My Mamavation Mom Application Vlog

April 1, 2013 · by · 9 Comments

Happy Monday everyone!

Many of you have seen my love for having fun with other bloggers.   There is something about me and a challenge.  Remember when I played Blogivor several years ago and I was so excited when I was awarded the “Sole Blogivor!”

Then there was the Cheap Sally “Bring Home The Bacon” challenge.  Three months of my wonderful readers voting for me daily and got me to the top spot for Washington state!

mamavation

Well, I have decided to apply to be a Mamavation Mom.  This is much more of a personal and emotional challenge for me.  I don’t even think I should call it a challenge…it will become my new way of life.  I am already loving the camaraderie from other mamavation members.

 

Here is my application video.  I hope you will take a few minutes to watch why I “need” to become a Mamavation Mom!  Then I would love to have you tweet:

Hey @bookieboo! I want @tammystwocents to be the next #Mamavation Mom. She has my support! http://bit.ly/aorv3Y

Thanks in advance for the tweet! :)

Wish me luck!  I truly want and need this! :)

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It’s That Time Of Year Isn’t It?

January 8, 2013 · by · 5 Comments

weightloss pics

 

Have you noticed how many people are talking about losing weight, getting fit and eating healthier?  The first of the year is always full of activity until mid February when everyone is done being on the “Get Fit” bandwagon and jump off.

The reason I know so much is I am “that” person.  Every year I start out committed and then slowly I just stop.   Last January I began a two week program eating a certain brand of food and lost 6 pounds.  In February, I started the 90 Day Win program (exercise) along with the 90 Day Challenge with Visalus.  This has been an extremely easy program to follow and their shakes are filling and very tasty.

weightloss progress2013 is a new year!  I have started a program which has been pretty tough following.  Most meals consist of pureed vegetables or fruit.  By day 3 I was ready to eat anything else other than what I was suppose to eat.  I kept trying to eat the food but ended up having to make changes.   I did lose 3 pounds this week which makes me feel great!  Tomorrow starts week 2 and it looks a bit easier but seems pretty low on calories.  I am faithfully tracking my food intake on My Fitness Pal so I have a good idea on what I am eating calorie, fat, carb and sodium wise.  I am focusing on low carbs and low sodium.

You might be asking why I have decided to try a different meal plan if I was successful on Visalus?  I am doing a little research for my sister…I have shared my struggles with her on this plan and if it continues to not fit my lifestyle, I will go back to what I know works and can continue losing weight on.

As I start again on my journey, I have 18 pounds to reach my goal.   (Yes, it was only 15 before the holidays…ugh!)  My biggest struggle is finding the motivation for the exercise.  I know I need to find a class I am comfortable in again because it’s what I need to succeed.  Now to find that class!  (We are considering at a family gym a couple miles from our home.)

Is 2013 the year you want to get healthy?  How are you doing it?  I love hearing success stories and I hope in the next couple of months, you will be able to read mine! :)

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My First 90 Day Challenge With Visalus

June 5, 2012 · by · 11 Comments

I am so excited!  My first 90 Day Challenge with Visalus is over.  I am not excited it’s over, I am excited at the loss of weight in those 3 short months AND the transformation my body is going through.

I am currently working out 4-5 days a week, eating 1300 calories a day and drinking the best tasting shake ever.   At 46, I have realized I need to exercise to be able to lose weight.  Which is a win win, the exercise is also helping me tone.  Something I have never done while trying to lose and it is making a HUGE difference.

A typical day of food looks like:

Breakfast – Visalus Shake made with Fat Free Milk and a Via Coffee pack (180 Calories)

Snack – 100 calorie plain almonds (100 Calories)

Lunch – Visalus Shake made with Fat Free Milk, PB2, Sugar Free Chocolate Pudding mix and a banana (300 Calories)

Snack – Babybell Cheese and a few crackers (150 Calories)

Dinner – Sensible dinner (500+ Calories)

Snack – (If enough calories left in the day)

Exercise – 45-60 minutes of interval running, cardio or strength training

It has taken the last 3 months to make this a habit and something I just do.  (Tonight I missed my workout and it felt a bit strange.)

On May 20th I completed my first 90 Day Challenge with Visalus.  On that same day, I ran the Capital City 5 miler.  (I ran the first mile up a hill, intervaled the next 3 and ran the last mile.)  I will admit, my body was tired, very tired at the end.  I think I am more of a 3.2 mile girl!

So in the first 90 days, I have lost a total of 10 pounds and 10.25 inches.  I was hoping for a little faster loss but now that I am in my 40′s my body just doesn’t lose as quickly as it did when I was younger.  All the more motivation to keep it off this time.  I have dropped two sizes in clothes.  I started in 12′s and just bought my first pair of 8′s in eight years!

I have started my second 90 Day Challenge and week one I have dropped another 3 pounds.   I have 14 pounds till I reach my goal.  To know that I have less than 15 pounds, makes me a happy girl.

If you are interested in hearing  more about Visalus, please let me know.  I am a promoter and would be happy to share with you, the success I have seen.  No obligation…I will share a link with you and send you a sample if you are interested.  Just let me know.

Off to rock this second 90 Day Challenge!  Come join me!

If you join the challenge and have 3 friends join you, your shakes are free!  How cool is that?

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I Am Scared Of The Scale!

May 1, 2012 · by · 9 Comments

I REALLY AM SCARED OF THE SCALE!!   This fear goes clear back to my Jr. High days when I would get on the scale.  I hated telling my mom my weight, especially as I began gaining.  It was so humiliating!!  I fluctuated quite a bit in Jr. High and High School.  When I went away to college, I was one of the girls who gained the dreaded Freshman 15.  My parents have always been pretty active and tried motivating me to exercise.  It wasn’t something I wanted to do or enjoyed doing.  It became a battle inside of me…bitterness of being told I needed to exercise and the battle of my own emotions.

I have never grown out of the fear of the scale.   Getting on it became a daily ritual.  If I was down, it was a good day, if I was up, a gray cloud overshadowed me.  I know, I know…you should never weigh yourself daily.   I still fight the urge to step on it every morning.

You have probably heard of the white coat syndrome.  My blood pressure doesn’t go up because I am seeing my doctor.  It goes up because I  have to step on the scale.  When I was pregnant, I learned to turn around and not look at the number when I was weighing in.   I still do that today…I look away.

Up until a few weeks ago, I would hold my breath each and every time I stepped on my scale.  It hasn’t been very friendly in the past.  As I am watching the weight finally come down, I am feeling better and feel like I can breath as I step on it.  Today I got on the scale and was up 2 pounds and what did I do?…Yep, beat myself up for it all day long.   My mind plays an emotional game with me, telling me I will be “fat” forever.  My mind replays the number I saw, every minute of the day.  It’s exhausting!!!

When will I learn to step on the scale once a week and only once a week!!!  When will I stop being afraid of the scale?  Will I ever grow out of this fear?  Who knows.  All I know is I need to keep doing what I am doing.  Eating healthy, exercising and being part of a great support system.   I have 15 pounds to meet my goal and I am so much closer than I was 2 months ago.  I need to focus on the positives!!!

Here are my 60 day stats for my Body By Vi 90 Day Challenge:  Down a total of 8.6 pound, 9.75 inches and 1.6% body fat.  Friends are starting to notice, which is a huge compliment when they say something.  I have less than a month to go before I start another 90 Day Challenge.  I have one goal already made and may make another one once I reach the first one!

I know the Visalus shakes and the exercise compliment each other and are working for me.  Especially for a mid 40 something girl who has dieted most of her life.  If you are interested in learning more about Visalus, please let me know.  I would be happy to share how well it is working for me.

Disclosure:  I am not paid to write about Visalus.  This is my personal experience using the product and I am excited about the transformation taking place and want to share it with my readers.

 

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Filed Under: Body By Vi, Visalus, weight loss, weight loss struggles, Weightloss · Tagged: , , ,

My Visalus Journey

April 17, 2012 · by · 10 Comments

A little over a month ago, I shared with all of you the beginning of my Weight Loss Journey 3,472.  I am at day 58 and am so excited about my results!  I have lost a total of 8 pounds (15 since January), over 5 inches and down 1.2% body fat.  Next week I will be measured again and hope to see those numbers drop some more.  My clothes are getting baggy and I was able to go and buy a smaller shirt size this weekend!

The 90 Day Win program has kept me accountable.  Weekly weigh-ins, challenges, exercise points etc.  It all plays into the success of the program.  I can now run a mile in 11:47 and a month ago it was 13:04.  I will now be starting the second round of challenges and am excited to see my improvement.

