Muffintop Meltdown {V.10} Here Comes the Shred

Progress! Points! & The Shred

Progress Report:

Weight Lost Since Last Weigh-in: 4 pounds!!

Total Weight Lost: 18 pounds

Inches Lost This Week: 3 inches!!

Total Inches Lost: 23.5 inches

Points Earned:

This Week: 70

Points Balance: 77

(I cashed in my first 500 points last week for $250 cash!)

Now that I'm losing weight consistently and my clothes are starting to look pretty silly…it's time to focus on getting toned up a bit.  I mean, I'm thrilled that I'm losing weight and almost halfway to my goal, but I don't want to get to goal and be skinny-flabby.  

That is why this Sunday I am going to start Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred!  I'm going to be totally honest with you, I am kind of intimidated.  I am worried about the intensity of the workouts and how it is going to effect my body.  I guess the only way to find out is to give it a go!

Either way, more exercise and activity is in order.  Not to speed up my weight loss, because quite frankly if I was losing any more weight, I'd be quite concerned.  I can't even tell you the shock I experienced seeing 4 pounds gone on the scale this week, while it made me happy, it also concerned me.  My weight loss has yet to slow down to 2 lbs or less, which I was sure it would have by now.  

Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, I just don't want my weight to yo-yo and I know that slow weight loss (1-3 pounds/per week) is the best indicator that I won't just put a bunch of weight back on when I transition out of Medifast!  Enough with the worries and concerns….did I mention that I can:

Fit back into my 7 jeans!!! Remember, that was Jeans goal #1!!!  Now, my muffin top looks like it is back with a vengeance in this picture, but that is because the jeans are pretty tight still.  I do believe I'll be able to wear them comfortably by the end of next week though!!  Either way, I'm super happy.  And…my muffin top in my regular clothes is almost completely gone friends!!

What little tips have you learned that have made a difference in meeting your weight loss goals?

This Week:

I'm proud of these choices:

I'm staying on plan with Medifast!  

Our whole family is eating better now (even Zion has been wanting more green veggies)!

I'd like to work more on:

Exercise, period.

Refocusing on getting full nights of sleep! 

I totally cheated when:

I didn't really cheat at all this week, however; I've taken in a few more calories than what the plan would have me take in, and it really hasn't upset things at all.   I'm still in shock that I lost 4 lbs!

How did you do this week?

Want to catch up on my weight loss journey?

Muffintop Meltdown V.1-V.9

A Few Tips for Navigating Today's Healthcare System

Okay, so in a previous life…I actually did high level contract negotiations with health insurance carriers.  I gave 12 years to health care administration and billing before I came home full-time to be with Zion.  Over the years, I have learned quite a bit of things that industry professionals do not want you to know.

I thought today that I would share a couple of things and perhaps save you and your family from learning some tough lessons the hard way.

1.  Know the lingo:  wording is everything when it comes to dealing with insurance companies as well as choosing doctors and dentists.

Do you see a difference between the following two statements?
Yes, we accept your insurance.
Yes, we participate with your insurance.

The difference could actually cost you hundreds of dollars.

When a physician's office tells you that they "accept your insurance" what they might actually be saying is that they will file a health insurance claim on your behalf, and that they will be glad to receive whatever payment your insurance pays as partial payment for their services.  In the end they will look at the amount your insurance pays and if it is a high enough payment usually cut you a "really good deal" on the balance, but either way you will still be surprised by unexpected fees.

When a medical practice tells you that they "participate with your insurance", they are saying that they have a contracted agreement with your insurance company, and accept a pre-negotiated rate for services they provide.  You may still owe a copay or coinsurance according to your family health insurance plan, but you won't be responsible for amounts outside your contract, or subject to inflated fees.

The bottom line:  always ask if they are a contracted participating provider with your specific plan.

2.  Know the loopholes:  when your health is at stake, making a little noise can work in your favor.  I personally worked for a group of the top neurosurgeons in New York and only a small handful participated with insurance.  However; I specialized in getting these physicians one-time contracts with insurance companies by pushing their specific techniques, specialization in a field and the failure of other surgeons to provide the same level of care.

The bottom line: it is your body, and you do have a choice on who provides your care, even when certain contracts restrict you to a network of providers.  Your fight will be in not giving in to the insurance company's attempts to persuade you to settle for something else.  I cannot in any way guarantee that a fight will always end in your favor, however; if it is important to you, you should fight until all options are exhausted, including all levels of appeals.

3.  Know that its a business:  the health care industry is a booming one.  The insurance company's are trying to make money, and so are the doctors.   Taking care of you is a means to an end.  Sad, yes, but very true.

The bottom line: Don't just behave like a patient, behave like a consumer.  Shop around.  Review recommendations online before wasting your time.  Don't go back to a place if you are treated poorly, the place is a dump or there are any red flags.  Get second opinions.  Sadly, some surgeons (I'd wager more than half)  really care more about the number of surgeries they perform than your personal surgery.  They may even try to do a more complex or invasive procedure than is needed.

I hope these tips help you, and feel free to send me an email if you have specific health care related questions.  I'll do my best to help you find your way.

The Weekly Wrap {3.3.12}

Our first week back in NYC, and I needed a break from my camera (for the most part).  Here are a couple fun things from the week:

 Zion got used to going outside often in Texas, so we will be getting to the park as often as we can.

 One of my besties, Alexis, celebrated her birthday at a fantastic sushi restaurant.

Zion got to paint with watercolors for the first time.  

She decided it was a good idea to taste the paint too.

The Weekly Wrap {2.25.12}

Our final adventures in Texas before heading back to the crazy city life in NYC.  Most of these are just the day-to-day activities and fun with three toddlers.

 Then I did my first ever newborn photo shoot for my new baby niece Sofia.

Not bad for a first try right?  (I have more, but I'm sure I'll get in big trouble if I post them before the announcements come out.)

The Weekly Wrap {2.18.12}

Better late than never, right?! I've been trying to make the time to get my photo editing done from my trip in Texas, but it has been way more important to adjust back to our NYC routine.  Without any further delay, the first in a couple of posts highlighting our last few weeks.

 We went to a pirate themed birthday party!

 My mom came down for my baby niece's arrival (and to see all her grand-babies).

 We enjoyed the beautiful Texas weather, played outside and had sweet treats!

And there were plenty of baby snuggles too!

A little later I will share the final week of our adventures in Texas!  :)