My Fitness Journey: An Update

2012

Since it has been close to 2 years since I began my fitness journey, I decided to update my transformation story.

My serious transformation story didn't begin for any particular reason. I wanted to begin working out. I wanted to get into better shape. I didn't think there was anything wrong with the way I looked. I always felt loved, no matter how much I weighed. My husband never criticized my weight, nor did other family or friends. I was content.

Yes, my clothes were getting tighter, and I did notice the numbers on the scale going up, but I don't remember being bothered by that fact. I thought I was keeping active enough. After all, I had a 3-year-old boy that I was keeping up with. At least, that's what I thought. Looking back at the pictures, I wonder how "active" I really thought I was.

 

You know the saying "calories in, calories out"-well, my calories in were quite a bit more than calories out. Ever since our son, Isaac, was born, we were told he was small, and we needed to see a dietician. Heck, from the day he was born, the nurses were forcing formula on him, because they were concerned for his health! We continued to hear it up until only a few months ago, at the age of 6.

 

Well, my husband and I tried to remedy Isaac's weight gain predicament by feeding him donuts, and quite a few other fattening foods over the course of about a year. No wonder I had gained so much weight-I was eating as many donuts as Isaac. I wasn't the one who had a medical condition that prevented me from gaining weight-Isaac did. He was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in September 2012. His body wasn't able to use all the sugar that we were feeding him. Looking back, we're saddened, because although the sugar wasn't the cause of his diabetes, it certainly wasn't doing his body any favors. If you want to read more about my son's story, you can find it in previous posts, including this one.

 

Since that summer, I've lost close to 40 pounds, and my husband has lost about 20. About 5 years ago, I began using Jillian Michael's at home fitness programs, but I wasn't very consistent. The habit formed, but fizzled out for various reasons. I just wasn't motivated. I moved on to other fitness programs, and then did some month-long challenges. I did a burpee challenge, and various other challenges that focused on different parts of my body, and I slowly trimmed down.

P90X & Focus T25

Sometimes I would be consistent at working out, but I still wasn't motivated. I found my motivational soul-mate workout in P90X a little over a year ago. In fact, I was so motivated by this workout and my Beachbody coach, that I signed up to coach. At first, I didn't really want to coach others, but then I thought about how many lives I could reach, and how many others I could help to live healthier lives.

Nervous about starting Focus T25

After P90X, I began Focus T25, and faithfully did the majority of the workouts at 5:30 in the morning-before my brain knew what I was doing. The workouts were good, but I missed Tony Horton (even though he is a little annoying). I also enjoyed how short the workouts were, and since I was back in school, 25 minutes was a better length of workout.

 

I like my short workouts

 

Clean Eating Support Groups

Around this time, I began hosting clean eating support groups. With these clean eating groups, I provide clean eating recipes, shopping lists formulated from the recipes, as well as providing support, tips, and advice about clean eating. These groups have helped multiple members lose an average of about 1.5 pounds per week just from eating healthier! It's exciting to see lives changed, and healthy habits established. You can learn more about these groups here. You can also check out some of my other clean eating blog posts, including this one, as well as get more healthy awesomeness at my 'like' page, Sarah's Drive, on Facebook.

P90X3

 

P90X3

I decided to try out P90X2, but didn't make it very far before P90X3 came out. My coach had invited me to join another challenge group with her doing either Focus T25 or P90X3, so I decided to snag P90X3 and go for it! Then, a month into the workout, our car decided to retire, and I hurt my back trying to push the car off a tow dolly. So, after a month of recovery, I jumped back into P90X3. And then, one month into Restart #2 of P90X3, my mom surprises me with the Beachbody Ultimate Reset. So, poor P90X3 was postponed for another month before I restarted it. And now, it's safe to say I will finish P90X3 this time...unless some other unforeseen event interrupts P90X3 for a third time.

 

Food for week 1 of the Beachbody Ultimate Reset

Beachbody Ultimate Reset

My journey through the Beachbody Ultimate Reset was a life-changing experience for me. I learned a lot about myself, and the unhealthy relationship I had with food at times. After my Reset, I feel more in control of my eating, and I think before I eat. Nowadays, weeks after finishing, I still don't drink water during most meals. Drinking water during meals dilutes stomach acid making it harder to digest.

 

Another tidbit I've learned, not from the Ultimate Reset, but from the research I do almost daily to become a better fitness and nutrition Beachbody coach, is that you should eat your meat first, and then your salad. This is because it's harder for your body to digest animal protein, and your stomach acids will need to work on that first, instead of being diluted with salad first. You can read about my Beachbody Ultimate Reset journey, beginning with my preparation here.

In the months leading up to my Reset, I had gained about 7 pounds, and I definitely wasn't happy about that! I didn't think I was doing anything differently, except that I was probably stressed, and sitting on my behind more than I should have been. I'd also started having some digestive issues. My mom has always had digestive issues, at least for as long as I can remember.

 

I mentioned the Ultimate Reset to my mom, since it's known for straightening out many of the digestive issues that can complicate our lives. I'd also told my mom about the digestive issues I was having, and how I hoped to, some day in the future, go through the Reset myself. Long story short (you can read about the long story in previous blogs), my mom bought a kit, along with one for me! My mom lost over 15 pounds, and I lost 9 (which was about 7% of my body weight). 

 

Now

Since the completion of my Reset, I took up running again, and do that twice a week in addition to my P90X3 workouts. I recently began using the MyFitnessPal app on my phone to map my caloric intake, as well as output. My husband bought me a heart monitor for Mother's Day, so I've been mapping my calories using that. Unfortunately, that heart monitor was having a few issues, so we purchased another one, so I could continue mapping the calories burned from my workouts.

