{My New Love}

I started the "Live-It' way of eating yesterday. Day 1 proved to be a success. P-Dawg and I took a trip to the big city of Denver and experienced Ikea for the first time ever. Wow! Soo much to take in. A little overwhelming at times. At one point I thought I was going to break down in tears because I couldn't find Preston and my cell phone didn't work. 

I wanted to go to Ikea to look for an end table for our living room. We came home with a new rug, floor lamp and pictures instead. I am putting together the final touches on our living room. I decided to steel my sister's idea and decorate in navy blue, white and silver. It goes really well with our mocha couches. We ended up finding an end table at American Furniture Warehouse. I have been searching this town like crazy looking for navy blue throw pillows. No luck. It looks like I might order some from Esty. I can't wait for everything to come together. I'll post pictures soon! 

Anyways, I ate lunch at the mall Saturday. I found a little bakery/cafe that happened to be serving dairy free black bean chipotle soup. It was actually very tasty! I also had a small below average salad. For dinner I had a salad with black beans. I am going to have to start branching out and trying new vegetables (like spaghetti squash) or I am going to get tired of salad and black bean soup very soon.

What I really wanted to share with you is this...

  

This is the best kept secret! If I had known about this 40 calorie Vanilla Almond Breeze wonderfulness, I would have given up cows milk a long time ago. It's really, really amazing.

Especially if you mix it with this...

Since I am temporally not eating bananas, I decided to mix my chocolate Shakeology with vanilla almond milk, ice and a little water. 

This is what I got...

This is by far the best tasting Shakeology shake I have ever had! 

Starting Weight: 136.2

Current Weight: 135.0

Goal Weight: 127.0

Thoughts: full from Shakeology

A Post That I Have Been Avoiding

I am finally going to write about it. Actually put it on paper and admit it. Yikes! 

I am having a hard time eating healthy. 

I am having a hard time controlling how much I eat. 

I am obsessing over food.

I am eating out a lot.

I buying healthy groceries and then letting them rot in the fridge.

I am gaining weight. 

I am miserable.

I have such a bad relationship with food. I can't see food as simply energy or something that my body needs to live on. You know eat to live instead of live to eat. I dream about food and as soon a I eat one meal I am already thinking of the next. 

Enough ignoring the situation. I am stepping up and doing something about it. I'm not starting tomorrow, I started tonight. 

The only way I am going to succeed is acknowledging that summer activities are going to get in the way.  I want to continue to have a fun summer and induldge in some adult beverages. So I am not going to go all health-nut-psycho. But I am going to make better choices.

I know what foods are healthy and what foods I need to stay away from (Chick-fil-A, Monica's, Chocolate). So I am not going to say I am only eating salad or following this crazy diet. I know me and I know that by putting restrictions will lead me towards failure not success.

Starting Tonight

Mixing Shakeology, Water, Ice and 1/2 Frozen Banana

Chocolate Banana Shakeology

Skakeology Final Number

I finished the Shakeology cleanse on Wednesday. I weighed in on Thursday morning at 128.2lbs! Sooo close to 127lbs! I think I probably lost around 2.8lbs on the cleanse. 

I am doing the cleanse again this week, before we leave for Vegas. This time around I am making sure to weight in at the start of the cleanse. I would really, really, really love to be around 127lbs when we leave for Vegas. 

Yes, only have 5 days until we leave for vacation. 10 days in Las Vegas may sound miserable to some, but to Preston and I we are giddy with excitement! We love Vegas, almost too much. We are so lucky that we both equally enjoy Vegas, being that this is our number one vacation destination every-single-year. 

This trip we are lucky to have many friends join us thoughout our 10 day stay. First Dan and Erin fly in and spend the first weekend with us. Then Jeff and Jackie get in at the beginnig of the following week. Next Josh and Ashley fly in the last weekend along with my friend Ashley from college, who I haven't seen in probably 5 years! 

Believe it or not, I have never been to a pool in Las Vegas. I figure surely I can fit in some pool time this trip! Maybe the lazy river around the Monte Carlo? Preston and I also want to catch the water show at the Bellagio, zip line down Freemont Street, check out the Aria, play craps at the Encore, see the lions at MGM and make the money in the pool tournament. 

But most importantly, we want to recreate this picture!!!

 

Shakeology Cleanse {Day Three}

I did it!! I am finishing up day 3 of the Shakeology cleanse. What a great accomplishment. Honestly, the cleanse isn't that bad. But you do have to be in the right mind set. Today I passed up fajitas. Other days I would not have been able to do this. 

This morning I weighed 128.6lbs. Down .6 lbs from yesterday. Not bad considering I didn't workout. I can't wait to see what my final number is tomorrow. Anything below 128.5lbs will be a success!  

