Fit and Fabulous

Protein... ya gotta have it.

2009-04-13T21:44:00.002-06:00

I am always reading about the necessity of protein for dieting but how much protein do I really need? After searching the web for the answer and comparing expert opinions this recommendation from the nutrition experts at Active.com seems to sum up the consensus opinion...

How Much Protein Should You Eat?

To estimate your daily needs, multiply your weight by 0.5-0.75 g protein/pound (1.0-1.5 g/kg). If you are restricting calories or are a novice exerciser who is building new muscles, your protein needs are a little higher, but 1 gram of protein/lb (2 g/kg) is more than enough!

Example:

• If you weigh ~120 lbs, the suggested intake is ~60-90 grams protein per day; 90-120 grams if dieting or starting to lift weights seriously.

• If you weigh ~160-lbs, the suggested intake is ~80-120 grams protein per day; 120-180 if dieting or starting to lift weights seriously.

To determine how much protein you eat at meals, use the information on food labels and/or analyze your diet at websites such as www.fitday.com or www.sparkpeople.com.

Wow- that is definitely more than I have been eating. My sister gave me a recipe for Vegetable Quiche Cups from the South Beach Diet. I think I will make these as a nutritious quick protein snack or meal. I might just add one or two to my breakfast along with my FIXX shake.

INGREDIENTS

1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach
3/4 cup liquid egg substitute
3/4 cup shredded reduced-fat cheese
1/4 cup diced green bell pepper
1/4 cup diced onion
3 drops hot-pepper sauce (optional)

DIRECTIONS

Microwave the spinach for 2 1/2 minutes on high. Drain the excess liquid.
Line a 12-cup muffin pan with foil baking cups. Spray the cups with cooking spray.
Combine the egg substitute, cheese, peppers, onions, and spinach in a bowl. Mix well. Divide evenly among the muffin cups. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

Quiche cups can be frozen and reheated in the microwave. Any combination of appropriate vegetables and reduced-fat cheeses may be used.

Nutritional Information

Vegetable Quiche Cups to Go

Servings Per Recipe: 6

Amount Per Serving

Calories: 73

Total Fat: 2.5g
Cholesterol: 4mg
Sodium: 195mg
Total Carbs: 3.5g
Dietary Fiber: 1.6g
Protein: 9.6g

Progress Report...

2009-04-05T21:00:00.002-06:00

I know, from the appearance of my blog you would think that I had given up on my weight loss journey but, alas, it isn't so! I am still sluffing it off, just a bit slower these days.

I would love to blame the fact that I am hovering around 60 pounds lost on having hit a plateau but that would require me to actually have been diligent in my efforts and frankly.... I can't claim that!

After all the excitement of having won the Biggest TranFORMation Contest in December followed by the holidays, then the relief of the holidays being over, then the stress of getting ready for the TJEd Forum... and one thing after another I just haven't been as focussed as I could have been.

To help me kick my butt back into things, my FIT&FAB O3 Team of friends started a club that meets on a monthly basis. We call it the We're Losin' It! Club. At our weigh in each month we record our weight's and measurements, swap tips, struggles and clothes we've grow out of! We sample FIXX shakes, FILL bars and dark chocolate fondue from ForeverGreen. We laugh, we encourage and we get motivated! It has been really fun so far.

Everyone puts in $10 each month and whoever loses the highest % of weight and/or most inches wins a share of the pool! Our first month's winner, Halene D. , bought concert tickets for her and her granddaughters with her prize money! One of last month's winners, Tiffany K., is saving the money for a shopping spree after she loses another 25 and wins some more money!

I am taking my son to Disneyland on a Mommy/Son vacation the first week of May and I am going to win this month so I can add the money to our ticketets!! Watch me!

I will keep you posted!

Angela's Success Story

2009-02-02T22:30:00.005-07:00

One of the things that has kept me going through this journey has been the great support of my friends and family who have also been using FORM and FIXX to reshape their lives and health. I have a good friend who has actually hit her weight loss goal already and is in maintenance mode with the products. Here is her picture and story. I hope her story will inspire and help some of you as it has me.
ANGELA--
"I come from a thin, fit family, but was always the 'bigger one'. I started gaining weight when I began working full-time at a desk job during college. After the desk job and having 4 children I had 30 extra pounds that I wanted to lose. I lost some of my extra weight after my 2nd child following the Weight Watchers eating plan but after I had my 4th, I just couldn't talk myself into starting that again-- counting calories, figuring points and cutting out butter, sour cream and cheese ....forever!!
When I heard about O3World's FORM & FIXX I was excited to give it a try. These products have helped me reestablish healthy eating habits as well as control my portions and cravings. I've lost the weight easily, steadily and without having to give up all of my favorite things! I have more energy, feel healthier and am more confident in my appearance than I've ever been. I now use the products to manage my weight so I will never have to think about dieting again!"

A TYPICAL DAY...
7 am Wake up and drink 8-10 oz. of water.
8 am BREAKFAST- 2- 3 inch pancakes with butter & syrup, an egg and a small glass of milk.
**I make my FIXX shake at this point with 16 oz. of water in a Blender Bottle and keep it cold and handy in the fridge throughout the day. When I get snacky, I simply go to the fridge and sip on my shake, 1-2 oz. at a time.
12 pm LUNCH- Drink 8 oz. of water first- eat an open face sandwich with meat, cheese, onions, peppers, tomatoes, pickles, mayo, horseradish, mustard... the works! I may eat a single piece of candy or a small cookie for dessert.
3 pm SNACK- I sip on my FIXX shake or eat some popcorn
**I take a FORM capsule with 8 oz. of bottled water 30 minutes before dinner.
6 pm DINNER- an 8 inch chicken fajita with cheese, veggies, sour cream, salsa and water.
7 pm SNACK - 2 small 2 inch cookies with 2 oz. of milk
** I take a FORM or sip on my FIXX shake around 10 pm if I start to feel hungry.

THINGS I GAVE UP...

FRUIT JUICE- a high calorie, high carb food item I love but can easily give up.
10 pm BOWL OF CEREAL OR ICE CREAM- I now just take a FORM or go to bed!

THINGS I LIMIT...

CANDY, CHIPS AND COOKIES- these are my weaknesses! I used to nibble at these things throughout my day. Now I sip on my FIXX shake. It not only FIXXes my sugar cravings, it is nutritionally dense and only 100 calories for a whole shake.
CARBOHYDRATES- in general such as I now drink a 2 oz. glass of milk instead of an 8 oz., I leave off a 2nd slice of bread on my sandwich, etc.

THINGS I ADDED...

WATER- first thing in the morning and throughout the day. I keep a cup by the kitchen sink and try to drink a glass every time I'm in the kitchen.
FORM & FIXX- of course. They have really helped me reestablish good habits and kept me on track!

50 lbs. Down And Counting!!

2008-12-29T15:19:00.007-07:00

I am half way to my goal! I know it has been a long time since my last posting ... well 10 lbs. ago... and a lot has happened! I won O3 World's BIGGEST TRANSFORMATION Contest for one! Here is my progress picture that landed me first place and celebrity photo shoot in L.A.

The contest was based on total number of pounds lost, inches lost and how many people you have shared the business opportunity with. I lost 48 pounds, 34.5 inches total and have shared my good news with anyone who will listen... and I guess it was enough.

Here are a few of my "AFTER" photos taken in L.A.

It is amazing what lighting and a professional makeup artist can do---- not to mention a sparkly purple tube top and 4 inch heals! -- Smokin' HOT!! It was quite the experience!

O3 World is starting another contest in January so all you who need some additional motivation... I would highly recommend entering! It was totally worth it!

Week 16 & 17 FORM: Is it so simple, it's confusing?

2008-11-03T22:38:00.008-07:00

Literally thousands of people are currently using FORM & FIXX as weight management tools--- but how many of those thousands are using FORM correctly and to it's potential?

I am continually receiving questions about how to use FORM and how to know if it is working. I think we as a dieting society are so used to complex, multi-step dieting programs that we can't wrap our minds around the simplicity of O3World's FORM and FIXX. Truly ---using FORM as a weight management tool is SIMPLE!

FORM has no active ingredients. It is not a trick. It is a real substance whose only purpose is to absorb water, swell in your stomach, temporarily take up space and finally move through your digestive system and be eliminated. That's it.

How does this result in weight loss? By itself, it does not cause weight loss. The actions you take and the choices you make while armed with FORM are what result in weight loss. FORM is SIMPLY a TOOL! A very effective and dependable tool but still just a tool.

Q: WHEN SHOULD YOU TAKE FORM?
A: ANY TIME YOU NEED IT! One of the ways to use this tool effectively is to help eliminate irrational hunger. This is the hunger that causes you to make poor food choices, choices that result in unhealthy eating habits and weight gain. I take FORM when I start to get hungry so my hunger never escalates to the point where I don't care about my weight loss goals or making healthy choices. I don't let my hunger get to the point that I eat anything that sounds good or is quick just to satisfy the physical need. Within about 10 minutes of taking a FORM I begin to forget I am even hungry and I have to make a conscious decision to eat to fuel my body not to suppress a physical craving or appetite.

Q: AFTER TAKING FORM, WHY WAS I STILL ABLE TO EAT AS MUCH AS I WOULD NORMALLY?
A: FORM DOES NOT TAKE AWAY YOUR FREEDOM TO CHOOSE! It simply makes it easier to make the right choice. It is possible to eat normally or even to over eat when using FORM--- While FORM is a miracle pill to many it does not have magical power to render you incapable of continuing to shovel unnecessary food into your mouth!

Since FORM is not a trick and is a real substance in your stomach, you begin eating with more control, you can consciously eat a smaller portion and feel satisfied with a smaller amount of food than you would normally eat. Eating until you are uncomfortably stuffed is not what you should be aiming for and with FORM giving you a head start you will be able to control yourself before it is too late. Just don't forget that YOU MAKE THE CHOICE to use the help given or to waste it!

As it states on each bottle of FORM, "FORM is designed to reduce the hunger associated with weight loss regimens by controlling meal portions by partially filling the stomach before meals, thus reducing the urge to overeat." and in my opinion it does exactly what it claims to do.

If you want to know if FORM is working for you? Ask yourself these questions:

Do I feel less hungry after taking FORM?
Do I feel satisfied and happy not frustrated or hungry after eating?
Am I eating less than I did before taking FORM?
Am I making better food choices when I take FORM then when I don't?

If you answered YES to all of these questions then FORM is working effectively for you!
If you answered NO to any of these questions, first examine how you are taking FORM and make adjustments before giving up entirely. Factors as simple as what kind of water and how much you are using can affect your experience. Refer to TIPS FOR SUCCESS on the FIT&FAB O3 website for trouble shooting.

Don't forget that there are no dud capsules of FORM. It works 100% of the time (meaning it will swell up to 1000 times it's size every single time it is exposed to water). How you use the relief given to you by FORM is what is ultimately responsible for your weight loss success! I am so thankful it is so simple, so dependable, so effective. None of us will have any excuse to choose to be overweight any longer!

WK 16- Beginning Weight: 216
WK 17- Ending Weight: 213

Week 14 & 15 - Usin' it and Losin' it!

2008-10-19T18:49:00.005-06:00

I have finally hit 40 lbs. lost! I weighed on Wednesday this past week and saw 216! I have fluctuated between 38-40 lbs. since, so tomorrow will be my official weight...but I'm not worried!
After much coaxing I did another before and after picture this week and check out the faces!! Holy Heifer before picture! I just don't know how I ever let myself get that way.

Seeing my progress side by side makes me even more motivated and excited than ever! Maybe I can hit 50 lbs. by Thanksgiving! Who ever thought of making weight loss goals before the holidays? FORM will be my Christmas miracle!

I have 2 weeks of food journaling that I could faithfully add to this posting but... I think I won't take the time. Just trust me that it has been about the same as usual---FIXX for breakfast, FORM before lunch and dinner, salads, easy on carbs, lots of water, smaller portions... you know the drill by now!

See you at 42 lbs. ... in other words, next week!

Week 13- My Chest Is Boycotting My Weight Loss!

2008-10-06T23:10:00.008-06:00

As of Monday morning, Oct. 6th I weighted in at 222 which brings me to the end of 13 weeks and a grand total of 34 pounds! I have lost inches on every part of my body that I have tracked EXCEPT my chest! What the ?!

I think my breasts are boycotting my weight loss! I have lost 4 inches around my torso but not even 1/2 an inch from my cup size!! How is that fair? If this keeps up, I'm going to look like I've had enhancement surgery! I'll be a size 6 with gianormous cha cha's!

I did have a really awesome experience the other day when my 9 year old threw her arms around me and was able to grab her hands behind my back! In shocked amazement she said, "Mom, my arms fit all the way around you!" All the better for hugging, baby!

Week 13, Monday, Sept. 29 to Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008
Starting weight for the week: 225
Ending weight 222 (34 pounds lost)

Day 1
Exercise- 5:30 am -Water aerobics, emphasis on upper body and ab toning, 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- Turkey, Havarti, whole wheat wrap, drank 12 oz. of water.
4:00 pm - Snack- ate a protein bar, drank 24 oz. of water.
6:30 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water.
7:00 pm - Went on a special date with my 9 year old. Ate at the Training Table. Ate 3/4 of my Ranch burger, split a half order of cheese fries but we only ate half of that! Yeah us! Drank 8 oz. of water.
7:30 pm - Played racquetball for 30 minutes. Drank 12 oz. of water.

Day 2
Exercise- 9:00 am -Water aerobics, cardio emphasis, drank 24 oz. of water
10:45 am -Got my FIXX with 20 oz. of water.
1:00 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of bottled water
1:40 pm - Lunch- ate a small salad, spinach, tuna, tomato, Parmesan, sunflower seeds and ranch. Drank 12 oz. of water
3:30 pm - Snack- Atkin's Peanut roll and 16 oz. of water.
6:15 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water. Drank another 16 oz.
6:40 pm - Dinner- Spaghetti & side salad, drank 8 oz. of CL lemonade.
Drank 12 oz. of water throughout evening.

