Dear Cinch, I'm Sorry.

You've been so good to me...but I keep cheating on you. It's true. My lack of willpower has gotten the best of me....... again. 

It's not THAT bad, but I've gained about two pounds in the last two weeks. I've had to add in oatmeal to my mornings (to help with milk supply for Luke) which has added some calories...but the truth is it's the snacking at work. I've never felt the need to snack while delivering the mail- but recently I feel like I have to. I really need to nip this in the bud and stop. I have been doing better the last two days, I haven't taken any snacks with me, just my Cinch Bar. I'm hoping to see some more positive results soon.

Exercise is now impossible. I am working 6 days a week, 9 hours a day....when I get home it's cooking, cleaning, bathing, helping with  homework and then I eventually sleep. Of course, I do burn some calories at work, I lift many heavy objects as well as walk up driveways to deliver packages- but really it's not THAT much. 

The end of the program is getting closer... I have November and December to make a SERIOUS change in my body. It can be done, but it will take effort. I need to reach down deep and find the strength in me to really make the most of these final two months. I want an amazing after picture...and right now I don't see enough of a change in my body to even consider an "after picture". 

What are things that you find motivating?

Back on track! #Cinchspiration

So, it's been about two weeks since I have last posted about my progress with Cinch. Last time, I was having a difficult time keeping with the program. I had fallen off the wagon. 

Well, I am happy to say that I am back on track (mostly) and I'm down to 212.2 lbs... still more than my lowest weight with Cinch, but I'm getting back down there. 

One HUGE thing that I need to do more of is exercise. I don't get any exercise in right now. NONE. That is KILLING my results. I know I need to do more, but I really don't see when I can fit them in. When I *do* have a spare moment, I need to blog, do laundry, wash dishes, clean house, and a bazillion other things... or at least in my mind those are priorities that come first.

This has definitely been my biggest challenge.

Running to catch up.

I've fallen of the Cinch wagon... and then rolled down the hill a couple miles. Ugh. Yes,sadly I caved and started eating stuff I wasn't supposed to. It all started when the chilly weather set in. I have to say it is very hard for me to eat a cold meal for breakfast and lunch when it's cold outside. 

Now, I am running to catch up. I want to get back on that wagon! I am re-committing myself and starting tomorrow, I will be back to Cinching full force. The worst part of all this is I've gained nearly 10lbs in a week! A WEEK! Now, some of that is bloating and water weight...but I know some of that is fat too. :( I can tell my jeans are tighter too, and that is super uncomfortable. My current weight is 216.8 lbs.  I'm hoping that the water weight will come off and I will be down to 210 in a week. That's my goal! 

Cinch me, baby...one more time. #Cinchspiration

So, after my disappointing weight gain recently, I got slightly depressed, but as of this morning I am 207.2lbs! Woohoo! 

For the most part, the Cinch Inch Loss Plan has been one of the easiest diets I have been on. Everything is laid out and right there for you. The Transformation Pack makes it so easy. I do have to say there are days that I want other food, but really I can't complain!

Bananas have been my best friend along this journey...they are a staple in my shakes. I love how they really thicken the shake up and add a boost of flavor. Plus, they're good for you and give you the potassium you need.  I have also finally found a way to drink my tea... I add it to (artificially sweetened) sweet tea and it is much easier to consume. I find that the tea has a very smoky flavor which isn't my favorite...so I had been skipping it. I'm glad I added it back in and I am excited to see if it aids in my loss!

Well, until next time.... 

Oh no, the scale says I've gained. #cinchspiration

Sadly it's true. The last couple weeks have been nuts. If you remember from my last Cinch update post, my husband had some major back surgery just a couple weeks ago.

My weight had been holding steady at 208, but as of today I am 212.2. Although, I am happy to report that my measurements say I have lost! 

Oh yes!  Total inches lost to date... TWENTY! Woot Woot! 

I honestly think the weight gain has to do with "Aunt Flo" who just arrived today. I have also been super craving chocolate... but not the Cinch kind. REAL, not-good-for-me-because-I-can't-eat-it-in-moderation chocolate. 

