As a disclaimer, this post is going to have tons of quotes from PUSH by Chalene Johnson.
As I read this chapter, titled the same as this post, my mind was BLOWN. It's not that I didn't already know the difference, but having someone spell it out and basically say everything I feel was LIBERATING!
On a side note, I want you all to know that I realize I can get very personal with some of these posts. But it's because I'm a real person and I know that other people experience the same or similar things that I do and want you all to know that you're not alone. It's not always easy for me to talk about but if I can help anyone, or even find other people who can help me with advice or encouragement, it's all worth it to me.
I go on diets all the time. They suck. They're restrictive, I become obsessed with food and eating and all joy from food is gone.
"Dieters go through life labeling food as either 'good' or 'bad' and can't find a balance...Food is a constant preoccupation and a never-ending battle that causes hormonal imbalance, stress, and an obsession with weight. Diet is king, the scale rules the empire, and food is the enemy."
How sad. God put us here and he gave us delicious food to enjoy, not fear or hate. I used to almost be jealous of people who committed to quit smoking. For them, the addiction was as simple as going cold turkey. Cut it out and be done (I know that's vastly oversimplified for those of you smoke) but I can't just "quit" food.
"Having a diet fuels careful eating. Careful eaters know when they've had enough and when they can afford to have a little extra." They know their numbers (Calories in vs. Calories out, fat, protein and carb percentage, etc) and "it's a habit, not an obsession."
Having a diet allows food to be a pleasure. Here's the thing that really slapped me in the face. Dieters' food choices are always in flux, each month a different food or type of food is the enemy. "When a chronic dieter is not in 'diet' mode, however, all bets are off. Even the foods that they themselves have labeled bad become fair play." This of course leads to self-depreciation, depression, and usually binge eating. The diet has failed once again. You feel like you lack control.
This has been me for too long. I know it far too well and it's not the way I want to live. I'm deciding right here and right now that from today forward, I will HAVE A DIET, not be ON A DIET. I know that being on a diet doesn't work long term but having a diet that consists of whole foods first, being conscious of my numbers and indulging in an occasional treat is ok!
Chalene offers hope and I want to extend it to you. "We are talking about changing your thinking...it is easier for people to first change their habits, and then the new thinking follows as a natural progression. It's a series of habits. Change is possible. It starts with your decision to learn more and change your habits."
I'm on the road. I'm taking a nutrition class that teaches the dirty details about nutrition. I'm going to read Tosca Reno's book on clean eating and day by day, I will change my behaviors until they become habits. I welcome your support and accountability if you want to give it. I also welcome anyone that wants to join me in my quest for live healthier by habit and stop obsessing about food and enjoy it instead!
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Finished with the Beachbody Ultimate Reset!
Phew! I made it! And I think today I had the most powerful proof of the good I have done my body these last three weeks. I foolishly gave in to a craving and ate part of a breakfast burrito (yes, I knew better) but I can't tell you how unbelievable NOT worth it it was! Let's just say my stomach is very upset with me! :O
The benefit there is that now I WANT all my fruits and veggies!
Now for the results!!
In the three weeks of the Ultimate Reset I lost 15 pounds!
I lost an inch off of one thigh and half on the other, an inch and a half of my right arm and 1 inch of the left, an inch off my waist, an inch off my hips, and three inches off my bust (of course that is where I would lose ;) ).
Total inches lost: 9!
The great thing is that now that I've completed the Reset itself, they don't simply let me go out and figure out what to do next. I have a guide on how and when to reintroduce different foods so as not to overwhelm my newly primed body (like I did today anyway). So, one more week without coffee and meat. another month without sugar.
Is anyone interested in trying the Beachbody Ultimate Reset for themselves? Click here to check it out and please don't hesitate to contact me with questions. Now that I'm a pro, I will guide and coach you through it. I promise that if you want to get healthy, this is the way to do it and you WILL NOT regret it! I definitely don't!!
