New Blog Link

It's been so long since I've even thought about this old fitness blog!  I just realized that I never posted a link to my NEW blog for all you old readers out there.  It's been up and running since June 2012:

http:/forlivingstrong.com

Thanks to you all for reading my blogs! :)

New Blog to Come!

I apologize for not updating this blog in like, well, FOREVER!  I've been busy working on a BRAND-NEW blog/website that will be launching very soon!  It's a lot more complicated than I had originally thought but I am getting very excited with how it looks so far.  After the new website launches, I will no longer be using this fitness blog.  So stay tuned, good things to come! :) 

Tips & Tricks: Lemon Water

It is pretty common for restaurants to serve water with a slice of lemon decorating the edge of the glass.  But did you know there are many important health benefits you can receive if you actually squeeze that lemon into your water? 

Lemon water is a natural remedy to several health concerns. 

1. Good for the Stomach: Lemon can help relieve many digestion problems when mixed with hot water. These include nausea, heartburn and parasites. Due to the digestive qualities of lemon juice, symptoms of indigestion such as heartburn, bloating and belching are relieved. By drinking lemon juice regularly, the bowels are aided in eliminating waste more efficiently. Lemon acts as a blood purifier and as a cleansing agent. The intake of lemon juice can cure constipation. It is even known to help relieve hiccups when consumed as a juice. Lemon juice acts as a liver tonic and helps you digest your food by helping your liver produce more bile. It decreases the amount of phlegm produced by your body. It is also thought to help dissolve gallstones.

2. Excellent for Skin Care: Lemon, being a natural antiseptic medicine, can participate to cure problems related to skin. Lemon is a vitamin C rich citrus fruit that enhances your beauty, by rejuvenating skin from within and thus bringing a glow on your face. Daily consumption of lemon water can make a huge difference in the appearance of your skin. It acts as an anti-aging remedy and can remove wrinkles and blackheads. Lemon water if applied on the areas of burns can fade the scars. As lemon is a cooling agent, it reduces the burning sensation on the skin.

3. Aids in Dental Care: Lemon water is used in dental care also. If fresh lemon juice is applied on the areas of toothache, it can assist in getting rid of the pain. The massages of lemon juice on gums can stop gum bleeding. It gives relief from bad smell and other problems related to gums.

4. Cures Throat Infections: Lemon is an excellent fruit that aids in fighting problems related to throat infections, sore throat and tonsillitis as it has an antibacterial property. For sore throat, dilute one-half lemon juice with one-half water and gargle frequently.

5. Good for Weight Loss: One of the major health benefits of drinking lemon water is that it paves way for losing weight faster, thus acting as a great weight loss remedy. If a person takes lemon juice mixed with lukewarm water and honey, it can reduce the body weight as well.

6. Controls High Blood Pressure: Lemon water works wonders for people having heart problem, owing to its high potassium content. It controls high blood pressure, dizziness, nausea as well as provides relaxation to mind and body. It also reduces mental stress and depression.

7. Assist in Curing Respiratory Disorders: Lemon water assists in curing respiratory problems, along with breathing problems and revives a person suffering from asthma.

8. Good for Treating Rheumatism: Lemon is also a diuretic and hence lemon water can treat rheumatism and arthritis. It helps to flush out bacteria and toxins out of the body.

9. Reduces Fever: Lemon water can treat a person who is suffering from cold, flu or fever. It helps to break fever by increasing perspiration.

10. Acts as a Blood Purifier: The diseases like cholera or malaria can be treated with lemon water as it can act as a blood purifier. 

11. Cleanse Your System: Lemons prevent sepsis, or bacteria buildup, in the body. They are also anti-scorbutic, a term referring to their ability to prevent disease and to help purify the body of impurities.

12. Stimulate the Liver: Lemon water dissolves uric acid and other poisons in the liver, liquefies bile and helps relieve malaria cases. Lemons are high in potassium and are extremely effective in treating symptoms of liver disorder.

I was most excited to learn about Numbers 5 and 8.  Anything that aids in weight loss is a tip I'll definately try!  Also I'm always on the look-out for something else that will relieve my arthritis symptoms.
So it should be said that lemons should no longer be used as water decorations.  I have been putting a slice of lemon in my water every now and then when I grow tired of plain water and want to change it up a little.  Now I'll start drinking water more frequently to tap into all the health benefits mentioned above.
You should, too!

*It should be noted that packaged and pasteurized lemon juice will not aid in health.  The lemons must be fresh--the heavier the better when choosing them at the grocery store. At about 50 cents each, lemons are an affordable health remedy worth trying.

For more information, refer to these great articles from Living Strong and this one from Life Mojo.

