I am about to embark on a new and exciting challenge and I am excited about blogging about it, but I realized that I didn't wrap up this blog series.
My 30 Day Cleanse was definitely the beginning of a life changing journey. In 30 days I lost 10 lbs and 19 inches. I reduced cravings and appetite while experiencing increased energy and motivation. My body had this feeling of general well being and balance. I was challenged with dealing with emotions and stress in new and healthy ways and I feel so much more confident as I think of my relationship with food. I acknowledge that this is still a process but cleansing out the toxins and taking care of my body with high quality nutrients is a huge part of that.
I was so impressed with the Isagenix products and system that I have incorporated them into my lifestyle. A great testament to this is that I didn't gain any weight over the Christmas to New Years stretch. My 30 day cleanse ended the day before Christmas so I won't deny that I indulged during all the holiday festivities, family get togethers and a New Years party. The amazing thing is that I didn't actually gain a pound. I was true to having my shakes and supplements everyday and I guess this was enough to maintain. This is very exciting to me!!
So now with the New Year comes a new Challenge. A BIG challenge!! To be honest I am a little scared, because this is going to take me to a place I have never been before. This is going to stretch me outside of my comfort zone and possibly require more of me than ever before...
SEE NEW BLOG FOR DETAILS !!!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Troubleshooting
I read in an article this morning that 97% of women crave chocolate. Well that was comforting, since over the last couple of days I have had moments of craving something sweet and resisting having just ONE of my husband's Junior Mints (I think that is the only sweet thing in our house) is enough to drive me crazy. So what's up with these sudden cravings? For 3 weeks on this program my cravings have been totally diminished.
Troubleshooting #1 - For most of the last 3 weeks I have included Isadelights (dark chocolate) as part of my snacking options. They give me the feeling of being indulgent, curb cravings and boost my mood. Well I guess I didn't realize how valuable these little chocolate snacks were until being out for the last few days. After reading that stat I mentioned above it makes sense to include a little dark chocolate every day... and not feel guilty about it!!
Troubleshooting #2 - I have been wondering if I am getting enough water throughout the day. I was talking to my cleanse coach today about the cravings and she emphasized that not having enough water can stimulate cravings.
Conclusion - So the next time I feel those craving urges, drink a glass of water and include Isadelights as regular snacks. By the way, I did get in another box of Isadelights so I'm sure everything will be back to normal. I am also going to be more intentional about tracking my water intake over the day.
Talking about water, I feel like my weight loss has slowed a bit so increasing my water might be the boost to get me back on track. Never underestimate the power of proper hydration.
Troubleshooting #1 - For most of the last 3 weeks I have included Isadelights (dark chocolate) as part of my snacking options. They give me the feeling of being indulgent, curb cravings and boost my mood. Well I guess I didn't realize how valuable these little chocolate snacks were until being out for the last few days. After reading that stat I mentioned above it makes sense to include a little dark chocolate every day... and not feel guilty about it!!
Troubleshooting #2 - I have been wondering if I am getting enough water throughout the day. I was talking to my cleanse coach today about the cravings and she emphasized that not having enough water can stimulate cravings.
Conclusion - So the next time I feel those craving urges, drink a glass of water and include Isadelights as regular snacks. By the way, I did get in another box of Isadelights so I'm sure everything will be back to normal. I am also going to be more intentional about tracking my water intake over the day.
Talking about water, I feel like my weight loss has slowed a bit so increasing my water might be the boost to get me back on track. Never underestimate the power of proper hydration.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Easy, Healthy Recipes
I thought I would share some of my favorite meals.
Veggie Omelet
I start with a drop of extra virgin olive oil in a pan.
I add chopped bell pepper, baby spinach and tomato.
Saute.
I then add 3-4 egg whites, lightly scramble and top with some fat free cheese and black pepper.
