VACATION!

We're having an amazing week in Colorado visiting my brother!  Yesterday we visited Rocky Mountain National Park.  OMG! It was amazingly beautiful scenery, just what you would imagine of the Rockies, but it was also beautiful rolling hills. I may or may not have burst into song singing.....

...."the hills are alive!"

I can't tell you how excited I am to start blogging again! I've really missed everyone.  I finished the paralegal certificate program at UNC! Yea! Yea! Yea! I seriously thought that needed 3 yeas. ;). I just mailed the application the the state bar to take the certification exam in October.  

I've been steadily losing weight and gaining muscle, thanks to an amazing product I've been taking (Visalus) and some sweating it out with my amazing trainer.  My weight was stuck, not budging an ounce until I starting drinking these shakes, and they taste amazing too! I've made a strawberry cheesecake smoothie recently that was better than most desserts I've tasted.  I'll post the recipe after I return home!  Wish I could have one now - it will be a yummy homecoming! ;)

More Colorado Pics :)

Boulder Falls

My brother Mike with Julia

Estes Park

Hope all of you are having an amazing summer!  Just wanted to post a quick update to tell you I'm back.  Thanks to all of you who messaged me over the past few months to see how I was doing. Y'all are awesome!

Silent No More

Hi Everyone!  Man it's been way too long...I have so much to say, but it's so late here, 1 a.m.  I've really been coasting with my weight loss, but lately have a new resolve and determination.  My goal is to be less than 150 by the end of the month.  My weight has been bouncing between 150 - 158 for months and I'm now ready to take a stand!

...Life has been so busy and crazy.  I didn't plan to take a blogging hiatus, between school, work, and being a mom, my passion to blog has taken a back seat.  Sorry about my absence, but I'm back now.  I'll try to post regularly, whatever is on my heart at the time.  Posts maybe short...

It feels great to be back...I can't do this without our blogging community.  Seriously, my weight loss stopped when I stopped blogging.  I've missed you.  Can't wait to catch up.

Clinging to this....

Talk to y'all soon.

Cat

Hi friends!  Thanks for all of the sweet messages!  I have the greatest blog friends in the world!  I'm taking the 2nd nutrition class at Cornell and just started Paralegal classes at UNC last week.  The paralegal program is more demanding than I anticipated.  Needless to say I'm looking forward to graduation day, June 9th!

You're probably wondering how weight loss and working out is going?  It's not.  My weight is about the same give or take a pound or two.  At least I haven't gained, right?  I think I only worked out once last week.  My diet is abysmal.  I'm definitely getting back on track in the morning with nutrition and working out! BODYPUMP & SH'BAM here I come!  It definitely takes vigorous effort for me to not to fall away from a healthy lifestyle.  I understand from people who have been living healthfully for years that it becomes second nature, but for me it requires discipline, effort and pursuit.  I also realized I have to keep this blog going to stay on track.

I've been listening to Reshaping It All by Candace Cameron Bure (downloaded from iTunes), and it's made all of the difference in motivating me to get back on track.  This quote from the book recently "spoke" to me:

"Action means I'll have an active role in my life.  I won't sit around waiting for things to change but will take the necessary steps to make it happen.  Things that are important deserve nothing less than vigorous pursuit."

Tell me:  What keeps you on track?  


I hope everyone has a great week.

Take care,


Cat's Belly Fat Cure Facebook Page

Listening to...

...a lecture entitled "The State of America's Health", by T. Colin Campbell, as my classes started at Cornell this week.  Last night I fell asleep listening to it, so tonight the goal is to not fall asleep!  It's actually interesting, I was just really tired.  Now I'm just a little tired, so I thought I'd give it a go.  Being the primary caregiver to 2 young kids all while going back to school is going to be harder than I anticipated, but where there's a will, there's a way!

I also have something else in "the works".  Will let you know when it's official.

While taking these classes, I probably won't post daily; however, my goal is at least twice a week.

