Plexus Slim and weight loss

As I have finished the time of breastfeeding with Elizabeth I have now gotten serious about weight loss.  When I graduated college I weighed 128 lbs.  Since I got married I put on a few pounds and was around 138lbs prior to getting pregnant with Landon.  I gained around 40lbs with both pregnancies.  It took a little over a year but I did get back down to 138lbs again, although things were not the same.

Then over the 2 years of trying to conceive again I put on around 4-5 lbs.  I ended up at 142-143 lbs when I got pregnant with Elizabeth.  Now 10 months post I am stuck around 146-148 lbs.  I know part of that has to do with breast feeding and my body keeping on extra weight to help produce and maintain my milk supply, it was the same way with Landon.

I decided to see if there were any products out there that would help with this journey as there has been a lot of diets out on Facebook right now.  I looked into Isagenix and thought that may work but the more I learned the more I decided that I could not do meal replacements.  I like food too much.  I know many people who have done this and it works wonders for them.

Then I found out about Plexus Slim and that it wasn't a meal replacement idea but instead a drink that you drink 30 minutes prior to eating your meal.  Now this made sense to me.  It took me about 2 months to commit and I decided to become an ambassador.  It was more about trying to save money for me than to make money but I decided to journal my journey as I start out on this weight loss journey.

I started Plexus last monday, March 10.  Here are my stats:
Weight -- 148.6lb
Hips - 39 inches
Bottom - 42 inches
Waist - 29 inches
Belly - 36 inches

A week into Plexus, March 17th.  Here are my stats:
Weight -- 148lb
Hips -- 38.5 inches
Bottom -- 40.5 inches
Waist -- 28.5 inches
Belly - 35.5 inches

Things I have noticed so far:  My appetite has decreased, I am not as tired as normal, I want to drink more water (instead of 2L/day, I am now drinking 2.5L/day).

I also have a family history of high cholesterol.  The past 4 years my cholesterol level has been around 200.  Plexus is also supposed to help your body to correct other issues that you have.  I decided that I would have my cholesterol level drawn a month into this and share.  I am hoping that this works as well as it claims and I will definitely be posting more results as the months go by.

Here is information about Plexus Slim

Plexus Slim

Description:

Plexus Slim is a drink mix that was originally designed to help people with diabetes regulate their blood sugar. When, it was originally being tested it was noted that all the subjects also lost weight. Plexus then decided to market it as a weight loss product. Slim is all natural and helps keep blood sugar, cholesterol and lipids at healthy levels. The pink powdered drink mix comes in individual serving packages. Mix it with water to create a light, refreshing drink and use once a day.  There are no stimulants in Plexus Slim and at 12 calories per packet, this is not a meal replacement. It is so easy and convenient.

Ingredients and Benefits:

CHLOROGENIC ACID:  Found in bamboo, prunes, peaches and other plants; known to aid in lowering blood pressure; may have antioxidant effects; can be used to reduce bitterness in food.  New info----Proprietary blend of Chlorogenic Acid (from Green Coffee Caffea arabica Bean) Extract (contains less than 2% natural caffeine)

CITRIN K (GARCINIA CAMBOGIA):  Found in a plant grown in Indonesia.  It can act as an appetite suppressant, may improve mood, aid in sleep, and help with emotional eating.  Garcinia Cambogia also helps to block fat absorption. 

ALPHA LIPOLIC ACID:  Found naturally in the human body and can be found in certain foods such as spinach and rice bran.  It is a powerful antioxidant.  Alpha Lipolic Acid may aid in blood sugar control.  It may also help with brain function and age related conditions.

OXYPREGNANE STEROIDAL GLYCOSIDE:  Found naturally in the African cactus Hoodia Gordonii.  It is a known appetite suppressant and may reduce gastric acid. 

CHROMIUM (AMINO NICOTINATE GTF):  Chromium GTF is a metal.  It is known as an essential trace element.  Chromium GTF is used for blood sugar control for people with Types 1 and 2 diabetes, prediabetes, and high blood sugar due to steroids.  It is also used for depression, lowering bad cholesterol, and raising good cholesterol; aids in weight loss, fat loss, and muscle gain; improves athletic performance and increases energy. 

POLYDEXTROSE:  A form of soluble fiber that can take the place of sugar in beverages.  It can be used as a thickening agent and stabilizer. 

CITRIC ACID:  A weak organic acid that acts as a natural preservative.

BEET ROOT EXTRACT:  Used for coloring.

STEVIA LEAF EXTRACT AND LO HAN FRUTE EXTRACT:  Both are all natural sweeteners that do not spike blood sugar when eaten. 

Plexus Slim Accelerator +

Description: 

When taken with Plexus Slim, the accelerator helps speed up weight loss and or helps overcome weight loss plateaus.  Taken in capsule form, the accelerator works synergistically to help you lose weight fast and easily.  It also increases energy and acts as a further appetite suppressant. 

Ingredients and Benefits:

GREEN TEA EXTRACT:  Contains four beneficial aspects:  antioxidant, ant carcinogen, anti-inflammatory, and anti-radiation.  Increases metabolism and aids in weight loss.

B6 PYRIDOXINE HCL:  A form of vitamin B6.  Is necessary to the metabolism of fat, protein, and carbohydrates. 

CHROMIUM (AMINO NICOTINATE):  Chromium is a metal.  It is known as an essential trace element.  Chromium can be used for blood sugar control for people with Types 1 and 2 diabetes, prediabetes, and high blood sugar due to steroids.  It is also used for depression, lowering bad cholesterol, and raising good cholesterol; aids in weight loss, fat loss, and muscle gain; improves athletic performance and increases energy. 

CALCIUM (SEA WEED DERIVED):  May help with weight loss.

MAGNESIUM (SEA WEED DERIVED):  Helps prevent constipation associated with calcium use. 

NIACIN : Niacin (nicotinic acid) is a B vitamin that's used by your body to turn carbohydrates into energy. Niacin also helps keep your nervous system, digestive system, skin, hair and eyes healthy. Niacin, a B vitamin, has long been used to increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or the "good," cholesterol. HDL cholesterol helps sweep up low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or the "bad," cholesterol, in your bloodstream.

Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin) : Vitamin B12 plays an important role in supplying essential methyl groups for protein and DNA synthesis. Vitamin B12 is bound to the protein in food. Hydrochloric acid in the stomach releases B12 from protein during digestion.

FOLIC ACID :  It is used to prevent heart disease and stroke, as well as to reduce blood levels of a chemical called homocystiene. High homocysteine levels might be a risk for heart disease. It is involved in producing the genetic material called DNA and in numerous other bodily functions.

Proprietary Blend 475mg - Proprietary Blend Contains:
Yerba Mate (liex paraguariensis) Leaf Extract – An  infusion made from the leaves of the tree Ilex paraguariensis , Yerba Mate has been shown to be hypocholesterolemic, hepatoprotective, central nervous system stimulant, diuretic, and to benefit the cardiovascular system. It has also been suggested for obesity management. It’s also an antioxidant.
 Higenamine - Higenamine is commonly found in plants, and is found in all parts of the Lotus plant. Research has shown that Higenamine may help with the suppression of body weight gain.
Hordenine - Hordenine is a natural occurring substance commonly found in Barley. Research has shown that Hordenine has thermogenic/stimulant properties that may help in weight loss.
Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) Leaf extract – antioxidant, used to treat patients with heart disease

 5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophane from Griffonia simblicifolia Seed Extract) - 5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan) is a deeply researched ingredient that may reduce eating behaviors, reduce caloric intake, and promote weight loss. However, 5-HTP has shown to have interactions with anti-depressants or any medications that increases/regulates serotonin level.*Please consult your doctor before taking any product containing 5-HTP. If a person is restricted to taking 50mgs of 5-HTP or less per day, one (1) capsule of Accelerator+ would not exceed this limit

Been Awhile, time to update

It has been awhile since I have posted on my blog so it is about time.  Time has flown, the past 16 weeks have been hectic.  We are now 30 weeks pregnant and so much has happened.  In February my Dad came over and took off the trim and my mother-in-law Wanda came over and helped me paint the babies room.  Since then Nate put up the new trim and painted it.  We are getting more and more ready for the baby's arrival.


Nate has been gone a lot more to Dallas working on setting up the roofing company there. Being a single parent while he is gone definitely has it's down side.  It is harder than one would realize and that is just with one child.  It will definitely get harder when there is two but hopefully the traveling will decrease as things become established.

Landon has been growing like a weed.  His love for others is amazing, but he is still stubborn and likes to push the envelope.  He loves to play and he loves to give hugs.  He still is very attached to his security "blankets", Ellie and Bird.  They are rags and as a parent I do not know when you take away the security or if they stay until he is ready.  I don't want him to still be so attached at 5 that he is unable to go without them.

This pregnancy has been harder on me than Landon's.  So far I have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, have carpal tunnel in both hands and am anemic.  I think my feet have grown a size and have had braxton hicks contractions.  I am unable to drink plain water which I love and now I am unable to drink sugary drinks due to the diabetes.  At my 20 weeks ultrasound they stated that I may have a low lying placenta, so I have a repeat ultrasound scheduled for March 28th.  I am measuring 33 weeks instead of 30 weeks so the ultrasound will also be to measure babies size.

