Testing, Testing 1-2-3

Testing is the one word that describes my life right now. Seriously y'all.

We're talking testing at work- in the form of getting ready for the LOVELY STAAR Test, the kids-- testing every livin' nerve in my body right now, mock testing that we do just for doing (you get the point).

We're talking life. Life is testing me right now. And it has pretty much won lately. You all know I was doing so great at Jamie Eason's live fit program and eating health(ier) and making better choices. Then I decided I would detox from my lifestyle meltdown, and drink a crap ton of veggies 3x a day and eat 1x a day (fish) well that totally last like 2 days then I had mexican food and a skinny mojito with my work peeps. So life is testing me because I am having such a hard time getting back on track. I lost all the water weight I gained from Valentines day to the last week of February (because I was totally pigging out and my hormones were OFF. THE. CHARTS. after my crazy 62 day cycle-- yes I said 62 days of hormonally cray cray Annie). I am looking forward to taking some me time this weekend to get my life right so I can re do phase 2

We're talking testing at the fertility clinic to get back on track-- blood work here and there...waiting on results....testing new products and such...and testing everything else under the sun to see why my body is defiant and hostile.

So that's what's going on. I am catching life at all angles right now and LIFE is testing me. I feel like, when looking back, I have failed the test-- I have been frustrated at work, cheated on my diet, negleted my charting and avoided finding out what the next step would be for our fertily. But when I take a moment to realize the baby steps I have taken, I noticed that I kind of aced the test.

I moved, started a new job, and had surgery all in the matter of 4 weeks. I adjusted and met new friends and continued to work out and eat health(ier) 80% of the time even though I was depressed while my husband worked nights and I worked days. My husband had surgery, we bought a car- which made up for him working nights, my dog nearly died--

******PUMP THE BREAKS---OMG I just busted out laughing at myself--- I sound like a bad country song LMBO!!!!!!!!!!!

As far as good news goes, I am looking forward to my new fertility plan: taking pregnitude 2x a day in my drink (probably will take it in my SPARK). This natural concoction will help regulate my hormones and will help my brain tell my ovaries what to do-- it can also help me lose weight-- the weight I should be losing for eating healthy and working out IF I don't cheat! I will also be taking compounded progesterone made with grapeseed oil via a 3 minute THICK shot on cyle days 18 20 and 22 (administered by my one and only). This will help to remind my ovaries to release the folicles that are growing! Hubby is also doing 100x's better at checking my charts and is the "sticker put on" personnel;he is also helping me remember to record my information. Hopefully my body will go back to normal. I got a fresh chart at the doctor. This will be my 3rd set of charts to complete

If my ovarian reserve test comes back with poor results, meaning my eggs are bad or old, or I do not have many left, we will jump right into the high powered drugs like we were doing in 2011 with self administered shots and HCG along with pregnatude and the Progesterone. If my ovarian reserve test comes back normal, we will give it a few months on just the natural stuff (the least amount of times I have to take fertility drugs, the better for my future).

If I do not have success by this summer, we are looking at a few options: ovarian reconstructive surgery or acceptance. And since we have been in a place of acceptance the last 6 months or so, I am sure we will live life to the fullest and see what God brings our way. It may be a trip to Rome or possibly a baby to adopt, but until we are there, in that moment, I can't say what we may do. All I know is we are happy and hopeful.

See, I think I did ace the test. I got through it. I held my head high. I learned something. I made it people. I survived. I am totally ready for a relaxing day at the beach, a spa day, summer workouts, a good run, (another skinny mojito would totally do just fine as well) but I survived!

I am taking it one test at a time. One moment at a time until I succeed. And I got a new hair cut....

***NEWS BREAK***

In other MORE important news...

HAVE YOU SEEN MY MUSCLES? Yea. I'm kinda proud of them! Don't judge me- ALL teacher's live like this during the week-- the guest bathroom is a DISATER and cleaning waits until Saturday, or Sunday, or Spring Break :)

Jamie Eason Phase 1 recap

So in December I began Phase 1 of the Jamie Eason LiveFit program-- you can watch her intro video if you click here

I started the program during the holidays like a dummy-- AND IT WAS HARD (while all my coworkers ate treats and we had party, after party, after party....then.....On December 25, my hubby got sick and had emergency surgery. 

