Tomorrow is weigh in day - can't wait to let you know what happens! :)
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Dinner Tonight
Pete grilled some salmon and at the last minute he basted it with teriyaki. Oh man, I usually don't like salmon but now I am in love. I could eat this once a week. We had it with a side of baked sweet potato, pears, and spinach salad. Speaking of salad - I have now cut out adding olive oil to my salad. Now I just have a splash of balsamic and it's perfect. I can't even tell the difference actually.
Tomorrow is weigh in day - can't wait to let you know what happens! :)
Tomorrow is weigh in day - can't wait to let you know what happens! :)
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Validation
Well, life has been pretty stressful lately so earlier in the week I booked myself a massage for today. I figured that since my insurance covers it - I might as well. I walked in today to meet Teresa, my massage therapist. She was so awesome. She used a technique on me that I've never experienced before called "cupping". She puts these glass cups on your skin and they have a little bulb on the end that she squeezes to create suction. Then, she moves them around all over the back, arms, legs, etc. It's a really strange yet relaxing sensation. At the end of the massage we were talking about it and she told me that she thought that I ate really healthy and asked if that was the case. I said yes and asked what made her think that. She went on to explain that during cupping she can tell a lot about a person's health and such things as how they eat, if they smoke or drink, and if they have cancer. Apparently the way the skin looks while being suctioned in the cup is an indication of these things. The skin could turn yellow, purple, deep red, or black. I am not sure how mine looked (it must've been good) but she said that my skin looks great and I have a very healthy complexion. SCORE!!!! Must be all the clean foods and large amounts of water I have been taking in. What a nice validation that she told me that she can tell I eat healthy and I've never talked to her about my lifestyle before.
I can tell Pete is a little bitter that I ate pizza and he didn't because he said "guess she didn't see the pizza". hahaha! His time will come where he eats something bad, too. It's just funny how when you go on this journey together, one person feels slighted if the other veers off course. I know I'd be jealous if I knew he had eaten some cake or chocolate!
I can tell Pete is a little bitter that I ate pizza and he didn't because he said "guess she didn't see the pizza". hahaha! His time will come where he eats something bad, too. It's just funny how when you go on this journey together, one person feels slighted if the other veers off course. I know I'd be jealous if I knew he had eaten some cake or chocolate!
Friday, January 29, 2010
Struggling
AGGGHHH! I am so mad at myself right now. I packed my lunch full of healthy foods today and I ate a healthy breakfast and a healthy snack – both on schedule. I’ve been drinking all my water. Lunch time rolls around and we have a big multi-departmental meeting and they’ve ordered pizza. Oh no! Well, I thought about taking my lunch in there but who wants to be the schmuck eating their own little meal out of a plastic container when everyone else is eating the lunch that was graciously provided by the company. I thought about waiting to eat after the meeting – but I was starving and the smell overcame me. Guess who just ate not one, but TWO slices of pizza. They were thin crust with pepperoni and sausage. UGH!!!
I am not happy about this and I knew I’d feel this way (although it WAS incredibly yummy going down). Pete’s gonna be pissed and the last thing I want to do is be responsible for him getting weak too, I feel like little by little, my willpower is slipping and I am injecting bad meals into my diet more frequently (Olive Garden – now pizza). I need to get a handle on this. I also need to get my butt to the gym tonight and work off some of the extra calories. Man, letting yourself down (and your readers) is not a good feeling. Better luck with better choices beginning now……. I think I will also re-read parts of “Never Say Diet Again” to give myself some encouragement.
p.s. I did have one victory in all this - I wanted so badly to keep this little "secret" to myself but instead - I let you all know right away. Afterall, the whole purpose of this blog is to keep it "real"......
I am not happy about this and I knew I’d feel this way (although it WAS incredibly yummy going down). Pete’s gonna be pissed and the last thing I want to do is be responsible for him getting weak too, I feel like little by little, my willpower is slipping and I am injecting bad meals into my diet more frequently (Olive Garden – now pizza). I need to get a handle on this. I also need to get my butt to the gym tonight and work off some of the extra calories. Man, letting yourself down (and your readers) is not a good feeling. Better luck with better choices beginning now……. I think I will also re-read parts of “Never Say Diet Again” to give myself some encouragement.
p.s. I did have one victory in all this - I wanted so badly to keep this little "secret" to myself but instead - I let you all know right away. Afterall, the whole purpose of this blog is to keep it "real"......
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Trials
It has been a hard past few days. On top of me and the family being sick and work being stressful, I found out that someone I've known since high school shot and killed himself on Monday. I wasn't close to him in recent times but I am close to his cousins and aunt. I've never personally known anyone who has taken their own life, especially in such a dramatic an painful way. I have always felt that one of my spiritual "gifts" was the way that I love people and provide caring and non-judgmental support. I have been put to the test with the use of this gift the past days. I've had countless calls from my long time friend who is like a brother to the person that did this. I am honored to be one of the special people he is confiding in to help bear the weight of this huge and heavy burden, but it is taking its toll on me, too. Night before last I don't think I even slept an hour. My mind races constantly with non stop visions and instant replays in my mind. My heart aches and aches for the wonderful family he left behind to clean up this mess (lliterally and philosophically) and as they struggle to make it through each day that passes. The big question - WHY - WHY - WHY. No one will ever know WHY exactly and sometimes the not knowing is as painfull as the loss itself. So, I will continue to be the support my friend needs and happily help in any way I can. This is also the first test of many in seeing how I handle major hurdles in life as I try to ensure it doesn't negatively affect my new healthy lifestyle.
So, I told you before that I eat to feed my emotions sometimes. Yesterday was particularly painful and hard for me. I felt like I floated through the day in a complete brain fog. I was emotionally drained. Well, what do you think happened at dinner time? I ate at Olive Garden. The scene was a little different than it had been in the past. Water with lemon instead of diet coke, only one serving of salad, only a breadstick and a half versus 4, and a shared main entree instead of the whole thing - and NO tiramisu. I wasn't completely happy about it once I looked at the nutritional info (note: probably 1000 calories all together) but I could at least still see the changes I've made linger throughout the meal. At any rate, by the time we got to church 45 minutes later - my belly was in immense pain. I still have some leftover heart burn this morning.
Before we had gone to dinner Pete and I had a discussion about this being a "test" for us. Normally at this point in our eating changes - we'd decide to go out to dinner and end up eating bad. Next thing you know, we're doing it 2 times a week, then 3, then 5. Well, we made a verbal commitment that we would NOT be doing that this time. It's okay to splurge every now and then. Eat one bad meal, enjoy it, but MOVE ON! So, that's what we're doing. Back to clean eating on a schedule with tons of water. I will tell you this though - we pulled into the driveway and I said to Pete "listen, if I ever tell you I miss Olive Garden and just HAVE to have it - please remind me of this conversation and of how bad it made me feel. I hate it when I have a moment where my stoomach feels like it is ripping itself out of my body. Not to mention that I could've made a clean pasta dish and my own salad that would've tasted just as good and didn't hurt at all." He just laughed and said "okay - but remember you told me to remind you - don't get mad at me when I do it". Trust me, I will remember this. And I will remember how much better and satisfying it is to eat healthy foods.
One last thing - I know I have harped on the fact that I was never a water drinker. Well, now that it's been almost a full month of clean eating and huge water intake, my body is actually craving it. For the first time ever, I actually reach for water first without even thinking about it. That's a small miracle for me!
In closing, I just want everyone to think about the story I opened this post with. It truly is a stark reminder of how short and precious this life we've been given really is. Now is a great time to tell each and every person that's close to you how important they are to you and that their life does matter. You never know, it may just be the very thing they need to hear at that very moment.