Day 3
Exercise- 5:30 am -Water aerobics, emphasis on lower body, drank 24 oz. of water
9:00 am -Got my FIXX with 20 oz. of water.
11:30 pm - Lunch- 1/2 Turkey Havarti, whole wheat wrap, Drank 16 oz. of water
2:30 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water.
3:15 pm - Business meeting at the Olive Garden, ate 3/4 of a Sicilian Scampi & 1 serving of salad, Drank another 16 oz.
Exercise -Tried rock climbing (made it to the black line), played racquetball for 40 minutes, drank 24 oz. of water.
8:00 pm -Got my FIXX with 20 oz. of water.

Day 4
No Entry for today?

Day 5
9:00 am -Got my FIXX with 20 oz. of water.
11:00 am - Made sugar cookies with my kids- ate 2 mini stars and had 1 pinch of dough, drank 24 oz. of water through morning.
12:30 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of bottled water
1:00 pm - Lunch- Spinach tuna salad, drank 12 oz. of water.
4:00 pm - Snack- piece of apple bread with butter.
6:00 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water.
6:45 pm - Dinner -ate 1 waffle with peach jam and syrup. Drank 8 oz. of water.
10:00 pm - Drank Caffeine Free Diet Coke with lime.

Day 6
9:00 am -Got my FIXX with 20 oz. of water.
Drank 12 oz. of water through morning.
12:30 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of bottled water
1:15 pm - Lunch- Spinach, Feta salad, drank 12 oz. of water.
4:00 pm - Went to a Pampered Chief party- ate 1/2 of a Tomato Basil Pizza Bite and a piece of Chocolate Swirl Bread.
6:00 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water.
6:30 pm - Dinner -ate a tossed salad with chicken tender on top. Drank 8 oz. of water.
9:30 pm - Date Night in- split a Hickory BBQ Bacon Burger, cheese fries and a small cookie dough shake with my husband.

Day 7
9:00 am -Got my FIXX with 20 oz. of water.
Drank 16 oz. of water through morning.
12:00 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of bottled water
12:40 pm - Lunch- Spinach and mixed veggie salad, drank 12 oz. of water.
4:45 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water.
5:15 pm - Dinner -ate 1/2 a grilled cheese sandwich with a side salad, drank 1/2 a Caffeine Free Diet Coke
7:00 pm - Ate an apple pie turnover with 8 oz of water.
8:30 pm - Ate 1/2 an apple pie turnover with 8 oz. of water. (Man, my 11 year old makes yummy treats!)

In spite of eating out multiple times and having access to an abundance of goodies I ended up with good results for the week. When you are taking all things in moderation then a little here and there really doesn't make that big of an impact! Cool.

Week 12 - Tips for Success

2008-09-28T20:45:00.006-06:00

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!

2008-09-22T20:36:00.009-06:00

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!

2008-09-09T22:47:00.004-06:00

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

2008-09-05T19:55:00.002-06:00

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

2008-09-05T19:37:00.003-06:00

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!!

2008-09-03T21:21:00.003-06:00

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

2008-09-02T09:28:00.002-06:00

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!

Day 50-51 That was then...and This Is Now!

2008-08-27T21:59:00.007-06:00

Everyone went back to school today so... we went camping at the lake! One last hurrah before we resign ourselves to autumn. I took some more swimsuit pictures to do a "that was then and this is now" comparison--- what do you think?

The picture on the left was taken July 12, 2008 and the picture on the right was taken August 25, 2008! Those 19 missing pounds are really noticeable-- I can't wait to see what 29 missing pounds looks like! I'm sure I won't have to wait long!

Day 50 -August 25, 2008

8:30 am -Drank FIXX shake with 20 oz. of water.
Drank a 16 oz. water bottle before lunch.
11:30 am -Took FORM with 8 oz. of water.
12:00 am -Lunch -Pastrami & cheese on rye with a spinach salad on the side- complete with cheese, sunflower seeds, tomatoes and ranch.
3:30 pm -Snack -drank 16 oz. water bottle and ate an Atkin's Peanut Roll.
7:00 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water.
7:20 pm - Dinner -ate red potato & dill salad with 15 Frito Scoops. Roasted a cauliflower floret over the camp fire while my kids roasted hot dogs-- I think mine tasted better! Ate 4 chunks of Garlic Herb Havarti and misc. finger veggies.
Exercise- swam 3 times to the buoy, once without a noodle - did 15 minute water aerobics (the "gals" will be proud).
930 pm - Snack- ate 2 graham crackers, 2 Reeses Peanut Butter cups, 2 roasted marshmellows.

Daily HIGH- The hilarious scary stories my kids had to tell around the campfire! I love homeschooling!

Day 51 -Tuesday, August 26, 2008

8:00 am - Ate a mixed fruit and nuts muffin and a lowfat yogurt, drank 8 oz. of water.
10:00 am -Exercise -15 minutes on the kayak, 3 times to the buoy again- once without a noodle. Earlier this month I thought it would take me until next year to feel confident enough to try --but I just couldn't wait! Drank 24 oz. water bottle.
12:00 pm - Lunch -ate 1/2 an italian sub, small scoop of red potato & dill salad with 6 Frito Scoops, drank 16 oz. of water.
3:30 pm - Snack -ate a Pure Protein bar, drank 24 oz. water bottle. I wish I would have taken a FORM before eating today, but I am out and about with my family and didn't bring it with me--what was I thinking? Ate 2 cups of white cheddar Smart Pop popcorn.
6:30 pm -Dinner -ate 1/2 an ear of corn with butter and seasoning salt, 1/2 a fresh tomato & 2 zuccini sticks, and 1/2 a breast of BBQ chicken, drank 8 oz. of CL lemonade.
11:00 pm - Ate 4 Scoops with potato salad.
I didn't end up eating too bad today, but it was a struggle! I didn't plan very well with having some FORM with me at the lake and in my purse once we left. I felt like I was thinking about eating a lot today and it was hard to not keep eating-- especially with the popcorn and eating late at night.

Daily HIGH - Swimming to the buoy -no noodle!

Day 49 - Weigh in and .... drum roll....

2008-08-26T22:19:00.002-06:00

19 pounds!! (Yes, I yelled that!) I was so worried looking back at all of the not so hot days I have had in the past 2 weeks but I still lost 3 pounds! I also took measurements today and I am up to a total inches lost of 9.75! That is not a bad 7 week total!

Day 49 -Sunday, August 24, 2008

9:30 am - Drank FIXX with 20 oz. of water
11:30 am - Ate 2 medium pancakes with a fried egg, drank 12 oz. of water
4;30 pm - Ate 2 small chocolate cookies that a neighbor brought by with 16 oz. of water.
5:30 pm -Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
6:00 pm - Dinner- ate 1/2 a chicken breast, BBQ style, small scoop of mashed potatoes, a serving of green beans, caesar side salad, 8 oz. of CL lemonade.

Daily HIGH - HELLO-- 19 pounds!!

Day 46-48 The Fabulous Four

2008-08-26T21:15:00.006-06:00

Now that FORM is available to the public, my sisters and I have decided to call ourselves The Fab Four. We are fit and fabulous on the inside but need to transFORM ourselves on the outside for everyone to see. This is our official "BEFORE" pictures. We took these at the O3 Meeting at the end of July.
I am really jazzed about this! For the first time ever we will be able to be a support system for each other in weight loss now that we will have FORM and FIXX in common. What I mean is we don't all have to follow the same eating regimen which has always made it hard to work together as a group. Now one can be on Weight Watchers, one can follow South Beach, one can go vegan if she wants and we can still be supportive because we will all be using FORM to help us stick to whatever eating plan we want to lose weight with. Just another reason why FORM is so revolutionary-- it works with any eating or diet plan--- I am such a raving fan!

Day 46 -Thursday, August 21, 2008

8:00 am - Drank 16 oz. of water --Am too sore from water aerobics the last 2 days so am taking a day off of exercise!
9:30 am - Drank a FIXX shake with 20 oz. of water
12:30 am - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
1:00 pm - Lunch -ate a salad: romaine, ham, cheese, pasta, tomato, and ranch, drank 12 oz. of water
5:45 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
6:00 pm - Dinner -ate 1/2 grilled cheese sandwich, side salad romaine, feta, tomato
8:30 pm - Went to book club -ate 1 1/2 handfuls of homemade caramel popcorn, drank 24 oz. of water.

Day 47 -Friday, August 22, 2008

8:00 am -Ate a slice of banana bread (which my 11 year old keeps making!), drank 12 oz. of water
9:30 am -Drank FIXX shake with 20 oz. of water
12:00 pm-Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
12:30 pm -Lunch -1/2 turkey ranch & bacon wrap from Arby's, drank 16 oz. of water.
3:00 pm -Snack - ate other 1/2 of wrap
On the road with some friends to an attend an educational conference-- Hopefully I will be able to eat regularly and decisively while I am gone.
4:00 pm - Stopped at a cheese factory (recommended by one of the other ladies) ate 6 small curds of "squeeky" cheese. Drank a 16 oz. caffeine free Diet Coke.
5:30 pm - Bought a Shrimp and pineapple salad (no dressing) at Bajo's, ate about 5 bites before our first seminar started. Drank 24 oz. water.
9:30 pm - finished my salad from dinner post seminar evening session. I should have taken a FORM in anticipation of eating but didn't. Probably wasn't good to eat so much so late.

Day 48 -Saturday, August 23, 2008

7:30 am -Drank FIXX shake with 20 oz. of water
Drank another 24 oz. water bottle during morning session of the seminar.
11:45 am - Took FORM with 10 oz. of water
12:15 pm- Lunch -ate at a whole foods resturant -ate 1/2 of a veggie sandwich on some kind of really whole bread (it was good though), a side salad with balsamic vinaigrette dressing, and 8 oz. of water.
Drank another 24 oz. water bottle during afternoon session of the seminar.
4:00 pm - Snack -ate other 1/2 of sandwich
6:00 pm - Drank 22 oz. Caffeine Free Diet Coke
9:00 pm - Starving by the time I got home. Ate a Hickory BBQ bacon burger, split a small cheese fry with my hubby and ate 1/3 of a small chocolate brownie shake. I know this sounds bad but I am actually very happy with this meal. I think taking FORM is helping me retrain my body because I didn't over eat here. Granted I would have definitely made better food choices if I had taken a FORM before this meal but I am not going to dwell!

Daily HIGH - Coming home! I am getting adventured out this summer-- I am ready for things to slow down for a while.

Day 45 - Taking ORDERS, finally!!

2008-08-25T14:09:00.002-06:00

It is true-- O3 World is finally taking orders as of today!! I have to say that it feels like it has taken forever but they are actually ahead of the September 1st launch date. Anyone who is interested in trying some of the FORM and/or FIXX products, you can either email me at fitandfabo3@gmail.com and I will hook you up or you can sign up as a distributor and place wholesale orders for yourself (just click the sign up link in the right hand column).

If you were referred to my blog by one of my friends or family and you decide to sign up as a wholesale distributor just click on their name in the Fit and Fab Friends Directory and it will take you to their sign up page. If you just want to try the product out then, let them know also because if we group orders together we can all get it at a better price.

No matter how you do it-- just do it! It is life changing!!

Day 45 - Wednesday, August 20, 2008

8:30 am - Drank 24 oz. of water
9:00 am - Water Aerobics with "the girls"-- every muscle in my body is sore from yesterday!
11:30 am - Drank a FIXX shake with 20 oz. of water, ate 2 pieces of banana bread
1:30 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
2:00 pm - Lunch -spinach side salad with feta and tomatoes
Drank 24 oz. water bottle through the afternoon.
5:30 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water.
5:50 pm - Dinner -ate a pasta, romaine, tomato, cheese, onion, balsamic vinaigrette salad, drank a caffeine free Diet Coke.
8:30 pm - Snack -the last piece of banana bread! drank 16 oz. of water.

Daily HIGH - YOU CAN ORDER PRODUCTS!!!!!

Day 44 - Poo Revisited

2008-08-25T13:48:00.003-06:00

Yes, I think we need to talk about the "P" word again. I have a sister that bought a sample pack and started drinking the FIXX shakes. She called me totally excited today because she had had a "movement" 3 days in a row, which apparently is unheard of for her, after drinking the FIXX shakes for breakfast those 3 days. I am just mentioning this because I think it could be a relevant benefit for some to consider.

I also think I should give a personal overall update on my functions in that department. I have observed over the past 7 weeks a variety of changes in elimination but all positive changes, nothing disturbing, explosive or uncontrollable. I think everything seems softer on the whole but I also need to consider that I am eating differently not just taking FORM and FIXX. At 7 weeks, I have to say that I am still convinced that there are NO NEGATIVE SIDE AFFECTS in the poo department and I hear possibly some positive ones if you have problems like my sister. And yes, I think that is the last time we need to visit this topic!

Day 44 -Tuesday, August 19, 2008

8:00 am -Drank 16 oz. of water
9:00 am -Did a 1 hour water aerobics class which kicked my butt! Holey Cow!!
10:30 am - Drank FIXX with 20 oz. of water
12:30 pm -Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
1:00 pm- Lunch -ate a spinach, feta, tomato salad with 12 oz. of water
4:00 pm - Snack -Pure Protein bar with 12 oz. of water
6:20 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
6:40 pm- Dinner -ate a small Baked potato with onions, chive, sour cream and cheese with a spinach side salad with ranch, drank 16 oz. of water.

Daily HIGH- definitely water aerobics - was the class star pupil --- I was the only one under 60 in the class but it still counts!

Day 43 - Countdown to O3 Going LIVE!

2008-08-25T13:36:00.002-06:00

In just 2 days, O3 World will be going LIVE and we will be able to place orders!!! Oh yeah, oh yeah (doing the happy dance)! I know there are tons of you out there that have been following my progress and are anxious to join me-- hold on for just a few more days and I will let you know how you can!

Day 43 - Monday, August 18, 2008

8:00 am - Drank 24 oz. water --8 minutes in the morning exercise --ouch today!
10:00 am - Drank a FIXX shake with 20 oz. of water
12:30 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
1:00 pm - Lunch -ate 1 piece of banana bread and a 1 1/2 eggs scrabbled with cheese.
4:00 pm- Drank a 24 oz. water bottle throughout the afternoon
5:30 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
6:00 pm - Dinner -ate 1/2 a grilled cheese sandwich with a spinach side salad with tomatoes, cheese, peas, sunflower seeds, topped with balsamic vinaigrette. Drank a Caffeine Free Diet Coke.
9:00 pm - Snack ate 2 pieces of Banana bread and drank 16 oz. of water

Daily HIGH- I didn't gain any weight on my family reunion!!

Day 39-42 The Snowball Effect of FORM!

2008-08-19T23:22:00.005-06:00

I made it through my family reunion without back sliding on any of the progress I have made --phew!

I am so antsy for all of my family members that are anxiously awaiting shipments of FORM and FIXX to begin their own transFORMations. My O3 World was definitely the #1 topic of discussion the entire reunion- you'd think I had a one track mind or something! Well, it is extremely hard not to be excited to the point of being emotional about a product that is changing my life so drastically for the better! I can't help but talk about it whenever I can.

This product is so easy to tell people about, especially when they are seeing for themselves, on me, the undeniable proof that it works! The whole thing is like an uncontrollable snowball going down hill--- You may start with just a handful of good things yourself (feeling in control, losing weight, having more energy, etc.) but then you get the ball rolling and it just picks up speed (everyone you know asking you how you are doing it), substance (you are giving other people this life changing information) and momentum (they tell everyone they know, those people get excited and so on). --- it just gets bigger and faster as it goes-- there is no stopping it. It is amazing how I can tell 10 people about it and 9 of them are interested, I've never seen anything like it! It is not like any other product out there and the opportunity O3 World offers on the ground floor (which is NOW!!) is unbelievable. Just be sure you don't miss getting in on the ride of your life!

Day 39 Thursday, August 16, 2008

9:00 am - Drank FIXX with 20 oz. of water
12:00 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
12:30 pm - Lunch - ate a buffalo chicken salad from Wendy's on our way out of town. Drank 24 oz. water bottle during our 2.5 hour drive.
5:45 pm - Dinner - Chicken Tacos with lots of fresh veggies--- it was almost a salad with a tortilla on the side.
Drank 24 oz. water bottle
Exercise: 6 games of Lightening (a basketball game) with the boys... I won 2!

Day 40 -Friday, August 17, 2008

9:00 am - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
9:30 am - Scoop of an egg casserole, small bunch of grapes, 1/2 a necterine and a slice of cinnamon raisin toast.
Drank 24 oz. of water before lunch
1:15 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
1:45 pm - Lunch - leftover Chicken taco salad, 4 strawberries
4:00 pm - Mini bag of Nutter Butter bites (I am super munchie today-- I think it has to do with the 40 degree weather outside and we are rustic cabin camping--- you know, my body is working up an appetite trying to stay warm!)
5:30 pm - Dinner - ate roasted turkey (white meat only), corn on the cob, small blackened potato with butter and a small scoop of broccoli salad.
11:00 pm- Snack - caffeine free Diet Coke, corn chips and mango peach salsa.
Exercise- 4 different buoy ball matches, serious arm and chest exercise!

Day 41 -Saturday, August 16, 2008

9:15 am - Fruit and yogurt smoothie
11:00 am -1/2 blueberry muffin with 12 oz. of water
1:00 pm - Drank a FIXX with 20 oz. of water
4:00 pm - Drank 12 oz. of water, ate cauliflower & broccoli with garlic dip.
6:00 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
6:30 pm - Spagetti, side salad (no dressing) and a roll. Drank 8 oz. of water.
8:00 pm - Ate a mini strawberry shortcake with a scoop of marble ice cream, and 2 Oatmeal Crasin cookies.
10:00 pm - Snack- ate corn chips with mango, peach salsa and 1/2 of Caff. free Diet Coke

Day 42 - Sunday, August 17, 2008

8:00 am - Drank a FIXX with 20 oz. of water
12:00 pm - Lunch - ate a 6 inch veggie delight Subway sandwich, drank 24 oz. of water.
Exercise- Swam across a reservoir which was about 1/2 a mile across. Took the kayak out on the water for about 15 minutes---raced my 12 year old nephew from the buoy... yes, he won, but it was a really good race!
2:00 pm - Snack -ate a individual bag of Garden Salsa Sunchips
4:00 pm - Ate other 6 inches of Subway sandwich
6:45 pm - Dinner - ate a Big Mac, shared a small fry and took one drink of a Diet Coke I ordered but changed my mind about! (I really should have taken FORM today!!)
Drank 24 oz. of water before bed.

Day 37 -38 -Fat Free Fad Over- Yeah!

2008-08-14T09:18:00.003-06:00

I am so glad that fat free dieting went out in the 80's! I keep reading about all these good fats and yummy things to make sure you add to your healthy eating habits and I just felt a surge of gratitude! Like avacados.... yum and sunflower seeds....yum yum on salads! ----anyway...

I am leaving town tomorrow for a 4 day family reunion. I know I have done several little get aways but this one is going to be the true ultimate test---my family! We love to eat together and we eat even more when we are happy and having fun....which is basically all of reunion (yes, our family actually likes each other!). The good thing is that my family is a huge (no pun intended) support to me in my journey. Most of them will be joining me as soon as their orders of FORM & FIXX are finally shipped (this coming week I hope!)--- I guess that adds a little pressure to be a good example this week, which should help me be decisive. We'll see how I do.

Day 37 - Tuesday, August 12, 2008

8:30 am - 8 minute morning day 2 exercise + 8 times up & down the stairs
9:30 am - Drank a FIXX with 20 oz. of water
Drank a 24 oz. water bottle before lunch
12:00 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
12:30 pm - Lunch - went to lunch with my sister. Ate 2/3rds of a pineapple shrimp salad from Baja Grill (no dressing necessary), drank 16 oz. of water.
4:00 pm - Snack - ate the other 1/3rd of my salad from lunch
6:15 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
7:00 pm - Dinner - I was out running errands with a different sister when we decided to bag shopping, grab a bite to eat and hit Mamma Mia! Ate a 1/2 wrap (veggie crepe) and 1/2 caramel, cream cheese crepe (no excuse for this, just wanted it) and drank 12 oz. Diet Coke.
Walked up the movie stairs side on entering and power walked everywhere we shopped to make up for our dinner. Drank 16 oz. water during movie.

Daily HIGH - Mamma Mia!

Day 38 - Wednesday, August 13, 2008

9:00 am - 8 minute morning day 3 exercise + ran 10 times up & down the stairs
9:30 am - Drank FIXX with 20 oz. of water
Drank 24 oz. of water before lunch
12:45 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
1:15 pm - Lunch - ate spinach, strawberry, cheese, cauliflower, sunflower seed with poppyseed dressing salad, drank 8 oz. of water.
4:00 pm - Snack - ate a Pure Protein bar, drank 12 oz. of water.
6:00 pm - Dinner - ate a BLT salad with cauliflower & 1/2 an artichoke with dip, drank 8 oz. of CL lemonade
11:00 pm - Snack- I should have taken a FORM before dinner or one around 9:00 pm-- too much evening activity, worked up an appetite that just wouldn't go away. Ate a handful of corn chips dipped in creamy salsa, drank 6 oz. of a caffeine free Diet Coke.

Daily HIGH- Still Mamma Mia! ---my kids and I were dancing around and singing all day as we got ready for our trip.

Will be back Monday!

Day 36 - Exercise Options

2008-08-13T21:22:00.006-06:00

Okay, I need exercise options. I have another book that I unburied from days past called 8 Minutes in the Morning by Jorge Cruise. Hmmm, 45 minutes vs. 8 minutes....how can I choose? .... I should really give the 8 minutes a try, right? I mean one shouldn't discriminate just because one is short!! Plus it is definitely more likely that I will stick to an 8 minute plan faithfully to start out with right? Or-- maybe I can just use it as a fall back for those days I just can't fit 45 minutes in? I just want options!!

It's kind of funny how with FORM in my arsenal I find myself pulling all these diet and fitness books out for review. It's like now that FORM has my back, I finally feel like I might be able to take them on seriously! It's fun!

Day 36 - Monday, August 11, 2008

8:00 am - 8 minute Day 1 exercises (I am going to count the 10 times I ran up and down the stairs in my house today)
8:45 am - Drank FIXX made with 20 oz. of water
Drank 24 oz. water bottle all morning
12:30 pm - Took FORM
1:00 pm - Lunch -ate a salad with romaine lettuce, onion, tomato, feta and 3 cheese tortellini's on top with balsamic vinaigrette, drank 8 oz. of water-- bursting full--- should have stopped before my salad was gone--darn you Cheesecake Factory dressing!
6:00 pm - Dinner -ate a Tomato basil veggie wrap
9:00 pm - Snack - ate an Atkins Indulgence bar with 24 oz. of water

Daily HIGH - For family night tonight we went rock climbing at our Fitness Center-- the kids were in heaven and we all had a blast! My five year old took a while to get used to it but he did finally reach the black line!

Day 35 - End of Week 5!

2008-08-13T20:45:00.002-06:00

5 WEEKS! I can't believe I am still excited, and still making progress, and still feeling great! Hurrah for me!

I took measurements this morning and I have lost a total of 7.5 inches - 5.5 of which are off my stomach and hips! I took a picture so I could do a side by side comparison and I can definitely see a difference in my stomach compared with my swimsuit picture from day 6. In the day 6 picture my stomach pokes out farther than my bust (which is saying something) but in the day 35 it's smaller. From now on I will take progress pictures in the same pose so it will be easier to see!

I know,-- to look at these pictures you think...hmmm, still fat--- but I'm making progress and I can't deny how much better I feel regardless how slight the visual transformation is---- so I'm happy!

Day 35- Sunday, August 10, 2008

9:00 am - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
9:30 am - Ate 1 applesauce pancake with a fried egg, drank 8 oz. of water
11:45 am - Drank a FIXX shake blended with mixed fruit and ice
4:30 pm- Post church hungry--super hungry -took a FORM with 12 oz. of water.
5:00 pm - Ate a BLT w/ cauliflower and broccoli on the side with garlic dip, drank 6 oz. of a Caffeine Free Diet Coke
10:00 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
11:00 pm - Ate a cheese stick & shared another Diet Coke with hubby.

Daily HIGH - 7.5 inches, 5 weeks-- can't choose, too happy!

Day 34 - Bridget Jones Obsessive

2008-08-10T20:56:00.005-06:00

I have decided my weighing habit has become obsessive to the level of Bridget Jones's Diary! I can't promise that I won't weight 5 times a day but I am telling myself that it only really counts every 2 weeks!

As I mentioned in an earlier posting, I am going to start weighing on a real scale at the Fitness Center to get a more accurate reading ----and as I anticipated, weighing first thing this morning in my swimming suit and no shoes, pre-workout made a difference from my reading yesterday. Today I weighed in at 240.25 pounds which brings my total to 16 pounds lost (if you minus the .25 for my swimming suit)!! Not bad for 34 days! Tomorrow I will do my measurements and give you a total inches lost update-- I anticipate that number making me happy since I haven't had to unbutton a pair of pants to use the bathroom in over a week!

Day 34 - Saturday, August 9, 2008

8:30 am - Swam 4 laps, walked 3 times upstream around the "river", did a 12 rep set of underwater grand battements (front, side and back on each leg) and 12 grand plies, drank 16 oz. of water.
10:00 am - Got more FIXX!! -- finally, I really missed it! Drank one with 20 oz. of water
12:20 pm- Took FORM with 8 oz. of water.
1:00 pm- Lunch -ate an extra yummy salad (romaine, feta, onion, tomato topped with balsamic vinaigrette from The Cheesecake Factory-divine!) drank 8 oz. of water.
4:00 pm- Snack - ate an Atkins Indulgence bar, drank 16 oz. of water.
5:45 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
6:15 pm - Dinner- ate a steamed artichoke with Cheesecake Factory dressings, with a side of tortelini salad, drank 8 oz. of Crystal Light lemonade.
10:00 pm - Took FORM with 12 oz. of water.

Daily HIGH - The Cheesecake Factory dressing-- I am not even going to ask what the nutritional information is -- I don't want to know!!

Day 33 - Burn, Baby Burn

2008-08-10T20:36:00.004-06:00

Today I spent 20 minutes on an elliptical machine at the Fitness Center trying to do my Body For Life aerobic exercise (short and efficient). I may have to start on the treadmill because my level 5 (which is where you are supposed to start your workout) kept making the machine turn off because it thought I was no longer moving --sad, but kind of funny. I did manage to go 2 miles and burn 258 calories in my 20 minutes despite my electronic difficulties --- it wasn't the varying intensity level aerobic exercise that I was aiming for-- it was simply a solid 20 minute burn!

Weighed with too many clothes on and tennis shoes post workout--- didn't like the reading-- will come back tomorrow in my swimming suit and weigh before doing laps.

Day 33 - Friday, August 8, 2008

8:30 am - Aerobic workout, drank 24 oz. of water
10:20 am - Ate Pure Protein meal bar with 8 oz. of water
12:30 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
1:00 pm - Lunch - ate BBQ chicken salad but only ate 2/3rds of what I made. Drank 6 oz. Caffeine Free Diet Coke.
4:00 pm - Snack -ate left over 1/3 of lunch salad, drank 12 oz. of water
6:00 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
6:20 pm - Dinner - ate Swiss Fondue, dipped cauliflower, broccoli, and whole wheat baguette.
8:30 pm - Snack -ate 2 Tb. garlic humus with more veggies and bread left over from dinner, drank 16 oz. of water

Daily HIGH - going to the fitness center with my kids-- we all had a lot of fun!

Day 32 - Tackling My Squishy Parts!

2008-08-10T18:43:00.004-06:00

Okay, I am ready to tackle my squishy parts! I feel great, I have increased my activity but now I want to SEE some serious changes--- it's time to step up the exercise plan! (Wow, I just never thought I would hear myself say that...I am like a different person!)

I know that the more muscle I have the more fat my body will burn-- so I need to add some toning and muscle building to my activity. Since I am trying to do this whole process like an Average Joe that can't afford a personal trainer and I have a life full of family, school and business responsibilities which don't allow me to work out for hours and hours a day-- I needed to find a program that is about quality, NOT quantity!

Here is what found... Several years ago I read the book, Body For Life by Bill Phillips. I remembered really liking the exercise and eating concepts in it (though I could never stick to the program) so I dug out my copy and reread it. It is like an exercising for idiots book-- it is so easy to understand and follow! There are 2 concepts that I really loved from this book: first is that you don't have to increase the quantity of your exercise the more fit you become, you just need to exercise efficiently and at your level (easy to follow instructions on how to do that). Second is that you should have a free day each week to eat whatever you want---before FORM I thought that was the most revolutionary dieting idea--- now, I don't really feel like I need a break!

Day 32 - Thursday, August 7, 2008

8:00 am - Drank 24 oz. of water during workout. 45 minute upper body weight training (from the Body For Life book)
10:30 am - Ate Pure Protein meal bar, drank 8 oz. of water
12:30 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
1:15 pm - Lunch- ate a salad (romaine, feta, tomato, onion, caesar) drank a peach Fresca
4:00 pm- Snack- Adkins Indulgence bar
6:00 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
6:20 pm - Dinner - ate 1/2 a grilled cheese sandwich and a side of BBQ chicken salad, drank 8 oz. of water
9:30 pm - Took FORM with 16 oz. of water
11:30 pm - Stayed up too late waiting for O3 ordering to go live-- ate small bag of Sun chips.

Daily HIGH-- New exercise program excitement!! I think I might be sore tomorrow--feels good!

Day 29-31 - 3 day Beach Vacation

2008-08-07T18:01:00.003-06:00

I am hoping that all the swimming exercise I got during these three days offset some of the less wonderful eating choices I made. Don't get me wrong we ate really good food, but I felt like I went long stretches of time between eating which really reduced the effect of taking just one FORM. In hindsight I think taking 2 pills when I am famished would have been wiser than just making up the difference with food.

Day 29- Monday, August 4, 2008

6:45 am - Ate a Pure Protein meal replacement bar and drank 12 oz. of water
11:00 am - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water-- was really hungry, I should have drank more water before now and maybe had a snack around 9:00
11:30 am - Lunch- ate a turkey, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion sandwich, a small individual bag of Sun Chips, 5 strawberries
3:00 pm - Drank a orange-mango ICE, ate another protein bar
6:00 pm- Dinner ate BBQ chicken, mash potatoes and caesar salad (didn't take a FORM but should have. I didn't take one with me to the shore and couldn't wait another 30 minutes when I got back to the cabin). Ate 5 peanut M&Ms
9:00 pm - Drank 24 oz. of water 1 1/2 handfuls of honey roasted peanuts, 1 handful of parmesan popcorn

Day 30- Tuesday, August 5, 2008

8:30 am - Ate 2 small cinnamon pancakes, 1 peice of bacon and a fried egg
Drank 24 oz. water bottle between breakfast and lunch
12:00 pm- Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
1:00 pm - Lunch- ate a 6 inch hot roast beef & provolone sandwich with lettuce, tomatoes and onions, 10 Lay potato chips and 10 green grapes. (I was too hungry for just one FORM, I should have taken 2 or eaten earlier)
2:00 pm -Drank 1/2 orange-mango ICE
5:30 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
6:30 pm - Dinner -ate 2 inch square of lasagna, 2 inch piece of garlic bread, garden side salad with Caesar vinaigrette.
8:30 pm - ate a mini Almond Joy candy bar and a Reeses Peanut Butter S more . Drank 24 oz . water bottle.

Day 31- Wednesday, August 6, 2008

8:30 am - Ate sausage egg breakfast burrito with tomato and salsa
Drank 24 oz. water bottle before lunch
12:00 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
1:00 pm - Ate 1/3 Keylime Cheesecake shake. BBQ chicken salad
3:00 pm - Drank 1/2 orange-mango ICE
5:00 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
5:30 pm- Kid portion of Lasagna (I know because I scooped it out for my 5 year old and he traded me due to the color of plate- whatever...) 1 1/2 pieces of garlic cheese bread. Piece of strawberry shortcake and whipped cream.
6:30 pm - Ate 1/3 of my leftover shake. (My husband ate the other 1/3rd- he said he'd take one for the team- thanks man!)
10:00 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
Drank 16 oz. of water

Vacation HIGH - Spending 3 days with our friends at a beach-- how does it get better than that?

Day 28 - 15 pounds down in 4 weeks!!

2008-08-07T16:46:00.002-06:00

It is true-- weighed this morning and came in at 241! That is 15 pounds down in 4 weeks! (Pause for the happy dance...oh yeah, oh yeah). I keep worrying that my electric scale/doorstop is not precisely accurate. I don't mean that I haven't really lost the weight but I can't tell how accurate my reading is because it doesn't show 1/2 pounds and such. I think I am going to see if I can weigh at the fitness center or something from now on because I think 1/2 pounds are going to start to really be important soon!

Day 28 - Sunday, August 3, 2008

Fast Sunday- fasted 2 meals, didn't eat until 5:00 pm
5:00 pm - Ate spaghetti with 4 meatballs, 2.5 inches of a sourdough baguette with garlic butter and drank 16 oz. of lemonade
9:30 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water

Daily HIGH- 15 pounds, need I say more?

Day 27 - Today, a true and emotional thanks O3!

2008-08-03T21:41:00.005-06:00

Tonight I was engulfed in my new book and started to feel my late night hunger cravings-- nothing specific just hungry. But I had the overwhelming feeling that I wanted to actually EAT something! I didn't want to just take a FORM and forget about it, I wanted to have the enjoyment of actually eating. For about 10 minutes I wandered around the kitchen, coming up with all kinds of options-- most of which weren't good and then my husband very nicely said "it's fine, you can eat something but just take a FORM first and come back in 15 minutes". I am embarrassed to say that I begrudgingly took a FORM stubbornly thinking - it's not going to help this time... I am way too hungry. I settled down to read my book again fully planning on getting back up in a "I told you so kind of manner" and eating whatever I wanted anyway. It only took a page or two to realize that I was already starting to feel more in control! I did get a small snack but it was a sensible one and I didn't feel bad about it like I would have if I hadn't listened to my husband.

Today- was a real test to me. I know FORM has been helping me but I have been really positive and excited about it which makes it not hard to use. But today when I kind of hit my first big "I don't want to do this anymore" kind of moment, I KNOW for sure that FORM helped me push through what I would not have been able to do on my own. If I had given in then it could have snowballed from there with guilt and other destructive feelings and who knows where it would have ended. Today, a true and emotional thanks O3!

Day 27 - Saturday, August 2, 2008

9:00 am - Drank a Slimfast shake made with 20 oz. of water (seriously yuck after FIXX)
11:45 am - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
12:45 pm - Lunch - ate a Raspberry Chipotle Chicken salad with flat bread wedges from Quiznos, drank 16 oz. of water
3:00 pm - Snack- ate an Atkins Indulgence protein bar (these are so good!) 8 oz of water
4:00 pm - ate a small slice of smoked Gruyere cheese
5:45 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
6:05 pm - Ate grilled chicken with grilled zucchini and peppers, Asian cabbage salad and 16 oz. of water.
11: 00 pm - Took FORM (grudgingly) with 8 oz. of water
11: 15 pm - Ate a spoonful of garlic hummus with baked pita bites and drank 1/2 a diet 7-up.

Daily HIGH - FORM!

Day 26 - The Truth About Sugar Cravings

2008-08-03T20:45:00.003-06:00

I played cards with some friends last night and one of them said "you never talk about craving sugar!" --The truth is, I have craved sweets and have logged when I have indulged (fudge at girls camp, The Cheesecake Factory, etc.) but it really hasn't been the same as I was before.

Before I started using FORM and FIXX to manage my hunger I had incredibly strong sweet cravings. I would crave different textures of goodies and always at the worst times of day. I very rarely went unsatisfied either. I am very much an instant gratification kind of girl and don't like to ignore cravings. When I started this journey, I actually expected it to be as hard as it always is when you go through trying a lifestyle change or diet. I think that is why I always give up. I was so surprised by how easy it has been in comparison to my other "diet" experiences---and I have a few theories as to why:

Hunger obviously had more to do with what I was choosing to eat then I thought. Once I got my hunger managed by using the FORM and FIXX products then I just don't feel the overwhelming urge to eat anything particular. I am able to make smart choices because I am not so urgent about it, you know.
No Caffeine. I have been really good about the caffeine thing. I know that caffeine spikes your sugar levels and when you crash after a spike is when you can get irrational cravings.
I also have NOT told myself I can't have treats. I just need to have them in moderation. I don't beat myself up over wanting something sweet, I just have a little and then remember how much I would have eaten before and I feel proud of myself which helps me resist eating more.

These are just my theories as to why it has happened this way but the bottom line is--- it hasn't been a problem, whatever the reasons--- and that is just unheard of for me! I am just going to keep doing what I am doing because it is working!

Day 26 - Friday, Aug 1, 2008

8:00 am - Breakfast -I am out of FIXX! I had to drink another shake for breakfast and was hungry within an hour!
9:00 am - Ate a cheese stick
11:30 am - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
12:15 pm - Lunch- Ate a taco salad with 16 oz. of water
3:00 pm - Snack - Ate a protein bar for a snack, drank 16 oz. of water.
6:00 pm - Dinner - Ate 1/2 a turkey bacon wrap with 12 oz. of water
8:30 pm - Drank 12 oz. of water
10:30 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
12:00 am - Ate a small piece of cake while standing in line at Walmart to buy a book-- I didn't eat most of the frosting because it was giving me a major sugar rush.

Daily HIGH - Having a reading day- It was great!

Day 24 & 25 - Killing my buzz!

2008-08-03T20:23:00.003-06:00

Inevitably, anytime you are ecstatically happy and feeling things couldn't be better, there is that one or two people in your life that just have to kill your buzz! I am writing this not as a complaint or reprimand but as a warning to everyone who is going to start on a journey like mine. DON'T let anyone take you down mentally!

I haven't really gotten too much guff about what I am doing but, I have gotten enough this week to kind of stagger me for a few days. When I let a negative attitude and comment penetrate my mind, it kind of festered and I lost my enthusiasm. I didn't journal for a few days and found it harder to stick to my resolve. I have now kind of shook myself out of it and decided that anyone who is hell bent on killing my buzz--- I can simply take a break from! I have never felt more hopeful about the future then I do now. I haven't felt this healthy in 15 years -- why should I let a buzz-killer sabotage the progress I am making. I am going to surround myself with the positive energy and support of those who want me to succeed and aren't threatened by others successes---and everyone else can just BUZZ OFF!

Day 23 - Early to Rise

2008-07-31T10:26:00.003-06:00

Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.... yeah, that has never really been me. I am a night owl and a hard to wake up, grumpy, annoyed by my overly cheerful husband and kids in the morning kind of girl. This past week I have been waking up around 6:30 -7:00 am without wanting to or trying to and feeling completely rested---what's up with that?

I remember a few years ago I went to a class a mentor/friend of mine was teaching about leadership education and she was telling us what her daily schedule was like. I jokingly asked her after she listed this insane schedule, "when do you sleep?" and she told me "well I eat really healthily so I don't need more than 6-7 hours". I remember thinking, --yeah right, like that really matters that much! ...she's not sounding so crazy to me now!

Day 23 - Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Woke up at 6:00 am!
8:00 am - Walked somewhat sorely - 2 miles. Drank 16 oz. of water.
9:30 am - Drank FIXX with 20 oz. of water and ate a cheese stick
11:30 am - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
12:30 pm - Lunch- Ate spinach pasta salad with a Fresca
3:00 pm - Snack- handful of Baked Cheetos
5:30 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
6:15 pm - Dinner - ate applesauce pancakes with cinnamon-nutmeg & a fried egg. (My 11 year old and her creative pancakes!)
10:00 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water

Daily HIGH- I woke up before my kids!

Day 22 - And yet another day at the lake.

2008-07-31T10:05:00.004-06:00

Yes, we are at the lake yet again. I tell you it is one of my family's favorite things to do. I had a 6 times to the buoy goal today and ....I beat it by 2! That's right-- 8 times to the buoy and I even took time to visit. A friend of mine that came with me swam without a noodle all the way out there and I thought to myself...I'd drown! I did swim once there just pushing the noodle out in front of me, basically as a fall back if I got too tired and it was twice as hard as the way I usually do it! Maybe someday I will be in shape enough to try it completely without a noodle but I don't think this is the year!

Day 22 - Monday, July 28, 2008

8:00 am - Drank a FIXX with 20 oz. of water
Drank another 24 oz. water bottle between breakfast and lunch
11:30 am - Took a FORM with 8 oz. of water
12:00 pm - Lunch- ate 3 chips of 7 layer dip, cut veggies with ranch and a small scoop of macaroni salad with Sun chips washed down with water.
3:00 pm - Snack - more cut veggies & ranch (I must have a serious ranch addiction-- I swear I type that word more than once a day!)
Drank another 24 oz. water bottle over a few hours
6:00 pm - Took FORM
6:20 pm - Dinner- ate 6 chips with 7 layer dip and another small scoop of macaroni salad. Drank 12 oz. of pomegranate/blueberry juice.
8:00 pm - Ate 3 Swedish Fish
9:30 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water

Daily HIGH - Being active with my kids! They are really loving their new more active mom and are my biggest, most loyal cheering squad!

Day 21 - 4.5 inches total

2008-07-29T21:09:00.002-06:00

My husband and I took our body measurements on day 7. Don't be scared, I'm not going to give you all the gory details but I am going to give you an update. Over the last 2 weeks I have lost a total of 4.5 inches! Most of it from my waist and hips. I think I have bared all pretty well so far but think I will retain what dignity I have left and spare you all the exact numbers. You will all just have to watch and see my transFORMation in the pictures I post periodically.

Day 21 - Sunday, July 27, 2008

10:00 am - No kids still-- ate leftover cold Chinese food and drank the last 1/2 of my Jamba Juice.
12:30 pm - Drank FIXX with 20 oz. of water
3:00 pm - Ate 2 small chocolate bran muffins my sister made. It is another one of her Weight Watcher recipes that only count as 1 point on her diet plan. They were really good.
5:45 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
6:00 pm - Ate a salad of baby greens, ham chunks, parmesan, onions, sunflower seeds & ranch, a 2 inch piece of a sourdough baguette and drank 8 oz. of Crystal light lemonade.
10:00 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
Drank a 16 oz. water bottle between before midnight.