The benefit there is that now I WANT all my fruits and veggies!
Now for the results!!
In the three weeks of the Ultimate Reset I lost 15 pounds!
I lost an inch off of one thigh and half on the other, an inch and a half of my right arm and 1 inch of the left, an inch off my waist, an inch off my hips, and three inches off my bust (of course that is where I would lose ;) ).
Total inches lost: 9!
The great thing is that now that I've completed the Reset itself, they don't simply let me go out and figure out what to do next. I have a guide on how and when to reintroduce different foods so as not to overwhelm my newly primed body (like I did today anyway). So, one more week without coffee and meat. another month without sugar.
Is anyone interested in trying the Beachbody Ultimate Reset for themselves? Click here to check it out and please don't hesitate to contact me with questions. Now that I'm a pro, I will guide and coach you through it. I promise that if you want to get healthy, this is the way to do it and you WILL NOT regret it! I definitely don't!!
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Crazy or Misinformed?
About an hour ago, I engaged in a conversation with a customer at work. She mentioned she was looking for work so I told her a little about what I do as a Coach. Turns out, she's a little bit crazy...
She immediately started telling me that diets of any kind don't work and quoted a statistic from Weight Watchers that says only 5% of people who lose weight don't gain it back. I have no idea if that's an accurate number. This woman in particular claims to have done all of the diet programs out there and the only thing that worked for her was stomach stapling.
I tried to explain that it's about a lifestyle change, not simply a diet. Of course you'll fail and gain weight again if you do some crazy fad diet and then go back to your old habits. That's why you work on changing the habits. She was having none of it! "No one can change habits!" She exclaimed. "They can, most choose not to," I replied.
Then we got personal. She showed me the extra skin and "flab" as she called it, on her legs. And then told me if her boobs sagged any lower people would think they were....well, I'll leave that one alone. Immediately afterward she told me she's never exercised in her life and never would. "That's your problem," I tried to explain. "If you exercised, you would strengthen your pectoral muscles and lift those puppies up!"
"There are no muscles there!" She said.
Sigh.
Anyway, I don't think she'll ever be interested in a business that encourages people to eat well and exercise. And yes, this took place in the middle of a coffee shop.
As for my own "diet"...
I'm nearing the end of the third and final week :)
At the end of week 2, I was down 11 pounds. In week three, I cut out grains and I've been eating only fruits and veggies as well as my supplements. I have to admit that some things have been hard to get down and I've had a vegan Tropical Shakeology for lunch two or three times this week.
I've been having a lot of cravings for different foods lately. Mostly junk like burritos. I really want a breakfast burrito....
I think it's probably because I know I'm nearing the end and my mind thinks that means old habits get to creep back in. Well, this is a perfect example of what I was trying to tell that woman. I could choose to immediately start eating some of the junk I used to eat that got me here in the first place and likely gain some if not all of the weight back. Or, I can continue to follow through with the Reset and over the next month, continue to solidify my new and good habits. That's not to say I won't occasionally eat a breakfast burrito. Instead, I'll know that I'm in control of what I eat and therefore, how much I weigh. And I'll do it in a healthy way.
So, final results from the total 3 weeks are forthcoming. But as of today, I've lost 14 pounds.
She immediately started telling me that diets of any kind don't work and quoted a statistic from Weight Watchers that says only 5% of people who lose weight don't gain it back. I have no idea if that's an accurate number. This woman in particular claims to have done all of the diet programs out there and the only thing that worked for her was stomach stapling.
I tried to explain that it's about a lifestyle change, not simply a diet. Of course you'll fail and gain weight again if you do some crazy fad diet and then go back to your old habits. That's why you work on changing the habits. She was having none of it! "No one can change habits!" She exclaimed. "They can, most choose not to," I replied.
Then we got personal. She showed me the extra skin and "flab" as she called it, on her legs. And then told me if her boobs sagged any lower people would think they were....well, I'll leave that one alone. Immediately afterward she told me she's never exercised in her life and never would. "That's your problem," I tried to explain. "If you exercised, you would strengthen your pectoral muscles and lift those puppies up!"
