My New Mantra...I want T-shirts.

See this post for details.

Love, Viv

To WEIGH, OR NOT to Weigh

Love this picture-KEEP IT UP!

Dear friend,

I came home from my weekend a little tired:) Why do vacations always do that?  You go to get rejuvenated and come home with wonderful memories and heavy eyelids.  Eating was awesome,  I brought:

• a big batch of fajita pasta salad for everyone 
• a gallon size bag of cut up veggies
• a bag of grapes
• a few oranges, bananas, and apples
• a quart of Almond milk
• 2 bottles of nutty spread and two bottles of fruit spread
• a hearty loaf of wheat bread 
• plus a bar of dark chocolate 

We had a little kitchen in one of the rooms so I was able to eat my food when we ate in.  Bed and Breakfast morning times consisted of egg casserole, loads of bacon and sausage, french toast strata, yogurt and fruit.  I loaded up on the fruit, added a piece of wheat bread smeared with nutty and fruit spread and a nice cup of lemon tea sweetened with agave.  

For lunch on Saturday everyone had Subway and I had a veggie version with dijon and salt and pepper on the wheatiest bread they had.  And the last night we ate out at Carlos & Harley's--if ever in Eden--eat there! Delicious food for everyone.  I had corn tortilla tacos stuffed with portabellos, poblanos, cabbage, rice, black beans and salsa.  I am craving these already, I am totally going to remake these little yummies.    I did not eat anything I would not have at home other than the leafy greens were a little hard to come by.  

On return I stepped onto the scale and...well nothing happened the scale had not budged.  As I stood there staring at that number I realized something, my goal of toning, because of my weekly "Weigh-ins" has turned to losing weight.  Over the last 12 weeks since this plant strong journey began I have lost 22 lbs.  I used to plateau in weight loss at 178 or so, now it is at 158--that's big, but all I can think about is that it's not coming off anymore.  If I were on a regular "diet"  I can tell you what already would have happened I would have jumped ship for a few days and thought to myself, 

"If it's not working then I am going to eat what I want."  

Because of plant strong living my perspective has entirely changed there are more important things to me than losing weight.  I believe that not only has our eating habits as Americans created our "sickness" but also our dieting habits.  We have tunnel vision, there is no grand ideal of health and wholeness, we care about size and shape.  

In protest of this perpetuation I am throwing out my scale.

Yes, you heard me right-I am throwing it out.

I am going to measure every 3 weeks and gauge my progress by how I feel- lean, strong, healthy then A for me.  As I exercise and give the best fuel to my body I will achieve my goal of toning up and feeling great and that has nothing to do with weight and that monster scale.  Because of my thyroid I need to keep a tab on my weight periodically but my Drs office has told me I may slip in once in a while to weigh--so GOODBYE scale and HELLO health.

We need to stop and realize how much we have to GAIN not how much weight there is left to lose--Health, Energy, Strength, Quality of life, the list is endless--our bodies are the vehicles by which we carry out our purpose here on Earth.  I don't know about you but I want mine to be a Bentley.

Here is to strength without scales--whew I feel better already!

Viv

P90X Day 30-Small Progress

So, as I have reviewed this past month, I am disappointed in myself.  Not so much in the weight lost/inches lost, but in my ability to not be committed.  I noticed that as time went on, if a little bump in the road came up, it would almost paralyze me and make it so hard for me to pick myself back up the next day and inadvertently, I didn't.  It was a spiritual lesson for me that I hope to always remember....

As with anything in life, when bad things happen, or when we are de-motivated, the thing that we should do and the thing that would help the most, is usually the last thing that we want to do.  This weekend has been a rich learning experience for me...because I learned a lesson that applies to everyone, everywhere both spiritually and every other way.  I read a talk yesterday by President Thomas S. Monson (The President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints).  It's entitled "Living the Abundant Life".  It was awesome.  I had read it before, but this time got so much more out of it. 