To Tell the Truth: Bragging About My Husband

First of all, I never reported my Weigh Day Results.  This week I finished my first round of Brazil Butt Lift.  And I have to say that I am totally impressed with my results.  I have lost the most weight on this program, an interesting fact since I felt that it was the least cardio-based program out of all of them!  This week I lost another 2 lbs.  Bringing my total 30 day Brazil Butt Lift results to 10 POUNDS.
Wow!
Enough about me.  Because today I want to gush about my husband, Jason.
A little background about Jason first.  He is an athletic guy, always being active.  As an Army officer, he does his best to stay it tip-top shape.  He is on the small side, though, at 5'6" and 140 lbs on a good day.  I can honestly say that sometimes being his wife isn't easy when it comes to my weight struggle.  Standing next to him doesn't do my self-esteem good.  Husbands are supposed to weigh MORE than their wives.  Right?  Well, I haven't weighed less than Jason since 2004.  I will soon, though.  Only two more pounds to go!
When it comes to metabolism, Jason's works TOO well.  He is one of those people that can eat whatever he wants and get away with it.  Luckily he doesn't do that.  He is very health conscious and is better than I am about what foods we should and shouldn't be eating.
He keeps me in line!
There have been times in our marriage when Jason has done his darndest to GAIN weight.  We're talking protein shakes, protein bars, entire roasted chickens...THE WORKS. 
Alas, it is not to be. 
In any case, Jason is a very active, healthy guy.  Already he was scoring upwards of 290 (out of 300) on his Peronal Training Tests with the Army.  He's quick and he knows just how to push his body to the limit.
But he wanted to do better.  Jason was on a quest to get a PERFECT SCORE on his PT test.  During the 3 1/2 years of PT tests taken, he's scored that elusive 300 only once. 
And thrown up and nearly fainted in the process.
The trouble with training for the test is that Jason HATES to run.  And I mean hates it!  He'd rather do almost anything.  The push-up and sit-up portions of the test he always did pretty well on.  It was the running part that always got the best of him.
Until Insanity, that is.
Wanting to really put the Insanity program to the test to see if it could improve Jason's strength and endurance like he thought it could, Jason didn't run or do any sit-ups AT ALL while completing the 60 day program.  After finishing the program two weeks ago, Jason was eager to take his first PT Test.  Here are his results:
"What I am really excited about is that this morning I took my first PT test since arriving here and I scored a 300. What does that mean, well that means I got a 100% on my run and I haven't been running. I have been focusing solely on Insanity wanting to see if it could do what I thought it would. Another awesome fact about Insanity, if u know anything about it u know you don't do a single sit-up through the whole workout. Crazy thing is that I did 94 reps on my sit-ups, which is 12 more than I have ever done. So, what improvements did I see? Well I am embarrassed to say but during [job training] I let myself go and just after graduation I ran the 2-mile in 14:48, did 71 sit-ups, and 86 push-ups. Today, my run time was 13:11, 94 sit-ups, and 97 push-ups. ALL FROM INSANITY!!!!!"

Wow, what an incredible testimony that Insanity REALLY WORKS!!  Above are his before and after pictures.  I can tell a slight difference by looking at him, but the main improvement were in Jason's test results listed above.  So to tell you the truth, I am incredibly proud of my husband and all his hard work completing the program.  Way to go!!!

Product Review: Brazil Butt Lift

Time for another Beachbody Product review!  This time I'm reviewing the workout I'm just completing: Brazil Butt Lift!

Created by Leandro Carvalho, a famous personal trainer to super-models, this workout "combines Brazilian dance, cardio, and signature lower-body sculpting moves to lift, firm, and shape your behind for a rear view you've only dreamed about."  The workouts include Bum, Bum, High and Tight, Sculpt, Cardio Axe and Tummy Tuck.  Leandro's TriAngle Technique is what makes these workouts effective, working the three major butt muscles one at a time, from various different angles. 
Because every butt is not created equal, there are four different possible butt solutions to follow: The Too Flat or Square Solution, the Pear Shape Solution, the Too Big Solution and the Classic Solution. Depending on which solution you are following, the workouts slim, lift and shape your booty in a very effective way.  Some workouts are more cardio-based, some are strength training, complete with resistance bands, dumbbells and ankle weights, and others are a combination of the two.  This 4 week program will target your bottom, but will work your entire body unlike any other program you'll ever use.
I decided to do Brazil Butt Lift for several reasons.  With it being one of the most popular Beachbody workouts, I knew I needed to try it.  Getting my body swimsuit ready was appealing with summer here.  But the primary reason was that I had just finished Slim in 6 and had lost so much bulk in my thighs and bottom that I really needed to build more muscle in the area.  As my husband Jason kept saying, "Your butt is GONE!"
So I followed the Flat Solution and am finishing the last week of the program.  I thought I had built a lot of muscle in my lower body with all the squats and lunges I did with Slim in 6, but wow!  Brazil Butt Lift is HARD.  I had a hard time making it through the workouts the first week, having to pause it several times at first.  But it's amazing how quickly your muscles can build endurance.  Because not only can I make it through all the workouts now, I also add the ankle weights and resistance bands, too!
I can tell you that I am happy with how the program has allowed me to continue to lose weight and inches off my entire body.  I feel like I've toned my lower body considerably, but I still haven't gotten the shape I wanted in my bottom.  My husband still complains my bottom is "too flat," but he does admit, "it's getting better!" 
My final results after a month of Brazil Butt Lift are 8 lbs and 4" lost!  So I think I'm up for another round of Brazil Butt Lift.  I'll let you know what my results are after Round 2!
If you are looking for a workout that targets your butt area, consider trying Brazil Butt Lift!

