Weight Loss For Izzy Fundraising Challenge ~ Day 8 & 9

So....I was hoping to try to boost my weight loss since it was moving along at a snails pace and decide to do my fast completely for 3 days. Since my budget won't allow me to fast completely for longer periods of time I will fast for 3 in a row as many days as I can. So now for the really good news.

In 2 days I lost 5 pounds!!!!!

Yay for me!!

I have to say the first day is hard and food cravings come on strong. I know I was only eating a salad for dinner but when you are looking forward to that at the end of the day, it does wonders to help you stay on track and juicing for most of the day. I did eat some watermelon which is allowed on a fast and believe me it is welcomed. Watermelon is so thirst quenching, nutritious, and it is called the diet fruit....so eat up and enjoy.

So I was 201 pounds when I started this blog and I am now down to 196. I have a LOT more to lose but I am going in the right direction! I walked last night with my neighbor for 2.87 miles in an 54 minutes. I felt great. I beat my miles of exercise from last week but to be fair, I only started logging them on Thursday of last week and this week's log began on Monday. But nonetheless, I went from 6 miles last week to 12 miles so far this week and I still have 3 more days to log in some workouts. I am feeling great and I am looking forward to dropping more pounds for Izzy. I'm 11 pounds down so far, 75 more to go!

NOW, I want to hear from you ....the ones who are taking the challenge. Even if you did not lose yet, share some of your experiences with me. We cannot be in this together when we don't share so I encourage you to. We can help motivate one another in this journey....

There are but a few pieces of motivation for me

Weight Loss For Izzy Fundraising Challenge ~ Day 7

Today I had a nice tall glass of freshly juiced apples! Did I say delicious before? I LOOOOVE fresh apple juice and so does my son. It makes me look forward to the morning and when I drink it, I wake up instantly and have enough energy to ride my bike with my son to his school and back. 

When I got back from riding the bike, I juiced a half of a watermelon and cut up the second half and stored it in containers.

I want to talk a little bit about the benefits watermelon

Watermelon has a colorful history. Originally grown in the desert, they were a source of water for travelers, which is where their name originated. They made their way to America in the 1600s and are now enjoyed around the world. Available year-round, the watermelon is much more than a simple summertime snack. Packed with health benefits from lowering blood pressure to preventing heart disease, watermelon makes a wise addition to your diet.

Lowers Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Adding watermelon to your diet may help you decrease that risk factor, according to the Department of Nutrition at Florida State University. Researchers evaluated the effects of watermelon supplementation on the blood pressure of pre-hypertensive subjects. The results of the study, published in the January 2011 issue of "American Journal of Hypertension," show that six-week supplementation with watermelon lowered blood pressure and improved the health and function of arteries. Anti-hypertensive action is said to be from watermelon's L-citrulline content, which converts to L-arginine in the body, a known blood pressure lowering substance that relaxes blood vessels.

Improves Insulin Resistance

Insulin is a hormone in the blood that regulates blood sugar by helping it enter cells. PubMed Health explains that when the body does not respond properly to insulin blood sugar stays in the bloodstream. To counteract that occurrence, the body produces more insulin, and the excess insulin and sugar in the bloodstream have a negative effect on the kidneys and triglyceride levels. Watermelon's L-citrulline content raises L-arginine levels which helps reduce circulating blood sugar levels, excess fat and cholesterol levels in animal and human subjects, according to a study in the December 2007 issue of the "Journal of Nutrition."

Contains Lycopene

Watermelon contains lycopene, a phytochemical that is responsible for watermelon's bright red color. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that lycopene is also an antioxidant that can reduce the chance of heart disease and cancer in humans. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York reports that lycopene consumption may be effective against breast, lung, stomach and prostate cancer.

Nutritional Benefits

Watermelon contains several important vitamins and minerals. Watermelon contains a fair amount of vitamins A, C and the B vitamins. Minerals include potassium, manganese, copper, magnesium, calcium, zinc, phosphorous and iron. Add protein and fiber into the mix and you have an exceptionally healthy treat. With only 46 calories and 11 carbohydrates in a 1-cup serving, everyone can enjoy watermelon.

Sources:
Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/415346-is-watermelon-good-for-health/#ixzz1XKA9JpcX

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/493530-watermelon-juice-for-hydration/#ixzz1XK83t9fB

Weight Loss For Izzy Fundraising Challenge ~ Day 5

Ok, so today I start 2 new classes and a new year in my online Associates Degree program at the University of Phoenix! I am excited but nervous because the format and requirements have changed a bit and I am hoping that I do not miss posting assignments on time.

In other news...today, I will be walk/jogging on my own and then my friend Meghan is coming over later to do some (boot camp) like exercises with me. Meghan is also doing a juice fast and wanting to get back into her exercise routine since she has been lagging a bit lately so we are going to motivate each other. You can do this to with a friend of yours. I say to show everyone you know the documentary "Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead" by Joe Cross (NETFLIX) and also watch the documentary "Forks Over Knives." Both are extremely informative, inspiring, and motivating.

                              

Trailer for Fat,Sick, and Nearly Dead                         Forks Over Knives Trailer

My goal is to motivate others while I motivate myself. One way to keep track of your progress is to join Daily Mile and friend me so we can motivate one another! You can follow my blog, create your own blog, or do a video blog...whatever works to help keep you focused... I believe the most important step is to start slow and change your diet.

