Joy in the Journey

For my husband John and me, Joy in the Journey is about finding a balance to a healthier and fit lifestyle. As you can see from this website we have a passion for cooking and we love to eat so it is important for us to find a lifestyle and a balance that helps us enjoy the things we like and live a joyous, healthy lifestyle.  And as we get older we strive more to trim down, become stronger, more active and physically fit.  Being healthier, stronger and more physically fit also means a healthy  balanced diet, regular exercise and moderation to keep on track and reach our health and lifestyle goals. 

We are all for a healthy way to trim down with natural foods that should be part of a healthy diet, to be the man and woman of God that we were created to be and to find Joy in the Journey. 

Wishing you peace, blessings and joy in the Journey!

Linda

August 3, 2015 5:30 AM

Crazy 8s here I come...,pushing play on my first CIZE workout!

July 6, 2015

Day 1 of Round 2 of the 21 Day fix is underway!!

It has been close to a month since the first round and although I have kept up with the eating plan with the exception of yesterday when I went a little off the grid I did pretty well in between but I was not as faithful with the exercise.

And I was little concerned leading up to today because I overdid it a bit last week and over the holiday and pulled a muscle in my back and I was in excruciating pain on Saturday night. And we had plans to cook and serve at Lazarus house on Sunday that was all grace, a blessing and a joy and I was not on my feet too much and so I took it easy yesterday to recoup as best I could. I was not feeling well when I got up this morning and so I decided to take the day today to give myself more time rest and heal my back. So glad that I listened to my body and did that!

The fix goes on and for that I am so grateful. My food today was on point and tonight my beloved and I did the total cardio fix together and I did most of the workout along with the modifier except I used the weights the whole time which I was not able to do on the first round during my first week of workouts. Doing it with John was also a great bonus! I am already feeling strong and accomplished just having done it!

Our dinner was a bit later than we would like to have it but it was delicious!! We cooked some haddock and swordfish with John's cajun seasoning on the grill and had a cucumber, grape tomato and red onion salad. Love cooking a little extra, it makes for great lunches and now I have a wonderful grilled swordfish for tomorrow's lunch!

Our goal for tomorrow is to get John some new workout clothes and to get to our workout and dinner earlier!

June 17, 2015

Well the 21 Days ended on Monday but I am still for the large part following the fix. Yesterday morning I woke up and for some reason decided to step on the scale. I was down another 1.5 pounds for a total weight loss of 12.1 pounds.

My excitement over this was only slightly tarnished by a growing skin rash that is slowly taking over my body. It is not poison ivy and thankfully not shingles either. I had my doctors appointment at 4:40 pm and went to it hoping to find out what it was and to get some relief from the pain and itch. I showed up at 4:26 pm and checked in early. Unbeknownst to me they did not check me in at all and so come 5:30 I am alone in the waiting room with the cleaning crew and no staff with a locked door to where the nurse and doctor I was still hoping was there. Finally someone came through the door and I raced for it so I could then call down an empty hall to find someone. Of all days, I am never excited to go to a doctors appointment and this day I was so excited to weigh in and have lab work scheduled AND to get some relief from this rash! Gratefully a nurse came to my aid and was horrified to think that I was in the waiting room all that time, they thought I was a no show as I had not been "checked in", thank goodness my paperwork noted that I showed up at 4:26!!

In the past I have always dreaded the scale, but I was happy to get on it last night. According to their scale I was down 15 pounds. I like that better than my 12.1.

I learned that my rash was not shingles but a skin yeast infection. Apparently sweat can cause this and it is common in diabetics. To date I have never experienced this but I tell you I don't ever want to again. I am going to have the fans blowing full steam when I exercise and stay away from doing it when the house is sweltering hot. I took some medication for it and I have a cortisone cream which I wish was helping more but time to suck that up and roll with it. At least for the next few days or until this rash goes away, yoga and lighter exercises are on my agenda.

My doctor was very pleased with my weight loss and exercise program and my progress in making these changes a part of my lifestyle. My new habit. I have been seeing my physician for almost 30 years and we have always had a wonderful rapport. I also have a wonderful Nurse Practitioner in the same practice that I see when my Doctor is not available. They both truly care and are vested in my well being. My doctor has witnessed the yo yo'ing with my weight in the past and wanted to know what it was that clicked this time and so I shared with her the same things I shared with you when I started this journey.

This truly is health driven for me. I want to live a healthy lifestyle and do my best to avoid the complications that are a part of living with diabetes. And with the more recent onset of the issues and rise my cholesterol and the continued requests to get on more medications it was a real wake up. I simply do not want to increase the medications I am already on for the diabetes and I don't want to have to take medications for cholesterol. I hate that I have to be on asthma controllers and allergy medications that are a must and can't imagine having to take more meds.

I needed to do something to change the course I was on because I know that nothing changes if nothing changes!! What is the definition of insanity? Doing the same things over and over again and expecting to get a different result.

I was finally ready for a different result and more important ready to put the time and effort into getting it!!

I have an amazing husband, a blessed life and wonderful family and friends, I want to be healthy and active and live a full and healthy lifestyle. When I began to see that that clearly, change became inevitable and so very welcome!!

As the lab was closed by the time we were done my doctor scheduled my blood and lab tests for this morning which I did before going to work. She told me she was proud of my progress and is excited to get the lab results. She also told me that Joanne ( my nurse practitioner) is going to do summersaults when she hears about this!!

If the rash was not bugging me so much I may have done summersaults all the way home myself!!

Off to serve up a yummy dinner of roast pork with roasted broccoli and cauliflower medley and roasted asparagus and sweet potato for me and white potato for my beloved.