First of all, have a positive ATTITUDE, secondly, BELIEVE in yourself and others.  He goes on to say, "Don’t limit yourself and don’t let others convince you that you are limited in what you can do. Believe in yourself and then live so as to reach your possibilities.  You can achieve what you believe you can. Trust and believe and have faith." and thirdly, have COURAGE.  "Courage is required to make an initial thrust toward one’s coveted goal, but even greater courage is called for when one stumbles and must make a second effort to achieve.  Have the determination to make the effort, the single-mindedness to work toward a worthy goal, and the courage not only to face the challenges that inevitably come but also to make a second effort, should such be required. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says, “I’ll try again tomorrow.”

Like Tony Horton says, "Keep pushing play...keep pushing play"  It's so true.  In order for us to reach that goal we have so desired, we need to keep moving forward.  We can fall down, but we need to have the courage to get back up....and we will, in time, reach that much desired station in life.

Weight:  132.2 (-4.4 LBS)
Arms:  12"
Waist: 29.5" (-.5)
Navel: 32" (-5.5)
Hips: 38 (-1.5)
Top Thigh: 22.5" (-1)
Top Knee: 14"
Chest-32" (-.5)
Calves: 13, 13.25"

P90X Day what?! What just happened?

Looks like the 'failure' moment has finally come to a head.  I am so ready to move on and be better--really...promise...pinky promise. 

Soooo, what went wrong, you ask? 

Well, Saturday night was welcomed by the worst stomach virus EVER for me and my 3 kids---all at the same time.  It went on for days and by the time Monday rolled around (the start of day 21), I was down to 128 pounds---yes folks, that's over 5 lbs. of fluid loss.  When I was looking at myself in the mirror on Monday, I was like, hey, lookin' good (aside from the ashy gray appearance).  I thought it unfair to post on Monday, or Tuesday for that matter, b/c I was still gaining water weight that was lost.  Now, that it's Friday, I think I am pretty much back to normal, but I was not able to exercise until Thursday. 

So, long story-short, I have stabilized to 132.4.  So, I was able to lose 2 lbs. this week--hoorah!  I'm really excited to post measurement results---I am so excited for you to see what has happened just in a month.  Exciting stuff. 

Not a stellar week, however, we have to make room for life that happens to get in the way of what we perceive as perfection.  Next week, I'm gonna bring it! 

Off to Eden

...Eden, Utah that is.

I am postponing my weigh in to Monday due to a family vacation in the lovely little town of Eden.

Pros: family time, hot tub in the snow, carriage ride with the elk herd, kiddie sledding hill, beautiful surroundings

Cons: exercise is questionable, only two restaurant options, and I don't want to be odd man out but I do want to stick to my guns and eat healthy

Solution:  I am armed with my cooler full of fruit and veggies, my blender, Amy's Organic Soups, Nutty spread and some homemade {DELICIOUS, might I add} spicy fruit butter and some whole wheat bread.  I am going to take notes about traveling plant strong especially to two horse towns and share my lovely results next week.

Wish me luck!
Viv

Week 2: The grades are coming up?!

Dear friend,

Okay here's the rundown--I feel good I have been kind to myself but had a flash today of self consciousness...why you ask?

Because of that silly scale-we should send them all into outer space if you ask me.

I haven't regularly been weighing myself and so this is something I am not liking but it does give me some insight to share with those wishing to lose weight eating a plant strong diet.  This week I did not juice so I had a sweet tooth:)  I only ate good for me food like instant cookie dough (see the recipe here) and dark chocolate and these delicious little soy based coconut bars my hubby brought me but moderation is still key and I may have got a D in moderation if it was one of my classes included on the report card.

So what am I going to do this week?

For one CELEBRATE that even on a week where I gain a little I am happy and doing good things for my body, even when I have something to refine diet wise I still know this week I have combated cancer, osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease, and I love that!

But for the plan-keep up the good fight in getting more exercise for my body, focus on the veggies and fruit, I swear it's the little secret of weight loss, and be kind to myself.

