Eating off the cleanse today

Hello everyone!

Yeah, as the title says, I am eating solid foods today.  Why?  Because I cannot be home today to mix my shakes up.  I will be gone today from 6:40 am to 8:00 pm. Yeah. Long day.

Tonight I am still going to attempt to do Meta.  If I am not too tired and do not get home too late I will do a workout. I have to stop making excuses like that. I am off tomorrow, so if I do end up a little late, I can always sleep in. 

I'm pretty busy at work today, so this is a short post. May update this evening!

Exercise?

Hello everyone!

I have completed a week of my cleanse, and I think I am feeling more normal now.  I have to say it's been tough. However, I took my final one week weight... Only lost about 2 pounds. I have to say I am a little disappointed. I was expecting more weight loss but it didn't happen that way.

Also, I decided that I am going to begin exercising again.  Last night I tried to do meta and I was able to do it, I only did 20 reps to get a feel for if I was ready, and I think I am.

One thing that's going to be a challenge- having shakes tomorrow when I have work all day and THEN class in the evening, I will literally not be home ALL DAY. I think instead of shakes I will improvise and eat food instead.

Today I am just having a lazy Sunday, going to pamper myself a little with some skincare treatments. 

I hope you had a nice weekend~!

Seeing things happening!

Hello everyone!


I'm pretty excited!  I got on the scale today just for kicks and I have already lost 5 pounds since Sunday. I also feel less bloated and feel like I am digesting better.  The cold is almost gone too, just a little headache left. 


Lately I am thinking about how I am going to handle myself when I am done with the primary cleanse.  I looked on the Clean Program site and they have a daily shake you can take as many times a day as you like and the price isn't THAT bad considering what it is.

Nourish Daily

This is the Nourish Daily, and it can be taken with a scoop of Move (like the cleanse shakes).  A month's supply of it is 36$




There are many more things for after the cleanse, various probiotics, supplements, and other shakes and they can be found here: After the Cleanse


Before I finish for today, one more thing happened yesterday.  I accidentally ate off of the wrong plate at lunch and ended up eating a couple of bites of bread.  Within 30 minutes, I felt miserable. Sleepy, bloated (still feeling a little bloaty today), and I fell asleep in my chair a few times. Pretty freaky, I think.




Have a wonderful Wednesday!!

Hello everyone!


I survived another day! I am STILL dealing with cold-like symptoms.

I had my shake for breakfast, a salad with lamb for lunch, and a shake for dinner. However, I ran out of almond milk for my dinner shake, meaning I had to make it with water.

HUGE taste difference!


My blueberry muffin shake became... a blueberry vanilla-ish less satisfying shake.  I really need to get more almond milk. I had no idea how much of a difference it would make without it!

Any of you who have done Clean- how else did you improve the shakes?

Also, any good recipes for Clean approved lunch?


Short post today, but just checking in!


Have a great Tuesday.

Blueberry Muffin Shake??

Hello everyone!




Needless to say, I successfully completed my first day on the Clean shakes. 


I am still experiencing my cold-like symptoms/sinus infection (sometimes when I blew my nose it was greenish, sign of infection, but now it's back to clear) and I am feeling a bit more tired.


I do like, however, how these shakes make going potty easier. I used to be the constipation Queen. Not anymore and I feel better as a result.


One thing I really do want to rave about- the taste of the shakes when done right!


I started out with the vanilla powder- halfway through I will be transitioning to chocolate.  I can say that the way I make my shake with vanilla- it feels as if I am drinking a liquefied blueberry muffin. 


The vanilla has kind of a cake-battery taste to it and the Move fiber gives it that breadlike quality. Add a cup and a half of water/almond milk and a cup of blueberries and blend. The result is a very thick, yummy shake.


I'm currently going through my second day, so far so good- will post tomorrow about it!




Have a great Monday. :) 

First day on the shakes!

Hello everyone!




Today I began my full cleanse.  I started out with a shake for breakfast and a solid meal for lunch.  Here's what I had.




Breakfast:


I decided to try the vanilla flavored Nourish powder first- I thought it was going to taste horrible (Vanilla protein shakes usually do) but I was pleasantly surprised.  I also added one cup of almond milk and 1/2 cup of frozen blueberries (also with the prescribed scoop of Move powder) in the blender and the end result was pretty good- the blueberries made it extra cold which was even better!  I  may try using water at dinner but keeping the blueberries to see if there is a major difference in taste.  


