Even more honest than my picture and weight on mile 6

Hey there! I know it has been a while since my last post. I have been traveling a lot with the kids and spending time doing fun activities with the family.

For a product update: One of my best friends came in town with her older two children and we spent the day at the water park. I got really red on my shoulders and on my left side, burnt! I covered my shoulders with ItWorks Defining Gel and was very pleased with the results. After just eight hours, It looked like a great tan. The left side was barley red anymore. Also, I didn't peel!

When I started taking ItWorks HSN (hair, skin and nails) my nails were terrible. they were split and damaged. After a month on HSN, my nails are long, strong and healthy!

Now for honesty time!

When my family moved to Memphis, Ben told me that his new job would have him traveling 40% more. What I didn't know what that his travels would have him in other countries with an eight hour time difference. That difference would mean that he and I could FaceTime around 12 noon and that was it. Because the kids were at school, they would not be able to talk to him. That took a toll on the kids and myself. There really is something about just knowing your spouse is there in the evenings. Even if they aren't the take over kid duties type of spouse. Knowing you're not alone is a big relief!

I began taking my frustrations and stress out on the kids. I am loud! I always have been. When getting on to the kids, I always did it in a manner that didn't sound pleasant. The difference is that now what was coming out of my mouth also matched the tone I have always had. I never used bad language or said outwardly mean things to them, but I was snarky and ugly. I remember the night I decided it was time to figure out a way to change the way I was acting. I was trying to get the kids in the car so we could go to dinner and Ben looked at me and said, "you need to calm down, you sound out of control but I know you're not." Inside my head I could hear myself yelling "yes I am! you have no idea how out of control I feel!"

To make a really long story shorter, I will share with you what I started doing differently.

* I wasn't quiet about it any more. I told My best friend, my mom, my mother-in-law and anyone else that would listen.

-They began to hold me accountable. Call and check on me and see how I was holding up. I found that knowing someone was going to call me and ask how my day was made me think twice before losing control.

* I started reading a book with my BF. It was titled She's Gonna Blow and the author compared moms to different volcanos. It was a great book.

- I didn't finish it but the first half was excellent!

* I began having my quiet time daily.

- It's amazing how out of sync you feel when you are not spending time with God!

For a while, all of those things really helped. But then came moving time. Ben was in Texarkana during the week only coming home on the weekends. I was trying to sell a house and buy a house at the same time. I was tired. ALL EXCUSES!!!

In December I went to see my Dr. I told her how I was feeling and she suggested I start taking something to help my calm down. She started me out on the generic of the lowest med and at the lowest dose. She said that because I had never been on mediation before, she didn't want to knock me out, but that I could up the dose if it was not strong enough. My BF said "you should have told her to start you at comatose and we could work our way backwards!" HA!! and TRUTH!!

It has been 7 months and things are completely different. Before, the kids would do something that was truly no big deal, and while my head would say "don't worry about it" my mouth would say
"what is wrong with you?!" Truth is, there was nothing wrong with them, they were being kids!! I called my BF (best friend) the other day and said, "I just had the strangest experience. I went outside and caught the kids doing something that was no big deal, but would have set the old me off! They looked at me with big eyes waiting for me to lose it. I laughed!" The situation was funny and then they laughed and that was it! Obviously I went into greater detail with her, but you get the point.

I have had the people closest to me tell me that they see a big difference and I love that. I did all of this for my kids! I didn't want them growing up hating me because I was a big ball of stress and didn't know how to handle it! I do plan on getting off the medication in December. I am going to begin taking ItWorks Confianza.

*Confianza is a naturally based supplement that increases your energy levels while reducing stress and fatigue. Its special blend of herbs was developed to provide a safe way to enhance your ability to cope with all forms of stress: physical, emotional, or environmental.

Confianza's proprietary blend of herbs includes many ingredients called adaptogens. Adaptogens are natural substances that work through the adrenal glands to produce adjustments in the body that help combat stress and increase your resistance to it. These ingredients in Confianza can help restore balance within your body, allowing you to better cope with the stresses in your life.

