go wedding dress shopping with my Sally. She got the most AMAZING dress today! Her momma, Laura was there, and we just plain had fun! She looks like a beautiful bride. Then off to a prelim job testing, and off to do a few sales meetings. In the mean time I had to be a mom, oh yeah, and a wife. So with all of that I decided to wake up early, and do my workout early! Ooh, it felt so good, to be done, showered and coffee consumed before my kiddos were up. Loved it! :o)
Well, tomorrow I promise to share some good educational information about a new product I am trying called Vemma. Details to follow.

Weight: 201.5 Soooo close.

Day ?-39: Sunny Outlook

Well, my visit with Kimberly was great but FAR too short!  We had a fun time just being together and catching up.  I wish we had the means to see each other more often.  That goes for all my far-away friends.

I contacted the Houston Enzyme company and I am going to try out their TriEnza product and will report the way it works as the days pass.  I am receiving the product for free as a trade for talking about how their product works.  My plan is to start with a smaller dose and work my way up.  I am excited about trying the product!

Food and workout:  Well, I failed myself when visitor is in my presence.  I did not do well at all.  In fact over the 4 day visit with Kimberly, I gained TWO pounds!  YUP!  Ugh.  Well, I take full responsibility for this.  I just didn't do well with my choices.  I have done so well for 35 or so days, that I was actually surprised at how easy I made poor food choices.  Yesterday I had a long talk with myself and I did well.  In fact I decided not to weigh myself yesterday out of sheer fear, but was pleased that I am back down to 202 today.  I need to rid of those two stinkin pounds by the weekend!  That is my short term goal.

I am also going to be going Sally's wedding in Mexico this April (mid-month) and my next goal will be to be down 20 pounds by April 12th!  This will be a good incentive!  Mexico = warm weather which means swim wear and summer clothes.  So let's see how it all pans out!  I am hitting it hard!

I got my Polar heart rate monitor watch in the mail last week and bought the Avia Avi-Motion shoes this week with some "fun money" I had.  I tried out the Avia shoes yesterday on our one hour walk and I could feel them working different parts of my legs.  It was great.  I watched their video on their link and it claims to work the legs, buttocks and abs because of the shape of the sole.  I can see how it works.  I felt a little different while walking, so hears to hoping it works.  My heart rate monitor, shows how many calories I burn based on my heart rate/weight/height and age.  All of that is programmed into the watch and I wear a band around my waist to read the HR and send the info to the watch.  It is pretty stellar.  So now I can get an exact read on my calories burned during exercise.

Today, I will go for a walk again and start back doing the 30-day shred...I stopped for 5 days!  So I am going to make up for it by doing it two times a day for 6 days.  I am also going to be doing it a bit longer than the 30 days since I am having a hard time with work-out 2 and clearly not ready for workout 3.  So I am pushing the P90X  back a few weeks.  I'll let you know when I am ready!  However, with my new "going to Mexico" goal I need to get into gear!  :o)

So that is all folks.
Weight: 202 again

Day ??: Life

Not sure what day I am on for my weight loss, or what my weight is today.  I promise to be back on it tomorrow with the blogging and all.  Just getting through it right now.

Thanks for reading.  Thanks for your support.  I'll give you more to read tomorrow.  I am wiped out.

Day 35 & 36: Quality Time

My BFF Kimberly who I lived in a GIANT sorority house at WSU with and then in the cutest little house with our senior year, is here visiting from California.  It was so much fun to visit and share a few tears, laughs and beers with her.  HOWEVER,  I had WAY too many calories last night.  With Olive Garden and then beers...I added a pound!  YUCK.  It makes me feel so yucky.  I did clean the house all day yesterday, so at least I burned a little bit of calories before the major failure.  She brought her workout clothes so we can walk and do the shred together.  :o)  So, I am ok with it.  I actually planned for extra calories, just not that many extra.  However, life does go on and so does my trek for weight loss.  :o)
We are off to the Mall of America, you really can't visit Minnesota without going there, so off we go!