Lunch:


I was semi-naughty here, I had 2 bites of pork sausage,  but my main meal was good.  I had 4 ounces of lean lamb marinated in olive oil, lemon, garlic, and basil cooked and put on top of a small amount of gluten free angel hair noodles. Heaven. 


Dinner:


Will be another shake.




How am I feeling?  I am feeling alright with the exception that my sinuses and head are still acting up and my neck is aching.  I am starting to wonder if this is an actual cold and not detox. A hot shower and early bed tonight are in the plans. 
Also, when you are cleansing, you have to make sure you poop at least once a day.  I have already fulfilled this but there is a chance it could happen again.  The goal is at least once to make sure you are detoxing and getting it out.


Also, the shakes do keep me satisifed in terms of hunger.  Today, hunger was not much of a problem. 


Exercise: Nothing yet but I might try to fit in some stretching or something this evening to loosen up.


I hope everyone had a great weekend, I may do a night report tonight or tomorrow morning. Have a good day!

Cleanse starts tomorrow!

Hello everyone!


I got a lot of sleep last night, but when I woke up my nose and sinuses are still acting up.  However, the fatigue and nausea are gone for now.


I begin drinking the Clean shakes and taking the supplements tomorrow.  I hear that  a lot of people blend their shakes with almond/hemp milk and blueberries, so I will go to the store today and get some of each.


Any kind of strenuous exercise is not recommended on the cleanse, so for the rest of the month, I am limiting myself to yoga/walking/stretching.


The reasoning behind this is when you do harder exercise, your body needs to recover.  When it spends energy and time recovering, it is taking away from the detoxing process and may make you feel even worse.


I used to think that detoxing was supposed to feel good, but I have learned that it's not always the case.  


I will keep you guys updated on how I feel day by day so if you decide to try it, you know what to expect.




Have a wonderful Saturday!!!

Detox symptoms...

Hello everyone!

Today is going to be a short post, you'll see why when you read on.

I have pretty much successfully completed 5 days so far of the elimination diet.  

I can start to feel the detox symptoms- diarrhea, very tired, headaches, and even  my nose is running now along with the acne I posted about earlier.

On the cleanse, they prefer you do NOT take any OTC medications.  If you feel like crap (like me) sleep!

So, I am going to go take a shower, and take a nap and hope for the best.

Have a good night and I hope I feel better in the morning.

Day 3 Elimination

Hello everyone.


The first couple of days of this diet went alright.  The third, however, is when it started feeling different.


I am fine not being "allowed" to eat certain foods. The difficult part is the fatigue.


It started slightly when I was on my way walking to school, but thought nothing of it.  A few minutes after class started, I felt a huge wave of fatigue. I could barely stay awake the rest of the class, even after drinking water. 


Also, feeling like this while doing this program is actually normal and to be expected. It's a sign that your body is detoxing.


Later that night, I went to the grocery store and went to the meat counter as I hadn't had meat since starting.  I saw that they had locally raised, grass fed lamb stew meat, so I bought a pound and divided it up into 4 ounce servings for salads and meals. 


I did not do any TA on the 3rd day, I was simply too exhausted.




I can't wait to start taking the supplements and shakes, hopefully I will feel better doing so.


Have a great day!

Day 2 Elimination recap!

Hello everyone!




I finished 2 days of the Elimination diet and I do think it's getting easier.   I am finding myself starting to crave less junk. I am still fighting temptations but I am fighting through.


Yesterday I again had the same foods that I had yesterday- 


Breakfast: Tracy Anderson Chocolate Shake


Lunch: Gluten free pasta with garlic and olive oil


Snack: a handful of walnuts




Dinner- Skipped again, not hungry.


I also got some exercise- 45 minutes of walking and I did my first Tracy workout- Meta level 1 day 1 20 reps a leg.


One thing different- I was REALLY exhausted after all that.  I didn't get to do my dance cardio  because I passed out at 9 pm. I felt better during the day but at night I crashed hard, sleeping until 6:30 this morning.




I also (out of curiosity) weighed myself and I saw I had lost 3.3 pounds since starting.  I'm not going to keep my hopes up unless the weight loss continues, as in if I weigh in next week, I want to see a change.


I also have been learning to love lemon infused water.  Slice up a lemon, drop in a few slices into a bottle of water and you're good to go.  Also I heard it's very detoxifying. 

Day 1 precleanse recap

Hello everyone!




I have successfully completed my first day of my elimination diet.  Here's how the rest of the day went.


