A letting go..

   So second Thursday of doing Pilates....lengthening and stretching of muscles.  Feels really good.  It really has a healing effect on the mind.  Like a letting go.  The tension is gone.  Well now I know to do for myself when I'm feeling stressed.
   Enjoying every last bit of this summer.  The kids will be back in school in about 2 1/2 weeks.  Football starts soon---I'm not ready for any of that.  Don't even want to think about it.
   So today I enjoy  my last bit of freedom.  Even if that means I still have laundry to do, meals to prep, etc.  Can't wait to get out in my garden!!

Cauliflower rice

   Well dinner was yummy.  I used a head of cauliflower and made "rice" by breaking it up into little pieces, cooking it in a little water, and then mashing.  I added Asian veggies, and solid tuna, and voila--dinner is served.  I satisfied my cheese/carb craving by melting a little grated mozzerella on a corn tortilla...then topped with Greek yogurt, cumin, and cayenne pepper.  I know I know....I'm food obsessed....alwa

ys have been, always will be.

Half way through

   Well day ten already, so I'm right about half way there.  I'm noticing a huge difference in the mirror.... not so much on the scale.  I believe that could because of all the weight lifting (just three pound weights) that I'm doing, replacing some of the fat in my body with muscle.  So I'm toning up everywhere.
   I'm feeling tired today, and even more so because I just finished lower body fix.  Thank God for my chocolate shake I get after I work out....full of protein, antioxidants, herbs, probiotics, and digestive enzymes.  It's basically my breakfast.  And you can add whatever you want to...I add a tablespoon of flax seeds.  Message me and I'll tell you more about this.
   I can't believe it's Wednesday already!!!

A Balancing Act

   Wow.  Keys Catering ribs for dinner.  Not sure if that technically fits in the plan.  But I made it work.  Soooooo delicious.  And I only had two.....
   So I'm trying to get used to the idea of myself as a Coach, and it's not easy.  But I know in my heart that my heart is in the right place, so I've just got to get my head on board.
   I'm almost halfway through the program!!  Time does fly.  I love clean eating.  I  love working out every day (even though I hate it too).  Just staying focused, and positive.  It definately is a balancing act.  I'd recommend this program to anyone looking to improve the quality of their lives.  You can do anything for 21 days.  And everything beyond that is up to you.

Carbs and cheese....

   Well I'm not sure how much time I have on this tablet before the battery dies.  Drinking my yummy chocolate shake with flax seeds.  My favorite time of day....workout done!
   I've had vey little bread in the last week.  Today I think I'm going to have a slice of whole grain toast with coconut oil and cinammon on it.  So that will be all the carbs I have today.  Really looking forward to it!!  It's amazing how I savor my food now.  Especially when I get to have carbs or cheese.
 

Mind, Body, and Soul...

   So I'm up in my bedroom, with the rest of my wine...savoring every drop.  I don't get much in this program.  But enough to have something to look forwrd to all day.
   I made turkey patties for dinner tonight, and we ate them in pitas with fresh lettuce and colby jack cheese.  I also added my basil yogurt dressing from 21 day fix.....and a ton of hot sauce.  Dia especially loved it.  Feels good to eat lighter.  Larry was skeptical...but he wolfed it down.
   This program is insane.  It really disciplines you to eat clean, and train hard.  I'm starting to feel like an athlete.  Mind body and soul.  I love it.

Week Two, Here we go!

   What happened to the weekend? Mine was a blur.  Did have a really great Sunday dinner last night with my mom, which is our usual thing.  I broil white fish, and I sautee' a large pan of baby portabella mushrooms and onions.  There is a huge garden salad--easy to fit in my current plan (one red, 1 purple, 2 greens, and one orange).  I love being mindful of what I'm eating.
  Today I didn't feel like I was dying doing cardio....I'm still pressing pause, and doing a lot of the modified poses (easier), but I got through it much easier than I did last Monday.
   I can see a difference looking in the mirror.  And definately in the way I feel.
   Well I promised Eddie turkey bacon, so off I go.....Have a great week!

