Cycle

Using the clean eating principles, I started a new way of eating for me.  It's not a new concept but I've never tried it before.  I'm so grateful to my trainer for taking the time to sit down and talk to me about this because I feel REALLY good about doing this.

So what's the plan?

It's called carb-cycling and basically you change up the amount of carbs you have from day to day to make your body more efficient at using them up.  See this article on Wikipedia for some general information.

I am VERY happy to report that after 5 days of carb-cycling, I am down 3 lbs.

This  Dr Oz video does a good job explaining the basics. Although he talks about alternating high and low carb days, I am doing a high- low- low combination which seems to work very well.

I will also add that I walked around the mall for about an hour on Sunday, did a strength circuit on Monday and cardio on Tuesday so I'm sure the activity helped too!

Weight loss to date- 8 lbs

My most favorite Easter treat.  I had a handful of them the other week and that was all.  I think I finally have a handle on the 'no sugar' thing.     See you next year delicious mini eggs!

Clean

Clean Eating is the idea that the food you eat should be REAL - not processed within an inch of it's life. Clean eating eliminates white flour, white sugar, chemically and artificially enhanced food.

A good rule of thumb here is that if it expires in 2 weeks, it's probably clean.  

Food List

• Chicken
• Sweet potatoes
• Salad
• Steamed vegetables
• Oats
• Protein powder
• Frozen berries  (for smoothies)
• Whole grain bread
• Rice cakes
• Egg whites
• Green beans, broccoli, asparagus
• Protein bars-  emergency use only!
• Fish
• Greek Yogurt
• Cottage cheese
• Sugar free Jell-o/pudding/fugdesicles
• Fruit- berries, apples, citrus
• Water  (trying to drink about 1 gallon a day)
• Flax seeds, wheat germ, etc
• Fish oil, vitamin D
• Natural peanut, cashew, almond butter

The goal now is to create meal combinations from this list that have protein, carbs and healthy fats in each.

What else do you have on your clean eating list?

 

How beautiful is this picture?

Realize

I've been applying the suggestions we get for working out and eating but I still feel like I'm trying to 'undo' mistakes instead of moving forward.  For example, I ate 3 pretzel sticks today.  Not the best choice, I know, but my week is going to be focused on undoing the harm from those instead of moving on to lose weight.  It's hard to describe but does anyone else have similar experiences? 
Also, I am carb resistant in more ways than one:
- I take synthroid daily to deal with my thyroid
-I am insulin resistant
-I am borderline PCOS
-I am afraid to eat quinoa because it has so many carbs in it
-I'm in a place where 3 pretzel sticks is a 'bad choice'
What I'm realizing is that, for me, sugar and processed anything, white food/carbs can't be in my life anymore and it's a hard breakup!  Maybe when I've maintained my goal weight for a while I'll be able to occasionally partake and not gain 20 lbs.
I've said this before but it's like being an addict.  Once you are one, that's it. You can't stop being one, you can only do your best to control it. 

Transform!

I was selected to be part of a new group at our fitness center at work called Transform.  It's the first time it's been offered and I'm really excited to be part of it.
We meet twice a week for workouts and nutrition and, gulp, weigh-ins and body measurements.
I have big hopes for the next 6 months.  The support system and weekly weigh ins is going to help me stay on track.
Our homework for this week is about goal setting which is essential if you want to have success.

I have an interview today at 9 am.  I've been wearing my jeans for the past 2 weeks because it's the only thing that fits me right now.  I had to go shopping yesterday and now I'm squeezed into a pair of size 16 pants and an XL top.  As if I needed another reason to get in shape!
Rewarding myself with a super long cardio workout this afternoon.

Here we go... take 2

So a week ago I was on track for starting my new lifestyle, of getting strong and fit and healthy.  I was going to stop the endless talk about doing it and just START!
That hasn't happened.  I'm more aware of what I'm eating but I don't think I've made any changes to support my goal.
Hmmm...
This is how it begins.  This is how it's always begun.  Good intentions pushed aside for old habits. 

I'm going to enroll in a Healthy U Transformation program at work. The first meeting is tomorrow.  I think  I'm waiting for that before I do anything.

A few things I've noticed-  I want someone to tell me what to do, to eliminate the guesswork but when that happens I find myself rebelling.

During this next 6 months I expect change, not miracles.  I want to lose weight, not be at the end goal.
I want to stop thinking of this process as having an 'end' to it.  There is no finish line or if there is, it keeps moving to a different place.

Packed a good lunch today.  Eating well so far. Trying to drink all my water and tea.  I'll get there!

I'll post my progess- pix ,weight, the good, the bad and the ugly. 

6 months.  I can do it.