My 8 Week Thrive Experience

Truth be told - it’s been very busy! Too busy to keep up with documenting my 8 week experience daily. At least, in detail. So, we’ll go week by for the second half. All is well, thriving totally (especially in business, wow!) Plus, getting ready for a week long trip Vegas. Week 5 post will come on Tuesday the 7th. 

I love that the first part of this journey is over and out of the way. When you start to change something in your life, sometimes you wish you could fast forward to a few weeks later where it’s easier. That’s where I am now. <3 Back to work, cleaning and getting ready for Vegas, baby. 

So, I missed a day. No biggie! Not going to make excuses or say I suck. I’m just going to.....Let it go, Let it go!! (I’m loving this new attitude) I’m going to write a bit about patience again. That seems to be an ongoing topic in this experience. First off, like when you’re hungry or craving something - you want instant gratification, you want it NOW. Well, same with weight loss, you want to look and feel better and you want it to happen NOW. Patience can be felt when you’re doing small steps everyday throughout the day and allow lengths of time to go by naturally. I’ve experienced this while cleaning recently. I had a ton of stuff to do work-wise and mess-wise. It’s easy for me to panic and go into crazy mode, like a chicken with its head cut off. I end up burning out early and getting distracted easily. When I consciously practiced patience and literally forced myself to slow down and focus, I got more done and in less time. How possible?? I don’t know! I just know I said, “Okay, I’m going to work on this bathroom from top to bottom without distraction and it will take me about 20 minutes”. The bathroom was sparkling clean in about 15 minutes. (headphones and music helps) So, patience wins. Rushing, panicking, wishing things were different, feeling the guilt and being frustrated does NOT. 

Yesterday I didn’t get much done in the morning and enjoyed an afternoon and evening out in the country where I grew up, celebrating my uncle’s 60th Birthday party. Feasted on a raw bar and BBQ, drank a ton of champagne. I. Played. Soccer. OMG. My favorite sport growing up and in life. This is where I felt it. Just kicking a ball around monkey-in-the-middle style with my girls and my little cousin wore me out. A month in, I am still feeling the weight and the “got older”. I was pathetically out of breath too soon. LOL And I MISS THE COUNTRY. :( Open grass and huge yard. Oh, but how it motivated me!! 

Back to food - so I overate a little, but it just wasn’t that bad. (yay) And today it was back to strict low-carb and right back on track. 

I continue thriving with my 2 capsules in the morning, full-scoop shake with almond unsweeted milk and proudly sport my DFT on my chest or upper arms.

Feeling great!! I have so much to do, my daughters start summer program stuff tomorrow (July 1st), so on to a new routine and plenty of kid-less time during the day to get my Thrive work (and work-outs) in! 

food log (2 days): thrive routine, oysters, clams, lobster, shrimp, steak, ratatouille, pico de gallo, bread (the good baguette kind), brazilian bbq, collard greens, roasted peppers and onions, eggs/cheese. I ate GOOD these last 2 days without much carbs. Except for bread...that good bread yesterday. And champagne...probably lots of carbs. Anyhoo! Right back on it, no falling off the wagon for this girl!!

exercise log (2 days)- soccer, tennis, walking a few miles (some parts really FAST)

I’m writing this the morning after - oops! The entries are getting a little mundane, seems like days repeat themselves (even on weekends). Yesterday was day 3 of low-carb and it’s really hard to do when you need to go food shopping. Why do I need to food shop so often?? Where does the food GO??

So it’s been almost a month on this experience and for some reason I thought I’d see more physical changes this far in. Not the case. Then I remind myself that this isn’t a quick fix and should be realistic. This will take months. At least in a couple days I’ll be one month down.  And at least I FEEL better! 

food log: 2 caps, shake, dft, turkey salami lettuce wrap, leftover chicken, broccoli

exercise log: nothing

Short and sweet. Day 2 of low carb went well. I may have overate salad and chicken for dinner, but it was so little carbs that it’s ok. :) 

Romaine, tomatos, cucumbers, red onions, salad olives w/caesar dressing. Crockpot chicken quarters with mustard,/ww/lemon sauce on the side. How could I not have overate this? Especially when you’re semi-allowed. ;)

I had a bit of a “full” feeling. Haven’t felt that in a while and it felt foreign. Yet, it was nothing compared to what I’ve done before thriving. I was just “full” tonight, just a little beyond satisfied. Not in pain full that knocks you out into a food coma and may make you puke. I hope those days are gone forever. 

Thriving is going well. I’m still noticing sustained energy throughout the day. I all-around feel healthier. Not much new to report!

food log: 2 Caps, Shake w/almond milk, DFT, hot dog (no roll) and sauerkraut plus pepper jack cheese. Salad with chicken for dinner.

exercise: Walked 2 miles. Nice and cool out!

Low-carb edition! I did it today and it was easy. I love how low-carb fills me up and makes me thirsty so I’m drinking a ton more water than the ton I was already drinking. This morning I was up a little earlier than usual, popped my 2 Thrive Lifestyle Capsules for Women, drank a Thrive Lifestyle MIX Shake (with 1% milk...boo...didn’t have my nut milk yet, but I have it now!) then wore my pink/purple striped DFT wearable nutrition on my upper right arm for all the world to see. (Oh - check out the new Black Label coming out in August!) While running around I stopped at the library and the librarian looked at my patch and asked if I was trying to quit smoking (which she is does...heavily). I told her I quit in October 2013 and this is my happy vitamin and minerals appetite suppressing sticker. Eyebrows went up. ;) But crap, I forgot my flyer cards! I’ll be back. I can’t imagine decades of smoking would have left her body just fine. She’s always coughing up a storm. Plus all the nutrients that go unabsorbed due to smoking. I’ll let her know about e-cigs, too, as that was the ticket to help me quit. But, yes I’ll bring her a flyer and talk to her about everything. I’m here to help!! :) One last thing...she said it looks like I lost weight. Alright, then! 

So, low-carb was great and I can’t wait to see how it works out after about a week. I did jump on the scale today so I can measure and am at the same 10lbs I’ve lost in the first 3 weeks. 

Being that I’ve done low-carb before, I’ll be able to analyze how the Thrive products work with a low-carb diet. 

The Shake, Boost and Activate all have about 5-6g of carbs each. I don’t do Boost that often, plus already eat a lot of veggies so that’s ok. Activate - I love! So, we’ll see about that one. It suppresses appetite for me a lot, so it might all even out. 

And like the amazing and sorely missed Dr. Atkins says “Exercise is non-negotiable”. Since a low-carb diet takes energy from fat, after whatever carbs were consumed are gone (not many on this diet) - I’ll up the cardio and get that fat burning. 

food log:  capsules, shake w/1%, dft, cucumbers, pepper jack and salsa. Tuna salad with plum tomato in romaine. SO MUCH WATER!

exercise log: walked a mile

Hello there, we meet again. Today was just fab and for many reasons! I thrived completely. Everything was taken and put on right on time. lol I’ve also decided tonight while chomping on an egg and salami (I was totally missing cheese) that I want to go low-carb, for real. For sure, this time. I keep thinking about it, so why not? Sometimes things call at me. Over and over. Like Le-Vel before I switched to it after a very short stint with It Works. It whispered “Pssssssst. Passssscale. Come to me.” I feel it’s time for a change up anyhow. Variety is good. I’ll probably go low-carb for a good 2-3 weeks, then back to regular ol’ fruits and grains added in and then back to low-portion. 

Today was also fab because I did my first 3-way customer call as the third person for my girl, Kay. She had a potential customer and I 3-way’d it! (this is different than a new or potential promoter call, it is more challenging for me) I heard the potential customer’s needs, shared my experience, talked about Thrive and was able to help her go and give Thrive a try. I am excited for Sandra! I hope she’ll feel the benefits and love it as much as Kay and I do! <3 

Last reason for today being just fab, my girls finished school. I officially have a 5th and 7th grader. WOW. This is where tears flow both sad and happy at the same time. Mothers can understand this! While I see moms complain on Facebook and wishing for September already, I am a bit fortunate. My town offers recreation day camp during the summer. Free. 8am to 3pm. That’s longer than a school day! And it’s a close walking distance, they can just go! Ok, now I’m bragging. lol I love my girls, I do. But they’re so social now, I know I will see them less than last summer and that means more me-time. More time to work on me, become a better me. Make business bigger and make me stronger in all aspects. We all deserve it.  

