Fat Problems... the continuation

Now that I have talked about one problem with being fat/overweight/obese and trying to lose weight - I am going to talk about another issue.

EXERCISE

This really ought to be a four letter word. Most of us hate to exercise. While we might EVENTUALLY enjoy it - it is hard to get to that point.  I feel like the overweight are sabotaged.  Think about the types of exercise.

Walking - This seems to be everyone's answer to overweight people. "Just walk 30 minutes a few days a weeks." It sounds simple but there is SO much more than just walking. First - if you are overweight, and especially if you severely overweight - walking hurts. Knees, ankles, and hips all bear the brunt of our weight and the extra weight puts added pressure on these tender joints. So again, while we KNOW we could just walk - for some people this isn't an option due to severe pain. 

Other options would be something with lower impact. There are plenty of things that are lower impact but they have their own issues.

Water exercise - these are incredibly low impact, but unless you have access to a heated pool all year (or even just in the summer) it is going to cost.

Biking - This is a great exercise and one that my DH and I enjoy. But getting a good bike (which I now know is important) can be expensive as well.

Any home equipment - This is sometimes the option we pick. We will get a elliptical, or bike, or something that is lower impact, or something we can at least due in the privacy of our homes! But if you get to looking, most of this equipment has a weight MAX limit of 250-300 lbs. 

Then you have to consider the gear. With something exercises, you just need something to wear. But it can be very upsetting to go to a fitness store and realize you can't fit into anything! I have yet to really see fitness clothes for plus size woman (unless you order them online). So while our skinny counterparts can buy the yoga gear that is fitted enough to NOT flash everyone when you change a pose - we have to wear our baggy t-shirts and shorts and tuck everything in. Forget needing something special for an activity (like padded biking shorts) - they are NOT at the stores - I had to buy men's so they would fit - and the padding isn't quite right if you know what I mean!

Lastly - I personally think overweight people (woman specifically) aren't getting the right information about exercise! Yes, we need to move to burn calories because weight loss created by a calorie deficit.  However, most of us who are overweight have very poor muscle tone. Some of this can (and will) be built with cardio exercises, but strength training is (in my personal experience) MORE important. While increasing my heart rate will increase my metabolism for a while, if I build a muscle that needs more calories to function all day - I get that burn all day. The MUSCLES are what burns calories - so if you don't have much - that increase in heart rate and respiratory rate is only going to get you so far!!

So that is my rant. I'm sure I'll have something else to comment on later.  Do any of you have situations where you feel you were sabotaged before getting started?

Fat Problems

Currently, the focus on health in the US has been the rise of obesity. They are calling it an epidemic. We have old and young suffering from this ailment. They are predicting the younger generation will be the first to NOT outlive their parents because of weight related illnesses.  I want tell you something about being fat (and hang on to your hats - this may spiral into several posts)!

Yes - fat.
 
Because by today's BMI scale, I fall into the obese category. Now - if you look at me - you'd never believe I weigh as much as I do because I'm tall (thank god) and pear shaped (matter of fact my pants and shirt sizes differ by almost 3 sizes), but none the less - I'm obese.  Based on my BMI, I have been obese since high school even when I was in regular woman's 14/16 pants - but by my BMI I was still considered obese.

Let me clue everyone in on something... I know I'm fat. I know I'm overweight. I know I need to lose weight. In fact, I bet MOST of the people in the world KNOW when they are.  (I also know there are people in this world who are obsessed with their weight and size). 

I'm talking about those of us in the world who are truly overweight. It isn't a big secret - it didn't happen overnight.  We know we are, we watched it happen, and usually we didn't do anything about it. But I do want to share a few things that may have contributed to our size, and things that frustrate us when trying to lose weight.

Once you get to a certain size (and it is different for everyone), there is a HUGE variation from size to size. So you can be in a size 20W pants - and be in that size for a weight range of 20 to 40 lbs in some cases.  This range is why we sometimes don't realize we've gotten significantly heavier over a year or two because we don't seen drastic changes in sizes for just a few pounds.

