Day 16

So here I am, half way through my diet.  I sit here and am discourage.  I feel as though I have been doing my best, and yet, I am not happy with my results.  Am I over my head thinking that I could get back down to my per-pregnancy weight in a month.  There are times that I wish that I could be one of those women, that have a baby, and their weight seems to just drop off.  It has been four years since I gave birth, and I have not lost the baby weight.  Yet, I have not gained any more weight.  So, I guess I am feeling discourage because I would like to "look" like someone who I thinks is beautiful and skinny.  But, is skinny looking always the best for everybody?  Is having some "meat" (as my Husband likes to call it) on the bones and being healthy, more important? 

Here is yesterday's report

Breakfast:
*Balance Complete Shake
* 1/2 Cup of Coffee

Snack:
* Slique Tea

Lunch:
* Salad with a Grilled Chicken Breast, Carrots, Red Cabbage, Apple, some Grapes, and Balsamic Vinager

Snack:
* Celery

Dinner:
* Salad with Grilled Chicken Breast, Celery, Gluten Free Crutons, and Lightly dressed Ceaser Salad Dressing

Exercise:
* 30 Day Shred
* Running a lot of errands

Report:
Nothing new to report

Day 15

I apologize for not updating sooner.  The evening's have been a little busy in the Blanchard Household.  I have stayed as true to my diet except for on Sunday afternoon.  We visited a new Church, that was an hour and a half away, and we did not know that they did not have lunch afterwards, so we had to go out to eat...Joshua would not have had a good attitude if he had to wait an hour and half for lunch.  Unfortunately, there were no " really good and healthy" restaurants, so we settle for Whataburger.  Instead of getting an hamburger, I got a grilled chicken breast.  Then on Monday, Daniel made some really good Chocolate Chip Cookies (His favorite), and I had one cookie.  Besides that I have been pretty good!  Here is today's update...

Breakfast:
* Balance Complete Shake (Yes, I had a whole one!)
* A Cup of Coffee

Snack:
* A whole Grapefruit, with out sugar
* Slique Tea

Lunch:
* Water
* Balance Complete Shake

Snack:
* A whole Apple
* 1 oz. Almonds

Dinner:
* Water
* Salad

Exercise:
2- 30 Day Shred Workouts
Swimming Laps in the pool for an hour and a half

Evening update:
Down a pound!! 8.5 pounds in 15 days! And, 3 inches off my waist!!

A Bit of Information...

I will have a update later this evening, but I did want to clear something up.  I had someone say that I am starving myself, and I wanted to give some proof, that I am not.

Like any other diet, you are limited to what you eat.  Most diets recommend that you eat 1200 calories a day along with exercise to lose weight.  That is what I am doing.

The Balance Complete Shakes require 2 scoops per 8 ounce cup of water or milk (Almond and Coconut milk are allowed).  I have tried water and milk, and personally I do not like the taste of the shake with water, so I use Whole Milk.

The calories in the Balance Complete Powder is 190.  The calories in Whole milk for 8 ounces is 150.  Combining these two calories is 340 calories per shake.  Three times a day, that gives you 1,020 calories  The remaining 180 calories are taken up by the fruit, vegetables, and the Slique Tea.

When I drink my shakes, I sit down at the table with my family.  I watch them eat, and I am not starving, because I have my shake.  I also eat dinner with them every other day, or sometimes, life just happens, and I eat lunch and dinner with them.  My body is leaning that I do not need to eat until I "feel" full.  It is learning that six small meals a day are better than three big ones.  I am also learning that breakfast is important.

Eating, does not mean that I eat whatever, but I make sure that it is a healthy meal.  For instance: If I make something that requires Potatoes, I do not use just any potato, I use Sweet Potatoes.  Or if my Husband ask if I want to have lunch with him at Chipotle, I choose mainly lettuce with some brown rice instead of white rice.

Before I went on this diet, I did not eat breakfast.  At the time, my Husband did not come home for lunch, and I found myself not eating anything until around 2 in the afternoon (No worries, I still fed my son breakfast and lunch).  I was just never hungry until 2 pm.  Then dinner was always at 5pm.  So, my eating habits were not healthy.  This diet, has allowed me to see the importance of healthy dieting and eating.

