Motivation??

I am not that girl who jumps out of bed excited to work out the next day. I would like to say I am motivated to get healthy or even look good in a bathing suit. But to be honest some days I put on my workout clothes and make myself. 

Today would be a great example of that. It was cloudy, raining off and on and I just wanted to sit around and do nothing. Soon it was almost 430 and I still hadn't even left the house let alone worked out. I knew if I didn't workout soon I never would. 

I never did find my motivation but my kids know I workout so I changed my clothes and than sat back on the couch. My son moved the table and rug for me and than finally I put the video in. Would love to say I found my motivation but it was literally a few steps that would make me follow through. Being a good example for my boys being the primary while the other is knowing once I stop it is easier to keep stopping. 

I know some of you know what I am talking about. While others have motivation in spades....I am a little jealous if you do, but some of us have to dig deep and make ourselves do it even when we don't want to. I just wanted you guys to know you are not alone when you feel that way and that if I can do it you can too.

Slow and Steady

I totally admit that I am one of those people that wants to loose weight instantly. I still want to loose about 60 lbs and a part of me thinks that it should disappear within a few days of deciding that I want to lose it. Since I have PCOS and a under active thyroid that is not possible. Sometimes it feels like I am walking the wrong way on an esculator. If any of you reading this have a hormonal issue that causes weight gain (I have two talk about an overachiever) you get what I am saying. 

I have really committed on this 90 Day Challenge to make sure I am doing my two shakes and just a 30 minute workout. Its a pretty intense workout so I shouldn't say just 30 minutes its a hard 30 minute workout. I am dripping sweat when I am done but I feel good. 

Yesterday marked the end of my 9th week. So let me update you and how I did

Weight down 7.6 pounds

Chest -1.25

waist -2

hips -1.75

thigh -0.5

arms -1

Down 6.5 inches overall off my body. 

Not bad if I do say so myself. Thanks to my protein I am loosing as many inches as I am pounds. I feel good and yeah I would love to drop crazy weight every day I am happy with my progress and feel myself practically beaming when someone says I can see a difference. 

Ready to start your own challenge? Do you have your own goal?? Its a three step process Click here http://lanischweitzer.bodybyvi.com  Make a goal and last but not least pick a kit!!!

A few fruits you should add to your diet

I am lucky in that my kids love fruits. The other day after dinner my son came to the table with an apple. I started to laugh because generally my kids have to ask before they grab food and just start munching but it was an apple and not a piece of candy from the Halloween candy bag we have. I couldn't get mad but I became curious besides the usual fruits I buy is there one I should try.

I found an article on the 8 Healthiest fruits you should be eating from Ladies Home Journal. So here's the 411 according to this article.

1. Blueberries. This has been listed as one of the best super fruits for awhile. I have seen this on the cover of many magazines while in the checkout line. Rich in antioxidants helps in fighting cancer and in the prevention of muscle degeneration. Like cranberries they also help prevent urinary tract infections.

2. Oranges. A single orange has a full days worth of Vitamin C plus potassium. The scent is also supposed to be calming.

3. Apples. The skin of an apple is high in fiber both soluble and insoluble. These types of fiber help lower cholesterol and keeps you regular. It is also packed full of antioxidants.

4. Bananas. These by far are my sons favorite and have become my favorite thing to mix with my Body By Shake mix with a dab of peanut butter. Bananas are full of potassium and low in sodium. This can help reduce your chance of high blood pressure and strokes.

5. Kiwi. Kiwi has twice as vitamin C as an orange and is thought to help reduce risk of cataracts and might even help protect DNA from damage.

6. Red and Purple Grapes. For those of you with little kids these are always the easiest things for me to get mine to eat. At every party with a fruit platter I would find them stuffing their cheeks like little chipmunks. Grapes contain resveratrol. This antioxidants helps fight against heart disease. You can get this in a cup of dark grapes or a 5 oz glass of Merlot.

7. Strawberries. Another one of my favorites for my Body By Vi shakes. A handful of this yummy treat is expected to help control type 2 diabetes, help prevent heart disease, reduce inflammation, plus full of vitamin C and and other antioxidants.

