Prom Party Anyone?

In October of 2010 I got this crazy idea of starting a blog to hold myself accountable in a weight loss journey.  My mom, who never gets rid of anything, had dropped off some boxes of my stuff she had been saving.  In the boxes were pictures, memorabilia, useless junk, and my prom dresses.  I came to this crazy conclusion that if I lost enough weight I may actually fit into one of them. 
Two C-sections and 20 years later, that was a lofty goal! 

 I started and stopped a lot of diets in the past 3 1/2 years.  Somewhere along the way, writing about what wasn't working did not seem so much fun. Writing also does not come easy for me, so it seemed like a chore to write about juice cleansing, going gluten free, supplements, and so on...   

Then one year ago today I discovered Nutritional Cleansing.  Considering my history, I started with low expectations.  I did not measure or take pictures, why be disappointed when I would not have After shots.

I committed to 30 days and started learning about Nutritional Cleansing.  I also committed to giving up coffee for the 30 days which seemed easier than giving up alcohol (another requirement) and started planning my month. 

I was amazed at how great I felt from the start and never had coffee withdrawal.  I actually gained energy!  In my first 2 weeks I lost 10 pounds and was hooked!!!  I had never lost 10 pounds that easily.  So with my 40th Birthday quickly approaching I set a new goal for myself,  140 at 40. 

With a couple weeks to go I was now confident that I would hit my goal.  I did!  I also learned that sometimes the scale does not move, but inches can still be lost.  You can reshape your body with the right tools. 

After my birthday I decided on a new goal, which was actually going back to my old goal.  To fit into my prom dress.  I stuck with the program and soon weighed what I did my senior year of high school.  I kept trying on my dress, but it was still too small.  I came to the realization, that as we age our bodies change and my original goal was slightly ridiculous.  I feel great, my clothes are now a size 4, and I have successfully coached lots of people through the same program. 

Coaching people to a healthier lifestyle is now a passion.  I love helping people and feel like Nutritional Cleansing is a wonderful gift that I can share. Through my Cleanse Obsessed business I now create programs to help other reach their goals.

A couple weeks ago I had to get dressed up for a couple of events, While trying on dresses in my closet (most that were too big,) my husband said, I bet you your prom dress will fit.  So again, I took it from the back of the closet and tried it on.  And guess what, this time it fit!   I was shocked.

I never took Before photos when I started, but thanks to Mom and Nutritional Cleansing, I now have Before and After photos. 

I never thought I would actually post these but know from looking at so many similar photos that they can motivate others and show that goals can actually be accomplished. So on my one year anniversary of my new lifestyle I am actually posting a picture.

These pictures are taken almost 23 years apart.  My son likes my new one, he is not a fan of my hair in 1991.   I would agree, but everyone had hair like that at the prom in 1991.

 www.facebook.com/cleanseobsessed

Poreless

I'm involved in a couple charities and The First Tee is one I spend a lot of time raising money for.

The First Tee is a youth development organization that introduces the game of golf and its inherent values to young people. Through after school and in school programs, they help shape the lives of young people from all walks of life by reinforcing values like integrity, respect and perseverance through the game of golf.

My friend Nicki (Dr. Nicola DeLorio) owns this awesome med spa Accent Aesthetics in Galloway.   She has a charitable giving menu that donates part of the proceeds of the treatments to a designated charity.
In September she picked The First Tee.  I really couldn't resist the idea of being pampered and giving back at the same time.  I talked to her about the different treatments and decided on the Obagi Blue Radiance Peel.  Not to be confused with the more potent Blue Peel.  It is supposed to improve your skin’s look, texture, and feel in a matter of minutes.  Sounded good to me! 

Ula, my esthetician agreed that this was much needed. He first question was "when was the last time you had a facial" my answer of  "about a year" was greeted with a slight scowl.  She than asked what I currently use to moisturize my overly dry skin. My answer of "I tend not to use moisturizer" was not received well.  While she worked on my neglected skin she made sure to tell me how I need to take better care of my skin and use real products that have real benefits. 

The whole peel/procedure took less than an hour and I am amazed at the results.  When I first left the spa I looked poreless.  My face had not been this smooth in years.  They said I would start peeling. 
I expected to look like a lizard, but I did not.  Some mild peeling a dryness  for a day and my skin looked great.
I bought a bunch of the Obagi skin care to keep the results going, and promised I would use them. 

Ula even called a couple of times to make sure I was using my products correctly.  I think she just wanted to make sure I was using them at all.

I had another peel this month. They are not magic, but they are definitely helping.  Now if I could just stay out of the sun. 

Snack Time, again...

As a working mom I am always trying to find easier, quicker ways to feed my family healthy foods.  I love to cook but sometimes we run out of time.  Like most families we have so many commitments and activities that we rarely all sit down together for a home cooked meal. 

I also hate the amount of snacks everyone eats in a day.  If they were all fruits and veggies I would love it, but packaged snacks not so much.  I love reading other blogs about moms who say they pack cut up veggies for snacks everyday and that their kids lunch boxes are so colorful with healthy foods.  Really?!!    I'm here to say that is not the case in my house or most houses.  Yes, we offer fruits and veggies and sometimes they are taken, but most of the times its please pass the chips, bagels, pretzels, goldfish... 

