I live, I eat

The Beta Test Group - The Beginning A long while back I kept seeing little ads for a beta test group that Chalene Johnson was putting on for a diet program on Facebook. After I caved in and joined I found that they had done this in a couple of rounds so they had a couple groups at different times. (It is an interesting concept of paying to be part of a test group, even though it was reasonable priced for what it was. You are pretty much paying them to be their guinea pig.) In the end it was done in two sections which were paid for separately (both still a relatively small cost). There was so much information coming at you, and for someone that likes to know the ins and outs of what information is out there, stuff from doctors, hospitals, dietitians, etc.  It seemed like a good amount of people were losing weight based on the program. After the beta test groups were done, they were going to go live with the full program. Being a beta tester we got a free membership for the first...

So I have tried a Bento Box from MM. Lafleur twice now.  The first box that I received was okay, but just didn't hit the mark and I sent it all back.  They too realized that it just didn't happen for us and they offered to send me another box without the $25.00 fee. As per the norm, they will charge you a $25 fee for the styling that will be put towards anything you buy from your box. This is a newer charge they have enacted that wasn't charged on my first one. If you go to the MM.LaFleur website, you will see a nice variety of quality clothes. That was what I really was looking for. As I am trying to pick up my style and look more professional, I really need quality.  I'm posting this little bit from their website about them: Sarah LaFleur was your typical woman in finance whose closet was packed with blah-feeling pantsuits. Back then, she dreamed of a more inspired wardrobe for herself and all professional women. When she launched MM.LaFleur in 2013, she made i...

Note:  Update to this review will be at the bottom of the original. I live in Alaska. I'm not joking when I say that Alaska has been voted the worst dressed state. And it's true. There are of course some exceptions, but overall we are pretty in need of style. I moved up here about 18 years ago from Arizona.  Arizona has style. I was used to dressing up to go out or hang out with my friends. I wouldn't be caught dead without some light make up. Low and behold, after a few years up here.... I can go without makeup and only put on a full face for a serious occasion, I have crocs in my wardrobe (more than three pairs), hiking clothes are everyday wear, xtratuf boots are classics, if it didn't come from rei it looks like it did. Such was my life. I noticed that when I travel, I try to pick up my style a bit so I didn't totally stand out. Especially going to Europe, but year after year, it appeared harder and harder. My wardrobe just didn't have what it took. And ...

Lest I say that when I heard about Walden Farm's products I was super curious.  I looked for this stuff everywhere and could only find it at my over priced natural foods market and on amazon.  In general, I would say that most of the products were a bit over $5 each.  They have chocolate and carmel sauce, a variety of salad dressings, PB and Jam, Ketchup, and BBQ.  When you are cutting your diet and these things are no longer permissible, this is like finding the holy grail. (Insert singing angels here.) I started this quest with a couple of salad dressings.  I bought the honey Dijon, the berry vinaigrette, and the ceasar.  The first one that I've tried was the ceasar. It was flavorful, but still not quite what the original is. When I looked at the ingredients, I saw that it was pretty much made up of spices, flavor, vinegar, and thickening agent.  As this has no calories, sugar, fat, but has a slight amount of sodium I saw this as a free food. I wen...

It finally happened. The end of the Fast 5 is done.  I had my moments, but overall it wasn't really as hard as I thought it was going to be.  For cravings, the most difficult was in the evening after I've already had dinner.  There is that large amount of space where you would generally fill it with boredom eating or general snacking.  I know my husband did, which did not help me.  He was, however, really good about not buying me any wine to drink.  If it's in the house, I tend to make some excuse so it was better to remove it. Water during the weekend was also a large challenge.  I ran out of my favorite flavoring which is the SweetLeaf Water Drops in the peach mango flavor.  It's sweetened with stevia and has no artificial ingredients. I could guzzle a gallon of water no problem.  I went to the store this morning and bought a handful so I wouldn't be caught without. The meals overall were tasty and the shakes weren't bad either.  T...

It's Saturday, and I knew that the weekend was going to be a bit harder.  I reinforced to my husband that he's kind of the only one that knows I'm on this plan, because we were going out to see my parents. I should rewind and admit that I completely slept in this morning.  We were planning on leaving by 10, which would have given me time to have breakfast, my break shake right before leaving and then lunch with the parents, getting back home for the second shake.  Didn't happen.  I got up late, made sure that I had my breakfast bar, which was the peanut butter granola bar.  It was about the size of the apple strudel and it was so thick.  It was tasty enough, but almost a pain in the tuckas to eat. Not a top pick. Off we went a little after 10, and I made him stop off to get me a coffee. Is it just me or is Starbucks getting too big for it's britches.  The coffee was a disappointment, but it was what I had.  I took a couple waters with me, but ...

