16 Weeks

I am 16 weeks into my Weight Loss-Get Healthy journey.  

Here is my 16 week picture.  By week 15 I was down 19 pounds exactly.  On week 16 I weighed in at 177.0 for a total weight loss of 18.8 pounds.  I took measurements on week 15 and I was down 4 inches in my breasts, down 9.5 in my waist, down 5.75 in my in my bum, and down 6.5 in my thighs.

I have been mildly discouraged that I've been holding steady at 19 pounds down.  I know it sounds silly, but really it's the fact that I'm so close to 20 and also that 19 is an odd number.  However, I have not been so on top of things in the eating good department.  Also, Brian's work schedule changed so our workouts have been off kilter.  I've still been going to Zumba and Spin class and either going to the gym or doing 30 Day shred 6 days a week.  Also it was Easter and we were out of town, and blah, blah, blah, lots of excuses.  The point is that I while I'm not losing more pounds, I'm maintaining and continuing with exercise.  

I am still taking the Plexus Slim drink and 2 Accelerator pills in the morning, and about a month ago I added in 2 Pro-Biotic vitamins in the evening, and just this week I started a Bio-Cleanse, I only plan on doing the Bio-Cleanse for a month or so, that's how long the bottle lasts.  

So, that is my update for now.  I'm still loving the Plexus products and the energy they are giving and the help with controlling my cravings.  I bought a Diet Coke while I was out of town over Easter and I had 2 drinks of it and threw it out, I didn't even like it, so I am grateful for that.  I don't crave many empty carby things very much anymore either.

It's almost swimsuit season, if you want to give Plexus a try, contact me or go check out my website!

http://amandasilverhorn.myplexusopportunity.com/contact

And just for fun here are my 13 week pictures

Before on the left, After on the right

Before on the left, After on the right

11 Weeks

Hey!  I haven't posted in awhile, my computer broke and it's not ideal to post a blog from my phone.  Well, I got a new computer and figured I'd update on my progress so far.  It's been 11 weeks since I started Plexus and I'm still doing great.  My weight loss has slowed down a little and I even hit a plateau for about 10 days, but here's the thing.....I didn't gain during the plateau, I'm back to losing, inches and pounds, and I am still feeling great, a lot more healthy!  I have continued working out as well, and it has become a habit and if I miss a workout day, I am sad about it, I have come to enjoy working out!  We have gotten to a point where we do about 5 GOOD workouts a week, on Sunday's we do a lite workout with the kids, we go to the High School track or to a local park that has a long walking trail with obstacles.  Since we are with the kids, it isn't always a serious hard core workout, but it is fun family time and exercise for the kids, which is important too.  And then, there is usually about one night a week when we just feel lazy and want to skip a workout, usually Friday or Saturday, Friday is the end of my workweek and it seems like Brian has had to work late those nights the past few weeks, so we've just skipped, or Saturday is the end of his workweek and I've been some kind of combination of lazy and busy running around with the kids on Saturday.  So here is a breakdown of my weight and inch loss.

On March 22nd was my 11 week weigh in
Weight 179.4 down 16.4 pounds ~ I weighed 2 pounds less than Brian!
Chest 41.5 down 3.5 inches
Waist 34.5 down 9.5 inches
Butt 42.75 down 5.25 inches
Thigh 37.25 down 4.25 inches

If you are interested in trying out the Plexus System like I am, check out my link to my Plexus website.  I am doing the Plexus Slim and Accelerator.  I also added in the Pro-Bio 5 probiotic about 2 weeks ago.

http://amandasilverhorn.myplexusopportunity.com/

Here is what we are doing as far as workouts....
Sunday-Go to track or park with kids
Monday-Chest
Sit Ups and Plank
Flat Bench Press, I can bench 65 pounds now
Incline Bench Pres
Dumb bell Flys
2 miles on Treadmill OR 20 minutes on Elliptical
Tuesday-Zumba (Brian does a weight lifting workout)
Wednesday-Zumba (Brian does his own workout again)
Thursday-Legs
Sit Ups and Plank
20 front weighted squats, I do 75 pounds
20 dead lifts, I do 85 pounds
Calf Raises, I do 30 pounds
2 miles on Treadmill or 20 minutes Elliptical
Friday-Back & Biceps
Sit Ups and Plank
Bent Over Rows, I think I do 65 pounds
Straight Bar Curls, 45 pounds
Reverse Curls, 25 pounds
Treadmill 2 miles or Elliptical 20 minutes
Saturday-Shoulder & Triceps
Sit Ups and Plank
Military Press 45 pounds
Dumbbell side laterals, 15 pounds in each hand
Shoulder shrugs, 20 pounds in each hand
Skull Crushers, 20 pounds
Treadmill 2 miles or Elliptical 20 minutes