8. Papayas. Papayas help in digestion. They are full of Vitamin C and a good source of folate.

My kids still won't eat Kiwi. Maybe later when they get over that it looks fury. I hope you all enjoy and find this information useful. If interested in the article check out http://www.lhj.com/recipes/healthy/eating/8-healthiest-fruits-you-should-be-eating/

Ready to start your own 90 Day Challenge? Pick a goal, pick a kit and lets get started. http://lanischweitzer.myvi.net

Foods to help belly fat

Before I ever had kids I had a little pouch. I hated it. One time my little brother asked me if I was pregnant. Two c-sections later it has not gone away. I am proud to say that thanks to my 2 Body By Vi Shakes a day and my workouts I do notice that my stomach is starting to get some light definition. This might be a light trick caused by shadows but....I am hopeful.

So tonight I thought I would look up food that is supposed to help with that. I know that I am not the only one with that issue. There were lots of articles this one is based on one I found on Real Age. 

1. Black Beans. Legumes in general are high in fiber and protein which help reduce appetite. Black beans are the highest in flavonoids which is expected to help fight belly fat. 

2. Pears. Fresh pears are very low in calories and high in fiber that the articles actually states you can eat one at every meal and loose weight. Pears are loaded with two things that are supposed to help fight belly fat they are: catechins and flavonols. 

3. Popcorn. Ok for those of you that got excited this popcorn minus the butter and salt (and the oil they use at the movie theater sorry guys). Popcorn is a whole grain belief it or not and people who ate lots of whole grain have been proven to have smaller waist lines.

4. Cold Potatoes. If you put potatoes in the fridge overnight they form a resistant starch crystal. This is a fiber that triggers two hunger halting hormones. It also helps burn more fat while making less available to store. You can make a vinegar potato salad. 

5. Peanuts. The calories burned from peanuts are burned more readily than their less healthy alternatives such as cookies, crackers and chips.

6. Sunflower seeds. Tip to remember unsalted. You can toss them into your cereal, on your sandwhiches in your yoguart. This yummy little treat is high in monounsaturated fat, which is a healthy fat that inhibits waist spreading. 

7. Tea. White Tea to be exact. A study showed that cells that were treated with white tea absorbed 70% less fat than those weren't. The same cells also triggered fat break down. 

8. Apple Cider Vinegar. This yummy ingredient has a compound called acetic acid. This turbo boost the ability to burn fat while hindering fat storage. Double trouble for fat. 

9. Safflower Oil. This is used a lot in salad dressings and a few teaspoons of this a day seems to encourage belly fat to take a hike. It contains an omega-6 ingredient called linolic acid that causes your metabolic rate to rev up. 

Some of these foods are new to me. Some I realize I am getting thanks to my high fiber protein drink from Visuals and the omega-6 from my Omega Vitals. Some of these seem pretty easy to add to your diet. For instance maybe I should see if I can find a white tea that I like and that will also help increase my water intake and hopefully help me add more water to my day. 

Is your weight loss goal realistic?

So those of you that have been following my blog have read that I have switched my weightloss goal to a fitness goal since I have PCOS and an underactive thyroid. The inches are coming off and I have been builiding lean muscles since I have started working out and drinking my Body By Vi Shakes but my weight just seems to fluctuate. Super annoying for a girl that is partly scale obsessed switching my goal has been good (still checking the scale but as long as my pants keeping getting loser and loser I haven't broken the scale for being mean to me).

For those of you that have heard of the Body By Vi 90 Day Challenge I think this article is great. First of, if you haven't, I want to explain that the 90 Day Challenge is not about you picking a unrealistic goal of dropping 150 pounds in 90 Days and your life doing a complete 180. No the man or woman of your dreams is not guaranteed to show up in those 90 Days or your spouse that you are having problems with won't suddenly realize how lucky they and that you suddenly will be guaranteed a six figure income. 

I will say that I have heard of some people achieving some very high weightloss goal and there are a few people who became promoters and within 90 days are making a very, very lucrative income and have quit their day job. It is possible so I dont want anyone to get discouraged some of us take longer to get to that goal than others and that is ok, our journey is just meant to be different.