So, back to studying. Talk to you this weekend.

Cat's Belly Fat Cure Facebook Page

Week 20 Weigh In, Tried Something Different This Week!

Let me start out by saying all of you who do the BFC are rock stars in my book!  Last week I did the BFC for maybe a day and a half, then my daughter got sick and I ate whatever I could find to eat.  Trying to eat low sugar and tracking what I was eating was far down my list of priorities.  Then I was sick for 2 days.  After being ill my weight was down 5 pounds, but I knew that would be temporary.  It has since leveled out to a weight loss I'm still excited about in week 20 of my weight loss journey.  I weighed in this morning and lost 3 pounds for the week!

I made one big change this week and I think my weight loss reflected that change, drinking MonaVie RVL shakes.  Instead of my normal breakfast I substituted this shake, sometimes made with just water and ice, sometimes with fruit, and/or a little nut butter. Since it provided the antioxidant power of more than 10 servings of fruits and vegetables, or for some other reason, they satisfied my hunger for hours.  I think I ended up eating less as a result.  I think I'll continue this habit for a while and see where it takes me.

(http://monavie.com/products/weight-solutions#!RVLtrade-NUTRITION-SHAKE-MIX)

This week I'm also going to add exercise back in to the healthy mix, starting this morning by training with my personal trainer.  I need to get the fire back for weight loss and working out!  This video really motivated me.  I hope it helps you too.

"It's up to you and what's inside you.  What you put into it is what you get out of it."

Tell me:


Did you shake up your weight loss routine recently?  Did you see results?  Please share, would love some new ideas.


Have a great healthy week everyone.



Cat's Belly Fat Cure Facebook Page

What Changed My Life In A Powerful Way

A few weeks ago I did this post:  A Glimpse Into Part Of What Changed My Life, with every intention of divulging the second part, the most important part of what made me actually stick with my weight loss plan when everything I had tried for years had failed.  What made this time different? I knew it would be different from the very beginning.  I knew I'd be successful!  I stumbled upon some information that literally and physically changed my life.  Let me explain.

I've never been one for a lot of self help books.  I mean I've read my fair share and they all left me excited in the beginning, but then after a few days or weeks, the enthusiasm wained, and my old life returned.  The next thing I knew I was back to where I started with no progress and empty dreams.  So I thought any book that even resembled self help was just a bunch of fluff and no help to me.  I thought, it's not me, it couldn't be my fault, I just haven't found the perfect diet, and so my search continued.

Then I discovered The Rock Star Life and my whole life changed, for good.  It gave me the tools to know exactly what I wanted AND how to achieve it. Some of you who read this blog may be thinking, oh I know what I want, I want to lose weight, but this program is so much more.  It encompasses every area of your life, even your sex life ladies, (or gentleman if you're reading this).  You'll never be the same afterwards.  Every single dream you have CAN come true and this program will give you ALL the tools to make it a reality!  For the proof just check out my before and after pics above, and I'm about 7 pounds lighter right now than when that picture was taken.

I mean this has changed my life in such a powerful way I can't keep quiet about it!  I just had to share. :)    There are 3 different membership levels, some affordable, some very affordable.  Just one less dinner or lunch out a month and you've absorbed the cost already.  And you can pay monthly and cancel at anytime, so there's really nothing to lose, but SO much to gain.  Just check out the website here and let me know what you think.

Thanks stopping by my corner of blog world.  Have a good weekend.  Just don't party like a rock star, you may not make your health goals ;).

Take care,




Cat's Belly Fat Cure Facebook Page

Sickness Abounds

What a craaa-zy sick week this has been.  Our household, me included, has been struck with this awful stomach virus, flu thing that's just been awful.  Thankfully I'm feeling much better this afternoon, since I have to run the hardware store tomorrow.

On a positive note between healthy eating and surviving a stomach bug, I think I'll have weight loss to report on Monday! ....silver lining, you know.