Yummy! Good protein, healthy fat, calcium, veggies and low cal :)
Vegan Delight
2 cups cooked brown rice
1 can rinsed black beans (or lentils)
1/2 a green pepper chopped up
1 tomato chopped up (grape or cherry tomatoes are even better)
black pepper to taste
Mix together and eat warm or cold (about 3 servings)
This combo is great for vegetarians since the rice and beans together deliver a complete protein. I love this meal and it is a favorite among my runners!
Tilapia Surprise
I pan sear tilapia fillets with olive oil, pepper, lemon juice and a little curry powder.
I top the fish with sliced avocado and a tsp salsa and serve with steamed peas or broccoli.
Super healthy and balanced meal !!
Doesn't this get you excited about eating healthy? :)
So my typical day would include one of the above meals, 2 or 3 IsaLean Shakes, a few raw almonds(or carrots) and maybe a couple Isadelight dark chocolates. Loving it!!
Veggie Omelet
I start with a drop of extra virgin olive oil in a pan.
I add chopped bell pepper, baby spinach and tomato.
Saute.
I then add 3-4 egg whites, lightly scramble and top with some fat free cheese and black pepper.
Yummy! Good protein, healthy fat, calcium, veggies and low cal :)
Vegan Delight
2 cups cooked brown rice
1 can rinsed black beans (or lentils)
1/2 a green pepper chopped up
1 tomato chopped up (grape or cherry tomatoes are even better)
black pepper to taste
Mix together and eat warm or cold (about 3 servings)
This combo is great for vegetarians since the rice and beans together deliver a complete protein. I love this meal and it is a favorite among my runners!
Tilapia Surprise
I pan sear tilapia fillets with olive oil, pepper, lemon juice and a little curry powder.
I top the fish with sliced avocado and a tsp salsa and serve with steamed peas or broccoli.
Super healthy and balanced meal !!
Doesn't this get you excited about eating healthy? :)
So my typical day would include one of the above meals, 2 or 3 IsaLean Shakes, a few raw almonds(or carrots) and maybe a couple Isadelight dark chocolates. Loving it!!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Inches!
Today marks 2 weeks of being on the Isagenix Cleanse Program. I weighed and took my measurements this morning and then realized that I only need to do that on Day 18, but I will share my results with you anyway...
... I have lost a total of 14.5 inches and 8 lbs!
To be completely honest, I was hoping to lose a couple more pounds but I am amazed at the inches. I must be building some lean muscle which is fabulous since a lot of people would lose some muscle when reducing calories to lose weight. And 8 pounds in 2 weeks is really good for me too. I remember participating in a 2 week weight loss challenge with my runners in February and lost 5 lbs with a much bigger caloric deficit.
Wow!! I am so excited and am starting to experience some great victories all around.
Thanks to my cleanse coach Theresa for helping and encouraging me every step. I was also fortunate to get some time on the phone with Susan Sly (world class triathlete) and she tweaked my daily routine slightly to help my running. Thanks also to all of you who have been following my journey and encouraging me along the way. This really helps me be accountable and persist towards my goals.
... I have lost a total of 14.5 inches and 8 lbs!
To be completely honest, I was hoping to lose a couple more pounds but I am amazed at the inches. I must be building some lean muscle which is fabulous since a lot of people would lose some muscle when reducing calories to lose weight. And 8 pounds in 2 weeks is really good for me too. I remember participating in a 2 week weight loss challenge with my runners in February and lost 5 lbs with a much bigger caloric deficit.
Wow!! I am so excited and am starting to experience some great victories all around.
Thanks to my cleanse coach Theresa for helping and encouraging me every step. I was also fortunate to get some time on the phone with Susan Sly (world class triathlete) and she tweaked my daily routine slightly to help my running. Thanks also to all of you who have been following my journey and encouraging me along the way. This really helps me be accountable and persist towards my goals.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Weight Loss Paradigms
Below are a couple of excerpts from some of my recent reading. I am learning more about the connection between weight loss and toxins and find it very fascinating.