Peace and many blessings!!!

June 15, 2015

Today is Day 21 of my 21 Day Fix!! Pinch me I still can’t believe that I did this! And that I did so well! It went by so fast and once I finally got started it was so easy to follow!

So I started this morning on the scale. When I saw that I went down I let out an audible yelp and woke up my beloved! The scale has not been my friend; I lost most of my weight at the end of the first week and have been holding at the same weight until this morning! BUT I have definitely lost inches and my body has changed and I feel that so much more than the scale. These 21 days has been a fabulous start.

As of this morning I have lost a total of 10.6 pounds. As I have said it is not about the scale. 10+ pounds is not so bad, but what is even better is that I feel so much better, stronger inside and out! I have also lost as best I can surmise because I did not take all of my measurements on day 1, a conservative 17.25 inches overall I have felt the loss of those inches in my body shape, the way my clothes fit and that I am wearing things I have not worn in years or have had in my closet and never worn because it was snug.

I was disciplined with my food plan and with exercise never missing a day, doubling up on exercises and staying the course during social events, dining out and in the day to day. I have proven to myself that I can do it! I feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment and excitement for my next round. And I know the drill now and I know what to expect.

I see my doctor tomorrow, I am excited to see all my numbers go down and I truly believe that they will be down. I will share the good news with you when I get it! With the exception of this prickly rash that is overtaking my neck and back I am feeling stronger and more flexible and able to sustain an exercise program. Yoga is on the agenda for tonight.

My plan is to start my second round with a friend who is starting her first week 2 of the fix this week and who is also planning a second round in a few weeks. We will start our second round together. In the meantime I will continue with either doing the fix workouts, elliptical or walking every day and I will continue with healthy meal planning and portion control as the norm. Although I may indulge and have a treat now and again, that treat will be an indulgence and I will go back to my healthy norm. I have formed a new habit. And I like that habit and what it is doing for me. I am also thinking of doing a three day refresh to rid my body of toxins and to jump start my next round of the 21 Day Fix.

I found a program that really works for me and I am so grateful. My long term goals are to continue with rounds of the 21 day fix until I reach a healthy and comfortable weight for me and more importantly turn around the diabetes and cholesterol. I would love to stop taking medication for my diabetes and to never start the medication that I have been avoiding for my cholesterol. Those goals I truly believe are tangible and in sight!!

Short term I am looking forward to an active, balanced and healthy summer perfecting my golf game with John on the links, relaxing and entertaining with my beloved, family and friends in the backyard oasis, working on some home improvement projects, getting to the beach and wonderful vitamin D as often as we can and making time to read the library of personal development books I downloaded.

Your support, encouragement and love is overwhelming and inspiring. It has helped to keep me focused, accountable and motivated on this journey and I am so grateful and appreciative!!

My beloved and I have embarked on a journey to a lifestyle that is so much healthier for us both. I am determined not to lose any of the ground that I have gained these past 21 days.  I have come to see and understand that this is in no way the end, but the beginning of the journey and there is much joy to be had!!

With He who helps me to do all things, I am marching onward!!

June 14, 2015

Happy Sunday! Happy Flag Day! Happy Day 20 on the Fix!!

I can’t say that I would not believe that I would get this far when I started this journey 20 days ago because I was committed to making, taking and succeeding. What I did not know was how committed I was, how dedicated I would be and how much my “habits” and my lifestyle would change. They say it takes 21 days to create a habit and having given fully and consistently these past 20 days I understand how that can happen.

Yesterday we spent the day with family celebrating our niece’s graduation from high school and her birthday. Truly a blessed day and a wonderful party. The food was great and I was able to stick to my fix and say away from all the yummy things that are not on my program. I packed my lunch bag with some cucumbers and hummus which I never even felt the need to have and some Greek yogurt with fresh strawberries. When it was time for the cake and wonderful desserts I can honestly say that I was not craving the sweets, this program has changed not only my eating habits but my mindset and that sometimes does more for me than the choices on the menu.

If I am hungry I eat, if I am not I don’t feel the need even if others are and my cravings are different, I want the fresh fruit or the healthy choice instead of something processed. But I must admit the luscious vanilla fragrance from the cupcake and cake frosting and Aunty Terri’s mandarin orange cake made we want to take a little spoon of each. But I didn’t, I pulled out my yogurt and fresh fruit and had a delight snack and was none worse for the wear!!

On the way home we stopped at a farm that has fresh organic produce and grass fed beef and meats that is down the road from John’s parents. There is nothing like organic and just picked produce and fruit and for this red meat girl, grass fed beef!

You may recall last weekend my beloved came down with a very bad case of poison ivy. When we got home I asked John to take a look at my neck and back. The good news is that he is healing well and that my rash does not seem to be poison ivy. It appears to be a prickly heat rash and it kept me up most of the night and seems to be getting worse.

I have been doing a lot of sweating with all the exercise and in the heat that is not a good thing. I don’t ever recall having anything like this and I don’t much like it. However this is just another challenge to overcome. Love Google, it is a wealth of information and today baking soda will be my best friend!!  Prickly heat rash or not, I started day 20 with the Dirty Thirty. I like this one there is only one exercise in this group that I have to modify and I like that. And I am starting to focus on counting my reps, I like that too! I am setting myself up for my second round of the 21 day fix.

