weight loss - Matthew's Puzzle - Autism Recovery, Gluten Free, Green Living Mom Blog

Pure Health Naturally Product Review

June 11, 2013 By Maryann

Disclosure: I received these products at no cost to provide a review. All opinions are my own.

If you have been reading my blog for any period of time then you already know I prefer natural supplements over pharmaceuticals whenever possible. I think they work with the whole body and I simply prefer to use them whenever I can. Pure Health Naturally send me a few of their products to test out.

The first supplement I decided to try is Thyroid 5 which is chock full of things like Bladderwrack, Selenium, L-Tyrosine & Kelp. It is a nice item which can help support the thyroid. I take 2 capsules daily.

Pure Health Naturally also sent along Sleep Sweetly which has lemon balm, GABA and L-Glycine. I am hoping to pass this one on to my husband who can not see to sleep through the night no matter what we do.

I wish I had had the Pure Health Naturally Natural Defense with me when I went to Autism One last month. Ever time I hop on a plane I end up with a cold and this trip was no different. I would have loved to have used this product before I took my flight. I could have used its support.

I also received a bottle of Water Trim and one of Appetite Suppress. I am hoping they will help me naturally deal with my excessive appetite especially since I’m trying to diet right now.

Lastly I tried out Pure Health Naturally Nature’s Green & Lean tea. It is a blend of green tea, green coffee bean and spices such as cinnamon, ginger and anise. I love the warm flavors the spices impart. It is a delicious brew.

My Weight Loss Journey

May 16, 2013 By Maryann

eShakti dress-1

I have struggled with my weight for what seems like forever. I have tried various diets and even starvation (which really screwed me up – whatever you do, don’t do that!) I’ve tried exercise, and usually it didn’t have the results I wanted. I’m even ashamed to admit it, but I tried diet pills a few years ago. They worked, but my doctor didn’t want me on them for very long and so once I stopped taking them, poof, all the benefits were gone. But nothing has really worked with my weight loss journey.

After 3 pregnancies and hitting the big 4-0 I have topped out at a whopping 184 lbs! My heaviest ever. I hated looking in the mirror and despised going clothes shopping. Instead of trying to look nice I opted for Old Navy jeans and T-shirts as my daily uniform. I dreaded those occasions when I needed to look nice, like my friend’s recent wedding. I could never find a dress or outfit that looked nice on me. So this past December, right before the whole New Years Resolution thing, I decided to try Weight Watchers Online. I have tried WW before and had good luck, but for one reason or another I never stuck with it. I know the last time I tried it was after I had Matthew and I was in the depths of depression from learning of his diagnosis. I was doomed before I even started.

Now, I’m down 15.4 lbs and I am feeling much better. I have had some ups and downs along the way (or should I say weigh?). I am really trying to look at this as long term lifestyle changes and I find I am willing to make those changes. WW is not the reason for that change of heart, and neither is the desire to be thin. Actually, learning about Matthew’s autism recovery has been the guiding force behind this change. I have watched, actually, I have been an active member in his transformation and I know so much of it is from making a conscious decision to eat real food. I can no longer eat processed foods. I can’t eat things full of chemicals. I want foods that are homemade and come from whole foods. Larry and I have gotten on a green smoothie kick, and we drink one almost every morning. We start the day with kale, cucumber, celery, parsley and hot peppers. The nutritional value of that drink is just amazing and I feel good for drinking it. Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoy having a dessert or treat sometimes, but I find myself gravitating to those desserts I make, not bought stuff full of crap. We just don’t eat much of that at all anymore.

And exercise. Well it is super important. But I’m not so worried, at least right now, about gaining huge muscles. No, instead I just try to walk 5 days a week. I get myself on our treadmill when our youngest naps and I go, go, go. I pull out my iPad and watch some episode of Saving Grace, Dr Who or Shameless and when I’m done I feel wonderful. I’m hoping to get into the Couch to 5 K once my PT says I’m good to run again. But until then I’ll just keep up the walking.

Well, that is is a huge update. I have met several of my first smaller goals, and I can’t wait to keep you posted on my progress. How do you keep your weight under check?

Current Stats

Weight: 169 lbs

Dress Size: 14

Waist: 35 inches

Hips: 44 inches

Bust: 41 inches

DDPYOGA DVD Review

May 3, 2013 By Maryann

I love yoga, but my PT says I need to do more than just traditional yoga to get myself in shape. I found out about DDPYOGA, probably like everyone else, through the Facebook/You Tube video that was circulatingabout Arthur, the American Veteran that could barely walk. Arthur tried DDPYOGA and made such a remarkable change in his life that he has become the poster child for inspiration. This guy is amazing.

DDPYOGA is a complete program. It comes with 4 DVD Disks which correspond to different levels of the program. It has a handy chart you can post on your wall that shows you the basic movements in DDPYOGA and it has a DDPYOGA Program Guide which give you an introduction to the program, an overview, and a nutrition guide. This is a 49 page document, not some simple 4 or 5 page deal. It covers a ton of information. You also have access to the DDPYOGA website and forums where you can get lots of encouragement and help.

When you start out on DDPYOGA you can use the beginner chart which shows you what to do for weeks 1 through 13. It is highly recommended that you take some starting photos of yourself. You never have to share them, but it is a great way to see just how far you have come. The photos not only show weight loss and toning, but also demonstrate flexibility and strength.

Everything is considered in the DDPYOGA plan, from your ideal fat burning heart rate (mine is 117 to 137) to changing the way you eat (in different phases so as not to overwhelm you). This is one of the areas in which I’m very drawn to DDPYOGA. I agree with almost EVERYTHING they have to say about nutrition – the only place I diviate is in their choice of oils. DDPYOGA wants you to be on REAL food, not processed junk and sugar. They have you go gluten free and dairy free, adding in organics and talking about food combining! The plan even offers sample meal plans and a few recipes to boot!

I have tried the program out and I think it has real potential. It uses a lot of isometrics and that can be tricky at first. I know for someone like me, who has had trouble engaging some of my muscles, it was hard to get my muscles to activate. You may need to play around with the moves or to ask a friend to spot you at first, to make sure you are engaging properly. I do think it will help me build core strength and to get a lot of flexibility in, plus build strength. I actually can’t wait to get back to the program, but unfortunately I hurt my knee, in a non-DDPYOGA related incident, and I’m having trouble even walking right now. I would love to keep you all updated on my progress.