Weigh Day: One more down...

Yesterday was Weigh Day and I am letting you know my results!  I am still on track, still moving forward.  I'm making progress, slowly but surely. 
Even though I didn't lose any inches this week, I still lost a pound!  One more down.  I'm 66% there: I only have 9 more to reach my goal of 135!  So close I can almost taste it. 

How are YOU doing?  E-mail me at angiepete@gmail.com

4 Month Results!

As promised, I am reporting my 4 month results!  After a round of Hip Hop Abs, Rockin' Body, Slim in 6 and half-way through Brazil Butt Lift, I feel GREAT!  Looking at my photos side by side make all those hours of sweat and determination worth it!  I can actually see my pre-pregnancy figure coming back! :)  It's such a great feeling.

So after 120 days of working out 6 days a week I have lost...

25 lbs. and 25" total off my body!

Wow!  So excited!

To Tell the Truth: Pain & Gratitude

My sister-in-law Chrisandra is visiting for the weekend from D.C.  Wanting to do something fun with the kids, we went on a day trip to Kure Beach, NC about 2.5 hrs away.  I tried my best to prepare, bringing towels, suntan lotion, diapers, extra clothes, motion sickness pills, etc.  I made sandwiches and brought healthy snacks like Shakeology energy bites, veggies, fruit, nuts, etc.  I thought I was so prepared.
I was wrong.
About 45 minutes down the road, I realized what I'd forgotten.  I forgot to take my morning dose of prednisone, the steroid I'm on to control my arthritis symptoms.  Sometimes I'll forget to take it and remember a few hours late.  I end up hurting for a few hours while I wait for the medication to kick in.  But this time it was impossible to turn back.  And I'd purposefully left my purse (where I keep a few extra pills in case I forget and am away from home) because I didn't want to carry it around on the beach. 
I knew I was in trouble.
My main arthritic symptoms are pain in my hands and wrists.  My hands, fingers and wrists swell and get so painful that doing anything becomes close to impossible.  I tried to be smart all day, letting my husband rub the suntan lotion on the kids and letting Chrisandra help me change the baby.  I didn't even drive home.  But by the time I walked in the door and took the prednisone 12 hours late, I was practically in tears because of the pain. 
I was useless for the rest of the night, being unable to help bathe the children and unpack our stuff.  I put my heavy wrist bands on my wrists and curled up in a ball on the couch.  I waited for the medication to kick in. 
As I lay there, I remembered how I used to live with that kind of pain EVERY DAY.  I still struggle daily with pain and physical limitations, but nothing like what it was before.  I no longer have weekly shots of arthritis medication.  I'm on the lowest dose of prednisone I've been on since my diagnosis 6 years ago.  And lately I've been able to do small things that used to be impossible.  Little things that seem trivial to normal people, but are a big deal for me: I can now operate a stapler, unscrew some water bottles and carry the laundry basket around the house. 
In short the past six months I've been the best I've been for years.  And as I lay there in horrible pain, feeling like my hands were literally on fire, I was struck by a deep gratitude for the increased health I've been blessed with. 
It's still a daily struggle.  I still have trouble changing my baby's diaper, buttoning my shirt or putting my daughter's hair in a pony tail.  But that horrible, debilitating pain...it's MUCH less now.
There are a lot of reasons for my symptoms getting better.  Part of it is the warmer weather.  I'm eating much healthier now.  Exercising has done wonders for all my joints, increasing the blood flow in my body.  But I honestly believe the main contributing factor is Shakeology. 
I take it faithfully EVERY SINGLE DAY, sometimes twice a day.  Just 2 weeks after I started Shakeology, my hands were noticeably less inflamed.  I'm wearing my wedding ring again, which is totally amazing.  Shakeology is helping people in so many different ways: lowering cholesterol, speeding up metabolism, helping to regulate digestion.  It has helped me immensely with getting me to eat healthier and to lose weight.  But the main benefit I've experienced is reduced inflammation.  All my arthritic symptoms have lessened, and I am SOOO grateful.
So thank you Beachbody, I am grateful every moment for your product, Shakeology!
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For more information on Shakeology, watch these videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaFMBDLLsqk
 http://beachbodycoach.com/esuite/home/angiepete?bctid=614712694001
 http://beachbodycoach.com/esuite/home/angiepete?bctid=16664447001

Also you can see an ingredient list (pdf file on the bottom of the home page), more information and you can place an order on my website, www.myshakeology.com/coachangiepete