If you have a big weight loss goal start with a mini goal. Even a small change can have a big impact on your health. A good first goal is to lose 10% of your current weight. I would like to loose 60 lbs evenutally if I narrowed it down to 10% of my body weight that would be 19 pounds. That goal is a lot smaller and easier to achieve. Set up little rewards as you reach your mini goal. One thing to avoid though is to make your reward around food. What is one thing that you love but dont get to do very often or that you have wanted to buy but have put off for one reason or another. Those are great rewards. 

Make a change you can live with. I love my Body By Vi shakes so that is something I can live with. I get the protein I need plus fiber and a bunch of other vitamins and minerals I know I am missing in my daily diet. For me that is an easy change. That may or may not be you. This might be somehting more like adding more lean proteins, would you be able to comfortably adding more vegtables to your diet, or getting rid of soda (one of my weaknesses). This would be personal to you so dont let others tell you what you should or should do or give up. Only you know what you will be able to live with and stick with. 

Realisticly you may not loose every week or you may not reach your exact goal. Take stock. If you lost half a pound or didnt gain this week isn't that better than gaining half a pound. If you did gain weight is it because you started lifting weights and you gained a little muscle and have noticed that your clothes are looser but the scales said you gained a pound. Every day that you keep trying and push forward and not let your little slips discourage you from moving forward is a win. 

For more on the actual article: http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/is-your-weight-loss-goal-realistic

Interested in joining me on my 90 Day Challenge? http://lanischweitzer.myvi.net

Do I really need to give up on bread?

I have friends that swear to me that they quit eating bread and lost 50 or so pounds. I love bread and pasta. Oh and lets not forget garlic bread to eat with my pasta. So heres the question "Is bread my enemy?"

So today I read another great article on WebMd that talked about this very thing. Most of us that love bread and have weight issues over do it on the white bread. Bagels, which my mom loves and eats most mornings, are pretty high in calories not overly high in fiber and according the food pyrmaid uses at least half of her carb intake.

The main problem with bread is that those bread items that we like that are not made with whole grains cause us to have a spike in insulin produciton and raises our blood sugar level. The bright side is if we are more aware and opt for the healthier whole grain versions of our favorite bread products it will get absorbed slower and we wont see such a huge spike in our sugar level.

Another problem with bread is that there seem to be more people with celiac disease or those that are senstitive gluten. This is something people need to be aware of because it does cause bloating, abdonminal pain, and fatigue. This is something you should talk to your doctor if you notice and get tested and if this is the case you my find you feel better if you put yourself on a gluten free diet. I do know several people that are on a gluten free diet and have found great recipes for all the things that they love including cake so do not despair it might take a few tries and a few recipes but there are great alternatives.

For those of you that do not fit in that category but are struggling with their weight and love bread there are a few alternatives. If you love bagels maybe switching to the bagel thins or split it, I eat the smaller bottom half and usually half the top between my kids when I find myself craving a bagel. I also make my burgers open face I use the bottom portion of the bun and leave the top off. If you can switch to whole wheat alternatives for your sandwhiches. They are generally healthier and have more vitamins and minerals than their conterparts. Check the label since companies have gotten crafty and started adding molasses to trick the consumers.

I guess the thing that we should learn is that if you are senstive and notice that you do get tired or bloat after bread talk to your doctor. If not than remember portion control. Pay atteniton to how much bread or bread like products you eat any day. Find a good alternative. I am eating less bread by replacing two out of my five meals a day with a Body By Vi Shakes. That works for me. Find what works for you and remember small changes can eventually lead to a big impact.

For more on the article check out: http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/truth-about-bread-and-diet

Want to join me on my 90 Day Challenge and see how one small change can impact your life. http://lanischweitzer.myvi.net

Why Diet and Exercise are Both important

I at one point have tried just dieting....than just exercising. Actually I just exercised while eating everything I wanted. I find that if I just diet but dont eat the right foods I am actaully starving most the day. I hope I am not the only one who has done this.....

So looking up other results I have found an article that discusses this. The article I found discusses a study she found that had 400 women participants between the ages of 50-75. They were broken down into four groups, diet only, exercise only, both, and those that did nothing. The study lasted a year which is I think great because how many of us loose weight in the first few weeks of our program just to turn around a quit long before we get to a year right.

