6 days....No Coffee

Or wine.

Or carbs.

Or sugar.

Or Wine.

Oh wait....I said that one already.

Started Dukaning it this morning and so far I'm doing fine.

I decided to drink tea and not coffee for this first 6 days because I can't drink coffee without cream.

Although....by day three I might be a black coffee convert.  I'll let you know.

Do You Dukan?

I had to make a decision yesterday.

I was making our menu plan and grocery list for the next two weeks and I had to decide if I wanted to try the latest diet that I've never tried before.

Okay....there might be a couple other diets out there that I've never tried.  Jenny Craig being one of them.

My friend is on the Dukan Diet and having great success.  The only problem is....she seems to be miserable.

I'm a glutton for punishment.  So why not!

I'm going to give it a trial run. Three weeks.

At the end of that three weeks I'll decide if I get to cheat on my daughters birthday....and stop.  Or keep going.

The good news is that we're getting closer and closer to spring and then I'll be able to walk outside again.  You have no idea how much I'm looking forward to that!

Kicking My Ass

I'm trying to find little snippets of time to do some exercise.

It's too cold and snowy for me to really get in a good cardio workout but that doesn't mean that I can't be doing some little things to get me on track.

I found this great Daily Butt Workout on the app store and after doing it for only 5 minutes yesterday, my glutes are sore!! 

The good kind of sore.

I love the good kind of sore.....

Saving Money with Walgreens

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walgreens for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I avoid going to the doctor at all costs because I really don't like paying for prescriptions.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not afraid of the doctor and I go if it's necessary.  It seems like the cost of medication keeps going up along with my doctor's co-pay! 

Walgreens is now offering a special discount on their annual membership for the Prescription Savings Club at Walgreens.  For just $35 a year, the family membership covers everyone in your immediate family, including your spouse, dependents (as long as they're 22 years old or younger) and your pets. If it's just you, an individual  membership is only $20. 

But that's not all!  Included in your membership is savings on more than 8,000 brand-name and all generic medications, discounts on flu shots, pet prescriptions, nebulizers and diabetic testing supplies.  Added bonuses when you purchase Walgreens brand products and photofinishing services. 

What a great reason to shop at Walgreens.  I know in our house they are the go to place when we have an illness and need even the most basic items!

Support Walgreens and find out more about how they can save your family money by liking Walgreens on Facebook and following Walgreens on Twitter.

I Want It

I'm feeling really motivated and it's because of my gaggle of friends that are supporting me. It's amazing what having a friend kicking your ass (or texting you) everyday can do for you.

Thank you friend....you know who you are!

source

Bachelor Ben NON Drinking Game

I've been creating a 'drinking game' for The Bachelor TV show for several seasons now and it occurred to me last night that I should create a healthy version of the game for people like my friends Impulsive Addict and JennyKate.  They are both on very strick diets and haven't been drinking.....at all!

For this game you will need the following:

• A Gallon of water
• A head of celery
• Two dumbbells  
• Comfy clothes

Let's get started!


Each time Chris Harrison is on your screen.....Do 15 sit ups.

Each time Ben kisses someone....eat a piece of celery.

Each time one of the ladies takes a drink of wine/beer/soda.....take a drink of water.

Each time Courtney says winning.....raise your dumbbells over your head 10 times.

Each time someone says *open*, *Journey* or *rest of my life*.....do 10 lunges.

If Courtney gets a rose..........do downward facing dog.

Bonus:

During the commercials....run in place.

Addicted To Coke

source

I'm giving up Coke again.

This time for good.

I'm not even going to substitue the Zero.  

I'm going to switch to water. 

Daily Affirmations

It seems like motivation is the topic of the week. I've read several posts about it and I'm encouraged by the comments I've gotten. Thank you to those of you that have lent support. I'm always amazed how I get what I need, when I need it.

I just saw this on pinterest. I think this should be my new affirmation. I'm going to print it out and put it all over the house.

Along with this picture.

9 Months of Training

I went out for drinks with my Kinder Mom friends the other night and I jokingly said that I was training for the Eagle Bolt 5K race at the kids' school.

I'm serious but the joking part is that it's 9 months away.

Is there a Couch to 5K plan for people that take 9 months to train for something?

I've tried those programs before and I've never finished because I have to start week 1 over a half dozen times.  Or the weather turns crappy and I quit.

Does anyone have tips for staying motivated on these plans?  Is there a new and exciting app I need to know about?

Help me out!

My Beauty Resolutions

BlogHer has asked me to answer a question about looking my best.  They've obviously been spying on me and my brillant transformation from frumpy mommy to well dressed mother of a Kindergartener who has to interact with people every day.

What are your beauty resolutions this year?  How do you plan to shake up and streamline your routine?  What are the good habits you are committing to developing?

It's a well known fact that I'm addicted to resolutions.  I love starting a new year with a list of things that I'd like to accomplish and ways to make my life better.  Lists are a very big part of my mental health!

Once I turned 40, I really started to look at how I could work on my beauty routine.  Those pesky little lines are starting to form and I'm not getting carded at the liquor store anymore.  I've purchased a number of products that I think are working very well.

My Beauty Resolutions:

• Wash my face every night.
• Use eye cream.
• Drink 60 ounces of water a day.
• Monthly masks.
• Wear sunscreen AND make-up everyday. 
• Keep nails painted.  

