Day 16 : A Day in the Kitchen

Day 16 I awoke at the same weight....okay now I am pretty sure I have hit a plateau, however I feel really good and am going to see what this week's cleanse brings me.

For people who know me... I LOVE TO COOK!  And today was a Kitchen day :)

I started my day with a serving of cleanse for life.   Then my warm Ionix Supreme and some water to start the day.

I took a quick trip to the local store to buy some ingredients I needed and when I returned home, I made a 1/2 vanilla, 1/2 chocolate strawberry shake and took my natural accelerator.

At around 10:30 am I started cooking.  First White Bean Chicken Chili that would be for supper.  Once I got that in the crock pot and ready I cleaned the kitchen and dishes.  Drank some water.  Then to start the big project.....macaroons.  This was my first attempt.  I got a lot of exercise by running around town looking for a flour sifter....why on earth aren't these anywhere to be found!!!

I drank water and slowly prepared my macaroons.  All in all, it worked.  Not perfect, but not a failure.  I did eat one when they were finished before I boxed some up for a friend's birthday.

For lunch I ate a KIND bar just to try it and as I am looking for everyday alternatives for Isagenix items if I ever decide to only buy certain products.  I drank more water and had my 2nd natural accelerator as I was buzzing about the kitchen.

I then got a wild idea to attempt my first artisan bread.  Again, not great but not a total loss.  I will be trying both recipes again next week :)

For supper I had a bowl of white bean chicken chili with a small piece of artisan bread and a macaroon for dessert.  I then went to a very intense roller derby practice.  All in all, it felt like a good day.

Day 15 - Starting week 3

Today marks the start of week 3!

I awoke at 234 and hope to keep going down.  I am a little worried about hitting a plateau and how I can handle that on this program.

I enjoyed my warm Ionix Supreme with 2 cups of water.  And then for breakfast, as chocolate, strawberry and almond shake with my natural accelerator.

As I was working from the computer this morning, I looked down and was a little shocked at how good I thought I looked.  I used to see my breasts, my stomach and my fat thighs, but today I saw breasts and slimming thighs :)

View from the top!

I didn't have a snack, but for lunch made an Orange Dreamcicle shake (vanilla shake mix and 1 serving of Want more energy).  This was amazing!  I went for a walk for over an hour and just enjoyed the day.  When I returned home, I had 2 cups of water and 1 serving of Want more energy.

For supper I enjoyed an amazing meal of Flax seed and Blue corn tortillas, with homemade hummus, greek seasoned turkey, spinach, feta and avocado!  I was in heaven and my husband loved it!

2 wraps was under 600 calories

I drank water all night, 1 cup of dandelion tea, 1 cup of my herbal tea and 2 Isaflush before bed.  I also went to bed a little early :)

Day 14 - How much did I over indulge on the weekend?

On day 14 I awoke a little anxious about the scale, I have worked hard to reach my first goal and I don't want to go backwards.   I was pleased to see that the scale said EXACTLY the same number when I stepped on it!!!  YAY, I could live with that :)

I started my day by taking a dose of daily cleanse.  I wanted to get ready for the new week and feel fresh and not groggy from all the food.   I then enjoyed my Ionix warm ( my favorite) and some water around 9 am.   I had my first shake of the day around 10:30 am, making a 1/2 chocolate, 1/2 vanilla shake with almonds. And also took my natural accelerator.

I continued to drink water all day and run my errands around town.  I prepared my menu for the week and was excited to get started cooking!  I love cooking and really look forward to my evening meals....they are quality meals!!

I enjoyed my lunch shake around 2pm and made a chocolate strawberry shake using frozen strawberries.  Because the strawberries were frozen the shake became really thick like a Wendy's frosty....oh, but so much better and better for you! I also had another natural accelerator.

I did a little bit of walking, mostly while getting groceries as it has become cold here again.   I am a Pampered Chef consultant and also blog recipes that I make.  I am happy to use this lifestyle transition as a way to really look into the recipes I am making for healthy options.

While cooking, I enjoyed a nice dandelion and rosemary herbal tea.  For supper I made a buffalo chicken ring that was fabulous.  It serves 6, but one serving is within the 400-600 calories.  For supper I enjoyed 1 serving and 2 halves of deviled eggs.

Again, more water and my Isaflush and herbal tea before bed.

Days 11, 12 & 13 - Mini Vacation away from home

Day 11:  Today was an exciting day seeing my results! And I hope it keeps me motivated to stay on track, as I am traveling with the kids to visit my parents for the weekend.  The farm is usually a place of not caring....the beer and wine flows and the food is out of this world....so here is to staying on track!