The results were exercise only lost 2.4% of there starting weight, diet only 8.5%, both lost an everage of 10.8%.  Those that were the highest in that category also kept a food journal.

You dont have to make a big change to start but making one small change well lead to another. My small change was adding the Body By Vi protein drinks and than I slowly made another and than another.

Its not how you start but how you finish. Here's a link to the article if you want more information http://www.dailyspark.com/blog.asp?post=both_diet_and_exercise_are_important_for_weight_loss_success

Ready to start the challenge?? http://lanischweitzer.myvi.net

Why I Changed my 90 Day Goal to a Fitness Goal

I tease my mom all the time for not "shopping for genetics" before she got pregnant with me. I don't really mean anything by it but I do have to admit I was aware of my short comings before I hooked up with my husband and tease him that part of my attraction is he makes up for up them.

I am five feet two inches he is just around six feet, where I have an underactive thyroid and PCOS he has a fast metabolic rate. Both those problems I have main system is....weight gain. That is right ladies and gentlemen I have two medical diagnosis that systems cause me to gain weight.

When I started my 90 Day Challenge with Body By Vi I was determined to loose weight. My friend did and with it being the number one weight loss company in North America hundreds of others have done or are currently doing it.

The weight came off a little at first but than stopped. I was not happy but I kept on going and well since I did my measurements I kept on doing them and realized I was loosing more inches than pounds. Well to keep myself from getting depressed about the scale I shifted my focus and I am happy to say have officially finished two weeks of the Insanity workouts. I have never been able to do that much before. Healthy diet and shifting my focus have helped me physically be in better shape than I was before. With the extra benefits of great support from my Body By Vi Family and my friends and family that are cheering me on I feel good.

Want to join me on my 90 Day Challenge? Have a fitness or weight loss goal in mind? Contact me and lets get started.  http://lanischweitzer.myvi.net

Why WE all need to add water to our daily diet.

I am first to admit I am really, really bad at drinking water. I would rather have something that taste yummy like soda, a sugary coffee or well anything else but water. Even now while I am trying to drink more water I find I use things to make it taste better. This morning I am drinking some with Visuals Neuro. It counts as water but I know I am not drinking enough. So today I am researching all the reasons I need to add sort of as a reminder to myself.

So why drink water:
1. FAT METABOLISM: This one thing alone should make me try and be more aware of how much i drink right. Let me explain according to the article Water is needed for every task of the body if the body does not have enough water to draw from it will use the water in fat, any fat stores that the body uses to get water from will less likely be used. So we store that fat.....uggg so basically we made it so our body has to store it. Not the goal I have in mind on my 90 Day Challenge.

2. Kidneys and Liver: Kidneys need a LOT of water to perform there fuctions. If they are not able to get it they function at lower capacity and will ask the liver to help out. The livers primary funciton is to metabolize stored fat...so if it is stuck helping out the kidneys because it doesnt have enough water to function how is it going to get rid of that fat you have been trying to get rid of?

3 Water Retention: This is similar to the starvation mood your body goes into if you dont eat enough. It starts to store what you put in so if you drink more the body will release more and you will retain less. If the body is getting enough water it will also release the extra soduim which we love to play for water retention.

4 Water and Exercis: Water helps with muscle tone and contraction. So if you find yourself feeling really hungry on days you workout or extremely tired you may need to increase your water intake. Yes 64 oz is the amount they recomend but if you are exercising (espicially doing a hard workout that causes you to sweat a lot) you may want to increase. Some articles say woman should have 90 or so ounces and men 100 or so ounces.

So the article I read actually references other articles for each statemnet and remember most this stuff from my health class in college. But sometimes we all need a reminder. If you want more information or want to read the whole article you can find it at http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/jenheath4.htm

Want to joing me on my 90 Day Challenge  http://lanischweitzer.myvi.net/ 

How to Handle Weight Loss Plateau

I have PCOS and under active thyroid so for me loosing weight seems to be a take one step forward and 2 or step backs. Lately I have been losing inches and no weight. That is not a terrible thing but I want both. That may sound greedy but most of us look at the scale as an indicator of how we are doing on the weight loss fight so must of you probably get that. Nothing worst than sticking to your diet to see the scale stay still....

So looking around I found an article on Web MD. To give credit were credit is due I am going to sum up the 10 steps it recomends and if you want more details click this link: http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/10-ways-to-move-beyond-a-weight-loss-plateau  Most these ideals we have heard before but sometimes its good to have a little reminder

Step 1. Imagine your success. For those of you secret lovers this is right up your alley. It also points to think long term not just the 10lbs you want to look good in your dress because yo-yo dieting is bad for you and to always keep healthy snacks around.

Step 2. Understanding your weight-loss personality. For instance do you impulsively eat a thing ice cream, do you eat when out with your friends, or do you munch on snacks while watching TV. Knowing what you are will help you figure out your weak spots.

Step 3. Record all your food. (This is my weakness) This way you actually know how much food you are taking in. Also you can keep track of how you felt before you eat and if you were full after. I have seen some say to record how hungry you really were when you started to eat. That could help you notice patterns.

Step 4. Beware of Calorie Creep. If you do step 3 you will notice this more than if you do it on your own. Ways to easily avoid this, make an open face sandwich (when I make hamburgers I never eat the top bun it requires i use a fork most times but I am ok with that) snack size candy bar instead of full one etc.

Step 5. Watch Restaurant Overeating. Restaurants are known for huge portion sizes so if you are not really hungry have an appetizer or a salad. Also I know if I go to Cheesecake Factory I have enough for a big lunch the next day and instantly divide my plate in half. Or if you are going with a friend share everything one meal one share the price saving yourself some calories and some money.

Step 6. Eat Low Fat Protein Meals. Protein surpresses a hormone that stimulates your hunger. Foods high in fat are known to increase this hormone. So if you eat a meal that is low fat and high in protein....you get rid of one of the items that triggers the hormone at the same time taking in one of the items that helps surpress it. (Just a few numbers for you that are curious the Body By Vi protein drinks have 1 gram of Fat, less than a gram of sugar, and 12 grams of protein)

Step 7. Eat more Fruits and Vegetables. This adds many vitamins and minerals not to mention fiber. They are low calorie food that has lots of nutrional value.

Step 8. Push the envelop pass the plateau. Simply this means your body adepts to your workouts so if you have been going on a casual 30 min walk, make a small change carry weights, add more time, make it a jog or maybe try kickboxing.

Step 9. Wear a Pedometer. Make a goal for how many steps you are going to take and put it on in the morning.

Step 10. Try Yoga to avoid stress eating. They actually have a few poses listed if you want to read but the main goal for this goal is to find a better outlet for your stress than food. Most of us do it, I admit I do it to at times and if I am alone and at home have tried putting on my cardio kickboxing tape instead. Punching and kicking imagining pains in my butt is way better.

Hope that helps most of you or gives you a few ideals. I actually combine 6 and 7 by adding strawberries and bananas to my Body By Vi shakes. I love it and feel better. I still need to work on recording my foods but I am getting there.

Ready to start your own 90 Day Challenge? Curious to know more?  http://lanischweitzer.myvi.net

How much protein do you really need?

This is a common question along with why do I need so much. There is no magic number that fits everyone across the board but my dietician told me the best way to figure out what you need as individual is to take your current weight and multiply it by 0.3. That means if you are 200 lbs you would take 200x0.3 and your total would be 60 grams. This number changes as you loose weight so make so as your weight goes down you will need less, and of course the opposite is true if you gain weight you will need more.

Why do you need protein? To make sure that while you are loosing weight you loose fat and keep your muscle mass. It is also the building block of every cell in your body. It is needed for virtually every function in your body and half the protein you consume goes to energy for your body. 

Not getting enough lean protein. Want a fun way to increase your protein and loose weight?

I am currently doing the 90 Day Challenge with Body By Vi and despite my under active thyroid and my PCOS I am loosing weight, loosing inches, and have more energy. Regardless and what you choose make sure you are getting enough lean protein. 

http://lanischweitzer.myvi.net

Look what #TheChallenge and #90days c...

Look what TheChallenge and 90days can do for you!! GetFit http://ping.fm/X231L