The start of my fast!

I have made a stern decision to start my water fast today! After weeks of saying tomorrow, I FINALLY went out and purchased what I anticipate needing for this fast. Mainly WATER! I finished my last meal around two-ish today, so I rounded the start time of my fast up to 3 pm. So, at three pm tomorrow, I will successfully have completed day one , and I will certainly blogg about that accomplishment! Fortunately, I have not experienced hunger today since consuming my earlier meal, and it is now 11:33 p.m. . Aside from water, I did consume Organic Smooth Move tea only a few short minutes ago. This is an organic laxative that I will only be consuming at the start of my fast (1-3 days) . This is done to cleanse the digestive system.
I am starting my fast with the following:

1) 5 gallons of distilled water
2) Deer park spring water
3) Seltzer water
4) Lemons
5) Organic Smooth Move tea (bedtime laxative I will use for 1-3 days)
6) Green Tea (once daily for energy if needed)

MY THIRTY DAY WATER FASTING BLOG!!

OK, Change of plans!! I'm starting a 30 day water fast May 5, 2011 in an attempt to jump start my weight loss, and improve my health. They say water fasting is an excellent way to detox (rid the body of toxins). I see that as an extra plus. Although I normally work out regularly, and I am technically within height and weight standards for my height, I have gained a significant amount of weight (compare above pic to my profile pic for comparison) as a result of poor eating habits, and missed trips to the gym. Additionally, I now have a desire to compete in the figure portion of the body building sport!! In addition to water fasting, I will continue going to work on a daily basis. My job is not very demanding, so as of now, this seems feasible to me. Upon the completion of my fast, I plan to continue a clean eating lifestyle in combination with a continuance of my regular gym routine for weight maintenance. For health/safety reasons, I will not be working out while on this fast! Previously, I was successful in losing 15 lbs. in six weeks, eating five small, clean meals a day. I was pleased with these results, however, I returned to my bad eating habits, and quickly regained the weight, so this time around, I have strategically planed for a lifestyle change following this fast. My ultimate goal is to make clean eating a lifestyle, return to the gym, and compete in my first Body Building figure competition in October!! I plan to journal daily my experiences during this fast!

MINOR SET BACK FOR A MAJOR COME BACK!!

As of Feb. 28, 2011 I had accomplished my ultimate health and fitness goal. I have always been a health and fitness guru, but this particular time, I wanted to challenge myself to get into competition shape. That meant decreasing my fat percentile, and disciplining myself to stick to a strict short term competition diet! After sticking to a disciplined gym routine and high protein low fat diet, I accomplished a weight loss of fifteen pounds in six weeks (the old fashion way)! Gym and healthy food intake. I was walking into the local malls and purchasing size four jeans for the first time since high school, and I was certainly on my way to competition shape!! Unfortunately, I became so wrapped in up in my new found success, that I slowly slipped back into my old habits! BIG SIGH!!

Trips to the gym became fewer and trips to local dinning spots became greater! As a matter of fact currently, I haven't cook in three weeks! As of today, I am unsure of exactly how much of the fifteen pounds I have gained back because I am afraid to step on the scale but lets just say those size four jeans I bought, ARE TEMPORARILY NOT FITTING!!

Tomorrow I will begin clean eating once again. Five small meals a day, no sugar, no dining out, no sweets, and no soda or juice for six weeks. This is the regimen I was given by a close friend of mine whom happens to be the head trainer at my local gym. This routine worked wonders in helping me accomplish my fifteen pound weight loss goal back in Feb., so I am confident that it will work again! After losing and regaining all that weight, I know understand what the term "lifestyle change" is referring to. If you return to your old eating habits you will most definitely return to your old weight!! I must admit, I am a little discouraged, but tomorrow, I am back at it! I plan to start my day off with plain oatmeal, and eat every three hours after that. Each main meal will consist of chicken and fish in small portion sizes, and alcoholic beverages will be off my menu for good!!!

BEST TIME TO EXERCISE

So you've decided that you're ready to start your new workout routine, and you have a few questions, right? No problem. You want to know the best time of the day to exercise. Lets first remember that anytime during the day that you can set aside for exercise is better than nothing at all!! Whether that be morning, evening or afternoon it is important that we incorporate exercise into our busy schedules. Now back to our question. The best time of the day to exercise is in the morning.

Morning exercise is beneficial for the following reasons:

• Morning exercisers are more likely to stick to their routine



• Morning exercise improves sleep (adequate sleep is needed to promote weight loss)



• Engaging in morning exercise sets the pace for your day



• Morning exercise routines decrease the chances of mishaps occurring during the day that could potentially alter or interfere with your workout schedule.

Studies Have Shown That...

Women who engaged in consistent morning exercise routines (four hours or more) slept better than those who engaged in evening exercise routines. In addition to that, evening exercisers had trouble falling asleep.

My Morning Routine

Personally, I start my workout routine at 7:30 a.m. each morning, (even if it requires me dragging myself out of bed)! I can personally say that there is much truth in the research that states that morning routines are easier to keep (at least that has proven to be true for me). Again, that's not to say that afternoon or evening workout routines are not beneficial as well. My morning routine leaves me feeling motivated, energized and just plain good!! I encourage you to start a consistent workout routine of your own, and see what the benefits will be. I am sure that you will be impressed not only with how you look, but also with how you feel after you have established a consistent workout routine.

Please Share Your Thoughts

I am here to share my thoughts and knowledge in the area of Health and Fitness with all of you!! I plan to cover everything from how to eat healthy to weight lifting for women and everything in between! I must say that I am very excited! I am also here to expand my knowledge and share with you in your personal experiences with weight loss or just maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Here we will motivate each other on our quest to get or stay fit as well as share knowledge. Please feel free to share any tips or suggestions that you may have on this subject. PLEASE SHARE!! Your thoughts are welcomed and your input is needed!! There's only one goal here, and that is for US TO GET FIT TOGETHER!! New topics will be added daily. Spread the word and invite your friends to join in on the discussion!