90 Day Challenge Results

I failed.

(But I didn't.)

I succeeded, YOU succeeded, no matter what the scale says!

Just because you didn't meet your goal doesn't mean you failed this 90-day challenge. If you participated in this challenge then you succeeded, no matter what the "results" show!

But How? 

For 90 days YOU were accountable to yourself for the choices you made. You were conscious of every good decision that outweighed a bad alternative AND you were conscious of each bad choice you made over the good one. You knew that every decision you made effected YOUR 90-day outcome.

Guess what? 

Day 90 is not the end!!! You just spent 90 days developing new habits by making those decisions and knowing how they would effect your outcome. That doesn't magically stop on day 91. You will still be in the habit of thinking about the choices you are making. Keep going! This is your new path. Sometimes we choose the wrong direction, that's okay. The important part is that you get back to the right one eventually.

Day 60 Quick Update

I had a sudden realization, with some horror, that it was time to make my 60 day update. Why the horror? I realized I didn't really have much to report. I've had more downs than ups the last 30 days but I do plan to kick it into high gear for the next 30 days. 

Thankfully it's been nice enough out now to FINALLY go out walking. Luckily I know have two walking partners who motivate me and in return I hope I motivate them. There have been some chilly walks, but the weather for the next little while looks great.

Your results aren't always going to be what you want. Your results aren't always going to be what you expect. The important thing is that you don't give up. Keep on reaching for your goals.

The First 30 Days: Results!!!

As I approached day 30 it became (more) obvious that in order to succeed in this 90-day challenge I am going to need to make some changes to what I am doing now. Since cutting food is out of the question (hey, I love food too much), there is going to need to be exercise. It is now more important than ever to start going for 5K walks again. This should become easier to make time for now that the hockey season is nearing an end as I won't be able to use the arena job as an excuse. 

Since almost every day has been a battle, I decided that I should go back and look at the beginning of my journey to rediscover how hard it was then. I mean way back to 2012 when I first decided to lose weight. The first month was a struggle, but I made it through and lost 10 pounds that month. Don't forget, I had a lot more to lose back then so losing 4.5 pounds this month is great considering I have a lot less to lose these days.

That's right, I lost 4.5 pounds in my first 30 days and it's great! Considering I thought I had ruined my progress with a bad week leading up to day 30, I am so happy with this result!  I have 60 days left and I need to challenge myself to be better and get my ass in gear!

Do you wonder why you joined this 90-day challenge? Are you seeing your results but wondering if anyone else has noticed?

^This^ is exactly how it happened when I started. I did notice the changes, then my coworkers, then the people I only saw occasionally. I'm not going to lie, it's fabulous when someone notices, it is motivation to keep up the fight! You can do it, you can all do it! Yes it's hard sometimes, but if it was easy then everyone would do it, right?

Challenge: Week 3

I can barely wait for it to be nice enough (in my mind, at least) to get out there and go walking again. This will boost my calories burned and a bigger daily deficit, no matter how big or small, will help me to achieve my goals! Of coarse it has to go and SNOW this week, but next week's weather looks promising. (I have also been considering running again but I'm still not sure about that one.)

Three weeks in and I am now down four pounds. For me, this is great because I am not just at the beginning of my journey. I am well into my weight-loss and as you lose more weight, it gets harder to lose without making adjustments to what worked in the beginning. Since I don't want to cut any calories from my plan, I need to ensure that my daily goals are exceeded more often then not in order to lose. I would be happy to meet five pounds by day 30.

I would love to hear from anyone who has joined in this challenge as to what sort of progress you are making. Please feel free to message me any time. And, if you would like to read more about my successes and failures, please read on about the week, otherwise see you next week!

Day 15 - I reigned myself in on what was supposed to be my "self-sabotage" day as the past four days had been disastrous so I didn't feel that I could afford to be bad. Still I did not count calories, but chose to eat mostly healthy options (and a peanut butter marshmallow square 😉).

Day 16 - Two job day! Our employer supplied lunch today: Lasagna and Italian salad. Delicious! I chose the vegetarian option not only for the lower fat content but because I love the vegetarian version. I still went over on my food intake I burned far more then I took in.

Day 17 & 18 - The weekend. . .these never turn out all that well, but Saturday proved to be a perfectly balanced day, and Sunday was great as extra calories were burned at work. The weather is still cool, but I am looking forward to being able to go for a walk soon. It's still a wee bit cool for my taste and probably a little too icy and wet in places.

Day 19 - Since I didn't take the time to prep food for lunches this weekend, today turned out to be not-so-good. So I'm just gonna say I don't wanna talk about it.