I've completed P90X3, & have since then completed the 3-Day Refresh, which is a 3-day cleanse (kinda like a mini Ultimate Reset), Chalene Johnson's PiYo (low-to-no impact, but amazing sweat with Pilates, yoga, body weight training, & flexibility), and P90X2.

 Yes, I'm a free coach, and I take helping others seriously!

 

new heart monitor!

 

Do you want support?

If you want help getting started on your fitness journey, I would love to help you! Together, we'll help you make a plan, and find what works for you!

 

www.beachbodycoach.com/iib4

Day 21, the Final Day, of My Beachbody Ultimate Reset

Day 21, Sunday

I've unfortunately still have pain, and I think it's just gas pain :/ It might also be from quinoa (which is one of the snacks that is allowed during the last week of the Beachbody Ultimate Reset. I'll just have to pay more attention the next time I have it.

 

Lunch

Lunch was good, since it was the jicama-avocado salad that I made yesterday. Marinating it overnight was a nice touch.

 

I have my meals planned out for the next 3 weeks, as I phase foods back into my diet. I planned out my meals by writing a schedule down on paper, but you could do it in your phone, or however works best for you. I like to be able to see the game plan, without having to look at a tiny screen.

 

Today, we purchased most of what I'll need this week. I have found that some produce really doesn't even last a week before it gets droopy such as lettuce, spinach, and herbs. I still like to trim the ends of the leafy produce and put them in water like a bouquet of flowers.

 

Dinner

Cucumber-avocado soup and roasted veggies is delicious. I'm glad that I didn't add more of the jalapeno to the soup than I did, because it made it the perfect spiciness! However, after having so many bites, I don't think the soup is as delicious as I first thought. I added a good serving of no-salt herbal seasoning blend, and heated the soup, which made it much better!

 

Cucumber avocado soup & Roasted veggies

 

I stayed up until midnight, and had some chocolate. This really isn't recommended in the guide, which encourages you to continue using the Phase 3 recipes for another week to readjust your body.

 

The day after

I weighed myself this morning....I lost 9 lbs, and I'm in shock!

 

I did not set out on my Reset journey planning on losing weight, but did it! I started my Ultimate Reset at 121.5 and ended weighing 112.8 lbs. That was 7.2% body weight lost in 21 days, just from following this gentle cleanse.

 

I ate about 1500 calories every day, followed the supplement regimen, kept in contact with my mom for the support. My mom lost about 15 lbs during her Ultimate Reset, which she finished up about a week after mine. 

 

It was so worth it to agree to doing the Reset at the same time as my mom (we'd originally planned on starting the same day, but my mom ended up getting the flu the first day of our Reset).

 

If you want support to get started on a journey to a healthier you, please contact me! I'd love to walk you through, supporting you, and holding you accountable to achieving the goals that you set out for yourself.

 

 

Your goals are important! Your health is important! YOU are important!

www.beachbodycoach.com/iib4

www.myultimatereset.com/iib4

Day 19 & 20 of My Beachbody Ultimate Reset

Day 19, Friday

Breakfast

I decided to try the horned melon, or kiwano, a fruit from Australia. It's really interesting-looking, and tastes better than it looks. It's green and slimy-looking when you cut into it, and reminds me of citrus fruit in how it's made up of little pockets inside. You can't quarter this melon, though, like you could an orange. You scoop out the melon's flesh. It's great in the fruit salad, because it sticks to the other fruit, and not to the bottom of the bowl.

 

Kiwano (horned melon)

 

Lunch

Lunch of hearty vegetable miso soup and microgreen salad was good and filling. Today, I finally admitted to myself that I've been having some digestion problems. My stomach feels like it's cramping. I think it may be from drinking Shakeology, since my body isn't used to so much good nutrition (after all, I'm eating nothing but fruits and vegetables this week). I plan on drinking #Shakeology every day again, once I'm finished, so I will continue to get my body used to it again.

 

Dinner

Curried cauliflower was good, although I would have liked more flavor. I kept expecting it, too. The lemon-pepper kale, on the other hand, had a strong flavor provided by the lemon. I have no idea why 'pepper' is included in the title, because there is no pepper used.

 

Curried cauliflower & Lemon-pepper kale

Day 20, Saturday

Lunch

The lunch I had planned ended up needing to marinate for an hour: jicama-avocado salad, so I swapped it with tomorrows lunch, Carrot-Seaweed Medley and microgreen salad. At least it's prepped for tomorrow!

I'm still having pain in my middle. I'm going to have an Epsom salts bath to see if I can find some relief. I had mint tea last night, but that didn't help relieve any of the discomfort.

 

Carrot-Seaweed Medley & Microgreen salad

Dinner

Tonight's dinner involved quite a bit of prep work, as there are 3 dishes to prepare. Mediterranean beets bake for 45 minutes, then cool for 30, while baked tempeh bakes for about 25 minutes, and has an hour soak time. These dishes also cook at different temperatures. Coconut collard greens is the third dish. It was a good dinner, however long it took me to make!

I'm ready to be done after tomorrow, although, I'm still going to be having the same meals for the following couple of weeks. On Monday, I'll be finishing up my blogging on the #BeachbodyUltimateReset talking about my last day!

www.myultimatereset.com/iib4

 

Mediterranean roasted beets, Baked tempeh, & Coconut collard green

Guest Blogger, Jen Bottom from Behind the Refrigerator Door

Ultimate Reset- YOUR questions, MY answers

The Beachbody Ultimate Reset is a program where you RESET your body to do things it was naturally intended to do. 

