Saturday, September 28, 2013

180 in 180 Days 153-155

Hey Ya'll,
I survived!!! I officially finished my Jillian Michael's series yesterday and I have not felt so relieved since I moved this Summer Ha!! I'm just taking a 3 week break from her to shake things up in my routine before I hit a plateau. Ashtanga and Vinyasa Flow yoga will be a nice change for my running routine. I could definitely use some time on my mat and my flexibility has been lacking over the last 12 weeks. Jillian isn't exactly all that keen on extensive stretching in her cool downs. I'm ready for my body to ache in a different way.

I was supposed to take part in a 5k tomorrow, but I guess those plans have changed. I'm not really all that sure yet. I won't find out for sure until tomorrow. I guess I will let ya'll know what happens. I don't think I ever imagined my life would be where it is right at this every moment, but it could definitely be worse. And I am so grateful that it is not worse. The perks of being a "Sunny Side-up" type of person is that it takes a lot to bring you down and when you are brought down it takes twice as much to keep you down. Which just reinforces that I made the right choice to leave my old life behind me. That life I somehow managed to get myself stuck in was killing my spirit and it was all I could do to keep from being lost completely.

This life that I am rebuilding just for me as such endless possibilities that I have to remind myself occasionally to take one step at a time and do exactly what makes me happy. No fear. No second guessing. No answering to anyone else about how it can be done, how it will make me enough money, how it will fit into anyone else's plans for life. Don't rush it. Don't question it. Don't do it if it doesn't make you happy. Most of all  don't forget to breathe. Breathe deeply. Breathe slowly. Breathe deliberately. Breathe to remind yourself that you are still alive. Breathe to center and breathe to focus. I thank my Creator for bringing me to yoga. Yoga has helped me in being able to hear better. To understand better. To react better. To be more grateful.

What has yoga helped you with?

Peace & Namaste Ya'll

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

180 in 180 Days 151-152

Hey Ya'll,
Last night was a bit rough, for some reason I had a stomachache. Maybe because I disrupted my current eating patterns. The progressively cooler weather is changing my desires so I'm going to need to come up with a Fall and Winter eating plan quick fast and in a hurry. (plus any other synonyms you can think of for Now) Today was no different actually, I ate differently than I have been with my shake in the middle of the day for lunch instead of at the beginning and end. I've decided that the beginning and the end need to remain in place until I am out of mix. Which honestly will only be about another 4 or 5 days. After that I have to just keep things in check, I'm just terrified that I will somehow mess up all of the good work I've done these last two weeks. I'm determined to keeping moving forward in this just like with the rest of my life. No looking back and no falling back into detrimental habits. I have plenty to look forward to in just the near coming months alone and that is keeping me motivated.
Day 151
Breakfast I was chilly outside and an ice cold shake was not going to cut it.
Homemade Sweet Potato Bread with turkey bacon and Orange juice
I was so hungry I nearly forgot to take the picture.
I think the last two days have been so different in my eating because I seem to have been way too hungry when finally deciding to make a meal. Hmm, I'll have to force myself to be more aware of this tomorrow. 
I did forget to take my picture this time until after I finished eating
Chicken wings, and about a cup of Shrimp Fried Rice
For dinner I was not hungry so I simply mixed up a cup of the Accell metabolism drink by Zrii

Day 152
Breakfast was courtesy of my mother, I couldn't resist it was smelling amazing and my run this morning was long and draining.
Tomato, Sausage, and Spinach Fritatta (fancy word for baked omelette)
Homemade Sweet Potato Bread and Unsweetened Applesauce
Lunch day 152
Lunch Dutch Chocolate Achieve by Zrii and 32 ounces of water to wash it down
snack shared with my kiddo
Air-Popped Popcorn (yes my weakness in snack choices)
So I did in fact fail to photograph dinner, my mother cooked yet again.
Oven baked bar-b-que chicken with baked beans and potato salad.
I made sure to drink 16 ounces of water before beginning to eat, 8 ounces while I ate, and another 8 ounces as I finished eating. All 32 ounces of water helped me to feel full well before I normally would have if I waited to drink until I was nearly finished shoveling food into my face. 

