My way to happiness

Found this article and thought I share it with you guys

http://trimnasium.com/2008/12/2-ways-to-avoid-weight-loss-plateaus/

 December 31, 2008 · Posted in Workout Plans 

Your body is smarter than you when it comes to survival. No offense meant, but your body is really in charge here. In the face of great pain or injury, your body will send you unconscious while it works to repair the damage and return to homeostasis. Our body is super-geared toward survival through millions of years of evolution. The body wants to get proficient at the things you do habitually so that you burn the least amount of calories doing those things. It’s a survival technique inherited from our ancestors and it allows us to maintain our body fat reserves for times of scarcity.

Does this help when it comes to body fat loss? Not so much. There are two things crucial to continuing your success in losing body fat: providing the right environment for change inside your body; and maintaining a caloric deficit through exercise and food intake.

Make your body a happy home

Creating that environment entails a number of elements. You should be sure to get enough rest, drink enough water, eat enough nutrients (including a healthy balance of protein, fats, and carbohydrates, as well as micronutrients like vitamins and minerals), and you need to deal with stress properly. Although the first thing I would suggest for dealing with stress would be yoga, any number of relaxation methods can work.

With the right environment inside your body for change, you can achieve your weight loss goals. If you’re dehydrated, lacking in one or many vitamins or minerals, stressed out, or not sleeping, you’re body is going to head into that proverbial ’survival mode’ that hinders fat loss to prepare for possible worse times ahead. So give your body a fighting chance. You’ll be surprised how easy it can be if you focus yourself on being nice to your body.

Keep your body guessing

Your workout program for achieving your weight loss goal should always be a bit challenging. Start easy and be sure to stretch, perform regular cardio exercise, and do resistance training exercises starting with bodyweight exercises like squats, lunges, push-ups, pull-ups, and crunches. Oh, believe me, there are tons of exercises you can do without any additional equipment. Ever done the Burpee? Ha. Try 10 to start with.

 http://trimnasium.com/2008/12/2-ways-to-avoid-weight-loss-plateaus/ (there is a video on the site, I tried posting it but couldn’t figure it out )

Every 3-4 weeks, you’ll want to change up your workout and essentially make it all a bit harder, or at least significantly different that what you’ve been doing. If your body doesn’t have time to get used to a workout, you’ll continue to burn maximum calories during and (more importantly) after your workout.

The “F.I.T.T. Principle” is something that will help you when it comes time to change up your program every month. The variables of your workout program are:

Frequency - How often you work out can be increased somewhat, but this is usually the last thing you will want to increase. There isn’t a need to work out every day, and in fact; your body needs time to repair and rebuild tissue that you damaged while working out. Overwork yourself and you’ll end up with a cold or an injury. Give yourself 1-3 days of rest per week, and be careful doubling up on workouts in the same day too much. But, by all means, do it when you can and if you’d like. Just don’t over-do it.

Intensity - This could mean trying out the ‘fatburn’ setting on that elliptical trainer you like so much, or increasing the weight in your resistance program. Try doing your standing exercises on one leg, or with one eye closed, or standing on a BOSU trainer. There can be simple ways of increasing the intensity of your exercises. Watch the personal trainers in your gym. You can usually pick up on some creative exercises while watching them with their clients or in their own workouts.

Time - This is the length of each workout - at first you may only be doing 20 minute sessions of cardio, but your workouts shouldn’t really be over an hour in length at any point. You can’t really keep enough glucose in your blood for longer than an hour, so you run the risk of putting yourself into a catabolic state, where you’re burning off more muscle. Go for a harder before you choose a longer one. Quality, not quantity, matters the most.

Type - Some people really get attached to one piece of cardio equipment, but I get bored easily. I think everyone gets tired of sticking to a cardio program at some point. Even your trainer doesn’t wake up feeling like working out every morning. I love new classes, new workouts, newly invented equipment, and innovative exercises. If you’re interested in some new types of workouts, I suggest you try them wholeheartedly. You will cross-train your body and strengthen your neuro-muscular connections in new ways. You’ll burn more calories and you’ll be more prepared to take on even more new workouts. It’s an upward spiral that can easily lead you to your success. I love seeing bodybuilders doing plyometrics and marathon runners in the weight room. My heart swells to see football players in yoga class and grapplers in pilates groups. I’m reminded of Dolly Parton’s character in Steel Magnolias when she said, “Honey, God don’t care which church you go to, long as you show up!” Well, calories don’t care either, so get up and burn some, however you can.

