Let's Get Physical

Monday was the end of my two week "Jump Start."  I have to tell you, I feel great! Fabulous, even!

Along with the guidelines I made out in the last post, I also included a 3 day Juicing Detox regimen. (I tweaked the linked detox directions)  Now that I'm into my third week of my new "lifestyle" these are things that I have noticed:

• No bloating
• Less cravings
• Nicer complexion
• I slip into my clothes, instead of squirm and wiggle into them
• Way more energy
• Alertness in the morning, without coffee
• Fall asleep much faster
• Heightened mental clarity and ability to focus

Juicing

After watching these 2 documentaries Hungry for a Change and Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead, I decided to give juicing a try.  So, Michael and I went out and bought ourselves a Breville Juicer and started the hunt for organic produce.

If you're going to juice produce, the best way is to go organic.  Otherwise you will be consuming lots of pesticides and it defeats the purpose of detoxing.

My favorite two places to go so far are Trader Joe's and Kroger. Unfortunately, right now I have to travel to Raleigh to get there.  The local farmer's markets are opening this month so that will save me a few trips along with Harris Teeter coming soon!!

I juiced for three days...

The first day was rough.

The second day was not so bad.

The third day I felt great!

But I think it all depends on how "toxic" you are.  If you regularly eat organically and healthy, you may not have a "bad" day.  Or it may take you up to 4-7 days to start feeling "good" if you currently have a poor diet.  But don't quote me on that. ;)

I know I said I would not hop on the scale but I was so curious to see what juicing would actually do for someone like myself, who doesn't have 40+ pounds to lose, like in the documentary.

I'm not going to give you my actual numbers ;) not yet anyway.  But lets say, I started out at zero when I started this whole thing:

Starting Point: 0 lbs

1 week later, I started juicing...

Started Juice: - 4 lbs

3 days later...

Ended Juice: - 10 lbs

Since juicing...

Currently: - 6 lbs

So, I lost 4 lbs the week I started the "lifestyle," during the juice detox I lost an additional 6 lbs, and a few days later I came back up 4 lbs (to be expected) and currently I weigh 6 lbs less than when I started this whole thing. 

I was shocked to see how much weight I lost during the 3 day juice detox.  I knew a lot of it had to be water weight, which would come back.  Honestly, it made me realize that for someone about my size, 3 days is the longest you should do it.

Here are a couple of yummy recipes!

                     

  Left: 5 carrots, 2 apples, 1/2 lemon, 1/4 inch of ginger

Right:1 stalk of broccoli, 2 oranges, 1 apple, 1 kiwi

I'm happy to say that my experience convinced my hubby into doing the juice detox for the 3 days.  He previously lost 6 lbs weeks before because when I cook healthy, he eats healthy.  During the juice detox he lost an additional 4 lbs.  He's maintained that loss.  I'm also really happy to say that Michael had a physical yesterday and his blood pressure was normal.  Unlike, his previous visit when it was too high. 

All of this along with exercising has been a great change for me. And who am I kidding, it's not all about the beach bod.  Just because someone is thin doesn't mean that they are healthy.  I've been way more mindful about my overall health and longevity since we are thinking about "trying" some time in the near future.  Not too soon, though. ;)

I've also noticed that I spend much less time worrying about my weight, how clothes fit, and bikini season, when I make little efforts every day to become healthier.

Momicked

For the next to 2 weeks I will be, as the kids at East Carteret say, momicked.

To jump start my new lifestyle, I have decided to do the following things:

1. "Diet Start Cleanse" by Renew Life.  Its a two week cleanse that I picked up at the local Healthabit Store.  It promotes using fat for energy, increasing lean body mass, and elimating toxins.  This is my second day and it really hasn't been that bad.

I had tried this brand before along with a couple other coworkers that talked me into it.  It was a slightly different product and slightly more aggressive. :/ If you know what I mean...

2. No Drinking.  Alcohol that is.  Since I am taking the time and energy to do the above I thought I should cut out alcohol from my diet for the next 2 weeks.  

It will also cut a lot of calories which is always a good thing.  So if anyone needs a DD for the next couple of weeks, you know who to call.

3. No Calorie Counting.  Counting calories everyday is no way to live.  I have a tendency to want to count calories when I'm trying to lose weight.  I must refrain.  It really gets to be exhausting and tedious.  Instead, I will listen to my body:

• Eat slowly
• Don't eat just because you are bored
• Are you really hungry?
• No involuntary snacking
• Don't eat it just because it's in front of you
• Is it nutritious?
• If I have to have the cookie, eat only one (or half, even better!)
• OR trade the cookie for a piece of fruit

These next two weeks I am going to be extra strict about these.

4. Get off the Scale. Just like counting calories I have the urge to weigh myself frequently when trying to lose weight.  It's discouraging to look down and not see the improvement you believe you deserve. It's starts to be an obsession. That's not good. The only thing I should be obsessing over is my husband. I'm obsessed with him.

Look at that face. I could eat him up! But I won't because I'm on a diet.