My Gym Routine - Favorite Kindle Fire Read

My new favorite thing is my Kindle Fire!!  My husband bought it for me this past Christmas and it has been a huge part of my weight loss journey.  I take it to the gym alot, usually to read a good book while I am on the Elliptical, or sometimes I Facebook on it too, the screen is larger than my phone, so it works great for propping on the Eliptical's dashboard.  

I am currently reading "The Everything Juicing Book" By Carole Jacobs and I had an epiphany.  Many people ask me why I juice?  As in why not drink a smoothie, or just eat the vegetables.  While reading "The Everything Juicing Book" I wasn't even two pages into it and this what I read "Although most people understand the importance of eating more fruits and vegetables, they often lack the time, energy, and motivation to make it happen.  For such people, juicing can be the difference between great health and chronic illness". - The Everything Juicing Book

Juicing is the easiest and quickest way for me to get my daily intake of fruits and vegetables.  Am I lazy, do I lack energy, and motivation??  I don't think I am but maybe, that isn't really the point though.  This is what works for me :)  You know that saying "if it isn't broke don't fix it".  Well Juicing isn't broke for me so I am going to continue doing it.  I haven't felt or looked this good in a long time and so thankful to have me back!

Carbohydrates in Weight Loss, Healthy or Unhealthy?

So I have been doing some research to find out if eating carbohydrates while I am trying to lose weight is the best option for me or should I really try to cut down on my daily intake?  I found a great website (I am not promoting this at all just simply googling my questions and this is what I found) that explains how many carbohydrates per day you should take in during weight loss or just in general.  I mean after all giving up carbohydrates totally is really not my greatest idea for losing weight.  I just don't think it would be a realistic lifestyle change.  I have 3 kids who look forward to Friday's and "Pizza Night". 

Little did I know??  This is one thing I found.

Click here to read the Full Article on Daily Carb Intake, Good or Bad?
"300 or more grams/day - Danger Zone!
Easy to reach with the “normal” American diet (cereals, pasta, rice, bread, waffles, pancakes, muffins, soft drinks, packaged snacks, sweets, desserts). High risk of excess fat storage, inflammation, increased disease markers including Metabolic Syndrome or diabetes. Sharp reduction of grains and other processed carbs is critical unless you are on the “chronic cardio” treadmill (which has its own major drawbacks).

150-300 grams/day – Steady, Insidious Weight Gain
Continued higher insulin-stimulating effect prevents efficient fat burning and contributes to widespread chronic disease conditions. This range – irresponsibly recommended by the USDA and other diet authorities – can lead to the statistical US average gain of 1.5 pounds of fat per year for forty years.

100-150 grams/day – Primal Blueprint Maintenance Range
This range based on body weight and activity level. When combined with Primal exercises, allows for genetically optimal fat burning and muscle development. Range derived from Grok’s (ancestors’) example of enjoying abundant vegetables and fruits and avoiding grains and sugars.

50-100 grams/day – Primal Sweet Spot for Effortless Weight Loss
Minimizes insulin production and ramps up fat metabolism. By meeting average daily protein requirements (.7 – 1 gram per pound of lean bodyweight formula), eating nutritious vegetables and fruits (easy to stay in 50-100 gram range, even with generous servings), and staying satisfied with delicious high fat foods (meat, fish, eggs, nuts, seeds), you can lose one to two pounds of body fat per week and then keep it off forever by eating in the maintenance range.

0-50 grams/day – Ketosis and Accelerated Fat Burning
Acceptable for a day or two of Intermittent Fasting towards aggressive weight loss efforts, provided adequate protein, fat and supplements are consumed otherwise. May be ideal for many diabetics. Not necessarily recommended as a long-term practice for otherwise healthy people due to resultant deprivation of high nutrient value vegetables and fruits."

Information in Italics found at marksdailyapple.com

I think the 50-100 grams a day range is going to be a challenge for me.  I mean 8 oz. of Yoplait 99% Fat Free Original Yogurt has 42g of total carbohydrates.  I am almost there with one serving of yogurt.  I think this is the perfect example to show just how easily you can consume 300 or more grams per day.  I am definitely counting carbohydrates along with my calories from now on!  What do you think?

~Amy
Skinny Jeans Amy, Skinny Jeans.  Stay focused!

I think the part above sums my goal for success in weight loss.  "eating nutritious vegetables and fruits (easy to stay in 50-100 gram range, even with generous servings), and staying satisfied with delicious high fat foods (meat, fish, eggs, nuts, seeds)"  After all, one Large Egg has 1g of Carbohydrates!  By eating 2 egg whites and only one whole egg I take in 3g carbs and save myself from 9 grams of fat as well.  That's Exciting news :)

Fat Jeans, Skinny Jeans, and Everything in Between!

So if you haven't seen a trend in the basics of my blog already I will fill you in on my life.  Just in case you haven't guessed it by now, my name is Amy.  I am a proud mother to three beautiful children.  My oldest daughter is 8, bright, smart and fun.  My middle child, my son, is 6 and is very talented and smart.  My youngest daughter is 3, super cute, and super funny.  She is about to be 4 which I don't like to mention.  Don't get me wrong, I am super excited she is going to be 4, however, that does mean it will be 4 years since giving birth and not dropping my weight.  Sure it has fluctuated, at one point I was 165 lbs. which at 5' 8" isn't horrible but still wasn't skinny. 

I say one point because I feel like I have been riding a crazy cycle of gaining and losing between 179-190 lbs for a couple of years now.  My tight "Fat Pants" (which is what I call them) are size 14 and my love handles clearly show.  My "Skinny Jeans" (which by the way haven't been worn in over two years) are a size 12.  I have fit some of my size 12 but not my "Skinny Jeans" size 12.  I know, I know you might be laughing right now thinking "that isn't skinny" or maybe you are saying "Oh My God I know" and can totally relate.  Either way, I think it is safe to say that every girl has her "Fat Jeans" and her "Skinny Jeans".

Which brings us back to my blog.  I want to fit back into my "Skinny Jeans" a pair of American Eagle "Artist Jeans" size 12 possibly sized wrong and are really a size 10.  I am just saying...geez....hear me out.  For some reason I have two other pair of American Eagle Jeans size 12 and 3 pairs of capris size 12 which I fluctuate wearing (key word wearing).  I can somehow fit into those size 12.  Not my "Skinny Jeans" size 12 though :(

 Like I said I am in between being somewhat comfortable in my size 12, then the too tight size 12 but too loose size 14, to the too tight size 14 but refusing to buy size 16.  So I am taking things seriously and really researching what I keep doing over and over again and keep failing over and over again.  I want to find a way to keep the weight off for good and then maintain it as well.  This is my journey to lose the pounds, maybe not be super skinny, but at least fit into my "Skinny Jeans" and feel good about myself again.  Be active (I forgot what that word meant) and healthy for me, my kids, and my husband.  I hope you can relate to what I am going through, been through, and hope to accomplish.  Follow along On My Way to Skinny :)

~Amy
Skinny Jeans Amy, Skinny Jeans!  Stay Focused.