In it to win it;)

   Just a quickie post... got a lot to do this morning, and hopefully the weather holds out so we can swim this afternoon.
   So it's day seven.  Just completed my seventh consecutive workout.  I wasn't in the mindset to do it, but then again I never am.  But I do it anyway.  How else am I going to get results?  I so want this for myself and my family....And I'm a third of the way through!
   And it's not about doing the program perfectly, it's about making progress.  I'm taking it one day at a time...one workout at a time...one meal at a time..It all adds up.

Steak pitas

   Had steak pitas tonight for dinner....such a nice change.  Mine has lettuce from the garden and a creamy basil, garlic, yogurt dressing with olive oil.  So delicious.  Eating real food on this plan.  Oh with a side of fresh tomato from the garden.  It feels good to have some red meat in my system.
   Lit some incense up in my bedroom....it seems to distract me from the kitchen.  I need all the help I can get.  Praying Larry doesn't make any of his famous stovetop popcorn tonight.  That would be completely unfair.

A victory....

   Well I made it through last night without snacking beyond what my program allows!  That is huge for me.  I had a corn tortilla with melted colby jack cheese around seven oclock, and an apricot around eight, and that is all the snacking after dinner that I did.
   I went to bed last night thinking.....shit, I have to work out tomorrow on a SATURDAY!!  Normally I work out Monday through Friday and take the weekends off.  But on this program, it's 21 days straight.....BUT you do get a pilates day and a yoga day (tomorrow) to recover.  And all of that stretching feels really really good after the cardio and weight training.  This program is already transforming me mind, body, and spirit.  Truly.
   Dia is here with me painting her nails as I blog.  She is also sipping on my shake because she loves them.  It is seriously my favorite meal of the day.  I throw in an orange container of flax seeds in it every day to make it that much healthier.
   Well today is "hair day" with Dia.  It is great mommy daughter bonding time....that girl has so much hair...it really is an event doing her hair.
   Anyway, I can't believe I'm already almost one week into this program...I'm enjoying the ride.....and sooooo excited for my results.  I see results in the mirror already, and the weight is falling off.  This program really is an entry point into healthy living.  I will be putting together a group doing this program in the next couple of weeks.  email me at 88trish@live for more info.  Let's be each other's cheerleaders!

a bump in the road

   So I'm hiding out in my bedroom...normally I'd be hanging out in the kitchen...sipping my white wine, listening to great music...SNACKING :)  Know what I mean??  Why can't I just watch television like any normal person??!  So instead I'm in my bedroom with my tablet.
  So I realize I'm a bit food obsessed...but that's just me.  I love to eat.  Simply love it, and I used to get away with it.  I used to have an amazing metabolism.  Not anymore.  That's just part of growing older.
   Anyway, I'm currently trying to distract myself from the carry-out container in the fridge containig Keys' Catering fried chicken and fries.  That container is currently calling my name right now.  Not to mention being at dinner surrounded by my family members, and their fried foods.  It  was a nightmare.  I had a grilled chicken salad with mustard and hotsauce.  Jesus this is hard.  So very hard.  I think I'm going to go to bed early tonight.

It's Friday yo

   Well is it really Friday again?  That means I'm five days in already.  I feel as if I've jumped on a ship set for the sea, and there is no turning back.  Why would I want to?  I have a team of supporters who want to see me succeed....and that's including my husband, mother, sister, children, friends....not to mention my online supporters who are cheerleading me on a daily basis.  Definately feeling the love.
   I know I've been incredibly cheerful the last week or so.  But there are dark moments.  Self doubt creeps in.....it did big time last night as I was trying to fall asleep.  And this morning when I woke up and knew I had to do another cardio workout today...God I hate cardio.  I didn't have very nice words to say to Autumn today.  But damn it I got through it (with frequent pausing and doing a lot of the modification poses---thank God for those).
   If you are any where near interested in doing this 21 day fix, please consider signing up with me.  I would love to be your cheerleader.  It's so easy to get started...the hardest part is waiting for it to arrive in the mail.  Shoot me a message y'all!!  I want to build a team with you.
   Gonna shower, and then I get to get a massage/reflexology treatment from my lovely friend Pam....later Keys Catering...yes I can eat restaurant food on the plan...I just have to use my head a little.  Have a great Friday, and thanks for reading.  I hope I make you smile just a little bit.

