**Adding new questions daily as time allows, I have many emails to go through and I want to answer everyone as best that I can** Keep checking back......
1. What keeps you motivated? How do you stay on track?
I think anyone who has lost weight can agree that once you lose your weight and see the benefits of your new life it is very motivating and daily it helps you make wise choices and you continue to stay on track because you remember the alternative! For me, just seeing my before and after photos alone are so motivating. I will NEVER allow myself to lose control of my life in that way ever again. And so with every meal, with every workout I am reminded of why I make the effort, because starring up at me is a little precious girl who sees me as Mommy, and I want be there for her for as long as God allows. I was blessed to become a Mother and it is my priority, my focus and a huge motivation for living the best life that I can so that I can be the best for my family for many years to cone!
2. How did you start your weight loss journey?
I one day decided that enough was enough and it truly was as simple as making the decision in my mind to STOP letting my life pass me by. I began my weight loss program very slowing and it was through the help of a website called Sparkpeople that my journey exploded! They provided the tools I needed to help me log my foods, my exercises and they had so many groups to give me support and encouragement as I was just getting started on my journey.
3. Where you always overweight?
NO. Growing up I was not heavy. In fact, in high school I ran track, cross country etc... I began doing triathlons in high school as well. It was not until college that I began to gain weight slowly, but a steady gain each and every year until 2006 when I was my heaviest.
4. How much weight have you lost?
That is a very good question! The answer is, I do not know!! When I was my heaviest, I did not weigh. In fact, I would not even come close to a scale. I did not go to the doctor in fear they would weigh me and I wanted to avoid any source of reality that would tell me just how far I let myself go. We think.... based off of memory from one of my last times to weigh that I have lost around 110 lbs but in reality, it is probably much more, we will never know. But to me, that is not what is important. To me, what is important is that I was transformed in every way as a result of fitness and a clean diet!! The photos speak for themselves! Whether it is 110 lbs or 135 lbs.......I am a totally different person! I do wish I had logged my start weight and my starting measurements but I have no regrets on this journey. It has been the most amazing blessing God has given me.
5. Do you have loose skin or stretch marks?
Yes. The truth is I got very big and much of my weight was gained in my stomach, so yes, I did get quite a few stretch marks. Fortunately, I lost my weight very slowly and through oils, creams etc...they have faded. They are pale and you can not really seem them anymore, but they are there! As far as loose skin, yes, I have loose skin in my stomach area, again because that is where most of my weight gain occurred. It has tightened up quite a bit the more I lose and I find through core work and strength training it is getting better with time. I have not had any surgery of any kind and I am pleased with how my stomach is looking. I plan on giving it another year, maybe two and see if it tones up even more, if not, I may consider a tummy tuck but nothing has been decided at this point. Some people I have talked to have made that choice, others have not. For me, I am going to do all I can through diet and fitness and then I will make a decision from there.
6. What blender do you recommend for smoothies?
We used to use a Vitamix when we were living in the US and I found it to be the best. Another great brand is Blendtec. Both brands will work very well for blending fruits and veggies.
7. What juicer do you recommend?
We used a Breville Elite and absolutely loved it! It is far easier to clean than the Omega which we had before the Breville.
8. Did you lose weight on a particular program?
No. I read several books, which I will list later on, but I was not on a set program. I used a combination of clean eating and exercise to lose my weight.
9. How long did it take you to lose your weight?
From 2006 until now...the weight is still coming off :) I began my journey May of 2006 though I was not 100% on board. I still allowed quite a few treats and I did not hit the exercise as hard as I did January of 2007 when I started P90X and began working out to Cathe DVDs. My weight loss journey took a wonderful detour in August of 2009 when I became pregnant! I worked hard to not gain too much weight during my pregnancy and soon began to lose weight once again after she was born.
10. How many calories do you eat a day?
It depends on my activity level on each day. On rest days I stay between 1, 200 - 1,600. On harder workout days my calories can increase to over 1,900 to 2,000.
11. Are you Vegan?
Good question! I was Vegan for the majority of 2011, but decided to which to a clean eating lifestyle which included fish, eggs, yogurt and some chicken and bison. I still maintain a strong diet with a great deal of vegetables, legumes and grains but I now eat meat as well. I still juice and I remain a strong advocate for the Vegan diet, for me however I decided this lifestyle was best at this time.
12. What is your VM green drink?
This is Vitamineral Green from Healthforce Nutritionals - it came be bought from their website in the link below. I feel it is the most superior greens product on the market. If you wanted to try another I would recommend Garden of Life, Perfect Food and Also Vibrant Health's Green Vibrance both can be purchased at Whole Foods Market.
www.healthforce.com
13. What is LACV? Does it help with Weight Loss?
This is one of the biggest questions I am asked. It is simply short for Lemon and Apple Cider Vinegar. Why do I take this daily? For me, it helps curb my appetite during the day, I feel it to be refreshing and I take it in the morning as a detox, to regulate and set my body for the day. Does it help with weight loss? Honestly, I do not know. I cannot say that a single pound of my weight loss has to do with my LACV daily regimen. What I do know is that when I take it before a meal, I eat less. When I take it post meal, I do not crave seconds. I love drinking it first thing in the morning and before I go to bed, with warm water along with the lemon. I also have several variations of the drink. At times I add in RWK Just Cranberry juice to make the drink a total liver detox, and other times I add in Aloe Vera Juice.
Studies have shown apple cider vinegar to lower cholesterol, blood sugar, detox and cleanse the skin, act as an anti-fungal aide, and yes, studies have shown it helps with weight loss but again, I cannot say that it has helped with my weight loss journey. I will say that I have taken this throughout the day for some time now. Who knows, maybe it did help :) I urge you to do your own research and decide if it is right for you.
14. Why take LACV?
Apple cider Vinegar and Lemon are both very alkaline when absorbed into the body. Yes, in their natural state they are both extremely acidic but when taken, they are VERY alkaline. Why does this matter? In our bodies, there is a natural PH that is occurring. This can vary with the foods we eat and therefore can have a great effect on our overall health. When the body becomes too acidic, this can lead to disease, so you want to maintain an overall alkaline ph to your body. Foods that cause your body too become acidic are processed foods, sugars, alcohol, red meats, coffee....etc. On the other hand foods that are very alkaline are most dark greens, many fruits, quinoa, green tea, certain grains and the list goes on and on. It should be no surprise that processed foods are acidic to the body, if an over acidic body can lead to disease, what does that say of the majority of the foods we has a whole are consuming?
Below is a link with various charts and information regarding the Alkaline/Acid balance and it can be explained further and most likely better than my own personal explanation :)
The PH chart of the foods we consume.