Another component of losing is eating right.  I started the 90 Day Challenge with Visalus within a week of the workouts.  It took me a little time to perfect my shakes but now I am enjoying shakes that are better tasting than your ice cream or coffee shop.   Seriously!  Every morning I wake up and enjoy 2 scoops of my Visalus Shake Mix, 1/2 Cup 2% milk, 1/2 Cup water, 1/2 pack Via coffee and 8 ice cubes.  I swear it tastes just like a coffee frappuccino.

Starting out, I was drinking 1 shake a day for breakfast.  I am wanting to lose a bit quicker so I am bumping up my shakes to two a day.  I am curious to see how this changes the weight loss on my last 30 days…don’t worry…I am not quitting!   I will be signing up for another 90 days to lose and tone even more.

If you are curious about Visalus, check out this video which explains how the plan works.  I am not a promoter, just a happy customer wanting to tell you how I am doing this.

If you are interested, please sign up under my Visalus link.   Need some incentive to get your girlfriends or family started with you?  For every 3 people you sign up, you get your shake kit FREE!

One Vi-Shake has the nutritional content of 1.5 cups broccoli, 13 eggs, 5 peaches, 2.5 chicken breasts, 1.5 cups yogurt, 1.5 cups bran flakes, 18 oz tomato juice, 1.5 cups romaine lettuce, 5oz cheese, 3 cups of cooked lima beans, 15 slices of whole wheat bread, 20 spears of asparagus, 1 cup brown rice, 2 cups mushrooms, 30 apples, 10 stalks of celery, 3.5 tomatoes, 3 pineapples and 30 prunes.

I will be posting pictures at the end of my 90 days.  It is pretty incredible how much I am losing and I am very excited about it!!   Come and join me, what do you have to lose, except weight??

Disclosure:  This is my personal opinion of the Visalus product.  I am not being compensated to write this post.  I am doing this weight loss system entirely on my own!

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Weight Loss Journey #3,472

March 6, 2012 · by · 21 Comments

Yes, I am pretty sure I have started 3,472 diets in my lifetime.  The key word is “started!”  I hate to admit it but I have never finished one, or if I have, I didn’t keep the weight off.   This time around I am not using the four letter word “diet.”  It just doesn’t work for me.  I know this is a lifestyle change, one that needs to be ongoing and in the forefront of my mind during my waking hours.

I have a negative mindset for exercising.  I DON’T LIKE IT!  I get bored easily and give up.  I have had two times when I actually worked towards losing weight.   Brad was a year old at the time and I saw a picture of my sister and I.  I was mortified at how “chunky” I looked.  I started counting WW points and walked faithfully 5-6 days a week.  The weight came off within 5 months…32 pounds worth of weight!  (But in 8 years I have gained all 32 back!)  I felt accomplished!  I have this picture on my fridge as encouragement and as a goal.  I want to be back at this weight!

My Goal Weight!

I set a goal back in July 2010 to run a 5K.  I had never been a successful runner.  I tried in my 20′s but gave up soon after I started.  I was so proud of myself when October 1, 2010 came around and I ran my first 5K!  Three weeks later I quit.

I am good at quitting!

I have a certain weight I will not allow myself to see on the scale.  It was my highest ever and I never want to see it again.  I was within 1 pound of that number a few weeks ago!

Just over two weeks ago, I was emailing Emily’s math teacher.   I was following up on a classroom email and I congratulated her on a long run Emily told me she did.  She began to tell me how much weight she has lost since September.  I was amazed.  She told me she belonged to a workout group called “90 Day Win.”  It is run similar to The Biggest Loser.   We receive points for workouts we do at the facility (the class must be signed off by another attendee),  nutrition classes, bringing in our weekly food log, weekly weight loss and a weekly challenge.

The key:  ACCOUNTABILITY!!!

Guess what?  I am finding that I enjoy these classes.   No embarrassment at my size, lack of coordination, or the amount of sweat that pours from my body.  We get the giggles, we clap, and whoop and holler during our classes.  That doesn’t happen when I exercise alone, far from it.  I actually look forward to going to class, seeing the new friends I have made and working out!  We are all working together towards the same goal.

