New Years Resolutions

New Year, new goals. I have not been using Sensa like I should and have been celebrating the holidays entirely too much. But I am going to start using Sensa like I should and get back into my routine once again with the start of this year. My hope is to see the professed 30 lb's in 6 months. I have been back at it since last week, so I will continue to report my results (good or bad).

Update

Things are going well. I have adjusted my diet a bit. I am trying to eat mainly fish, shellfish, nuts and beans for my protien. Been going really well as far as that's concerned. I have increased the amount of antioxidants I have been consuming and noticed a big difference in my morning energy levels. My birthday is tomorrow and I will be going to Olive Garden so I do not expect any new break throughs until the holidays are over. But I do have the goal of maintaining what I have lost and hopefully moving foward from there. I hope you all are having a wonderful holiday season!

Stand Still

I have not been exercising and I think the weight loss really slowed because of it. I think I really need to motivate myself again. I think I will increase the amount of gogi berry juice I drink in the morning and see if that gets me moving again. On Christmas I am going to try and lay off the goodies I think as well and stay focused with Sensa. However, on my birthday I am going out to eat at Olive Garden with my husband and enjoying my 33rd birthday...Sensa or no Sensa! I have not however gained any weight back at all! Not one single pound regardless of all that cheating I did around the Thanksgiving holidays! So as far as that goes, I still feel I am making progress. We shall see though if a little exercise will speed things up a bit...if I can get my butt in gear to do it :).

The Benefits of Drinking Water

Water is such an important part of our diets. We tend to over look drinking what we need by instead drinking only when we are thirsty. The problem with that is once you start craving water you are usually already well on your way to dehydration. Water makes up almost two thirds of body weight! Our blood, muscles, brain and many other important body parts are made up mostly of water so it is important that we keep hydrated! Water can help you lose weight as well by flushing out the "junk" we don't need in our bodies and helping us to feel full the natural way. When you aren't drinking enough water, your body may be sending you signals that you are hungry when what you really need is water. It can also curb your appetite by making you feel fuller faster. It can also improve your energy levels which is helpful for those who work out or lead busy, active lives. Water can help you remain focused and increase your mental performance. Water is great for the skin too! There are endless benefits that water provides, but the point I want to make is that water can be an extremely effective weight loss tool along with all the other things you may already be doing such as using Sensa, getting your eight hours of beauty rest, exercising and/or eating better.

Sleep and Weight Loss

Did you know that not getting enough sleep at night can actually cause you to gain weight? Scientists are finding that when a person does not get enough sleep at night, that person's "hunger hormones" (Ghrelin) are usually high and the hormone that control satiety (lepton) is usually low. So, of you aren't getting enough sleep, you may have a harder time satisfying your hunger and thus overeating. Research conducted by the University of Wisconsin and Stanford University found "that people who sleep two to four hours a night are 73% more likely to be obese than those who get seven to nine hours. Those who get five or more hours of sleep a night are 50% more likely to be obese than normal sleepers. Those who sleep six hours are 23% more likely to be obese". So be sure to get your "beauty sleep"!

Does Sensa Really Work?

I think so. That being said, Sensa is a diet aid. If you are intent on eating cheeseburgers and fries everyday and expect Sensa to take away the calories you will be disappointed. Diets work on the basis that you are consuming less calories than you are burning. If you are eating high calorie, low nutrient foods you will likely not lose as much (if at all) on Sensa. The trick is to work in somewhat healthy foods. Infact, you will benefit even more by eating lower calorie foods high in nutrition...then not only will you be eating less food, you will also be getting the nutrition you need (which often leads to less cravings for the bad stuff). I have also found that Sensa completely knocked out my cravings for sweets and I also eat less than I normally do. It also intensfied the flavors of the foods I ate giving me greater satistfation (atleast for me). Use that to your advantage by "eating this, not that". One tip is to check out that link to superfoods I posted earlier, go to the world's healthiest foods, or do research to find nutrient rich foods that you already like or love. For example, I love cashews! Yes, they pack in both calories and fat...but they are good for you! In fact, studies show that eating nuts a few times a week in moderation actually helps you maintain a healthy weight and a healthy heart! So look for foods high in nutrition that you already love and resolve to eat more of it. This way when Sensa has begun curbing your appetite, you know you are still getting what you need out of what you do eat! Sensa can work wonders, you just have to work with it.

