Maintaining New Year's Resolutions - Losing Weight

When I was reading other blogs and my friends' Facebook statuses, I noticed a trend on New Year's Resolutions. They seemd to all be about losing weight, saving money, getting healthier, getting a better job, and managing stress better. I know they all seem cliche, but honestly ... these are the keys to a happy and healthy life! They are also things that I am looking to achieve this year ... except for the getting a better job. I love my job ... I just have a vision for my job!

I thought I would do a short mini series to talk about how to maintain your New Year's Resolutions throughout the year. Things you can do and resources available. To start the mini series off, I'm going to talk about losing weight. Since this is something that is a real struggle for me, I would love comments on how you have lost weight in the past. Do not take this personally, but I am not looking for anything that deals with quick fixes, pills, miracle shakes, wraps, or surgery. That isn't my style and it isn't what I will be covering in my blog. I was a Beachbody Health Coach and while I LOVE their products ... I want to be clear that I do not think the shakes are a fix-it. They are also not in my budget for a large family.

Well, this illness just went for a ride

So, I decided that I PROBABLY should fill y'all in on everything going on in my crazy life. I mean, that is why my blog is called Birdcage Media. My pocket book is heaving, my throat is crying, and I am so ready for a pause button.

Last week, all of my kids ended up with mild colds. I say mild, but they had a pretty good cough that was associated with them. The colds were gone by Thursday, but their coughs are still lingering. We took Turtle to her well child check and she has been given her vaccinations and we are calling a specialist to figure out this constipation issue we have been battling for two years. It's a little crazy and we feel like we have exhausted all natural and medical routes without using the specialist.

Before her appointment, we had the older two go to their dental exam. Found out that Peanut has not done as much damage as originally thought by sucking her thumb. She will need spacers and an appliance that will prevent her from putting her thumb in her mouth. UNFORTUNATELY, she is starting to act as if that means she can try to suck her thumb until we give her the appliance. *sigh* Bullfrog will also need some spacers, but not for another year. He has been cursed with his father's small mouth.

Let's Make the Perfect Smoothie

One of my favorite things to consume to stay healthy is to eat a smoothie once a day. I have done green smoothies and Shakeology, but there are many healthy smoothies you can make. Many people have asked me what makes the perfect smoothie. Guess what, I don't know your taste buds! SO, let's talk about the ingredients that make up a perfect smoothie, and you can select what would make YOUR perfect smoothie!

1. Use a nut butter or yogurt to make it creamy
2. Add chia or flax seeds for natural protein
3. Fortify with a protein powder if you are consuming it right before or right after a workout (or using it as a meal replacement)
4. Add a liquid component (milk, juice, coconut water, etc)
5. Add some greens
6. Add some fruits

Where I've Been ... and no I'm not back

I am battling a major infection in my throat. The jury is out whether it is viral or bacterial. In fact, that doesn't even matter to me right now. What matters is I can hardly swallow, my right tonsil is swollen, my right ear hurts, and my throat is swollen (with the right side very tender to the touch.

I have been battling this since Sunday night. I immediately wrote it off as tonsillitis since I have gotten that in the past. It actually WAS getting better. Them BOOM on Wednesday, my fever came back and so did the pain. I have barely been able to eat and drink. Last night I decided to up my Ibuprofen to 400mg every 6 hours. This has at least allowed me a little more sleep, a little more food, and a lot more water.

I know y'all are missing my posts and I have a LOT to catch up on, but I really am spending most of my time laying down. I did get a strep test run at the Minute Clinic at CVS on Wednesday, but that came back as negative. However, most strep tests make me gag and this one didn't, so I'm not sure if she even administered the test accurately.

My children are being such helpers and my husband is really picking up the slack. I feel very blessed right now!

How can something so small do so much damage?

When it comes to eating healthy, it is fairly easy. Honestly, it is. What happens is you eliminate the temptations from your house. Not having access to a vehicle helps keep me on the straight and narrow. Unfortunately, I then I have a vehicle on the weekends. I derail EVERY weekend! A little white granule is so addictive and so tasty, I just can't seem to kick it. What is this small white granule?

You guessed it ... sugar

This is why most people gain weight over the holidays. You first have Halloween where you are doused with candy and other sweets. Then you have Thanksgiving and Christmas where people eat way too much. New Year's Eve brings in alcohol. January isn't innocent ... it's Girl Scout Cookie month. By now, you have this desire to lose weight but you just feel overwhelmed.

Moving towards a goal (in pictures)

I know that many of you know one of my biggest goals this year is to lose weight and become healthy. I had been working on it throughout 2014 but I never got fully serious. This year is different. I haven't been on my blog much this week because I have been resetting my life. Being healthy is much more than just working out. You have to eat right, sleep right, drink water, and exercise. Your body is complex.

Many people believe that if they burn as many calories as they take in, they will maintain weight. Unfortunately, it is not that simple. I have stopped calorie counting because I found that if I eat properly, I have no problems keeping on speaking terms with my scale.

So, this past week I have changed my diet (started going towards Clean Eating and Paleo - but still have carbs in a few meals when I will be doing a heavy workout) and set up an area to work out. I know that with four children and one vehicle, the odds of me getting to the gym as often as I would like isn't likely. I don't want that to be an excuse ... Here's my week:

Reclaiming my diet ... before the holidays

So, I did a 3-Day Refresh TYPE cleanse. I did not have the money to purchase the 3-Day Refresh from Beachbody and then all of the food on top of it. I have Shakeology in the house and I know recipes for a cleanse. Unfortunately ... and I am sure this is what many people do ... the day I went off my cleanse, I immediately went back to my regular diet.

