Nutrition

I tend to comment a lot on my daily food pictures about how I've done that day. But, I don't think I've ever really gotten into what that means. If I have, feel free to skip this post & let me know I'm already repeating stories in my old age, lol 

For many years, I did Weight Watchers. Every single food had a number. And I knew that number! I can confidently say for almost everything! It was rare that I needed to look something up. 

What I didn't know, is how each food affected me. YES, you could eat anything & everything you like so long as you had the points in your day for it. 

I used to eat microwave popcorn with butter flavored spray oil on it. Holy chemical shit storm! But, it saved my points for important things. Like, candy or booze. 

While I was pregnant with the twins & on strict bed rest, I started watching documentaries. I learned about factory farming & GMO's & organics & I fell into the rabbit hole. So. Much. Information! 

I started small. Or tried to. Once I knew what I knew, I wanted EVERYTHING changed ASAP! Our food, our personal care products, our cleaning supplies! Everything! I couldn't even process the amount of chemicals we were consuming in every which way! 

So, when I was ready to start losing the weight I gained from the twins pregnancy, I went back to what I knew worked for me in the past. My coach says something that recently struck me as sooooo very true! 'If it works so well, why are you doing it again?' Ouch! 

Now, I'm not bad mouthing WW. Not at all. It HAS helped me lose weight! But, I didn't learn a damn thing aside from how many points I could eat. I didn't learn about food. I learned about low cal, fat free, overly processed, chemical 'food'. Could I have done better? Of course. Their power foods list is basically clean eating! I didn't know that then. I just knew the points value for everything. 

NOW, when I say I had a pretty good day -- that means I've eaten clean & balanced. Enough veggies (I was WAY under eating), enough protein (also under doing it), not too much fruit (I can way overindulge there), not too many carbs (as a vegetarian, I was struggling there too) & just enough healthy fats (is a jar of peanut butter realllllly overdoing it?? lol). I've learned that when I overdo it in sweets or overly processed foods, I'm going to feel like crap!  And that's something I used to feel all. the. time. #mindblown

And, if the food I share is made in my kitchen, that means it's organic or at least non GMO. Do we eat non organic & GMO's? Unfortunately, yes..... when we go out to eat or have pizza. GMO's are EVERYWHERE!! I would LOVE to find & support a local organic restaurant! But, they're not easy to find. Anyone in the Pittsburgh or Detroit area (yes, two different states, lol) know of any, please send me the name so we can check them out!! :) #supportlocal

My review & experience of T25

Ok, I did my final T25 workout yesterday. The stretch workout. I LOVE that one!!  :) 

Now that I've fully completed the program, I wanted to share my opinion & experience with it. 

First off, I started from zero activity. I had lost some weight last year, regained it all & stopped working out entirely. So, Tania was my best friend for ALL of Alpha! My goal was to get through it & that's what I did! 

I had obstacles during the 14 weeks (I added Gamma when I was halfway through Beta). We have 3 boys, we homeschool, & we don't live near any family. So, I had to figure out how to get my workout done every single day with minimal help & little people working alongside me some days. :)

Then, my father in law suddenly passed away at the start of Beta requiring a week long trip back home (to Michigan from New York) & then we moved out of state (from New York to Pennsylvania) when I started Gamma. 

But, you know what? I finished! I don't feel like I had the results I could have but I'm so proud that I didn't give up! What would I have changed?? I would have followed the suggested eating plan! I stuck with Weight Watchers because I know it, it was something I was comfortable with & because I didn't fully trust the beach body methods. I surely do now! 

I also would have started Beta with a heavier weight! I packed in a hurry when my father in law passed away so I only brought the band that comes with the program. I'm sure some love the band! But, it wasn't for me. Then when we returned home, I used the weights I had on hand -- 3 pounders. I used those for another week before running out to buy 6 pounders -- those were perfect for me! But, I lost 2 weeks of the 5 to lower weights. Now I know though & I suggest the slightly higher weight to anyone that asks.  :) 

I'm SO glad I took the chance & spent the money to buy T25! My husband thought I was out of my mind when I told him what it cost & that I wanted to buy it. He supported me but was certain it'd be a $140 paper weight. I was quite happy to prove him (and me!) wrong though! I nailed that program & when it was nearly done, I was planning what I'd do next! There was no way I was just stopping & I wanted to try something new. Now, I'm starting the 21 day fix! I didn't get my nutrition under control like I should have during T25 but I will now! :):):)

This was taken in December 2013. Yes, I was eating! I wasn't frequently in front of the camera so it's the best I could find. 