• Anti-stress formula
• Made with natural adaptogenic herbs
• Improves mental focus & concentration
• Helps the body cope with physical stress
• Provides energy and reduces fatigue
• Helps restore body balance

I have heard a lot of testimony from people who have far worse "problems" than yelling get off their medication and see huge improvements with Confianza.

I wrote the TRUTH about my issues hoping to let someone who might be dealing with the same type of thing know YOU ARE NOT ALONE!! That is the biggest thing I found out when I started being honest with other moms. The majority felt the same way I did. If you need someone to call you and hold you accountable just let me know!!

That is my long mile six story. See you on mile 7!

Kristen Carothers

Thickening up on mile 5 (the bad way!)

Hey y'all!

I hope y'all are having a great beginning of your week! I hope y'all have been able to find time to get outside for a walk/run. Maybe you have been to the gym or played wii fit. Anything to get your body in motion! Like a spontaneous dance party in your living room with the kids!!

When I started this blog I wrote that y'all would know my weight (142), share in my VICTORIES and know my setbacks! Well...I would consider Dinsey a setback! We had a great time making memories, but this was our schedule: EAT, rides, EAT, shows, EAT, rides, EAT, more rides and EAT...REPEAT! I ate pretty healthy. Few carbs lots of fish and veggies. But I gained two pounds.

I hated being away from Jazzercise for 12 days. Yesterday was my first class back and it felt so good to get moving again!! I plan on getting back on track in no time! Now I just have to have a food detox! With the delux dining plan at Disney, my body got used to eating all the time. I have to condition it back to three small meals and snacks. Wish me luck!

I will see you on a slimmer mile 6!

Kristen

Thickening up on mile 4!

Hey y'all! I realize that this title goes against everything that I'm working towards, but in this case,  I'm really pleased!

I have always had thin hair. I have always had to put lots of product in it to get any kind of body. I also have really oily hair, so I have to wash it constantly. I have been taking It Works! HSN (hair skin and nails) for two weeks today. You can see from the picture that my hair looks so much fuller! 

These pictures were taken first thing in the morning with oily unclean hair. The angle and length look different because my husband took the first picture and my three year old took the second!

Can you believe this is only 2 weeks! Can't wait to see it after the recommended two months!

See you on mile 5!

Remember...get out and do something! I have been jumping on the trampoline with the kids in the afternoon. I feel like a kid again! Minus the constant need to pee!! ;) 

Kristen 

Wrapping up mile three!

Hey y'all!

Mile three has been a wait and see kind of mile. I have continued to Jazz at least 5 times a week. I have had great eating days and not so great eating days. For me, what I eat plays a big role in how I look. I hate that because I work out really hard. I can't even splurge on a bag of chips at the grocery because I have no will power! If it's not in the house, I don't think about it. If it is in the house, I feel like the quicker I eat it, the sooner it will be out of the house. This mind set equals eating to much of the wrong things!

SO...I just try not to buy the wrong foods. This week we had a lot of fresh fruit. It is so good and when you have a husband that will cut it up for you, it taste even better!

This week I started taking two It Works Products.
Greens:

Not eating all of the fruits and veggies that you should? Feeling sluggish and off balance? Want more energy to get through your day? Help detoxify, alkalize and energize your body with every glass of Greens, now with an even better pH-balancing blend that includes an acidity-fighting combination of magnesium and potassium for even more alkalizing properties.  The added probiotic support helps you better maintain that healthy balance by keeping your digestive system regular and toxins flowing out.

 With 8+ servings of fruits and vegetables and a blend of 38 herbs and nutrient-rich superfoods, Greens provides naturally occurring, bioavailable vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients, and enzymes to give your already well-balanced diet a nutritional boost. 

It’s maximum support for your best health, all in a new delicious berry flavor.

• Detoxify, alkalize, and promote pH balance within the body
• Acidity-fighting magnesium and potassium blend
• Cutting-edge probiotic support for digestive health
• 38 herbs and nutrient-rich superfoods
• 8+ servings of fruits and vegetables in every scoop
• Free radical-fighting antioxidants

Hair Skin and Nails:

Be a more radiant, youthful looking you with support for stronger nails, softer and smoother skin, and shine-worthy hair!  With essential vitamins, minerals, and plant-based nutrients, Hair Skin Nails enhances your own natural collagen and keratin production, supports healthy cell growth, and boosts your body’s free radical fighting defenses.  It’s optimal nourishment to look your beautiful best from the inside out!

·         Boosts your natural collagen and keratin production

·         Supports the body’s defenses against free radical damage

·         Moisturizes while enhancing skin’s elasticity and flexibility

·         Promotes healthy cell growth, strength, and shine

I also tried my first Wrap:

Expect "ultimate" results with this amazing 45-minute body Applicator! The Ultimate Body Applicator is a non-woven cloth wrap that has been infused with a powerful, botanically-basedformula to deliver maximum tightening, toning, and firming results where applied to the skin.

• Tightens, tones, & firms
• Minimizes cellulite appearance
• Improves skin texture & tightness
• Mess-free and simple to use
• Results in as little as 45 minutes
• Progressive results over 72 hours
• Made with natural ingredients

Here are my results

I definitely feel like my skin looks tighter and firmer. The first picture is before my wrap and the second was taken 72 hours later.

There has only been a week or so between the second and third picture, but I just want to keep up with the progress.

See you soon for my fourth mile!

Kristen

Mile Two! Slimming down with JAZZ!

Ok, so mile one was tough! When those pictures were taken, I was 20lbs to heavy. It's not easy putting up pictures of myself and being so vulnerable. My purpose in doing so is to show you and myself that THAT picture was the END and the BEGINNING. The end of the old me and the beginning of the fit me!!

I mentioned in my first post that I have begun a journey with It Works Global. This company sells products that I believe in. I am doing this blog so that you can follow along with me as I use the products and track what will hopefully be successful progress. Like most health products, it is a give and take. The product can't just give and you take. The results will be better and will be permanent if you do your part. You have to drink water!! Lots of it. At least half your weight. This will be easy for me because I do that anyway!! It also helps if you are active in some way. Walking, biking, running, going to the gym. For me, it's Jazzercise!

JAZZERCISE!! I cannot tell you enough how life changing it has been. I go to at least 5 classes a week. Jazzersice has been around for 40+ years. And let me tell you, "this ain't your mother's work out!" It is one of the few workouts that combine cardio and strength in a one hour. Before my first class I felt like I needed to buy a thong leotard, leggings, high tops and a braided head band! I couldn't have been more wrong. We have a blast, and the results show for themselves.

These pictures were taken two months after my first ones. The difference? I got a haircut, a tan and I lost 6 1/2 lbs. Inches in my arms, thighs, butt and stomach! All from JAZZ!

140lbs! I still have a ways to go, but I am well on my way! Mile three will be pictures of me using my It Works products. Thanks for coming along with me on this journey!

Kristen

This is Where it Will all Begin!

Hey! I'm Kristen Carothers, a 32 year old wife and mother of 3. Thank you for checking out my blog. This blog will be dedicated to my personal journey to getting fit. Here are some quick facts about my body.

*Sporty (I played soccer from the age of 3 through college)
*Short (I am only 5'3)
*Looks better with clothes (I appear smaller with clothes than I do in a bathing suit)
*Abs were my best asset (until baby number 2)
*Tight bottom (until I broke my leg in college)

Like most women, my body changed when I became less active, hit 30 and had babies. I know there are super women out there who look amazing no matter age, exercise habits or number of kids. A lot of my friends look that way! However, that is not how my body works and thus my journey to fit!!

On this blog I am going to be real. You will know my weight, my struggles and hopefully my VICTORIES!! I will post pictures. These will be honest before and afters without touchups or change.

SOOO...why? I am also starting another journey with It Works Global. You know...that crazy wrap thing!!! However, it is so much more than wraps.

I would love for you to follow me as I begin to use these products and hope that you will be inspired. Inspired to...get off the couch, run the 5k 10k half or full this year, get to the gym, eat healthier, anything!! I just hope to inspire you to make a positive change in your life!

Here it is!!!! My before picture :0 I had not exercised in 6+ months, had gone out to dinner for almost three weeks straight and was in the middle of moving from TN to TX.

Weight:146lbs
What a great first mile! See you on mile 2!

Kristen