You know what happens when you do that? EVERYTHING comes back! The things that have changed is I realize that I just cannot do dairy without my IBS flaring like no one's business. Except yogurt ... yogurt doesn't bother me. Anyone else have IBS that have noticed this? Let me know in the comments below.

It's almost time for those crazy resolutions

So, the end of the year is one of the hardest and rushed times for us. I am sure it is for everyone. However, once October 23rd hits, we are going strong with holidays and birthdays until the middle of April (course taxes are then due at the end of April and our anniversary is at the end of May, so ... I digress). If you don't believe me, let me walk you through this:

• October 23 - my birthday
• October 31 - Halloween
• November 24 - Bullfrog's birthday
• 4th Thursday - Thanksgiving
• December 5 - Turtle's birthday
• December 6 - St. Nicholaus Day
• December 24 - Christmas Eve (celebration with Birdwell clan)
• December 25 - Christmas
• December 31 - New Year's Eve
• February 14 - Valentine's Day
• February 28 - Peanut's birthday
• March 6 - Jeremy's birthday
• March 17 - St. Patrick's Day
• April 7 - Monkey's birthday
• April 18 - Oldest son's birthday

Did I forget any holiday that is actually celebrated with things to buy or decorate? Yeah ... so, needless to say, the thought of adding one more thing onto that list just is crazy to me. I am not a huge fan of New Year's Resolutions ... at all. Never really have been ... in fact, this is an echo of my post about this time last year!

Proactive approach to the holiday bulge

How many are like me and put on between 10 to 15 pounds between November and January? This year WILL be different. I am taking a proactive approach to the holidays and I have to tell you about it. I am not going to lie, I am pretty gosh darn sore, BUT I am determined to fit into a specific Halloween costume next fall. In fact, I am so determined that I am going to purchase it in a couple months and have it stare at me ALL.YEAR.LONG. Why? Because it is NOT cheap and I don't want to feel like I wasted money.


So ... how am I preparing to get my Size 22 body into a Size 16 body in 11 months? It isn't easy. I am actually using a variety of methods.

Clean Eating Doesn't Mean Washing Your Food

Washing your food is definitely necessary, but that is not what clean eating is all about. You have probably heard so many different diets floating around the Internet. There is gluten-free, Paleo, low-carb, and so forth. Clean eating is not a diet. It is a lifestyle. I am only going to go over it briefly, and if you would like to know more and get some recipes, join my Clean Eating 101 Facebook Group!

Love my UPS man

I am sure most people say that though, because UPS men bring packages! Well, as a blogger, health coach, and an independent beauty consultant for Mary Kay, FedEx and UPS come and visit me often. This week was no exception! I had placed an order with Mary Kay at the end of the month and it was SO exciting to finally have all my supplies come.

Don'tcha Want Some Matcha

I am a mother of four, and as such, I am usually lacking in the area of mental focus and energy. This leaves me longing for a shot of caffeine, which couldn't be worse for my health. I do take multi-vitamins and drink Shakeology, but it doesn't always cut through the fog. Therefore, I am a huge fan of the antioxidants found in green tea powder. Now, the problem comes from me being Latter-Day Saint and not drinking fermented drinks! So, how do I get the benefits from all natural green tea, without the fermented process? Two words ... Matcha Powder

Shakeology Comparison

On a comment from my #GoVoxBox Review, I was asked whether I would recommend Next Step Fit N Full or Shakeology ... and why. First, I am a Beachbody consultant and a Shakeology user. I have sold the product on my husband as well. So, I am writing this post with the facts, instead of just saying "I sell Shakeology, so buy it!"

Are you ready to kick the junk in your trunk good-bye?

Okay ... So, I have been WAITING for Cassey Ho to announce what her July calendar will be but ya know what, I'm not waiting any longer! I am hosting a HUGE challenge in July that is guaranteed to kick-start the second half of the year. Maybe you have slacked on your resolutions, or maybe you only just made some goals. Perfect timing! So ... let's De-Junk in July!

5 Minute Facial - Only $1.50

Did you know that most facials that you get at spas will cost you about $50 to $80? You will have to find a sitter and then find the gas money to get to the spa. However, *I* get a facial every morning and night ... and it only costs me $1.50 each time! Oh, and I can have it last for awhile or get the results in only five minutes. How do I do this? With Mary Kay!

Everyone loves a good deal

If you have ever been involved in sales, you know that the end of the month is the big push for final sales for the month. I just started selling Mary Kay, and since I do not have an inventory set up yet, I do have a special to offer!

One Week In ...

One week into my 12 week kickstart with BeachBody, I am already seeing results! I am watching my calories and working out nearly daily. I wasn't expecting much on my first week, honestly ... especially since I developed a mild sinus infection over the weekend. HOWEVER ...

Tonight makes it official

Tonight it will be official. I am attending the Cash, Color, Cadillac, and a Coach meeting with my fabulous friend, Margaret. I will be getting my starter kit as I begin my Mary Kay venture. My love for Mary Kay is not new ... I was wearing it when my husband and I first started dating. I was still in college and running a pet sitting business, so I didn't even think about becoming a consultant. I also was not comfortable with myself.

{Giveaway} My Shakeology Journey

Many of you know that I have restarted my weight loss journey. What started out as just a desire to get some weight off has moved much further. I sampled different shakes to decide which meal replacement I wanted to stick with, including Shakeology, Next Step, Shaklee, and Slim-Fast. I ended up settling on Shakeology despite the higher price. I want to tell you a little bit about why, the product, and then give you a chance to win a sample pack!

Osteoporosis Awareness & Prevention Month

It is the end of the month, but what I am about to cover should be something everyone knows about (especially women). May is Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention month. This disease is often overlooked, so my blog post today will be about what it is, what to look for, and how to prevent it!