Thursday, June 30, 2011

Signs (Sighs) of Summer

Sailing, surfing, sunscreen, surfing, swimsuits. Ugh!!! Swimsuits!  Just the sheer mention of this article of summer clothing sends chills up my spine.
Let the fun begin!
Step One:  Determine body type.  Ya ok I got this one….too big, too round, too much….but seriously, body types include; apple, pear, boyshape and hourglass.  Did I say seriously?!  How did chubby, thick and chunky not make this list?
     Lesson 1:  Take it easy on yourself and face the facts that there are no real body types except not perfect…lol…
Step Two:  Two hours and four drinks later I finally commit to my not perfect body type and now comes the 6 hour course to learn what kind of suit flatters my type………..
maillot, bandeau, monokini, swim dress, classic bikini, string bikini, tankini, thong…..stop, stop, stop….geeze it is like shopping for Sybil.  It makes me want to run screaming the other way longing for the good ‘ole days of one piece and two piece suits.  This is the problem of today everyone has wayyyyyyyy to many choices.
     Lesson 2:  Best choice is a suit that covers what needs to be covered and supports what’s sagging and price is not an option.  If it makes you look good…get it!
Step 3:  Like a good little soldier I prepare for battle and muster up the courage to head to the mall.  Of course when I arrive at the local mall, I suddenly realize that I had committed strategic suicide.  Did I not think this through enough?  Had I not planned this right?  How did I miss the most important sign of summer??!!
School’s Out!!!
It’s hard enough to shop for suits in my condition (refer back to body types chubby, thick and chunky) much less shopping amongst a gaggle of modern day Gidgets that have been dropped off at the mall by parents longing to get rid of these texting terrors for the afternoon.
Of course they too are suit shopping with their tiny waists, long legs and big, perky breasts.  Did I mention big?!  Have you noticed the teens of today?  Back in my day there was one, maybe two girls in school that filled out their sweaters that the boys all drooled over and the girls envied.  Seriously have you really taken a good look at today’s teenage girls?  What in the heck are they putting in the food?!! I think it is all the extra growth hormones they are shooting up chickens and livestock with being transferred to these kids.  But I guess that is a blog for another day…lol…
     Lesson 3:  Never go shopping when school’s out.  Go on a weekday before school lets out.  This way no one gets hurt…lol…
Getting back to the subject at hand…
Step 4:  Scouting.  I get to the women’s department and look over the selection.   Geeze I don’t think even my grandma would choose some of these?!  I mean I know I am not the typical “thin” girl but I am not 90 years old either.  Why is it that clothing industry thinks that if you are bigger than a size 12 your preferred fashion choices consist of unsightly floral prints, huge animal prints and the ever popular old maid and matronly look?  I reluctantly make my selections and move on to the next step.
     Lesson 4:  K.I.S.S.  Keep It Simple Stupid.  (No offense intended)  Simple solids sometimes do the trick.
Step 5:  The Dressing Room.  Of course all the suits I try on make me question the body type choice I committed too and come up with a few new types…shamu, barrel and what was I thinking!!!
I head out of the dressing room with my choice or I should say lack of choice, when the sales girl, who it too thin to be allowed to work in the woman’s department approaches me and asks if I need help.  Like she can really relate to me.  I am sure she sympathizes with my suit selection dispair.  I give her a once over and spew out a polite “No thanks, I’m just looking” when inside I was screaming “Step away before I snap you like a twig!”  It is then you realize maybe I should have brought backup.
     Lesson 5:  Don’t ever take your husband or boyfriend suit shopping.  Despite what you think seeing you squeezing into spandex is totally sexy.  While you are blankly staring in the brightly lit 3-way mirror horrified at what you see hanging out of your suit, you see him giving you the once over with that “Yeah Baby” look.  It is in that moment you are contemplating strapping a Speedo on him and shoving him out of the dressing room.
Step 6:  The long walk.  As I walk out of the mall empty handed and feeling defeated, I remind myself that my son and husband could careless what I look like in a suit as long as I am there.  
     Lesson 6:  Feel good about yourself and learn what looks good on you and stick with it.  You could be at home with your feet up, sipping on a cool drink, ordering online.
Tammy
Share with us your best swimsuit story or pic!

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Nothing to Lose But Weight

I am the “other” Pink Drink Lady, my name is Jackie. I have been on a weight loss roller coaster all of my life. I promised myself every time I achieved my desired weight I would never put it on again. During the past 10 years I have allowed myself to gain 80 pounds. They are those creepy, sneaky pounds. One day I am a size 10, fast forward 6 months I am 4 pounds heavier, no big deal. Repeat this scene over and over and those 4 pounds multiply to 80 pounds. Before I wanted to lose weight so I could look nice in my jeans, now I want to lose weight to maintain my health.

I am 55 years old, 80 pounds over weight and have NO medical problems. (I do have good genes, but that is only 50% of it.) I know if I do not lose weight it will only be a matter of time before I have diabetes, high blood pressure and more.

