Day 128

FINALLY, I'M BACK!!!  Sorry it's been SO LONG since I posted.  My life has just been in a whirlwind since returning home from vacation.  I'm sure everyone can relate.  The great thing is that I'm back on track with The Fresh Diet and with my exercise.  I'm only going back one day to blog, I don't have much time right now and so I will play catch up next week.  This week I was blessed to be able to have my cousin Shelly come into town and she came to the club and trained with me.  Thank you Joe for training us both.  It was a lovely experience.  I haven't seen Shelly since my Grandma Belle's funeral.  I don't have any family around me and so when I get the opportunity to get together with anyone, I feel blessed.


I had to eat on my own on vacation and I know I gained weight. :(:(:(  It's amazing the mental state I revert back to when I'm around my brother.  Don't get me wrong, I love my brother, but we went through so much together that when I see him all I do is think of the past and I hate that about myself.  I have done so well about not allowing my thoughts to go there and then I see him and I fail with my thinking.  But the AMAZING thing is that I have the ability to change my thoughts instantly and while yes, I reverted back, I was able to come back to the NOW and realize again my own self worth.

We didn't come home until LATE Monday night and it's taken me until today to finally unpack and get my life organized again.  I'm also in the middle of opening up a company which has been eating up a lot of my time lately.  I"m so blessed though to have divine inspiration coming my way daily so as I know the direction to take this company.  I'll be launching it soon for the world to enjoy.  


Tyler started football on Tuesday and I am so impressed with the growth he's had in this sport since last year.  Way to go Tyler.  Emily is in the mist of writing her second book.  I'm so overwhelmed and blessed by her daily.  Gracie is just enjoying the last few weeks of summer vacation with her friends.  She is my burst of energy at all times. :):):)  I am so blessed to be a mother and to have the opportunity to raise these children.  They are the lights in my life.


So yesterday I had an intense session with Joe.  I didn't exercise for 2 weeks and let me tell you, I feel it!  Never again will I go that long without exercising.


Training with Joe

• warmed up on the SPIN bike for 30 mins
• We did a simple rotation of 3 exercises but we did them 5 x's.  I could not walk down the stairs normally after this.  OH MY LEGS!!!!!!
• 30 lunges - 15 each leg
• 40 back extensions
• 50 squats
• 1 hr SPIN

Food

Breakfast

Blueberry Cream Cheese Crepes with Fresh Pineapple & Wild Berry Sauce

Lunch

Smoked Ham Salad with Green & Yellow Tomato, Bell Pepper, Romaine Lettuce, Ginger Lime Dressing

Dinner

Chicken Cordon Blue with Ham & Swiss Cheese with Nine Grain Pilaf and Roasted Poblano Peppers

Snack

Sugar Free Pineapple Upside-Down Cake with Maraschino Cherries and Pecans

Dessert

Chocolate Pudding Topped with Toasted Almonds

Day 127

So crazy around here.  I never got into the gym yesterday.  I ran getting everything done for our vacation today.  We are flying out to San Diego.  I will be off of The Fresh Diet while I am away.  So I won't be updating my blog until I return home.  I might post a few things while I'm in Cali.  Much love to you all!  Sorry, no pics on food.  I have my camera packed away somewhere. :):):)

Food

Breakfast

Strawberry Stuffed Whole Wheat French Toast with Honeydew and Cinnamon Apple Yogurt.

Lunch

Feta Cheese Salad with Fire Roasted Bell Pepper, Asparagus, Sun-Dried Tomato, Endive & Radicchio Lettuce mix with Creamy Balsamic Dressing

Dinner

Beef Kebab with Peppercorn Brandy Sauce with Spinach Couscous and Garlic Creamed Spinach and Arugula.

Snack

Grilled Pineapple Rings Topped with Raspberry Infused Mascarpone

Dessert

Coconut Cheese Cake

Day 126

Training with Joe

• I warmed up on the SPIN bike for 15 mins today.
• We did two rotations today concentrating on the lower body.
• Leg Press - 4 sets, 12 x's - 230 lbs, 320 lbs, 410 lbs, 500 lbs.  YES!!!  I did press 500 lbs. 12 x's.  Let me tell you, that was insane.  I didn't think I could do it, but I did it!!! My legs are a lot stronger than I ever imagined them to be. Rotating with
• Good Mornings - 4 sets - 12 x's 45 lbs.
• Next Rotation we did  Dead Lifts - I don't remember the weight we used.  I know we started off at 135 lbs and went up, but Joe was just adding 10 lbs. each time.  So not too bad. 4 sets of 12.  Rotating with:
• Step ups - 12 x's each side.
• 1 hr. SPIN

Food

Breakfast

Whole Wheat Blueberry Waffles with Strawberries & Blueberry Vanilla Ricotta Cheese

Lunch

California Style Wrap with Avocado, Baby Lettuce, Roasted Turkey, Monterey-Jack Cheese and Fresh Chunky Salsa.

