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!