Day Five...

Hey All,

Today was a very good day. Got up ready to hit it. Did the Ultimate Circuit Class, went back up and down the Eiffel Tower, Did Water Resistance class, taught my new friends to play Wii, lunch was a chicken cesaer wrap w/ tomato soup. Another class was exercise physiology, I learned a lot in this class. Did another exercise class called Roll It Out. I will do this at home for sure, great stretching exercise. Had some therapy with some new friends/ very helpful to hear others stories. I can't tell you enough about this place, H3 is an amazing place. The program is so individualized. I have not mentioned they don't let us weigh until the day we leave. I can already tell I've lost weight. I feel better than I've felt in years! I am so blessed to have this opportunity, I can't even express the gratitude I have for my Parents and Jenna for supporting me on this journey. I love you all so much. Dinners on Friday nights are what they call Gourmet dinners. 4 courses, it was fantastic! Rack of lamb, couscous with field greens, wrapped zucchini with goat cheese and tira misu. They say you need one day of increased calories to boost your metabolism. It was a nice treat for sure. The I sat with my new friend France, from France. She reminds me of a mixture of my mom and my granny. I could just steal her away and bring her to Texas with me. SO Awesome. She and her daughter Cybella are here and have become quick friends I hope to know for the rest of my life. She has given me an open invitation to her house in the South of France, whenever I want. I hope to take her up on this one day. Cybella is coming to Houston for work in September, I hope we get to hang out together. She wants to see the Ranch in LG. It's good stuff here. I can't believe I have three more weeks here.

The changes that have already occurred are amazing.

Much Love,

Shanna

PS

I have been asked for recipes, one of the best desserts I've had is listed below.

PEANUT BUTTER MOUSSE

INGREDIENTS:

8 oz. fat free cream cheese

1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (you may substitute melted chocolate)

16 oz. sugar free, non-dairy whipped topping

1cup skim milk

PREPARATION:

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In a mixing bowl, mix cream cheese, sugar and peanut butter (or melted chocolate

•

Slowly add milk and beat at medium speed until smooth.

•

Fold in thawed whipped topping

•

Freeze and scoop as you would ice cream or

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Spoon 1 1/2 cups into a serving glass or dish

Number of servings: 16

Serving Size: 3/4 cup

Calories: 80

Fat grams: 1.5

Day Four...

I am gonna make this quick. I'm tired and ready to go to bed.

The day was good, I climbed the Sears Tower up and down.

over 4800 steps. Then did low impact aerobics and rode the stationary bike.

Lunch was salmon with a dill sauce, fingerling potato's . Classes were

Just say No and the other was Portion Control I will have to

talk more about that later. Crazy some of the labels have 4

servings for a muffin at 700 calories. Do you really want a small

muffin for 700 calories? You could have a really big breakfast for that.

Soda's, don't get me started. Working on school stuff.

Much Love,

Shanna

Day Three..

Hey All,

Things went very well today. Started at breakfast; Oatmeal, Egg Beaters and two pieces of turkey bacon. Then did a shoe fitting. A foot Dr. came in and analysed our feet and our walk. It was cool but nothing I didn't already know. Then I went to my first class, I did Tai Chi, it is so not as easy as it looks. But i liked it a lot! Will continue to learn along the way. Then Metabo meal, carrots, celery and ff blue cheese. Did I say water? Water is in my hand all day...Then first class was named Stress Eating. It was a good class too. I am learning to connect the reason I might binge eat. Sad, mad, glad and any other emotion I might want to stuff in with food. Lunch time; had a huge scallop and mussel salad, with this Fantastic dessert made with ff cream cheese and peanut butter in a phyllo cup, 35 calories. I will bring this one home for sure. I am going to start taking pictures of lunch and dinner, the plates are served beautifully. Then off to climb the Sears Tower@2700 steps. Tomorrow I am going to go up and down the Eiffel Tower, that's 3500 steps round trip. Then I did the workout machine circuit. I hit it hard, it was good. Then my next class which was Craving Control, more about how to refocus when I get cravings for certain foods.(Thanks..Gold N Crisp in LG, I know a few of these pounds have come from you.) Then OMG...If anyone knows me, knows I don't dance too often or too well. I took Zumba a Latin Dance Class....Okay let me tell you I burned probably 500 calories in that class. Crazy stuff...Talk about shaking some A@@ I was... Fun and worthy...Then did some stretching and relaxation. Dinner was very good, Eggplant Rollantini, green beans and garlic bread and salad.

The day is over and I am tired, but feel great. This is an amazing experience and indeed a new beginning.

Much Love,

Shanna

Day Two...

Hello,

Day two was a success.

I woke up feeling well, no real soreness, which made me happy. Breakfast was oatmeal w/blueberries and fresh squeezed right in front of me orange juice. Thermal walk after breakfast, then got on the bike for 30 mins. First class of the day was "Ultimate Circuit" it was very good. You start in the Cardio Room(bike,treadmill and elliptical machine) then every two minutes you change to the Weight Room(all weight machines) for the Weight Machine portion. You do this for an hour. I liked it because it was fast. Get on a machine, give it hell and before you know it two minutes is up. Walk/Run across the hall and get a weight machine with the number on it. Then after that I had my first counseling session. This went well too. They took my blood when I got here and I got my results, all relatively normal. BP normal, cholesterol normal, triglycerides are on the high end of normal all in all I am healthy! We talked about what I wanted to accomplish here and I told him, I want to learn the lessons that they have to offer and take them home where I can continue the healthy transition. Next class was goal setting. I enjoyed Adam her is one of the Health/ Nutrition Staff. Nice guy. (Mike and Jo, he reminds me of Ken) Then lunch, pita with chicken salad w/ micro field greens and a chicken and rice soup.

After lunch is a Thermal Walk. They believe in walking just a bit (1 mile) after every meal. I actually liked it, the I went to Paris and climbed the Eiffel Tower. There is a machine here that is a recumbent stair master. On the machine it had a sign saying 1665 step to the top of The Eiffel Tower. I said what the hell let's see f I can do it. Yeah, I did it!!! Next class was "Exercise Prescription". What we need to do to continue to lose weight when we go home. 3 month and six months are the toughest. If you can be successful for 6 months you are 85% more likely to maintain your weight. Adam again. Then the next work-out was a machine circuit routine. I liked it too, but I hit it hard today. After this I was exhausted, came back to condo and slept through dinner. Woke up and ate some fruit I had here. They give us Metabo Meals three time a day. Keep the metabolism on an even keel. At home I would not think of snacks like this. New ah ha moment. I actually had several today. I already feel the difference. Can't imagine what I am gonna feel like on day 28, if this is only day 2.

Much Love,

Shanna

Day One...

Hey guys, it's been a hell of a day. I survived!

First, let me say the place is beautiful. I began my day at 7am for blood work. 7:30 breakfast 250 calories, oatmeal,pineapple,fritatta w/ goat cheese and coffee. Then off for what is called a Thermal walk. A quick mile outside on one of the many bike/waling paths they have. It's like a large gated community. I got lost coming back last night...so after the Thermal walk I did the "raising the bar" class, think 2009 Jane Fonda workout. Not too bad. Then right after that I did a "low impact" aerobics class . Then a snack. 100 calories. I had carrots and fat free blue cheese dressing. Then off for thermal walk. Next was the class on repairing self-esteem. Lunch was a turkey rueben and a salad and a veggie soup. 350 calories Next was another class on planning a healthy menu, that was cool. Then off to water aerobics "nautical noodle". Then cool down for dinner. Dinner was chicken Santa Fe with a squash mix and some green pea avocado mix Low fat guacamole and salad 350 calories. . Pretty good.. Then thermal walk and the day is over. I am tired but I feel pretty good. We will see if I can walk tomorrow. So far so good.

Much Love,

Shanna

Nervous, but excited....

On My way to South Carolina. Check in is at 4pm EST. I'm feeling very nervous and excited. Up and dressed with my game face on. Mom, I have make-up on. I will blog tonight. Hopefully with pictures of H3. OMG...I am really nervous... Wish me luck...

Pay it forward,

Shanna

Driving...

Hey guys,

I am getting ready to leave the hotel for the next leg of my tour of the southern states.

The drive went well yesterday, made great time. Hoping to make it to Georgia today.

Doing some school work then, I'm off to Georgia.

Pay it forward today,

Shanna

Off and Running!!!!

Here I go!

I will be on the road for he next two days. Wish me Luck and Safety!

Will blog as I get a chance, which I hope to be daily.

Holla!

Shanna

The Night Before...

This is for those of you that know me now and especially those that have known me my whole life.

To you guys, I love you and thanks for loving me for me. I have struggled my entire life with my weight. I have always been happy go lucky and usually the "life of the party". As I have gotten older the pounds just kept adding on and I watched myself gain weight and did nothing to save myself. I have lost and gained hundreds of pounds in my life. The struggle has always been to lose it and keep it off. My momma once told me I was born with a "fat soul" and she gave it to me, this is very true. In our house food was and still is Love. We eat to celebrate , we eat to mourn, we eat to reward. All my life, food has been such an integral part of who I had become. I love food, I love to cook food, serve food to my many wonderful friends and family throughout the years(I had to put the culinary degree to use somehow). So, now here I am the heaviest I have ever been and I have found that my "fat soul" is killing me, in more ways than one. My parents have been the biggest supporters of me, I cannot tell them thank you enough, but I will try and make them proud.

I am leaving in the morning, to go to a weight loss resort. Some people call them "Fat Farms"! Don't like the term but hey, what are you gonna do. Unfortunately, some people do judge the book by the cover, shame on them. So my New Journey begins tomorrow. I will be checking in on Sunday and will stay 28 days. I anticipate an attitude adjustment where food and exercise are concerned and so much more. I will be going to the beautiful state of South Carolina. I have never been, but I have heard it is beautiful. So, if I'm gonna have to literally work my ass off might as well do it somewhere beautiful. In a way this blog will be my way of sharing my experience with those that may be struggling with their own weight or just want some tips that I will be learning and passing on. Pay it forward, I say! Help someone change today, but change starts within first. "An empty vessel has none to give"

I am looking forward to sharing my journey with you all. I hope the message is clear. I am changing my life and it begins today. Won't you share the journey with me??? It's gonna be a long one!

P.S. The "Before" picture is really scary. But, I do look forward to the "After" picture much more.

Much Love,

Shanna

test from cellphone...

Test Run..

Hello,

This is a test.