With all that said, I would do it all over again just to experience this gift from God.  This has definitely been a blessing from God and I want to enjoy it as long as I can.  Our lives are in His hands and He leads us in the ways He wants.

Gestational diabetes is a while new ball game.  I have learned a lot about nutrition than I ever wanted to know or thought I needed to know.  It is all about counting carbs.  I am allowed a certain number of carbs a day but they need to be spread out evenly.  So that means that I have breakfast, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, dinner and night snack.  You are supposed to watch what you are putting in your mouth.  With that said, I have not been eating as many calories so over the past two weeks I have not gained any weight.  If anything this will help take off the baby weight once our baby girl is here, I just hope that I am providing enough to help her grow.  I definitely have sympathy/empathy for those that have to deal with this type of thing on a daily basis.  Hopefully this does not become a life long thing for me but if it does, now I have a little clue of how to handle it.  I miss Dairy Queen and Sonic Drinks by far the most.  There are a ton of carbs in the things I like there, so will have to hold off until after baby.

Unfortunately gestational diabetes does not affect just me, it really affect baby girl.  That is why it is important to try and follow the diet as closely as I can.  She will be the one that pays for my sins/slips in my diet.  That is the biggest difference between type II diabetes and gestational diabetes.  It doesn't just affect me.  Type I diabetes is a whole different ball game, one of my cousins deals with this on a daily basis and I applaud her because that has to be the hardest one of all but she handles it with class and dignity.

Carpal Tunnel is another interesting thing that I have had to deal with.  It started with my right hand and now has made it's way to my left hand.  My middle three fingers are numb and that is definitely a new challenge.  It is harder to pick things up without dropping them and feel it hard.  It has helped with checking my blood sugars 4 times a day, because I cannot feel all the pokes as much.  They do have wrist braces you can wear and I wear mine mainly at night.  My husband likes to make fun of them.  I do admit that they are not the most attractive things but hopefully the carpal tunnel will go away after giving birth.  I now have empathy/sympathy for my patients who have neuropathy after chemotherapy.

For the anemia I get to take Iron supplements three times a day, which means stool softeners :(  I am hoping that it helps correct the problem so that by the time I give birth my Hgb will be 12 or above.  I definitely have been more tired this pregnancy and that is part of the reason why.

I know that a few of my shoes will no longer fit and that saddens me because I do not think that your feet shrink after having a baby but like I said, she is worth every last issue.

I am hoping and praying that my placenta has moved up because otherwise that means a c-section is in store for us.  Only God knows how this will turn out and I am trusting in Him and putting this in his hands.

Those are a few happenings that have been occurring in our life and in this pregnancy.  I hope that everyone out there is doing good.  God's blessing to all.

Announcement

Nate, Landon and I have an announcement to make.  We are expecting our second and are 14 weeks along!!

I have had a hard time with making this announcement but want our friends and family to know.  We are very excited but at the same time still cautious after our long journey.  We have put this in God's hands and know that this is His will for us at this time in our life.

We are due May 25th, two days prior to Landon turning 4.  This has been a long journey for our family and we are thankful for the support we have encountered along the way.  We have shed many tears and have grown along the way, which ultimately we are better for.

Landon is excited but doesn't exactly understand what a new addition will do to change his life.  I know that he will love his sibling and that there will be fights and time of love.  As with any siblings, but we are very blessed that Landon will be able to have a sibling to journey through this life.

God works in mysterious ways

Yesterday I received this blog/quiet time and it hit home.  I wanted to share it with others.  It can apply to many different parts of our lives, including your own personal struggles.  As we have gone through our personal struggle of infertility, it has definitely been difficult not to get bitter.  Not to say that I haven't been bitter at times, because I have, but with God we have become stronger.  Not only as a couple, but individually.  I know that I myself have grown closer in my relationship with God.  I know that when I pray He hears me and answers me, not always what I want to hear but He does answer. Saturday, September 22, 2012