Daily HIGH - Seeing my kids! It is always nice to have a break but I sure love when they run at you with welcome back hugs and kisses!

Day 20- 13 pounds down and I have to wear a belt!

2008-07-29T20:15:00.002-06:00

Yes, it is true... I am 13 pounds down and I now have to wear a belt with all my summer pants! I think I have finally lost all the initial water weight and will now be slowing down to the healthy 1-3 pounds a week weight loss. If I lose 2 pounds a week, I will be 50 pounds lighter by Christmas! How insane does that sound?!-- and I really think I can do it!

This stage will be fun because I think this is where I will really start to SEE a difference as I lose. Up to this point I have observed changes in how I feel and I see the scale tell me there is a difference but when I look in the mirror I am still fat. My family has told me that they can see a difference, in my face especially. I guess I don't look as "puffy" as I used to. I apparently have resembled the Stay Puft marshmallow man up until now but didn't realize how much... it's okay though-- that part of me is all going to be in the past!

Day 20 - Saturday, July 26, 2008

9:00 am - Took a family walk to try and work off the Cheesecake Factory last night. Walked 2 miles with 2 pound weights. Drank 24 oz of water
10:30 am - Drank a FIXX with 20 oz. of water
12:30 pm - My husband and I dropped our kids off with cousins and left for a 24 hour date. We went to a movie and ate EAS protein bars and drank 16 oz. of water for our movie treats (and walked up the stairs side of the theater entrance 3 times).
4:00 pm - Took FORM with 12 oz. of water
4:20 pm - Ate a Caesar salad with grilled lime shrimp at Chili's (which I usually order with an appetizer and eat with 2-3 refills of diet Coke). It was so yummy and I was totally satisfied. We walked from the theater to the restaurant and to a few stores and back which is totally out of character for us. Everywhere we went is contained in about a 4 block area but we would normally drive between these places-- I know, it sounds sad and pathetic when I think about it.
7:30 pm - We decided to grab something for dinner as we headed home even though we weren't hungry yet. I was worried that if we didn't eat something now we would want something in a couple of hours which would be too late and I didn't feel like we had really eaten enough today. We bought All Fruit Jamba Juices (not the ones with frozen yogert or anything). I drank about 1/2 of mine (11 oz.).
8:00 pm - Ate Chinese take-out when we got home. We shared an entree of Pon Pon chicken but only ate 1/2 and I ate a spring roll. Drank 16 oz. of water.

Daily HIGH - How great if felt to be active and energetic on our date instead of uncomfortably full and sluggish... oh and the 2 pounds.

Day 19 - Heather Hansen's Story

2008-07-27T11:39:00.008-06:00

Heather Hansen- star of The Biggest Loser, Me - star of my blog, and Ron Williams - Founder and CEO of Forever Green and O3 World.

Today I attended the first official MyO3World Opportunity meeting in my area and heard Heather Hansen (star of the Biggest Loser TV show) speak about her experience on the show and after. She said that while she was on the show they worked out for 8 hours a day! She was one of the 4 finalist that was sent home for 5 months to come back for a final weigh in at the finale...she came back 5 months pregnant. Needless to say she didn't win due to her unexpected pregnancy but she has a beautiful little girl instead. She said that after she had her baby it was really hard to lose the baby weight like she had when she was on the show. Now that she was trying to live a normal life as a mother of 2, a wife, a business woman and while managing a home, 8 hours a day of exercise just wasn't feasible- hmm, I wonder why? She said she was approached by tons of weight loss programs and food lines to be the spokesperson for their product and just hadn't gotten excited about any of them....until O3's FORM and FIXX! She has lost 28 pounds now using FORM and FIXX and feels like she has been given a miracle pill. She said something similar to what I said in a past post on this blog-- for her this feels like a miracle because it has given her back control! She knows how she should eat, she knows how to be healthier but FORM is giving her the self control to make the choices she knows she should.

This is the 2nd time I have met Heather and I am so glad she isn't a cheesy, all hype kind of spokesperson. She is just real and has had real problems and has a real testimonial that just hits home with me. Thanks Heather!

Day 19 - Friday, July 25, 2008

9:00 am - Walked 3 MILES!! I walked with a friend today that is in town for a couple of weeks and we just couldn't stop talking!
9:30 am - Drank a FIXX made with 20 oz. of water.
1030 am - Drank 24 oz. water bottle
11:45 am - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
12:45 am - Ate a Veggie wheat pita and drank 22 oz. of water
4:00 pm - Ate a banana
5:00 pm -Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
5:30 pm - Shared a Roasted Turkey Ranch and Bacon wrap from Arby's with my husband on our way to pick up our carload to take to the opportunity meeting.
9:30 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz of water...passed them out like a drug dealer to our car load of people.
10:00 pm - Went out to eat at the Cheesecake Factory with everyone to talk more about O3. Ate 1/2 a small French Country Salad and 1 Avacado egg roll, 24 oz. of water and 1/4 of a slice of cheesecake. Yes we are eating terribly late at night but we all ate easily 1/2 of what we would normally! This is so awesome to see!

Daily HIGH-- oh, there are so many today... talking to everyone at O3 and telling them my good weight loss news -or- Going out to eat with my family and seeing the difference in what we ate-- so noticable! -or- Winning a whole bottle of FORM, a $100 gas card, and an O3 World banner for bringing the most people in one car load to the opportunity meeting.....how can I choose?

Day 17-18 ...Not just for fat people

2008-07-27T10:42:00.003-06:00

My husband and I decided to make a silly video about O3 World FORM and FIXX to put on You Tube to spread the word to as many people as possible--- and as I was trying to write out what I wanted to say I thought -- this product is NOT just for fat people! If you think about it (and here is a direct quote from our upcoming video) "overeating and compulsive eating isn't a healthy habit for a person of any size or metabolism". My in-laws for instance-- my husband's family is naturally extremely thin. His mother after 8 kids might wear a size 4 pants and all of his siblings are about the same-- there might be a "fatty" that wears a size 6 but I am not about to pull the backs of their pants down to check!

Needless to say I am the family eye sore and if I had a bad self esteem I would really be in trouble--but I don't think everyone of them is any healthier than I am just because they are thin. I know that using FORM will help anyone become a more decisive eater whether they want to lose weight, maintain their weight or just make healthier food choices.

Day 17 -Wednesday, July 23, 2008

9:30 am - Drank FIXX blended with ice and a banana
12:30 pm - Took FORM
1:20 pm - Ate 2/3 of a veggie/cheese wrap, drank 16 oz of water
4:00 pm - Ate 1/2 chocolate protein bar and 3 sips of a Cherry Coke Zero (while filming our YouTube video spot)
5:15 pm - Ate dinner -my 11 year old volunteered to make dinner and decided to spice up the pancakes she was making by adding vanilla and chocolate chips to them (good thing she has her dad's family's metabolism even though she has her mom's taste buds). I ate 2 small chocolate chip pancakes and a fried egg, drank 10 oz. of Crystal Light lemonade.
9:00 pm - Took FORM and drank 24 oz of water before midnight

Daily HIGH-- Proud parent moment...my 11 year old is so adorable and grown up!

Day 18 - Thursday, July 24, 2008

8:30 am - 1 mile walk, drank 16 oz. water bottle
9:30 am - Drank FIXX with 20 oz of water
12:30 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz of water
1:30 pm - Ate tuna salad and drank 1/2 a can of Fresca. I waited too long after I took my FORM to eat and I think I ate more than I would have if I had eaten after just 30 minutes. This is one of those times when I think taking 2 pills would have been beneficial.
3:00 pm- Drank 16 oz. water bottle
6:00 pm - I had been working all afternoon and forgot about the time. I didn't plan dinner or take a FORM in anticipation of dinner so found myself starving at 6:00 with no plan. I ran out for pizza and ate a caesar salad and 3 pieces of italian cheese bread, drank the other 1/2 of my Fresca from lunch. I was still hungry!
7:30 pm - My kids decided to make chocolate chip cookies, ate 1 spoonful of dough, drank 16 oz. of water
I planned to take a FORM around 9:00 pm to avoid eating anything at night but went to a friends to watch a fireworks show and didn't get home until midnight.
12:00 am ate a chocolate chip cookie and went to bed hungry!

Daily HIGH- how miserable and hungry I was this afternoon and night when I didn't take FORM. Why is this my high? Because it just tells me that even without looking at my weight on the scale, I can tell that FORM really works!

Day 16- My Fit and Fab sisters...

2008-07-26T00:20:00.003-06:00

Today I spent some time with a few of my sisters (I have 5) talking about O3 and the "world of opportunity" it has to offer. We have all struggled with weight and I am desperately trying to share my vision that O3 World's FORM could literally reSHAPE our lives! I am so pumped after using it for the past couple of weeks, I am like an obsessed crazy woman that can not talk about anything else!

One of my sisters that has adamantly refused to listen to any details at all finally relented and decided to humor me. I don't blame her. After being over weight for so long and having heard about every fad diet in the book it is really hard to believe that there is really something so revolutionary and unique that it isn't going to disappoint like all the rest or have some horrible 5 years down the road side affect that strikes you dead as you are driving down the road...possiblykilling hundreds... ---- okay that is a little dramatic but you know what I mean. But when I told her my experience and my 2 week weight loss total her jaw dropped! She told me that she hadn't lost that much in the almost 3 months that she has been on Weight Watchers...needless to say she is sold!

I just can't wait to see my whole family's FIT and FABulous selfs on the outside!

Day 16- Tuesday, July 22, 2008

8:30 am - Ate a JJ Bar and drank a FIXX made with 20 oz. of water
11:30 am - Took FORM with 10 oz. of water
12:15 pm - Ate a spinach, tomato, peas, onion, cheese, ranch, sunflower seed salad (I know it seems like I really don't branch out much in the food department but I am just not sick of these yet). 16 oz. of water
2:00 pm - Drank 8 oz. of water
4:30 pm - Ate a Cheese stick and 3 fresh strawberries
6:00 pm - Took FORM
6:30 pm - Went to dinner and a movie. Ate at RUMBI Island Grill-- ate 2/3 of a chicken, spinach salad and drank a 16 oz. Caffeine Free Diet Coke.
8:30 pm - Ate 3 frozen Jr. Mints & drank 16 oz. of water
**NOTE-- I took the stairs into the theater (you know if you take the door on the right you have to walk up about 50 stairs to enter the theater from the top or you can go left and walk up a ramp to the enter at the bottom of the room... well I took the stairs--TWICE!)
10:30 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water.

Daily High--- Seeing the light in my sisters' eyes when they finally caught the vision!

Day 15 - I have officially broken my diet record!

2008-07-23T16:03:00.002-06:00

My skeptical yet hopeful self that started this journey 3 weeks ago set my first goal pretty low. I wanted to at least beat my previous dieting record of lasting 2 weeks and losing 8 pounds and today I have officially beaten it! I am at 2 weeks and 1 day and I have lost 11 pounds-- and I don't feel like stopping at all! (find a happy place while I happy dance...your not going to want to see this!)

Day 15- Monday, July 21, 2008

8:30 am - Walked a mile
9:00 am - Drank a FIXX

11:30 am - Took a FORM with 8 oz. of water
12:15 am - Ate a salad of mixed baby greens, cheese, onions, tomatos, sunflower seeds, & ranch. Drank 8 oz. of Crystal Light Lemonade

2:30 pm - Drank 20 oz. water bottle

4:00 pm - Ate 1/3 of my son's soft pretzel and drank a few sips of a Diet Coke

5:30 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
6:00 pm - Ate 1/2 a grilled cheese sandwich (as opposed to eating one and splitting a 2nd with my husband like normal) with a side salad. Drank 16 oz. of lemonade.

9:30 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
10:00 pm - Ate one spoonful of vanilla ice cream while making ice cream & fudge cupcakes for my kids to decorate tomorrow (a recipe my kids found and asked if we could make sometime).

Daily Recap---
I have decided that my objectives are pretty set in my head at this point and are starting to feel habitual which is great! The recap of them each day is beginning to feel redundant-- so I am going to only do a weekly recap of objectives to reflect on my week's progress.

Instead of my daily recap I think I will end with a daily high-- tell the high point of my day to help me stay up beat and positive. Hopefully this will be inspiring to anyone reading this and help us all out when we hit low points! So....

TODAY's HIGH... My mile walk -- it really gave me a burst of energy today and I felt really productive!

Day 14 - 2 week weight loss total....wait for it....11 POUNDS!!!

2008-07-20T19:48:00.003-06:00

14 day weigh in this morning -- 245!! That is 11 pounds!! That is 3 pounds more than I have ever lost on a weight loss program and I am at my record for the number of days I have stuck to a diet plan faithfully... and I haven't lost one bit of momentum! I have resisted calling FORM a "miracle pill" because we have all heard that before... but I can't help it-- for me this feels like a miracle!

When I have lost pounds before I have always gained it all back plus some. I am not worried about that this time because FORM can be used for weight loss and weight management! I can use it to control my portions while loosing weight and to help me maintain a healthy lifestyle once I reach my goal! What other weight loss product offers that? I sound like a raving fan-- but I just can't contain my amazement and my excitement! After 14 years of battling weight I am going to be healthy and thin without having to completely give up everything good to eat!

Day 14 - Sunday, July 20, 2008

9:00 am - Drank a FIXX shake blended with mixed frozen fruit and ice

11:45 am - Took FORM w/ 8 oz. of water
12:15 pm - Ate 1 piece of German Pancake (about 3 inch square)

2:45 pm- Drank 12 oz. of water & ate a cheese stick

5:00 pm - Took FORM w/ 8 oz. of water
5:15 pm - Ate turkey, cheese, tomato, lettuce, onion wrap. I ate about 2/3rds of it. My 11 year old made me a spinach, mixed fruit, Fresca smoothie-- I drank about 10 oz.

