I joined BobHarper.com!

Yesterday I joined and I am so excited! I watched what I could. I have worked out yesterday and today. I am so tired. It's bedtime!

I am officially taking DONATIONS!!

Yesterday I was contacted by one of the main Casting Directors for The Biggest Loser by direct message on twitter. She said that she wanted me to get to a casting call because she had  "noticed u on twitter!"

I am SO excited and REALLY motivated.

Here's where you come in. I need your help to raise the money to get to the San Diego casting call. It takes place on July 21, 2012.
PLEASE donate whatever you can, EVERY PENNY COUNTS!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. If you have ANY questions, please comment and I will answer all of them.

If you are interested in donating to me, please leave a comment and we can set something up!

-Carissa Johnson

Bob Harpers beginner weight loss video kicked my beginner butt!

Last night I brought home Bobs excersise DVD for beginners, and oh em gee! I was nice and sweaty by the end of the 45 minute workout. I slept like a log and woke up refreshed and ready to tackle the day! I am on my way to Walmart to restock on some essentials and restock my fridge with some produce, Bob style.
More to come! Stay tuned. :D

MyFitnessPal App Info.

If you use the App called  MyFitnessPal please add me! My User name is, carissavirlea. Thanks!

One is better then none!

This week I am a total of 31 pounds down! That is one more pound then my last weight-in/check-in. Everyday I am changing. My thought process about food has made a total 180, and my focus is on fuel for the body. Lately I have been consuming meal replacement drink recipes that I blend myself. Most of the time there is kale and/or spinach in the smoothie, adding some powerful nutrition! It's amazing because you really can't even taste the greens in it.
My sugar cravings are making themselves less and less invasive in my daily thoughts, then again I would really like to find a low calorie sugar free cupcake recipe!
Yesterday I went out in my new yard and started to plant my garden, again. I have recently moved and that is my my posts have been random and far between.

As you know, I have been reading Bob Harper's new book, The Skinny Rules. I want to post my thoughts about some of the rules, while still respecting the guru, Bob.

Rule #2: Don't drink your calories.


Bob says that you shouldn't drink your calories, and I mostly agree with this rule. No soda. No fruit drinks. Nothing but water and unsweetened coffee.

I 100% agree with no soda and juice because of all the sugar content. The part of this rule I have a problem with is the bland coffee. I love my coffee in the mornings and I totally have switched to sugar-free coffee creamer or even just some non fat milk and cinnamon with some Stevia to sweeten. I understand that a lot of sweeteners like Equal, Splenda and sweet n' low are not recommended by almost all fitness professionals, but stevia is so much DIFFERENT! It is made from the root of a stevia plant and sweetens just enough to take the bitter away. Ugh, coffee is my liquid weakness. I'll admit it. Bob says that HE would much rather be eating every last one of this calories, but the good thing is, I am willing my eat a few less calories to be able to have my daily Cup O' Joe. Maybe someday I will be able to drink it bland, but for now, I will just stick to the good stuff, in moderation of course!

I hope that you do buy this book, because it has really changed my life and it is just simply amazing :D

I burned over 1000 calories today!

So today I went to the gym, and there was something in me that just said "go hard or go home" (I think it was Bob's mean green meal replacement drink!). And that is exactly what I did. I used 5 machines and burned over 1000 calories! I am very proud of that number.

The Skinny Rules, by Bob Harper: Rule #1.

I got Bobs new book (#1 best selling NYT), The Skinny Rules about two weeks ago. I love it! Seriously, these "Non Negotiable" rules are the tools I have been using to help me on this journey.

Rule #1, Drink a large glass of water before every meal, no excuses.

Bob says to have a large glass of water on your night stand at night and drink it within 15 mins of waking up. For some reason this seems to be the hardest rule for me, so far!
Oh well! I'll get used to it eventually. Change is hard, but it's worth it. I am worth it! We are worth it!

More rules, and thoughts on them to come! Stay tuned!

SMOOTHIE TIME! My very own amazing recipes .

SO recently I recieved my SIGNED copy of Bob Harper's new book, The Skinny Rules. I have been reading it every evening, and I LOVE IT. A few days ago, I bought a blender. For a mid day boost and meal replacement, I have had real fruit smoothies, with vanilla almond milk, banana and/or Greek yogurt to sweeten it and make it creamy.
 Each recipe is about two servings because I have been making my husband drink them with me and he LOVES them! If you don't have someone to share the epic goodness with, just save it for another serving later! If you want to make it more of a dessert type of thing, add a dollop of fat free whipped cream on top! By using "no sugar added" frozen fruit, you get the same nutrition, and you eliminate the need to to use ice in the smoothie!! Bob Harper approved! Blend on high and YUM!

When I need a protein boost in the middle of the day I also add one scoop of "Jillian Michael's Vanilla Whey Protein Powder" to any of these. Here are a few recipe combos I have tried, enjoy!
 

The dark and creamy berry smoothie

1 c. Frozen Blueberries

1 c. Frozen Strawberries

half of a banana

1 c. Vanilla almond milk 

1/2 c. Water

Mango & Strawberry MADNESS

1/4 c. EACH  pineapple, and peach

1 c. Mango (frozen)

1 c. Frozen Strawberries

half of a banana

1/2 cup Oikos Vanilla Greek yogurt

1 c. Water

Strawberry Banana Simplicity

1 1/2 c. Frozen Strawberries

1 Whole banana

1 c. Vanilla almond milk

1/2 c. Water

Let me know how they were on the comments! Thanks for reading. 

- Carissa <3

So, I have been weighing myself every day or so (Bob says to weigh yourself often!), and I have been tracking my calories in and my calories out. I have for the most part been being good at doing what I need to do. Well this week was much different. I haven't been recording my calories, and I know I have been over eating. I started moving to a different place, and it has been a hard week on my weight loss plan. This week I have gained about 5 lbs. I am not proud of this, but it isn't the end of the world, AND in no wary is this a set back. I still feel like I am more on track with my life then I have ever been. I FEEL GOOD! That's something I rarely say. I have changed my way of eating, my way of thinking, and my ways of being lazy. Let me tell you, it has payed off. And I feel like I can ACTUALLY DO THIS! This time is so much different. I don't buy the same things I used to. I don't cook with a ton of oils and butters any more. My way of thinking about food has changed ALMOST completely. I still struggle with wanting something sweet at night. I think I am in for the long haul with this sugar addiction. It's actually harder to deal with then when I quit smoking ciggarettes. There is more of a craving, and harder to say no.
I believe in me, and I want to live.
Believe, trust, change.