Shrinking & Shining

Sarah Everitt

Join me on my personal journey of health and fitness!

Transformation Tuesday - Birthday 2016 Edition

If you would've told me 2 birthday's ago that I would've have found an eating plan that I loved and would help me lose 71 pounds (and counting), I probably wouldn't have believed you. But it’s true!! I’m so thankful my friend Denice introduced me to Trim Healthy Mama. I thought I was looking for a diet but what I found with THM was a whole new way to live! You see, it’s not just cutting out sweets and eating rabbit food for a season. It’s changing to a whole new lifestyle of health and wellness. It can’t be just for a few months or even years. For me, I needed a life change. I needed to view food differently. But I also needed to enjoy and feel satisfied with my meals. Have dessert without feeling guilty. I just love this way of living. I plan on being a THM lifer.
I love that Facebook will show you what happened the same date all the years you’ve been on Facebook or I wouldn’t have found this gem of a pic. LOL! I honestly don't even remember being the size that I was. And why did anyone allow me to wear that shirt?!? Seriously….WHY?!? haha.
I can’t wait until next year to see how far I’ve come. Maybe I’ll be at or close to my goal weight! Now that would be an amazing birthday gift to myself?
What gift are you giving yourself this year for your birthday? You can change your life today! Don’t wait until Monday. Do it today! I can’t wait to see what you’ll do. I plan to keep shrinking and shining. Won’t you join me?!?

Sarah Everitt Posted on May 31st, 2016

Shrinking & Shining THM Party Pack Give AWAY

Okay, so it’s the beginning of my birth week! Yes, I celebrate my birth month, birth week and of course birthday!!! And what’s more fun on birthdays than gifts?!? I love to give gifts, so I thought, "I want to give a goodie basket filled with some of my fav THM products for my birthday!" I’m calling it my Shrinking & Shining Party Pack! To be able to give away some of the tools that have helped me on my journey excites me beyond words.
I’ll be revealing all week what will be in the basket! And believe me, you’re gonna want to win it. I know you’re on the edge of your seat now… thinking, "how can I win?!?" It’s super easy.

  1. Comment below why you want to win.
  2. Like and Share this post on Facebook.
  3. Tag a friend in the comments on Facebook.
  4. Follow my blog with Bloglovin
See, so easy! Each step gets your name in the drawing. And each separate comment that you tag a friend is another entry.
I will do the drawing next Saturday, on my birthday, May 28! Good luck!!! Did I mention, I’m excited?!?

