Well THAT Was Weird!!!

I never dreamed I would throw a perfectly good dinner away. . . but I did. 

Yesterday was the wedding of my Dad-in-Law and his new Wife. They had a sweet short ceremony with family and friends, followed by a catered dinner buffet. It was lovely.

I had worried all day about eating healthy, but turns out I really didn't need to worry. I had forgotten to drink my Shakeology before we left to get all the food, so I had my daughter bring it to the wedding. . . 

And I was struck with an extremely odd dilemma...

I had all this healthy food in front of me. . . 

I had planned for the healthy food . . .

I didn't want the healthy food. . . 

I WANTED the Shakeology! 

Who gives up a roast beef dinner for a protein drink? Really?

Turns out yes, really. 

I ended up throwing away most of my dinner, and I drank the Shakeology instead. And I was perfectly satisfied. 

I. Did. Not. Expect. That. !.

I wish I could explain what happened, but this is all new to me also. I CAN share what Shakeology is though. And maybe that will explain what is going on. 

• BeachBody refuses to use artificial sweeteners (Which is great as I am refusing to eat them anymore. I only eat natural sweeteners ie; honey, agave, etc)

• It's identified as a "Superfood" that is Nutrient Dense.

• It's loaded with Premium Protein and Amino Acids that help build lean muscle and reduce cravings. (I have NOT craved Diet Coke for a week since I started Shakeology. . . if that says anything)

• It's got Antioxidants and Super-fruits that help fight free radicals and support your Immune System. Free radicals are one element that encourages cancer in bodies. (The immune system protection was why I was willing to finally give it a chance!)

• Phytonutrients and Super-Greens are also in it. They support health and vitality. 

• Adaptogen Herbs that help body adapt and respond to the effects of Stress in your life.

• Shakeology has Probiotics, Prebiotics and Fiber that support the gut, help with regularity and healthy digestion. (I do NOT have a large intestine, so "regularity" is not a problem for me. But what I've found is that I am not as "loose" as I used to be! It's helping MY gut too! Yay!)

• It has digestive  Enzymes that help with nutrient absorption (which is HUGE for me and others with IBS, Ulcerative Colitis, Crohns, are Underweight, have had Gastric Bypass surgery, etc. This is another reason why I am giving Shakeology a chance. Nutrient absorption is huge with me. I am somewhat malnourished because of my J-pouch. Seems like the only "nutrient" that doesn't have a problem getting through is fat. )

• And Shakeology has Vitamins and Minerals that support Key body functions. 

As I type this list I think I can see WHY my body craved the Shakeology over the salad and meat. . . It's because I can DIGEST and ABSORB it! Interesting....

So this is a report to myself, and an accounting to you my readers, and also information for those seeking a healthier lifestyle. 

I survived the wedding. I ate healthy. And I found out a little bit more about myself. 


As I contemplated if I should write this on my Sabbath, I decided that this WAS appropriate. I believe that God has given us our bodies to take care of. We only get one of them and we don't get to trade them. We get them with all their glory, and all their problems. 
Our bodies teach us a lot if you really think about it. And no one is going to take care of  them for us! WE have to make that CHOICE whether or not we are going to treat them as the temples we are told they are. Even if.

I have a picture hanging in my home that I love. It says:

Sometimes we get to have the healthy bodies from the start, and we get to keep them through out our lives.

And Sometimes we have bodies that aren't so healthy, or that have become unhealthy, either by our own choice or by accident, and we have to live in them. 

For me, the storm is raging. And for me, I choose to let God calm me and protect me. I have done everything I could for my sick body. I have tried to keep healthy, but found that I was starting to drown in the sea. 

Beach body and Shakeology are my lifevest, put in my life at a time, I believe by God - through friends - that is giving me a chance to save the health that I have left. 

I can say that I am glad I started this journey. I feel stronger than I did a week ago. I am 3 pounds lighter than I was a week ago. I feel more energized than I was a week ago. I can say that something is happening here. It will be interesting to see if it lasts long term. I hope that it does.

If you would like more information you can comment below. I hope that you all have a wonderful day, and know that someone cares enough to write this blog so that you can maybe find your way to a healthier YOU!  I am not doing this to sell product. I am doing this because I know how much people can hurt. How much they can feel helpless and alone and not know where to turn for help when they have tried everything they can to feel better. I am hoping that you can follow my journey and perhaps better yours as well.

I'd like to hear from you if you'd care to comment on your own journey! 