In my blogging absence just wanted you to know I haven't fallen off the wagon into a big pan of brownies or anything ;).

I'll resume regular posting tomorrow night, assuming the last well person in the house is not sick by then...fingers crossed.



Cat's Belly Fat Cure Facebook Page

I Need A Jumpstart

I've decided to shock my body, in a good way, of course. I'm really tired of being stuck at this weight and I'm ready to do what it takes to get things moving in the right direction. I love exercise and think its fundamental to any healthy lifestyle, but it can't make up for poor eating habits and consuming too many calories or the wrong types of food. I've decided to actually do The Belly Fat Cure, for a while anyway.  This morning I sipped this super yummy shake:  Earth Fare Show Me The Whey (natural vanilla flavor), 1/3 cup blackberries, 2T chia seeds, stevia packet.

My daughter is at home sick from school today.  I think all together I only got about 2 hours of sleep last night.  She's feeling a little better, so I'm hoping she'll go to school tomorrow.

Since my daughter was sick, I rescheduled my personal trainer appointment for tomorrow morning.  I was a little nervous about it, since I told him last week that I wasn't sore from our session.  I think he'll make sure I'm sore this week! I'm ready to shake things up with exercise too! Changing from 1 weekly session to 2, starting this week if I can schedule it in with work and sick children.

Since I need to track sugars and carbs, I'm using My Fitness Pal.  It's super user friendly and easy to use.  You can check out my food diary here.

Trying to make good use of my time today while Ashleigh is sleeping, working from home today.  I better get back to work, but wanted to check in with y'all and say hi.  Hi!

I hope everyone has a great Tuesday!

Take care,

Cat's Belly Fat Cure Facebook Page

Do You Want It?

In the last few weeks I'd lost my vigor for this lifestyle, and my "draw a line in the sand" healthy attitude had all but disappeared. Even my weight had started creeping up, but don't worry I'm not abandoning ship, and my weight is now creeping back down.  For me to lose weight it has to be a passionate belief in a way of living, eating, and exercising, or I can't be successful.  I have to believe in it to my core, and have clear guidelines to adhere to or I become tossed about like a ship in the ocean.  One of the main keys to my success, especially in the beginning was limiting starches in the evening.  In the last 6 weeks I've been experimenting with other things, which left me without clear structure in the evenings, and open to old patterns of behavior, the same ones that resulted in a weight of 190 pounds.

So now, what's a girl to do?  I could just give up.  If you read this blog regularly, you know that is not going to happen!  Or I could recommit to this lifestyle with newly defined objectives and goals, with a clear action plan of how to achieve them.  I also realize I need an updated definition of "why".  When I'm face to face with temptation, what's going to keep me out of that cookie jar at 11 P.M. when no one else is watching. The "why" can stop you in your tracks and make all of your dreams come true.  So for the sake of being transparent, I thought I'd just define all of these right here for all of my friends to see.

Why will I stay committed to living a healthy lifestyle?

• To live a long and healthy life with great quality of life
• To be a great role model for my 2 girls
• To be an inspiration and help for others to achieve a healthy life
• To feel great
• To have increased self confidence 
• To be a Hot Mama (just being honest) and feel sexy :)

Action Plan:

• Take responsibility and love myself enough to achieve it
• Base meals around protein, fruits, and vegetables (plant or animal protein)
• No/low starch after 3 P.M. 
• Eat often with a goal of every 3 hours
• No eating after 8 P.M. (For some this step won't matter, but for me late night eating is a big stumbling block!)
• If I fall short of these steps, don't give up, and recommit to this plan immediately
• Exercise 5 days per week: weight training, cardio, fitness classes

Do you want it?  I KNOW I do!  Now I know why and how to get it.  

If your weight loss has stalled, I recommend defining "your" why and how.  It just may be the extra little push needed to stick with your plan.  

Thanks for the support, it helps me more than you know.

