THE 2015 - June Smoothie/RAW Food Challenge - June 1 - June 30, 2015 - WEIGHT LOSS JOURNEY

Day #1: My June, 2015 Challenge (June 1 - June 30)

June 1 - June 30 Challenge

Summary: 

Two years ago I embarked on something very similar. I did a 30 day smoothie/raw food challenge to help find the root cause of my migraines, i.e. it's association to what I eat. 

I discovered that food (i.e. processed food had a negative impact on my health and wellness). So I continued juicing consistently for the last two years. On the flip side, the 16lbs that I lost during that challenge of juicing/raw eating, I gained it all back. 

However, this experience has really taught me what are some of the fundamental keys to success in any aspect of my life. My journey to where I am now had so many challenges, but I am embarking on this 30 day exercise because I am STRONGER, WISER and more equipped than 2 years ago. 

In addition to doing this 30 day challenge I am participating in a 55 day journey where my quest is to drop at least 20 -30 lbs of my body weight. This journey is in conjunction with using the Hi5 Challenge products. 

There are 10 prices for men and 10 prices for women. The first price is $25K. I am going to do all I can to WIN, because quitting is NOT an option for me and I am ALL in to succeed. 

So stay tune and continue reading daily as I post videos on the smoothies, video blogs, etc. I will pour myself unto this page so you can understand the journey in more details.

Welcome to my blog and let the journey begin. 

Exercise Regimen:

I will be going to the gym at least one day 6 days of the week and doing workout videos at least one a day for 6 days a week. My goal is to run a 5K in 35 minutes by the end of this 55 day journey.

Exercise programs on my List: 

- Couch to 5K

- T25

- Insanity

- Zumba

- Yoga

Eating Regimen: 

My goal is to drink at least three smoothie a day. 

Day #1: June 1st, 2015

Today is June 1, 2014 and I am starting my June challenge which includes:

Logging my food and exercise in: 

Exercise: 

No Exercise 

Smoothie #1: 

Breakfast: Blueberry, Spinach, Hi5 Lean Smoothie

Ingredients: 

1 pack Hi 5 Lean Protein

1 cup blueberry

1 bunch spinach

1 thumb ginger

1 tsp hemp seed

2 cups water

Snack #1: 1 100 calorie Pack Almond

Lunch: Swiss Chard, Sunflower Seed Butter

7 leaves swiss chard

1 cup pineapple

1 cup Strawberry

1 tbsp flax seed

1 tbsp Sunflower Seed butter

2 cups water

Snack #2: 1 cup lemon zest tea

Dinner: Peanut Butter, Hi5 Lean Smoothie

2 tbsp Peanut Butter

1 pack Hi5 Lean Protein Powder

1.5 cups Almond Milk

1 cup ice

Hiccup: I came home and was VERY hungry with a migraine from today. I felt like I was really detoxing because I was not eating any meat or carbs.  I had the Peanut Butter smoothie, but my stomach was not feeling well. I threw up and got some rest. 

I woke up and had about 30 crix (crackers/saltine) and some black coffee (Montavida) - No Sugar, No Cream/Milk. 

Weight In: 

Weight: 185.4lbs

BF: 38.9%

% Water: 44.6%

Muscle Composition: 31.2%

Note: I am not a fitness expert, I am just a person trying to live a healthier life by eating more fruits and vegetables and recording my experience.

I encourage everyone to check your allergies to specific food and consult with your physician before starting any exercise journey. 

How to lose BELLY FAT

How Does Belly Fat Harm You?

Wow – My belly fat feels like it will NOT disappear regardless of how hard I wish it away. I wish I will wake in the morning and my stomach is flat. Oh how I wish that when I suck in my stomach it will stay flat.

Did you know that belly fat does not lay idle around my waistline; it is an active “organ” in your body that releases substances like hormones and inflammation?!!

But as I said above it is ONLY “a wish.” We have to actually do something about it. How? 

There are three (3) things we can do about it:

Step 1: Make a choice to change it. Choose a program and support system that will assist you in kick starting you on your quest to burn the fat and drop the weight (forever).

Step 2: Make lifestyle change in your eating habits. Remember I didn't say go on a diet, what word derives from diet? “Die.” I don’t want you to “die” because you have chosen to "live your best life" by choosing a program that can assist you burning the fat/losing the weight and keeping it off.

Step 3: Start moving – making gradual steps in the right direction. Start with walking say 1 mile per day, then set a goal to improve the next week to 1.5 and it gets easier with time.

Note: Step 2 & Step 3 MUST be continued for the rest of your "live a better life" journey. 

Risk factors of belly fat

"Abdominal fat is thought to break down easily into fatty acids, which flow directly into the liver and into muscle," says Lewis Kuller, MD, DPH, professor and past chair of epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health.

So, what really happens when this occurs? Well, you have actually started off a chain reaction of disaster in your body, which includes, increase production of LDL “bad” cholesterol and triglycerides.

What are triglycerides? These are a type of fat found in your blood

Once this continues and the chain is NOT broken i.e. you don’t choose to “live a better life”; then another link is added to the chain, i.e. your insulin can become less effective in controlling blood sugar, and results in you becoming insulin resistance. Oh, it continues, and NOW your blood sugars get out of balance. But it does not stop there either!!!! Fats and clots get into the bloodstream, and that sets the stage for diabetes, heart disease and more.

By now you get the point. However, I don’t want you to JUST get the point or get scared; I want you to “STOP - TAKE ACTION”.

It will be unfair if I don’t arm you with all the dangers that lurk with having belly fat.

Are you ready? OK – Research has shown that abdominal fat triggers a change in angiotensin, thus increasing the risk of high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease.

What is angiotensin? A hormone that controls blood vessel constriction

To summarize I will say the combination of the risk factors above from having high levels of belly fat, has a direct impact on your quality of life and mortality.

I AM NO EXCEPTION

This blog stems from my recent journey on my quest to “live a better life”. My great success is attributed to following the three steps above and learning that I was a ticking time bomb, waiting to explode – in a very bad way.  

My passion for life and my deep-seated desire to help others have compelled me to share my transition photos and show you how you can do the same.

   

             

I know there is someone right NOW who is reading this blog and has been wishing or praying or even trying to lose your belly fat by trying everything. Also, I know this is probably NOT the first time you reading/hearing of the dangers of belly, but this is YOUR TIME to "TAKE ACTION". Take action today before it’s too late.

Thanks you very much from the bottom of my heart for reading this blog. If you have any questions or you are looking for an accountability partner, feel free to email me.

I will also provide you a weekly plan for my phase1 program I completed on July 31, called the "F series". I am going unto phase 2, starting on Sunday August 3, called the "C series".