"Take It All One Day At a Time and Enjoy the Journey" -Kristi Bartlett

Our journeys through life are all different and unique to our individual person and circumstance. Not everyone has the same family structure or support system; not everyone has the same life plan and goals. What is a big deal to one person isn't a big deal to another. In life it is always so good to be considerate of others. Generally speaking, we need to always look out for our individual needs as well as our family needs; but to some degree we have to maintain a sense of respect for others and see things from a broad perspective. If we limit our thinking to just our own lives, we miss whats happening in communities, the people around us, and even our close friends or family members.

The other side to this could be viewed as one who constantly puts others before themselves or their own individual/family needs. It's a slippery slope when you find yourself dedicated to people who have zero ability to see you have obligations and things happening that require your dedication to that person to shift onto the back burner; even if its only for a few days or a week. We can not constantly stretch ourselves thin for others, especially when the dedication is out of balance between two people. At the end of the day, we can only do so much for someone before they have to realize you can not be the answer to their needs/problems all the time. All we can do is the very best we can and know we made our best effort.

Let me just say, there is not a day that goes by I don't push myself to my absolute limits--between chasing babies, getting kids off to school, errands, laundry, cleaning house, home to recieve the kids after school, homework, reading, picking up someone from an activity or geting someone off to appointments,dinner, talking about our day, and trying to find time to just enjoy one another all before bedtimes--this has become such a challenge. I am pushing myself so hard at the gym and work hard to really stay on top of healthy eating habits. It's been so caotic I have been crashing so hard at the end of the day.

 Last night I had a combination of good/bad sleep. I dreamt all night about the strangest things, then the dreams went on for what felt like all night. I know I slept hard by the way I felt when I woke up, but toward the end of the night my dreams turned scary. I woke up to a pounding headache, stiff muscles, and sore all over. I was afraid the headache would reach the point of no return and become a full fledged migraine. Thankfully, taking a 800 IBP, moving around this morning and drinking coffee outside with the fresh air at a temp of 59, I recovered and the headache has subsided. Still sore as all get out-so today there will not be a visit to the gym. Myself and the babies will head out for a few hours this cool morning and get some walking and playing in for the day.

Otherwise, progress on the fitness front is well on its way. I weighed in this morning with a -2 lbs loss for the week; that's over all -69 lbs. I am beginning to notice my clothes fitting looser, and the constant having to pull up my pants. I don't think I'm quite ready for a size smaller-but definatly going to need to belt them on till its time to transition down the next size. This week at the gym I fcoused on cardio with arms day 1, cardio with legs day 2, cardio with abs day 3, and just cardio the last day. Each all included a good 10-15 minutes of stretching/yoga at the end of the work outs.

This evening the kids and I are excited to kick-off fall by heading out to a pumpkin patch this evening and roast marshmellows over the bon fire. Tomorrow will be a gym morning--It'll be my combo day: a little bit of everything-cardio, arms, legs, abs, stretching/yoga. This weekend is going to be great one and I'll be pulling out the fall decor to really warm up the house for this cool weather that is hopefully here to stay! Until next time...

-Meredith

How Long Has It Been????

It's been nearly a month since I last posted.  I've been adjusting to life with all it's changes I've experienced lately.  Mostly these days I am constantly wrapped up with my babies or family now that the holidays have arrived! 

Due to my extremely busy life these day my entire work out schedule has been thrown off. BUT that is perfectly okay!  I wouldn't have it any other way; I absolutely love my children!!!!  We all made a journey through the ice this last Saturday to the gym.  My kids got to play and do some activities there at the Y and I got to get an amazing work out in!  It was a win/win!  I've been weighing but not recording.  My weight has fluctuated from the 159 mark up to 165 and gone up and down between that range.

I always seem to find something outside around my house to do that replaces my gym work out.  This last week we got some major snow and ice.  There was about a centimeter of ice laid perfectly under the 4-6 or more inches of powder snow on top! So I played with out kids outside on Friday after the sun came out then shoveled on side of my drive way.  Bear in mind I do not have a snow shovel I used a good heavy dirt shovel because it's all I had to work with at the house.  I am pretty sure I strained my back muscles on the right side of my back. I can feel every muscle in my back no matter how I move it HURTS, my shoulders, booty, and legs are the same way, Booty and Back are the worst!  So using an extremely heavy shovel and working for over an hour doing that I got a pretty good sweat on despite the freezing cold!  Saturday was a normal work out and today I have SLEPT and done nothing but lye around!  The only perk to have one day a weekend my kids are with their dad! I still miss them like crazy and looking forward to getting home to them but the rest was needed! 

Clothes sizes are all the same,toning hasn't really been worked on due to being SO busy! I think once we get through the up and down of the weather and the holidays things will smooth out. This time of year everyone's schedules are thrown off!  The one consistent part of my challenge is sticking to my Visalus Shakes!  They are a LIFE savor!  I would really be in a bad position if I didn't have my shakes everyday to keep my nutrition up and my healthy diet on track!  

I can't stress enough how amazing these shakes are when you have goals for health and nutrition whether to maintain, lose weight, or become fit. I'm no longer losing and they are absolutely perfect for maintaining! The new year is around the corner and everyone's already started thinking about their 2014 New Years Resolution Goals.  One popular goal is weight-loss and health if this is your goal Visalus is worth a shot!  It has a 90 day money back guarantee! After a complete transformation over this year myself I strongly encourage you to take the challenge and see how Visalus can transform your life; health and body!

~Meredith

There Comes a Time...

We can dream, hope, and plan all we want for the way we want our lives to go.  But it doesn't always mean you'll get it; and if you do there's usually some price to pay either positively or negatively.  We all make sacrifices in life for the greater good of our lives.  Especially being a parent who loves their children and puts them first always make life decisions based on what is truly Best for them.  

In society people see only one way to live most of the time.  The reality is we are all individuals who live all separate lives and each of our lives are different from each other.  That is perfectly fine because that's how it should be..

Yesterday the subject of death came up with my almost 8 year old daughter.  It started with explaining why her great grandmother wasn't living in her house.  Of course in conversation that has come up with my kids in the past I explain purely and simply "They left to go to heaven and live with Jesus."  Yesterday the question of "where do our bodies go?" came up.  How on earth do you explain this to an 8 year old with out totally scaring them?  I did the best I could never having been asked this question by any of my children yet.  I simply explained our bodies die and the people we are inside of us leave our bodies and we go to heaven; our bodies stay here.  Her reply was "mommy I'm afraid to die!"  So with that comes my POINT!