The last couple weeks have been so much different for me. I am a working mom...of seven. I relied heavily on my wonderful husband, but now he needs to rely upon me and heal. My husband can't help me with the kids, or the chores, for a few months... so I'm on my own (except when my mother-in-law so kindly does the dishes I leave in the sink from dinner!).  I have been so busy!  I am much, much more active. Aside from walking to work every day, my exercise includes running around taking care of the chores and kids. I've been so busy I have even skipped some "meals", usually my lunch shake/bar. I have found that it hasn't helped me lose...and I am wondering if it is making me gain, so I need to get back to the program and remember to do both my meals.

Really though, Cinch makes it so easy. The shakes and mealbars are very simple to make/grab and go. I am also SO excited because Shaklee has added a new product to the Cinch line... 

YAY YAY YAY!

I cannot explain how happy this makes me...really. There's so much sweet in the Cinch Inch Loss Plan that you really crave some salt. The Crisps are a much needed addition! 

Okay... and here is my Cinch Shake recipe of the week...

Banana Bread Shake

10oz Almond Milk (Original)- or whatever milk you prefer

3/4 Banana

4 Ice Cubes

A sprinkle of Nutmeg

A shake of Cinnamon

Blend and Enjoy!

My Cinch Update #Cinchspiration

So, I haven't lost anything in the last week. Thankfully I haven't gained anything either! My weight is still 208.6lbs (okay, so I've gained .2lbs). 

Just a few minutes ago I found out my husband's surgery will be moved up to Wednesday the 8th. That's TWO days away. I am very nervous about this, both for him and our family, but for how it will affect my weight loss as well. 

Last time I lost a significant amount of weight my husband had surgery when I was at my lowest weight. I gained it all back. Stress and I can go two ways. I either stress and don't eat a thing (which hasn't happened in a long time) or I eat everything in sight (the usual since I have been married). 

The truth is, I treat food as my luxury. This is something I have been working on changing, though.  

As for the Cinch program itself. It's still going pretty well. I do not like the energy tea, so I have been skipping that- but other than that I like everything. I do wish that there was something salty in the kit. Everything is sweet... sweet shakes, sweet meal bars, sweet snack bars. I start craving salty things at times. Thankfully I can usually get my salty cravings in during supper. 

I want to share with you my favorite Cinch shake recipe.

Ingredients:

8oz of Almond Milk (original flavor)

5 ice cubes

2 scoops vanilla (or chocolate) Cinch shake mix

A sprinkle of instant coffee

Put in a blender and blend until smooth. It is yummy! I do have to warn you all though, if you put too much instant coffee in it isn't very good. A light coffee flavor is best with the Cinch shake, in my opinion.

Well, thanks for reading- I hope you all are enjoying August! I'll probably be quite preoccupied for the next week or so, but look for more updates soon!

I like food.

Oh how I need to remember that phrase. I LOVE food. I love eating. 

When I was a kid my parents were "clean your plate" parents. Now, I didn't have to worry about my weight as a kid- I was always thin.... until I was 13.  Then the weight started packing on. As a kid, I was told I was to eat everything, even if I didn't like it. That was the rule, and I learned to like nearly everything ( I still don't like sauerkraut or mustard... everything else I can eat). Now that I am a parent I understand why my parents wanted me to clean my plate. Food is expensive, and I still don't like waste. I still have a hard time throwing away my kids' food that is half eaten. My parents often used the "kids in Ethiopia are starving" fact to guilt me into eating- and I still feel guilty when I don't finish a meal. 

 Since I learned to eat pretty much everything, I want to eat pretty much everything. The problem is my habits aren't healthy. I definitely don't always make the best food choices. Easy meals are my favorite. I hate waiting for food, especially when I am already hungry. Fast meals full of preservatives and junk are what tend to land on my plate after a long day at work or busy day with the kids. I eat too much meat and carbs and much too few vegetables and fruits. This I am trying to change.

