The Best Life Diet

So, I started "The Best Life Diet" (BLD) yesterday. I have been (re)reading the book the past couple of days and it's exactly what I've been needing! I originally bought the book and journal in Dec 2007. I guess I just wasn't ready for it then. B/c now I have notes and hi-lites everywhere! :)

Anyways, went Thursday and got my blood work done. Here are the results:

A1C: 5.6
A1C (fasting): 90
Total Chol: 169
Tri: 262
HDL: 34
LDL: 101

This marks the beginning! Are you ready? I know I sure am...I'm ready to make the changes I need to, to make this happen! Once and for all!!! And one thing Bob Greene prides himself on is this program goes slow. You have to make changes one step at a time so they STICK!!! Ya know?

Gotta move more! Instead of doing aerobic exercise, I counted my steps. Well *I* didn't count my steps but my handy dandy pedometer did! I'm so glad I found it while cleaning out the junk drawer earlier this week. :) And instead of throwing it away, I put it in a box for the garage sale. Once I read that Bob recommends tracking steps, I got it out and started using it. :) I will continue to do this and start adding more walking when called for (during the program). My total steps yesterday was 4100 and that is just a normal day; didn't get outta the house much, no cleaning or laundry, etc.

So, I am excited to see some changes and to make them permanent! I have my goals set for 2013 and I'm ready to knock them outta the park. How about you? Got your goals written out and posted where you can see them daily (maybe even a few times a day)??? If you need help, let me know; I'm here for you! :)

Have a great weekend! Please leave a comment and/or share...It's THE best compliment you could give me!

One Step Forward, Three Steps Back

I found this on Pinterest a little bit ago and it spoke VOLUMES to me!!!

I have been struggling with myself the past few days. I let myself eat what I wanted at Jason's Christmas party Friday night and then it has been not-so-good ever since. I don't let myself go wild every day but I haven't planned my nutrition for the day, etc. and I feel like a failure. However, I had a friend of mine tell me that stepping back is a learning process. You know that saying, one step forward three steps back?! Well that's how I've been feeling.

On a plus note, I have realized that I work much better (all the way around) when I work off of a plan. I have been using Evernote for almost a month now and I am really liking it. I still have a lot to learn about it but what I have been using so far, I like. Do you use it? If not, what do you use for your to do list? I will sit down, after Ethan is in bed, and I will type up my list for the next day. Same place every night, same time of night. :) It works! Then I sync it so it's on my phone as well and that way I have it with me wherever I go.

I've Been Terrible

I keep forgetting to post...Ugh! Anyways, are you reading this to even KNOW I'm missing days this week? ;) (Will do better next week!)

TOTALLY past my bedtime! G'nite!

Total Tuesday

Oops...Forgot to finish this and post it. So here it is...A day late. Better than never, right?

Who had a totally good Tuesday?!?!

I made a to do list the night before and worked throughout the day to get everything checked off! I did very well. And Tuesday night was the 2nd night, in a row, of putting Ethan to bed by 8. Very proud of us for this!

What is one thing that you are working on???

Make It Happen Monday

Oh boy, did I ever take this title by storm! I set some pretty good goals for the day and I accomplished the majority of them! I'm super stoked! During the day, with help from a friend of mine, I came up with another one...Have Ethan in bed by 8p. Well, lo and behold, we did it! He was in bed by 8!!! Gosh, this feels too good to be true...So refreshing. Jason and I are sitting here and I don't think we know what to do with ourselves. NOW, to keep this up! It will be my goal ALL week...I will let you know next Monday whether we made it happen or not! ;) P.S. Do you have any recommendations on nighttime routines for four year olds?

I am changing up my bedtime also. That's been pretty hard for me. My ultimate goal would be to get up by 7 and start my workout right away. Well, that won't happen if I don't go to bed earlier at night. Right? This 1a or 2a crap isn't cutting it! So, a friend of mine suggested that I cut it down in increments. So, instead of saying I'll be in bed by 10 (too early), I am going to be in bed by 11:30 with lights out at midnight and I'll keep this up for a week, reevaluate and make it earlier if I think it's time. This SHOULD work!!! :)

I also sat down and wrote out a bunch of stuff I want to do, see, accomplish throughout 2013! I'm excited! I can't wait!!! :)

Please feel free to leave a comment and tell me what you made happen today!!! Brag about it...GO!

Scale?...What Scale?!

Today is a short one for ya...

Jason hid the scale! ;)

I asked him to so I'm not weighing every.single.day! I'm tired of losing and gaining the same 5 pounds every day (or so). You with me???

WHY?!

Okay, so this is why I don't like it when Jason goes grocery shopping. He came home with Fruity Pebbles and Little Debbie's white Christmas tree cakes! UGH! So, what did I do? I immediately opened the box of cupcakes and ate two right away. There was only 5 in a box...for $1.00. So we put one on the counter for Ethan and then Jason took the last two and hid them b/c they are for him. Ethan forgot about his and I ate it. So I hate three cupcakes in like 30 minutes! UGH! Anyways, so that led to more cravings. I covered up my going into Wal-Mart for their cookies w/yummy icing by saying that I wanted some of their chicken. It worked. I went in, got some chicken, and the cookies. After I ate the chicken, I ate two cookies. Felt a little sick to my stomach afterwards and I don't wonder why, that's for sure. But I what I do wonder is WHY did I do this? If you can help me figure it out, I would be SOO happy. I hate when I do this. :(

Ever read "Made to Crave" by Lysa TerKeurst? Well, they have a study that I have been talking all year about doing. One of my friends recently told me that she was going to do it with another friend but they haven't yet. I'm excited b/c I am going to buy the material I need on December 28th. Then, mark my words, I will start this study in January. Gotta check out the info first before I set the start date and how often we meet.

Got any ideas on what I can have on hand, in our house, when the sweets craving kicks in? Thanks!

Your friend,
Melissa

Oh yes!...P.S. I held a plank for ONE MINUTE!!! :)

Chocolate Brownie Bites

(Makes about 12 servings, 1 square each)

½ cup natural smooth almond butter
1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology
1 medium ripe banana, mashed
¼ cup quick-cooking rolled oats
3 Tbsp. chopped almonds, walnuts or sunflower seeds (just choose 1)

1. Combine the following in a medium bowl:

Shakeology

 Oats

Banana

Almond butter

Nuts

 

2. Stir.

3. Shape mixture into the bottom of a square pan

4. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

5. Cut into 1 inch squares (makes about 12 squares).

6. Store in refrigerator in an airtight container if not serving immediately.

Nutritional Information (per serving):
Calories: 101
Carbs: 8g
Protein: 5g
Fat: 6g
Sodium: 45mg

How long has it been for you?

I'm BAAAAAACCCCCCCK! How many of you are excited about that statement? Well, I never really went away, I just stopped blogging. Which is something I don't think I should've stopped. I enjoy it so much and I think I could've learned a lot through the past 8 months. WOW! Did you realize it's been 8 months since I last blogged? I didn't. Time sure does fly, doesn't it?

Anyways, I am just starting this back up. I am in the process of thinking of some fun things to do and write about. Stay tuned! :)

In the meantime, check out this recipe I just found and will make soon! :)

Garlic Roasted Veggies w/Lentils