Day 95

This morning in the gym something amazing happened to me.  A random stranger that I didn't even recognize came up to me & Joe right before he trained me and told me how incredible I looked.  She said she hadn't been to the gym in 3 weeks and that when she saw me she couldn't believe her eyes.  She told me that she's been watching me since I started and  it just amazed at how I am transforming my body.  Let me tell you, I felt so alive and so wonderful from her compliment.  It was truly a joy to meet her and talk with her about The Fresh Diet and what I have done to accomplish my weightloss so far.   I felt so blessed to meet her.  

Yesterday I had a similar experience but with a trainer that was new to the gym.  She saw me riding the SPIN bike and came over to talk to me.  I'm sure it was to try and get a new client initially, but then she stayed and talked to me for about 30 minutes.  I told her all about The Fresh Diet and how I've lost 42 lb's in 3 months and how my CRP has gone down 7 points.  She said she had some clients that NEED The Fresh Diet in their life.  So I really hope she follows through and sends them onto The Fresh Diet.  I know if anyone will just stick with it, they will succeed.  They will become healthy.


I am overwhelmed at the support and love I have been given on this portion of my journey.  I am not stopping.  I will continue to eat The Fresh Diet and to exercise and get this weight off once and for all.  I am grateful for my trainer.  Joe pushes me like no other and I am grateful for him and all that he does to encourage me on a daily basis.  THANK YOU JOE!!!  I am grateful for Glenn Packard and the entire AreYouX staff down in Miami.  You all are just AMAZING!!!   I am grateful for my vision I have of myself.  I am doing this.  I am going to be healthy!


Training with Joe

• I warmed up on the SPIN bike for 15 mins
• We started our workout with a rotation of 3 things again.  
• I'm not sure the name of the machine we used but it was one of the hammer strength machines that was like doing a squat.  I did 3 sets of 10 at 70 lbs.
• Back Extension - 3 sets of 10
• I'm not sure of the name of the next thing but I think it was a standing lunge squat while holding 20 lb dumbbells.  3 sets of 10 - each side
• Next we went onto work on my shoulder.  We did 4 different exercises.  I have no idea the names.  3 sets of 15 SUPERSET
• rotating with ABS!!!  Stability Ball Crunches.  Joe stood behind the counter and threw me a 6 lb. medicine ball and I would catch it with straight arms and then lay back on the SB and as I came up I would throw Joe the ball.  I STILL feel my abs.  JOY!!!
• Stretch
• 1 hour of SPIN

Food

Breakfast

Apricot & Cherry Oatmeal with Toasted Almonds

Lunch

Philly Cheese Steak Whole Wheat Wrap with Sauteed Mushrooms

Dinner

Lean Turkey Meatballs with Fresh Marinara Sauce with Southwestern Corn Saute and Wild Rice & Cranberry Pilaf

Snack

Asian Style Broco-Slaw with Shredded Turkey

Dessert

Chocolate Chip Cheese Cake

Day 94

It's Wednesday, once again a BEAUTIFUL DAY outside.  I love getting up early and driving into the club with windows down and just taking deep breaths.  The air smells so good!


Yesterday I took a little trip to the Vitamin Shoppe to get a few supplements with certain problems I've been having lately.  Here's what I picked up:

• Turmeric Force - this is supposed to help with my inflammation
• Ultimate '10' probiotic - this is supposed to help with my bowel issues
• Mega Food Blood Builder - I got this for my low iron and to build my blood back up
• Roex lights out - to help me sleep

Training with Joe

• I warmed up on the SPIN bike for about 10 mins
• Flat Bench Chest Press - Dumbbells - 25 lbs
• Incline Flys - 10 lbs - 3 sets of 15 rotating with
• Preacher Curls - 35 lbs - 3 sets of 15
• Next Rotation was 3 exercises again which were:
• Standing Lat Pull Down - 30 lbs - 3 sets of 15
• Bent Over Rows - 30 lbs - 3 sets of 15 each side 
• Tricep Extension - 30 lbs - 3 sets of 15
• STRETCH
• 1 hour SPIN

Food

Breakfast

Mandarin Orange Ricotta Cheese Crepes with Fresh Strawberries

Lunch

Black Angus Beef Burger on Whole Wheat Bun With Tomato, Lettuce & Dijonaise

Dinner

Grilled Chicken Breast with Red Wine & Shallot Reduction Sauce with Southwestern Orzo and Sesame Soy Sauteed Baby Bok Choy

Snack

Passion Fruit Cheese Cake

Dessert

Fresh Berries & Pineapple with Strawberry Yogurt

Day 93

It's another HOT day here in Chicago.  I LOVE IT!!!  