 I said to her: "Don't be afraid to die because you will be with Jesus when your time comes a long long long lonnnng ways away.  Your life is fresh and brand new you are JUST starting out your life.  This life we live was only temporarily given to us and while we are here on earth we must do our very best to be the best person we can be because that's what God put us here to do.  You have a long long long happy life ahead of you. Once you finish school and graduate college you will make your place in this world. You'll create your own legacy and make your mark on the world in the most positive way you can.  We want to make the very best of our lives while we are here.  To be happy to do good and to do good by others around us. That is ALL you need to think about right now and when our times all come a long long long long ways away we will all be together in heaven when this life is over." 

Of course she may have not comprehended all of that. She seemed to not feel so scared about our death conversation. The whole point of my response was for her to hear how we should live our lives; as she gets older she can better understand what "mommy said a long time ago" about life.  I want my kids to know they can create their own lives and to live them as happily and freely as possible.  To know they don't have to chose to live any less.  Their legacy is what they want to focus on creating and leaving behind for their children/families.  In life we all have to CHOOSE to be happy and to create the kind of life that will make our short time here on earth the very best it can be; there are no second chances!

"There comes a time when you have to choose between turning the page and closing the book."

On the fitness front: I have not been to the gym in TWO weeks!  A lot has occurred over the last two weeks 3 days of which I had a stomach bug that I thought would never go away.  It's been more difficult finding time to go to the gym living the single mom life between work, kids schools, homework, and evening time routines.  BUT I have been contemplating a plan to squeeze at least 30 minutes in a day.  If I go straight after work I'll have exactly 30 minutes to work out then get to daycare before they close.  SOO provided the weather doesn't come in like they say it will Sunday and Monday then I'll plan to start there.  It'll cut down to one trip into the city (going into work) and one trip back home (going home from the gym) since work and the gym are a mile away. I've come SO far physically and I feel SOOO much more energized now I can really keep up with my 4 beautiful blessings like I should be able to!  I am not going to let a little thing called "time" hinder maintaining myself for my children's benefit! They deserve only the very BEST of me mentally, physically, and emotionally! They require A LOT of each!

As for my Progress:

Weight is the same: 159.2 #'s

Weight Lost Last 2 Weeks: 0 #'s

Total Weight Loss to date: -77.8 #'s

Dress clothes all the same:

Top Medium (I think some styles a small would fit)

Dress Pants Size 8

Toning Same (Haven't had a lot of time to work on this)

Visalus Body By Vi 90 Day Challenge ended November 18th!

Today I am submitting my timeline to enter to win and get my Vi Champ Bracelet!  Woo Hoo!!!

I'm still loving my shakes and don't know how I would function with out them!  They are soooooo easy being a busy mom on the run between kids and work!  I am bringing 2013 to a close looking and FEELING 2000% better than I did this time last year! 2014 is just around the corner and this could be YOU by the end of next year; a stronger healthier YOU!!! What in YOUR life would be your "Why?"  for becoming healthier???  For more information go to:

www.meredithgarrett.bodybyvi.com

~Meredith

Never Be Afraid to Start Over

Life lately has been full of so many changes.  Personal life changes that have really shown a new light on my life. One of the moto's I stand by "Everything happens for a reason!" I've had a lot of guidance and support that has been truly amazing. 

I am in awe by the way life works out sometimes.  It seems like we can be drug through some of the worst times in our life and finally find that the light at the end of the tunnel. True happiness does exist and I know that now and I do have faith for the future!

On the fitness front I've cut down to working out 3 times a week and once on the weekend or twice if I have time.  I'm working on toning still which feels very good to become stronger. My stats are still all the same except for weight... I am down -3.6 more pounds since my last post.  I'm really NOT trying to lose weight anymore but with the strength training I'm toning up but with toning comes slow fat burning as the muscle builds.  I know during this process my weight will fluctuate up and down as my body sculpts up. My total weight loss to date is now: -77.8 and I finally broke the 150's!  My last weigh in I weighed 159.2!!!  I's never been this small or this fit in my entire adult life and I love it!!!  Visalus is the most life changing amazing lifestyle in the world!  I will stand by this life style for the rest of my life!!!!

For more info on Visalus Body by Vi go to:

www.meredithgarrett.bodybyvi.com

Watch the video and send in your request for more information.

~Meredith

Inner Voice

This whole year of weight-loss has been so much more than weight-loss for me.  It's been a mind, body, and soul transformation.  One of the biggest things I have taken from this year is to be true to who you are, stand up for what you believe it, and follow your heart.  Only we know what we can live with and with out. I do not have the quote reference for the icon above but this stands out to me so much: "Don't Shush Your Inner Voice It's Who You Really Are."

It's been two weeks since I updated last.  This last week was an extremely difficult week for me and steered off the normal routine of Health and Fitness. The week before last was a good health and fitness week and the weight started just falling off faster than it has in a long time.  This week I also took my final before and after photo for weight-loss. My final final body result photo will come once all the defining and toning is complete.

Weekly Update Stats:

Last Two Week Weight loss: -4.4 #'s

Total Weight loss: -74.2 #'s

Current Weight:162.8

Current Dress Pant Size: 8

Current Top Size: Medium

Previous Shoe Size 9 Woman's

Current Shoe Size 8 Women's

**Yes My feet shrunk too!**

Chest: 34 Inches

Waste: 28 Inches

Hips: 40.5 Inches

BMI: 23.2 *Normal and Healthy*

Toning coming along nicely

Current Challenge Day: 67

23 Days left before Submitting for Body By Vi Challenge Champion

For information on Visalus Body by Vi go to:

www.meredithgarrett.bodybyvi.com

Watch the Video and submit your request for further information.

~Meredith

Oh, It Hurts? Keep Going! Its Just Your Body Changing!

"Oh It Hurts? Keep Going! It's just your body Changing!" This statement has never been more true! The last few weeks I have attended a group class at my gym.  I never did a group class until two weeks ago.  My first class I did is called "boot camp."  It really is like boot camp; some of the things they do in there are insane!  I have really grown to love attending boot camp!  It kicks my ass every time! This last week the ladies begged me to stay for a class called body pump after boot camp.  So I decided to do it and see what it was all about.

Body Pump is a class that's primary focus is strength and toning.  They are NOT messing around at all! We used the bar with bar bell or dumb bell weights on either side, hand weights, and another bar with out the bells on the ends.  The most in strength I've done so far is circuit train in the gym using all the machines.  So this was completely new and it was amazing!  We did so many arm, curls, lifts, pushes, and used the bar to hold over our shoulders as we did hundreds of squats and lunges.  I couldn't keep track but we must have done over 200 squats within that whole hour class!  Let me just say OOOOUUUUCCCH!!!!!!

I felt like I was dying all week!  I am STILL sore and it's Sunday.  The part of your chest on a woman right between your boobs and collier bone HURT to barley brush across when getting dressed!  I DID not know we had muscles there to we actually use!  I didn't let the soreness take me down no sir!  I went the next day and did just the elliptical trainer for an hour then stretched really good.  It was hard going back to the gym the next day but I knew if I just sat around it would only stiffen me up.  I managed to make it to the gym up to Friday this week and haven't been back since.  I probably would have gone yesterday if my husband didn't have to work yesterday and all weekend long.  So I used yesterday to do something I've not done in MONTHS!  I did NOTHING but sat on my rear all day!  I have so much to be done around the house but my body was just screaming for rest.  So I did absolutely nothing and it was marvelous! Unfortunately time doesn't stop so today I gotta get stuff done and ready for the week.  If the rain holds off until this evening I may take a short jog just to get the blood flowing again and ready for the week!  I will be attending BOTH boot camp and body pump this week so bring on the soreness!  I know with that means beautiful changes are happening to my body as we speak!

I had a request a while back to take a picture wearing pants that are way to big for me... I've already given away all my clothes clothes so all I had were a pair of PJ pants to take the pic in.  Below are a size extra large PJ pants.  At my heaviest before I started Vi January 26th this year these pants were EXTREMELY tight on me.  I want to say this is when I was wearing what was equivalent to a double XL in pants like these and 20 plus size dress pants.  I took this picture last week to show just how big of a change I went through on Visalus Body By Vi...

As for my current weekly updates:

Weight lost this week: -0.2 pounds

Weight as of this week: 167.2

Total Weight Loss to date: -69.8 pounds

Current top size: Medium (8-10)

Current Dress Pant Size: 10's

-6 dress pant sizes total

-4 top sizes total

Current Work out Yoga Pants: Size Medium

Current Toning Is as Follows:

Stomach appears flatter-

Distinctive line indention on the sides of my abs upper to lower

Arms More distinctive lines on top to sides of arms

Legs Defined muscles in calves and top to side thighs

Rear sculpting and lifting

Back Sculpted from shoulders down to wast working on strengthening

I do not know all the technical muscle terms of the body so hopefully I described it as best as possible! LOL! Being a crazy week last week I'd say all in all a pretty good end to the week! That's all for now...

~Meredith

**To Learn more about how I have accomplished this visit:

www.meredithgarrett.bodybyvi.com

Watch the video and send in request for more info!

Have a great week!

1st Challenge Party and My Personal Challenge

It has been an extremely busy last couple weeks in my household.  We've all had things to do and places to be pretty constant.  Now that I have started as Executive Promoter for Visalus I've literally been working two jobs, maintaining family/household, and still active in my current 90 day Challenge. I held my 1st Vi Challenge Party yesterday evening.  We had a wonderful turn out and a successful party for so many! I was so honored to have had Regional Directors Jody and Linda Griebel as well as Ambassador LaDonna West.  They all helped organize and teach while they were here as well as give some amazing personal testimonies.  We had a wonderful close out from speaker Ladonna West. It was super exciting, motivating, and the shakes were all so delicious.  We tried 3 flavors yesterday evening. First the Snikerdoodle <Vi Mix, Almond Milk, Ice, Small amount of Honey, and Cinnamon.> Secondly the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup<Vi Mix, Chocolate Soy Milk, Ice, Vi Chocolate flavor packet, and Peanut Butter.> Lastly we tried the Orange Julius <Vi Mix, 50% Pulp Free Orange Juice, ice, and Frozen Pineapple.> Everyone got to taste the shakes and learned how Vi can benefit their personal goals within the 3 categories of: Weight loss, Activity, or Fitness. We also got several project 10 videos complete.  Once they receive their shakes and start their challenge they'll already be ahead of the game after the 1st 10 pounds!!!  We're missing a few people but all of most of us at the Challenge Party...

I will be scheduling another Visalus Challenge Party this week.  For those of you who are interested and would like to attend I will be announcing the date and time later this afternoon so everyone can clear their calenders! If you would like more information on taking the Challenge please visit my website:

www.meredithgarrett.bodybyvi.com

Watch the video find me on facebook send a message with your contact information and I'll get with you on how you can Start the Challenge Today!!!  We're approaching all the holidays; just in time to complete your first 90 day Vi Challenge and be at your best for Christmas.  Also you'll still be able to enjoy all the wonderful festive holiday eating and still beat the crowd of New Years Resolutions! 2014 will start off with a BANG!!! 

As for my weight loss and fitness Challenge I am currently on I have wonderful updates to share!  I decided last week to give a group exercise class a try.  I've been working out since January this year and have never gone to a group class.  SO I did last weeks "Boot Camp" class and let me tell you, it was some serious working out!  I was limping the next day!  I KNOW had I not conditioned myself for all these last 9 months to do something like that I would have not made it the first 5 minutes of that class!  I'm defiantly glad I waited till I built my own fitness stamina before attempting that! 

As for my weight loss I'd hit a plateau for several weeks again.  My 12's have started becoming too baggy.  So this time I started out my grabbing a pair of 12's and 10's jeans to try on.  Once I got home and cleaned up from the gym I put the 10's on first... LOW AND BEHOLD... THEY FIT!!!!! Yes, ladies and gentleman the 10's fit me.  They started out a little snug but as I have continued working out and losing weight over the last few days they fit perfect now!  In high-school when I was at my smallest weight for my height (5'10) I was in sizes 8-10 pant size range. I'm officially down to my high-school size! I do believe during the weight loss plateau the Vi was working on the inside of my body; even though the scale wasn't moving the inches were falling off.  I moved down a whole other size!  Also once the scale started moving again it MOVED fast!  I have updated pics to share... the last 9 pounds are defiantly from my stomach!!!

Before Scale moved...

After Scale moved...

One of the biggest changes I'm noticing (in my birthday suit) are my stomach!  It's gone down some more AND its finally starting to lift and tighten!  Thank you Vi, Crunches, and Circuit training!! I now have 17.4 more pounds of fat to lose then it'll be total muscle toning/building until the absolute final body transformation goal is met! I've already decided once I completely get done with my weight loss and toning goals I will start training for my first 5k! I love running so much and I'd love to be able to complete a successful 5k!!!

Weekly/Current Stats Updates:

Beginning Current Challenge Weight:176 #'s

Current Challenge Weight Loss Progress: -8.6 #'s

Current Weight: 167.4 #'s

Grand total Weight Loss to Date: -69.6 #'s

Went from size 12 dress pant to size 10 dress pant

Currently size medium tops (8-10)

Total dress pant sizes lost to date: SIX dress pant sizes

Total Top sizes lost to date: 4 top sizes down

Toning: Definite change in stomach, Arm's Back and Legs *Right on Track*

Current Challenge Date as of most recent photo above: Day 46

Current Challenge Day as of today: Day 47

I hope my personal journey is inspiring others.  I am still so shocked myself at these results! It's so so life changing to be able to turn your life style around and feel and look the best ever! If you are considering taking the challenge I strongly encourage you to at least TRY it! It's safe for children, Pregnant or breast feeding mothers, people with MS, MD, Lupus, and the only Dr approved shake for Cancer Patients! You can always sign up try it with a 90 day money back guarantee.  If it's not something you want to continue you always have the option of canceling it. BUT it is WORTH the try!  

~Meredith

Challenge Yourself

Any change one makes in life first requires a mental challenge first... Once a mind is set on completing a goal; then only then is a physical change made no matter what the goal. If we want something Bad enough we're GOING to go out and make it happen!!!

It's been TWO weeks or so since my last post.  As I previously mentioned I was going out of town last weekend to attend Vi Regional's.  It was by far the most inspiring and motivating conference I have ever attended in my life!  Having completed now 2 Visalus Body by Vi 90 Day Challenge has been key to my weight loss. I'm currently in my 3rd 90 day Challenge and I'm rocking my challenge!  As we all know getting closer to our weight loss goals normally makes it SO MUCH HARDER to lose weight.  It comes off painfully slow BUT that is a healthy sign! As for my health Vi saved my life.  I was not in any life threatening situation with my health that I knew of... At that time I had High Cholesterol and considered Moderately Obese.  Had I not Challenged myself mentally to TAKE the Vi Challenge who knows where I may be today.  Between both sides of my family we have a long history of diabetes, hypertension, congestive heart failure, heart attack and stroke.  Genetically all of that history combine with my physical health 9 months ago I would be at risk for ALL of that!  Vi turned me away from eating bad food and trained my body to CRAVE healthy food and moderation! My lifestyle in it's entirety has COMPLETELY CHANGED!!!  

After every other thing I tried to lose weight failed then I discovered Vi!  I've met my goals so far in this journey and from that success came more motivation.  My Aunt and Uncle who got me started on this promote the challenge.  After such a success how could I not really consider doing it?  I could help change so many people lives in such a positive way and who wouldn't want to help people when they have every opportunity to?  So I went as a guest to the Vi Regional's in Kansas City with hundreds of other Vi Promoters, Directors, Rising Stars and Ambassadors who have really changed millions of lives together!  The whole day was filled with positive upbeat energy and so many beautiful testimonies.  It made me realize the Vi life is just so much bigger than I knew!  All those people out there are healthier and happier and turning our countries obesity rate around one shake at a time! 

Last Saturday we all left so pumped and excited to get out there and "DO SOMETHING!" That's all we really have to do to make a difference in the world.  "Just go do something!" I decided by the end of the conference last Saturday I am going to promote these shakes and do everything I can to help as many people as I can!  I could potentially make a really successful career out of changing people lives in the most positive way possible!  

This weekend I am officially Joining the Vi Team as Executive Promoter. As far as how successful I can make this business... well seeing FIRST HAND in person the SKY is really the limit. All of my Wichita Vi Family are such wonderful people and so so inspiring! I am honored to be apart of their team/family!!!

With that said I will be throwing my first Vi Party Saturday October 5th at 6:00pm.  We will be tasting shakes and letting everyone know what Vi does and how it works!  I have several people with testimonies ranging from weight loss, to getting rid of diabetes, and lean muscle building. If anyone is interested and local to OKC, OK look for me on facebook...

Meredith's Facebook

I am private so send me a request and a message letting me know if you are interested!  

Also for more information on Vi go to my site and watch the video.  Let me know what you think and if you may be intrested in taking the Challenge!

www.meredithgarrett.bodybyvi.com

I am super pumped about the coming party and many many successful ones in the future!!!!

As for my current weight loss updates I am currently sitting at a weight loss plateau at 171 with no change.  It could be several things happening... Primarily I feel it's because I've been really incorporating weights/circut training and working my abs.  As we all know gaining muscle will prevent weight loss.  I still incorporate cardio almost daily but taking some time to focus on sculpting.  I have one more week of Vi mix left to complete my 1st month in on my current challenge so next week I'll have that update and pic to share!

~Meredith

It take's Courage To Stand Alone

I'm not exactly sure who's quote this belongs to written above...  However It's one that really hit home with me.  I've been doing a lot of reflecting over my adult life and have come to several conclusions.  For the longest time it seems society was divided into several different groups of people. Of course as human beings we aim toward the trending group of our closest social group.  In life sometimes we think if we do certain things, act a certain way, or idolize people close to us that we will some how "fit in" better. It's taken many years and a lot of those years spent in upheaval to realize maybe I just settled with the direction of my life... Then you start questioning yourself with the "what if's"... 

Personally I gave my life to God many many years ago.  Like a tug of war or power of the wills I've had difficult times just "letting go" and giving it all to him! This of course circles me back around to my faith... I do believe our lives were pre-written by God. We were all individually brought on this earth to live this temporary life for a purpose. We don't always know our purpose or rather some sense of purpose is a lot clearer to see with some people vs others. I do feel like life leading me up to the point I am now was all apart of God's plan for me.  Although it brings me to my next point; free will.  We were all given free will that is why we are all sinners.  We have choices in life to choose between good or bad and sometimes as humans we choose the bad-therefore we are not perfect.  Only God is perfect and it is up to us to ask for forgiveness! Having free will doesn't necessarily mean if we chose to do something a certain way it's a sin or it's bad.  Essentially all it means is we as humans have choices in this life.  Our lives do not always have to be black and white.  All we can do as human beings is pray about our choices and continue praying our choices were well thought over and evenly considered all the way around. 