Tips for remembering to sprinkle your food with Sensa

1. Keep one Sensa container in the kitchen in a highly visable place such as on top of the microwave or beside the refrigerater. Put it someplace you'll be sure to see it when you warm up your food or grab your snacks from.

2. Keep the other shaker with you, in your purse or pocket. This way when you are at work or running errands you'll have it when you need it.

3. Put sticky notes on the refrigerater or microwave to remind you sprinkle your food.

4. Ask friends and family to remind you when you forget.

5. You can also use the age old trick of tieing a string or something similar around your finger or wrist. The brighter it is, the better. That will likely draw your attention better than a more subdued color.

I personally have forgotten a few times but since I had been taking it long enough it did not seem to make a difference. I think it is what you do the majority of the time that makes the difference. Hope this helps!

My article on ehow

I am going to begin writing articles on ehow about some of the things I talk about here. Here is a link to my how to article on Goji Berries and Sleep: http://www.ehow.com/how_4661965_use-goji-berries-better-sleep.html .

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!

Sorry I have not been on lately, I had family down for the holidays. I hope everyone enjoyed their holidays as much as I did! I did not restrict myself on the types of foods I ate...in fact I went into the holidays planning to cheat. Even my sister made a comment before arriving "you're not planning on dieting while I'm there are you?". Who diets on Thanksgiving? But I did put a limit on it. When my sister left I went back on my "diet". I still hate calling it that because it doesn't feel like a diet. I am never hungry because I always eat when I am hungry. I did lose some weight amazingly. Not much, just a pound or two...but it's better than gaining! I am still eating the goji berries and taking a very small amount of acai. My energy level has not dipped at all. I will never go back. In fact I made a long list of "superfoods" and try to eat from that list as much as I can. I got it from here: http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_articles.asp?id=307 . I also added to that list goji berries, acai berries, chlorella, water (though technically not a superfood, but it should be), things like that. I have not been exercising as much lately and I really should be...I just had to go into the hospital for a week and used having no time as an excuse...now I have no excuse...but I will get back into it...eventually:). I have no complaints with Sensa to date. Anyone else have any good expeirences with it? Please comment about your expeirence, and what you have found helpful.

More Progress

My apologies for not posting sooner. This was my week to go into the hosptial to complete my yearly requirement to be on site for work. The drive is about an hour and a half, so my online presense was unfortunately non-existant. But, even after that week of being at the hospital, I still managed to lose 2 inches off my waist. No weight loss on the scale this week, however. But my goal here is to fit better in my clothes...you know...fit into clothes I haven't worn in seemingly forever.

The goji berries I have been eating are godsent! They are even chocolate covered...and boy are they addictive. I ordered plain ones though so I can get away from the extra calories. They give me so much energy it is hard to sit still. I have pretty much settled into a routine of cleaning the house or going out and exercising after eating them since my energy level is so high. I have been sneaking goji berry juice into my daughters juicy juice when she's not looking and I have noticed a few things. First, she sleeps soundly and wakes early (we used to have to pry her kicking and screaming out of bed each morning, now she is up before we are!). She is also concentrating better in school. I got a note home from the teacher noting the change in her work habits. I've noticed it as well when I help her with her homework. I also bought some acai berry pills from an online store for my son and it totally cleared up his acne! He also seems to have a more positive outlook on life...not that there was a problem before. He just seems more happy go lucky. So I am now a big believer in antioxidants and superfoods. I see now how much it impacts our health and how we feel.

Sensa has been great as far as keeping my hunger in check. I just have to remember to sprinkle it on my food. If it is not out where I can see it, I forget.

Sense of Well-being

I don't know what it is, or if it a combination of things but I feel so good! I got another order from brazil botanicals of the acai juice and I thought I'd also try goji berry juice (which is WONDERFUL!) I like the goji berry juice so much that I am going to try dried goji berries (from a different place) and as gift my husband ordered me some dark chocolate goji berry clusters. Anyways, all of this is just doing wonders for my mood. It is more than likely a combination of things, all that good nutrition. But going into this, I think I underestimated the power of eating well! I don't think I will ever go back! I think this will be a lifetime change for me. Try it, if anything even for just a week or two...see if you don't feel better at the end of that allotted time. I know I did.