Smoothie Recipe (THIS IS SO GOOD!)--

1 cup fresh spinach
1 cup frozen fruit
1 can Fresca -- Blend it together until smooth and enjoy

7:00 pm - Ate 2 JJ Bars (a sort of blonde brownie)

9:30 pm - Took FORM w/ 12 oz. of water

Daily Recap of Objectives:
YES- I was definitely a decisive eater-- I ate small portions
YES- I drank plenty of water
YES- I ate lots of fruit and veggies!
YES- I ate pretty regularly
YES- I resisted eating late at night
NO- I didn't get exercise today.. you know Sunday, the day of rest.

Day 13 - one day away from 2 weeks!

2008-07-20T19:26:00.002-06:00

I can't believe it has been 13 days! I feel great again now that I am home and can choose what to eat!

Day 13 - Saturday, July 19, 2008

8:00 am - Took FORM w/ 8 oz. of water --my 9 year old's musical theater group walked in a parade this morning--- I didn't want to drink a FIXX with all that water and be stuck on the side of the parade route without a bathroom, so I opted for a EAS protein bar around 8:30.

--Drank 24 oz water during parade-- I guess I can't get away without drinking!

1:15 pm - Took FORM w/ 8 oz. of water
2:00 pm - Ate a salad with romaine, bow tie pasta, parmesan, cheddar, onion, sunflower seeds, ranch dressing, 4 cherries, and drank 8 oz. of water.

5:45 pm- Ate dinner, small portion of spaghetti (I would estimate about 1/3 of my normal portion), 4 meatballs and drank 8 oz. of Crystal Light lemonade.

---Went swimming with my family, swam 2 laps around playing kids and gave up. Resigned myself to granny kicks on the side of the pool with my sister. Threw some leg lifts in there for good measure!

8:30 pm - Shared a small chocolate chip shake with my husband. This may seem like I gave into a craving but before FORM, I would have ordered a regular or large shake myself and ate it all. This is a huge improvement for me and my ice cream addicted husband!

Daily Recap of Objectives:
YES- I was definitely a decisive eater-- I ate small portions
YES- I drank plenty of water and no soda at all
YES- I ate some veggies, not many fruit
YES- I ate pretty regularly
YES- I finally resisted eating late, late at night
YES- I did get some additional exercise each day

DAY 9-12 ...Girls Camp!

2008-07-20T17:15:00.004-06:00

I just got back from 4 days in the mountains...with no showers. We did wash our hair in the water spout and tried to sponge off as often as possible but you can only sponge so much! I think I lost 2-3 pounds worth of dirt in my shower when I got home!

Over the last 4 days I had a lot of time to talk about FORM with some of the other adult leaders. A few of them are currently "dieting" with one program or another and are having some success-- which is really great. The thing I think is amazing and unique about this product is that you can use it no matter what eating, lifestyle or diet plan you are trying to follow. It doesn't matter if you are on Weight Watchers or just trying to eat more healthy, FORM can help give you that edge to stick to it and/or be more decisive with your eating choices. It isn't a diet plan-- you can customize your eating anyway you would like. Taking FORM has simply given me some additional self discipline and control. Before I had FORM it was discipline that always caused me to give up or say "I'll start again next Monday" after cheating 3 or 4 days into starting a diet. To be near the end of 2 weeks and to not feel like I am really dieting is unbelievable!

At Girls Camp, we had a camp director that planned all the meals. I had very little control over what was available to eat. I did have a few snack/drink options that I brought myself and I brought FIXX to drink in the mornings, so that was helpful. There was an insane amount of candy and goodies available, I just couldn't believe it! Between planned desserts, goodie bags from other campers and rewards from the Stake Camp, we were over run with junk! I have to say, overall I think I did pretty good. One night we made No Cook Fudge in a bag (butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, cocoa, vanilla... squish it together in a bag ... so disgustingly yummy!) I ate one piece and had a total sugar rush that made me feel ill! I did not realize how addicted I was to sugar before! I would have easily eaten 2-3 pieces and not even been phased-- not now.

Day 9- Tuesday, July 15, 2008

7:00 am - Drank a FIXX with 20 oz. of water on the way to camp. Ate one mini lemon muffin.
10:30 am - Drank 12 oz. water
11:20 am - Took FORM
12:00 pm - Ate a salad I pre-made at home (tuna, onion, peas, cheese, romaine and ranch) drank 12 oz. water
1:00 pm - I had to drive a sick camper down the mountain. I was totally falling asleep driving back. Had to stop-- bought a 32 oz. Diet Coke w/Lime and a bag of Corn nuts to keep me awake. Drank about 1/4 of the Coke...didn't even open the Corn Chips.
5:00 pm - Took FORM w/ 8 oz. of water
6:00 pm - Ate dinner- Spaghetti & bite sized parmesan knots. I took one medium scoop of noodles instead of 2 like I would normally and ate 8 knots... which was about 4 too many. I was stuffed. Drank 12 oz. of water. They sang Happy Birthday to me and one of the campers and brought out cupcakes--- I ate one to not be rude-- I really appreciated the gesture but really don't like fluffy bakery frosting.
9:00 pm - I ate 5 more bite sized knots after passing up Swedish Fish, Hershey Miniatures, sweet & salty trail mix with M&Ms and Homemade Ice cream which were all offered during the evening activities.

Day 10 - Wednesday, July 16, 2008

7:30 am - Drank a FIXX with 20 oz. of water and ate 2 pieces of unrecognizably burnt bacon (youth campers cooked breakfast)
10:30 am - Drank a V8 Fusion juice -- the label says it is 1 serving of Fruit and 1 of Veggies so...
11:30 am - Took FORM w/ 8 oz of water.
12:00 pm - Ate a turkey, cheese sandwich and the last 3 parmesan knots (finally they are gone!)
1:00 pm - Felt hungry-- I think I am bored! Drank 8oz. of water and hungry subsided.
3:00 pm - Still felt snacky so I ate a protein bar and 10 oz. of caffeine free Diet Coke
5:30 pm- Took FORM w/ 8 oz. of water.
6:00 pm- Ate a chicken taco w/ tomatoes, lettuce, cheese, sour cream and salsa.
10:00 pm- Took a FORM to avoid eating the fudge... should have taken it sooner or taken 2 because I gave in and had a piece. As I said in the opening bit-- it made me sick-- the sugar rush felt weird. Drank 12 oz. of water.

Day 11- Thursday, July 17, 2008

8:00 am - It was freezing this morning! Forget the cold shake I'm eating a hot breakfast! Took a FORM
8:45 am - Drank 12 oz. Hot Chocolate, took 1 slice of ham and 1 scone w/ butter and apricot jam-- I couldn't eat it all -- I ate about 1/2 of both.
11:00 am - Drank the other 10 oz. of Caff. Free Diet Coke
12:00 pm- Took FORM with 8ish oz. of water
12:30 pm - Ate a scoop of left over chicken and cheese from the tacos last night with about 10 corn chips and water. I was totally full.
--- I really craved sugar today! I think the fudge really through me-- it seems harder to resist today!
2:30 pm - Ate 3-4 pieces each of watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew and red grapes.
--- I really feel sluggish today. I have no energy to do anything-- I think the lack of sleep, build-up of grim, post sugar high let down is all combining to sap my energy! Still craving sugar!
5:00 pm - Took FORM w/ 8 oz. of water
5:30 pm - Ate 2 slices of combination pizza with 8 oz. of water
8:00 pm - Drank a caffeine free Diet Coke
11:30 pm - Ate 1/2 piece of fudge and 10 corn chips with salsa-sour cream dip

**Not my best day by far ---but even though I made some bad food choices, my portions were still minimal so I don't think it will have a huge negative impact. We will see when I weigh on Sunday!

Day 12 - Friday, July 18, 2008

7:30 am - Ate a multi-grain bagel with plain cream cheese
**Going HOME!!!!
11:30 am - Drank a V8 Fusion and ate about 1/4 cup of corn nuts to stay awake driving.
1:45 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
2:15 pm - Drank a FIXX made with 20 oz. of water
6:00 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
6:20 pm - Went out to eat with my family for my daughters Birthday. At the Training Table I ate a grilled chicken salad with ranch dressing, 10 cheese fries, and drank 12 oz. of water. I was so full, I felt a little sick.
9:30 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
Drank rest of 24 oz water bottle between 10-12:00 pm

Recap of Objectives:
YES- For the most part, I was a decisive eater this week with a few minor sugar breaks
YES- I drank plenty of water but did drink some soda-- almost all caffeine free.
YES- I ate what fruit and vegetables were available, at least some every day.
YES- I ate pretty regularly
NO - I didn't resist eating late at night on 2 nights-- 50% is better than nothing!
NO- I did not get some additional exercise each day-- it was a sluggish week.

Day 8 - NEW LINK TO SIGN UP!!

2008-07-19T17:52:00.007-06:00

Hey all you out there who are inspired into a frenzy by my fabulously successful week and can't wait to get started yourself.... there is a new link on my blog that takes you directly to the sign up page of MyO3World! ..If you were referred to my blog by ...ME.... or came across my blog by accident then click on the link at the right that says TO BEGIN YOUR TRANSFORMATION Click here to sign up! enter your information there. If you were inFORMed about this site by one of my Fit and Fab Friends then you can find their names on the Fit and Fab Friends Directory. Just click on their name and you can sign up under them.

....and the best part about signing up is that it is FREE until the end of July!! By signing up you will be one of the first to be able to purchase FORM when it becomes available September 1st at wholesale prices! You can buy it for your own use or buy it for resale-- there is no minimum required purchase. Tell everyone you know-- the more the word spreads the more you benefit----- just think you could be losing weight, helping others and getting paid for it-- how can you beat that? This opportunity just keeps sounding better and better all the time!

Day 8- Monday, July14, 2008

8:30 am - Drank a FIXX with 20 oz. of water

10:30 am - Drank a water bottle 16 oz.

11:30 am -Took a FORM w/ 8 oz.
12:00 am - I was actually still pretty hungry when I started making my lunch. I cut a 2 inch piece of the left over sub sandwich and made a spinach salad with ham, cheese, onion, peas, sunflower seeds and ranch. I started by eating the salad and only got about 2 bits of the sandwich down before I felt stuffed-- I just threw the rest away (yes, mom I know that is wasteful but no starving person in the world will benefit from me eating it or not!)

4:00 pm - Ate a Pure Protein bar as a snack with 12 oz. of water

5:00 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz.
5:30 pm - Went out on a family date for family night with my husband and kids. I ate at Great Steak and Potato and had a 6 inch cheese steak sandwich. It came with fries but I could only eat 3 or 4 fries. I had a couple of sips of my husband's Diet Coke/Dr. Pepper mix to wash it all down. I really wanted to drink more but I was stuffed so it wasn't that hard to resist.

Didn't buy movie treats!

9:00 pm - Took FORM with 8 oz. of water
Drank 24 oz. water bottle

Daily Recap of Objectives:

YES- I was definitely a decisive eater
YES- I drank plenty of water.
YES- I ate lots of fruits and veggies
YES- I ate pretty regularly
YES!!! - I resisted eating late at night
NO- I didn't get any additional exercise today

Day 7 - 6 pounds down...several more to go!!!

2008-07-19T17:22:00.002-06:00

I weighed today...250!! That means I lost 6 pounds! I lost 6 pounds on a week that I went on a vacation, went out with the girls and had a birthday/family party day at the lake--- that is seriously amazing!! Before FORM & FIXX I would have thought... maybe I should start next week or at least given up half way through the week... but I didn't!!! Yeah me!

Day 7- Sunday, July 13, 2008

8:00 am - Blended a FIXX shake with a banana, some frozen mixed fruit and 16 oz. of water.

11:30 am - Took a FORM with 8 oz. of water
12:00 pm- Ate lunch- spinach, macaroni salad, Parmesan and ranch dressing- drank a peach Fresca

12:30 pm - Drank 8 oz. of water

4:30 pm - Took FORM
5:00 pm - Ate dinner- bacon, turkey, cheese, tomato, onion, lettuce sandwich. 8 oz of water

between 6-9 pm - Drank 24 oz. water bottle

9:00 pm- Ate a small wedge of watermelon
10:00 pm - Took FORM w/8 oz. of water.

Daily Recap of Objectives-
YES - I was a decisive eater!
YES - I drank tons of water today and no Coke at all!
YES - Ate fruits and veggies
YES - I ate regularly
YES - I didn't eat late at night (that watermelon hardly counts as more than water!)
NO - I didn't get any exercise today-- Sunday, the day of rest

I can't wait for WEEK 2!!!

Day 6 - ...and we're back at the lake again!

2008-07-13T19:33:00.017-06:00

5 times to the buoy!!

Yeah...burn those pounds off! That is quite a swim! Granted I use a noodle to keep from drowning but it sure doesn't help with propulsion --that part is all me!
Okay - today I am going to do a side by side comparison of my pre FORM lake day and today when I used FORM and FIXX. I tried to have almost the exact same food available as was available to me the first lake day, all except the Nutter Butters... I am only human!

Day 6 - Saturday, July 12, 2008

Today- Using FORM (brown) -VS- Pre-FORM Lake Day (blue)
Today: 8:00 am - FIXX shake 16 oz. of water blended with ice and a banana. -VS-
11:00 am - Breakfast- Choc. Soy Milk and 2 Sweet and Salty Granola Bars

11:00 am - Drank 16 oz. water bottle

1:00 pm- Took a FORM
1:30 pm - Lunch - ate 2 inches of an AmericanSub, small scoop of macaroni salad, 10 Sun chips, 8 oz. of water. -VS-
2:00 pm - Lunch- 4 inches of an American Sub, a handful of Sun Chips, a scoop full macaroni salad, Cherry Coke Zero

4:00 pm - Ate a piece of homemade peanut butter taffy lightly mixed with sand given me by my 5 year old. -VS-
3:30 pm- Ate Animal Cookies, a handful of cherries and drank a 16 oz. water bottle

6:00 pm - Small scoop of salad with about 10 Cool Ranch Doritos, drank 8 oz. of water. -VS-
6:00 pm- Ate 10 Nutter Butter cookies, 7 layer dip with Fritos and a Coke Zero

7:30 pm - Getting hungry...ate 5 animal cookies
8:20 pm - Took FORM
8:50 pm - Ate small salad of spinach, Parmesan & small scoop of macaroni salad on top
chased it all with a Cherry Coke Zero (my reward for not having Birthday cake at the lake). -VS-
8:30 pm - Ate cut cantelope, 1/4 chicken salad sandwich, more macaroni salad w/Fritos.
11:30 pm - Ate 5 Red Vines & a water bottle

WOW! I am amazed! I can really see a difference, especially with lunch! Looking back at my pre-FORM day-- I really ate a lot of sugary treats! I haven't so far felt super cravey so it hasn't been that hard to resist all the cookie/cake/sugar snacks around. My five animal cookies & one Coke Zero today is a huge improvement over the 2 Sweet & Saltys, Animal cookies, 10 Nutter Butters, Red Vines and 2 Cokes Zeros I ate the first day!