With our environment and the foods we eat we take on "baggage" that disallows our body to function at it's full capabilities. 

Anything in italics is from the Beachbody Ultimate Reset Program & Nutrition Guide. 

If it is not italics, it is my answer.

Beachbody Ultimate Reset. To learn more click here.

Please tell us a little bit about yourself. I am 41 years old. I was a teacher for 15 years. I am a wife and a mother of two teenagers. I spent an entire decade (my thirties) over 40 lbs overweight. I am now passionate about health and fitness and teaching my family and friends all about what has worked for me!

What made you decide to do the Beachbody Ultimate Reset? We recently moved back from spending two years in Beijing, China. After living there I knew I needed to detox with the horrible pollution. The strict meal plan intrigued me about this cleanse. I was not interested in a juice cleanse or anything too dramatic. I liked that it is all natural and healthy eating. I decided this summer would be my "Super Scary Summer Plan" and the UR would be Phase I. Pushing myself to do hard things is something I recently have enjoyed doing. 

Did you feel tired? Yes, I felt extremely tired. I have always required a lot of sleep and this just validated that.

Was it emotional? Not any more emotional than I already I am. I am pretty "needy" during the week before my period (which was around day 13-15 on the Reset). My kids might say I was grumpier. I think that was mostly from not exercising.

Did you miss working out? YES! Exercise, for me, is like a daily "Reset" and when I don't do it, my day feels off and I feel as if my hormones and chemicals are all out of whack. For the first couple of days I did walk and do yoga. After that, I really didn't. I really just felt lazy.

Did you lose weight? Yep! I did! Although I really was not doing this for the weight loss, it definitely was in the back of my mind the entire time. I thought I would've lost more weight than I did.

What did you hate about the Ultimate Reset? At first, I HATED the miso soup. Then I learned how to make it better (blending up the seaweed). At first, I HATED the Detox supplement. You drink it three times a day, beginning in phase II. It is brown with lots of floaties in it. But, I quickly got used to it and just downed it. The "green sludge" a.k.a. Alkalinize supplement I drank daily for all 21 days. It is green and just tastes like spinach. That wasn't as bad tasting for me. All in all, the supplements really grow on you and prove that we can do things that are hard if we are just persistent at it.

I learned I would DO A LOT for my health!

What was the hardest part of the Reset? If it was any longer I would say not eating what others around me were eating. For example, I went to a graduation party where there was just a little bit of fruit and no vegetables. There was yummy meat dishes, lots of creamy pasta salads and desserts.  I had eaten my Reset lunch before we went, and intended to eat my Reset dinner when we got home. We ended up staying at the party longer than I thought and I was pretty resentful about the yummy food that was being eaten around me. Then I got home and my dinner was going to take 45 minutes to prepare. So I just had a salad. Situations like this were doable because I was focused for 21 days. Like I said, I don't think I could've done that for even 30 days and been as successful.

Did you learn any tips or tricks to make the Reset easier? PREPARE- Shop ahead of time to insure you have ALL ingredients. Read the next days menu the day before and plan out your prepping. 
SHARE- Tell people what you are doing, especially family members. Most dinners I cooked for my family too and just added some more protein to theirs. They really liked the recipes A LOT and it helped me to have their support. I didn't want to feel like I was alone on a desert island. Also, knowing that I was making my nightly Facebook and Instagram posts helped me to be accountable.
WEAR- the bracelet! When I saw the bracelet I thought it was dorky, but I came to rely on it as times got hard. Now I wear it with pride!
SUPPORT- Find and join an Ultimate Reset support group! I can help you find one. This is something you will want to do with others. Your family will not quite understand everything you are going through. I am a "words of affirmation" gal and didn't feel like I was getting that from my hubby, but my fellow Reseters were meeting that need for me!

What did you love about the Ultimate Reset? I loved so many things about this process. First, I love that it is only 21 days! It is the perfect amount of time- not too short that it's easy, but not too long that you are nutso by the end. 
I loved pushing myself and challenging myself. Each time I had house guests, went out to a restaurant, went to parties or packed my food and supplements to go I felt a huge boost of confidence and empowerment. 
I loved have a pre-planned menu and shopping list. I loved having ALL the ingredients for every single recipe at hand. I loved learning new healthy foods and learning how to cook.
I loved being on a food schedule, with supplements thirty minutes before eating. With the supplements I would drink a full glass of water thirty minutes before eating and I would find that I would not be as hungry when it was time to eat.
I loved being in a support group, with others doing the same exact thing. Each day we would post and comment to each other our struggles, emotions, etc. It was really bonding and strong doing it together!


What did you learn from the Ultimate Reset? I learned SO MANY things from the Reset, I could go on and on. Mostly I learned that I eat usually eat for taste, instead of for health. The amounts I would eat prior to the Reset and what I would choose was ALWAYS based on emotion, rather than smart decisions. I have always wondered what it would be like to be one of those people who just "eat to live". Being on the Reset made me feel that way. I ate what my body needed, no more. I ate the BEST choices for my body, not my taste buds...You know what? IT FELT GREAT! Taking the emotion out of eating was so refreshing and I could really focus my emotions on SO MANY other things that deserved them more. For other things I learned click here. 

I used to think my body NEEDED sugar, especially on certain days out of the month. I learned that was just my head rationalizing my wants. 


Did you go up in weight when you started eating again? I ended the Ultimate Reset four days ago and have maintained my weight loss so far. I definitely did NOT go back to the way I used to eat. I will now eat far less meat and sugar.

