3 Day Refresh Results

So let me start off by saying that health wise this was the most trying 3 days of my life!
At the start of the Refresh I weighed myself . I was 204 (eeek)

So on tho the cleanse. The fiber drink was difficult. but doable. Thank God for my early 20's and shots! The meal plan was easy. For lunch I would have the vanilla fresh which came with the kit, and hummus with carrots. There was also fruit for snacks and more hummus and carrots. It was 3 days ok! And I am boring when it comes to food. 

So now the results. Typical results are a loss of 3-6 pounds.

All in all I lost 3.4 pounds and I am thrilled with that! It has kick started my weight loss and helped me to focus on what I am putting in my body!

XOXO 

Erin!!!! 

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Mental Monday: The Day I Found Out

Bipolar wasn't something that I ever thought I would have, nor did I want the stigma that came with mental illness. But that changed in December of 2008.

I always chucked my moods up to being normal, that I was taking after my father and his temper. Mental illness wasn't something that we ever talked about. In fact after my diagnosis I learned about my families history with it, on my mothers side.

When I was told that I had Bipolar, it sent me in to the deepest depression of my life. I felt like my world crashed down on me. My husband was no longer dating the person he fell in love with, at least that's how I felt. I was angry that this happened to me. At one point I checked in to a mental hospital, because my depression had me at rock bottom. At that point I wanted to end my life.

During my Hospitalization I quickly realized everyone who suffers from mental illness has problems. It was a wake up call for me. I had what the didn't a support system and suicide was not going to ever be an option for me.

After my stay at the hospital was when I became more open about my disorder. I told my bosses, and family. I sought help for it.

Today I am and always will be very open about it. I feel I have to be. Because my story may help someone. I am here to break the stigma that is placed on us that is created by a bias media. Lately I am seeing mental illness used as a scapegoat for people who commit crimes, and that saddens me. People who suffer from mental illness can be productive and leaders in our society, and I am here to do my part in that!!!

 

Quick Fixes: Results That Don't Last

I think everyone out there has an opinion about what they are doing to lose weight. But nothing beats hard work and eating the way you should be eating.

I dislike when people try to sell me on a cleanse for X amount of days, or wraps. again no offense if you sell and believe in these.

But that's not what I believe in. I believe in what I do for a living. I believe in the company I work for and what we stand for. It is the complete package. Nutrition, exercise, coaching, and developing life changes that stick!

I believe that helping others achieve their goals in health is what I have been called to do.

Do I drink A shake everyday? Yes. But it isn't something thrown together and sold in stores. It doesn't Contain chemicals. Is this the only thing I do? Hell no. I workout and get my butt kicked every morning. It isn't a QUICK fix. It is hard ass work. I get this objection a lot, that they want to do this the old fashioned way. Well that's what this is. And this is my career and I am sticking to it with the faith that others will join me. Or be inspired by my changes!

Focusing On Me

This journey I have been on has had so many ups and downs and curve balls. Each time I've told myself this is different a new start, and then I fail. I let the scale determine my success and failures.
When it got hard I just quit.

So what is going to change this time? Me. Plain and simple.

I am not using the scale except for this Friday and next Monday, to show my results from my cleanse. But after that it isn't a tool in my house to determine my worth.

Also this time I feel I owe it to myself to do it. I owe it to my mom and my health.

Loss is a tough pill to swallow and now I am choosing to move forward and no longer let the grief control me or my health. My mother wouldn't have wanted that.

So I am choosing to live again. To feel connected again. To let the bipolar disorder not dictate what my life is. I am choosing to become more spiritual, and not caring what that looks like to others, even the one's who know me and think it is out of character for me. I am finally choosing to find peace.

So how am I going to judge my health progress?

From now until my birth day (34 days) I am eating clean, working out EVERYDAY, and blogging about my progress/struggles. This wont be easy but I got this.

Also at the beginning of the month I will take a before photo and then an after at the end. I will use clothing that right now I need cooking spray or butter to fit into. (mmmm...)

So lets do this!

Mental Monday: Battle Scars Part 1

Most of us, even without a mental illness, carry battle scars, past transgressions. In some cases we even wear them as a badge of honor or pride. But for me that ends now.

For to long I have let the one thing dictate my future and my present. And frankly I tired of lugging it around. Its time to let the past go. Including my scars.

The truth is if it doesn't bring you joy or peace then let it go. So here is to my first Battle Scar. Bitterness.

I carried this anger when I was diagnosed. I was bitter and just pissed. I ate my feelings. I stewed in my pain of watching people I loved go through terrible things. And when the dust settled I became hardened. I wasn't the best version of my self. I became reclusive, I hid from hanging out with people I ran from the responsibilities of friendship and family.

So today I am letting go of those things. How? It is different for every person. I like to write and walk to let things go, and that is what I did. So each Monday for a few weeks I am dedicating my mental Mondays to letting go of my battle scars.