What a FIT and FABULOUS DAY

Thanks to MyO3World FORM & FIXX!!

Day 5 -Salad or not to Salad? That is the question.

2008-07-12T22:43:00.002-06:00

Salads. I really love salads... I do! Okay maybe I really love salad dressings ---I mean, not obsessively-- I don't carry a bottle of ranch in my purse or have a personal dispenser with a pump top clipped to my belt loop or anything, but thats not the point.... the point is that salads have never felt like a meal.--at least not before FORM. This is HUGE for me! I have always eaten salads as a side dish, or with garlic bread or a grilled cheese--- almost never alone. In the past week, I have been eating small salads (on an 7 inch plate to give you some perspective of what I mean by small) and after taking a FORM, I have felt totally satisfied!
aawww... the possibilities....

Day 5 - Friday, July 11, 2008

8:00 am - I woke up starving today! Drank a FIXX made with 20 oz. of water. (I know it seems like a lot of water to make a shake with but I have always liked shakes a little thin and it contributes to my water tally for the day so-bonus!) Ate a cheese stick.

11:15 am - Took a FORM w/ 8oz. of water
12:30 pm - Ate a salad ( 7 in. plate) Spinach, cheese, bowtie noodles, sunflower seeds, peas, onions & ranch--chased with 8 oz. of water -- Definitely felt full.

3:00 pm - started to get hungry- ate a banana

6:00 pm - Really hungry! I forgot to take a FORM before dinner--things were a little crazy. Ate 3 -4 inch pancakes w/syrup and drank 8 oz. of Chocolate Soy milk. I was still a little hungry but decided that if I ate any more...I wouldn't want to tell you, so journaling helped my self control at this meal!

7:00 pm - Walked 1 mile to pick up my 11 year old from her writing club. Drank 16 oz. of water.

9:00 pm- Had my nighttime cravey hunger-- took a FORM ate 5 bagel chips dipped in humus w/ 12 oz. of water.

DAILY Recap of Objectives:

YES - I was a decisive eater--barely! I didn't use FORM very well today and I felt a little deprived after dinner. I really think 3 is the number that I need a day!
YES - I drank more water than soda-- in fact -- no soda!
YES - I ate fruits and veggies
YES - I ate regularly.
NO - I didn't resist eating at night but I ate very little and early compared to last week!
YES - I did get some exercise.

Day 3 & 4 - Let's talk about POO...

2008-07-11T21:14:00.005-06:00

Let's talk about poo. Yes, I said poo. As I am telling people about My O3 World and FORM, I keep getting questions about poo. People are wanting to know if it "may cause leakage" like another new to the market weight loss product that I won't mention by name does.
My answer is... since the product is simply a space filler and does not interact with your body, it doesn't make sense that it would cause loose dirty pants or runny buns.

Another poo related question that keeps coming up is will it cause blockage? My answer to that one is... when the micro beads expand they are slick balls that will not attach to the walls of your GI tract. If anything it may just help slide things through a little more smoothly.

Personally, I haven't had any noticeable or disturbing change in the "letting go" department--- and since as I am writing this I am at the end of my 5th day, so if there does happen to be a change I wouldn't be able to blame it on FORM.

(Oh, by the way... I went without my computer while I was gone for 2 days and I am still trying to catch up -- so I am combining days 3 & 4 into one posting)

Day 3- Wednesday, July 9, 2008 (still visiting friends)

8:30 am- My kids and their friends woke us moms up with breakfast in bed. I ate a piece of toast with apple butter on it and a small banana nut muffin with 12 oz. of ice water.

11:30 am- Drank 8 oz. of water

12:30 pm - Took my first FORM of the day
1:00 pm - Ate lunch- a small salad w/cheddar, ham and turkey slices with italian dressing, drank 12 oz. of water.

3:30 pm- Drank a diet Cherry Pepsi (why? I don't even like Pepsi)

4:15 pm- Does running with 3 kids, 3 bags and a booster seat through the Las Vegas airport count as exercise??... I think, yes! Have you seen the size of that place?

5:00 pm- Drank a mini 8 0z. water bottle on the plane with 1/2 a bag of cheddar munchies and one of my son's mini chocolate cookies.

7:15 pm - Took a FORM w/ 8 oz. of water
7:45 pm - Ate a spinach, cheese, tomato, sunflower seeds & ranch salad and 1/2 a grilled cheese sandwich. Drank 8 oz. of water and I was stuffed!!

11:00 pm - I wanted a snack so I took a FORM and totally forgot about snacking.
12:00 pm - Went to bed.

Day 4- Thursday, July 10, 2008

9:30 am- Drank a FIXX shake with 20 oz. of water

12:00 pm- Starting to get hungry, ate a small bag of baby carrots and 1/2 a pizza pocket leftover from one of the kids lunches.

2:00 pm- Really starting to get hungry, took a FORM with 8 oz. of water
2:30 pm- Ate a spinach salad w/ cheese, peas, sunflower seeds and ranch chased with 8 oz. of water. Totally satisfied.

5:30 pm- I didn't fix my hair and put make-up on all day thinking I was going to go for a walk and then get ready... I am out of time at this point and have to settle for stairs. I jogged 130 stairs (65 going up and 65 going down) and thought I was going to die! Jumped in the shower and got ready for my Girls Night/Book Club.

6:30 pm- Took a FORM with 8 oz. of water
7:00 pm - Went out to eat with "the girls" from my neighborhood to celebrate my birthday next week along with a couple of other birthdays this month. We ate at Costa Vida. Since we were celebrating birthdays, I told myself if I really felt like having Key Lime pie which is what I always get at Costa Vida then I could. When I went to order... I truly didn't want it! I ordered my usual which is a sweet pork quesadilla with a handful of lettuce and mango salsa on the side. I ate the salsa/lettuce like a salad first and then ate 1/2 of my quesadilla. I could have kept eating and made myself uncomfortably full but I was really fine stopping. I honestly can not believe how much self control this pill is giving me! I am always struggling 3-4 days into a diet and this feels almost like I'm not doing anything different!

11:00 pm - The girls and I were heavy into a card game when I started to feel munchie. Took a FORM-- it took the edge off and I was fine. Gave everyone else Red Vines but wasn't even tempted. Drank 24 oz. water bottle (between 9-12 pm)

2 DAY Recap of Objectives:

YES- I was definitely a decisive eater
YES- I drank less than 12 oz of soda both days and drank plenty of water.
YES- I ate lots of fruits and veggies
YES- I ate pretty regularly
YES!!! - I finally resisted eating late at night
YES- I did get some additional exercise each day
YES- I am finally finished journaling for today...! See you tomorrow!

FIT and FAB -DAY 2!

2008-07-11T08:08:00.003-06:00

I decided that I don't want to call this a "diet"-- it really doesn't feel like a diet....and I don't think it looks like a diet, really. I am just rearranging when and how I eat and adding some activity. When I think of the word "diet" I think of a regimen that is full of "CAN'T s" . Can't have sugar, can't have fatty foods, can't have carbs, can't eat anything remotely edible...you know, you've been there!

I am not restricting myself at all. I am leaving myself the option to have something sweet or a nice chunk of bread if I want... all I am doing is trying to eat the good for me stuff first, eating at smart times of day and not eating if I am not hungry. So basically, if I eat a salad and it fills me up then I'm done--- if not, then add something.

...so all I am really saying is I not on a "diet" I'm just changing my flabby Abby habits to FIT and FABBY ones...and that is what I am going to call my log from now on!

Day 2- Tuesday, July 8,2008

9:30 am - On vacation and forgot to pack some FIXX packets so I have to eat a real breakfast--eeee...ok. Took a FORM with 6 oz. of water.

10:00 am - Ate 2 eggs, scrambled in a tortilla w/cheese and salsa. Didn't have anything to drink because the water was turned off until noon for some repair... would have been nice to know 30 minutes ago so I could have filled up a cup ...but what do ya do?
After eating I feel completely full- I have no desire to eat anything more.

11:00 am - Swam 4 laps -the pool was about a 60 foot pool-- not terribly impressive but better than nothing.

12:00 pm - Waters on! Drank 16 oz. but still not hungry.

12:30 pm- Ate 1/2 cup of fresh strawberries just out of sheer temptation- wow they were yummy!
1:15 pm - Ate lunch because it's lunchtime. Small salad of romaine, cheddar chunks, strawberries and poppyseed dressing--- oh my taste buds, that was good! Drank 8 oz. of water.

2:00 pm- Drank 8 oz. water

5:30 pm - HUNGRY- took a FORM
6:00 pm - Went to IN & OUT Burger--first time...ordered a single burger with cheese and grilled onions, fries and a 22 oz. drink (got light lemonade-aren't you proud of me?). I ate my whole burger and about 3/4 of the fries. My 5 year old decided his shake was too fluffy so he confiscated my drink and I only got a few sips. I was really tempted to eat more but not because I was hungry but because it was so good. I really think if I had drank more with my meal it wouldn't have been so tempting.

8:00 pm - Went shopping with my friend and I am only making a note because usually when I am out and about by myself or with a friend (meaning no kids) I tend to grab a treat. As we were walking through the store I thought to myself out of habit 'should I get a treat' and then realized, nothing really sounded good. It felt nice...kind of liberating. I really think it was because I wasn't hungry! This is so cool!!

9:45 pm - Still not hungry but drank a diet 7-up.

1:30 am - Yes, we were still up...trying to cram as much time in together as possible! Ate 5 Red Vines and 1/2 a water bottle.

Daily Recap of Objectives:
YES- I feel like I was a decisive eater
YES- I didn't drink a single Coke! and I drank about 40 oz. of water
YES- I ate fruits and veggies
YES- I ate regularly-- skipped an afternoon snack, which I think would have helped with my temptation at dinnertime but other than that....
NO- I didn't resist eating late again but still not a huge amount of food--so it is progress!
YES- I did get some exercise today!

GOOD DAY!

FORM diet - DAY 1!!!

2008-07-09T22:09:00.001-06:00

Day 1 - Monday, July 7, 2008

A good friend of mine once taught me that anytime you create a system ( in this case a Healthy Lifestyle) you should first start with a list of objectives. This way you will ensure that your system accomplishes what you aim to. Sooo.... based on the observations I have made here is my list of basic objectives I am aiming to accomplish:

LOOSE WEIGHT-- Be healthier!
TransFORM myself into a decisive eater instead of a compulsive eater by controlling hunger.
More water-Less Coke!
Eat more fruits and vegetables
Eat more regularly -help snail paced metabolism win race!
Stop eating late at night!!
Be more active!
Be accountable- journal!

With this in mind.... here is how my day went---

8:30 am - Woke up with a smile of anticipation on my face, rallied the troops and set out for a morning walk! The street we live on forms a figure 8 and is approximately 1 mile. Armed with my water bottle (24 oz.) and my 3 + 1 kids on bikes we started the day with a bang (Obj. #7 -check)

Got hungry around 10:30 am - made myself a FIXX shake with 20 oz. of water-- this is one of the best flavored shakes I have tried. You know I am a breakfast shake girl anyway and have tried several different brands. Many brands have an after taste or are really chalky-- this one is honestly ...delightful!--- and who doesn't want that kind of adjective attached to their morning meal I ask you?

12:45 pm - Started to get hungry- took my first FORM of the day with 8 oz. of water. I completely forgot about eating. This tells me that FORM really did take away my hungry feeling but I did not feel full or bloated or anything, really--- just not hungry. I got busy working and forgot about being hungry so didn't end up eating until 2:00 pm. I still wasn't really getting hungry but knew I needed to eat.

2:00 pm- Ate a small salad (about 1 cup of spinach, 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar & parmesan, turkey slices, 10 snap pea pods, and ranch) not really a low fat meal but all fresh and good! I was completely satisfied. (Obj. #4- check)

4:30 pm- Started to get a little hungry again so I took my 2nd FORM with 8 oz. of water.
5:00 pm- Ate a cheese stick

6:00 pm- Ate a Jr. Cheeseburger Deluxe from Wendy's on the way to the airport

8:00 pm- Drank a mini water bottle (8 oz.) on the plane and ate a snack bag of Cheddar Munchies. I am really starting to be hungry at this point and wish I had planned better to have a FORM in my purse.

11:30 pm - We are finally settled in and I am starving! Don't think it would be wise to just take a FORM and go to bed-- if it was earlier maybe but at this point I better just have a sensible snack. Ate 15 cherries and a Turkey & cheese sandwich with a Diet Cherry Pepsi (yuck!)

Daily Recap of Objectives:

YES - I think I was a decisive eater today!
YES - I drank lots of water (52 oz.) and only one little soda!
YES - I ate more fruits and veggies
NO - I did not eat more regularly -- I think I needed to be more planned since I wasn't going to be home much today. I also need to start by eating earlier in the morning.
NO - I didn't resist late night eating but I think I ate small... so that is progress.
YES - I did exercise!
YES - I am accountable --baring all to the world!

DAY 7- Last Pre Diet Day!

2008-07-07T14:49:00.004-06:00

This is it! The last pre-diet day to log. I am not even going to bother itemizing the whole day because it was Fast Sunday and I didn't eat anything until 5:00 pm. Rest assured my eating did include Key Lime pie and a post 9:00 pm meal! I also think I am getting a pretty clear picture of my eating habits from the previous 6 days.

Here is what I have learned:

I start the day eating moderately and gradually increase portion and frequency as it gets later in the day.
I tend to get hungry in the mid afternoon and about 9:00 pm at night-- without fail and seem to make the worst eating choices at those times!
I apparently don't drink anything that isn't a diet Coke product of one kind or another.
I eat next to null in the fruit & veggie department.
I get distracted/sidetracked easily and go long periods of time without eating. (This is one thing I was a little surprised at because my children have meals like clockwork! I guess I always assumed I ate at the same times -- never noticing that is rarely the case.)
I am not getting enough exercise!!

CUSTOMIZING MY DIET TO CORRECT SOME OF MY PROBLEM AREAS:

First of all I am going to add FORM and FIXX to my diet! FORM is for hunger management so I think I am going to try 4 a day to start out. I am going to take one before lunch, one mid-late afternoon and then 1-2 around 9 pm. My aim is to use FORM at my most cravey, hungry times of day to give me an edge to be a more decisive eater instead of a compulsive eater! I obviously will replace my current breakfast shake with FIXX!
I am going to try to cut the Coke (no brainer) and drink 6-8 glasses of waterish beverages a day. I am going to say that if I want to have a coke, I have to drink a glass of water first and then if I still want it then ok!
I am going to have at least 1 salad a day and add at least 1 fruit. I know this doesn't sound like much but I am going to take baby steps to not get overwhelmed.
I am going to eat small meals/snacks on an every 3 hour schedule to help my partly genetic, partly lifestyle induced sluggish metabolism. I am going to try to eat at 9 am , 12 pm, 3 pm, 6 pm and 8 pm.
I am going to do some kind of activity each day! I think I feel like I am always going, but obviously my bustling around is not enough exercise to help me loose weight!
I am going to keep JOURNALING!! This seems to be a suggestion made in every diet I have tried -- it must be important! I do think, this last week it has made me more conscious of what I am doing and made me acknowledge the truth about my choices. It is hard to argue when it is in black and white (or brown & pink)!

I think that is enough goals to start with! Wish me luck!!

DAY 6 - Pre Diet Stage

2008-07-06T20:12:00.001-06:00

Only one more day!! I am so excited to get started!! I have been thinking about my schedule for the next 2 weeks and it is NOT diet friendly!! I am going to Vegas to visit a friend for 2 days, when I get home later this week I am going out with some girlfriends to celebrate our birthdays in July, then Saturday, we are spending the day at the lake with family to celebrate 2nd quarter birthdays---- no, wait---it gets worse---next week I am going camping for 4 days with a girls youth group where I have no control over what is available to eat or when! This will be an ultimate test-- if I can loose weight under those circumstances then FORMTM can truly help ANYONE!!

Day 6- Saturday, July 5th

10:30 am-Breakfast (does it really matter when I woke up?) with the family- Waffles w/ syrup chased with a cup of Chocolate soy milk.

I have to insert here that with Saturday bustling I didn't notice I was hungry for a long time.

3:00 pm- finally got around to lunch- ate 1/4 of leftover American sub & 8 oz. of Hawaiian Punch Limeade

4:30 pm- Drank a water bottle while running errands. Stopped at Costco on the way home to grab some produce and a case of water bottles in anticipation of my big start on Monday....I also bought a Costco size key lime pie (unnecessary $10.00) -- I better invite someone over for Sunday dinner because that pie can not be accessible on Monday!!

6:30 pm- Ate some more macaroni salad but mixed things up by throwing it on a bed of fresh spinach with some dressing & Parmesan cheese... ok, that sounds kind gross but it really was good-- chased with what appears to be the only thing I drink according to this log, a Cherry Coke Zero...and a nice piece of key lime pie!

10:30 pm- Shared another piece of pie with my husband but had to off set how rich it was with some Sun chips. Drank another coke.

In bed by MIDNIGHT!! Are you so proud of me?

DAY 5 - Pre Diet Stage nearing an end

2008-07-05T15:51:00.001-06:00

I really feel that holidays and celebrations are my downfall with regards to weight! I don't know if it is an American cultural thing or a Mormon family cultural thing or just a my family cultural thing but all holidays are spent eating!! All activities are planned around a meal or dessert-- without fail--- having laid out that disclaimer-- here is what my 4th of July was like...

Day 5 - Friday, July 4, 2008

9:30 am -Woke up (hey the whole family slept in today... it's a holiday, get off my back!) Too busy bustling around to get going to be hungry.

11:00 am - We are finally in the car off to spend the day at the lake-- drank 12 oz. Chocolate Soy Milk and grabbed 2 Sweet and Salty Granola bars to eat on the way.

I got tons of exercise today!! We unloaded our van full of supplies and hauled them all from the car to the shore. Without any additional hesitation, I dived in and swam to the "no wake" buoy! I love no exercise more than swimming, especially in a lake for some reason. Most people go to a lake with a boat or a wave runner, but I love to swim/noodle in a lake for hours!

2:00 pm -Finally took a swim break and ate lunch. Had about 4 inches of an American Sub, a handful of Garden Salsa Sun Chips and a scoop full of what seems to be the never ending macaroni salad. Topped it all off with a Cherry Coke Zero. -- Back in the water to make another run to the buoy.

3:30 pm- Something about swimming that makes a girl hungry! Came to shore for a snack. Ate Animal cookies (you know those iced ones with the little sprinkles-- yummy), drank a water bottle and a handful of cherries. --- Back in the water!

6:00 pm- Need another snack. Oooh, Nutter Butter cookies- I think I will have 10ish. Ate about 6 Fritos scoops full of 7 layer dip (which only really had 6 layers) and shared a coke with my 5 year old (no, he doesn't usually drink coke).

Back in the water for a final run to the buoy! I hate when good things come to an end!
8:30 pm - packed our stuff up from the shore to relocate to the cliff to watch the fireworks over the lake. Ate cut cantaloupe, 1/4 of a chicken salad sandwich, some macaroni salad scooped with Fritos.

12:00 am - In denial, and don't want to go to bed yet. Ate 5 Red Vines and drank a water bottle while playing a hand of cards with my husband.

Happy 4th! Went to bed...you don't really want to know.

DAY 4- Pre-Diet Stage

2008-07-05T14:26:00.001-06:00

Day 4- Thursday, July 3, 2008
2:30 am - Woke up hearing a child throw up in the hall- once new sleeping accommodations were decided on I was left wide awake and thinking-- then hungry. Got up and drank a glass of Chocolate Soy milk, plugged in an audio book to drown out the middle of the night brainstorming session and went back to sleep!

9:00 am- Woke up hungry

9:30 am - Drank my usual shake- mmm refreshing!

12:00 pm - Went to park lunch with the kids. I didn't buy a lunch thinking I would make a sandwich when we get home. I was a little hungry but not too bad.

Decided to go grocery shopping on our way home from lunch. I think I may have bought double the amount of food necessary for our holiday plans-- I reckon I spend at least $50.00 more than I was planning--- really hungry now.

1:30 pm -When we got home the kids were anxious to go swimming so I jumped in with them before getting something to eat. I realized that when I am busy I tend to forget about being hungry, which isn't really good because I end up going too long and getting too hungry.

2:25 pm- Came inside to make a sandwich but got distracted by a business call then with kids. Never made sandwich.

4:00 pm- Seriously hungry, almost to the point nothing sounds good. Kids are now asking for a post pool snack. Made everyone 2 plates of nachos to share. I ate about 2/3 of one plate with sour cream/salsa dip and a Cherry Coke Zero.

6:00 pm -Tigers blood snow cone at swimming lessons - last day!

6:30 pm- Not really hungry but is dinner time with my family. We served Macaroni salad and grilled cheese. I ate only 1 1/2 grilled cheese with Crystal Light lemonade.

9:30 pm -Snacked on Red Vines and a water bottle while waiting for a fireworks show to start. Our family volunteered to help with the garbage pick up post fireworks so I think that counts as some kind of activity.

12:00 pm - Ate a scoop of macaroni salad w/ Wheat Thins and a Cherry Coke Zero

Went to bed late...and we will leave it at that!

DAY 3 - Pre-Diet Stage

2008-07-03T18:51:00.001-06:00

I have to say, I may not need a whole week of this! I can see several unFIT and Fabulous habits or routines appearing in this log after only a few days! Also, I think everyone considering dieting should make a public announcement and bare all---- this is enough to humiliate the first 10 pounds off me, which is a great starting point!! I also strangely feel like I am suddenly accountable to a 100 people for following through with this--- that is something I definitely need for success!

Day 3- Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Woke up 8:00 am wasn't hungry until 9ish
9:00 am - ate 2 small orange-blueberry glazed muffins my 11 year old made before I got up (what a self starter!) and drank 12 oz. of Chocolate Soy Milk

11:30 am - Hungry again- left for free lunch at the park w/ my kids decided to buy a meal (adults have to pay, only kids eat free- spent $3.00)- ate a meat & bean chimichanga, a mini cup of applesauce, a small bag of Sun chips and a snack baggie of baby carrots. I have to say I didn't really feel satisfied-- I really needed a drink and they only serve milk (I HATE milk!)

2:00 pm -Hungry pains- start to wonder what I can eat...

2:30 pm - Hungry turns to -I can't wait any longer- ate 1 more muffin & a bag of Baked Cheetos (it is like there is a never ending supply of these handy in the kitchen) and a Cherry Coke Zero.

4:45 pm - ate a Sweet and Salty Granola Bar for no other reason than the power of suggestion-- my daughter walked by my desk eating one and it just sounded good.

9:00 pm -missed dinner because I had a 6:00 pm meeting and wasn't prepared enough to have dinner ready before I left (and my family was still at swimming lessons, so there wasn't a lot of motivation). I just got home and am beyond starving!! Went to Subway for a $5 sub (Veggie delight foot long with extra cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, mayo and ranch on Monterey Cheddar bread) chased it with a 32 oz. half diet Coke/half Dr. Pepper and Garden salsa Sun chips.
I hate to eat alone so roped my sweet hubby into getting a sandwich he wasn't hungry for but somehow ate anyway. I often joke that every time I have gone on a diet my husband looses 20 pounds and I think I have just discovered why! (spent $12.50ish)

Went to sleep around 1:00 am

DAY 2 - Pre Diet Stage

2008-07-02T15:46:00.001-06:00

As I reflect about my journaling of day 1, I have noticed that I am rather self conscious about having to write down every bite. This is a good thing! Every time I go to eat something I think, if I eat that I am going to have to tell everyone...do I really want to? It really hasn't stopped me from eating anything thus far but the pause for thought seems like a spark of progress!

Day 2- Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Woke up- 9:00 am (Lazy Butt!)
Hungry by 10:00 am - ate a handful of baked Cheetos (someone has got to take those off the counter!) -got distracted and didn't eat breakfast until 10:30.

10:30 am Breakfast -Slim-fast Chocolate shake made with 20 oz. of water.

12:00 pm Free lunch at the park- ate half of my 17 month old niece's leftover Baloney & American cheese on wheat.

1:00 pm -starting to get hungry ...got distracted

2:00-3:00 pm -swam with the kids in the pool (which basically consists of floating on a noodle since our pool is only 4 feet deep and 15 feet wide)

3:45 pm- finally got around to making lunch for myself- ate a sandwich: Turkey, mayo, Am. cheese, tomato, and lettuce on white, more baked Cheetos and a can of Cherry Coke Zero.

6:00 pm Hungry again- had a tiger's blood snow cone at my 5 year old's swimming lesson (spent $1.00)

6:30 pm Dinner- ate a scoopful of chow mien from Panda Express ($2.85) and 10 homemade cream cheese wontons dipped in sweet and sour sauce chased with 2 cups of 7-up.

9:45 pm Hungry again -ate 8 more wontons cold but good w/ another cup of 7-up

11:45 pm Shared husband's bowl of chocolate peanut butter ice cream

Went to sleep around 12:20

DAY 1 - PRE-DIET STAGE

2008-07-02T14:31:00.001-06:00

Why do I need a "Pre-Diet" stage you wonder? Well, I think one of the many reasons I consistently fail is I have never customized a diet to address my body's specific needs. I have always tried to follow a generic plan, one-size-fits-all type of program and I really need to be better informed about my current lifestyle habits and eating style so I can make a plan to maximize the hunger management benefits that FORM will give me.

My "Pre-Diet" stage plan is to make a research journal for 1 week of: when I sleep/wake-up, when I get hungry- is there a certain time of day or how long after I eat, what I eat, what type of food decisions I make when I allow myself to get too hungry, etc. I am hoping that after doing this for a week, I will be able to determine when would be the most effective times to take a FORM or have a FIXX when I start my 2 week and 1 day trial run (I have to at least beat my record)!

Day 1- Monday, June 30, 2008
Woke up- 7:45 am/Hungry by 9:45 am
10:00 am Breakfast- ate1 piece of French toast w/ margarine, syrup & powdered sugar. Drank a chocolate Slim-fast shake made with 20 oz. of water (not for any diet reason but because I really hate to eat breakfast food at breakfast time and a shake in the morning is the best ...but the French toast I made for the kids just looked yummy).

11:00 am-Just for fun, I changed the batteries in my scale and weighed myself (for the first time in over a year since the batteries died...it has since acted as a bathroom doorstop)---- I weighed in at a whopping 256 pounds on my 5 foot 4 inch frame!

12:00 pm Lunchtime (we don't usually eat breakfast that late) not hungry yet but took the kids to free summer lunch at the park, ate a McDonald's Cheeseburger and a 20 oz. half Diet Coke/half Dr. Pepper (spent $2.14)

3:00 pm Best friends moved away today-- took the kids for an emotional snack-- still not very hungry but ate the "above the rim" part of a Butterfinger shake and chased it with a 16 oz. Diet Coke and about 12 oz. of ice water. (spent $12.48)

6:34 pm Dinnertime - I am so hungry I am impatient and looking for something to snack on while I make dinner. Ate a hand full of Baked Cheetos left over from free lunch. Ate 2 grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches with a cup of 7-up spiked mixed juice.

10:30 pm Husband and I are hungry. We eat a snack of garlic humus on bagel chips chased with a Cherry Coke Zero.

Went to sleep at 12:35 am