Why is Shakeology not allowed on the Ultimate Reset, if it is supposed to be the "healthiest meal of the day"? We encourage you to follow the Beachbody Ultimate Reset meal plan exactly as written. You can, however, drink vegan Shakeology as a healthy, delicious breakfast alternative (phases 1 and 2) or snack option (in all three phases). Because phase 3 calls for less protein, we recommend using only a half serving of vegan Shakeology as a breakfast alternative during phase 3. I didn't get my "rear in gear" soon enough to switch my Shakeology order to vegan in time, so I went without it. I really, really regret that because Chocolate Vegan would've been a fabulous treat to have! Next time...for sure!

Why are you not supposed to workout? It is best not to do any strenuous exercise during the next 3 weeks. When you think about it The Reset is already giving your body a serious internal workout. It's important to allow your nervous system to remain in a relaxed state, and to refrain from asking your body to repair muscle tissue at the same time it's cleaning and releasing toxins. But even though you aren't doing any resistance training, you won't lose muscle or lean body mass during the Reset. Plus you'll soon reap the rewards of an internal system that works more efficiently, and a muscular system that's been allowed to rest, recuperate and recharge. 
As I said before, not working out was a challenge for me. However, I did feel achy at time, which justified that it was actually detoxing from my body. This is completely normal and expected.

Would you ever do it again? For sure! Ideally, I would LOVE to do it twice a year. Jan 1st and again in the fall. Two of the people in my support group had done it before and were mentioning that it is easier, mentally, doing it the second time and that you get different things out of it. That was interesting to me. I look forward to doing it again!

What are your favorite recipes? I posted many of my favorite RESET recipes here on the page. Please look under the label "recipes" to find them. Some of my favorites were the salad dressings, Roasted Roots, Roasted beets, Hearty-Vegetable Miso Soup. Jicama-Avocado salad, Coconut kale...there are really so many! I DID NOT like the cucumber-avocado soup.
Here are things that will now be a STAPLE in my house: toasted pumpkin seeds, homemade salad dressings, tempeh, beets, Bragg liquid aminos, rice vinegar, toasted sesame seed oil.

Advice for those considering the Ultimate Reset? Get your Vegan Shakeology ordered in time! Also, you can do this! If I can do it, anyone can. I am someone who used to consider myself a "quitter". With that being said, you will want to do it at a time when you can fully commit to it. There WILL NOT be constant trips to the bathroom, BUT you will be spending more time prepping your foods and your body will need rest. So consider WHEN you will do it. Set yourself up for success by working with a coach who has done the Ultimate Reset. The more support, the better.

Any more questions? Comment below and I will answer them for you! If you are interested in doing the Ultimate Reset, please contact me at jenlbottom@gmail.com or facebook.com/jennifer drake bottom.

I would LOVE to help you through this amazing process!

Day 17 & 18 of My Beachbody Ultimate Reset

Wednesday, Day 17

Breakfast
 
Having fruit every day can kind of get boring, and I had planned on having Shakeology for breakfast this morning, but didn't feel like using the blender. I will probably have it for a snack later. Shakeology is allowed during the Beachbody Ultimate Reset, and is recommended as a breakfast or snack replacement. During this third phase, Restore, it's recommended to only have half a scoop of Shakeology. This stage focuses on reducing protein intake.

Lunch

Moroccan Carrot Salad with Spring Salad Mix

I loved the Moroccan carrot salad over spring salad mix for lunch! I was spicy thanks to the cayenne pepper. Now, I'm having vegan Tropical Shakeology for a snack. It's blended with distilled water (of course), but also a dash of coconut water, distilled ice, a few frozen strawberries, and peaches. It's got the consistency of a slushee! It's delicious, and I miss having my Shakeology every day!

One of the drawbacks of eating quite a bit of homemade dressings, is sometimes the amount of garlic that is often used. Now, I love garlic, but it seems to permeate the air around me. When I dropped my husband off at work, he told me I should stay away from the garlic. I used to solve this problem by chewing gum, but gum is out of the question right now. On the other hand, at least I know I'm getting the antifungal defense from all the garlic!

Dinner

Roasted Acorn Squash with Green Beans & Lemon

The Roasted Delicata Squash and green beans with lemon combined had a bit too much oil and lemon, but was still a good taste. I used an acorn squash instead of a delicata.












Thursday, Day 18

Breakfast
 
Fruit bowl was good this morning with red and green apples, strawberries, a banana (yes, higher glycemic, but I haven't eaten them often), 1/2 plum, honeydew melon, and cantaloup, blueberries, and raspberries sprinkled with cinnamon.

Spinach Salad

Lunch

Lunch was also good: spinach salad with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, jicama, and creamy garlic dressing. I also had a baked yam with olive oil, Himalayan salt, and herbal seasoning. Delicious!









Dinner

Roasted Fennel Bulb with Lemony Asparagus and Broccoli

Dinner was surprisingly good: lemony broccoli and asparagus with roasted fennel bulb. Did you know that anise is another name for fennel? I could have saved money having known this ahead of time! Unfortunately, I don't think my fennel bulb was 1/2 lb, which was the recommended size. Nor do I think my broccoli was a medium head; more likely a large. I also almost didn't prepare enough asparagus. I weighed out the asparagus, because the guide thankfully included the weight in the ingredients list. However, they didn't include the weight of the broccoli.

Guest Blogger Coming Soon!
There will be a guest blogger, Jennifer Bottom (behindtherefrigeratordoor.blogspot.com), coming soon. She will be sharing about her journey through the Beachbody Ultimate Reset.