Somewhere along the way things got messed up with the meals. Perhaps it's where I changed teh bar for an entree, or it could be when I realized that I looked at the wrong page in the guide for half the day. Anyways, it's a great thing that all of these meals are interchangeable.  When I weighed myself it as flipping between what I was and the pound lower.  I'm not going to take the liberty to claim that pound, so we will just say that we stayed the same.  Also of note, is that I'm not going to the bathroom for #2 as much.  Peeing? Heck yes, every 5 minutes it seems, but not the rest. I know, TMI, but it's part of the deal. I might try to go a bit more leafy green on my veggies. Today's meals minus dinner: I woke up this morning and got myself to the gym.  I've been pretty good about my workouts, and when I couldn't get to the gym, I did something at home.  I work out harder at the gym, and I have the bonus of the trainer.  I got my gym membership...

Oh my, is it Day 4 already? So far so good. I went up one pound. Hmm?  I've dealt with a handful of cravings and the general boredom food wants.  Otherwise this diet is overall been not too bad. My worst time of the day is actually after I get home from work and after dinner. I'm done with food and there's still a long time till I go to bed. On the regular plan you could have a dessert, so that's one of the payoffs when we are done with this week. Yesterday evening I had the pot pie and reheated the rest of my green beans to go with it.  I cut up the green beans and then mixed the pot pie into it.  It was okay but not awesome. Made me think what the heck were those people talking about.  Not a bad meal and I would definitely have it again though. I'm been drinking a ton of water and it's apparently not gone unnoticed that I keep refilling my gigantic water container and that I have to pee every 10 minutes.  Hey, if that's what it takes.  My cowork...

Day 3!! Not as bad as I thought it might be.  Yesterday I weighed in 2 pounds less, and today was the same loss (-4!!!!). Of course, just my luck that by the time I got to the gym and got weighed and measured by my trainer it was up.  Thank you coffee and water.  So for the duration, I shall only follow my scale, but I will go with my trainers measurements.  I will have to look back and see what my initial measurements were.  I will ask her to measure again at the end of the Fast 5, and then periodically through my weight loss journey. Just as a note to you all, I noticed as I was searching the web for other reviews that most of them are sponsored by Nutrisystem, and I assure you that I am currently not. If they choose (go on ahead!!) to sponsor me, then I will make sure that it is stated in the next blog to notify you all. So things that I've noticed.... It might be that I'm PMSing, but I have been exhausted.  But it's not usually that bad. I've been g...

Hi all, so here we are again with another workout and eating plan with online coaching.  This program is about to start its 12th week and I feel I have done enough of this one to truly remark on it. It appears that many online coaching programs are doing a limited access site with "rounds" that you can sign up for and do.  I preciously gave the 10 Weeks BodyChange Changetime  a try and stopped it after 3 weeks.  The 12WBT is similar in the way that you have access for the 12 week span and each week you are given access to a new weeks worth of the program. You can go back and redo or review the previous weeks in both of them.  I have to say that this limitation is probably one of my biggest problems with both programs. The upsides for the 12WBT are: They have a whole prep section before you start your round to get you prepped to go, and this helps to keep you going good. You are able to track eating, water intake, mood, and sleep. You get full length work...

So I signed up for the 12WBT a little over a week ago.  I decided to try that $3 for 3 weeks promo that I kept seeing.  After I signed up, I went on the website and saw that we were "pre-season" and there were a bunch of videos and tasks that you are assigned before the program begins.  The videos  have Michelle in them talking over the different sections and why that part of pre-season will help you succeed. I was initially put off by the pre-season.  I wanted to start right away and not deal with stuff in the meanwhile.  After the first week, when I was going through the tasks, I started to enjoy it.  New tasks, videos, and whatnot open up at different dates on the site.  You will see a notice when it will be made available.  Also, each week has a new task. When I started, pre-season had been underway for a while and I only had about a week and a half to go through most of the tasks.  After the first week opened up, I had access to...

It's been a whole week so far! I'm liking the workouts, but would like to workout more.  I hate cardio.  Did I say that I hate cardio? Yes. Yes I did. Thankfully that is limited to mornings (optional) and after lifting. The food is going well for the most part.  I have the hardest time during the weekends when my husband wants to go out.  For him, it's better not to eat for a long time and then get some crap food.  Apparently, my need for a structured eating program is something I'm going to have to fight for.  He also likes to go out and buy wine.  How awesome. No, I haven't been an angel about drinking.  I have limited it, but during the weekend, when my husband brings me wine, is a different story.  I need to just say no. My water intake varies from day to day, but I'm doing a ton better.  If I am truly lacking I will go ahead and add some flavoring.  I know its a no-no, but sometimes it's worth it. So.........first wee...

