First here are the links :
NUTMEG STATE NUTRITION
AMIBARI
DIET DIRECT
All three of these sites have great products for meal replacement or snack replacements.
Granted there have been a few things I have not liked and are off my list but many things i do enjoy..
I also highly recommend .. QUEST NUTRITION GREAT BARS AND CHIPS... ALL HIGH PROTIEN LOW CALORIE LOW CARB AND STAYS WITH YOU...
THERE ARE PEOPLE LIKE ME THAT NEED THESE PORTION CONTROLLED REPLACEMENTS.. THAT ARE BOTH TASTY AND NUTRITIOUS... WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THESE CHOICES IS THEY TAKING THINKING OUT OF THE EQUATION .. GRAB A BAR OR CHIPS OR SHAKE OR EVEN ONE OF THE ENTREES AND LOG IT INTO WHATEVER PROGRAM YOU ARE USING TO TRACK YOUR FOOD.. AND YOU ARE DONE... I REPLACE 3 SNACKS AND 1 OR 2 MEALS A DAY THIS WAY... instead of limiting myself to 800 calories.. I am using the more healthy choice of 1000-1200 ... I seem to feel better..
Just started back on this program ( similiar to the TSFL program I was on recently ) .. on Tuesday and already feel so much more in control.. with out missing the extra bread and carbs I was indulging in ... I need portion control.. and I needed limited carbs ... that seems to help me the best on my journey to achieve my goals...
Thats where I am at for now... looking at trying out the new stuff I have ordered and finding the keepers and the ones not to keep...
A good thing about nutmeg is you can order samples of things.. individual packets... and I think you can with the other sites too... it helps you avoid wasting your money..
I also like that these other sites are less expensive than what I was doing and if you spend between 50 and 75.00 depending on what site you use ... you get free shipping.. so thats a big plus.. not to mention the MRs ( meal replacements) are less expensive by several dollars... some of the stats are just a little higher but the carb to protein ratio is really good on many of the products...
I love the Mint chocolate Chiller shake by Ambari its great.. as is the fudge graham cracker bar and marshmallow cookie bar.. great filling options...
I also like the chip choices by healthwise .. and quest.. again filling and tasty .. while carb and calorie appropriate too...
Have a great weekend! Find your path!
Friday, August 15, 2014
Thursday, August 14, 2014
THE THINGS YOU REMEMBER WHEN YOU LOSE A FRIEND, YOU REMINDED ME OF MY PATH TO TODAY...
True, he was not actually a friend of mine... yet for the past 40 or so years of my life he has been around.. If I needed a good laugh... or a bit of movie clarity ... he was as close as the switch of a channel.. or nowadays the tap of the Ipad.
I debated for days to share this side of me... to put it out there... I was not really worried about being judged as I was well...... being judged ( lol) ..
So I am just going to lay it out there...
I have dealt with depression since I was 15 .. at that time. it was random .. wrapped up in the usual teenage angst.. but deeper for me at least... I was not a typical teen nor did I have many friends... ( at least until I went away to boarding school) .. I was the kid that was barked at when she was let off at the local high school.. eventually I asked my dad to start bringing me earlier so I could sneak in and do my best to be invisible.. I was very good at being invisible so good during the one year I was at this high school I could easily leave the campus and no one would ever miss me.. ( nor did I really care because 2 months into the year I knew I was leaving and I would have to repeat 10th grade ( that was just so I could get into the school) for some reason several of the seniors at this local school took pity on me and would help me escape ... that was pretty much my local school history ( there were a few other kids in the mix that were nice but we really were not friends) from K-10 here.. not really many friends... was great at being invisible... for the most part.. on those occasions where I was not so invisible I dealt with the obnoxious bullies.. never fighting back but wanting too... I remember one of those boys throwing a rock at my head ... I remember the group of girls in grammar school splattering my new white button down shirt with ink.. while we stood in carpool to go home that day... I remember that same girl tripping me in the gym and the marks on my face and arms and legs from the rubber gym floor.. I have pretty much healed from those days... how else do you survive ? You have to find a way to heal.. and healing does not mean forgetting...I had a couple friends .. 3 to be exact... there... and then....
I was glad when I left here and went away for 3 years... I knew it could not get any worse... and I was RIGHT .. my grades showed who I really was... ( I went from being a F and I student to be a A B student.. still made Cs in math.. but I struggled) ... I also made friends.. which at 16 years old was amazing... because of FB many of those friends and I have reconnected and what a joy that has been .. When my parents made the decision to send me away I was so relieved..
I came home and adjustment was hard.. I felt extremely alone.. no matter who I was with.. this progressed through out my 20s... I struggled as always with my weight too.. I also watched one of my sisters battle with illness.. there is a lot of detail I am not including.. but the waves of depression that haunted me in my teens came back and put me back into therapy... to reign the story in .. because it does get dark... and during one of those very dark times.. I remember calling the local crisis center... the first time... the line was busy... the second time.. they answered and put me on eternal hold.. the third time I called... no one answered ... oddly for me .. that was a sign to laugh.. and to fight..and not give up... when I have mentioned this story before people have said to me.. wow.. that would have pushed me over the edge.. for me .. for some reason it did not... it made me stop and reflect.. and think that there would be a morning.. and I would wake up ..
In my late 30s a Gyn I was seeing at the time.. who I credit with changing my life... believed that antidepressants where not the answer for me.. as none every seemed to do more than turn me into a zombie She believed that my depression was hormonal and had been for the past nearly 20 years. She put me on a specific birth control pill that I would take non stop.. no break .. I have taken that tiny pill since I was 38 .. and seldom have any issues now.. even with my fibro and chronic pain.. She was right... The time is coming soon that I will have to go off this little pill but my new doctor has assured me we will find something that will help take the place of what I am currently taking.. I am not looking forward to the change over..
I share this with you because in some small very tiny way... I understand where Robin Williams was at... I understand the darkness and not being able to find the light.. I understand wanting to just be free... forgetting those that love or admire you .. I understand how he could let go...
My depression was for the most part resolved through hormonal treatment.. I believe that depression is not just a mental disease but a physical one as well.. Sometimes it responds well to treatment like mine did.. Sometimes.. like a cancer can .. it eventually encompasses the body.. and the only choice that the one who suffers can make.. is to simply be brave ( and it takes bravery not being a coward) and end that life... or let go.
I have seen so many people weigh in with their thoughts about suicide and depression but until you actually know the torment ... and understand the places it can take you... you have no idea what it is like or the vast amount of strength it takes to survive each day...
The only comfort from his suicide I can find is that he is at peace now... and he can rest... and rest well.. he certainly has earned it.
As for me.. I count my blessings every day .. and thank God for the people who love and support me as I continue on a path of being healthier and stronger.
I debated for days to share this side of me... to put it out there... I was not really worried about being judged as I was well...... being judged ( lol) ..
So I am just going to lay it out there...
I have dealt with depression since I was 15 .. at that time. it was random .. wrapped up in the usual teenage angst.. but deeper for me at least... I was not a typical teen nor did I have many friends... ( at least until I went away to boarding school) .. I was the kid that was barked at when she was let off at the local high school.. eventually I asked my dad to start bringing me earlier so I could sneak in and do my best to be invisible.. I was very good at being invisible so good during the one year I was at this high school I could easily leave the campus and no one would ever miss me.. ( nor did I really care because 2 months into the year I knew I was leaving and I would have to repeat 10th grade ( that was just so I could get into the school) for some reason several of the seniors at this local school took pity on me and would help me escape ... that was pretty much my local school history ( there were a few other kids in the mix that were nice but we really were not friends) from K-10 here.. not really many friends... was great at being invisible... for the most part.. on those occasions where I was not so invisible I dealt with the obnoxious bullies.. never fighting back but wanting too... I remember one of those boys throwing a rock at my head ... I remember the group of girls in grammar school splattering my new white button down shirt with ink.. while we stood in carpool to go home that day... I remember that same girl tripping me in the gym and the marks on my face and arms and legs from the rubber gym floor.. I have pretty much healed from those days... how else do you survive ? You have to find a way to heal.. and healing does not mean forgetting...I had a couple friends .. 3 to be exact... there... and then....
I was glad when I left here and went away for 3 years... I knew it could not get any worse... and I was RIGHT .. my grades showed who I really was... ( I went from being a F and I student to be a A B student.. still made Cs in math.. but I struggled) ... I also made friends.. which at 16 years old was amazing... because of FB many of those friends and I have reconnected and what a joy that has been .. When my parents made the decision to send me away I was so relieved..
I came home and adjustment was hard.. I felt extremely alone.. no matter who I was with.. this progressed through out my 20s... I struggled as always with my weight too.. I also watched one of my sisters battle with illness.. there is a lot of detail I am not including.. but the waves of depression that haunted me in my teens came back and put me back into therapy... to reign the story in .. because it does get dark... and during one of those very dark times.. I remember calling the local crisis center... the first time... the line was busy... the second time.. they answered and put me on eternal hold.. the third time I called... no one answered ... oddly for me .. that was a sign to laugh.. and to fight..and not give up... when I have mentioned this story before people have said to me.. wow.. that would have pushed me over the edge.. for me .. for some reason it did not... it made me stop and reflect.. and think that there would be a morning.. and I would wake up ..
In my late 30s a Gyn I was seeing at the time.. who I credit with changing my life... believed that antidepressants where not the answer for me.. as none every seemed to do more than turn me into a zombie She believed that my depression was hormonal and had been for the past nearly 20 years. She put me on a specific birth control pill that I would take non stop.. no break .. I have taken that tiny pill since I was 38 .. and seldom have any issues now.. even with my fibro and chronic pain.. She was right... The time is coming soon that I will have to go off this little pill but my new doctor has assured me we will find something that will help take the place of what I am currently taking.. I am not looking forward to the change over..
I share this with you because in some small very tiny way... I understand where Robin Williams was at... I understand the darkness and not being able to find the light.. I understand wanting to just be free... forgetting those that love or admire you .. I understand how he could let go...
My depression was for the most part resolved through hormonal treatment.. I believe that depression is not just a mental disease but a physical one as well.. Sometimes it responds well to treatment like mine did.. Sometimes.. like a cancer can .. it eventually encompasses the body.. and the only choice that the one who suffers can make.. is to simply be brave ( and it takes bravery not being a coward) and end that life... or let go.
I have seen so many people weigh in with their thoughts about suicide and depression but until you actually know the torment ... and understand the places it can take you... you have no idea what it is like or the vast amount of strength it takes to survive each day...
The only comfort from his suicide I can find is that he is at peace now... and he can rest... and rest well.. he certainly has earned it.
As for me.. I count my blessings every day .. and thank God for the people who love and support me as I continue on a path of being healthier and stronger.
Monday, August 11, 2014
FIRST STEPS ARE ALWAYS THE BIGGEST
SO as I mentioned yesterday I am ordering product from nutmegstatenutrition.com and ambarinutrition.com .. the meal replacements are really tasty .. the best I have tried and less costly than a lot I have seen plus with a great variety ... I look forward to starting tomorrow and hoping all my packages will have arrived by then if not I have variety now.. to get started.
The first step is always the biggest and hardest... but once that first step is taken .. it is a good feeling .. that step starts tomorrow August 12 2014.. a combination of healthy food choices, meal replacements and exercise.. I also feel positive about the new pain doctor I am going to see on Thursday ... hoping to get some of this neck pain quieted down and able to get into a good pattern of light to moderate daily exercise again..
Otherwise life goes on.. Short post today I know but I am going to try and start posting daily again..
The first step is always the biggest and hardest... but once that first step is taken .. it is a good feeling .. that step starts tomorrow August 12 2014.. a combination of healthy food choices, meal replacements and exercise.. I also feel positive about the new pain doctor I am going to see on Thursday ... hoping to get some of this neck pain quieted down and able to get into a good pattern of light to moderate daily exercise again..
Otherwise life goes on.. Short post today I know but I am going to try and start posting daily again..
Sunday, August 10, 2014
THERE IS NO SHAME IN DEVELOPING WHAT YOUR PATH WILL BE NO MATTER WHAT YOUR AGE..
SO as we all know since February I have been in a tug of war with my weight... its been really difficult... I had lost 54 pounds .. and have since gained 10 of that back... This healthier lifestyle is a struggle.. and sometimes you have to go back to the roots of what worked... Through a sweet Friend Kim Holmes... I have discovered NutmegStatenutrition.com... and on my own I found AmBari.com.. both offer meal suppliments under 200 calories that are great tasting... I did great on medifast and just do not want to go that route again so I am opting for similiar with the same benifits.. I will be staying in the 1000 to 1200 calorie range.. modifying my carbs and sugars... I seem to do WELL with controlled meal suppliments .. this way I do not have to think .. about ANYTHING just go grab a bar or shake or chips or whatever and that mini meal is done.. each meal will be under 200 calories.. I will go back to the 6 smalls a day.. 4-5 suppliments and 1 healthy meal in the evening... what I liked about what I am creating is that you can do this .. and still supliment a serving of fruit for a meal if you want... ( nutmegstatenutrition lays out a program for you online.. very similiar in many aspects to medifast.... I will say these suppliments are amazing quality and delicous.. I am also using quest bars and chips as well... both are in the right guidlines.. financially its about half the price.. so I liked that too and there is a lot of vairety .. more than I probably will try .. I start Tuesday .. waiting for all the packages to get in.. I look forward to keeping you up to date on my progress as I get this new ball rolling... YeaH i know I have recommited .. triple commited etc in the last few months.. nothing stuck... its just the way it goes I guess... I think going to what works for me might be a good idea..
SO let me tell you about my friend Kim... I really enjoying getting together with her when we can.. she sells me my Mary Kay products... oh before you groan.... MK is not the MK of your mothers day ... the products are current and great..I have known Kim for about 16 years... We worked together is how we met.. I have watched Kim just Blossom over the last few years and when she became her own boss she just took off... and it shows in her... and on her.. She looks wonderful.. and she looks that way because she is happy... She works hard and has created a great and exciting business.. that gets her clients ( like myself) excited too.. I always feel so good after our visits.. during our last visit she told me about the program she was on and the products ... and which ones she liked... She has always had to keep an eye on her weight like me.. and tried a lot of different things.. .. She has found success with meal suppliments as well.. so it doubly made me feel good when we talked.. .
One thing I have learned is that it pays to talk to your friends.. when you want to change... when you want to enhance your life...our friends are our greatest advisors and helpers..a superlative resource!
Have a great week...
SO let me tell you about my friend Kim... I really enjoying getting together with her when we can.. she sells me my Mary Kay products... oh before you groan.... MK is not the MK of your mothers day ... the products are current and great..I have known Kim for about 16 years... We worked together is how we met.. I have watched Kim just Blossom over the last few years and when she became her own boss she just took off... and it shows in her... and on her.. She looks wonderful.. and she looks that way because she is happy... She works hard and has created a great and exciting business.. that gets her clients ( like myself) excited too.. I always feel so good after our visits.. during our last visit she told me about the program she was on and the products ... and which ones she liked... She has always had to keep an eye on her weight like me.. and tried a lot of different things.. .. She has found success with meal suppliments as well.. so it doubly made me feel good when we talked.. .
One thing I have learned is that it pays to talk to your friends.. when you want to change... when you want to enhance your life...our friends are our greatest advisors and helpers..a superlative resource!
Have a great week...
Saturday, July 26, 2014
YOU ONLY FAIL WHEN YOU DON' T GET BACK UP
. ....I am alive and well... still in there... still working.. On good days I have one or two MF meals and monitor the rest of my day by eating healthy and logging my food and getting some form of exercise in.. On other days I just try and survive.., thankfully there are now far more good days..I know I can reach my goals .... You can too.. Just stick with what works for you...
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Monday, July 7, 2014
JULY 8th
On July 8 th 2013 I made the decision and commitment to change my life ... I started TAKE SHAPE FOR LIFE a Medifast fueled program ..in 8 months I lost 54.8 pounds.. Since I have been off the program and eating again I have gained 12 pounds.. I have lost 2 of the twelve I gained by walking 1-2 times a day and half assed logging my food.. I tried WW but for me it was a trigger to eat far more carbs than I needed.. WW is a great program ..but with my physical limitations ( fibromyalgia) I need a little less freedom and More routine .. So I sat down with Steve and told him how I felt .. We decided to tighten things up.. No more going out to dinner..or at least limit it to once a month .. Walking once or twice a day.. I am logging my food and tracking my steps.. Swimming when I can...
I found it shocking how fast the weight started climbing back..while some weight gain is normal coming off such a restrictive program as I was on... I realized I mustturn things around before 12 pounds became twenty or 30 pounds. So here we are again.. Picking up and moving one
step at a time....
MY TOOLS:
My fitness pal APP for logging ..
Webmd APP for logging and motivation. They have a great program to assist in reaching healthy habits and goals
My FB page Accentuate the Positve for motivation..
My family and friends for support..
Weilos APP for motivating and support too..
I think the hardest thing is admitting something is getting out of your control...
It takes more than strength to find it again...
More than desire...
I know I do not want to lose what I have created and accomplished...
This is my thing..
My struggle...
So many people have far greater and challenging struggles but I think those of us in what ever personal war we are waging ( weight loss, getting fit, ceasing smoking, career goals etc...) must just keep on trying ...
Nothing is ever over and hope is never lost..until the very end ..
so I think I will keep on fighting no matter how tired I get ..or what hurts ...
Every success is won by great challenge ...this is mine...
Most folks have no idea what it is like.. Most say just stop eating..shut your mouth...exercise..simplistic estimates of human nature if you ask me..They don't grasp the struggle.. They don't understand that there are factors that must lace together to create success..I think that applies to anything though ...For me ..call it a set back ..a failure of character.. A weakness... Hmm I just call it my battle ...
To those that do understand ..do grasp the deep and complicated veins of this fight .. It is energy for my soul to know you " get it" ..
My husband gets it.. He is my biggest fan and my most determined cheer leader .. He never quits ..no matter what his challenge ..he picks up..regroups..dusts off and moves ahead..he the fabric of my inspiration..reminding me of how far I have come..not how far I must go.. No matter my size he never loves me less .. But he takes pride in how I feel and constantly encourages me to find my path no matter how many times I have to dust off and regroup ...
My hope was to be 73.8 pounds less by now.. Instead I am 43.8 pounds less with 30 more hills to climb...
Time to get moving ! TODAY IS A NEW DAY!!!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO ME ...
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