Well, I wanted to get to everyone today and just touch on a few subjects. First, I came back from my 10-day long vacation and found that I had lost 2 pounds! That’s pretty good considering I didn’t do a lot of working out over those 10 days, other than some taking some walks and moving a lot of furniture. It just goes to show that so long as you stay dedicated to your diet, and do just a little bit of exercise, you can still lose weight. Now, to be fair, I would have loved to lose more than 2 pounds over those 10 days, but without access to a decent gym (yes, I’m a little spoiled!) it was difficult for me to get a proper workout. And, I didn’t take my running shoes, since I already had a full suitcase, so that didn’t help me either. But the important thing is that I stayed focused on my goals and I was able to shed a couple of pounds, which kept me going in the right direction. So for all of you that are planning late-summer vacations, feel free to keep up that diet and do a little exercise, and your summer strives towards skinniness won’t be shot down the drain.

Next, a matter of relaxing by the TV. I do it A LOT! To be completely honest, I probably watch way to much TV to be healthy, but I really enjoying keeping up with all of my favorite TV shows, even if they are re-runs during the summer. But that doesn’t mean I can’t get a good workout in. My best friend Jessi is always telling me to add a workout to my couch potato time, and I’ve finally taken her advice. I do 20 push-ups during the commercial break, which takes me 20-30 seconds. It may not sound like a lot, but with the average 30-minute TV show having 3 commercial breaks, 1 every 7-8 minutes or so, watching TV for a couple of hours will also bring in well over 100 push-ups in a night, with plenty of rest in between. The first couple of sets go by pretty easy, but once I’m at that 4th or 5th set, they get a lot harder, and that’s when you’re getting your benefits. All put together, those push-ups will work the majority of your upper-body muscles, burning calories while sitting on your bum, and if you’re watching TV at night like me, it’ll burn calories while you sleep too, using calories to rebuild the muscle tissue. How about that, losing weight while you sleep! Nobel Prize, please!

Another thing to think about is that diet. I struggle probably more than anyone with overeating, because I’ve been doing it for years. I can out-eat almost anyone (except Joey Chestnut, the world-record setting Nathan’s Hot Dog eating champion), and I’ve been known to put down an entire large meat-lovers pizza by myself, in one sitting. Now, it doesn’t take an expert to tell me that that is neither healthy nor good for my weight loss plan. However, I’ve done it, and there’s nothing that can be done about it now. But that doesn’t mean I should keep doing it! That goes with everything bad for you, like eating a bucket of ice cream or tons of cookies. That little bit of cheating on your diet will take you several steps backwards in your weight loss goals, and you’ll only feel guilt and shame afterwords. Instead, you have to find something to snack on in between meals, and your meals need to be sensibly sized and portioned in order to keep up your weight loss. In the long run you’ll be a lot happier that you had a turkey sandwich instead of a whole pizza.

Finally, just to put everyone in a positive mood and the right frame of mind, as of today I am down 30 pounds from when I started my diet and exercise plan! I’ve had my share of downfalls, pitfalls and stumbling blocks, as well as a few “I quits” in there, but overall I’ve kept at it and have continued to lose weight in the long run, and that’s the important part. I am much, much lighter than I was in January. I may not be where I wanted to be as part of my original plan, but I’m still headed in the right direction, and that’s what really matters! So, even if you didn’t lose your 20 pounds in 21 days (which was my goal over my summer break from school, which I didn’t meet), having lost weight over that time period is still a success, so take pride in that and keep going. Eventually, you’ll reach that goal, and when you do, you’ll be more proud of yourself then you thought possible. Keep it up everyone!

Posted in Nathanael Mulder | COMMENT ON THIS BLOG

For most of us, including myself, the 4th of July is a time for vacation and relaxation, a time for cold beers and grilling out.  And that’s all fine and dandy.  But what about that strict diet that you’ve been on for some time now?  Like for me, I don’t drink alcohol any more.  Now, I fully enjoy a burger or two (so long as they take longer than 30 seconds to make), but overeating during the holiday relaxation period is really easy.  Couple that with the easy excuse of “I’m on vacation” to not work out also, and you’re whole weight loss routine is completely out the window, and you’ll likely find startling results when you step on the scale the next time.  All that beer and all those burgers, brats and buns will do a number on your bum, especially if you’re not running a couple miles or swimming a few laps before your days of sun and indulgence.  So here’s my “intra-mural” advice for you: don’t over-do it! It’s perfectly fine to have a burger or two, but don’t pig out on 5 burgers and 30 hot dogs.  Also, when you’re packing all that wonderful beer into the cooler, perhaps grab a few of the beers designed to not have as many calories, like an MGD 64 or Michelob Ultra (just some suggestions, not a product endorsement).  At least that way you won’t be drinking 150-200 calories per beer, and the effects will be minimized.  Or, better yet, don’t drink at all! Volunteer to be the designated driver for everyone you can, and let them pack on the pounds while you drink Protein Waters, staying hydrated and nurished, all the while not working up a killer hangover.  Just a thought.
 