Also, I have been eating quickly this week without preping my food, which means more grains and less fruits and veggies, grains (whole grains) are not bad but when aiming at weight loss it is important to outweigh them with the produce...so more prep and more variety for me this week.

How about you, did you fight the good fight? Were you kind to yourself? Tell me about it...

Viv

What's on the Menu?

Dear friend,

This is a photo of everything I put into my mouth on Tuesday.  Come on over to Spinach and Apples for a rundown and recipes!

Yummy,

Viv

PS Report card to follow...

Resolve

Do you know what I love?


I love being inspired.


My friend Fifi inspired me with her last post.  I love having inspiring friends, people around you that make you reach higher, press forward, and become more. I am blessed in this area...I have many I can look to, to help me become my more and Fifi and Evey are two of these beautiful people.


When I am inspired it usually leads to something I can share because my inspiration usually leads to something visual.  So...in honor of Fifi and her sweet mom's poem, which I can hear in the voice of my grandma, I have some free printables for you.


I made one for myself to hang next to the mirror in my bathroom but depending on your resolve for 2012 perhaps you might hang it by the treadmill or the fridge or in the treat cupboard next to the chocolate chips;}  


Sleep tight and stick to it...
Viv


Just click and print...


{Resolve Mini Poster in Gradient and Grey}

til it sticks to you

Hi all.


Fifi here.


I tried a new thing this week. I tried, for a week, to eat Vegan until dinner every day. Was I perfect? No. But something funny happened.


I realized how much my body craved fruits and vegetables. I juiced every morning, and most days for lunch, as well. I piled my plate full of vegetables for dinner and stocked my fridge full of produce.


The results? I lost the .5 lb I Virginia-gained and another .5 lb. Amazing? No. Am I discouraged? A little.


But, as I stepped of the scale this morning, a poem my mom had us all memorize in toddlerhood popped in my head. It reads:

Stick to your task until it sticks to you,
Beginners are many but enders are few.
Honor, power, place and praise,
Will always come to the one who stays.

Stick to your task until it sticks to you,
Bend at it, sweat at it, smile at it too.
For out of the bend and the sweat and the smile,
Will come life’s victories, after awhile.

This was a bit of our motto growing up, and although I've recited it millions of times, the 27.5 diets I've started would laugh, knowing I usually do anything BUT what the poem suggests (stop chuckling, Atkins. You too, Southbeach!).


Which is why I'm so dieted out. So sick of following 'programs' set out by people trying to make a buck.


And then, on the flip side, there's that whole genre of buck-makers writing books claiming "diets don't work". Well...come on obese America....we all know that NOT dieting doesn't work either. 


So what does work?


I think it's there between the lines of that poem. Stick-to-it-iveness works. Sticking to an exercise plan. Sticking to choosing the right fuel for your body, and so on. Because, research shows, most diets WORK if you stick to them.


So, that's my goal for next week, sticking to an exercise plan (a goal to run every day and weight lift 3 times a week) and planning and carrying out healthy, produce-filled meals.


Carpe diem. But after you're done seizing it, seize the next day and the next....

P90X Day 14.....Sidetracked!

Hello dear friends, it's your pal Evey.  I was not expecting the results to be as they were this past week.  I have to admit, I was expecting some positive gains.  I have been actively keeping my diet around 1500 calories.  I know, I know, I don't usually calorie count, but this P90X has it so drilled in your head, I can almost count, without counting, if you know what I mean.  I am exercising 6 days a week, but this past week, I have just been physically drained.  I don't know what it is.  I am physically exhausted and usually exercise is supposed to do the opposite. 

I started having pains in my lower left abdomen (ovaries) and also noticed a bulge down there (possible cysts).  I went to the doctor to tell him my woes, because instead of actually losing a pound, I managed to gain a pound back.  There is no way that I actually consumed an additional 3500 calories.  No way.  He seemed a little concerned and said that if I did have a cyst/PCOS, that that would contribute dramatically to not losing weight.  My body has just been feeling super bloated and I'm physically sick to my stomach now. 

