Just when I was thinking of cheating on my diet......

So I haven't felt well the last couple days. Just really worn down and feeling kind of weak and fatigued. I've had a cold or maybe even allergy symptoms for several days but I hadn't felt this bad until about Sunday evening. Then this morning I happened to check my BP and it was 99/67 with a heart rate of 61. That is really low for me. Even after meds I don't usually see numbers lower then 115/79. I think that may be why I feel so bad.

I decided to skip my morning dose of meds while I wait on the doctor to call me back and I will likely be cutting my BP med dose in half. I already feel better. Lower heart rate and blood pressure can definitely make you feel tired and fatigued.

Since today is Valentine's day, my hubby and I are going out to dinner tonight. Usually our weekly date night is Wednesday nights but tomorrow we have a Challenge party scheduled. Thinking about our date tonight, the fact that we will eat out, I was contemplating on making today my cheat day instead of Wednesday.  I was going to eat a microwavable breakfast biscuit this morning and then when I take my 14 year old to the orthopedist this afternoon I thought I would take her to lunch. So today would be a completely off diet day for me and I was completely OK with that. I started second guessing my plans when my BP was way down from normal.

Then I did my morning weigh in and low and behold I have dropped another pound!  So I will press on and stay on the wagon and the plan. It is working! Sometimes it is easier to give in and just do what you want rather then what is best for you, but try and stick with it. After all it took me 17 years to get here.....I should expect it take more then 30 days to correct it, huh?

Finishing Off My First 30 Days of My 90 Day Challenge

So this is my 5th week on the challenge, and I will be finishing up my first 30 days on the 16th. The scales are actually showing a weight gain of 2 lbs for almost a week. That makes a total weight loss of 8 lbs in a month. That averages 2 lbs a week. I'm not upset at that rate but would definitely like to see more. I am ecstatic over my measurements though so I am hoping that my weight gain is just muscle gain since I started working out this week. Or maybe even inflammation from the tearing of the muscles that comes with working ones you don't normally use. Guess we will see. Hopefully that will subside in a day or two.

I actually was able to get in a cardio workout and one jog last week. I plan to up that this week to 3 or 4 workouts this week. I was actually looking forward to jogging this morning, but I woke up this morning feeling really worn down. Now it is clear that I have come down with one of the  many bugs going around so no jogging or cardio for me today. Low grade fever and body aches are reason to rest and hopefully feel better tomorrow. Still have the rest of the week though, so I am not giving up.

I decided that I seem to have the meal replacement aspect of this challenge under control. I am making pretty good choices with my snacks and really watching my portion sizes. Since the weight loss rate has slowed so much I wanted to  really get an idea of my daily caloric intake. I downloaded a new app to my phone and I am using it to figure all my calories. I am using a site called MyFitnessPal.com. I think it is awesome and really helpful to see what my caloric intake is day to day.

When I started using the MyFitnessPal.com app on my phone a few days ago, it was really an eye opener. I really wasn't thinking about every little bite of food that I was putting in my mouth. I also thought that 1200 calories a day was a normal calorie range when dieting. I was really feeling hungry every morning when I got up and just famished and kind of weak at the end of the day. I found myself getting so hungry during the day that I was more tempted to reach for things that weren't so healthy to finally quiet the hunger pangs, and I was going over the 1200 calorie limit every day. So I did some research and found that 1500 calories was a much healthier limit, especially for a woman of my size and weight. At 1200 calories I may have been having an adverse affect on my weight loss by starving my body. So I am gonna try 1500 calories for the next few days and see if I feel better.

So to summarize the last week. The scale is still fluctuating but I am still claiming 8 lbs weight loss in a month. I am learning to research and adjust to my situation. Looking forward to more weight loss in the near future.

I am not believing this!

