Stuck.

I feel like a sham. Here I am trying to tell others how to lose weight, but after losing 25 pounds, I am firmly stuck. I have hypothyroidism, a waiverable condition for the military but only if it's under control. As far as they're concerned, in control means I'm under the weight limit and my hormone levels are in the normal range. So far, I'm good on that. I'm qualified. Technically.

"Technically" isn't good enough for me.

For me, battling hypothyroidism and trying to get into the military, it is essential that I find natural and holistic ways to deal with the symptoms. It is absolutely essential that I get my body working optimally, otherwise, I really shouldn't join. If I'm not fit and strong and able to deploy, there is little point to enlisting. That is the cold, hard truth. I don't want to just barely meet minimums. I need to lose enough weight that I'm functioning at my BEST. I am not enlisting to just squeak by on minimums. I am joining to be the best Airman I can possibly be. After all this fuss to enlist, I owe it to the Air Force to do whatever possible to make sure my body is healthy and fit and ready for duty.

Around the edges of the Airman's challenge coin, awarded upon graduation: Integrity First, Service Before Self, Excellence In All We Do.

What that means to me is that I have to fix this. I take "Excellence In All We Do" very seriously, as I do the other core values. I WILL find a way past this hurdle, and I will make sure that my body and my mind are in the right place when I land in San Antonio, Texas.

The Turning Point: Recognizing the effects of Hypothyroidism 

I read a really good blog post by "Hypothyroid Mom" that details how Hypothyroidism can effect leptin and cause leptin-resistance. If you're like I was and you have no idea what the heck that means, check out her blog post here. There is a lot regarding body chemistry that is too lengthy for me to go into in my own post today but it's interesting and compelling.

Anyway, one of her suggestions to "reset" the body and reverse leptin resistance is to go paleo.

Uh-oh. I am not the kind of person who would consider jumping on this particular bandwagon without some very careful consideration. I have scoffed at it, rolled my eyes... yup. I'm that person. I'm sorry. It is very possible that I will find myself to be humbled and to stand corrected in the near future.

The Plan: Paleo 21 day fix Nutrition 

At this point, I can't just keep doing what I'm doing. I'm a firm believer in trying to eat healthy and clean at least 80% of the time, but I'll tell you what. The hard truth is that what works for normal, average people may not work for someone who has hypothyroidism. I splurge now and then, but most of the time I eat very healthy. I don't drink soda. I don't buy junk food or very much processed food at ALL. And it just hasn't been enough. That is beyond frustrating. To work extremely hard, killing my workouts, sweating every single day, lifting heavy and eating healthy and to look and feel more or less the same is beyond discouraging. This isn't even just about being fit for enlistment now, it's about overcoming a personal obstacle. It's about refusing to be defeated.

Maybe going paleo won't work. Maybe it will be another dead end. However, I found this article and have read compelling evidence that it very well may help me. It is worth a try, and I'm the kind of person who will try something if there is compelling evidence behind it.

I am going to go paleo while using the portion control system of 21 day fix. That way, I'm not restricting my calories too much or being extreme. I'll know I'm eating enough of the right stuff. In place of the two yellow "carb" containers, I am going to instead have additional veggie containers or grain alternatives, such as items made with coconut flour, etc. This is going to involve some trial and error. However, I know it is time to try something new.

Shakeology likely isn't considered paleo (though perhaps the vegan ones are, I'm not entirely sure) but I WILL continue Shakeo. It has done so much for my health and made it possible for me to overcome my first plateau. It has made my hair stop falling out and some of my other thyroid issues resolve. So I will continue using all of my favorite flavors of shakeo, most of which contain dairy, but are otherwise very clean, wholesome and contain a lot of essential nutrients I don't get in my regular diet. In particular, the probiotics, antioxidants and amino acids are important to me because I just don't get enough otherwise and there is no way I'd keep up with ten bazillion different supplements.

So here we go.... I'm going to be sharing 21 day fix approved paleo recipes in the near future and I will be trying to navigate this strange and frustrating new world of paleo food! I'm excited though! Rather than dread, I feel like this is a new challenge to focus on, something I CAN control when everything else has stalled.

In case you have no idea what paleo is, here a photo I found from Graduate Girl that just illustrated it so perfectly.

Stay tuned for more info, recipes, and adventures involving preparing to enlist, getting fit, and going Paleo! 

More than just exercise

In order to truly live a fit lifestyle you have to find ways to love it. For one thing, you workout won't really matter that much if you are completely sedentary the rest of the day. If you want to burn calories you need to get moving. You need to walk more, or hike, run, bike, rollerblade, shoot hoops, play a sport, ANYTHING.... there are so many options but you need to find one and get moving.

I'm not an expert. I'm not a health professional. However, I can tell you from persona experience that just doing enough to get by will never really be enough. For one thing, you'll probably get bored. For another, you just won't burn enough calories doing a half hour workout every day.