What has been helping the most is getting into the habit of taking care of my skin before I go to bed at night.  Making a promise to myself that I'm important enough to spend 5-10 minutes taking care of.

This ritual is really very calming and prepares me for a good night sleep.  Speaking of sleep, another resolution for 2012 is to go to bed at the same time every night....even on the weekends.

BlogHer has a great article about ways to look your best. Come by and leave a comment.

Please visit the Life Well Lived Sweepstakes starting on January 26th and enter for a chance to win a Kindle Fire and a $50 Amazon Gift Card.

Nut Chips....YUM

In my quest to be gluten free....I'm always looking for something I can eat to replace the things I can't have anymore. 

Sometimes....I just want something crunchy.

I went to Sunflower Market on Saturday and wandered down the chip isle.  This caught my eye.

Chips made from RICE and NUTS?  You wouldn't think it would be good....but I love them!

Dr Google and Menopause

My husband is horribly ill.  He had two seperate colds over the holidays and now he has what could be the flu but I'm convinced that is mono.

That's what I get for consulting Dr. Google.

We'll find out if I'm right this afternoon when he sees the doctor again.

And as if that isn't enough on my plate.....I think TOM is trying to visit me again.  After only a 12 day break. 

This is bullshit!!!

I woke up with 3 extra pounds, a migraine and spotting. (sorry guys that might read this)

I seem to remember that this is how it started for my Mom.  CRAP!

We Interrupt This Experiment....

photo credit

In all of my research of Dandelion Root Tea....I did not read about it being a natural LAXATIVE.

In other news.....OMG!

An Experiment

I drank my tea yesterday and I figured out what it smells/tastes like.

An ashtray!!

I read up on the benefits of Dandelion Root and I liked what I learned.

Digestive issues
PMS
Detox of the liver and kidneys
Cleaning of the blood
Milk Supply

I could use help in all of these areas....expect the milk supply.  The barn is closed thankyouverymuch.

So...on to my experiment.

I decided to wear workout clothes today AND set a couple alarms on my phone encouraging me to do 15 minute spurts of working out.

Nothing serious....just squats, lunges, sit ups and lifting little hand weights.

I'm completely against wearing workout clothes to pick up my son from school but this is just a one day experiment.  We'll re-evaluate at the end of the day.

The Gates of Change

“Each of us guards a gate of change that can only be unlocked from the inside.”

—  Marilyn Ferguson

Unless it's this gate.

Photo credit ME!

I'm finding it so hard to get started! Between being sick and TOM arriving unexpectedly, I'm struggling.

I'm restarting the Bloat Blast Tea this morning.  According to a school friend of mine, the dandelion root tea is sold out all over our town so it must work, or lots of people are doing it.

Here we go...again! 

Let's Get This Party Started!

My cold is finally on it's way out so I'm going to get started! Yesterday I weighted in at 211. It seems to be a magic set point that I'd like to never see again.

Today.....I'm doing a juice fast with some fruit and veggies thrown in. And I'm starting the Bloat Blast.

I read conflicting reports about how that was supposed to be done. One said to mix the tea and juices in a 16 ounce glass. Another said to mix it with 60 ounces of water.

The 60 ounces seems like it would dilute the other ingredients so I'm going with the 16 ounce.

Dandelion Root Tea steeped in 16 ounces of water for 15 minutes.
Add.....1 tablespoon cranberry juice, 2 tablespoons for lemon juice.
DRINK!

In addition, I will then drink 60 ounces (or more) of water.

The Plan For 2012

I had dinner and drinks with my husband at PF Changs tonight and decided it was the perfect time to approach him about our plan for 2012.  I've gained about 4 pounds since September and he's gained 15.  I've stopped eating gluten-free and I can tell the difference in how I feel and my lip is back to being red and swollen. 

Basically: Paleo until we reach our first goal.

Me: 199 pounds
Him: 215 pounds

Day One: January 1st.....Juice Fast/Detox.

Day Two-Eight: Bloat Solution

Day Nine-Thirty One:  Paleo, Walks on the weekends and lots of water!

It is winter in Colorado so I'm not committing to any physical activity besides an occasional yoga DVD in the living room.  But we will modify the plan each month.

Looking Good

Wow. Where have I been? I'm amazed how much busier I've become since my son started school. It's a GOOD busy!

I've talked before about how my weight isn't changing.....but I can tell the difference in my clothes. Even naked....I can see some difference.

This is ALL thanks to a Paleo/Gluten-Free lifestyle. I combine the two because I make paleo meals frequently....but try to be gluten free at least 80% of the time.

It's really working for me!

I haven't weighed myself in a month. I've decided that I just don't care what that number is. I'd LOVE to fit into my size 12 clothes. And I think I will someday.

Right now....I think I'm looking pretty good.

No More Fat Pants

I had my vistor last week.

You know the one.  I call it TOM around here.

I like to focus on the positive and the best thing ever happened.

I didn't have to break out my fat pants.

I also realized that even though my weight hasn't budged.  My clothes are fitting better.

I gave my husband my fat pants and told him to hide them from me.

I don't want to wear them again.  EVER!

I'm Stuck

I've been stuck at 209.2 for 4 weeks.

I think it's time for me to kick this up a notch.

There are THREE weeks until Thanksgiving so I'm going to kick it in gear for the next three week and see what I can do.

I've been cheating (ie. eating gluten) way too much.  And it makes me feel like CRAP!

Here we go!