I started the morning by getting on the scale and taking my Day 11 measurements!  234.5, down 10.5 lbs and down a total of 15.25 inches over all (4 just in my stomach)

I enjoyed my warm Ionix Supreme and 2 cups of water.  Took my daughter to daycare for the morning and then got my blogging done.  I then enjoyed a nice blueberry shake.

I am traveling just after lunch, so I need to pack all the items I need for the weekend.  I packed my Isablender and a canister of chocolate Isolean shake.  I also filled a baggy with  a few IsaDelight chocolates, want more energy and some of my herbal tea bags.  I also packed my Ionix Supreme, Natural Accelerator and IsaFlush....and a flat of water :)


I didn't have a morning snack...as I rarely feel hungry for a snack anymore.  I got ready for the trip and at noon I had a shake.   In the car I drank plenty of water and had my natural accelerator.  My kids were thankful for the small breaks from the car, as I usually only stop if they need a "potty break".

For dinner we went out to a small local restaurant, The Ranch House.  This place is known for it's ribs and I splurged!!!  I enjoyed a Bacardi Limon with soda water, Sirloin and Ribs with wild rice and a side salad.  I didn't eat even half of the rice....but I really enjoyed the meat!  I love a good steak after a cleanse day :)   I also enjoyed one very small glass of wine with my Mom at home and though I felt more full than usual, I wasn't uncomfortably stuffed.

I had my IsaFlush and herbal tea before bed and didn't' feel too bad about my splurge.


Day 12:  On day 12 I awoke to my Mom making homemade chocolate cake from scratch (for my son's birthday) and then she made homemade blueberry pancakes....though the temptation was there,  I had my Ionix supreme and water. 

I had my morning shake when everyone else was eating breakfast....my first chocolate shake ever and I just used a shaker to make it.  I wasn't impressed.  I didn't like the flavor or consistency and was worried I was about to be poorly disappointed in the next week of shakes.  I did sample a few pieces of my Dad's deer sausage at breakfast to help me feel satisfied.

Again I drank lots of water (in fact I didn't drink even 1 beer at my parent's house...my son commented that this was odd ....oh kids, so perceptive sometimes)  I took my natural accelerator on time and then decided to try and enjoy a lunch meal rather than supper.   I dug into my Mom's amazing spaghetti with just a small piece of garlic toast.  In the afternoon I enjoyed a small piece of the decadent chocolate cake my Mom had made, with homemade buttercream frosting....oh gosh was it good!!!

I continued to drink water all day, took my afternoon natural accelerator and walked about the farm a bit.

At supper time I struggled.  Since I hadn't really enjoyed the chocolate shake for breakfast I let myself compromise.  I drank 1/2 a chocolate shake and ate a very small amount of left over spaghetti - keeping within my normal shake calorie amounts.

Again, my Isaflush and herbal tea for bed.  I definitely felt full from the day.


Day 13:  I awoke and made the kids breakfast as my Mom prepared for church.  Once the kids were fed I had my Ionix Supreme and water and then made a blended chocolate and 1/2 banana shake.....SO MUCH BETTER!!!  The blending and fruit made a huge difference.

I had my natural accelerator and went about the morning.  For lunch I enjoyed some of my Dad's amazing grilled burgers on garlic toasted buns, lettuce and a few deviled eggs.  I continued to drink my water and take my 2nd natural accelerator and one more small piece of cake before we left.

We were traveling in the afternoon again so it was easy to stick to my water and not snack :)  Plus I was already worried about over indulging so I was okay to not snack until I could got home for supper.  I just realized I drank tons of water and never actually ate supper, but I didn't feel hungry either....so I guess it is what it is.  

I went to roller derby practice and rolled hard!!!  Came home for my herbal tea and Isaflush.  Day 14 would tell me how my actions were over the weekend.

Day 9: fighting cravings and Day 10: Cleanse Day #2

Day 9:  I got up and on that scale....237...now we are going the right direction again.  1.5 lbs lost from yesterday and a total of 8 lbs. lost so far on the Isagenix 30 day cleanse and fat burning system.

I can say, that today things felt smooth.  I had energy again.  I was up and showered and out the door to work from the local coffee shop before 8am :)  The program is becoming more routine.  I even packed all the items I needed for the day, just in case I ended up gone right up until supper. (4- 16oz bottles of purified water, 2- natural accelerator tablets, 1 - IsaDelight chocolate, 1 package of Want more energy and 2 baggies of shake mix - 2 scoops in each)

I enjoyed my Ionix Supreme before my shower and then drank 2 cups of water while I was getting dressed and doing my hair.