So, the next step for me is an ultrasound tomorrow followed by a visit on Friday to see what's up.  Sure, it's discouraging, however, I'm more concerned about my health at this point than anything else.  There is no point in me losing all this weight, if I am physically unwell in the long run. 

I will continue to exercise, however, very lightly, as I am just exhausted.  So, for the statistics:

-2.6 (the running total).

Oh, and I only took pictures of my dinner tonight.  I totally forgot to take pictures of my breakfast and lunch!  So, the following pictures are:  2 cups of homemade butternut squash soup; and a chicken pesto caprese sandwich on homemade whole wheat french bread.  I'm not a food photographer, to say the least.  Sorry.  The chicken sandwich consisted of:

4 oz. chicken breast marinated in balsamic vinaigrette
1 oz. of fresh mozarella cheese
pesto (smeared on the w.w. bread-used as a condiment)
tomatoes

This was the first time I made the butternut squash soup.  Has anyone tried to peel one of those???  So not fun.  I don't know if I'll have this soup again...at least not this recipe.  It had onions and apples in it and a hot curry powder.  I was envisioning a hearty soup and it was sweet and oniony and hot at the same time.  It was okay for the 1st cup...2nd cup, I couldn't even stomach.

The sandwich was divine.  I could eat that all the time.  It would also be great as a vegan version to marinade the veggies and roast them in the oven, with some yummy vegan rella cheese and all the other yummies on there.  The bread was so good and vegan/vegetarian friendly as well, and I bet would taste even better toasted.

Overall, I want you to know that I am still on track.  I am doing the best that I can.  I know I'm not losing weight like the next girl, but I'm okay.  You work with what you're given and the Lord makes up for the rest.  I know that to be true.  It all works out if you work your hardest. 

Love, Evey

Vivian and her failing grade

SO I decided because I do no want my focus to be on the weight that I would present myself with a report card each week-mainly because I was a straight A student and anything but... will be the motivation I need to get going the next week. 

As you can see my exercise is my downfall and that was my main goal.  I without fail am going to at least get on the treadmill for 30 min a day.  I am going to get up earlier than my daughter which is 5 am and I am going to go to the gym or run on the treadmill, I do swear.  


This is a week of refining my schedule to give myself time to exercise--I think I can, I think I can--NO, I will, I will.  Also, I need to eat more healthy things, not that I am eating unhealthy but I am not eating enough.  It is important to take in more food when you are eating this way--imagine that, I lost 2 lbs and I need to eat more.  


Tune in next week for our "What's on the Menu?" series that will give you a peek as to what is on OUR plates.  And I will be guest blogging next week on the blog, spinach and apples about where to begin if you are looking to change your diet.  I will be spotlighting a series of people that I am helping to change their eating habits--first is a teenage girl and her mom, next an engaged early 20's male, then a twenty-something career girl, and last a family of five.  They all have different goals except one, to live healthier lives and to feel good.


Definitely-- good things--- to come!


Viv

Beauty Adjustment

...and see it in yourself.

For me I have always qualified beauty when it pertained to me.  Inside I believed I was beautiful.  I care about people, I love to help and share with others, I am creative and loving.  I strive to be like my Father in Heaven and like my Elder brother Jesus Christ.  I have done good things.  I believe in others and want great things for everyone.  I sincerely try with all my choices to make this world better by me being in it.  But when I tried to apply that word...beauty...to my outward appearance I failed miserably, I was awful and such a mean girl but only to myself.  It didn't make sense to me because I looked at others struggling with the same issues and saw the goodness and beauty in them, why could I not see it in myself?  As of 4 months ago this perspective changed.  I undertook this new lifestyle, a new diet regime, a whole foods-plant based way of life, and it all changed.  I am my own ally.  I am stronger mentally, physically, and spiritually and I am grateful.  I will no longer stand in my own way.