I am not believing this! So I have been watching the scales all week hoping for another drop in weight. I was starting to get a little discouraged. I even ran this week, but the scale is actually sitting a little higher the last couple days. With my hypertensive issues that isn't such a big deal.  However, it still worries me. I know my daily caloric intake is much lower then it's ever been and I have definitely been more active. So any increase in the scales is frustrating.

Just to see where I am I decided to measure this morning. Same time of day that I normally weigh and measure, same clothes, etc. I cannot believe what I found!  I even had to measure a few times just to make sure my eyes weren't deceiving me. 

14 collective inches down between all my measurements! 

That is insane!! The bulk of it is from my mid section so I guess healthier eating really does shrink belly fat!

I will take it! If the inches are melting off then the pounds will soon follow. I think I have my motivation back!  I was probably wearing one size too small in clothes so the ones I have are actually fitting well and in some cases beginning to get loose. Soon it will be time to try a smaller size jeans! I can't wait!!

New beginnings and other stuff

So, I am loving my job at the moment. Deciding to become a promoter for Visalus was a great decision for me. It's keeping me motivated to lose weight and stick to my life changes, focused on my goals, and less stressed more excited. I love watching new people make the decision to get healthy and go on the challenge.

A friend of mine started the challenge officially today. She wrote her own blog post about her new beginnings. She is excited about this journey she is starting and her enthusiasm and excitement are contagious. Check out her blog post here:  http://oliviaschallenge.blogspot.com/

Week 4 of the challenge is half over for me. The scale still hasn't moved from the second week weigh in but I have noticed more and more changes in how my clothes fit. I have also noticed that I have more energy and have been much more active around the house getting things done that I have been putting off for some time. So much so that I have been sore this week.  Who knew that house work could be considered a workout too?
I even got out and walked/jogged a mile this morning! Woohoo! I have always avoided anything that makes me sweat or breathe hard so this is a milestone for me! And I feel great! 

I have found a new favorite flavor for my shakes this week. The flavor of the week is Chocolate Raspberry Banana with a handful of spinach thrown in (you won't even know it's there) for good measure. So so good. Yumm! I am purposely getting healthier and it feels great!  Wanna join me yet?

You think Visalus is a scam??!!

‎95% of people who get involved in MLM/Network Marketing have little to no success & people say it is a scam.
However, 95% of people who play football/basketball never make it to the NFL/NBA,
95% of people who can sing never get a contract,
95% of rappers are not named JayZ, 2-Pac or T.I.
95% of the workers I've ever known never earn a 6-fig income or even earn enough to not live paycheck to paycheck.

So what is the real scam, the opportunity or YOU? Become a part of the 5% in whatever you do! Dont buy your own excuses, dont play the blame game and stop measuring your potential based on the failure of others.
If you are POSITIVE, PASSIONATE AND WANT A CHANGE...JOIN THE 90 DAY CHALLENGE WITH ME!!!

I just love this little demonstration. It really is realistic of the percentage of people that are actually successful at those things. The other 5% are the ones that create their own road and forge their own path.

Today one of my team leaders had his exit interview with his previous employer and he is now unemployable. He is now a full time Body By Vi Promotor. How awesome is that? So if you really think this is a scam then you have my permission to sit back, be the 95% and watch me bring in the paycheck and take my family to financial freedom!

I'm starting week 4 on the Challenge.

I'm starting week 4 on the Challenge.  The scale didn't move this week. Still sitting at a 8-10 lb loss.  I plan to add walking on the treadmill to my routine this week, at least 3 times. I am going to work even harder at sticking to the program and drinking more water, less tea. I am also working on cutting out more of the snacks like crackers and sticking to only one serving of cheese daily (cheese is one of my weaknesses.) and more raw veggies and fruits.

I haven't lost my resolve or my motivation. I still feel like I have more energy and strength then I had before the challenge. Here's two more side effects from the shakes that I hadn't noticed before.

