Maintenance. That has been quite a scary word since my finale last December. Everyone warned me about it, but I would always think to myself that it would be a whiz. Peace of cake! Truth be told, the daily struggles of maintenance are something that I believe I will deal with for the rest of my life. 

Like I’ve stated before, I went back to lifting weights soon after my finale. I hit the weights hard and put myself on a muscle building program with the help of ProteinBlitz’s 60g of protein per serving. I figured I would need all the calories I could get while building, so my eating got a little out of control. Now, it is nearly physiologically impossible to pack on a bunch of muscle without adding on a little fat as well. So for three months I bulked and bulked and bulked. I was working out a lot so I felt as though I needed those calories to add muscle, but I took in more than I could handle, so my weight jumped up more than I expected. It was kind of like a slap in the face when I stepped on the scale. 

I needed to change things up. For the last two months I have been in the cut phase of my program. I had to trim a little more than expected, but I knew it had to be done. I increased my cardio and actually added more protein shakes with the Protein Blitz while dropping my overall caloric intake. I’m proud to say I’ve actually dropped more than 15 pounds, but more importantly, I’ve packed on even more muscle than before. I’m two notches in on my belt, my pants are a lot looser, and I’m actually starting to see abs again! Who knew they would come back. 

I feel unbelievable right now. There are two weeks left until the next Biggest Loser finale and I will be the on stage correspondent for DietsInReview.com. I was almost dreading doing it in the shape I was in a couple months ago, but look forward to doing it in the shape that I am in now. I can’t wait to wow everyone with my new muscular frame. I pick things up and put them down! 

Note: Mark Pinhasovich received free product in exchange for his blog. 

Who’s making your decisions?

Have you ever felt out of control? Lately I tell you I feel like I’m not getting it all together as if I can’t get anything right. I was talking to a friend and we were talking about the different pressures we put on ourselves that are often unattainable and then we never get a chance to celebrate or be done or take a break. Lately I have felt as if a teenager has been making my decision’s and trust me when I say I wasn’t the most pleasant teenager. I was that “WHATEVER” teenager and that is how I’ve been feeling lately and honestly it’s not ok, not anymore.

I realized that at different points in my life when I have felt uncomfortable or alone or scared or nervous or sad or out of control or even just bored I have let that teenager inside me that wanted to be noticed make decisions for me or shall I say sabotage me. Well there is nothing I can do about my past but I can stop the cycle and do something different. I refuse to let my insecurities sabotage me.

I have been at this point in my life many times before and I’m sure I’ll be here many times again I just hope that each time I catch myself a little faster than the time before and as long as I do that I will continue to win. As I continued the conversation with my friend and tried to pinpoint why I might be sabotaging myself, I realized that I need some new goals, I need to break it done to basics!

I need to rest my weekly plans and get focused on some specific goals that I am achieving each and every week so I can feel proud of my accomplishments. I realized that a lot of my “whatever’s” as of lately is because I haven’t been feeling the greatest about my self, about my body. I have been feeling weak, out of control and soft. I realized that I was experiencing what probably many others are feeling at this time of year…. I’m dreading swimsuit season!!!! I don’t feel as strong as I have in recent years years so I took a look at that and to tell you the truth there were some obvious voids in my routine that will help me feel better with just the simplest of tweaks.

So my swimsuit ready routine is going to be focusing on building more muscle, I want to hit it hard and really start to see all the definition that I love again. When I am able to see the definition in my body I truly feel BEAUTIFUL, with that having my definition which is strength and confidence. There are some transitions in my life right now and I want to feel prepared to address them head on. Hit me up on the Biggest Loser Protein  FaceBook page and tell me what kind of strength training programs and ideas you have as well as any new shake recipes for summer protein shakes! I’m trying CrossFit and just bought the TRX system so I’ll let you know how it’s going.

Till next time,

Ali xo

I can’t think of a nicer person that I have ever met in my life as Joeinne. When my family and I visited Joeinne and Captain Tom in their hometown for the first time, it was as if we had stepped back in time to a story book fairy tale….it was enchanting and beautiful….just like Joeinne!

Sometimes we want to help others so much and in doing so, we lose sight of ourselves. Keeping ourselves in focus helps us to be able to keep doing what makes us happiest, like helping others.  I’m sending Joeinne a “get well/care package”…not flowers, not candy….but, something that will help her get healthy ….a basket of ‘Biggest Loser Protein Products!’  She knows it on the way and couldn’t be any more excited!
 
Have a wonderful May everyone! See you back here in June!
Stephenie

Stephenie received free product in return for her blog.

Well folks, it’s been three months since the finale.  Life after the Biggest Loser is indeed difficult.  I really found myself going through the process of the show, but now I need to get on with my next stage of life. 

            My schedule has been crazy!  I’ve been traveling to some beautiful (and warm) parts of the country to lend a helping hand to those in need.  It’s hard to cook for myself when I am on the road, so keeping around Biggest Loser protein bars really helps me fight hunger between meals and in a healthy manner.  I honestly don’t know what I would do without them.