Day 20 - Finally a day as it should be! I resisted the urge to have a Starbucks iced coffee this afternoon which was great to keep my day in check. I still haven't done any pre-prepping but I am trying my best to make sure the healthy options are easily accessible over the not so healthy ones.

Day 21 - Today was great! Today was as it should be. Properly placed snacking and somewhat appropriate meals but then we went to a movie and there was inappropriate popcorn! Probably not the best choice the night before weigh-in. I did resist the urge to get nachos which is big for me.

I'm not sure about continuing the day by day updates as they are not exactly an entertaining read. I will still try to keep you up to date on my 90-day challenge and I hope you will keep me updated on yours.

Challenge: Week 2, Not So Good

I know you are probably only tuning in for the results so I guess I will indulge you. After a week with many days where I didn't do as well as I wanted, I didn't lose anything at all. I can't be mad though because at least I did not gain anything.

For those of you who have joined in this 90-day challenge, if you feel like you need a hand figuring out a plan, please feel free to send me a message. Even if you are not a part of the challenge, I am willing to help you too. I want everyone to succeed as I know how hard it can be. I can't guarantee results but I can offer you advice and support.

If you want to read more about my day to day successes and struggles (heavier on the struggles this week), please continue reading on.

Day 8 - Today was my cheat day. And while I fully enjoyed everything I ate and drank coffee I felt super tired earlier than normal. I can't help but think that it's from the food. After all I'm sure you've read as I have, that when you eat bad you feel bad. I am okay with that though, because tomorrow it's back to normal. Eating good and feeling good!

Day 9 - I slept horribly! Awake 4 times, restless 18 times as per my Fitbit sleep report. Why am I adding this to my "journal"? I can't help but wonder if this was from eating bad last night.

I was hungry this morning. . .after breakfast I mean. I had a hard time making it to lunch! I will probably have to work on my morning snacks. My intake ended up about 100 calories over for the day, but I still had a small deficit so I will not allow myself to be unhappy about my day.

Day 10 - Great breakfast, great lunch, then I worked the game. The plan was to have a snack at the game, then something good when I got home. Today the plan didn't work! We got pizza on the way home, d'oh! I only had a little but it still puts me over by 100 calories, however I still had a better deficit today then yesterday as it was a 10,000 step day. (Oh, and these kind of indiscretions call for Fat Fighters!!!)

Day 11 - The day started great, but then my mom wanted to go out for dinner so we went to Swiss Chalet. . .and I had fries. Bad bad yummy fries!!! Weekends are hard sometimes, especially about once a month! ;) I did manage to off the urge to add some chips and dip later in the evening.

Day 12 - Oh my! Full on cravings and I wanted to eat EVERYTHING! I snacked on the best choices I could but again ended about 300 calories over. AND I forgot to take my Fat Fighter.

Day 13 - The wanting to eat constantly continued! I was hungry all day! BUT this should be the last day and then back to normal. For dinner I threw some frozen peppers and onions, a can of Rotel diced tomatoes, and frozen chicken breasts in the slow cooker with some Epicure Fajita seasoning, and voila! Supper was ready to eat when we got home. Yum!

Day 14 - Today was supposed to be better. It wasn't. I considered not having my Slurpee but that would just be wrong! Tomorrow is supposed to be my cheat day but I might have to reign myself in, especially since the day after also promises a bit of badness.

So, do I think the Thermofit and Fat Fighters helped? YES! I'm sure I would have had a gain without them! I will keep on going, I will do my best, and I will not let a bad week derail my plans. You know, despite the bad week, I was actually feeling good about my body. Yes, it is a work in progress, but how often do you look in the mirror and see the positives instead of the negatives?

Challenge: Week 1, Results - Woo hoo!

I am so happy that so many people are joining me on this journey. The response to my 90-day challenge has been surprising.  Yes, many are doing it without the products that I love so much, but a few are using the products to help them on their own journey.

It Works products like Formula FF (Fat Fighter) and Ultimate Thermofit are intended to enhance your results with a balanced diet and exercise. They ARE NOT intended to replace those things! You can't eat cheeseburgers daily and expect to lose weight! So I am using them along with diet (no exercise yet) to help me curb the cravings and block some of the fat and carbs I eat from being absorbed into my body. And I did manage to lose 2 1/2 pounds this week! Yay me!!! (And yay you if you are doing this too!)

What's 2 1/2 pounds? Well, it may not seem like much, but just imagine losing 2 1/2 pounds a week for four weeks. . .that's 10 pounds! Would you be happy losing 10 pounds? Probably! :)

So, how was your week? Mine was pretty decent.