I have tried everything. Earlier this year I had the fresh gourmet meals delivered to my home. However, the key to this diet plan is, YOU HAVE TO EAT IT! They were delicious and gave me a much needed lesson in portion control. At the end of the day, just about every day, it seems the mashed potatoes with roast beef and gravy always won over the Thai turkey tenderloin and the Blue Crab Ravioli Soup never had a chance against southern fried chicken and biscuits. Another pitfall for me, cooking for a family and dieting at the same time.

When Tammy told me about the “Pink Drink”, I knew I had to try it. It has been two weeks and I have lost 7 pounds. What I really like about Plexus Slim is the fact that it cuts my appetite. This lets me enjoy the foods I like, I just don’t eat as much. It also helps me control what I call my “greed eating”. Although not hungry, my “greed eating” is what makes me have dessert and coffee after a meal. I just hope Plexus Slim continues to help me control my appetite.

I invite everyone to follow our weight loss journey. We will be sharing our journey, as well as our recipes.

Jackie

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

16 Pounds in 14 Days

I know you are probably thinking, “Is that right? I think that’s a typo.” Well you would be wrong my friends. Every fall after elections, a close friend and co-worker and I begin our annual quest to lose weight before our convention. Last fall was no different. It usually begins with us cheering each other on “This is the year!!! We can do it!!” Pumped up and ready we agree to start the following week knowing we have about four good months to peel off the pounds.

The next week turns into the next and the next and then God forbid we begin a diet for Thanksgiving, it surely would not be worth the effort. If we wait until after Thanksgiving it would still give us three good months to shed the weight. Thanksgiving comes and goes and we have partaken of the gorge fest of traditional staples…turkey, ham, dressing, sweet potatoes and virtually every combination thereof until all leftovers are gone. You think the eating would halt, but not even then does it falter. NO!!! Not another leftover!!! Let’s get Italian or Mexican.

Ok, now it is December and we are making a few better choices loosing a couple of pounds here and there over the next couple of weeks. The outlook is good!!! With visions of sugarplums dancing in my head, I turn to my friend and say, “You know with Christmas and New Years around the corner everyone will be having get togethers and office parties. Why don’t we take a vacation from dieting? I mean we lost a couple of pounds we deserve to enjoy ourselves over the holidays.”

Well the New Year comes and goes and we are reassuring each other “It’s ok, it’s ok. We still have a good month to drop a few pounds off. We got this!!!”

I decided to start the popular “Special” challenge and my friend investigated in a mail order plan that sends you premade calorie counted meal portions.

Four weeks later I had lost seven pounds!!! Great right!? Well if you consider having cereal for breakfast and lunch for four weeks straight. I had gotten to the point of not even wanting to write my son’s name for the shear fact it has a “K” in it.

The convention comes and goes and we find ourselves right back in the same rut as before calling every place within walking distance to see what’s the daily lunch.

Then one night while stalking a friend’s facebook page, I came across a post oozing of excitement over being able to start her “Pink Drink” on Monday. Of course my curiosity being peaked, I started scanning her page on a regular basis:
Day 1 – “Pink Drink tastes great! I love it!”
Day 2 – “So much energy…loving my pink drink!!!”
Day 3 – “Cleaned my house AND went walking today!!! Thanks Pink Drink!!!”
Day 7 – “Lost 9 pounds on my Pink Drink!!!! Feel great!!!”

WOW!!! What was this “Pink Drink” and where do I sign up? Ok fingers don’t fail me now. I begin surfing the internet for places I can get this miracle drink. Wait up here’s a website!!! Wonderful, great…but have to order it…damn I want to start this NOW!!! I have to have it NOW!!!

Within the next few days, I found a local Ambassador near my house. I could not wait to tell my friend the great news. We decided that we would split a 30-day supply and try it out, but when I contacted the Ambassador she gave us a bevy of options. Besides the 30-day supply there were 3-day packs and 7-day challenge packs available. We decided to each get two 3-day supply and try it out:

Day 1 – To our amazement our appetite was already vanishing and we had more energy!
Day 2 – More of the same noting that we were full after only 1/3 or 1/2 of our plate lunch. My craving for sweets seemed to be curbed as well.
Fast forward…
Day 14 – Feeling great and loving life!!! My weight loss is 9 pounds and my friend’s weight loss is 7 pounds!!! Total combined weight loss 16 pounds in 14 days! We did not officially measure ourselves until a week after we started, but our clothes are fitting better and I have moved over two holes on my belt!!!

OH and WAIT did I tell you it’s an all-natural product? All the ingredients in the Pink Drink are derived from plants and the product is even safe for people with diabetes.

My friend and I start passing the secret along to friends and co-workers. I picked up several orders for people who wanted to try our new find. Everyone so far has had the same success…less cravings, loss of appetite and more energy!

We believe in this product so much that she and I decided to join forces and become Ambassadors. We are now known as “The Pink Drink Ladies”.

I know, I know you are thinking “give up the name of the product already!” Well why don’t you click on the following link to visit our product website and find out for yourself about the wonderful health benefits of this product and others.  www.plexusslim.com/25142

Please continue following our progress on our blog and find out how we are doing. We will also be posting some of our favorite recipes and stories of life along the way.

Tammy