This also works in reverse. We finally decide we want to lose weight, so we talk with our doctors, loved ones, friends, etc and make a plan. We decrease write down our weight, decrease our calories, and increase our activity. We are serious, motivated and excited. And then guess what -- nothing happens.  Oh, the scale might start to go down - but we watch with baited breath as 10, 20, 25, even 30 lbs seem to fade from the scale - and we see no changes in the mirror. We don't go down a size in anything, we don't see a smaller waist, we don't have to go clothes shopping... nothing. And as everyone knows, it may take MONTHS for this to happen. So imagine dieting and exercising (and feeling like you are depriving yourself to a certain degree), and getting NONE of the positive feedback you need to keep you motivated. This is why I HATE the Special K commercials (and other types of advertising) that promised losing a jeans size in a few weeks.  I can promise you that it is FRUSTRATING to listen/watch people who can drop a little as 5-10 lbs and they have to buy a new wardrobe because everything in too big!

So at this point that little voice pips up, "you've done good - I know you've tried. But it obviously isn't going to work for you - why don't you go ahead and have that second serving.. just for tonight. It obviously isn't going to make a difference in the size you wear or how you look. What can it hurt?"
And before you know we are back to the same weight (or higher) but still in the same size, and the world is oblivious to this.

So consider this when dealing with someone you know and/or love.  Our health isn't a surprise or shock to us - it is a constant source of frustration. You may wonder why we are always yo-yo dieting, or trying the newest fad. We do it because we hope we can find something to get us over the initial weight loss hump where positive feedback is achieved and can be used as motivation for us to continue on the "getting healthy" journey.  I know Plexus Slim isn't the wonder drug. I know I will have to maintain a healthy lifestyle once I reach my goal weight... Personally I just want to get to the point when 15-20 lbs down means a new pair of jeans.. so that I can keep my motivation up to continue losing!

I have a few other comments - but they will have to come in a later post.

Cravings.....what cravings

So as I posted in the past - one of my FAVORITE things about Plexus Slim is the decrease in cravings!  It truly is amazing how much of a difference the Pink makes.


I told you all that I had been off of this for about 2 weeks, but I finally got my Plexus Slim in Saturday and was able to take it yesterday and today! Just those two days have helped with my cravings.  Today I even did some Christmas cooking! My friend and I made hot chocolate on a stick, beer and bacon pecans, and lime sugar scrub.  I didn't feel the need to taste or snack on ANYTHING we were making. This is amazing that I didn't want anything! 

I can't wait to see what happens next. If last month - it took MOST of the month for my cravings to be gone and this month I've gotten to that point after only 2 days... who knows what benefits I'll have by the end of the month!!

Back in the Saddle

My Plexus Slim arrived! I'm very excited to be back on the Pink! I did it faithfully for a little over 30 days, but didn't order fast enough when I ran out.  I can say that I truly feel the changes in appetite, cravings, and energy were NOT psychological!! I really feel they were the Pink.

Lets break it down -
All women KNOW we have hormone fluctuations... for each and everyone of us there is something we "crave" at certain times of the month. I have a sweet tooth. I usually REALLY want chocolate peanut butter SOMETHING right before my time, and then salty and sweet stuff during!!

In the month of November, I was rocking the Pink and I didn't want any of that!! I was hungry and ate regular food. December was another story. Oh MY GOD!! Between the hormones and being home bound due to weather - my cravings were/are out of control. 


Also - energy levels...
My DH and I bought bikes and had been riding. Now I'm not nearly as in shape as he is, so I want to ride easier trails and he likes to do longer rides. However, we were riding together a good bit. We would ride our trail and then he would go ride with some guy friends... I haven't ridden in over 2 WEEKS! I feel guilty - but there have been extenuating circumstances... Thanksgiving was in there, and so was bad weather...etc.  I think I'm going to surprise him, and ask him in the morning to go ride...

I'll let you all know if my cravings decrease again - or if it was a one time fluke.... Off to work I go !

Brief Testimony

I started Plexus Slim on 10/27/13.. I used my 30 day supply and the 6 days from my two decision packs. I was down a total of 10ish (there is some flux) pounds and about 3-4 inches. I stopped taking because I ran out and money was a little tight. I had been skeptical (Surprise surprise) as to if the energy boost and decreased craving were Plexus Slim OR psychological!

I can honestly say it was the Plexus Slim! Ever since being off my appetite has increased, and my sweet tooth has shown back up!! I have ordered my next month because NOW I am a true believer that this Pink Drink helped!

