skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Good evening family,Man....I can't believe it...its actually day 5 on the overall diet plan and day 2 on the lemonade....wow....to think that I have been cleansing my body, mind and soul for a week...very motivating right now.I have to say implementing the ACV over the cayenne pepper was a great decision. I owe that edition to a great distant friend and adopted big sister, who has been coaching me threwout this entire process. Not only do I feel confident that I will stay consistent on the rest of the diet, but I am so motivated to see this threw to the end.Today I drove in to see family and just hung out...you know...to get a break AND to attempt to celebrate before I have to go to work....begin to travel again...events/programs, etc and I just wanted to relax. Well, little did I know that I would be surroundede with smells of my fav foods and be tempted to quit and eat them...but I remembered WHY I am doing this diet and the results I will see in the end. That is what kept me focused...that and my handy bottles of water. Lol.In the end, day 2 on the lemonade was not that bad. I still have 4 more days of the juice to go.... While the substitution of ingriedients helped, the coating of the tongue (from the lemons and maple syrup) is becoming harder and harder to bare. Again, I am dedicated to finish this "mini cleansing" so I can be confident that I can do longer ones in the future.Until tomorrow family....be blessed!
Family I am not going to even front....today was uber hard! While I knew that it would be, I guess I didn't REALLY prepare myself for what was to come. I'm not talking about wanting to eat foods, but overall how I feel. Let me explain....
I got up this morning LATE and went to the gym. Did good...ran 2 miles on the treadmill and did 1.37 miles on the elliptical...overall much more than what I've been doing. Today let me know that I can do more than just walking/jogging. Came home afterward and realized that it was almost 11am, and I had not had anything to eat (drink) for breakfast. Due to this, I quickly made my Lemonade Diet.
For my first batch, I have to say that I am proud of myself. It really didn't taste that bad...until i added to much cayenne pepper. Lol. The drink (and my mouth/chest) was literally on fire! But I dranked it....like the G that I am. Again today, I didn't even realize that I had not eaten any solid foods. This makes it so much easier to stay focused and to not cheat (even though there was visions of Twizzlers all around me. lol).
I only started to feel a little nauseated around 2 pm after chugging a gang of the lemonade (I started late so I wanted to catch up....so not a good idea). The light headedness and nausea comes from the toxins moving out of my body. The body starts to feel as something is "wrong" when in actuality its feeling the "norm" (i.e. wanted to eat what you usually eat). Since I already eat decently healthy anyways (push the fruits and veggies), I really didn't experience to much of this. Honestly, I think the majority of it came from the huge amount of pepper I used.
For tomorrow, I plan to replace the cayenne pepper with apple cider vineger (ACV). For those of you who follow my blog, know that I implented this into my diet a few months ago, thanks to Coach Johnson of MVP Fitness. I spoke to "my big sister" (lol) who is well versed on doing the Lemonade Diet, hipped me to this substitution in the juice, who said that it does just as well if not better. PLUS my body is already use to this stuff AND it definitely helps with releasing the toxins daily from the body (movement).
So far so good family! I look forward to progressing threw. OH I FORGOT TO TELL YOU ALL....I also weighed myself today and I've already lost 4lbs! Keep in mind, that I am not even in the middle part of the lemonade phase yet. This is uber excited all....really.
As always, I wil keep you all posted of my experience and findings.....be blessed all and Happy New Year!!!!
Today's work out was the Get Fit 4 Christ DVD only. I had originally planned to do a 20 minute DVD partnered with it, but I ran out of time. Tomorrow, I plan to get up and do the GF4C DVD and the 20 minute Turbo Jam. I have to work tomorrow and want to make sure my bible reading and work out comes FIRST before I give "the man" my day. Lol. Below is today's food journal:
Breakfast:
+ 2 pieces of whole wheat toast
+ 2 table spoon of reduced fat peanut butter
+ 2 tablespoon apple jelly
+ 4-5 ounces of herbal tea (with raw sugar for sweetening)
Morning snack:
+ NONE
Lunch:
+ 1 salmon fillet (cooked with olive oil margerine, peppar and onion powder)
+ 1 cup of mixed steamed veggies
+ 1 cup apple sauce
Afternoon Snack:
+ 1 fiber 1 bar
Dinner:
+ Subway sandwhich (green veggies, provolone cheese, light mayo)
Evening snack:
+ NONE
Water consumption = 64 ounzes
ACV= 2 teaspoon
Vitamin and Supplements = 2 women's one a day multivitamin, Biotin and Iron
Alcohol = NONE
How do I feel:
I finally ran out of my Bragg's ACV, and decided to try a new one...Eden Organic. Its not that bad, if ACV can have a different taste from brand to brand. Lol. It was more economical AND the salespeople at the health food store suggested for me to try it as well. So far so good....as long as it keeps doing its job.
