Shakeology Cleanse - Day 2

Yesterday was a little rough. I was very irritable, but hubby and I both agree it was mostly due to the busy day. I really really dislike being too busy and overscheduled.

Today has been interesting so far. I decided that I would weigh an measure everyday's progress so that I can see if one day has more effect on me than another day and then compare that with my notes for the day and how I felt, how much water I drank, did I have more fruit, etc, etc.

My stats so far:

DAY 1
weight: 124.8 lbs
waist: 29
abdomen: 36.25

Total food counts for DAY 1:
783 calories
86.5g protein
89.5g carbs
9.5g fats
(however, I must note that I don't have calulations for some of the veggies I had in my salad OR for the olive oil I used when cooking the asparagus that I added to my plate for dinner) But those won't change the numbers too much anyway.

DAY 2
weight: 122 lbs
waist: 28
abdomen: 35.5



For a second I thought... "maybe it's dehydration" because to be really too honest, I haven't many BMs. In my opinion, not enough to equal those amounts of loss. And I didn't exercise yesterday. I was so worn out from the business of the day that I had nothing left to give. Howevr, I had 104 ounces of water yesterday! So it can't be dehydration.

Today, I'm definitely going through withdraw of food and calories. I'm feeling fatigued and somewhat bloated. Whatever my husband is cooking up for lunch for the kids smells AMAZING! (It must seem like he's always the one making them their meals... I swear I do make them food too!) We're a great team ♥

I'm starving right now. Nauseously hungry. I want to go for a run - 5 miles - but I'm not sure I'd feel better or worse afterwards. Right now, I want to break the cleanse SO bad. I shall be back later to update....

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3pm
Ok it's later! I decided to throw 2 tsp crunchy peanut butter and a banana into my Lunch Shake (instead of the mixed fruit or having it plain). THAT HIT THE SPOT! Even my hubby and kids were begging for more. It tasted SO good! I instantly felt energized and focused. When I was done, I went for a run - 5 miles! I feel AWESOME and I'm no longer counting the hours until dinner. I feel full and satisfied.

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6pm
Dinner was much different today than yesterday. I wasn't starving by dinner time and and feeling much more satisfied afterwards. I didn't eat too differently though, so it's probably due to eating a hartier lunchtime Shake and going for the run. I'm less hungry when I exercise. This feeling of contentment was appreciated after being so hungry earlier.

I added a few items today -
2 tsp Peanut Butter, 1(5oz) can of Tuna, and a banana.



Instead of Salmon, I used tuna on my salad tonight. I also added about 1.5 cup of cooked zucchini.

Baby Spring Mix, 5oz Tuna, 3 cherry tomatoes, onion,
Raspberry Vinegarette

For today, I still need 80oz of water, 1 cup of green tea, 1 Shake.

Shakeology Cleanse - Day 1

I went to bed last night SO excited and feeling ubber prepared... then I hit the alarm clock off 3 times and well we all know what happens when we do that! It just throws our whole day off.

The fam and I had lots of errands to run today and my oldest had school. He ended up being a little late (bad mommy!). So while I got dressed and quickly took my weight & measurements, Hubby threw on the teapot and start boiling water for the Green Tea and fed the kids breakfast (he's such a great daddy!). Then I blended up my Greenberry Shakeology and off we went! I basically consumed both as one meal - Green Tea first and then the Shake.

We were out soooooo much longer than expected today. In fact, it was time to pick up our oldest by the time we headed back home! And I still had another store to go to! So we go pick him up, come home, drop off hubby and the 2 other kiddos, I blend my second Shake, and then my oldest and I head back out to the store to pick up salad for moi, steak for hubby and pay a bill. If nothing else, Shakeology has been really convenient!

Now here I am... finally getting a moment to sit down and relish in all the wonderful things that happened today. It was one heck of a great Godly day!

I also wanted to come on here and give a list of the exact products I'm using for this Shakeology Cleanse...



Greenberry Shakeology
Tea: Liptons Naturally Decaf Green Tea
Fruit: Sunrise Growers frozen fruit mix (pineapple, strawberry, peach, red grape)
Lean Meat: Wild Salmon Fillets, frozen and individually vacuum packed
Salad: Private Selection Organic Baby Spring Mix
Dressing: Annie's Natural Raspberry Vinegarette
Water: my goal is at least 100 ounces (preferably 124 oz) per day


As for how I feel today... I'm not hungry at all, just munchy-hungry. I am looking forward to dinner so I can bite into something. But this is habit more than anything because my stomach is content and full. Something interesting is how much I've had to pee! I usually can drink A LOT before having to, but within a half hour of my morning green tea and shake I REALLY had to go! Like really really. LOL

I still have a salmon salad for dinner, another Shake and a cup of green tea to consume before bedtime.

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6pm
My grilled Salmon salad! (I also added 4 spears of asparagus after I took the pic)

Baby Spring Mix, Wild Salmon, 3 cherry tomoatoes, 1 cutie, onion,
Raspberry Vinegarette

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And off topic but SO exciting - my oldest son brought home his progress report - STRAIGHT A's!!! I'm so proud of him. Not just because they're straight A's, but because he's showing effort. If you've kept up with me on him and school, you'd know that we were homeschooling but when we gave traditional school a try they made him go back and repeat a grade that he already COMPLETELY passed with excellence. VERY frustrating for me, and I'm sure for him although he is more delighted in making new friends that he doesn't really care. However, this means more work for him, because in only 2 months he finished the 1st grade Math book they gave him his first day. So he comes home and does 2nd grade work to bring into the teacher. He loves learning so he is doing just absolutely amazing. His writing was a B. It's his least strong area. But even a B is great for a struggling subject! He decided he wanted to challenge himself for an A-Honoroll pin for his lanyard.... and wouldn't ya know! He brings home this progress report with all A's. So most of all, I'm proud that he made a goal, worked hard towards it, and achieved it.

God and I have been really in sync lately... it's been easy times and I'm VERY grateful and thankful for these down times. It's a great opportunity to take in all that is peaceful and calm. I'm feeling very clear and in touch with the Lord. It feels really good.

Have a great night everyone ♥

Cleansing... counting the hours!

In about 36 hours I'll be starting a 3-day Shakeology Cleanse! The Shakeology Cleanse is meant to jump start you in your fitness, break a plateau or shred pounds fast & effectively in a healthy way. The key is caloric efficiency; getting the most nutrients possible out of the fewest number of calories.

Here's how it goes:

3 SHAKEOLOGY Shakes a day (blended with water and ice)
2 Cups of Green Tea a Day (Triple Leaf Detox Tea is good choice)
1-3 piece of fruit a day* (Apple, pear, orange, banana, mango, berries, etc)
1 salad for dinner (lettuce, veggies, lean protein)
– 4 oz lean protein in salad** (WHITE poultry or fish)
– Only Low Fat Dressings

NO: Dairy (no almond, soy, or rice milk) or extra sugars. If it’s not on the list, don’t eat it!

*Optional – up to 3 pieces of fruit. This is for people who are in fairly good condition without too much weight to lose and may need the extra calories to power their workouts.

**If you are not a meat eater you can substitute meat for beans, just be sure to add enough beans. The only other food requirement is to have two tbs of a healthy oil like olive oil with your salad dressing. It's essential that you have your healthy fats everyday, even when you are in a cleanse.

Before you begin, weigh and take measurements. Measure around your midsection - 2 inches below your belly button and 2 inches above. This will give you a good comparison area for your lower abdomen and your waist.

Results are going to vary - so don't go heading off into cyberspace world and read about people who have gotten 10-pound loses or lost 10 inches off their midsection, and expect to get the same results. Weightloss and inch-loss will depend on your current health condition when you begin the cleanse, but what you can bank on is that you'll come out of this cleanse healthier than you were before you began!

So.. Monday morning it all begins! I hope you'll join me if you have Shakeology! If you don't, click on any Shakeology link in this post and you can order right from my Shakeology page! I'll be journaling and blog posting about each day, so check back!

Now I just have to finish off the girl scout cookies before Monday or else.... Anyone want to help with this task?

P90X... VFF Style

There's P90X... and then there's P90X Vibram Five Fingers style! Because it forces me to practice balance and use more muscles in my feet and legs, I am getting SUCH a better workout.

Today I made up a missed Core Cynergisitcs from Monday, Shoulders & Arms, then went for a 4 mile run. My running is getting crazy awesome! I'm staying within the 9-min mile range consistently. My legs are extremely less tired. I chaulk all this up to the combination of P90X and VFFs. I'm getting stronger while improving my form and lightening the load. What isn't helping... Girl Scout cookies. Those don't make you faster or lighter. So.. someone come take the rest of mine away!

Tonight I'll do Ab RipperX and call it a day!

On another note.... A few weeks ago, my husband started running. He still hasn't found the love for it like I have, but he's giving it all he has! He's improved SO much! I'm watching him go through the same steps I did last year and it's really humbling for me. I'm so proud of him, and he feels great. Sadly, only a few weeks away from completing the 8-week Hal Higdon plan I gave him to use, he had an incident at work and fractured his kneecap =( He's definitely out of running for a long time. Tonight, we're cleaning up dinner and he says "I want to put on my new shoes and go for a run! I need to get out and do something." HA!! I'm wearing him down! But it really sucks he can't go out and do it. I can only imagine what that would be like... Lots of prayers for him please.


Oh and my Shakeology shipment arrived today!! Oh I love it when a Shakeology/Beachbody package shows up!

And let me say - I'm not trying to SELL anyone anything. I'm just telling it like it is. You WON'T find another nutrient rich and filling shake that tastes amazing like Shakeology. And if you choose Shakeology is something you want to try - really really consider becoming a coach because you SAVE $15 a month by being a Beachbody coach. No catch, no lies, no hidden agenda. It's just that Beachbody coaches get 25% off everything and even with my website fee ($14.95/month), by getting $30 off Shakeology (the 25% off), I SAVE $15. So... like I said, I'm just telling it like it is.

I'm waiting 6 days and then doing a 3-Day Shakeology Cleanse. I'll write more about that later!

Alright... it's family game time. Peace out.

Red Rock Report and VFFs

Official times are in for the Red Rock Half Marathon I did on March 6, 2010!

So to be honest, Angel left me not really wanting to do another one. It was really rough and I was very sore afterwards. I got a few tips on hydration and electrolytes. As I've said before, I'm a minimalist and I didn't want to take anything but water in. I got advice on at least giving something like hammer gel a try. So I started adding it into my training and found it worked really well. I don't get jittery from it and I seem to have much better recovery with energy and my muscles.

Well, after all the shoe issues I was feeling like a debbie downer about the Red Rock race. But it was the one I looked forward to in all this and the race that began the journey of 4 halfs this year. I had to do it... I stood at the start line at 7am with my arms tucked in my shirt until she started counting down 3,2,1...GO! Until she said GO, I didn't even know if I was going to run this thing. But she said go and out my arms came like a turtle from it's shell and I shot off. I placed myself differently in the crowd this time compared to Angel. With Angel, I stood in the back knowing I'd be slow. This time, I didn't want to be left as the last in the pack and decided the fast guys could go around me. I stood up near the front.

I was praying my heart out the whole way there, while on the bus and at the start line. I needed motivation and confidence sparked in me! And this race was totally a Lord's race!

I felt strong right from the start. I didn't get that fatigue and struggle in the first 1-2 miles. Before I knew it, I was at mile 2 and still feeling good. The race this year went backwards from the exit of the 13-mile scenic loop, up to the visitor's center, with a little out-and-back on a dirt road to make up the total 13.1 distance. This was actually much easier in my opinion! Although an uphill climb from the start, it allowed the rolling hills to come later.

I was running in the old shoes, and knee started hurting just a tad at mile 5-point-something... so at that Ultra aid station I grabbed an Asprin, water, some gummi bears and ate an apple cinnamon hammer gel. I ate another gel around mile 10. I probably didn't need this, but I think I took it out of habit... it was in my hand and I needed something tasty but didn't want food.

I was struggling as we hit the first steep rolling hills, around mile 6. As a bunch of us walked up this hill, me and another girl struck up conversation... we ended up running the rest of the race together! Another 7 miles with a stranger made this the best race ever!! We seemed to have the same speed and threshold for hills. We were on the same page of 'walk to that sign and then start running". She was motivated and energetic, yet steady and realistic in that we just had to walk sometimes. It was a really wonderful experience :o)

Our official time 2:34 - 16 minutes faster than Angel in January! That's really good considering this was a much tougher hilly course. I really do chaulk that up to having a great running partner and the Lord's timing!

The next day, I went out running in my VFFs and felt great! 3 miles. And as I mentioned before, the only issue was the beginning of a blister that is supposedly something normal. I put a bandaid over it and have used nothing but my VFFs since then to run in - with no problems! I run faster and more efficiently in them. Other than some very slight soft calf soreness, I haven't felt any other pain like I did in sneakers. I'm really excited about the easy transition! I am really surprised at the pace change. I guess without the extra weight on my legs, I'm able to move my feet quicker. Also, uphill running is much easier and less straining on my thighs. I feel like I fly uphill now! I've been doing P90X in them and have run 2 more times in them this week.

I suspect my easy transition might have to do with being somewhat of a self-proclaimed hippie at heart already. I'm usually wearing sandals, flip flops or going barefoot. Hey I live in the desert - it's a perk of living here!

I decided I'm going for the Lovell Canyon Half as #3. And I will be wearing my VFFs. I have less than a month left. I heard the hill is awful, so me and the fam went to check it out. I can see why it's hard, it is a striaght upward grade for the first 4.2 miles... however it does seem somewhat of a soft uphill like the first 5 miles of Red Rock.. so I really do think I can do it. Especially considering it's a turn-around race, so the last 4.2 miles are a soft DOWNhill.

Recovery run & my new feet

I haven't written up the Red Rock 1/2 Marathon race report yet because I had some mix ups with my watch and I don't have a solid time yet. I can give you a little hint - I set a new PR!

Today I went for a light recovery run. I was also breaking in my new "feet" - the Vibram Five Fingers. I went out to a little trail in Henderson, and I'm glad I did! On my way home it started pouring rain! So my timing for the run was perfect.

I ended up doing a 3 mile recovery run. The run itself felt great. No muscle soreness really. As for the new feet, WOW! I was hitting hills like a champ. I felt more flexible, light, and agile. I ran at my same usual pace without a problem. I ran on some dirt and blacktop. The soft dirt felt really nice and easier to manage than when I run on it with sneakers. I prefered the dirt with Five Fingers on, but the blacktop didn't hurt at all. I'd love to feel what running on the beach would be like. That's where I went today in my mind :o)

One problem I did have with the Five Fingers... I ended up with a little blister on the inside of my left foot. I'm concerned about this. I'm wondering if it is a one-time deal and part of breaking in the shoes and the feet. Vibram does make five fingers socks... I don't want to have to buy them though. I don't want to spend the money, and I don't want all the extra baggage on my feet. I like being barefoot - technically.

I called the guy who owns the store where I bought them. I had talked to him last week before buying them. I'm hoping he can help me out with understanding this... and I'm heading now to Runner's World online to the barefoot running board.

UPDATE:
Seems I'm not the only one! This exact area for a blister is very common with the breaking in of VFFs. I'm really stoked, because other than this tiny blister, VFFs were absolutely perfect in every way!
Runner's World Post

Shoe Dilemma...

Why in the world does there always have to be a shoe issue!?

I was originally fitted for the Saucony Progrid Omni 7. I was overpronating and this shoe helped me a lot. I've gone through 3 pairs in a year, running relatively low mileage. The body of the shoe seems to wear out faster than the treads. My foot start moving around more, the toe box started to become too wide... I realized it was probably due to all the weightloss! Duh. It's almost 50 pounds now.

A month ago, I went to get a new updated shoe fitting. I wanted something with a more narrow toe box and a little lighter weight. I told them to not get any Saucony. They got me on the treadmill barefoot and it turns out I no longer need any pronating help! yay! I was fitted in the Mizuno Wave Rider 13. I spent a month researching, trying to score the Wave Rider 12's... everyone was out of stock in my size. I even talked to the Mizuno guy on Runner's World. This was THE shoe for me! I was excited to try something new and that really felt good in the store. I just needed to save up the money to buy them.

The last straw with the Saucony shoes was last Friday, I went out for a short 5-miler and it ended up being an even shorter 3.6 miler. The heavy pronating support in this shoe was just way too much anymore that it started forcing my weight onto the outside of my left foot. This was in turn causing the knee pain I'd started having. It was time... I bought the Mizunos Monday this week.

I figured I'd have time to break them in before the Red Rock Half. I don't usually have problems with new shoes. But I get these home.. and they're not so comfortable anymore. I'm wearing them around the house and my they're slipping off the back... I runner tie them and now they're hurting the sides of my feet... WTH!!?

I try for another 2 days and finally give up. They hurt so bad. I returned them.

After constant research and yet ANOTHER shoe fitting - in which I allowed the girl to bring out Saucony if she'd like - I was fitted in the Saucony Progrid Triumph 7. A great shoe, it was a bit heavy and much heavier than I'd prefer, but it worked.... however they are $130! Ok.. I get it... running shoes DO get expensive. But seriously, if Saucony's body wears out fast for me, and I'll be buying 3 pairs of these this year.. I just can't go with a $130 shoe. This mama can't afford that.

Finally.. I had enough. I'm going to attempt the Red Rock Half in my old Saucony Omni's and hope for the best. I might have to take some Ibuprofen. I have to at least try and if things don't work out, I'm ok with knowing I gave it my all and my best, and sometimes stuff happens. Who knows, I may not experience any knee pain at all... I won't know unless I try. But I promise to listen to my body and let the race go if need be.

However, I do need to keep running after this... it's not just race Red Rock and then never run again.. HAHAHAHAHAHA - just the thought of not running again makes me laugh out loud. It'll take more than a shoe situation to make that happen!

As a result of all this, I'm super excited to announce that my total hippy-at-heart has come out and I'm finally accepting that I've been curious for long enough... oh yes... it's exactly what you think....



Bought them tonight. They're called Vibram Five Fingers. They seriously fit like a glove like they should. I already see a difference in the way I jog around inside the house... and I wish I could wear them tomorrow! But I know... I know... I need to really gradually move into them. I will... and can't wait to start!!

Pre-Race - Red Rock Half Marathon

Tonight's packet pick-up.... tomorrow's the big day. Red Rock Half Marathon. THE race that set this whole wacky 'Calico Half Slam' idea into effect. This was one of the races I volunteered at last year and thought how awesome it would be to one day run that myself. But at this point last year, I had only run three 5k races... and NO triathlons yet. My oh my, how a person can change in only a year! Thank you God for the strength - mentally and physically - that I could even embark on such a feat.

I'm very nervous. I went running out there on Valentine's day, 10 miles, and it kicked my butt. BUT, I did do it and the the "recovery" in the days after was really non-existent. I was out running again 2 days later like normal. I haven't been our running that 10 miles again though... so we'll see if it causes me to crash and burn. I really don't think so. I'm nervous yet really posistive. I know I can do 10 miles on those brutal hills, up and past the highest look out point... I know that I felt great afterwards... I can do 3 more miles. As is the case with many people in Las Vegas, Red Rock Canyon is a second home to me and my family. We're there all the time and I've run out there a lot. I know exactly where those last 3 miles are. I know I can do them.

As nervous as I am, my heart's very calm.

3 Goals:
~Finish uninjured
~Have a great fun time!
~Finish wanting to do it again



Lord, be with me. You are my strength, my reason, my deliverer, my saving grace. You've given me the heart that desires to do this, please help carry me through
safely and in good spirits.

Business with pleasure

As I've mentioned before, I'm a Beachbody Coach. That means that I own my own little piece of fitness business with Beachbody. I get to help people set up goals, encourage them as they persue and achieve success, and talk nutrition all day long, as much or as little as I want to... all while I workout and make money too! Every workout is considered work I guess... I have no shame in mixing this business with pleasure!

I have also embarked on a new challenge that I didn't want to talk about on here until I felt totally commited and involved. I gave myself one week and here I am to say that I'm officially a P90Xer! I'm on day one of week 2 (day 8 for those that can't count). I've made it a whole week and feel great! I have been incorporating running as well. In the past, my reasons for not continuing P90X after day 1 were I couldn't even start most of the exercises let alone finish a rep or set and that my legs hurt too much to run afterwards. Running was and is very very important to me, so doing any program that would hinder that was a NO-go. I tried P90X Classic 3 times since August 2009 and just couldn't get it. Finally I found out that I can do the LEAN schedule! Oy - wish I knew this before but I guess timing is everything, because I gave this version a try and WOW this week has been amazing!

The Lean version is just a different schedule than the Classic (or Doubles). You don't need anything extra, just the main P90X program - then you just follow the schedule the fitness guidebook lays out. Easy peasy!

The Lean is higher cardio and focuses on the core (Legs&Back, Core Synergistics, YogaX, Arms&Shoulders, KenpoX, Xstretch, Ab RipperX and CardioX).

I'd like to share my before and after pix with you all - they're posted on my BB Coach website. The last pic will be my P90X - DAY ONE photo. I'll be updating every months for 3 months (90 days)!

T minus 5 days until Red Rock Half Marathon!! I'm curious to see how almost 2 weeks of P90X core work will help... I shall be back to update!