Don't Give Up: Refuse to Be Bitter by Rick Warren

“Job said, ‘I came naked from my mother's womb and I shall have nothing when I die. The Lord gave me everything I had, and they were his to take away. Blessed be the name of the Lord!’ In all of this Job did not sin by blaming God.” (Job 1:21-22 LB) Grief is a part of life, but you can’t let a season of grief turn into a lifestyle of grief. At some point you have to let it go! There is a difference between mourning and moaning, weeping and wallowing. A loss can deepen me, but that doesn’t mean it can define me. A loss is a part of my maturity but not my identity. God gives you grace to get through what you’re going through. Others don’t get that grace, so they may give you bad advice! “Job’s wife said to him, ‘Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.’ But Job replied, ‘You talk like a godless woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?’ So in all this, Job said nothing wrong” (Job 2:9-10 NLT). Job refused to become bitter and resentful. Bitterness prolongs pain. It doesn’t relieve it; it only reinforces it. “Watch out that no bitterness takes root among you ... it causes deep trouble, hurting many in their spiritual lives” (Hebrews 12:15 LB). Job gives three steps in refocusing: 1. Put your heart right. That means you forgive. “But I can't forgive!” you say. That's why you need Christ in your life; he'll give you the power to forgive. 2. Reach out to God. Ask him to come into your heart and heal those wounds and help you and give you strength and power for tomorrow, next week, next month. 3. Face the world again, firm and courageous. Many people, when they're hurt, withdraw into a shell. They say, “I'll never let anybody hurt me again!” They retire from life. Job says to do the exact opposite: Resume your life; don’t retire from it. Get back out there in the world.  There's a happy ending to Job's life. “The Lord blessed the last part of Job's life even more than he had blessed the first” (Job 42:12a GNT). Job went through all this hurt, but, in spite of that, God blessed the last part of his life even more than he had the first. Wouldn't you like the same in your life? Say, “God, I don't care whether I have five years or 50 years left. Would you bless the last part of my life more than the first part?”  The lesson of Job's life is this: It doesn't matter who's hurt you or how long you've been hurt or how deeply you've been hurt. God can make the rest of your life the best of your life if you're willing to forgive and let go of resentment and release the offender. Talk About It In grief, why do you think it’s easier for us to draw into ourselves rather than be with the people who will help us move forward? What do you want God to help you accomplish in the rest of your life? What do you need to let go of so that he can work fully through you? God has definitely worked in our lives mysteriously over the past 2 years of this journey, He has answered prayers in clear precise ways and He continues to answer them. In our church we are currently working on going through the new testament by the first of next year.  What a wonderful challenge for anyone, daily reading of the Bible and reading it all the way through.  Most of us have not ever done that, even if we did grow up in the church.  I know that I did not do that, but it is something that I would like to do with our children (God willing) as they grow up. I hope to continue to update this blog at more regular intervals now, but no promises.

Back from Florida

After a week in Florida, I came back feeling very relaxed and with a wonderful glow. I always seem to forget how having a tan can make you feel and look during the winter. I love the tanned look, not enough to tan in a tanning booth though.

I was scared about the plane ride, but thanks to the iPad we had a very happy boy who watched Scooby Doo almost the whole plane right. He did not like the seat belts or the head phones, he did warm up to the head phones but not really to the seat belt.

Landon started off the week unsure of the water, the waves can be pretty scary to a 2 year old. The first day he avoided the water, but by the second day he walked up and down the beach and played in the water. He did not venture very far into the water but he did become more comfortably. I was very proud of him. Here are some of the pictures of our first few days there.

This picture is the first day, he hated the water

This was the second day, he warmed up to the water.


Wednesday we decided to go to Sea World since we were so close. Wednesday also happened to be the day that was cloudy, so it worked out pretty well. We started with the Whale show, a dolphin and sea lion show. Landon's attention span came and went, but for not having a nap he did exceptionally well. We did "bribe" him by buying him a shark and penguin to play with and make him happy, it worked very well. He entertained himself very well for the rest of the trip with those. Landon also got to pet a dragon lizard and touch a sting ray while there. He didn't like the sting rays at all, but he was okay with the lizard. New experiences.

The rest of the week went by really fast, as it seems all vacations do. On our last night we went to a shopping center that had an "alligator farm" in it and Landon loved the alligators and even got to pet one.

Landon did well the rest of the vacation, and come the last day he kept pointing at our house we stayed in saying "I stay, I stay here". It was adorable and sad at the same time, we wanted to stay also but needed to come home. He did even better on the plane trip home, which was a blessing.

This is a picture of the 2 families on the beach on our last day

Landon fell asleep on the plane ride home.


Saturday we came home and went to Grandma and Grandpa Kaberline's for Wanda's birthday dinner, Landon was very tired and he ended up burning his hand and running into a tree. Bad night but fun family time.

Sunday, we went to the circus which was fun and a good experience for Landon. I hope to go again next year. As we were walking up to buy our tickets for the circus, a nice lady came up to us and gave us 2 free tickets. It was such a blessing to get those tickets, and seemed to mean that we were meant to go to the circus.