I only have 2 more workouts with Jillian Michael's before I set her aside for a couple of weeks and sink deeply into my mat for some much needed yoga refocus. If you couldn't tell, I am so ready to be finished with this body revolution. My body has been revolutionized and is now in need of a small break Haha! I thank each of you for any time that you may take to come by and see how I am doing. if you have some positive energy to send out into the world I ask that a simple thought be sent my way for just a moment. I could use a little extra good juju to help bring my first journey to a close. If anyone else needs good energy sent their way I have plenty to share. Until next time 
Peace & Namaste Ya'll



Monday, September 23, 2013

180 in 180 Days 149 - 150

Hey Ya'll,
I'm slightly at a loss for what to leave you with today. I'm missing elements of my old life but not nearly enough to subject myself to the toxicity of my former surroundings. So I'll just be sure to keep in touch with the loved ones that I actually miss and take some time this week to prepare the foods that remind me of home. I'll be sure to take plenty of photos on those days.
Day 149 had a bit more food than planned but again not bad. I've been making some noticeable progress and I'm determined not to mess that up. I'm finally beginning to actually look different, not just live different. I've been waiting for my body to catch up with the rest of me for months now. Now I just need this to snowball and get my outside to match my insides. I know I sound impatient, I'm trying not to be, but occasionally I find myself there so I just breathe and keep moving forward.
Day 149:
More Dutch Chocolate Achieve by Zrii and literally a gallon of water for the day

I split this plate with my daughter, she ate most of the cheese and all of the tomatoes LOL
Tuna salad and cucumbers Mmmm mmmm

So this wasn't actually my plate of spaghetti, I forgot to take a pic of mine, but this was about how much I had. 
I think I'm struggling tonight with my dialog because I'm tired, and still quite a bit hungry, so I'm going to call it a night early and start fresh tomorrow. 
Peace & Namaste Ya'll

Saturday, September 21, 2013

180 in 180 Day 148o

Hey Ya'll,
As of today I realize just how excited I am about finishing my current exercise routine and taking on the challenge of pouring myself over my mat again. Of course I touch it to some extent fairly often, but not nearly to the extent that I was earlier this year. Making big changes has a tendency to disrupt habits of all kinds. But I only have one more week left of Jillian Michaels before yoga intensives become my focus again. Yoga is more than a great stretch or a good workout for me. It's a way to calm my mind and open my heart enough to hear the responses that my Creator has to the prayers I send up so regularly. Without it I struggle to hear or see what is meant for me sometimes. With it I float through life secure and at peace.

Okay, so clearly I was a bit contemplative today but I didn't over think my meals. They were simple and slightly odd. But nothing was overdone.
Breakfast and dinner the same today:
Dutch Chocolate Achieve by Zrii and 4 - 32 ounce containers of water
Lunch consisted of a hodgepodge of leftovers as usual:
Sauteed Cabbage with Cornbread
I also had a small Granny Smith Apple and 2 sticks of String Cheese
(I know kind of random, but it's what I had)
There was an evening snack before my dinner shake today. Which I hadn't been doing lately, but it happened: 
Reunited with my favorite snack Air-Popped Popcorn
I'm proud of where I am and where I am going...even if I don't yet know exactly what direction that is in right now. I do know for sure it's not backwards and that is perfectly fine with me. May ya'll have peace, love, light, and tasty bites throughout your life. 