I got on the scale again, it has not moved, the same 8.5 pounds. I have followed and measured the eating plan strictly and in fact have not always eaten all of my allowed foods. I have followed the exercise strictly. The water is the one piece I have not followed to a tee, some days have been better than others but I cannot say I did the 8 glasses a day, I have not. My clothes are loose; I have lost upper belly fat that is noticeable, especially in my clothes. My core is stronger and I am stronger and more flexible in general. And I am down 8.5 pounds and that is more than when I started. My mindset and our lifestyle have changed. Our food shopping has a healthier, fresher all natural focus. And my diabetes is in check. This journey was not about the number on the scale, but let’s face it; I would love to see that number going down!

I see my doctor on Tuesday. Her scale and mine are different and so I am curious to know how much I have lost since my last visit, I am hoping it is more than the 8.5. More than that, I hope she will order some blood work to check my sugar and cholesterol, I think the biggest result will be there.

But my appointment is Tuesday, this is Sunday and I am keeping my head and my focus in staying the course on this day!!! And that means that I am so looking forward to spending time and catching up with friends we have not seen in a while for a fix approved BBQ in the backyard oasis.

It is certain to be a blessed day!! Hoping and praying that yours is too!!

June 13, 2015

"Do not put boundaries on what you think you can do"

Heard that on my work out this morning and it is resonating with me today. Today is Day 19! I am so grateful that it started off strong with Cardo Fix behind me!! Woot Woot! With the exception of the mountain climbers and burpees, that I still have to modify, cuz I am just not there yet, I really like this work out a lot!!

I am also grateful for another day because I did not finish Day 18 as strong as I wanted to. I did the Pilates Fix a bit later than I had planned last night and unlike the last time I did this this workout it felt strenuous and my back and left side was in agony when I finished.

I must have moved something I should not have and pulled a muscle in my back. But I still held out hope of doing the Total Body Cardo Fix before bed. But even the wonderful Chocolate Shakeology ice cream that we had for a healthy treat did not make take the muscle spasms away. I will post the recipe for this later.

Optional or not, I really wanted to do the second workout, but common sense prevailed, my body was speaking. So instead I ended the night with a bit of stretching, motrin and a little massage from my beloved which all helped me to get some rest so I could wake up this morning to start today strong.  It was a little dicey when I got up, but not nearly as painful as last night and once I got moving I was in business. So now my morning workout is behind me, Shakeology next to fuel my body for the things I need to do this morning.

The weather is awesome, looking forward to a beautiful day with lots on the agenda and planning to end the day with one of my very favorite workouts the Upper Fix!

May you have a blessed and beautiful day too!!

June 12, 2015

So I shared about my struggle in doing the second workout yesterday and my determination in sucking it up and doing it.

Sometimes doing the right thing does not come easily……enter computer issues with viewing my DVD! For some reason, most likely other than to annoy me, windows media was having a bit of hissy fit last night and would not let me play my DVD. It was not recognizing my computer and wanted me to install something. Not exactly sure what it wanted, at that point I was exhausted, hot and ready to head to bed and our air conditioned bedroom and I was having thoughts of throwing in the towel, or maybe the computer out the window!!

But instead I asked my wonderful husband to take a look. He too was initially stumped as to what was going on and asked if I downloaded something, to be honest I could have but did not think I did. He tried to figure it out and meanwhile time is marching on and midnight is approaching. So he took the DVD out of the computer and started setting up the TV with his old MAC to play the DVD so I could do the workout. Of course there are never easy solutions, the MAC was not cooperative, the DVD was not playing video, then it played video an no audio, the mouse needed batteries and nothing seemed to be working with the exception of my beloved’s persistence and my desire against all odds to do the workout, maybe simply to beat the odds against it at this point……..see where I am going with this!

Easy choice, would have been to go to bed! Better choice was to persevere. After a bit John got the TV DVD going on the old MAC as I knew he would and I was off and running into my second workout as he moved on to fixing my computer so I could use it for my next workout!!

What did I learn? What I already know, my husband is amazing, multi-talented, my greatest blessing and gift from God, that although I may entertain thoughts of straying off course I will usually always stay the course, choose the road less traveled and stick with what I start, and that the 10 Minute Abs Fix really is just 10 minutes but it is a crazy fast and furious 10 minutes. Who knew 10 minutes could be so intense, I kept up, grunted like the big guys, modified the modifier when I had to and experienced an AB crushing workout!! I A hard won 10 minutes well spent!!

After all of this we finally got to bed sometime after 1AM.

In the end I did get in my workout. Then I wondered, was it really determination or stupidity because morning will come quickly and I know I will be dragging in the morning!! But it is Friday, the weekend is ahead and in the end I was grateful to have kept with the program and the goals that I set for myself.

This morning I adjusted my routine a bit to make up for my lack of sleep last night. My plan is to do the Pilates Fix when I get home from work, it will be a good recovery workout. And then I will do the second one before heading to bed. All is not lost today, simply adjusted. And I am feeling energized and right on point. No worse for the wear!!

I have always known that challenges are opportunities. I have been blessed to find a lot of these opportunities lately. And also to find the joy in each one, though not always easily seen, always present when my heart and mind are in the right place.

Facing a challenge, pull back, drop ten and punt!!! Goal achieved for Day 17 and so far Day 18 of the Fix!!!

Food is still on point, 18 days going strong!! I had a wonderful Fix lunch date with a delicious Mediterranean feast and delightful company!

No doubt that dinner will be delicious too and as I did not do my work out this morning and have my Shakeology I am thinking I may have it tonight in the form of that yummy ice cream that I made last night!!

The weekend is ahead, looking forward to a glorious one and hope that yours is too!!