Day One - I did well with no food struggles. I had a craving for something sweet so I grabbed one mini-peanut butter cup. Craving satisfied with a 44 calorie treat. I also went to Costco to make sure that my fridge was full of good choices.

Day Two - Pre-planned self sabotage day!!! AKA cheat day. Yes, I know this seems early in the week to have my cheat day, but I had previously made plans to celebrate Jon Bon Jovi's birthday with a friend. Our plans involved a dinner of KFC chicken and fries, a Sorrentos feta salad and garlic breadsticks, and, since Jon Bon Jovi's birthday was this week, Jeanne's birthday cake! And don't forget some alcohol!

Day Three - Back to being good. A successful food day overall. My day included a piece of leftover KFC chicken and two small pieces of deli-pizza. That's what Fat Fighters are for! Even without Fat Fighters, my calorie intake for the day was reasonable, and I didn't go hungry.

Day Four - Prep day! I need to make sure that food during the week is easily available to pack for work. I had some kale chips in larger bags, so I measured them into single servings to take to work and have readily available for snacks in my desk. I cooked a few chicken breasts and cut them up into bite-size pieces so that I can easily add them to a salad or warm up for lunch with a side dish. I had  purchased a kale salad that I tossed for lunches (add feta and I absolutely love this salad).  I also bought Gardenburgers earlier in the week which I can quickly cook in the evening and reheat in my mini-crockpot for lunches. Calorie-wise, great day again!

Day 5 - Great day! I ate well, and had an almost perfect calorie intake. I had a brief moment at 7-11 when I though about buying something junky to snack on but quickly decided I didn't need it and also didn't snack at all that evening!

Day 6 - Still great! It was a two job day so I made sure that I packed enough snacks (plus there's always spare snacks in my desk), and I purchased a foot-long sub that was my lunch and supper. I stopped at the McDonalds drive-thru on the way home from job two to pick up chicken burgers for lunch. I thought "I could get a hamburger and scarf it down and no one would know", but I would know, and I also knew I didn't need it and that bad choice would be a waste of a successful day.

Day 7 - Still strong. Knowing my next "cheat-day" is tomorrow makes it a little easier to get through the day.

So I kept this diary of my days to show you that there are always struggles and temptations that you can get past, however, this week turned out pretty uneventful. Next week should be a whole other story!!!

How I Lost 50 Pounds

So as you likely know, once upon a time, I lost 50 pounds. . .and actually the secret truth is that I lost 60. I am not proud that I had that much weight to lose, but I'm proud that I lost it. Yes, I gained 10 back but that seems to be the easiest spot to maintain and I am happy with it.

I don't have many before/after pics, this is the best I can do!

I am not here to preach about how to lose weight, or what the best method is to do it.  The best way is the way that works for you.

However, I will tell you this.  You have to be ready to do it.  There's telling yourself you're ready when you are not.  And then there is actually BEING ready.  

If you are not really ready you will know fairly soon. You will figure "I'll just have a little" of something and instead it turns into having a whole lot of that something.  I'm not saying that isn't going to happen even when you are actually ready.  It's just that when you're not ready, that whole lot will turn into a whole lot more and into a series of bad days until you realize that you weren't ready.  

When you really are ready you will realize what you have done and behave after that one bad day, or you won't let that day get that bad to begin with.

So where did I start?  I really started paying attention to what I was eating.  This does not mean that I ate "healthy" food, I still ate mostly my regular food.  Instead of having seconds, I would only eat firsts!  I would take one serving only.  For example, if the box says one serving equals 3/4 cup, I only took 3/4 cup.  One piece of meat, or two if it was smaller.  One cup of cereal with 1/2 cup of milk and so on.  

My thoughts. . .everything in moderation! You want chocolate, have chocolate. . .just eat 1/2 of the chocolate bar (put the rest in a Ziploc bag for the next time or give it away so it can't tempt you - everyone at work wants the other half of my chocolate bar). You want chips, eat chips. . .just take one small bowl. The best thing I own is a digital kitchen scale, then I can measure just one serving.  Moderation is key, if you deprive yourself you will eventually snap and binge. This way you can factor a little "cheat" into your day and not feel guilty!

I ate fast food!  I didn't usually eat a giant burger and fries (I admit it happened occasionally), I just got that one thing I really wanted.  Maybe a burger one time, fries another time.  I did LET myself have that bad day once in a while though (usually once a week).  Then I returned to my good days.

Now this worked for me, I'm not saying it will work for you.  You might not agree with my way. Maybe you want to do it differently, perhaps a "real" diet, or cutting carbs, or trying to be a vegetarian or maybe trying Paleo (this one interests me but is extremely difficult due to nut allergies in my household).  But if you are wondering how I did it then that was it. I have also fallen off the "food" wagon many times, but when a few pounds creep back on, I go back to being good.

