Today is the second day that I've used the Bliss Go Pack as recommended (although I'm still only taking the one Bliss twice a day instead of two) and I really do feel like I have more energy. Yesterday afternoon, I did feel a little funny. Not jittery per se, but a little on edge. It may be because I also had a Dr. Pepper and you're really not supposed to have any caffeine with the pills, but old habits die hard.
Today, I had physical therapy for my knee, and I did more at therapy than I ever have. I actually walked without any assistance for the first time in four months. Of course, I don't attribute all of that to Bliss, but I do think it gave me more energy, which gave me the strength and courage to try. So I think that's a positive sign!
As to the sleeping, I am sleeping more deeply, I think. But I am still waking up pretty often. I am not as tired as I usually am, so I don't know if that's because I have more energy from the Bliss or because I'm sleeping better or both. I'm hoping the Opti will make me stay asleep longer during the night.
At this point, I'm starting to be impressed, but I'm not there yet. I did decide to go ahead and measure since I can't weigh. We'll see in a week if I have lost any inches (or fractions of inches!) For now, I will keep using the products and see how I feel.
Let me know in the comments if you have any questions!
Showing posts with label weight loss. Show all posts
Showing posts with label weight loss. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 2, 2016
Sunday, July 31, 2016
Bliss Go Pack Day 1
Today, I started using the Bliss Go Pack by 1st Phorm. While this is advertised as a weight loss supplement, that's not the only reason I wanted to try it. It is reported to boost energy, increase thyroid production, and help one sleep. All of these things sound good to me, so I decided to give it a try.
The Go Pack comes with three different products. The first one is simply called Bliss. The one I am taking is specifically formulated for women, but there is a version for men as well. The bottle says, "Boost metabolism, Avoid cravings, Balance mood and hormones." Since I have been diagnosed with a hormonal imbalance but don't take any medication, I thought this might be a good way to help keep those issues in check. You start off taking one pill twice a day and work up to two pills twice a day. It's five days on, two days off, which is interesting. I've taken a lot of weight loss supplements over the years, and I don't remember ever being told not to take any if them everyday. My plan is to take the supplements during the work week and not on the weekends when my schedule is usually thrown off. But since today is Sunday, I wanted to try them out before I had to drive to work after taking them, so I went ahead and took one Bliss and two Thyro-Drives (more on this in a minute) about three hours ago, just to make sure I wasn't going to have a reaction or get really sick, and so far no side effects. Neither product is supposed to cause jitters or racing heartbeat, which isn't always the case with supplements, and so far I have found this to be true. You are supposed to take them with a full bottle of water (16 ounces) which I did. I was able to get my complete workout in about an hour after I took them, which is great because lately I've been looking for excuses. While I don't feel jittery, I do feel different, like I have a little more energy than usual, which I think is a sign that it is doing something....
The second product I took today, Thyro-Drive, is supposed to, "Stimulate the thyroid, Intensify metabolism, Melt body fat." Am I skeptical? Of course. But I actually came across these products while looking for a non-prescription way of helping my thyroid. I was also diagnosed with a thyroid problem a few years ago, but I haven't taken medication for it in a long time. So hopefully, this will help with some of those issues.
The last product is called Opti-Core, and I tried this out Friday night. It's purpose is to, "Reduce cortisol levels, Optimize metabolism, Maximize fat loss." This you take before going to bed. The reviews I've read said that it really helps people rest well and wake up refreshed. This is super important to me because I do not sleep well. I know that this is likely due to my thyroid/hormone problems and the fact that I often have Restless Leg Syndrome (or at least symptoms thereof). It usually takes me a couple of hours to fall asleep, and I wake up every few hours. When I took this Friday, it still took me about an hour to fall asleep, and I woke up twice in ten hours (I slept in Saturday!) So, does it work as promised? Not sure yet. Like anything, I'm assuming you have to take it a few times to get the promised results--if it works at all.
I do not expect these products to be magic pills that make me suddenly a size six again; I see them only as helpful tools. Since I tore my ACL four months ago, my mobility is very limited. I still can't exercise like I want to. I can hardly walk at this point. But I need more energy so that I can do the things I need to do. I need as much sleep as I can get so that I can continue to heal properly, and so that I can do my job and still enjoy my family when I get home. If I feel an increase in energy and can get a better night's sleep, then I will feel like these products are working and are worth the cost. I honestly feel like $99 for all three products for one month, with free shipping, isn't a bad price compared to some of the other products I have tried. It's certainly cheaper than Slim4Life, which was the last program that actually worked for me. I know it might not be in everyone's budget, but it is cheaper than a fast food meal each day.