First, I have been having night sweats for several years now.  Not the kind of night sweats that come from hot flashes. I think they were from blood sugar and blood pressure imbalances. They are always worse when I've had headaches and when my BP has been higher then normal. I realized that I haven't been having them for the last week or so.

Second, due to the prediabetes I have been plagued by thrush. Thrush is a yeast overgrowth in my mouth and tends to be caused by high blood sugar. My doctor has ran tests to rule out diabetes but the thrush remains. I have taken the pills for yeast infections but the thrush returns after just a week or 2. It has been pretty persistent for about the last year and a half and sometimes causes an itch in the back of my throat that keeps me up at night. I realized today that it hasn't returned since I started the challenge and the shakes.

I want to reiterate that the shakes are NOT a magic solution or overnight pill to cure obesity. It still takes discipline and determination to stick to the routine and follow the plan. However, I believe that good nutrition is something most of us are lacking. The Visalus shakes could be the tool to help your body to start healing itself of all the damage caused by processed sugars, preservatives, etc.

Don't put it off any longer. Do yourself a favor and start getting healthy now!

http://teresacur.bodybyvi.com

So how am I doing on Visalus Products?

I will be finishing up my 3rd week here in a couple days. So here's my 2 1/2 week update for you.

The scale hasn't moved much this week. Fluctuating a bit but still seems to be a pretty solid 8-10 lbs lost. I measured on Monday and I had lost 5 1/2 inches total from my bust, waist and hip measurements combined.  3 inches of that was from my bust and I can definitely tell by how my clothes fit.

I have been on diuretics for more then 3 years and recently my doctor started pushing to get me off of them. When I started the Challenge I was still needing them at least 3 or 4 times a week. I haven't needed even 1 pill since starting visalus. That alone is worth staying on their products for good.

I am also completely off of rosacea meds and my complexion is completely cleared. I still see some temporary redness after I eat food I shouldn't be eating but I guess that is my motivation to stay on the shakes. Anyone who has this condition knows that it is a debilitating disease. When your face doesn't look as it should then you don't want to leave your house and you tend to stay home instead of going places with friends and family. I have my self-confidence back because of Visalus!

One other note, I have had a host of other pains and twinges in my body for the last several years, making me feel way above my calendar age. Since starting Visalus all pain has subsided. One pain, a nerve pain from my back running down own leg had recently been quite bothersome and I had began taking ibuprofen daily to deal with it. I realized this week that it wasn't bothering me anymore and I haven't taken ibuprofen since starting Visalus!

Good nutrition can make a difference no matter what ails you. Visalus may be the answer for you. It is the tool that I used. Why wait? What have you got to lose?

http://teresacur.bodybyvi.com/

Visalus shakes are NOT weight-loss shakes!

They were not meant to be just a weight loss tool. The weight-loss is just a side effect of the lifestyle change that goes along with Visalus shakes. They are so much more then just that.

They are a nutritional supplement meant to give your body the nutrition that it isn't getting from the diet you are currently eating. It's a supplement meant to make you feel better and able to enjoy your life.

They are a supplement for young picky eaters to make sure your children get the nutrition they need to continue to grow and develop as they should.

It's a supplement that often has the side effect of reducing the need for drugs meant to treat, Rosacea, high blood pressure, diabetes, Crohns, etc.

It's a supplement for those with Celiacs who need to get more nutrition alternatives into their diet.

AND.....it's also a great way to make money, become more financially secure or you can just earn free product for referring customers to us.

Ask me how!

I am loving Visalus!: Completed Week 2

I think I have finally found my passion. I have found something in my life that I can be passionate about and it's turning out to be the answer to every prayer that I have prayed for quite a while now. For some time now I have battled my weight, worried about my health, prayed about our finances and asked God to direct me to my passion so that I could start my own business and help get us out of debt faster. Visalus and The Body By Vi Challenge is the single answer to all of those desires.

