30 Day Abs & Core Challenge

Photo retrieved on July 18, 2012 from: here

Here we go, the challenge that could make or break me. But I am optimistic and excited. Today was day one of the thirty day Ab Challenge and it was not easy. My abs are killing me already! Definitely looking forward to reaching day 30. I am ready to have a body that I love and this is just another step in the journey to the healthy happy me. So today, I weighed in and measured and on we go to a new me. 

Retrieved on July 18, 2012 from: here

The basic motions in this workout are as follows,

• In-N-Outs- 25 reps.
• Bicycles- 25 reps.
• Crunchy Frog- 25 reps.
• Cross-Leg/Wide Leg Sit-ups- 25 reps. per side 
• Scissors- 25 reps.
• Hip-Butt Ups- 25 reps.
• Heels to Heavens- 25 reps.
• Roll-up/V-sit ups- 25 reps.
• Leg Climbers- 25 reps.
• Kayakers- 25 reps.

Stretching:

• Cobra Stretch
• Child sit

Always, Always, Always stretch before and after any workout. It is a must. 

 Here is a link to the original blogger who will show you all the moves if you are interested in doing the 30 day challenge. There are a couple that I can't do YET without hurting myself, due to a weak core, so until I can get my core strengthened I am substituting a couple of these moves with crunches, peddle pushers, and stair-steppers. The point is, to find an Ab workout that works for you. Don't feel bad if you need to adjust. Better safe than sorry. You can always work in the harder moves once you get farther along. 

Retrieved on July 18, 2012 from: here

I can't say that I am aiming for a six pack, yet. Right now, my goal is to flatten my belly and get rid of this pooch. If I get to my goal weight, from there I will work on toning and tightening. Again, one thing at a time, don't want to overdue it. :) Looking forward to working hard, sweating, and getting in shape. It feels so good!

Retrieved on July 18, 2012 from: here

A great friend of mine is doing this with me as well, check out her blog! Two Golden Spoons

Too Much of a Good Thing

Portion control, portion control, portion control. That is all I have to say. For the past month we have been eating all fresh foods and it has been wonderful. I have seen the weight go down and it is so encouraging, but I know there are still some things I need to improve upon. The fist step is to stop eating when I am comfortable. Do not overstuff yourself with food. Yes Americans seem to "get away" with this quite often where every meal is a king's feast, but it doesn't have to be. Food is for sustenance and nutrition. It is not a hobby. Food should be pleasing to the pallet, but it shouldn't be an emotional bind. The key to any weight loss is self control. Being able to just say no, I don't need that, and walk away. I am pleasantly surprised at how easy it is for me to pass all those baked goodies and processed sweets and not even bat an eye. I know they are bad for me, and will make me feel rotten, so I just avoid them. My downfall now seems to be just saying enough. I am loving all this good food we are making, but again, portion control. Now that doesn't mean say, this meal you can have a cup of this 2 tbsp of this and a tsp of this. That in my mind is a little much. Eat when you are hungry and stop when you are comfortable. Not full. It will also help to cut back on indigestion. So don't overstuff yourself, it isn't necessary.


Overstuffing also leads to getting hungry sooner. You're body realizes that you don't have that "full" feeling and you start munching thinking that you need that feeling back. You don't.
Also, don't wait to eat till you are ravenously hungry. Have munchies on hand to hold you over and keep you comfortable. But that doesn't mean mindlessly snacking all day either.

Second goal is to not eat after 7pm. This gives your food time to digest before you go to bed. Sleeping on a full stomach is not only uncomfortable, but is definitely not the best thing for your intestines.

So whether you are out and about or eating at home, keep in mind that food is to sustain your life, not entertain you. If you need entertainment get out and go for a walk or go to the park, something active. Your body will thank you!


Picture retrieved from http://slenderherbs.com/weight-loss-lose-weight-inspiration/food-is-my-sustenance-not-my-friend/ on July 3, 2012.

This Fool Got Serious

Life is something so many people take for grant it. It's so easy to put the hassles off till tomorrow and just "deal" with them later. But...seriously, what if tomorrow doesn't come? What do you have to show for it? Can you honestly say you have lived a full life and are happy with who you are. Up until about 3 weeks ago, I couldn't. I was unhappy, felt rotten and frankly needed some major changes. Thankfully, all that changed. With the help, love and support of my close friends and family I am on a new path. A path to living a happy, healthy and full life!

 (Me at my heaviest weight)

To give you the full experience of the life and experiences of Lizzy, lets first rewind to when all of this nonsense started.

