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!
____________________________________________________________
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