I will honestly say, that I have felt so much better on this diet.  My energy and happiness are back to where they were when I first met my Husband six years ago.

Day 10 & 11

I have been putting off updating to long.  I am pretty disappointed in the last two day, that I did not really want to update.  I have not lost anymore weight since I started the 30 Day Shred with Jillian Michaels.  I have to keep reminding myself, that it is not all about the pounds that come off, but inches are involved as well, but I am happy to report, that I have not gained weight.

Yesterday's Report:

Breakfast:
* 1/2 Balance Comlete Shake
* A Cup of Coffee

Snack:
* An Apple

Lunch:
* Slique Tea
* Meat and Cheese Sandwich (on Gluten Free Bread)
* Water

Snack:
* 1 oz. Almonds
* Water

Dinner:
* Slique Tea
* Balance Complete Shake
* Water

Exercise:
* 30 Day Shred



Today's Report:

Breafast:
* 1/2 Balance Complete Shake
* A Cup of Coffee

Snack:
* 1 oz. Almonds

Lunch:
*Slique Tea
* Balance Complete Shake

Snack:
* Grapefruit without sugar

Dinner:
* Slique Tea
* Beef Thai Dish
* Water

Exercise:
* 30 Day Shred

Evening Report:
Lost 7.5 pounds in 11 days, and 2 inches off the waist.

Day 9

I realized this morning that I did not update yesterday.  Yesterday was a hard day for our family.  It has been a busy week, and the whole family seemed to crash last night!  :-)  But, we are all good today!

So, I thought starting yesterday with exercise was good, but I was wrong.  Doing my exercise first thing in the morning, left me "feeling" hungry all day long.  And, I tried so hard to resist food!  :-) 

At this point in my diet, going to the grocery store, I was not interested in the food.  But, yesterday, doing my mid-month grocery shopping, the food looked great!  I kept reminding myself to push through, and try to continue to reach my goal!  So, I went to the nut section, and after spending 20 minutes looking at all the nuts and their calories etc., I walked away with a 1Ib. bag of Almonds. (For snacks, I am allowed to have fruits, vegetables, and nuts.)

Breakfast:
* 1/2 Cup of Coffee
* 1/2 Balance Complete Shake

Snack:
* Slique Tea

Lunch:
* Balance Complete Shake

Snack:
*Almonds
* 8 Chunks Fresh Pineapple

Dinner:
* Slique Tea
* Balance Complete Shake

Exercise:
* 30 Day Shred with Jillian Michaels

Evening Report:
Down a pound!  Bringing it a total 7.5 pounds in 9 days!

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Day 8

Today was great!  I was able to do two workouts, and still be able to get done what I needed to get done.  Today, I cleaned the house, watched another little boy, had lunch with my best friend, had a workout, went shopping, went swimming, and now, I am enjoying an evening with my family!!


Breakfast:
* 1/2 Balance Complete Shake
* A 1/2 of Coffee

Snack:
* Too busy to grab one

Lunch: (I forgot my Tea)
* 1/4 of a Chipotle Bowl with mostly lettuce and some brown rice (Yes!  Chipotle now serves Brown Rice!)
* Water

Snack:
* Out running Errands

Dinner:
* Water
* Balance Complete Shake
*Slique Tea

Exercise:
* 30 Day Shred with Jillian Michaels
* Swimming laps around the pool for an hour

Evening Update:
I am only down half of a pound.  That makes 6.5 Pounds in 8 Days!!

I am a little disappointed at today's weight results, but I am hoping better for tomorrow!!

To experience the benefits of the Slique program yourself, click here! And, if you are interested in purchasing these great products wholesale, click here!

Day 7

Well, I am back home from being out of town.  My friend was supportive and helpful.  I did eat lunch and dinner when I was with them, but I chose healthy meals.  I chose Salads with balsamic dressing or no dressing.  I thought when I got home, that I gained weight.