I only got a few hours of sleep last night and let me tell you, I felt it as I worked out.  My energy level was at a 5.  My body was exhausted.  My mind was awake and alive, but my body, not so much.  Every morning Joe asks me how I slept and lately I've been sleeping pretty good, but not last night.  It took everything out of me just to do my hour of cardio before I met with Joe.  Craziness!  Here's what I did.

Training with Joe

• 30 mins of SPIN
• 5 floor sprints on the stairmaster - 90 steps a floor - 40 floors - 3600 stairs - These take about 55 seconds to do the 5 floors and then I would rest for a minute and catch my breath and go right back into another 5 floors.  Talk about sweat.  WOW!
• Arc Trainer - Interval Training - 10 minutes
• Treadmill - 5 mins - incline of 15 - As you can see, I did 4 different cardio machines today.  Why, because my body was exhausted and I had to keep mixing it up just to keep going.  I still managed to SOAK through all my clothes and socks before working out with Joe!  JOY!!!
• With Joe, we did 2 rotations of 3 exercises.  1st rotation was:
• Leg Press - Hammer Strength - 230 lbs. -  3 sets - 15x's
• Good Mornings - 45 lb bar - 3 sets - 15 x's
• Hamstring Curls - Each Leg - 30 lbs. - 3 sets - 15 x's
• The last rotation we worked on the shoulder - Shoulder Press - 10 lbs. - I could only do 1 set of these.  On the 2nd set about #5 my shoulder popped and that was it for me.  Too much pain!!!
• Tricep Pull Up - 25 lbs - For this I held an olympic weight in front of me and then just pulled it up to right under my chin.  We did 15 on the 1st set and then 30 on the last 2 sets since I couldn't do the shoulder press.
• Bent Over Flys - 5 lbs - 1st set 15, last 2 sets 30.
• STRETCH

I'm feeling really good about all the exercise I'm doing and especially good about The Fresh Diet food.  It has changed my life.  I physically feel tired today from no sleep and I also feel very bloated today.  I don't know why, but I am.  I look down and my stomach seems like it is twice as big.  I think I'm retaining fluid again.  I can just feel it on me.  I need to go to the vitamin shoppe today and get more dandelion tea.  I ran out a few days ago.  Time for a little detox action.

Food

Breakfast - MY FAVORITE!!!!!!!!!!

Toasted Granola with Diced Pears & Honey Almond Ricotta Cheese

Lunch

Reuben Style Deli Wrap with Smoked Turkey Breast, Swiss Cheese, Baby Lettuce & Thousand Island Dressing

Dinner

Grilled Chicken Breast with Apricot Curry Sauce with Steamed Asparagus and Steamed Snow Peas

Snack

Whole Wheat Chicken Quesadilla with Pepper-Jack Cheese & Mango Salsa

Dessert

Pineapple Coconut Muffin

Day 92

I DID IT!!!  I'm in the 50's now!!!!  YEAH BABY!!!  I lost 2 lbs. last week and I now weigh 258!!! 42 lbs. DOWN!!!!!! Hooray for me!  I can't wait to see the 40's.  These 10 lb milestones are HUGE for me mentally.  It's AMAZING for me to look and see the scale as it continues to go down, down, down.  I feel so energized and so happy right now.  I love who I am becoming.  It is a process and I'm grateful for that process.  


I must say, my breakfast this morning was HEAVENLY!!!  The Hawaiian Style Oatmeal was seriously the BEST oatmeal I have ever tasted.  What do they do to it to make it taste so GOOD!!!  NUMMY!!!!  That says it all! :):):)


I feel really good about all the exercise I am doing.  Not only in the gym, but really the exercise I'm getting at home.  I LOVE IT!!!  I never thought being active would be as fun as it is.  I just love being outside with my kids and having the ability to play with them and keep up with them.  I feel so good inside.  