PS- my sister graduates from college tomorrow with a degree in Economics. So proud of her!!   

Shakeology Cleanse {The Low Down}

Officially 10 days until Vegas! This means go time. Nothing like waiting until the last minute to "shape up!"


Yesterday I started the 3 day Shakeology cleanse. The goal is to detox the body and lose a couple extra pounds along the way. 

So what will I be eating or rather drinking on the Shakeology Cleanse? 

• 3 Shakeology shakes blended with water, ice and 1/2 banana throughout the day (breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack)
• Dinner: Large salad with 4 ounces of protein (either chicken or black beans), all the vegetables I want, flax seed and little oil/vinegar for dinner. Tonight I added plain hummus for some extra flavor.
• Water, water, water. Coffee and tea are okay too (no cream or sugar) 

That's it, for 3 long days! Day 1 was easy. But then again I was super motivated. Day 2- today- was a little harder. The office smelled like food the entire day. I actually had a little break down and ate a Luna Bar.  I can tell you it wasn't worth it! Very bland tasting.

Last night my salad was the worst salad I have ever had. I think my lettuce and tomatoes were rotten. Knowing that I was a little vulnarable today, I made sure to go to the store. I add a little extra kick to my salad, hummus. Yum-Yum!! I am actually looking forward to this same salad tomorrow. 


I didn't weight myself yesterday so I have no idea where I started. I actually didn't decide to do the cleanse until I was on my way to work Monday morning. This morning I weighted 129.2lbs. My guess is I lost around 2-3 pounds the first day.  But I also worked my booty off at the gym. I ran 3.5 miles for the first time since probably March and lifted hard.  


I hope to be in the 128's tomorrow! Actually if I see 127lbs I might break out in tears or sing an opera song like Olivia did on The Biggest Loser. I haven't been in the 127's for a long, long time. This.would.be.monumental. 

If you would like to know what the heck Shakeology is CLICK HERE.

How I Hurt My Back.

I hurt my back about a month ago. 

My theory is I actually hurt it falling out of this...

while chasing these two...

 at John Martin over Labor Day Weekend playing in the...

doing this...

pulled by this...

with...

Josh & Ashley

Ashley & I

Me & Preston

Lindsey

and Taylor.

Three weeks later my back is still bothering me. I have been to a Sports Therapist and a Chiropractor. I am still not 100%. As a result I have not been able to workout. To compensate I have been eating clean and drinking this... 

Shakeology

So for now all I can do it rest.

The Truth about the 10 Day Eat Clean Challenge

Do you want to know what it is really like to eat healthy for 10 days straight, minus a cheat meal? Here is the truth...

• Days 1, 2 and 3 SUCKED. All I could think about was the unhealthy foods I couldn't have.
• Chocolate Shakeology with a banana SAVED me! I had Shakeology everyday for breakfast and whenever I needed a chocolate fix. 
• Tiers 1 and 2 in Michi's Ladder are restrictive, but doable.
• I did not go hungry.
• It takes planning to eat clean. You cannot wake up and expect to find a healthy meal in your pantry without planning for it.
• More than likely, you will have to go grocery shopping more than once to stock up on Michi approved foods to get you through the 10 days. 
• In my opinion, eating off of the top two tiers of Michi's Ladder is not more expensive than eating regular. 
• A cheat meal is a MUST. It gave me something to look forward to. 
• What I craved the most was Diet Coke. 
• My Michi approved go-to snack was Whole Grain Toast with Almond Butter. 
• My cravings DISAPPEARED around day 5!! 
• Looking back, I probably should have drank more water.
• Alcohol is not permitted.
• I excised while doing the challenge. However, I hurt my back and was not been able to workout the last 3 days of the challenge.
• I lost 2.2 pounds!! I upped my calorie intake on days 7 and 8 to ensure I wouldn't loose any more pounds. We started round two of the Work Weight Loss Challenge on September 8th. There is some strategy to winning the challenge. It does not help when you lose all your weight with 3 weeks to go. 
• It does not take a super hero to do the 10 Day Challenge. YOU can do this!

Sheila and I are restarting the 10 Day Challenge on Tuesday. 

WHO WANTS TO JOIN US?

The prize... a FREE sample of Chocolate Shakeology and a NEW YOU!

A Little Office Competition

I was so nervous for this morning I woke up at 6am barley able to stay in bed and sleep. Today is Wednesday... weight-in day. At work a couple of us gals started a little office weight loss competition. We each set a goal of how much we each wanted to lose in 5 weeks, put some money in the pot and weigh-in every Wednesday. To add a little excitement to the game we decided that at each weigh-in you must be equal or less in weight than your previous weigh-in. If you are over you pay $5 into the pot. At the end of the 5 weeks whoever reaches their goal wins the money. Monday morning I was up 1.4lbs from my previous weigh-in. By Tuesday I had lost 2.4lbs and this morning I was down a total of 3lbs from Monday! How in the world did I do this? I have no idea! Here is what I ate Monday and Tuesday.


MONDAY
- Banana Chocolate Shakeology and cup of Coffee for Breakfast
- Water, Luna Bar for Snack
- Famous Dave's with Preston for Lunch (Pulled Pork NO Bun, Green Beans, Iced Tea)
- Gum, Grapes for Snack
- Banana Chocolate Shakeology for Dinner
- McDonald's Banana Strawberry Smoothie for Snack

TUESDAY
- Banana Chocolate Shakeology and cup of Coffee for Breakfast
- Subway Veggie Sandwich, Bakes Lays and Diet Coke for Lunch
- Luna Bar for Snack Gum Couple pieces of Milk Chocolate (couldn't resist)
- Whole Wheat Pasta with Veggies and Spaghetti Sauce for Dinner
- Mixed Nuts (NO Salt) for Snack A couple bites of Preston's Graham Crackers with Chocolate goodness to stay sane
- Luna Bar for Snack


Shakeology is my "go to" meal replacement drink. I can always count on Shakeology to satisfy my chocolate fix and fill me up. Luna Bars and gum are what I rely on to keep me away from candy bars and other crap that can be found in my office in between meals. For example, just a couple of cubes outside of my office is this GINORMOUS glass jar filled with all types of candy including the my favorite M&M's. Next Wednesday I have to be equal to or less than 132.4lbs. Week by week this competition is getting harder!

This weekend we are going camping near Cripple Creek. I love this camping site (I should probably say I have only camped here once before). We are always in great company and our dogs love to roam free. I am a little worried about my diet, but as long as I can stay away from the Oreos I think I will do fine. Did you know that Preston and I absolutely despised camping until this summer? I can't really put my finger on what changed, but it is by far possibly the very best way to spend a weekend besides boating of course. It's kinda like a mini vacation.

Shakeology vs. Starbucks and fruit drinks

Are you thinking Shakeology is too expensive? Check out how the price compares to Starbucks and other fruit drinks.

Shakeology Cleanse Final Results!

The Shakeology 3 Day Cleanse officially ended this morning! 

Here are my results (I forgot to measure). 

Day 1 Weight Loss: 2.4lbs 

Workout: Triathlon Group Training (swam 1600 yards and ran 10, 30 second sprints) 

Day 2 Weight Loss: 1.2lbs 

Workout: P90X Shoulders and Arms 

Day 3 Weight Loss: .2lbs 

Workout: sick  

Total weight loss 3.8lbs!!!!  

If you have questions about Shakeology or the 3 day cleanse let me know. Click on the link for more info: http://myshakeology.com/lhollis

Shakeology Cleanse Day 1

http://myshakeology.com/lhollis

I have been a little more than bummed about my lack of weight loss lately so I have decided to do the Shakeology 3 Day Cleanse. Not gonna lie I am doing it mostly for the weight loss, but another benefit is cleansing the body of all the bad toxins and starting over so to speak.

Here is the skinny on the 3 day Shakeology Cleanse:
 
1. Drink 3 Shakeology shakes per day  
2. If your Shakeology is plain (only shake and water) you can add 3 pieces of fruit throughout the day.  
3. Eat a salad for dinner - Veggies (as many as you would like) - 4 oz of chicken or fish - 1 Tbs of chia seed, flaxseed or hempseed - 2 Tbs of an olive/vinegar dressing 
4. Drink pleanty of water. You can also drink tea and coffee as long as they don't have additives.

Day 1 Recap I started the cleanse on Tuesday.

STARTING STATS - Weight: 134.8
Waist Measurement: 33 inches

Day 1 wasn't as hard as I thought, mind you I was in the right mind set.
- Shakeology 1: 8am
- Decaf Green Tea: 8:30am
- Orange 1: 10am
- Shakeology 2: 11:30am
- 32 oz of water drank by 12pm
- Gum
- Orange 2: 2:30pm
- 32 oz water drank by 4:30pm
- Mixed salad, tomatoes, onions, flaxseed, avocado (added this for taste) and raspberry vinaigrette: 5pm - Triathlon Workout: 7:00-8:30pm
- Shakeology 3: 10pm

The last Shakeology didn't sit well in my stomach after the workout so I decided to skip the last piece of fruit. Overall, my energy was great throughout the day even during my triathlon workout (more on the Triathlon Training Group later).

I weighted myself this morning (day 2) and let me tell you I am very happy with my results thus far. I don't want to spoil the secret and tell you my weight loss until the morning of day 4, but so far it was been worth it! My goal is to get to 125 by May 14th. I honestly think I can do it!