1. I ended up not having dinner at all. Why? My appetite was non existent at night.  I remember this happened also when I went gluten free before.   I would have breakfast and lunch but no dinner most of the time.


2. I didn't feel that physically bad in the end. A little sleepy but nothing too bad.


3. I did go to bed early, which is a new thing for me.


4. I didn't feel like I was hit by a train when I woke up this morning. I slept in a little late but felt alright when I woke up, as opposed to my normal total lack of energy.


5. My knees started to hurt a little bit less already.


6. (TMI alert!) I am having bowel movements much more regularly as opposed to my usual constipation/diarrhea circus. 


This is just after day 1. I also feel lighter but I do not want to weigh myself until next week. I like surprises.




Ok, off to work I go and here goes day 2!


Have a great day everyone!

Precleanse Day 1

Hello everyone!


Quickie post today!


So far I have eaten/or prepared 2 meals today. 


Breakfast:


Tracy Anderson shake mixed with almond milk. Very filling!


Lunch (haven't eaten yet)


Gluten free Rice/Flax pasta with olive oil and garlic, with some black beans on the side.


Dinner:


TBA but will probably be a salad of some kind and the rest of the black beans. 


To drink today: Water with lemon slices in it. While most citrus is not allowed on the cleanse, they do allow lemons and limes. 


I have to go to work soon (30 minute walk there and back) and I might play some Dance Central and do Meta when I come home.




Have a great day!!!

Last day before precleansing

Hello everyone!




Today is the last day I get to enjoy "forbidden" foods for the rest of the month.  Tomorrow I start the pre-cleanse elimination diet, so I had/will have a couple last-day treats.


Treat #1


Greek yogurt!  Dairy is not allowed on the cleanse, so I had for breakfast a cup of Fage 0% fat greek yogurt with some honey mixed in.  I usually don't like honey, but with Greek yogurt, it's divine!


Treat #2


Hot dogs!  I had a hot dog for lunch (processed meats and beef are not allowed but bison/buffalo are), I will miss them but I think my health is worth it.


Treat #3


Tofu burgers!  Remember the post I made about getting the tofu burger mix?  I will be having that for dinner.  Soy (other than tamari soy sauce/nama shoyu/ miso) is not allowed on the cleanse.  I hate to leave my soon to expire tofu in the fridge all month and I have been meaning to make these anyway.




So, the next week I will be eating three meals a day before cleansing with shakes.  I just so happened to look at my Tracy shake mix and to my surprise, those do not have any "bad" ingredients that would cause me to go off the cleanse.  So, breakfast this next week will likely be a shake, as I do not always have the time in the morning to make quinoa porridge.  My think thin bars, however, are a no-no because they have both soy and peanuts, major things you cannot have. 


Another allowed food- Glass Noodles- I want to try my hand at making a Korean dish called Japchae- stir fried noodles with vegetables.

The noodles are made of sweet potato starch and are gluten free. :) I will let you know how mine turn out.

Hope you had a great weekend!

Precleanse starting Monday!

Hello everyone!






I went and did some shopping for the first few days of my pre-cleanse Elimination diet, and I have to say, it was pretty challenging.  A lot of the things on the list of approved foods are on the list, however sometimes you have to be careful- if a product is on the list but when you check the ingredients and something NOT allowed is listed in the ingredients, keep walking. You can't have that!


There is something I am going to be a little lax about while cleansing.


They ask that you get as much organic/fresh as possible.  Given my situation, I am not going to worry too much about my vegetables and fruits being organic and fresh, because it's already a HUGE change that I am eating more vegetables at all.  Of course, if it is economical, I will get fresh and organic when I can.


I was able to pick up some good stuff- I got some lettuce for salads, I have some canned black beans and peas (will rinse before use!), spinach, gluten free quinoa pasta, quinoa, rice syrup, stevia, miso paste,  tamari sauce, and more.


I did also find an interesting soup broth mix at the Korean market.  It's a vegetable broth base, and it says on the front (in Korean) that it is allergy-free.  The ingredients made me happy.  They are, as follows:


Mixed vegetable powder: Radish, broccoli, cabbage, pumpkin, sea salt, onion extract, carrot extract, garlic extract, rice powder, garlic oil




All of those are things allowed on CLEAN.  And it will be making many appearances, especially when I make miso soup. 


I will start the eliminating on Monday, doing it for a total of 6 days.  Normally, the pre-cleanse period is 3 days but I figure I might as well do it a little longer. 