As of Monday, July 30th, I am down to 208.4lbs. Four weeks ago I started the Cinch Inch Loss plan, I weighed 225lbs then. I've lost a lot of weight in the last month, and I am SO proud of myself. This month I have learned to "eat" something at every meal and eat a snack. Before Cinch I would often eat just one meal a day... a HUGE meal usually. I would often head to work without breakfast, skip lunch, and then gorge when I got home. Eating breakfast, lunch, dinner and a snack has been great! I am learning proper portions (although I still struggle at times with this... I still have 5 months to learn :) ), I am learning to eat plenty of protein but also get more fruits and vegitables. I am learning that eating regularly helps keep my body satisfied and I am learning that no food tastes as good as skinny feels. I've heard that saying a lot- but I enjoy food. Over the last few years when I tipped the scales at nearly 250 pounds I have had the worst self esteem issues. I felt worthless and lazy and just blah. Losing some of this weight has already given me a boost of confidence and I am feeling a lot better about myself. It feels great- and it's worth missing all the delicious food. 

I am still on a journey with 43.6 pounds still to lose, but I CAN do this. I MUST do this... for my kids, for my husband, but most of all for me.

Nine pounds and 11 inches...GONE with Cinch! #Cinchspirtation

WootWoot! Update time!

So, it's been two weeks since I started the Cinch Inch Loss Plan. This morning when I stepped on the scale I was pretty happy to see it down to 216lbs. I started this journey weighing 225lbs....and in the last two weeks I have lost 11 inches as well!

I've started walking at least 5 times a week, and I plan on starting jogging after my 6 week postpartum checkup next Monday! This will be huge, because I have never been a runner. I have asthma, and exercise has always been difficult for me because of it- but I *want* to do this, so I will try!

I'm getting used to only eating one meal a day. Some days I am pretty hungry, so I usually have a piece of whole wheat toast with some peanut butter on it- that usually cures the hunger pains. I'm really getting into experimenting with different shake recipes as well... so I will share some of my favorites in the upcoming weeks!

I will be also posting my first video journal soon, so be on the look out for that!

This is a sponsored post as part of the Shaklee Corporation’s Team #Cinchspiration Campaign. I have received free products, online support and incentives for participating. My opinions are my own.

My #Cinchspiration Journey Starts Today!

I am so excited to have been chosen as one of 50 bloggers to embark on a six month journey with Shaklee Coorporation's Cinch Inch Loss Plan. 

The Cinch program seems simple enough. I replace breakfast and lunch with a shake or a meal bar, eat a Cinch snack bar and drink some Cinch tea.... eat a healthy dinner and take 3 metabolism boosters a day.

This simplicity makes me feel like my goals are attainable. The shakes and the meal bar seem simple and easy enough to make quickly so that I stick with the program. I have to say, I am SO excited.

Now...here's my most dreaded part. The most embarrassing part, really. I have to share my before info with you all.

7-1-2012

Ugh. That's tough. I'm definitely NOT proud of how I have let myself go... 

Weight as of 7-2-2012- 225lbs

6-29-2012 Measurements in inches

I was shocked to see my fat percentage (as calculated by CinchWellness.com) so high. Nearly 60% of me is fat?! Ugh. Well... that's going to change. 

My Goal

Become more healthy and more conscious of what I consume. Eat to live...not live to eat.

Weight- 165 or less.

My biggest goal is to fit into my jeans from 8 years ago... 

I am a little behind the other fantastic bloggers involved in this journey. I had to start a couple weeks late since I had to be with Luke in the NICU, and then I had to get the okay to do this plan from my doctor and his pediatrician since I am nursing. Thankfully I got the okay last week, so today is my start day!

I do want to note that I am not allowed to do exercise more than walking for the first three weeks I will be on the plan, and I will have to keep my dietary intake at a minimum of 1800 calories while I am breastfeeding per our doctors' orders. It's always a good idea to check with your doctor before starting any weight loss or exercise plan.

I will be posting about my progress once a month, as well as posting a video of my progress once a month. Keep an eye out to see how I do!

This is a compensated post as part of the Shaklee Corporation’s Team #Cinchspiration Campaign. I have received free products, online support and incentives for participating. My opinions are my own.