Now some enlightened person told me not to buy anything I would not like them to eat.  Sounds good in theory but do I really want my family to starve.  The whining and complaining they are hungry with "nothing to eat" would be torture. Sound familiar?  Besides I have learned they will find a way to get the foods they want anyway.  If they go out of the the house with any money at all I can guarantee that candy will always be the purchase.

I have one child who really eats almost nothing so any item I post that my family likes almost never includes him.  So most of the time I am only cooking or baking for a family of three. 

I found this great breakfast recipe that you bake once and cut and reheat for the week.  I altered it just a bit and made it in a muffin pan, wrapped and froze each one. 
If I take one out in the morning by snack time at school or work it is defrosted and perfect.  You can still reheat if you want or eat cold.  It is also makes a great warm dessert when made in a pan a scooped out. 

I have one snack done, now I just need 3 more!

Ingredients:

1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup steel cut oats
1/2 cup of any nut sliced or chopped (I like cinnamon coated almonds)
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 cup honey (I like to use flavored honey, blueberry or raspberry is great)
1 cup skim milk
2 large egg
1 egg white
2 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2-3 ripe bananas, peeled and sliced
1 cup fresh blueberries or raspberries (you can use almost any fruit you prefer)

 

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375F.
2. Lightly grease a muffin tin. I like the silicone ones so the muffins pop right out.
In a medium bowl, mix the oats, the nuts, baking powder, and cinnamon. 
Stir to combine.
In a separate small bowl combine the honey, milk, egg, butter, and vanilla.
3. Combine bowls and mix.
4. Add berries and bananas and mix gently.
5. Scoop mixture into muffin tins.  Allow room at top so liquid does not seep out.
6.  Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the top is browned and the oats have set. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.
7.  Wrap individually and freeze. 





 

Missing In Action

So two years ago I got this great idea to start a blog.  I started and that was about it. (If you read the first post you will see how this all started.) I quickly lost interest and went off to other things.  That may happen again??  But for now I am renewed and re-energized. 

The original goal was to "fit in to my prom dress" and no, that goal was never reached.  If it was, do you think this Blog would have stopped?  I would have been shouting from the roofs, the net, facebook, etc...  

My goal is still the same but I plan on having a little more fun along the way.  I hope to expand the scope just a little and hopefully it all leads to the same place. 
So hopefully you will follow along and join the fun. 
Maybe this time we will have a Prom Party!

Are your kids fussy eaters?

So I just read an article titled "Parental food nagging may produce fussy eaters."  it caught my eye since I have an extremely fussy eater in my house.  It also made me think about my house growing up and if my parents made me a good/bad eater.    Growing up we had junk upon junk in my house.  Tastykakes and Entenmann's were a staple, cinnamon buns for breakfast every weekend, plus my mom could be one of the worlds best bakers.  We were rarely limited on what we ate. 

My sister was extremely picky in her food choices and very slim, I on the other hand was the exact opposite. 

I have 2 kids who are also exact opposites in their eating habits.  Although our house now tries to be more health conscious than the one I grew up in.  I try to choose natural and organic foods and we rarely have sweets in the pantry. 

So my parents had no restrictions and had 2 kids who ate differently and I have lots of restrictions and have 2 kids who eat differently.  Does it make a difference? 

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40307029/ns/health-diet_and_nutrition/from/toolbar

Do you Feel the Burn?

I DVR all kinds of shows so that on mornings like today while it was raining and running outside is not an option my treadmill does not seem so boring.  So this morning while watching Oprah, Jane Fonda was the guest (I am sure this aired a couple weeks ago.)  She is 72 and looks amazing.  I'd like to look like that at 40.  Now she does admit to having some work done to look soo great, but on her face, not on her petite figure. 
Do you remember the pink leg warmers and purple leotard?  Her videos started a fitness revolution.  I remember doing the leg lifts and "feeling the burn."  The amazing thing is that when those videos were released she was in her 40's.  That fact alone makes me feel older than my age. 
Now at 72 she has had a lot of lifes experiences and lots of ups and down but she still makes fitness a priority.  Why?  To feel great, not look great.  I guess thats the bonus.  Working out helps our minds and our bodies.  She even has new videos out, that are geared towards baby boomers, her original demographic 30 years ago. 
She is refreshingly honest about her life and lifes experiences which makes her all the more interesting. 

I wonder if I dig through some more of the "junk" my mom has been saving I can find one of her videos.  
I can probably find some leg warmers in my own junk drawer. 

Are You a Carbohydrate Addict?

After looking  at all the diet/lifestyle books on my bedroom floor I decided to pick the one that I have had previous success with and that seems to make the most sense.  The Carbohydrates Addicts Diet, written in 1993 by authors Rachel Heller MD, and Richard Heller MD.  I have never really been a fan of no carb plans because they seem unrealistic and unhealthy.  But I do agree that our whole society and way of life is over carbed.  And after taking the quiz in the book I definitely qualify as a Carbohydrate Addict. 

