Greetings!
For those just tuning in to our blogcast, let me catch you up. I am on a quest to find out if there is some miracle procedure that will jump start my weight loss.
I am 40 years old (about to be 41) and about 20 pounds over my ideal weight of 135. I work out three to four times a week (cardio and weight training), eat healthy (sometimes a bit too healthy as my friends would agree as I am a vegetarian) and do all the right things conducive to losing weight and being healthy. Yet, I am still stuck at about 155 pounds after months of this lifestyle.
In my last posts, I underwent a procedure called detoxifying full body wraps. As pleasant as they were (my body wrap technician was wonderful and the wrap was great as well), the three treatments didn't do as much for me as I had hoped. I did lose about four inches but I'm hoping for more with this next procedure, microcurrent body sculpting.
The advertisement that led me to the MBS stated that five treatments were suggested for the best results. So, I signed up for five treatments for the same areas as my detoxifying body wraps -- my thighs and upper hips. I show up for the first appointment as directed with a happy face, a cup of coffee and an optimistic attitude.
Now, call me crazy but in my ninth grade science class, I learned that water and electricity should be avoided at all cost or else something very not nice will happen. And yet, that is exactly what this procedure looks like. I lie down with my thighs and hips exposed and allow a very amiable, very beautiful (this 50-something year old woman actually uses this procedure herself and looks awesome) sculpting tech to apply wet sponges to my hind quarters. These sponges house little squares of metal which are "plugged in" to a big machine which doles out the electricity.
At first the sponge sites feel tingly and the process actually tickles. Unfortunately, that sensation wears off quickly as the technician turns up the juice. All of a sudden I feel like I am being electrocuted, you know, that little shock you feel when you plug in a hair dryer or other appliance and get a little jolt. Yes, that feeling. But then it's for three seconds and then a four second break. Imagine strong currents going through your body for a few seconds, then getting a break. You kind of wish it would just continue without breaks so you can just get it over with. But the technician tells you that is not good for your body.
Needless to say, this was not what I planned on and it got to the intensity that it almost hurt that it was that uncomfortable. Zap-stop-zap-stop-zap-stop, for 45 minutes! Seeing as though I am committed to seeing this procedure through to the end, I enduring the shock therapy but was really not looking forward to my next zapping.
Four more to go ...
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Third time's a charm ...
Well, it's the third installment of the Snickerdoodle Cookie Batter detox. Those who have been following know that I have been wrapped in cling wrap for the third time now.
How did the treatment work? I did lose 4.1 inches in total from all parts of my body. My most current measurements are now: bust, 35; waist, 31; hips, 42; thighs, 26.5 each; and arms, 11.5 each. It's not what you would expect though. When I first heard of this treatment I had hoped I would lose 4-14 inches off my three worst areas. Unfortunately, that is not how this thing works. No one lied to me or advertised unwisely, it just wasn't what I had hoped for.
I garnered that it cost me about $66 per inch. I am sure I spent more than $66 per inch packing those inches on. Now, it costs me to take them off -- that is the name of the game.
Total cost of treatments: $273 for three
Total time involved (including travel): 6 hours, 45 minutes
Would I do it again? Yes, if for nothing more than the wonderful massage and fun conversations with my wrap technician.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Sept. 1 -- Second treatment, second guessing
After my first wonderful encounter with the full-body detoxifying wrap, I was looking forward to my second treatment of what has now become known to me as the "Snickerdoodle Cookie Wrap." It is actually called the M'Lis Body Wrap but referring to it as a type of food helps me look forward to it more.
But I must say that my second treatment left me second guessing the procedure as the results were not as impressive as they were after the first treatment. I was very much excited for my second (in a series of three) wrap Thursday that I kept gazing at the appointment reminder on my outlook calendar all day long, praying that 5 p.m. would come sooner.
I paid a little more attention to how the procedure worked this time because, as I mentioned in my last blog, it smelled like Snickerdoodle cookies and the fabulous aroma really distracted me (doesn't take much to distract me to be honest -- food usually does it). Apparently, this niacin-based wrap is all natural complete with lots of herbs so I feel "healthier" already.
I followed the 10 steps of the procedure:
1) Lots of questions: Fill out the questionnaire, which I did on the first visit*;
2) Preparation. Come to the appointment freshly bathed without any lotion, deodorant or perfume and shave your legs/underarms the day before (trust me on this one, the herbs/spices used in the cream will not feel very good on freshly shaven body parts). Also, you want to wear a bikini or bra and panties for the procedure;
3) Exfoliation. That pretty much says it all, right?;
4) Measurements. All body parts from the ankle to the arm are under scrutiny here so there is no time to start copping out now because the wrapping techs have already seen you naked;
5) Smoothing on the cream. This cream is supposed to penetrate your skin and release toxins, reduce fat storage cell chambers and helps the body rid itself of wastes and excess fluids through the lymphatic system.
6) Wrapping. The cream is applied and the plastic snuggly wrapped around your limbs and torso so that your body heat will ensure the cream is absorbed into the skin.
7) Relaxation. This is my favorite part. My wrap tech messages my neck, shoulders, head, face, feet, forearms and hands. if nothing else, the wrap is worth it just for this factor and for the way my skin feels so soft afterward.
8) Remove and remeasure. I am not always pleased with this part because I am always worried that I didn't lose any inches. So far, I have though!
9) Complete. Rub in the remaining cream and immediately drink water. It is suggested that you drink 8-10 glasses of water a day during these treatments for optimum results. I drink 10-12 so I don't worry about this.
10) Continue the inch-loss process by using the Take Home Kit. Also suggested is avoiding alcohol, processed foods and caffeine. Are they crazy?! Alright, I can cut down on the processed foods and I should be able to cut out the alcohol for a little while. But go through the day without my double skinny vanilla latte? They are joking, right? Sorry, I'm only human so if this procedure doesn't work, I'll blame it on my caffeine addiction.
Of course, to ensure the results aren't skewed, I have been keeping up with my calorie intake and exercise regime. No more than 1,700 calories a day and exercise (cardio and weight lifting) at least three to four times a week, no more, no less. Being the Libra that I am, I have a real need to make sure things are equal and balanced. Fairness is everything to me ... I like to think that I am "the fairest of them all."
Total inches lost after treatment #2: Approximately 1/4 from the abdomen and 1/2 from the hips. A bit of a disappointment after phenomenal results on the first treatment but there is one more wrap to go. I must make it count!
*NOTE: Don't leave anything off the questionnaire. I omitted one little thing that I thought was insignificant (i.e. I'm allergic to cherries) and found out later, after a trip to the emergency room, that an ingredient in the Take Home Kit contained a cherry-like substance. I broke out in hives!
But I must say that my second treatment left me second guessing the procedure as the results were not as impressive as they were after the first treatment. I was very much excited for my second (in a series of three) wrap Thursday that I kept gazing at the appointment reminder on my outlook calendar all day long, praying that 5 p.m. would come sooner.
I paid a little more attention to how the procedure worked this time because, as I mentioned in my last blog, it smelled like Snickerdoodle cookies and the fabulous aroma really distracted me (doesn't take much to distract me to be honest -- food usually does it). Apparently, this niacin-based wrap is all natural complete with lots of herbs so I feel "healthier" already.
I followed the 10 steps of the procedure:
1) Lots of questions: Fill out the questionnaire, which I did on the first visit*;
2) Preparation. Come to the appointment freshly bathed without any lotion, deodorant or perfume and shave your legs/underarms the day before (trust me on this one, the herbs/spices used in the cream will not feel very good on freshly shaven body parts). Also, you want to wear a bikini or bra and panties for the procedure;
3) Exfoliation. That pretty much says it all, right?;
4) Measurements. All body parts from the ankle to the arm are under scrutiny here so there is no time to start copping out now because the wrapping techs have already seen you naked;
5) Smoothing on the cream. This cream is supposed to penetrate your skin and release toxins, reduce fat storage cell chambers and helps the body rid itself of wastes and excess fluids through the lymphatic system.
6) Wrapping. The cream is applied and the plastic snuggly wrapped around your limbs and torso so that your body heat will ensure the cream is absorbed into the skin.
7) Relaxation. This is my favorite part. My wrap tech messages my neck, shoulders, head, face, feet, forearms and hands. if nothing else, the wrap is worth it just for this factor and for the way my skin feels so soft afterward.
8) Remove and remeasure. I am not always pleased with this part because I am always worried that I didn't lose any inches. So far, I have though!
9) Complete. Rub in the remaining cream and immediately drink water. It is suggested that you drink 8-10 glasses of water a day during these treatments for optimum results. I drink 10-12 so I don't worry about this.
10) Continue the inch-loss process by using the Take Home Kit. Also suggested is avoiding alcohol, processed foods and caffeine. Are they crazy?! Alright, I can cut down on the processed foods and I should be able to cut out the alcohol for a little while. But go through the day without my double skinny vanilla latte? They are joking, right? Sorry, I'm only human so if this procedure doesn't work, I'll blame it on my caffeine addiction.
Of course, to ensure the results aren't skewed, I have been keeping up with my calorie intake and exercise regime. No more than 1,700 calories a day and exercise (cardio and weight lifting) at least three to four times a week, no more, no less. Being the Libra that I am, I have a real need to make sure things are equal and balanced. Fairness is everything to me ... I like to think that I am "the fairest of them all."
Total inches lost after treatment #2: Approximately 1/4 from the abdomen and 1/2 from the hips. A bit of a disappointment after phenomenal results on the first treatment but there is one more wrap to go. I must make it count!
*NOTE: Don't leave anything off the questionnaire. I omitted one little thing that I thought was insignificant (i.e. I'm allergic to cherries) and found out later, after a trip to the emergency room, that an ingredient in the Take Home Kit contained a cherry-like substance. I broke out in hives!
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