There are some other things you can try to continue to burn the most calories - like working out at a different time of the day. Get a workout partner and push each other. You’ll see that working out with someone else pushes you just that extra bit harder. Join a charity walk, run, swim, bike, or hike. Keep in good posture throughout all your daily activities. Take your niece or nephew to the park and run around with them. Think of new ways to burn calories at certain points in your day and you may find that you have more opportunities than you think.

Remember, you can do it. You have many free resources at your disposal and as long as you keep the will to reach that goal and live healthier, you’ll get there.

I was a member of Jillians site once and still receive her email every now and then.  I really liked this one and thought I share it with you guys

Move It to Lose It
Know someone who’s getting amazing results from an insanely low calorie diet? It may be tempting to try severely restricting your calories to lose weight fast, but don’t even think about it! The reality is that very few of us can stay on those kinds of crazy diets for more than a couple of weeks. And to make things worse, most people on starvation diets gain back all of the weight (and more) just a few months later.

In weight-loss terms, fat is energy and the best way to lose it is to use it. You have to do it with diet and exercise. If you diet without exercise, the majority of your weight loss will be from muscle. The minute you stray from your diet, the weight will come right back.

The only way to lose it for good is to get moving! Exercise not only helps you burn calories, it also helps build, strengthen, and maintain lean muscle. Exercise has another benefit called “afterburn.” A great cardio routine keeps burning fat not just during your workout, but for hours afterward. Not bad, eh?

Doing any kind of physical activity is healthier than sitting on the couch downing a bag of chips. Activities like bowling and golf burn calories, but not enough. To see dramatic weight loss, you must do cardio. Cardio is defined as any activity that is rhythmic, continuous and requires large muscles like the legs, back and chest. While bowling and golf get you moving, the action is stop and start. There’s no reason to give up those hobbies, just be aware that you must put in time on the treadmill (or some other cardio activity) as well.

GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY!

READING BLOGS AND COMMENTS I SEE THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE JUST DON’T HAVE THE TIME TO EXERCISE. WITH WORK AND EVERYTHING ELSE GOING ON IN LIFE IT’S SOMETIMES HARD TO SQUEEZE IN SOME TIME FOR WORKOUTS. I FOUND THIS ARTICLE AND THOUGHT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED.
I HOPE THIS HELPS TO GET SOME IDEAS FOR SOME QUICK WORKOUTS WHEN THERE IS NO TIME. IF YOU DON’T LIKE ANY OF THEM GO FOR A WALK, A JOG, DO JUMPING JACKS, DANCING….DO WHATEVER YOU ENJOY DOING. IMPORTANT IS THAT YOU KEEP MOVING!
A Quick 15-Minute Workout At Home That Works!

All of us aim to stay fit, but more often than not, its hard to find time to go to a gym for a workout. I face this problem myself, and this is when a quick yet effective full-body workout comes to my rescue. I learnt this during my weight-loss programme, and it has been one of the most effective workout routines I know of! Whether you are looking to lose a few pounds, burn fat around your tummy, or simply need a simple, quick yet effective total-body workout to keep you fit & flexible, the following exercises will definitely work for you! This workout needs 15 mins, plus some resting time, and I generally try to follow it three to five times per week. It keeps me agile, keeps my metabolism high, and is great for overall toning and flexibility. Add a 20 minute rigorous cardio on a treadmill or stepper, and you don’t even need a gym membership![Exercises Source Credit: eDiets.com]Perform each exercise in succession, and repeat the entire routine 2 times. Try to target 15-20 repetitions per exercise, in 2-3 sets each. Start slow, with 15 reps at first, till you can easily complete 25 without feeling tired.

Way to many people give up and drop out of challenges lately. Please don’t forget that gaining weight is just as much part of this journey as losing it is. We are in this together. Don’t feel disincouraged or embarrest because you’ve gained. Some people say: “I didn’t think I would be much help, I’ve gained.” We all go thru up and downs. And sharing the experience we make while on this journey, no matter if it’s good or bad will help us all to finally make it to our goal.