So, I told you before that I eat to feed my emotions sometimes. Yesterday was particularly painful and hard for me. I felt like I floated through the day in a complete brain fog. I was emotionally drained. Well, what do you think happened at dinner time? I ate at Olive Garden. The scene was a little different than it had been in the past. Water with lemon instead of diet coke, only one serving of salad, only a breadstick and a half versus 4, and a shared main entree instead of the whole thing - and NO tiramisu. I wasn't completely happy about it once I looked at the nutritional info (note: probably 1000 calories all together) but I could at least still see the changes I've made linger throughout the meal. At any rate, by the time we got to church 45 minutes later - my belly was in immense pain. I still have some leftover heart burn this morning.
Before we had gone to dinner Pete and I had a discussion about this being a "test" for us. Normally at this point in our eating changes - we'd decide to go out to dinner and end up eating bad. Next thing you know, we're doing it 2 times a week, then 3, then 5. Well, we made a verbal commitment that we would NOT be doing that this time. It's okay to splurge every now and then. Eat one bad meal, enjoy it, but MOVE ON! So, that's what we're doing. Back to clean eating on a schedule with tons of water. I will tell you this though - we pulled into the driveway and I said to Pete "listen, if I ever tell you I miss Olive Garden and just HAVE to have it - please remind me of this conversation and of how bad it made me feel. I hate it when I have a moment where my stoomach feels like it is ripping itself out of my body. Not to mention that I could've made a clean pasta dish and my own salad that would've tasted just as good and didn't hurt at all." He just laughed and said "okay - but remember you told me to remind you - don't get mad at me when I do it". Trust me, I will remember this. And I will remember how much better and satisfying it is to eat healthy foods.
One last thing - I know I have harped on the fact that I was never a water drinker. Well, now that it's been almost a full month of clean eating and huge water intake, my body is actually craving it. For the first time ever, I actually reach for water first without even thinking about it. That's a small miracle for me!
In closing, I just want everyone to think about the story I opened this post with. It truly is a stark reminder of how short and precious this life we've been given really is. Now is a great time to tell each and every person that's close to you how important they are to you and that their life does matter. You never know, it may just be the very thing they need to hear at that very moment.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Dry Salad?
Well, I hate dry salad. In the “olden days” (pre eating clean lifestyle change) I’d have smothered my salad in some fat laden creamy dressing like ranch or caesar. Not anymore. Now days it is a tiny drizzle of olive oil and a splash of vinegar – mostly balsamic.
Normally, with great focus on the details, I pack my lunch each night for the following day. I organize and pack for each meal taking great care to watch portion size and ensure I accurately pair a protein with a complex carb while getting in enough fruits and veggies. Most of the time I have some sort of spinach salad for lunch. I ALWAYS – I repeat – ALWAYS pack a small amount of oil and vinegar. Last night must’ve been the exception to the rule. I did manage to pack 2 cutie oranges instead of the usual one, though (brain was still in a flu like haze). So, needless to say, I start to unpack my lunch and it dawns on me that I will be eating a DRY salad. Dang it. My heart sunk to the floor and it felt like someone killed my cat. Oh, did I forget to tell you how utterly dramatic I can be at times??! Maybe it wasn’t that bad – but for a split second it made me think – who needs a salad anyways – maybe I can run to Burger King. EEEK! (that’s the sound of tires squealing as I slam on the brakes). For goodness sakes. How long is it going to be before I stop using every let down as an excuse to taint my body with terrible foods??? I Can say this – in the “olden days” I would’ve not thought twice and acted on every not-so-clever idea my brain threw my way. Not these days – I tossed the bad thought into the trash can and put on my MacGyver hat. Yep, little miss resourceful decided that she didn’t need to eat that extra cutie orange so she squeezed it all over that poor, helpless, dry salad and ate it all up. YUM! Improvised salad dressing really can be quite tasty and healthy if you just give it a chance.
Normally, with great focus on the details, I pack my lunch each night for the following day. I organize and pack for each meal taking great care to watch portion size and ensure I accurately pair a protein with a complex carb while getting in enough fruits and veggies. Most of the time I have some sort of spinach salad for lunch. I ALWAYS – I repeat – ALWAYS pack a small amount of oil and vinegar. Last night must’ve been the exception to the rule. I did manage to pack 2 cutie oranges instead of the usual one, though (brain was still in a flu like haze). So, needless to say, I start to unpack my lunch and it dawns on me that I will be eating a DRY salad. Dang it. My heart sunk to the floor and it felt like someone killed my cat. Oh, did I forget to tell you how utterly dramatic I can be at times??! Maybe it wasn’t that bad – but for a split second it made me think – who needs a salad anyways – maybe I can run to Burger King. EEEK! (that’s the sound of tires squealing as I slam on the brakes). For goodness sakes. How long is it going to be before I stop using every let down as an excuse to taint my body with terrible foods??? I Can say this – in the “olden days” I would’ve not thought twice and acted on every not-so-clever idea my brain threw my way. Not these days – I tossed the bad thought into the trash can and put on my MacGyver hat. Yep, little miss resourceful decided that she didn’t need to eat that extra cutie orange so she squeezed it all over that poor, helpless, dry salad and ate it all up. YUM! Improvised salad dressing really can be quite tasty and healthy if you just give it a chance.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Weekly Weigh In and Weekend Re-cap
Hey there,
Well, this morning is quite challenging for me. Late yesterday afternoon I came down with some sort of bug. Sore throat, fever, chills, aches and pains, etc. I slept under a blazing hot electric blanket all night and still couldn't get warm. Pete says it felt like he was sleeping in fire all night.
As for the weekend, we found ourselves very busy around the house and I realized that I did not eat every 2 - 3 hours nor did I take in enough water. On Saturday, I looked at the clock only to find that it was 4pm and I had only eaten an egg white breakfast burrito earlier that day. I was completely starving and ready to eat ANYTHING that came my way. I even purposed going to Olive Garden. I tried justifying it by saying that I would get whole wheat pasta and the dish I like had lots of veggies in it - WHAT?!!! Thank goodness Pete stood his ground and said no way. We ended up going to Outback where I had the tiniest and leanest steak and a dry baked sweet potato. Turns out that was really satisfying and I left happy again.
So I am sure you're thinking "get to the weight loss already!" Well, it's not as great as I had hoped but a loss is a loss is a loss so I will take it. This also makes me want get back on track this week and really stick to the plan as tightly as possible. I did work out this weekend and I was set to go again tonight but if I continue to feel terrible, I will wait another day.
Anywho - my weight loss was a half of a pound and Pete's was 2 pounds! Way to go guy!
I also promised a few people that I would not weigh every day so my goal this week is to not weigh again until next Monday...
I'll keep you posted.....
Well, this morning is quite challenging for me. Late yesterday afternoon I came down with some sort of bug. Sore throat, fever, chills, aches and pains, etc. I slept under a blazing hot electric blanket all night and still couldn't get warm. Pete says it felt like he was sleeping in fire all night.
As for the weekend, we found ourselves very busy around the house and I realized that I did not eat every 2 - 3 hours nor did I take in enough water. On Saturday, I looked at the clock only to find that it was 4pm and I had only eaten an egg white breakfast burrito earlier that day. I was completely starving and ready to eat ANYTHING that came my way. I even purposed going to Olive Garden. I tried justifying it by saying that I would get whole wheat pasta and the dish I like had lots of veggies in it - WHAT?!!! Thank goodness Pete stood his ground and said no way. We ended up going to Outback where I had the tiniest and leanest steak and a dry baked sweet potato. Turns out that was really satisfying and I left happy again.
