Designer Whey Protein shakes are very healthy in terms of what in the mix. There are no preservatives, gluten, etc. It has a delicious taste and you can mix it with water. It has a yummy recipe on the back of the canister for a coffee version of the shake. It's a low calorie, low sugar protein so you won't pack on the pounds because of a protein shake. I eat an apple before I workout and drink this shake after I workout. It's a good little meal. It's low in calories so you can mix it with a meal replacement shake for a well-rounded meal without starving an hour later. And it tastes really good (especially compared to Muscle Milk - YUCK!). Something it kind of tastes like - Nesquik! It's about $1 a serving and the size shown is approximately 12 servings. Very reasonable considering how healthy it is. I definitely recommend this product... Especially for those starting out and want a small size with a small price. This is just right. ;)

I got a personal trainer. Yep. I did. And she's been whooping my butt, and abs. I get 6 free sessions at my gym so I signed up... Just to see what all they talked about. Remember, I've been in a gym setting since I could walk so I know all about the machines, etc. I got to talking to Jessica last week and learned a few things. Particularly, I've been working out the wrong way for years. Well... not wrong. Just not right for what I want (if that makes any sense). My workouts are usually cardio + high weight/low rep strength training. My eating habits are "great" and I am so strong (ex. squat 150lbs and most women can't). Jessica agreed that all of this was great but the question still remained: "Why am I still fat?" (duh! hormones!) Anyways, Jessica decided it was time to try a different workout scenario... The only one that worked for her when she weighted 225lbs. Lower the weight and increase the reps. I laughed at how easy it was... until the 17th rep and it got HARD. And I felt it the next two days!

So, my new workout (5 days a week) consists of the following:
1) 15-30 mins total body elliptical (cardio) + CORE + Upper body + 15-30 mins bike (cardio)
2) 15-30 mins stair master (cardio) + CORE + Lower body + 15-30 mins treadmill (cardio)
3) 15-30 mins bike (cardio) + CORE + Upper body + 15-30 mins total body elliptical (cardio)
4) 15-30 mins elliptical (cardio) + CORE + Lower body + 15-30 mins stair master (cardio)
5) 15-30 mins treadmill (cardio) + CORE + Upper body + 15-30 mins elliptical (cardio)

The best advice Jessica gave me: Since 1 lb of fat is approximately 3,500 calories, we will strive to reduce/burn 5,000 calories/week. That means, you burn 2,500 calories during your workout (use a heart rate monitor set with your stats) and you reduce your weekly calories by 2,500. So, if you eat 2,000 calories a day (with no weight loss), that means you eat approximately 14,000/week. Reducing that by 2,500 calories = 11,500 (1643/day).  **These are made up numbers, please figure your own calories and adjust.**

Since my faithful 4-year-old heart rate monitor just died, I will be purchasing a new one. I believe I will stick with the Polar brand since they're made well and easy to use. Here's the link to the one I want to purchase: http://www.polarusa.com/us-en/products/get_active/fitness_crosstraining/FT4. I wouldn't mind one that's 24/7 monitor but I'd never wear it. I go through phases with watches so I figured it would be best to stick to one I only have to wear for 1.5 hours a day. lol

All in all, Jessica whooped my butt the past two training sessions. We had a good time during the sessions. She helped me get started with a few new exercises (some I've done before but was a little rusty) and gave me the motivation to do them on my own. She even invited me to a class or two. Yikes! I don't know if I'm ready for that kind of social awkwardness but I will get the nerve to go sometime. I'll probably start easy... Yoga. lol

So, I received my "Be Fit" box from Vitacost.com yesterday. I opened it and Oh MY! It was amazing as to what all was in there. This is one of the products that I tried out yesterday before my workout. GU Chomps (Strawberry). The package contained 4 little gummies (1 serving size). They tasted interesting to say the least. They were good but had a bit of a bite to them. By the fourth one, I wish I had more! I got a little energy from them. The feel good glow energy, not the jittery, "I want to crush something" energy. lol. I felt GOOD. I did my entire upper body workout. I don't think this is a "pre-workout", just an energy boost. I did feel a bit stronger in two ways: 1) more sets & 2) I didn't give up when it got tough. It was exhilarating. It didn't make me hungry (just a bit thirsty) and I didn't crash later. And it did not keep me up all night. Just the little boost I needed for my workout. ;)

I checked out the website and there are more flavors to choose from too! If you're interested in saving $10 off a $30 purchase, go to this website: https://www.vitacostrewards.com/SNoNAl.

I'm a bit confused but I know it can happen. You can gain muscle (increase in weight) & lose inches at the same time. I've lost over six inches around my body (approximate) in the past 7 days. I've been doing a lot of strength training at the gym (very little cardio) and eating healthy. I feel smaller but look the same. :( I don't know what I'm doing wrong. Yes, I want to build new strong muscle, but I want to lose fat/weight. I'm going to talk to a personal trainer tomorrow tonight to see if I'm doing something wrong. I feel the results (soreness, etc) so I know its all working. I just don't see the scale moving in my favor. It's a bit depressing. I'm restricting my calories (not outrageous) and limiting my intake to high protein, high fiber & low carb foods. Keeping it as clean and gluten-free as possible. My meal prep for the week has been grilled chicken, deviled eggs & brussel sprouts. Breakfast is usually an apple and/or Herbalife shake with almond milk. Snacks are varied between greek yogurt, nuts/dried fruit, etc.

*Having a rough week with Grant being in Canada/New York (Places I've always wanted to go and he went without me because it's a work trip). Boohoo. Anyways, I'm super happy for him and proud of him to be able to go to awesome places.*

Motivation for this week:

I will go ahead and state that I have not been following my plan very well (Catfish Festival got the best of me). So, besides my "Cheat Day" on Saturday, it's been going reasonably well. I eat a light snack (nuts, apple, or yogurt) then lunch a few hours later (usually salad or chicken and veggies - LOTS of protein). Another snack and dinner! And let's not forget WATER! Tons of water! (And an occasional coffee on my part - I know! Bad Maddy...)

In 6 days, I have gone from 232.8lbs to 229.4lbs. Not a lot of different in size/inches. And considering the devastation from Saturday, I'm really not surprised. It's pretty much water weight. ;) But the good news is... I am officially a member of a gym again! I'm SO excited! I've been dreaming of squats and lat pull downs for a month now. Oh how I've missed the awesomeness. I signed up Friday and everything went through yesterday so I can start working out today! Who has two thumbs and is going to the gym in an hour!?! This girl! I hope I feel sore tomorrow. I think I will start with legs today (I am probably the one person in the world who looks forward to leg day - That's my strongest asset too, lol).

My basic leg day workout (It's all about quality, not quantity!):
-SQUATS!!!!
-Calf Raises
-Kettlebell Swing & Squat
-Hyperextensions (Get a little back workout, too!)
-Leg Curls
-Deadlifts
-Leg Extensions (Don't forget to crunch those abs! It doubles as a core burner!)
-Cardio: Bike! (Stretch and work those sore muscles. Don't over do it!)

*I HATE lunges. They make my knee hurt like heck! That's why you don't see them on my list. It is a great workout but, if it hurts or you do it incorrectly, you're looking at having some problems later on (torn muscles, cap slippage, etc)*

So my leg day motivation (not that I need any!):