Just a few short years ago, I was facing some serious medical issues. I had lost close to 50 lbs in 4 months...some say that would be a blessing, and yes I did have weight to spare, but everyone was baffled at this sudden onset of crazy symptoms. I had heartburn, intense stomach pain and whenever I ate it came right out...one way or another. I couldn't eat, function, I was miserable and constantly in pain. After countless tests and multiple doctors, the culprit was found. My gallbladder. Who would have thought! 18 and I had to have my gallbladder removed? Are you kidding me? How did this happen? Whats next? (I will delve deeper into my suspicions later). After meeting with the doctor and doing some research with the help of my parents. We decided to go ahead with the surgery. I was excited and optimistic that this would cure my problems and that I would be able to eat again and feel like a human being.

The surgery came and went. In all it was everything I expected from a surgery. When the doctors removed my gallbladder, they said it was completely dead. A healthy gallbladder is supposed to be robin egg blue, mine...was brown. Yuck! I was baffled by this. What causes an 18 year old's gallbladder to just up and die? I was healthy, active, and full of energy before all of this. There was no logically reason for it. The doctors claimed, sometimes these things just happen. Well, as Carlotta would say, "These things do happen! And did you stop them from happening? NO!" No one could give me a straight answer. So on I went with my life, without my gallbladder.

                                                            The gallbladder

At first, it took some time to get used to food again. I had basically starved and my body was not used to food. But I quickly got the hang of it. :) Resulting in gaining back 30 lbs, but hey, i didn't care. I could eat! The only problem, I was still having tummy troubles. I would get ravenously hungry out of nowhere, then when I ate, I would feel sick. I learned to give up red meat, thinking that was a big part of the problem...it kind of helped...but not really. So then I tried getting rid of dairy, to no avail I had no relief. So I went to eating bland food with no seasoning or sauce...not fun. I missed my food.

Long story short...I gave up and decided to take the problems and eat whatever I wanted. I would take enzymes to help digest food and gas-ex to well, ya know, take care of the embarrassing side of things. It was a mess, but I indulged in all the food I wanted.

As you can imagine...this resulted in even more weight gain. I won't tell you how much, but lets just say it was beyond unhealthy and I was embarrassed of my new look. Ive always struggled with weight, and being overweight was just tearing me apart. I lost my self-esteem and became bitter and unhappy. That was when I decided that I had enough. I was through with feeling yucky, gassy, bloated, and fat. It was not me. The real me was inside screaming, "YOU FOOL! FIX THIS!" So this fool got serious.

Two years ago, the Lord allowed to me marry an amazing man. And with this handsome, amazing man came an equally amazing set of in-laws. From Great Grandma down to baby Abigail, I just love them to pieces. My greatest inspirations are my sisters-in-law. They opened my eyes to the world of celiac disease and the effects gluten has on your body. I do not think it was just happen stance that God gave me a man that had such a wonderful family who knew the effects of gluten. Jen (my sis-in-law) encouraged me to try gluten free. She had done it on and off and saw improvements in her health throughout her experimenting. So I figured, why not. Ill try it. So for the past year I have tried little spurts of going GF (gluten free). Only to see results while on that diet fade the minute I cheated and had a donut, pasta, or bread. It wasn't till about two months ago that I had to make a choice. This was it, I was going gluten free.

My body had become so overgrown with yeast, gluten, and wheat that my hands and feet were breaking out in tiny bumps. It is a symptom of yeast overgrowth in your body, and is a major sign that things are on overload. The only way to rid your body of the overgrowth is to stop eating gluten ASAP. So goodbye gluten...and I must say...WOW! After a week of no gluten, my hands started to clear up! :) I felt better, more energized and best of all, my intestines weren't going crazy! I could actually sit and not have to get up and go potty multiple times a day. It was like night and day. Now three weeks later, I still have some symptoms, but it takes a good long while to clean out your system completely. So, I am marching on and sticking to my GF lifestyle. Mind you, it is not a diet. It is a way of life. It is not something you can do every other day of the week...this is a daily, hourly constant choice I am making to avoid all things gluten.

So, to rewind again, yes, I do think gluten and a wheat intolerance led to the demise of my gallbladder, and along with that, it was causing my liver problems... resulting in the tiny bumps on my hands and feet. Gluten takes a HUGE toll on your body. It is not something to take lightly. Even if you think you do not have a gluten intolerance, or you are healthy, it is still not the best thing for you to eat. But, off my high horse now. What you eat is between you and your digestive system. As for me and my tummy, we will be joyous in our new found freedom! Oh! and did I mention? I have already lost 10lbs! :)

                                          A much happier me (with my new nephew Noah)

(Anyone interested in GF, Celiac Disease, or the toll that gluten can take on your system I highly               recommend the book *Wheat Belly.*)