Weigh Day: Swimsuit Body

This weekend I did something crazy: I wore a SWIMSUIT!  And not just any swimsuit.  I wore a swimsuit that hasn't fit me in FIVE YEARS!  And for the first time in forever, I wasn't embarrassed.  I still have a ways to go to reach my goal, but I feel so encouraged.
It's been two weeks since I've weighed and measured myself because my new scale up and died on me.  But the good news is that I have a new one.  And I liked what that scale had to tell me this morning.  In the past two weeks, I've lost two pounds and an inch and a half off my body.
Hooray!
I took my 4 month pictures a few days ago.  I still need to edit and post them.  So stay tuned!
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How are YOU doing on your weight-loss journey?  Are you feeling encouraged or discouraged?  Are you getting closer to your goal?  Send me your results! angiepete@gmail.com

Substitute It! Spinach

When it comes to building a salad, lettuce is the obvious first choice.  We use lettuce on sandwiches, burgers and tacos.  Some prefer iceberg lettuce, others prefer romaine or green leaf.  They all vary a little in taste and texture, but the concept behind their uses is the same.Well, what about SPINACH?
Spinach has been gaining popularity in the last decade.  It used to be famous as a disgusting slimy side dish.  Something your grandparents would feed you and expect you to eat.  I remember at times looking at that glob of spinach on my plate as a kid, wondering where I could hide it.
Spinach was NOT my favorite vegetable.
The creators of Popeye showed the character eating spinach straight out of the can.  Upon swallowing the veggie, Popeye would gain super strength and save Olive Oyl, the damsel in distress.  It was one of the first instances of using television to promote healthier eating.
We now see spinach everywhere.  Spinach salads are popping up at restaurants around the country.  Grocery stores carry a variety of different types and brands and even some Subway restaurants are serving spinach as a possible sandwich topping (I was SOOO excited!).
I've been trying to substitute spinach for lettuce in salads and sandwiches as much as possible.  I still use SOME romaine in my salads, but about 2/3 of it is spinach now.  I did this because I knew that spinach was healthier for us.  I just didn't know how MUCH healthier.
So today I looked up a comparison chart between lettuce and spinach.  And I was right!  When I compare spinach with the romaine lettuce we prefer, spinach was higher (sometimes more than double) in EVERY SINGLE CATEGORY. 
I now have validation that my choice to use spinach has been a good one! :)
Below is the chart so you can compare spinach with your lettuce of choice.  So next time you are eating something with lettuce, consider substituting spinach instead!

A Comparison of the Nutrient Content of Spinach and Lettuce Types
		Spinach	Lettuce, iceberg	Lettuce, looseleaf	Lettuce, romaine	Lettuce, butterhead
Nutrient	Units	Value per 100 grams of edible portion
Water	g	91.580	95.890	94.000	94.910	95.580
Energy	kcal	22.000	12.000	18.000	14.000	13.000
Energy	kj	92.000	50.000	75.000	59.000	54.000
Protein	g	2.860	1.010	1.300	1.620	1.290
Total lipid (fat)	g	0.350	0.190	0.300	0.200	0.220
Carbohydrates, by difference	g	3.500	2.090	3.500	2.370	2.320
Fiber, total dietary	g	2.700	1.400	1.900	1.700	1.000
Ash	g	1.720	0.480	0.900	0.900	0.590
Minerals
Calcium, Ca	mg	99.000	19.000	68.000	36.000	32.000
Iron, Fe	mg	2.710	0.500	1.400	1.100	0.300
Magnesium, Mg	mg	79.000	9.000	11.000	6.000	13.000
Phosphorus, P	mg	49.000	20.000	25.000	45.000	23.000
Potassium, K	mg	558.000	158.000	264.000	290.000	257.000
Sodium, Na	mg	79.000	9.000	9.000	8.000	5.000
Zinc, Zn	mg	0.530	0.220	0.290	0.250	0.170
Copper, Cu	mg	0.130	0.028	0.044	0.037	0.023
Manganese, Mn	mg	0.897	0.151	0.750	0.636	0.133
Selenium, Se	mg	1.000	0.200	0.200	0.200	0.200
Vitamins
Vitamin C, ascorbic acid	mg	28.100	3.900	18.000	24.000	8.000
Thiamin	mg	0.078	0.046	0.050	0.100	0.060
Riboflavin	mg	0.189	0.030	0.080	0.100	0.060
Niacin	mg	0.724	0.187	0.400	0.500	0.300
Pantothenic acid	mg	0.065	0.046	0.200	0.170	0.180
Vitamin B-6	mg	0.195	0.040	0.055	0.047	0.050
Folate	mcg	194.400	56.000	49.800	135.700	73.300
Vitamin B-12	mcg	0.000	0.000	0.000	0.000	0.000
Vitamin A, IU	IU	6715.000	330.000	1900.000	2600.000	970.000
Vitamin A, RE	mcg_RE	672.000	33.000	190.000	260.000	97.000
Vitamin E	mg_ATE	1.890	0.280	0.440	0.440	0.440
Lipids
Fatty acids, saturated	g	0.056	0.025	0.039	0.026	0.029
Fatty acids, monounsaturated	g	0.010	0.007	0.012	0.008	0.008
Fatty acids, polyunsaturated	g	0.146	0.100	0.159	0.106	0.117
Cholesterol	mg	0.000	0.000	0.000	0.000	0.000
Phytosterols	mg	9.000	10.000	38.000
Amino Acids
Tryptophan	g	0.039	0.008	0.009	0.012	0.009
Threonine	g	0.122	0.053	0.059	0.074	0.059
Isoleucine	g	0.147	0.075	0.084	0.105	0.083
Leucine	g	0.223	0.070	0.079	0.098	0.078
Lysine	g	0.174	0.075	0.084	0.105	0.084
Methionine	g	0.053	0.014	0.016	0.020	0.016
Cystine	g	0.035	0.014	0.016	0.019	0.015
Phenylalanine	g	0.129	0.049	0.055	0.068	0.054
Tyrosine	g	0.108	0.029	0.032	0.040	0.032
Valine	g	0.161	0.062	0.070	0.087	0.069
Arginine	g	0.162	0.063	0.071	0.088	0.070
Histidine	g	0.064	0.020	0.022	0.028	0.022
Alanine	g	0.142	0.050	0.056	0.070	0.055
Aspartic acid	g	0.240	0.127	0.142	0.177	0.141
Glutamic acid	g	0.343	0.162	0.182	0.227	0.180
Glycine	g	0.134	0.051	0.057	0.071	0.057
Proline	g	0.112	0.043	0.048	0.060	0.048
Serine	g	0.104	0.035	0.039	0.049	0.039
USDA Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 12 (March 1998)