Sarah Everitt Posted on May 21st, 2016

Dealing with the Dreaded Plateau

I haven’t even gone off plan for weeks, why can’t I lose a stinking pound?!? I mean at this point I’d be happy with a half a pound. Anything!!!! The lip starts trembling, tears are flowing, and yelling has ensued. The Dreaded Plateau Meltdown. Yes, the plateau meltdown is real. It has happened to me before and I know it will happen again.
Right now I’m in the middle of my third plateau. The first one I had lasted six weeks. Maybe the most frustrating six weeks of my life. I was constantly getting on the scale. You know, that mean, stubborn machine we sometimes torture ourselves with. In those six weeks I gave my identity over to something that I so desperately wanted to control. Up to that point I had fifty something pounds consistently. Every week the scale had moved, even if it was only a half a pound, it was progress. No need to get upset, everything was great. I had goals for how much I wanted to lose every month and I was hitting them almost every time. And then, out of nowhere it stopped.
Week 1 - no loss. “Oh well, I’ll work out a little harder this week."
Week 2 - no loss. “That’s so weird, I haven’t gone off plan. I don’t think I even had a crossover this week."
Week 3 - no loss. “Seriously! What is going on? Fine, I’m going to the gym at least twice a day. That’ll kick it." And I did. There were 2 days I went to the gym 3 times.
Week 4 - no loss. This is when the meltdown happened. I got on the scale and it hadn’t moved, AGAIN! After all that work?!? In fact, it went up 3 lbs. I can’t tell you how mad I was. I went in the kitchen to angrily make some breakfast. You know when you throw pans and make as much noise as possible because of the rage within?!? And my poor, sweet sister just happened to be there. She could tell something was up. Not sure what tipped her off :). She asked me what was wrong and I just unloaded. Lip trembling, tears flowing, yelling, full on meltdown. And she did the only thing you can do for someone when they are in that state. She just hugged me. Reminded me how far I’d come. And that every thing would be okay. So, I pulled it together. Ate a crossover for breakfast. And decided to dig my heals in and keep going. I also decided it didn’t matter what the scale said. I was doing this for me. For me to be healthy. I had to remind myself that the Trim Healthy Mama plan works and giving up was not an option.
You see, I’d been here before on other diets. It would get tough and I would quit. I could maintain for a little while but eventually, I would gain back everything I had lost and always a little more. I couldn’t and wouldn’t let myself do that again. I am going to be successful. I am going to reach my goal weight. It may take longer than what I have planned, but I’m doing it.
The struggle is real when you’re losing weight. And the biggest struggle of all is what goes on in your mind. What are you telling yourself daily? Are you building yourself up or is your self talk destroying the very person that God Himself created for greatness? That’s right, the creator of the universe has designed you, and you are pretty amazing! So when the self doubt and the negative self talk starts, stop and remind yourself whose you are. That you are changing the destiny of you and your family’s life. That nothing the scale says will stop you. That you can do all things through Christ who gives you strength. Start telling yourself that you can and will.
Week 5 - no loss. “Okay, keep being strong, and consistent. The weight will come off." I also decided to go back and read parts of the Trim Healthy Mama plan book again. I realized I hadn’t been counting some things right and made some adjustments. I added in some more S and FP meals. Just remember, you need at least 5 E meals a week.
Week 6 - FIVE POUND LOSS!!!! You know on The Little Mermaid the song that comes out of the necklace that breaks and Ariel’s voice returns? Yes, that’s the sound I heard as the clouds parted and I looked down at the scale and saw the five pound loss. Hallelujah, the plateau was over! I not only survived it, I came out on the other side stronger.
So how do I deal with the plateau?
  • Be Consistent.
  • Rely on God’s strength.
  • Give myself grace.
  • Do the work.
  • Stay positive.
  • Read the book again.
  • Support from family, friends and my sisterhood of the shrinking pants!
  • Be patient.
And even when “The Meltdown," happens, and it most likely will, don’t give up! Don’t live there. You are incredible and brave and strong. The plateau will end. And you will shine!

Sarah Everitt Posted on May 21st, 2016

Transformation Tuesday - Jersey Girls Edition

One of my best-est friends on the planet, Cindy and I have some characters that we do from time to time, The Jersey Girls! They are over the top in every way: Make-up, Spray Tans, Jewelry, Clothing, Volume (voice and hair), you get the picture. The characters are so much fun but I think we love it so much because we get to do this act together. We’ve mostly done things for our Women’s ministry at our church for the last 5 or so years. This past weekend, “Mother’s Day 2016" we were invited back again for our Girlfriends Legacy Brunch and to open the Mother’s Day service! It was so much fun!
When we started announcing that the Jersey Girls were going to be returning I had a couple people say, “This time one of the Jersey Girls is gonna look a lot different!" And I’d have to agree. I’m at least 67.5 lbs lighter. I say at least, because I’m not actually sure how much I weighed in the before pics!
I seriously, can’t believe the picture at the bottom of this post even exists, I didn’t let many shots like this survive. I was a big fan of the delete button any time a full body picture was taken. But I’m happy that I let this one thru. I look back and think, I never realized how big I had let myself get. But even more than that, I can’t believe how far I’ve come! In just 7 months I’ve lost 67.5 lbs doing the Trim Healthy Mama plan and exercising. And I’m not stopping here! There’s a lot more transforming to do, but I know with God’s strength, consistency and determination I will reach my goal weight.
I want to give you hope. God has placed greatness inside of you. You can reach that goal that seems impossible. Believe in the child of God that you are. And do the work. I say this a lot, "Jesus gives me the strength, but I have to do the work." And he has given you that strength too. Please, don’t give up. Don’t quit. You are so much closer than you realize.
And like Val (my Jersey Girl character) always says, “Some girls are just born with glitter in their veins." Let that glitter shine thru!


