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. 

Happy New Year!

Here we go...
Cliche to start something new on January 1, but motivation is high and the time is right.
Enough writing and talking about it.
It's time to Start. Eat. Move. Go. Inspire. Motivate. Change. Grow. Work. Succeed.

All the best to you this year. I hope 2013 is everything you want it to be!

So What's the Plan? part 2

Strength training, Tabatas, cardio (in that order)

First, some truths:

True!  The food will always win. You have to be smart about this one.  Who has a spare 3 or 4 hours a day to workout? Eating clean and balanced will make you so much more effective and efficient.

Yes!  That 30 minute stroll around the block does not mean that you get to eat cheesecake. That 30 minute Tabata session doesn't mean you get to have cheesecake either.  If you did it right, you won't be able to do much of anything, let alone eat!  Haha!

and my favorite reminder-

500 crunches a day will eventually give you a stronger core, but if you are layered in fat, who cares? No one will be able to see all your hard work!!