"There are no muscles there!" She said.
Sigh.
Anyway, I don't think she'll ever be interested in a business that encourages people to eat well and exercise. And yes, this took place in the middle of a coffee shop.
As for my own "diet"...
I'm nearing the end of the third and final week :)
At the end of week 2, I was down 11 pounds. In week three, I cut out grains and I've been eating only fruits and veggies as well as my supplements. I have to admit that some things have been hard to get down and I've had a vegan Tropical Shakeology for lunch two or three times this week.
I've been having a lot of cravings for different foods lately. Mostly junk like burritos. I really want a breakfast burrito....
I think it's probably because I know I'm nearing the end and my mind thinks that means old habits get to creep back in. Well, this is a perfect example of what I was trying to tell that woman. I could choose to immediately start eating some of the junk I used to eat that got me here in the first place and likely gain some if not all of the weight back. Or, I can continue to follow through with the Reset and over the next month, continue to solidify my new and good habits. That's not to say I won't occasionally eat a breakfast burrito. Instead, I'll know that I'm in control of what I eat and therefore, how much I weigh. And I'll do it in a healthy way.
So, final results from the total 3 weeks are forthcoming. But as of today, I've lost 14 pounds.
Friday, July 27, 2012
Day 7 of Phase 1/ Day 14 Overall
Today is the last day of Phase 2/Week 2 of the Ultimate Reset! I can't believe I've made it this far!
I'm pleased to say that at the end of Phase 1/Week 1, I had lost 6 pounds. I'll let you know this weekend the final results from week 2 :)
I've been eating fully vegetarian for a little over a week now and have almost cut out all grains as well. I haven't had any sugar or coffee since I began (except for the on bite of a cupcake last weekend). I've noticed that I've been a little hungrier more often during this week but by raising my water intake and having a snack in the afternoons, it's definitely not a problem.
I've noticed that my acid reflux is gone and I have a ton more energy than I did before starting. In fact, the reason I ultimately decided to do the Ultimate Reset is because one day after a long day at work, I was going to Walmart, still for work, and I felt so sluggish. Basically, I felt like I was Jabba the Hut trying to drag my huge body across the hot parking lot. I was miserable and angry with myself for letting it all get that point.
This week, however, I unloaded the inventory at work in record time and felt amazing! Before this, it was the same thing, everything took so much effort.
The food has been hit and miss taste-wise. Mostly it's been fine and I'm willing to try anything. I've really enjoyed a few things and not liked others at all.
As for supplements, I'm SO excited to take my last Detox packet. It's horrible! One more before dinner and I'm done! I'm still getting headaches but I know it's from my neck and not the diet.
I'm excited to get my final results for week 2 and share with you tomorrow!!
Friday, July 20, 2012
Phase 1 Complete! What I've learned...
I'm about to have my final meal of week one/phase one of the Ultimate Reset. I'll post my final weight loss for the week tomorrow.
Through this week, I've learned:
That I do have the strength to stick to a healthy meal plan by myself.
I was addicted to coffee, despite my protestations, but I still know that it's hugely a comfort issue. As in, drinking coffee is a great social activity, environment and makes me feel good above and beyond the caffeine fix :)
I don't mind being on a mostly vegetarian diet.
I HATE miso soup.
I have enjoyed learning new recipes and types of food.
I can kick my sugar habit!!
This weekend will be tough. It's great-grandma's 95th birthday and we're throwing her a surprise party! I'll be out of town for the weekend so I'll have to really make plans to stick to my diet. The meal tomorrow night is brisket made by my amazing cook of an aunt. *sigh* but it's for the greater good of my health :) Also, my sister is making cupcakes. Normally, not a big deal. She's making Limoncello cupcakes. mmmmmm
Through this week, I've learned:
That I do have the strength to stick to a healthy meal plan by myself.
I was addicted to coffee, despite my protestations, but I still know that it's hugely a comfort issue. As in, drinking coffee is a great social activity, environment and makes me feel good above and beyond the caffeine fix :)
I don't mind being on a mostly vegetarian diet.
I HATE miso soup.
I have enjoyed learning new recipes and types of food.
I can kick my sugar habit!!
This weekend will be tough. It's great-grandma's 95th birthday and we're throwing her a surprise party! I'll be out of town for the weekend so I'll have to really make plans to stick to my diet. The meal tomorrow night is brisket made by my amazing cook of an aunt. *sigh* but it's for the greater good of my health :) Also, my sister is making cupcakes. Normally, not a big deal. She's making Limoncello cupcakes. mmmmmm
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Cravings!!
Here I am, on Day 5 of the Ultimate Reset. I loved the foods I've eaten today! Oatmeal, Quinoa salad and hummus with veggies, and tonight, more Ah-mazing stir-fried veggies. (Also miso soup, though, which is pretty iffy). But oh, how I miss coffee!
I want to share my reasons for choosing this cleanse. It's a bit expensive for me on my new lower wage at the coffee shop so it was a pretty big decision financially. Not only that, but I have struggled mightily with actually sticking with my own prescribed "diet" for longer than 3 or 4 days. I have developed some really bad habits of snacking all the time, which then would make me feel badly about myself leading to more emotional eating. On top of it, I could not break myself of sugar. Obviously, it's possible as I'm proving to myself right now and I'm on my fifth day of NO SUGAR! Yay me!
I'm tired of seeing pictures of myself and not recognizing the person I see, and not because of my occasional hair color changes. So, yes, I'm going into this hoping to lose some weight. But above and beyond that, I want the 21 days to be a real and true lifestyle change. Something that forces me to break my bad habits, develop new and healthy ones, and give myself the confidence and tools to continue to lose the weight necessary to be healthy again.
There have been a couple of nights this week in which I wanted to say "screw it" and order out. I don't love cooking and this is definitely an extended version of what I normally would cook. Another habit to break (eating out because of laziness) and a good one to form (cooking at home with healthier ingredients. I'll have to learn efficiency).
I WANTED sugar today! I had to go to Walmart and it seems like all the sugar cried out to me. Made me think of Confessions of a Shopaholic where all the mannequins speak to Rebecca.
Day 4:
Yesterday was so hard! I knew it would be because of the day long training for work. I prepared all my foods and supplements but I had to sorta sneak my supps so people wouldn't think I was on some strange drug LOL. Also had a terrible headache STILL which didn't help. So, long story short, there were a series of difficulties which lead me to eat a provided Subway Sandwich instead of my prepared lunch. I made the decision then and there to move on immediately and have no regrets or beat myself up over it. After all, I did resist the free coffee and pastries that confronted me throughout the day.
Day 5:
I feel pretty good today. I've had some weight fluctuations and I'm back to the 4.4 lbs lost. I'm tired because I opened the coffee shop again today but I don't feel the crazy fogginess from lack of caffeine, but I did buy some Zen green tea today. Everyday gets me further from meat so again, I'm so thankful for Sean's support because it's a change for him too. I'll make him some chicken with our stir-fried veggies and miso soup tonight. Last night he ate a LOT of quinoa to make up for his lack of meat ;)
I want to share my reasons for choosing this cleanse. It's a bit expensive for me on my new lower wage at the coffee shop so it was a pretty big decision financially. Not only that, but I have struggled mightily with actually sticking with my own prescribed "diet" for longer than 3 or 4 days. I have developed some really bad habits of snacking all the time, which then would make me feel badly about myself leading to more emotional eating. On top of it, I could not break myself of sugar. Obviously, it's possible as I'm proving to myself right now and I'm on my fifth day of NO SUGAR! Yay me!
I'm tired of seeing pictures of myself and not recognizing the person I see, and not because of my occasional hair color changes. So, yes, I'm going into this hoping to lose some weight. But above and beyond that, I want the 21 days to be a real and true lifestyle change. Something that forces me to break my bad habits, develop new and healthy ones, and give myself the confidence and tools to continue to lose the weight necessary to be healthy again.
There have been a couple of nights this week in which I wanted to say "screw it" and order out. I don't love cooking and this is definitely an extended version of what I normally would cook. Another habit to break (eating out because of laziness) and a good one to form (cooking at home with healthier ingredients. I'll have to learn efficiency).
I WANTED sugar today! I had to go to Walmart and it seems like all the sugar cried out to me. Made me think of Confessions of a Shopaholic where all the mannequins speak to Rebecca.
Day 4:
Yesterday was so hard! I knew it would be because of the day long training for work. I prepared all my foods and supplements but I had to sorta sneak my supps so people wouldn't think I was on some strange drug LOL. Also had a terrible headache STILL which didn't help. So, long story short, there were a series of difficulties which lead me to eat a provided Subway Sandwich instead of my prepared lunch. I made the decision then and there to move on immediately and have no regrets or beat myself up over it. After all, I did resist the free coffee and pastries that confronted me throughout the day.
Day 5:
I feel pretty good today. I've had some weight fluctuations and I'm back to the 4.4 lbs lost. I'm tired because I opened the coffee shop again today but I don't feel the crazy fogginess from lack of caffeine, but I did buy some Zen green tea today. Everyday gets me further from meat so again, I'm so thankful for Sean's support because it's a change for him too. I'll make him some chicken with our stir-fried veggies and miso soup tonight. Last night he ate a LOT of quinoa to make up for his lack of meat ;)
Monday, July 16, 2012
Beachbody Ultimate Reset
On Saturday, July 14 I started the Beachbody Ultimate Reset. What is that, you ask?
The Beachbody Ultimate Reset is a 21 day detoxifying cleanse program. It's not a starvation diet or a juice diet, in fact, I stay full until my next meal or snack.
There are three phases: Reclaim, Release, Restore. In the first week, you reclaim you body by slowly phasing out animal products and reclaiming your body and preparing for change. During the second week/phase you release the toxic compounds stored in the body and begin eating a fully vegetarian diet. The third and final phase is Restore, in which you put back probiotics and nutrients expelled during Release. The diet is now Vegan.
The Ultimate Reset comes with directions, supplements, and recipes, as well as a support group.
When I began on Saturday, I feared my resolve to completely cut out sugar and coffee. After all, I work in a coffee shop. I'm on day 3, though, and it hasn't been nearly as difficult as I thought. The most interesting thing to me is how much of a habit it is for me to simply reach for sugar or pastries without really thinking. Not because I want it, necessarily, it's truly just a bad habit that's led to my current weight gain.
I'll give more updates as I go along, but here's my brief daily diary so far.
Day 1:
I had to open at the coffee shop so I prepared my lunch of a microgreen salad and dressing the nigh before. I took my supplements in the morning and took my breakfast of toast, scrambled egg and spinach with me. I do NOT like steamed spinach, I've discovered. I put the egg and spinach between the pieces of bread but still couldn't quite finish it. The salad was pretty good. After work, I fell asleep on the couch. Not sure if it was because of not sleeping well and then getting up early and then no coffee or some combination. I woke up with a terrible headache which I was later able to attribute to my neck going out of place when I slept on the couch :(
Dinner was salmon and more steamed spinach.
Day 2:
I still feel pretty hazy due to caffeine and sugar withdrawl and also a bit nauseas from my headache so it's hard to distinguish the two. My headache has made me basically useless and I ended up taking a pretty long nap this afternoon. I was thankful for the oatmeal and blueberries for breakfast and Sean and I enjoyed the Greek salad with grilled chicken for lunch. Dinner was also really good, beans and rice tacos. I'm so thankful to Sean for being incredible supportive through all this. He pretty much eats what I eat and generally enjoys it. Eventually, I'll have to start adding some meat to the meals for him, especially as I phase it out for myself.
Day 3:
When I awoke this morning, my head felt quite a bit better, though still not great, so I made an appointment with the chiropractor for this afternoon. I realized this morning that I've been forgetting to take the Alkalinize supplement and took it this afternoon. Um...Yuck!
The fogginess is nearly gone today which is great. I miss coffee but at least I feel better. Sean ate some pizza snacks today and it took so much power to not justify eating "just one". But I did it! Not cheating here! The book says day 3 and 5 are the hardest but today hasn't seemed any harder than the others. I think tomorrow will be hard because of my schedule. I have a day long management training and I'm not sure how I'll be able to eat my food.
I was very skeptical of the Nori Rolls and Miso Soup but it actually turned out very good and I mostly enjoyed it ;)
By the way, I've lost 4.4 pounds!
The Beachbody Ultimate Reset is a 21 day detoxifying cleanse program. It's not a starvation diet or a juice diet, in fact, I stay full until my next meal or snack.
There are three phases: Reclaim, Release, Restore. In the first week, you reclaim you body by slowly phasing out animal products and reclaiming your body and preparing for change. During the second week/phase you release the toxic compounds stored in the body and begin eating a fully vegetarian diet. The third and final phase is Restore, in which you put back probiotics and nutrients expelled during Release. The diet is now Vegan.
The Ultimate Reset comes with directions, supplements, and recipes, as well as a support group.
When I began on Saturday, I feared my resolve to completely cut out sugar and coffee. After all, I work in a coffee shop. I'm on day 3, though, and it hasn't been nearly as difficult as I thought. The most interesting thing to me is how much of a habit it is for me to simply reach for sugar or pastries without really thinking. Not because I want it, necessarily, it's truly just a bad habit that's led to my current weight gain.
I'll give more updates as I go along, but here's my brief daily diary so far.
Day 1:
I had to open at the coffee shop so I prepared my lunch of a microgreen salad and dressing the nigh before. I took my supplements in the morning and took my breakfast of toast, scrambled egg and spinach with me. I do NOT like steamed spinach, I've discovered. I put the egg and spinach between the pieces of bread but still couldn't quite finish it. The salad was pretty good. After work, I fell asleep on the couch. Not sure if it was because of not sleeping well and then getting up early and then no coffee or some combination. I woke up with a terrible headache which I was later able to attribute to my neck going out of place when I slept on the couch :(
Dinner was salmon and more steamed spinach.
Day 2:
I still feel pretty hazy due to caffeine and sugar withdrawl and also a bit nauseas from my headache so it's hard to distinguish the two. My headache has made me basically useless and I ended up taking a pretty long nap this afternoon. I was thankful for the oatmeal and blueberries for breakfast and Sean and I enjoyed the Greek salad with grilled chicken for lunch. Dinner was also really good, beans and rice tacos. I'm so thankful to Sean for being incredible supportive through all this. He pretty much eats what I eat and generally enjoys it. Eventually, I'll have to start adding some meat to the meals for him, especially as I phase it out for myself.
Day 3:
When I awoke this morning, my head felt quite a bit better, though still not great, so I made an appointment with the chiropractor for this afternoon. I realized this morning that I've been forgetting to take the Alkalinize supplement and took it this afternoon. Um...Yuck!
The fogginess is nearly gone today which is great. I miss coffee but at least I feel better. Sean ate some pizza snacks today and it took so much power to not justify eating "just one". But I did it! Not cheating here! The book says day 3 and 5 are the hardest but today hasn't seemed any harder than the others. I think tomorrow will be hard because of my schedule. I have a day long management training and I'm not sure how I'll be able to eat my food.
I was very skeptical of the Nori Rolls and Miso Soup but it actually turned out very good and I mostly enjoyed it ;)
By the way, I've lost 4.4 pounds!
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