Have a great weekend- I am enjoying dairy/breadlike substances for the last time for a while.  Got some Fage Greek yogurt for very cheap (I love it!) and some hummus/pita chips. 

Scrub a dub dub! (Internally at least!)

Hello everyone!




Yesterday was terrible. I felt awful all day, and I also had an epiphany.


Going clean is going to be a lot harder than I thought, and I need help. Turns out, that thanks to a VERY generous friend, I have help!

I will be doing the CLEAN program kit that I have (Also now known as the GOOP Cleanse endorsed by Gwyneth Paltrow), beginning with a week of pre-cleansing starting tomorrow, It will involve me eating 3 solid meals a day, keeping to the ingredients that I am allowed to have.  On March 11, I will begin using the kit, which involves me replacing 2 meals with shake mix (they include it in the package) and supplements- probiotics, insulin regulators and digestion supplements. 


More information and purchasing of the cleanse here: www.cleanprogram.com




Also starting up Metamorphosis along with this cleanse, depending how I feel on it.   


My goal with this cleanse is to use it to become fresh, light, and wheat/gluten/garbage-free.  I will post about how I feel as I do it!




Have a great day and start the weekend off right!

No More F****ing Around.

Hello everyone!




I have really decided to make some changes to my life. Before, I had my mind in the right place, the right intentions but I just didn't have the push to do it. I have been feeling sluggish and tired all the time (again) and I am very certain that my diet is primarily to blame.


FIRST off- I want to just stop fucking around with weight watchers and "diets" and go paleo again.  More later in the post.


SECOND- My goal is to get movement in every day. It doesn't have to be TA, it can be so simple as walking to and from school. No more elevators, escalators, etc unless there is no other way up or down.


THIRD- My skin is in APPALLING shape. I have hordes of under-the-skin acne all over my face and BLACKHEADS.  Anyone who knows me in person knows that I had wonderful skin my whole life... and now this.  I have been super lazy in doing my skincare these days, and I strongly believe diet is a big player here too.


FOURTH- I MUST start moisturizing daily. As in my body.  I have been also super lazy here and all I get is I end up suffering by clawing myself raw every  night.  It's not eczema right now, but I am ashier than a dirty chimney.  Flakes everywhere. Sick, right?


FIFTH- Taking a Multivitamin will probably do nothing for me but help. I want to start taking them daily. I have one with extra biotin in it, which is good for skin, hair, and nails, all of which need work.


So, these things really need to change. A talk with a friend of mine yesterday really made me realize I need to shape it up. She is also trying to do the same.


So every day, my goal is to make all of these things habit and not a chore.




Now, I want to start paleo tomorrow, but I cannot get to the grocery store until March 1 after I get paid.  Determined, I went foraging in my kitchen and found the following:


6 eggs
6 pounds of fresh sweet potatoes
1/2 bag of frozen organic broccoli
2-3 bags of frozen organic spinach
3 lb bag of raw walnuts
3 big cans of canned chicken breast
A plethora of various teas (green, black, lipton, cookie-flavored, strawberry, etc)
A bag of oranges
1 snack cup of organic applesauce


So, I will be trying to make this paleo-friendly food last until I can shop. Waste not, want not. 




Looking to get a good kick start this weekend- how about you?

Still sick but I have another article!

Hello everyone!

No workout to really speak of this time.  I am very sick, both my nose and lungs are filled with snot and I generally feel like crap. 

Remember before how I talked about giving up wheat, and mentioned the book "Wheat Belly"?  I came across an article with an interview with the author.  It is a concise version of why we shouldn't be eating wheat.

The Evils of Wheat

This past week I haven't been very good about dieting either, but I did buy some foods for when I get better- I picked up some organic grass fed ground beef, some organic salad, some eggs, balsamic vinegar, and some blackberries. I hope the salad doesn't go bad before I get better.  However my weight hasn't changed much. I did gain a little back but not all of it.

I want to get back into the book workouts and eat this way again. I felt so much better being grain and starch free. Now I feel like shit in other ways all over again. Gotta get back on the horse, as they say.

I might go to the doctor tomorrow and get looked at for this cold and my ankle while I am at it. That's still hurting from time to time too.  Hope you guys are doing well- also I am DONE with school for this semester after Tuesday. I might wait to work out til then. Not sure.

Abcentric Day 15

Hello everyone!!!!

Day 15 was a tough one. Not because I didn't feel like working out, not because I was tempted by junk food, but because my body wasn't cooperating. I ended up getting my "visitor" yesterday right after work and started really feeling it soon after. It wasn't fun at all but....