November - my "monthly" cravings just were NOT there - but this month.... HOLY COW!! I can't seem to get enough of sweets!! I am still OFF the carbonated beverages and I think that helps some with bloating - but I have been "Craving " them more since off the Pink!!







Finally - Lots of people have been asking about weight gain once you stop taking the Plexus Slim. I can say I have been OFF for about 10 day (give or take) but I have NOT gained any weight back!! That makes me happy!!

Message me if you want some more information - I am so excited about this stuff!!

www.onepinkaday.com

Behind......and now looking ahead

Wow!! I LOVE the holidays, but November has been a CRAZY month..

So let me give the run down.. I defended my dissertation on November 13 - and passed. I am now Dr. (PhD).. It is VERY exciting.. I have been working on getting my final pages turned into the library, papers signed.. etc. All those last minute hoops.


As for Plexus Slim - So I was getting VERY discouraged. I lost a total of about 10 lbs (although the scale fluxuated a bit, and I lost several inches. But it wasn't coming off as fast as I like.. Once I ran out - I hit my "sample packs"  until they ran out. I intended to get another month, but Thanksgiving and bills.... and I'm behind. Since I have been off, I can safely say a lot of the "benefits" I had I truely think were from the Plexus Slim (PS)!

1) I haven't been riding my bike
      Yes - I've been busy and it has been cold. But until I stopped the PS I was interested and WANTED to move... so I am crediting PS for that desire

2) I have stopped drinking waters as much. I think this is more a conscious effort because since I'm not starting my day with water - I don't think about it. My DH (dear husband) and I have mostly stuck with our no carbonation with a few cheats (He got me a Diet coke the DAY I was defending the dissertation!)

3) CRAVINGS - we had been doing great! No craving a sweets at all. Well I wasn't - he wasn't eating them because since I didn't crave them - they were not bought! Since off the PS, my sweet tooth is seriously returned! For me, that alone may be worth continuing.

I do plan on ordering some more. I want to get back on the band wagon , plus I want to start the accelerator again - I kept forgetting it!!

I'll keep everyone posted!

Catching up

 After my wired days (yes there were two), I slacked on blogging this journey.

First - I've LOST 6.6 LBS. I'm excited. I am weighing on Thursdays. I don't think I've lost inches at this point, but I'll take the pounds!

Thursday and Friday my DH was off with me. On Thursday, I offered him an accelerator since I knew I couldn't take the two I'm allotted.  I asked him periodically during the day if he felt more energetic. His response was maybe but it could be all psychosomatic. We also rode our bikes around the neighborhood. We "thought" the ride would be mostly flat. IT WAS A LIE!!! It was gentle rolling hills that I HATE. DH keeps pushing me to work on it, and I'm trying. I just don't know if he understands putting something like is more frustrating to this girl who is trying to start... Oh well. I've told him I would like to do more of downtown.

Friday, DH asked if the pill should still be in his system because he woke up at 7 and couldn't go back to sleep. I really don't know. I know he has been off caffeine, so maybe he is a little sensitive as well. He took another pill on Friday, and stayed energetic all day.

Other than this - I worked all weekend and took my drink and pills. I have noticed when I'm working I need a snack, but I think it is a combination of the pill and the working.  So now I'm starting week 2!

Wired

      I think I finally got the timing correct on my Plexus Slim and accelerator...I also think I might be a LITTLE sensitive to natural caffine!

      So Monday (Day Two), I was dragging all day. Like I mentioned in my last post, I think I did the timing wrong.  I had taken the Plexus Slim with the accelerator WITH my breakfast. I didn't feel it all day and had the munchies pretty bad.

      So Tuesday, I decided to do it "correctly".  I got up made my drink and I finished it before I got something to eat. Around 30 minutes later, I fixed my left over chinese (I had slept in so it was more like brunch), and grabbed some water and my 2 pills (accelerator).  My agenda for yesterday was to finish editing my dissertation, which I needed to turn in today. After I had eaten, I noticed had the fidgets. No big deal, but it was noticeable to me. My day grew long, and sometimes that evening (still editing) I realized I was short an entire YEAR of research on my chapters. I was going to pull an all nighter. I never got really hungry, so I remember snacking on something little.

       DH called and decided to stay late at work since I wasn't going to be up for anything at home. Once he came home, he went to bed and I kept writing. I slowed down a little around 4 am, but drank some water and perked back up. Before I knew it, it was 9 am and I was wide awake. I had to make copies, and deliver the chapters to my professors. I was WIRED. I had not been asleep for over 24 hours!  I wasn't even tired. I ended up running some errands, and finally made it back to the house after 2 pm.  At this point, all I've had is a two hour nap and I'm still going strong!  I'm sure I will sleep good tonight, but I don't feel like I'm going to pass out if I get still. 

     I did message my upline ambassador, and we laughed about it. She told me some people do the whole first week on just one accelerator. I didn't think anything of it because it hadn't phased me the day before.  I have NOT taken the pink drink or the accelerator today because I do need to sleep.  At this point, I think I might just do one pill in the morning (but take it correctly), but I'm thinking about letting DH try it for the energy boost. Might be interesting to see how a bike ride goes while on a energy kick!

For all the naysayers, I am famous for pulling an all nighter. I am a true night owl, but typically, I work through the night and am BEGGING for sleep by 8 am. If I have to go anywhere, I'm asking my DH to drive me. This was totally different.

Still haven't (seriously) gotten on a scale, but I have noticed my appetite is curbed, and I don't feel like I need to snack. Not sure if it is all mental, so if this stuff is doing its job.  If anyone wants more information, please message me, or check out the link below. 

See you later

http://laurajonesjobe.myplexusopportunity.com/

Day One

Today is day two, but I'm going to talk about day one (and some of day two).  So I warn you this is a bit long.

As I wrote previously, I received my Plexus Slim on Saturday October 26, 2013. I was very excited. I decided to start on Sunday October 27, 2013. I thought this would be perfect, since I was not only working - I was going to be working a 16 hour shift! I was to start my day at 0645 and go until 11 pm (ah the joys of nursing shifts). 

I got up at 515 am. After showering, I immediately fixed my Pink Drink in about 16 hours of water.  I drank my water as I was getting ready.  The drink was good. It had a berry flavor that I can't quite place.  After I finished getting ready,  I ate two eggs, and two biscuits with butter and jam (with a Dr. Pepper 10). Finally,  I took one of the accelerators. So I was ready to rock and roll!

So I went to work. I had a busy assignment and kept running most of my morning.  Around 1015, I noticed I was getting hungry. I had been drinking my water, and had already finished about 1 liter.  The hunger stuck me.  For the last few weekends, I had been eating eggs for breakfast because they "stuck" to me longer if I wasn't able to get to my lunch in a timely manner.  This was the first weekend I had actually been hungry before about 12 - 1230ish.  I finally went to lunch around 1130, and I had a grilled chicken breast, some squash, cheese mashed potatoes, and a diet Dr. Pepper.  I felt great. 

After returning to my unit, I kept busy until around 2pm.  I was HUNGRY again!  I called Heidi (my upline ambassador) who also works with me.  I told her I was hungry. It was crazy!  She and I talked about what I had eaten, and she agreed that it seemed I HAD consumed enough calories. She suggested I have a snack. I considered it but I started drinking my second liter of water. 

Some of the girls had gone to the gift shop and bought some candy - so I had some of this while I was drinking the water.  Day kept going well without issue. I had a chance to eat dinner around 8pm. I ate potato soup, and 5 mozzarella sticks.  When I ate dinner, I was a little hungry but not much.  Before I knew it, it was 11 and I was going home. I immediately noticed I wasn't really sleepy. I was tired because I had worked, but I wasn't sleepy and dragging. At home, I did have a little bit of chips and dip (but I think this might have been old habits die hard).

Today, it was a little different. I think I got my timing wrong.  I fixed my Pink Drink. I had it along WITH my biscuits and 2 accelerators. I have been more sleepy today (although it isn't unusual for me to be tired after a weekend at work which included a 16 hour shift).  I did have lunch with some friends, and did better than usual. I didn't finish all of my meal. Although, now that I am home again (and it is almost 3 hours after lunch), I am hungry again.  I wonder if the accelerator is making me hungry...

I think tomorrow I will have the pink drink before I eat anything.

Oh - and here are the specs I promised (all of this is in inches)!
R Arm - 18; Chest - 37.5; Waist - 39; Hips -54.5; R Thigh - 31.5

The British are coming....

Everyone has heard this..

"The British are coming.... The British are coming.."  We learn about this in history as the famous shout from Paul Revere.  