So I am sure you're thinking "get to the weight loss already!" Well, it's not as great as I had hoped but a loss is a loss is a loss so I will take it. This also makes me want get back on track this week and really stick to the plan as tightly as possible. I did work out this weekend and I was set to go again tonight but if I continue to feel terrible, I will wait another day.
Anywho - my weight loss was a half of a pound and Pete's was 2 pounds! Way to go guy!
I also promised a few people that I would not weigh every day so my goal this week is to not weigh again until next Monday...
I'll keep you posted.....
Friday, January 22, 2010
Weighing Daily
I’ve heard varying theories about weighing yourself every day. Most people say only to weigh once a week and others say weighing daily will help you stay on track even better. I’d like to weigh once a week but honestly, I’ve gotten quite addicted to weighing myself every day. Here’s the routine: wake up, run to the downstairs bathroom (where the scale lives), go to the restroom, strip off all my clothes (clothes can weigh up to 3 pounds) and jump on the scale. My mind set is pretty good about it and I am well aware of how much your weight can fluctuate based on what you eat, your sleep, what you did the day before, etc. I never place to much emphasis on the daily weight – it is more of just something to do and look forward to, regardless of the outcome. All of my emphasis goes into the Monday weight where I track week over week progress. I will say though, that if the number went up – it encourages me to eat extra smart that day.
This past Monday I had lost 2 pounds from the previous week. Then on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, my weight stayed exactly the same as did my eating habits. In all honesty – I did start to wonder “uh oh, is this not going to work anymore”? I also took a hard look at EVERYTHING I had been putting in my mouth which was actually encouraging. I knew with 110% certainty that I had done everything right – I’ve even began exercise which is key for me and a big accomplishment since I had convinced myself I hated it. So, I decided not to worry and just stay the course and see what happens. Low and behold, the scale was down 2 pounds this morning. HALLELUJAH! Just proof that staying the course works. I am close to meeting my goal of another 5 pounds down which, if I succeed by the end of January, I will have lost 10 pounds in the first month of 2010! Woo Hoo!
Oh yeah, and as for me hating water and exercise, that was just the negativity and lazy person in my mind talking. I am finding that I am loving both and have actually been thinking to myself that I can’t wait to work out again. It’s weird but it is like I am enjoying challenging myself and putting my body to the test to see exactly what it’s capable of.
This past Monday I had lost 2 pounds from the previous week. Then on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, my weight stayed exactly the same as did my eating habits. In all honesty – I did start to wonder “uh oh, is this not going to work anymore”? I also took a hard look at EVERYTHING I had been putting in my mouth which was actually encouraging. I knew with 110% certainty that I had done everything right – I’ve even began exercise which is key for me and a big accomplishment since I had convinced myself I hated it. So, I decided not to worry and just stay the course and see what happens. Low and behold, the scale was down 2 pounds this morning. HALLELUJAH! Just proof that staying the course works. I am close to meeting my goal of another 5 pounds down which, if I succeed by the end of January, I will have lost 10 pounds in the first month of 2010! Woo Hoo!
Oh yeah, and as for me hating water and exercise, that was just the negativity and lazy person in my mind talking. I am finding that I am loving both and have actually been thinking to myself that I can’t wait to work out again. It’s weird but it is like I am enjoying challenging myself and putting my body to the test to see exactly what it’s capable of.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Superbowl XL
Just because it’s Superbowl XL this year does not mean you have to feel XL after the big game. I think this can be considered one of the major “eating” holidays of the year alongside Thanksgiving and Christmas which means it will take some thought and prep work ahead of time in order to stay on track.
Here are some thoughts to consider about Superbowl:
• 11.2 million pounds of potato chips are sold for game time snacking
• 8.2 million pounds of tortilla chips make it to parties across the nation
• 30 million pounds of food will be consumed during the 4 quarters of the game
• 4 million pounds of fat is eaten while grown men in padded suits pummel each other in attempts to win a ring. (WHAT?!!)
We have decided to host a family party at our house for the big game this year. Coincidence? I think not. Having a party at my house means I can control the food and ensure it fits into our clean eating lifestyle. I can also get some extra exercise in by deep cleaning the house beforehand. The game doesn’t start until 3pm so I have set a tiny goal of hitting the gym that morning, too. All part of a winning strategy.
Here are some of my menu ideas for the party:
• Turkey Chili served with low fat sharp cheddar cheese, diced onions, and fat free sour cream (which is surprisingly quite tasty)
• Hardboiled eggs filled with hummus instead of crushed egg yolks (Costco sells a wonderful hummus – really cheap)
• Sliced veggies with hummus (all colors of bell pepper, carrots, celery, tomatoes)
• Baked chips with chunky veggie filled salsa
• Fresh fruit kabobs with a low fat pina colada yogurt for dipping
• Oven fried zucchini sticks with marinara
• Mini angel food cakes with berry reduction
• Light beer for the guys
Anyone else have any other ideas???
UPDATE: My healthy friend Stacey sent over these ideas:
Guacamole: healthy fat and would go great with your chips. Made from scratch there is no added sour cream.
Ground turkey meatballs with an apricot / honey glaze. Or –
Baked chicken wing with the sauce as an alternative to buffalo wings. (could even make it spicy apricot glaze.)
Roasted Turkey wraps: made on whole wheat, spinach or sun dried tomato tortillas (trader joes). Low fat cheese, tomato, red onion, green leaf lettuce, sprouts, whatever you like and a vinegrette dressing in place of mayo or cream cheese.
Here are some thoughts to consider about Superbowl:
• 11.2 million pounds of potato chips are sold for game time snacking
• 8.2 million pounds of tortilla chips make it to parties across the nation
• 30 million pounds of food will be consumed during the 4 quarters of the game
• 4 million pounds of fat is eaten while grown men in padded suits pummel each other in attempts to win a ring. (WHAT?!!)
We have decided to host a family party at our house for the big game this year. Coincidence? I think not. Having a party at my house means I can control the food and ensure it fits into our clean eating lifestyle. I can also get some extra exercise in by deep cleaning the house beforehand. The game doesn’t start until 3pm so I have set a tiny goal of hitting the gym that morning, too. All part of a winning strategy.
Here are some of my menu ideas for the party:
• Turkey Chili served with low fat sharp cheddar cheese, diced onions, and fat free sour cream (which is surprisingly quite tasty)
• Hardboiled eggs filled with hummus instead of crushed egg yolks (Costco sells a wonderful hummus – really cheap)
• Sliced veggies with hummus (all colors of bell pepper, carrots, celery, tomatoes)
• Baked chips with chunky veggie filled salsa
• Fresh fruit kabobs with a low fat pina colada yogurt for dipping
• Oven fried zucchini sticks with marinara
• Mini angel food cakes with berry reduction
• Light beer for the guys
Anyone else have any other ideas???
UPDATE: My healthy friend Stacey sent over these ideas:
Guacamole: healthy fat and would go great with your chips. Made from scratch there is no added sour cream.
Ground turkey meatballs with an apricot / honey glaze. Or –
Baked chicken wing with the sauce as an alternative to buffalo wings. (could even make it spicy apricot glaze.)
Roasted Turkey wraps: made on whole wheat, spinach or sun dried tomato tortillas (trader joes). Low fat cheese, tomato, red onion, green leaf lettuce, sprouts, whatever you like and a vinegrette dressing in place of mayo or cream cheese.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
The Food Advisor
I came across this great application that will analyze your current food intake. Not sure how accurate it reallyis but it came out pretty good for me. My percentages were 92% healthy foods - 8% not healthy. They say it should be at LEAST 75% healthy - 25% all others. Try it for yourself!
http://whfoods.org/foodadvisor.php
http://whfoods.org/foodadvisor.php
Addictions
This morning I was listening to a talk radio show on my drive in to work. They were talking about cigarettes and various methods people use to get off of them. One caller used a drug called Chantix which she said was a lifesaver and helped her quit smoking after 30 years. A second caller also used Chantix but fell victim to terrible side effects once she got off the drug. She experienced a deep depression and suicidal thoughts – she said she felt like the drug took a year of her life away from her. They all went on to try to explain why they were addicted to cigarettes and why it was so hard to quit.