Also wanted to share a few things that have helped me organize and plan my meals for the 21 day fix in our challenge group, posting again because it may be something helpful to you too if you are following the 21 day fix and not in the challenge group.  They are located on this site, look to the left toolbar or click on the links below:

http://www.zialinda.com/…/d…/9674997/CONTAINER+CONTENTS.docx

http://www.zialinda.com/…/21+Day+FixWeek+-+day+sheet+blank.…

www.zialinda.com

June 11, 2015

Got up with not a lot of energy but that did not deter pressing play and starting my day 17 with the Lower Fix. Somehow the workout always leaves me energized.

My energy however turned to concern when I answered the door to my neighbor telling me that there was an intruder in our backyard late last night followed by police searching through our backyard for a home intruder. And to think we were inside the whole time and had no idea someone was out there and all of this was going on.

But the day must go on and this day did keeping with the fix meal plan. Preparation gets so much easier as does knowing what my portions should be. I am soaking up all that I am learning as I navigate through these 21 days. I know that this is simply my first round, I WILL be doing this again and again and again.......

It has also been amazing that I have not had cravings let along not given into them, but also that I am enjoying eating a more balanced diet, getting full quicker and satisfied with the many choices on the fix.

Tonight however I got a little sweet tooth. I should have done the second workout but instead took a 20 minute power nap thinking it would go away. Not so much, thank goodness for sweet crunch grapes a handful and bye bye sweet tooth.

But I am getting ready for my next one whenever that might be and so I made some Shakeology Raspberry and Cherry Ice Cream and tucked in our freezer. It will be a delicious and cool treat on these hot summer nights and something healthy that I can have when my beloved wants to indulge in some ice cream. I am looking forward to a small bowl and to trying different flavors and combinations over the summer.

Whoever said eating healthy is boring did not tap into their creativity or imagination and odds are they never heard of Shakeology or the 21 day fix. This program is really working for me and they have great recipe and lots of clean foods and recipes that a foodie like me can build on, make my own and enjoy.

Days 15 - 21 has a doubles option. It is optional, so far I have been doing it. Tonight I was thinking I am so tired I just need to get to bed and then I read some words of encouragement and I thought, I can do this, I have done it so far why not tonight. So up next I am pressing play for 10 Minute Fix for Abs. Now I am secretly hoping it is only 10 minutes, but thinking, NOT. Does it matter? No way, I am ALL IN!!

This program is helping me settle into a healthier lifestyle, and I am so grateful!!!

June 10, 2015

Had a tough time getting up this morning and started to talk myself out of doing my upper body fix because I was running late and exhausted. That lasted until I got my but downstairs and turned on the computer and then pressed PLAY. Amazing how much energy you get from working up a sweat. I used my new weights and both arms through the whole workout not following the modifier. There was a whole lot of grunting and breathing in and out going on but I have to say, I really love the upper body fix a lot, it is my favorite!

Had leftovers from last night for lunch and made a delicious omelet with brocolli rabe, mushrooms, onions and spinach and a touch of cheese for my dinner and made John a fritata adding potatoes to the veggie medley for him. So good!!

Day 16, can't believe I am here. I have gotten on the scale consistently for the past week. I was down .4 lbs from my first weigh in when I lost 8.1 lbs in the first week making a total of 8.5 lbs. I have been so consistent in following the food, portions sizes and doing the exercises so I can't figure why I have not lost more on the scale. But from day one it has not been about the scale. I have lost inches and some upper belly fat. I have been wearing clothes that have been in my closet for years unworn because they were too tight and did not fit well or at all.

My body is reshaping and my "jingala jongalas" yea that lovely upper arm excess is not going away but my arms have a lot more definition. And they are strong. I feel strong, I feel more compact and tighter and my core is gaining ground. I know maybe TMI. But hey I have put it all out there so why stop now!!

I still have some aches and pains, arthritis is not going to go away, neither is a bulging disk and back issues, but I am feeling so much better than I have in ages with so much more flexibility and once I get moving there is no stopping me. This alone has been more than I could have hoped for!

Up next on double day 16 workout is the Cardio Fix. And then hopefully an early night and good nights sleep, I could use one!

A little rest and a second workout!  Cardio fix done, I am soaked!! But it was good. Mountain climbers and burpees are still out of reach but still moving through them in my modified modifier and hanging tough with the rest! That I am actually doing it is totally His grace!

June 9, 2015

Started the Day 15 with the Total Body Cardio Fix. Finding some of the exercises easier and finding that with the exception of a few that I are still hard for me, I am following the group now and not the modifier and I am using my new heavier weights and that is good. Its an improvement over last week and that is good.

This week I get to push a little harder and add a second work out, the Pilates Fix. I plan to do that next if I can stay awake through the half hour. I have not been getting much sleep, to bed too late and up early. I am working on getting a better schedule together because these long days will not sustain over time.

Dinner tonight was delicious. So good to have some pasta and even better that it was gluten free and that I managed my portion size. I am loving the creativity that the Fix is bringing to meal planning. Delicious swiss chard sauteed with some garlic a drizzle of olive oil and some red pepper flakes. I added shrimp and some of the pasta water for some additional moisture and then the pasta!

It was delicious and passed the test with my beloved! He loved it! That alone makes me happy, he is easy to please because he is always so kind with whatever I make, but I get a lot of joy when he really likes something I make.

It reminds me of my dad, he loved to feed people and loved to see people enjoying his food even more.

I must confess as I am ending this post I am considering heading to bed without the Pilates..........but I am going to call upon Him whose strength I can do nothing without and push through and press PLAY!!

And that is just what I did......