Peace & Namaste Ya'll


180 in 180 Days 146-147

Hey Ya'll,
So yesterday I did some investigating into my future....Have you ever gotten the feeling that the "normal" route into something just might not be meant for you? Oh well, I'll try anyway and if it's what The Creator has in store for me then it will happen. If not, then there are always alternate routes. The front door isn't the only way to access the home.
I do know that I need a new camera and a way to make some money. But then again, it seems that is what most of us want these days (including the new camera) LOL. But I am fighting the urge to over think anything and just continue to listen. Because I was out and about all day yesterday I failed to collect pictures of any meals. But I do have the photos from Thursday. Nothing special, and still working through my bag of Dutch Chocolate Achieve by Zrii. Oh yeah, I can't afford to continue with the Zrii (yet again) after this bag. So I'm going to have to just snatch my habits in and keep photo documenting for accountability. To be honest the photos are twice as effective as any food journal has ever been. As a matter of fact, as soon as I upgrade my phone I think I will connect to InstaGram to keep things going from Zen_Tasting beyond the 180 in 180 project.
Day 146 Breakfast and Dinner:
The cup holds 30 ounces of water
Dutch Chocolate Achieve by Zrii
Day 146 Lunch:
I'm sure putting up recipes is going to become necessary very soon, especially once I figure out how to gain my control of the kitchen. Right now, it's not really something I do because I so often just throw things together without thinking about it.
Steamed Brown Rice, Sauteed Kale, Simmered Red Beans, with Tomatoes Jalapeno and Onion
Night 146 I went to bed feeling accomplished and hopeful. Night 147 I went to bed feeling hopeful but uncertain.The big difference now from 147 days ago is that hope is still present. The worst thing that could ever happen to a soul is for hope to be lost. Lost hope causes the world to fade to gray and the air to thicken. I have hope for you out there; that in your own journey hope finds you again and never leaves.

Peace& Namaste Ya'll 


Wednesday, September 18, 2013

180 in 180 Day 145

Hey Ya'll,
Today has been slightly emotional for me, in other words my Zen is off center. I know that it's mostly due to the fact that I'm missing certain people in my life and old surroundings. BUT new can be could, in this case it was necessary, and it does not have to be permanent. Also I found myself thinking more about the physical changes that have, more like have not, occurred during the last 145 days. Yes there have been some changes but not nearly as many as I am aiming for, so I started to get a little down for a nano second. Then I remembered that this journey was about so much more than just my body. This journey was about my entire life and now that my life is turning around everything else is following. And to be honest much more quickly now than ever before. I have so much more to look forward to in my life than I thought would actually be possible. Literally one event after the other and I'm fighting tooth and nail to be my best for each and every one.
My meals today involved the Dutch Chocolate Achieve for both breakfast and dinner as usual. Lunch on the other hand was a bit heavy... *Note to self - stop eating my mother's leftovers for lunch if I want things to move along more quickly.*

Lunch - I felt like I hadn't eaten in days this afternoon, double cardio day is not my friend and I practically counteracted it this afternoon:
Sauteed cabbage, Mac n cheese, Grilled Tilapia, and Cornbread
 Food and body image issues aside, physically, I feel great. Spiritually I feel lighter. Mentally, the clouds are steadily lifting. I asked for my life to be better and it is so much better now than it was 145 days ago. I don't know what these last 35 days have in store for me but I'm going full force until the clock runs out on this journey. Then maybe I'll start up another more specific journey to embark on. But until then I'm getting as much out of this as possible. Do you have any specific ideas for further turn around in your life?

Peace & Namste Ya'll

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

180 in 180 Day 144

Hey Ya'll,
Today has been odd, not bad not good just a bit odd. I literally woke up with a smile on my face this morning with no understanding as to why. But I chose not to question it and simply kept smiling. I briefly text chatted with one of my favorite people and even though we didn't say much to each other today it was still enough. I asked a lot of questions about a potential profession and I've spent most of the day processing what I've learned. I wanted to die during my workout but after it was finished I lived. I felt famished today and ate a little more than intended, but I have no guilt or shame in it because it was what I needed today and it could have been so much more shameful.

