Healthy Lifestyle Update

Hey everyone.

I figured I would leave an update for you all. There were a few people out there who were disappointed that I hadn't updated my blog in awhile. So...here it is!

Since I've been off the Isagenix cleanse I haven't lost any more weight. My weight has fluctuated up and down. I've been tempted in to certain unhealthy eating habits again, but for the most part, my healthy lifestyle is intact. With the exception of some not so good eating days.

I try to get in to the gym as much as possible, but I have been failing in that attempt. Mainly because the gym I use is in horrible condition. It is the typical nightmare gym they talk about. Dark, dank, stuffy and just an overall bad atmosphere to promoted weight loss. The treadmills are in the back, in the dark. You have to climb over all these machines to get to them. Not a positive environment.

I would much rather walk around our neighborhood every morning than go back to that gym. I'm looking around town for a different gym. We'll see how that goes.

But for the most part, my life is getting better. I've trained myself to eat healthier and try to be as active as possible. I'm still hoping that the weight will just drop off, because I've adopted a healthy lifestyle, but I need to put more emphasis on it instead of just hoping that it happens. I need to plan it out better and be consistent.

I will be sure to update you all again.

Thank you all for your continued support.

9 Day Cleanse Overview

Hey everyone.

Wow! What a trip.

I'm so glad I did the 9 Day Cleanse. It really helped me get back on track - Literally. It helped me realize what junk I put in my body. And also, how out of sync I am with my health. While doing this cleanse, I've had to re-evaluate a lot of things. Needless to say, I failed the grade.

However - This 9 Day Cleanse was a real eye opener for me.

I'm going to do a little break down for all of you, so that you can all know what to expect, should you choose to do this for yourselves.

First off, I was surprised to find out that this 9 Day Cleanse is really an eleven day cleanse. I started it with two Pre-Cleanse Shake Days, which they don't count in the program. I guess the purpose of these Pre-Cleanse Days is to prep the body for sudden weight loss.

When first starting off with my Shake Days, I took an accelerator capsule in the morning, along with a shake (chocolate). Then for lunch, I was able to prepare a nice, healthy lunch. For dinner, you're suppose to make a shake as well.

After my two Pre-Cleanse Shake Days, I started my 9 Day program with two Cleanse days. For this, I take an accelerator capsule in the morning, along with 4 oz of Cleanse For Life. You are suppose to take 4 oz of this Cleanse For Life 4 times a day with 8 oz of water. You are also suppose to take the Snack wafers which also come with the program. The wafers aren't bad, but I would prefer to snack on something else like almonds, carrots or a hard boiled egg. They have alternatives for snacking.

After the two Cleanse Days, I started on my Shake Days. They are the same as the Pre-Cleanse Shake Days. A shake in the morning, a healthy lunch, and a shake for dinner. You continue with five of these Shake Days, and then finally, there are two more Cleanse Days in the program.

It turned out to be a long ride, but well worth it.

Here are some of the benefits I saw as I was going through the program.


     - I lost 13 lbs in 11 days

     - I appreciated my food and savored every bite

     - I was not tempted to have caffeinated sweet drinks

     - Candy and/or other processed goodies were not as appealing

     - I was more inclined to eat healthy foods rather than junk food

     - I seemed to go to sleep quicker, stay asleep longer, and feel more rested


The total benefits far outweigh the weight loss which I experienced.

It really gave me a jump start to my "New" healthy life style and gave me an appreciation for my body and what I put in it.

The cleanse was long, but the lunches and the snacks helped change things up a bit. Next time, I will buy the vanilla shake, just because, with vanilla, you have more options; where as Chocolate can get boring after awhile. With vanilla, you can add fruit and other things. Just be sure to watch the extra calories.

This was a unique experience having done the cleanse, due to the fact that I was unable to workout because of my hurt foot. In a good way, this illustrates that you can still lose weight even without changing your way of life too drastically.

I plan on doing the maintenance program through Isagenix. I also plan to keep eating healthy and exercising. I would like to lose 115 lbs in a years time. That would be ideal for me.

I hope you all enjoyed my journey.

But we are far from over.

So please, keep on following along.

Chris

PS   I am deeply grateful for the out poor of support that I got from all around the internet community.

Thank you all!

Day 11

Weight Today: 260
Weight Loss: 2 lbs
Total Weight Loss: 13 lbs

Hey guys!

