30 Day Shred - Day 1

Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred DVD.

So, I started Day 1, Level 1 of the 30 Day Shred. My cousin had talked about it earlier in the summer and I purchased it. Of course, I tried it but never successfully did the workout day after day. Now I have picked it back up and I am going to get through the challenge if it kills me! Today is Day # 2 on Level 1! After last night I can tell that the workout is going to help me with my weightloss goals because I am still sore. :) I am very excited about going to the (Shake) bar with Suzie when I get off work to get a protein shake. I lost 1.6 pounds yesterday...which is a lot for one day but it was exactly the amount that I had gained over the Thanksgiving Feasts. So, now I am working towards a goal of losing another 3.2 pounds by weigh in on Monday morning!

~Sheena

Thanksgiving Blues

Ok, So I am so glad that Thanksgiving is over with. I did not do so hot this week on my diet. Even though I tried to not over indulge I did gain 1.6 pounds back this week. But, on a positive note I am still down 4.2 pounds all together! YAY So, this week I am dieting hard. Two shakes a day and 64 oz. of water and 16 oz. of my green tea for energy! I need to lose 4.8 pounds this week to stay on track with my weightloss goals! I think if I try really hard I will be able to do it or at least get back on track in the next couple of weeks! If I just lose 3 pounds this week and 3 pounds next week I can be back on track easily.

So, here are some new goals for the next 6 months.

1. GRADUATE in May. :)

2. Start the 30 day Shred with Jillian Michaels. Then implement her AB workout, and Yoga. Then when Spring gets around I am wanting to start training for a 5k. :) But, lets get through the first 30 days with the Shred.

3. Continue to track my weekly weight loss to keep me motivated and continue to drink plenty of water everyday.

4. I want to start eating healthier. I am going to stick with the protein shakes for now and then start adding some nutritious meals once I get the inital weight loss started. (I love Gina's Skinny Taste Blog for healthy recipe ideas!)

I thought the turkey was appropriate this week since, it was the cause of my weight gain. Ha Ha Ha

Week 2

After week 2 of the diet I have lost 5.8 pounds! Yippee! I lost a total of 3.2 pounds this week. I have been trying to lose 2 pounds per week but, I will take the extra without complaining. I am still drinking at least one protein shake a day and getting extra vitamins in my system. I have still been drinking about 80 oz. of water a day. (The water helps! I promise.) This week is a very important week for me to try to stay focused. It is Thanksgiving this week and we have 3 family functions this week where I am going to be tempted to "overeat"! So, here is my plan. Portion control. I am not going to suffer and not eat while everyone else is stuffing their faces, however I am going to limit myself on what I do eat. My goal this week is to lose 1.2 additional pounds and that will take me to a total of 7 pounds of weightloss. :) I hope I can do it!



Sheena

Diet Tips

Hello blogging world! I have been trying a new diet out this week and I have great news! I have already lost 2.6 pounds! I still have a goal of losing so much more, but I am very excited that I have had such a small success so far! So, this is what I am doing.

I first went online and looked into what my Body Mass Index number was. I did not feel like I was that overweight but, with this number I was told that I was very overweight! SCARY! This will help you know what weight is good for you once you hit a healthy number in your BMI score. I am 5'2" and I should weigh 135 pounds at the highest end. I have a long way to go guys!

I am watching my calories and using the weight watchers program to evaluate the foods that I am eating. Looking at the calorie side of a diet is so interesting to me. I am cruching numbers and losing weight! (That just sounds like me doesn't it?) So, if you are a woman and you weigh 170 pounds you would multiply your weight by 12. (Men mulitply by 14; Women multiply by 12) So you take your Weight X 12 = Calories per day. This amount would allow you to maintain your weight. There is 3,500 calories in a pound so if you wanted to lose 2 pounds a week you would decrease your calorie intake by 1,000 calories per day. In other words you would decrease your consumption of calories by 7,000 per week. This is to lose 2 pounds a week without working out! AWESOME! So, I am looking at my weight (which is it changing everyday) and making sure that I reduce my intake by 1,000 calories a day to make sure I lose the 2 pounds a week.

Next, I am using the weight watchers program to gage how many points I am eating a day and how many points each meal is costing me. If you are not familar with the weight watchers program I am going to explain how to get your point limit per day plus I will give you a web address on where to find a free weight loss calculator. First lets talk about how to find your points per day.