Dinner

Tender Beef Fillet with BBQ Bourbon Sauce with Sweet Baby Peas and Roasted Poblano Peppers

Snack

Mushroom Crowns Filled with Cajun Pork

Dessert

Peach Cheese Cake

Day 125

Today was a VERY HIGH INTENSITY day for my workout.  I honestly didn't know if I would get through it.  When we shot the video I was doing my 2nd set.  We ended up doing 7 sets and let me tell you, it was intense.  Halfway through it I told Joe that it felt like I pee'd my pants because the sweat was just dripping off of me.  It seems so easy, but it wasn't.  I love workouts like that, when I am being physically pushed to my limits.  That's why I love working with a trainer.  He knows how to push me to those limits when I don't know how to push myself to those limits.  I'm grateful for Joe and the way he trains me.  It's always new each day.  We have NEVER done the same workout, ever.  The only thing I do the same each day is SPIN.  That has become my sanctuary.  I get inspired everyday that I SPIN.  It used to be that the steam room was my place to go and be inspired and heal and now it is the SPIN bike.  It's amazing how things change constantly in my life.  It's a blessing!  Here's what I did with Joe today.


Training with Joe

• I rode the SPIN bike for over an hour today before my workout with Joe.
• We did a rotation of 4 exercises 7 times for a minute each exercise.
• Jump Rope
• Box Jumps
• Row
• Treadmill while it was turned off

Food

Breakfast

Honey Roasted Granola with Fresh Diced Pineapple & Passion Fruit Yogurt

Lunch

Spicy Chicken Tortilla Soup with Black Bean, Corn, Bell Pepper, and Tomato.

Dinner

Szechuan Style Chicken Stir-Fry With Bamboo Shoots & Shredded Carrots with Fall Vegetable Saute and Sauteed Button Mushrooms

Snack

Tropical Dried Fruit with Pina Colada Yogurt

Dessert

Buffalo Style Chicken Strips with Roasted Pearl Onion

MVI_0646.MOV

Day 122, 123 & 124

This is Tyler, Michael, Grace & Emily at Camp Menominee in Eagle River Wisconsin

2 lbs. down today for a total of 54 lbs. now!!!  Can I just say HIP HIP HOORAY!!!!!!


I have never combined 3 posts into one, but there's always a 1st. :):):)  I logged on last night to write on my blog and when I put my SD card in, I realized I forgot to take pictures of my food over the weekend.  So sorry!  I actually ordered new food too.  Next time!  I'm definitely ordering those selections again.  DELICIOUS!!!  I have to say again how grateful I am for The Fresh Diet and the amazing food I eat.  It is blessing my life in so many ways.  Thank you The Fresh Diet!!!  I love you!!!!!!


I am blessed by all the wonderful people I have met throughout the world on Facebook.  I continually get so much love and support from so many people.  It is very humbling to have so many people cheering me on.  I feel so great about what I am accomplishing and I pray that I might have the opportunity soon to Pay it Forward.  I will talk more about this soon.  I'm so excited about what is happening in my life and I KNOW for a fact what my mission on this earth is and it's wonderful.  I feel so many blessings in my life and so much love from so many spiritual brothers and sister throughout the world.  I have a great vision of what my life is going to be like soon and I am holding strong to that vision.  Thank you for taking the time to read my blog.  I pray you will be blessed in all you do.


I took the kids on Saturday up to Eagle River Wisconsin to visit their best friend Michael at Camp Menonimee.  The GPS said it would take 5.5 hours, but since I stopped about 10 times to pee it took us 6.5 hours to get there.  Then we stayed and visited with Michael and took him out to dinner for about 4 hours.  Then we drove home and again it took 6.5 hours to get home.  I have had a few friends mention to me that they would never do that.  Honestly, I LOVED the drive.  We live in such a beautiful part of this country and it was a joy to see the trees and the flowers and up at the camp we saw around 10 bald eagles.  In fact every time one of campers spotted an eagle they would yell out NATURE BREAK and everyone would stop what they were doing and watch the eagle.  It was wonderful.  The kids swam in the lake and went tubing.  What a perfect summer day!  I took my Fresh Diet with me and it was PERFECT.  I just froze the ice packs the night before and took my food with.  Honestly, I couldn't ask for easier, more convenient, healthy FRESH FOOD.


Sunday the kids all had parties to go to and I continued my work on getting my house organized.  Last night we watched a movie, Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief.  I thought it was good!  I rarely watch tv at home, so it was fun just to kick back and relax with the family.