Today I let go of  my hurt of past relationships that rocked me to my core. I let go of the anger of being hurt by people I trusted. I forgive them and their behavior and I forgive myself. I am letting go of the trust that was lost in the hopes that one day I can have that level of friendship with people again.

Workout Wednesday: Toxins

Ok so what do you do when you want to detoxify your body, maybe after a binge, or you want to kick start weight loss? First I am not a doctor! These are some simple things I do that help me!

1) Start by eliminating things that come from a box, or can, including pop!


2) Water. I try to drink a gallon a day. And I do most after waking up. It helps your organs to energize

3) I take a vitamin C every morning, along with drinking a healthy shake that comes loaded with dense nutrition.

4) Exercise. Sweat releases the toxins in your body!!!!!

5) I also when I feel low on energy and need to feel better do hydrotherapy with my shower.

Another thing myself And family are doing is a 3 day cleanse. If you are interested in that please let me know and I will gladly talk to you about it! So stay tuned for those results!!! Click here to learn more!!!

Email ~ dowellfitness2011@gmail.com

Facebook ~ https://www.facebook.com/DowellFitness2014

www.beachbodycoach.com/EDOWELL2011

How To Create A Healthy Meal Plan review by Erin Dowell

I wanted to SHARE this article with you guys, it was written by my friend Jessica Negrini. When we are trying to become healthy Meal planning is the most effective way to help with nutrition. I would love for you to check it out and share your thoughts with me!!! #weightloss #weightlossjourney 

How To Create A Healthy Meal Plan

By Jessica Negrini

Do you struggle when it comes to planning meals? I thought I would share “How To Create A Healthy Meal Plan. In the past, I always struggled in this area of nutrition, and even though I had good intentions of cooking healthy dinners, time would get away from me. Work and other excuses would take over, and BAM I’d be ordering pizza for the family! Not that I’m against pizza or anything, but it’s better for our lifestyles (and our wallets) to not be ordering food out, but rather cooking healthy food at home. Besides, I LOVE to cook, and I love to come up with recipes are healthy AND tasty!

So, I figured out some tricks that work for me, and hopefully they can help you too!

Focusing on one day a week (Sundays for me), I realized I could get more done than I thought I could. I could plan, shop, AND prep, and be set for the upcoming week! Sundays may not work for you depending on your work schedule but any day off could be used.

How To Create A Healthy Meal

I start with the dinner menu for the week. As a typical, crazy-busy family, we decide what we want for dinners based around the protein, how long it needs to cook or heat up, AND what after-school activities we have that day. Then we decide what kinds of veggies and side dishes would go well with the protein. Once dinner is decided, the rest of the meals and snacks are fairly simple. Often we will have leftovers for lunch, and we always have plenty of fruits, veggies and other easy to grab (but still healthy) options for breakfast and snacks.

I check the pantry, fridge, and freezer to see what we have and what we need at the store based on our menu, and food shopping is next. Many things I buy in bulk, especially foods that can easily be frozen and thawed for future meals. This helps keep the budget on track, too.

After shopping, it’s prep time. For me, this typically means baking some chicken breasts, washing and chopping fruits and veggies, and portioning them in easy to grab plastic baggies or containers. I also make home made salad dressings. Meal prep could be different for you depending on your family size and what you eat, but portioning the food items is the biggest help to me regardless. That way there are “grab and go” items, or if we need a quick dinner, it’s all ready to be heated up and gobbled up!

Even though it took some trial and error to see what worked in my house, I now LOVE meal planning, and I’ve become really good at it! Don’t think we don’t order pizza now and again, but for the most part, we are now able to eat healthy and delicious food at home as a family! Try some different things to find what works for you, and make it fun! Happy Planning!

 No time for breakfast?  Check out 101 Healthy Nutritious Shake Recipes 

http://www.gettingfittogether.com/how-to-create-a-healthy-meal-plan/

21 Day Fix vs Chalean Extreme By Mel Batterman review by Erin Dowell

This article does an amazing job in showing you what you can get with two really great programs!  Mel Batterman great job! Would love to know what my friends thoughts are on this article!

21 Day Fix vs Chalean Extreme

By Contributor on February 24, 2011 

By Mel Batterman
The 21 Day Fix and Chalean Extreme fitness and nutrition programs are both high quality programs that will provide you with guaranteed results. The choice comes down to what fits your personal goals, needs, and ability to adhere to a 21 day program versus a 90 day program.

Each program provides you with fitness and nutrition that will bring the results you are looking for with a time frame that will work for you.  The 21 Day Fix is a nutrition and fitness program that makes losing weight simple with easy to follow portion control nutrition and 30 minute workouts.  Chalean Extreme is designed to help you shed weight easily through a 3-phase fitness and nutrition system over the course of 90 days.

