Well, I’ve hit ONE YEAR of consistently fasciablasting. I have never done anything consistently for one year before, so this is pretty phenomenal. I mean, really, it’s shocking to me that I kept up with something that long!!!

I’m about to hit the One Year mark since I stopped drinking alcohol AND One Year since I started counting calories (both later this month).

I’m astounded at the differences that I made (more importantly that I STUCK WITH!!!) and how it has affected my mental/emotional self as well. I must reiterate, I have never stuck with anything this long and it boggles my mind that I have finally accomplished something and been CONSISTENT about it for an entire year!

I've quit drinking as long as 6 months before, but other than that, the alcohol was a nightly habit. I've also quit before and seen NO weightloss at all, even though I expected those calories to count for more than they did! I know that quitting helped with the bloat and all that. I contribute my results with the combination of everything, but it was definitely the fasciablaster that FINALLY helped me start seeing results. The thing is, we're all such different human beings, I know that some people start using the exact same tool and don't see the results I did. I'm just SO THANKFUL that I finally found something to start me on a healthier journey. I feel so much better physically, mentally, etc.

At any rate, now that I’ve accomplished THAT, I want to make more goals! More healthy Habits to start on!

MOAR GOALS!!!

For my second year, I want to continue with what I've started and build upon that. I STILL need to get my fitness self in check. Hopefully the return of decent weather will help me get out of my funk as well as help me get inspired to move more.

I want to continue counting calories and doing intermittent fasting (that I started doing around July 2017) AND the fasciablasting.

I ALSO want to MAKE TIME to workout every day, even just a little bit.

I am going to add in a few extended fasts as well, nothing big, just some 36 and maybe 48 hour fasts occasionally. This month I'm challenging myself to do at least one 36 hour fast each week. I'd like to start on the next phase of getting solidly below the 180 mark where I've been sitting for a bit and get down to 170 and then my goal weight is probably around 160.

Once I get down to 170, I imagine that I'm going to have to start being more careful about macros and exercise if I want to see changes. I'll check back in with those things at the beginning of next month.

My favorite way to workout is heavy lifting, but since I need to figure out at home workouts for that, I want to at least start doing a little cardio at the moment, and for that... there is nothing more FUN than The Fitness Marshall:

I think I want to start some sort of self challenge that is measurable for getting back into fitness. I'm thinking things like:
Since having the flu and being nearly bedridden for well over a week, these are my current stats:

• Pushups (I can currently do 5 on my toes)
• Chin Ups (I can currently do ONE with effort)
• Plank (I can currently only hold for 30 seconds)
• Other Ideas that aren't steady state cardio?
  At the end of the month, I'll see how many I can do. I may even update each week if I make any progress

At any rate, my MAIN goal this month, besides the fasting is to get back in the routine of meal planning and prepping more regularly. BOTH for health reasons AND for BUDGET reasons!

Here are some favorite recipes, plans and websites that I love to use for meal planning. Mostly super simple, easy to fix recipes that my family likes to eat as well.

Meal Planning!

I used to do a LOT of meal planning, since we were raising 5 kids on one income (that was usually a VERY small income) so it was pretty much necessary to keep everyone fed. Now it’s just Patrick @serapium and @abyni most of the time, so I’ve had to adjust a bit.

These are sites/recipes I’ve used before when making meal plans for 1-3 people:

Some of my favorite sites for recipes to prep are:
I am NOT strict paleo or strict anything, lower carb with plenty of protein works best for me. I am going to try and stick with that more this year, but I am not giving up my fruits, especially now that spring is here!
5 Low Carb Freezer Meals
Paleo Made Painless 7 Freezer Meals
More Meal Ideas
25 Healthy Lunches

This is the current meal plan that I am going forward with the next few weeks:

The ziplock bags are chopped veggies (potatoes, zucchini, yellow squash, carrots, onions and more carrots drizzled with a little EVOO and some Italian herbs and garlic salt)

I also have bagged cubed, roasted chicken, divided into servings. It would be easier to roast and bag everything, but I prefer fresh roasted veggies and I am not on a time crunch, so I do it this way. When we're ready to eat, we'll get out our bags of veggies, roast them, add the chicken and viola! Healthy meal.

I have a meal replacement shake most days with added protein. My FAVORITE smoothie at the moment is the Healthy Mint Chocolate Chip one

2 over medium Eggs + cottage cheese (sometimes with hashbrowns if I go out, because the combo all mixed together is my favorite)

Some other prepped entree(s): *I generally choose one or two entree type recipes to make ahead and prep them one day a week. Then I can rotate them or whatever.
(This week) Roasted Chicken and Veggies
Tuna on a lettuce wrap
Chicken (prep-freezer-crockpot meal) w/peas
Refried bean dip w/corn tortilla chips
Carnita's (prep-freezer-crockpot meal) in mini peppers
Fajitas (prep-freezer-crockpot meal) on lettuce wraps
Roasted chicken w/Sweet potatoes

**When I use lettuce wraps, the rest of the family uses regular flour tortillas and usually adds a bunch of cheese.

Snacks (I choose a couple to keep on hand)

• Triple Zero yogurt with frozen blueberries and a little granola for crunch (granola isn't low carb, but I work it in calorie wise because I LOVE it)
• Apples with almond butter
• Frozen grapes (OMG DELICIOUS)
• Celery (I actually love celery, especially with PB)
• Almonds
• Another shake w/ added frozen berries, with less meal replacement powder.
• Egg salad/boiled eggs

I am SO ready for SPRING TIME FOODS! I love fresh fruits and vegetables so much. We have a local health food/grocery store (where both of my sons work now, actually) that has fantastic deals on things every week, so I stock up when I can.