Here's me the last day of T25 with a load of groceries for the 21 day fix, lol I'll get better pictures soon!  :) 

I DID IT!

Guess what! Guess what! I  FINISHED T25 today!!!!!!! 14 weeks! 5 of Alpha, 5 of Beta & 4 of Gamma. And the best part??? I feel like this is only the beginning for me. I have never ever ever ever felt like this about fitness! To say T25 changed my life would be an understatement! 

15 weeks ago when I confessed that I regained all the weight I lost & I was starting fresh, I never expected to be at this point today. 

And I know that saying 'if I can do it, anyone can!' is so cliche but ITS TRUE!!!! I hated working out, I was 'too busy' & figured I'd just do it all with diet like every other time. Now? I'm so excited to go pick up the 21 day fix that's waiting for me in the front office so I can start reading up on my next experience! 

I'm going to work on dates this weekend for the upcoming challenges so I can help others feel this feeling. It's unreal. 

#endthetrend #beachbody #fitnessfreak #excitement #ididit #t25 #nomorefatmom #readslikeasalespitchbutitstrueexcitement #accomplishment

My ah-ha moment.

UI've always been a huge fan of Weight Watchers. When I restarted my get healthy journey, they were my go-to program. But, combined with the T25 workout -- I was not happy with the scale! It wasn't reflecting my hard work! I decided to forget about the scale (and measurements because those were jacked up, too), focus on the fit of my clothes & my progress photos. 

Then, at week 13 (14 of recommitting - I started T25 a week later to get my nutrition on track), I decided to take a beach body 5 day clean eating challenge. I ate pretty well before I started because of the WW simple start/simply filling programs. But, I could FEEL the difference after just 5 days of 'clean' eating. I allowed myself some indulgences on the weekend after the challenge (sweets, chips, etc) & decided to stick with the 5 days of clean eating again! It makes me feel SO much better! 

I remember reading that some people stick with Weight Watchers or any other program while doing T25 because it's what they're familiar with. But, they recommend following their nutrition guideline. I rolled my eyes, certain Beach Body was just trying to sell me something else & carried on my way. Whelp, I'm now a believer! They were only selling me real results! There was nothing to buy in the nutrition guide! Now I know better .... only 14 weeks in, lol It's a good thing this is just the beginning of my journey. :) 

My beginning.

In December of 2013, I shared with my friends & family that I was struggling with my weight -- I had to buy new jeans to visit family for an extended trip (I only had 1 pair that fit!)! Traumatizing.
But, that kicked me in the rear & got me back on track! Being pregnant with twins & on bed rest for 3+ months had taken it's toll on me. I refused to just give up though & accept being fat because I'm a Mom. I would much rather be an example of health & fitness for our boys! And anyone else that cares to be inspired with me.
So, the journey began..... I rejoined Weight Watchers (it had worked well for me after our first baby & a few times before -- quitting smoking, new marriage weight, etc) & I ordered the beach body program T25. Working out has always been something I've wanted to do but never really stuck with anything. I thought, 25 minutes a day? Even with this crazy life of ours, I could do that! The workouts were NO JOKE for those 25 minutes but I've gotten stronger & stronger. So amazed! And, I've actually stuck with it!
It's been 3 1/2 months since my journey started & I've been sharing a daily collage of food pictures on my private fb page. A friend mentioned she was going to start blogging her garden pictures (which I LOVE seeing) so she didn't clutter up her page. It registered that more than half of my friends & family have probably hidden me from their newsfeeds because they don't care about my food/fitness/health improvements, lol So, I decided to bring it here. I'm no pro, I'm not perfect, just struggling along like everyone else doing the best I can. :)