I am planning on riding my recumbent bike for 30 minutes each day and keeping my diet as clean as possible. 1st Phorm makes menu recommendations, and there is a calculator you can use to determine how many calories, fat grams, carbs, protein grams, etc. you should have each day. My plan is to stick to these recommendations as much as possible. I have a total of two hours in the car each day and a job where I may or may not get an actual lunchtime, so sometimes food is grab as you go. I'm hoping that the energy from these supplements will help me completely cut out caffeinated beverages, which will also cut out about 300 calories each day. It will also force me to drink more water, since you have to drink 16 ounces each time you take the pills--which is three times a day. Not super excited about the 16 ounces right before bedtime....
I'm not planning on weighing myself this first month for a couple of reasons. First of all, I'm scared to! And secondly, I couldn't step on the scale right now if I wanted to--too wobbly for my bum knee. Hopefully by the time I'm ready for month two (should there be a month two!) I will be willing and able to weigh myself and will be happy with the results.
Have you tried any of 1st Phorm's products? I'd love to hear from you. Feel free to leave a comment!
The Go Pack comes with three different products. The first one is simply called Bliss. The one I am taking is specifically formulated for women, but there is a version for men as well. The bottle says, "Boost metabolism, Avoid cravings, Balance mood and hormones." Since I have been diagnosed with a hormonal imbalance but don't take any medication, I thought this might be a good way to help keep those issues in check. You start off taking one pill twice a day and work up to two pills twice a day. It's five days on, two days off, which is interesting. I've taken a lot of weight loss supplements over the years, and I don't remember ever being told not to take any if them everyday. My plan is to take the supplements during the work week and not on the weekends when my schedule is usually thrown off. But since today is Sunday, I wanted to try them out before I had to drive to work after taking them, so I went ahead and took one Bliss and two Thyro-Drives (more on this in a minute) about three hours ago, just to make sure I wasn't going to have a reaction or get really sick, and so far no side effects. Neither product is supposed to cause jitters or racing heartbeat, which isn't always the case with supplements, and so far I have found this to be true. You are supposed to take them with a full bottle of water (16 ounces) which I did. I was able to get my complete workout in about an hour after I took them, which is great because lately I've been looking for excuses. While I don't feel jittery, I do feel different, like I have a little more energy than usual, which I think is a sign that it is doing something....
 |
| Bliss Go Pack for women by 1st Phorm |
The second product I took today, Thyro-Drive, is supposed to, "Stimulate the thyroid, Intensify metabolism, Melt body fat." Am I skeptical? Of course. But I actually came across these products while looking for a non-prescription way of helping my thyroid. I was also diagnosed with a thyroid problem a few years ago, but I haven't taken medication for it in a long time. So hopefully, this will help with some of those issues.
The last product is called Opti-Core, and I tried this out Friday night. It's purpose is to, "Reduce cortisol levels, Optimize metabolism, Maximize fat loss." This you take before going to bed. The reviews I've read said that it really helps people rest well and wake up refreshed. This is super important to me because I do not sleep well. I know that this is likely due to my thyroid/hormone problems and the fact that I often have Restless Leg Syndrome (or at least symptoms thereof). It usually takes me a couple of hours to fall asleep, and I wake up every few hours. When I took this Friday, it still took me about an hour to fall asleep, and I woke up twice in ten hours (I slept in Saturday!) So, does it work as promised? Not sure yet. Like anything, I'm assuming you have to take it a few times to get the promised results--if it works at all.
I do not expect these products to be magic pills that make me suddenly a size six again; I see them only as helpful tools. Since I tore my ACL four months ago, my mobility is very limited. I still can't exercise like I want to. I can hardly walk at this point. But I need more energy so that I can do the things I need to do. I need as much sleep as I can get so that I can continue to heal properly, and so that I can do my job and still enjoy my family when I get home. If I feel an increase in energy and can get a better night's sleep, then I will feel like these products are working and are worth the cost. I honestly feel like $99 for all three products for one month, with free shipping, isn't a bad price compared to some of the other products I have tried. It's certainly cheaper than Slim4Life, which was the last program that actually worked for me. I know it might not be in everyone's budget, but it is cheaper than a fast food meal each day.
