Day - 13 - Went Shopping!

 I missed a day of blogging yesterday.  Anthony and I had a date night and I decided not to come back into my office. A date night without food - it was great - my favorite kind. I actualy don't like to eat out. We went to a conference and it was fantastic - marriage changing. 

I have to say that I have not been perfect on the program this week - not even close!  And I feel it when I am not - back to full, bloated and sluggish. When I follow it, my stomach feels flat, empty and I see a difference in my clothes.

Today I decided to do some cloths shopping. It something I rarely do except when I speak or am going to be on TV.  I have a few events coming up so I thought I would venture out.  I went to NY and company. I own a lot of pants from there b/c they fit me and that's no easy task.  I have a small waist compared to my hips and thighs and its hard to find something that does not need to altered. Their clothes come in all different sizes, cuts and lenghts - and they are stretchy.

Rather than the stretchy pants I usually get I went for some dress pants - and I picked up a pair of jeans too. I only own one pair and its b/c they were given to me.  I have never found a pair that fit me well.

I picked up all size 6's which is what I usually wear in pants.  The waste was huge.  The lady brought me 4's - still big in the waist, but fit in the hips. Then she brought me the two's, they fit in the waist and were snugg in the hips.  4 more pounds and the two's will fit beautifully. I've never been a 2 in pants. I can wear a two in skirts.  Keep in mind these were a wide leg, but that was still a great feeling!

Today I did 10 on the elliptical, 40 minutes of lower body - mostly squats, lunges and cables and 35 minutes of cycling.

Ant is doing fantastic.  I don't think he's been off even once - and I can see a difference.  He is following the program to a T.  We went to an italian restaurant tonight and we both had the mixed greens.  I can't wait to show you his pics in 2 more weeks! 

I am ready and in need of the deep cleanse day tomorrow.

Day # 12 - Off the wagon.

Today started great with the usual shake and supplements. Then for lunch I had a piece of fish, cauliflower and a scoop of sweet potatoes - no butter.

I went for a  bike ride and 30 minutes out got a flat tire and had a neighbor drive me home.

Then around 2:00, Yoshie made a great salad and I just started to eat it and then it went down hill from there. I finished  Melina's mac and cheese (Amy's organic), had a hand full of nuts, then a bite of the kids granola bar.  It was back to the old ways of mindless picking on food. It reminded me of how terrible it felt and how horrible I feel when I over  feed.

Ant has been doing great following the  plan. He  feels fantastic and appears to be droping weight like crazy.

I have to get back on track tomorrow.  I still followed the program, just ate too much food - and foods that were not on the plan. The only thing I can think of is  that one day a  month when my progesterone is high I usually find myself unable to satisfy my cravings. I'm hoping that day was today and I am able to get  my tire fixed tomorrow and move on!

This was a good lesson in how not to eat and how great it feels to eat clean!

Day # 10 n- Talked to Dr Joe

Today I realized that people are starting to notice the change in Anthony and I and I had better start to do some more investigative work into the products. My first call was to Dr Joe Guarnera.  I had called him when Valerie first contacted me, but he was in Japan at a summit with some of the worlds leading nutrition scientists.  I caught him on the way to Utah for another conference with world leaders in nutrition. 

When I aske him about Isagenix, he was very familiar with it and knew the reserachers.  In his words, "It's a good company!  They have robust products and a robust product line".  He did not have any particular challenges with the products noting that b/c of the volume the company does, most all, but not quite all of the products are natural. He said they do use some synthetics, but its not a huge problem.  He noted that the products are all food based and he particularly likes the product b/c of the program that comes along with it. Its getting people healthy and stabilized. 

I trust Dr Joe with my families health and regard his opinion very highly. 

Today was another good day. I am feeling strong and energetic. I have not had the strength workouts I shoud, but that's my own fault.  I know if I was hitting the weights hard I would see even better retults.  Today I did some core ball work and 35 minutes of cycling.

I'm full from the evening shake. Still no cravings even though I could smell barbeque on my bike ride and Ant brought pizza home for the kids.

Day # 9 - first day tempted

Today it was nice to see 139.6 on the scale. Today was the first day someone asked me if I was losing weight. What a nice feeling.  I did about 20 minutes of leg work with the ladies then a 30 minute morning nap. I guess my energy is not as high as it usually is, or I am just giving in to more sleep b/c I know how much I need it and I don't get enough consecutive sleep.

Shakes and lunch were great, then around 3:30 when the kids came home, for some reason today being around their food was tempting to me.  The past 8 days I have stayed in the kitchen and watched them eat chicken parmagiana, pasta with meatballs, mac and cheese, bake cookies, pizza, etc. Today Nicholas had fish and Melina a broth based veggie soup and I just flet like pickign on something - not out of physiology, but just out of  habit or emotion.  I wound up giving  in some, but not on anything terrible. I was not thrilled about it, but skipped the evening shake to make up for anything extra.

I did get in my 50 minute bike ride, but it was more of a leasurely pace.  I have not had a real heavy weight workout since this started. I think tomorrow is the day.

Ant agrees he's acclimated and feeling good. 

Day # 8 - Week 1 behind us

This morning Ant weighed in 10  pounds lighter. He did some overzealous math the other morning, but 10 pounds is VERY good. He feels good and would be thrilled to continue at that pace.

I was 140.0 - so 3.8 pounds down which is good for me in 7 days.  Beats gaining any day. I will be thrilled to be in the 130's by tomorrow. 

Eating is not an issue at all. No cravings.  2 shakes a sensible lunch and inbetween 2 fruits (banana and blueberries today).  I did have a handful of nuts before a 20 mile bike ride tonight.

One comment we both made is that when you think of a "cleanse" you expect to spending a lot of  time in the bathroom. We have not done that - in fact, the opposite is true. I think we are going less!  Lots of liquid waste, but that's it. 

At least that does not have to be a concern for someone who is not near a bathroom all day.

We forge on!

Day # 7 - Deep Cleanse Day

Today was our first deep cleanse day. I woke up to an e-mail from Val saying we could include egg whites, raw veggies and almonds.  Anthony was thrilled.  Today we both opened up our Isagenix snacks.  Now when I say snacks don't get too excited. They are a wafer.  And when I say wafer, I am talking about a wafer about twice the size of "pez" that melts in your mouth.  We each had about 4 of those throughout the day.  We also tried one of the 1 citrus energy drinks today. They were sweet, but quenching.

The cleanse drink was not very tasty, but like other things I can get used to it and if something is good for me, I don't let taste hold me back. It did have a tropical berry flavor.  I remember the first time I tried frozen shark cartiledge. I thought I would never get used to that and I did.  This is not nearly as bad.  By the 4th glass I could handle it. 

I also had an isa-delight today - Ant had a few.  I had two handfuls of nuts throughout the day and some snap peas.

Ant made an egg white omlete with peppers, mushrooms and onions. He was in heaven. He was hoping for brisket, but is happy with his progress so far.

Today 10 minutes elliptical, 40 back, bi's and core, 35 cycling.

Over all easy to follow day.  We even took the kids to yogurt story and had no problem not having any. That's usually our treat. The kids are fine with us following the plan and drinking some of our meals.  We make it a point to eat as many of our meals together as possible. They are supportive. 

Tomorrow is weigh in day.  Week one is behind us. 3 to go!

Day # 6 Saturday

Today feels like just another day. I think this is the least I have focused on food in my life. I'm usually thinking about what my next meal will be and wondering how soon I will eat it.  I tend to eat mindlessly throughout the day on the impulse of any emotion.  Now I am more focused and productive.

Eating  lunch has been easy.  When we cook something it lasts for 3 days and we simply reheat it.  So far I've gone  through two different veggie stir fries. One with beans and one with ground turkey.  Monday we'll make something new.  Today's fruit was grapes and a banana.  10 minutes elliptial, 35 lower body strengthening, 35 cycling.

Anthony weighed in today and he's down 13 pounds from Monday - Saturday morning.  He has a lot to lose.  He was suprised and pleased.  Went from 287 to 274.

We just drank our second shake of the day which is out last meal until Monday morning.

Tomorrow is our first of 4 deep cleansing days and the end of week # 1.  We feel good about it.

Day # 5 - Thursday

I'm completely settled in with the program. It easy was easy to get started, easy to follow and now I don't even think about it.
Today fruits were an apple and grapes
I had an isadelight chocolate square at night.
Took the kids to the movies and did not have popcorn.  Took them out to eat with no temptation to eat in fact the food was a turn off.  Watching the lady at the table behind us spooning in fettichini alfredo was not at all appealing.

40 minute bike ride - workouts have been really light this week
Weighed in at 141.0

Anthony mentioned that he's in a good groove too. He feels like he's losing weight and is not hungry during the day.  He's off iced tea completely.

Day # 4 - Thursday

The Isagenix cleanse has been a piece of cake - minues the cake of course. Not one craving. I watched my kids eat pizza. I even cut and served it to them without wanting a bite. 
I was tired today, but I only slept 3.5 hours last night so that's to be expected!!!  I did take a 30 minute nap and it felt great.

For some reason today I felt bloated.  I also feel like I went to the bathroom a lot but nothing unusual.

For my fruit I had grapes and banana.

Lunch was a stir fry again with veggies and beans including soy beans.

20 minutes elliptical
40 mintues chest, tri's abs

Anthony is feeling much better on day # 4.  He's adjusted. No headaches.  He had turkey over salad for lunch.

We are anticipating  Sunday's first master cleanse day.  Should be just fine.

We each sampled one of the chocolate bites today.  I didn't even really feel like I needed it physically, but we just decided to try it.

I didn't get to my evening shake until 9:00 so I only had one scoop.

Weighed in at 141.6

Day # 3

I've got to say that this has been easy so far. Energy was good today although I did take a nap after camp.  I followed the same routine as the past two days.

The vitamins are very simple 2 in the morning (Natural accelerator and IsaFlush) and you are done for the day.  The Ionic supreme drink (1 - 2oz) is taken at the same time so that makes it simple for anyone.

I also added a scoop of Isagenix unflavored protein powder to the morning shake. Val informed me that its part of the Athletes 30 day cleanse.  Anthony was thrilled to thicken his shake up with the extra scoop!  His energy was better today.  He got in his lunch workout too!

Today's lunch was the same as the last 2 days, a bowl of veggies and beans.

Today's fruit was an apple and grapes.

I did a 40 minute bike ride and 20 minutes of total body calisthenics - body weight, 30 reps each.

Weighed in at 142.

I have not tried any of the snacks yet.  I haven't felt like I needed them.  4 more days to go until the first deep cleanse day.

Day # 2 - Sept 14th

Today I woke up tired and achy. My muscles were sore and I really did not do much the day before.  I taught camp and drove to the gym.  I did 30 minutes of chest, tris and a few abs.

Same routine as yesterday starting at 10:00 with the Isagenix drink and shake.  The shakes do taste good and are filling. I am using the chocolate in the morning and the vanilla in the evening.

Todays fruit was an apple and watermelon.

I did a 25 minute bike ride at 3:00

8 minutes on the elliptical at 7:00 PM

My energy picked up. The tiredness wore off.  I felt hungry at night, but no cravings.

Anthony woke up with a severe headache. He fell asleep in one of his meetings.  He had low energy tonight.
He did workout at lunch and had a salad with chicken.  He had 2 pieces of fruit.

Managed to bake choc chip cookies with the kids and not have even a lick of the spoon.

Plenty of water.

Weighed in at 143.3  = down 1/2 a pound so far.  Body fat was about the same.

Day # 1. Sept 13th

I am posting this a day after beginning, the 30 Day cleanse, but my experince is fresh in my mind.  I woke up and weighed in and took my measurements.  Keep in mind this was after 3 days in NYC and a weekend celebrating my husband's birthday - with 3 parties and lots of extra calories.

I weighed in at 143.8 and 18.9 % body fat.  Its probably been 2 years since I weighed in so I was not sure what to expect.

Today I taught boot camp - not a workout for me, but up early with some simple demo's and moving  around with the ladies. After getting the kids off to school I had a video I wanted to watch about Heaven so during the video I did some floor exercises, but nothing strenous. Mostly hip and core work.

10:00 I had took my 2 oz of Ionic Supreme and Isagenix vitamins and felt nausious.  I then had the morning Isagenix shake.

12:00 - stir fried veggies with beans

2:00 apple

4:00 banana

6:00 40 minute bike ride.

7:00 Isagenix shake.

Felt fine.  Not hungry, good energy.

Day # 1 no problem at all. 

Anthony had a headache that worsened as the day went on.

The Isagenix 30 Day Cleanse

My friend Valerie Pawlowski invited me to participate in the 30 Day Isagenix Cleanse. She swears by it and has used it with over 100 of her boot camp clients in Morris County New Jersey.  Valerie is so convinced in this product, not only does she personally use it (Valerie looks more amazing than ever), not only does she promote it to her clients, but she felt so strongly about it that she sent me the 30 day trial out of her own pocket.  AND, she sent a full 30 Day Isagenix Cleanse for my husband.

So, Valerie knows when I do something, I do it 100%.  I am committed to tracking my journey for the next 30 days.  Stay tuned for the transformation.