I have a few days at home this weekend, but next week I am traveling the entire tine. I plan to implement the veggie and fruit system of overloading myself so I don't over eat. As for snacks, I have fiber 1 bars and trail mix. I'm nervous for the last few weeks on the plan I am traveling in and out of town, but that is my life right now. I am confident that 5 lbs will continue to shed off by the end.
I've learned threw this journey that life happens...but we can't beat ourselves up about it. We must forge ahead and do the best we can with the decisions we've made. I am ok with the decisions that I make daily...I can do better, but I am not ashamed. Please remember this family. You will fall short sometimes, but you have to get back up.
I'm now trying to be healthy, not necessarily to drop a bunch of pounds. I want to continue to get fit for God so he can use me as he see fit. He can't use me if I have no energy, I'm not hydrated, I'm not getting sleep, my stress level is up, my blood pressure and cholesterol is up, etc. This is my motivation to take the good and bad and make the best of the situation. I hope you will do the same.
Keep me lifted family....
Breakfast:
+ 1 bowl of shredded wheat
+ 1 cup of soy milk
Morning snack:
+ office home made trail mix (m&m's and salted peanuts only)
+ 1 small box of raisins
Lunch: (again another event on campus, had to eat or would not have eaten until 3 pm)
+ green salad with shredded carrots, chopped egg and light dressing
+ bowtie pasta with cooked broccoli and white cream sauce
+ 1 bread stick
Afternoon snack:
+ office home made trail mix (no raisins this time)
Dinner:
+ 2 slices of whole wheat bread
+ 1 1/2 tablespoon of apple jelly
+ 1 1/2 tablespoon of reduced fat peanut butter
Evening snack:
+ NONE
Water consumption = 60 ounzes (epic failure)
ACV = 2 teaspoons
Vitamins and supplements = Women's One A Day multivitamin, Biotin and Iron
Alcohol = NONE
How do I feel.....like my weight loss goals are slipping away from me. My work schedule is consumption my life, I have no groceries (and am not sure when I will be able to get to the store UNLESS I go at like 10:30 pm at night or toooo early in the morning) and I am so tired, at times I can't get the motivation to work out. Keep me lifted....
Breakfast:
+ 1 1/2 cup shredded wheat
+ 6 oz soy milk
+ 1 small green apple Morning snack:+ 1 fiber bar+ 1 pk twizzler nibbsLunch:+ green salad from Schnucks (spinach leaves, chopped broccoli, green peppers, onions, chopped eggs, shredded carrots, chopped cucumbers, green pees and a sprinkle of sunflower seeds)+ raspberry dressingEvening snack:+ two recees butter cups (:()Dinner:+ 1 small salmon fillet+ salad (romaine lettuce, red onion, fetta cheese and a sprinkle of walnuts)Water consuption = 80 ounzesACV = 2 teaspoonsSupplements and vitamins = Women's One a Day Multivitamin, Biotin, IronAlcohol = 4 oz of St. James white wine
Below is a list of what I ate today:
Breakfast:
+ 3 eggs (pepper, a dash of season salt, green peppers and onions)
+ Spinach leaves
+ mozzarella cheese
Morning Snack:
+ 1 cup nonfat yogurt
+ pineapples
Lunch:
+ 4 oz canned tuna
+ mixed vegetables (2 cups spinach leaves,1 cup steamed green beans)
+ FF ranch dressing
Afternoon Snack:
+ Peanuts (unsalted and roasted)
+ raisins
Dinner:
+ Tortilla chips (entirely to many of these)
+ Queso dip (salsa and cheese)
Water Consumption = 60 oz (I'm slipping on this today)
Vitamins = Women's One A Day Multivitamin, B12,Iron and Biotin
ACV = 2 teaspoons
Alcohol = NONE
How am I feeling
While today was a great day for me physically and my work out was awesome, my eating was average. I stuck with the plan as best as I could. By the time dinner rolled around, I wasn't really hungry so I didn't cook. While you will see that I had loads of spinach today, my appetite came and went every hour and I found myself just really snacking, rather than eating meals (accept for breakfast).
