Eating Clean- Lots of Questions!

Hi everyone!

Yesterday, I decided to have my cheat day instead of Sunday (tomorrow) so I will be posting about day 23 (I believe) tomorrow as that workout is being done today.

Now on to the subject- Eating clean and healthy.  I really want to start doing this (and counting calories because even clean foods can be high in them) at least most of the time and I have some questions about it.  I am a former fast food/junk food addict and I'm noticing whenever I eat these things, I end up feeling like crap. I have already reduced my Diet Coke intake to 1-2 cans a day when it used to be 6+ a day and more water. What I have questions about is the food, since I have to stay to a budget (poor college student).

1. My most burning question: Are canned and frozen vegetables OK? I have a bunch of cans in the cupboard and all the ingredients say are vegetable name, water, and sometimes salt. (I rinse them before eating). No sulfites or weird chemisty language, same with the frozen veggies. I wish I could afford good, fresh organic but at this time it's not realistic.

2. Are whole grain pastas ok? I have a couple of boxes of whole grain pasta with again, no chemistry talk, and I have some spaghetti sauce that is all natural and has no preservatives. 

3. Nobody's perfect, I know I will slip up sometimes as everyone does. However on cheat days is there anything that I should absolutely positively ALWAYS avoid? Like any certain ingredients?

4. Is cheese considered "clean"? I do love yogurt, cheese and dairy on occasion (I normally don't have dairy or eggs) and again, organic isn't always an option.

5. I know steel cut oats are amazing for eating clean, but what about the quicker cooking oats? I have some of this around the house too- not flavored or instant, the kind that comes in the big cardboard can.

6. Soy. Oh, soy. So many benefits and health scares. I make a lot of Korean food that involves soybeans and tofu.  The tofu they sell at my market is organic and non GMO, and the fresh soybeans are also non GMO. Is this ok?

I think that's it for now. I know a lot of my readers follow the clean diet. I also want to save money and do the Junger cleanse- the deep one- but it's $450. Well worth it, it's just a matter of saving up!  Sorry for all the questions, I have done internet research but I get a lot of conflicting info, especially about vegetables!  If you have more suggestions on eating clean on a budget- post in the comments below! Any info is helpful to me, as again, I am new at this!

Day 22 Metamorphosis

Hi everyone! 

Yesterday was a really crappy day, at least when it came to class. The short version of the story is that I had to do my weekly lab project with my group, and 2 of my group members just really  made me feel like crap. I was just trying to be friendly and nice, trying to make friendly small talk and one of those little bitches rolled her eyes at me.  Ugh. Just made me feel really ousted and uncomfortable.  Getting put in a different group this late in the semester isn't an option either. Oh well. 

As for the workout, I almost didn't do it because I just felt bad, came home late and just wanted to sleep. I did end up doing it, 20 reps per leg again and 35 minutes of cardio, but the cardio was sort of lackluster, mainly from tiredness. But it's ok, I can do better next time. 

Off to work now, can't wait to knock out day 23 when I get home tonight.

I am still on the hunt for a gym bag, see previous post!

Day 21 Metamorphosis

Hi guys!!!

I began level 3 of Omni Metamorphosis and I can honestly say I really DO like it. No circus tricks like level 2. There are a couple of moves that are maybe SLIGHTLY circus but they're very very doable. 

The arm section and abs were a bit awkward, but they always are for me on the first day. This is normal. I did feel a great arm and ab workout even though I felt like a fool doing it, haha. 

As for the butt/leg moves- They are easy to execute- I was able to do 20 repetitions per leg right off the bat, but let me tell you, it was not child's play.  I was absolutely drenched in fairy dust (sweat for those of you not in the know) and my butt was on fire. FIRE.  During level 2 I felt awkward, retarded, and weak, only topping out at 20 reps for the last 2 days. 

Cardio... I did that. I got my 35 minutes in, and about 20-25% of it was jumping, which is an increase from before.  Cardio is actually starting to get easier in terms of my stamina. I think I'll be moving up to 40 minutes sooner than I thought, perhaps next week.  

On a side note, my poor, unfortunate, 5 year old gym dufflebag (also sometimes my bookbag) is now out of commission. I am now in the market for a new gym bag.  Right now, I found these two:

Choice #1- Asics

Choice #2- Adidas

If you guys know any good gym bags and would like to recommend one, please let me know! This is what I am looking for:

1. Pink is preferred! As is Pink with black, white, gray or if you find a combo with pink that's not listed still let me know.

2. I'd like a medium sized bag- 24ish inches or longer, I carry a lot of stuff with me in it and I need the room!

3. Storage pockets are nice but I don't need an excessive amount, so if you see one with not so many pockets, it still could do.