When I started juicing, I got massive amounts of energy and it enabled me to start my exercise routine. When I don't run/jog/walk I dance to Just Dance 1 on my Wii or The Michael Jackson Experience on my Wii. I also have Wii Fit and I think I will start doing the Yoga exercises and balancing exercises on it just to keep things interesting. I also have a hoola hoop, a jump rope, and a bike. Change is great and it helps keep the routine from getting boring and uninteresting. Do what makes you happy and keeps you moving, even if it is only a walk around the block.

If you wish to start a juicing regime you can check out Join The Reboot which is a website designed by the creators of "Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead" to help support you while you begin your journey into juice fasting. Another good reboot site is their facebook page at Reboot Facebook, LIKE the page and you can converse with others on this journey and ask questions that you may have on your juice fast. I highly recommend juice fasting at least 5-10 days so you reboot your palate, detox your body from toxic food and substances, and begin to feel energy for life. Everyone detoxes at their own pace and it all depends on how much and how long you have been abusing your body. My mother has fasted for 26 days now and it took her 10 days to get over her detox and feel rejuvinated! She has been abusing her body for a long time and it took her 10 days. Some people detox after 3 and some after 5; it all depends on their body and their body's needs.

Of course you may comment on my blog and you could post your weight loss if you are doing the challenege but I recommend either starting Daily Mile or Blogging on your own and following my blog as well. If you post your blog for me, I will follow it as well.

Remember, we're on this journey together! Let's BEAT THE FAT and Let's BEAT LEUKEMIA!!

                 

Weight Loss For Izzy Fundraising Challenge ~ Day 6

Ok....so....it was pouring buckets this morning and although my son and I TRIED to brave it on the bikes with our ponchos, the rain proved to be merciless so we put the bikes back and drove to school. My son got some exercise by walking home and then later biking to the recreation center but I only got a little bit of biking done when I picked him up. That's ok because I did 3 miles on the bike, 2 miles walk/jogging yesterday and 4 songs on the Wii. So I'm doing ok. Tomorrow I will try to get out and do some moving. Every other day seems to be a good formula for me, allows my body enough rest to repair.

I know I still have a long journey ahead of me but I feel so incredibly good doing what I am doing and I know that I WILL succeed! I will be so excited when I am at that point when I give Izzy her money. :-)



So I thought it would be a good idea to post some pictures of me. I have a photo that compares me from June 27th 2011 to today and I do look smaller even though the scale is not my friend and won't budge. I did lose about 6 pounds in the month prior which I will include as total weight lost for the Izzy Weightloss Challenge so she will get the money. 

Sept. 6th 2011

Sept. 6th 2011

Sept. 6th 2011

Sept. 6th 2011

Sept. 6th 2011

Sept. 6th 2011

This Photo was take on June 27th 2011

Weight Loss For Izzy Fundraising Challenge ~ Day 5

Ok, so today I start 2 new classes and a new year in my online Associates Degree program at the University of Phoenix! I am excited but nervous because the format and requirements have changed a bit and I am hoping that I do not miss posting assignments on time.

In other news...today, I will be walk/jogging on my own and then my friend Meghan is coming over later to do some (boot camp) like exercises with me. Meghan is also doing a juice fast and wanting to get back into her exercise routine since she has been lagging a bit lately so we are going to motivate each other. You can do this to with a friend of yours. I say to show everyone you know the documentary "Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead" by Joe Cross (NETFLIX) and also watch the documentary "Forks Over Knives." Both are extremely informative, inspiring, and motivating.

       

Trailer for Fat,Sick, and Nearly Dead     Forks Over Knives Trailer

My goal is to motivate others while I motivate myself. One way to keep track of your progress is to join Daily Mile and friend me so we can motivate one another! You can follow my blog, create your own blog, or do a video blog...whatever works to help keep you focused... I believe the most important step is to start slow and change your diet.

When I started juicing, I got massive amounts of energy and it enabled me to start my exercise routine. When I don't run/jog/walk I dance to Just Dance 1 on my Wii or The Michael Jackson Experience on my Wii. I also have Wii Fit and I think I will start doing the Yoga exercises and balancing exercises on it just to keep things interesting. I also have a hoola hoop, a jump rope, and a bike. Change is great and it helps keep the routine from getting boring and uninteresting. Do what makes you happy and keeps you moving, even if it is only a walk around the block.

Here is today's fitness photo

I accidentally stopped my pedometer for most of my walk so I only logged 20 minutes worth when I walked and jogged for 45minutes WHOOPS!

This morning I drank the rest of my green lemonade which I posted a picture of on a previous post. My pre-workout juice is watermelon. One half a watermelon makes on entire days worth of juice!!

If you wish to start a juicing regime you can check out Join The Reboot which is a website designed by the creators of "Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead" to help support you while you begin your journey into juice fasting. Another good reboot site is their facebook page at Reboot Facebook, LIKE the page and you can converse with others on this journey and ask questions that you may have on your juice fast. I highly recommend juice fasting at least 5-10 days so you reboot your palate, detox your body from toxic food and substances, and begin to feel energy for life. Everyone detoxes at their own pace and it all depends on how much and how long you have been abusing your body. My mother has fasted for 26 days now and it took her 10 days to get over her detox and feel rejuvinated! She has been abusing her body for a long time and it took her 10 days. Some people detox after 3 and some after 5; it all depends on their body and their body's needs.

Of course you may comment on my blog and you could post your weight loss if you are doing the challenege but I recommend either starting Daily Mile or Blogging on your own and following my blog as well. If you post your blog for me, I will follow it as well.

Remember, we're on this journey together! Let's BEAT THE FAT and Let's BEAT LEUKEMIA!!