 Love you all! ((HUGS))

I came across this interesting article and thought I share it with you guys. Most of you probably seen it on AOL Health, if not…here it is: (Nancy’s Goji berries & apples are on the list 

Eggs

Dig into eggs, yolks and all: They won’t harm your heart, but they can help you trim inches. Women on a low-calorie diet who ate an egg with toast and jelly each morning lost twice as many pounds as those who had a bagel breakfast with the same number of calories but no eggs, a study from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge reports. “Egg protein is filling, so you eat less later in the day,” says David Grotto, R.D., author of 101 Foods That Could Save Your Life (Bantam).

Eat more: Omelettes and scrambles are obvious choices, but if you can’t cook before work, bake a frittata on Sunday; chill it and nuke slices for up to a week.

Steak

Beef has a rep as a diet buster, but eating it may help you peel off pounds. In a study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, women on a diet that included red meat lost more weight than those eating equal calories but little beef. “The protein in steak helps you retain muscle mass during weight loss,” says study author Manny Noakes, Ph.D. Try to consume local organic beef; it’s healthier for you and the environment.

Eat more: Grill or broil a 4-ounce serving of top round or sirloin; slice thinly to top a salad, or mix with veggies for fajitas.

Kale

Long sidelined as a lowly garnish, this green belongs center stage on your plate. One raw, chopped cup contains 34 calories and about 1.3 grams of fiber, as well as a hearty helping of iron and calcium. But kale’s earthy flavor might take some getting used to. Spinach, another nutrient powerhouse, is a milder-tasting option.

Eat more: Mix chopped, raw kale into cooked black beans, says Jennifer Iserloh, founder of Skinny Chef Culinary Ventures in New York City. Or slice kale into thin strips, sauté it with vegetable broth and top with orange slices. Make it a meal by tossing the mix with quinoa.

Oats

“Oatmeal has the highest satiety ranking of any food,” Grotto says. “Unlike many other carbohydrates, oats — even the instant kind — digest slowly, so they have little impact on your blood sugar.” All oats are healthful, but the steel-cut and rolled varieties (which are minimally processed) have up to 5 grams of fiber per serving, making them the most filling choice. Instant oats contain 3 to 4 grams per serving. 

Eat more: “Instead of using breadcrumbs, add oats to meat loaf — about 1 cup for a recipe that serves eight,” Iserloh recommends. Or try her recipe for turkey and oatmeal meatballs.

Lentils 

Lentils are a bona fide belly flattener. “They’re high in protein and soluble fiber, two nutrients that stabilize blood sugar levels,” says Tanya Zuckerbrot, R.D., author of The F-Factor Diet (Putnam Adult). “Eating them helps prevent insulin spikes that cause your body to create excess fat, especially in the abdominal area.”

Eat more: There are many varieties of lentils, but red and yellow cook fastest (in about 15 to 20 minutes). Add cooked lentils to pasta sauce for a heartier dish, Zuckerbrot suggests. “Their mild flavor blends right in, and because they’re high in protein, you can skip meat altogether.”

Goji berries 

These chewy, tart berries have a hunger-curbing edge over other fruit: 18 amino acids, which make them a surprising source of protein, says chef Sarah Krieger, R.D., spokeswoman in St. Petersburg, Florida, for the American Dietetic Association. (They also have more beta carotene than carrots.) Snack on them mid-afternoon to stay satisfied until dinner. The calorie cost? Only 35 per tablespoon.

Eat more: Mix 1/4 cup of the dried berries (from health food stores) with 1/4 cup raisins and 1/4 cup walnuts for a nourishing trail mix. Or for dessert, pour 1/4 cup boiling water into a bowl with 2 tbsp. dried berries; let sit 10 minutes. Drain, then spoon over 1/2 cup low-fat vanilla frozen yogurt.

Wild salmon

Not only do fish fats keep your heart healthy, they shrink your waist, too. “Omega-3 fatty acids improve insulin sensitivity — which helps build muscle and decrease belly fat,” Grotto explains. And the more muscle you have, the more calories your body burns. Opt for wild salmon; it may contain fewer pollutants. 

Eat more: You don’t need to do much to enhance salmon’s taste, says Sidra Forman, a chef and writer in Washington, D.C. “Simple is best. Season a fillet with salt and pepper, then cook it in a hot pan with 2 tsp, oil for one to three minutes on each side.”