I wanted to share a couple of resources I happened upon today...the first is Operation Beautiful.  Such a fantastic idea and I already illustrated a few post-its and have a printable planned for you.  The mission of this woman is to improve the overall esteem of women in general by beginning a movement of kind acts--specific kind acts--go and take a look you won't regret it.

Two, this article in more eloquent words reflects my thoughts and I believe pin points a population-teenagers-that need uplifting in this area.  I know every insecurity I had stemmed from those crucial years.

And last, a beautiful young girl named Victoria, beginning her own blog hoping to spread this same message--

"You are beautiful just as you are!"

We can improve our health, and take care of ourselves but that does not change who we are, we are what we put out into the world--don't let it be negative by the comments you make about yourself.  Trash the trash talk and be your own ally, buoy yourself up each day by telling yourself of your innate worth and beauty.  Be kind to yourself and it will make a bigger difference than any outward alteration you could make.

Trust me--begin tomorrow by telling yourself how beautiful you truly are and in doing so begin a legacy of love for the girls who will follow in your footsteps.

McGilly this is for you--I am beautiful without qualification, beauty is me.

love. love.

Viv

Faith + Food

A few days ago these two pictures showed up in my inbox.  My aunt had sent them to me in response to my first post.  The before was taken in about 2002 and the after was at a Christmas party this last December.  I was speechless and still am, when I showed my grandmother she put words to what I was thinking about the old me,

"even your countenance has changed, Sweetie. You are a naturally beautiful girl, and beautiful here in both pictures, but you certainly do have added light. I love you."

The girl in the before picture would have vehemently disagreed with my grandma but the one in the after seconds this statement.  I was beautiful but there is strength in the after, strength and light.

 This past week I have been thinking about my faith in relation to my new way of eating.  As I mentioned on the homepage of our blog Fifi, Evey and I met because of our faith.  We are part of the same ward.  A ward is a local congregation of Latter Day Saints.  We live within a four block radius of each other and attend church at the same time.  One standard by which we strive to live is the Word of Wisdom.  The Word of Wisdom is a law of health revealed by the Lord for the physical and spiritual benefit of His children. On February 27, 1833, as recorded in section 89 of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord revealed which foods are good for us to eat and which substances are not good for the human body. He also promised health, protection, knowledge, and wisdom to those who 

obey the Word of Wisdom.

When I began this whole foods, plant-based diet I was told by one who will remain unnamed that I was breaking that law by the way I was choosing to eat.  Not having read the scriptures in detail for sometime I felt that it was time to revisit...here is what I found pertaining to my new diet--for the full set of scriptures click here.

12 Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly;

Sparingly in the Dictionary is defined as meager and meager is defined as deficient in quantity and this scripture is followed by another--

 13 And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine.

And if you follow the reference given for used you get:

20  And it pleaseth God that he hath given all these things unto man; for unto this end were they made to be used, with judgment, not to excess, neither by extortion.

I believe by all accounts in America we most definitely partake of animal proteins to an excess.  It also seems to me, after my study, that I am not only following the Word of Wisdom but I am doing better at it than I have in my whole life.

I love this plant strong stuff more and more everyday!

I found this article about SIster Hill, a woman who attributes her 150 lb weight loss to following the Word of Wisdom, she says,  

“Just like you need a recommend to go into the temple, food needs a recommend to go into your body. If it doesn’t fit the Lord’s criteria, it shouldn’t enter,” Sister Hill said. 

I agree. I feel better physically, mentally and spiritually--faith and food for me are becoming fast friends.

Love. Love.

Viv

PS Stat update to follow...

Blunder Week

OKay, everyone else is going to have a banner week - that's how the first week is always supposed to be. 


Right?


Well, we were in Virginia all week, eating my MIL's buttery-white floury- state-fair like food. I had great intentions of watching it and running my 1.5 miles everyday, it just didn't happen. Well, one day I ran 3 miles, but that's about it.


It's okay, though. I've learned from my mistakes and I'm not going to repeat them.