I’ve never been into cigarettes. I have only tried it once and I thought it was disgusting. I also grew up in a tiny house and my Mom smoked inside. I never realized how bad that could really be until I started dating and the guy asked me why I smelled of cigarettes so badly. How mortifying! That traumatized me in a way and I think it made the thought of smoking even more gross to me.
So you’re wondering why I am talking about cigarettes, right? Well, they say it is one of the worst addictions one could possibly face. I can totally relate because I am a recovering food addict. Sounds silly, right? It actually isn’t. When people talk about their various addictions or I watch Intervention (love that show) I just feel like I’ve walked a mile in those people’s shoes. Food may not be as deadly as cigarettes, alcohol, or heroin, but it IS deadly if it is not consumed properly. Heart disease caused by poor eating habits and a lack of fitness is one of the leading causes of death in our country. And let me tell you, when you struggle with poor eating habits your whole life, getting on track and sticking to healthy eating is just as much of a struggle as quitting drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes. I know it sounds dramatic and many people will not be able to relate – but it is a reality. My reality and the reality for many people I know. So, as I was listening to the radio show I did think of how lucky I am to have access to supportive friends and family, a gym, and healthy food. I am also thankful that I was able to finally dig deep in myself, get the willpower I needed, formulate a plan and stick to it – but most of all I am thankful that I didn’t need to rely on a drug with terrible side effects to get me on the right track.
One last thought – last night we took Jordan to the pool so we could get some exercise and have some fun. Now, that I’ve become hyper aware of the importance of healthy habits, I noticed that half of the kids at the pool were really overweight. I talk about this out of love and concern – never judgment upon anyone. After all, who am I to judge anyone about this? I am still new to the journey and have a LONG way to go. It did strike a chord with me and as the big kids splashed by us, my heart ached because I can only imagine the life of pain and ridicule they are and will continue to endure. It just made me all the more determined to instill healthy habits into my son now so that he will never have to face those challenges. Life will throw him many curveballs and I’d rather take the steps now to prevent one like that from occurring. The key is – it IS preventable. It just takes time, thought, effort, and consistency.
Until next time my friends….
I’ve never been into cigarettes. I have only tried it once and I thought it was disgusting. I also grew up in a tiny house and my Mom smoked inside. I never realized how bad that could really be until I started dating and the guy asked me why I smelled of cigarettes so badly. How mortifying! That traumatized me in a way and I think it made the thought of smoking even more gross to me.
So you’re wondering why I am talking about cigarettes, right? Well, they say it is one of the worst addictions one could possibly face. I can totally relate because I am a recovering food addict. Sounds silly, right? It actually isn’t. When people talk about their various addictions or I watch Intervention (love that show) I just feel like I’ve walked a mile in those people’s shoes. Food may not be as deadly as cigarettes, alcohol, or heroin, but it IS deadly if it is not consumed properly. Heart disease caused by poor eating habits and a lack of fitness is one of the leading causes of death in our country. And let me tell you, when you struggle with poor eating habits your whole life, getting on track and sticking to healthy eating is just as much of a struggle as quitting drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes. I know it sounds dramatic and many people will not be able to relate – but it is a reality. My reality and the reality for many people I know. So, as I was listening to the radio show I did think of how lucky I am to have access to supportive friends and family, a gym, and healthy food. I am also thankful that I was able to finally dig deep in myself, get the willpower I needed, formulate a plan and stick to it – but most of all I am thankful that I didn’t need to rely on a drug with terrible side effects to get me on the right track.
One last thought – last night we took Jordan to the pool so we could get some exercise and have some fun. Now, that I’ve become hyper aware of the importance of healthy habits, I noticed that half of the kids at the pool were really overweight. I talk about this out of love and concern – never judgment upon anyone. After all, who am I to judge anyone about this? I am still new to the journey and have a LONG way to go. It did strike a chord with me and as the big kids splashed by us, my heart ached because I can only imagine the life of pain and ridicule they are and will continue to endure. It just made me all the more determined to instill healthy habits into my son now so that he will never have to face those challenges. Life will throw him many curveballs and I’d rather take the steps now to prevent one like that from occurring. The key is – it IS preventable. It just takes time, thought, effort, and consistency.
Until next time my friends….
Monday, January 18, 2010
The Gym
Pete and I took a class tonight called "Group Power". There were abput 20 people in it (5 men - 15 women). We did tons of weight lifting, squating, lunging, etc. Both of us were having a hard time lifting our arms on the drive home. Tomorrow will be extra painful - it's a good pain though. It felt wonderful to workout again.....
Oh - and I got Pete's weigh in information - down a pound. woo hoo! Slow and steady wins the race because this isn't a sprint - it's a marathon!
Oh - and I got Pete's weigh in information - down a pound. woo hoo! Slow and steady wins the race because this isn't a sprint - it's a marathon!
Weekly Progress Report
Yep - it's that time again. The Monday weigh in update. I am down 2 pounds this week. I am super happy because this is a healthy rate of weight loss. Experts say that you shouldn't lose any faster than 1-2 pounds per week. This makes for a total of 6.5 pounds lost in 2 weeks.
I wish I had an update on Pete's weight but he started a new job today so he ran out of the house bright and early and I haven't talked to him.
I went to Costco this morning and got some staples we needed (almonds, frozen fruit, chicken stock, mandarin oranges, some meat, etc). As I was standing in line waiting to be checked out, I found myself glancing around to see what everyone else was buying. I think that my cart definitely looked the cleanest. I actually wasn't ashamed once I started throwing my stuff up on the belt. That was a good feeling. I also went and bought a bathing suit today. I am going to keep up with the aqua aerobics - it's tons of fun and a really good workout (I SO dread being in a bathing suit in public but the desire to be fit is outweighing the embarassment at this point). We're all signed up for the community center and if all goes well, we will be going to our first class tonight. Tons of fun!
I wish I had an update on Pete's weight but he started a new job today so he ran out of the house bright and early and I haven't talked to him.
I went to Costco this morning and got some staples we needed (almonds, frozen fruit, chicken stock, mandarin oranges, some meat, etc). As I was standing in line waiting to be checked out, I found myself glancing around to see what everyone else was buying. I think that my cart definitely looked the cleanest. I actually wasn't ashamed once I started throwing my stuff up on the belt. That was a good feeling. I also went and bought a bathing suit today. I am going to keep up with the aqua aerobics - it's tons of fun and a really good workout (I SO dread being in a bathing suit in public but the desire to be fit is outweighing the embarassment at this point). We're all signed up for the community center and if all goes well, we will be going to our first class tonight. Tons of fun!
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Good and Bad
Well, we took a 12 hour day trip to Whidbey Island today. It's truly amazing there. We did a great hike right under the Deception Pass bridge. Straight down to the beach. I must've forgot the old saying "what goes down must come back up". I mentioned it was STRAIGHT DOWN, right?! That means it was STRAIGHT UP coming back. Yep - my whole lower body was burning. The kind of burning where you seriously think someone lit a fire under your butt! We kept a fast pace and tried not to stop. There were a few times that my mind tried to convince me I couldn't go on - but I pushed through and made it. I was totally out of breath at the top but it felt GOOD. Then, we stopped at a great state park and did lots of physical activity there, too. We had packed a cooler full of healthy foods - fruit, almonds, hummus, veggies, tuna sandwiches, lots of water. I think that was the first road trip ever that didn't begin with mini chocolate hostess donuts and milk from a gas station. That was the good part of my story. Now here's the other part........