Then monday came and I got the stomach flu, which was horrible and left me very weak. So I ended up having to call in on Tuesday because I was weak and still had some stomach cramps. I hadn't had the stomach flu since I was 14 weeks pregnant with Landon, do not know how I have gotten away with that but I will not complain.

The rest of the week has been a blur and here I am, updating the blog late at night and pouring out all our adventures. Hope everyone can keep up with the ramblings.

Time for vacation.....

We are heading to Florida for a week family vacation. Actually, Nate has a roofing expo but we get to go along. It will be great to get away. The only hiccup is that I have a horrible cold/cough that Landon shared. I am hoping to get better soon so I can enjoy this vacation. I love taking a vacation, but I always get stressed prior to leaving making sure that everything is in order. Thankfully Nate is getting better about helping in those preparations so hopefully I will get less stressed.

On Monday we went and had our first IUI. It was amazingly simple. Nate went at 7:30 and gave his sample and at 9 we went back and I had it inserted into me. Nothing like paying someone money to insert your husbands semen into you. Kind of ironic. I just hope that I actually ovulated since this was a month on a new medication that I do not know how I respond to. Only God can make life, so it is in His hands.

One of my new favorite songs is JJ Heller "His Hands". I love it...Here are the lyrics

I have unanswered prayers
I have trouble I wish wasn't there
And I have asked a thousand ways
That You would take my pain away
That You would take my pain away

I am trying to understand
How to walk this weary land
Make straight the paths that crookedly lie
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands

When You walked upon the Earth
You healed the broken, lost, and hurt
I know You hate to see me cry
One day You will set all things right
Yea, one day You will set all things right

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands

Your hands
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave You when...

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave...
I never leave Your hands

God never leaves me, even when I am hurting and dealing with this battle. He is always there. This song is a reminder of that fact.

Thankfully I have had friends that have been there and willing to listen and not treat me as if I am odd. Or try to hid things and the list goes on. I love that God has given me these people in my life to help me through rough patches and I hope and pray that I can be that for them.

I will continue to try to open up again and feel comfortable on my own blog and share more things. Thanks for all the support. Here is to a relaxing week in FL.

Been Awhile....Merry Christmas

I just realized that it has been awhile since I last updated my blog. This month has been absolutely crazy and busy. I can't even tell you where the time went. Christmas time is crazy and it is hard to know where the time has gone.

For example, today was my day off and I had to take Landon to the ENT, where we had to wait for the doctor for 30mins for him to look in Landon's ears and say that he needs tubes again. That took a whole 2 minutes, but looks like we are going to have to put tubes in Landon's ears again and this time we are taking out his adenoids. It is a little more of a surgery then last time with the adenoids, which always scares you as a mother. He did so great the first time but this one is going to be harder on him then the last and that makes me hurt. I know that I went through the same thing as a child and don't really remember any of it, so I know it will hopefully only help him.

After we got done with the doctor we went to Walmart to buy stocking stuffers for Landon. I love that I can still shop with him this year because he doesn't really know that I am buying things for him, but next year we will have to get a baby sitter to shop. It is a part of life, the babies growing into adults, but a part of you wants them to stay young forever.

When we got home we played on his bouncer downstairs and hung out. Then it was time for his nap, which I have started to take part of with him. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE snuggling with him in his toddler bed for that little bit of time. He falls asleep much faster, it gives me snuggle time and I also get a small nap out of it. It has become a regular things for us and I can't help but cherish this time because there will be a time when he doesn't want me to snuggle with him.

That was just a regular day for us in this holiday season. We have spent a lot of time shopping and playing and enjoying our son. He is such a wonderful blessing from God and we hope to raise him to be a light in this world.

On the fertility front, we switched to Femara and on the low dose, I did not ovulate. So we did the progesterone on D30-35 and now just waiting on my "AF" (period), then the doctor decided to switch me back to Clomid. Welcome back mood swings.......But at least we know that Clomid does make me ovulate. We are doing one more cycle then planning to go up to KC to the RE and maybe do IUI (intrauterine insemination).

We were planning on getting me a secondary insurance but the quote was $250 per month, and that is for a reasonably healthy person whose only real problem is infertility. That is kind of sad, something is wrong with this system but I do know that socialized medicine is not the way to go either. We need to figure out something else out. So much for that idea.

The holiday season is another reason to reflect on what God did for us when He sent His son to Earth, what a wonderful blessing. I am thankful that I am saved and that Jesus was sent to Earth to die on the cross for my sins. He loves me, even when I do not deserve to be loved.

I hope and pray that everyone has a great Christmas. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ONE AND ALL.