Woo Hoo!!! Pressed PLAY......Pilates Fix DONE!! And to all a good night

June 8, 2015

So I used my new weights with the Dirty Thirty last night and like Autumn says in the video about how much we work the abs in that work out " You may love me now and hate me tomorrow" well hate it too strong of a word, but lets just say I was remembering her words when I woke up this morning and my abs were still sore from last nights workout.

The heavier weights did make a difference and although sore, it is that kind of good sore, not painful, just an awakening of muscles that have been underused in a very long time!! Consequently I did not want to get up, get out of bed and off to work. I wanted to stay home, nurse my sore abs and take care of my hubby who has a really bad case of poison ivy.

BUT.... I am in the process of creating a new habit over these 21 days and beyond, a good one, and alas I did not do what I wanted to do and did what I knew I needed to do!

And the delicious Coffee Shakeology that tasted just like a DD Mocha Coolata helped me start the day on the right track!! It just may be my new favorite! There were so many recipes on the beachbody recipe page I am not sure I will get to them all but this one sure is a keeper!!!

Do you take Shakeology and if you do, what is your favorite? Please share!!

Food is on track for Day 14 and Yoga Fix in on the line up for tonight..... but for now some time with my beloved in the backyard oasis!

June 8, 2015 Post relaxin in the backyard oasis

Just finished Yoga Fix.

Last week it felt awkward and I pushed through not really getting the relaxing benefit of doing yoga. Tonight having been through it before I had an idea of what was coming and I let myself go and really enjoyed the stretches and the relaxing pace.

I worked up a sweat breathing if you can imagine and my body is feeling stretched and very relaxed right now. The Yoga fix is a recovery day and tonight I am feeling that.

When I was in my teens and early to mid 20's I loved doing yoga exercises. My body was flexible and at least several times a week I would lay on the floor and do yoga, sit ups, push ups and crunches and a few floor exercises and at the end I would always easily get into a lotus position with arms and feet in full extensions, it was my routine.

I was young, average weight and flexible. Somewhere along the way I stopped the floor exercises, playing tennis and being more active. 14 days ago there is no way that I would have ever dreamed I would ever do a lotus again. I am far far far away from that right now, but with every workout I feel like it is a possibility. Not even that, oh what the feeling will be when my ample gut is not standing in my way of flipping my legs over my head and stretching out my hands and legs in opposite directions.

Okay maybe a lofty goal for a 55 year old.... naw, I just might get there..... baby steps, baby steps..... any maybe not for a few years.... I am in no hurry, this is about lifestyle change and balance and getting healthier, but I am entertaining the thought that I might be heading or perhaps inching in that direction one day at a time.

Quote from tonight workout "You change your thoughts, you change your body"

My thoughts are changing......

May you rest well, sleep in peace and wake refreshed!!

June 6, 2015

Slept in a bit later than usual and then up and into the Cardio fix for my Day 12 workout, can not believe I am now past the halfway point, going by so fast!!. The mountain climbers and burpee's are a killer and I have to modify the modifier but I really like this work out too. I am finding most of them easier to do! Have had Shakeology so I have my fuel for the morning. Heading out to pick up some heavier weights and looking forward to a blessed Saturday! Hope the same for you too!!

And later that day..........

Purchased heavier weights today, I am excited to use them in my Dirty Thirty tomorrow! Also went shopping for a few things, baby spinach, kale, brocolli rabe, swish chard, pears strawberries, raspberries, watermelon and unsweetened original almond milk. Not only are we getting healthier, our refrigerator is too and our shopping sprees without all the excess is not so hard on the wallet either!!

June 5, 2015

This morning was a struggle. Woke up before the alarm and just wanted to stay in bed. I had no desire to get up and none at all to exercise. My back aches and my stomach is a bit off. But I am drawing on a power that is not my own because if I did not, I would have rolled over and gone back to sleep. In stead, I forced myself to get out of bed and into my workout clothes and to do the 30 minute workout.

Day 11 for me is a choice of Pilates Fix or Flat Ab Fix. Have not done the Flat Ab Fix so I turned it on and it was a 10 minute workout, my first thought was woo hoo 10 minutes and I am done...... I clicked it off and went back to the menu and chose the Pilates. It truly kicked my butt today. I think I might have done better last week, some of the exercises in the series I had to modify the modifier because my body is just not there yet, my gut is in the way and I have a bad back and know what I can and cannot do. Thankfully I have spent some time with a personal trainer in the past and that has been helpful in modifying. And I just keep moving, not giving up and sweating and breathing through it.

In the end, I pushed through the 30 minute workout and I know that I am more flexible and stronger than I was yesterday and even before I started. Every movement brings me further away from where I was and closer to where I want to be. And in the process I keep telling myself baby steps, baby steps......that is what it is for me, baby steps. This program is doable for me, it is going to change my life, my health and my lifestyle to a more fit and healthier me and it’s a long term program that I can live with because it is based on moderation, eating well and an active lifestyle.

I seem to focus a lot on food these days too, I have to, I have to prepare, have healthy snacks available and follow the food plan I committed to for 21 days. Today for lunch I am going to a local Mediterranean bakery to pick up some hummus (chick peas), babbaganush ( eggplant) and tabuli (parsley, tomatoes, red onion and bulgar wheat). Then I am going back to my office to make a sandwich using the hummus as my spread ( like I do with the goat cheese), adding some of the chicken that I cooked the other night and topping that with some tabuli and making a delicious healthy wrap with my Lavash bread. Then I will have these yummy things to add variety to my meals this weekend and coming week. As a foodie, I am enjoying finding the healthier, tastier side of a healthy eating program.