Weight: 203

Day 34: Six Figures

Today was one of the best days I have had in a LONG time.  Due to the "awesome" recession that is affecting so many of us, times have been a little tight in our cute little bungalow.  However, politics aside, my boy Barack and the government, put out a Mortgage Modification for qualifying folks like us.  Due to some job changes and changes in income, we qualified for this AWESOME gift.  Our mortgage rate was dropped from the ridiculously high percentage down 5% to just 2%.  It didn't change our loan amount, or amortization, so the savings is just interest alone!  This saves us so much money that in the 27 years left we have on our mortgage we will have saved just over $129,000 that is six figures my friends.  On interest alone!  Praise God!  I am so super thankful for this!  I am sharing this with you because I vowed to tell you about all the ways we are saving this year in my quest for smaller is better.  :o)  So, if you are upside down in your house, and have a change in your situation (even adding to your family can qualify you) then look into it!  HOWEVER, there are so many scams out there.  This is done with your Mortgage company or bank, so don't get tricked!  Man, it feels so good, to know that I can make a call and change things!  Life is good for the Heidsta and fam right now.  

All that to say, that the hubs and I have been praying about the finances and consulted one of my best friends, who gets it with the finances too, and she gave me the best advice, to tithe my 10% even if it feels that will break the bank and the Lord will bless us.  Well, we did and He certainly has!  Thanks Kathleen for being there, being faithful to the Lord and helping us with our situation, by sharing your knowledge!   I am getting skinny in debt and in weight!

Today I have eaten pretty well, one of my dearest friends, Heather had me over for a play date (Hava's best friend Sadie).  Heather made the most tasty healthy chili I have ever had!  It was a good chat time too!  I don't know what I would do in this world without my best friends.  Heather and I have been friends our entire life as moms, it is an amazing and enduring relationship, I am blessed!  

Speaking of, my best friend that I met at Washington State University (Go Cougs) is coming tomorrow.  I can hardly stand it!  I wish I could wake up and see her standing at my door.  I can't wait to hug her!  We don't see each other enough.  So I am going to soak every second that I can with her!  So if I don't blog regularly over the next few days...you know why!

Weight: 202

I am just two pounds away from a HUGE milestone.  I can hardly wait.  My belly is looking a bit flatter and I can see that my waist is in there too someplace.  I can't wait to be fabulous, well I kind of already think I am a bit fabulous, so I can't wait to be even more fabulous!  

Have a great weekend!

Day 33: Event Day

We Hip Chicks had a FABULOUS event hosted by Z.Bigatti at La Vie Photo Studio, Sponsored by Nordstrom, Salon Lili, and Paperhouse Designs.  It was such a beautiful event too!  Not to mention every woman (and a few dudes) walked out of there more beautiful than they did when they came in.  All of the guests were gorgeous anyway, so Minneapolis had some HOTTIEs walking around.  The event highlighted the amazing Z.Bigatti products, which I totally recommend especially in this bitter cold skin damaging weather.  Women got their hair did by Salon Lili, they got facials with Z.Bigatti product done by their techs. Then got their make-up done by Nordstrom make-up experts, and got mini-manicures by Salon Lili.  To top it off, they drank some tasty martini's, munchies and wine.  Live music which was AWESOME was done by Dan Rinstrom and his dad.  They were amazing and totally worth having at any shindig, large or small!   Nordstrom, Salon Lili, Lifetime, Z.Bigatti, prizes were given out.  Also massages, manicures, haircuts!  Everyone walked out a winner!!!  It certainly was fun.  I have to say with the way the ladies looked leaving the event, I am sure there was a small surge in the Metro's economy last night.  When I feel that good, I go out! And I did!  It was a fun Hip Chick night!

Diet wise:  I ate TERRIBLE yesterday, not in the food I ate, but I have this problem of not eating when I am really busy, So I literally ate only about 500 calories, then I had two glasses of white wine and extremely good dirty martini's with The Hip Chicks after the shindig.  I didn't feel so hot when I woke up either.  I think I burned a crazy amount of calories, getting ready, setting up and hostessing the event. So it all worked out in the wash.

Weight: 203.5

Day 32: Enzymes & Friends

I am back!  Ate great, didn't sit down all day, and tomorrow will be the same.  The Hip Chicks (our event planning company) has a big event tomorrow, so getting ready for that and being a mom, just no rest for the weary!  ;O)

I found some good info reading online and in magazines about natural approaches to weight loss.  Of course, eating well and exercise.  I have decided that I am not going to use the ever tempting weight loss pills.  So I am reading up on what natural things I can do to assist my body in shedding it's "tons o' fun" which has happily settled all over my body.  :o)

Here is some good information that I dug up and thought I'd share the wealth of knowledge about some vitamins, enzymes and even laughter.  So read up, and thin down!

Calcium and Vitamin D when taken together can curb your cravings for fatty foods, as well as quadruple your weight loss results if you are calcium deficient according to a 2009 British Journal of Nutrition study. Many women are either calcium and/or vitamin D deficient.  I know at my last doctors appointment I found out that I am Vitamin D deficient, which is common in colder climates, like this frozen tundra we call home.

On to Enzymes.  [Information taken from Natural Health Magazine November 2009] Enzymes can ease digestive woes such as acid reflux, heartburn, cramping, gassiness, and bloating; reduce inflammation of the joints and muscles.  Some people experience weight loss after take digestive enzymes.  Digestive changes are often noticed with the first dosing!  While anyone can benefit from from digestive enzymes, research suggests people with conditions like lactose intolerance, cystic fibrosis, autism, pancreatitis, celiac diease, gluten intolerance, or chronic pain can experience dramatic benefits.  Be aware that thus far, enzyme supplements have not been shown to "cure" any disease or condition.

There is an important difference between probiotics and enzymes. Probiotics, like acidopholus and bifidus, are live organisms that produce enzymes to help our digestive tract function normally, while enzymes are proteins our body creates.  Taking the two together can actually make each do it's job better.

WHAT TO BUY: Houston Enzymes HN-Zyme Prime or Houston Zyme Prime  You can also get these enzymes in your food.  Pineapple, contains the enzyme bromelain, which has been shown to ease inflammation and relieve pain.  Sprouts have many health benefits.  I recommend to read more on them. Papaya, contains the enzyme Papain, which has a mild and soothing effect on the stomach and is helpful in protein digestion.

A small note on laughter:  we all know it is good for us, it makes us feel better, but it truly does make you feel better.  It can lower your glucose levels!  A 2003 Japanese study showed that after watching a comedy show glucose levels had dropped.  It can also boost your immunity and increase your pain tolerance, as stated in a UCLA study in 2007.  Not to mention the great effects it has on your heart.  It can improve your HDL (good cholesterol) levels and reduce your levels of inflammatory compounds known as C-reactive proteins.  So find a funny friend to hang out with, talk to on the phone, or start watching some funny TV.

Hope you find this helpful!  I have and am excited to start to put it into practice!

Weight: 203

Day 31: Gotta have faith, faith, a faitha!

Ok, well it was another bad day.  Didn't eat too bad, nothing tasty and cheaty, just not like I was doing last week.  Workout, well, unless dealing with a 2 year old, with a bad case of the terrible two's counts for exercise, I didn't do any.  I had really good intentions, and with the stress of the little bugger, I probably added some stress weight.  Something has to give.  I know I am not done, I have 334 days until I am done.  So a couple of bad days here and there will not derail me!  I promise.  Thanks for the encouragement.  Tomorrow is a new day.  If you feel like it, pray for my little dude, that he eases up on me, and that I get this profound wisdom to be a "pre-school whisperer" and I can talk him out of his craziness!
:o)

Day 30: Called in sick today

When you are a stay at home mom, calling in sick doesn't mean much.  However, I decided today I would call in sick.  The kids watched all they wanted!  Funny thing is I put 'The Sound of Music' on for them and they LOVED it.  All 3.5 hours of it!  So, while I didn't get to just stay in bed and be alone.  I did remain in my pj's and robe all day, until just after dinner, when I got showered and dressed to go pray at church for Haiti.  I was feeling really run down, I feel like I am on the verge of being sick, with coughing, sneezing, and a minor sore throat.  I am tired.  So, once I got home from church I realized that "calling in sick" only means tomorrow I have more to do.  The house needs to be cleaned, the kids need to be played with.  So today, I called in sick.  I didn't eat great, and I didn't exercise.  So forgive me, my lack of motivation today. I did vow to do the 30 day shred in 30 times in 30 days, so I will make up for it.  I am looking forward to a visit with Cheryl tomorrow, and even a walk.  I am off to bed.  Hoping for a good day tomorrow.

Weight: 203.5

Day 29 AGAIN!! BRUTAL!!!