            Another facet of my life that I have been working on is muscle gain.  I actually got a little TOO skinny for the finale.  I was actually told I had to GAIN twenty pounds.  Never thought I would hear those words in my life.  When I got home from California, I went back to what I loved doing, lifting weights.  As much as doing cardio was essential to my weight loss, weights are what I truly enjoyed.  Now in order to get bigger muscle wise and not go up waist wise, I had to look for a good source of protein post workout.  That is were Protein Blitz came in.  60g of protein per servings with very low carbs, plus 8g of leucine and 16g of BCAA’s for recovery? That is a hit in my book.  I have gotten my arms up to 18″, hoping to get to 20″ by the season 11 finale.  My chest is popping as well and I feel like a million bucks.  Still a 36″ waist too!

            As this crazy journey of life continues I hope to inspire many others out there that you can overcome any obstacles.  Follow me on twitter @BLMark and feel free to leave me a message on facebook at Mark Pinhasovich Biggest Loser!

Mark Pinhasovich received product in exchange for his blog.

Hello again!! I have been out of the blogging loop for a while, but for good or bad I’m back Since the events of last week in Japan my thoughts have turned to how grateful I am for my health, family and the safety I take for granted every day. For a while I have been a bit preoccupied with losing the last 20lbs and now I find myself so grateful for the healthy progress I have made and less concerned with my future perfect body.  With the risk of sounding somber I would like you to take your loved ones in your arms tonight and tell them how grateful you are to have them in your life. Life is so precious and fleeting and truly at the end of the day our greatest blessings are our health and our loved ones.

On a separate, but important note I have taken the events in Japan as a good reminder to be prepared in the event of an emergency here. As I was researching things I should include in my families 72 hour emergency kits I thought how easy it is to add Biggest Loser Protein Bars and Protein 2Go® packs as a quick and healthy addition to our home or cars emergency kits. I know my kids love them and during an emergency I know they will be getting the nutrition they need.

Enjoy your week and remember whats important!

Burgandy

Burgandy Keel received free product in exchange for her blog.

Hello Friends,

Well we all know the holidays are coming and we all know what that means…FOOD and lots of it. Being less then a week from Thanksgiving, start giving your self a pep talk about enjoying ALL the food in taste test samples. Ummm… did Miss Camille say enjoy all the food? Yes I did, but let’s be apart of the abnormal and NOT gain the average 5 pounds during the holidays at the same time not to be left out or feeling bummed because we can’t have something just because it is not our “diet”.

Here’s what I am going to do… I hope you try it too!

Drink a Designer Whey Shake before going to a party.

Use the smaller plates during the festive meals.

NO before meal picking.

NO testing foods while cooking it.

Load your small plate with sample size pieces of the foods you love during the holidays.

Limit drinks to 2 then only drink water.

Carry my Designer Whey 2GO Packets and bottled water in my car so not to run to fast food while shopping.

Park far away from the store entrances to get more walking in.

Limit the candy intake but enjoy a piece.

Load up on fruit and veggie dishes first, then add the rest of the meal.

Take time for myself to unwind from the stress that comes with the holidays.

Enjoy my family.

Have a great weekend!

Camille from Michigan

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.

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

Hello Friends,

I know it seem like I fell off the face of the earth but I am here. My computer had been disconnected as we remodel one room and moved me to my own area that way no one has to look at my piles… DON’T TOUCH my piles is my motto. That involves also moving the cables and cords; it’s not a simple task of just moving the computer.

We ripped out carpet thinking we had beautiful wood floors under the carpet until we got half way across the room… so now instead of an easy job we are going to have to strip and sand the oak floors… but it will be worth it! I should have warned you all I would be off line but when hubby decided to move my desk it was a take it down now thing.

Good news. I have finally made my 30 pound goal. It sure seemed like moving a ton of bricks, one at time…but my persistence paid off. I like to make goals of 10 pounds at a time so towards the 40 pound mark I am off! I also took a vegan cooking class which is very interesting. I am not vegan but it was fun to explore different taste and most of the food was really great tasting so that helps make it fun to try.

I just love my 2GO packets, I tell ya, you should carry them in your car… then the decision to grab some fast food is all ready made. The 2GO packets are very fast indeed, open a bottle of water then a packet of your favorite 2GO flavor (I like the orange or berry flavors), pour it in and shake… though I will warn you… don’t pour the powder if your window is down and the wind is blowing! You will have powder all over you and the car. 

My kids love trick or treating but it really makes it difficult for those of us trying to lose weight and here comes our kids a huge bag of treats. My kids are generous. They know I love Snickers and Reeses, though this year they only shared a few since “…you’re on a diet, Mom”, “…you only get 3″. Which I was kind of glad because when they are gone they are gone. Ya right, I did find my self sneaking an extra treat…shame on me! It seems Halloween starts the seasons of gaining weight. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year then Valentine’s, all holidays where candy and food are involved… UGH…good thing we have our Designer Whey Products to keep us in line with NOT gaining all the weight we usually would.

I sure hope this finds you well,

Camille from Michigan

Have you ever tried almond milk? I did and to my surprise I like it better then milk! Great in cereal. It taste really close to milk, same color, but not as thick nor does it cause phlegm. Nothing like soy milk…to me YUCK…well, the chocolate soy is ok.