So baby steps it is, I keep taking them, one day at a time. I am not doing this perfectly, I am not giving up, and I am giving it my all. I made the choice to DECIDE, COMMITT, SUCCEED!

Have a blessed and glorious day and start to a wonderful weekend!!

And later that day....

I have had a craving for Pizza and been wanting to make it with the Lavash bread. It Friday and we sometimes get pizza on Friday so it was fitting that we have pizza tonight. A friend suggested that we bake the bread first to crisp it before topping which made a lot of sense. In my travels to George's bakery today I picked up some Mountain bread which is similar to the Lavash and Ezekiel breads. I heated the bread and it did crisp up which was perfect. And I made the sauce with a small can of fire roasted tomatoes, a tablespoon of tomato paste and some water, oregano, garlic powder and dried basil. Then I added some fresh basil and some fresh buffalo mozzarella. It was crisp in areas and soggy in others but it was so delicious, it totally satisfied my yen for pizza night, I was just missing the Sam Adams Cherry Wheat, but John had one for me

June 4, 2015

Moving forward on to Day 10 and I almost crushed my Lower Fix this morning. Like last night with the Upper Fix I am following the group and not the modifier with the exception of a two or three exercises that I still have not got down, but I am pushing through them and doing my best.

I am halfway through and this weekend will be getting a heavier set of weights. I am always glad when the workout is behind me and I have the rest of the day because I have the rest of the day to throw a little more exercise in there. The board in the Upper Fix last night read "It dosen't get easier, you get better", I am taking that motto with me today!

Have an amazing day!!

June 3, 2015

I am learning to listen to my body and to slow down and get rest when I need to. I was up into the early hours of he morning last night working on a project. I had not eaten my snack and was hungry and so at 11:30 pm which was too late I had my snack, but instead of having one purple container of watermelon I had two and a half totally over indulging in the watermelon while I sat at the computer working. Guess I am learning first hand what I should not be doing.

But I am also learning to listen to my body and to slow down when I need to and get the rest I need when I need it. Today was one of those days and I needed the rest and that is what I did. And I am grateful, because of it I am feeling strong and full of purpose.

I have been much more diligent in checking my blood levels which until yesterday were still relatively high. I tested myself around noon today before eating and my level was so much lower than it has ever been. Not only am I seeing the results in my body externally, I am now seeing them internally which is one of the reasons I knew I needed to make this change in my life.

SO....Day 9 and the 21 Day Fix is becoming a habit, one that I am actually enjoying as I see and feel my body inside and out responding to the exercise and the healthy food plan. Yesterday was also a reminder that I need to pay more attention to getting to bed earlier and getting a good nights rest.

I am also enjoying preparing foods like couscous and quinoa that we did not have often in our meal plan. And I think that John is enjoying the variety as well. Last night we had a delicious poached salmon with couscous and cabbage.

Today for lunch I had my new favorite, turkey sandwich with goat cheese, roasted red peppers, kalamata olives and basil on Lavash bread. And I will soon be making a pizza with the Lavash bread. I took a picture of my sandwich before I rolled it and thought it would make a yummy pizza if I put it in the oven just as it was. Imagine a light sauce, fresh basil and some buffalo mozzarella. Yes, we may be keeping Friday as pizza night, Lavash style. I will keep you posted. And dinner tonight was fresh herb and lemon chicken with quinoa and roasted brocolli and cauliflower.

The variety of food that is allowed on the 21 Day Fix and the measuring of the portions have been such a blessing. Although I prefer to do my exercise in the morning I will be doing my Upper fix right after this post..... can't even believe that I am looking forward to it! Here goes nothing!! And hopefully with it a few more pounds

June 2, 2015

" Strength does not come from what you can do. It comes from doing what you thought you can't do"

I heard that from Autumn in the 21 day fix Total Cardio Workout this morning. Somehow I must have missed it last week, or maybe this morning I was more focused. But it resonated with me as I was pushing through the workout.

I would never have believed that I would be doing this, let alone sticking with it and dare I say thriving. But it is really feeling good. This mornings routine there were a few areas where I had to modify the modifier but I am still pushing through and moving and I am starting to feel more comfortable with the routines and even reaching and stretching a little farther than I did last week. So for me that is progress.

I just keep showing up and I know it is all grace that is pulling me through!!

I have a wonderful healthy fix approved lunch and snacks and a delicious Salmon dinner planned for tonight with my beloved!

I may even pick up some time on the eliptical tonight before dinner, but this week I won't let the Salmon dry out while I use the oven timer as my exercise timer like I did last week. I cook the salmon in parchment with lemon and herbs and it is always so nice and moist, but last week I got caught up on the eliptical and let it cook longer thank I should have. My beloved of course says it was delicious, he is so kind, it was dry and overcooked. I am shooting for moist and perfectly cooked tonight!!

Have a blessed and glorious day!

June 1, 2015

Day 7 of the 21 day fix. Wow!  I have made it a week, excercising every day and following the food plan.  I have not yet exercised for today but will be doing the Yoga Fix tonight.  I was out the door this morning with little time to spare and although I prefer to exercise in the morning I was looking forward to doing the yoga fix tonight.  Burnt out on salads I made a sandwich with the Lavash Bread for lunch today.  It was absolutly delicious.  I am so glad a made a two sandwichs yesterday because it made preparing lunch for tomorrow easy.  And it was delish! It has been a busy day but a great one knowing that I am on track and a full week into the fix with two more to go!  And it really has not been difficult at all.   If you get a chance check out my website I have made some updates to the Joy in the Journey tab and created pages with information on Shakeology and the 21 day fix. I also uploaded some things I created to help me through the fix.  A daily containter tally sheet and a food list that I use to shop and prepare meals.  Looking forward to starting week two in the morning!!