I have a little quiet summer fitness goal - I want to walk to Manhattan. I live in New Jersey. It is 7 1/2 miles. I’d walk from my home to the George Washington Bridge, cross it and be in Harlem. Then take the train/bus back. 

I must kick this exercise thing into full gear now. Someone told me and I’ve seen it around, that losing weight is 80% diet and 20% exercise. Yet, I saw somewhere else about how strong muscle building is a huge metabolism booster. I’ve been exercise logging about planks, crunches, squats, etc. but they’re really not to my full potential. I should be dying after every set. If I really want to do this I should be crying in pain. It’s easy to focus on losing inches and seeing back lines go away. But the best things happen deeper. Build muscle, healthy up the system and FEEL the strength. 

food log: 2 caps, shake with 1%, DFT, egg salad, baked potato with salsa and sc, hard egg and salami. 

excercise log: squats and arm weights

It was a day full of run-arounds, school activities, doctors appointments and errands. Tomorrow is my girls’ last day of school for the summer. YAY! 

I need to get to bed to wake up earlier. I want to be up at like 7am everyday. Maybe earlier. I mean, it’s light out at like 5am now, why not?! I’ll set my alarm for 6am, see what happens. 

food log: I didn’t even get to log food today. But it was Caps, Shake, DFT and the regular...almonds, fruits, yogurt...not much!

exercise log: does running around count?

Woohoo!! Sorry, can’t help myself. On a Thrive HIGH. Just so happy with how everything is coming together. Yes, it’s slow. Yes, it’s day by day. But time goes by faster and I have so many things that I want need to get done. 

I did promise a pic of my nails a few entries ago and here they are. This is how they’ve grown since the beginning of June. Now, I did go and buy me a special color. (Sally Hansen Xtreme wear) A nail color I decided I will continue to wear and keep me focused. I do things like that. This page here explains the color turquoise and what it means. Nail polish or not - my nails go thin, bendable and weak to the point where I just want to chew or cut them down. But now they are strong (hard!!) and long. The right hand is just the same.  I’ll see how long they’ll get! Just another fun side effect of Thrive! <3

I booked a retreat today. Antoine and I will be going to Las Vegas in early July to work and work out. That is our plan - work and work out. We got a room in an Extended Stay that has an in-room full kitchen, a fitness center, a pool, a hot tub and free WiFi. Shooooot - it’s perfect! Don’t be surprised if I call you the second week of July and tell you about Thrive and how it can help your life. :) I will be continuing to journal here from Las Vegas. And I will work and work-out my ass off!! I am so excited!! OMG!

I still didn’t have milk this morning, so decided to give the shake a go with water. But added frozen strawberries. So it was a Lifestyle Mix, water and Frozen strawberry SLUSH! Is it weird that taking the shake seems to make or break my day? I do believe that all three products (capsules, shake, DFT) all work together in harmony for the best experience. Looking back at my logs, days that I did not take the shake weren’t their best days. This validates that I need to shake it up everyday. I can handle. 

food log: 2 capsules, Shake w/water and strawberries, DFT, almonds, smoked sausage, baked potato, chickpeas and cucumbers w/cheddar and turkey salami.

exercise log: more situps, bends, squats, planks, arm weights. SO STRONG.

Out of milk! UGH. I hate that! Wasn’t able to have my shake today. :( Other than that, I am SORE from tennis and walking yesterday. I must’ve really worked it! I also just realized that I haven’t been stretching. Whoops! I feel the body changes. Strength, getting leaner, I’m still down 9lbs. But I feel the clothing difference. Still have another 20-ish to go! So, I need to stretch to go along with my new strength, really get this body in shape, baby. 

I am SO tired, so going to bed early tonight. This entry is short. Not much to report other than I didn’t have milk for my shake (I don’t like it with water) and that I’m SORE. And that I’m feeling stronger and leaner. Hmmm, not bad of an update! :) 

Do you want to thrive with me? I’m on Day 22! You can begin your 8 week experience, too. Or maybe just give a 3-day trial pack a try? It will help with energy, ache and discomfort management, menopause symptoms, mental clarity (focus), appetite suppression, joint support. I know that Thrive helps with things like this because either I’ve experienced them, myself, or I’ve seen people I personally know be helped by using the products. I love the testimonials and surprise from my friends! Just click “Thrive with Me” to find me and let me know you’d like to start Thriving! 

food log:  2 capsules, DFT,  almonds, burger, popcorn and macaroni

exercise log: stretches before bed. 

I was served Thrive in bed today by my youngest, Gabbie, for my Birthday. This girl used to make me coffee! Those days are long gone. Her shake was perfection. It was a full scoop one and she really whipped it up with some 1% milk. She brought me my capsules and DFT, too. What a sweetheart. I usually do a 1/2 scoop or 3/4 scoop. But this was a full scoop and I took it. I noticed lots less hunger during the day, for sure. I’ll be full-scooping it on most days from here on.

I also received a beautiful big Edible Arrangement from my mother. I didn’t even get to take a picture of it because we enjoyed it so quick and so much! So, here is a pic of fruits. :)

We enjoyed it A LOT after coming back from playing tennis and a 2 mile walk. Pineapple, strawberries, kiwi, cantaloupe, watermelon, grapes. There were some (just a few) chocolate covered bananas and apples, which I didn’t touch. Not that I was self-disciplining. I just didn’t want them at all. I feel Thrive has really turned me off to certain foods. It has made me a better decision maker where decisions are easy now, it’s just part of my life. For example, last week I made turkey burgers at home. I only had half because a whole one on a kaiser roll just seemed too big. It wasn’t hard to do at all. I was just not hungry anymore. I am thankful to be in control of this now. 

So much for rain today! The forecast is going crazy, it was supposed to rain today all day, but it was sunny and hot. Then tonight now, it is pouring, but the forecast says clear. We went and played tennis early in the afternoon and walked 2 miles total. As much as I love tennis, 80+ degrees right in the sun is kinda rough. I need some gear...like sports tank and oh god - shorts. But I don’t care. Whatever it takes!

food log:  2 capsules, Full shake with 1%,  DFT, fresh fruit (edible arrangement),  pop corn,  kashi roasted veggie 1/2 pizza

exercise log: tennis, 2 mile walk

Again, these updates are creeping up so fast everyday. How time flies!! Today was an awesome day of celebrating Father’s Day and my B-day with my sister, her BF, Antoine, my father and my girls. My sis is very into cooking healthy and I just love that. This week coming I will talk to my father about Thriving. I’m hoping it can fit in with his health issues (nothing too serious) and any medications he may be on. 

I also got contacted today from someone Anonymous here on tumblr. Yay! I didn’t know that my reply would post to my tumblr page but it did in the post before this one. So, if anyone wants to ask me anything, even anonymously - you can via the Ask Me Anything button on my page. I’m an open book!

No exercise today. Rest Day #2. Hmmm. Whatever! It’s my birthday (officially today, since it’s after midnight that I’m recapping Day 20) I can take another rest day. I’d be playing tennis or basketball, but the rain isn’t letting up! :( And some would say “It’s my birthday, I can have tons of pizza!” or “I can have a big burger with fries!” NOT ME. Not this chick!! I’m not even interested in anything “tons” or “big”. Actually, the thought of gooey chinese food or a Big Mac disgusts me. Yuck. I could really really go for a nice bowl of fresh mango, strawberries, grapes...that is where my mind is. And that’s what makes it hard for me to go to low-carb. These summer fruits served cold in hot weather. Doesn’t get much better than a juicy cold nectarine when you’re hot and hungry! So why fix what’s not broken? The only reason I keep thinking about low-carb is because the pounds come off faster. It’s a greedy thing. 

Tomorrow is Sunday, another “relax” day. And rain again. I wish I had a gym membership. I just might totally be there. I want to build my Le-Vel business a little bit more and I will get one for a gym not far...a 1/2 mile walk. Excited for that time to come! Meanwhile, I’ll be sure to work my muscles at home tomorrow. 

food log:  2 capsules, DFT, turkey burger, chips and guac, quinoa salad, potato salad, popcorn, 2 hotdogs