This is the Plank Challenge we started, we got to about Day 15, we keep doing it but I cannot get passed 1.5 minutes, and right now, I don't even have a desire to plank for 5 minutes, LOL.

This is the Crunch Challenge we did, we finished it and have continued doing the 100 crunches every day.  

We went camping this past weekend and I was worried about not working out while we were gone.  We left Saturday afternoon, so I did a 30 Day Shred workout video Saturday morning.  Then Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, I took it easy, there was lots of walking and hiking around, including walking up and down the steep boat ramp several times a day, but there was also a lot of sitting and relaxing.  I was also concerned about continuing eating healthy while out camping.  We are tent campers and we like to have things that we don't have to cook or things we can cook over the fire pit, and things that aren't expensive, and things that we can keep in a cooler in the Arizona desert, that is a lot of qualifications for our camping food and makes for limited options.  This is the menu I came up with, a little bit of "healthier" options, and a little bit of indulgent "not so healthy" options.

Breakfast- Breakfast burritos, before we left, I cooked 1 pound of diced bacon, 1 dozen scrambled eggs, and 1 package of refrigerated hash brown shreds, mix all of that up in a bowl, put a few spoonfulls into tortillas, top with cheese and sliced green onions, roll up burrito style, wrap in foil, and freeze, then in the morning you make a campfire and cook the burritos.  I put the frozen burritos on the top of the cooler, so they defrost some and are not completely frozen solid.  I also brought a bottle of hot sauce.  We also had instant hot chocolate and cappucino mixes which we used a teapot over the fire to heat the water.  We could have fruit with breakfast too.

Lunch- Sandwiches, fruit, and chips.  I brought bread, ham, turkey, swiss, and colby jack, PB&J too.  I only brought one bag of ranch Doritoes, and one bag of Pretzel Crisp chips (for 2 days of lunch).

Dinner- Tamales, Hot Dogs, Cup of Noodles, and fruit.  I bought fresh tamales from our local tortilla place, wrapped them in foil and we could warm them over the fire.  We used the teapot to make hot water for the cup of noodles, and we also had hot dogs and cheddarwurst which we cooked using our roasting sticks.  **The Cup of Noodles and Hot Dogs, I realize are the most unhealthy options, but they were yummy** I am still trying to think of healthier options for our next trip.  Maybe some kind of pre-made frozen dinner burritos, or some short of hobo dinner.  Any suggestions?

Dessert and Snacks- Smores, fruit, (I brought strawberries, apples, oranges, and bannanas), and Cheez-It crackers.  The strawberries went the quickest, then the banannas, I tried to convince everyone to eat bannanas because they were getting brown quick out there, and I hate brown banannas.  I brought home a few apples and oranges.  I ate a few roasted marshmallows, how could I not?  I'm not really looking to deprive myself, just to make more healthy choices most of the time.  A little indulgence here and there is fine with me.  

Drinks- Water, Power-Ade, I keep old Power-Ade bottles, fill them with water and freeze them, I use these whenever we go camping, fishing, long road trip as ice for my cooler, and as they defrost we drink them and refill with water from gallons I bring.  We also brought a few mix in powder packets of lemonade.  No soda.  So far, cutting out soda has been pretty easy, until Monday morning, I saw my BIL open up a coke and I thought "man that sounds good right now".

On our way home yesterday afternoon we stopped at Chilli's for dinner, the kids got appetizers and dessert, I got a burger, and Brian got 2 appetizers.  My burger was GOOD, but totally full of calories, and I had a bite of each of the kids dessert.  Oh well, again, something bad for you is fine every now and then, everything in moderation, right?  I have to say that the salads on the menu did look good, but I always have a hard time ordering a $10 salad when I'm out to eat, I figure if I'm out to eat and spending money, I'd rather get something savory and different than I can get at home.  A bacon cheeseburger with crispy onion shreds is not something I'd make at home very often so I just got it, and after 2 1/2 days of camping, it hit the spot.

I have to say, doing my Plexus drink and Accelerator Pills every morning wasn't that hard or inconvenient and taking the Pro-Bio 5 at night was fine too.  It is already my habit and it's easy to do, so the hardest thing was just remembering to pack it.  

I did end up gaining about a pound and a half while camping, I'll attribute it to the not so great food choices and the fact that I have a hard time going to the bathroom while away from home.  I expect by my next weigh in day (this Saturday), I'll be at least at my last Saturday weigh in spot, (hopefully less, but for this week I'll be happy with a no loss, no gain week, especially since it's Spring Break and I know having the kids home all week will probably get me off of my regular routine).

So that's my update on my All About Me progress.  Again, here is my Plexus link, just in case anyone is interested.  :)

http://amandasilverhorn.myplexusopportunity.com/

One Month Update

I have been on my new journey with the Plexus products for over a month now, and I have to say, I am feeling Super Duper Awesome!  Here is my progress so far....

Day 1 I weighed 195.8 and my measurements top to bottom (that's breast, waist, bum, thighs) were 45, 44, 48, 41.5.

2 Weeks in I weighed 188.4 and my measurements top to bottom were 43, 38.5, 47, 41.

After 4 Weeks....
Weight 186.0 (down 11.2)
Breast 43 (-2)

Waist 36.5 (-7.5)
Bum 45.5 (-2.5)

Thigh 39.5 (-1)

 

and After 30 Days....It comes as a 30 Day Supply
Weight 184.4 (-11.4)

Breast 42.4 (-2.5) At first I wasn't too happy about losing inches in this area, but now I'm thinking it was back fat (yuck) that I lost, so I'm totally okay with that!
Waist 36.5 (-7.5)
Bum 45.5 (2.5)

Thigh 39.5 (-1)

 

And here is my picture of  my Start, 2 Weeks, and 4 Weeks!

 

I told Brian that I think I am destined to have a big butt and thighs forever, that's okay, I'm pear shaped.  I am excited about the weight loss and the inches lost in my waist.  But, really, what I am still most excited about is how I feel, I am still feeling great, more energy, no cravings for sweets, I'm not hungry, I am happier, and I am enjoying going to workout!  I have gone to the gym or Zumba 21 of the last 23 days!  I skipped on day because I had been on a long road trip with Kortnie, and I skipped another day because I went to a church thing with Stasia (that ended up lasting 6-9pm, ugh!).

Also, I have signed up 2 Ambassadors and 1 Customer so far and I've made a little money back!  Probably about 1/3 of what I've spent, so that makes me feel good too.  I figure the money I've spent is totally worth it, I did feel a little guilty at first spending that money and the time at the gym, but once I thought about it.  The Plexus products minus the money I've made have cost me, maybe $2.50 per day, and the gym member ship for Brian and I costs us each less than 50cents per day.  So $3 a day and 60-90 minutes time away from the kids, but at the gym with my Brian?  I'm totally worth that!

 

Oh, and 2 nights ago at the gym I was looking at myself in the mirror while lifting weights and I thought I looked pretty good, and last night while I was doing Zumba, I thought my arms looked kinda skinny, and my neck does too!  So even though I'm not losing tons of inches in my booty and thighs, I'm losing it elsewhere, and today I put on a pair of size 12 pants (and wore them all day!) so that means I'm down 2 pants sizes too.

My February goals are to sign up at least 2 more people whether they are customers or ambassadors  (actually that 1 customer I talked about earlier signed up today, so I'm halfway there on that goal already), and to get my weight into the 170's, I can't even remember the last time I was in the 170's! 

2 Week Pictures

Okay, here is my Before and 2 week photo on my Plexus journey.

Down 7.4 pounds and 10 inches!

A little recap....

Day 1 ~ January 5, 2014

Weight 195.8 Yikes!

 

Day  3

Butt 48"

Thigh 41.5"

Waist 44"

Breast 45"

Day 7

Weight 191.2

Butt 47"

Thigh 40.5"

Waist 40"

Breast 44"'

Day 10 

Weight 190.4 Yes!

and now

Day 15 (1-20-14)
Weight 188.4 (DOWN 7.4 Pounds!)

Breast 43" (Down 2"....eh, I don't care if my boobs get smaller)

Waist 37.5 (Down 6.5"!  This is EXCITING)

Butt 45.5" (Down 1.5".  This is good, need more!)
Thigh 41" (Up .5"....weird, I want it to go down!  Either I measured wrong before or working out is making my legs get bigger, I don't think I like that.)

So, I am down 7.4 pounds and 10 inches, I think when I posted on Facebook I said 11.5 inches, I miscalculated somewhere.

I still feel really good! Brian and I have still been going to work out every day and that is great.  He and I both feel good and it's becoming a natural habit for us to go.  It really helps that he wants to go every night, that we can do this together.  Saturday evening I had an event to go to at 6pm, he gets off work at 5pm and gets home around 5:30, so we've been going to the gym around 6, so I asked him Saturday morning, "do you want to wait and go to the gym around 7:15pm with me or should we go separate today?"  He replied, "no, I'll wait for you, unless you want to go separate."  I love that he wanted to wait for me and I love that every morning before he goes to work we make our plan for dinner and gym that night. On Sunday we knew we were going to family dinner at his moms house, so we got up and did a 30 Day Shred workout before our 9am church just in case we didn't get home in time to go to the gym.  We went to church, then dinner at his moms, we got home around 6:30pm and still headed over to the gym, so we got in 2 workouts on Sunday!  When we got home Sunday evening, I had turned on my Seahawks NFC Conference game and I admit, it was hard for me to leave the game and go workout, but Brian was wanting to go, so we went.  I checked the game score a bunch of times on my phone while we were there though!  LOL

The last week the weight has come off a bit slower, but I'm okay with that.  I think a slower weight loss might be healthier in this case because I really am trying to change my habits and do this the right way, I also am trying not to deny myself anything.  At Sunday dinner, his mom made tacos, so I opted for a big taco salad instead of fried taco shells, she also made cheesecake and 2 kinds of cupcakes, I ate one cupcake and that was it, I didn't go overboard which I usually do at her house, and I drank water instead of lemonade.  Last night we had hamburgers, homemade french fries, and fresh pineapple for dinner.  I decided that I'd skip the burger bun and eat the french fries.  I still had bacon, avocado, tomato, pickles, and mustard on my burger though, it was yummy, and I didn't miss the bun at all.

That's my update....if you are interested at all in the Plexus products, feel free to check out my webpage, comment, text, call, email, or PM me on Facebook.  (No pressure, just in case you are curious, you don't even have to tell me if you click the link and poke around, I'll never know unless you order :) but seriously if you have a question, go ahead and ask it, I'd be happy to find you the answer!)

http://amandasilverhorn.myplexusopportunity.com/

My New Journey

With the start of this New Year, I feel like a switch has finally been flipped inside of me.  I know I've tried to get healthy before, but I always get derailed.  I am finally ready to do this for me now.  I'm saying that this is my time and my life and I want to live it my way.

 

For awhile now I have been just treading water, doing all that I can to get through each day.  I'm just tired, tired, tired.

A friend of mine started taking this supplement Plexus and posting about it on Facebook, actually a few friends did.  I kept reading their posts and thinking it all sounded too good to be true, but they kept posting and I saw improvements in them.  Not just in changes in the way they look but how they act, like a real happiness.  Finally I decided that I would try this out for myself.

 

I went to the website and ordered the weight loss products and even signed up to sell it, just because there was a good end of the year special going on and it was the best deal.  I haven't sold any yet, and I'm not posting this to try and sell anything either, although I will post the link, just in case anyone who may read this is interested.  But, what I want to do is keep track of how I'm feeling and my progress with the Plexus products.

 

Every morning I take 1 Plexus Pink Drink that I mix with 8-12oz water and 2 Accelerator Pills, then I eat breakfast 30 minutes later.  Usually a Greek Yogurt or a Peanut Butter Toast.  Around noon I have lunch.  Around 4 I have a snack, and I eat a light dinner after I work out, usually around 7:30pm.  I make sure to drink at least 100 ounces of water each day.  No sodas or sweets, the Pink Drink helps you to not crave sweets, it also helps you to feel it when you are full.  The Accelerator Pills give energy.  I have not had or even wanted any soda or coffee since I started and I feel like I have way more energy. 

 

 

Day 1 ~ January 5, 2014

Weight 195.8 Yikes!

 

Day  3

Butt 48"

Thigh 41.5"

Waist 44"

Breast 45"

Worked out 45 minutes of Spin/Zumba

 

Day 4

Weight 191.8

Worked out 45 minutes of Zumba

 

Day 5

Weight 192

Worked out with Brian at gym at least 1 hour

 

Day 6

Weight 191

Worked out with Brian at gym at least 1 hour

 

Day 7

Weight 191.2

Butt 47"

Thigh 40.5"

Waist 40"

Breast 44"

Worked out with Brian at gym at least 1 hour

**Down 4.6 pounds and 7 inches*

 

Day 8
Weight 190.2

My Period starts

Worked out with Brian at gym at least 1 hour

 

Day 9

Feeling a little tired, but not like I usually am on the first day of my period.

Weight 191.2 weight gain during my period is normal for me

Worked out with Brian at gym at least 1 hour

 

Day 10 (TODAY)

Weight 190.4 Yes!

We plan on working out tonight (every night!)

 

I will do measurements again on Day 14.  I was only going to weigh myself on Sunday and Wednesday, but as you can see, I have been weighing myself every morning.  It's been fun to see my weight go down, but I do realize that this is a habit I should get out of.

 

Overall, I really feel good!  I used to be so tired and just DONE by 4 or 5 in the afternoon, but now I have the energy to keep going. I have the energy to fix dinner and clean it up and to go with Brian to the gym when he gets home from work.  I have gone and worked out 7 days in a row!  Last week was the dreaded PMS week, I am usually hungry and pissy, I had no problems with cravings and I felt like a nicer me.  I didn't catch myself getting irritated at all and I didn't snap at the kids either.  My brain feels clearer and I have been sleeping better and have been able to get out of bed easier in the morning. I have been cooking the same as usual, but actually cooking every night not just telling the kids to find something or going to get something quick at the store.  We've had hamburgers and mac&cheese, lasagana, tacos, posole, baked potatoes and meatloaf, spaghetti and salad, pork roast and (leftover) mac&cheese, and breakfast burritos and hashbrowns for dinners.  For lunch I have been having lots of salad and a few sandwiches.  I am trying to do lower carb for my lunches and for the dinners I'm trying to cut calories in a few small ways.  When we had baked potatoes I picked a smaller potato and put just a little butter and some cheese, no sour cream.  When we had tacos I steamed the corn tortillas rather than frying them and again no sour cream for me.  When we did hamburgers I skipped the bun.  I have been trying to have at least one salad a day.  The other night the kids got ice cream at the store, I made them all an ice cream cone and all I did was lick the spoon when I was done and that was good enough for me to get just a little taste.  In fact, there are 2 things of ice cream in the freezer and I'm not even tempted to go have any.  (That is a big deal for me!)

 

I've never tried any of these "fad" diets before, this is my first time, and for the first few days I thought that maybe all of these good feelings and extra energy was in my head, but now I'm certain that the Plexus Slim products are doing what they claim to do. 

If you are interested feel free to click my link and check it out.  Or you can always post a question here or email me too.  It really is good stuff.

 

http://amandasilverhorn.myplexusopportunity.com/

 

 

 

 

 



Here I Go Again

Well, like the title says, Here I Go Again.

 

It's been awhile since I exercised regularly.  I have tons of reason and excuses, but what it all boils down to is that I just haven't been taking the time for myself to take care of myself.

 

Today, Brian and I started 30 Day Shred.  He's been asking me for awhile now to find something we can do together in the mornings.  He told me he prefers a video we can do at home.  A few days before Father's Day he asked me again.  So, I got on Facebook and asked for opinions and then I got on Amazon and ordered 30 Day Shred.  It arrived yesterday afternoon and we started this morning.  We did the level 1 version.  After it was done I said "that wasn't so bad" and he said "yeah" so I said, "maybe we should do level 2 tomorrow" and he said something like "humph".  So maybe we'll do level 1 a few more times

 

I also got on the scale this morning, which I haven't done in a long time because I know that I wouldn't like what it said.  Ugh....it said 192.6.  Blah!  Last time I really worked at losing some weight I got down to 179, but I hovered around 182-185 most of the time.  So here goes, my first goal will to get back down to that 182 mark and then after that 175. 

 

Maybe tomorrow I'll take a picture of myself and some measurements. 

 

Brian, for the record, is a good weight I think.  He sits around 195-205 and he's 6'2". I think he just has been feeling old lately and a little flabby-like his muscles aren't defined as much as he likes.  So, I guess what he hopes to get is a little definition and some pep in his step.

 

As far as dieting.  I'm not really into that.  I do want to consciously think of what I'm eating and where my calories are coming from.  I want to eat less fast food and cook more at home and I want to buy more good things and less crappy things.  I also want to enjoy a milkshake with my kids or go out for an ice cream cone every now and then.  And today just happens to be 1/2 price milkshakes at Sonic all day.  So I told them I'd take them and I may or may not get myself a small, we'll see.  I don't want to feel bad about having a treat and I want to eat food that I like. 

 

So, here we go. First we're gonna conquer this 30 day shred, then we'll make a new goal.  I'll continue going to Zumba when I can and maybe I'll throw in a few walks or runs in these 30 days too.  One day at a time, right?

 

Day 1 of 30 down, 29 more to go.

 

Wish me luck.

 

 



Maintaining Not Gaining!

 

 

 

I went to a Zumbathon a few weeks ago, and the newspaper man was there taking pictures.  This is one that made the online version of the newspaper.  Probably no one but me and maybe a friend who knew I'd be at that zumbathon would recognize that this is me and Anastasia.  Can you see where I labeled myself and Stasia?  Me in a gray shirt, Stasia in black.  Anyways, you'd think that seeing a picture of yourself excercising in tight-ass (literally) black pants in the newspaper might freak a girl out.  Not so much, I am actually quite proud that I don't look too bad at least I don't think I look too bad.  I am proud of the progress I've made so far this year.  I still have pounds to loose and inches to shave off, and I'll continue to slowly work at it, but for now, I'm pleased with myself. 

 

My brother in law is visiting from California, I guess it's been around 15 months since we've seen each other in person.  He told me, kind of out of the blue, (re: we weren't talking about dieting or excercise or anything like that) that he could tell I've lost some weight and that I look good.  It is so good to hear that from someone else.  The people around us see us every day so they don't always notice the changes we make, but for someone who hasn't seen me in awhile to mention that I look like I've lost weight, is Awesome!  I told him "thanks, that is so nice to hear, I've lost around 15 pounds this year give or take, I still have a ways to go but it's getting hard, the holiday's are coming and the pumpkin flavors are out!"  LOL  My MIL was there too and she said for me to just concentrate on maintaining and not gaining.

 

I still haven't replaced the batteries in my scale.  I don't feel like I've gained any and some days I feel lighter.  All of my size 16 jeans are too big, I can fit nicely into one size 12 and one size 10 pair that I have.  I can wear a size Large sized shirt and sweatshirt comfortably instead of an XL.

 

We signed papers to refi our house the other day.  We stand to save around $350/month.  I have not used our credit cards all year, I am looking forward to using that extra $350/month to pay down some credit card balances.  2013 will be a continued year of New Year - New Me with a debt diet and continued work on changing and maintaining our healthier eating and excercising habits.  2012 has been a good start, but I am commited to continuing this process. Maybe 2013 should be more like New Year - New Us.  My husband is hunting this week, hoping to get a cow elk, he used to be a meat cutter at a local grocery store when he was in High School.  We are pretty confident that we can cut up our elk ourselves.  We're looking forward to having a freezer full of lean elk meat that should save some money on food and save some calories too.  

 

For these next 2 1/2 months of 2012 I will concentrate on  Maintaining Not Gaining, both in my weight and my families debt.