After the ferry ride and long drive home, we were starving. We went to McGraths Fish House for dinner. I had mahi mahi and Pete had salmon - both with a salad (no dressing - just oil & vinegar) and roasted veggies on the side. Sounds super healthy so far, right? Well, let me add that both of our fish meals came topped with a different cream based sauce and mine came with a pina colada rice concoction on the side (very yummy, too). As if that weren't enough - we gave in and shared a marionberry cobbler between the three of us. Halfway through that amazing pie I felt extreme guilt and anguish. Pete told me that I shouldn't feel bad and that we won't be doing this on a regular basis. He re-iterated how well we have been doing. They say if you eat clean 80% of the time you're doing pretty good. We have seriously been doing it at least 95%. So, I dropped the guilt then and there and agreed that we will NOT be giving in very often but that we also can't totally deprive ourselves. At least we SHARED the dessert ;) Well, I didn't have to worry long about my guilt making me feel bad. By the time I got home my belly was in serious pain. I have been eating so clean for the past 2 weeks that it felt like it was rejecting every bad thing that was in there from dinner. I had also eaten more than I thought so it felt bloated and too full. As much as I hate feeling like this, I am thankful for it. This is the reminder I need of how bad eating poorly really does make me feel. I look forward to having a lean and clean day of eating tomorrow - and every day after.
One last exciting tidbit - tomorrow I am going to sign us up at the community center. I never thought I'd say this but I really can't wait to get my butt there to work out. They also offer so many neat sounding group classes - which I've always liked. Zumba, Jazzercize, Aqua Fit, Pilates - HERE I COME!!! The best part is - Pete has graciously volunteered to go to some of them with me. His only caveat was that I have to go one time first to make sure it isn't all girls or too feminine (guess he isn't up for jazzercize). hahahaha! I'd pay money to see that though!
I'll let you know how the next few days go.....
After the ferry ride and long drive home, we were starving. We went to McGraths Fish House for dinner. I had mahi mahi and Pete had salmon - both with a salad (no dressing - just oil & vinegar) and roasted veggies on the side. Sounds super healthy so far, right? Well, let me add that both of our fish meals came topped with a different cream based sauce and mine came with a pina colada rice concoction on the side (very yummy, too). As if that weren't enough - we gave in and shared a marionberry cobbler between the three of us. Halfway through that amazing pie I felt extreme guilt and anguish. Pete told me that I shouldn't feel bad and that we won't be doing this on a regular basis. He re-iterated how well we have been doing. They say if you eat clean 80% of the time you're doing pretty good. We have seriously been doing it at least 95%. So, I dropped the guilt then and there and agreed that we will NOT be giving in very often but that we also can't totally deprive ourselves. At least we SHARED the dessert ;) Well, I didn't have to worry long about my guilt making me feel bad. By the time I got home my belly was in serious pain. I have been eating so clean for the past 2 weeks that it felt like it was rejecting every bad thing that was in there from dinner. I had also eaten more than I thought so it felt bloated and too full. As much as I hate feeling like this, I am thankful for it. This is the reminder I need of how bad eating poorly really does make me feel. I look forward to having a lean and clean day of eating tomorrow - and every day after.
One last exciting tidbit - tomorrow I am going to sign us up at the community center. I never thought I'd say this but I really can't wait to get my butt there to work out. They also offer so many neat sounding group classes - which I've always liked. Zumba, Jazzercize, Aqua Fit, Pilates - HERE I COME!!! The best part is - Pete has graciously volunteered to go to some of them with me. His only caveat was that I have to go one time first to make sure it isn't all girls or too feminine (guess he isn't up for jazzercize). hahahaha! I'd pay money to see that though!
I'll let you know how the next few days go.....
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Psychology lessons
It's a funny thing, this blog. I started it as a journal to document what I knew would be a tough journey to get healthy and fit (afterall, this has been a lifelong struggle). I also know how much certain people/stories have inspired me just by hearing about their struggles and successes. I have a hope that this blog will do that for people. If one person feels like there is someone out there in the same boat that can relate to them and that they can gain an ounce of inspiration from, it's all worth it. The last reason I wanted to have the blog is for accountability. How could I ever write about all the clean foods I am preparing, the work outs, etc if I turn around and know that someone following the blog sees me eating junk, etc. That's my favorite part, actually. It's almost as though I know people are watching me and I don't want to let them down. I like having that hanging over my head. Keeps me honest ;)
When I started this journey a couple of weeks ago, I hadn't given any thought about the psychology behind MY eating. I had read Chantel's view's on why she over ate and I could totally relate but that was the extent of it. One day I was talking to a co-worker about all this and we both felt like eating was a social thing for us which made it hard. You know the routine - a friend calls you haven't seen in a while or it's a special occasion like a birthday. The first thing I always thing of "yes - let's get together - we can meet for lunch, we can meet for dinner, HEY - better yet, I'll throw a dinner party. Who doesn't like that?! Well, even during and after that conversation, the lightbulb hadn't gone completely off.
Last night I was driving home and talking to Pete and he was telling me how he was down and had a super stressful day. I hung up with him and immediately this thought popped into my head "oh man, I feel so bad for him. Wait, I know, I will swing by Coldstone on my way home and pick us up some ice cream. That'll cheer him up and I'll feel good for cheering him up. I'll also feel good because I love ice cream. I will get the smallest size of the reduced fat version - that won't conflict too bad with the eating clean". By this time, I was about 3 blocks before the turn for Coldstone. Thank goodness my willpower kicked in and I knew THAT was the worst idea EVER. A week and a half with no sugar, no sugar substitutes, and NO more craving sugar. The last thing I needed was to eat some sugar because I know myself and where that'll lead. I will be back to craving sweets and letting that take over my brain. I am happy to say I drove right past and felt a huge sense of accomplishment.
At that very moment, the lightbulb FINALLY went off and everything clicked. I am going to call it my "ah-hah" moment. I finally realized that I am an "eat-through-your-emotions" type gal. I think I was in denial before. Real denial - like, I really did NOT see it before. Scary. Come to think of it, I like to celebrate every high point in our life with meals out. Rich, thick, heavy meals. Apparently, I like to cheer people up with food, too. I am sure that includes myself when I have a bad day or feel stressed. I can't say I even know what to do about it yet. I do know that at least now I can see it, and I have the power over my feelings to not give in and feed them with food. I am going to work on finding a new way to cope. For now though, I will just put the pedal to the metal and speed by as quick as I can before I have the chance to give in.
It's funny how much psychology is tied in with eating, nutrition, fitness, etc. This blog has forced me to actually THINK about every little thing, sometimes to the point of over analyzing. That's okay because that's going to get me where I need to go.
Two last tid bits (dang, this blog went loooong): One, I found some M&M's and Pete will attest to the fact that I've mentioned a few times that I should have just a couple. Thankfully I haven't - but I did want you to know that it is still a real struggle I cope with daily. They announced a little celebration at work tomorrow. The first thing I thought of was "I should just leave early - I can't struggle with trying to eat clean when bad food will be there". Well, looks like it's my lucky day - they are going to have chicken skewers and fruit kabobs. I love those skinny little healthy elves who are making good choices at work. I'm very grateful!