I completed my Week 2 challenge weigh-in this morning and started Week 3. I have lost a total of 8 lbs so far. I also measured and I found out that I had lost 5 1/2 inches all together from my measurements!!! That is incredible. My goal for the first 30 days was only 7 lbs and I have already hit that mark. My goal for 60 days is to hit 20 lbs lost.  My goal for 90 days is to come off of my blood pressure meds completely. I think I am going to hit both of those goals and hope to surpass them.

The financial end of things is going pretty well too.  It's still a little early to make assumptions but the one thing I can say is the company's 3=Free offer is awesome. We've already earned more free product with it then we thought possible in 2 weeks time. I am starting to see the potential for this as a serious business and this product seems to sell itself!!

I am having a Challenge/tasting party this Thursday, at 7 PM. Let me know if you are interested in coming to taste this awesome product and learn more about the company.

The Cost of Health

The first question I get from someone once they decide that they might be interested in the Body By Vi Challenge is "What does it cost?"  So today I am going to break down your average cost of eating week to week including supplements.

If you have a job working 9-5 every day then chances are you eat out 3-5 lunches a week. And I have noticed that alot of people even pick up breakfast through a fast food drive through every morning. If  breakfast isn't in your normal routine then it should be, but I can almost bet that you drink coffee or energy drinks. Starbucks costs you about $4 a cup and I know people who should have stock in the company because they pay the employees salaries at their local store with their business.

So if you eat out 5 days a week for an average of $9 a meal (somewhere between the cost of a burger combo $6.50 and a mid-range restaurant for $12 a meal) you are spending $45 a week on lunch, or $202.50 a month. Add in breakfast 2 times a week for $4.50 on average and you are now spending $243 a month.  Then add in about a dozen trips to Starbucks for $4 each and you have added $48 a month for your coffee habit and it runs your total up to $291. Add in that case of energy drinks for about $38 a case (it's been a while since I've purchased these so forgive me if I am wrong) and you are now spending $329 on incidentals and that is on top of the average cost of groceries (about $1000 a month for a family of 4). If you have any other addictions such as cigarettes you are throwing even more money out the window.

Now lets look at supplements. If you want to be healthy then you likely take at least 1 supplemental vitamin and most of us take more then that. They can cost anywhere from $5 to $25 a bottle for 30 day supply. So just for arguments sake lets say that you purchase two supplements and you pay about $10 a bottle for a 30 day supply for 2 people in your household. That is $40  a month for your supplements.

So you could be spending $369 a month on eating out, incidentals and supplements. So just to be fair, say you really watch your budget and you only eat out half that much, then you still likely spend $184.50 a month on these things.  That is probably a pretty realistic cost for a couple for eating out and purchsing coffee and energy drinks and vitamins and I would be willing to bet that most of you spend a great deal more. Actually my scenario for eating out only considered the cost for one person a month, so if both of you are working and eating out then your total would be somewhere between $261 and $523.
What if I said that I know of a product that can help you get healthy, lose weight and feel better but for pretty much the same cost and  you won't even want to eat out or reach for those coffees or energy drinks. Would you be interested?  I have found that company in Visalus Sciences and the Body By Vi 90 Day Challenge.  They have kits that range from $49 to $250 a month for all the tools including the supplements and the meal replacements depending on your goals. If that isn't enough to make you interested in this product then I will spend time with you and teach you how to coupon for your other groceries and I promise we can cut your budget in half.  I cut my own family budget from $800 a month to $400 so I don't just talk the talk....I walk the walk!  You can not afford to walk away from this opportunity. To sweeten the pot so to speak, this company has also made it incredibly easy for  you to earn free product each month (possibly getting even the most expensive $250 kit for free) and/or make this a home-based business and earn additional income from telling people how you are changing your life.

I am telling you that this is an opportunity like none I have ever found. You need to figure out what you are willing to give up so that you can afford to do this. Your family and loved ones are worth it. Your health is worth it.  Ask me how!!