And, just because you’re on vacation, doesn’t mean you can’t work out! I may have left my running shoes at home while I came to visit the parents, but with all the work around the house I’ve been doing I definitely haven’t been skipping my workouts.  And even on top of that, with some of the time I’ve had off while they were at work, I walked around the neighborhood a few times, getting at least a little exercise.  It may not have been the 3 miles I ran the other day (yeah me!), but it was healthier than “I’m on vacation.” Which everyone knows is a cop-out, and that those calories still count.  So watch the food and the cookie intake, walk around the block a few times, and enjoy your 4th of July weekend.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!!

Posted in Nathanael Mulder | COMMENT ON THIS BLOG

1,350 Calories. 90 grams of fat, 40 of which are saturated and 3.5 of which are trans.  2,780 mg of sodium.  That’s what’s in my go-to burger at Wendy’s, the 3/4 lb Baconator.  Add the large fries, large Coke along with it, and I’m looking at probably over 2,000 calories in all.  For 1 meal.  That costs me around $10.00.  What am I thinking? Well, specifically the fact that I don’t like to make food, especially complex meals like lasagna or meatloaf (both of which I love) because I’m a terrible cook and I’m lazy in general.  But what about thawing out some burgers and firing up the grill and making my own? Well, that requires at least some planning in advance, which as a bachelor I tend to not do very well (you can ask my BFF Jessi, she’ll tell you all about it).  So instead I walk over to Wendy’s every couple of days or so, and guiltily order up a serving of heart attack with a side of obesity.  Let’s be honest people, I’m about 75 pounds overweight right now, and I personally keep the fast food industry afloat.  That’s not good.  So, I’ve stopped.  At first I said I just wasn’t going to eat beef for a while.  Well….that didn’t work because my roommate kept firing up the grill and grilling burgers.  Which was great, because he’s a way better cook/grill person than me, and his burgers taste way better than mine.  So the whole “no beef” thing didn’t pan out.  Then I said, “I’ll just eat less fast food.”  Well, when one of your meals is over 2,000 Calories then less is still not enough, especially when you want to lose weight.  So for the last couple days I’ve eaten no fast food, and less in general, and my weight loss has picked up again.  So hurray for me!

Furthermore, the whole fast food thing is expensive. Over the past month or so, I’ve spent over $382 at fast food places.  That’s disgusting! That’s almost 2 months worth of food at the grocery store for my whole apartment, which has 4 people in it! What am I thinking?!? Well, it ends today.  I’m back on my no-fast-food diet in an effort to save money and lose weight.  I’ve also stumbled upon an article that says that fast food can actually become addictive, decreasing dopamine receptors or something, so that’s probably not good either.  Regardless, the amount of science and nutritional information and financial information is all overwelmingly against fast food, and my only justification is laziness.  Well, laziness never got anyone anywhere in this life, so I’m going to stop.  Time for me to turn the page over and start a new chapter in my life.  I mean, I just turned 28, what better time?  See you all later when I rant and rave some more about how I suck at dieting.

Posted in Nathanael Mulder | COMMENT ON THIS BLOG

My name is Callie, I’m 23, and I am fluffy.

I wasn’t always fluffy. In fact, I used to be pretty skinny! I played basketball (or tried to, at least- I definitely wasn’t very good) and jogged almost every day. Then I got lazy. I noticed a very gradual increase in my weight over the years – it was never more than ten pounds a year, so I just didn’t care enough to do anything about it. Then, about a year and a half ago, I went through a very painful divorce. Some people stop eating when something traumatic happens; I do the opposite. I live in the kitchen! Food becomes my source of comfort… ohhh and I definitely comforted myself! I got all the way up to 180 pounds – definitely the heaviest I have ever been.

About a month ago, I realized how unhealthy my lifestyle is. My clothes are all tight because I’m too proud to go up to the next size in the store. Sometimes I’ll put on an outfit to go somewhere and just decide not to go because I look too fat. Yikes.

So I decided to do something about it. I’m tired of being the big girl when I’m out with friends. I want to feel confident. That doesn’t mean being rail-thin… it means looking healthy and fit.

I started a new job recently which allows me access to a free gym and personal trainer here at work, so I grudgingly decided to take advantage of that. I started working out a few weeks ago and noticed that I wasn’t gaining weight anymore – but I wasn’t losing, either. That’s when I realized that I needed to change my horrible eating habits. I was going out to eat 3-5 nights a week and ordering whatever was cheap… hello, $0.89 beefy 5-layer burrito from Taco Bell! Not so good.