Take care,

Cat's Belly Fat Cure Facebook Page

5 Pounds & WIAW

On my last post when I asked what has contributed to your weight loss success, the most common answer was "our little weight loss support blog community."  I couldn't agree more!  I wouldn't have been successful without all of your support and friendship.  It's been a rough past few weeks for me and I've gained 5 pounds, yes 5 pounds!  I've been back on track since the new year, but I can tell it's going to be slow getting these 5 pounds back off, even though I have so much more to lose.  Seriously I can easily gain a pound a day if I don't watch it.  I don't know if it's because I have no thyroid or if it's just the way God made me, but weight loss for me takes a great deal of dedication and discipline. I could blame it on the holidays or the chocolate almond butter, but the truth is it's me standing in the way of my success.  So I've returned to my mindset in the beginning, "I can do this today!"  Being successful today is all I'm thinking about, even in the last few days this mindset has made all of the difference and I feel a momentum building as one healthy day leads to another.  I've found the first day or 2 is really difficult, then after a few days it becomes so much easier, not to say this is easy, just easier.  Thanks for your support!  Y'all are awesome!

That's my big confession, phew! I feel so much better now.  :)

On to What I Ate Wednesday... I recently purchased a Vitamix! Yea, so lots of smoothies lately and today was no different.








Breakfast on the go with one of these:

Lunch today was leftover Mexican Bean Soup, very delicious & easy. Did I mention cheap, as well.  Since buying the Vitamix, I needed cheap:

Snack #1:

"before"

"after"

My youngest said, "eww it's brown! I don't like it."  After convincing her to taste it, she loved it, finished hers, and wanted some of mine.  The oldest didn't like it, which is typical.

Snack #2:  a couple of cuties, well almost.  My daughter stole my last half. :)  I was really proud of myself for eating this snack because I wanted bread.  And since I don't eat flour filled food in the evening and I would have added butter and probably honey, it was a huge victory for me to avoid it!

Dinner: (sorry no pic) Really delicious sauteed chicken breast tenders, green beans with slivered almonds, and steamed broccoli.  

Dessert:  New concoction, but really tasty

88% dark chocolate (1/3 of a bar), combined with stevia and almond milk.  Since 88% chocolate is too bitter for my taste I added stevia to sweeten, but then I thought it needed some creaminess and since I limit dairy I added almond milk and it was delicious!  Nuts would be awesome in this too!  I just didn't add them because I'd already eaten nuts twice today in my smoothie and green beans.  Definitely will eat this again.   My healthy non-guilty pleasure!

Thanks for listening and thanks even more for the support.  You guys rock!

Take care,


Cat's Belly Fat Cure Facebook Page

2011 Is So Yesterday!

I think my motto for 2012 is going to be "Believe"!  Believe in God.  Believe in yourself.  Believe in your plan.  Believe you can accomplish your goals.  It all starts with believing, at least that's true for me.  I've been coasting for the past 6 weeks, but it's time to step it up.  I have to because I want to accomplish all of my goals, not just the first 30 pounds.

I'm going back to the basics, well sort of, by writing down a nutrition plan as well as an exercise plan.  That worked for me really well in the beginning.  I love coming up with the vision myself (I'm such a rebel) ;), working out the details, and using discipline to stick with it.  That's what it's all about with me! In the beginning I'd say, "I can stick with my plan today.  I can do this for one day."  Then I'd do it again the next day.

I'm facing some challenges in the next few months, but day by day I'll get there.  I'm confident of that.  Can you tell I'm exciting about the new year? I love new beginnings and thinking about today and the future.

Well it's really late here on the east coast, so I better not get too excited or I won't be able to sleep ;).  That would happen to me in the beginning, I would feel so passionate about all I was going to accomplish and what it would take to get there, I couldn't get to sleep until 3 or 4 am.  I love passion; life would be so dull without it, don't you think?

Tell me:  What's the top 1 or 2 things that have contributed to your weight loss success?

Well, goodnight everyone and Happy New Year.  I send my wishes for a happy, healthy new year, may all of your dreams come true!  