The quote at the top "It's easy to stand with the Crowd. It Takes Courage to Stand Alone." I feel lately is a direct reflection of the crossroads I am at in my life.  I know what everyone "wants" or "expects" but I have the ability to stand alone and take the road which may lead me from the shadows to the light. With every decision comes consequence good or bad however sometimes we have to follow our hearts above all else.  We only have a very short temporary time here on this earth we may as well choose to be happy and to live our life to it's fullest even if it means standing alone...

This week has been eventful with another surgery (wisdom tooth extraction) for myself and the usual day to day.  I only made it a half of one day post surgery at work. (yesterday)  I believe my side of the bed is perfectly molded to my body between my bladder surgery and my wisdom teeth surgery.  AND not in a comfortable (spend a day in bed) sort of way! Needless to say the girls missed soccer practice but their with their daddy at their games right now.  I am trying to take it slow and easy not to jump back in to quickly.  I need to be completely healed so I can get back to work! Since we are having my sons birthday party this afternoon I am home getting stuff together.  Going to finish up some last minute birthday shopping and pick up his cake all before I go set up at McDonald's where we are having his party this year.  I did not feel like hosting at my house for this one so we decided to have it away from home at McDonald's where the kids can play and we can all celebrate with easy clean up and go home afterwards!

As for this week as you may have guessed I got one really good work out in Monday and have sat on my duff all week long trying to get better.  I am not going to attempt to return to the gym until Monday or so this coming week preferably after I make it through a normal day at work! Baby steps! I haven't stayed strict to my Vi because the milk seems to upset my already present nausea from all the pain meds.  I have had them as often as I can tolerate as I continue to get over the nausea.  So I have just been eating what I can when I can.  However I still lost this week!  This weeks ending totals are as follows:

Week Ending Weight Loss: -1.4 #'s

Current 90 Day Vi Challenge Total Weight Loss to date: -4.6 #'s

Grand Total Weight Loss to Date: -65.6 #'s

Current Weight: 171.4

Current Top Size: Medium (8-10)

Current Dress Pant Size:12's

Current Gym Yoga Pants Size Large (12-14's) BAGGY/Falling down

Current Toning Progress: Defining outer lines beginning to show upper to mid abs

Legs: Great Muscle Tone in calves and upper thighs (cellulite less visible legs appearing smaller)

Arms: Smaller slight front arm tone still needs work under arm toning

Buns: Toning up nicely along with the legs

In closing I have two more things to share.  One of my BFF GF's discovered this new machine at the gym.  It's like the elliptical and you look so silly doing it because you literally look like your bouncing around on the moon or in some "star" whatever movie but it is HARD and I mean HARD on the highest resistance (20) If you were to go hard on the entire 65 minutes you could burn 1000 or more calories in 1 session!  This machine is comparable to the elliptical however it does burn more calories it is called the "Arc Trainer."  To learn more on this machine click Here

I look forward to utilizing this machine primarily for a while as well as incorporating more toning into my work out!  Only 21.6 more pounds until I meet my final weight goal then it's all toning from there! 

Lastly I will be attending the Visalus Body By Vi Regional this next coming up weekend!  My Aunt and Uncle who got me started on this MEGA LIFE CHANGING lifestyle are Executive Promoters.  I've been discussing with them and thinking over the possibility of becoming an Executive Promoter myself! As my Uncle Jody says "Your a walking billboard for Vi." Meaning having lost all the weight I have speaking to people about signing up will see FIRST hand what Vi can do!  I started putting it out there on Facebook and I've had one serious customer sign up so we will see.  I know so many people out there would benefit from this lifestyle whether they have a great deal of weight to lose or just want to become more healthy and fit.  Vi can do ALLLLL of that!  In my case weight loss was my goal... a serious amount of weight and I didn't even sign up for the expensive kit! Anyhow I am stoked to attend regional's and decide if this maybe something I would enjoy pursuing.  I feel like it would be something I would love to do but I would need to build a strong base of people who would like to join me in the challenge before I go for the Executive Promoter for Vi!  I will take tons of pics at regional's and share my experience with everyone after I return!  Kansas City here we come!!!!

For more Body by Vi Information visit my website:

www.meredithgarrett.bodybyvi.com

Watch the video and let me know what you think!

  You can also find me on Facebook at:

Meredith's Facebook Page

*My Facebook is my personal Facebook and is set to private. My Facebook is only view-able by friend request only.

~Meredith

One Long Term Goal Met...

Getting started on the Vi Challenge I listened to several testimonies and have watched educational videos on how to start a Vi Challenge.  One of the big parts of starting the challenge is to make goals and GO PUBLIC!  It's true that by going public about your challenge you are forced to hold yourself accountable for meeting your goals.  Two major events in my life I went "public" with and both of those events were a success.

  I used to keep a blog of my personal journey with my husband on our infertility/adoption journey.  In the end after 2 1/2 years we FINALIZED our adoption beating /the odds!  So many times it felt hopeless that we would get to keep our children.  I know certain family members kept our children at arms length knowing the uncertainty of our families outcome.  I knew deep down in my soul our kids were OUR kids and they weren't going anywhere.  Now I can say... "I told you so!" to all those Nay-Sayers!

 Unfortunately I still feel certain family members are still keeping some what of a distance which is unnecessary because all their doing is hurting their own relationship with my kids.  One day my kids will grow up and they will see who was REALLY involved and who wasn't.  Me personally I automatically assume the worse maybe that's apart of my own "issues" I feel.  But I assume most distances those people keep are because our kids are not "our flesh and Blood." When in the end does that really matter?  My mother whom was adopted was never to my knowledge treated that way growing up.  She of all people involved understand the depth of what it is being an "adoptee."

