Coming Clean: Part 2

So it's been a while and it's been exactly 6 months since Mike and I made a huge change.  In March we started a nutritional cleansing system that has totally changed the way we make food choices, how we feed our children, it's changed us physically, mentally and spiritually in many ways.

In March I felt this strong desire to make a change, not really knowing fully what I was getting into but took a leap of faith and was more than pleasantly surprised.  As the weight and inches came off,  our sleep improved, energy levels soared and many issues I had previously with the scale and food, diminished.  Insecurities I held onto for various reasons disappeared and I finally felt happy with the person I was.

Summer came with a flurry of activity with vacations and swim meets, pool days, discovering new passions.  Mike got a new job, I fell into one that I never knew I was really looking for although it was a small reason I desired a change in the first place.  All in all, this change has been such blessing to our family in so many ways.  Not only physically and from a health standpoint but from a financial standpoint as well.  It's such a good feeling to know that Bennett can get therapies he needs and we don't have to worry about cutting back, the girls can do multiple activities instead of picking just one. We have a little more flexibility and credit cards are being paid off.

And the coolest thing for me, is I finally found what I'm truly passionate about!  I've been looking for some time now, like: What's my purpose?  How can I feel like I'm contributing and enjoy it at the same time?  How can I make a difference not only in my family's life but in other people's lives?  I was feeling like I went to college and graduated with a degree I'll never use (and I realize many people do that and are successful and happy) but now it's great because I can use that knowledge, something that's always interested me, which is health and nutrition.  I love helping people reach their goals in so many different ways!

And because everyone likes before and after pics....

The first picture on the left is from March, the middle picture is 30 days later with 14 pounds released and 19 inches gone and the last picture is now, 6 months after I started.  I feel like I'm more toned now then even at end of my first 30 days which is really what I wanted.  I'm happier today about my body then I was when I was 18 swimming in college!  After 3 kids, I am thrilled to have more lean muscle and tone then I did when I was swimming every day, twice a day.  And I love that I don't have to swim that much to have better results!!  Don't get me wrong I love to exercise but I don't go crazy like I used to.   And quite frankly I don't have the time!  The most I run is 3-5 miles, maybe 3-4 times a week, I also enjoy Pure Barre when I can get there and I've started doing some kettle bell workouts here and there.  But to have more energy now as a busy mom, it's just crazy!  I finally realized it's all about nutrition if you want to truly change things from the inside out.  And the proper source of nutrition is key!!

Here's Mike!  He has come so far in every aspect!  So much more energy now,  and went from drinking 4 cups of coffee along with several diet cokes a day to NONE.  Just water now.   He's lost a total of 30 pounds from March to May and has kept it off with a very basic maintenance plan of nutritional cleansing and running 2-3 times a week!  He went from a size 36 to a size 32 and had to basically buy a whole new wardrobe.  Love that he loves his new way of living!!

So that's what we've been up to in a nut shell and we're loving every minute of it but I'll end with some pics from this summer up until now....and yes, kids are doing wonderful all around too;)  Swimming turned into soccer, new school year started, busy, busy, busy...

Another season has come to an end, can't wait to see what's up ahead!