I do feel a little twinge of mom-guilt every night when I leave for class.  I know I need this workout time to succeed but it is hard to leave Scott since he just got home from work.  We have worked out a schedule where dinner is served at 5 p.m. and lunches are pre-made for the next day.  I don’t want to add any extra work since he has been working all day.   One advantage is the kids are welcome to work out so many nights they come with me.  They have as much fun as I do.

Last week was my first weigh in and I lost 1.4 pounds!  I was thrilled.  Wednesdays are my weigh in day so I am hoping to see the scale move again.  This weeks challenge is a 1 mile walk/run.  Last week we had to do as many squats as we could  in 2 minutes…I came in with a 71.  I also had to jump rope as long as I could with only one restart.  I made it for a minute and 30 seconds.  The last challenge was to hold a 5 pound ball above my head while balancing on a balance beam on one leg.  I was able to hold out for 2 minutes 20 seconds.  Not bad for a first time challenger!

I will continue on my quest for a thinner and healthier Tammy.  I also am experimenting with Visalus.  A meal replacement shake that is quite tasty.  I will share more about my Body by Vi when I have more results to share.  I also use My Fitness Pal app to track each and every calorie.  My daily goal is 1230 calories and I always try to be under that number by a few.

I am excited…I think I have the right mindset this time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am linking up with Shell’s Pour Your Heart Out.   I miss being part of it…I am trying to find that balance of personal posts and giveaways.   You will see a little more of me when I have the chance.  Check out all the great posts that have also been linked up.

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Filed Under: Uncategorized, weight loss struggles, Weightloss · Tagged: , , ,

The Special K Challenge Works!

January 16, 2012 · by · 17 Comments

 

Slow and steady wins the race!  Isn’t that what we have been told about losing weight?  If you lose 2-3 pounds a week, you are doing it the healthy way.  It is more likely to stay off by taking it slow.  I did just that!  I started the Special K Two Week Challenge on January 2nd and completed it today.   I am so proud to see the scale reflecting my efforts.  I am down 5 pounds!!!  Woohoo!

The Special K challenge is simple and so easy to follow.  My typical day started off with a bowl of Special K cereal (favorite: Red Berries Cereal).  I would have a cereal bar snack around 10 a.m. (favorite:  Chocolatey Pretzel).  Lunch was next and I would enjoy a protein shake or protein bar.  I started adding fruit to the protein shakes and made some great  combinations like chocolate banana or vanilla strawberry banana…yum!  (favorite protein bar:  Chocolate peanut butter).    For my snack around 2:30 I would enjoy either the Special K crackers or the cracker chips (favorite:  Sea Salt cracker chips).   Dinner was a sensible meal that I would make.

The flexibility is in the plan too.  You can switch out your meals for other meals which I did towards the end of the challenge.  You are allowed to drink what you normally would.  The only calorie drink I did have was my coffee every morning.  The rest of the 2 weeks I drank zero calorie drinks.

I have learned so much about healthy eating during the last two weeks.   I was never a breakfast eater.  I always had a cup of coffee but never had much of an appetite for anything else.  I have learned that morning is the best time to refuel our bodies after 8-12 hours of not eating.  I have also learned about eating smaller meals and adding snacks in between my meals.

I have been a calorie tracker for awhile now so while I participated in the Special K challenge I was also tracking my calories.  This became really important at dinner.  I didn’t want to undo everything I had been doing during the day.  I also added exercise into the plan.  We would walk, boxing on the XBOX or an exercise DVD.

What will I do next?  My goal in the beginning of the challenge was to lose 20 pounds…now 15!  I will continue utilizing the tools I learned the last two weeks and move on.   I plugged in some numbers tonight on my Special K phone app and will be focusing on losing 11 pounds by my birthday at the end of next month.  I love these little goals because they are achievable.

I encourage you to try this Special K challenge.  It really is an easy plan!

- Claim Language: Consult your physician before starting any diet or exercise program.  Average weight loss when replacing meals with two cereal meals is 4.8 pounds.  Weight loss may vary. Average waist circumference reduction when replacing meals with two cereal meals is 1.3 inches. Weight loss may vary.
- Disclosure: I participated in this program through a partnership with TheMotherhood on behalf of Special K. I received product and supplies to complete the plan. All opinions and statements are based on my own opinion and experience.