Recovery Day

   Well here I am on day four.  I seem to have gotten into a routine, and it's a good one......Get up, drink coffee, workout, drink shake and blog, eat lunch, and then get shit done (today that is having kids do their laundry.... so pretty easy afternoon in store).   Then I have an hour or so before dinner to do whatever I want.  I used to think routines were limiting, but now I see that they allow me to be productive in ways I never imagined.
   So today's workout was Pilates Fix.  Talk about stretching your body.  I feel so good right now.  It is considered a "recovery workout" because of the stretching and oxygenating (is that a word?) of the body....after Monday's cardio, and Tuesday and Wednesday's weight lifting, I really needed it....they really have this program down to a science, and I am truly loving it.  Every day of the week is a different workout..and that really keeps your body guessing/adapting/sculpting in ways you can't get doing the same old workout over and over again.
   So I'm trying not to focus on numbers, but I am down 2 pounds in three days.  That may sound drastic, but consider I am no longer binging at night,  or over consuming alcohol.  The body responds.
   I  am looking forward to my lunch today...making zuccini pancakes with just grated zuccini and beaten egg---I hope it works without the flour.  Going to top it with Greek yogurt.
   I hope everyone has a good day....as always, thank you for reading....blogging is so fullfilling for me, and I hope I am motivating some of you to make some changes yourself.  Message me if you'd like more info on the 21 day plan I'm on.  I'd love to be your cheerleader.  88trish@live.com

Enjoying the ride...

   Sipping my shake (my favorite time of day)....listening to a little Pandora.  Phish just came on--yay!  Got my workout out of the way--lower body fix...I hate that shit.  I hate to squat more than anything.  And yet I squatted my ass off today.  I want results, so I am going to go along with the program.  You can't pick and choose, you really have to commit.  And I'm in it to win it:)
   I have to say I am surprised by the eating plan.  I thought I'd be starving, but actually I am not even getting through all of the food alloted to me.  I eat every couple couple of hours to sustain my blood sugar levels, and that it helping to keep my appetite level....I used to eat very little during the day, and then crash out at night and binge on cheese and carbs.  That was then, this is now:)

   Thanks for reading along with me on my journey.  I saw my coach turn her life around with the program, and I wanted the same so badly for myself.  It really is a lifestyle change more than anything.  I was so tired of feeling shitty about myself and my life.  Are you tired too?  Shoot me an email at 88trish@live.com and I can tell you more about the program I'm on.  You are supplied with all the tools you need to do it at home!  If you're not ready, that's fine too.  Just keep following my progress and let me motivate you for the future.
   Okay the picture for this video I'm posting is more than hilarious....but great song!  It came on as I was writing, and I had to share with you all...love IS the answer.  Love yourself first, and everything else will fall into place....  Bye for now.

Day Two

   Well today was upper body fix, and I got through it much easier than I did the cardio...the cardio will kick you in the ass (and that's a good thing).  When I got out of bed today, I was so sore in my legs (quads), that I had difficulty going down the stairs.  Now that I've been up for several hours, the pain is going away.  I used light weights (3 lb) doing the Upper Fix  today...would like to invest in some 5 or 8 lb weights to use in the future to really push myself.
   Drinking my Shakeology...today i threw in an orange container of flax seeds for added fiber and omegas.  Basically, I get up in the morning, drink my coffee (black), and then do my workout before I have time to talk myself out of it.  Just 30 minutes guys.  Most people spend 30 minutes just getting to and from the gym.  I absolutely love working out at home.  I'm thinking of working out in my bra and panties next time I have to do cardio, that's how much I sweat.  Why not??
   Well, I'm off to get shit done...hope everyone has a great Tuesday:)

Reflections on day one....

