What's with the name?

What's with the name? In my mid-twenties, I had essentially gone through one kind of life and am starting to enter another. The people that are probably going to read this blog know exactly what I'm talking about - but for those who don't know, here's a brief rundown . Cheers to Chapter 2! A journey in health in many ways, and to be the best version of myself I can possibly be. I am also a blogger for GreenMommas.com. This is my blog.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Day 4 - 7 of the Uber-Long 21 Day Cleanse Diary

Day 4:

Day 4 went really well until I had to stare temptation full-on in the face. Meaning, this cleanse is pretty easy if you're surrounded with only things you can eat, not with things that you can't. I'll preface this by saying I did not cheat once at all during day four, but it was difficult, a real willpower test.

Being at least 1/4 Italian and 1/4 Irish my food indulgences (or should I say loves) are pasta & cheese. Especially when you combine them. My dad invited me over for Sunday dinner and I told him ahead of time that I was doing this cleanse and to have some veggies ready. So of course it was still the usual when I got there - a spread of wine, cheese and bread laid out on the table. I refused it all, grabbing a glass of water. Luckily he made a salad and I brought my rice to cook up, but he made - of all things - Chicken Alfredo - for dinner. My son loved it and I tried not to notice the steaming bowl of pasta and cream sauce that sat in front of me. But I did it, successfully, and headed home triumphant.

Breakfast : Cherry Strawberry Banana Spinach Smoothie
Snacks: Apple, Carrots
Lunch: Strawberry Blackberry Kale Smoothie / Roasted asparagus with spices & olive oil (8 large spears)
Dinner : 1/2 cup rice, mixed green salad with raspberry vinaigrette

Day 5 :
4 days / -3.5 lbs
Pretty happy with the scale. I know I probably won't lose as much when protein is added back in but the weight loss has been consistent. In the last 4 days I lost as much weight as I did last month, almost.

This morning I was super hungry and needed the shake right at 8:30. My exercise plan for the week is to walk Monday, then I am signed up for classes the rest of the week. Five days is enough of a rest week right? I made spicy vegan carrot soup this weekend. I even made my own vegetable stock, too. Took a bit of time, but I think I have a tasty carrot soup for lunches this week! I followed this recipe from Yummly, adding a bit more heat than the recipe called for. Let me tell you this carrot soup is blowing my mind right now. It's neat how far a little seasoning goes, and a hot cup of soup for that matter. I was shivering this morning after I downed my smoothie. Hot soup was just the thing I needed.

I had a pretty bad sugar craving around 8pm, probably because there were sweets on display in my fridge (cannoli, brownie sundae left over from my dads) that I was prohibited to touch. Even giving Landon his ice cream sandwich for dessert I had to remind myself not to eat the rest of it that he didn't finish. I have realized my bad habits when it comes to making food for Landon. If I'm making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, I'll lick the knife or I'll have a snack with him, eat his left over food, etc. I've had to stop myself from these habits many times during the day. I made myself a little frozen banana sorbet and the sweet craving passed.

Breakfast: Peach Mango Ginger Spinach Smoothie
Snacks: Apple
Lunch : Blueberry Strawberry Banana Smoothie, Carrot Soup, Mixed Greens Salad, Carrot Soup
Dinner: Lentil soup, broccoli & green beans
Dessert: Banana sorbet

DAY 6:
5 days / -3.7lbs

Trying not to be disappointed by the scale and it' .2 lb loss yesterday. I am crazy to be disappointed, I've lost 4lbs almost in just 5 days. Ok, still happy. Today, I'm starting workouts again! I'm starting with running and I've signed up for a few Yoga classes and CrossFit on Friday. I miss CrossFit, but I'll get back in to it Friday. I really shouldn't be doing it until I am eating animal protein again but vegans still strength train, right? I still feel great, tons of energy and honestly yesterday when I walked I had to stop myself from breaking in to a run. I'm ready. I didn't give myself a full week off (only 6 days off from high-intensity workouts) but hey I figured starting back in a little early is better than wanting to give myself too long of a break.

So today, yes TODAY, I ran. AND I met my one of my year-end goals of running a 5k in 30 min - in April. I flew on the pavement, or at least I felt I did. Call me amazed. I have been gluten, dairy, animal, caffeine and alcohol free for five and a half days and guess what? It made me a faster runner. Today, blog readers, was a good day. I can't express in words that feeling of surprising myself with meeting a goal more than 8 months early.

Breakfast: Strawberry Blueberry Banana Spinach Smoothie
Snacks: Carrots, Apple
Lunch: Peach Pineapple Spinach Smoothie, Steamed Broccoli & Cucumbers (those were not steamed)
Dinner: Steamed kale, rice, sweet potato fries (yum!)

DAY 7:
6 days/-4.4 lbs

We made it, one week down and two to go! Doing some math today if I keep on this steady weight loss progress, I could lose 15lbs in three weeks which is so exciting. It will take discipline with my dairy, meat & alcohol intake after the cleanse is complete to keep it off and keep losing. I think I'm going to stick with the fruit shake for at least one meal - perhaps breakfast. Although I love eggs and cheese.

Today was a fun day, Sarah went to a spin class with me today and she rocked it! Burned way more calories than I did (and I burned 480)! It is always so inspiring to me to see people start their own health journey. Today is also the last day of the SP Cleanse supplement and we move on to the green food supplements which means less capsules to take! Still feeling really great, went through a spin class today with tons of energy and I have not been hungry.

A week from today is the second Slim it to Win it weight in. I'm already down 7.6 lbs from that weigh in so I'm excited to see what the next seven days brings!

Breakfast : Strawberry Banana Spinach Smoothie
Snack : Carrots, Apple
Lunch: Peach Pineapple Smoothie, Garden salad, italian dressing (olive oil, oregano, balsamic)
Dinner : Stirfry (photo below)
Dessert : Banana sorbet
Exercise : Spin & Sculpt



Weigh in on Day 8 AM - lost 6lbs in 7 days! Also down 8lbs this month so far...

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