Bumps In My Journey

My weight loss journey has been long because it never really ends. It keeps leading me through ups and downs, losses and gains. For the last 3 1/2 years I have lived this journey but as long as I stay on this path I am going to be okay. Even though I am having a hard time right now, I have never been perfect at this.

It has been a while since my last post, which was my 90-day review. I have continued on my Greens and have remained mostly healthy.  I had a brief but easy bout of the flu. While my daughter was horribly sick with the cold and flu for 4 1/2 days, I had one day of minor flu symptoms and took an extra day off to recover as it seemed too short to be true! Everyone that has had the cold and flu around me has had a hard time shaking it. Why did I get off so easy? I credit taking my Greens twice a day!

I have also continued the Fat Fighters (Formula FF) which I either take after my largest meal of the day (usually dinner), or my unhealthiest meal. They do indeed take the edge off my evening cravings.

I did not continue the Thermofit as I ran out and did not re-order. I was in a period of time that was seemingly easy so I decided that I didn't need them. Now I am thinking I need them again as one of the benefits of Thermofit is reduced appetite.

SO. . .now seems to be the perfect time to put my It Works products to another test. Or more specifically the Thermofit. Starting March 3rd I'm going to start another 90-day challenge. It's time to re-loose some pounds! Taking two Thermofit during the day will help with my daytime snacking problems, and I will still take my Fat Fighters to help reduce my evening cravings.

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My Absolutely Honest 90 Day Review and My Amazing Wrap Results

I have completed my 90 day challenge and its time to give you my honest review of my journey. I'm not sure what I can say that I haven't already said in previous posts. Am I happy with my results? Yes! Am I happy with the products? Yes! Is this skeptic still a skeptic? No!

The Greens - I love the Greens! I feel great and I have been healthy. And while I do have a minor cold at the moment (possibly the "easiest" cold I have ever had), I plan to keep taking them.

The Vitamins (It's Vital Core Nutrition) - I am in love with these - I have had no cramps since I started taking them!!!

The Fat Fighters (Formula FF) and Thermofit - These helped me keep off the pounds over Christmas and lose 3 1/2 pounds since January 1st!

If you think that any It Works product is going to miraculously make you skinny, then you are mistaken. They need to be used in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle. What does that mean? It means you can't eat deep fried foods for three meals a day, and expect to lose weight. However, they can help when you do make the bad choice. It wasn't until I committed to making better food choices (most of the time) that I really saw results.

Month three of this 90 day challenge involved trying those "Crazy Wrap Things".  Right up until I saw my fourth Ultimate Body Applicator (aka wrap) results I was ready to give a review that said that the wraps were just meh, but then. . .

But then I finally saw the results!!! It's hard to see our own progress sometimes, that's why before and after shots are important.

What can I tell you about the wraps? Let me compare them to a more familiar product. Think about teeth-whitening strips. . .if you use only one, you might not see results. You have to use the whole box in order to really see whiter teeth. It's the same idea for these wraps. Using one is a sample. Using a whole box (four) is the full treatment. So while I could barely see my results myself after my first wrap, I can really see them after the fourth!

Once again, the Ultimate Body Applicator is a is a non-woven cloth that is infused with a botanically-based cream formulated to deliver maximum tightening, toning, and firming results. It does not make you lose weight or fat! It continuously hydrates for firmer, smoother, more youthful-looking skin, and reduces the appearance of cellulite and skin slackening. This tightening is what makes your problem area look more toned.

Here's one more embarrassing picture for you to show you how it's not squishing you, or making you sweat out the fat, or any of the misconceptions that are common. It covers only the area you are targeting - your stomach, sides, back, arms, legs. . .pretty much anywhere except your face.

As you can see, it only goes about half way around me. No squishing! You just wear something tight over top to secure it. 

In the end, I would still not blindly recommend the wraps to everyone. If you have weight to lose, do that first. Then use the wraps to tighten and tone the skin in the area(s) that you need. If you are already fairly satisfied with yourself but are looking to tighten up an area, then yes, go ahead and use the wraps!

It's Time to Try That Crazy Wrap Thing

I had no intention of ever joining It Works, but the only product that I had ever heard of was "the wrap". I didn't know that they had all sorts of health and wellness products and I certainly had no interest in "the wrap".

Fast-forward to this summer when I learned about some of the other products offered by It Works. Yes, I was skeptical of their weight-loss products, but the health and wellness products had me interested enough to do some research and eventually take the leap. I needed try it myself, form my own opinions, and prove that it did or didn't work.