Okay, I'm on day three.  In so far.... I like the workouts.  A couple of things I have to improvise on because my gym doesn't have a couple of pieces of equipment, but is otherwise completely doable.  I'm doing supersets and a couple of singular movements and then abs.  I'm working out Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.  She gave me a supplement suggestion, and I have to get a couple of things shipped. I normally go to bodybuilding.com to order my supplements because they usually have the best prices and ship super fast.  They also have great customer service. I have some bread products in my meal plan for these two weeks, and that is a little different to get used to.  Not bad though.  The rest of the food I like as well and eating every 2-3 hours.  Pretty clean eating.  I'm trying my best to drink my allotted water and not my coffee as I normally do.  I've also premade a bunch of food and have some of the steam bag veggi...

Okay, I'm compiling a list of places that I like and recommend to people.  You may not see a place on the list.  This either means I wouldn't put it on my list of recommendations, or I haven't tried it. If you have a question about a particular restaurant here in town, just ask in the comments.  I will try to get back to you quickly.  I haven't finished the list of descriptions, but will work on it as I have time.  I will then endeavor to add links to the websites or something similar to help you find these places. ANCHORAGE Downtown Alaska Cake Studio - Cake and coffee yum. Good location for while walking around. Simon and Seaforts - Good menu, but try out the bar for quick service and the drink specials. Orso - Brewhouse's sister.  Okay mix, not as busy as Brewhouse, Still need reservations on weekends. Food is good. Nice wine list Glacier Brewhouse - Make a reservation.  Seriously. Good food, noisy. Popular year round with locals and to...

Alas, I am still searching for the perfect plan.  The up side is that I'm super hopeful about this one.  I just signed up with Sara Fennell to do her 12 week Lose Weight Get in Shape program.  You can see her website  here. Sara, who so far seems super nice, is the 2012 Ms. Ontario and 2011 Ms. Ottawa.  She has a bunch of different 12 week programs and help for competition prep.  The programs are: Lose Weight Get in Shape Bikini Body Challenge Fitness Model Build Baby Build Keep My New Body (Maintenance Plan) Plus Plan Get Fit at Home Pretty much the cost is 150.00 (Canadian dollars) every four weeks.  It was a bit more than I wanted to pay, but I thought of it like she was a trainer here at my gym.  I would actually be paying more and not getting as much.  With Sara's program I will be getting a nutrition plan, workout plan, cardio plan, and supplement suggestions.  There is also the website where I can track everything. I ...

I enjoy the idea of online coaching.  I really like the sites that allow food tracking and have a community area to chat with people that are in it with you.  I like interaction with my trainer whenever needed or to give me a boost.  In my search for the perfect program, 10 Weeks BodyChange with John Cena somehow got on my radar. Okay not my typical type of guy I am attracted to, but I'm not blind.  John Cena is eye candy.  What's better?  Oh yeah, he actually seems like he is a great guy.  I think I could make myself workout with him. This program is $99 for 12 weeks of access.  I searched for a coupon code, but they were all expired.  There is also a payment option, but you pay more that way.  There is also a 30 day guarantee.  The program is 10 weeks, and you get another two of the access to the website.  Then you are cut off.  You can sign up/pay for their other program which is just a continuation and maintenance ...

We walked by the Kona Inn Restaurant almost everyday.  We finally ended up in this place, thinking it was the Kona Canoe Club down the shopping area. Our first time here, it was evening and we were going for drinks.  There are the lovely waves right in front of you, so this would make a nice place to watch the sunset.  As a note, the canoe club is excellent for a sunset if you were wanting to relax with a drink. The first time we came to the Kona Inn we sat at the bar.  The sun had been down for a while and we were just looking for somewhere to relax.  The sound of the waves were a nice addition to our mai tai's.  This place is actually known for their mai tai's and I admit they are pretty good.  We ended up having a late night meal here, with me having a cheeseburger.  It was good, but nothing that stands out.  The deluxe cheeseburger is 13.95 and comes with potato salad or cole slaw, or you have to pay $1 for an "upgrade" to fries. ...

My husband and I were in Hawaii for our anniversary trip and I am doing a bunch of reviews for it.  I have to break them up because some of them need much more space than others. My husband and I, wherever we travel, always look for charters where they limit the number of people on the boat.  We haven't had much luck except one in Cozumel (awesome), and this one.  I was completely excited when I found an ad for them.  You will find Kamanu Charters' ads in various spots, you just have to pay attention. Kamanu Charter s offers:  Sunset Sail, Snorkel Sail, Dolphin Swim, Manta Ray Snorkel, and Whale Watch.  In Mexico we had done a snorkel trip which was amazing, and we were tempted to do it again, but we ended up with the sunset sail.  We would have had to wait for a date that was too far out for us, and we figured that we had never done one, and we wanted something romantic for our trip. I found a $20.00 off coupon in the 'This Week Big Island" mini...