Apples 

An apple a day can keep weight gain at bay, finds a study from Penn State University at University Park. People who chomped an apple before a pasta meal ate fewer calories overall than those who had a different snack. “Apples are high in fiber — 4 to 5 grams each –which makes them filling,” says Susan Kraus, R.D., a clinical dietitian at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey. Plus, the antioxidants in apples may help prevent metabolic syndrome, a condition marked by excess belly fat or an “apple shape.”

Eat more: Apples are the ideal on-the-go low-calorie snack. For a pie-like treat, chop up a medium apple and sprinkle with 1/2 tsp. allspice and ½. tsp cinnamon. Pop in the microwave for 1 1/2 minutes.

Buckwheat pasta

Swap plain noodles for this hearty variety; you’ll slip into your skinny jeans in no time. “Buckwheat is high in fiber and, unlike most carbs, contains protein,” Zuckerbrot says. “Those two nutrients make it very satiating, so it’s harder to overeat buckwheat pasta than the regular stuff.”

Eat more: Cook this pasta as you do rice: Simmer it, covered, over low heat. For a light meal, toss cooked buckwheat pasta with broccoli, carrots, mushrooms and onions. Or make buckwheat crepes using our tasty recipe.

Blueberries

All berries are good for you, but those with a blue hue are among the best of the bunch. They have the highest antioxidant level of all commonly consumed fruit, according to research from the USDA Agriculture Research Service in Little Rock, Arkansas. They also deliver 3.6 grams of fiber per cup. “Fiber may actually prevent some of the fat you eat from being absorbed because fiber pulls fat through the digestive tract,” Zuckerbrot says.

Eat more: Instead of topping your cereal with fruit, fill your bowl with blueberries, then sprinkle cereal on top and add milk or yogurt, Iserloh recommends.

Almond butter

Adding this spread may lower bread’s glycemic index (a measure of a food’s effect on blood sugar). A study from the University of Toronto found that people who ate almonds with white bread didn’t experience the same blood sugar surges as those who ate only the slice. “The higher blood sugar levels rise, the lower they fall; that dip leads to hunger, causing people to overeat,” says study author Cyril Kendall, Ph.D. “Furthermore, blood sugar changes cause the body to make insulin, which can increase abdominal fat.”

Eat more: Try it for a change from peanut butter in sandwiches, or make a veggie dip: Mix 1 tbsp. almond butter with 2 tbsp. fat-free plain yogurt, Iserloh suggests. Or add a dollop to oatmeal for flavor and protein.

Pomegranates

The juice gets all the hype for being healthy, but pomegranate seeds deserve their own spotlight. In addition to being loaded with folate and disease-fighting antioxidants, they’re low in calories and high in fiber, so they satisfy your sweet tooth without blowing your diet, Krieger says.

Eat more: Pop the raw seeds on their own (many grocery stores sell them pre-shucked) as a snack at your desk. “Use them in salads instead of nuts,” Iserloh says. “They’re especially delicious on raw baby spinach with lemon-poppy seed dressing.”

Chiles

One reason to spice up your meals: You’ll crank up your metabolism. “A compound in chiles called capsaicin has a thermogenic effect, meaning it causes the body to burn extra calories for 20 minutes after you eat the chiles,” Zuckerbrot explains. Plus, “you can’t gulp down spicy food,” she adds. “Eating slowly gives your brain time to register that your stomach is full, so you won’t overeat.”

Eat more: Stuff chiles with cooked quinoa and marinara sauce, then roast them. To mellow a chile’s heat, grill it until it’s almost black, peel off charred skin and puree the flesh, Krieger says. Add the puree to pasta sauces for a one-alarm kick. Or stir red pepper flakes into any dish you enjoy.

Yogurt

Dietitians often refer to plain yogurt as the perfect food, and for good reason: With its trifecta of carbs, protein and fat, it can stave off hunger by keeping blood sugar levels steady. In a study from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, people on a low-calorie diet that included yogurt lost 61 percent more fat overall and 81 percent more belly fat than those on a similar plan without yogurt.

Eat more: “Use low-fat plain yogurt instead of mayonnaise in chicken or potato salad, or top a baked potato with a bit of yogurt and a squeeze of lemon juice,” Krieger says. You’ll save 4.7 grams of fat per tablespoon. Look for Greek yogurt, which has more protein than other versions.

Quinoa

Curbing hunger is as easy as piling your plate with this whole grain. It packs both fiber (2.6 grams per 1/2 cup) and protein, a stellar nutrient combo that can keep you satisfied for hours, Krieger says.

Eat more: Serve quinoa instead of rice with stir-fries, or try Krieger’s take on a scrumptious hot breakfast: Cook 1/2 cup quinoa in 2/3 cup water and 1/3 cup orange juice for 15 minutes. Top with 1 tbsp. each of raisins and chopped walnuts.

Sardines 

These tiny fish are the unsung stars of the sea. They are high in protein and loaded with omega-3s, which also help the body maintain muscle. And they’re low in mercury and high in calcium, making them a smart fish pick for pregnant women. If the flavor doesn’t appeal to you, “Soak them in milk for an hour; it will remove any trace of fishiness,” Iserloh says.

Eat more: “Use sardines in recipes you like that call for anchovies, including Caesar salad and stuffing,” Iserloh says. Or make a sardine melt: Toss whole sardines with chopped onions, fresh herbs and diced bell peppers. Put the mixture on top of a slice of pumpernickel or rye bread, cover with a slice of cheddar and broil.

Tarragon

You can use this herb, a staple in French cooking, in place of salt in marinades and salad dressings. Excess sodium causes your body to retain water, so using less salt can keep bloating at bay. Plus, tarragon lends a sweet, licorice-like flavor to bland foods. (Use the French version of the herb when possible; it’s sweeter than other varieties.)

Eat more: Rub 2 tbsp. dried tarragon on chicken before baking or grilling. Or make a tasty dip by mixing 1 tsp. chopped fresh tarragon into 4 ounces low-fat plain yogurt and 1 tsp. Dijon mustard, recommends Jacquelyn Buchanan, director of culinary development at Laura Chenel’s Chèvre, a fromagerie in Sonoma, California.

Parmesan

Drop that rubbery low-fat cheese and pick up the real stuff. Women who had one serving of whole milk or cheese daily were less likely to gain weight over time, a study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition finds. Low-fat dairy fans didn’t experience the same benefit. Whole dairy may have more conjugated linoleic acid, which might help your body burn fat. “Parmesan is so flavorful, it’s easy to stick to one serving,” Buchanan says.

Eat more: “Grate Parmesan over roasted vegetables,” Buchanan offers. Or snack on a 1-ounce portion with an apple or a pear.

Avocado

Don’t let the fat content of an avocado (29 grams) scare you — that’s what makes it a top weight-loss food, Kraus says. “The heart-healthy monounsaturated fat it contains increases satiety,” she says. And it’s a terrific summer party food.

Eat more: Add avocado to your sandwich instead of mayo for a creamy texture and a shot of flavor. Avocados do contain a lot of calories, so it’s best to watch your portions. One easy way to do it: Try Wholly Guacamole’s 100-calorie fresh guacamole packs ($3; grocery stores or WhollyGuac.com). They’re easy to pack in your lunch and pair with chopped vegetables.

Olive oil 

Like avocados, olive oil has healthy fat that increases satiety, taming your appetite. But that’s hardly its only slimming feature. “Research shows it has anti-inflammatory properties,” Kraus says. Chronic inflammation in the body is linked to metabolic syndrome.

Eat more: Drizzle your salad with olive oil, and you’ll increase the antioxidant power of your veggies, a study published in the British Journal of Nutrition notes. Or toss pasta with a few teaspoons of olive oil, fresh basil and sautéed garlic, Kraus suggests. Add this oil to your summer menus for a flatter tummy by fall.

(I didn’t write the list, just got from the article here:http://www.aolhealth.com/healthy-living/longevity/weight-loss-superfoods)

For the second time since I been here I read a blog where the person was really upset and got nasty towards all the other people here on the site. If you are one of the people who feel left out, please don’t. If you have problems or feel misunderstood or you feel ignored please let the rest of us know and don’t just write a nasty blog and then leave. That’s not how you solve problems. I for one (and I know I am not the only one) would love to be here for each and every single person on that site. But that is just not possible. I would love to have the time to comment on every single blog but I can’t. I do however make sure that I comment to all the blogs my buddies write. (Even there I am sure if miss some) I don’t get a lot of comments on my few blogs, so what. That’s not why I write them. I write them to put my thoughts down. I am happy if somebody response, but if not then so be it. It doesn’t mean that people don’t like me or don’t care about me, it just means that either they can not rely to what I had to “say” or they don’t know what to write, or they don’t have the time. No comments or less comments doesn’t mean nobody cares. Please, don’t just run off, put it out there and let the rest of us know that you would love to have a little bit more attention than you get and we will work on us to change it. We are here because we don’t want to be alone in the struggle anymore so lets do it together. Nobody is being left out on purpose. If we make mistakes you have to let us know and give us the chance to change it. 

Love!

I think I might actually do it this time. For the first time ever in all of my 1000+ ”New Beginnings” I never stuck to it for so long. I don’t want to get to excited to soon as I am still affraid that I will fail again. This site and everybody here made such a big difference in my journey this time. I know if it wasn’t for all you guys here I would’ve given up a long time ago. Not only am I still sticking to the “program” I am actually still really excited about working out, eating healhty…living healthy. Having people around you that are going thru the same struggles you do makes it so much easier. Before I was always alone in it and had nobody who understood where I came from or why I can’t stick to a diet. Even though my husband was always there for me, but he is skinny and doesn’t know anything from being overweight. He couldn’t understand why I failed so many times and not just stuck to it. People here know it, went thru it and still going thru it. People here failed, started over, failed, started over and in the end I know we all will succeed in it. I am so happy right now and I am proud of myself for still going strong!

Thanks to each and every one of you guys! Love you all!

Well, Day 2 (Pre-cleanse day) and I am still hanging in there. It’s not easy but worth it. The program is suppose to clean all the toxin out of your body and a nice side effect is weight loss. Not going to argue with that

 I did it before and lost 11 lbs in 9 days! Gained them back in no time because I went right back to my old eating habits afterwards. This time I am planing on keeping off whatever I am losing. I am nervous about tomorrow and Thursday. I can’t eat anything but some snacks and I remember how hard that was. Also the stuff you have to drink doesn’t taste great either. Trying to stay positive and hoping that I can make it thru the 11 days. I have to take it easier on the cardio because of the low calorie intake during this time though. O well there is plenty more exercising I can do. 

2 days down 9 more to go…..   

Day 3: First cleanse day. Meaning no food but these little snacks that come with the program and a few almonds if you can’t stand it anymore and as if that isn’t enough you have to drink that nasty tasting stuff. On the positive site I was also allowed one snack like one boiled egg or two stalks of celery… if I get to hungry. I had one boiled egg. Took it to work in case I really needed to eat something. I was hovering over that egg like it’s made out of gold. Wanted to make sure it didn’t disappear. I kept it all day thinking that could be my dinner. And it was the best dinner I ever had. Didn’t know that a boiled egg can taste that yummy.

3 Days down and 8 more to go! 

Day 4: Second cleanse day! It’s seem like the second day was easier than the first cleanse day. I guess the body gets used to it. Kept strong and stuck to the plan! I did had some almonds (one of the snacks you are allowed to have if needed). Eating the almonds made a big difference for me. I felt so low on energy, but after eating a few almonds I felt better. Had training today with my trainer. I did some cardio on the treadmill before my training started, but took it easier then I normally do. During training we didn’t do any cardio, but did heavier weights instead. I did had a little more energy than the days before. Guess the body is starting to react to the cleanse and the part where you get energized gets started.  I did step on the scale (just had to to keep me sane) 4 lbs since Monday. Saturday morning is my weigh in. Tomorrow I start having the shakes again twice a day and can have one healthy meal per day. Hopefully the weight stays off and doesn’t come back once I start eating again. Lets see!

4 days down and 7 more to go!

Day 5 - 9: (Shake days) So far so good! It was hard over the weekend to get all the “snacks” in on time. I missed a few, but now that I am back to work I am right back on schedule. I feel great and full of energy. But don’t have a lot of power. I can feel during cardio that the food is not enough for a hard cardio work out so I take it easy until I am finished with the program. Tomorrow and Thursday are the last two days but also these are cleanse days. Meaning no eating but snacks. Not looking forward to it at all. But I can do it.

9 days down and 2 more to go

Day 10-11: (Cleanse days) Oh boy two more cleanse days. I don’t like them. It seem though that the last two days were easier then the first. I ate all my snacks and one boilded egg for dinner. Didn’t feel as hungry as I did the first round of cleanse days.