To Tell the Truth: It's Getting Easier

I've mentioned before that I'm not exactly a fitness guru.  I don't love to run or workout and if I were to be completely honest, I have to say that I liken working out to my other daily chores: somewhere on the same level as cleaning toilets.
The reason I work out every day is simply because it's something I have to do in order to get and maintain the kind of fit and healthy body that I desire.  I tried the "sit on the coach and eat relatively well" approach, but it didn't work.  I've learned that being fit and healthy takes a combination of BOTH exercise AND nutrition.
Period.
When I first started the workout program, it was a daily struggle to get myself up and going.  Just pushing play every day took great self will and motivation.  But I had committed to doing it and that was that.  I could have sat around and continued making excuses.  Because everyone knows I have plenty of them (physical pain from Arthritis and Lupus, 5 kids to distract me, moving from state to state twice in a six week period, etc).  But I didn't.  I kept at it.
And now as I get to the end of my fourth month on this workout regiment, I have to say that it is GETTING EASIER.  During the second month I noticed I no longer had to struggle internally with myself quite as much just to get myself going.  I had established a WORKOUT HABIT.  There was no longer a question about whether or not I was going to do it.  I knew I was.  Just that alone made it so much easier.
As I slowly get into better shape, the workouts aren't as hard to get through either.  I'm not as sore the next day.  I don't have to pause as much.  And I surprise myself when I can get through more and more reps of a particular movement before it starts to burn.
It's getting easier!

I tell you all this not to brag but to show you that if you are just beginning, DON'T GIVE UP!  I promise that it will slowly, gradually get better.  A few months down the road you will LOOK better, you will FEEL better and it will be easier!
It just takes consistency.  Do it every day and your body will thank you.
_______________________________________________________________________________
By the way, yesterday was Weigh Day.  Sorry I didn't report but my bathroom scale has decided to call it quits.  And just 2 weeks after I bought it!  I will take its carcass back to the store when I get a chance.  I thought I had gotten a good digital scale, but obviously not. 
But how did YOU do?  E-mail your results to angiepete@gmail.com.  I want to know your progress!

Food For Thought: How to Gain Weight Like A Sumo Wrestler

Have you ever wondered how a Sumo Wrestler gains weight ON PURPOSE?  Well, I have.  Here is a list of what these weighty athletes do:

1.  SKIP BREAKFAST

After waking, sumo wrestlers will train vigorously for several hours on an empty stomach. This makes the wrestlers extremely hungry and able to eat enormous amounts, which results in weight gain.

 

2.  EAT ONLY TWO MEALS A DAY

Sumo wrestlers are known to eat only twice per day. These two meals generally amount to approximately 5 to 10 meals that would be consumed by the average person. This practice encourages the body to hold on to fat and induces weight gain.

3.  DRINK ALCOHOL

Indulging in large amounts of alcohol -- primarily beer -- is a traditional method used by sumo wrestlers to gain abdominal weight. Sumo wrestlers use their stomachs for stability and alcohol raises cortisol levels which results in abdominal fat.

4.  EAT HUGE QUANTITIES

You'd think that to gain weight a Sumo wrestler would chow down on high fat foods like burgers, fries and soda all day.  I was surprised to see that this isn't the case.  They are actually very careful to consume a healthy quality of food such as meat and grains.  It is the QUANTITY of food that is crucial to gaining weight.  The Sumo wrestler will eat until they throw up, stuffing every possible bit into their expanding stomachs. 

5.  NAP TIME AFTER CHOW TIME

The key to the Sumo wrestler's successful weight gain is taking a nap right after binging.  They nap during the day and they eat right before bed.

