Do they put crack in this stuff???

Lately water intake has SO not been a problem for me.  My aunt (during her visit for my bday) brought some Crystal Light packets with her.  We were talking about how drinking our recommended amount of water daily is a challenge for us.  She said that the Crystal Light packets have really helped her.  Now....I remember giving CL a whirl years ago, probably when I was a teenager and then again when I did WW 5 years ago.  And not only did I not like the flavor, but it left a horrible aftertaste PLUS I got headaches from the aspertame.  I also tried the Lipton Iced Tea packets when they first came out with the same outcome.  So....I wasn't tempted to try it again until after she left and the box was still there.  One day I was like...hmmm....lemme give it a try and poured it into my water bottle.  *shake shake shake*

The flavor was Raspberry Green Tea and I fell in love.  I could not believe how tasty it was.  Not overpowering, not too subtle, no bad aftertaste, no resulting headaches, and it didn't taste like DIET!  I mean I love it!  I immediately went to the store and bought 2 more boxes.  I was too scared to try another flavor until I was raving about it to a couple of my friends who said "Oh yeah....I like the _____  flavor, its really good."  I started thinking....did everyone know about the "new" Crystal Light except me???  Yes, I am convinced it is a new CL, because I would have remembered anything that tastes this good!  I found it for $1.97 at Wal-Mart and went CRAZY!!!!   My favorites are the Fruit Punch and Peach/Raspberry Green Teas.  Even the Wal-Mart brand isn't bad, and it only costs $1.50/box!  I throw a couple in my purse for when I'm out and craving a DRINK....not just plain water.  I've even given a packet or two to my classmates at lunch and they love it also.  I realized I was drinking it so much that I had to make an effort to make sure that I have some regular unenhanced water as well, however.....

I do think I am addicted.  I haven't had anything to drink other than CL and plain water in weeks!!!  And regular juice or soda couldn't look less appealing to me at the moment! It can't be that good, can it?  Do they put crack in this stuff?  Who knows, but until I start seeing a negative effect on my body....I'm a Crystal Light girl forEVER! 

Personal Challenge & Family Successes

This week I am challenging myself to consume 64 oz of water per day.  My "normal" previous goal (which I've met) was to consume at least 32 oz, but ideally 48 oz.  I drank 64 oz yesterday and felt much less dehydrated than I normally do, even with the 32 or 48 oz.  Plus I am really  noticing my skin clearing up!  YAY!

About my family - as I've noted in the "about me" section, we have a fat gene.  To be honest....I don't know if we are genetically predisposed to being overweight or if we just have a family legacy of the women being overweight, but in any event, my family (particularly the women) struggle with weight issues.  However, within the last 6-8 months, we have had so much success as a FAMILY with weight loss!!!

• Cousin #1 - male, 26 years old. thin during childhood and early adulthood, began gaining weight after college, marriage and 3 kids.  Lost approximately 30 lbs to get into shape.  Motivation:  admission into the armed forces.  Method:  drinking more water, working out 5x per week, and simply "watching what he eats"
• Cousin #2 - female, 32 years old.  3 children.  Thin until pregnancies...gained at least 100 lbs after all 3 kids.  Going through an very painful divorce...depression jumpstarted weight loss.  However, she then began working out and watching what she ate.  Weight lost:  unknown, but she is looking really good!
• Uncle R:  overweight as a child & adult.  Recent health problems:  COPD (severe) & rheumatoid arthritis.  Began the Fat Smash Diet with me.  Is doing extremely well despite being unable to exercise (recommendation of his doctor was to ONLY walk and very low intensity due to blood clot complications...however his arthritis prevents him from being able to do so).  He has never been able to successfully lose a significant amount of weight.  Weight lost:  about 15-20 lbs.
• Cousin #3 - female 36, single, no kids.  Struggled with weight problems since childhood.  Got progressively worse as an adult.  Has had coronary blockage, referred chest pain (similar to what happens during a heart attack) and was scheduled for gastric bypass/banding surgery.  We spoke - she was going to try to lose it on her own.  She has lost 25 lbs and decided to cancel the surgery!!!!!  Working out regularly, watching what she eats, being patient...
• Brother:  31 years old, single, no kids.  Never really had a weight problem, maybe just a few extra pounds to lose at certain points in life.  VERY skinny as a child/teen.  Went through a bad breakup, depressed and lost 7 lbs without trying.  Decided to keep going...has lost 1 lbs total which was his goal.  Methods:  cut out all "extra" sugar from his diet, stopped eating out, drank nothing but water.
• Father:  thin as a teen/young adult.  Gained weight after having kids and kept going.  Chronical yo-yo dieter.  Decided to do exactly what my brother did.  Has lost a little weight so far.  I actually doubt that he even plans to keep it off...but he's happy with being able to lose it.
• Grandmother:  79, lives with Uncle, so she's been losing by default!  LOL.  She's lost 7 lbs so far!  She also works the front desk at our local community fitness center/gym so she rides the recumbent bike a few times per week.  Sidenote:  my granny is a huge source of inspiration for me.  She still WORKS, DRIVES, and lives on her own!  (my uncle is staying with her, not the other way around)
• I have a few more, but you get the picture.  We are also doing a family weight challenge (which I initiated) from Feb 1st to June 1st.  We teamed up and reported our combined weights.  The team that loses a) the most amount of pounds and b) the highest percentage of weight loss will win prize money.  My uncle and I are on a team together....I have high hopes we will win! 

I am so ecstatic about all of this.  There are a few people that haven't jumped on the bandwagon, but I am SO HAPPY that we are changing our family legacy!!!  I think we should be featured on Oprah!  LOL.

So...yesterday I did indeed go for a walk in the park and I took my jump rope with me.  Walked for a bit, did 75 jumps.  By the 2nd lap around the park, I was up to 100 jumps per break.  And I felt so extremely accomplished.  I will do the same today...already changed out of my church clothes.  Let me just say that I am loving the fact that I am actually enjoying my workouts!!!