I am noticing that this is happening once I start drinking the ACV....my appetite disappears. I will have some hunger moments, but my planned meals get off track for I don't eat when I am not hungry. Guess I'm still learning my body, so I will not beat myself up.
Since I did not run today, I plan to do that tomorrow so lots of water and food essentials is key so I can survive it! Lol.
New week, new days, new GOALS that I will stick too. While there were many unforeseen eating out meals this past weekend, that is life...that is my life and I've decided that I will not keep apologizing or make excuses for it. It is what it is and I will have to work with what I got. lol. Eating and socializing is part of my current career path and personal life. You can still eat well, exercise and be successful at loosing weight, even if a few meals are consumed outside of your house. Its about ME and the choices I make that makes the difference. Another points I've learned as I continue this journey.
No exercising today, but I did do a 45 minute cycling class yesterday then ran 1.8 miles all under 90 minutes. That puts me at 4 days of work out last week. This week I WILL clock a minimum of 5 days with 3 days of weight training. Below is what I ate today:
Breakfast:
+ 1 pack of instant oatmeal (mable and brown sugar)
+ 2 hard boiled eggs (w/pepper and a sprinkle of salt)
Morning Snack:
+ NONE
Lunch:
+ Trail mix (peanuts, almonds, cashews, raisins and chocolate pieces)
Afternoon Snack:
+ NONE
Dinner:
+ Salad (w/7 carrot chips, chopped onions and green peppers and 3 tablespoon FF italian dressing)
+ 1 baked talapia fillet
+ 1 cup mixed veggies (corn, green beans ad carrots
Water Consumption = 80 oz
Vitamins = B12,Iron and Biotin (second day of no multivitamin)
ACV = 2 teaspoons
Alcohol = NONE
How am I feeling
Blessed and highly favored family, highly appreciative of all my blessings and all that I"ve achieved thus far. The road gets tough and at times I want to fall down and NOT get back up...but reality is I have to get back up. Period. Lol.
No fruit today EXCEPT for the raisins and I ate entirely to late for dinner. Oh yeah, I missed a meal and snacks....yeah I'm on track aint I? I hope the rest of the participants in the program, Coach Johnson and those following my journey don't think negatively of me, for as you can read It is hard to stick with the eating plan BUT I think I am doing better. Baby steps as I mentioned before.
Unlike others, I don't need to loose 40 pounds plus...honestly I could loose 20 and be healthy and in range (BMI, weight to height, etc).....but just like those who have a more dire need to drop pounds fast, I struggle as well YES to get those measly last few pounds off. While looking at me it may see that I am doing fine, I still struggle like the next person. I don't know, maybe its just me.....lol
I've included a slide show below of my up to date weight loss success. Tell me what you think....be blessed
Today was my last day in town for work. I think overall I did good with sticking with the plan considering the constraints of eating on the go when you can't cook. Grocery shopping for my home happened tonight so I am set and ready to go for the next few weeks. I have to warn you, I did not eat full meals and snacks. You may see a dab of candy in there to (i know horrible). Below are the details of what I ate today:
Breakfast
+ 3 egg whites
+ 1/4 cup cooked broccoli
+ 1/4 mozerella cheese
+ 1 cup (8 oz) of 100% white grape juice (160 cal/2 fruit servings)
Morning Snack
+ 3 table spoon cottage cheese
+ 1 oz carrot chips
Lunch
+ 1 Hershey Milk Chocolate bar (210 cal) - this was a gift from a counselor I was visiting...I was so hungry and did not have any of my foods on me :(
Dinner
+ Spinach and artichoke dip, peta bread
+ Water
I was so disappointed at this. I waited to late to eat and was getting headaches. As always, another evening student event and my body needed food.
Water consumption = over 70 ounces
Supplements and vitamins = 1 Women's One A Day Multivitamin, 1 Trader Joe's Multivitamin, B12, 1 Biotin and Iron
ACV = 2 teaspoons
Alcohol = NONE
How I Feel
Honestly, I felt like crap on this today. I was so disappointed in the food choices that I made and was beating myself up for it. I was somewhat depressed for the rest of the night, gave myself a headache and went to be early. Tomorrow's post should be better, but again, I have a traveling lunch (food provided at a lunch meeting) event tomorrow and I have no idea of what is on the menu. I keep telling myself "fruits and veggies will set you free" lol. It would be rude to bring my own since its 2 hours away.