Second tidbit (after yet another looong paragraph) - We have this really great, shiny, new community center in Federal Way that the family checked out last weekend. It has a few indoor pools, lazy river, game room, fitness area, group classes, basketball courts, etc. It's a little pricey so Pete and I agreed that we would wait until he got a job to join and amp up our fitness. Low and behold, he got a job today!!! Looks like our fitness level is going to dramatically increase next week - which, surprisingly, I am really excited about. I can't wait to see where fitness paired with clean eating will take my body & mind.
What a journey!
Until next time my friends.......
When I started this journey a couple of weeks ago, I hadn't given any thought about the psychology behind MY eating. I had read Chantel's view's on why she over ate and I could totally relate but that was the extent of it. One day I was talking to a co-worker about all this and we both felt like eating was a social thing for us which made it hard. You know the routine - a friend calls you haven't seen in a while or it's a special occasion like a birthday. The first thing I always thing of "yes - let's get together - we can meet for lunch, we can meet for dinner, HEY - better yet, I'll throw a dinner party. Who doesn't like that?! Well, even during and after that conversation, the lightbulb hadn't gone completely off.
Last night I was driving home and talking to Pete and he was telling me how he was down and had a super stressful day. I hung up with him and immediately this thought popped into my head "oh man, I feel so bad for him. Wait, I know, I will swing by Coldstone on my way home and pick us up some ice cream. That'll cheer him up and I'll feel good for cheering him up. I'll also feel good because I love ice cream. I will get the smallest size of the reduced fat version - that won't conflict too bad with the eating clean". By this time, I was about 3 blocks before the turn for Coldstone. Thank goodness my willpower kicked in and I knew THAT was the worst idea EVER. A week and a half with no sugar, no sugar substitutes, and NO more craving sugar. The last thing I needed was to eat some sugar because I know myself and where that'll lead. I will be back to craving sweets and letting that take over my brain. I am happy to say I drove right past and felt a huge sense of accomplishment.
At that very moment, the lightbulb FINALLY went off and everything clicked. I am going to call it my "ah-hah" moment. I finally realized that I am an "eat-through-your-emotions" type gal. I think I was in denial before. Real denial - like, I really did NOT see it before. Scary. Come to think of it, I like to celebrate every high point in our life with meals out. Rich, thick, heavy meals. Apparently, I like to cheer people up with food, too. I am sure that includes myself when I have a bad day or feel stressed. I can't say I even know what to do about it yet. I do know that at least now I can see it, and I have the power over my feelings to not give in and feed them with food. I am going to work on finding a new way to cope. For now though, I will just put the pedal to the metal and speed by as quick as I can before I have the chance to give in.
It's funny how much psychology is tied in with eating, nutrition, fitness, etc. This blog has forced me to actually THINK about every little thing, sometimes to the point of over analyzing. That's okay because that's going to get me where I need to go.
Two last tid bits (dang, this blog went loooong): One, I found some M&M's and Pete will attest to the fact that I've mentioned a few times that I should have just a couple. Thankfully I haven't - but I did want you to know that it is still a real struggle I cope with daily. They announced a little celebration at work tomorrow. The first thing I thought of was "I should just leave early - I can't struggle with trying to eat clean when bad food will be there". Well, looks like it's my lucky day - they are going to have chicken skewers and fruit kabobs. I love those skinny little healthy elves who are making good choices at work. I'm very grateful!
Second tidbit (after yet another looong paragraph) - We have this really great, shiny, new community center in Federal Way that the family checked out last weekend. It has a few indoor pools, lazy river, game room, fitness area, group classes, basketball courts, etc. It's a little pricey so Pete and I agreed that we would wait until he got a job to join and amp up our fitness. Low and behold, he got a job today!!! Looks like our fitness level is going to dramatically increase next week - which, surprisingly, I am really excited about. I can't wait to see where fitness paired with clean eating will take my body & mind.
What a journey!
Until next time my friends.......
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Goals and the DREADED Exercise
I normally set big goals for myself like “I will lose 30 pounds by the summer”. Well, I make it half way there and then get discouraged and fall off the wagon. Needless to say, I never make it to the end goal. The end goal just seems like it is light years away and so unreachable.
This time around, since I am focusing on making a life change, I decided to test a new approach since the previous approach has not worked. I decided that my first goal would be to lose 5 pounds – no matter how long it took. I am refusing to even think about how many pounds I need to lose all together or the end weight I want to be at. Just thinking about that discourages me – it feels TOO hard. Thinking of 5 small pounds seems very doable and definitely in reach. Well, I am happy to report that as of this morning, I have MET MY FIRST GOAL! 5 pounds down! Now, I am aiming for another 5. If I keep this pace I will be where I want to be by summer without ever having to stress about it.
I know that fitness is a huge part of this journey. I have always said “I hate exercise”. I’ve since realized that this kind of negative talk will surely keep me from meeting my goals. If I am thinking “I hate exercise” then I WILL hate it. Needless to say, I am working on more positive self talk. I left the negatives behind when we left 2009 (ooh – rhyming and all – pretty catchy!) Anyhow – I am focusing on just doing. The past few days I mentioned that another small goal I set was to work out at least 3 times this week. Yesterday I reiterated this by telling you that Pete was committed to kicking me out of the bed at 5:30 am today so I can work out. Well, much to my surprise (and Pete’s dismay) – no one kicked anyone out of the bed. The alarm went off, I gave myself a couple of minutes to wake up, then I got up and went downstairs to start my boot camp dvd. Guess what, that damn DVD was nowhere to be found. For a split second I told myself “that’s okay Anna, you tried. You can just come back and try again tomorrow” ER – NO! I quickly realized what I was doing and put my willpower to the test. I was not going to let a missing dvd be the reason I missed my first workout and my goal. So, half asleep, rummaging through 200 dvd’s, I found it! Popped it in and proceeded to keep pace with Tony Horton and his 2 compadres. I won’t lie – I had to stop for a few seconds to catch my breath and wipe the sweat off my forehead – but I did FINISH the dvd. May seem insignificant to some, but for me it’s a big accomplishment. Now – I have 2 more before the end of the week. Totally doable.
My brother in law (who’s crazy into fitness – very well versed in it, too) posted a comment yesterday about a jump rope routine. I have a jump rope and may try a little skipping this evening just to acclimate myself and try something I haven’t done for a while. I strongly suggest this to anyone else looking for an “out-of-the-box” workout. I’ll let you know how that goes.
This time around, since I am focusing on making a life change, I decided to test a new approach since the previous approach has not worked. I decided that my first goal would be to lose 5 pounds – no matter how long it took. I am refusing to even think about how many pounds I need to lose all together or the end weight I want to be at. Just thinking about that discourages me – it feels TOO hard. Thinking of 5 small pounds seems very doable and definitely in reach. Well, I am happy to report that as of this morning, I have MET MY FIRST GOAL! 5 pounds down! Now, I am aiming for another 5. If I keep this pace I will be where I want to be by summer without ever having to stress about it.
I know that fitness is a huge part of this journey. I have always said “I hate exercise”. I’ve since realized that this kind of negative talk will surely keep me from meeting my goals. If I am thinking “I hate exercise” then I WILL hate it. Needless to say, I am working on more positive self talk. I left the negatives behind when we left 2009 (ooh – rhyming and all – pretty catchy!) Anyhow – I am focusing on just doing. The past few days I mentioned that another small goal I set was to work out at least 3 times this week. Yesterday I reiterated this by telling you that Pete was committed to kicking me out of the bed at 5:30 am today so I can work out. Well, much to my surprise (and Pete’s dismay) – no one kicked anyone out of the bed. The alarm went off, I gave myself a couple of minutes to wake up, then I got up and went downstairs to start my boot camp dvd. Guess what, that damn DVD was nowhere to be found. For a split second I told myself “that’s okay Anna, you tried. You can just come back and try again tomorrow” ER – NO! I quickly realized what I was doing and put my willpower to the test. I was not going to let a missing dvd be the reason I missed my first workout and my goal. So, half asleep, rummaging through 200 dvd’s, I found it! Popped it in and proceeded to keep pace with Tony Horton and his 2 compadres. I won’t lie – I had to stop for a few seconds to catch my breath and wipe the sweat off my forehead – but I did FINISH the dvd. May seem insignificant to some, but for me it’s a big accomplishment. Now – I have 2 more before the end of the week. Totally doable.
