My pre-newyears new ME resolution

So lately I have not been very confident in my appearance...ive gained some weight, I'm in a new place, and ive grown up. So my goals in life in general have changed. I got to thinking...what has been stopping me from being confident in my body? I can't complain about feeling fat or not fitting into my clothes if I am not willing to do something about it. It is wonderful to have an amazing boyfriend who loves me for who I am and really hasn't even met my old skinnier self. But I need to do this for me. Not to get back to the old me but a new better me. A fit, healthy, happy me. Not just physically but mentally too. Every winter I get mild seasonal depression and it really has an effect on my social and love life. I find myself closing off and not wanting to be in crowds. I need to find a way to get back to the good.

I started tonight by hitting the gym at 1am. No excuses...I have at least 30 minutes a day to commit to myself. A friend on instagram said today...it takes about 3 hours of running to lose a pound of fat. So run 27 minutes a day and you will lose a pound a week...52 pounds in a year. Whoo! When you put it that way it doesn't seem so far away. I can do this. I will do this.

Love always,
Jess

Wahoo...

I am officially done with one final...only four left. I suck at math but recently I've been pretty good! Ash and I get to babysit twineys baby Lark tonight!

Banana bread

Um...delicious. what is your favorite baked good?  I created my own recipe and added more vanilla and brown sugar.  Then you can't go wrong with Nestle Milk Chocolate Chips! Comment!!!

Sensitive redheads

I found out from my mother today that she was told redheads need more anesthesia to knock out for surgery than others with blond or dark hair.  I had to find out why this was.
Studies show this is because we lack a strong MC1R gene.  This makes us more susceptible to pain than others. And needing an increase of 20% more drugs to knock us out.
Nooooooooooo wonder I always feel like I'm hurt...I'm not a baby. I'm a ginger and that's science.

;-) happy weekend!

Eyelash extensions are NOT the business

Ugh...I got eyelash extensions for $25 the other day. Great price, right? Pieces started getting lower than others, constantly made my eyes water and were sooo irritating.  One large piece fell off completely so I had to pull them off one by one with tweezers. Ouch!  Needless to say I'm missing a few of my own eyleashes and will never do it again. You can see in the photo the missing pieces.

My guilty pleasure

Chipotle or The Chip as I like to call it. I'm in loooove. What's yours?

Sister time

My little sister Lauren came to visit for the weekend! Some of our pix. Have a great Sunday everyone!

Jess

Yipee

I just figured out how to post from my phone! Amazing! I have sucked at my reduced calorie days this week. Doesn't help that I went to the doctor and I had gained 4 pounds. Fml. I'll keep trying!

Jessica

A day in the life of a hungry girl...

HOLA!

I started my 5:2 eating and so far so good.  I think I stayed pretty normal for my calorie intake on Tues/Wed and now here is Thursday and I am doing my second RC day.  Day started out with boyfriend bringing me McDonald's breakfast...my weakness.  Ugh.  I turned it down!  I am so proud.

I had to get up early to go to meet with my adviser to register for Spring classes which is exciting.  I am so ready to be done with school.  Now I get to look forward to 6 hours of classes, a babysitting interview and then finally home.  I only brought 2 apples and a hard boiled egg with me (and water) for class so hopefully I can survive on that until I get home so I can have a "decent" dinner.

I did my initial measurements and weigh in but I have not weighed in again yet.  I was going to go maybe two weeks before I did that.  I avoid the scale like the plague.

Anyone else trying this diet?  Seeing results?  Have questions?  Let me know.  I want comments!...NO seriously....go comment, right now!

Love Always,
Jess

Umm...excuse me?

Did you know that the above tiny little itty bitty corn bread muffin has between 135-150 calories in it!?!!? 

WHATTTT?!?!?  I had no idea!  I was going to add this to my 500 calories today but that would be more than my chicken and peppers combined!

And guess who had atleast 4 of these yesterday...*gulp*

I am putting everything I eat into My Fitness Pal app from now on!

Back from my Hiatus- 5:2 Diet

Hello!

It has been a long time.  I am sorry, I suck!  I have been crazy busy with school, work and some health issues. 

I was doing great on the BBV shakes and had almost hit 30 days but I was having a lot of stomach problems and pains.  My doctor thought I would need to have my galballder out and I would need to stop the shakes for 2 weeks in order to do that.  So I stopped and found out my galbladder is functioning at 73%..which is good enough for them to leave it ...and never started back up again.

My weight has always been an issue.  Even back in high school when I was 5'8 and 150 pounds I still felt fat.  Then in Colorado when I was 175 steadily, I felt huge!  Now that I am 206.5 pounds in Texas ...I FEEL like a WHALE! 

I NEVER thought I would cross over into the 200 club ...the club that I do NOT want to be a member of for much longer. 

I've realized that it was not my weight that was bad before ...but my self image. So how do you fix this??

I have decided that I am pretty, worthy of love and affection.  Simple as that.  I now choose to love myself.  Easy, right? lol.

Anyway.  My sister Jennifer mentioned this new way of eating that her and her husband were going to try.  It is called the 5:2 Diet...but its more of a way of life.

You basically eat anything and as much as you want for 5 days of the week and for 2 days you have a reduced calorie day of 500 calories for women and 600 for men.  This causes increased brain activity, and lets your body heal.  Big reductions in chances of heart disease and cancer were found from this idea.  Plus, weight loss was a side bonus!

So...my plan
Monday: RC Day (Reduced Calorie) of 500
Tuesday: Eat 1,300 calories
Wednesday: RC Day
Thursday: Eat 1,300 calories
Friday: Eat 1,300 calories
Saturday: Eat 1,300 calories
Sunday: Eat 1,300 calories

I am tying my body by vi in with this program to get the best nutritional values still.  So for an example, today is my first RC day.  I am going to have my bbv shake for lunch at around 200 calories and then have my healthy meal of 300 calories before my night class.  TONS of water!  Then on regular days try to have atleast one BBV shake along with my healthy eating.

I also am going to do some sort of workout 3 days a week on my regular eating days only.  I think I am going to do a mix of couch to 5K and 30 day shred.  My friend Ashley had really good results from the couch to 5K and my dad and brother just did a 5K so I want to see if I can do it too!

Anyway...I'll update more later :) Have a great week!

Tips for Sticking with the Body by Vi 90 Day Challenge

Hey guys, I thought I would write a quick post on the ways that make it easier for me to stick to my challenge and lose the weight that I have been wanting to :)  Also, hello to Cambodia & Germany!!!

1) Starbucks Cold Tumbler - $10.00
This cup not only keeps your drink cold but it has dual cups so that the condensation from the cold drink goes inside the second cup instead of on your table.  Convienient straw and dishwasher safe.  Awesome!

2) PB2 - $4.95
My sister has seen this at many local grocery stores but mine does not carry it so I buy it on Amazon.  I might have to buy stock!  It is great!  The only ingredients are peanuts, salt and sugar. At only 45 calories per serving?! Yes please!  They also have a chocolate peanut butter flavor as seen below.

3) Ninja Blender - $29.95
I always blend my shakes and the Ninja does a great job.  I found mine at Walmart http://www.walmart.com/ip/Ninja-Frozen-Treat-and-Drink-Maker/19855960 for $29.95 now but I think mine was cheaper in store.  Fun colors and great for making fun party drinks as well.

4) Friends - Free!
It is great to have a friend on the challenge as well so that you can motivate eachother.

5) Blender Bottle - $4.99
This is amazing when you are on the go.  I just add my Vi-Shake, OJ, a few icecubes and shake.  The ball breaks up the ice pretty well and you save time.

6) My Fitness Pal - Free App on Android Phones
This is an amazing calorie tracker and the Body By Vi products are already listed.  You either scan the barcode of the item you are going to eat or simply search it from their thousands of entries.  Shows complete nutritional values and has a space to enter in exercise, water intake and pounds lost to track your progress.

Are there any items you cannot live without on your challenge?  Comment below and let us know :)

Holy Weight Loss - Day 14

Helloooooooooo friends!  Also, hello Germany... :)  I love that it shows me where people are viewing from!  Please comment!  I'd love to know you!

Anyway...today is my birthday, the big 2-4. lol  And tomorrow I start classes at UTA to finish my bachelors degree.  I am excited and nervous but I am glad to be getting closer to the finish line.

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As of this week....I am DOWN 7 pounds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yipee.

Did you read that...SEVEN!

:)  I couldn't be happier!


What did I change this week:

1) Cut out Soda
2) Used PB2 instead of Peanut Butter ---saved a lot of calories there
3) Used Unsweetened Almond Milk instead of Vanilla Sweetened and that saves 60 calories per shake there.
4) Calorie intake is at 1200 per day
5) I worked out Thurs, Sat, Sun, Mon, and Tues.  The main reason I am working out is if I go over my calories for the day.  So I am still getting 1200 even with the workouts. 

Please comment, share, like or hate my blog!  I want to hear from you.

Love Always,
Jessica

Stress

Ugh.  I need to vent.  I feel like I have been having the worst month ever! 

1) I had to pay over $500 for car repairs
2) Found out my insurance declined a claim and I owe $400
3) I need to register my car and never have time to get to the DMV because I've been at my freaking school so much
4) Spent the past month TRYING to register for classes and my classes start in 2 days and I am still not registered.
5) Everyone seems to not care or remember about my birthday which is tomorrow.  So I guess I don't care that much either.
6) My nephew was born the other day and I don't have the money or time to go home to see him and the rest of my family.  I miss my family!
7) 10+ hour days at work
8) Power was out all day in my apartment due to storms

So....long story short.  I am stressing out major!

I feel like no one cares to hear me complain which I get but someone to listen would be nice.

I really hope this has not prevented my weight loss.  Weighing in tomorrow morning.  Wish me luck :)

Please comment any stress relief tips you have or just general comments.

Cheers to buttoning your pants for work .... huh?

This is the video I was talking about earlier in regards to the photo :)  I WILL button my pants and lose weight!!!

Day 12! - Baby Eli Arrives!

Hello :D

Big news!  I am becoming an Auntie for the 3rd time today!  Yipee!!!  Welcome my nephew Elliott Jon Overy! :)

Today...is Day 12 of the 90 day challenge with the Body by Vi shakes!  I have to admit...the weekends are my failing point.  This weekend I went out on Saturday with my girl Shannon and had a few drinks.  I did eat a salad for dinner though and worked out so I had enough calories available for the drinks. 

Then Sunday came...

I did not drink a shake at all.  :(  I woke up starving for real food and went to On the Border with my roommate and then had a Blue Raspberry Slushie (which was amazing).  I worked out and had a healthy dinner but for me, I cannot drink the shakes at night.  They give me so much energy that if I drink one any time after 4pm I will be up all night - sleepless.  I am disappointed because I had given up soda for about 5 days and then I had some at On the Border at lunch.  I know I can kick this habit...it just settles my tummy.  Boo.  Anyway. 

It's a new week!  I start my weeks on Mondays ;) haha...

So...here is to no soda this week and being diligent about my shakes.

P.S.  The photo below may seem a bit strange but it goes with my movie that I will be uploading very shortly!!!  Kind of a teaser if you will.

Please please please...comment and let me know how you like my blog or how your 90 day challenge is going! I love to hear from you :)

Jess/Iowa/Caca - Whatever!

Day 7 Video Progress...on day 8 ;)

Hey guys!  Check out my video above for my day 7 progess!  I lost 2 pounds and 3.5 inches.  :D  I am also working on a new video...kind of embarassing issue but something that I need to address!

How is your challenge going?  Any delicious recipes to share?  Comment below!  I would love to hear from you.

Day 6!

Hola!

I am on day 6 of the 90 day challenge and feeling pretty good.  I was doing great until Saturday....then the weekend set in and... UGH.

Today is a new day!  I had a few snacks on Sunday but still had a shake and I am not feeling like I failed because life happens.  You are not going to be able to have the perfect day everyday but as long as you do your personal best and then 'best' that the next time...i'd say that is a win in my book.

I will admit though...I am scared to weigh in.  Very, very scared.  Every time in the recent past that I have tried to eat healthy and workout to lose weight I hop on the scale to see no pounds lost and it stresses me out, it makes me feel like I failed, then I quit....which means I really did fail. 

I keep saying to myself I want to wait until day 15 to weigh in and take measurements but all of these people on the challenge with me said they had such great results in the first 7 days that I think it would be a huge motivator for me to see the number on the scale go down.  I just don't want to do it and see no change.  :( 

On a side note: I was really excited to see that I had a challenge wrist band in my 'welcome kit' that I never opened...guess you should open that stuff huh?  It's pretty cool actually.  You put the little notch in either at  your goal of pound loss or at your current pound loss.  Either way I hope it will be a reminder to myself that I want this and need it and I CAN DO IT. 

Day 4 - 90 day challenge

Hola!  This awesome website 'blogspot.com' shows me where my blog is being viewed from and I have 5 viewers from Russia.  Not sure if you will ever come back but....hello Russia!  :)

Anyway...I slept in because...well it is Saturday and if you know me at all sleep is probably in my top 5 favorite things to do.  So I went to Pluckers with my roommate, A, and we used our Pluckers card and got $17.00 worth of free food!  Yayyyyy...but not so good for my shakes.  I will say though...I have not been quite getting to my daily calorie intake so I think it is ok if I eat some not so good stuff on one day if I am sticking to my shakes and healthy stuff the rest of the days.  So I will be having my shake for dinner and going for a little walk/run to make up for it.  I am so happy that I have realized eating badly one day is not a complete set back and you can just make up for it and move on.

My sister showed me this youtube video that is perfect.  She talks a bit much but the idea behind it is wonderful.  Live for today...your mess up yesterday means nothing and all you can do is make a change for today. 

I am taking these ideas to change my life.  Every day I have a small personal goal...such as today I am going to go for a hour walk and if it turns into a jog, then GREAT but my goal is a walk.  Yesterday my goal was to turn down drinking alcohol on a Friday night with friends and save on those calories.  Every day is just a small goal so I feel so much better once I reach it.  Could I set very lofty goals and reach them....YES!  But...for me, this way works better and I feel like everyday I can celebrate because I met my goals that day instead of constantly working towards a goal that is 90 days away.

Hope I haven't talked too much today but anyway...have a great weekend and I'll be back soon.

Jess

Day 3 - 90 Day Challenge

I once again had the PB/Choc shake for breakfast...so yum.  I was looking into my calories yesterday via the app 'Fitness Pal' which is great btw.  You can track calories by simply typing in the name of what you are eating and it pulls up the nutritional values for you.

Anyway..I guess I am supposed to be eating about 1300-1400 calories a day to lose weight and I have been having a hard time getting past 1200.  I hope this doesn't hinder me but now I do not feel as bad for those PB shakes.

I feel like I have already noticed some changes in my body...may just be my mind BUT
1) More energy
2) More trips to the bathroom

Lol...#2 is especially good for me because I have always had digestive issues since I was young and not only do the shakes make you go more but I do not have the rumbles in my tummy or pain after eating anymore.

I'm one happy lady!  How is your 90 day challenge going?
Jess

My first video

My first ever video lol...don't make fun of me! 
Measurements are in the video :)

Day 2 of 90 Day Challenge ---started over

Hello,

I started my Body By Vi 90 Day Challenge a few days ago and was getting really sick from it so I stopped.  I then realized that I am lactose intolerant...I quickly purchased some Almond Milk and I am back on my way.  I will post my measurements on here tonight but I am excited because a woman that is on our team said she lost 7 pounds in her first week. 

Lets go 7 pounds!
Also, my friend Courtney from high school is doing it with me via text messages so we can encourage eachother and my friend Karissa is doing the same.  It is great to have that when you are trying to lose weight. 

Anyway...also signing up for school which will be starting August 23rd...day after my bday!  I am excited to get closer to being done but nervous about going back to college on a campus. 

Anyway....today is my Day 2 technically.

So 8/8/2012 was my start date for the challenge.

Check me out at www.90dayswithiowa.bodybyvi.com

Jess

Body by Vi - 90 Day Challenge - Day 1

Hello,
Wow...it has almost been a year since my last post.  Which I apologize for but I really do not think I have anyone that really follows my blog which I will try to change as well. 

Anyway...through stress and illness I have gained over 30 pounds since my last post.  Yes...30 pounds in less than a year.  It makes me really sad and I need to do something about it.  So...here I am!

Today I am starting my 90 day Body by Vi challenge!  It is basically 90 days where you replace two meals with Body by Vi shakes and then eat healthy snacks and a healthy dinner.  I am also doing Insanity at the same time for maximum results.  A few weeks ago I started Insanity and was on day 15 but I had to have surgery so I was out recovering for over a week and then got into a mild depression again where I did not want to workout.

Some tips I have learned so far for the shakes:
1) Drink it all while it is cold...once it has settled and warmed it is not as good.
2) Most people say they LOVE the taste of the shakes ...me...I can still taste the powder and my palette does not like that so I plug my nose while I drink it.  No bad after taste though...my mouth is just picky.  Also, I do not care for milk so that may be my biggest issue.
3) Frozen fruit = icecubes so you do not need to add both...just makes it really icy.
4) Try PB2 (powdered peanut butter) instead of regular peanut butter to get the same taste and way less fat content.
5) Get a good blender and add milk first then the powder...gets it even through the shake.
6) Use a straw for faster consumption

Shakes I've tried:
1) Peanut Butter Cup: 8oz skim milk, 2 scoops Vi shake mix, 1TB unsweetened cocoa powder, 1&1/2 TB peanut butter and about 6 icecubes...pretty delicious
2) Vanilla Pudding: 6oz skim milk, 2 scoops Vi shake mix, 1 serving container of vanilla pudding (no sugar variety) and about 6 icecubes....not so bad either.

I will post some before and after pictures up here as well but you can check out my Body by Vi site at www.90dayswithiowa.bodybyvi.com

*You can learn more about the challenge there and even sign up to start your own :)
I am also planning on making a movie tonight about my challenge starting but I am no good with video editing so we shall see how this ends up.  I will link you from here though :)

Have a great day!  Cheers to healthy/happy weight loss!
http://www.bodybyvishape.com/bodybyvi_nutrition/ ---shows nutritional facts about the shake

Jessica