New Beginnings: Week Three

Part of blogging requires a certain kind of honesty that sometimes you would rather keep to yourself.  That's how I feel this week. I'd rather keep this week under the cover but since you all have been apart of this journey I'm going to put it all out there.

This week was my hardest clean-eating week.  I began to have some serious chocolate cravings and since I wasn't going to find "clean" chocolate I ignored those cravings.  At first it seemed awkward because this is week 3.  Why would I be having these craving in week 3?  Well I posed that question and someone asked when was my cycle.  Welp...They were right (why didn't I think of that?).  Normally, the symptoms I experience are migraines, leg and stomach pains.  The pains I had were minimal and I did not experience any migraines.  Unfortunately I felt extremely weak and even had a dizzy spell.  Increasing my food intake helped some but for 2-3 days I had minimal energy.  By day 4, I felt more like myself.

Although it has only been a short time, I do feel like this has become apart of me.  I don't pick up much of anything without reading the label.  I can tell my stomach is smaller and we won't even talk about the amount of weight I've lost in such a small period of time.  Exercise is even become an important part of my life.

When I began, I did not expect to make it this far.  This started as a four week challenge; meaning next week will be the end of the challenge.  However, now I know that this can really be a life change for me.  I won't say I would never indulge in some of the things that I gave up but I don't plan on it ever having that kind of control over me ever again.  I will continue to take it one day at a time.  I'm enjoying the ride.

I truly encourage all of you to look within to see what kind of changes you could do to improve your health.  Nothing is too small as we all have to start somewhere.  Change isn't easy but when you work hard at something the reward is wonderful.

New Beginnings: Week Two

The excitement of the change wore off this week but I am happy to report that clean eating is becoming more of a habit.  I am continuing to experiment with different dishes and vegetables.  What I didn't expect is the change I feel towards food.  I see it more in the light of nourishment; a source of energy.  I don't find myself constantly thinking about food anymore and must admit that I'm shocked. I've heard that this happens, but to have this happen so soon is truly amazing to me. It may be a sign that I was truly ready and prepared for change.

This week brought on a new challenge of reminding myself to eat.  I don't know why it is that I rarely feel hungry; maybe my stomach is shrinking or maybe I don't recognize the new hunger signs.  Either way, I don't think about food as much as I use to.  I utilize MyFitnessPal to keep track of the amount of calories I eat and the majority of days I end up trying to find something to eat just to reach my 1200 calorie mark.  It also doesn't take much for me to have that full feeling.  So I have to continue to be mindful of this because I don't want to "starve" my body.

I have had more sugar cravings this week but no headaches.  It isn't so much that clean eating eliminates sugar because there is raw sugar and honey.  I have just chosen not to use much of either because I do have a concern about exchanging one addiction for another.  The good thing is I've gotten use to drinking plain tea and when I have a craving usually almonds fulfills it.  I don't feel like I've given up sweets either.  I know that if I really want something I just have to get in the baking mood.  The Internet has plenty of "clean" baking recipes.

I am so proud of myself.  I've learned so much but mostly that food does not have control over me as much as I believed.  I am giving this my all and have had to make major changes in my life to accomplish what I have thus far.  Meal planning is a MUST.  It is part of the reason why I don't have to consistently think about food because I already know what I will be eating.  This coupled with exercise has been wonderful for me.  I don't feel sluggish or heavy.  I push myself more because I've conquered something that I really thought I never could.  I'm no longer the sweet queen and am glad to pass that crown on...

New Beginnings: Week One

Day 1 was not as hard as I anticipated it being.  I got up, workout, and had my first "clean" meal.  This is an adventure though because every meal I get a realization of just how much sugar I ate.  So now the task is before me to learn new and creative ways to season food because unbeknownst to me a lot of the seasonings in my cabinet have sugar or some other items I can't pronounce.  Day one was an all around success!

Day 2 was HARD!! The first day I was home all day and this was my first day out.  I only expected to be gone a few hours so I packed a few items like fruits, nuts, water, etc.  I attended a funeral that ended up being longer than I thought it would be.  By now I'm going to the bathroom like crazy AND came the withdrawal headache!  Now I figured I would have withdrawals, but when it didn't happen on day one I somehow assumed I wasn't as addicted to sugar as I had believed.  Honey when I tell you these headaches SUCK that is an understatement!!!!!!!!!!! I see why crackheads go back to the crack!!  All you think about is trying to get rid of the pain and giving into whatever that desire is becomes your first thought.

Although I had snacks, lunch ended up running into dinner.  And what kind of food did they have at the repast? We all know the answer to that one.  Since the repast was close to my house I skipped the fried chicken and fish and went home and ate a salad.  The headache lasted all day but what concerned me more was the fact that I didn't eat 1200 calories.  It wasn't that I wasn't eating but what I ate just didn't cut it especially with lunch running into dinner.  This was a learning day!  It is so important to get your meals in and now I know that if I need some extra calories, grabs some nuts :)

Those two were my hardest days.  The headache, surprisingly, did not linger past day 2.  Yesterday was the first time I really had craving for sugar, but it happened while I was working.  Work is usually where I have the worst eating habits.  I was extremely anxious about returning to work. I know that I am an emotional eater so when I'm working I'm either eating because I'm bored or because I'm stressed.  But I'm glad to report my first two days of work went extremely well.  I changed my focus to making sure I drunk water.