My brother in law (who’s crazy into fitness – very well versed in it, too) posted a comment yesterday about a jump rope routine. I have a jump rope and may try a little skipping this evening just to acclimate myself and try something I haven’t done for a while. I strongly suggest this to anyone else looking for an “out-of-the-box” workout. I’ll let you know how that goes.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Lunch
Weekly Weigh In
Well, today was our first "official" weigh in. We decided that every Monday morning we'd weigh ourselves to track our progress. The first week was very successful. I lost 4.5 pounds last week and Pete lost 10! Super exciting and just proves that Eating Clean is the cornerstone of success. This week we've each set small goals we are striving to attain (as seen in my post yesterday). In my quest to ACTUALLY meet one of my goals (I am great at setting goals but in the past haven't always made it to the actual "meeting" part) - I promised to wake up at 5:30 tomorrow morning and do my boot camp workout video. So, Pete has happily accepted the position of kicking me out of bed when the alarm goes off tomorrow before the sun even considers coming up. Aye Carrumba! I know this is what it'll take to get where I want to be and I am willing to sacrifice to get there.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
This week's goals
Mine:
* eat smaller portions
* exersize 2 times this week
Pete's:
* make sure to eat the 5 - 6 small meals per day - no skipping.
I am off to bake 2 lbs of sweet potatoes for this upcoming week. YUM!
* eat smaller portions
* exersize 2 times this week
Pete's:
* make sure to eat the 5 - 6 small meals per day - no skipping.
I am off to bake 2 lbs of sweet potatoes for this upcoming week. YUM!
Saturday, January 9, 2010
RECIPES
Spray a saute pan with olive oil cooking spray and then add about a cup of spinach and 1/3 cup of orange bell pepper. Cook until spinach wilts slightly. Add 3/4 cup egg beaters, pepper, and some Mrs. Dash. Cook until done. For the fruit salad I cut up one granny smith apple, one banana, & a can of drained mandarin oranges. I squeezed a small amount of lemon over the fruit and mixed it together. The toast is a whole grain flax seed bread. YUM! There's lots of leftovers to munch on later.
For dinner tonight we are going to try this parchment baked fish recipe. It calls for halibut but I am going to use mahi mahi:
4 - 12" X 18" sheets of parchment paper
4 - 6 oz. halibut filets
4 tbsp commercial pesto sauce
1 cup shredded carrots
1 cup shredded zucchini
1 cup shredded napa cabbage
4 cloves of minced garlic
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp freshly ground pepper
4 tsp olive oil
4 tsp low sodium chicken stock
cooking spray
Preheat oven to 450 - unfold parchment and lightly coat with cooking spray (leave edges of paper ungreased). Place halibut on one side but not on the ungreased edge. Spread 1 tbsp of pesto over the fillet and top with 1/4 cup of each: carrot, cabbage, zucchini. sprinkle with 1/4 the salt & pepper and one minced clove of garlic. Drizzle filet with 1 tsp of oil and 1 tsp chicken stock. Fold paper and seal adges with narrow folds. Repeat with remaining ingredients. You will have 4 complete packets.
Bake for 15 minutes or until puffy and lightly browned. To serve, open packets and transfer ingredients to a plate - pour juices over top. Or, you can serve right in the packets - just transfer packet to a plate and pierce first to allow steam to escape.
Enjoy! If you try these recipes - be sure to leave feedback so I can see what other people think.
Happy eating!
6 days in....
and it's getting easier - not harder. Except for the birthday cake at work yesterday. Normally, though, I'd run in the kitchen, grab an oversized piece of cake, and quickly go back to my desk hoping no one saw me or the ginormous slice of cake I was about to eat. Well, you all know the sucker I am for sweets. So, yesterday, I went in to the kitchen just to look at the cake - sort of "facing my demons" I guess. I saw it was chocolate! OH NO - NOT CHOCOLATE!!! My all time favorite. So, I did have some but don't fret. It was one bite then I quickly threw away the fork and went back to my desk (I have witnesses). As I sat there - I realized that the cake wasn't even that great and I wasn't missing out on ANYTHING by not eating a whole piece. That's a major accomplishment for me and my willpower. Not to mention, by just taking a bite, I didn't feel any guilt afterward. I came home and had a nice dinner of quinoa pasta (small small portion) and a huge spinach salad that was SO yummy.
So, like I said, today marks 6 days into my new eating lifestyle and I have to say, I love it. I love that I don't have daily stomach aches. I also don't miss that tight, full belly feeling. I hated that! So, I march on and continue with the loads of water, 5 small meals a day full of lean protein, fruits, veggies, and whole grains.
As a progress report, I am down 3 lbs since Monday and Pete is down 8.5! It makes it so much easier traveling this journey together. I am so thankful for that man!
I am headed to meet my friend that moved here, too, from Vegas. We're taking our boys to the children's museum. Part of me is tempted to pack my own lunch but I think I am going to opt for getting something to eat there. I need to experience trying to order a clean meal in a restaurant. I'll let you know how that goes.
Pete and I were just talking about how we should open a HEALTHY - fast food restaurant. Can you imagine driving up to a place and being able to get a freshly made salad, grilled chicken, fruit, etc. all gourmet and passed through your car window in less than 3 minutes??? It's a nice thought - I'm not up for a challenge like that - YET!
I am going to make a second post this morning with a few recipes if anyone wants to try them.
So, like I said, today marks 6 days into my new eating lifestyle and I have to say, I love it. I love that I don't have daily stomach aches. I also don't miss that tight, full belly feeling. I hated that! So, I march on and continue with the loads of water, 5 small meals a day full of lean protein, fruits, veggies, and whole grains.
As a progress report, I am down 3 lbs since Monday and Pete is down 8.5! It makes it so much easier traveling this journey together. I am so thankful for that man!
I am headed to meet my friend that moved here, too, from Vegas. We're taking our boys to the children's museum. Part of me is tempted to pack my own lunch but I think I am going to opt for getting something to eat there. I need to experience trying to order a clean meal in a restaurant. I'll let you know how that goes.
Pete and I were just talking about how we should open a HEALTHY - fast food restaurant. Can you imagine driving up to a place and being able to get a freshly made salad, grilled chicken, fruit, etc. all gourmet and passed through your car window in less than 3 minutes??? It's a nice thought - I'm not up for a challenge like that - YET!
I am going to make a second post this morning with a few recipes if anyone wants to try them.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
I am not invincible....
Granted, it’s only 4 days in to the eating clean lifestyle, but I was starting to feel really good mentally about it. I wasn’t having my typical chocolate cravings and felt like for once, I had infinite willpower. My eating, water intake, and vitamin consumption have been perfect. Well, as I sat here an hour ago, I started craving Hawaiian BBQ with mac salad and coconut pie (why THAT, I have NO idea). Damn you, Mr. Cravings! I will NOT be defeated by you. So, I resolved to stay the charted course and eat my protein, fruits, veggies, and complex carbs.