Both programs are effective for weight loss and building lean muscle. The 21 Day Fix is quite simple.  You never have to count calories, points, or log your food.  You simply use the nutrition plan with the portion control containers and do one 30 minute workout a day.  Chalean Extreme also has a unique and effective plan that breaks the 90 days into 3 phases of progression to build optimal strength and endurance, while shedding fat.

21 Day Fix

Each program offers a unique process to bring the nutrition and fitness together for guaranteed results.  The 21 Day Fix Is the only fitness and nutrition program that truly combines a portion control nutrition system that is fool proof with world-class workouts that makes it simple and sustainable, which is why this program is often the right fit for those who are starting out for the very first time.  Chalean Extreme is unique because of the resistance cardio training that each workout offers.  This combined style of fitness allows for a greater fat loss, and increased lean muscle which burns a greater amount of fat when at rest.

Besides guaranteed results, both programs offer extreme value. The 21 Day Fix comes with the 21 Day Fix Eating Plan and portion control containers, the 21 Day Fix Start Here Guide, the 3 Day Quick Fix Guide, Six Workouts, and a Bonus Workout. There is also an Ultimate Kit which includes two additional workouts, an additional container for meals on the go, a resistance band, and an insulated tote bag.  Chalean Extreme comes with 15 workouts, Muscle Burns Fat Guide, Fat Burning Food Guide, Chalene’s Healthy Eats and Kitchen Makeover Video, Chalene’s Extreme Motivation Audio CD, Thigh Toner Band, and a Resistance Band.

The best part with both programs is that you can purchase them through a Beachbody Coach, and then have that person as your personal accountability coach.  They will help you stay committed, focused, and reach your goals.

When considering whether the 21 Day Fix or Chalean Extreme is right for you, you must consider the following.  Do you need a very precise nutrition plan like the 21 Day Fix offers? Can you adhere to 90 days versus 21 Days?  Do you want more resistance training combined with cardio like Chalean Extreme offers?  Do you want to stick to 30 minute workouts or are you good with workouts that range between 35-45 minutes?  When you consider these and other aspect of your life you will be able to commit to the program that is right for you.  Either way, both programs will provide you the results you have always wanted
.

 http://www.gettingfittogether.com/21-day-fix-vs-chalean-extreme/

Mental Monday: Prosper Where You Are Planted

Learning to grow our skills where we are to get to where we want to be is something of a struggle for me. I work hard trying everyday to be the things I want to be. so how exactly is it that I am still stuck at the usual place in between manic and depressed?

It's because I am not using my skills to better myself. Most days I still don't know what those skills are.

So here is my action plan

1) Find a constructive way to handle my manic episodes. I like to tap in to my creative side.
2) Work on the root cause of a depressive episode and try to grow from it.
3) learn what my skills are and how to use them to prosper.
4) physical activity, it helps, a lot.
5) Nutrition.

Friday Favorites

I love Friday's!! Because I get to share with you my favorite things!!
First up my Erin Condren calendars and notebook!!!! you can look at the selection here
I have one to plan out for the week and one for my business. The week desk planner is AHmazing!

Next my shoe cabinets from IKEA! Love but I Need more. they hold 6 pairs each, I push that though. its more like 7 or 8 pairs!

 Next is my headboard from Overstock.com I LOOOOOOOOVVVVVVVEEEE it!

 Then there are some of my finds from Canton Trade days in Texas and my dream boards!!! And what room of mine is complete with out some Pinup. 

 Lastly is my Pan Am Bag I got from Mod cloth It is large enough to carry all my work stuff and always gets a "where did you get that?'' comment.

Workout Wednesday: Pike ups!

So let me tell a story. 

When I started my T25 journey I never ever thought I could do one of these. But now I can! 

Start in plank position. 

Then into downward dog

Stay in downward dog for each rep.

(The basis of this move is to act like some one is pulling your core up with a string.)

Next move, Keep your core tight and hop up then back, That is one rep.

Are you ready to take it to the next level? Are you ready to commit? Click here!

progress video T25

XOXO Erin!

Tasty Tuesday! Asian Garlic Talapia

 What you need!
EVO
half a red onion
jasmine rice 1/4 of a cup per filet
Soy sauce 1/2 tsp per filet
Talapia
Aluminum Foil
garlic ginger seasoning Which can be found here

 Put seasoning, EVO, Onion, and soy sauce on the filet and create a pouch with the foil. cook rice.

 Preheat oven to 400 and bake for 15 min
 Take out of foil and enjoy!

Mental Monday: things they should have said!

Ever have that moment of, why the hell did no one tell me about this? Every time I learn something about being Bipolar or one of my medications that is the phrase that goes through my mind.

Things I wish my Doctor would told me were part of being Bipolar

1) The migraines-  

2) The hot flashes (I am 30) WTF?

3) Weight Gain 

4) The simple fact that my medicine causes me to be dehydrated. I hate this one!!

xoxo Erin