Having support has been wonderful.  In addition to my #SexyShred gang, my husband, mom, and coworker have been in my corner.  My mom has also joined in on clean-eating.  She isn't even exercising but is still losing weight.  I can't wait until she goes to the doctor to find out if this is having a positive effect on her cholesterol.  The kids aren't enjoying it as much but I totally understand why.  I have to be patient with them though.

I did wonder about how costly this would be because items are more expensive.  I've come to realize though that I'm not spending too much more money because I was spending $6-10 a day for breakfast/lunch.  With me bringing lunch I'm saving that money; not to mention the money saved by not eating out.

I can tell my taste buds are also changing.  I wasn't to keen on almonds and now they have become my favorite snack.  And those that know me will be shock to know that I'm loving hummus.  I gave raspberries another try but nah...still don't like those.

All in all, this has been an interesting journey.  In the beginning you feel it is all about the food.  That's because we don't realize how much of a hold it has on us.  Eventually, you come to realize that it is about so much more.  I'm feeling great and can't wait to see what week two has in store!

So was my week one what you expected?  What things should I be concerned about for the second week?  Tune in to see and let me know you were here.

New Beginnings

Man it has been a LONG time since I have blogged but I'm back! In a few days I will begin a new challenge and thought it would be a great idea to document my experience.

 On Thursday I will begin clean eating. What is clean eating? In a nutshell, it is eating real food (no hormones, preservatives, etc). A few days ago I went shopping to prepare and I must say it was eye-opening. Going shopping and having to read labels (even labels that claim to be organic or my favorite all natural) was depressing. Honestly, before this I never really thought about how much of this stuff was in our food. I mean you know that there are a host of processed food but to see items in the smallest things like seasonings... It just makes me wonder how damaged my body really is. Nevertheless, I survived! Found meats, bread, honey, peanut butter, brown rice, and other clean items. I purchased some frozen vegetables but also plan to eat fresh ones which I will purchase as I use them. Tomorrow I will be planning my meals for the week.

Of course with anything new there are fears and I have them. Will I have severe withdrawals? Will I like some of the new meals? Will I miss fried foods and takeout? Will it be extremely hard to plan? And then there is the exercising...Oh My! I do have plenty of support and I plan to utilize every bit of it (especially for meal ideas)!

What I do know is that I'm excited and glad to be trying this. I can only imagine the wonderful things to come and how it will impact my life and my family in the coming months. I plan to update this every week so I hope you come along for the ride and maybe even consider joining in. Wish me well.

Food Control?

I decided to try a new venture...a cleanse. I had never done a cleanse and thought that it would be a good thing to do before I try to change my eating habits. Of course I had to recruit some people to do it with me for support. The Master Cleanse was recommended to me. For those who may not be aware, this means NO FOOD!!!!!! You drink a lemonade concoction instead that is made to curve your appetite. I will spare you the details of the salt water rinse but will share that our bodies cannot digest salt water so use your imagination.

This is day 4 for me and I never thought that I would make it thus far. This cleanse is NOT for the weak in MIND. You are definitely at battle with your mind. Which is probably why the original creator of this cleanse meant for it to go along with a spiritual fast. This way you are strengtened your spirit and you don't focus so much on food. So what have I learned?

1. It is crazy but food has so much control over me! If you don't believe me try not eating... This is definitely a problem because nothing should have this much control of you. Made me think that food is an idol and that is scary!!!

2. There are so many things centered around food (any type of get together or fellowships). I even learned I equate work with food.

3. I'm such an emotional eater. Sad, excitey, angry, happy, bored whatever the mood it calls for food. See there's that control again

When you look at all of these things it is not surprising that obesity is taking over coupled with us not taking care of ourselves. I didn't want this to only be a time of not eating (and losing weight) but a time of reflection. I needed a reality check about what things I am neglecting and how I can better take care of myself. Yes I know that we all will have to leave this place one day but I don't want it to be because of something I could have avoided. Besides not taking care of yourself, if you are a believer, is a sin! We are supposed to take care of our temples.

While this have been the a struggle for me these last few days, I am truly grateful for it. It has strengthen me because now I know that first of all I am stronger than I thought (the first time I tried it I didn't make it 12 hrs) and that food doesn't have to have control over me. With the help of others (and Jesus) I was able to conquer what I thought I never could. This is an awesome accomplishment for me. Now knowing this, I am researching new ways of eating (new recipes, less sugar, and not eating late at night) and incorporating more movement into my life (including exercise). This will call for me to broaden my horizons and try new things but I know that I can and that is half the battle.

Yes people it is time for us to gain that control back. Life is precious and plus you will feel so much better. If you can't do it for yourself, think of your families and all that you will miss if you leave this world prematurely for something that you could have prevented. YOU CAN DO IT! YOU HAVE CONTROL OVER YOUR MIND! I encourage you to do better one day at a time; one goal at a time. Don't get me wrong, I'm not recommending that you do it my way but I am recommending that you do something!!! Maybe your start is walking a mile a day whatever it is DO IT! No more excuses. We have access to too many things.

I have faith....and while you are doing that, don't forget to show love.