Day Thirty-One: Reflection

Thirty days ago, you made the decision to change your life.

It came in the form of a New Year's Resolution. If you're story is like mine, then your decision wasn't easy. It probably took a lot of pain to come to the conclusion that you needed to make some changes. Only you could make them. There was no magic pill, there was no immediate solution, and nobody in the world could do it for you. You started putting one foot in front of the other.

It is time to reflect on what you've accomplished thus far.

The journey is far from over, but it is time to take a moment to celebrate what you've done. Now is the time to 30-day photos. Now is the time to journal the difference in sleep and energy levels. Now is the time to re-examine choices, think candidly about food addictions, and consider when you're eating emotionally instead of for sustinance.

The hardest part is the first 90 days. We're already a third of the way there.

I hope that you never go back to that place where you were. I hope that you stay focused on taking care of yourself, regardless of how difficult it may feel at times. I hope you feel balanced, and if you don't, I hope that you begin to see a little clarity as to what is out of balance in your life.

Sometimes we have to give up some things to make room for our priorities that have been missing.

I challenge you to shed your clothing and take some photos. I challenge you to food journal. I challenge you to reward yourself with a massage, a facial, or some time away engaging in an activity you enjoy. I challenge you to take a moment, look in the mirror, and give yourself a big smile.

Day Thirty: Coffee Drinks

It seemed that at first there was one Starbucks, then there were millions. Coffee houses exploded across the US sometime in the 1990s. Who doesn't love a good cup of dark roast? The caffeine is like starch on a collar, immediate perk. It also has antioxidants that many experts say are good for you if consumed in moderation.

However, we've got major variations on coffee drinks now, and many of them should be treated as if they were dessert. Some have just as many calories and sugar.

Brewed Coffee: 5 calories
Cafe Americano: 15 calories
Cafe Latte: 220 calories
Starbucks Cafe Mocha No Whip: 290 calories
Starbucks Cafe Mocha Whip: 360 calories
Starbucks Cappuccino: 140 Calories
Starbucks Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha Whip: 560 calories
Starbucks Vanilla Frappucino Whip: 430 calories

I challenge you to examine your coffee drink consumption, making any changes you feel led to make. I challenge you to try green tea as a great alternative.

Day Twenty-Nine: Sensuality

We are sexual creatures, and the sensuality of a woman is the source of much of the art & beauty in this world. I would argue that there is nothing more beautiful than the human form.


I didn't feel sexy. For five years, I felt frumpy. I felt like the best years of my life were floating around somewhere in my past before I had babies. I was mad at my children because having them took my body from me. I was angry at my husband because he didn't appreciate the enormous sacrifices I'd made. I was upset when I'd see a pregnant woman who had gained a healthy 20-30 pounds instead of the 45 I gained.

I was mad...at me.

How could I have taken such poor care of myself? I didn't want people to take my photo. When pictures were taken of me, I'd pray that they wouldn't somehow end up where anyone might see them. Those photos now motivate me more than anything because I can see how unhappy I was behind my smiling eyes. The worst part of it was that the inside felt just as bad, just as bleak as my outside...maybe even more-so.

Sound familiar?

It's sad that I'd place so much emphasis on my physical appearance, but it's true. It's also true for the thousands of women out there who seek breast augmentations, lip injections, liposuction, and any other physically alterating procedure to make themselves look more attractive. There's a very strong correlation between how we feel about our body and how we feel. We see it in the thousands of women in America who are obese and on antidepressants. Which causes which? Maybe it's a little of both.

One of those amazing bonuses that comes with weight loss & healthy habits is the sensuality that returns to the soul. The skin regains its vibrance, there is more confidence in the human form, we put on outfits in the bedroom that haven't been worn in years. We feel sexy again.

I challenge you to examine your sensual side. Are you confident in how you look and feel? Do you find a correlation between how you feel about your body and how you feel in general? I challenge you to continue to journal, adding your sensual side to your comments and observations.

Day Twenty-Eight: Alcohol

I love a good glass of wine, a nice bottle of tequila. I enjoy it when I recieve them as Christmas and birthday presents. However, drinking alcohol can be a hindrance to healthy living, and governing it should be done by anyone who consumes. It has addictive properties, can hinder the function of vital organs, dehydrates the body, amd very much inhibits weight loss.

A 4 oz glass of wine has on average 80-100 calories. Vodka and tequila have about 60 -65 calories per 1 oz serving. Margaritas, frozen drinks, and drinks made with juices can have anywhere from 350-700 calories per glass. They are usually loaded with sugar. We're supposed to be eating 400 calories per meal; about 1500 calories total a day. Two frozen pina coladas can run up to 1400 calories...it's easy to see why alcoholic beverages can wreck the most strict of diets.

The presence of alcohol has also been shown to affect the REM cycle, changing both the amount and the restfulness of one's sleep. Every single time one drinks, the liver has to go to work. The job of the liver is to filter out the toxins in the body...so we can only imagine how beneficial or detrimental it is to our body. It has been shown to increase visceral fat tissue, increase appetite, and reduce inhibitions so one is more prone to think, "Why not?" when confronted with a fork and a cheesecake.

I challenge you to think candidly about your alcohol consumption, and make any changes in consumption that you feel led to make.

Day Twenty-Seven: Alicia Marie's Fitness Tips

1. Set both wight loss & atletic goals (i.e. lose 20 pounds & complete a 10K)

2. Tell the world - we're more likely to stick to something if we've told others we're doing it.

3. Procrastination is the enemy. Your diet doesn't begin next week, it begins now.

4. Do a refrigerator clean out day to get rid of the junk.

5. Stuff refrigerator with good, nutritious foods & snacks.

6. Find workout buddies or partners.

7. Get the facts. Fruit is not bad for you, do your research & educate yourself.

8. Use a food journal.

9. Lift heavy - it will boost your metabolism, builds lean muscle, & burns more calories than cardio.

10. Never EVER go to a party starving. Eat healthy before you go.

11. Join a gym close to home or work.

12. Don't be afraid to experiment with new activities like a cardio pole-dancing or trapeze class.

13. Pre-workout meals should be light & provide carbs.

14. Post-workout should consist of protein & carbs.

15. Invest in cute or flattering workout clothing.

16. Keep your gym bag packed at all times.

17. Dining out - substitute veggies for fries, go w/ healthy options. It will cost more, but it's worth it.

18. Challenge yourself - do the triathlon, make lofty long-term goals.

19. If you don't know, hire a pro. A good personal trainer can be one of your best investments.

20. Get used to drinking lots of water. Eight 8-ounce glasses a day will support your bodily functions, including fat burning.