Soon I will post on strategies to healthy eating while traveling...for I am learning threw trial and error. I am confident that God will guide me and I have been equipped with the necessary strength, courage and wisdom needed to battle this monster....overeating. Keep me lifted fam....
Since I was on vacation, I decided to start the meal plan tomorrow. I am pretty proud of how I ate on the holiday. Below are the details of what I ate today:
Breakfast
+ Tortilla chips
Lunch
+ Popcorn mix (carmel and cheddar)
Dinner
I loaded up on the veggies like Coach Johnson's trainer Holly Rigsby mentions in the post "Labor Day Fitness Tips" found here.
+ Green beans (with onion and tomatoes mixed in)
+ Mixed veggies (brocolli, cauliflower and onions)
+ Corn (had onions and a hint of chopped tomatoes as well)
+ Salmon fillet (was marinated)
Dessert
+ 1 slice of homemade carmel cake made with splenda (aunt makes this every holiday gathering and i HAVE to have a piece)
Water consumption = 78.5 (if I calculated correctly)
Supplements and vitamins = Multivitamin, B12 and Iron
ACV = 2 teaspoons
Alcohol = NONE
How I Feel
I feel like I've conquered a beast today family! Like I mentioned above, my aunt bakes the best carmel cake (the icing is carmel made with splenda) and we usually tear it up. Today, I had a piece but only one slice. I am proud of myself.
Part of my weight management philosophy is that I refuse to deny my body the foods I like...but I have to learn to eat portion sizes and control urges. Instead of having two really huge slices, I had one regular one. Luckily, my aunt cooks all her desserts with splenda to make them healthier for the family.
Usually I drink my other aunts famous Sangria and/or wine, but I decided to not drink today. Considering we dranked wine on the vacay, I figures my body needed a break.
So motivated to start the eating plan tomorrow. I went grocery shopping and everything, so I guess we will see. Since I'm a pescatarian (no meat except for fish), I will have to get creative in substituting for the lean beaf, chicken and turkey mentioned on the meal plan.
Its so not a game right now...I need groceries. Lol. I used up the last 1/4 cup of oatmeal this morning...that's a sign you need to go grocery shopping. Lol. Thank goodness for Coach Johnson and the eating list. I can now have some direction. I need to get it together. Below is a break down of what I ate today:
Breakfast
+ less than a 1/4 cup of plan oatmeal (1 pack of raw sugar used)
+ 5 grapes
+ 3/4 cup of dry frosted flakes (can you tell that I have no food in my house)
Morning Snack
+ 1 cup of FF and sugar free chocolate pudding
Lunch
+ Panera Bread (yes again)
~ small classic salad (3 cucumber slices, 5 onion slices, 4 tomato wedge slices and green lettuce)
~ 1 small cup of black bean soup (yummy :))
~ 1 chocolate chip cookie (i couldn't resist, but this is the last time I promise)
Afternoon Snack
+ 1 cup of Walmart potato salad (it was nasty...shouldn't ate it)
Evening
(this is the last night of the event so I will be eating healthier dinners)
+ 1/2 cup of white sticky rice
+ 1 grilled salmon w/teriyaki (sp) sauce (one fillet)
+ salad (lettuce, ginger and oil dressing)
Water Consumption = 64 oz ( i was slacking today family)
Vitamins = Trader Joe's Women's Multivitamin, B12 and Iron
ACV consumed = 2 teaspoons
How I feel
Yesterday I spoke about my tummy and feeling bloated or "stuffed". I am happy to report that I feel so much better today. I know that I am self conscious in some of my clothing and in general, but I think the ACV is helping to cleanse my system. I appreciate that .
Usually I would be 2 chapters away from completing today's bible reading, but due to my schedule I am behind (according to my standards). I will get it together, but I must say that the reading has been very helpful and it has stirred up something new in me. I can make time for God...more than I thought and I WANT TOO. This program has been a God sent and I'm excited to see the end results.
As for the fasting, I'm a little nervous for I'm use to eating on a schedule, but with God for me, who can be against me.
