If that's not the answer, what is?

I thought I had all the answers.  I used to work for a gym and have been relatively healthy for at least half of my life, so of course I'd know what to do.  Plus, there's a ton of information out there.  I'm intelligent.  I should be able to figure this out.  But, after 5 months of working out at the gym for up to 2 hours a day, 5-6 days a week, for 5 friggin months, the scale looked basically the same.  My body had made only minute changes.  I have to admit, the working out helped my stress level tremendously but what I really wanted were significant results in my overall fitness level and in the way my body looked.  I was able to drop down from a 10 into an 8 but not by much LOL.

Anyway, I guess the issue has been that I've never really been healthy.  When I was younger, my metabolism was just a lot faster so I burned off all the crap I was eating.  It really is about balance especially as we get older.  Fitness + good nutrition = better overall health.

I guess me and my friends have tried it all - colon cleanses, working out, fad diets including the cabbage diets and lemon/cayenne pepper diet, lap bands, gastric bypass and tummy tucks.  We've all tried a number of different things and I can say that nothing has really worked.  Some of my friends have lost weight but none of us are anywhere near where we want to be despite the extremes that some of us have gone.  Year after year, the struggle just continues.

What to do?

A friend of mine just introduced me to the Body by Vi program.  I've heard of it but had never been over to the website.  Decided to check it out today.  I was quite surprised at what I found.  The program seems to be built around drinking a healthy shake twice a day supplemented by "healthy meals" and working out.   Although there's a plan, there's no specifics involved.  It says workout - cardio this day, upper body that day.  This has clearly worked for some but I wonder how long they can keep up the shake twice a day plan.   Ok, I see it now - after the 90 day challenge, they suggest backing down to 1 shake a day combined with healthy meals.   I also just read their blog and one of the comments was from a college student who couldn't afford to continue buying the shakes, she was going to start just eating healthy and was hoping that would work.  Wow - hoping?  If that was already part of the plan, she would know whether or not it would work.  This is definitely not a program for me.  I clearly need structure and don't want to get too dependent on meal supplements.  I want to focus more on healthy eating habits for life.

Like I keep saying, research, research and research some more.  Maybe believe Dr. Oz (supporting Tony Horton) and the results of Beachbody.  Maybe not.  I can only say this - success in life comes from balance and a plan.  For ME, the more specific the plan, the better I operate.

‎"Just when the Caterpillar thought the world was over, It became a butterfly. Don't you dare give up!"

-The Best You