The 30 Day Shred

I'm so excited to be shredding along with some good friends. I mentioned that I received the 30 Day Shred in my stocking to Kenlie at All the Weigh. She has the best attitude for getting fit and losing weight. She went out and bought it, and we started a couple of days later. It is a 20 minute, intense workout by the tough Jillian Michaels, best known from the Biggest Loser.






I finished Day 8 tonight. It is a lot easier now, but still tough. I am not as sore either like at first. However, before the week is over I will be moving on to level 2. Now a few more friends have joined in for the first time like Amber, or some have brought it out and dusted it off and began again like Mimi and Jen. I'm proud to be shredding away with some great blogging buddies. Keep up the great work girls! You ROCK!



Any other Shredders out there? Let me know if you want to join others in being encouraged and I'll put you on my side bar! Let's do it!

Boring....to.....Spectacular!

I am so excited! I just wanted to share a little treat I do with my water to make it "special". I've been wanting to drink more water. A lot of us in blogland are wanting to lose weight, get fit, and become healthy. One way to help is to drink more water. The newest idea to come along is to try to drink 1/2 of your body weight in water per day. Wow! That is a lot of water for me! How can I drink that much water in a day? Water is boring, right? Since I am staying away from all artificial sweeteners...no Crystal Light for me. What is another option?

I have a solution:

My sister and niece surprised me with a gift for teaching her preschool this past year. It is something I have been wanting to help in my quest to drink more water! Thank you sis! I LOVE IT!! Here it is!

They bought me a drink dispenser! I fill it up in the morning with ice and water. I slice up some fruit and toss it in. My favorite is lemon and strawberries. I let it sit for about 1/2 hour and then stir it up real good with a woden spoon. I leave this pitcher sitting on my counter all day long. It looks so pretty and refreshing and makes me drink even more. Since it's sitting out, it's a constant reminder to drink. And the ice keeps it cold all day. I do not sweeten it. So it's not sweet but has a hint of flavor. It is so good and refreshing!

I got in all my water but one day since I've had it! It is wonderful! I'm craving it every day! My boys even love it and couldn't wait to try it!

Well that is it....that is how I am able to get my water in every day! Boring water to spectacular water! Try it...you may even enjoy it too!

Extreme Makeover-- Me Edition and A Big Day

This week Amber who began an Extreme Makeover Me Edition has posted the question of the week. What are some methods you use to stave off temptation and/or keep from overeating??

One thing that has helped me these past couple of weeks has been green smoothies. Guys I know I sound like a beaten record now. They have taken away my sugar cravings! I have also been drinking lots of water! One of my followers tried the green smoothies and enjoyed it! You go Lela! If you still think you might try one, but are unsure....just google "green smoothies". That is one huge thing that has helped with temptation. Nuff said!

This week I also started exercising. My goal is to exercise 5-6 times per week. I am doing The Biggest Loser DVD. My booty is sore!! It reminds me to get off the computer and get to moving!


With all that said I am pleased to report a loss this week of 3.2 lbs.! Woo Hoo!

Drink your water!! Move your body!


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A Big Day

Speaking of sore booty...my 7 year old sure has had a lot of fun with today. (April Fool's Day) My booty was almost stained blue!! My little sneaker got into the cabinet and got some blue food coloring out. Next, he proceeded to color the toilet water blue and put some on the TP. He later informs me that when you go to the bathroom the water turns green.

Yes, yellow + blue = green.

Then he left this note at the front door for Daddy...

But this is what has been taking up most of my day.............


This is who kept crawling in my bed last night and off and on all day! Caden picked up Daddy's headache, stomach ache, and a fever! My heart aches when my kiddos don't feel good! Gotta take care of my sick baby!


One last big thing today was Parent/Teacher Conferences. I am so proud of Cameron. He is such a bright, outstanding boy. He had all A's once again! He is a hard worker and tries to do his best! I've got the best boys in the world!!!

Th...th...th...th...that's all Folks! That was my big day!

Enjoy each day and smile!

EXTREME MAKEOVER...ME

I am so excited about what my friend Amber has started...it's a support group to lose weight and become the healthiest we can be....If you have not been to her blog you are in for a treat. She is warm, honest, creative, and has a beautiful home to share along with her heart. Check it out here!


Are you ever tired of being sick and tired of weighting? That is where I am at! I want to be fit/healthy yesterday! I know it will take time, patience, hard work, determination, prayer, etc. I began about 1 week ago on a eating plan my chiropractor taught me. That is what I plan on doing and I will start exercising this week!! This has been an ongoing battle for me for years so I need all the support I can get.

Update:

Hey guys...I am a week into my new eating plan and look what happened...I was so excited about losing 4 lbs. in 5 days and then on weigh in day (today) guess how much I lost......1 stinkin' lb!!!! UGH!