Have a great 1st.

Cat's Belly Fat Cure Facebook Page

My Secrets To Losing 30 Pounds This Year and 2012 Goal Setting

I'm really exciting to see what the new year brings for you and me.  I'm sure there will be challenges, but so much fun to experience it all! I'm ready to accomplish my goals. Are you?


Cat's Belly Fat Cure Facebook Page

Almost forgot about the par-tay! WIAW & the best oatmeal ever!

It's what I ate Wednesday. Love the party of at Jenn's!  with all of the cool eats & pics.  Who knows, you may even make a new friend or 2.




O.K. on with what I've been eating:
Breakfast:

(oats, Justin's Chocolate Almond Butter, pink lady apple, vanilla, stevia, coconut)  This oatmeal was SO good!
Lunch:

(left over fruit from Christmas brunch, raw red bell pepper, steamed green beans, and Dr. McDougall's Black Bean Soup)

my kid's creation, "colorful unicorn" (they wanted me to include it)

Christmas Brunch:

(included in WIAW because the berries are so pretty :)  My youngest ate mostly berries and nothing else. 
Dinner: Chick-fil-a char-grilled chicken salad with honey mustard dressing
and
Too Much Snacking:
on this

 Dear Chocolate Almond Butter,I love you and our time spent together.  It was some of the happiest times of my life, but I think I need to see other nut butters.  Can we still be friends?
Love,Cat
O.K., all kidding aside, I do think I need to abstain from nut butter for a while.  I have not used great self control and moderation, so I'd rather just not have them because they're hindering my progress.  

Not the greatest picture, a little fuzzy, but it captures the emotion and pride of accomplishing something difficult and worth achieving.  Before I started this journey I was a size 16-18 or 1X in a shirt, yes a plus size.  When I first tried this shirt on in the store, I tried on a large and it hung well below my bra.  I just couldn't believe it because there was no way I was a medium! I haven't seen a medium for a decade, but I tried it on and it fit.  I actually loved it so much, I ended up buying 3 satin blouses, all in a medium!  I think I'll stay away from the mall for a while too ;).  
My point is that giving up nut butter for a while to regain control is so worth the feeling in this picture.  Giving up something so small and insignificant is so worth receiving something so much greater in return.  I mean increased self confidence and a sexy blouse is so worth it!
Just think when those around you are indulging in something sinfully delicious and you're not, just think of all you will receive in return for just forgoing a few delicious bites.  
"Don't trade what you want for what you want right now."- Scot Ferrell
(I think I need to post this in my kitchen ;)
Tell me:
Do you have quotes posted in your living area to keep your focus on living a healthy lifestyle?  If so, what are they? Please share.  
Thanks for listening this evening.  "Talking" with you really helps me stay in this healthy journey for the long haul.  Sometimes I think I could revert back in an instant to my old ways, but I know I never will because I've gained so much from this lifestyle that I'll never go back.  It's not just about looking better, it's about feeling better, increased self confidence, a better role model for my children and so much more.  I just  want to improve myself everyday and help others do the same.  It really feels amazing!
Take care,
Cat's Belly Fat Cure Facebook Page

Fascinating!

Fascinating video on calorie density!  I definitely could stand to get some foods that are calorically dense out of my diet! Hey, maybe my weight loss would speed up again? Hmm...I think an experiment is in order.  This guy makes so much sense.  Take a listen and tell me what you think. (And he's funny too ;) This kind of stuff really excites me and it could apply to any diet really.

I can't wait to try it out!  I love experimenting.  How exciting!

Can you tell I love this stuff?

Thanks for listening.  Talk to you soon.