I decided not to go for a walk and in lieu of it I did Jillian's Shred Workout 1 and Workout 2.  Each are 20 minutes.  I remember about a week ago, I thought Workout 1 was hard...I still think it is pretty much NOT easy...HOWEVER, I just did Workout 2 immediately following Workout 1...UM...BRUTAL.
Jillian was nice and all, I can not imagine how hard the actual Biggest Loser is if I am just doing a video.  I am drenched, shaking from muscle fatigue and beyond myself.  I did nearly every rep of ever exercise too. Even the one's I thought I wouldn't be able to do.  I am not sure I'll do that again right away, but I think it made up for my not exercising yesterday and then not walking today!
Thought you should at least feel my pain!  :o)

Day 28 & Day 29: Great weekend!

Day 28: Time with God and friends
I woke up and got to eat breakfast with my awesome church friends at our women's retreat.  Then spent the next 4 hours alone, reflecting, and spending time with God.  It was awesome.  I worked on my testimony that I gave in church this morning.  It was a very nice time.  It was nice to be alone.  I was nice to not have to run around getting things for and entertaining my lovely munchkins.  It was about me and God.  Then after lunch I got the chance to get to know two of my favorite girls at Hiawatha.  We shared what we needed from God, we prayed and it was just nice.  No interruptions, just good discussion!  After dinner, things changed just a bit!  We discussed our ideal commune living.  Many laughs were shared.  It was a fun time.  I am glad I went.  I feel refreshed and renewed!  I didn't do any fitness other than my spiritual fitness.  The food was not low-calorie or low-fat.  However it was worth the risk to be where I was.

Day 29: Testimony, Home and Refreshed
This morning I shared my testimony at church.  It was truly emotionally exhausting.  It felt so good to share my story.  It was welcomed with love and hugs from everyone.  We are starting a new Sexual Abuse Recovery group.  The group will run for 14 weeks.  It begins on Sunday February 21st at 7pm in the Hiawatha Church library.  It is open to all sexual abuse survivors in the Twin Cities.  Please let me know if you are interested in more information my sending me an email.  Today I will do the Shred workout 1 & workout 2.  For a total of 40 minutes.  UGH.  I am not looking forward to it, but I am sure it will be good to be done! :o)
I did gain a pound since Day 27. I know it will come back off.  One day of not being in control of my food and the fluctuation of weight during a week, it doesn't deter me, but it makes me want to work all the more harder!

I am looking forward to tomorrow's post.  I have lots of good info I have been reading about that I am looking forward to sharing!  Not to mention, I am looking forward to starting it too!

Weight: 203.4

NOTE: Our church [Hiawatha Church] will be holding an update on Haiti with prayer and fundraising tomorrow Monday Jan 25th at 7pm.  All are welcome to pray as well as donate.  We have a goal to raise $20k to send supplies to Haiti. We have a direct connection to a family serving as medical missionaries there.  If you want to come to pray, please do.  If you want to donate but can not make it, you may send your checks to Hiawatha Church.  Write the Checks out to 'Hiawatha Church' and put 'Haiti Fund' in the memo line.   Mail checks to 4155 41st Ave South, Minneapolis, MN 55406

Day 27: Guess what I found!?!

My KNEES!  Yup you read it right.  I was looking over my body and was trying to locate the place where the fat has left the building, and I located my knees.  I have HATED my knees for years, because they were all covered up with this chunky-yucky fat.  However, I found them, and I love them!  Maybe, just maybe this summer I'll even forgo the capris and wear me some shorts!  Oooh!  It feels so good.  I love my knees, I love my knees!  Ok, but the thighs, butt, belly, chin, arms...are still missing.  I will report findings immediately upon discovery of those as well!

Last nights walk was great, however they closed at 5:00 so we were only able to walk 75 minutes instead of the 120 that I thought I would walk.  However, we speed-walked every 3rd lap.  It was a good workout too!  I am feeling the effects of it today.

Just about ready to have my coffee and toast and fruit.  Then I have to pack for me and my kids cuz they are doin an over night and I am off to the women's retreat.  So I will not be able to post later and I also won't be weighing in tomorrow.  So my next post will be on Sunday.

Looking forward to telling you how awesome the women's retreat was!  God bless you all!

Weight: 202.4!!!!!!!!!!!  I am very pleased!

Day 26 Part 2: How much water do we need?

How much water do we need a day?
Here is a calculator that can help you figure it out!
I found this helpful!