This week weigh in: +0.6


Love,
FiFi

P90X Day 7

Well, so far I'm having great results on P90X.  The good news is that I feel sore, so I know I'm doing some major work on my muscles.  I'm drinking over a gallon of water per day and am getting into the routine of fixing the meals a little easier.  I can actually feel the separate ab muscles underneath the layer of fat on my stomach, which I couldn't feel before.  I am really wanting to have nice muscle structure---nothing too extreme, but it would be nice to see some muscle definition, so I'm hoping to achieve those results using this program.  So, after reading Viv and Fifi's in-depth blogs, I felt kind of like I was cheating you of knowing me.  I don't want to have a hard shell that is hard to crack through, so I'll tell you a little about me and the goals I want with this program.

First of all, I have always had that yearning to be in good shape.  I have tried before, but it has never been a true lifestyle change.  If you must know, I actually grew up in a health-food store----really!  My parents opened up a health food store in '77 and it is still going strong today--my brothers are running their own stores.  So, I really should have an edge on being healthy, you would think.  And for the most part, I was.  I wasn't super-fit, but from the time I was young, I remember making conscious efforts to try to exercise and 'lift weights' and all that jazz.  Now, for the food.  I have always had a love-hate relationship with food.  I love food.  I love food.  And yet, I hate it at the same time.  What I really hate is my lack-of-self control when it comes to being in the same room with certain foods, while I'm trying to abstain from them.  I'm an emotional eater.  I grew up in a very food-centered home.  When we celebrated, food was the center.  When I was sad, I would go to get something to eat (almost always unhealthy).  When we had any special occasion or holiday---food was the celebrity.  So, I feel hard-wired to the emotional aspect of food.  I actually have vivid memories that I remember, because of the place we ate, or the thing I was eating at the moment.  Weird, I know! 

So, one of the goals I would like to attain through this program is to have a change of lifestyle, instead of this being just another diet.  I truly want my life to change.  Sometimes I wonder if I can do it.  I want it bad enough, but I have known this way for so long, that it's really difficult to imagine another way...sometimes it's hard to really know how.  But, I'm taking it day-by-day, and some how, some way I think my brain and body will realize that just because I'm sad, I really don't have to grab a candy bar or eat a piece of buttered cinnamon toast to feel good.  That I can exercise or spend time with kids or pray or read my scriptures to get a better effect, and in the long run, become proud of myself, instead of guilt-ridden and unhealthier.  I'm the first to admit that it's HARD.  As I write this, I am thinking about food.  But, if I can have success doing this, I know anyone with food-addiction/unhealthy food views can do this too. 

My goal, because my fat % is pretty high, is to cut my fat % in half.  I would love to be around 16-18%.  Really, anything in that range and around 20% is pretty healthy.  My 33% is not.  The minimal amount of fat loss I would like to lose/week is around 1 pound/week.  To me, that's doable.  If I had a goal of 2 lbs./week I feel I would get discouraged too easily if it wasn't met.  Right now, I am eating/burning so many calories through exercise, that I feasibly should be losing at least 1.5 lbs./week, but I also have to add in the margin of my body's rate of metabolism and what it feels like doing.  So, my goal is 1 lb./week until I can get my body fat % down.  I would love my goal to be achieved by mid-summer.  But, as long as I'm on the road to being healthy, I am happy with whatever comes.  So, be happy if you are going in the right direction.  Be happy.  Be happy.  Being discouraged only makes you go backwards.  I know some of you may not lose weight for a while.  That's okay.  You are exercising.  You are doing better than you have done, so you are going i nthe right direction.  If you put the same 'mass' of muscle next to fat, fat takes up more room than muscle.  Muscle is more dense and weighs more than the same amount of fat.  So, if you're not losing, it's probably because your muscles are really gearing up and growing and taking the space of that fat.  Keep on keeping on....
So, for the results after week 1:

Weight loss:  -3.6 lbs 

Evey

A Variation of Viv

Okay-this post should be difficult, this post should be hard but then I found this book--one of the weight loss books I made myself when I was at the beginning of this endeavor--February 21, 2002 to be exact.  In a little over a month I will be at one decade in this journey to get fit, turning 30 in a little over 4 months and so excited when I look back at the wisdom I have gained in this area.  I am not sad about posting these pictures I am ecstatic!  I still have so much to learn and a lot to do but I am excited because I know I can do it!  I look at myself and I say I am beautiful--I can say it because I feel so great on the inside--healthy and strong--and I know without a doubt I can help the outside match the inside....without further ado--a variation of Viv...