My Father in Law is Getting Married!

It's Today!

at 5pm. My Dad-in-Law is getting Married!

He's spent this last year alone after my mother-in-Law passed away from dementia. It's been a lonely year for him and I am so happy that he found someone to enjoy his life with. After 15 years of caretaking, I think he deserves this. He is one of the best old men I know! I am so happy to see him happy. 

And his finace' soon-to-be-wife is a sweetheart also. She too was a caretaker and lost her sweetheart right around the same time. It's fun for me to see them both so happy and giddy and giggly. Just like people who are engaged and dreaming of the future should be! Age here is not a factor. Happiness is.

So one would wonder WHY this is on my blog about my health struggles and my journey to get healthy, eat healthy, and live healthy...

IT'S A WEDDING FOLKS!

There is unlimited food and cake. . .while I am trying to be healthy. . . I'm pretty sure that there is a little bottle somewhere that has liquid calories that they add special to wedding food. That's the only way to explain wedding poundage. . . yeah. You know what I'm talking about! 

I'm like....

And I learned a long time ago in this family- that this is the way to get the pickin's....

So you see my dilemma here!!! There is a buffet, with people that LOVE buffet's, and a cake at the end. A homemade cake might I add...

...except I just realized that I'm Gluten Intolerant...

...So I guess I don't have to worry about the cake now. pooh...

When we are faced with challenges in life, we are also faced with choices in how we are going to handle those challenges. We can choose to just "wing it" - I've had a lifetime of that. Or we can choose to "Plan ahead". I don't care what diet you are on, or if you even are on one. I don't care if you are underweight, or morbidly obese. The choices are the same. 

I said before, Getting Healthy is a mind game. 

are you in or are you out?

If you chose to be in, then REMEMBER WHY you made that choice in the first place! (it is a good idea to write your "WHY" down and post it somewhere you can see it to remind you of your goals.)

Here are some tips that I have learned over the years to help you get past challenges like this:

• EAT before you go!

• Take a treat, or food that you can eat, with you!

• Use my health as an excuse if you want! I'm gluten Intolerant so I can't eat that! (wink, wink)

• If you want to eat something not on "plan", drink a full glass of water first and wait for 10 minutes.

• Move more to cover those extra calories. Dance like no one is watching. They might be filming, but they are definitely not watching. If they are, ignore them and enjoy yourself! Be the life of the party instead of the wallflower! As a former wallflower, trust me on this!

• Realize that social situations are just that. Social. Not a food trough. It's tough because we use social situations as reasons to eat instead of socialize! TALK to People! and get your nose out of your phone! Enjoy the celebration!

• Take a smaller dish, and leave the outside rim clear. Only fill up the inside, and use 1/2 the space for steamed or fresh veggies, 1/4 for carbs and 1/4 for protein. and LOTS of water! 

• Alchohol has a lot of empty calories. So does Soda. Even diet soda can be detrimental to your health! (Look at this study!)

• Use H.A.L.T. which means: Are you HUNGRY, ANGRY, LONELY or TIRED? If you are Hungry, then eat. If you aren't but are one of the others, then deal with that emotion or need. DON'T EAT YOUR FEELINGS!

•  Be Happy with who you are! If you eat a piece of cake, eat a small piece of cake! The first bite tastes just like the last bite, except you don't feel as crappy. So just eat a bite and then throw the rest away, or smoosh your napkin in it or pour a drink over it to make it inedible. (dont' put milk on chocolate cake... that makes it MORE edible AND you have cake AND chocolate milk at the end... I mean a bird told me that...) 

• And last but not least, If you screw up, Forgive yourself and move forward. This is probably the hardest one to do, and the easiest to make a habit of. the key words in this advice is FORGIVE AND MOVE FORWARD. You're not a pig, so don't wallow. move.

My plans for tonight? I am saving my Shakeology to drink as we drive to the wedding. It will fill me up and give me the energy I need to CHOOSE to stay on Plan, and to keep on my road to healthy! 

Wish me luck!

IF you would like to join me on my journey and have questions about Beach Body or Shakeology, I'd love to chat with you. Just leave me a comment with your email. You can also reach me on facebook.

Today's Shakeology Recipe:

in Blender add:

8-12 oz cold water

1 scoop Chocolate or Vanilla Shakeology

Purple container mixed berries (frozen make a thicker shake)

1/4 teaspoon vanilla

scoop of ice

Blend on high until mixed. Drink to your health Friends!