About Half way through my Beachbody Ultimate Reset

Day 10, Wednesday

Breakfast

Fresh fruit plate for breakfast with kiwi, honeydew melon, raspberries, half a banana, and a kind of mango that I've never had before. It was a bit smaller than a regular mango. I sprinkled cinnamon, which made breakfast even more delicious! (Here is where I tell you that I haven't entirely watched the DVDs that came with the program. If I would have already, I would have learned that banana and mango are not recommended for the Beachbody Ultimate Reset, because they are higher on the glycemic index. This means that they are converted to glucose more quickly, and therefore cause a quick, high blood sugar spike. This is not very healthy for the body. The guide gives recommendations for lower glycemic fruits, such as peaches, pears, and apples, but you can also look up 'glycemic index' on the internet to find a more extensive list).

I had a quick snack of pitted dates (another mistake, since these are high glycemic, as well), and a few apple slice before I ran to class. It's definitely nice to have pre prepared snacks in case of emergencies. The guide talks about meals that are easier, and take less time, to prepare for various reasons. After all, the Reset has many new recipes, some of which take quite a bit more preparation than others.

It is recommended that the Reset be done at a time in your life where you are able to commit to following the program verbatim. This ensures that you get the best results, and aren't hindered by extra stresses, such as travel where you aren't able to prepare more complex meals. I am practically washing dishes after every other meal, since I go through the majority of our measuring utensils. And that's saying a lot, since we have about 3 sets of both measuring cups and spoons! It's also nice to have some good quality skillets. We recently picked up some aluminum ones at Costco, and they are so easy to clean!

Lunch

I can't get over how filling the sweet potato and roasted red pepper bisque is! I had it for lunch, in addition to an entire Greek salad of romaine lettuce, a whole cucumber, a medium tomato, and 5 kalamata olives. It was delicious! I wasn't a fan of tomatoes before the Reset, but after eating them quite often, I'm able to tolerate them.

I didn't have a snack this afternoon (which was ok, since I had a snack earlier). Also, my lunch was late, and I didn't finish eating until 1:30, so I wasn't starving when dinner came.

Sweet potato and Roasted red pepper bisque

Dinner

The quinoa-lentil salad and steamed broccoli were yummy for dinner. I made a double batch of the salad, since I'll be having it again tomorrow. It definitely saves on time to look ahead for the next days meal, and see if you can cut preparation time by doubling some recipes.

I went to bed hungry, and was actually hungry a few hours before, so I had a cup of white tea, which helped a little. White tea has one of the lowest caffeine contents. When you look for teas, look for 'caffeine-free,' not 'decaffeinated.' 'Decaffeinated' teas have usually gone through a chemical process to remove the majority of the caffeine, while caffeine-free tea has not gone through a chemical process.

By this point, I've already lost 4 1/2 lbs, and I am stoked!!!
Are you ready to get support to prepare for summer with this amazing, gentle detox cleanse? Contact me, and I will answer your questions, and help you get started right!

www.myultimatereset.com/iib4

Day 4 of My Beachbody Ultimate Reset

Thursday

Take a 'Before' and 'After' Photos + Results = FREE T-shirt!

Today, was another good morning of being able to pretty easily get out of bed! And, I finally had my husband take my 'before' picture. These are so important! The scale can only speak numbers; it doesn't tell you if your skin has cleared up, or your tummy, butt, or arm fat has slimmed out a bit. Also, and I didn't realize this until a day or 2 before I started my Reset that I will get a free T-shirt for finishing this program, too! If you own a Beachbody fitness program, you can enter the Beachbody challenge, and submit your 'before' and 'after' photos, and results on TeamBeachbody.com for a chance to win money, and you will get a free T-shirt. I enjoy wearing my P90X and Focus T25 shirts, and am looking forward to wear an Ultimate Reset one, as well!

"Before" the Beachbody Ultimate Reset

Breakfast

For breakfast this morning, I had a fresh fruit platter consisting of cantaloupe, honeydew melon, kiwi, strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries. I also ate 3/4 cup of plain low-fat yogurt sweetened with 1/2 tsp. maple syrup! It was a delicious breakfast, but it only filled me up for about 1 1/2 hours. If you have been working out quite a bit prior to starting, like I had been, then you'll have more muscle to burn calories. It takes a little while, but my stomach is adjusting to the reduced calories. (I promise, as I'm writing this when I'm actually on Day 9 ;) your will power will get stronger!!!)

Snacking

The best thing I've done, and the guide recommends, is to drink water when you begin to feel hungry. Also, if you feel like you need a snack before dinner, wait at least 2 hours after you eat lunch, drink water, and if you are still hungry, they have a list of recommended snacks for each week. I also set alarms for myself, especially around the time I can have a snack. Then I gauge what will be going on before dinner, such as if an activity will delay my dinner, and if I feel like eating as late as a snack would cause me to eat. The guide recommends waiting 2 hours after you eat a snack before you can  eat dinner. I had to have a snack before lunch today, because I was studying hard for an exam, and couldn't concentrate without brain food!

Because of the hectic day I had yesterday with meal planning, I had the majority of my lunch and dinner already ready for today! I recommend reading through the directions for each recipe, since some of the require anywhere from only a few minutes to overnight for cooking or marinating. I'm hoping that today will be a time to relax after my exam is finished!

Lunch

I tried making the Nori rolls, and they are disgusting, nor would they stick right! It's like a seaweed sushi roll with tempeh...I hate tempeh, and can't get over the smell (although, later, I did find the Baked Tempeh dish from Day7 to be quite tastey!)! I've had tempeh before, when I was doing the fitness program Focus T25 and following it's nutrition guide, but I couldn't remember how it was supposed to look. I almost threw away an entire slab of tempeh, because it looked like it had mold growing, but it's not mold (I compared it with an unopened package, to make sure). I ate about half of the Nori roll like a hot dog, and then threw the rest away. The dish that went with the Nori roll also wasn't that great: lentil-lime salad. The flavor was really overwhelming, and I only ate a few bites, and saved the rest for later.