I am tremendously happy with every product I have tried, so the time has come. . .it's time to test out this wrap thing.

I admit it, I knew nothing about "the wrap".  I presumed you had to wrap it all the way around you, and that it would squish me and make me hot. I could not have been more wrong. 

"The wrap" is actually called the "Ultimate Body Applicator".  It is a non-woven cloth that is infused with a botanically-based cream formulated to deliver maximum tightening, toning, and firming results. It does not make you lose weight or fat! It continuously hydrates for firmer, smoother, more youthful-looking skin, and reduces the appearance of cellulite and skin slackening. This tightening is what makes your problem area look more toned. Problem area? You can use it on your stomach, sides, back, arms, legs. . .pretty much anywhere except your face.

SO I TRIED IT!

So first of all, for a person of my size, it covers my stomach and sides only, so not a squishy body wrap. Once you apply it to your skin, you need to secure it with form-fitting clothing, or saran-wrap (sounds too warm for me), or perhaps a tensor bandage. (It Works also has an item called Fab Wrap which you can wrap around you to secure the applicator as well.) I used a tight tank top over the applicator and then a tight workout top over that. I then noted my thoughts in my iPhone so that I could remember my first impressions.

• I loved the smell, maybe menthol, not sure, but I liked it!
• It felt good on my skin as soon as I put it on, and as I wore it longer, it felt cool on my skin.
• The only "problem" is that you need to drink a lot of water and I was still full from dinner. I just made sure I drank 8 ounces every 10 minutes (I set a timer).
• You might think I'm crazy, but I swear I felt my skin tightening later after the wrap was off for a while (maybe from the cream soaking in and drying).

SO THEN WHAT?

So then I monitor my results for 72 hours (i.e. before and after pictures) and drink tons of water. You need to drink half your body weight (in pounds) in fluid ounces of water daily. You have to stay well hydrated to maximize the results.

AND THEN?

Do it again (after at least 72 hours)! One applicator is just a sample. . .four is a full treatment (kind of like those teeth-whitening strips, you can't expect results after just one strip, you do the whole package).

HOW LONG DOES IT LAST?

As per the product info, "While results from the Ultimate Body Applicator are lasting, you can counteract the results from the Ultimate Body Applicator by eating poorly and not regularly exercising (as is true with any weight loss or body contouring results)." I have read online two to six months depending on your eating, drinking and exercise habits.

SO HERE'S WHAT YOU ARE PROBABLY LOOKING FOR. . .THE RESULTS!!!

I still have three more wraps to do to consider it a whole treatment but these are my one wrap results. It's actually something that I have a tough time sharing because I am literally letting it all hang out. I do still have weight to be lost, and my food-baby certainly isn't getting any help over the holidays, but this is where I am at (keep in mind that my best efforts to eat well have been thwarted by holiday goodies), I think I see teenie-tiny results though.

Note to self: Must try the Stretch Mark cream!

30 Days and Five Pounds Lost!!!

I started this post half way through the week so it got a little long. You are welcome to skip down to the results as that's what it's all about, right?!?!?

Half way through week four and I was seeing no progress. Yes, this is my fault, as I haven't been on my best food behaviour. I haven't been tremendously bad, but I haven't been creating any major calorie deficits. It's not like I picked the easiest time of year to lose a few pounds though, I know! I am also doing zero exercise, so I really have nothing to blame except me. 

BUT. . .

If the Thermofit is supposed to promote the burning of calories, and the Formula FF is supposed to block some of the fat and carbohydrates from meals, then I was hoping to see some sort of result. At least I'm not gaining though, but. . .

SOLUTION?

#1) I am currently taking Thermofit twice a day. One tablet with breakfast and lunch. That is what the "American" instructions advise. (Take one tablet two to three times per day with meals.) So, I am going to switch to the "Canadian" instructions that advise to take two tablets, once per day with a meal.

#2) I am currently taking the Formula FF once a day. Two tablets after the largest meal (usually dinner). These are the "Canadian" instructions. So I'm going to switch to the "American" instructions and take one to two tablets after your two largest meals of the day.

RESULTS!!!

On Tuesday Olive Garden brought in lunch for us at work, and I also had a dinner banquet that night. Wednesday our bosses brought us Christmas dainties...Nanimo bars, butter tarts, peanut butter-marshmallow thingys (those are my favorites), and more! Friday we had Christmas lunch at the Old Spaghetti Factory. Disaster??? No! I lost a pound!!! 

So my 30 day results are that I lost 5 pounds! Not too shabby for someone who has less to lose then I once did. 

So just think. . .if you start January 1st and you lose, on average, five pounds a month, that's 60 pounds you can lose by next Christmas! It seems far away, I know, but just think how happy you would be right now if you had started last January and succeeded?

