Weight Loss: Week One Results #DrinkClick

Weight on May 17: 258.2 Pounds

Weight on May 25: 252.6 Pounds

Goal Weight: 150 pounds

Pounds to Goal: 102

***Weight Lost week one: 6 pounds***

SIX POUNDS!!! I know that some of that was simply water loss, but I WILL take it!

Boy... that does feel good!

This morning, I'd like to share my favourite breakfast drink from drinkclick.com/


RECIPE for Blueberry Bliss Breakfast Smoothie:

1/2 Ripe Banana
1/2 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
8 oz. 2% Milk (you can sub with soy, almond, water, etc.)
1 tsp. sweet cream non-dairy creamer
2 ice cubes
2 scoops of Click Caramel Protein Powder

Mix up in a blender and... *sigh*... enjoy!

 On to week two!  More walking... more swimming...

Life is... Click-tastic!

DISCLOSURE:
I received product from CLICK to help facilitate my weight loss journey. I have received no monetary compensation.  The opinions expressed herein are my own and based on my own use of and experience with this item.

#dietenlightenment Diet Enlightenment by Rachel L. Pires

Author Rachel L Pires has written a great little book called Diet Enlightenment.  It's a no-nonsense, common sense approach to weight loss.

Less than 200 pages, Rachel get right to the point: "Dieting" doesn't work.  Conscious, thoughtful, responsible approaches are the keys to successful weight loss.

We must THINK about the foods we ingest daily. We must learn to count calories (actually a very simple task), we must learn to choose carefully the food we put on our plate.



Rachel teaches a positive mindset:  She encourages her readers to actively demonstrate good eating choices until it becomes a natural occurrence.

This is no fly-by-night "diet" book that promises a miracle pill.  Its a book filled with good advice, encouragement, and determination.  She speaks WITH the readers, she doesn't lecture or demean the readers.  I appreciate that.

You may purchase Diet Enlightenment by Rachel L. Pires on Amazon.com for the low price of just $11.48 for the paperback or $8.49 on Kindle.

DISCLOSURE:
I received a copy of Diet Enlightenment to facilitate this review. I received no monetary compensation. The opinions expressed herein are my own and based on my own use of and experience with the item.

The Long Weigh Down

If you look at the top of this blog, you'll see a new page:
The Long Weigh Down

That page will tell the story of my weight-loss journey.  It's name has two meanings: The long time I have been weighed down and the time it will take to lose the weight. 

It's really not easy to admit openly that one is obese. It's not easy to share the struggle. However, I truly believe that sharing is part of the journey.

I invite you to walk along with me... share your stories... hopefully, offer suggestions and encouragement.  I will be happy to cheer you on as well.

I am a long-time member of Spark People -- my member name there is LifeNProgress.  I hope you'll join me there as well.  It's a completely FREE site.  It has weight loss programs, nutrition / exercise trackers, forums, blogs, articles, videos, and more.

In 2009, I lost 66 pounds on the Spark People program.  It was MY OWN fault that I went back to my old way of thinking and eating. I will endeavour not to do that again.

Later, I will post my current weight. It's embarrassing. It's also necessary to success. Denial gets you nowhere.

When I post to my social media pages, I'll be using the hashtag: #LongWeighDown -- I invite you to do so as you join me in this journey.

Terri

Skinny Jane Weight Loss in a Box Review!

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

Over the past week or so, I've been using a new weight loss aid called 

Skinny Jane.

Although sold as either a 28-Day or 8-Week Challenge, I tried it for just one week.

I received the Chocolate-flavoured Protein Shake.  It has a great flavour.  Mixes smoothly.  No clumps and no nasty after-taste.

*It has a special blend of 7 proteins that will curb the appetite for up to 4 hours and leave you energized. One serving has just 100 calories, only 1 gram of sugar, 3 grams of fiber and 12 grams of protein. Skinny Blend will boost your protein intake so you keep your metabolism high while you are losing weight.* 

*Special Blend of 7 Proteins to Maximize Fat Loss and Decrease Appetite

*Scientifically Formulated to Suppress your Appetite, Burn Fat, and Boost Metabolism

*Speeds Weight Loss, Nourishes Your Muscles, and Gives You Energy

*Amazing Taste and Mixes Easily  

I also had a week's supply of both the Skinny Burn Suppressant Supplement and the Skinny Cleanse.

