Week 12 - Tips for Success

Now that so many of my friends and family are using FORM and FIXX, I get questions asking for advice about how to best use it. One of the things I love about this is that you don't have to follow a one-size fits all diet. You can tailor a plan of how to use these products that will best meet your needs. Here are a few suggestions and tips to keep in mind as you start planning your own transFORMation.

• JOURNAL- Start with a preFORM journal. Track what, when, and how much you eat or drink for a week prior to starting your transFORMation. Be HONEST! This will help you identify your trouble times of day when you are the weakest. Armed with this information you can anticipate when and how to use your FORM & FIXX most effectively. Once you start using the products, continue to journal to help you be accountable for your results.
  

• USE PURIFIED WATER- When you take FORM with purified water the SWELL microbeads are able to absorb faster and to their capacity giving you a fuller feeling faster. Aquafina water has been recommended as the purest bottled water. It also helps to drink the water at room temperature.

• GET YOUR DAILY FIXX- Take advantage of this 100-calorie meal. Drink it in the morning as a meal or use it as a snack during the day. It helps curb cravings and fills many of your daily nutritional requirements. Try making it with 12-20 oz. water or milk instead of the recommended 7 oz. Some FIT and FAB variety suggestions are to add ice, fresh or frozen fruit (especially bananas) or even throw it in a water bottle for a shake on the go.

• EAT REGULARLY- Don’t use FORM as a way to starve your body into submission. Boost your metabolism by eating small regular meals every 3 hours. Use FORM and FIXX to help you control irrational hunger so you can make better food choices and to help you not overeat. Keep in mind Healthy Lifestyle 101-- add more fruit and veggies, drink more water, eat lean meats, eat whole grains, increase your activity, limit or eliminate refined sugar, caffeine and alcohol, etc.

• DIET PLAN- Already on a diet plan? Stay on it if you like it! No matter what plan you are following- Weight Watchers, South Beach, Atkin’s, Body For Life, etc. use FORM and FIXX to help you stick to your plan. FORM and FIXX will only compliment these eating plans and help you be the decisive eater you need to be to experience success!
  

• SHARE FORM AND FIXX- If you’ve got it, flaunt it! Don’t be stingy- share this good news with everyone! You never know whose life it will change!

Week 12 -Monday, Sept. 22 to Sunday, Sept. 28, 2008
Starting weight for the week: 229
Ending weight 225 (31 pounds lost)

Day 1
Exercise- 5:30 am -Water aerobics, enphasis on upper body and ab toning, drank 24 oz. of water
10:00 am -Got my FIXX with 20 oz. of water.
12:30 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of bottled water
1:00 pm - Lunch- ate a salad of baby greens, spinach, cheese, tomato, onion, ranch, sunflower seeds, & cucumber, 1/4 cup of Cheetos, 12 oz. of water.
Drank 12 oz. of water during afternoon
3:30 pm - Snack- needed another FIXX with 20 oz. of water.
6:00 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water.
6:30 pm - Hobbit Party (it being Frodo & Bilbo's Birthday and all) ate kielbasa roasted over our firepit, baked tater wedges, rotkohl, and a 12 oz. rootbeer float.

Day 2
Exercise- 9:00 am -Water aerobics, cardio emphasis, drank 24 oz. of water
10:30 am -Got my FIXX with 20 oz. of water.
12:30 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of bottled water
1:00 pm - Lunch- ate a small salad, 2 sticks of italian cheese bread. Drank 12 oz. of water
3:30 pm - Snack- Caffeine Free Diet Coke with lime, another stick of cheese bread
6:00 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water. Drank another 16 oz.
7:00 pm - Dinner- baked potato wedges, spinach side salad.

Day 3
Exercise- 5:30 am -Water aerobics, emphasis on lower body, drank 24 oz. of water
10:00 am -Got my FIXX with 20 oz. of water.
12:30 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of bottled water
1:30 pm - Lunch- Chili's Ceasar salad with lime grilled shrimp, Drank 16 oz. of water
4:00 pm - Snack- Caffeine Free Diet Coke with lime.
6:00 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water. Drank another 16 oz.
6:30 pm - Dinner- Tortillia soup, 2 corn bread muffins with honey butter, 12 oz. of water.

Day 4
9:00 am -Got my FIXX with 20 oz. of water.
Drank 24 oz. water bottle during morning.
12:30 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of bottled water
1:30 pm - Lunch- ate 1/2 Turkey Ranch and Bacon wrap from Arby's, Drank 32 oz. of water
6:00 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water.
6:45 pm - Dinner- ate other 1/2 of wrap, 12 oz of water.
9:30 pm -Snack- Caffeine Free Diet Coke with lime and a handful of Cheetos

Day 5
Exercise- 5:30 am -Zumba (aerobics class from HELL-o), drank 24 oz. of water
10:00 am -Got my FIXX with 20 oz. of water.
1:30 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of bottled water
2:00 pm - Lunch- Ceasar side salad, Jr. cheeseburger deluxe, caffeine free Diet Coke w/lime.
Drank 12 oz. of water during afternoon
3:30 pm - Snack- needed another FIXX with 20 oz. of water- drank 1/2.
6:30 pm - Dinner- ate one small fish taco with 5 nacho chips, 16 oz. Diet Coke
9:30 pm - 16 oz. Mango Mantra Jamba Juice, 2/3rds of a parmesan pretzel.

Day 6
9:00 am -Got my FIXX with 20 oz. of water.
Exercise -10,000 stairs carrying boxes while helping my sister move.
Drank 24 oz. water bottle during morning.
1:30 pm- Took FORM with 8 oz. of bottled water
2:00 pm - Lunch- 6 inch veggie sub, Drank 32 oz. of water
4:00 pm - Caffeine free Diet Coke w/lime & a Nutter Butter cookie.
6:00 pm - Dinner- ate 1/2 cheeseburger, mini scoop of red potato salad, mini scoop baked beans, 12 oz of water.
Drank 24 oz of water through eveing.

Day 7
11:00 pm - Brunch- small scrambled egg, tomato, cheese, cilantro, salsa, sour cream burrito.
4:00 pm - Snack- ate 6 Pita Bites w/potato salad, drank 24 oz. of water
5:30 pm - Dinner- ate single chicken tender, scoop of cabbage salad.
8:00 pm -Snack- Caffeine Free Diet Coke with lime and a handful of Cheetos
9:45 pm - Am starving -- I took no products today--I don't know why. I don't think I over ate because I am starting to get used to smaller portions as a habit but I am craving sugar and I could so go for a cheeseburger! I NEED A FIXX!

Not a bad week!

11 Weeks, 30 pounds down and 13 total inches!

It has been almost 2 weeks since my last entry and what a couple of weeks! I have been busy traveling around spreading the news about O3World with everyone I meet! I attended one trade show, held 2 in-home parties, hosted an opportunity meeting and got to meet Sara V. (the YouTube O3 girl-- she is awesome!) it has been an incredible experience!

I didn't keep a detailed food journal these past 2 weeks so I won't be including any of the usual gripping reading (your welcome)----but here are some highlights...

#1 - I hit 30 pounds last Wednesday!
2- Played an intense game of racquetball with a couple of friends--I think I pulled all possible muscles in the back of my thighs and buttocks! I limped for 3 days and went hoarse from all the "hwaah's" screamed as I hit the ball (the echo in a racquetball court is so good, I just couldn't resist!).
3- I was approached by a random stranger which congratulated me on my weight loss... apparently she has been reading my blog-- go figure!
4- I singlehandedly recruited 5 new people to join me and the "gals" in water aerobics! I started going at 5:30 am, twice a week even!
5- I met and introduced FORM & FIXX to hundreds of people! My friends and family are having tons of success sharing the O3World possibilities! I am just so excited for everyone that is jumping on board to get a slimmer waist and a fatter wallet!

6- Travis Martin -Director of Business Development at O3World introduced me to Sara V. --she is just amazing! She is not only as passionate about using these products as I am but her vision of how many people we can help through our example is right up there with mine. I am looking forward to working closely with her on our transFORMational journey.
I expect to continue to be very busy as the weeks go by. I have rededicated myself to my journaling and am going to make at least a weekly entry from here on-- until then...

Week 9, D5-7 I need my daily FIXX!

Okay-- I have been ranting and raving about FORM for the past 2 months and I don't think I have given enough attention to the seriously awesome companion product FIXX! I have been using sample packs for the last couple of months which didn't have any of the nutritional information printed on them. I knew the ingredients were unlike any other meal replacement shake out there but I was not prepared for how unbelievable the nurtritional information is!

I finally got my first official "labeled" box of shakes - I was stunned! Yes, stunned...speechless...amazed...ecstatic...elated....and I don't know what else! Check this out: only 100 calories! 10 grams of protein! Only 7 grams of carbs, 5 of which are Dietary Fiber and less than 1 gram of sugar (which is honey crystals)! Only 15 calories from fat! It has a full serving of vegetables and a full serving of fruit. It has vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, probiotics, digestive enzymes, --- but only 100 calories? Are you kidding me??!! That is unheard of! A single low fat yogurt has 100 calories-- a cheese stick has 100 calories-- but a whole meal? No-freaking-way!

I have been eating protein bars as a snack sometimes in the afternoons that have 160 calories and all these weird ingredients that I have never heard of and can't pronounce...not to mention that tell tell underlying chalk taste they always have. No more-- I am not only going to get my FIXX in the morning, but again in the afternoon and maybe even as an evening snack (before 8:30 of course!).

For those of you that need more variety then I do, you can blend it with milk, ice, berries, bananas... just about anything! I will stick to my 20 oz. of water (I like it thin, chilled and refreshing) --I just take a 24 oz. water bottle, drink it down about 4 ounces, pour the FIXX in and shake it up! A meal perfect for a busy mom!

Wk 9, Day 5 -Friday, September 5, 2008

8:00 am - Got my FIXX with 20 oz. of water.
Exercise- 1 1/2 mile power walk - 20 minutes, drank 12 oz. of water.
11:30 am - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water.
12:45 pm - Lunch- Southwest Chicken salad, drank 12 oz. of water.
3:30 pm - Snack - got another FIXX (only 100 calories!)
6:00 pm - Dinner -ate a hamburger, shared some cheese fries with my whole family and drank 20 oz. of water.

Wk 9, Day 6 - Saturday, September 6, 2008

8:00 am -ate 2 pieces of toast with fresh peach jam (made with Splenda), drank 12 oz. of water.
11:00 am - Got my FIXX with 20 oz. of water.
Drank 12 oz. of water during afternoon
3:30 pm - Drank another FIXX (was seriously busy-- didn't want to stop for food... and hey, 100 calories, balanced nutrition and all good!)
6:00 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water.
6:20 pm - Dinner -ate salad with romaine, tomato, parmesan, cheedar, ranch and 1/2 piece of pepperoni pizza, drank 8 oz. of water.
9:30 am - Drank a caffeine free Diet Coke with lime.

Wk 9, Day 7 -Sunday, September 7, 2008

Fast Sunday- first Sunday of the month--fasted breakfast and lunch.
4:30 pm - Drank 8 oz. of water.
5:00 pm - Dinner -ate 1 1/2 waffles with fresh peach jam, drank 12 oz. of water
8:00 pm - Got my FIXX for the day with 20 oz. of water

Weight -231 (total loss 25 pounds!)

Week 9: D1-4 - Objectives Reviewed

It has been a while since I reviewed my starting objectives to see how well I am doing. I think I have been getting a little too comfortable with my steady progress and I am starting to slack off in a few areas.

Let's take a look:
Objective 1- Lose Weight
I have consistently lost some weight every week, so--thus far I am meeting this objective...but, I think I am slowing down. I really want to stay at a steady 2 pounds lost per week if possible so I am going to try to be a little more careful.

Objective 2- Become a Decisive Eater
I started out the first month and was so good at this. I think I am starting to take for granted that I am losing and I find myself giving in more often to eating instead of taking a FORM. This is one of those areas that I need to step it up. It just goes to show-- FORM can be a miracle if you want it to be, but you can also sabotage yourself if you aren't careful!

Objective 3- More Water-Less Coke
I have been awesome at this!! I haven't even had 5 caffeinated Cokes over the past 2 months in contrast to my 2-4 per day before I started!

Objective 4- Eat More Fruits & Veggies
Veggies- yes, fruits- still not so much. I have at least 1 salad per day and usually 2. Most of the time they are my main course-- but I am still not eating a lot of fruits. I am not going to get too broken up about this-- the FIXX shake has an organic fruit blend in it and I will just have to count that.

Objective 5- Stop Eating Late at Night!
This is the one that is starting to kill me these past 2 weeks. I have to say that I have made serious progress but this is still my weak point. I am going to say after 8:30 pm is late night eating and is expressly forbidden!! I am going to try having a FIXX at 8:30 if I am starting to get hungry because the FORM without food along with it doesn't last 2-4 hours like FIXX does-- and it is only 100 calories! I'm going to do better!

Objective 6- Get More Exercise!
I think I am doing great at this. I have gradually increased my exercise frequency as time has gone by. I still think I have room to increase my intensity though.

Objective 7- Be Accountable -Blog My Progress!
I have written every bite down in my eating journal and in turn blogged that information. This is one thing I have never tried before and I think it has been, next to FORM and FIXX, the 2nd largest contributing factor to my success so far. My Weight Watcher sister told me that they say you always under estimate how much you eat and over estimate how active you are unless you see it in black and white. Because I have been journaling, I can see where I need to make improvements. I can see what works best. I am more conscious of what I eat and how much I exercise. I just can't say enough times how important I think this part is!

Overall -- I am happy with how I am doing. I can see a few things I can do better and in another 8 weeks I expect to be another 15-20 pounds down!

Wk9, Day 1- Monday, September 1, 2008

Exercise- Body For Life-20 minute power walk. Went 1 1/2 miles, drank 16 oz. of water.
9:30 am - Got my FIXX for the day, mixed with 20 oz. of water.
12:30 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
1:20 pm - Lunch -ate 1/2 a Turkey Ranch and Bacon Wrap from Arby's, drank a caffeine free Diet Coke
3:30 pm - Snack -ate an Atkin's Peanut Cluster, drank 16 oz. of water.
5:30 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water.
6:00 pm - Dinner- ate homemade taco salad with black beans, corn, guacamole, sour cream, beef, cheese, tomato & onion, drank 8 oz. of CL Lemonade.

Wk9, Day 2- Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Exercise- 8 minutes - legs, 5 stair runs (jogging up and down), drank 16 oz. wb
10:00 am - Got my FIXX for the day mixed with 20 oz. of water.
12:00 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water.
12:30 pm- Lunch- Taco salad, drank 16 oz. wb
6:00 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water.
6:15 pm - Dinner -spaghetti salad with Italian & balsamic dressing, drank 8 oz. of CL lemonade.
9:00 pm - Snack -1/2 Pure Protein bar, drank 12 oz. of water
10:30 pm -Took FORM with 8 oz. of water.

Wk9, Day 3- Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Exercise- Body For Life-20 minute power walk. Went 1 1/2 miles, drank 16 oz. of water.
10:00 am - Got my FIXX for the day mixed with 20 oz. of water.
12:00 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water.
12:30 pm - Grilled Chicken salad w/ bacon & ranch, drank 24 oz. of water
4:00 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water.
5:00 pm - Snack -ate an Atkin's Peanut Cluster
5:45 pm - Dinner - grilled cheese with sauerkraut on rye, drank 1/2 caffeine free Diet Coke
7:00 pm -Went on a 1/3 mile hike UP A HILL-- seriously, this doesn't sound hard but I thought I was going to die! My lungs burned so bad! Drank 24 oz. water.
9:00 pm - I am out of FIXX shakes again (sad face) so I drank a Slim Fast one (blah) for a snack.

Wk9, Day 4 -Thursday, September 4, 2008

Exercise- Body for Life - upper body workout (which is supposed to only take 45 minutes but somehow took me an hour and a half!) Drank 16. oz wb.
10:30 am - Drank the "other" shake (waiting for my order!!)
12:30 pm - Lunch- Jr. spaghetti with meat sause from Fazoli's with 2 bread sticks
3:00 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water.
3:30 pm -Spinach salad with feta, drank 16 oz. water
6:00 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water.
6:30 pm - Dinner -ate a single waffle.
9:00 pm - Drank a caffeine free Diet Coke with fresh lime

Day 56 - End of Week 8

The # of days is getting up there! 56 days! Most of you out there don't find that number remarkable but it is absolutely unheard of for me! I have never stuck to a weight loss plan for that long and frankly I never thought I could--the pre FORM me would have given up for sure! Now at the end of 8 weeks I am 22 pounds down, lost over 10 inches, and am trying to decide how I can step things up!

Yes-- you heard me right-- 22 pounds down! 234 ( about 75 more to go...but give me a minute)-- that is an average of 2.75 pounds a week!!

Day 56 - Sunday, August 31, 2008

9:00 am - Got my FIXX with 20 oz. of water.
11:45 am -Took FORM with 8 oz. of water.
12:30 pm- Lunch -ate spinach salad with tuna, cheese, onion & ranch, drank 8 oz. of water.
4:30 pm- Took FORM with 8 oz. of water.
5:15 pm- Dinner -ate 1 1/2 waffles with a fried egg, drank 16 oz. of water.
9:00 pm- 12 Frito scoops w/mango salsa, drank 1/2 caff. free Diet Coke.

Month HIGH-- 22 pounds-- HELLO!

Day 54-55 Let's hear more testimonials!!

Now that so many of my friends, family and frankly strangers that read my blog are starting to use FORM and FIXX, I want to hear some of your testimonials!! I know how wonderful these products have been for me but now I want to hear your amazing stories!

I have another sister (there are 6 of us-- this one is not part of The Fab Four) that has been going to Weight Watchers for 8 months, and has lost 30 pounds (basically a preschooler as she likes to say to give you a visual of how much she has lost). For the past 9 weeks she has been stuck with 11 pounds to lose to hit her weight goal and become a lifetime member. She started taking FORM and replaced her Weight Watcher shakes with FIXX for a week and lost 2 pounds!! 9 weeks she has been stuck and FORM and FIXX kicked her right off that plateau!

She told me she is so excited to use FORM and FIXX to help her stick to the healthy eating habits she has learned through Weight Watchers. She says she won't have any problem maintaining her weight forever with FORM as a back up!

Way to go, Boo!

Day 54 - Friday, August 29, 2008

9:00 am -Got my FIXX for the day, made with 20 oz. of water
Exercise- 8 minute abs and push-ups
12:00 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
12:30 pm - Lunch -ate BBQ chicken salad with onions and tomatoes, drank 8 oz. of water.
3:30 pm - Snack- Pure Protein bar with 24 oz. water bottle
6:00 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
6:30 pm - Dinner- oriental cabbage salad with breaded chicken strips sliced on top.
Drank 16 oz. water bottle through evening


Day 55 - Saturday, August 30, 2008

8:00 am - Daily FIXX with 20 oz. of water
Drank 16 oz. water bottle during morning
12:00 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
12:30 pm- Lunch- ate 1/2 rye, veggie, meat & cheese sandwich with a scoop of left over cabbage salad.
3:30 pm - Snack- 1/2 Turkey wrap and 32 oz. of water.
6:00 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
6:35 pm - Dinner- ate a small scoop of spaghetti with a spinach side salad with Italian dressing, drank 8 oz. of CL lemonade.
9:00 pm - Weekend date splurge--ate 2/3rds of a hickory BBQ bacon burger, shared a med cheese fry with my husband and ate about 1/4 of a small butterfinger shake.

Daily HIGH- high five to little sis! Way to jump off the plateau!!

Day 52-53 The Biggest TransFORMation Contest

My O3 World announced they are holding a contest called the Biggest TransFORMation. Anyone of their members can enter. It runs from mid September to the first part of December. They are looking for the most inspiring story not just the person who loses the most weight. I don't know if I am inspiring but I sure feel inspired!

If I am going to win this contest I am going to have to step it up!

Day 52 -Wednesday, August 27, 2008

8:30 am -Drank 16 oz. water bottle
Exercise- Body for Life legs & abs -45 minutes
10:30 am -Had my FIXX for the day with 20 oz. of water
1:00 pm -Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
1;30 pm -Lunch - ate 1/2 of pastrami, cheese, tomato, spinach sandwich on a wheat bun, a side salad w/ ranch, drank 1/2 a can of Fresca.
3:30 pm - Drank 16 oz. water
6:00 pm- Dinner -ate sauerkraut & Dijon mustard grilled cheese on rye (best grilled cheese in the world!), 4 sticks of zucchini 16 oz. of CL lemonade, a banana muffin for dessert.
Drank 16 oz. water through evening
10:30 am -Snack -ate 1 banana muffin

Day 53 -Thursday August 28,2008

8:00 am -Drank 16 oz. water
Exercise- 1 1/2 mile power walk-- I followed the Body for Life 20 minute aerobic exercise model for this and I felt really great when I was finished.
10:30 am -Got my FIXX for the day with 20 oz. of water.
Drank another 16 oz. water bottle before lunch.
1:00 pm -Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
1:45 pm - Lunch -ate a spinach salad with fresh tomatoes, cheddar, parmesan, onion, sunflower seeds, and ranch.
4:00 pm -Snack- Pure Protein bar with 16 oz. of water
6:15 pm -Took FORM with 8 oz. of water.
6:30 pm - Dinner -ate 2 pieces of chicken, bacon, artichoke, spinach, thin crust pizza, drank 1 can of caffeine free Diet Coke.
10:00 pm -Snack -ate a Cinnamon stick with frosting--- I seem to be getting back into this bad habit of eating late at night... it isn't as much as before but it still. If I need a snack I need to eat it before 9pm and I need to start taking FORM at night to try to eliminate this temptation.

Daily HIGH -New motivation for sticking to my life change-- a contest!