A New Paradigm for Weight Gain and Loss
The conventional understanding of weight gain and loss tell us that the body stores fat when it is fed excess calories, and breaks fat down for energy when food is scarce. According to this model, body weight is based on a person’s unique metabolic rate and how much they consume.
Holistic weight loss experts present an alternate model in which it is the chemical toxins in our food (pesticides, preservatives, MSG, artificial colors and flavorings, and artificial sweeteners) and other poisons in our environment, rather than calories, that make people gain weight.
"A liver overloaded with pollutants and toxins cannot efficiently burn body fat," says nutritionist Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS. "A tired, toxic liver is the number one weight-loss stumbling block." In addition to slowing down the metabolism, organophosphates "can seriously impair a person's ability to exercise, permanently damaging nerves, destroying muscle fiber, reducing the body's ability to fuel exercise, and even reduce a persons desire to exercise," adds Dr. Baillie-Hamilton.
I'm interested to hear your thoughts. I think the most frustrating thing about weight loss and gain is the mystery that many of us discover behind it. There is so much conflicting information that we are bombarded with and what works for one person doesn't necessarily yield the same results for another. And then there is the question of why that person can eat whatever they want and maintain a slim lean body and someone else just looks at ice cream and gains 5 lbs. Yes, it is certainly complex and that is before even going into the emotional side of it.
There are definitely some of the bigger principles that apply like portion control, regular exercise, and now I am further realizing the importance of releasing toxins. It is amazing to me that our bodies store most toxins in our fatty tissue. It makes sense to me that we live in a very toxic world, that if you are overweight your body is probably holding on to a lot of toxins, and that our attempts to lose weight can be slowed by our body holding on to the fat in order to protect the rest of our organs from those toxins.
Cleansing is so vital for our bodies to function at optimum levels. We can further help our bodies by eliminating artificial sweeteners, hydrogenated oils, food coloring, just to name a few that I look out for. It is impossible however, to live in a bubble and eat 100% pure so this is why I am excited to incorporate nutritional cleansing as part of my lifestyle.
Look out for my post tomorrow with results from Week 2...
A New Paradigm for Weight Gain and Loss
The conventional understanding of weight gain and loss tell us that the body stores fat when it is fed excess calories, and breaks fat down for energy when food is scarce. According to this model, body weight is based on a person’s unique metabolic rate and how much they consume.
Holistic weight loss experts present an alternate model in which it is the chemical toxins in our food (pesticides, preservatives, MSG, artificial colors and flavorings, and artificial sweeteners) and other poisons in our environment, rather than calories, that make people gain weight.
"A liver overloaded with pollutants and toxins cannot efficiently burn body fat," says nutritionist Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS. "A tired, toxic liver is the number one weight-loss stumbling block." In addition to slowing down the metabolism, organophosphates "can seriously impair a person's ability to exercise, permanently damaging nerves, destroying muscle fiber, reducing the body's ability to fuel exercise, and even reduce a persons desire to exercise," adds Dr. Baillie-Hamilton.
I'm interested to hear your thoughts. I think the most frustrating thing about weight loss and gain is the mystery that many of us discover behind it. There is so much conflicting information that we are bombarded with and what works for one person doesn't necessarily yield the same results for another. And then there is the question of why that person can eat whatever they want and maintain a slim lean body and someone else just looks at ice cream and gains 5 lbs. Yes, it is certainly complex and that is before even going into the emotional side of it.
There are definitely some of the bigger principles that apply like portion control, regular exercise, and now I am further realizing the importance of releasing toxins. It is amazing to me that our bodies store most toxins in our fatty tissue. It makes sense to me that we live in a very toxic world, that if you are overweight your body is probably holding on to a lot of toxins, and that our attempts to lose weight can be slowed by our body holding on to the fat in order to protect the rest of our organs from those toxins.
Cleansing is so vital for our bodies to function at optimum levels. We can further help our bodies by eliminating artificial sweeteners, hydrogenated oils, food coloring, just to name a few that I look out for. It is impossible however, to live in a bubble and eat 100% pure so this is why I am excited to incorporate nutritional cleansing as part of my lifestyle.
