Is this the Answer?

I had this impression that if I removed gluten – if that was somehow offending my system – I should drop pounds. 

Right?    

The scale wasn’t moving.  The tape measure read the same.

Obviously, removing gluten wasn’t the “secret” to optimal body size & weight.

That was so disappointing.  I had continued for about 2 months, and definitely felt better digestion was happening.  No heartburn ever.  I used to experience that occasionally – especially when I over ate.  Also, when I ate ice cream.  With removing dairy that was eliminated.

That was really the major difference.  I didn’t feel bad when I started this process, so I didn’t feel an overwhelming rush of energy or general sense of well-being as a result of removing gluten.

I was eating better quality foods.  When I started this journey, I vowed to not just go to the “substitution route” with chemically created foods to replace my dairy or gluten products.

I really did want to see a change in the scale or tape measure. 

I Am Worth This Work,

Lisa

What's Your Sign ?

I love symbols.  They help me to stay focused. 

On my right wrist, I wear a “God Bless My Marine” rubber bracelet. I have worn it since my son’s marine boot camp graduation in February 2008.  It used to be red….now very faded.  I’ll wear it until his service is complete.

Before my daughter left for college, she gave me a beautiful silver bracelet that I also wear on my right wrist.  It helps me feel close to her, even though she’s not living home.

My yoga mat has a tree on it.  The tree is a popular yoga pose.  That tree helps me focus on my strength, balance & stamina during class.  When I feel like releasing a pose, I focus on that tree.

Reminds me of a t-shirt I came across.  

Advice From A Tree 

 Stand Tall and Proud, Sink Your Roots Deep into the Earth

Be Content with Your Natural Beauty, Go Out on a Limb

Drink Plenty of Water, Remember Your Roots,

Enjoy the View !

I Am Worth This Work !

Onward,

Lisa

Countdown.....

      

          14……

          12…...

          10 !

When I started this process I was wearing size 14 jeans.  Then I shopped in my closet for the size 12, when the size 14 became too baggy.  Recently the comments regarding my baggy pants have increased.  Time to take action.

Today I bought a new pair…..size 10!

Why did I only buy one pair?

I’m not stopping here.  This is a process.  I thought I would ride out the baggy jeans with summer clothes…however snow on April 1^st made me rethink my strategy.

Reminds me of a statement I’ve heard….”It’s about goal jeans.”

I Am Worth This Work !

Onward,

Lisa

Getting Moving.....

Throughout these past couple of weeks, I just haven’t been able to get myself to yoga class, do my callanetics tape……one day I barely got off the couch.  I just wanted to bury my head under the covers for a day….so I did.

My BFF acknowledged all that has been happening….she gave me the ok….for a day.  

Over the next few days, I got out for a little walk, did a portion of a yoga tape over a couple of days….started moving again.

What a difference! 

I felt clearer.

I felt more energized. 

I felt less stressed.

Now I’ve been getting back to yoga class.  I’ve been getting out for longer walks

like this one my husband and I took on Friday.

74 degrees!   Yes, that is snow you see over my shoulder.  

Got to love that juxtaposition!

I Am Worth This Work!

Onward,

Lisa

Stress.....

Funny cartoon…right? 

Except when it’s you.  I am trying to manage my stress.  It’s the reason I’ve been hiding out.  It’s the way I deal…..go inside.  I am trying to change that.

So what’s been going on with this emotional eater while I’ve been feeling the stress these past few weeks?

I’ve continued Cinch’ ing every morning and often for lunch.  

I’ve eaten a normal dinner – leaning towards those comfort foods.  More cheese please!

I’ve continued to lessen my salt by replacing with garlic, spicy garlic with chili’s, hot pepper flakes & jalapenos.  (Seeing a pattern?  Lol)

What haven’t I done? 

Not even once. 

I did not dive into a bag of cookies and come up when they are gone.  Not that I didn’t want to.  I could have, but I refused to buy any.   

I consider that a SUCCESS!

I Am Worth This Work!

Onward,

Lisa

Ollie, Ollie Oxen Free!

Here I am !

Have you been wondering?  I don’t blame you.