Finally Progress on the Scale

After not losing for a week or two (atleast on the scale), I woke up this morning to find I lost another three pounds. My motivation is restored! Well, I was still motivated but the scale situation was really frustrating me. I knew I was losing, I just couldn't see it on the scale. Now I am very happy. To date I have lost about 15 pounds! Saturday will be the end of week 7 for me. I can not fully express just how wonderful Sensa has been for me! I do think eating right and exercising every once and a while is speeding up the process though. I'm haven't been perfect on this diet, but most of the time I make the right choices and that's what I was aiming for. And that Acai Berry has my energy level on high most of the day, so I think that helps as well (but I have noticed no real increase in weight loss since taking it, atleast on the scale anyways). For those of you who are already taking Sensa, what has been your expeirence with it so far?

More Benefits I Am Noticing With Acai Berry

I have been taking either Acai Berry Supreme or Acai Berry Juice for Brazil Botanicals and I have noticed some more pretty amazing benefits. First my sense of well-being is just amazing. I am always in a good mood and full of energy. Also, I noticed that the healing time for skin blemishes and irritations is much faster than normal. My skin has gotten softer and so has my hair. I have also noticed that while my weight hasn't changed much, I am fitting into clothes I hadn't worn before. I am going to buy a tape measure this Saturday because I really think I am losing inches rather than pounds. I'd much rather be leaner and fit into my old "skinny jeans" than be a certain number on the scale. I think the extract and/or juice combined with Sensa and better diet has really helped me out in that regard. The Acai Berry Supreme seems to give me a bit more energy than the juice, however it also contains white tea which may be the reason why. Irregardless though, even the juice seems to be packing a powerful punch. My workouts run a bit longer and it seems to take less effort. Well, maybe not less effort but it just seems a whole lot easier to get through. In fact, I have so much energy that I want to exercise or just go out and do something active. I just feel really great! I am experiencing such positive benefits from the green tea and acai berry that I think I will explore other "super fruits" or "super foods". I hope everyone is having a good week!

Comfort Food

For Halloween this year, I will be making my kids haystacks and pumpkin shaped grilled cheese sandwiches (I have a healthier version for dieters as well). I want to make sure they get a good meal in before eating all that candy and it also had to be something quick to make. Haystacks is essentially layered corn chips, chili and shredded cheese in a bowl. The ultimate comfort food before going out and trick or treating on a cold night. If you want to know how to make these yourself, here is the directions:

Heat up a couple of cans of chili on the stove (as many cans as your family or you would need) on med-high heat (until bubbly). Fill the bottom of the bowl(s) with a layer of corn chips, then layer that with some nice hot chili and then layer that with a topping of shredded cheese (we use Cheddar, but you can use whatever cheese you prefer). For the grilled cheese you would butter two slices of bread (times however many sandwiches you'd need), put cheese (like craft slices or velveta) in between the unbuttered sides of the bread and cut with a Halloween cookie cutter (I am using pumpkins). Cook on med-low until each side nice and browned.

For a healthier version: For the Haystacks: Substitute regular chili with a meatless chili and omit the corn chips. You can also substitute regular cheese for low-fat cheese.

For the grilled cheese: Use whole wheat bread, low-fat cheese and cooking spray instead of butter.

Happy Halloween!

The Scale Can Be Deceiving

Ok, I have heard people tell me before to throw out your scale and just do all the right things and the weight will come off. But how many of us really want to know if "doing the right thing" made any difference? I can tell you, I am one of them. When I wake up each morning and greet the day...the first thing I do is weigh myself to see if "doing the right thing" did anything for me. Anyone out there the same way? Well I am here to tell you that the scale is not your friend. If you have been following my posts you should know I have been losing around 2 pounds each week. Well this week I lost zero. And I have to admitt, I was scared to get on that scale after my piece of tiramisu and dark chocolate episode this week. But I had also been riding my bike all week and doing otherwise a good job of filtering out the junk in my diet. So I began with the usual, "oh this diet isn't working anymore. It's just like everything else". But was it? I decided to try on one of my old work shirts (this sadly is the reason I starting dieting, I couldn't fit into my favorite fitted work shirt). Last week it was still a bit snug but this week...it fit! I finally made it to my first goal! The scale was lieing to me!!! The thing is, muscle weighs more than fat. Most of us know this, but still we exspect to be a certain weight to fit into a, b, and c. So when we exercise and are "burning calories", we exspect the scale to go down, not stay the same and definately not to go up! This is how I think, and I am willing to bet I am not alone. What most of us can't get our heads around is that sometimes even if you gain a few pounds you can still be losing inches due to all the activity or the change in diet. So don't lose heart if your weight stays the same or even goes up a little...you could still be making headway towards your "skinny jeans" goal!