When I got the email from Plexus Worldwide telling me my Plexus Slim order had shipped, I felt I should be doing my own version.. "The Plexus is coming... The Plexus is coming!"

Tonight, when I got home from work - I HAD A PACKAGE! My Plexus Slim has arrived and tomorrow I plan on starting my journey.

Tomorrow (after work) I will post my measurements (gasp!).  I have a picture and my weight - but I'm embarrassed to put that out there just yet. Maybe when I can see how far I've come - I will become braver.

Looking forward to this - Hope everyone enjoys the ride!

Slight break

     I totally intended to write on this everyday, but life can get in the way.  So quick update:

Yesterday (October 23, 2013) :
    
      The DH and I went to the River Trail again, and this time we completed 5.1 miles. I think I left my legs on the trip somewhere, but I didn't have to walk my bike at anytime so I count that as a win!  We were both thrilled that we were able to do this. We got a little saddle sore as that being our third day out, so we went and got (GASP!) padded shorts.  Currently I think many athletic stores discriminate against chubby girls. I could NOT find anything in the woman's section that fit me, so I had to buy from the men department (which itself only went to an xxl). 
     I understand that mostly fit people buy clothes in stores like this, but I don't understand why can't stores have a small selection of xxl and up for people trying to better themselves. It almost seems like a slap in the face when you are starting out.  While many exercises can be completed in shorts and t-shirts, there are some things that really need the required clothing to make the exercise possible (such as biking padded shorts).  Ok that is my rant for now.

Today:

        We got up early today because we were dog sitting for some friends, and DH had a doctor's appointment.  At his appointment, we did tell the doctor that we were riding bikes and he encouraged it. I asked him about Plexus Slim, and he looked at the ingredient list I brought. He was not impressed, and said that exercise and decreased caloric intake has been proven, but he wasn't sure about anything that did not have to be regulated by the FDA. While I am totally with him on the skeptical thoughts,  he wouldn't even tell me if there were any KNOWN interactions with some of the homeopathic ingredients in Plexus Slim, and my DH medication.  So for now, I am on this journey alone.  Today we totally intended to ride our bikes, but I think after 3 days in a row we needed the break. So we did not ride today, but completely plan on riding tomorrow. 

See you tomorrow (hopefully!)!

Bike Riding

    Today we tried out the bikes. We went to the River Market and rode the bike trail.  After we got home, I pulled up Google Pedometer.  I was VERY surprise! We rode 4.04 miles!! I'm thrilled. DH said he didn't break a sweat (but then again it was 65 degrees). I didn't break a sweat, but was out of breath.  So yea for us!!

Throwing my hat over the fence!

     Well I did it! I threw my hat over the fence.... well actually I threw two hats over two different fences.

      "Throwing a hat over the fence" is an expression I got from my mom meaning when she had done something that required her to follow through with it in some way. Let me give you an example. In my parent's house, mom hated the wallpaper in the bathroom. One weekend, she just rented a steamer and peeled all of it off. Now she had a mess on her hands, but she had "thrown her hat over the fence" and would have to do something about the bathroom walls (which got painted like she wanted!).

      Back to me - I threw some hats today.  First hat: I purchased my first month of Plexus Slim Pink Drink and Accelerator. I am going to give it a chance. While I am slightly skeptical (never mind the results I'm seeing in co workers and friends), I went ahead with my DH's (Dear Husband) approval because I'm tired of being overweight.

I HATE clothes not fitting!
I HATE shopping in specialty stores!
I HATE not feeling comfortable in shorts!
And the list goes on!

     Second hat: I bought a bike. DH had decided he wanted a bike to ride downtown. Currently, we both play a geeky game on our phones called Ingress. This game is capture the flag and geocashing mixed together. A great place to play is down by the river, so he wanted a bike to play.  He also wanted the bike for the added benefit of losing some weight. So today we got him a bike, and he immediately starting making plans on going to the river with some people to play.  I started realizing that he was going to spend many of his days off down at the river riding bikes - and I couldn't.  Not because I wasn't able, but because I didn't have a BIKE! So we promptly turned around and bought me one as well.  

      So now we have a plan for getting healthier and losing some weight. I will plan on starting the Plexus Slim when I get it later this week, and we plan on riding starting tomorrow.  I will post weight and measurements as soon as I am able. I might even get a current picture up in honor of keeping this a real time blog.