Cat's Belly Fat Cure Facebook Page

BIG News!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!  It was a nice quiet Christmas at home this year, well as quiet as it can be with 2 young kids. ;)

I have some really BIG news!!! in addition to the classes I'm starting at eCornell in a few weeks, I've embarked on another learning opportunity as well.  I've decided to get certified as a personal trainer through the National Academy Of Sports Medicine!  At the same time I'll pursue the coursework and the exam to become a Fitness Nutrition Specialist.  I'm definitely going to be busy, but it's what I love, fitness and nutrition!  Really.  On our family vacations it was the norm for me to carry books on nutrition to read just for fun, AND usually more than one book!   It's gonna be a fun ride!

On the weight loss front, my weight has stayed about the same.  I've been working out, but my nutrition has not been stellar.  It's time to cut out the junk and get more serious about healthy living, at least 95% of the time.  I did go to the gym tonight for Cardio and BODYFLOW.  BODYFLOW is a mix of Yoga, Tai Chi, and Pilates, and I found it to be both challenging and relaxing.  Once a week I'm trying to incorporate a balance and flexibility class, and this one definitely hit the mark.  Tomorrow morning is my training session with Dane, very challenging, but not relaxing. ;)

This quote really spoke to me today when I saw it.  Fear was holding me back for a long time, imprisoning me.  Until I made the decision to face my fear, it always controlled me, making me unaware of my true potential. Now I'm free, free to pursue my dreams.  Walt Disney was right!

Tell me:


After conquering fear, what goal or action did you achieve?  


Sometimes fear still takes hold of me and tries to exert it's control.  Each time I face fear and move past it, it's teaching me to have more faith in God and more confidence in my own abilities.  My fear usually involves something I think is too hard or requires too much effort, or talent that I seem to think I don't possess.  But then God shows me it's not too hard, I can put forth the effort, and I am talented enough.  It's amazing how things fall into place once fear is conquered!

I just want to encourage you to face your fear.  Amazing accomplishments will follow.

Thanks for stopping by my cyber corner of the world.  I hope you have an awesome Tuesday.

Take care,

Cat's Belly Fat Cure Facebook Page

What's Happening? I'm Going Back To School? What?

Wow, it's been too long since my last post.  I've been working, working out, getting ready for Christmas, going to a Carolina game, and doing a video interview.  Yes, a video interview, that was the special thing on Monday; it was so much fun!  I think I could get used to being in front of the camera ;).

Some pics from Monday:

I can't tell you how much I enjoyed the day.  It was a blast!

I'll let you know when the interview goes live.  

I'm still trying to keep up working out amidst the festivities.  Last night I went to the group fitness class, Body Pump and Body Combat.  I thought I had lost my mind doing 2 challenging classes back to back, but several others did as well, so I thought if they could do it so could I.  I lost steam about 1.5 hours through, but powered through to the finish.  It definitely challenged me in a good way!  Today I'm going to Body Pump again, not sure if it's a good thing since I just went last night...hmm, but I want to take the class from a friend of mine.  Can't wait to take her class!

Last night after my workout I made this super yumm-o super food smoothie:

Strawberries, banana, chia, Sambazon azai puree, spinach, stevia

Doesn't look like the most appetizing drink, but it was SO DELICIOUS.  My 4 year old loved it & had 2 servings, even wanting more.  She said it was so good!  If you have trouble getting kids to eat greens, put them in a smoothie & they'll love it! Really.

I've also enrolled in Cornell University, eCornell to obtain a Certificate in Plant Based Nutrition.  I've been interested in this program for quite some time.  I love studying nutrition and how food effects my body; food as medicine is awesome and amazing!  If you've seen the documentary Forks Over Knives (just click the link for the website), it reports the life saving benefits of a plant based diet.  If you haven't seen the documentary make sure to watch it, and it's on Netflix now.  It will change your life.

Well a busy day ahead, working out, cleaning house, shopping, grocery shopping, and taking care of all of those last minute details before Christmas, so I best get moving!  It was great talking with y'all through my blog.

Thanks for stopping by checking out my little corner of the world.  If I don't talk to you before, have a Merry Christmas!

Take care,

Cat's Belly Fat Cure Facebook Page