 Anyhow point is my goal of adopting my babies was public and it HAPPENED!  Really I'm not taking "credit" for it because the majority of the credit belongs to Jesus Christ!  It was his plan to make my babies my babies just like any child bared and birthed by their biological mother!  However I had my role to play in the process. Finally, my point, I set my goals publicly that I wanted to lose weight and live a healthy life style!  With that goal I kept myself accountable knowing I put the pressure on.  Yes I credit my motivation for my weight loss to Jesus Christ too!  Had I not prayed for the strength to make it through some of the toughest times in my journey knowing this was essentially to better myself for my children I was blessed to have... However I had  MY role to play in the journey and because I went public my accountability was always in check for myself.  Here I am today having lost a whole PERSON off of myself!  If you set your goals publicly you WILL meet them along with hard work and dedication always keeping ourselves accountable! 

As for this weeks ending weight Loss stats they are as follows:

Weight Loss Week Ending 9/8/13: -.06 pounds

Total Weight Loss in Current 90 Day Vi Challenge: -3.2 pounds

Total Weight Loss to date: -64.2 Pounds

Dress Pants Size 12's

Top Size Medium (8-10)

**Note: gym pants size large (12-14) becoming very baggy**

Wearing my size 12 dress pants:

To bring this post to an end my final progress to share is... I met a long term goal I set for myself.  I picked out two tattoos I wanted back when I was at -40 pounds.  My sister and I picked out matching "sister tats" and I picked out an "a mommy tat" representing having adopted my 4 precious babies.  At the time I knew I needed to lose some more weight and work more on sculpting before I got Inked!  I didn't want the tattoo to shrink or change all to much after getting the tattoo because I still have a significant amount of change I needed to make on my body.  So we met with the tat artist June of this year and scheduled it out for October of this year.  Our tat artist we spoke with was extremely booked through the year.  She ended up referring us to another tat artist that works with her that she trusts.  So we moved our appointment to the beginning of September.  This last Friday was our appointment and I got INKED!  At this point in my journey my back has lost a lot of "flab" and been sculpted back to my "Old back." So my back was ready!  I didn't know what kind of progress I'd have made by now but turns out my goals have continuously been met and I continue every day working harder to achieve my long term goals.  Here's my new ink:

Mommy Tat Representing my Adoption

Infinity Heart with my Children's Names

Sister Tattoo

(My sister has matching tat)

This one below is my sister and I next to each other showing our matching tats.  It is an infinity sign with "sisters" written in... (Me on left My sister on right)

My favorite color is purple (shading in purple)

My sisters favorite color is pink (shading in pink)

~Meredith

Second ViSalus Body By Vi 90 Day challenge Ending...Third Challenge Beginning...

As you previously read I was dealing with Kidney stone, kidney pain, etc... Well I FINALLY had my Scope Surgery this last Tuesday where they went into my Urethra, Bladder, Ureter, and Kidney to see what exactly happened/happening. They verified by the looks of my kidney I DID in fact pass a kidney stone.  My kidney had been very swollen which was the source of all the pain.  While they were in there they found a few other UA Track issues they fixed while in surgery.  I was in surgery for 10 minutes then in recovery for 10is before I came to it.  When I woke up OF course I hadn't even believed they did anything!  That's the anesthesia for ya! LOL  But of course they did and got all the issues under control that day.  I follow up in 2 weeks with Dr. UA to check and see how the post surgery recovery is going. 

 

 

The day of surgery on Tuesday and Wednesday I fought some SERIOUS nausea and actually "got it up" Wednesday (TMI) But after a whole lot of sleep and rest by Thursday I felt more like me again.  No Nausea no persistent pain in my kidneys aside from the constant pressure I feel there now and small little twinges of pains every once in a while!  I got dressed cute that day put my contacts in and make up and went back to the gym after 12 days of not working out!  YES TWELVE! Believe me I can't believe I sat and did NOTHING for 12 days either! I'm a Gym rat FO SHO! Anyhow it was most defiantly hard getting back going and yes I did take it easy.

 

 My uncle warned me I would have lost around a month or so of my old stamina and to not jump in working out at my old fast pace.  (Running, high intensity elliptical, and weights/crunching) So I followed his advise and did an hour of slow starting/slow going treadmill walking.  At once point my right side started hurting because I kicked it up a little too high so I brought it back down.  Afterwards I did 20 minutes light cycling and was D.O.N.E!!!   Yesterday I went back again and the treadmill was much easier.  I walked at a 4.0 on a ramp of 10 for 1 hour and had ZERO pains in my right side.  Afterward I did light cycling for 30 minutes and felt fantastic after my work out!  While I was out sick I had such a hard time sleeping in the night hours.  However these last two nights I've slept so well and I know its because I finally exerted some physical energy like my body is accustomed to!

 

Moving on...Wednesday was my 2nd 90 Day Body by Vi Challenge Ending!  I took some updated pics and recorded my final stats: 

 

 

Final Ending Weight Loss To Date as of 8/21/13: -61 Pounds

Starting Weight: 237

2nd Vi Challenge Ending Weight: 176

Top size Medium (8-10's)

Dress Pants Size 12's

BMI: 25.3 (Over Weight Category)

 

I decided since I'm taking it slow starting out getting back into the swing of my gym work; I used the rest of this week after the last challenge to build up some of my lost strength and take it easy before I hit the ground running again on my next challenge.  Soooooo....

 

My Third Official ViSalus Body by Vi 90 Day challenge will Begin:

August 26th, 2013

 

Here is my new Challenge Before:

 

3rd Challenge Starting Weight: 176

BMI: 25.3 (Over Weight Category)

Shirt Size Medium (8-10's)

Dress Pant Size 12's

 

My goals for this new challenge is to lose more belly fat and begin the toning process in my belly, buns, and arms.  My Goal Weight after losing AND building muscle weight tone is 150.  The average weight range for my height is 139 -173.  According to MY specific body frame 150 is the perfect size to aim for as far as final results.  I am not going to push for final results in this challenge however I am at the point where the progress will begin slowing down as I lose the rest of the fat and gain the muscle weight sliding into 150 pounds.  This challenge my goal is to make as much progress toward that goal as possible.

 

Here is HOW I have lost -61 pounds so far:

 

 

I am seriously rocking this Vi Challenge and I know if I can do it you can do it!  Check out my video on my page and let me know what your favorite part of the video is!!!!