The Skinny Burn does seem to help curb the appetite, especially when taken with a full glass of water. 

*9 cutting edge ingredients to maximize fat loss 

* Helps reduce food cravings 

* Increases energy

* Ignites metabolism (helps burn calories)

* Contains Raspberry Ketones

* 60 capsules per bottle 

Suggested use: 

Take 2 capsules daily with 8 oz. water, one before breakfast, and one around 2 p.m

The Skinny Cleanse will do just that -- cleanse the system. 

*Helps remove toxins from the body

* Speeds weight loss 

* Helps you feel better 

* 15 day formula for fast results 

* 30 capsules per bottle

Suggested use:

Take two capsules daily for 15 consecutive days with 8 oz. water, one before breakfast, and one around 2 p.m. This cleanse is very safe and user friendly. For best results, drink at least 64 oz. water a day.  

I also received a Skinny Jane 7 Day Eating Plan and Instructions.  Very well written, concise, and

detailed for optimum success.

I'd love to report a 10 pound loss (wouldn't we all?), but I can't.  I did lose 3 1/2 pounds in 10 days (weighed Day One, Day 5, Day 10).  That's not bad -- it's a healthy weight loss and I'm pleased with the results.

Just follow the instructions and eat reasonable, balanced meals along with the program's shakes. 

To kick-start your weight-loss journey, this is an excellent program.  There is a lot of support via Skinny Jane's social media pages:   Facebook, @SkinnyJane8 on Twitter, Google+, and Pinterest.

Right now, you may purchase Skinny Jane projects on Amazon.com -- reasonable prices and very fast shipping!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Spark People and me... a continuing journey.

I'm overweight.  I am... obese.

I hate saying that... hate admitting it... hate making it real. But it's true... it real... and it is, at this moment, what I am.

It's been this way for quite a long time. I can even pinpoint exactly when it began: March 1991.  At that time... I stood 5' 3" and weighed 135 pounds.  And now... it's 250+.  No one is to blame -- but me.

I lost my Aunt Louise. She had been my best friend, running buddy, and co-conspirator all of my life. And in March of 1991... she slipped away from me, ravaged by COPD and an addiction to cigarettes as powerful and debilitating as an addiction to heroin.

I took comfort in food. I ate to forget and I ate to hide myself away from the pain. If I had known I was Clinically Depressed, I might've sought a doctor. But I found solace in food. By the time I was 7 months pregnant, I weighed 200 pounds. That was 1992.

In the weeks just before I gave birth, I lost my Pop. In August of 1994, I lost my Nanie.

In all, I lost 27 family members in less than three years. I just kept on eating. Gaining and eating... sometimes, I would only eat once a day... but that's WORSE than eating three times a day!

Finally, in April 2009, I decided enough was more than enough. I looked around for free weight loss programs on-line. I found Spark People.

In the year that I followed the Spark People program, I lost 66 pounds. Oh, I was within reach of my goals. But I just stopped. Fear of success? Laziness? Stupidity? I don't know. I stopped and haven't really gone back.

Until now.

I am not going to allow food and depression control me. I am 53 years old and this is MY life and my time to shine.

If you want to lose weight, get healthier, maintain your weight, learn to eat a better diet, etc. then Spark People may be for you! You can track your nutrition, weight loss, fitness... you can do that at Spark People!

Blogs, forums, trivia, polls... It's all there!

I have a Team that I created several years ago: Team Stitchaway where you meet others, post, talk about anything.

I hope you'll join me at Spark People and start your journey on the road to a healthier you!

DISCLOSURE: This was post was not sponsored by nor affiliated with Spark People. The opinions expressed herein are my own and I received no compensation of any kind.

Measure Up Bowls: Review & Giveaway -- CONTEST CLOSED!

CONTEST CLOSED!

Recently, I was blessed to discover and receive two Measure Up Bowls from Heather at Measure Up Bowls!

These bowls are a true blessing to all of us that are watching our weight and utilizing portion control in our diets.

I love mine. I use them daily -- no kidding. It's so easy to portion out my morning cereal (which is so easy to underestimate!) and milk. I use it for soup, stew, chili... fruit and my beloved Peach Mango Sherbet!