May 31, 2015

Want an alternative to salads.  Use Wheat, Oat, Flax Seed Lavash Bread or pita if you like.  The Lavash bread is big so I cut it in half so I could make two sandwiches one for tomorrow and one for Tuesday.  I took a small dollop of goat cheese, actually less that what would fit into the blue container and spread it over the half of the bread.  I took a couple of slices of turkey and folded them into the red container to make sure they would fit, I was able to use three slices and I laid the turkey over the goat cheese.  I then spread some plain roasted red peppers over the turkey. You can look up my roasted red pepper recipe to see how I do my peppers, the difference is this time I did not add anything to them, I just roasted them and peeled them and put them in a container so I can add them to my meals for the week.  I then pitted 6 calamata olives and placed them over the roasted peppers and then added some fresh parsley. Rolled it up and cut it half.  And then made another with the other half of the bread.  I like goat cheese so I am looking forward to seeing how it tastes tomorrow.  But now I have a new go to when I dont want a salad and I can switch up the cheese for any of the other fix approved cheeses or spread hummus which is a delicious accompanyment to turkey.  I will most likely try that later this week or next.  Making the sandwich with the hummus, turkey and a tabuli like salad with red onion, parsley and tomatoesmixed with  a little olive oil and lemon....... the variations and the posiblities are endless, switch out the turkey for sliced rotissiere chicken or grilled chicken, roasted pork....a new plan for leftovers besides adding to salads.  I will let you know if I like it tomorrow!!  

May 31, 2015

Still on day 6.  After mass we ended up going  out to breakfast.  I had an egg white omlete loaded with vegetables, some fruit salad and turkey sausage.  It was delicious and I could not finish it all.  When we got home I spent a few hours preparing lunch for tomorrow and getting meals ready for the week.  It takes preparation but the time spent is well worth it.  I  needed a break from salads so this week I plan to have a lot of grilled veggies and to make some sandwiches.  I picked up some Wheat, Oat and Flax Seed Lavasha bread and some baked turkey and made what I think is going to be a delicious sandwich for tomorrow.  I also made a fruit salad, roasted some veggies and made an overnight oatmeal.  Lunch packed and in the fridge  I finally got to the Dirty Thirty!  That was 30 minutes of moving and I even challenged myself on a few of the exercises not following the modifier.  It still kicked my butt, but it is all good!! 

May 31, 2015

So I did say this is not about "weight" and about getting fit and healthy, but this morning I am a little giddy about the "weight" I got on the scale and have lost 8.1 pounds since I weighted myself on Monday in preparation for starting the Fix on Tuesday. So I am into Day 6 of the 21 Day Fix and I have lost 8.1 pounds! So here is what I have learned this far.......

I am stronger than my excuses and I can do more than I dream possible. I also know that nothing I do is under my own steam for I draw all of my strength from God......

I have found a program that works for me. I love that it is all spelled out for me. It is not easy, it takes work to prepare and plan. BUT the time spent doing that sets me up for success, I have go to healthy snacks, I am not going hungry and filling that "space" with unhealthy choices and I am eating what I like and not feeling deprived in any way and for me that is key. Deny me what I want and I will eventually go for that and so much more before I get to it. The grace here is that there is nothing that I am craving and I credit that to the Shakeology.

This program is flexible, not ridged. I like flexible, yesterday I ate out and was able to stay right within my fix and enjoyed every bite and it filled me up. Then last night we went to a party with wonderful friends, our hosts, lovingly welcoming us into their beautiful home we were surrounded by wonderful friends, great wine and amazing food with so very many many healthy choices helping me to stay on track and I was able to have a fix splurge and had a half a glass of delicious Martin Ulisse Merlot! And I still woke up this morning to an 8.1 weight loss..... I have learned that I got this, I can do this and I am taking control over food instead of it over me..... That has been my challenge!

I have also learned that I need to listen to my body.... what I have not shared before but am now putting out there is that was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes almost two years ago and have been dealing with some neuropathy in my feet and more recently have cholesterol issues. I have been on medication for the diabetes and at one point had gotten my Ac1 down to 6.8. The Ac1 is a test that monitors the average of blood sugar and for those with diabetes it is suggested to keep this under 7. Mine was above 8 and with diet, medication and NO exercise I managed it and got it down to 6.8 but then I got cocky and stopped watching as closely and recently shot back up as did my cholesterol and my weight. I have been working with a dietician and told her that have been on the Shakeology since December which is helping my energy and cravings but I have not been exercising regularly and had the 21 day fix, that was over a month ago and we made a plan for me to start on May 26th as my follow up Doctors appointment is in mid-June. I also had a lot of blood work done that day and got a call and letter from the Doctor to up my diabetes medication and to start taking the cholesterol medication that was prescribed last year that I had yet to start taking. I also have arthritis in my back and spine, sciatica, lower back and neck pain from a bulging disk that I have managed for many many years with on/off physical therapy and on occasion cortisone shots early on avoiding surgery. I have not actively been treated for it lately because I have come to the place that it is what it is and I am not having surgery. I need to get moving, strengthen my core that has worked in the past. Problem is I have not gotten moving for any consistent period of time, I do well and then I stop. I have also for the past several years have had on again/ off again sometimes very severe vertigo. The most recent bout has subsided as I suspect the crystals have moved back into place, again I opted out of treatment preferring to let time work it out. And thanks be to God it seems to have passed for the time being and I am most grateful. And lastly I was diagnosed with sleep apnea, after a year plus of fighting it I finally got the machine and then came almost another year of having and not using it, I am much better at using it but still have my issues, mostly because of my asthma, allergies and breathing issues, but when I do use the CPAP it helps a lot and I am so much better at it and getting better every day, now not avoiding something that I know truly does help. All in all I have not been as active as I should be and the times in between when I was not physically able to do the exercise, I could have gotten started on a better eating plan and walking to lose some weight which may have helped; instead I stayed stuck and did nothing. I have dealt with the sleep apnea unknowingly for years and the back issues for even longer. The trigger for me should have been the diabetes but I thought I had that managed and then came the cholesterol......... and with this more pills.

SO I am out of the clouds and into the clear blue sky and I am taking charge of the direction I want my life to go. I have an amazing husband and family and I want to be around and not just around, I want to be as healthy as I can be. That for me does not mean skinny, which is not where I am headed, I am headed for the body that my body should be. The one that was intended for me before I allowed difficult events in my life to move food from the wonderful purpose my parents raised us to enjoy in abondanza moderation with familia to become my every comfort to fill the voids. There are no voids to fill and yet there is a body with years of filling and stuffing that needs to be reshaped into the healthy spiritual woman of God that I was created to be. I am in a blessed place, surrounded by grace and my eyes are wide open to shift I need to make to get there.

I am a new creation and this new creation is looking forward to bringing back the Linda that loved to play tennis, horseback ride, snow ski, do yoga exercises and was much more active. I took a golf lesson when I was younger and never did much although I am from a family of golfer. Now my beloved is a golfer and I am really getting into it too, so I see new challenges and paths ahead and to think this crave for activity all started with a little 21 day fix and a heavy dose of reality in the work I need to do to live a healthier lifestyle.......

So it’s all out there...... sorry for the long post but I figured I would bare it all, if you are joining me for the journey you should know why I am here and where I am headed.

I will be adding this daily blog to a Joy in the Journey tab in my website zialinda.com. You may think when you see the site, all this rich food and she is blogging too about Shakeology and 21 day fix? Yes, it is who I am; I am about love, family and food and the wonderful experiences and memories that we create around the table with those we love. This for me is a new adventure to bring the two together for a healthy lifestyle that embraces and fits my life and every aspect of it.

Today my workout is the Dirty Thirty, I had planned to do it before Mass but this blog was longer than I anticipated when I started out... so I know Dirty Thirty, Mass, Shakeology and delicious fix food and maybe some planting that I did not get to this week and my food planning for the week is on the agenda, just maybe not in that order.

Have a blessed and glorious Sunday!!!

May 30, 2015

Started Day 5 with the Cardio Fix. Thirty minutes of pure challenge and I pushed through every minute. I had to modify the modifiers Mountain Climbers and Burpees but I did them and never stopped moving and again the time flew by!! My beloved made a delicious Strawberry Shakeology and so I am feeling energized and fueled. We are finally breaking out the golf clubs. They were underused last summer hoping to get out more this year and so we are looking forward to a great morning outside in this beautiful weather! May even follow that by a late breakfast out and fix approved egg white omelet loaded with veggies. The day and the possibilities are endless!! Have a blessed day!!

May 29, 2015

Day 4 started with the Pilates Fix, wow, have not worked some of these muscles in forever, it was challenging but so good to stick with it and push through, I am most grateful for the modifier in the videos!!

Although this is about getting more fit, healthy and eating better I did get on the scale and to my amazement have lost 3 pounds since I weighted myself on Monday morning. It feels good and even better because I notice it in my clothes and in the increased strength and flexibility of my body. I have also noticed a significant decrease in cravings, most especially for sweets. Dinner last night was a delicious roast pork loin, roasted veggies and 1/2 sweet potato, we ate late so I skipped the snack and was so satisfied it did not even phase me when John was eating a couple of chocolate chip cookies for dessert. I am sure that temptation will look my way now and again, but I am confident I will make the right choices and when I decide to splurge and I know that I will it won’t be the end of the world because I know how to get right back on track. For now only fix approved splurging is on the agenda as I plan to have a nice glass of vino this weekend! I am keeping the splurging under control because I really want to give this all I have.

And that also means more prepping and planning and finding new menu ideas. So if you have any great lunch ideas please send them my way as I have come to an impasse on salads and they have been a big part of my diet lately. However I am burnt out on salads, they are easy to prep for lunch but I am done with lettuce and mixed greens and could not even force myself to eat it yesterday at lunch instead I ate every else I had put in the salad but the lettuce.

For lunch today I had roasted veggies, broccoli, carrots, brussel sprouts and peppers. I also brought tuna but most of the veggies filled me and so the tuna is still in my lunch bag.

This weekend I will make some non-salad alternatives for lunch next week and better plan our suppers so we don't have any late night meals, we had a couple this week. I am learning as I go.

I also know that keeping to a routine during the week is easy because of work and that weekends tend to have less of a structure for us. And that is okay, because it is all good! The Fix food plan and exercise will continue to factor into every day. And There is more time for outside activities like walking the links and getting in some golf with my beloved!

Only day 4, still wading my way through the waters .......baby steps...one day at a time!! With a heart filled with gratitude that I am still on the journey and finding the joy!!

Thank you God for keeping me strong and focused and for doing for me that which I cannot do for myself!! And thank you for sharing in the journey, your encouragement, prayers and support touches my heart, lifts my soul and motivates my spirit