 

 

Meredith's Body By Vi Webpage

 

 

~Meredith

Weight Loss and Diet Plan According to Web MD

Being a Numbers person and sitting around all day gives me time to calculate and look at numbers and charts!  You're thinking, "Oh yeah she's a ton of fun to be around!" Make fun all you want! :)- Once I get back up and running you can guarantee I'm making these numbers and goal my REALITY!  BOOYA!  Anyway if you would like your very own "Weight Loss and Diet Plan" from Web MD click My Web MD Personal Weight Loss and Diet Plan

Enjoy!

~Meredith

Do It Today Or Regret It Tomorrow

This has been the hardest week of my life in the fitness department.  I have worked out every day with 1 or 2 days off a week since January.  Sometimes more... As you read on my last post I've had some serious kidney issues.  From talking to Dr UA about the plan for getting to the bottom of this I was SUPPOSED to have had surgery last Friday.  The way Friday actually happened was... I called first thing at 8am as instructed it was later that afternoon when I finally heard back from the doctors office.  They scheduled my RIRS Surgery for Tuesday morning. (Retrograd Intrarenal Surgery)

  They instructed me to completely get off all my medications except Tylenol for pain... all including vitamins etc.  What blows my mind is how they expected me to sit here in pain for 5 days while I wait for them to do anything about it?  I was NOT impressed at all!  What's awful is my company I work for is partnered with a new group of Urologists and I am seeing ONE OF THEM!  We even established that we worked for the same people at my visit!  You would think they would be a little more timely with getting things done.  A: I'm in excruciating pain and B: I work under the same umbrella they do so ahhh DUH I am missing work and therefore I need to move this along to get BACK to work!  Rant done! 

 I am praying despite the timely issues this doctor is pristine in his line of work and does what he does well and will get to the bottom of this!  Sitting and doing NOTHING around my house and NOTHING outside of my house is about to drive me INSANE!  I can't hardly sit still when I'm feeling normal let alone now.  The only balance of sanity for me has been sleep and really good TV shows and movies to distract me for several hours at a time!  Yesterday I was so frustrated about everything as a whole I HAD to get AWAY for an hour or two!  So I showered and slowly made my way to Target and pushed a cart around Target for an hour looking at everything.  It was very slow going but toward the end pain and nausea was so bad I found myself almost doubled over in Target.  I took some deep breathes checked out and headed straight home.  I felt better having gotten out of the house but I was so glad to have gotten home and back on the couch with my heating pad.  

I am looking forward to Tuesday to get to the bottom of this so I can move on.  I'm ready to get back to normal life work, gym, kids, house..the whole thing! During the time I've been sitting out I've been thinking of different ways to tackle getting my stomach toned.  I came up with a new work out routine I am gonna try when I get back to the gym so hopefully between now and the end of the year I will get closer to my goal weight and start seeing some stomach results.  I've got several different tactics I am going to try but you can bet I am ready to give them all a go and see some results!  Despite the doing nothing for 7 days straight I did weigh this week just because here are the results:

Week Ending Weight loss: -1.2 #'s

Total Weight-Loss to date: -59.2 #'s

Current Pant Size: 12's

current Top Size: Medium

I have several more days before I will have finished my Second Vi Salus Body by Vi 90 Day Weight-loss Challenge!  Once I get through these last few shakes I will have my final results to post for this coming up Challenge Ending.  **Exciting** Stay Tuned!

~Meredith

The Stronger You Are the Better You Feel



This beautiful cool Sunday I got up at 6:30am and left by 7am for an hour run and it was severely needed!  I missed more days than usual working out this last week and the quality of my work outs weren't the normal.  It was such a bad bad bad week and with all that's going on in my life right now I'm just physically and mentally drained.  So this morning has been the most calm and relaxing morning I've had in a while just doing my normal thing.  I am ready to get back into my groove this week and see that scale move some more!

 

Week Ending total loss: 0

Total Weight Loss: -58

Current Weight: 179

 

There was no weight fluctuation this week which with all the stress and alcohol consumed over this last week I am thankful to not have Gained any weight!

 

Despite there was no weight loss to report I have other news of progress.

 

I previously mentioned my (new) pants I bought a couple months back were too big but I was still holding off buying any new ones; those were size 16's.  I am a tall women measuring in height at 5'10 therefore my legs are very long.  I have to wear longs in pants which can only be found in the more expensive stores.  One of my favorite places to purchase my dressy work pants is New York and Co. I am signed up to receive coupons there as well as several other places where I shop for my kids and myself. I got a coupon sent to me via email to buy 1 pair of pants or jeans and get 1 pair FREE!  The dress pants I buy there are priced at 49.99 a piece.  So to get 2 pairs you spend well over 100.00!  I only buy 1 pair at a time because it's so pricey.  As soon as I got that coupon I headed straight over there and purchased 1 pair and got a pair regularly priced at 49.99 for FREE!  Since I saved 50.00 bucks I splurged a little and bought some earrings which was also buy 1 get 1 half off!  So I got two new earrings to add to the mix. 

 

Now to the good part... As I was trying on clothes I went straight for the 14's thinking ok the 16's are way to big so I know I'm a 14.  I got in the dressing room and put the 14's on and they fell down on me.  SO I started getting nervous thinking to myself, "Ok am I between at 12 and 14 what if the 12's are too tight, crap I won't be able to buy any!" So I went and grabbed the first pair of size 12's which was a different style than the first ones I tried. They were a little snug in the butt/hips area but fit... so I went and grabbed the style I first tried in the size 12's and waaaaala! They fit! PERFECTLY!!!!!!! So I got two pairs of size 12 dress pants and my size 16 jeans of course are falling off.  But those will have to wait closer to the weather cooling off because if I drop another size before then I want to make sure I am not spending too much on clothes I won't be able to wear in a month or two. 

 

Here's the PROOF:

 

I am now officially down from a size 20 to a size 12 pant which brings a grand total of -5 dress pant sizes!  I am also as I previously mentioned down from a top Plus Size 1 to a medium size top!  As for the last change in this journey to report I paid last year for a plus size bathing suit.  Yesterday my husband and I went out with my sister and Brother in law to ride their wave runners at the lake and hang out for some adult time.  My bathing suit I got to swim laps in which was a plus size does not fit at all so therefore I had no bathing suit to wear.  I made a mad dash to Wally world to see if I could piece something together.  I found a pair of black water shorts and a tankini top in my size and wore a "two piece" swimming outfit for the first time in Y.E.A.R.S!!!!!!!!  My oh my how things have done a full flip since last year... Here's my tiny little sister and me... She is built very small and shorter in height at a height of 5'5 so seeing us next to each other as adults we both look closer to the same size visually than we have ever been in our adult lives!  Here's a pic to share...