   Well here I am Monday evening, and day one of 21 day fix is just about complete.  Just ate some baked salmon and fresh green beans for dinner, drizzled with olive oil.  Later if I get hungry before bed I can have four Triscuits, and some Greek yogurt if I want....I love to snack at night, so thank God I don't have to go to bed hungry......
   Oh!  And I get to have a glass of wine every day if I want!  I just have to eat one less carb container (orange).
   This program is totally doable.  I see now how my Coach lost so much weight in such a short period of time.  Not only did she lose weight, she lost inches and toned up.  She is my hero, and I want to be yours:)

Day one....

   Holy shit.  That was intense.  Today is day one of 21 day fix for me.  My 30 minute workout was called Total Cardio Fix.  I'm not going to lie, I had to press pause every few minutes because I thought I was dying.  And at the end i had the dry heaves.  But I got through it nonetheless.  Progress, not perfection, right?  It was not pretty.  I was a sweaty mess.  Thank God I get to do this at home.
   My reward for working out?  I went straight to the kitchen and blended up my chocolate Shakeology.  Just added water and ice--nothing else.  I meant to throw in some flax seeds, but totally forgot.  Because I was a shakey, hot mess.
   Well I'm gonna finish up this yumminess, shower, and get shit done.  Trying to decide what to have for my first meal on this program.....more later guys:)

Maxwell Changed

Sunday Fun Day

   First of all....thank you sooooo much for taking the time to read my blog...I appreciate you all so much.  I feel as if we are on this journey together.  I am so much more a writer than anything else.  I communicate so much better this way.  I've always been a better listener than speaker when interacting with others.  And most of the time that leaves me unable to express all that is going on in my life.  And I got a lot going on these days, as a lot of you know.
   Did my grocery shopping today for 21 day fix (clean eating at a calorie deficit)....I got things such as salmon, solid tuna, brown rice, quinoa, Greek yogurt, corn tortillas, avocados.....of course lots of fruits and veggies.....low fat cheeses, etc.......Of course it's all going to be about using the color coded containers in their proper proportion......Simple simple simple.   I can not wait to start.  I am so fired up for this.
   The reason why I am blogging about my journey into wellness is because it helps me process all of these changes I'm making.  Also....I am hoping to bring some of you along with me into Team Cafe Vibrant.   I can set you up with the tools you need to get started, and we can all keep each other accountable and motivated.  Email me at 88trish@live.com if you're interested in learning more.  I would so love to get you started.
   Anyway, mom is on her way over to take my measurements.  I will be starting off at about 176 pounds (9 pounds lighter than when I started working out six months ago--yes I have dropped another pound since my last update).  Size twelve.  I cannot wait to be a size ten again.. I'm so tired of my thunder thighs....I really am.  I'm not bashing my body---but truly my thighs upset me the most.

Chardonnay on the rocks, please..

   It's Saturday night!  What's everybody up to?  I'm relaxing with a glass of Chardonnay on the rocks (it's a Thomas/McFarlin thang)...listening to some great music.  Have so much on my mind lately, but it's all good stuff.  A lot happening in my life all at once.  The need to become more organized is prevalent in my mind....I'm getting there, ya know?  There's the kids, my husband, household chores, my garden, my new business coaching....geesh!! All good stuff--and I am really grateful for all of it.
   I've never felt more passionate about my life than I do right now.  At times it's exhillarating....and other times it's downright scarey.

Samantha Sang Emotion

Eight pounds gone!!

   I am kind of over the moon right now.  I bought a new scale yesterday for 21 day fix (to weigh myself)....and I am down eight pounds since I started working out six months ago!  Granted, taking six months to lose eight pounds may sound like an arduous journey, and in a lot of ways it has been.  Keep in mind I have in no way altered my diet or alcohol consumption...for those who know me, I eat A LOT (especially at night)....and I do like my Chardonnay.
   Imagine what can happen when I start eating in proper proportion, starting Monday.  I will be eating at a calorie deficit, and that is where Shakeology comes in--to supplement the vitamins and minerals I will be needing.
   I am here as an example of someone who has been struggling up until now, but now has the tools to move forward.  What I am about to do is in no way complicated---in fact it is pretty darn simple.  The proof will be me in 21 days, and beyond.  These next 21 days are an entry point into healthy living.  After 21 days I will eat my required calories, but in the proper proportion, using color coded containers...No counting calories, or weighing my food.  Beachbody has made it so simple for me, and as you can see, I am terribly excited to get started!!

Keys Catering

   Just got back from Keys Catering where my mom, uncle, and cousin all work together serving food out of the Bartonville VFW...it's the original Phone-A-Feast recipe--famous for their fried chicken and catfish....I guarentee you've never had better.  Go check them out some time if you're in the area.
   Anyway, I normally order a fried chicken sandwich with a side of potato skins, and sometimes the fried whole catfish.  It definately is so yummy.  But I've been working out like crazy doing these new Beachbody workouts, that I didn't want to reverse it all by eating like that.  Now, it could have been justified since I don't start 21 day fix until Monday......but instead I decided to go ahead and order a grilled chicken sandwich, with no bun with all the fixins...plus mustard(you can eat all the mustard and hot sauce you want with 21 dy fix---woot woot!)---and i made it into a salad.  I feel completely satisfied, and i don't have that bloated feeling I usually have after I eat fried foods.  Yay!!
   We don't have to make huge changes in our lives all at once.  We just have to make small chnges, but be consistent with them.  I believe that's where growth occurs.  I feel great.
   We are off to our cousins' house to swim, should be a good time.  Cherrio for now loves.

The Cure Friday I'm in Love

It's Friday, and I'm in love...

   It's Friday:), and I'm in the best mood.  I did my workout this morning after I drank my coffee...I decided on Turbo Jam which is on demand.  There are hundreds of workouts to choose from, and multiple trainers.  I could do a different workout every day of the year!  Talk about mixing it up:).... This is all included as a part of my package because I signed up as  a coach....being a coach does not mean that I am a nutrition or fitness expert...it simply means I am a health advocate.  I try products, and I share my own personal results.  Simple.  I like simple.  Monday starts my 21 day fix.  My upline coach lost 29 pounds in less than two months.  I watched her progress on Facebook until i jumped on board.  I knew very little.  So far I have been pleasantly surprised in so many ways.
   So right now I have incense burning, and I am listening to some Pandora.  Me time.  Oh and I am drinking my own personal concoction shake.  Contains an avocado (makes it creamy), almond milk(sweetened), and cocoa powder---oh and ice----blend and voila......Monday starts Shakeology!!
   How is your Friday going?  Leave me a comment, would love to hear from you.

Animals Martin Garrix

Cafe' Vibrant

well here we are on Thursday, middle of July....the last week or so in the Saunders household has been......really great.  I have joined with a group of individuals called Set Your Soul on Fire--people who have a passion for wellness....and what is wellness in a nutshell.....%70 nutrition, and %30 fitness....I have learned the hard way the last six months....working out for about an hour five days a week, but not modifying my eating habits.....I lost a total of five pounds, and toned up slightly.....but nothing dramatic.  And when you have thirty (or more) pounds you wanna lose--thats going no where fast.
   so here is my blog.  My journey.  I have the support of my team....and a bunch of tools to get me started....I will be posting before and after pictures (oh wont that be fun:)....and giving you more details along the way.  Join me!  Become  follower.