Breakfast:
Dutch Chocolate Achieve by Zrii
Lunch:
Leftovers from my share of dinner last night that I did not consume
Brown rice w/ gravy, green beans, corn, and baked chicken
Mid-Day snack and Evening Meal:
Accell metabolism drink mix for Mid-day snack
Dutch Chocolate Achieve by Zrii for evening meal
Dinner with my family:
When we got home this evening I was still famished and dinner was already finished and smelling amazing. So I snagged a small plate to offset the hunger pangs. 
Cabbage, fried Okra, Tomato, and Onion
As you can see my eating could have been better, but it also could have been worse. I had some more detailed thoughts about what my goals are personally and professionally. Right now I find myself sitting more quietly (even praying softer and less feverishly) so that my spirit and heart is still enough to hear all of my answers. So I will continue to sit still and breath. Taking one step at a time as they rise from the ashes for me.

What strategy are you using to find the path meant for you?
Peace & Namaste Ya'll








Monday, September 16, 2013

180 in 180 Day 143

Hey Ya'll,
Today I felt lighter and better able to move. I felt focused and determined. I felt like everything I've been doing these last few weeks is starting to make a difference in me. I don't think I look any different, but I definitely feel different. My life is lighter, my heart is lighter, my mind is lighter, and I know that my body will follow suit. I'm practicing breathing and simply taking in my surroundings so I don't miss any Blessings meant for me. I know I'm not finished spinning around in my full 180 degrees yet, but when I am my new view is going to be so amazing.

Breakfast today was just as it has been the last few days:
Dutch Chocolate Achieve and 32 ounces of water
And yes I had 4 of these bottles of water today

Lunch was a bit more...sad really. LOL I planned to make myself a salad, BUT the refrigerator thought today was a good say to freeze virtually every vegetable in the crisper bins. *insert sad face* Lettuce, cucumber, carrots, red bell peppers all frozen. So this is what I had for lunch
A grapefruit and leftover bbq steak
I managed to salvage a handful of baby carrots and half an avocado as well...So not all was lost

Even though my lunch was a bit random and scavenger-like I managed to get a full belly that coasted me through to my dinner shake. 
I didn't even have the Accell for a mid-evening boost. 

After all of my good vibes, good workouts, and good-ish eating I think I will sleep like a log tonight. As a matter of fact I'm calling it a night right now...before I get hungry and ruin all of my good. Here's to a tomorrow full of good and light being shone on life. 

Peace & Namaste Ya'll



Sunday, September 15, 2013

180 in 180 Days 141 & 142

Hey Ya'll,
Somehow I managed to misplace my camera last night after dinner and didn't find it again until about an hour ago. So I have pictures from yesterday, but not from today, and let's just say I need to keep this camera on me at all times. Having to snap a shot of what I'm about to put in my mouth is some serious accountability that I seriously need.

Day 141
Breakfast started out exactly as planned:
My Dutch Chocolate Achieve and 32 ounces of filtered water
Lunch wasn't exactly what it should have been, we ended up going to the movies. So I had a snack at home
and of course the obligatory movie theater popcorn (no butter) and a handful of Reese's Pieces tossed into my popcorn (don't judge me).
My snack: 1/4 cup prepared tuna salad with celery and onion. Instead of crackers I used red peppers to scoop
P.S. If you haven't seen Riddick-D I highly recommend seeing it, if for no other reason than to hear Vin Diesel growl *le sigh* ... but I digress LOL

I intended to go out and about in my new environment to watch the Floyd Mayweather vs. Canelo fight. But when I realized that I would have to go alone after dark I changed my mind...I'm not all the familiar with everything here in the daylight so night time isn't exactly a comfortable time for me to explore where I know people will be drinking and wound up a bit. Instead I hung out at home and yes...had a couple (literally 2) beers. It's been so long since I've had a beer and they were so delicious! 
Crab legs, boiled corn and potatoes
No all that was not just for me there were 3 of us sharing LOL

Yesterday was not as controlled as it needed to be, but it was not "Out of control"...Today on the other had. *lowers head in slight shame* 
remember I don't have any photos, but we'll say that tomorrow's run might need to have a little more umpf in it. But even beyond my plate I feel like I really had a chance to reset today. I'm actually not dreading getting up to run in the morning like I usually do. And I am SUPER excited about entering my last 2 weeks in Jillian Michael's Body Revolution program. That woman is so intense, I just need to switch my routine up for a little break from her. I'm sure I'll break her back out to beat the Holidays, because I can't go seeing friends and family looking and feeling as if I've been doing nothing all this time. I think after I'm finished with Jillian I'm going to unroll my mat and dig deep into my practice there. I miss having a teacher, but I have to do whatever I can to elevate my Zen. Plus running is beating my body up and I need the increased flexibility and mobility that yoga brings along with it. 

