Carbs Carbs Carbs....

It's been a little while since I wrote an update on the new lifestyle "diet" program.

I have been maintenaning the weight pretty good, just need to stabilize the meals and planning a little bit better. I do pretty good most of the time, but there are 2-3 days in a row where I don't make the wisest meal choices. I would like to improve on that.

I went to my weekly "check in" with the main nutritionist at Nu Energy yesterday.

She said while my weight may not be going up, it starts with the inches.
If I intake too many carbs, the inches will increase before the weight is put on.
Interesting information that I was not aware of...

My mission for the next 2 weeks is to track my daily intake of carbs, without changing my current eating habits, to see if I am eating too many.
I have not exactly put any additional poundage on YET, but I do feel a little bit "fluffier" than I thought I was before I started eating regular carbs again.

She also mentioned that I need to make sure I am getting enough protein (50 or more grams per day) to ensure that I don't lose my muscle.

That is why 1 supplement per day is good to continue.. unless I eat more carbs than I should, then I need to add 1-2 more supplements in the day.

Water is still an important key in this too..

So.. let's see what the results show in 2 weeks.

Happy 4th of July!!!!

2 Months Into Maintenance

This marks 2 months since I entered into the "maintenance" phase of the Nu Energy Program.

I have had a few ups and downs on the scale, but overall, staying on top of the healthy lifestyle change.

The sweets are still a temptation to me, but you know... it's something I want to indulge in, and I am not going to deprive myself completely from them. I try to squeeze an extra workout in the day that I do indulge in that sweet goodie. AND drink an extra cup of water.. :D

The daily exercise has become habit, and I definitely feel better when I get it in first thing in the morning.

Life is good!!

Bring on summer!!!

GOAL TIME!!!

I had my consultation with the main Nutritionist at Nu Energy today...

I have met my goal weight! Now it's time to move to the next level..

Conditioning phase.. maintaining the weight, but adding muscle.


Today marks the beginning of the mainintenance plan for me.

Adding in a variety of foods and adding some more carbs into the plan as well.

Here is a look back from October 2013 to March 2014:

--Started at 143 lbs and ended at 121 lbs.

--My body fat has decreased from a little over 30% down to 24%.

--Water Intake substantially increased, no longer borderline dehydrated

--Metabolism has increased and is currently at 1270, but goal is 1500 or so.. this could take up to 6 months to achieve...

I'm sure there are other benefits that I'm missing, but I am so excited that I finally reached that "hard to reach" goal!!!!!!!

They also addressed the Vegetarian options -- Tofu, and other soy meats, beans, and nuts... I just need to watch the total carbs and measure / weigh the "meat" to make sure I am meeting my minimum requirement of protein.
(3oz)

I am so glad that I joined this program and have more knowledge on diet. It's more than a diet. It's a lifestyle..

Dragging along....

So, this week brings on some new challenges and questions to Nu Energy about myself.

1) My latest BMI revealed:
       a. that my lean body weight went down instead of continuing to go up.
       b. that my metabolism actually went down

Questions to the nutritionist:

1) What did I do wrong? - they said to increase my protein intake and make sure I am measuring 4oz per serving... Then, I ask what can I have that is vegetarian rather than meat all the time? They are supposed to get back with me on that... b/c they don't know.. hmmmm

2) Why would my metabolism decrease? - they said to increase the length of my workouts. I had already increased from 20 minutes to now doing 40 minutes.. so what am I supposed to do now? Increase to 55... at this rate, I will be working out 2 hours per day, just to maintain my weight..  hmmmmm.... 


Bottom line this week, I am meeting with the main nutritionist who can help guide me in the right direction with what I need to be doing to keep the momentum going, without getting discouraged.

Because when I get discouraged, I am more inclined to have a "cheat" where I normally wouldn't..

More to come on this I suppose...

In the meantime, drink plenty of water, eat healthy, continue exercising, and keep a positive attitude... right??

The Long-Term Journey

So, this program has become more of a long-term journey than just a 30 day "diet" to lose weight.

I had original intentions of only sticking it out until I got down to the weight, according to my BMI.

But, now, I undertand more what this program is all about.

It's a lifestyle change, the requires daily choices; intentional choices.