Week Three! Loving This Journey, Even When the Progress is Slow

Men, you may want to skip to below the minions posted below. . .

What's it like to have a period without cramps? Amazing, awesome, incredible, surprising, wonderful, marvellous, unbelievable!!! It has never happened before! 

An internet search of vitamins to relieve period pain brought me to these results: B vitamins, calcium citrate, antioxidants (including vitamins A, D, and E), and magnesium. Guess what vitamins are in It's Vital Core Nutrition? Yep, those ones, and a whole lot more! Turmeric is also a natural herb that is thought to relieve menstrual pain and an antioxidant, and it's in there too!

I also had absolutely no pre-menstrual cravings. That was possibly the Formula FF doing their job. However, during the first few days I wanted to eat EVERYTHING! I have now returned to no cravings, and in fact, haven't been feeling all that hungry.

Next month, I'm going to try taking Confianza during that time. Maybe I can eliminate the bitchy too! ;)

Confianza helps you deal with physical, emotional and environmental stress in a natural way; their herbal dietary supplement consists of natural ingredients that help you reduce stress and fatigue while increasing your energy levels.

I didn't meet this weeks goal. A loss is a loss though, and I must be satisfied. This is going to be a tough month, but that can't be an excuse. I just have to keep moving forward.

Week Two! Feeling Great and Losing Weight (Ha Ha, Cheesy Title!)

I feel skinny, oh so skinny. . .but I am not skinny! I feel good about myself though! I feel healthy, I feel energized, and I have no cravings. I am finding it so easy to eat proper foods and not load up on junk.

I had an "ah ha" moment this week when I realized that since my cravings are almost non-existent, that dining out is becoming a challenge!

It actually started last Thursday and Friday, but I just hadn't realized it yet. I really couldn't decide where to go for lunch. There was nothing that I really wanted and choosing was almost a chore! Then it happened again this week. One day I ended up asking a coworker if she wanted anything from anywhere so that she could make up my mind as to where I should go! (The other days I brought my lunches.)

One evening I also made myself eat popcorn! I didn't want popcorn, but I had bought some popcorn seasoning that I really wanted to try! This It Works skeptic is quickly turning into a believer!

A slogan that I am beginning to believe in!

So I'm sure you are only here for the results. . .the result is 1.8 pounds. (Can I just say two?) I still can't get motivated to exercise, but I'm thinking New Years resolution maybe.  I am also due for a visit from TOM this weekend so I'm pretty sure I'm probably retaining some water. So as a present to myself, despite the fact that I have NO cravings, I let myself eat all the bad stuff today! Yay!

And shameless plug here since I was asked for the website a couple of times this week:

www.greatgreens.myitworks.com

(This is my own site. A Google/web search may take you to someone else's site, so please use this address to visit mine. Much appreciated!)

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Week One of Fat Fighters and Thermofit! ____ Pounds Gone!

Another Day One - I'm not sure how many of those I have had but the important thing is that they were always a start toward my goals. Sometimes you have to restart, but restarting is better than stopping completely.

My weigh-in this morning was a little disheartening. I am four pounds up from where I should be. Since I am here with the intension of losing that and a bit more, I'm not too worried.

I took one Thermofit with breakfast and one with lunch. I felt bloated after lunch, hopefully from what I ate and not the Thermofit.  I took two Formula FF (Fat Fighter) after supper. I am making an effort to eat well but already felt the bad habits trying to creep back in. I was quick to remind myself not to go there!

Day Two - Already an "uh oh"! Why? I'm going to the Moose game and I WILL be having a Jet Dog, but that's what my Fat Fighters are for, right?

I didn't feel bloated at all today, so I guess it was what I ate for lunch on Day One that caused the bloating, thank goodness!

Day Three - Another challenge. . .my work Christmas party. Yes, early for a Christmas party. Technically they call it a "Holiday Gala" but it's a Christmas party! Five coarse dinner over two hours, I think. I took my Fat Fighter after it was done, but maybe it was too late anyway! That's it! The rest of this first week I HAVE to be good!

Day Four - Just a regular Sunday doing laundry, catching up on my TV shows, and being lazy, but I had no desire to snack! That is completely not normal for my Sunday! Could it be the Thermofit? Thermofit advertises that it "not only boosts your metabolic rate and increases your energy levels but also curbs your appetite so you eat less and have fewer cravings"! Here's hoping!

Day Five - Oh how I want to step on the scale! I want to see if this is working. I feel like it is. Must be patient!