I did take Mother's Day off as my wonderful Husband wanted to take me out.  We went to Texas Steak House for dinner.  I chose a 6 oz. Steak with a Sweet Potato (instead of Mashed or baked potato), with a Ceaser Salad.  I was surprise as I did not finish my steak and sweet potato.  It was delicious, but I started getting the "full" feeling, so I stopped.

Now, it is Monday and I am back to hitting my diet hard.  So, here is my diet for today  I wanted to show my "Thankfulness" to my Husband for treating me like a Queen yesterday, so I made his favorite meal, and I ate dinner with him...

Breakfast:
* 1/2 Balance Complete Shake
* A Cup of Coffee

Snack:
* I was not hungry

Lunch:
* Slique Tea
*Water
*Balance Complete Shake

Snack:
* I was not hungry

Dinner:
*Slique Tea
*Water
* 1/2 of a Stuffed Chicken Breast with Corn, and a little Mashed Potatoes.

Exercise:
* Fasted pace 3 mile walk

Evening Report:
*I have lost 2.5 pounds which brings it to a total of 6 pounds in 7 days!

Day 3

Today I have not been feeling very hungry!  I do believe that it gets better from here! :-)  My only problem today is my craving for.....a piece of Dark Chocolate!!  Yes, I love Chocolate, and I would not mind having a piece right now.  But, I will push through this craving, and try not to think about it.

Joshua and I met Daniel for lunch since we were running errands today, because Joshua and I are going out of town for the weekend.  We picked a place that would fill Daniel, but still be good for my diet.  I only ate half of my Chipotle Bowl.  And with the half that I ate, I split some with Joshua.  

Breakfast:
* 1/2 Balance Complete Shake
*A Cup of Coffee

Snack:
*Water

Lunch:
*Slique Tea
*1/2 Chipotle Bowl with Lettuce
*Water

Snack:
*Water

Dinner:
*1/2 Chiptole Bowl with Lettuce
*Water

Exercise:
*Yoga this morning
*An hour in the pool doing laps


Evening Report:
I am down 3.5 pounds!!

Note: Because I am going out of town, I will continue to remain faithful to my diet, but I may not be able to post, as I will not be bringing my computer.  So, expect the next post on Saturday night!

Day 2

Was much better than Day 1!  Having a positive attitude helps a lot when you are dieting. 

Breakfast:
* 1/2 Glass of Balance Complete Shake
* A Cup of Coffee

Snack:
* I really was not "feeling" hungry, so I decided to pass on a snack.

Lunch:
*Slique Tea
*Balance Complete Shake

Snack:
* 1/2 Cup of Blackberries

Dinner:
* Slique Tea
* Roasted Chicken with Sweet Potatoes, and LOTS of Salad with oil and vinegar for dressing
* A small portion of Gluten Free Apple Crisp

Exercise:
Cleaning the house extra fast for company.

As some of you may know, I am not a breakfast person.  For me, eating breakfast makes me feel sluggish through out the day.  But, I also know how important it is to eat breakfast.  So, to "meet" in the middle, I cut the morning shake in half.  I feel full, and not sluggish.

Later on today, we had company over for dinner.  They insisted on bringing a dessert, and I thought that would be fine.  There were six people total, and they would not notice if I did not have any dessert.  Or at least I thought that way.  Until...the wife of the couple served dessert and brought me some Gluten Free Apple Crisp.  I took it cheerfully as to not be rude.  I had a couple of bites, but I did not finish it.

I am happy to report that I am down 1 1/2 pounds from when I started yesterday!!

Day 1

It is hard starting the first day of any diet.  When you are walking through the grocery stores, you realize what you can't eat anymore.  For some people, realizing you are limited to your food will bring them down and make them wonder if they are doing the right thing.  But, keep at it!  I am trying to keep a positive attitude.  Doing this diet, I am trying to make myself more healthy and better fit to serve and care for my family.

(Note: I am a coffee drinker.  Not a "BIG" one, but I do enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning.  I do plan on keeping my one cup of coffee in my diet, but once that one cup is gone...it's gone.)