Here are the stats:


Hieght: 5'8
Weight: 159 


Measurements:  
I measured the same places I did 10 years ago, to the side in brackets is the inches I have lost since 2002.


Ankle: 8.75 {-1.25}
Calves: 14.25 {-2.25}
Knees: 14.50 {- 4}
Thighs: 23.5 {-5.5}
Hips: 40.5 {-13.5}
Waist: 35.5 {-9.5}
Bust: 37 {-13.5}
Upper Arm: 12 {-3.5}
Lower Arm: 9 {-2}
Shoulders: 42.5 {-7.5}
Neck: 12.5 {-2.5}


Pant size: 10 {-14 sizes}


I wrote these measurements down in 2002 after losing about 16lbs first, so this wasn't even my biggest, it's a little overwhelming.


Of everything I have learned here are the two that mean the most...
First, there is no quick fix and yes you can do a fad diet and lose weight but to feel good, to feel strong long term, {which by the way is even better than being thinner}  you have to take care of your body. Put good things into it, support it with true nutrition and exercise and the weight will just come off.  What's even better is when the focus shifts from the weight to taking care of yourself you are kinder to yourself and the weight still comes off, in fact for me it came off better than when I was depriving myself and beating myself up all the time.  


And the second thing...

This was me...
The only two pictures that seem to have survived.  
I truly believe it was not my weight that was holding me back it was how I was feeling, the weight was a symptom and not the cause.  I was not taking care of myself--to be fair I hadn't yet learned how to take care of myself.  I was "dieting" and I felt great when the scale showed good results but when it didn't, I felt horrible.  Everything hinged on the numbers on that scale.  When you feel horrible your motivation dies out and you are back to square one.  I can honestly say I don't weigh myself for anything more now than curiosity.  The weight loss is a byproduct of this way of eating because just taking care of myself feels so good.  Over the last 10 years I have never been able to break through 170 and now I just broke through 160-- I am 4 lbs. from a weight I never thought I could reach and I feel awesome, I owe it all to living plant strong and my grandma for being my health advocate and to my hubby for always making me feel beautiful--no matter the size.


Funny that sounded like I was winning an award-but you know that is kinda how I feel.


Love. Love.
Viv

Vivian, the Plant Strong Superwoman

Okay--so not really but that is how my "diet" makes me feel.  I have never in my life felt so good...never.  I also have never...if we must look at the scale...been this weight since I was getting my drivers license.  Let me tell you a little more about me...


A little bit personal--
I have always been overweight at least in my own mind but probably by BMI and scales too.  In fact at one point due to some crushing news and illness my weigh skyrocketed to 263 pounds.  Not many people remember me at this weight because I hid.  I was ashamed of where I had let my body get to, I didn't even want to buy clothes- so my wardrobe consisted of about 2 outfits and my favorite pair of sweatpants...then something changed.  I was ready, I can't blame it on anything but the bodies ability to heal {mentally and physically}, and I started forward.  I took nutrition classes as part of my electives in college and began walking a little at a time.  My sister came down for the summer and she, as always, made it fun and supported me.  Well, that was 8 years ago and now I am 104 pounds lighter.  Through the whole process I kept learning about healthy foods and kept up healthy habits.  But this last shift has been different which brings us to... 