Dinner

I had the stir-fried veggies (you can read about my first time having them, and see the picture here) again tonight, and I loved it! They were cooked in coconut oil, which I'd never used before I started the Reset. It is so delicious smelling and tasting. It also leaves my lips feeling soft. I will be making this stir-fry a lot when I'm finished with my Reset! In a large skillet, on medium-high, heat sesame and coconut oil, then add carrots for a few minutes, then add broccoli for about 5 minutes, add the red pepper and zucchini last. Stirring constantly, so nothing burns. Tonight, I decided to leave off the Nori Gomasio, and instead, opted to eat a whole tablespoon of it! It wasn't the most pleasant experience, but it gave me some good vitamins, I'm sure :)

Temptation

My son requested to watch Willy Wonka today, which was a little painful, especially when Willy Wonka starts shoving an entire chocolate bar into his mouth. It didn't help that it was the part of the movie where they're in the room where you can eat just about everything! I wanted some chocolate!!! Now, my son is talking about his class's Valentine's Day party that I helped out with, and how we had donuts, and now I want donuts! Then, he said, politely: "but you're not going to be having any, until the end of your challenge." I will get through this!!!

I would love to give you the support you want to achieve your goals! Let me know how I can help!

http://myultimatereset.com/iib4

5 Ways Clean Eating Can Change Your Life

Most All of us probably want to live happy, healthy lives, right? This doesn't need to involve cosmetic surgery, loads of money, and an in-home chef! Clean eating can be a good first step to the road to a happy healthy life, but you must first be happy with who you are to begin with, and value yourself enough to know that you are changing for yourself, not because you want others to like you! You are valuable as a person, and no one should make you feel any less valuable! Set up your support system; my husband has cheered me on from the moment I we began my our road to a healthier life!

We began eating healthier, and I began working out a bit more, and things began to change.

Adding exercise into the mix, helped me travel the road right to Transformation Results City! Yeah, it has taken a lot of work. And once it becomes a habit, it's not easier; you're just stronger. I love the way I feel, and how I look! I'm not done yet, and every time I remember how I used to feel/look, I don't want to let myself go back there.

We've since begun eating cleaner, and I want to give you a list of the ways that clean eating has changed our lives, and can possibly change your life, too.

5 Ways Clean Eating Can Change Your Life

1) Detoxifies your body. I've blogged about the reasons to detox here. Clean eating gives your body the nutrition it needs by possibly eating less, and minus the preservatives and artificial junk that are hard for your body to process.

2) Helps you lose weight. Clean eating involves eating less high calorie/fat/sugar junk food, so you will naturally begin to lose weight as you begin eating healthier foods. Also, as I said in 1), you get the nutrition you need by possibly eating less. And the clean foods that you eat, will likely fill you us for longer. Also, you aren't eating as much addictive simple sugar in the form of sweets, which will help cut your cravings, and calories. I've talked about Shakeology as one of the tools for my clean eating, as well as another Beachbody tool I hope to use in the future, Beachbody Ultimate Reset.

3) Food discovery! Since I've been hosting clean eating challenge groups on Facebook, I have heard numerous responses about how clean eating has changed lives. One member told me that the clean eating group raised her desire to explore new recipes, while another said she tried a new food that she had in her pantry, but didn't know what to do with. I recently picked up a jicama, which I look forward to trying today! Other things I've been discovering, are substitutes. Since clean eating is about getting rid of the processed, and low-nutrition junk, you may be exploring substitutes for white sugar and white flour.

4) Save money. Clean eating can cheaper than buying processed food, if you are smart about it! This can be true, especially if you are used to eating a lot of processed snacks, and pre-made, pre-packaged meals. One way to save, is to prep your produce, snacks, and other foods. When you purchase produce that will be used for snacks or meals, cut them up when you bring them home from the store, and plan out your snacks and meals to ensure that produce won't go to waste. Also, as I talked about in 2), clean eats, such as salad, can fill you up quicker than many processed foods can.

5) Inspire others. This is one that I feel strongly about! Especially when I began my journey, and inspired my husband, and now, more than ever, I've inspired our 5-year-old son to live healthier. Through the clean eating groups, my posts, my appearance, and lifestyle, I have been able to touch other lives! To give the motivation to help others begin that road to Transformation Results City. Small steps lead to big transformation! You want the support? You want the motivation? Don't give up! Reach out to others for support, or to give your support. I want to help!!!

https://www.facebook.com/Sarahsdrive
www.beachbodycoach.com/iib4

Clean Eating for Life

Clean Eating is Not a Fad Diet, It's a Lifestyle Change

How do you see clean eating? Do you see it as just another fad diet; something to do for 30 days to try to lose 100 pounds, get discouraged, then move on (disappointed) in your attempts to find that magic weight loss bullet? Or, maybe you see clean eating as the be-all-end-all feel good diet? You think eating everything green, "green," expensive, and organic will have you putting your hair in dreadlocks, changing your name to Rainbows N Butterflies, wearing rose-colored glasses, and saving the earth (and your own health). Well, take the rose-colored glasses off, or keep them on, if you need them to see; clean eating isn't all about eating everything, green, "green," expensive, or organic! It can actually be pretty inexpensive, when you think of all the junk food and eating out that you'll come to realize was actually more expensive (both for your health and your pocketbook)!