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Sensa – Month Two Results

January 4, 2012 · by · 9 Comments

Okay, I have to admit I had big expectations for my second month of Sensa.  During the first month I lost 6 pounds so I figured I would lose about the same.  It definitely was not the products fault…it was all ME!  It was last month and I started out strong and lost 2 pounds early in the month.  Once the holiday dinners, celebrations and treats came in to play I had a harder time staying on track.  Yes, it is very easy to use but I felt funny taking my Sensa shaker out with me.  (I am funny like that.)

Sensa is a great product and it works in keeping your appetite in check.  The flavorless “Tastant” crystals help curb your appetite between meals and I did not feel hungry at all.  I have had friends ask me if the crystals taste like anything.  I did not try them alone and the first few meals I added them to had a very subtle flavor.  I can’t really describe the taste but I could tell something was on there.  Once you use it regularly, you don’t notice any flavor at all.

If you are asking yourself how Sensa works, here is a brief description from the Sensa website.

SENSA® was designed to work with your sense of smell to help you feel full faster and eat less. There are no pills, stimulants, drugs or special foods to buy. And SENSA® is calorie-free, sugar-free, sodium-free and gluten-free.

I do plan on giving Sensa another try.  I still have crystals and will continue using them until I am out of them.   Are you interested in reading my first post?  I share about my weight loss and the product during my first month using Sensa.

Disclosure:  I was sent 2 months of Sensa for review purposes only.  I was not compensated to write a positive or favorable review.  This is my personal opinion of  the product.

 

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Fit Moms For Life – Workout DVD #Giveaway

January 3, 2012 · by ·

At the end of November I wrote a book review on Dustin Maher’s Fit Moms For Life:  How To Have Endless Energy To Outplay Your Kids.  It was an informative book covering every aspect of healthy living from the foods you eat to the exercises you need to do.  Check out my review for his book if you missed it,

I also received the Fit Moms For Life DVD Workout 1 to review.   This is more than just an exercise DVD.  If you are looking at losing weight or starting a fitness plan, this is a great place to start.

Dustin walks us through a brief introduction of the program.  He has helped over 350 moms in the Madison, Wisconsin area lose weight and helped shaped their new bodies.   He takes time to discuss nutritional benefits of eating a protein filled breakfast and why it is so important.  He gives step by step instructions on how to measure yourself (where I learned I have been doing it wrong) and stresses that before and after pictures are great motivators!

The video starts out with Dustin interviewing one of his clients, Jody.   It was pretty inspirational watching her story as I saw a lot of similarities between her and my struggles.

Dustin begins the workout with a warm-up.  Next he starts the strength training, cardio, core, and flexibility.   It is a very doable workout, one that you feel once you are done…and the next day!  I haven’t been able to workout to it as much as I had planned with the holidays in full swing.  I do plan on adding this workout to my exercise schedule.  I enjoy the weight routine and I feel like this will make the difference I need.

There are a few items you might not have but would be helpful working out to the DVD.  One is an exercise ball (55cm).  I didn’t have the ball so did a modified version of the exercise.  He suggests having weights of 8, 10, 12, 15 and 20 for starting out.  A stretching mat would also be nice if you are working out on hardwood floors.

The video I tried was workout 1 out of 12.  He works with 12 moms who have gone through his program and been very successful.   I was impressed with this workout (don’t be disappointed if you are looking for glam…his are very simple DVD’s) and I will be putting it to good use a few times a week.

Are you interested in trying his first workout DVD?  I have one to giveaway.  Here’s how to enter to win.

Are you an exerciser now or do you want to be?  (Mandatory entry)

Extra Entries:

5 Entries if you follow Tammy’s Two Cents on Google+
5 Entries if you receive Tammy’s Two Cents by email (must be activated to qualify)
5 Entries if you receive Tammy’s Two Cents by RSS feed (follow the directions in the peach colored box)
5 Entries if you follow Tammy’s Two Cents onTwitter
5 Entries if you “like” Tammy’s Two Cents on Facebook
3 Entries if you tweet giveaway (up to 3 times per day-not within the same hour)
5 Entries if you comment on any other post on Tammy’s Two Cents
(5 entries for each post commented on)

The giveaway will close on January 17th at 9:00 p.m. PST. Winner will be chosen using *And The Winner Is plugin*. Open to US only.

Disclosure:  I was sent the Fit Moms For Life DVD for review purposes.  I was compensated to write a positive or favorable review.  This is my personal opinion of the product.

 

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