Ready ... Set... Go!

It's been a long couple weeks. This month has been particularly bad with my hormones. They have been really unbalanced ever since I had my son several years ago and every few months or so they will just rage out of control! Major PMS this past week my friends. Sorry if that's TMI, but I just had to say it. In fact, it was so bad that any strict part of my diet went out the window. I did end up ordering Tracy Anderson's Omnicentric Metamorphosis program and I'm so excited to get started with it! I also got her Perfect Design Series that I ordered from Gilt in the mail the other day!! I'll be getting a new meal plan with the new Omni Dvd's, which I hear is slightly similar to the 30 Day Method book, but also a little different. So this is the plan so far...

The Omni's aren't due to arrive until Tues, so tomorrow I'll start with Cardio from the book and PD1. I'm just going to eat clean. 2 servings of grain (whole grain, wild rice, oatmeal, quinoa, etc) with no grains with dinner. A combo of TA & Jackie Warner rec's. I also need to go out and look for the supplements JW mentioned as I really need to get these hormones under control. As I said before, JW's approach with eating is very similar. She just encourages whole grains twice a day during her diet. She also allows two cheat meals on the weekend under a certain caloric amount. Will I do this? I don't know. I am well aware of what my trigger foods are and while I'm pretty good with self-control, I don't want the cravings. So my "cheat meal" will most likely be something that is still healthy but that I wouldn't eat every day.

I've seen AMAZING results from bloggers and women on Tracy Andersons FB page that did the 30 Day Method!!!! So it does work if you stick to it! I just want to clarify that I wasn't implying that it doesn't. And it was working for me in terms of losing weight and tightening up. But I like to work out hard and the no grain at all thing kicked my butt! I've also heard of women doing well with it by eating clean and following the guidelines but not the strict menu. I think it just all depends on you, how disciplined you are, the foods you like or don't like etc. I am extremely confident that I can make my own TA friendly diet and still succeed. Do I think everyone can do that? No. But we'll see. ;) I haven't decided whether I'll blog about it daily or not. This blog wasn't intended to be a fitness blog, so I'm not sure if I want to bombard it with my diet posts. What do you guys want? Daily posts? Posts every couple days? A new blog dedicated to my fitness regimen? Talk to me and let me know! Documenting this diet, being honest and sharing my results is important to me because it holds me accountable, but it's also really important to me because I know it was really inspiring and motivating some of you! I want to keep doing that, so please let me know what you think either in a comment or you can contact me via email by clicking on the pink button on the right ;) Happy Sunday!!!

XOXO

Lush Giveaway

Have you ever ordered from Lush? Surprisingly I have not. But I have always wanted to even though I would be afraid to look at the damage once I put my order through!!! All their goodies look yummy. A blogger friend of mine is hosting a fab giveaway over at her blog Scientific Houswife and is generously giving away a $50 gift card to Lush!!!

Make sure to stop over at her blog to enter! Now on to what I would spend the GC on if I were the lucky winner....

Vanilla Puff Dusting Powder

Vanillary Solid Perfume

Almond & Coconut Smoothie

Honey Trap Lip Balm

Delish!!! Don't forget, to enter you must visit Scientific Housewife =) Good luck!!!

Update

Hello Lovelies!

I'm back and ready to commit to my "diet reboot" as I call it. I've been doing pretty well since adding in some complex carbs here and there! I do hate to admit that just in the last couple days I have cheated by eating a couple things. I've been having those monthly cravings if you know what I mean and it's so hard to resist. But it's been quite a learning process. I've always eaten pretty well, but one thing I've really learned is that I can be a real sugar addict. I purchased Jackie Warner's Book and it has really given me a lot to think about. I have been a fan of JW since her show Work Out debuted on Bravo a few years ago. A lot of things she discusses in the book really make sense. Most of her theories center around sugar addiction and Hormonal imbalances - which I absolutely have! And was really excited to learn that you can change these imbalances with your diet, vitamins and supplements. I've been recommended to go on the pill for my hormone issues and I just do not want to AT ALL. That is definitely a last resort for me!

So where am I at now? Aside from my couple cheats, I've been eating food like mexican avocado salad, spinach chestnut salad, turkey avocado roll-ups, eggs and Homemade oatmeal with Irish Oats daily. Love it!!! Not much has really changed. And lucky enough for me, since I added the 1-2 servings of complex carbs (except with dinner or after) I'm still down 4 lbs! At this point I'm looking to do a combo of Tracy's menu's with Jackie's food rec's, which really aren't much different except for the carbs ;)

Thanks again to all of you for all the wonderful comments and emails! I truly appreciate it!!!

XOXO

Diet Reboot

Today was supposed to be Day 6 of the TAM 30 Day Method and sadly I just cannot do it (the menu) another day. Even with tweaking the menu's, I just still feel so unhealthy. It pains me to say this because I am a HUGE Tracy Anderson fan! And maybe this diet really does wonders for others, but it just didn't for me. However the exercise parts of it I love! I have had no issue with. This morning when I had my kiwi dessert for breakfast and then proceeded to feel like I was going to pass out, well ... that was it for me. I don't mean this to be offensive towards TA at all, but I have never ever felt so unhealthy in my life. I've been working out almost 2 hours daily for the last 5 days and I still have never felt so unhealthy. Sigh.....

So out of sheer curiosity, since I brought the book upstairs for my husband to use, I looked at Jillian Michael's book. There is a Metabolic rate quiz on there that I decided to take. According to the test, I am a balanced oxidizer which apparently means that in order for my body to function to lose weight and to be able to fuel up for workouts, I need a decent ratio of complex carbs, lean protein, and low-starch fruit or veg with most meals. That makes sense and it's probably why I've felt like a zombie the last few days.

I am not saying that the 30 Day Method doesn't work. What I am saying is that as far as the food goes.... for 30 days and working out hard and heavily... it doesn't work for me. For me I think it was a great 5 Day Cleanse and it made me see what I can live without and what I can't in my diet - which is great! I have no bad cravings for sugar which is good and don't really want to eat bad carbs... bonus. Do I plan on going back to eating the bad stuff now? No way. So where am I going from here....

I plan to keep up with Tracy's workout sequence in her 30 Day Method Book and still eat some of the foods on her menu. I'll still be following the 3 meals and one snack option... Unless I feel dizzy or not well and then I may add a juice or smoothie to help boost my energy. I'm a huge Jackie Warner fan and am hearing really good things about her new book, so I may do somewhat of a combination of Tracy's Book Sequences with Jackie's recommended diet for the remainder of the 30 days. Meaning no desserts, bad carbs, multiple carb servings etc. I don't really plan on it being all that different from what I was already doing. I just need a bit more energy to really ramp up my metabolism, get motivated, get an effective workout in and so I don't pass out! LOL.

I am pretty disappointed in myself though. I do feel a little let down and like I am letting anyone that has been reading my blog and cheering me on down. But I want to get this weight off and get in shape and I know that doing it with almost no complex carbs and limited protein will just not work for me. I'll still be posting my progress on here, but it will most likely be updates every couple of days rather than everyday ;) I do want to thank everyone that has been sending me encouraging comments, emails and contacting me on FB. You have all been so awesome!!! I'm glad I have inspired you and I hope that my honesty and determination continues to do so. I am absolutely determined to do this!

LuLu's GC Giveaway

I was going through my normal morning routine of reading through all my fav blogs when I came across this fab giveaway being hosted by Collette from Statements in Fashion. She is giving away a $25 LuLu's gift card! For anyone not familiar with LuLu's, they carry an array of affordable and adorable clothing, jewels, accessories and shoes. I thought it would be fun to follow Collette's lead and post some of my fav shoes from the site!

Jeffery Campbell Be-Well

Mixx Luisa Gold Glitter Pumps

Qupid Navy Pumps (remind me of $$$ Dolce Vita Pumps!)

Jeffrey Campbell Virgo's which I want so badly!!!!

Make sure to head over to Collette's blog to enter! The giveaway is going on until Wednesday, January 19th <3 Tracy post coming later!!

Some lovely Jewels

I came across these gorgeous beauties today and just had to share! All $25 or under!!!

Aubrey Earrings 

Fisher Earrings

Avary Necklace

Anna Blair Bracelet

So pretty right?! And gotta love the prices. I'll definitely be snapping these pieces up for the summer!!!

Winter Chic

I love a look that can multi-task in various seasonal wardrobes! I am all about functional and carrying pieces over. I've been wanting to add some different looks to this blog for a while now and just never seem to have the time. So that's been one of the new blog challenges I've given myself. Instead of posting just lists of pretty things, I want to try to style them into actual looks. So this is my first go round...

Flare Denim by Gap
Boots by Aldo

I can see most of these items being paired with other pieces to transition into spring and summer! I would most likely wear the cardi with a plain tank in the color of your choosing. I think most would work with the basic black and brown tones. The little studs could add sparkle as an everyday earring and I could see this gorgeous necklace worn with an airy summer maxi dress - one of my summer staples!

Have you started thinking about what you'll wear this spring/summer? What's on your must list?