My workout DID get done! In fact, I UPPED my reps to 30 and really sweated through it. I think now I have the leg portion of level 2 memorized and the move are, actually, a bit easier to do, hence the increase. I may do 30 reps again for one more day, then 35 the next 2 and 40 the final 2. I think I might really start missing level 2. Tonight or tomorrow I will start previewing level 3. 

Also- cardio DID get done! And I jumped the best I could like always. 30 minutes of good cardio.

Usually around this time I am using my body's disobedience as an excuse to lay around and eat. Not this time. Looking forward to completing day 6 tonight!

Have a great day!

Beginning the Clean Program!

Hello everyone!!!

I have decided that as of August 1, I will be starting Dr. Junger's Clean Program.  A friend of mine was kind and very generous enough to send me the kit (Again THANK YOU!) and I might as well use it and it would be in my best interest to do so.

I looked through my cabinets and found some approved items:

Dry chickpeas

Dry Cannellinis

Dry Lentils

Canned Black Beans

Canned Kidney Beans

Red Rice

Brown Rice

Miso paste

Tea

Olive oil

Sesame oil

Almond Milk

Frozen asparagus

Frozen green beans

Frozen snap peas

Organic Gala apples (not sure if they're still good)

Kimchi (Made with cabbage, onion, garlic, sea salt, and chili pepper, which is OK IF you know you are not allergic to nightshades. I do not think I am.)

My friend and I took a ride to whole foods and I picked up some more:

Low-sodium organic Tamari (gluten free soy sauce)

Quinoa (really cheap in bulk)

Organic walnuts

Almond butter (for eating with apples or celery)

Rice pasta

Quinoa/Amaranth/Rice pasta
Brown Rice Syrup

I forgot to pick up nutritional yeast (for that cheesy flavor) and sea salt.  We might go back to the store and I might pick up some teff flatbreads so I can make sandwiches.  

Another thing I noticed- You cannot have any form of beef on this cleanse but you CAN have Buffalo.  My friend told me that she had buffalo before, and it tastes just like steak.  Next time we go shopping I might pick up a few Buffalo steaks to freeze/use.

Really excited about this, this will challenge me and really help me expand my culinary horizons in a way.  Anyone else doing this, or going gluten free?  Any tips/tricks for a newbie?

Have a great weekend!

Metamorphosis Day 2

Hello everyone!

I finished day 2 of my omni metamorphosis yesterday (blogs will be posted the next day) and feeling it working already!

I am a lot more tired and flulike than I ever was with boot camp. I do sleep about 5-7 hours a night but I feel like it’s still not quite enough.  Very tired in the morning, my energy these days usually doesn’t kick in until 12-1 pm now.  I’m also sore but not in the injury/overuse sore (like I said last time) A friend of mine said that this tiredness is also in part from my body eating up the existing fat (since I am eating pretty low cal this week).  Go ahead little muscles. I’ve got all the fat you could possibly want. Eat up! LOL

As for MS I actually struggled a little with 20 reps on the legs.  I especially struggle with the moves that involve moving with the hips (Lifting my leg to the side especially). I am also barely able to make it through the arms and abs. Right when I am about to feel “I need a break” she goes to the next move.  The ab work really makes me feel it in both my upper and lower abs.  Lately it’s been hurting to laugh. This is a good thing!

By some strange miracle- I have done 30 minutes of cardio both days so far.  I do tire during it but I make absolute sure that I DO NOT stop moving. Even if I am keeping it low impact, I keep moving my whole body, arms included (also very tiring). I know I worked out hard enough because within a couple minutes I am sweaty and tomato red, and I make sure I stay that way until the 30 minutes is up.

The scale has also been going down.  I will not officially “Weigh in” until every 10 days is up.  However, so far I have lost about 4.6 pounds since Monday. Not bad.  I am also still keeping to the Nutrient Boost diet even though I do sneak a couple of bites here and there of other foods, mostly proteins. I am also starting to see VISUAL results- some of my outer thighs is starting to go, the tummy feels flatter and I feel like I stand straighter when I walk. Arms I am starting to see a little as well, and my lower legs (more by my ankles) looks like it’s starting to slim a little.

I also found out a friend of mine is starting her Omnicentric Metamorphosis journey today! So excited! A girl can never have enough support/workout buddies, especially ones who are doing the same thing!

Looking forward to the morning of day 11 when I take my official weight and measurements!