At the coffee shop I enjoyed an herbal tea.  At 9am I took my natural accelerator and shook up a shake!

I drank lots of water, enjoyed an IsaDelight around 11:30 and then my lunch shake at 12:30.  I went on a nice power walk with a girlfriend from 1-1:45 ish and then we hit the local pub.  Spring Fever was on us!  I enjoyed one small house made shandy (lemonade and cream ale)...and forwent an afternoon snack.

At 3pm I had another natural accelerator and more water.....I can't get enough water some days!  It is a good addiction to have, as long as you are staying in your healthy ounces in intake a day.

For supper I made Turkey and Black bean taco stuffed bell peppers.   

Delicious and everything on this plate was under 500 calories!

It was a skate night, so I went to roller derby practice and skated hard!!!  I actually burned more calories than I intook today.  I drank more water and had my herbal tea and 2 IsaFlush before bed.


Day 10: 2nd Cleanse Day

I can say, looking back, that Cleanse day 2 was easier than Cleanse day 1.  Just as week 2 in general has been easier than week 1 :)

In my morning routine, I was only down half a pound - I blame this on the one beer I had :(  But I was 236.5, that is down 8.5 lbs total and only a 1/2 lbs away from the April 2014 goal I gave myself in January :)

I started the day with my Cleanse for Life and a natural accelerator.

I find Cleanse days to be exhausting.....so I went back to bed for a few hours.  When I awoke I enjoyed my Ionix Supreme, cold and another bottle of water (2 cups)   I again went back to bed.   Finally at 11 am I got the call from my cleanse day partner, Risty, that she was coming to town to spend some time with me.  I got up, had my 2nd cleanse of the day and got ready to take on the world.

Risty and I enjoyed our early afternoon snacks together: 2 Snacks!, our natural accelerator and 2 cups of water.  Then we went for a short walk with her kids.

When we returned from the walk we had our 3rd cleanse for the day before she had to head home.  It is so much nicer to have a partner in the journey!!

When my family sat down for supper, I had my early evening snack: 1 IsaDelight chocolate, 1 Ionix Supreme (hot) and 2 cups of water.

Around 7pm I had my 4th and final cleanse of the day.  And then my herbal tea and 2 IsaFlush before bed.

I did get hungry toward the end of the day, but it doesn't help that my family is eating in front of me.  I also sleep less well on cleanse nights, as I will awake to use the restroom around 2am and then can't sleep because I feel hungry....but I pushed through to see Day 11 results.

Day 8 - Starting Week 2

Day 8:  I started week 2 at 238.5 - a total of 6.5 lbs. lost so far.  I didn't eat well on day 7 and that was the result.  I also noticed that day 8 had be very tired and lethargic....not sure if this was from eating and drinking a beer on day 7, but in my mind it is.

I started the day with my Ionix and 2 cups of water.

Then at about 8:30am, I had my Natural accelerator and my blueberry shake.  I then went back to bed.

I slept until almost noon. I got up and had some water and 2 Snacks! I had a second shake ( just plain) and some water around 1:30-2pm.  I read a book....had my 2nd Natural accelerator and more water.  I drank water all day long, I was craving it!

For supper I enjoyed a nice chicken breast with left over cauliflower mash, some mock guacamole and a few chips.

We went for a walk after supper and I was feeling energized again.  I enjoyed some herbal tea and 2 IsaFlush before bed.

I am ready to kick week 2 out with more success!

Day 5 - My first weekend day

Well I was a little worried about today.  Weekends mean I am with my family more and also that I have a lot more going on.   Regardless, I got up this morning and went by my routine....and POW!  237 lbs. - down 1.5 lbs from yesterday and making it a total of 8 lbs lost so far.  I did have a slight headache from my one adult beverage, but other than that felt really good!

I enjoyed my hot Ionix Supreme and then made breakfast with my daughter.  

She enjoyed scrambled eggs and some strawberries while I had my fresh strawberry shake.

Today I participated in the 2014 Brookings Polar Plunge to raise money for South Dakota Special Olympics.  I packed a FiberSnack!, a few bottles of water, my natural accelerator, an e+ shot and a protein bar for lunch.  I wanted to be prepared.

I enjoyed an herbal tea at 10am. Then enjoyed my FiberSnack! and water at about 11:30am.  Because I was so busy, I didn't keep to my normal schedule, but I wasn't feeling hungry either.