As for the other parts of my Zen, I'm just waiting for certain chips to fall so that I can watch the domino effect apply itself positively throughout my life. I am so ready for all of the newness coming my way, I have to force my containment. I feel beyond Blessed and not much has even materialized yet. But I know it's happening. And I hope those of you who have decided to take on a 180 challenge know that your Blessings in life are happening too, even if they have not materialized yet. See ya'll tomorrow

Peace & Namaste Ya'll


Friday, September 13, 2013

180 in 180 Day 140

Hey Ya'll,
Let me start off by saying today did not go as planned. BUT it did not go poorly either. I had a program to attend at my daughter's school this morning but there was only an arrival time on the flyer. No end time or agenda was given to parents. So, I ASSumed that it would be quick, an hour tops, and I could come straight home for my breakfast. Negative! I was at that school nearly 3 hours being told pretty much the same thing over and over again for nearly two-thirds of that time. After hour 2 I gave in and ate one of the bagels they had set up for parents to partake in. After my run and workout with Jillian Michael's early this morning I couldn't hold out any longer for my Achieve. *Le sigh* Oh well, I managed to not veer too far off track even though I had a rocky start. I don't have a picture of my breakfast, mostly because it was not on the menu today, but it was a small sesame seed bagel with plain light cream cheese.

Lunch was another leftover collaboration
Steamed Broccoli with marinara sauce, rice, and a baked chicken leg

I made my kiddo an after-school snack and of course I had to dip my hand into it a couple of times. Well, because it's the best snack ever...in my opinion.
Air-popped Popcorn!!! Mmmm, yes there was a little REAL butter
Because I was thrown off my game from the start today I opted out of the Chili Cheese Dog dinner tonight. Yea, no one else around here is all that focused on dropping the pounds. But that's okay, because this is for me...And I didn't have to stand around cooking the food. So I was good with my evening shake.
Dutch Chocolate Achieve shake
Oh! By the way, that bottle holds about 32 ounces of water. I have had 4 full bottles today

So I had my shake around 5:30 this evening and around 7:15 after all of the grilled hot dog and chili smells subsided I found myself having a little rummbly in my tummbly. (in my best Winnie the Pooh voice) So I played it smart. 
Sweet Watermelon and yes I sprinkled a bit of salt on it. I can't help it, it's the country girl in me.

But all in all not a bad day. I think tomorrow will have a more liberal dinner with a structured breakfast and lunch. After all, who watches a boxing match without chicken and beer... I'm just saying. 

Peace and Namaste Ya'll




180 in 180 Days 136-139...The Package has Arrived

Hey Ya'll!!!
If you haven't figured it out, my Zrii Achieve has arrived and I am excited! So yes the product is no longer soy and dairy free, but it is GMO and cruelty free. Which means a lot to me, I have never been a committed vegan so this change is really only a problem because dairy does not always agree with me. But I sleep alone right now so all of the potential excess wind won't be a problem LOL. My first day was fine until around 6:00pm. It's not that I was excruciatingly hungry or anything, the shakes are actually rather filling, it's because I was so tired but had to stay awake to finish out my day with the kiddo. I fought the urge to munch to stay awake fairly well, but boy were those vending machines at the gymnastics club begging for my money. My meals were not glamorous, but they were nutritious and kept my belly from rumbling. I didn't waste time counting calories, to be honest I don't want to have to do that ever again. I want to be able to hear my body say was it's finished and when it needs more, then give appropriately. This is the rest of my life and I want to live it free of everything that has ever held me back up until now: people who don't love me, doubt, loneliness, hiding from myself, not following my own truth. All of those toxic elements got me nothing but pain and an uncomfortable body. This journey has really opened me up to seeing that and committing to correcting it all. I am so grateful for this venture and everything that has come from it, I truly am blessed.