Many people unknowingly have been on a diet similar to the Sumo wrestler diet.  They skip meals (particularly breakfast), going long periods without eating at all.  And when they DO eat they are famished and end up eating a large meal of high glycemic index foods (like potatoes, breads, pastas, sweets, etc.), especially late at night before bed.  No wonder they have such a hard time losing weight!

So if we want to LOSE weight, we should essential do the EXACT OPPOSITE of a Sumo wrestler.  BREAKFAST is ESSENTIAL.  We should be eating FIVE SMALL MEALS a day and AVOID ALCOHOL and other high calorie beverages such as SODA and JUICE. WATER is your friend!  Also NEVER NAP after a meal and DON'T EAT within at least two hours of going to bed.

Let's be on the ANTI-Sumo Wrestler Diet, shall we?

Weigh Day: Melting the Fat

This past week has been a tough one.  My five children all came down with the Chicken Pox at the same time, including our 9 month old baby. 

To say that it was hard to get through the workouts each day would be an understatement.  It was close to impossible!  I would do five minutes here, five minutes there...whatever I could fit in between the chaos.  There was one day when all I could do was a 15 minute ab workout (which took me an hour and 13 minutes to finish).  I didn't get a shower that day and all we ate the whole day was cereal, canned soup and Shakeology.

But I kept at it.  I made it a priority to continue my goal of not missing a day. 

So I can tell you that I'm particularly proud of my progress this past week considering the kind of week I had.  Because I lost another 1.5 lbs!  And since the last time I measured myself, I've gained 1/2 inch on both thighs (a good thing because I gained muscle mass in my chicken legs!) and lost 1/2 inch in my arms and an inch off my waist, an inch off my hips and 1/2 inch off my chest!

*Insert a little celebratory dance here*

It seems like I've broken through my plateau and the fat is just melting off now!  I even put on a MEDIUM size shirt today and it wasn't too tight!  Here is a picture of me after my shower (excuse the mess, we still haven't finished unpacking and getting settled!)  I'm so happy.  Like I was telling my mom over the phone yesterday, I can't stop now!  I've worked so hard and it seems like my goal is finally in sight.

23 pounds lost and 12 more to go to reach my goal of 135.  I can do it!

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How are YOU doing?  E-mail me at angiepete@gmail.com to let me know!

Tips & Tricks: Out of Sight, Out of Mind

Have you ever left something out on the counter in the kitchen? I do. All the time. When my kids don't eat all the brownies from the night before, for instance, I'll cover the dish and leave it out for later. The trouble is that EVERY time I walk by it, the brownies become a temptation. I see it so I want some. And if I walk by enough times, I finally give in.
I'll take just a little sliver, I think. A tiny piece won't hurt too much. So I eat a tiny piece. An hour later and fifteen more times past the brownie dish and I take another small piece. A few hours later, another one. Until I realize come nightfall that all those little pieces actually add up to be a rather large one.
Ooops.

So I've started employing the "Out of Sight, Out of Mind" technique. At least that's what I call it. I notice the temptation to eat the brownies is about 300 times less if I don't leave them out where I can see them. I forget about the treat if it's not left out in plain view.
The opposite goes for healthy food. I've noticed that if I leave good snacks out, I'll reach for those instead. One thing that works well for my family is to put a veggie tray out during the late afternoon when my kids are usually clamoring for snacks. If I just leave it on the table, they'll grab a carrot stick or cucumber slice as they run by instead of trying to sneak chips or cookies behind my back as I'm busy cooking dinner. I don't mind if they fill up on vegetables. I DO mind if they aren't hungry because of too much junk food!
So next time you find yourself tempted by something out in plain view try my new technique: Out of Sight, Out of Mind!

Weigh Day: Fighting With My Scale

Since moving from Georgia to North Carolina 10 days ago, things have been a little...chaotic.  Despite my best efforts, my home is still unorganized.  There are still many unopened boxes and missing items (the toaster, my measuring tape...).  But despite all that, I've been managing to get in my workouts and have been doing amazingly well on my eating.
If I do say so myself.
One nice thing about moving and starting anew is that you have to pretty much start your food supply from scratch.  So I have been ubber careful on what food I'm buying, trying to ensure I don't buy anything that I shouldn't eat and that will tempt me.  The few treats I've bought for my kids are things that they can make themselves and that I don't like enough to make me stray from my goal of avoiding treats.  Things like popsicles and s'mores. 
On Friday we found something I'd been looking for: my bathroom scale.  Excited to see what my progress had been for the past two weeks, I stepped on it and read:
"144."
"LIAR!" I exclaimed, shaking my finger at the tease that was my scale.  "Now I KNOW I didn't lose 8 pounds in 12 days!"
I made my husband weigh himself.  Sure enough, the scale was reading 5-8 pounds less than it should.
"Maybe we should keep it anyway," said the devil on my shoulder.  "It's a very flattering bathroom scale."
Tempting.  VERY tempting.  After all, I hadn't been below 150 since before baby #3 (Three babies ago!).
But my desire for knowing the truth of my weight-loss journey won out.  I bought a new digital scale and brought it home, weighing myself right after dinner.
Not the best time to weigh in, but I wanted to see if it was accurate. 
And it was!  My husband and son tried it, too.  It was the first time I'd let my husband see me weigh myself in years.  He finally asked the question he'd been burning to know for months: "What was your starting weight in January?" 
So I told him.  And I was no longer ashamed.  I felt proud of my progress.
I waited until today to weigh myself first thing in the morning.  And I was pleased to see that during the past two weeks of moving drama, I've lost...
THREE AND A HALF POUNDS!!!!
I have no idea how many inches that translates into since, as before mentioned, I have YET to find my measuring tape.
But that's okay.  It'll turn up eventually!
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How are YOU doing on your fitness journey?  Remember to weigh and measure yourself today and send me your results!  Tell me how you are feeling about your progress!!! angiepete@gmail.com