 

My Twin (6 years apart) and I **insider**

 

I don't know if I ever will feel "small" or "skinny" no matter how much weight I lose and no matter how toned up I get.  I still at times feel like a "wale" except after an amazing work out! But it's still a shock for me the new clothing sizes how much easier it is to shop now and how I look twice at myself in the mirror or pictures.  I say to myself "Is that really me?"

 

 

~Meredith

 

 

The Most Important Progress is Felt Not Seen

It's been a while since my last post.  I believe I mentioned previously about my trip out of town last weekend.  Before I left I weighed two days early and was down another 1.4 pounds binging my total loss to -55.6 pounds.

 

On my mini weekend vacay I completely ditched my diet and exercise.  I used that time to get all the R&R I could.  I ate "normal foods" including pasta and Mexican food.  All high in carbs and not ideal for my diet and weight loss.  Ya know I did not care though!  I bust my butt all the time with no time to hardly sit on my own sofa at home anymore!  I noticed I was eating half of a regular portion  at meals though and It made me feel even then that I Over ate!  So I can tell from that temporary change in food how much my stomach and body has changed.  I probably would have still lost weight however I drank more adult beverages than usual and that I think was what worked against me.  I came home having gained FIVE pounds!  Yes FIVE!  So I got back to cracking on my shakes and exercising and voila; that extra 5 pounds gone in 3 days!  I have a feeling it was probably mostly water weight.  LOL  However I have been a little slower moving getting back into my exercise routine.. About 3 of the 5 work days last week were awful!  It was like one thing after the other was going wrong.  So one day I completely skipped the gym and opted to go to bed early that night.  So this week ending results are no change.  I've maintained my weight this week with no additional loss.  I expected that this week!

 

 

One of the big changes I have to report from the last time I blogged is.........

 

After shopping Thursday just over a week ago I tried on a size medium shirt; first time in YEARS!  To my surprise it fit although I didn't feel completely comfortable because it was a tiny bit snug in the places I like to have a little more room to move...BUT it fit non-the-less!  Bringing us to present day I went to Wal-Mart last night and found a ton of gym clothes on sale!  Shirts marked down to 5.96 a piece and 3.88 a piece. Yoga pant marked down to 12.88 a piece!  I defiantly hit the gym close jack pot!  So I started trying on the clothes I chose and now for the big news... The LARGE is TOO BIG!!!!!  The Mediums fit PERFECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The mediums were marked as sizes 8-10 in shirt sizes!  I felt like I was in high school all over again!  Literally I don't think I've been in a medium top completely comfortable since high school!  Before my discovery of the new shirt size my sister had commented earlier how my new top I was wearing (a large) looked way to big and I was swimming in it all day yesterday at my dad's house. By trying on clothes just confirmed that I am officially unable to wear size large in most tops now!  Medium top (size 8-10) fit so much nicer although still in size 14 pants which is still fantastic in my book!

I am sitting right at 181.4 and as I can see in my clothes my body is really shaping up nicely.  I don't think I'll ever feel 100% about my body just because I'm a girl and well...girls are just like that!  We notice every little thing about our body but to most of the general population and those closest to us they see a complete transformation after such a weight loss.  Don't get me wrong I love that people notice but I'm constantly reminding myself of all the work I still have left to do.  Once I lose all the fat weight which will make me my lightest in my adult life; I plan to have room for muscle weight gain when I'm focusing primarily on toning.  When that time does come I will cut my cardio down (still do it daily) but I will be working primarily on my arms, stomach, buns, and legs toning and shaping up.  Muscle weighs more than fat so when I am completely done shaping up I want to be right at my correct weight with my BMI exactly where it should be for my stats. (right amount of muscle vs fat at the correct weight)

I did my BMI just to see where I fell as of my current general BMI...


BMI FACTS:

The BMI formula is a simple combination of your height and weight, which is designed to provide valuable information concerning the health of an individual. The number determines whether or not you are at a healthy weight for your height or if you are overweight, obese or even underweight. There are different formulas that can be used, depending on whether or not you use the metric system for measurements.
The actual BMI formulas are:
BMI= how much you weigh in pounds x 703 ÷ square of how tall you are in inches
Or
BMI= how much you weigh in kilograms ÷ square of how tall you are in meters
Once you have your BMI percentage, you will need to see where you fall on the table. Underweight is considered to be a BMI below 18.5. Normal or healthy weight is 18.5 to 25 BMI. Overweight is 25 to 30. Obese is a BMI of over 30. Because both height and weight are taken into consideration, this is a much more reliable number for determining healthy weight ranges than simply weight alone.
What is the formula for calculating BMI? What does BMI even mean? BMI or the body mass index is an amount of fat that is in the body. If you need to loose weight or rather build up your muscle content and loose body fat, then your BMI will let you know.

At the beginning of my weight loss journey I weighed 237..
Your BMI is: 34

You are in the SEVERELY UNDERWEIGHT weight range.

You are in the UNDERWEIGHT weight range.

You are in the NORMAL weight range.

You are in the OVERWEIGHT weight range.

You are in the MODERATELY OBESE weight range.

Goal Setting Recommendation: To move to the next weight range you need to weigh 208.4 pounds
to be in the OVERWEIGHT weight range.

Today -55.6 Pounds Later this is my current BMI:
Your BMI is: 26

You are in the SEVERELY UNDERWEIGHT weight range.

You are in the UNDERWEIGHT weight range.

You are in the NORMAL weight range.

You are in the OVERWEIGHT weight range.

Goal Setting Recommendation: To move to the next weight range you need to weigh 173.6 pounds to be in the NORMAL weight range.

 

As you can see in -7.4 more pounds I will no longer be considered over weight and fall into the "Normal/Healthy" BMI range!  Of course that puts me borderline normal so I will aim for the lower number BMI before I start adding muscle tone weight that way all the fat weight is gone.  I was considered Obese in January of this year and now only considered over weight almost in the normal/healthy range!  That to me makes me feel so good about where I am and knowing I can maintain the weight in between losses is a really good!

 

If you would like to calculate your BMI click Calculate My BMI

 

That's all for today!

 

~Meredith