4. My price range is up to $100 USD. 

If you don't have a suggestion, let me know which one of the choices you think would be better!

Day 20 Metamorphosis and measurements!

Hello everyone!

It's over! The dreaded Omnicentric level 2 is OVER!!! YAAAY!!!!!!!!! -ahem- Yes, I finally finished level 2. Dear planks, until we meet again, good riddance! I also got in my 35 minutes of cardio. I can start to feel that length of time get a LITTLE easier but not easier enough to bump up the time. 

In other news, Day 20 is over, so you know what that means? Measurements!!!

The results this time aren't quite as stellar as after level 1, I believe this is mainly due to a couple of skipped cardio sessions and less reps on the MS (because it was hard!). Still, I did lose. 

Bust: 2/24- 46.5 in  3/8- 46 in

R. Arm: 2/24- 16.5 in 3/8- 15 in

L. Arm: 2/24- 17.5 in 3/8- 16 in

Waist: 2/24- 44 in 3/8- 43 in

Hips: 2/24- 52 in 3/8- 51 in

R. Thigh- 2/24- 31 in 3/8- 29.5 in

L. Thigh- 2/24- 31 in 3/8- 29.5 in

Total inches lost in days 11-20: 8.5 inches

Total inches lost since 2/14: 20 inches

I still have a long way to go but progress IS being made! I hope you all have a great day and get your workouts in!

Day 19 Metamorphosis

Hi everyone!

Day 19 was almost just a half assed day.  Meaning I was originally going to only do my MS- if it weren't from support from an online friend, who gave me the extra push, cardio wouldn't have been done! 

Day 19 is the second to last day of Omni level 2. Finally. Ugh! I did still do 20 reps, but it took what felt like FOREVER!!! Also, I found out a little tip on doing the forward plank moves to make it easier and more correct. When you are in plank position, either up on your hands or down on your forearms, instead of keeping the supporting leg to the side it's on, position your foot so that it is more between your arms and middle of your body, this helps balance your weight a lot better. If you pay really close attention to the video, you will see Tracy doing it the same way. 

As for cardio- 35 minutes done!  I also have a tip for cardio too.

If you're a girl who loves clubbing, the atmosphere of going out dancing, etc, read on.  I watch my DVDs and listen to my Dance CD on my Xbox 360.  When you play audio CDs on the Xbox 360, it gives the option of "full screen visualization". Visualization is that colored, light show-like background, for example like in Windows Media Player. What I do is shut off the lights in the living room, turn on the full screen visualization, and have at it. My TV is 42 inches and the bright changing colors light the way enough for safety, and give me the at-the-club atmosphere. Then my inner club dancer comes out and really lets loose and performs, and the time really DOES fly that way for me! No looking at times, no paying attention to when this song will be over, just dance. 

Tomorrow morning is the big measure day! Will post measurements after taking them (after finishing day 20 tonight!)

Have a wonderful active day and keep on dancing!

Day 18 Metamorphosis

Hi everyone~

I'm so glad to almost be done with level 2. I have 2 more days left of it before moving on up to level 3!

When I did my MS last night, I was able to raise the reps per leg to 20 from 16. Not bad, hurt like hell, but it got done! Hopefully I can get the next two days done this same way.  I still feel it in my butt and thighs this morning.  

Cardio also got done- 35 minutes still. MAY change up to 40 next week. I am still feeling pretty sore from last night so I'm not sure. 

My second measuring day is coming up, I'm not so sure about my results this time, because of lower reps and skipped cardio. It would be NICE if the results were like level 1 but if they're not, there's always level 3 to work harder on.   My eating this level also hasn't been the best. Working on being good from now on, this past weekend as I've said was full of indulgence.

Alright- everyone have a great Monday and get your workout in!!! 

Day 17 Metamorphosis

Hi everyone!

Today is Saturday, but for me, it was Faturday. I had no motivation, no desire to get up out of bed (I finally dragged my ass out at 7 pm) and worse, no intention of exercise. I also had indulged (or overindulged depending on who you ask) in the food department and man, am I bloated. Not the best day, but I did get my MS in.

I am also finding that I am having a REALLY hard time with level 2 omni. And I mean hard. I'm still stuck at 16 reps before I want to pass out and die. Either this past 6 days have been really stressful, the workouts have been really hard, or both. I'll go with both.  Also my eating hasn't been the best, same with my cardio. During the first 10 days I was the cardio trooper, now I missed a few sessions this sequence. I really hope sequence 3 is better.  Also I need to make the most of what's left of sequence 2.  I have 3 more days, starting tomorrow that I better make count because I have a measuring day.  This means watching my food better and DOING MY DAMN CARDIO!!!!! 

I hope you all had a lovely Faturday, and I hope you have a lovely weekend too!