Update

I am not noticing more weight (than what I have been losing) coming off since using the Acai Berry but I do have more energy. I usually take my daughter to the bus stop in the morning and go back to bed for an hour or so before getting ready for work. Since I have been taking the Acai Berry I have not been doing this, actually I have been waking up earlier than normal. Then after taking her to the bus I have been going on a bike ride then coming home and cleaning. It's better than coffee as far as that goes! But I do notice that I always have that "hungry" feeling since I started taking it. I hope that does not get in the way of my weight loss efforts. If it does, I will stop taking it and continue on with just the Sensa and Green Tea. I don't know how well I will be doing in terms of weight loss this week because my husband brought home some Tiramisu for me and it was too good to refuse:). I also had some dark chocolate chips, so I really need to get back on track!

2 more pounds down

Ok, I'll admitt this last 2 pounds came off a little slower than it has been, but as long as the trend is downward I'm still game. For some reason I feel like my body had to adjust to the new Sensa sprinkles (for this month) and now that it has it's starting to pick up in weight loss again. Actually now that I think about it, I just switched out the new shaker last Saturday. I didn't really lose any weight the 4th week (before I switched out the shaker), but this week I lost 2 more pounds so I definately think they are on to something by having you switch out the shakers each month. I will post next Saturday to let you know where I am at then. Hope everyone is having a great weekend!!!

Canceling Acai Berry Orders

For those of you who posted about Acai Berry Supreme and needed to cancel, please read my response. If you call the number I posted (you'll have to keep redialing them), they will pick up. At least they did for me, twice. It is a horrible tactic they use and should not be allowed to do it but they will answer. It is one good reason I will not be doing business with them, not to mention the price they are asking. I can get a one month's supply from Dr. Tim's for 14.99, free shipping too if I order 5 bottles. Huge price difference. I will be reviewing it after I finish Acai Berry Supreme. My hope is that it is just as good or better.

Update on Acai Berry

I have tried now the Acai Berry Supreme and let me tell you I love it! It's just way overpriced! Almost 100.00 for a one month supply! But it gives me so much energy! I rode my bike with my daughter today and did not want to stop! I had so much energy to burn. I am usually a slow starter in the morning but after taking the Acai Berry I was up and moving! I love this stuff! I did order and receive Dr. Tim's Brazilian Acai Berry juice and it actually has a higher content of Acai than Acai Berry Supreme but I wanted to finish the bottle first to review it before starting the other. Acai Berry Supreme doesn't have too many extras. It does have white tea extract in it though but like I said, I loved it. I now have high hopes for the juice I bought. It's even more natural and my theory is with the higher acai content it should be even better. I have for a long time had problems with my sleeping, however users of Dr. Tim's Acai juice say they sleep better and wake up refreshed...so I am thinking I might actually be going from: ok but not for me(Pure Acai Berry) to great (Acai Berry Supreme) to hopefully even better (Dr. Tim's Acai Juice). But for now, I love Acai Berry Supreme. I will post again on it as time goes on to give a full review of my expeirence. I have 13 days left with it, then it's on to Dr. Tim's. Have a great weekend everybody!

Sensa update

I started on Shaker #2 yesterday and noticed a big difference. First, I had not realized that how much I gotten used to the sweet sprinkles until I tried the new ones. It tasted so wonderful and that was how the first month's tasted to me at first. I guess that it is true that your body gets accostumed to it. I also noticed that just before I switched out the sprinkles that my appetite was starting to come back. But after switching to month 2 I was back to not finishing my full portions. I told my husband that if I keep losing weight that all I want for christmas is new clothes. I am using that to motivate me. I love clothes...well, I do when I'm not overweight. To be able to go into a clothing department and like how the clothes looked on me would be awesome! Here in Florda they have outlets all over the place and Bealls always has this cute little silky shirts...but they are mostly made for really slender girls/women. That is my goal, to walk in there buy whatever strikes me. What are your goals?