I think my training is progressing well.  Joe said we are going to focus more on strength training since I do SO MUCH cardio on my own.  So we did just that today. :)


Training with Joe

• Today I did my hour on the SPIN bike 1st before my workout with Joe.  It felt so good to ride this morning.  I LOVE IT!!!  Although my butt is still sore. :)
• We ended up doing 3 rotations with 3 exercises in each rotation.  To start we did:
• incline chest press - dumbbells - 22.5 lbs. - 3 sets of 12
• dumbbell curls - 15 lbs. - 3 sets of 12
• laying down flys - dumbbells - 12.5 lbs. - 3 sets of 12
• Next Rotation - ROW - 70 lbs. - 3 sets of 12
• Lat Pulldown - 60 lbs. - 3 sets of 12
• Tricep Ext - 30 lbs. - 3 sets of 15
• Last Rotation - We did 3 different shoulder moves with 7.5 lbs. on the cable - 20 each set.
• The last thing was Joe stretched me out.  My left shoulder and hip are still aching.

I'm having issues with my camera right now and so I will attempt to post pictures tomorrow.  

Food

Breakfast

Hawaiian Style Oatmeal with Pineapple ; Toasted Coconut Flakes

Lunch

Feta Cheese Salad with Roasted Yellow Squash, Tomato, Walnuts, Cranberries, Radicchio Lettuce Mix & Red Wine Vinaigrette

Dinner

Grilled Chicken Breast with Roasted Yellow Pepper & Shallot Sauce with Braised Baby Carrots and Cilantro Roasted Yellow Tomato

Snack

Raspberry Vanilla Pudding

Dessert

Pineapple Cheese Cake

Day 91

It's supposed to be 86 degrees out today.  Perfect day for a bike ride.  It's Sunday, my company is gone and now it's time to get my house cleaned up.
Food

Breakfast

Fresh Fruit Salad with Honeydew, Peach, Papaya, Grapefruit, Mandarin Orange & Raspberry Cottage Cheese

Lunch

Shredded Turkey Pastrami & Pepper-Jack Cheese Panini on Whole Wheat Ciabatta with Sauteed Bell Pepper

Dinner

Grilled Chicken Breast with Caribbean Mango Sauce with Wild Rice & Cranberry Pilaf and Green Beans with Walnuts & Garlic

Snack

Mini Veggie Egg Rolls with Peanut Sauce

Dessert

Cherry Maple Oatmeal Cookies

Day 90

Still have company.  I had to take Emily to IMSA today to receive an academic award.  It was wonderful to spend some one on one time with her.  No workout today.  I forgot to take pictures this weekend.


Food

Breakfast

Banana Maple Muffin with Red Grapes & Coconut Ricotta Cheese

Lunch

Chicken Salad with Spinach, Mango, Orange Segments, Pine Nuts & Raspberry Vinaigrette

Dinner

Lean Turkey Meatballs with Thai Ginger Chili Sauce with Grilled Asparagus and Steamed Broccoli

Snack

Turkey & Green Salsa Quesadilla

Dessert

Sliced Asian Pear with Ricotta Cheese and Honey Roasted Cashews

Day 89

It's a rainy morning this morning and I love it.  We need the rain so I am grateful for it.  I feel really good about this week.  Even though we have company here, I am still exercising.  So yay for me!


Training with Joe

• This morning I warmed up on the Arc Trainer for 25 mins since the spin bikes were being used.
• Today we started off with a rotation of two things.
• Hammer Strength Leg Press - 3 sets - 15 x's - 1st set - 230 lbs., 2nd set - 300 lbs., 3rd set - 320 lbs. - I could only Press 12 x's on the last set. rotating with:
• Back Extensions while holding 35lb weight
• Our next rotation was on the step where I started on my toes and then as I would come down to the heel my opposite leg would come up.  We did 15 on each side.  Rotating with:
• Bend Overs with the 45 lb bar on my back - again 3 sets of 15
• Joe rolled me out to begin with and to end with because my left hip was aching.
• SPIN for an hour

Food

Breakfast

Creamy Banana Oatmeal with Fresh Strawberries & Toasted Almonds

Lunch

Grilled Turkey Burger on Whole Wheat Bun with Lettuce Tomato & Dijonaise

Dinner

Cajun Rubbed Grilled Skirt Steak with Tri-Color Couscous and Sweet Baby Peas

Snack

Peanut Butter Chip Muffin

Dessert

Sauteed Pineapple with Key Lime Yogurt Topped with Toasted Coconut Flakes

Day 88

Finally back to the gym!  It's weird when I have a day off in the middle of the week, I get the feeling like I haven't been there in days.  It's such a strange phenom for me.  