Nighty night family!
As the days go on, I become more and more comfortable with writing down everything (that is everything) i eat in a day. Lol. I am not embarrassed anymore....that my followers will judge me. Below is a break down of what I ate today:
Breakfast
+ 1 1/4 cup of frosted flakes
+ 3 oz of frozen fruit (peaches, pineapples and strawberry slices)
Morning Snack
+ 20 seedless red grapes
+ Special K bar (90 cal)
Lunch
+ 6 squares of left over Imo's (i know horrible...and is probably why my tummy feels the way it is)
+ 2 cups of spring mix (salad)
+ 3 tablespoons of FF italian dressing
+ 1/4 cup of chopped red onion
Afternoon Snack
+ 8 almonds
+ 1 pack of microwave popcorn w/butter (used two single packs of salt to season)
Evening
(note this week has been an ongoing evening event. Since I don't have groceries still, I've been eating
Panera Bread
+ Tuna fish sandwich on sourdough, lettuce, tomatoe and mayo
+ 1 slice FF american cheese (i added this from my fridge)
+ 1 oatmeal cookie
+ bag of panera chips (i shouldn've ate these...feel so guilty...but it was good)
Water Consumption = 72 oz ( i was slacking today family)
Vitamins = Trader Joe's Women's Multivitamin, B12 and Iron
How I feel
Not sure if there is a fluke in the matrix, but today I felt extra bloated. Let me explain...its like I'm full or stuffed...but I haven't eaten...its really weird. I chalked it up as if my body is adjusting to the ACV maybe....I don't know. I don't feel sick, but I feel uncomfortable when I sit for it feels like my tummy is super huge...I don't know what it is...but I will keep you posted.
I believe in the power of prayer and the bible tells us "ask and you shall receive"....so I am asking for my tummy to be healed if I am in fact "sick". Lol. Please keep me lifted family.
I have to admit that I am proud of myself today! I did pretty good with eating good foods and logging them into my journal. I did notice some "starvation" periods, but I may bump up some of my meals to help counteract that. Below is a break down of what I ate today:
Breakfast
+ 40 grams of Frosted Flakes
+ 4 oz of FF milk
+ 20 seedless red grapes
Morning Snack
+ 1 oz of almonds
Lunch
+ 3 cups of green spring mix (salad)
+ 1 can (4 oz total) of tuna in water
+ 2 tablespoons of FF Italian dressing
Afternoon Snack
+ 1 fruit roll up
+ 1 pack of Orville Redenbacher's "smart pop" 94% FF Kettle Korn (single serve mini bag)
Evening
+ 1 snack bag of baked lays (plain)
+ Quizno's vegetarian sandwhich
+ 1 cookie
(note my dinner tonight was in part of a student program I was at. I also have not gone grocery shopping but plan to do so really soon).
Water Consumption = over 80 oz
Vitamins = Trader Joe's Women's Multivitamin, B12 and Iron
How I feel
Well I can definitely tell that I'm taking the Apple Cider Vinegar(AVC), for I'm having headaches...again. Lol. Before when I used this supplement, I was getting headaches. I feel this is due part to my appetite being curbed AND getting my body use to it. So, I won't give up on it yet Coach Johnson...but we will see.
Usually in the afternoons, my hunger increases and I get headaches if I don't eat something. I've learned that I need to have healthy snacks at my desk at all times so I won't be tempted to eat the office food (which can be anything these days). I want to try to eat my heaviest meal at lunch and not eat after 7 pm. It gets hard with work and then working out after work...so sometimes it may be not after 8 am. Baby steps I guess.....
I noticed today that with not having many food options at home (due to the lack of groceries in the house), I did not eat as much during the day. Then for dinner, I had that sandwich which should have been my lunch meal (a bigger meal). I will have to do better tomorrow....but at least I hit my activity goal!
I try to keep in mind how gluttony is one of the deadly sins, so I don't want to overeat just to be over eating. In order to do and see everything that God has planned for me, I need to be in the best shape I can be. I love how today's scripture pertains to how we can all inherit the kingdom of God. In order to experience the fullness of his mercy and blessings he has in stored for us, we must be born again. Understanding this will also aid in my weight loss goals and how God has a vital and important part of my success with the program.
I'm very excited to see what is to come in the coming weeks......