Give yourself points for the following:
Female: 2 points
Male: 8 points

Age:
17 to 26: 4 points
27 to 37: 3 points
38 to 47: 2 points
48 to 57: 1 point
58 and over: 0 points

Take these points and also add them to these numbers.

Weigh yourself on a scale. Take the first two numbers of this weight and add them to the points you have so far.
For example, a 38-year old man who weighs 220 pounds would add 22 to his overall points for a total of 32 points. (8+2+22=32)

Determine the amount of exercise you engage in each day.

If you don't exercise, do not give yourself any points.
If you stand for much of the day, give yourself 2 points.
If you walk throughout the day, give yourself 4 points.
If you engage in at least 20 minutes of exercise each day, give yourself 6 points.


Add these points to your total. This is the number of points you're allowed to eat each day. All foods are assigned a point value based on their fiber content and the number of calories per serving.

Here is a link to how to calculate the points for everything that you eat for weight watchers.

http://www.webmilhouse.com/pointcalc.php

I am also drinking 16 oz. of green tea a day. One 8 oz. glass of green tea burns 70 calories! That is awesome! I am also making sure that I drink at least 80 oz. of plain water a day. I have a brita water filter and I carry the 80 oz. with me to work to make sure that I get it all in me!

I have also started replacing a meal a day with a protein shake that is 4 points on weight watchers program and about 280 calories per shake. I have been going to the Health Solutions Wellness Center in Waynesville and working with Heather Broom who is a wellness coach. She actually has a protein shake bar in the wellness center and you can stop in and get a shake for lunch with a green tea too! You can also do like I have and buy the shakes and make them at home. Her website is www.healthsolutionswc.com ! Check out her website and see what amazing shakes she has on her menu!

Happy Dieting Bloggers! ~ Sheena

A Career for Sheena

I have been struggling for a while now. It has been a struggle of my self worth. All my life I have been pressured into going to school and getting an education. Which, so far I have been very successful at doing. I already have a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in Accounting and Entrepreneurship. In May 2011, I will complete my Masters of Accountancy degree from Western Carolina University. But, at the current standing of the economy, those degrees and $1.50 will buy you a cup of coffee.

For the past year now I have been praying for something to give. I have been praying for a job to open up where I could be successful and still have enjoyment of going to my job everyday. So far, nothing has changed. I am discovering that the Lord has me in this place in my life for a certain reason...that reason is still unknown. At one point in my life I thought that I was supposed to teach because I have found that I am very good at encouraging and being patient with others until they were able to grasp certain concepts. But, to my dismay after two interviews...both of the doors were never open for me.

I was also praying that I could possibly have a chance to use my skills in an environment that would be profitable for the Lord. But, again...it seemed like all those doors would never even budge in my direction. So, I have been down on myself and broken because all along I have been told how bright of a young lady that I actually was. And it is as if I have been lied to this whole time. If I am such a bright person...why is it that I can not succeed?

I am now starting to believe it is because it is not in His plan for me to succeed in corporate America. Who really likes to work for someone who tells them when to come into work and that they have to take an hour lunch during the day and that they can not live their office until 5:30? I mean...does anyone really have the dream of being controlled that way? I think not.

So, I decided to start something for myself. I am starting my own business. But, not from scratch...I am an Independent Beauty Consultant for Mary Kay Cosmetics. I decided to do this before there were any benefits mentioned. I thought that I could sale the product to friends and family just to make a little extra cash. Let's face it, we all are in need of some extra spending money these days.

Once I signed up I realized just all that I was gaining. I was gaining MK sisters that would have an impact on my life. These Christian ladies are not only nice to be around but they are the most encouraging women I have been around in a long time. I did say...Christian Ladies. Mary Kay Cosmetics is a Christian company that encourages their consultants to put God first, Family second and their Career third. If any company wonders why they are so far in debt, they should learn from Mary Kay Ash. Her company is debt free...I really believe that the fact that they put God first has a lot to do with that. We also have weekly meetings on Mondays at 6pm in Asheville. Has anyone ever went to a business meeting where the Director opens with a bible study, asks for prayer requests and then proceeds to pray over their consultants before the Business meeting even begins? I have found a place where I feel worthy.

So, now I am asking my friends to help me with my new career. I have been challenged by my Director to host a 10 party week. This includes you hosting a party (with prizes attached!) and just inviting five of your closest girlfriends to join in on the fun. That is it. I really need your help to succeed. It costs nothing to help me out. What do you say?

828-400-9058

www.marykay.com/showthebeautyfromwithin

Sheena Stevens