A little about my current eating habits--
Back in October I got a call from my grandma who had just returned from staying with her brother who was recovering from a heart attack.  We began talking about a turn of events that lead her to watching, Forks Over Knives {a documentary about two Dr. and their research on nutrition and health} and Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead {A documentary of one mans journey to health using juicing and fruits and veggies}--she then read the books of the two men in the first film and she had made a decision.  She was going to live plant-strong...this is a lifestyle of having 5% or less {for most benefit} of your diet come from animal proteins and fatty oils.  Simply put it is a Plant based diet or too simply put, healthy vegan.  I say healthy vegan because not all vegan diets are created equal.  Strangely enough I had placed both movies in Netflix instant que the week before.  I was looking for a change in my diet I needed to feel healthy, have energy, and feel fit--not just lose weight, I was sick of focusing on the weight, I wanted to focus on health.  So the rest is history--I watched the films and read the books and began a plant strong lifestyle 11 weeks ago.


I have lost 19 pounds of the 104 in the last 10 weeks, my skin is clear which has never been this way since grade school, I have energy, I feel positive, motivated and awesome.  This diet shift is the only thing I have changed over the last 70 days and now I am ready for some new goals which leads me to...


A little about my current activity level--
I chase after an 21 month old, and rarely sit--does that count?  Through this whole journey, I have exercised only because I new I should--which means I didn't exercise nearly enough.  I am totally converted to eating healthy- so now it is time to make exercise a permanent part of my lifestyle.  As of recent I found out I love Spin class and I know in the past when I have made it a goal to run I have found clarity and peace in running.  SO...


Where from here?
I want to build muscle- I am within 5 lbs. of a healthy BMI so it is time to tone.  I also want to find what exercise I love and can find a passion for--{just like the eating} in this way I know I will be successful for the duration of my life and not just until I can fit into "those jeans".  I am so excited to share this journey with you and I can't wait to tell you more about the plant strong lifestyle...


Feeling strong!
Viv


PS--I will be posting pics and stats later today.

P90X Day 1

Hey Everyone---Evey here.  Before I get started telling you about my first day on P90X, I have to get to the dirty stuff.  Here are my stats and before picture.  My main goal for doing P90X is fat loss.  I know that P90X is not really a weight-loss program, however, I do know it can do wonders for getting fat percentages down.  With that said....

Current STATS:

Weight: 136.6 lbs.
Body Fat: 33%
Arms: 12"
Waist: 30"
Hips: 39.5"
Top of Thigh: 23.5"
Top of Knee: 14"
Calves: 13.25"
Chest: 32.5"

So, today was my first day of P90X.  I did Chest and Back.  Um, can we say ow!  I am worn out and already sore, but I am so glad I am.  The hardest exercises for me by far were Diamond Push-ups and the Divebomber Pushups.  Moraine in the video is amazing and hope one day I can do divebombers as amazing as she does them.  My personal critique of the video---it's hard...modify, modify, modify!  I love the people in this video.  They are real and down-to-earth and they are the kind of people I want to work out with every day.

As for the diet portion---I did pretty well the first half of the day.  When it got around dinner time, I was feeling it and ready to eat.  I am on Level 1 and find myself totally ready for snacks and the next meal.  I thought I would feel more full throughout the day...even with drinking tons of water like I am.  We'll have to wait and see if that changes.  In the mean time, bring on Plyo!!!

About Me....Evey!

Hi everyone!  Name's Evey and I'm excited to finally get in great shape.  A little background.  I haven't always been overweight.  However, I have battled it off and on since puberty.  From the time I was 14 until I got married, I ranged between 105 lbs. and 125 lbs.  I am 5'4" (with a small frame). When I went to college, I gained the typical freshman 15, lost it mostly when I came home and maintained it until after I got married.    Since getting married over 9 years ago, I have slowly gained more and more weight and at my heaviest, have been at 143 and currently weigh 136.  I have 3 beautiful children...but with that has come the 'not-so-beautiful' fat attached with that.   I just had a baby at the end of August and am eager to get rid of this baby weight and am ready to be in the best shape of my life.  The program I have chosen to use is P90X.  I will be strictly be following the regular P90X  program, not the lean.