A New Chapter

2013 was my year.....I had gotten down to my lowest weight, 169.8lbs just in time for my sisters vow renewal. I felt amazing, I looked how I had hoped and was happy......I then stopped taking the diet pills and my exercise regimen slowly faded and now almost 4 years later, I'm heavier than I started and feel like crap. The last couple of years I've just felt off. My body was doing weird things and we couldn't figure out why. I attributed it to being overweight and not exercising and I tried to find that want to do better....but I didn't so I just continued to feel like crap. I've mentioned before having Bells Palsy in 2009. I've been having some nerve pain because of that and finally went to the doctor just recently to figure it out. She ran a large scale blood panel to see if we could figure out something, and well, we did.

My panel came back with all kinds of things wrong. First, my Vitamin B12 & D were very low. My glucose was in the higher range of healthy (99 is high and I was a 92), my cortisol levels were 28 when high is 13, yikes! Last on the list was my Thyroid levels. She tested both my TSH and TPO levels and there it was, Hashimoto's Disease. Hashimoto's disease is a condition in which your immune system attacks your thyroid, a small gland at the base of your neck. Inflammation from Hashimoto's disease, also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, often leads to an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism). 

I thought it sounded crazy but the further I've read into and seen what this disease can do, the more I realized this is exactly what has been wrong with me for these last couple of years. Fatigue, constipation, weight gain, hair loss, muscle aches, joint pain, depression, memory loss, mood swings. I hit just about everything on the list. It makes me happy that something was found but it's going to be a lot of work....getting my body to work like it should and adjusting to this new lifestyle. 

This new lifestyle comes with an extreme diet change....and not for just a few months but for the rest of my life. I'm scared to death! Per doctors orders; no gluten, no dairy, no sugar, no soy....what???!!!! After more reasearch, I'm looking at Paleo AIP or Paleo Auto Immune Protocol. Roughly, it's a paleo diet with even more restrictions and because of my high sugar count, I am not allowed any fruit except berries for a few months, or until we can get my sugar under control. 

What makes me sad is the kids asking why I can't have something and I have to explain to them that sadly, I did this to myself. Years of horrible foods and yo yo diets have brought me here....and it sucks. For right now, I won't be going crazy with exercise, just taking long walks and doing some yoga to relax and lower my stress levels. Day 1 of this diet was rough....I had a headache most of the day and just wanted to sleep. Luckily, hurricane Irma is on its way and I get a much needed 4 day weekend to recoup and try to get feeling like myself again. The sweet cravings have dug into me today....it probably doesn't help that I've been pinning away all the desserts on paleo.....which I can't even have yet, lol

So follow along with me.....let's see if all these changes make me feel finally like myself

Fat to Fit.......Again

If you've read here before or even if you haven't, I'll give you a quick recap about me.....

I'm a mom of 3 kids (8,6 & 4) and started this blog after baby #3. I wanted to get back into shape once & for all. I worked out & ate healthy and went from 255 to 205lbs all on my own (and some hard ass work) then in 2013 I sought the help of my doctor because I had hit a 5 month plateau. She put me on an appetite suppressant. I didn't do much research and I didn't really have any direction from her but since she prescribed them, I thought nothing of it. They gave me energy, they helped me eat less and I continued to lose weight till I hit my lowest weight of 169lbs. Life was good.....till it wasn't. I was over exercising and under eating which isn't a good combo. I didn't think I needed the pills anymore so I stopped taking them & was managing my weight for a little while and then slowly it just creeped up to where I am now.......Here, the last day of 2015 & I've managed to creep up 50+lbs, 30 of which are just this year.

The question isn't "What happened?" It's "What didn't happen?"

Well, I didn't exercise. I probably haven't set foot into the gym since July and before then, it was just sporadic trips here & there. I can blame it on the fact that my favorite gym closed and that was part of it but I can't put all the blame on that. I didn't go....Period. I haven't tracked my food at all this year & I mean nothing. And with that, I didn't really watch what I put in my mouth either. It was nice sometimes, not having to watch what I ate, being able to indulge but when someone like me indulges it turns into over indulging in a daily basis. And then that turns into being disappointed in yourself for over indulging only to then emotionally eat which is usually something not healthy. It's a vicious cycle obesity is. And yes, I'm using the big O word. It's true, I'm obese. I'm overweight. I'm un-healthy. I'm tired of it. Tired of feeling like I live on a never ending loop. I've probably lost & gained 100's of pounds over the course of my lifetime and going round & round sucks. I'm like this giant hamster on this freaking spinning wheel that just doesn't stop, except for breaks of doughnuts & self pity. This whole diet thing takes a toll on you. Takes a toll on the mind and soul. My mind screams, I JUST WANT TO BE FIT ALREADY!!!! That's just not logical though. It's not an overnight thing, it's the rest of my life thing. And if this is going to be for the rest of my life, then I need to get it under control now, before I can't anymore.

