The First Cry

Everyone going through a weight loss program has a moment where they get very emotional and feel as if they are not only on the most difficult uphill battle but they are tumbling down. Each time you see yourself in the mirror and start thinking about all the things you don't like remember one thing...you are not alone. Every time you step on the scale and see a gain in weight remember that if you are killing it at the gym then you are probably gaining muscle weight. Most importantly remember that having support is one of the most effective ways to succeed in a weight loss program. If you feel you have no one then reach out to other people who you know are going through something similar. I for one could not do this without the incredible support of people I have found in my IsaCommunity. It's ok to have moment where you break down. I fully believe its perfectly normal and healthy to have a good cry every now and then. If you don't release it then you bottle it up.

I have been super stressed this week because of work and trying to plan out my new lifestyle  with working out and eating healthy. No one every said it was easy but it doesn't have to be really hard. I have listed some of the best advice below that I really need to start following because it really does help.

1. Don't weigh yourself at night-you weigh more in the evening than you do in the morning
2. Drink plenty of water-you should be drinking half your weight in ounces of water on a weight loss program
3. Stop looking for daily results-you are more likely to see results when you weigh yourself one time a week at the same time and look for other signs like your clothes fitting loosely or inches lost
4. Don't stress about your weight loss-if you have a healthy balance of food and working out you are doing what you need to see results. You can also try switching up your workouts and add more weight lifting into your exercise routine.
5. Talk to someone-join a Facebook group or research and read blogs and articles about successful weight loss. If you have questions then ask them. It can't hurt your program to ask questions. There are tons of people willing to share what they have done to be successful.

Long Road

It's day 8 into my Isagenix 30 day Weight Loss Cleanse and I feel incredible. I have so much energy and find it easy to workout no matter what time of day it is or how long I worked for the day. I can't imagine going back to feeling helpless and unwilling to get up and try. I can't give credit to Isagenix for that but it sure has helped me stay on track with my nutrition. I know its a long road ahead but I am feeling positive about it. Don't get me wrong... I find myself slipping into the negative thinking here and there. I wonder exactly how long it will take to reach my goals and if I will be happy with them or set new ones. Every time I look in the mirror and still see the body that I don't want I get discouraged and feel as though I might break down and cry. My husband, God love him, bought a scale and put it in the bathroom so now I am tempted to weight myself whenever I walk in the bathroom. I know your not supposed to do that because you can gain lbs back here and there and lose them again. Although, I know this my brain keeps pushing me to stand on the scale. I have lost a total of 18 lbs since I decided to make a change in my nutrition. Its the biggest loss in a long time. If you are like me and not happy with your weight gain or just want to feel, look, and be more healthy using an amazing Superfood Nutritional Cleansing system, then join me. I have tried the fad diets and Advocare and still never felt like I do now. I'm so excited to be working on getting my body back. I would love more people to join me on this journey so we can hold each other accountable and get the healthiest we've ever been together. Who's up for looking and feeling their best? We can conquer this long road together!

Contact at erf8518@yahoo.com or PM me at https://www.facebook.com/erika.guerra.777

What To Do On A Cleanse Day

I have done cleanses before so I know the emotional ups and downs of the day but that doesn't make it any less hard. If you have never done a cleanse before and are struggling, here are my top 5 tips or things to do. (Especially on a weekend or non work day)

1. Stay away from the pantry! If you are like me, you keep your favorite snacks in the pantry and looking at them is so so so tempting. If you keep your Isa products or any other cleansing products in your pantry as well. Take them out the night before and set them out to make it easier.

2. Organize ! Do you have a closet, drawer, room, or anything that needs organizing? If so, a cleanse day is the perfect day to do it. I like to organize little by little and not just stuff things away. My husband calls this Hurricane Erika because I destroy a room trying to organize it but I'm also like the Red Cross and come in to fix it all up. This takes time and not a ton of energy. (depending on what your organizing) Don't over do it! I've been down that road before and not had enough energy to fix it.

3. Pamper Yourself! Take a nice bath, do your nails, go to the spa, or just relax on the couch with a movie or a nice book. If you have a non-strenuous hobby, cleanse days are great for working on those. I personally never get to create jewelry or do frame art which I love.

4. Find a Buddy! Find a friend that is doing the same cleanse or a similar one on the days you are and keep each other going. Send messages, tell each other how you are feeling, and boost each others confidence about completing the cleanse. If you are part of the Isa family, contact your sponsor or connect through Start group on Facebook. Tons of support and people going through the same experiences.

5. Write/Blog/Journal about it! This is a great way to release all those emotions about how you are feeling. As I am blogging, I am currently on a cleanse and it feels great and gives me support to get through this just by writing. Below are some of my current thoughts and feelings:

Even the play food my daughter left out makes me hungry.
I am sitting right next to the kitchen, maybe I could sneak a snack.
I just want this day to be over!
I do feel great but a burger would make me feel better.

I am sure some of you can relate. I hope these are helpful and if you want more great tips please click the link below the picture.

Cleansing Tips

Pinterest

I completely got lost on Pinterest for about an hour. Easy to do since there are so many great things on Pinterest. I started a new board today where I post just about everything I find about fitness, healthy eating, and overall health. I already found some great pins for all of you who are on the same journey through weight loss. Below are some of my favorites:

Coffee vs. Tea

How to Quit Sugar

 

Budget Grocery List

Check out my pins at https://www.pinterest.com/erikaowl/our-health-our-life/

Background Story

Welcome! This is the blog that will detail my journey through weight loss. There will be tears, sweat, more tears, and lots of determination. My life has always been a battle with my weight. I have never been a skinny girl but I danced for many years and had a pretty fit body for a while. I have had stretch marks since puberty and after having a baby, I have plenty more to show. About 3 years ago, I got so skinny my friends started to question what I was doing. They were right to do so because I rarely ate and worked out like a maniac. Sure I was fit, but I wasn't happy. After giving birth, I knew I would have to find a healthy way to lose weight and stay healthy. I tried eating healthy foods, a few diets, some crazy weight loss supplements but none worked. I had lost weight before using Advocare but this time around it still didn't work. Somewhere along the way I just accepted that I was big and claimed I had all this confidence to show it off. Still, something was not right. I still wasn't happy. I found myself saying "your the fat girl in the group, just accept it" for the longest time.

I am so fortunate to work with an amazing group of ladies. We support each other and have become good friends. One of my coworkers came to me with Isagenix and suggested I check it out. I decided I would bite because the opportunities sounded great and I was in no position to question feeling healthy. At the time I could not quite afford it so I did a little experiment. I quit soda, caffeine, sweets, and alcohol for two weeks. I also started a crazy detox shake system that was gross and nasty. I got through it and lost 11 pounds. 250 to 239. The biggest drop in weight I had ever seen in such a short time. That's when I realized I have the determination to start this new journey. 

I am currently on Day 4 of the 30 Day Isagenix Cleanse diet. I feel incredible and can't wait to see the 30 Day results. I am also lucky to have my husband doing this with me.His support
means so much to me. We both want to be healthy and feel good because of our daughter, Natalie.

This is just a little bit where I am coming from. If you can relate or just want to read about someone going through this journey, please check back for more posts. I will be sharing my ups and downs and suggestions as I go through the process. My hope is that people can read my story and realize I am just a normal person and if I can do this... you can too!