Training with Joe

• I warmed up on the SPIN bike for 30 mins before our workout.
• Today we just did 2 things and it took the entire time of the workout.
• Joe had me ROW - 3 sets - 1000 meters, 2000 meters, 3000 meters - which is 3.73 miles rotating with:
• Bench Press with Dumbbells - 20 lbs. 1st set - 30, 2nd set - 20, 3rd set - 10
• I rode on the SPIN bike for an hour after our workout

Food

Breakfast

Whole Wheat Waffles with Fresh Blackberries & Papaya Yogurt

Lunch

Turkey Breast Salad with Avocado, Golden Apples, Baby Lettuce & Raspberry Vinaigrette

Dinner

Stuffed Chicken Breast with Apples & Almonds with Herbed Zucchini Puree and Lemon Roasted Green Asparagus

Snack

Maple Cheese Cake

Dessert

White Chocolate Chip Cookie

Day 87

Today I went to the Shedd Aquarium with Grace and her 2nd grade class.  It was a LOVELY BUS RIDE down to Chicago and back.  Let me tell you, I'm so grateful I don't have to ride a bus everyday.  It feel so lovely on your bum.  On the bus ride home my head started pounding so I came home and went to bed and that was it for the day for me.  I didn't exercise at all today except for walking around the Shedd Aquarium.  So I'll workout on either Saturday or Sunday.


Food

Breakfast

Cherry Vanilla Ricotta Cheese Crepes with Fresh Pineapple

Lunch

Chicken Caesar Salad with Grape Tomato, Romaine Lettuce, Whole Wheat Croutons & Sun Dried Tomato with Caesar Dressing.

Dinner

Grilled Chicken Breast with Spiced Pomegranate Sauce with Whole Wheat Fusilli Pasta and Rosemary Carrot Mash

Snack

Vanilla Pecan Pudding

Dessert

Raspberry Cheese Cake

Day 86

I am a little late updating my blog this week.  We had unexpected guest come over on Tuesday and so I just have enjoying them and not taking the time to update.  Sorry!  So I will write my exercise and food and then hopefully on Sunday I can take the time to post the pictures of all the food. :)


Training with Joe

• I warmed up on the Arc Trainer today for 25 mins
• We did a rotation of 2 things to start. 1st being hamstring curls - each leg - 35 lbs 3 sets of 15 - My legs just BURNED after these, then we went right into:
• Step Ups - I just stepped up with one leg on a HUGE step. 15 x's
• For our next rotation we did the hammer strength seated leg press. - 245 lbs. - YES, I DID SAY "245 lbs."  REALLY!!!  It was so crazy that I was able to push that much weight.  I felt strong and also my legs were shaking after each set.  It was crazy!  We did 3 sets of 15 rotating with:
• I'm not sure what the next exercise is called but Joe would put the 45 lb. bar on my back and then I would stand with my feet apart and then all I did was bend at the waist while holding the bar on my back. 3 sets of 15
• Then we did SPRINTS on the Stairmaster.  I have never gone up stairs for fast, but honestly, it felt GOOD!!!  So we did 5 floors for each sprint. In this order:
• Sprint # 1 - 5 floors - 90 steps per floor
• Sprint # 2 - 5 floors - 95 steps per floor
• Spring # 3 - 5 floors - 95 steps per floor
• Sprint # 4 - 5 floors - 95 steps per floor
• Sprint # 5 - 5 floors - 100 steps per floor
• 2375 stairs in 5 minutes = CRAZY LEGS - seriously my legs were BURNING
• Of course I ended my workout on the SPIN bike for an hour!

Food

Breakfast

Cinnamon Apple Old Fashioned Oatmeal

Lunch

Thyme Infused Chicken Salad with Arugula, Orange Segments, Strawberry, & Blueberry Vinaigrette

Dinner

Greek Style Meatballs with Feta Cheese, Mint, Parsley and Roasted Bell Pepper. with Parsnip & Pear Puree and Green Beans with Walnuts & Garlic

Snack

Whole Wheat Cucumber, Chive,Mayonnaise & Cheese Tea Sandwich

Dessert

Cherry Vanilla Cheese Cake

The Fresh Diet Girl - Donna Manley - SPIN

Day 85

Amazing!  85 days on the program and 40 lbs. down.  I feel GREAT!!!  I lost 3 lbs. this last week to bring my total to 40.  I KNOW next week I will be in the 50's.  HOORAY!!!  I went today and got my bloodwork taken.  I will post the results as soon as I get them.  I'm so curious to see how my blood has changed.  I feel fantastic.  This has been the most challenging but gratifying 85 days of my life.  I look back at these last 3 months and I am in awe over what I have not only physically accomplished, but mentally accomplished.  I am a positive person and I am grateful for everyone in my life that brings me such happiness and joy.  I feel the love and the support that has held me up in my trying moments and has brought me to this part of my journey.  I know and I feel the energy from all of you who read this blog and I want you to know how much I appreciate every single one of you.  I am doing this!  I am changing my life.  I am a physically active person now and I love it!


Training with Joe

• I did a LONG warm up this morning - almost an hour on the SPIN bike.
• Today we did a constant rotation of 3 things for 8 sets.  Joe said he wanted me to go straight through without resting for the entire 8 sets.  So I did it and it took me a little over 13 minutes.  Here's what we did:
• Romanian Dead Lift - 5 x's - 115 lbs.
• Leg Lifts - So for this I laid on the bench and brought my legs straight up to start and then lowered them about 45 degrees and came back up - 20 x's
• Jumping side to side over a bar - 20 x's
• After that Joe became my physical therapist and he had me work on my shoulder.  The right shoulder is fine, my left is still injured.  I LOVE MY SHOULDERS!!! :):):)  After 18 surgeries on them, they are my source of all pain that I have to endure.  But I have come to peace with that and I just love them and am grateful that I still have them.
• Then Joe stretched me out and I was done for the day.  Hooray!

I plan on taking a bike ride with my kids this afternoon when they get home from school.  I'm LOVING not only SPIN, but outdoor biking too.


Food

Breakfast

Toasted Granola with Diced Pears & Honey Almond Ricotta Cheese

Lunch

Asian Flank Steak on Whole Wheat Roll with Szechwan Style Slaw and Peanut Sauce.

Dinner

Grilled Chicken Breast with Orange Tea Leaf Sauce with Whole Wheat Fettuccine Pasta and Steamed Asparagus

Snack

Mini Veggie Egg Rolls with Peanut Sauce

Dessert

Key Lime Cheese Cake

Day 84

Tomorrow I go and get my blood work done.  FINALLY!!!  I'm so curious to see what it shows.  I will post the results when I get them.  I cannot exercise for 24 hrs. before the test although I did go for a very short mile ride this morning to go and check up on Grace.  She had a sleepover at a friends house last night.   I also have to fast tonight.  JOY!  


Food

Breakfast - I forgot to take a pic this am.

Whole Wheat Cinnamon Waffles with Fresh Banana ; Pineapple Cottage Cheese

Lunch

Peppered Pastrami & Corned beef on Seven Grain Bread with Tomato, Lettuce & Deli Mustard

Dinner

New York Strip Steak with Mango BBQ Sauce with Spanish Style Brown Rice and Yellow Lentil Ragout

Snack

Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies

Dessert

Honey Almond Cheese Cake

Day 83

Happy Saturday everyone!!!  Up by 5am again today with no alarm set.  My body just somehow knows when it's 5am because no matter what time I go to sleep at night, I wake up by 5. UGH!!!  I'm not the type of person that can go back to bed either.  Once I'm up, game over.  


Tyler and I did a workout at home while Jeremy took the girls to softball.  I typically will go and watch the girls, but it has not been very enjoyable these last few weeks.  It's been SO COLD here.  Seriously I have worn my winter down jacket, hat & gloves to every game so far.  It's supposed to finally warm up next week though.  So I'm sure I'll be able to handle it better then.


I'm finishing this post on Sunday afternoon.  Yesterday I ended up riding for about 15 miles outside with each of my kids individually.  It was so much fun.  I am just loving the bike outside and of course SPIN inside.






Food

Breakfast

Apple Stuffed Honey Wheat French Toast with Blueberries and Strawberry Ricotta Cheese

Lunch

Classic Cobb Salad with Grilled Chicken, Turkey Pastrami, Tomato, Cucumber, Romaine Lettuce & Ranch Dressing

Dinner

Roasted Pork Meatballs with Roasted Tomato Alfredo Sauce with Herbed Barley Pilaf and Cajun Rubbed Roasted Yellow Squash Spears

Snack

Sugar-Free Boston Cream Pie

Dessert

Pink Poached Pear Filled with Creamy Ricotta Cheese & Honey Roasted Walnuts