It's not what you think...I still have been eating good and yes having green smoothies. I know I should be having my monthly cycle soon so I hope that is the cause. ( I tend to gain 3-5 lbs. right before). We will have to see...just trying to keep it real folks! I will move forward .....I AM WORTH IT!!! And so are you! Yeah for the 1 lb!

I thought it would be fun to post our before shots so here is mine.............

If your still reluctant to try a green smoothie visit the link!! Also, you cannot taste the spinach!!!
Come on and join us in this journey to health!

Happy Healthy Green Day!

Happy St. Patricks Day!

I have a confession. I received the Honest Scrap award and wrote about Green Smoothies! When I said I lost 4 lbs. in 5 days that is a little misleading. I know...the award should be taken away! I have been so excited about the green smoothies that I had to mention them. I know having a green smoothie every morning did help me to lose the 4 lbs in 5 days, but here's the confession part: I also have been eating healthy too those 5 days...you know... no sugar, no artificial sweeteners, no caffeine, no white flour/pasta, healthy fats. I wasn't trying to be misleading, but just excited. I feel so much better when I drink it! I even made Popsicles and my boys loved it.


I am by far no Green Smoothie expert nor do I claim to be. I stumbled upon it about a week ago myself. There is a wealth of information out there that talk about green smoothie if you google it. It delivers so many benefits and is easy! But so many of you asked so here it is.

That is my youngest enjoying his green smoothie popsicle and enjoying the beautiful weather today!


Why drink green smoothies? Do you get the recommended amount of fruits/veggies in your diet every day? I know I didn't. I can get a lot of it done in the morning if I choose. (Or all of it!)

The recipe you see in the glass follows:

1 cup of non-fat plain vanilla yogurt
1 cup of water
1 banana cut into pieces.
1/2 apple cut up.
1/2-1 cup of grapes
2 c. baby spinach leaves


Blend together. I blend the fruit first. I have heard both ways.
I did not care for this particular combo because it was too sweet. The next day I used a mixed berries, spinach, water, and yogurt, and 1/2 banana, ground flax seed, and Gogi berries. It was yummy! It was more of a purple color. That is the cool thing about green smoothies...you can put whatever you want. I chose spinach, but you could use kale, collards, romaine lettuce, chard, celery etc. The fruit can vary...put what you have on hand or what you like. After you blend everything together...test it. Too sweet? Add more greens. Too bitter? Add more fruit. Make it a variety. Play around with it. Have fun... ENJOY!!


Here is a great link to check out...http://www.greensmoothiegirl.com/greenlove.html. Also a great video.

Be sure to turn off my music first!

You have my attention Lord...

Yesterday was quite a day...

We went to church and God used Pastor to really speak to me, actually for the last two weeks. Last week I went to the alter and tears just started flowing. I prayed for our country, a friend's son, my family, new president, and for all the hurting people right now. I was overwhelmed by what's going on in every one's life... It just seems like everyone is in a crisis or dealing with something they wish they weren't. I know this is life now. I cannot imagine being without Christ...so many people have no hope, nothing to hold on to. They may not even know God has his hand out reaching down to them...you.

Yesterday, pastor talked about our walk with Christ. How we should fast and pray. How we are either a performance-based christian or an obedience-driven christian. When we are in a performance-based religion we tend to have: motives that are selfish... a lifestyle that is not Christ-like towards others...and project outward spirituality. If we are fighting and not treating people right, we cannot expect God to do something amazing in our life. (Even if we are fasting.)

I am desperate for God to do something amazing in my life! To help me overcome any strongholds I know I have or any I do not even realize. To lose unwanted pounds finally, to help me have a clutter-free home, to be a better woman of God and to my family.

Back to church: I never take my cell phone in, however, this time it was in my coat pocket. In the middle of church I hear this "Hello Motto!!" ring. Michael says, "That's your phone." I scramble around trying to get it out of my pocket. Not wanting it to go off again, I turn it off....to a very loud shutting down sound. How embarrassing! Little did I know, my sister was calling to tell me that my brother was in the hospital. Later I found out he was going to have emergency surgery at 5:00 PM.

I went to the Bentonville hospital and went in before surgery to see my brother. He said, "I'm scared." He ended up having a twisted bowel. Scar tissue from a surgery when he was two years old wrapped around his small intestine and completely blocked it. The surgery went well and quick only 35 minutes. However, it was over 2 hours before we could see him again. They had a hard time waking him up. I pray God is using this situation to get my brothers attention. To bring him to the Lord. However, God is continuing to speak to me...making me want to be healthy! Now! My gut reaction...I don't want to eat at all!! I need change...lasting change! I want to live to be 100...a healthy 100. I better get started now. NOW is the time. I feel anxious to make it happen now...all at once...is that possible.......daydreaming.........

oh yeah back to reality!

I should not feel anxious... I should run to God. Have a thankful heart for all I do have and then let my requests be known to Him. He does care!