Breakfast: 

*Balance Complete Shake
*A Cup of Coffee

Snack:

* 8 Pineapple Chunks
*Water

Lunch:

*Slique Tea
*Balance Complete Shake
*Water

Snack:

* 5- Baby Carrots
* 1/2 T. Hummus
* 8 oz. of Lemonade
*Water

Dinner:  (I forgot to drink my tea)

*Balance Complete Shake
*Water

We spent part of our day after lunch playing with a friend at a park.  Daniel had to work a little late, so as the day got a little hot, we moved to play at Chick-Fil-A's play area.  I was hot and thirsty, and I have a soft spot for Chick-Fil-A's lemonade.  So, I got a child's size of lemonade!  I did slip a little today, but that is fine.  Everyday brings on new challenges!  :-)

To experience the benefits of the Slique program yourself, click here! And, if you are interested in purchasing these great products wholesale, click here!

Young Living's Slique Program

I am starting Young Living's Slique diet program today.  This program last a month, and my goal is to lose 15-20 pounds.  I will try to document my progress everyday. 

This is the regiment for the Slique Diet:


Breakfast
Balance Complete™ meal replacement shake
NingXia Red® packet

Snack
2–3 drops Slique™ Essence in water or low-calorie
beverage
Healthy snack (fruit, vegetables, nuts, etc.)

Lunch 
Slique™ Tea 15 minutes before meal
(Optional: add 1–2 drops Slique Essence)
2 Essentialzymes-4™ capsules with meal
Light, well-balanced lunch*

Snack
2–3 drops Slique Essence in water or low-calorie
beverage
Healthy snack (fruit, vegetables, nuts, etc.)

Dinner
Slique Tea 15 minutes before meal
(Optional: add 1–2 drops Slique Essence)
2 Essentialzymes-4 capsules with meal
Light, well-balanced dinner*

Evening 
2–3 drops Slique Essence in water or low-calorie
beverage


*Balance Complete may be substituted for one additional meal to add variety or reduce
caloric intake. Breakfast and lunch regimen may be reversed.  Exercise should be
incorporated into daily activity.

Instead of having a light well- balanced meal for lunch and dinner, I am only having a meal at dinner time every other day, and using Balance complete for all three meals.  I am also trying to drink as much water as possible.  Doing this, I am reducing my calorie intake so I can reach my goal weight.

After doing some research, I have found that the Sligue Essence Oil is to help in making you feel like you are full and not hungry.  Well, Peppermint Oil does the same thing!!  So, I am substituting the Slique Essence for the Peppermint Oil.  But, I am still doing the Slique Tea.  Which is pretty good without adding anything to it...not even sugar!!  :-)

Lavender...Bringing Peace to Your Home and to Your Body

Lavender is an oil I think everyone should have in their home. Not only does it help with burns, dry skin, insomnia, and settling down a little one on a rough day, but it works great for the emotions that come along with a woman’s menstrual cycle!!

In my past, I rarely ever noticed high emotions during my time of the month. However, a few months ago, I began experiencing emotional lows before my period that bothered me. I would burst into tears whether or not there was a reason. I would get easily frustrated. And, sometimes, I wouldn’t even know why I was crying or distressed.

When I am emotionally upset and frustrated, the whole household is too. Therefore, it doesn’t make for a very peaceful atmosphere – and I hate that I seem to be the cause.

This past Christmas, while visiting my family, I had become very emotional, and found myself upset at almost every little thing. I would cry too easily at things that frustrated me, whether or not it was reasonable. Thankfully, my mom recognized it, and knew exactly what I needed! Not only did she give me Dragon Time for the cramps that were bothering me, but she also gave me a blend called Lady Sclareol for the seemingly uncontrollable emotions. Both of these worked right away, and I was able to regain control of my emotions.

After coming home, I found myself lost again, as my time of the month hit and I didn’t have any Lady Sclareol. I suddenly remembered that Lavender helps my little Joshua when he is having a hard day, so I thought I would give it a try. I put Lavender on my temples and on the back of my neck. Instantly, I found some relief. I felt calm, relaxed, and, within thirty minutes, I was better equipped to control my emotions. Our house was at peace once again!

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Member Number: 1290618

Attention: This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.