Food for Thought: Hidden Sugar

I've been thinking a lot about sugar lately.  It seems like EVERYTHING has sugar in it!  Once you start reading food labels, you'll notice that almost everything you eat has sugar, evaporated cane juice, high fructose corn syrup, sucrose, etc.  Sugar is called many different things by the food industry but in the end it's all just SUGAR!!!

And obviously all this sugar does our bodies BAD.  I have been trying really hard to pay attention to what I'm putting in my mouth.  And as I read those food labels, it sometimes surprises me the things that contain added sugar.  Crackers, sauces, protein bars, granola...some things that you'd never guess!  And sometimes it is one of the first three ingredients. 
So do what I do: pay attention.  Try to eliminate added sugar from your diet and find a brand that is better.  You can find a healthier brand if you look! 
To get an idea of some foods with added sugar that may surprise you, read this great article!

Weigh Day: 90 Day Results

I know, I'm REALLY late posting my weigh day results.  So sorry!  I have been so busy trying to pack for our move this weekend to North Carolina that I just can't seem to keep on top of it all!  I look forward to getting settled so that I can be better about posting.
I didn't report last week because we were house hunting but I was proud to find that I had lost 1/2 a pound during the hustle and bustle of traveling.  A big accomplishment considering I wasn't able to finish my entire 65 min workout each day or eat quite as well as normal!
This week I lost an additional 1.5 lbs!  I'm so excited!  I haven't lost that much in one week since my 3 Day Shakeology Cleanse.  I have been really trying to make a conscious effort not to eat out of stress.  I find I do this a lot!  And when the urge does hit me, I'm trying to make better food choices.  Raw carrots are at the top of my list, with me consuming an entire bag of baby carrots at once.  But better than reaching for candy or tortilla chips and queso!
Monday marked the end of 90 days on the Beachbody exercise programs.  I have now completed a round of Hip Hop Abs, Rockin' Body and Slim in 6.  I feel stronger, leaner and much more confident in my appearance.  I notice that I no longer grimace at seeing my own picture and am not embarrassed to exercise in front of others.  I've even joined my husband in his Insanity workouts twice, being able to do more of it than I had previously dreamed possible.
In the last 90 days I've really come a long way.  Exercising has done wonders for all my joints.  It still sounds like popcorn as I move about, but I really think that forcing my body to move has decreased the inflammation levels dramatically along with taking Shakeology.  The two things combined have led me into a period of the best health I've experienced since being diagnosed with Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis in 2006.
So after all is said and done, here are my 90 Day Results.  I am VERY proud of myself!

Spotlight: Ultimate Reset

Just one week ago, Beachbody released a brand-new product called Ultimate Reset. This gentle, no-starvation cleanse helps your body restore itself to its optimal "factory settings" so you can fell, look, and be healthier than before. Designed as a three week program, Ultimate Reset helps you body get rid of the toxins you've been taking in all your life.
I listened to a webinar tonight with the makers of Ultimate Reset in which the coaches in the test groups talked about their experience with the product. All reported increased energy, weight-loss and a dramatic decrease in cholesterol in just 21 days. Some said that they had a remarkable ability to wake-up in the morning and go to sleep quickly at night. A few even reported sudden freedom from seasonal allergies. The coffee drinkers were surprised to find they experienced no caffeine withdrawals.
The Ultimate Reset kit includes two DVDs, one about how to reset your body and another specifically about cooking the meals allowed on the program. Six supplements that restore your body to optimal health are included: mineralize, oxygenize, optimize, alkalize, detox and revitalize. Every meal is laid out for you, shopping lists are given and all the science is explained so that you can understand exactly what is happening with your body.
So if you want to do THE best thing for getting your body to its healthiest state, consider trying Beachbody's Ultimate Reset!
Click here for a short video.

To Tell the Truth: The Amazing Disappearing Booty Trick

Usually I do a Weigh Day segment on Mondays. But since I'm sitting in a North Carolina hotel room hundreds of miles away from my scale and measuring tape, I decided to post-pone it until I get home. Instead, I wanted to tell you a funny story.

As you know I've been doing the Slim in 6 Program. I haven't noticed a remarkable difference in my stomach area, but what I HAVE noticed is the effect that the workouts are having on my lower body.

