My eat clean journey starts now

I just wanted to check in to say I'm still here. I don't want to say trudging along because weight loss is a journey that doesn't have to be drudgery. I returned to the gym two days ago and while I wasn't going at it fast and hard I went and I'm proud of myself.

Since September I've been following Paul McKenna's I can make you Thin "diet." I've lost approximately 22+ pounds just following his system. It's easy but SLOW. Since the process has been slow for me I've decided to take it up a notch and start working out + eating clean.

Maybe I shouldn't tackle two things at once but my eating has change TREMENDOUSLY since I started listening to Paul McKenna. I started eating clean without even knowing it. I started to reach for foods that weren't overly processed. I started eating real food. I started craving real food. So the other day my sister in law and brother were visiting and she mentioned how she makes it a point to eat clean. I was like well I've heard about it and I even bought the Kids and Families edition of the book some time ago for $3.50 at Marshall's but never really started to do it. That comment stuck and got me to thinking why not start?

Lately I've been in spring cleaning mode. My husband and I cleared out 1/2 the contents of the garage that a neighbor driving by thought we were having a garage sale! LOL I thought if I'm getting the house clean why not "clean" all other aspects of my life. So that's what started this journey of clean eating. Do you "eat clean?" if so how is it going for you? Any recipes you can share? Post below!

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A lesson in silence

Hey look at me another blog post in less than a week! Whoot whoot! So today's post is about being challenged and being pushed to your limit.

Due to a series of events my mom has had to move in with us. It's kind of bitter sweet because we've wanted her to move in so she doesn't have the hassle of living alone and taking on homeownership and all that comes with the title. On the other hand this is the same woman who raised me and was a strict, I'm going to say it judgmental, and overly religious type of mom. I know all those characteristics are coming from a "good place" but 17 year old Erika shows up at times and doesn't think so.

As I figured mom would move in and start taking charge. Telling us what we should and shouldn't do and you know all the things a controlling mom tends to do. My first reaction is to retaliate and say something flip. I don't know that 17 year old switch gets flipped and then I can't stop myself.

Through the years I've learned (from my husband primarily) that silence is golden. It really is. Making the choice not to engage in an activity that is counter productive like arguing for arguments sake. It keeps peace and sanity in the air...and that to me is priceless. Not to mention constantly arguing is just emotionally draining. I understand mom will be mom. What I have a hard time dealing with is the lack of respect. I find it disrespectful when I am an adult and have set forth certain rules of the house and they are disregarded like I'm some child with treehouse rules. I give my daughter the respect she deserves and she's 8. Actually my mom gives my daughter the respect as well...me, not so much.

It takes alot for me to stay silent...not to mention I'm a chatterbox and I always have to state my point! Life has a way of testing you and showing you that you're growing up so I guess you can level up once you pass each test. Who knows. All I know is that during this time I'm practicing being humble, grateful and QUIET. Things could be worse. I could be without a mom. 17 year old Erika will have to take a back seat and learn a lesson or two. Look at me growing up...it only took 24 years!

Weight loss update

As usual life gets in the way of blogging. I'm presently on spring break but its far from a break and being in Florida it's sort of like spring.

I just wanted to update the blog with my weight loss progress. A quick background. Since September 2012 I've been listening to Paul McKenna's I can make you thin CD and have lost 15 pounds by just following the 4 golden rules of his "plan." I can tell you that I've made no special effort what so ever.

I'm the mom of a girl scout so needless to say I've devoured more than my share of Tagalongs and Trefoils (Samoas and Thin Mints make me want to hurl). Anyway, I can tell you this year was a bit different. I only bought one of each box! Normally I would buy at least 5 of each and polish them off before Easter hit! LOL For the record I DON'T ever give up sweets during Lent it's counter productive in my book. Not to mention I need some sort of sanity during the PMS days! This year (like you really want to know) I gave up profanity. That is much more profound than giving up something digestible. Just saying.

Anyway, this year I admit I polished off the box of Tagalongs in less than 24 hours, alright let's be real, 12 hours. No one was looking so the calories don't count. Am I right? The box of Trefoils however are still there. Well not the entire box. The point is, after having them in my possession for over 2 weeks the fact that any Girl Scout cookie is still within my reach is nothing short of a miracle!

Not to sound like a scratched record but I've really noticed a difference in the way I eat and what I eat. I was telling the girl I commute to school with about how much I've changed. I feel like I've changed so much I ask myself ALOT "who am I?" Seriously, I no longer eat fast food, I primarily only drink water, and get ready for this...I have more than my share of my daily allowance of fruits and veggies! Gasp!!! Can you believe it? Well I guess you can...If you knew me in real life you would swear that I would die and be buried with a Quarter Pounder w/cheese in my hand. Now the thought of going into McDonalds let alone eating something there makes me want to you know...

Now I opt for more whole foods. If I can't pronounce the ingredient chances are I'm not eating it. The weight loss is slow going but I've noticed a change in my facial skin. It's cleared up quite a bit. I'm one of the fortunate that never really suffered from blemishes but my skin tends to discolor because of the PCOS. I'm assuming it's the better quality of foods I'm eating that is giving me somewhat of a glow.

