DETOX: Day 8

It's been a few days since my last detox update. Thought I'd report on the progress....

I'll admit, the weekend was really hard. Old traditions die hard folks.... First thing that entered my groggy Saturday morning head was... mmmmmmmmm what to have for breakfast.

.... Then I came to and realized, nope.... juice. 

I recovered from that initial disappointment, and went to a vegan restaurant for lunch with some friends who are also detoxing with me. I actually enjoyed {no lie} my kale salad with carrots avocado and walnuts, with a cacao and almond milk "shake" YUM. {stick together if you're detoxing, folks. It really helps.} All in all, I survived the weekend without cheating. I've yet to fall off the wagon, 8 days in. I'm pretty proud! 

In other news, I weighed myself on Sunday. 6 lbs down.

That's my biggest achievement so far. I really hope it continues to drop.... I could use another 14 lbs to fall off.... but that's just being a little optimistic. HEHE

Other changes of note: 

• I'm on NO meds, other than my inhaler. Allergy pills have not been taken for 8 days, and I feel fine without them. I'm also off the pill because I wasn't thrilled with the idea of all of those hormones and other toxins being pumped into my body on the daily... and it feels good to be free of them.

• My skin is more supple. I suffer from dry skin and right now is the worst time of year for my skin, and somehow it's doing quite well. Especially in my face. My face is actually dewy.... in a good way. Not oily. Just even and calm. Calm seems to be the best word to describe it.

• Energy is still low for workouts. I've found that eating an apple with the BEST BUTTER is my saving grace..... allow me to clarify:
The BEST BUTTER is also known as SUNFLOWER SEED BUTTER. 

The best stuff on earth. Better than almond butter. Just try it and you'll see. {on this cleanse you can't eat peanuts because of some sort of fungus that grows naturally on them that causes tummy trouble if you're cleansing.}

New exciting discovery: CLEAN BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP

At night I am supposed to drink a smoothie for dinner.... or I have the option to make a healthy soup, it just has to be the same consistency of a smoothie. So I found this recipe and I've got to say, it's better than most restaurants. I'm not kidding. 

{I added 1/2 sweet onion to add a little extra flavor}

I made enough that I get to have it again tonight.
Ask me if I am excited about that.

Why YES. YES I AM.

hahahaha

And...... that's it for Day 8.

The DON'T list

This post is mostly for myself, but feel free to read about what I'm deciding to eliminate from my diet and life. These are all the NO NO's for my quest to fit into my skinny jeans...

1. Fast Food be gone.
Boyfriend is a pretty big influence on the fast food. I would never typically go myself, unless it was VERY late and I hadn't eaten all day. But I am officially vowing to NEVER eat at a fast food chain... unless I'm buying a diet coke or water. McDonalds McMuffin, I will miss you.

2. NO to the chips.
I have a serious weakness for the chips. If I show up to a party and there is a chips and dip table, you can guess where I set up camp for the evening. Those darn chips have got to go, cuz carrots and raw veggies are movin' in...

3. Pulling the sweet tooth.
Desserts are also one of my vices. I have a serious sweet tooth and crave chocolate almost every afternoon. Candy, cake, ice cream, pastries, and sugary-loaded foods are being pulled from my menu. Those sugar-free, special K, fiber-loaded energy bars just might be my saving grace.

4. Adios, dearest fried food.
French fries had moved out of my life when I was younger, but they've crept back on my go-to list of devilish sides. I need to dump the fries, and maybe I'll be able to dump my "big jeans" too...

5. Less TV, more sweat. 
I am a bonified couch potato who used to be an athlete. I allow myself to get to the point where I don't feel an ounce of guilt for sitting on the couch and watching TV, even though I've been in a cubicle all day. I need to get to the point again where I start panicking a little bit if I haven't broken a sweat for 30 minutes that day.... I've joined a gym now, and this has already gone into effect, but I definitely want to keep it a priority.

Ok, there are some basic rules to live by for the time being. I didn't want to make too many to start... it's all about the baby steps.

Rule Number 1

Rule #1: Eating on the go or eating while standing causes you to forget what you are eating and how much you are eating. When eating meals and snacks, always sit down and eat them. 

Goals for This Week

Okay, after the dieting disaster that was this weekend, I've decided to take this thing seriously. This week, I'm making some food and fitness goals for myself... thought that might be an easier way to stay on track.

Fitness Goals:

• Monday: Run 2.5 miles outside at lunch. 1 mile walk in the evening.

• Tuesday: GYM day: 35 minutes cardio and  25 minutes free weights.

• Wednesday: Run 2.5 miles outside at lunch.

• Thursday: GYM day: 35 minutes cardio and  25 minutes free weights.

• Friday: Rest.

• Saturday: Short run by the beach? Or a bike ride? Must do SOMETHING.

• Sunday: Rest.

FOOD Goals:

• No eating after 7:30 p.m.

• No snacks, unless it's a vegetable or fruit.

• Do NOT go over my calorie limit any day this week.

• Continue to make healthy choices. NO Sugar!!!

ME vs. The Cookie

I love anything sweet, sugary, chocolatey, buttery, or warm and gooey. Take a homemade chocolate chip cookie for example. My arch nemesis. Mr. Chocolate Chip Cookie has the whole package. He has all things I love. And I wouldn't even hesitate about shoving one, two, three maybe even four of those dang cookies in my mouth, until now. Now is the time... I must say goodbye.

There's only enough room in this town for one of us, Mr. Cookie...

And Mr. Cookie, well you're gonna have to skip town...

rule #1:

no more desserts.

{a tear dropped on my keyboard as i typed that}

but seriously. no more...

i am, however, allowing myself one bite of something lovely if it is a special occasion,

or if i manage to find a concoction that is sugar free... i'll allow it.

but the old gooey, sticky, sweet deliciousness that is my weakness?

gone.

{Mr. Cookie, you will be missed.}