I made it!!! 

I am so happy that I finished all 11 days. Didn’t loose as much as the last time but that can have lot’s of reasons. For once I started eating healthy and losing weight before I started the program. The last time I used the program as a start for my “diet” so I think I might last a lot of water weight back then. Second, TOM….came just in time for weigh in…as always. Third, I have less to lose in total then I did the last time. All in all I am happy and the cleanse is not really for losing weight but more for c l e a n s e. Losing weight is just a side effect. A good one though Well, now I am back to normal. I can get back to my “normal” life and best of all I can do my workouts again. (Who thougth that I would say something like that )

And just in case somebody is wondering….you will not spend all day on the toilette. It’s not one of those cleanses! The only thing you have to do a lot is pee. You drink a lot of water and that has to come out again

This morning…having our Sunday breakfast at our favorite restaurant like every Sunday…we were talking about my uncle. I haven’t seen or talked to my uncle in over 15 years. When he got divorced from my aunt he also divorced me. I never really got over it and always hoped that one day I will find him and get the chance to talk to him. I have three uncles but he was the only one I truly had that connection with. Since I was a little girl, he was my favorite uncle. But when he divorced my aunt he said he doesn’t want any contact with that part of the family and I am part of the family he doesn’t want contact with. Not me personally but I am my moms daughter and my aunts niece, so therefor I am on the side he doesn’t want anything to do with. Anyway, I found his brother on a social networking site and been thinking for the last weeks if I should write him or not. This morning we somehow got to talk about it again and I made the decision that I need to know…I need to know if there is any hope or not. I need to either close the door forever and go on with my life or finally get the chance to be a part of his life again. Because I just couldn’t find him anywhere I figured may be if I write to his brother he will let him know …..Anyway I got home and went on the internet and clicked on his brothers site and I couldn’t believe my eyes. It said that he just added my uncle as a contact. All these years and now that we just talked about it he shows up on the internet… There was also a pictures of him and he still looks the same. I was looking at the picture forever and was just crying. I didn’t know that it would be that hard to see him again. All these years I wanted the chance to “talk” to him again and here it finally came…just to find out that I am so affraid. I want to write, there is so much I want to tell him but I am just so affraid and don’t know what I should write. After looking at the picture for an hour and crying my eyes out I finaly started typing. It took me a while to push the send button, but I did. Now all I can do is wait, hope and pray. I know it might not be the answer I want, it might not be an answer at all, but I need to know once and for all. I am shaking just thinking about it….Maybe it was faith that I found him today. I just wish I would know what my faith is when it comes to my future. Will it be a future with or without my uncle?

I know it has nothing to do with weight loss and I am sorry about going on, but I needed to write it down. I thought it would help but if I am honest it didn’t. I am still affraid.

It’s only Day 8 and this morning after going on the scale I was ready to give up (again). I did really good last week (losing 5 pounds) but the scale isn’t moving anymore. The first thing I did when I came to work was to go on this site and visit the forum. (My boss isn’t here yet, so I have some time for it) I thought I need to ask the girls (and boys) here for help. I didn’t even needed to ask as I came across a blog where one lady had the same problem (it was Isabelle). Only that she takes measurements and could see the inches come off. Well, not me…I thought I don’t need measurements, all I need is the scale. Guess I was wrong again. Well, reading the blog gave me some boost again and I am thinking maybe, just maybe I lost some inches I don’t even know about. So I promised myself that when I come home tonight I will take all the measurements I can take.

Usally that’s about the time I give up, when the scale stops moving even though I did my workouts and stuck to my “diet”. It’s so hard. You eat healthier, eat less, don’t eat any chocolate (and I loooooooovvvvvvvvveeeeeeeeee chocolate) work out every day and the stupid scale doesn’t move. And then I see my husband, eating all the junk he can get, going on the scale and telling me that he didn’t gain anything (which he is trying to do). If he could he would probably loose a few pounds on his “junk food and sweets diet”.

I know that if it wasn’t for everybody here I would’ve jumped of the wagon again.  But reading all these blogs and knowing that I need to loose the pounds not only for me but for my group gives me strength. As frustrated as I am right now, I have to keep going!

I am fighting and it’s hard (that little voice in my head starts talking) but I will not give up. If my body want’s to fight me in my weight loss, all I can say is: Bring it on! This time it’s me winning!