Sarah Everitt Posted on May 10th, 2016

Monday Motivation - Do It Again

How is it Monday again? Where did the weekend go? If you’re anything like me the weekend flies by and here it is, a new week has started. Back to the routine. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I have the serious case of the Mondays and I need a little motivation. I figured if I feel that way that maybe you do too. So I decided to start doing Monday Motivation posts each week. Sometimes they will be a photo, a meme, a scripture, a quote, a song or something the Lord is laying on my heart. But today I’m going to share with you something I use at least a few times every week to keep me motivated.
My friend introduced me to this at the beginning of the year! I love it. Do It Again, by Steven Furtick, Lead Pastor of Elevation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. When I’m on the treadmill and want to stop running, I’ll push play and immediately get that boost that I need. It’s chocked full of scripture and it’s on a sweet bed of music. You’ll probably recognize some of the lyrics because I’m sure I have quoted a few of them on this blog from time to time.
Below you’ll find several links and the lyrics. I hope it inspires and motivates you like it does me.
Keep Shrinking and Shining!
DO IT AGAIN – LYRICS BY PASTOR STEVEN FURTICK

Consistency separates winners from wannabe’s
Diligence makes the difference between all time greats and one hit wonders
For the race is not given to the swift or to the strong
But to the one who endures, to the end
So pick yourself up
Shake your past off
Put one foot in front of the other
And do it again

When you hear that little voice saying
‘No one believes in you, you’re too far behind, you’re too small,
this isn’t working and this isn’t worth it’
Another voice rises to remind you that
The same power
The same strength
The same spirit who raised the savior from a borrowed grave
Is alive and active in you
This is your guarantee of complete victory
The same God who delivered you from the lion and the bear
Can and will deliver this new giant into your hands
So draw the line
Take your stand
Just like you yielded your weapons last time
Do it again

You’ve been here before
The battle is not yours
It’s the Lords
And if he caused you to triumph back then
Be confident He’ll do it again
Yesterday today and forever Jesus Christ is the same
And in His name you are unstoppable
He’s the author and finisher of your future and your faith
All things are started and sustained by his grace
He’s never failed, never faltered, never wavered, never lost
And he’s not about to start
But receiving the promise requires perseverance
For many are called
But few are chosen
Many begin
Fewer finish
So don’t just do it
Do it again

I know sometimes it’s hard to keep it moving
When you can’t see your progress
When you’ve lost your perspective
When the pain has pushed you past your breaking point
But this is no time to tap out
This is no time to back down
This is no time to turn around
Because the end of yourself is the beginning of him
The end of your strength is the beginning of His
So fix your focus
Wake your courage
Stir your confidence
And do it again

The dream God put inside of you was free
But to see it come to pass you’ll have a price to pay
Set your face like flint with determination and declare
I will do it again
When it doesn’t make sense
I’ll do it again
When I have to go against the wind
I’ll do it again

When all hell is breaking loose
I will not be crippled by confusion
I will not sway to the cadence of complacency
When it feels like hope has disappeared from the horizon
And I’ve waited for rain but I don’t see any signs
I will look again
Lifting my eyes to the skies
I see a cloud the size of a mans hand
Starting to expand
And it may start small
But little is much when God is in it
And I know I’ll win if I just don’t quit
Don’t you dare quit
When you’ve marched six laps and the walls still won’t fall
Take another lap
You’re closer
Than you think you are
You’re closer
Than you’ve ever been before
Walk on

You’ve come to far to faint
He who spoke it is faithful to fulfil and show up today
And the next day
And the next day
And the next day
Press till something happens
Pray till something changes
Push till something breaks
Say within yourself
Whatever it takes
Whatever the cost
No matter what they say
No matter what I feel
I’ve got a job to do
And I will see this through
Until God’s Kingdom comes
And His will is done
In my life
I’m leaving every excuse behind
I’m being transformed by the renewing of my mind
I’m taking up my cross and following the one
Who never stops short
Who never surrendered
Who said he’d never leave me or forsake me
Jesus is with me always
He came and conquered
He died and rose again
And now He’s calling me
Causing me
Commanding me
To breathe again
Hope again
Trust again
Give again
Change again
Expect again
Rejoice again
Fight again
Rise again
Right here
Right now
In the Name of Jesus
I will live again
Do It Again - iTunes Spotify