So now I am on a quest to get healthy and fit! I am ready to feel confident about myself and feel great about my health. I have lost ten pounds so far and am completely motivated to lose the other 40 that need to hit the road!

As the weeks progress, I’m going to post tips that I’ve found helpful, keep track of my progress, post fun recipes, etc. I hope you’ll join me on my mission to get healthy!!

Callie

Follow Callie’s weight loss success: calliegetsskinny.blogspot.com

Posted in DESIGNER WHEY Healthy Minute | 1 Comment

This past Saturday was so much fun at the Biggest Loser casting call in my home town of Mesa, Arizona.  There were approximately 700 hopeful contestants that stood in line, some for hours waiting to get their opportunity to be on the Biggest Loser.  I remember being in that line over 2 years ago and I also remember how scared I was.  I new that regardless of the outcome I was going to start doing things differently.  I mean come on, typically over 200,000 people try out for the show each season and usually only 20 lucky contestants get chosen for each season.  That means that over 199,980 hopefuls are left to figure things out on their own.

The best way to get things changed around in the right direction is to gather knowledge, get a support team, and start where you can.  You did not gain unwanted weight overnight and you surely won’t be losing over night either.  I remember talking to a lady who came over to me at the Biggest Loser protein booth at the HiHealth store in the mall and her sharing with me how this was the 5th season she had tried out for the show.  My heart sank as she continued to share with me that she felt like this would be her last time to line up for the casting call, she felt as if the stars were aligned in her favor.  I agreed with her that this would be her last casting call and as she her eyes lit up and she asked me “really? you really believe it?”  I said “yes because no matter what happens you must choose you”.  She promised herself in front of me that no matter what the outcome of the casting selection she was going to start on her journey of a healthier lifestyle.  I shared with her some quick get started tips as well as gave her some samples of the Biggest Loser protein 2Go packs, I love them because they are easy and convenient so they prevent you from ever having an excuse that you are not prepared

I’ll will be at the LA Biggest Loser casting call encouraging those in line, signing autographs, taking pictures and handing out Biggest Loser protein samples.  So whether you are trying out for the show or just want to say hi, come on by.

See you soon,
Ali

www.alivincent.com

Posted in Ali Vincent, The Biggest Loser | COMMENT ON THIS BLOG

Posted in Camille | COMMENT ON THIS BLOG

I want to share about discipline in following our eating plan. When I free eat what I want, I eat way too much and extremely way too many calories. Designer Whey has a very cool diet plan. I have known about it for many months but really did not want to discipline myself to sit down, take the time and effort to use the system. I am going to make it a goal this week to really plan out my meals. The DESIGNER Protein Diet even prints out a grocery list…can we get any easier then that??? Now I even save time by not having to make a grocery list. The planning system is adaptable so I can plan my meals along with what my family likes too!

The other thing I need to do is wear my pedometer it helps me realize the lack of exercise I get and it’s exciting to see it roll over with each step, helping remind me how good life is. If you reach the 10,000 step mark, that is 5 miles a day. There have been several days that I would get about ¼ of that…no wonder I am struggling to lose this weight for as long as I have carried it! It is not rocket science on how to lose weight…the bottom line is you have to burn more calories then what you eat…there is no getting around that. There is no magic pill because I have tried them all. It is disciple and self worth that will help you become the healthiest

Check it out! Use the system.

Plan a program that works for you. The only diets that fail are those designed for everyone… we are made unique, we like different tastes, flavors and cooking styles. It just makes sense to create your own diet that works for you. We know what helps us lose weight; we all have lost hundreds of pounds. Use your knowledge. One plan says get back to the basics, fresh fruits, veggies, and good quality protein. Stay away from processed foods and sugar. Use natural sweeteners if you need them. Drink plenty of water, at the very least 64 ounces.

Can we lose weight and keep it off? YES WE CAN!

Ps. It is snowing here today…wake me up for summer.

Posted in Camille | COMMENT ON THIS BLOG

It just seems I have no time for anything and I need my blog to help me keep accountable. I need my readers supporting my journey. In the past the 30 pound mark has been a turn back to gaining mark and I want to avoid that. I am still using my Designer Whey products, which I love! I need to get a new boost of excitement and kick my butt in gear. I need to increase my activity levels.

I feel so guilty as my oldest daughter is struggling too…and the fact it that she is practicing what I have taught her…that is hard to take in…yet, I can’t figure out why that does not motivate me…my goodness, its my girl and I am responsible for her health. I make the food, I buy it. I have no right to not teach her a healthy way to live. Hard to do when I myself have never accomplished that. All I can do is to keep trying.

I am still working at it. Never give up. Can we lose this weight?…YES WE CAN!

Hope this finds you well. Have a blessed day.

Camille from Michigan

Posted in Camille | COMMENT ON THIS BLOG

Posted in Camille | 2 Comments

Posted in Camille | COMMENT ON THIS BLOG