Do we really need toast/cereal for breakfast, a sandwich for lunch and rice and potatoes at dinner?

I think that processed, high sugar, high carb foods are definitely not what we were meant to consume.  Look at how hyper and crazy they make our kids.  We are bigger so we tolerate it more, but cutting out a lot of processed foods and sugar hopefully will help stabilize our bodies so we don't have extreme highs and lows in our day. 

So what is the Carbohydrate Addicts Diet and how does it work?

The premise behind the Carbohydrate Addicts Diet (CAD) is that most overweight people are addicted to carbohydrates. The Hellers’ claim that most people fail to metabolize carbohydrates correctly, causing an imbalance of insulin levels. The elevated insulin levels cause a craving for food throughout the day.
Over the last few decades, refined sugars have played an increasing role in our diets. Authorities have recommended  a low-fat diet – which has inadvertently lead to people eating far more carbohydrate than is necessary (given our generally sedentary lifestyles). It should be no surprise that many people have become accustomed to highly sweetened foods. Whether this qualifies as an addiction is up for debate.

The Carbohydrate Addicts Eating Plan

At its foundation is a reduction of carbohydrate intake. The rules are strict, with the diet providing a long list of foods, that are on the “allowed” list. Anything not in this list must be avoided.
Each day is split into 2 main meals – 2 meals are made up of a protein source (fish, poultry, lean red meat) and fibrous vegetables. The 3rd meal is called the “reward” meal – this can be anything you want, but you should aim for a balance of 1/3 carbohydrate, 1/3 protein, and 1/3 fibrous (non-starchy vegetables). This reward meal must be consumed inside 1 hour.

So I get to eat 2 really low carb meals a day and one meal almost anything I want as long as I consume it within one hour.  Even alcohol is allowed. 

I don't have to give up any of my favorite foods, just limit them.

Week 2 or so

So in the past week and a half I have had Halloween, 2 business trips plus a couple days in New York to watch the NY Marathon.  Congrats to my sister and some friends who ran great races.  Watching thousands of people run over 26 miles in the freezing cold is definitely inspiring.  While you are there, you really start to get motivated and wonder why you have never wanted to put a marathon on your bucket list.  Then while running my 3 miles this morning  my knee started to hurt, reality set in and I remember why I say I'd never do one.  So if I'm not going to train for a marathon what am I going to do to turn this blog into a reality. 

I started to do some research; what method is the best.  I went through my library of books and found a total of 17 diet and exercise books.  These were the ones I kept, and I'm pretty sure their have probably been more along the way.  Their is always a latest fad or idea and I have probably tried most of the craziest ideas. 


The Rotation Diet
The Zone
Total Fitness in 30 minutes a Week
Aerobics (1968)
The Aerobics way (1977)
The Abs Diet
The Hilton Head Metabolism Diet
The Fat Flush Plan
Fast Track One Day Detox
Lean Bodies
The Carbohydrates Addicts Diet
The Last Chance Diet
The Perfect Weight
Eating by Design
Portion Savvy
The South Beach Diet
Biogenesis

Over the years I have read each one and probably followed it for a couple weeks or months.  But eventually eating out, parties, kids and life get in the way of the perfect diet plan. 

So the question still remains to be seen, what is the right plan and which one can you really turn into a lifestyle? 

Made it through Halloween without one piece of candy!

Here is the Dress

People have asked for a picture of the dress so I am posting it.  I am actually posting pictures of all my prom dresses but it is the sequin dress I specifically want to fit into.  The others are pretty small and just to be fair they were hand me downs from my sister.  She wanted to know where her dresses were, so here they are.
If anyone wants to put up pictures of their dresses or their prom pix (big hair included), I welcome you to do so. 


The Dress



back of dress

                         

Today is Halloween, so maybe I should have started this journey next week but I have some ideas of how not to eat my kids candy. I might get some tooth whitening strips and put them in for a couple hours.  You can't eat while they are in, so I end of with whiter teeth and candy free.
The other idea is to just keep apples cut up and eat a piece every time i want to steel a Hershey kiss. 


Any other ideas?  Also looking for some good low carb snack ideas if anyone has them.  

Day 1

A couple weeks ago my mom decided to finally purge herself of the junk in her house.  First stop on the way to the trash, my house.  Amongst the items in the "trash" bags.  My prom dresses.  I loved my prom dresses, and even though they are not in fashion today in the 90's they were spectacular.  I could not resist trying them on.  I knew they would not fit but I had to try, and of course they did not fit.  So I set a new goal, to fit into my prom dress.  That is when my husband made the goal more attractive.  He proceeded to say " when the dress fits, we'll have a prom party."  Anyone who knows us,  knows we don't really need a reason to have a party but why not keep this theme, make it fun and have others join in. 

So here we go.  I will be posting my progress and want others to join in the fun.  We can share workout tips, diet tips, laugh at ourselves, put up pictures, and try to reach our goal.