Sarah Everitt Posted on May 9th, 2016

Have a Plan

Today is day 6 of my 30 day challenge. I can’t tell you how proud I am of everyone who is working their little booty’s off! You are taking big steps to change your life. They may seem small, but believe me they are so much bigger than you can imagine!
This weekend is gonna be a challenge with Mother's Day and the rest of our crazy weekend schedules to stay on our eating plans and keeping up with our 30 Day Challenge exercises. One piece of advice, have a plan. On busy days if I don't have a plan my health gets put at the bottom of the priority list. I’m not really sure why that is. I think my biggest problem is I have a serious case of the FOMO. That’s the “Fear Of Missing Out." If friends or family is doing something, I don’t want to miss it. There could be memories, laughs, adventures and fun! How could I ever say no to that? The problem is if I’m not healthy, I’m not gonna be around long enough to enjoy every memory, laugh, adventure and fun moment to be had. So I have to make a plan. I have to work every day so I can enjoy every minute of the rest of my life. And you do too!
Now this doesn’t mean that I’m perfect. I have off plan meals. But they are NOT very often and for the most part I have a plan to go "off plan" and I have a plan to start back in 3 hours. That is the beauty of the Trim Healthy Mama plan. You get to start fresh every 3 hours.
If you know you're gonna be tempted to go off plan for Mother’s Day lunch or another holiday, give yourself a little grace. Plan for that off plan meal or that Crossover Meal. It’s okay. Just don’t live there. Get back on plan.
Have a plan for your exercising too. For me, I have to do my 30 Day Challenge exercises in the morning, because I know that when I get home from work I am not going to want to do them. So I have a plan. I turn the coffee pot on and while it’s brewing I do my challenge exercises. And when I’m done then I get to have a delicious coffee filled Trimmachino. *You can find this recipe on page 421 of the Trim Healthy Mama cookbook. It’s so good!
What is your plan? If you don’t have one, take time today to make one. And be ready to be flexible. Life happens and we have to be ready to adjust. But please don’t throw your health and fitness out the window. You are important. We all need you to take care of yourself so we can have more memories, more laughs, more adventures and more fun with you!
Keep Shining!

Sarah Everitt Posted on May 6th, 2016

Banging Ranch Chicken & Zucchini Noodles - S Meal

One of the best little tools I’ve found is called the “Veggetti!" I found mine at Target! Thank you Alisha for the tip! It was $14.99 and worth every penny! It turns zucchini and all sorts of veggies into noodle form. So for this recipe I put 2 TBS of extra virgin olive oil in a frying pan on med/low heat added the zucchini noodles, mineral salt, pepper, minced garlic, parsley flakes and some cherry tomatoes that were cut in half. I let it cook for probably 5-7 min tossing with tongs a few times. Added fresh parmesan cheese and done! It’s so delicious!
The Banging Ranch Chicken is a recipe found on page 162 of the Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook!
This is a delicious S meal! Enjoy!

Sarah Everitt Posted on May 2nd, 2016

Rah’s Cinnamon Sweet Pita - S

I LOVE anything that makes cream cheese sweet and adding cinnamon equals A-MAH-ZING to me! So one day I wanted something sweet so I was looking in my fridge and came up with this lovely recipe! it’s easy and yummy!
You will need on-plan pitas! These Joseph’s Pita’s are on plan.
You can find them at Walmart in the Deli Section. They are a “Franken-food" but I’m a Drive Thru Sue so they work for me. Franken-foods & Drive Thru Sue's are talked about in the Trim Healthy Mama book, READ IT! lol
You’ll need:
Pita
  • 1 Joseph’s Pita
  • 1 Tbs Butter (room temperature)
  • 1 Tbs Pyure Organic Stevia
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
Filling
  • 3 Tbs 1/3 Fat Cream Cheese
  • 1 Tbs Heavy Whipping Cream
  • 2 tsp Pyure Organic Stevia
  • A pinch of mineral salt
Topping
  • 1 - 2 sliced strawberries
Slice pita in half and butter both sides. Place in skillet on low heat until each side is slightly browned. Combine stevia and cinnamon and sprinkle on each side of the pita.
Blend cream cheese, heavy whipping cream, mineral salt and stevia. Stuff the pita with the filling and place sliced strawberries on top and enjoy! Mmmmmmm! I think I’ll go and make one now!