I am planning on riding my recumbent bike for 30 minutes each day and keeping my diet as clean as possible. 1st Phorm makes menu recommendations, and there is a calculator you can use to determine how many calories, fat grams, carbs, protein grams, etc. you should have each day. My plan is to stick to these recommendations as much as possible. I have a total of two hours in the car each day and a job where I may or may not get an actual lunchtime, so sometimes food is grab as you go. I'm hoping that the energy from these supplements will help me completely cut out caffeinated beverages, which will also cut out about 300 calories each day. It will also force me to drink more water, since you have to drink 16 ounces each time you take the pills--which is three times a day. Not super excited about the 16 ounces right before bedtime....
I'm not planning on weighing myself this first month for a couple of reasons. First of all, I'm scared to! And secondly, I couldn't step on the scale right now if I wanted to--too wobbly for my bum knee. Hopefully by the time I'm ready for month two (should there be a month two!) I will be willing and able to weigh myself and will be happy with the results.
Have you tried any of 1st Phorm's products? I'd love to hear from you. Feel free to leave a comment!
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Oh, So the Thyroid is an Important Body Part, Eh?
I had my two month follow-up at Balanced Hormones and Health this week and found out that I also have hypothyroidism and a goiter. Whenever I hear the word goiter, I immediately think of an episode of Seinfeld when the gang signs up to visit elderly people in their homes and one of the ladies has a goiter the "size of a football." I don't think mine is that big but it is annoying and I have to get an ultrasound done to see exactly what is going on.
I have done a lot of research on the thyroid this week and I found out a lot of interesting information. It turns out a lot of people have undiagnosed or misdiagnosed thyroid problems because most doctors just look at one of the numbers that come back with the blood tests. My doctor also looked at my T3 level and she said it indicates a problem. She put me on Armour Thyroid, which is made from pig thyroid, apparently, and it has been very successful in treating patients with similar symptoms as mine. She said she wanted to treat my symptoms, not my paperwork, which I appreciate.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism include: gaining weight or inability to lose weight (check), constipation (check) fatigue (check) brittle hair (sort of check) dry skin (check) and can also include various other things that are different from one person to the next. These are the things I really wanted help with, especially the weight and the fatigue so I was more than happy to start taking the medication. On a side note, she also gave my nystatin for candida, which, if you've read my other posts, you know is something I'm also combating.
So, essentially in the last few months I have found out I have a hormonal imbalance, a lazy thyroid, and an intestinal yeast infestation. Yeah, it's no wonder I don't feel so good. But the medicine and supplements are slowly working. I am starting to feel better (except for a nasty case of acid reflux, which I am thinking might have something to do with the goiter.) I am sleeping a little better, have a little more energy, and while I haven't lost any weight yet, I have stopped gaining weight, which is a step in the right direction.
Hopefully, after a few months of treatment, my symptoms will start to subside and I will start feeling like myself again! Here's hoping for healthy improvements!
I have done a lot of research on the thyroid this week and I found out a lot of interesting information. It turns out a lot of people have undiagnosed or misdiagnosed thyroid problems because most doctors just look at one of the numbers that come back with the blood tests. My doctor also looked at my T3 level and she said it indicates a problem. She put me on Armour Thyroid, which is made from pig thyroid, apparently, and it has been very successful in treating patients with similar symptoms as mine. She said she wanted to treat my symptoms, not my paperwork, which I appreciate.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism include: gaining weight or inability to lose weight (check), constipation (check) fatigue (check) brittle hair (sort of check) dry skin (check) and can also include various other things that are different from one person to the next. These are the things I really wanted help with, especially the weight and the fatigue so I was more than happy to start taking the medication. On a side note, she also gave my nystatin for candida, which, if you've read my other posts, you know is something I'm also combating.
So, essentially in the last few months I have found out I have a hormonal imbalance, a lazy thyroid, and an intestinal yeast infestation. Yeah, it's no wonder I don't feel so good. But the medicine and supplements are slowly working. I am starting to feel better (except for a nasty case of acid reflux, which I am thinking might have something to do with the goiter.) I am sleeping a little better, have a little more energy, and while I haven't lost any weight yet, I have stopped gaining weight, which is a step in the right direction.
Hopefully, after a few months of treatment, my symptoms will start to subside and I will start feeling like myself again! Here's hoping for healthy improvements!
Monday, April 28, 2014
There, I Said It. . .
For many years I have been fairly annoyed by all of the erectile dysfunction commercials. I guess they let all of us ladies know how guys must have felt hearing about feminine products. Now, we have a new type of commercial to let us in to a "man's world"--the "Low-T" commercials. You've probably seen them. Some attractive middle-aged man shruggingly admits that he does, in fact, have low-testosterone. I believe the phrase is, "I have low-T. There, I said it." But it's okay because he has spoken to his doctor and it's just a number. He's taking a new prescription and everything is going to be fine. Honestly, as annoying as these types of commercials can be, I think it's great that people are talking about hormonal imbalance. Unfortunately, what a lot of people don't realize is that women also need a certain level of testosterone in order for our bodies to function correctly. Women with low testosterone levels can also suffer from low libido, weight gain, poor muscle mass, feeling tired even after a good nights rest, and various other symptoms. The fact is, all of our body's hormones need to be in balance in order for us to feel our best and do our best. This isn't just a man's problem--it's a person problem.
And I should know, because I have low-T--there, I said it.
I also have low progesterone and DHEA. I found this out by visiting Balanced Health and Hormones (or BH2.) They did complete blood work on me, looking at everything you could possibly imagine and some things you have probably never heard of before. In the end, I was given prescriptions to help balance my hormones and some other supplements, including Vitamin D, Vitamin B, and Magnesium. It's been about a month since I started this regiment and while I'm not at 100% yet, I am starting to feel better. I have more energy, I feel like the exercise I've been doing for years is actually getting me somewhere, and my mood has also improved. I'm hopeful that this will be what I have looking for to end the general feeling of malaise--a.k.a. "yuckiness" I've been feeling for several years.
I will go back to BH2 in about another month for them to check my blood work again. I will continue to see them every three months indefinitely and I'm okay with that. There are a lot of different things that can make our hormones get out-of-whack but we know that our health will never be optimal until we get these levels back to where they are supposed to be. It's not clear how many women suffer from hormonal imbalance, particularly low-T levels, because most women aren't aware of how important testosterone is to our systems. Many women may be suffering from symptoms of low-T without even knowing it. There is also very little information on the internet about low-T in women. We need to change this. If you are suffering from the following symptoms, I suggest you go and talk to your healthcare professional:
trouble falling asleep/staying asleep
tired/exhaustion even after a good night's sleep
night sweats/hot flashes
low-libido
trouble losing weight
irritability
decrease in general mood
There's no reason to suffer from these symptoms when correcting a hormonal imbalance may make you feel a lot better. If you are also suffering from low-T, I would love to hear from you.
Here's the link for Balanced Hormones and Health. They have in no ways sponsored this post, this is just the facility I decided to visit after doing my own independent research and realizing I had symptoms of low-T.
And I should know, because I have low-T--there, I said it.
I also have low progesterone and DHEA. I found this out by visiting Balanced Health and Hormones (or BH2.) They did complete blood work on me, looking at everything you could possibly imagine and some things you have probably never heard of before. In the end, I was given prescriptions to help balance my hormones and some other supplements, including Vitamin D, Vitamin B, and Magnesium. It's been about a month since I started this regiment and while I'm not at 100% yet, I am starting to feel better. I have more energy, I feel like the exercise I've been doing for years is actually getting me somewhere, and my mood has also improved. I'm hopeful that this will be what I have looking for to end the general feeling of malaise--a.k.a. "yuckiness" I've been feeling for several years.
I will go back to BH2 in about another month for them to check my blood work again. I will continue to see them every three months indefinitely and I'm okay with that. There are a lot of different things that can make our hormones get out-of-whack but we know that our health will never be optimal until we get these levels back to where they are supposed to be. It's not clear how many women suffer from hormonal imbalance, particularly low-T levels, because most women aren't aware of how important testosterone is to our systems. Many women may be suffering from symptoms of low-T without even knowing it. There is also very little information on the internet about low-T in women. We need to change this. If you are suffering from the following symptoms, I suggest you go and talk to your healthcare professional:
trouble falling asleep/staying asleep
tired/exhaustion even after a good night's sleep
night sweats/hot flashes
low-libido
trouble losing weight
irritability
decrease in general mood
There's no reason to suffer from these symptoms when correcting a hormonal imbalance may make you feel a lot better. If you are also suffering from low-T, I would love to hear from you.
Here's the link for Balanced Hormones and Health. They have in no ways sponsored this post, this is just the facility I decided to visit after doing my own independent research and realizing I had symptoms of low-T.
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