One of my absolute favorite ways to get moving is to go hiking. I am currently training for a 10 mile hike through high desert. It literally winds up the mountainside for the first entire mile. It goes through a steep canyon. I'm so excited about this hike, it's not even funny. I did the first mile just to get an idea and I was so giddy it was ridiculous. Find THAT. Find something that makes you giddy!

It's not even just about fitness either. Hiking is good for my soul. The fresh air, being surrounded by nature.... it makes my soul happy. It refreshes me. It reminds me that I'm alive.

We weren't born to go to work, pay bills and die.

We were born to LIVE. Are you living? Are you REALLY??? Are you getting out of your comfort zone and experiencing new things? Are you growing? Are you challenging yourself? I personally believe it is the key to ultimate happiness. That point where we just done making excuses and we want to truly experience life and savor every moment.

My challenge to you this week is to get out and find something new to try. Go for a walk. Go for a hike. MOVE your body and do something that makes your soul sing.

The world is so beautiful. Go out and discover it. 

MEPS Psychological Consultation

If you google "MEPS consult" or "MEPS Psych eval" you're bound to come up with posts that will freak you the heck out. I am writing this post to assure you that not all consults end unhappily. I read somewhere that if they bother to give you a consult that they are paying for, it is because they see some hope in your situation. If they were absolutely sure you were doomed, they wouldn't spend the money to give you a consult!!! You simply cannot know until you go to your consult and find out. Just take a deep breath and go in positive.

Anyway, I was ordered to have a psych eval because I had mild depression in High School. I only had an Rx (zoloft) for 3 months, and then stopped taking it. I never had a relapse and never needed to be treated again for depression.

MEPS wasn't satisfied with that, and therefore ordered the consult. As frustrating as the medical process can be, try to remember that there are reasons that certain conditions can disqualify you. It's either because it would hinder you from deploying or because you cannot be treated while deployed, or a combination of both. Ultimately, they are looking out for your safety and they are also trying to recruit healthy people. They invest a LOT of money into training you, and why would they do that if you can't even do what they train you to do? I know, easier said than done. It still tugs at my heartstrings because I want this SO bad.

Arrival at MEPS

First off, I have some suggestions for what to bring to a Consult, regardless of what type. (Consults can be for all sorts of situations, skin, bones, psych, etc.). Please be sure you get adequate rest beforehand since it might be a long day and make sure you eat breakfast. All the same MEPS rules apply! Wear nice jeans and/or khakis, close-toed shoes, stud earrings (for girls only), and no crazy hair colors, piercings other than one set in your ear lobe, no offensive shirts, etc. Here is what I chose to wear.

I also recommend asking your branch liason what to do in case you need to contact them during your consult. Your driver will drop you off and you are on your own!

• 2 forms of ID- I brought more than that, I had my driver's license, my dependent ID, my birth cert. and my social security card, I carry the first two always and the other two I had just to be safe 
• Your cell phone- unlike a normal day at MEPS, you will need your cell phone. Be sure it is 100% charged because you will need to call your driver to come get you when you are done with your appointment 
• Bottled water- if your day is as long as mine... you'll want it. 

I had to be at MEPS nearly two hours before my appointment. I arrived at 8:30 and my appointment was at 10:30 off post with a civilian psychologist.

I checked in to the desk, and the people at the desk were friendly this time. I guess when you're not there in the wee hours with all the shippers, they mellow out or something. I checked in with medical, got a consult folder made, and checked out of MEPS and in with the driver. There was one other person with a consult that was riding with me.

PLEASE for the love of all that is good in this world, DO NOT ask fellow applicants what their consult is for. It could be private and it just isn't good manners. The applicant in the car with me flat out asked me what my appointment was for before even introducing herself or asking what my name was. It was just really awkward because telling someone I don't know at all that I need to have a psych eval is just pretty embarrassing.

Arrival at Consult Appointment 

I was dropped off at 9:00am, a full hour and 35 minutes before my appointment time. Not only was I dropped off early, but I got the feeling throughout the day that I was low priority. Every single person that arrived, including those AFTER my appt. time were seen before me. I waited until about 11:30 to be seen. I tell you this because I want you to be prepared to wait a very long time. I read a book I had downloaded to my phone while I was waiting.

Finally, the doctor called me in. At first I was a little nervous. He seemed to have sort of a cold personality at first. He asked me some basic medical questions and then he asked about my home life and my marriage. He didn't ask anything super detailed, just "Do you feel safe" and "How would you describe your marriage".

Next he asked about the depression. I was just honest. I answered every question simple, answering only what he asked without babbling on and on. He seemed satisfied with my answers. I told him I was "diagnosed" by a general practitioner at a medical clinic, not by a psychologist. He seemed disgruntled with this and he said that while doctors in clinics are great for common illnesses, they shouldn't try to diagnose and treat mental health conditions, especially in teenagers. He said he believed by what I had told him that I probably would have been ok just seeing a counselor.