Clean eating is not a fad diet that has rules to make you feel deprived or starved by the end of the day; clean eating is a lifestyle change. You can take a pill, use a wrap, have a surgery, but do those results last? Do you have to work hard to get those results? If the answer is 'no,' then what's to keep you from taking those results for granted? What keeps you from getting comfortable with those results, and not feeling like you have to work to maintain them? The truth is, is that often the things that you work hardest for are the things you'll work hardest to keep. However, once you've developed those habits to get you to your results, you may still become comfortable, but another truth is, is that habits are often done with little thought. So, with little effort, you're liable to keep practicing those healthy habits that got you your results in the first place! It will just take time to develop those habits, to begin with!

Just remember, there's not one thing that, by itself, will give you healthy weight loss (or maintained weight), a fit body, and overall good health. Unless, of course, that one thing is a healthy lifestyle. Clean eating, in my opinion, is part of a healthy lifestyle. The food that you eat can really make a difference in so many factors of your life! I don't put much emphasis on calories, as I do on the types of food that I eat. Over time, I've been able to train myself to make healthier choices in life, and in the foods that I choose to buy, and it may take time for you, as well; if you are willing and ready to begin cutting out the junk that you may have been knowingly, or unknowingly, feeding yourself. You may have known what certain foods were doing to you, but for many reasons you have continued to consume them.

Are you wondering where to begin your journey to developing those healthy habits of clean eating? That is one of the reasons I've decided to blog a little each day, for the next 30 days, about clean eating. Today, a great way to begin, would be to prepare for the coming week! You can start planning out healthy meals for the week and preparing your snacks, to help you stay on track. To begin prepping, grab your trash can, trash bag, or bucket, & start chucking, throwing, dumping, and getting rid of the junk. If you think it's junk food, it probably is! Foods with artificial flavoring, high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), food dye, nitrates/nitrites, BHT, and loads of sugar! Get rid of the white bread, and T.V. dinners, both of which are loaded with a lot of sodium and other preservatives.

Here are a few items for your shopping list to help get you started to eating clean for the rest of the weekend and for the coming week:

For meat: fish such as tilapia, halibut, or salmon, and other meat like boneless, skinless chicken breasts, ground turkey, turkey bacon, nitrate/nitrite-free lunch meat (Boar's Head or Natural Hormel area a few examples)

For dairy: low-fat cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, eggs, and egg whites, low-fat or skim milk

Almond milk, soy milk (carrageenan free)

For produce: spinach, kale, zucchini, cucumber, tomatoes, carrots, celery, garlic, basil, green onions, white/red onions, avocado, bananas, blueberries, lemon, apples. To help with prep, wash and prepare the bulk of your produce. You can wash your leafy greens, & sending them through a salad spinner. Pre-wash/-slice your cucumber, tomatoes, carrots, celery, onions, and fruits.

Whole wheat/grain bread (without HFCS), low-carb tortillas, brown rice, quinoa, old-fashioned rolled oats

Walnuts, pistachios, almonds, raisins, pumpkin seeds, chia, flax, hemp seeds

Almond butter, peanut butter (I recently tried powdered peanut butter called PB2, & it was actually pretty amazing, with 85% less fat/oils), or other seed/nut butters

Hummus, salsa

Olive oil, nonstick cooking spray, cinnamon, sea salt, black pepper, cocoa powder

With the above ingredients, you can come up with a few different combinations to add variety to your meals. Here are a few ideas for clean eats breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and dessert:

For breakfast, you can go for the bacon...turkey bacon that is, and eggs with basil cooked in a pan coated w/nonstick spray or about 1 Tbsp. olive oil. Or try some almond butter, raisins, and old-fashioned rolled oats cooked together for some delicious oatmeal.

For lunch, you can make an easy sandwich using either whole wheat bread or low-carb. tortillas, the nitrate/nitrite-free lunch meat, a few slices tomato, a handful of baby spinach or kale, 1/8 sliced avocado (you can use the slices or mash them to use as a spread), onion (although, sometimes I'm careful about this one if I'm going to be around people for the rest of the day :) ). Most days, I have Shakeology, my meal replacement shake, for lunch. You can make yourself a protein smoothie with a substitute protein powder.

For a snack, you can dip some carrots in hummus, and/or munch an apple (you can prep ahead, by per-slicing & spritzing w/lemon juice to help prevent browning). You can grab a handful of walnuts,  pistachios, or pumpkin seeds.

For dinner, you can cook up some lemon salmon, or tilapia w/ cooked kale or fresh baby spinach, and a side of quinoa topped with salsa.

For dessert, mix a tsp. or two of cocoa powder with 1/2 a cup of yogurt topped with almond slices.

What kinds of clean eats do you like? I would love to hear how you began (or are beginning) to make healthy changes in your life!

Clean Eating for a Healthier You

Clean Eating for a Healthier You

Rough Start

Since becoming a Beachbody coach, I've had the opportunity to first work on myself, and then to begin to work in the lives of others. It wasn't an easy beginning! In fact, it was definitely a rough start. I was a little salesy at first, because I honestly didn't know what I was doing! On my Facebook page, I had friends dropping like flies, saying things like "I'm on here for my family and friends, not to be advertised to!" I got it....eventually. I started taking the word 'Beachbody' and 'challenge' out of my posts, and started posting about 'support groups.' These support/challenge groups give members a way to interact with others, including their coach, and have fun as they're motivated and encouraged to continue working out and eating well. Once I started talking about supporting others, and taking the selling to others out of my posts, things started going better! After all, that's what I really wanted to do-help and support others! About a month ago, I realized that if I wanted people to trust me, and know that I will support them I would have to show them without them having to invest much. I decided to venture into the world of cleaner eating.

Clean Eating

Clean eating is defined, at least when it's defined by me, is cutting out the junk; getting rid of the processed food, refined sugar (including high fructose corn syrup), white flour, and getting more of whole foods such as vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and more water! When I started posted on my Facebook page about a clean eating group that gives members 30 days' worth of clean eating recipes, shopping lists to go with them, plus nutrition tips every day for 30 days, I was astonished at the response I got! Especially when these groups that I form are free! I simply ask for my members to get a free Team Beachbody account with me as their coach, so that I can learn to be a better coach through helping more people. I can only do that if I have people I'm helping, right. People who I can stay in contact with after the month is over. Then I had another idea; why not put together another set of recipes, so that those in my first group could move on to another the next month, if they wanted to. That way, if they aren't ready to commit to a fitness challenge or Shakeology, they could still get support and continue to actively improve their lives.

I have been amazed by the participation and the results that I've seen in under 3 weeks! These members are working hard at eating well, and are losing weight! I calculated today, with the numbers that about 8 members have given me, together our results have been a loss of over 15 pounds in about 2 1/2 weeks! I'm excited for those who are ready to move on to my next group! It's awesome to see individuals finding success through a simple meal plan. So many of the members have told me that they, and their families, love these recipes. Many members love the idea that they don't have to plan their meals for the week, nor do they have to figure out what they need to go shopping for (because the shopping lists are designed for each week's worth of recipes). The recipes come with not only the 3 squares, but include snacks and desserts (all clean eats, of course). Yes, it's alright to have what many people call "cheat meals," but if you don't know how to control yourself, and the cheat meal turns into a cheat day, which turns in to a cheat 2 days, and then, before you realize it, it's become a cheat week, month, and maybe year. You give up on yourself!

During the group, members not only get nutrition tips, but other tips, as well, including this one, that my coach posted in one of her groups:

Today I want to talk to you about emotional eating. We often eat (junk) because of an emotion we are feeling....boredom, sadness, anger, frustration even happiness. This oftentimes gets us in trouble because it is not helping the situation but actually in the long term making it worse. We just consumed a lot of junk (calories) and it didn't solve the situation or make you feel any better about it long term. It was a temporary satisfaction that leads to long term demise.

I want to share something with you all and some of you may have seen this before. How many times have I heard someone say I just had a stressful/bad day so I deserve chocolate/wine/ice cream or for guys a couple beers. How many times have I said that to someone or thought it myself. Our number on the scale is so much more than bad eating and lack of exercise. You need to focus on the other aspects of yourself as well during this challenge so that after the challenge is over you do not return to old answers and habits for stress and emotions.

Soon after starting your weight loss program, you begin to realize that your eating is not the only part of your life that is out of control. We soon discover that we are people who lack balance and harmony in many other areas of our life, too.

We are a four-sided person emotional, spiritual, mental, and physical. Consider each area with regard to your current situation. Begin by asking yourself the most important question, where is my life most out of balance?
Next, turn your attention to the four bars that represent your heart, soul, mind and strength. How much balance do you currently have in each of those aspects of your life? What area of your life needs attention today? Do you see a pattern emerging between the balance and harmony you are experiencing and the struggles you are having with your weight? Remember, no matter how strong you may be in one area, you are only as strong as your weakest point!!!!!!

Remember the battle begins in your mind. I have recently discovered the power of positive thinking myself and this has changed my life. Try to focus on the positive. Not only the good things you have in life, but also the good things you want in life. Completely redirect your thinking. Spend no time thinking on the negative. NONE! Do not focus your attention on it all. If you are not focusing on it then you do not need to find ways to comfort yourself because of them. Especially with food. Remember you are special, unique and worth it. Believe in yourself!!!

Today I challenge you to examine the emotions you are feeling when you want that tub of ice cream or that bag of chocolate bars or that bag of potato chips. Think about whether you are wanting comfort or if you really need to eat whatever you are about to stuff in your face. Then find another way to deal with the situation. For some that may be prayer, or meditation, or yoga, or a self help book, or a convo with your best friend, or a good sweat fest. I personally have used all those methods. The reason this is so important to me is because that is me. I am an emotional eater and I have had to find another way to deal with it.

Eat Well, Feel Good

Eat Well, Feel Good is actually the name of my first clean eating group. It is so true, don't you think? Many of us grew up eating processed, artificially flavored, and dyed food, and don't realize how horrible these foods are for us. I get that these types of foods are often cheaper and more "appealing" than good, wholesome food. It takes time to get used to a clean eating diet. Sure, I crave pop, pizza, candy, and donuts sometimes, but lately my mind has been quicker (and Shakeology helps me with cravings as well, especially with how delicious and dessert-like I can make it) about remembering how that junk food makes me feel. I ate take out pizza a few weeks ago, and felt sick shortly after. I hadn't felt that way before, and we'd been having it every Friday to try to start a family tradition, but we missed a week. In reality, I'd missed a week of poisoning myself with refined sugar and bleached white flour, nitrites from pepperoni, and who knows what else. My body had flushed out the junk, and was in shock when I hit it after it's week of detox.

Like I said, I crave junk, and am not above having it every now and then, but it can suck me in! Junk food is addictive! I believe the clean eating group is a way to help with that. We admit to our struggles, and we rejoice in the triumphs! Does a clean eating support group sound appealing and promising to you? I'm not gonna lie to you and say that it's easy, because it's not, but at lease we can work together to make it a little more fun and a little more bearable! If you are interested in joining a group, I'm starting another one February 3.