Oh! I've also lost over 7 inches off my total body in the last month. Mom jeans are looking rather sad and saggy now. ;-) I'm not ready to invest in anything new until I'm in a comfortable 14. I've been in a tight 18 and now a loose 18 and semi-comfortable 16W. My ultimate size goal changes from a size 8 to a size 2. At the present moment I want to be a size 2! It may change next weigh in. I'm really not sure why I weigh myself because it's really the inches that count. Ya can't drag a scale into a dressing room hoping that size 6 will fit!

Well, that's all I have to report for now. I mean I can report a whole lot more but I will spare you the whining and fussing. Please tell me how your journey is going? Never give up...just say you're taking a little break! All the best!!!!

Gotta change

I hope your week is going well. Mine is filled with deadlines and figure drawings. Ah the joys of school! So I mentioned in a previous post that I was going to join the T-Tapp 60 Day Challenge. Unfortunately my knee doesn't want to participate. I haven't mentioned it here but back in September my knee became really swollen and never really went back to normal size. It snap, crackles, and pops like the cereal and I have to take it easy with certain exercises. So I'm going to for go doing the boot camp and do the basic workout plus.

My new routine will look like this:

3x a week T-Tapp Basic Workout Plus
2x a week Beginner's Yoga
2-4x a week walking on the treadmill

I've also celebrated a milestone this week...I'm down in the teens!!! I've been hovering in the 220's for a while and I've finally made it to the teens!! Yay!! How did I lose it you ask? I've lowered my caloric intake, pack my lunch, and I drink tea and alot of water. My new go to drink is Ginger Tea by Yogi Tea. Have you had that? It is delish! It has peppermint and BLACK PEPPER in it! Who woulda thunk it huh? I'm still listening to Paul McKenna every night and it continues to reinforce my new mindset.

How's you're journey progressing? Post below.

Weight loss Progress

Happy Friday!!

I've postponed my Fashionable Friday post so I can post my weight loss updates. I won't do it every week but maybe once a month. Since I'm doing the T-Tapp 60 day Challenge I wanted to be able to see where I've started and where I'll end up. I've been keeping track of my progress on my iPad in the Notes app. I like taking my iPad to gym so I can catch up on my soaps and shows while I'm on the treadmill. I figured since I have my iPad with me I can record my progress there as well.

Here goes:

Goal Measurements:
Bust: 36" 
Waist: 29"
Hips: 39"

December 15, 2012
Bust: 50.5"
Waist: 44.5"
Hips: 47

January 20, 2013
Bust: 49"
Waist: 43.5"
Hips: 46

So I've lost a total of 3.5" in 1 month and from December to January it was strictly following the principles of Paul McKenna's book and nothing else.

Inches left to lose:
Bust: 13"
Waist: 14.5"
Hips: 7"

I personally like tracking inch loss instead of weight loss. My philosophy is that the number on the scale will not determine if I'll be able to fit into those size 8 skinny jeans or not. Plus 34.5" is a more attainable number than 100 pounds! Don't cha think!?! How's your progress going?

Promise yourself this one thing...

You will commit to your health. I know baby steps is such a cliche but in my experience that is how I've been able to achieve anything. Taking baby steps is the best way to overcome that all or nothing mentality. You see I suffered from AON (All or Nothing) syndrome and it got me to Nowheresville. Have you been there? You should have seen me there.

You ask how can you commit to your health? It's easy it doesn't have to be difficult at all. Here are somethings that can help you commit to your health;

Ask yourself if eating that food item is worth it (calories, points, mental state). It will all depend on your situation. Sometimes it may be, sometimes it may not.

What will are the consequences of eating that food item? Euphoria knowing you ate something that was good for you? Pain because its something you're allergic to but you're willing to deal with the pain just to have seconds of taste. Guilt? Do you like feeling bad for eating something you knew was not the best choice?

What ONE thing can you do today to improve your health? Take a walk, drink water, take a multi-vitamin, eat a serving of veggies or fruits, have breakfast, walk in place for 15 mins.

What does healthy look like to you? I'm not talking about what the media portrays as "healthy." I'm talking about what does healthy look like to YOU? A size 12? Eating raw foods? Preparing for a 5K? Think about it, once you establish what it looks like next step will be, how do you get there? Write down the steps. Now do it! See, you're well on your way!

There's much to think about. Let me know the ONE thing you can do today to commit to your health.

@TTappWorkout 60 Day Challenge

After much consideration I've decided to join the T-Tapp 60 Day Challenge. Last year I was unable to join because I found out about it too late. I promised myself that the following year I would join so I'm going for it. There are various categories available.

I'm going to join the Under 50, More to Lose category since I have more than 4 dress sizes to lose. I'm presently a loose size 18 and I would like to be a 6 by the end of the year. My goal is to lose 4 dress sizes by the end of the challenge which would put me at a size 10. Just in time for Easter! It would be a dream to walk into church on Easter Sunday wearing a size 10 Lilly Pulitzer dress!

My plan of action will be to do the following:

14 day Bootcamp
Non T-Tapp days do 30-45 minutes on the treadmill
Follow the God-made/ManMade eating plan.

Want to join me? T-Tapp will change your life!

Remember when I told you about Charlotte Siems? She did T-Tapp. Here's her story.

Learn more about T-Tapp.
Follow T-Tapp on Twitter.
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