-Exercising EVERY SINGLE DAY. - I have managed to accomplish this, almost effortlessly every single day. I enjoy working out, and getting my cardio in first thing in the morning, when the house is totally quiet. Everyone is still asleep, and it's just me and the workout time! It's my ME time. Very much needed for a busy mommy of 4 small children and a full time career.

-Drinking 80 oz + of Water EVERY SINGLE DAY - I have also managed to achieve the goal of the water intake, and I didn't think I would make it to the bathroom BEFORE I started this, but it's really no different than before. I feel better and it helps flush out the toxins in the body that build up if you don't consme this amount.

-Eating - Of course I EAT!! I enjoy lots of vegetables, protein rich foods, and less of the packaged foods. Limiting portions and increasing the vegetables, helps keep the body feeling satisfied and not loading up on those empty calories.

Bottom line now, is that I have realized the requirements of maintaining the healthy weight. I have learned to NOT beat myself up when I do splurge and enjoy a pastry on occasion, or slice of pizza. It's OK. It's an instance not a habit.

The summary is this: If you work it, it works, if you don't, it won't...

Enjoy life, and LIVE!

The last 5 Pounds

"The Last 5 Pounds is the Hardest to lose"... or so I'm told...

I am really starting to believe this saying that I hear just about every time I "weigh in" lately.

The one thing that keeps me going is that I am working out everyday, building muscle, and burning fat.

Weight really doesn't have an impact on me and meeting my goals. I think that the muscle I'm gaining is outweighing the fat!

I am maintaining the same weight each week, and maybe it's because I had that Sugar Free Vanilla Chai Tea Latte with Almond Milk instead of just black coffee last week. OR I had a few bites of the Blueberry Crisp I made over the weekend..

 But, that's OK. I enjoyed every sip of that Chai Tea Latte & every bite of that Blueberry Crisp!!

Just because I'm in "weight-loss" mode, does not mean I cannot enjoy a little something now and again. It just means I won't have the weight-loss impact that I should have each week.

I'm still maintaining these very important parts of my daily routine, and these cannot be taken lightly:

1) Drinking 100 oz of Water every single day
2) Working out 30 minutes every single day
3) Eating 3 Meals every single day - no skipping meals
4)  Taking daily multi-vitamins
5) Taking 3 protein supplments every single day
6) Choosing healthy meals with the appropriate amounts of protein, vegetables, and bread.


I will continue with these 6 steps above, even long after this weight loss goal is achieved.

It's not a diet.. it's a lifestyle change.

Winter Weather Blues

The Winter Weather Blues came to my house and didn't just KNOCK on the door, they KNOCKED DOWN the door!!

Holidays came and I indulged on several treats, which were all mighty divine I have to say!

The weight came after that, and it took about a week to burn it all off.

Now that we are into the 2nd week of the New Year, everything seems to be back ON track finally.

I am making smart, healthy choices for meals again. No wavering, straying off in the other direction again. I was weak, but now I am strong. Every time I say "no" to that tempting dessert, I get stronger.

One of my all time favorite "treats" is a Cheesecake that I make with 2% Cottage Cheese!! This completely helps with the cravings for something sweet! There is no sugar in it, and the crust is made with Wheat Melba Toast. Absolutely completely healthy!


Now.. here is something non-food / non-diet related that I am desperately seeking help with:

Beyond the diet though, I have had some recent minor issues with depression and feeling angry and bitter with the kids because there is a mess of toys spread throughout the entire house. There is not one tidy, neat area for me to sit and relax. I realize they have been home due to the weather, but gosh.. I just need some advice on how to handle this. My husband stays home all the day with the kids, but even he gets stressed out and overwhelmed on how to deal.
I have enough time in the evenings to make dinner, clean up after dinner, tidy up a little bit, maybe throw a load of laundry into the wash, put the clean clothes on my bedroom floor to deal with at a later time, and bathe children, spend a few minutes talking to them, tucking them in, and then I want to crash... I can't keep living like this. I need some organization in my life and feel like I'm about to pull my hair out.. or maybe I felt that way yesterday... LOL

Any tips would be greatly appreciated and hugely welcomed!!