So I'm Fat working on getting Fit again.....and I hope you will follow me along as I try to get myself to a place where I'm happy, inside & out.....mind & soul. 

I decided that this body of mine could use a cleansing of sorts. So I'm doing the Advocare 10 Day Cleanse . I've done it before and when I really follow it, I've had great results. I prefer this cleanse to others because it's not expensive ($36.95) and includes everything you need to complete the 10 days. The dietary restrictions are rough if your used to eating crap but that's why it works. You have to stay away from sugar, white carbs, caffeine & dairy. I've also enjoyed some of heir other supplements like Catalyst which are amino acids that help maintain your muscle mass & feed those things. And I really like their Probiotics. They keep me fuller longer and digestively healthy. With Advocare, you have the option of becoming a distributor for just $79.99. With that comes a 20% discount on products. I chose to go ahead and sign up seeing as I love multiple products and can now get them at a discount. It's not for everyone but I thought it made the most sense for me. In the past, I've had some of you follow along and do the cleanse with me & I would love that this time around as well! If you think about doing it or trying some of the products, think of signing up as a distributor. And if you do, I'll throw in the cleanse for FREE! So $79.99 will get you the distributor kit with 2 boxes of Spark (energy drink) and the cleanse. (Great value if you want to do the cleanse anyways & try the energy drink) If you want something more extensive, they have a 24 Day Challenge Kit that pretty much just starts after the 10 day cleanse ends. I haven't don't it before but they always have really cool challenge groups that keep you accountable. 

I'm really looking forward to trying to get back into this healthy mindset. I want to get back to that girl that loved working out & eating healthy. She passed up cake and would try new things at the gym. She was awesome & powerful & motivated. She was me....and I have to find her again. 

And to all you out there that have read & followed along on my journey, I appreciate all the well wishes & motivation you give me each & everyday even after me being gone for so long. It's hard to put yourself out there for all to see and you make it easy to do so, so Thanks for that!

Finding myself

It's been 4 months since my last blog post.....and even longer since I felt like myself. I haven't stayed consistent with anything I've done this last year or so. I haven't workout on a regular basis or eaten healthy. I'm not tracking calories or meals. It's been nice to not worry about any of this, to not concentrate on a diet for once in my life. So your probably thinking.....what's the problem? Well, I've gained almost 50lbs. I'm not happy. I don't feel good. I'm not myself. The me who loved how I looked & felt. The me who was at the gym everyday. The me who ate healthy & shared my journey with all of you. I'm not that girl anymore.

When I first started all of this, I thought I was doing this for me. But thinking about it here for a while, I finally know it wasn't.  It was for everyone who thought I couldn't, for people who had doubts, concerns.....for people who I wanted to make proud. For everyone....but myself. And because of that, I've gained the weight back. I feel ashamed and saddened that I've gained that much weight . I don't want to admit it to myself let alone to any of you.

I have failed....miserably.

Looking back though, I'm glad I figured this out now. I haven't gained all the weight back. I'm not at square one, however I have learned through therapy and self discovery that this time it has to be for myself if I'm gonna keep the weight off. So I've spent the last few months finding myself. Finding that want within me to make the change. Not caring what others think or say. Not needing anyone's approval but my own. I still struggle with putting my needs first, and as a mom, I think I always will but I now know what kind of woman I want to be. What people I want to surround myself with & what my goal is. For myself and only me. I truly believe in my heart that's what I must do if I'm to be successful in the long term. So for what seems like the millionth time, I started again. today.

Finding myself has been a tough journey thus far. But going down this road has helped improve so many other parts of my life that I've been sort of neglecting, for years....including friendships & my marriage. I want to be healthy....all around....mind, body & soul. 

And that starts now.

The Color Run - Race Recap

On Saturday, the family and I did the color run. Now, I've done this race in the past & I've also volunteered but this time I was an ambassador! The ambassador program was given to a few of us in the central Florida area based on our applications, interviews and blog followers. They gave us free registrations and a coupon code to help people save on their own registrations. We also had a prize tier based on how many people used our specific code. Thanks to my followers on Facebook, the blog & with the help of my friends & family I got high into the tiers and was able to win a bunch of awesome gear! Including socks, a tutu, a hoodie, extra color packets & a gift card to their online store. If your approached in regards to applying for this program, do it! My experience with TCR has been nothing but positive and I love the races each and every time! 

So this year was the Shine Tour...which meant GLITTER! I was super excited and this time a bunch of my family did it with me! 