This morning I had a great workout with Joe.  Here's what we did!


Training with Joe

• Warmed up for 15 mins on the SPIN bike
• Hack Squat - 4 sets - 12 x's - 300 lbs rotating with
• Peterson Step Ups - 4 sets - 12 x's each side
• Push Press - 4 sets - 12 x's - 35 lbs rotating with
• Front Squat while holding 25 lbs. 4 sets - 12 x's
• 1 hr. SPIN

Food

Saturday

Breakfast

Fresh Fruit Salad with Cantaloupe, Raspberry, Papaya, Banana, Pineapple & Banana Ricotta Cheese

Lunch

Roasted Leg of Lamb on Seven Grain Bread with Watercress & Minted Yogurt Dressing

Dinner

Turkey Breast Roast with Ginger Jerk Sauce with Creamy Herbed Quinoa and Lemon Roasted Green Asparagus

Snack

Mushroom Crowns Stuffed with Creamy Broccoli

Dessert

Maple Cheese Cake

Sunday

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

Sugar-Free Dulce de Leche Sandwich Cookie

Dessert

Sauteed Pineapple with Key Lime Yogurt Topped with Toasted Coconut Flakes

Monday

Breakfast

Apple Ricotta Cheese Crepes with Fresh Strawberries

Lunch

Philly Cheese Steak Whole Wheat Wrap with Sauteed Bell Pepper & Mozzarella Cheese

Dinner

Grilled Chicken Breast with Raspberry Chipotle Sauce with Baby Farmer Carrots and Whole Wheat Linguine Pasta

Snack

Mushroom Crowns Filled with Pesto Chicken

Dessert

Strawberry Vanilla Pudding

Donna Manley - The Fresh Diet Girl - 54 lb weight loss - Lifting Day

Donna Manley - The Fresh Diet Girl - Training with Joe - Squats

Day 121

I feel like I'm nesting right now.  It's the weirdest sensation.  I felt that 3 x's in my life right before I gave birth to my kids.  There is an urgency in my heart to get my house organized.  Almost as if I know something big is about to happen and I NEED to get things done.  It's a weird sensation to have especially because I am not pregnant nor could I ever get pregnant again.  So I will continue to clean and organize and just let it flow.


I am so blessed in my life to know what I need to accomplish.  I don't know how I know, I just know.  I know my mission on this earth and for that I am grateful.  I'll be sharing it soon.  I am filled with such love and joy in my heart and I need to share that with others and help them on their journey.


I injured my shoulder on Monday and so Joe is taking it easy on me to allow time for the shoulder to heal.


Training with Joe

• Joe had to meet with me later today and so I did my cardio first.
• 1 rode the regular bike while I talked to my friend Lee this morning for 25 mins., Then I hopped on the SPIN bike for an hour.  It was a GREAT ride this morning.
• Today we did a rotation of 3 exercises 5x's
• Dead Lift - 20 x's - 20 lb ball
• Kettle Ball Swings - 25 lbs. - 30 x's
• Back Extension - 20 x's
• Squats - 50 x's

Food

Breakfast

Cinnamon Apple Old Fashioned Oatmeal

Lunch

Sloppy Joe Sub on Whole Wheat Bun with Crunchy Asparagus & Fresh Marinara Sauce

Dinner

Grilled Jumbo Shrimp with Lemon, Pepper, Garlic Sauce with Parsnip & Pear Puree and Green Beans with Walnuts & Garlic

Snack

Whole Wheat Cucumber, Chive,Mayonnaise & Cheese Tea Sandwich

Dessert

Cherry Vanilla Cheese Cake

Day 120

I'm a day late posting.  Sorry!  I've been so busy creating that I forgot to blog.  So this one will be short and sweet. :):):)

Training with Joe

• Warmed up on the SPIN bike for 15 mins
• We did a rotation of 4 things today 5 sets
• Rowing - 250 meters
• Stability Ball Hamstring Curls. - I don't even know how to describe this so the next time we do these I will make sure we are videotaping. 20 x's
• Bent Over Rows - 25 lbs - 20 x's each arm
• Push Ups - 10 x's
• 1 hr SPIN

Food

Breakfast

Toasted Granola with Diced Pears & Honey Almond Ricotta Cheese

Lunch

Feta Cheese Salad with Naval Orange Segments, Fennel, Nicoise Olives, Baby Lettuce & Lemon Parsley Vinaigrette

Dinner

Turkey Chili Con Carne with Whole Wheat Fettuccine Pasta and Steamed Asparagus

Snack

Mini Veggie Egg Rolls with Peanut Sauce

Dessert

Key Lime Cheese Cake

Day 119

Today has been such an incredible day for me.  I have been blessed with so much inspiration for my life and the life of my family and I am so grateful for that.  I am so excited for knowing what my mission on this earth is and for knowing the direction that I need to take my life.  When you learn the Art of Allowing, amazing things will transpire.  I am allowing my body to liquefy the fat that is in it and dispose of it.  I am allowing inspiration to come to me.  I am allowing myself to receive all good things in my life.  I'm blessed and I am grateful for those blessings.  My energy never fails me.  I feel like I can accomplish anything I set my mind to do.  It's so exhilarating!


I am blessed to be able to eat Fresh everyday and to have The Fresh Diet in my life.  That is a key element to my weight loss.  There are 3 elements to weight loss, but eating Fresh is one of them.  The food is so amazing and tasty and it take the guesswork out of the portions.  I know I am eating 1200-1400 calories a day.  I'm blessed for that knowledge.  So even today when I had TWO desserts, btw I didn't realize I had chosen two desserts, I know that it's ok because I'm still only eating 1200-1400 calories.  It's a no brainer.  That's the other incredible thing about The Fresh Diet, all the sweet things.  Cheesecake is by far my FAVORITE sweet they offer.  That's another reason why this diet works wonders.  It totally satisfies my sweet tooth in a healthy way.  So 3 cheers for The Fresh Diet.


Training with Joe

• warmed up on the SPIN bike - Joe decided we should video today so be sure and check it out. :):):)  Not so much Bounce today.  LOL
• 2 rotations today.  4 sets each rotation - 12 reps each exercise 1st rotation:
• Hamstring Curls - 40 lbs - each leg - rotating with:
• Leg Press - 320 lbs
• 2nd Rotation - Front Squat - 60 lbs - rotating with:
• Romanian Dead Lifts - 165 lbs.
• I didn't have time to SPIN this morning so I am going to SPIN tonight for an hour.

Food

Breakfast

Fresh Fruit Salad with Pear, Red Grape, Grapefruit, Pineapple, Banana & Pineapple Cottage Cheese.

Lunch

Chicken and Wild Rice Soup with Shitake Mushroom.

Dinner

New York Strip Steak with Mango BBQ Sauce with Spanish Style Brown Rice and Tropical Boniato Mash

Snack

Sugar-Free Double Layer Chocoholic Cake

Dessert

Honey Almond Cheese Cake

Donna Manley - The Fresh Diet Girl - 52 lb weight loss - Training with J...

Donna Manley - The Fresh Diet Girl - Training with Joe - Jump Rope

Day 118

Another 2 lbs. today!!!  Hooray!!!  52 lbs. now!  I am so blessed.  Thank you body for knowing what to do!  I love that!  


I have really been focusing my life on the positive in all things.  I have gone through the process to heal my soul and to truly look at life through eternal (spiritual) eyes and I am overwhelmed with the feelings of love and gratitude in my life.  I just read a quote I would like to share with you today.


"We ought, so far as it lies within our power, to aspire to immortality, and do all that we can to live in conformity with the highest that is within us; for even if it is small in quantity, in power and preciousness, it far excels all the rest."  - Aristotle


I read that quote this morning and thought about how we affect others in our daily actions.  I thought about my own life and really pondered, am I living to the highest that is within me.  I truly feel like I am on my way.  I am blessed with unconditional love from my Heavenly Father and I in turn pray that I can share this unconditional love that I feel and that I thrive from with someone else and it is my hope and prayer that they can pay it forward and show someone they know unconditional love and so on and so on.  What a better world this would become if we could all just love a little more.  But in so doing, we need to begin at the source which is ourself.  Do you give yourself the unconditional love that you deserve?  I know I do.  I also know it's take me many, many years to discover that I had the ability to love myself unconditionally.  I do, I love myself unconditionally.  I have healed my spirit and I am moving on in my life and discovering the magnitude that love has.  It's a beautiful thing and I hope you all feel love this day!




Training with Joe

• Warmed up on the SPIN for 15 mins
• Today we did a light workout since tomorrow will be a heavy lift day.
• We did Sprints on the SPIN bike and 30 seconds to begin and then increased the time by 10 seconds up to 90 seconds.  So we did 7 sets - rotating with:
• Deadlifts - 20 lb ball - 12 x's
• We made a video of today's workout and Fridays workout
• 1 hr. SPIN - pure inspiration while I was spinning today again.  I love that!

Food

Breakfast

Old Fashioned Oatmeal with Apricot & Toasted Pecans

Lunch

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

Dinner

Grilled Chicken Breast with Roasted Tomato Alfredo Sauce with Herbed Barley Pilaf and Steamed Broccolini

Snack

Sugar-Free Boston Cream Pie

Dessert

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