I am continuing to take one Thermofit with breakfast and lunch, and the Fat Fighter after supper. I over ate today, although nothing particularly bad. I think a bigger breakfast is needed, as I found myself hungry for lunch earlier then normal.

Day Six - I was hungry early for lunch and supper again, but really other than that I didn't have any cravings today, and after supper I was good for the rest of the night. I'm not saying that I don't think of eating something bad, but I finding it easy to remind myself that the answer is no.

Day Seven - Worked both jobs today so dining out was in the plan. A 12" sub provides both lunch and dinner! I'm so damn excited to weigh-in in the morning, I can hardly wait! I was tempted to weigh myself at bedtime, but that would be inaccurate. . .I just want an idea of how I did. It's so close now!

The Results - Two pounds gone!!! It might sound disappointing but remember:  1) I ate a lot of crap, 2) no exercise, 3) I'm not just beginning, I already lost weight, the more you lose the harder it gets but NEVER let that stop you! 

I'm looking forward to another week and can't wait to see more results. Another two pounds would be fabulous. Two pounds a week would equal eight pounds for the month. I can totally live with that. :)

Day 30! Repeat Then Try a Facial!

Day 30 has come and gone and is currently on repeat until my new order comes.  So what do I tell you in the mean time. . .

Maybe you just want to go have a look around the website: www.greatgreens.myitworks.com. Please ask questions! You can do it the comments section here, through Facebook Messenger, Instagram, email, text/iMessage, in person, whatever works for you! You can also use the contact form on the website.

You already know that I am in love with my vitamins and Greens. Well, my sister sent me a Facial and OMG! My face is so soft and smooth! It has been 48 hours and it still feels great! I have to add these to the growing list of things I want to buy.

Have I mentioned how soft and smooth my face is?

And one more thing happened while I was writing this post. . .my order arrived today!!! Woot woot!  Day 1 starts Thursday! Triple Threat here I come! 

Week Four: Feeling Better and Some Surprise Effects

Day 23 was my last shift at my other job until November 18th! While I do love that job, I'm so happy to be off for a bit! I can finally have some RNR time! On the weekend, I caught up on some much needed sleep. I really wasn't as productive as I should have been, but that's okay! I was feeling rested and feeling healthy!

And that's the best part! I'm feeling better! I plan to keep taking my It's Vital and Greens and hopefully stay healthy all winter. Some call the Greens their flu "shots".

So here's another thing I have learned and like about It Works. . .so yes, I had to commit to three months of purchases in order to get the product at a discounted price, but when I found myself short on money until payday, I was able to change the date that my order would be processed. That's right, I picked the day that they could process my order. A date that worked for ME. And I did it online. No phone calls, just from the comfort of my couch and computer!

What does this mean for phase two? It means that phase two of my 90 day program will start about 10 days late (depending on when the package arrives), so it will become a 100 day program instead. Plus I will be continuing with my first phase products throughout the program anyway so it's not like I'm taking time off! I'm a little bummed to have to wait, but super excited to get my new products, Formula FF and Thermofit.

Okay ladies, this part is for you.  Men, you may want to press that little "x" in the top corner and exit now because I am going to write about stuff you probably don't want to see.

Okay men, if you are still reading, don't say I didn't warn you!

Ladies, I started my period on Sunday and I was surprised because I had one tiny little cramp earlier in the day and that was all. I had brushed it off thinking it was nothing.  I have also had zero cramps during my period and I usually have awful cramps. Do you want to know why? The It's Vital and Greens! That's why! No cravings, and I don't think I was any crankier then a normal day either. ;) I will definitely pay attention next month to how cranky I am! 

Week Three: Still Sick but Feeling Great!

Day 18 and I am still fighting this cold (and I consider myself to be winning). After two 13 hour work days, it's still remaining a minor presence (thankfully). I have incorporated some other cold fighting tricks. The first being lymph massage/drainage to combat a sore throat. It started last night but I massaged before bed and woke up sore throat free! It came back a bit today, but more massage and some Cold Zing (lemon) tea with honey is holding it at bay.  I will be sure to massage before bed again tonight.

Day 19. . .The lymph massage has completely cured my sore throat.

Day 20! I thought I was losing this battle with the cold. I was so tired! Then I realized that I had not taken my It's Vital or my Greens. I was shocked to feel better within a half hour of taking them. The difference was beyond amazing. Even if it is in my head, It Works, so I'm okay with that!!!

I can't even tell you how strange of a feeling it was to feel "good" while being sick. I can just imagine that if I had been on these vitamins and greens a few weeks earlier that I may not have gotten sick at all. The only bad part has been coughing all night so being super tired in the morning., so I did stay home one day to catch up on some sleep.

I mentioned the cost of the Greens to a co-worker (who is not taking them) and she had the best words of wisdom. There are 8-servings of fruits and vegetables in one serving of greens. . .she said "Just think of how much money you are saving on fruits and vegetables!" She's right, plus I don't have to eat them (I still eat some though).

I am starting to get really exited about the second phase of my 90 day program. My goal will be to lose 10 pounds in 60 days. Sounds reasonable to me, especially with the Christmas season approaching! Any one want to join me?

Week Two - It Works 1, Cold Germs 0 (For Now)

Before I started taking It's Vital and Greens, I felt a bit like I was getting a cold but it never developed. I am quite sure that my It Works products helped me to keep it at bay.

Day 10 brought my first two job day of this journey. I remember driving home and thinking that I felt amazingly awake after 13 hours of work. Then came the next morning, which was thankfully on the weekend. I could barely drag myself out of bed at 8 for a hair appointment though. I ate breakfast, took my It's Vital, made a smoothie with my Greens and headed out. I was still half asleep when I arrived at the hairdresser, but I finished my smoothie and felt great by the time I left.

That afternoon I was out with the kids and missed my second Greens. I was also super tired when we got home so I took an hour nap and felt re-energized. I know - I had a nap, but I still think that the It's Vital and Greens are helping with my energy. They're not going to provide a miracle if you don't sleep enough, but they are sure going to help when you're awake!

Day 12 I worked my second job again (it was Sunday so only a one-job day), and I missed my second Greens again. I am sure that being over-worked and not taking my Greens had led to me being run down and I could feel that cold trying to make an appearance again so I went back to twice-a-day Greens, and extra vitamin C to fight it off. I can happily report that the cold has not progressed past a scratchy throat and a wee bit of chest congestion.

So, at the end of week two, I would definitely say that these products are working for me! I am more than willing to spend the money if these can help keep me healthy and energized! I'm anxious to see if I can keep this cold at bay as I have two 13 hour days ahead!

What Does It Works Do?

I want to tell you more about It Works and the products they offer. As I have mentioned I am a skeptic, but I can't even tell you how much time I have spent looking at the products that I am taking, and then at many of the other products, especially the ones that interest me.

I don't know about you, but several years ago I remember seeing "Have you tried that crazy wrap thing?" advertising cards and Facebook posts.

They never interested me. I was losing weight the old fashioned way, and this sounded like a waste of money as the skeptic in me said "yeah, right". Little did I know that the It Works line went far beyond just the wraps. They promote health and lifestyle! (For more information on how It Works Global came to be, click here.)

In addition to other Body products, they also have a Lifestyle line, which includes premium supplements. They have their Greens line which offer eight servings of fruits and vegetables mixed into water, yogurt, juice, or a smoothie. And they have a Skin line which offers botanically based care for your skin.

I want to tell you more about the products I am trying as well as the ones that interest me to try in the future.

The Greens!

Okay, I've told you about the Greens, I'm taking those right now.

These are the orange ones, I'm taking the berry flavoured ones, and I also plan to get the chews for convenience (plus they taste great).

It's Vital Core Nutrition

I've told you about this one too! The label advises to consult your doctor for use beyond one month so I am asking him the next time I go as it includes the vitamins I used to take individually (although I still take additional vitamin C twice a day).

Confianza

Helps support the body's resistance to stress. I bought this one but haven't tried it yet. It can be taken on an as-needed basis.

Hair Skin Nails

I really want to try this one. My niece is trying it right now. My hair is thin now where it was much thicker in my younger days. Although, it may grow faster too meaning I might be showing more blonde! Yikes!

Lip & Eye

Seriously, might as well just call this one "Eye" for me. That's all I want to try it for. Lessens the look of laugh lines (yes, please) and reduces the appearance of bags and puffiness. Definitely on my list!

Stretch Mark

Does this need any explanation. Two kids, overweight, boobs. Yup, that's about it!

Relief

Sure, why not? My aches and pains make me feel old and prevent me from getting a good night of sleep. My mom is trying this one right now. 

And then there are those "Crazy Wrap Things"

I can't just sit here and be a skeptic and not put them to the test myself so I do plan to eventually try them. Someone I know recently tried the wrap, and yes, she is already skinny, but you can really see the difference in the definition of her curves.  She put it on before a hockey game and took it off during the second intermission.

Part of my skepticism is the before/after pictures online. This is someone close to me though. . .a real, live person! The top two pics are before pics and the bottom two are after.

These I can get you right now if you are interested. They tighten and tone the skin as well as reduce the appearance of cellulite. They are $30 each to purchase individually.

Thanks for reading! If you have any questions please ask. You can contact me through Facebook or fill out the form here.