I'm done with my cleanse and I feel great!

I lost on additional three pounds like I wanted and I'm so happy. This whole experience has really been an eye opener for me. It has really made me appreciate healthy food, and it gave me an excellent jumpstart to my healthy lifestyle.

Thank you all for your support.

It's been real!

Day 10

Weight Today: 262
Weight Loss: 1 lb
Total Weight Loss: 11 lbs

I lost a pound - Woo Hoo! lol

It's kind of exciting when you plateau for a few days. Any how...I'm doing good. Yesterday was my first of two cleanse days and today is my last cleanse day. I'm so excited. I'm sure I'll lose a couple more pounds by the time I'm done.

I hope to make it to the gym today and workout a bit.

Wish me luck everyone!

BTW: My foot is nearly healed. It’s at 99% capacity.

Day 9

Weight Today: 263
Weight Loss: 0 lb
Total Weight Loss: 10 lbs

Yesterday was the last day of my Shake Days for the 9 day cleanse. Today I just started my last two Cleanse Days. I'm hoping to lose some extra pounds before I'm all done with this cleanse. 1 - 3 lbs would be nice.

If not, it's not a total loss, but I'm very hopeful.

I was able to exercise this morning which was very refreshing. I taped my heels so that my shoes wouldn't give me any problems. I walked/ran for a little over 30 mins and covered a distance of over 1.5 miles. I’m working up to being able to walk/run for an hour and to be able to cover at least 3.5 miles.

Before when I was working out, I walked for a minimum of one hour a day. That kept my body healthy on a regular basis. I also tried to get in to the gym to do some muscle training and walk around my neighborhood as often as possible. So an hour a day walking was the minimum, but I was always trying to do extra.

I don't know why, but it feels so good to sweat. It makes me feel like I'm making progress and that I'm maintaining my health. So, that's a plus!

Body feels sooo good right now.

Day 8

Weight Today: 263
Weight Loss: 0 lb
Total Weight Loss: 10 lbs

Second to last day of my shake days. I had a shake in the morning and a grilled chicken wrap with extra lettuce for lunch. Then, as usual, I had a shake for dinner.

I had the chance to get in to the gym yesterday and it felt really really good. I went this morning too, but my gym shoes where causing blisters on my heels. They are not good shoes and I forgot about this. I was only about 15 mins in to my walking and I had to stop. I'll have to remember to tape or cushion my heel somehow. Maybe I’ll go in tonight - IDK.

My foot is doing good. I half expected my foot to really feel bad after having worked out yesterday, but it's doing just fine. My foot is still sitting at about 95 to 98 percent capacity. I hope that it will be 100% by the end of this week.

Day 7

Weight Today: 263
Weight Loss: 0 lb
Total Weight Loss: 10 lbs

Had a shake in the morning along with my accelerator capsule. For lunch I had tuna, cottage cheese, a hard boiled egg and a salad. Good stuff! Then, like every shake day, had another shake for dinner.

I'm noticing some awesome benefits from having done this cleanse. I enjoy my food a lot more. It tastes better and I look forward to having a healthy meal. I've noticed that it has cut my cravings to caffeinated beverages and sweet, carbonated drinks; which is amazing! In the past, I would have some type of caffeinated sweet drink daily. So, I feel that's a big one. If I can at least kick that out of my life, I'm doing good. Also, the appeal for sweet (processed) treats/candy is virtually non-existent. I would much rather have an apple or an orange.

My foot is feeling really good, but it's not up to 100%, so I've still got to baby it for a minute. I will be in the gym by this weekend. That's for sure! And I'm way excited.

When coming off of my cleanse, I have two options. I can imitate the cleanse and drink a Slim Fast instead of a shake and continue to have a healthy lunch, or I can adopt my old health lifestyle. That entails, waking up at 5:30 in the morning, having a slim fast, going to the gym, then around 8:00 or 8:30 I have a healthy breakfast. The healthy breakfast usually entails multi grain toast, some type of fruit, an egg, and probably yogurt and/or cottage cheese. Then, just eat healthy all day (eating smaller portions instead of big meals) and try to snack healthy throughout the day.

This way seems more healthy, but I probably won't lose as many pounds nearly as fast. But, it's a proven system for me, so...that's a plus. If I do that for six months, I'm bound to lose 35 lbs, based on past results.