He finished up by saying, "I don't see any reason why you shouldn't be able to enlist. As far as I'm concerned, you have completely overcome depression. I think you're good to go, at least as far as I'm concerned!" Phew. Thank goodness. That is very good news. However, he doesn't have the final say. I believe from all that I've been told and read that MEPS and/or the SG are the ones to make the final determination based on what the doctor says. *Fingers Crossed*

They handed me my consult folder back with a sealed envelope inside and I called my driver to let him know I was done. He came to get me about 30 minutes later. This should go without saying, but DO NOT OPEN THE ENVELOPE.

Labs Done for MEPS- Post Hospital 

I had another "consult" to have labs done at the hospital on post. This was a NIGHTMARE. It wouldn't have been a big deal, except that the receptionists who were messing with the papers in my consult folder sealed up the wrong paper, which had my lab order on it. I didn't know this until I was at a completely different location trying to get my labs done. The lady at the lab desk asked me to open the sealed envelope and I politely explained that I could not open it because it would void the consult I just had.  She said the lab wasn't in the system and neither was I.

After that, I was sent to DEERS (Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System) to be put into the hospital computer system. Every different medical facility has their own DEERS database and you have to be added to be seen there. It had just been so long since I had to do it that I had forgotten. I got added into the system. I just have to say.... the guy who added me had the longest fingernails I've ever seen on a man, let alone military personnel in uniform. I could NOT believe no one had told him to cut those suckers. I know.... totally relevant, right? I had to share my pain. You're welcome.

Anyway, MEPS had the labs faxed back over, and I had my labs drawn. This all happened about 2 hours after my arrival. I called my driver and was again good to go.

I was driven back to MEPS, turned in my consult folder and then my Air Force Liason gave me a brown bag lunch (It was almost 3pm and I was elated to have a lunch waiting for me!!!) and then she sent me off on my way.

It was a very, VERY long day, and I'm glad it is behind me! It's not as bad as I thought it would be though!

I hope that is helpful. Please feel free to ask me questions. I cannot promise I'll know the answer but I'll do my best to point you in the right direction!

Homemade "Slimming" Body Wrap

I normally don't talk much about competitor's products, not even to debunk them. Beachbody workout programs work for me, and I would much rather run my business in a positive light. I want to build people up rather than tear anyone down. My intent is not to hurt anyone, but rather to share my truths. I would be doing you a disservice if I didn't share the experiences I have, even the ones that ruffle other people's feathers.

Well, I'm going to share my personal opinion. Please be aware that this is not coming from a place of malice or meanness. I just want to share my beliefs and recommendations for what is and isn't necessary for a healthy lifestyle.

I have tried "It Works". I had a sample once.  I noticed a very *slight* difference but nothing I was willing to pay for. You see, it's TEMPORARY!!!! What you are doing is losing a very small amount of retained water in your tissues. Think of visited a sauna. It will help you sweat out a little extra water weight, but really, you can't just sit in a sauna until you have a rocking body.

When you pay $30 or $40 a pop for these (or whatever it is that they cost....), you are paying for an effect that, in my opinion, you can EASILY achieve at home.

The reps will tell you that it has amazing ingredients, that it removes toxins, etc. etc. and I can't tell you one way or the other if that is true or not. I'm not a scientist. My instinct though is to believe that a better way to remove toxins is through a clean diet.

Homemade Body Wrap Experiment

I decided to do a little experiment. I made a homemade wrap. I used Coffee grounds (fresh from the bag), olive oil and saran wrap. I'm totally serious. That was IT.

I mixed the coffee grounds with a little olive oil and then massaged into my belly in a circular motion. Then I wrapped my whole midriff with saran wrap for half an hour. I did some light exercise to help me sweat (so that the wrap would work to it's maximum potential.)

The following results are from ONE homemade wrap. My hips looked smaller, my belly looks less bloated. I did not try to stand differently or skew the results. I did my best to stand the same and not to suck in for before or after photos.

Did "It work"? Yes. Yes it did. However, I expected it to. It isn't magic. It's just sweating in a concentrated area. All for pennies. I barely spent anything and got pretty good results.

If you are an "It Works" customer, I strongly urge you to re-evaluate whether or not it is truly worth the investment. It kills me to see people spending oodles and oodles on something that is a temporary fix. You cannot achieve true weight loss from wrapping your body.

If you want lasting, long-term results, you are going to have to work out and keep working out. You are going to have to clean up your nutrition and keep it clean. There is no magic fix and anything that you put in your body that claims to do the work for you is likely not even good for you. Even something as extreme as surgery has some pretty intense risks and won't work in the long run if you don't change how you eat.

The ONLY way to get fit, is to change. PERIOD.