My roller derby teammates and I took the plunge at about 12:20 pm 

I then had a Pampered Chef gathering that I attended at 1:30-3pm.  I took my natural accelerator and water before going, but didn't eat my protein bar for lunch  nor have an afternoon snack as food was served at the gathering.  I had 1 very small slice of the sample pizza and a small amount of the strawberry cheesecake. I also had one small glass of sangria :)  I made sure to watch my calories and not go over my shake calorie amount.

For supper I made a garlic chicken breast 

and enjoyed some corn chips with Mock Guacamole (guacamole made with peas)

Mock Guacamole

After supper we took a nice family walk and I got another herbal tea, as I have said before the warm liquid helps me feel full longer.

Tonight I will enjoy some more herbal tea and take my IsaFlush before bed.....tomorrow another crazy day!  See what I do to eat at a POTLUCK!

Day 4 - My first shake day post a cleanse

Last night was a terrible night of sleep.  I went to bed around 9:30pm.  My coughing kept me awake.  I got up a few times to urinate and I was a bit hungry.  Now this probably had a lot to do with me laying in bed researching new recipes to try...that sort of turned into FOOD PORN.  I will work on recipe creation and research NOT on cleanse days in the future.  I have set my goal that in 30 days, if I complete my challenge I get to finally go to Carnaval in Sioux Falls and have a full meat meal!  I have wanted to go forever and it is the little things that keep me motivated when I am not eating what I would prefer.

I finally got out of bed to get the day started with my daughter.  Going by my usual routine, I hit the restroom and hopped on the scale.  FINALLY!!!  In the 230's, it felt so great to get over that 241-245 plateau I had been standing on!  So that was down 2.5 lbs from yesterday and a total of 6.5 lbs.  I am pumped! 

Now I don't believe I had run down my weight loss goals for 2014:

I started the year at 255 lbs.
Of this I lost 10 lbs prior to starting the 30 day challenge and began this challenge on April 1st @ 245 lbs.
Goal 1: Hit 235 by April 26th for a friends wedding
Goal 2: Hit 225 by July 4th
Goal 3: Hit 215 by October 2014
Goal 4: Maintain 215 through 2014 or get closer to 200 (this is dependent on how I feel and where I want to go once I hit my goal)

I graduated high school at somewhere between 175 and 185.  I wore a size 12/13 prom dress and you could see my collar bone and cheek bones very well. I went over 200 somewhere in college and then it continued to rise with each child I had.

 I honestly don't want to hit my "ideal" weight by the universal Dr. guild of 135...I would look anorexic.  I love my curves and pin girl flared hips....and Lord help me, if I loose my bootylicious bottom...my husband will surely not be pleased :)  And I live to love and please him too!  Actually, he has already lost 10 lbs by dropping his Mt. Dew and eating healthier with me! Getting our family healthier together is bringing us closer.



I started with 2 cups of water.  Made my daughter breakfast and then sat with her and enjoyed my Ionix Supreme hot....a great way to start the day.

At 8am  I had a fresh strawberry shake and my natural accelerator.

Now today I will be working away from home.  I like to go to the local coffee shop to work, it keeps me on task better.  I will enjoy some non caffeine herbal tea while I am there, but I also packed my morning and afternoon snacks, my lunch shake and natural accelerator. I also threw a few bottles of water in my bag so I have everything I need with me.  After 3 kids, it is like packing a diaper bag....pretty simple!

Baggy of shake powder in my shaker cup and a baggy of my snacks.

My snacks today consist of a IsaDelight Plus chocolate and possibly a FiberSnacks!....

we will see how hungry I feel.

I ended up working for about 5-6 hours. I did end up coming home and having a banana shake. I drank all my water and had my chocolate but went for a walk and didn't end up having another snack.

For Supper I went all out!  I wanted steak SOOOO badly

 and so I splurged; however my meal was still under 600 calories!

 What you see here is a 5 oz bacon wrapped sirloin on top of a bed of chipotle and balsamic alfalfa sprouts, tomato, cucumber and a twice baked potato with avacado and some peas....just because I love peas!  I was stuffed and felt great!  This was perfect, as it was a skate night and I would need and use the extra fuel.

I went to a great roller derby practice. After practice I went out

 and had 1-16oz Angry Orchard Cider with lots of water with my teammates.

When I came home I had more water and my Isaflush and headed to bed.

Day 2 - adding fruits

Banana shake

I started Day 2 with my normal routine; go to the bathroom and get on the scale....now my husband tells me all the time that I am only supposed to get on the scale once a week, but I like to see where I am at and what I could do better from the day  before.   So this morning I started at 242.5, down 2.5 lbs from yesterdays start.  That was enough to keep me motivated!