Sarah Everitt Posted on May 2nd, 2016

Join the 30 Day Challenge

One of my first posts was about The Sisterhood of the Shrinking Pants. I asked you to come along on this journey with me. And I’m excited to invite you to the first Shrinking & Shining 30 day challenge that will start May 1. This challenge is focused on exercise.
The daily challenge will be posted every day on my Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/ShrinkingAndShining/. Just click on the link and join. You will receive the notifications every day. To help you stay accountable you simply comment on how your workout went each day. My hope is that no matter where you are on your journey of health and fitness that you can be a part. There are different levels you can choose from; Beginning Beginners, Beginners, and Active. Each level will be posted daily.
You don’t have to go to the gym to participate. All of the exercises can be done at home. And range from tracking steps, squats, crunches, sit ups, push ups, jumping jacks and more. (You don’t have to have a FitBit or Apple Watch to track your steps, there are a lot of smart phone apps that will track your steps for you.)
30 Day Challenges are one of the first things I started doing when I made the decision to change my life. It wasn’t easy, but I had heard for years that the best way to start new habits was to do that new thing (walking, devotions, eating, prayer time, etc) for 21 days and it will turn into a natural part of your life. Consistency is the key. Every day doing something. Since you can do these exercises at home I like to do them first thing in the morning and get it done. What a great way to start the day, completing a goal and feeling awesome with all those endorphins buzzing around!
I live in a JFZ. That is, a Judgment Free Zone. This Challenge Group is to challenge, inspire and encourage to Shrink & Shine. You won’t hear a peep of guilt from me! So what are you waiting for? Join the Challenge today! https://www.facebook.com/groups/ShrinkingAndShining/

Sarah Everitt Posted on April 29th, 2016

Pecan Bars - THM S

I made the most delicious on plan treat. This is an S meal because of the good fat content in the butter, pecans and Lily’s chocolate chips. Yes, there are on plan chocolate chips!!! Praise the Lord in heaven! For those of you who are new to Shrinking & Shining, the meal plan I’m on is called Trim Healthy Mama. If you want to know more about the plan, please see my post http://saraheveritt.postach.io/post/what-are-you-doing.
Okay back to the Pecan Bars!
You’ll need:
  • 1 cup Pecans
  • 1/8 cup unsweetened coconut (optional)
  • 3 Tbs Butter
  • 1/2 cup THM Gentle Sweet (you can find this online at store.trimhealthymama.com and other online retailers)
  • 2 Tbs heavy whipping cream
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla
  • 1/4 tsp caramel extract
  • 3 pinches mineral salt
  • 1/4 cup Lily’s chocolate chips (sweetened with stevia, they also have several chocolate bars that are amazing!)
Pre heat oven to 400 degrees. Put pecans and coconut on cookie sheet. Toast in the oven for no more than 5 min. You have to be careful that you don’t burn it, so keep your eye on it. Let your pecans and coconut cool and then chop them!
In a small sauce pan combine 2 Tbs of your butter, heavy whipping cream, gentle sweet, vanilla, and caramel extract on med to low heat on my stove that’s a 3 or 4! Let it come to a boil. Boil for around 7 min stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and stir in the last Tbs of butter. Add pecans and coconut.
On parchment paper pour out your pecan mixture and form into a rectangle. Sprinkle your mineral salt on top. Sprinkle your chocolate chips and lightly press them down. Place in freezer for 30 min to harden up. Cut your bars. Mine made 6 bars. But it all depends on how thick you want your bars!
I paired my bars with a few strawberries! Delicious!
Be sure to keep the extras in the fridge! What am I saying, you may not have any extras! Keep shining!


Sarah Everitt Posted on April 29th, 2016