 

That especially threw me for a loop. Although during the month of December-- through all of that- I stayed on pretty much on track for about 3 weeks. In January, I was off track 2 weeks. Basically, I did week 1-2 of the program, messed up, so I did week 1-2 again, messed up, took a break, then jumped back in to week 3-4. SO-I am totally back on track and doing better! I just finished the first phase (weeks 1-4 on Sunday 2/2/14).

I did weigh myself before phase 1 and after phase 1- my weight did not change much (-.5 lbs) but my physique and inches did. In fact, some people gain in phase 1 because you are growing muscles-- but all that work shows in phase 3 when you are doing a lot of cardio and your fat starts to melt, those muscles really start popping out! I did tell myself after phase 1, that I would not be returning to the scale until the end of phase 2 (4 weeks) and the end of phase 3 (8 weeks from now) just because it plays with your mind, especially when you feel great, but the number hasn't moved anywhere but UP! CLICK HERE to see what phase 1 is all about!

This is a different program-- it's not like counting calories and doing a little cardio-- and if that's where you are, that is great! I think as long as we are moving and making better choices, we are headed in the right direction! This is all about changing your body through phases (muscle building, muscle sculpting, leaning out) and since I am in a different place now, this program caught my eye. In 2012 I fell in love with running and paleo, then I turned into a strength trainer mid 2013. Something about lifting weights makes me feel strong, when everything else in my life is falling apart. When my infertility makes me feel like I  am not a real woman, weights make me feel like a powerhouse

Biggest challenges: working out when no one else was-- it could have been freezing rain, and I went. Also, lunch with co-workers...Chickfila and a diet coke looks BOMB.COM when you are eating lean protein, complex carbs, veggies and water.

Biggest surprise: learning how to cook healthy versions of my favorite treats with my hubby, like skinny chicken enchiladas 

enjoying my Sunday grocery trips, and discovering new muscles-- in shirts.....

I know right!?!?

Just saw my shoulder muscles for like the first time ever this week!!!! 

Didn't realize they were there until hubby pointed them out! Hello shoulder boulders LOL!

Biggest goals: to lose 10 lbs by the end of phase 2 (now that I have added cardio in 4x a week) and to only stick with PLANNED cheat meals (Valentine's day cheat will be at Spaghetti Warehouse mmmmm)

Some of my staples through this program were:

Jamie Eason Turkey Muffins
Jamie Eason Cinnamon Swirl Protein Bread
MRM Whey Protein
Egg whites and Ezekiel Bread
3 Bean Chicken Chili
Organic Turkey Spaghetti with Barilla Plus noodles

Here is a sample day of what I eat , and I change my menu by the week- and if you CLICK HERE you can see the entire food list.

• Breakfast: 5 egg whites/ 1 piece of Ezekiel with natural PB/Advocare Spark
• AM snack: Chobani Plain yogurt with Raspberries and a little truvia 
• Lunch: Chicken, grilled, with a sweet potato, and salad or green beans
• In between snack because I get home later some days (larabar or uberbar)
• PM snack: 2 turkey meatloaf muffins/ Advocare Spark or plain rice cake with PB and carob and banana- just depends on if I want a sweet treat or not!
• Post-workout: MRM whey protein shake 8oz
• Dinner: 3 bean chicken chili with avocado and cilantro

I encourage you to look through Jamie Eason's Live Fit Trainer Program- EVEN IF you are a beginner! She details out the workouts, with pictures and videos, and she gives you a sample menu with added options on her attached food list.

I realized that all it took was a little time planning and scheduling meals, shopping and cooking on Sunday, and I was successful at staying on track when stress came my way. Now I can tell within 30 minutes to an hour when I am eating off plan (my tummy hurts and my energy drops).
Life of a prepper:

I am excited about the next 4 weeks as I enter phase 2, and hopefully this phase, I do a little better- since it isn't the holiday season!!

Progress pics- The picture on the left is Dec. 2 the day I started/The picture on the right is the last week of January: