Working hard to get healthy

It's been twelve weeks since I began to work towards my personal goal. I started full of excitement and a bit anxious to lose all my weight, maybe even a little bit nervous as I did not know how easy or difficult it would be for me. Let's be realistic I've been gaining weight for the past eleven years and even though I have taken short stops and lost a couple of pounds I have gained them back and then some. 

Last year I began thinking it would be my year to lose weight and even though I began with all my energy and what I thought was determination, I lost focus and got discouraged. What did change was getting more active and riding my bike occasionally. This past May I decided that enough was enough and when Heather from FPN told me about Shaklee's Cinch Diet Program offering the opportunity to bloggers to lose weight I first was anxious about it with fear of rejection, then after much encouragement from my husband and fellow SoCal Lady Bloggers I decided to apply and was fortunate to be selected. 

I was determined at the start of this program to lose as much weight as I can, without stressing out about the scale and results. During that first month Summer vacation began and we were out of town for a couple of days, to my surprise the first thing I packed in my suitcase was my workout clothes along with my Cinch shakes, meal bars, snack bars, energy tea mix and my 3 in 1 Boost. This meant my mindset was changed, to a healthier one. I remained focused and managed to lose almost 11 lbs! 

Now the first month I was focused on my weight, I was not paying close attention to my waistline. However, during my second month I began to pay more attention to my measurements noticing the inches lost and changes in how my clothes fit. I learned that water is an important component to being healthy, having a leaner body and staying hydrated. I've also learned that keeping a journal has helped clear my mind and take the stress away, when I felt that I wanted to eat I would write how I felt. Funny thing is one particular day after I had done my grocery shopping and sat in the car going over my list I began to reflect on how I felt and a few seconds after I was writing my thoughts on the back of my receipt! It just came to me and I felt compelled to write it. Then I got home and re-wrote it in my journal. 

These past two weeks have been a challenge. I began to crave salty foods and on more than one occasion I gave in. I was also battling a cold and did not work out on most days. This past week for example there was a day that I only made it to 362 steps! My daily goal is 8,000 

I honestly stayed away from the scale because I knew on some days I didn't eat enough calories and others I went a bit over, I was so upset about it that even though I knew what I ate and how much I did not even log it into my daily journal. I did not want to stress about it because let's be honest when I stress I eat to keep my emotions at bay. Finally on Wednesday {my weigh in day} I went to the scale and I weighed myself... Another 2 lbs lost! 

TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS 15 LBS!

My measurements today are:

Neck: 15" 

Chest: 42.5"

Arm: 15"

Waist: 41 3/4"

Hip: 51"

Thigh: 28"

Total inches lost to date: 16.5 inches!

This made me smile from ear to ear and feel proud of what I've been doing, all my hard work is paying off. Losing weight is hard work, because you have to make an extra effort to be active and make healthy choices...ALWAYS! As I've mentioned before I am still a work in progress, working towards my goals and wearing my trophy jeans. They are in my closet and even though I am still not even close to wearing them I am an inch closer! and that is what is important to me. 

One key factor that has made all this hard work easier is the never ending support from my family and friends as well as readers and  Team Cinchspiration. We have bonded in so many ways and I am forever thankful to these wonderful ladies that teach me something new everyday and are always holding my hand. Encouraging me each morning to get up and get active, to make healthier choices and I am thankful to each and everyone of them. It's a very special bond we have as we are in this journey together. Sommer Poquette our team captain and #1 cheerleader has been an inspiration and our fuel to keep us going, she is so sweet and ready to help us. She is always giving us challenges and informing us with facts of why and what to do what we do.

My new friends Jennae, Daenel, Mandee, Heidi, Maggie, Jackie, Krista, Cindy and Jenn they are all such great inspiration each in their own way. I love how creative they are and how supportive we all are of each other. These ladies are keeping me accountable and I appreciate all they do for our team. We all live in different parts of the country, we are all so different and yet we are the same. Working towards a healthier us! Thank you ladies, I truly appreciate all your comments, posts and challenges.

If you feel you are ready to make a change in your life and lose weight, please enter my Cinchspiration for YOU giveaway {giveaway closes on 09/08/12} 

This is a sponsored post as part of the Shaklee Corporation’s Team #Cinchspiration Campaign. I have received free products, online support and incentives for participating. All opinions and photographs are my own. Results and experiences are unique for each person, so results may vary. People following the weight loss portion of Shaklee 180 can expect to lose 1-2 pounds a week.