One nice thing I should remember is that as of this morning, the scale says I’ve lost 2.5 pounds and Pete has lost 7! We’re well on our way to getting healthy so we might as well stick with it! No one said it would be easy – actually, they said it would be hard. I guess I just got a little too over confident. The good news is, I didn’t act on it and the victory of overcoming the cravings is a good feeling.
Are you experiencing the same??? I’d love to hear your feedback – I need all the inspiration I can get. Feel free to comment.
One nice thing I should remember is that as of this morning, the scale says I’ve lost 2.5 pounds and Pete has lost 7! We’re well on our way to getting healthy so we might as well stick with it! No one said it would be easy – actually, they said it would be hard. I guess I just got a little too over confident. The good news is, I didn’t act on it and the victory of overcoming the cravings is a good feeling.
Are you experiencing the same??? I’d love to hear your feedback – I need all the inspiration I can get. Feel free to comment.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Excited!
As you know from my first post, much of my inspiration and eating clean education has come from Tosca Reno. I found an email address to send her questions so I just wrote to ask her about the withdrawl symptoms - but mostly just to let her know that her work IS making an impact on others and that I appreciate her efforts. I am excited and can't wait to see if I actually hear back as I know she's super busy promoting her new book, Eating Clean Recharged.
Anywho, I am over the trauma of my protein powder smoothies from the past few mornings and just enjoyed a nice lunch of herbal tea, grilled chicken, light string cheese, and a sweet potato. It's amazing how sweet that potato really is after not eating any sugar for a few days.
I keep reading all the posts from my Facebook friends and know that many of us are on this journey together right now. I am just praying that everyone keeps the determination to continue on and succeed as we all need to be more healthy. I am really thankful to all of the support I've received in the past week while letting everyone in on my journey, my goals, and this blog which is an insight into my true thoughts and feelings. Especially grateful to my friend Stacey who has experience in bodybuilding, eating healthy, and getting fit - she offered to help me and already sent some great recipes to get me past those nasty protein smoothies. I'm taking what she says to heart because she's living proof this stuff works - she looks 29 and she'll be 40 soon - yet another amazing inspiration!
Until next time my friends.....
Anywho, I am over the trauma of my protein powder smoothies from the past few mornings and just enjoyed a nice lunch of herbal tea, grilled chicken, light string cheese, and a sweet potato. It's amazing how sweet that potato really is after not eating any sugar for a few days.
I keep reading all the posts from my Facebook friends and know that many of us are on this journey together right now. I am just praying that everyone keeps the determination to continue on and succeed as we all need to be more healthy. I am really thankful to all of the support I've received in the past week while letting everyone in on my journey, my goals, and this blog which is an insight into my true thoughts and feelings. Especially grateful to my friend Stacey who has experience in bodybuilding, eating healthy, and getting fit - she offered to help me and already sent some great recipes to get me past those nasty protein smoothies. I'm taking what she says to heart because she's living proof this stuff works - she looks 29 and she'll be 40 soon - yet another amazing inspiration!
Until next time my friends.....
It's been 3 days...
and I still have a headache, though it is lessening. The fatigue and nausea seem to have gone away though. One thing I am struggling with majorly is the protein powder that I am adding to my smoothie in the morning. ICK - I have never done well with powdery additions to my beverages. Looks like I will be living off of hard boiled egg whites and plain oatmeal. This will get old fast... need new ideas.
The next focus will be fitness. hmmm... many things to ponder in that area.
The next focus will be fitness. hmmm... many things to ponder in that area.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
It has to get worse before it gets better...
Or so I am telling myself. Yesterday afternoon a huge headache came to grace me with its presence. It lasted through the night and into today. With it has come bouts of nausea and severe fatigue. As much as I'd like to think I am sick, I am almost positive I am not. I believe I am having withdrawl symptoms. Given the fact that on a normal day I'd begin with a sugar and caffeine filled Starbucks coffee along with some sweet bread or other confection, followed up by some more coffee, then a day sprinkled with diet coke and other bad foods, I am sure yesterday has put my body in a state of shock. I've completely gone off the sugar, caffeine, AND diet products. I've only ingested water (in LARGE amounts) and a small amount of skim milk. The only sugar I have taken in has been in the form of fresh produce and complex carbs. WOWZERS - who would've thought that eating clean would've made me feel so terrible.
One thing I can be sure of, as with any addiction, is that withdrawl symptoms DO go away fairly soon. I am just sticking to the plan, taking excedrin, and thinking positive thoughts. I am taking to heart some of these old but famous quotes: "No Pain, No Gain", "Everything good is worth fighting for", "Nothing TASTES as good as being healthy FEELS", etc etc.
I can tell you, while sparing the gory details, that progress is already being made. My digestion is already 100% better and the scales showed a loss of 2 pounds this morning. It is surely just water weight - but heck - at this point I'll take any loss regardless of the reason behind it.
A big thank you to Pete who takes such good care of me. He took the time yesterday to grill a ton of chicken breasts last night so that we'll have some lean protein on hand. Yum Yum!
Today's Struggles are Tomorrow's Victories!
One thing I can be sure of, as with any addiction, is that withdrawl symptoms DO go away fairly soon. I am just sticking to the plan, taking excedrin, and thinking positive thoughts. I am taking to heart some of these old but famous quotes: "No Pain, No Gain", "Everything good is worth fighting for", "Nothing TASTES as good as being healthy FEELS", etc etc.
I can tell you, while sparing the gory details, that progress is already being made. My digestion is already 100% better and the scales showed a loss of 2 pounds this morning. It is surely just water weight - but heck - at this point I'll take any loss regardless of the reason behind it.
A big thank you to Pete who takes such good care of me. He took the time yesterday to grill a ton of chicken breasts last night so that we'll have some lean protein on hand. Yum Yum!
Today's Struggles are Tomorrow's Victories!
Monday, January 4, 2010
I'm FULL!
So, this is the first full day of truly eating clean. I must admit, I was fully prepared to be hungry. Well, what a let down. I have had moments where I was actually TOO full. It seems that when the next 2 - 3 hours come around to eat again - I am never actually hungry. Hey, come to think of it, I think that's the whole purpose. The one thing eating like this does not include is starvation which is a good thing seeing how much I love food.
The protein powder and fruit shake needs a little work. The oatmeal microwaving technique needs perfecting so I can prevent future explosions - but I am getting there. I can't wait to be past the sugar/fat/bad food withdrawls. Overall though - not bad for a first day......
The protein powder and fruit shake needs a little work. The oatmeal microwaving technique needs perfecting so I can prevent future explosions - but I am getting there. I can't wait to be past the sugar/fat/bad food withdrawls. Overall though - not bad for a first day......
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Northshore Produce Market
Since today is Sunday - a.k.a. the eating clean planning day - let the games begin!
Today after church Pete, me, and Jordan went to check out this specialty produce store by our house. I fell in love - everything is so fresh, good, and inexpensive. I like that I can get in, get out, without being tempted by all the other bad, pre-packaged and non-clean foods. I think a turkey chili is in order for tonight's dinner. Jordan has a new found appreciation for mangoes and wants to eat one after another. Hopefully he doesn't get a belly ache.
Yesterday we went on an amazing hike at Cape Flattery, the northwest most point in the continental US. At the bottom of the trail we were greeted with a gift from God as you can see in this picture.....
Today after church Pete, me, and Jordan went to check out this specialty produce store by our house. I fell in love - everything is so fresh, good, and inexpensive. I like that I can get in, get out, without being tempted by all the other bad, pre-packaged and non-clean foods. I think a turkey chili is in order for tonight's dinner. Jordan has a new found appreciation for mangoes and wants to eat one after another. Hopefully he doesn't get a belly ache.
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