We seriously had a blast! If you've never done The Color Run, how it works is, every kilo they squirt a powdered paint all over you. They are really great with the kiddos so bring them with ya!

This year they added glitter and it was the last arch we ran through....from then on, glitter was just everywhere....

Then, once you cross the finish line, they launh a color throw where everyone counts down and throws more color in the air! It's super cool!

I truly love this run and the TCR family. If they come to a state near you, register for it......you won't regret it!

Advocare 10 Day Cleanse Recap

The 10 days are over. I feel lighter, more energized. I feel good....I'm glad I did this. My body needed a bit of a detox from the holidays. So my starting stats were:

Weight: 205lbs

Total Inches: 160" 

And my final stats are

Weight: 203lbs 

Total Inches: 155.4"

That's a loss of 2lbs and over 4"! 

Throughout this cleanse I've researched a lot of different things I could do or try to give myself a healthy start. This needs to be a lifestyle change, not a quick fix. It needs to be something I can do and continue to do for the rest of my life. I've done a lot of looking into my body type and figuring out what works best. I found some great info on BodyBuilding.com they even have a test you can take. It was very informative and even gives you nutrition and fitness ideas. Here's what it gave me:

So this is how I will be trying to eat. Very low carb except for post workouts. Lots of fruits (lower sugar ones) and veggies & of course, lean meats. Already today I feel a hell of a lot better. It hard for me....I like my carbs but this is something I need to do to be the better me. I have to focus on myself, make better choices and be a greater me.....I can do it. I will do it. You can to.

Reminder, if your in the Orlando Area and want to join me in The Color Run, use code ORLANDO5 to get $7 off your registration! You can register here: 

Click This Link!

Advocare 10 Day Cleanse - Halfway

So I'm 5 days into the cleanse & feeling good. I feel lighter, more energized. I don't crave the junk like I was before which was the main reason for this cleanse. Got on the scale this morning and this is what I saw, that's a loss of over a pound and a half! That makes me happy! I won't re measure till the end.

While on this cleanse, I've tried some different recipes and had to stay away from things like dairy, sugar, fats and I miss those things....not every aspect of them but the body needs healthy fats, the body needs some dairy and even sugar. I've been thinking a lot about what I will eat after I'm done with the cleanse and can get back to regular and truthfully, I don't wanna get back to regular, it's what has gotten me to this point. So, I decided that once the cleanse is done I will go vegeterian for a few weeks. That is the one thing I really can go without and I truly feel like it's the cause of a lot of my problems. I want my body to clean out and meat just sits in your body, for a while. So any vegetarians out there that have any suggestions, I'd love to hear them! 

Well here's to the next 5 days, let's make them count! I have step class tonight, Zumba Tuesday night & step class again Wednesday so I hope adding in some exercise will only increase my losses. 

Have a great week!

New Year - Advocare 10 Day Cleanse

I've done the Advocare cleanse before, you can read all about it Here & Here. It's my favorite for a few reasons....you can eat normal, regular meals with your family, it's not a starvation cleanse, it's inexpensive & pretty simple.

There are 3 things that come in the package and everything is taken at certain days & times.

Fiber Drink: Peaches n Cream flavor. This is the only flavor I can get down. I do not recommend the Citrus flavor unless you like to punish yourself...you have been warned ;) You drink this drink first thing in the am days 1-3 & 7-10.

Probiotic Restore Capsules: (white) are taken in the am, prior to breakfast & fiber drink days 4-10.

Herbal Cleanse Tablets: taken at bedtime days 1-7.

The rules of this cleanse are fairly simple; no dairy (which I think is the only down side since that means no shakes for me) no sugar, no white carbs but you can have any whole grains. My plan is to stick to just brown rice & whole grain bread only & no fats. 

My starting stats:

Chest: 43.5"

Waist: 42"

Hips: 50.5"

L Leg: 24"

My plan for the next 10 days is to eat as close to perfect as possible. No eating out, no cheats....nada! I will also be doing at least 30 min of cardio each day. I'm hoping to make it into the gym most days but it may just be an evening walk with the family. You can see what I'm eating on My Fitness Pal user Firebride.

This past year was really crappy weight loss wise and I'm hoping this cleanse gets me in the healthier mode. I know everyone else makes the same resolutions...."2015 will be my year!" and as corny as it sounds, that's what echos in my head. I can't continue down this same path. I can't tell you why I veered off this past year...I was doing so well, but I can tell you that I'm not letting it happen again. I feel myself creeping back into the same habits and routines that made me this fat, unhappy person....I don't want to be her. I deserve more...my family deserves more. 

2015 will be my year....our year....don't let anything stand in the way.