What Will Life Be Like?

In less than 12 hours, my Ultimate Reset begins. As such, I have spent the last 12 hours consuming whatever bad foods I can. I just had half a chocolate cake. Yeah.

Currently, there are more than half a dozen teenagers cooking pancakes and chocolate chip muffins in my kitchen. If by some miracle any of it turns out even slightly edible, I will probably just take it from them.

I really feel like I must eat all the food tonight because tomorrow begins the unknown. What will life be like without coffee and beer? More importantly, what will life be like for everyone else?

I'll let you know...

Check out my Ultimate Reset Website to learn more!

How Did My Kids Get To Be So Mean?

When I walk into my kitchen and see this

it means something special is about to happen. It doesn't happen often, but when it does, I usually let out a little shout of glee. I immediately turn to the TV and begin searching for whatever big game or good movie might be on that night. (Tonight it's the NBA Draft where my Hoosiers have shown up big time...shout out to Oladipo and Zeller representing Hoosier Nation as top-five picks.)

See, when I see two sticks of butter sitting on my kitchen counter, it means my son is going to bake chocolate chip cookies for us. And not just any chocolate chip cookies, but the most delicious chocolate chip cookies ever. I have no idea where he learned how to do this or who he inherited the baking gene from, but I don't really care. I get cookies!!!!

"You don't get any," my son tells me. Huh? What is he talking about?
"Look, mom. You're the one trying to eat better. No cookies."

How did he get to be so mean?

So now I'm sulking trying to figure out how to justify eating a few cookies without losing esteem in my son's eyes. Yeah. I can't. Which is exactly why I told my kids about this change in diet. I knew they would hold me accountable. And this child don't play.

Fine. No cookies. If you need me, I'll be over in the corner sulking.

https://www.facebook.com/SunShineStrongNow

We All Need More Shaun T in Our Lives

I'm not speaking to Beachbody.

Yeah, it was all cool and exciting when I got my first commission check and signed my first coach. And yeah, it was fully excellent when I lost 13 pounds and found my inner strength again. And sure, the idea of one day being able to stop working for 5 different companies and be my own boss is empowering. (And restful. Five different companies. Just thinking about it makes me tired.)

But seriously, Beachbody, you wait until I'm about to embark on a 21-Day Ultimate Reset to release my Shaun T's newest workout??? You KNOW I can't do this kind of intense workout while resetting my body! I have to do my Tai Cheng while resetting my body. You could have waited to release this new program, but nooooo.

FocusT25. Just 25 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Shaun T. It's perfection.

And yet, I don't get to jump on the T25 bandwagon until at least July 22nd and honestly, I have Turbo Fire, Insanity, and Body Gospel all on my list of programs to try next. And I've heard great things about Les Mills Combat, too.

So, I'm going to need you to just stop it. Stop releasing anymore cool new programs until I've had a chance to catch up. Unless...

Who's up for a Turbo Fire/Insanity/Body Gospel/T25/Les Mills Combat hybrid? I'd even be willing to throw some Hip Hop Abs in there. Because really, we all need a little more Shaun T in our lives.

https://www.facebook.com/SunShineStrongNow

Contact me today if you'd like to try T25. Just don't tell me how much you love it until I get to try it, too.

One Week From Today

One week. In one week I will wake up and I won't turn on my coffee pot. I won't grab a cookie out of the fridge (we keep them in the fridge because nothing beats a cold chocolate chip cookie). I won't steal one of my son's frozen waffles from the freezer.

Instead, one week from today, I will wake up and put on my Ultimate Reset Bracelet to symbolize my commitment to myself. Then I will begin my 21-day journey to becoming healthier, happier, and more energized.

As of today, I haven't had a great response in folks stepping up to join me in this journey. I ain't mad. I can't blame you for not jumping into the unknown. Well, maybe I can blame you a little, cause I'm gonna need some support to give up my Doritos and coffee for 21 days. But I get it.

So, for those who are curious, but unconvinced, I will be documenting my daily experiences. It may not be pretty and some days may require an "Explicit Language" label, so be prepared for brutal honesty. For those that prefer shiny, happy posts, my UR guide says that days 3 through 5 can be particularly challenging. Those may be the days you want to be prepared for Grumpy Shine. Most people don't like her.

But at some point during the process, I hope to begin standing out on my porch every morning doing this:

In the off chance that you want to jump into your own Ultimate Reset, check out the website http://www.MyUltimateReset.com/SunShineStrong or check out my Challenge Group Event on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SunShineStrongNow.

I'd really hate to be the only one standing out on my front porch every morning with my hands raised to the heavens welcoming the new day...

Resetting My Body

In less than 2 weeks, I will be finished with my ChaLEAN Extreme (CLX) program and embarking on my next challenge, the Ultimate Reset. I have a feeling that the Ultimate Reset will prove far more challenging that CLX, but the rewards will also be powerful.