Okay, my meals for the day:
Breakfast was after my double workout (the reason I was so tired) one serving of Zrii Dutch Chocolate
The taste is not bad, best when it's cold. But then again chocolate makes everything better. 
I often find myself pieces together elements from previous meals for my lunches, this one was no different.
Red Beans and Rice, Steamed Kale with spicy Sweet Potatoes, Avocado with Salsa and Onion
I don't have recipes because most of the time I'm just throwing things together. Maybe my next journey will involve writing out recipes to my random creations.
Remember I said around 6:00pm I had a snack attack? Well, I chose to knock the edge off with a handful of raw almonds and a Zrii Accell drink mix. I forgot to take a picture of the mix, don't worry I'm sure there will be another consumed today LOL.



Around 7:15 I had my second shake for the day. To be honest this routine is going to be very helpful at least 3 days out of the week since I am away from the house until about 8:15pm and I don't like to eat that late. The other 4 days I may shift from eating lunch to eating dinner so that I can sit down with my family and enjoy myself.
I ended up drinking this one at room temperature, it wasn't bad, it just wasn't my preferred way. Next time I'll load my cup with ice before I leave the house. 


Thank you....if there is anyone out there. Thank you for being patient with me as I grow in this venture. I will return later today to tell you all about Day 140. 

Peace and Namaste Ya'll








Sunday, September 8, 2013

180 in 180 Days 129-135

Hey Ya'll,
I'm getting excited, I received notice on Thursday that my order has shipped. So literally any day now I will be grinding even harder than I am right now. I decided that I will go back to my daily posts when my order arrives that way I will have a much harder time falling off track. Although, to be honest this week has not been a bad week for me. I've been rather focused and careful; I can actually notice a change in my clothes and I'm feeling proud of myself. And not that pride that comes from deprivation where I want to "reward" myself because of it. But the pride where I'm feeling more charged up and ready for the next level. I have a lot to look forward to over the next few months and damn it I fully intend to feel my best when each event arrives.

It's time to break out the yoga dvds again. Right now classes just aren't an option for me, even though I prefer having an instructor to physically correct me. But I miss my mat and my body is screaming at me for being away from it for so long. My mat is where my heart lives and I realize this even more so now than ever before.

I am so  grateful for this journey that I started myself on this year. Not for a single second did I doubt that this year would change my life. I didn't know exactly to what extent...but The Creator is great and gives me everything I need to get to where I'm supposed to be. And I say Thank You with everything I have in me. Thank You. Where do your gratitudes lie right now at this point in your life?

Peace and Namaste Ya'll

Sunday, September 1, 2013

180 in 180 Days 122-128

Hey Ya'll,
So this past week has been very interesting for me; I'm still not in control of meals (which is odd but not altogether bad) so there are no pictures of meals yet again. BUT I seem to have infiltrated the way the grocery shopping is done around here. Now significantly more fresh produce is coming in through the door and I couldn't be happier. I am going to be meal replacing for the 30 days (once my order arrives) because I feel like my workouts need an amplifier. Don't get me wrong, I'm seeing slow and steady results like recommended, but I'm also getting really antsy and if I can't break through into a new pant size soon I'm going to end up discouraged and I've worked too hard these last 128 days to quit now. So for the sake of accountability I will be posting each days food and liquid consumption starting tomorrow.

By the way, I just took a huge sigh after typing that, mostly because this means I'm going to have to honest with myself about how much effort I put into ALL aspects of my life. But I'm beyond ready, especially now that I have so much support around me and so many adventures waiting on me. So much to actually look forward to in my life and people who actually want to share that with me is amazing motivation. I'm ready for ya'll to watch me work! And it only took two thirds of my journey Haha...better late than never right?

So I guess I'll be back to daily rather than weekly. See you tomorrow world.
Peace and Namaste Ya'll