All those lunges and squats are burning some SERIOUS lower body mass!

The size 10 pants I pulled out of the attic two weeks ago fit really well at first. I was SOOO excited! But just two weeks later I'm noticing how baggy those same pants are getting in the back end.

VERY baggy.

And apparently I'm not the only one that has noticed. The other day I was pouring my daughter a bowl of cereal. Someone had torn the bag open badly, resulting in a cascade of cereal falling onto the counter top and floor.

"Ooops!" I said, bending over to pick up the runaway pieces at my feet.

From behind me I heard a gasp. "Oh my!" my 3-year-old Keali suddenly exclaimed. "Mommy, your BUTT!"

Popping up, I turned around to peer at my backside, fully expecting to see baby poo or an unwelcome creepy-crawly. "What?!" I asked alarmed, "What is it??"

Still pointing, Keali put her other hand over her mouth in horror. "Your BUTT...it's DISAPPEARING!!!!"

I sighed then, relieved. Laughing, I gave her a giant hug. "Thank you!" I cried. "That's the best thing I've heard in a LONG time!"

It's not Magic, folks. It's hard work! And discipline. And determination.

And an effective workout program that REALLY works!

To Tell the Truth: Distractions

I can't even tell you how difficult it is to get through my workouts lately. It seems like every day, I get interrupted at least 3 times. My phone rings, my baby wakes up and needs to be fed, my kids need me...it happens so often that I start getting irritated. By the last 10 minutes I usually am threatening the kids to go in the other room and play OR ELSE.

*Sigh*

Part of the problem is that my workouts now take an hour to get through instead of the 30 minutes we've grown accustomed to. And that is a REALLY long workout.

But I tell myself that all I can do is my best. I'm a mother of five and that means there is bound to be a lot of distractions, no matter WHEN I workout. I swear I could try to exercise at 2:30 a.m. and my baby would sense it and decide to wake up screaming, my phone would ring with a wrong number caller and my cat would decide to go in heat and would yowl so loudly she'd wake the entire household.

I have resigned myself to try and roll with the punches.

Weigh Day: Lean, Mean, Muscle Machine

Another week has flown by. All without me blogging. Sorry, life is INSANE lately with me spending time with family, doing coaching, home schooling my children and trying to pack in anticipation of our upcoming move to North Carolina.
And let me tell you, all the family get-togethers have NOT made it easy to eat right and try to lose weight. Too many goodies around! Especially with us staying at my parents' house where treats abound. My father is the type that shows love by feeding people.
This makes it especially hard.
Add to that the fact that I eat when I'm stressed. I'm experiencing stress about our upcoming move and about my husband Jason staying in one piece while jumping out of planes while at Airborne School for the Army. Stress, stress, stress! But I've done well. I have to feel especially proud this week after Easter celebrations. Because not only did I lose a pound this last week, I also feel MUCH stronger. I've moved on to the last and final video for Slim in 6 and was surprised that it wasn't as hard as I thought. I'm getting in shape!
I also lost 3/4 inch off my waist and 1/2 inch off each thigh.
I'm becoming a lean, mean, insane muscle machine! :)

Weigh Day: Leaner, Stronger, More Muscles

I'm still plugging away at the Slim in 6 program, just starting week 3 of it. And it's going well! I'm getting noticeably stronger every day. I'm amazed at how much stronger I've gotten so quickly. And I'm noticing my love handles and mid-section getting leaner. It's so exciting!

My Progress:

Well, once again I've gained another half a pound. But I lost an inch off my chest and 3/4 of an inch off each arm. So that's a total of 2 1/2 inches lost! I look at those results and think that I'm gaining muscles and getting leaner. Which is what I'm trying to do anyway!

*As a side note, I wanted to share something exciting that happened to me as a coach this last week: I made it to the DIAMOND rank! It's a great achievement, especially since I did it so quickly, setting a TEAM record (only 52 days!). I am now considered an "elite" Beachbody coach. I'm so excited!
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How are YOU doing on your weight-loss/get-fit journey? E-mail me your weight and body measurements to angiepete@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing about your progress!

Substitute It! Bacon: Part Two

A few weeks ago, I did a segment on Turkey Bacon. I told how much better Turkey Bacon is than regular pork bacon. Well, hold on to your hats everyone, because I just found something even BETTER than turkey bacon: CHICKEN BACON!

I found it while grocery shopping a few days ago. Looking over the nutritional information, I was surprised to find that it was a better choice than the turkey version. So I bought it straight away, cooking it up the next day for the kids for breakfast.

"What do you think of the bacon?" I asked my 9 year old son, Jaron.

Jaron stopped chewing and eyed his half-eaten piece suspiciously. "Why? What did you do to it?" he asked, worried.

"Nothing!" I was quick to tell him. "It's chicken bacon instead of turkey."

"Oh!" Jaron said, looking relieved. He popped the rest of the piece into his mouth and said, "I didn't notice a difference. Bacon is bacon!"

Here is a chart I typed up of the nutritional information for pork, turkey and chicken bacon side-by-side: