Advocare Herbal Cleanse

Well it's that time again... Cleanse Time that is... Whoooo Hooo. 

Nothing glamorous about this stage in the game, but after I did this the last time, I do believe that it is essential in a healthy lifestyle.  I am obviously doing Advocare's cleanse because I 1- Have done it in the past, and 2- Get a discount.  It's a 10 day cleanse so it is very mild and safe- won't leave you stranded within 10 feet of a bathroom at all times... Peaches and Cream is the way to go.... Actually, I don't think I would do it again if I had to EVER drink the citrus one again. 

You start off every morning taking a fiber drink with breakfast, and then at night is when you take the cleansers--- It's when all the gastrointestinal magic happens :) Then, towards the end of the 10 cycle, you also start adding in a pro biotic.  I did take my weight for the first day, just to see if I lose anything-- Can't share those numbers though because it's cheating for my August 1st weigh in...

Here is me chugging Day 1!  Yes, I am in a towel, Yes I just got out of the shower, and Yes I chugged quickly! 

In 10 days, I will post how I felt, and how much I lost!!!  Here's to a CLEAN 10 days!

Back Workouts

I had my brother take some pictures of my favorite back exercises, but the gym was busy that day and quite frankly I get embarrassed, so there are only a few.  I love back day so I do so many more workouts then what is pictured... I am hoping to workout with this guy one day on back so he can show me some more ideas----- or just so I can stare at his huge muscles :) either one works for me... you choose what to believe!

Lat Pull Down:
I can go relatively heavy- or at least I like to believe so for a girl!  Some people move their upper body when they do this and quite frankly I want to smack em every time!  Wrong!!!  And bad form, so even though they can go heavier then maybe I can- what good is it doing?  Also, I like to pause and hold every time my hands are near my chest- Gets a good burn going!  Makes for a skinnier looking waist ladies!  It's all about faking it... (That's what she said!)

Close Grip Lat Pull Down:
Same thing, yet I usually have to go a little lighter.  Really targets the inner upper back muscles! 

Straight Arm Pull Downs-
My favorite by far!  I love this one because if you suck in while doing it, your stomach looks flat and your butt looks bigger... All an illusion of your imagination, but for those few short moments of not breathing... I am a skinny curvy little salsa dancer... Then breathing becomes essential :) (Please excuse my faces in these pictures... I had just seen an OLD ex and breathing was really limited so I would look skinnier- I ain't afraid to tell the truth shoot!)

Again, I do a lot more then just these three- but I am not trying to look like one of those snobby girls who thinks she should be photographed at the gym... Can't stand that!!!  So I called the picture taking sessions off after my dear sweet (jerk) ex was there!  I still gotta get the Shoulders/Bi's/Tri's day photos! 

July 1, 2011

So today was the 60 day mark- and I have to say that I am happy with my results.  I do wish the scale would reflect some lower numbers, but I am lifting heavy too, so ultimately what is most important to me is the inches and the way I feel. 

May 1st 
Weigh in: 183.2 pounds
Bust: 40 inches
Stomach: 37 inches
Hips: 43 inches
Jean size: 10/12

June 1st
Weigh In: 180.5 lbs
Bust: 39 inches
Stomach: 36.5 inches
Hips:41 inches
Jean size: 10/12


July 1st
Weigh In: 176.8 lbs
Bust: 38.5 inches (Thank God the girls aren't going away too easily!)
Stomach: 33 inches
Hips: 41 inches (I think it's just all my muscle building in my glutes :) )
Jean Size: 10

Total Lost in 60 Days:
Weight: 6.4 lbs
Bust: 1.5 inches
Stomach: 4 inches
Hips: 2 inches

So this morning when I saw how much my stomach dropped, instantly I was happy- Then I was REALLY happy when I realized that a hard month of doing good results in one really really really bad, but oh so stinkin’ glorious cheat meal…. And my mouth was salivating!  I didn’t know what I wanted, but I could promise you it was NOT going to be grilled chicken, boiled shrimp, lean turkey, tuna fish made with 1 tbsp of fat free mayo, ¼ cup of brown rice, or salad… In fact, I didn’t even wanna see anything green in my cheat meal unless it was covered in cheese.  So a greasy cheeseburger was the winner- and I wanted bacon and fries… Problem- I missed the turn to Five Guys… I took it as a sign from God that I was supposed to end up at the Chinese Buffet because I DIDN’T miss that turn. 

I walked in, let’s not lie… I RAN in like a starving Ethiopian at an all you can eat white rice giveaway - grabbed a plate, and headed straight to the Lo Mein… It was seriously like a magnetic pull- Ashley and Noodles were about to be reunited like Sonny and Cher (pre-death obviously)… I loaded up that plate with General Tso’s Chicken, Bourbon Chicken, Honey Chicken, Black Pepper Chicken, 1 Fried Dumpling, one scoop of broccoli… wait!!!  I wasn’t supposed to have any veggies, unless they were covered in cheese right?!  HaHa, don’t you worry, I didn’t forget…I chose to pick my 1 scoop from the CHEESIEST section of the broccoli J And then, placed on top of my plateful of “fat assness” was one deliciously golden, perfectly crisp, amazing egg roll-in all of its fried gloriousness.  Ahhh heart attack heaven!  I will spare you the embarrassing details of my actual food consumption as I am sure all table manners ceased to exist, but let me tell you- for those few minutes, until my GI Tract said “what the hell are you doing?!” I was in a peaceful heaven where weight didn’t matter, working out was only for fun, and being larger just meant there was more to hug.

Good news, after one plate I was so beyond disgustingly full, I couldn’t imagine putting anything in my mouth other then my finger.  At least my minus 4 inches stomach was putting a stop to my outrageous behavior before those little Asians got scared and I was hauled away in a white straight jacket talking to my egg roll.  Thankfully, I had to work that night and was able to get to bed quickly because I thought I was dying a slow and painful death.  Never again… Well at least never again this month!  Ironically, this was my “Learn Chinese” fortune cookie…

Now, if that doesn’t scream “Feeling Guilty yet fat ass?!?!  Mooooooooo” I don’t know what does.  J

All jokes aside, I really do feel like it is super important to reward yourself after being crazy strict for a month.  Let’s face it, I didn’t get to 200 pounds because carrots were my favorite meal- I got there because cheat meals were just a way of life!  I always joke that my mom craves veggies, and I crave KFC.  Its just a different mentality-probably one that will never go away so I just learn to deal with it by rewarding myself for good behavior. 

My plan is to stick with the same eating plan as last month because clearly it worked, but I would like to add some more running-well I don’t want to really but I do think it would help.  I did 30 minutes on the stair master-AKA Death Trap- today and as I was panting, gasping for air, and making up new curse words, I figured I should start doing that torture device at least twice a week.  And I think I may even start swimming-eek, bathing suit-twice a week in the early mornings when no one is awake enough to see me J That’s gonna be a mental battle though, so I can’t lie, it may not happen… I’d like to be closer to the 170 mark then I am now, but without sacrificing muscle building.  I am finally starting to see definition in my arms and back and I want to build up on that rather then just worry about losing pounds.  Keep your fingers crossed!  I am heading into the last two months of summer, and I really wanna be a pinch shy of my goals by the time my fall semester starts. 

Unexpected set back...

Unfortunately a few months ago I injured my back doing a leg workout and was out of commission for almost 6 weeks.  I was able to do some things but nothing at its full capacity... Well this week on Tuesday it happened again.  Boo!

I was instantly upset, and wanted to cry.  I've done really  good this month and don't wanna stop!  I taught class about 30 minutes after it happened and I was OK on the bike, however, I couldn't stand up straight when it was over.  I found coverage for my night class that night, and am taking about 4 days off until I have to teach again to give it some rest.

Already it feels a lot better now then it did the first time it happened, but I still have to be careful.  I am really hoping that I am able to finish this month strong... I was starting to feel really good, and I certainly don't wanna go backwards. 

Until then, I will need to focus on eating really good (I say this after I cheated and had California Pizza Kitchen Wednesday--I DID plan for it though!) and I officially broke my dry spell and had the most delicious little cocktail ever!  I made it 1 whole month!!!!  However, I am back to eating strict and not drinking as of Thursday... boring!

I have one full week until I weigh in... I will be weighing in on Thursday June 30th this month because I refuse to weigh in during the days that I work since I eat dinner at 1 am!  I can weigh 6 pounds different between a Sunday and Monday and I want to be as accurate as possible!  Most likely that will be my next post... Keep your fingers crossed!  Man do I want a good weigh in! 

Chest Workout

Let's face it, I am not a guy... I don't have that mentality, "I pick things up and put them down"... Therefore, chest day is probably my least favorite day.  I guess I would like it more if I noticed a huge difference, but I only do it to do it... Its not like I wake up and have these beautifully defined pecs--- I was born a female which means boobs, which means fat- Just a fact.  So while I do a decently long chest workout, here are only a few pictures of a couple things...

Bench Press-

I generally do 3 sets of however many reps I do, around 105 pounds... Wider spread hands to target what I politely call "Boob Fat" or "Arm Pit Fat" and bring the bar all the way down, touch my chest and all the way up.  I also do this on the decline bench and the incline bench but we didn't get pictures of those.

Chest Press-
This machine is a good one, but I will admit I do not always do.  A lot of guys tend to crowd around this one as if it was a hot naked girl, so I take advantage when it's free, and don't stress when it's not.  Gets a good burn going on the "Boob Fat" area.  I don't go to heavy-maybe up to 35 pounds each side? 

Chest Fly-
My favorite of them all!  Total "Arm Pit Fat" buster!  I do go heavy for these-anywhere between 100-145 pounds... I hate that stupid armpit fat...

Now for those of you who want to know if you have armpit fat... Stand in front of a mirror wearing only a bra, drop your hands to your sides... The "roll" that is between your armpit, and boob.... Yup that's what I sweetly call "Arm Pit Fat" or "Boob Fat"- I hate it.  It's one of those things that make me go "Ugh"

Pregnant???

Let me start off by saying, Mom, I am not pregnant, so please regain your composure, pick yourself off the ground, and let's make sure your O2 stats are at 100%--breathe in and out...repeat... Good.

Unless you KNOW 100% that someone is in fact pregnant, keep your mouth closed!!! 

Yes, that is right... Busting my ass in the gym 6 days a week, living life with a belly that always growls, and eating carrots instead of Snickers has earned me the pleasure of being asked tonight "Are you pregnant?"  By a male co-worker none the less, who sees me every week!  Am I pregnant?  No... But in about 5 seconds your gonna wish that pain shooting from your groin was a result of you being pregnant....But wait, it gets better... He then tries to recant and say, "Well it was just the way that you were standing..."  Ummmmmm, pretty much translates to "you're back was arched so your bigger then life belly was protruding outwards causing me to think there was a small village growing inside you."  Keep digging... You're no where near being out of this one yet... 

Sigh....

I debated writing anything about it, but then I remembered what I originally wrote in my first blog: I am writing both good and bad... This is a bad moment.  It does further prove what I always say: "You can take the fat out of the girl, but you can't take the girl out of the fat."  I truly do believe that when you battle your weight, you will always have that fat girl mentality.  It is something that I will always struggle with apparently, and I will just have to accept that. 

Ironically, I was just saying tonight that I was having a skinny day... Ladies you know what I am talking about... the kind of days where your clothes feel good, your belly feels flat, and you're motivated to keep going... Love those days!  ---- Then you get asked if your pregnant...

I can't lie, instantly tonight I thought to myself, what is the point of doing this, if I am going to get asked the sex of my "baby"???  The answer is this: The point of doing this is to be healthy... To be active... To live a long life watching my kids raise their kids... The point is to be the best that my body is able to be, to look the best that I can- not for some janitor at the hospital who is about 70 pounds over weight himself, but for me... OK and let's not lie, the hot  muscular guys covered in tattoos at the gym :)

So am I upset?  Sure... Did I cry? You bet...It hurt!  No other way around it... Stuff like that sucks, but it did make me wanna work out, not eat a snickers!  I am going to channel that frustration at the gym in the morning so that this cannot ever happen again. 

Now if you excuse me, my baby belly is growling for some more salad.  After all, I am eating for two apparently...

Update!

Just wanted to say that I added two new workouts to my leg/butt post in May... Pictures included also.

I am going to work this week and next for taking more pictures of other muscle groups and show you my favorites there too!