I don't have to wash (or eat out of) the measuring cups now.

You can't truly know just how much you're eating unless you measure everything -- and, let's face it, that's just not always possible. Who wants to stuff lasagna in a measuring cup and then toss it into a bowl or onto a plate? I don't.
Now... I don't have to do that. Just put it into the Measure Up Bowl and it's good to go!

From The Website: The Measure Up Bowls are a solution to portion control at every meal. The Classic is for soups, pastas, rice, cereal, chili, anything you eat out of a bowl. The pre-measured portions on the classic are 1/2 cup to 2 cups. The small Measure Up Bowl is perfect for high fat, calorie dense foods such as chips, ice cream, nuts, and granola. These foods should be enjoyed in a smaller serving size. The pre-measured markings on the interior of the small Measure Up Bowl are 1/4 cup, 1/2 cup, and 3/4 of a cup.

The measurements marked are perfect. They are clear and easy to read -- no guess work here!

The bowls are made of microwave and dishwasher-safe porcelain. Easy to use and easy to clean up.

Heather, the creator of the Measure Up Bowls, was an old hand at dieting. After the birth of her second child, she decided to change her lifestyle and drop the fad diets and the pounds she'd gained.

In her own words: One morning while measuring out my cereal, I though this would be so much easier if the measurements for what I was eating was inside of the bowl I was eating out of. I wouldn't need to wash or store the measuring cups. It would eliminate a whole step. I looked for it and could not find it anywhere. So I started developing the Measure Up Bowl.
That was over two years ago, and with hard work and the loving support of my family and friends I am proud to say the Measure Up Bowl is here! I am even prouder to say it took me about 11 months to lose 80 pounds and I have kept it off for over two years. I continue to experiment with different recipes, exercise routines, and fitness strategies. I am developing many other Measure Up healthy lifestyle tools such as a Measure Up Journal, a plastic children's Measure Up Bowl, and many other fun and exciting products soon to be announced. I have taken every step in this weight loss journey and sincerely hope my experiences and products help you no matter what your goals are.

Heather also developed the The Measure Up Journal, a three-month portion control journal. It helps you track food and beverage intake and measures Calories, Fat, Protein and Carbs for each item. Use with your Measure Up Bowls as a great diet tool! We all know that journaling has been proven to aid in reaching fitness goals!

Where to buy: You can now purchase Measure Up Bowls at Target.com! You'll find them here! The catalog number is:
#12027392

Heather has graciously offered TWO of our readers a chance to win a Combination Set of Measure Up Bowls!

Just follow the instructions below for your chance to win!

USA Only, please!

***NOTICE: You MUST leave your email address in the body of your comment or make your email address visible in your profile. If I cannot contact you -- you can't win!***

Please do NOT leave a comment such as "Enter me" -- or -- "I want to win". I'll delete them. You MUST use the MANDATORY ENTRY
or all other entries will be discarded. I have these entry rules in place for a reason. Thank you!

Please leave a separate comment for EACH entry!
MANDATORY ENTRY:
Please leave a comment sharing your best dieting tip!

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:

1. Follow @GeorgiaMist on Twitter -- leave your Twitter name for verification!

2. Follow Gathering My Roses PUBLICLY via Google Friend Connect (Located on the sidebar)

3. Become a fan of Gathering My Roses on Facebook (link on Sidebar!)

4. Tweet about this contest (no more than once daily, please!) then come back here and leave your Twitter status URL.
@GeorgiaMist Win a Combination Set of Measure Up Bowls! Two Winners! PLS RT!
http://bit.ly/9GIh1W

5. Post the link to this contest on your blog, Facebook, or MySpace page(s) and link back here!

6. Enter another contest on our blog and then come back and tell us which one.

7. Purchase a set of Measure Up Bowls for a friend or family member at
Target.com and send us a copy of the on-line receipt for *5* extra entries!

***This contest will run from Wednesday, March 10 until Thursday March 18. There will be TWO winners chosen!***

DISCLOSURE:
I received a complimentary set of Measure Up Bowls for the purpose of review. I was under no obligation to review this item. I received no monetary compensation. The opinions expressed are based on my own use and experience with the items.