Look out for my post tomorrow with results from Week 2...
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Reflections
I am happy to sit down and reflect on this past week. My body, mind and emotions have definitely achieved balance. That is a huge victory for me. Part of it I think is that I have eliminated foods that trigger cravings or other adverse reactions in my body. One of those foods is oatmeal(and gluten). Yes, oatmeal. Who would have thought? This is not to say that oatmeal is bad for you. It is super nutritious, but just happens that I do better without.
I am simply loving my daily routine of cleansing agents, protein shakes, small controlled snacks, lots of water and a balanced nutrient dense meal. I have zero cravings for carbohydrate rich foods, no desire to overeat, no emotional eating, no guilt and satisfaction in every meal and snack. This is a lifestyle adjustment to me, not a diet.
I really do feel at peace about my body and my eating. I empower and challenge my body by running and going to the gym. I love and respect my body by internally cleansing it and feeding it only that which is nutritionally beneficial. That is what I have control over, the rest will take care of itself.
Update: I released 6.5lbs in my 1st week and reduced 9.5 inches! Woohoo!!
I look forward to sharing future victories with you. Thanks for your encouragement and support. Please feel free to post comments or questions.
I am simply loving my daily routine of cleansing agents, protein shakes, small controlled snacks, lots of water and a balanced nutrient dense meal. I have zero cravings for carbohydrate rich foods, no desire to overeat, no emotional eating, no guilt and satisfaction in every meal and snack. This is a lifestyle adjustment to me, not a diet.
I really do feel at peace about my body and my eating. I empower and challenge my body by running and going to the gym. I love and respect my body by internally cleansing it and feeding it only that which is nutritionally beneficial. That is what I have control over, the rest will take care of itself.
Update: I released 6.5lbs in my 1st week and reduced 9.5 inches! Woohoo!!
I look forward to sharing future victories with you. Thanks for your encouragement and support. Please feel free to post comments or questions.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Day 5
Well day 5 is coming to a close and I think I am getting the hang of my cleanse lifestyle. I had a great conversation with my cleanse coach this afternoon and I got a lot of questions answered. I start the new week with clarity and determination. I hadn't thought about logging my nutritional intake until today so I am excited about starting that tomorrow. Keeping a food journal has always helped me balance my nutrition and keep calories in perspective, so I think this will further keep me in check.
We also spoke about the importance of snacking at least every 2.5 hrs to keep blood sugar stabilized and metabolism up. The key here for me has been snacking on a controlled small portion, where my tendency before was a bowl of oatmeal or cliff bar. Recommended snacks on this cleanse are a couple of snack wafers (25cal), an Isadelight chocolate (50), 2-4 raw almonds, or organic carrots/celery. They have been just enough to keep me from feeling hungry and also don't trigger any other cravings.
I have a new evening treat... a big cup of chamomile tea with a scoop of Ionix Supreme. It is so satisfying, I feel like I am drinking a variation of hot apple cider.
So this 30 day cleanse is not as daunting as it sounds. It is just a jump start to get reacquainted with healthy lifestyle habits with a system to ensure maximum nutrition and controlled caloric intake.
We also spoke about the importance of snacking at least every 2.5 hrs to keep blood sugar stabilized and metabolism up. The key here for me has been snacking on a controlled small portion, where my tendency before was a bowl of oatmeal or cliff bar. Recommended snacks on this cleanse are a couple of snack wafers (25cal), an Isadelight chocolate (50), 2-4 raw almonds, or organic carrots/celery. They have been just enough to keep me from feeling hungry and also don't trigger any other cravings.
I have a new evening treat... a big cup of chamomile tea with a scoop of Ionix Supreme. It is so satisfying, I feel like I am drinking a variation of hot apple cider.
So this 30 day cleanse is not as daunting as it sounds. It is just a jump start to get reacquainted with healthy lifestyle habits with a system to ensure maximum nutrition and controlled caloric intake.
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