Here I am ! 

Still on this journey.

I found in order to continue I needed to take some things off my plate. (Pun Intended) 

Here I am !!!

I Am Worth This Work!

Onward,

Lisa

Outside!

We took the opportunity of a beautiful February Day to get outside! 

After a long week on our house project, anywhere but Home Depot would have worked. 

We headed to two of our favorite “nice weather” motorcycle stops.  

Bull’s Bridge & Kent Falls in Kent were both GORGEOUS

with all the water running through the ice .

Upstream from Bull's Bridge

Kent Falls behind us.

There is something about being in the outdoors that just makes you go “AAAAAAHHHH!”

I am so glad we took advantage of the day.  What a great boost to the week!

I Am Worth This Work!

Onward,

Lisa

Slow & Steady......

Slow & Steady Wins the Race

Lose Slowly, Lose Permanently

Lose Quickly, Put it on Quickly

If you work harder for it, you’ll appreciate it more.

That’s what they say.  That’s what I prefer to believe.  

I am on a journey and it is one step (pound or inch) at a time.

Here are my results after 5 weeks.

Total Weight Loss   - 5.5 lbs

Inch loss                  -10 ¾ inches

That’s includes a total 2 ½ inches off my waist and 3 inches off my hips !!!!!!!

Am I disappointed that I am not dropping loads of pounds & inches by this time?

I am not.

If I am being realistic, my food changes are minimal.  I was far along the path of eating well already.  If I was at the beginning….just now eliminating sodas, fast food & things like donuts etc……the early changes would have shown larger results.

I am thrilled with my results and that every week the work I am doing is pushing me forward in the direction of my goal.

I Am Worth This Work!

Onward,

Lisa



S T R E S S ! ! !

What a week!

With my husband unemployed, we (as if I did it-lol) decided to tackle a large home project. 

Re-plumbing the house we live in.

It was actually not too bad, until we got to the shower stall replacement.  Let’s just say it didn’t go exactly as planned and there were many, many trips back to Home Depot.

Usually, under stress I would eat!  

Well, I didn’t do that.  

I also didn’t do yoga, do callanetics or any daily practice.  

I didn’t weigh myself or measure.

Isn’t it interesting that the very things that would help me to deal with my stress –

------I found excuses to avoid.  

I did pay attention to my eating and used my Cinch products.

Well, that week is done.  (Construction is not complete.)

Time to Re-Start.

I Am Worth This Work!

Onward,

Lisa

Next Steps

Yesterday I talked about how there is so much more than calories in/calories out to this process for me.

I know this is going to take work.

How can I make this easier?  For now, I am going to limit the variables for me.

Luckily, I have access to these awesome Cinch products.  I will be following the Cinch Inch Loss Program, while combining my work in the Just 10 LBS process.  

What exactly does that mean?

I am going to maintain my practice of yoga, callanetics, & walking. 

I am going to faithfully follow my Just 10 LBS book & workbook.

I am going to follow the Cinch Inch Loss program by using the Cinch products to replace 2 meals a day.  

I am going to diary that through the Cinch Wellness Website ( Included with the Free with the Cinch Sampler Pack available with a New Shaklee Membership), to easily track that I am eating adequate levels of nutrients.  I kow if I am not diligent, I fall short on my protein.

I am going to join the support group at http://www.just10diet.com/

The link to the Just 10 LBS book is on the right side of the page.  Feel free to follow the hyperlinks to the Cinch products.  I will be using Ultra Cinch (currently use 3 consectutive months on auto-ship and get the 4^th month FREE!)  New members will also get the Cinch Sampler Pack and 3 months FREE access to  cinchwellness.com.

Thanks for following my journey.

I Am Worth This Work!

Onward,

Lisa

Peanut Butter in my Chocolate ?

Yes ! 

This morning for breakfast I had a Chocolate Cinch Shake with a ½ tblsp of peanut butter, 8 oz. of soy milk & a handful of ice cubes.  YUMMY !!

I love how I can work with variety while having a quick, high quality, nutritious, protein filled breakfast every morning.

The Cinch Shakes come in Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry & Café Latte.  Personally, I stick with the Vanilla & Chocolate. 

If I want:

Strawberry -  I add some frozen strawberries to the vanilla.

Chocolate covered Strawberry – I add frozen strawberries to the chocolate.

Latte flavor – a ½ teaspoon instant coffee to either the vanilla or the chocolate.

EggNog  - add some nutmeg to the vanilla

There are an endless amount of options.  If you want to give them a try, visit http://healthmatters4u.myshaklee.com/us/en/category.php?main_cat=WeightManagement&sub_cat=CinchShakes

Choose 2 canisters of your choice, become a member at checkout for 15% savings and for a limited time, they’ll include another $100 worth of Cinch products.  

By the way, I have dropped another 1.5 lbs!  

Check back later in the week for measurements.

I Am Worth This Work!

Onward,

Lisa

Yummy Breakfast on a Busy Sunday

I was off to yoga first thing this morning.  I love when I get to start my day early with with yoga. 

Check out this mornings breakfast - 



Vanilla Cinch shake with mixed frozen berries. 
YUMMY !!



I have a busy day working a table at a health fair.  I have packed another Cinch shake to give me a nutritious lunch and give me the energy to be on my feet talking to people all afternoon.  I made this one with Vanilla Cinch Shake with a ½ tsp of instant coffee.  Just enough “latte” flavor for me to mix it up!  I am glad I have this option to make sure I am getting a low glycemic, high protein, nutrient dense meal on the go.

The *Buy One, Get One FREE Cinch Sampler Pack is still available through January 31^st . 
That's a whole month's worth of breakfasts plus tea & snack bars.

http://healthmatters4u.myshaklee.com/us/en/products.php?sku=59718

*Special for new Shaklee members only.  Current members can purchase the sampler pack.

I Am Worth the Work!

Onward,
Lisa

Show Me The Numbers

I started my day with another round of Callanetics.  Hmmm…..Let’s just say those stomach moves have not gotten any easier.  They were a bit more challenging this morning – you know you are working when you are doing those.  Since some people are not familiar with this program and have asked me questions, I found a youtube clip of one of the exercises. 

It is more difficult than it looks.  Most moves are done to a count of 100.  That’s Callan Pinkney, the developer of Callanetics,  in the clip.  At the time, she was 46 years old – my age now.

So you’ve probably been wondering what my numbers are looking like. 

After a week here they are!

Weight       -1 lb

Body Fat    -0.5%

Inches         -2 ¼ inches

Of course I’d love to see a larger move in the scale, but look at those inches (1/2 inch off my waist alone ) & decrease in Body Fat. 

I Am Worth This Work!

Onward,

Lisa

Day 1

Well here we are on Day 1. 

I told you I would share it all.  Today I am going to share my beginning stats.  I'm feeling very vulnerable as I put this out here.  So.......Deep Breath.....Here goes.

Height             5' 7"
Weight           174 lbs
BodyFat          33.5%

And here's the begining measurements. 

Bust     39"
Waist   32"
Hips     42"

Thigh   L 20"            R 20 3/8"
Arm     L 11 3/4"     R  11 1/2"

I am off to start my day, a moving meditation then breakfast, including my multivitamin.  These are the vitamins that Brad Lamm recommends on his website.  I use the Vitalizer with Iron.

http://healthmatters4u.myshaklee.com/us/en/category.php?main_cat=Nutrition&sub_cat=Foundation

For a limited time you will receive a FREE sampling of the Cinch Meal Replacement products recommended in Just 10 LBS, with a Vitalizer purchase and Shaklee membership.  That's over $100 Value.

Appreciating your support.

Onward,
Lisa

Getting Ready!

Well, I am getting ready to make a transformation in 2011.  It's past mid January already and I have some goals for this year.  One of them is to reclaim what I want to weigh & how I want to look. 

I know it's not like this.

My first child is getting married in just over a year.....I know how I want to look and feel on his special day.

I'm 46 years old !  If not now, when?

I am fortunate that I was led to Brad Lamm's Just 10 LBS.  I will be following his 10 easy steps.   

Get ready for Day 1.

Onward,

Lisa