The benefits that other participants have reported include:

Flushed toxins from organs

Improved digestion

Increased energy

More positive mood and better focus

Weight loss

Improved BMI

Lowered cholesterol

Eliminated dependencies on sugar and caffeine

Improved overall health

 

 

 

 

I’ve had tremendous results from CLX, losing more than 10 pounds and toning up all over. I don't feel a strong need to lose more weight. It's not that I don't have a few extra pounds to spare, but I am entirely happy with my physical fitness and body image. If I lose a few more pounds, then that will be icing on the cake that I'm no longer eating.

 

So my goal with the Ultimate Reset is to focus on those things that are not reflected in before and after photos or numbers on the scale. I want to flush out toxins, increase my energy, and improve my overall health. I have made some positive changes in the foods I eat, shifting to cleaner eating. I could do better in that area, but I’m taking baby steps in that direction to ensure lasting change rather than an all or nothing approach that would likely lead to failure. I’m hoping the Ultimate Reset can help move me closer to my ultimate goal of reducing the amount of toxic chemicals that I take into my body.

My Ultimate Reset challenge starts on July 1^st and will last for 21 days. I will record my daily experiences with the program for those that are considering, but unsure of committing to the challenge. Coincidentally, my annual checkup falls just after the end of my challenge, so I’m anxious to see what those numbers tell me about the overall effect of the Reset.

I welcome you to join me in this challenge. You can read more about the Ultimate Reset and even purchase it here:

http://www.MyUltimateReset.com/SunShineStrong

 

Together, we can support one another through the process via a Facebook Challenge Group.

https://www.facebook.com/SunShineStrongNow

 

 

Making Spaghetti Out Of Squash

Well, I'm about to let the world know just how little I know about cooking. I suppose this won't be a huge surprise to those of you that know me. But I also suspect that some of you are equally unenlightened about cooking, so this post is for you. Consider it my personal public service to help bring cooking knowledge to the world. For those that already know what I'm about to share, well, feel free to ridicule, roll your eyes, ask yourself how I manage to function independently on a daily basis. Whatever. I've been busy learning other things in life...like how dissertations are mythical journeys that never actually end.

Ok, my fellow cooking-imparied friends. Did you know that to make spaghetti squash you don't actually have to take a squash and cut it into tiny little spaghetti-like slivers using a special-spaghetti making tool? Nope. There is actually a squash out there that comes premade that way. Want to know what kind of squash? (This is where those educated in squash varieties roll their eyes.) Spaghetti squash. There is actually such a thing as a spaghetti squash.

Seriously. For years I've looked longingly at photos of spaghetti squash recipes thinking, "If only I had the time and talent to make spaghetti out of squash." *sigh*

Ok, so it's not exactly premade spaghetti, but all you have to do is scrape the innards out with a fork and it magically becomes a huge pile of spaghetti. By the way super-smart cooking peeps, is there an official term for the entrails of a spaghetti squash? Because innards is the only word I can think of and it sounds a little less than appetizing.

After that, you just throw on some reduced-fat mozzarella cheese, salt, and pepper and you have yourself the most delicious, filling, low-calorie meal you can imagine. Or go ahead and smother it in spaghetti sauce. You'll still be ok in the calorie area.

I will note, however, that you must cook it fully to get the desired spaghetti effect. Initially, I boiled it for 20 minutes, as per one Google suggestion. All I achieved from that attempt was a pile of rice-like squash.




Not to worry, though. After checking out a YouTube video, I decided to throw the squash into the microwave for another 6 minutes (12 minutes total if I had gone this route from the start), and the squash got all mushy as the video said it would. The rest was easy peasy.


Now my only issue is that I want to keep eating it even though I'm totally full after just one bowl.

Getting My Hip Hop Abs On

I love Shaun T. And I love Hip Hop Abs. It's a great workout and it is a BLAST to do. Despite the fact that I end up drenched in sweat after every one, I rarely feel like I'm actually working out. I'm just dancing and having fun.

And I'm not just dancing. I'm hip hopping like a fly girl in a rap video. Yeah, I'm that good. I get my funk on like nobody's business and about halfway through the Fat Burning Cardio workout I think, "How has no one ever discovered my immense talent for dance? I MUST share my talents with the world!"

So I did...




So, yeah.

That's me.

Dancing.

You'll also note all the cats...because apparently I think I can afford to be that uncoordinated AND keep a house full of cats.

It's all good, though. Cause when Shaun T comes on my TV, these images disappear and I am once again a Fly Girl.

Wanna see what it's SUPPOSED to look like? Check out the video at the link below and consider getting your own Hip Hop Abs on. Trust me. It's fun no matter how you look doing it.
http://www.beachbodycoach.com/SunShineStrong?bctid=10103956001