I had my Ionix Supreme as a hot tea again and my natural accelerator.

My morning was a little odd, as my husband stayed home from work with back spasms.  After getting our daughter off to daycare, I laid longer in bed with him and I think that kept my mind off hunger.

I got up around 9 am and made my first shake.  Today I decided to try using the IsaBlender and make real shakes with a little fruit to see if that would help curb my hunger a bit.  So for breakfast I blended my shake with 2 large strawberries ( this only added 30 calories).  It was delicious and nice to know you can have a little variety.  The blender was super easy to use and clean....this is going to be used a TON!

I went for a morning walk (about 45 minutes) with my husband to the local coffee shop where I ordered caffeine free herbal tea and used that as my morning snack.  I made sure to drink a few glasses of purified water when we returned.

For lunch I blended one small banana (100 extra calories) with my shake.  The banana makes the shake much frothier, but still enjoyable. I am not concerned about the extra calories, as tonight is a skate night and I will burn a ton.

At 2pm I had my IsaDelight chocolate and 2 cups of purified water.

Supper is my ZEN time, I get to really enjoy the act of eating.  Tonight I am making Turkey burgers with home made guacamole and cucumber slices.  To stay in my 400-600 calorie meal.

Tonight I also have roller derby practice, so I may drink some "want more energy" to help replenish a bit.

Day 1 - Isagenix 30 day Cleansing and Fat Burning System

Start Date: April 1, 2014

After years of struggling with my weight, I have finally decided to try a "system".  I am not a system girl at all!!  I have taken some protein shakes in my past; Curves, It Works, etc.

A little over 3 years ago, I was 278 ( my highest weight and at the end of my 3rd pregnancy).  I was told after each child that with nursing I would lose weight rapidly and it would come off....but that didn't happen for me.  I stayed right around 265 for two years, maybe getting to 255 here and there.

Then 16 months ago I started skating and playing roller derby.  I tracked my calories occasionally trying to stay below 1800 calories on myfitnesspal.com , but I didn't change what I was eating or drinking that much.   In all I lost 12 lbs in 2013.  When looking at that in December of 2013, I decided to take that success and motivation to go further in 2014.

One year, 12 lbs lost in right photo.

  So in 2014 I quit drinking alcohol in the month of January and took my calorie count to 1300 a day.  I wasn't starving, I was feeling good....but slowly the alcohol crept back in and my body ballooned.  I was able to get under 250, actually I got to 240 by March 3, 2014.  Then I hit the plateau and got discouraged.  My body was changing and I wasn't always liking the in between results.  I started to drink a little more and continued to gain a bit back.   I decided to get back on board and after a wonderful anniversary dinner last night, March 31, 2014 - today I start a system.

Today I awoke and started my system:

Weight: 245lbs.
Neck: 14.5
Upper Arm (left): 16.75
Upper Arm (right): 17
Chest: 46  *down 2 inches since the beginning of 2014
Diaphragm: 40 (underbust)
Waist: 44 *up an inch from the beginning of 2014
Abdomen: 51
Buttocks: 51.5
Upper Thigh (left): 29.75
Upper Thigh (right): 29.5
Calf (left): 19
Calf (right): 20
Upper Knee (left): 22
Upper Knee (right) 23

These are my photos from Roller Derby Practice on March 30, 2014

I started my day with my Ionix Supreme as a hot tea, I like this!

For breakfast I had my French Vanilla shake (plain with no additives) and my Natural Accelerator.   The shake doesn't have a chalky consistency at all, but I think I would enjoy it better blended with a banana or something.

At my first snack I tried 2 French Vanilla snack wafers...this was not at all what I had expected.  They don't taste terribly, but don't look like food at all.

It is coming up on lunch and I have said I would eat my "meals" at supper with the family and I am hungry....I mean, yes I am hungry but I am a foodie and the act of eating is sacred to me.  I am hungry to chew!

For lunch now I will make another shake and drink more water.  I am to have 15 cups of water a day (purified) and it seems I can have caffeine free herbal tea... but not purified water doesn't count for my water intake.  I may consider having a protein bar instead of a shake one day if I really need to chew something.

I took an hour walk, as I currently have that kind of time in my afternoons and then had 2 more glasses of water and a IsaDelight Plus - Dark chocolate infused with green tea.  I like the chocolate :)  I plan to have a nice herbal tea before bed with a splash of honey.

Tonight I am planning my 400-600 calorie meal:

Chicken with Maple-Mustard glaze with cooked kale and spinach and some whole wheat bread.

I felt full, I had some non caffeinated herbal tea and my IsaFlush before bed.