Cleanse Discoveries

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With one day under our belt, I have already discovered a few things, and it seems as though you have too. 

1)  The (above) lunch time smoothie is my least favorite.  I think because of the consistency.  It is more like soup due to all of the vegetables and fruit with only 1/2 cup of liquid.  I think for the rest of the cleanse I will eat the celery and blend the rest.  I don't have a problem with that.

2)  The morning smoothie was of course my favorite, and the dinner smoothie was very confusing to my palette.  Not sure how I felt about the cayenne pepper.  I loved it and hated it at the same time. 

2)  I've gotten several comments from you about how your bowels are definitely being cleansed.  This is normal, and part of the cleansing process.  You can see why a cleanse is healthy for your gut and colon.  I've noticed absolutely no bloating last night and this morning.  Yeah!

3)  Because I am a night owl, I got really REALLY hungry at around 10:30 pm.  I can't remember the last time I felt that hungry.  I think I will go to bed earlier tonight just to avoid feeling that way. 

4)  Try to follow the regime exactly.  Do not add other things to the smoothie, and try to finish it all even if it takes all afternoon. 

5)  I exercised yesterday (ran), which made me totally ready for the afternoon snack.  Be aware that if you exercise, you will probably feel completely famished.  Between that and staying up late, I was really looking forward to morning when I could finally drink my breakfast smoothie.

6)  I had several people ask about the amount of calories for this cleanse, so I did a few calculations:

                 Breakfast:  311
                 Lunch:  313
                 Dinner:  333
                 favorite smoothie snack:  311-333
                 total calories:  between 1268-1290

7)  All day I looked forward to the salt and lavender bath, be sure to reward yourself this way.  It is the best part!

8)  It is such a wonderful feeling to have control over our bodies.  There is nothing better than the feeling that comes with mind over matter.  Knowing that you are capable of this (and so much more).

9)  This way of eating on a regular basis would not be considered "healthy."  There is not enough protein or grains.  There are enough calories if you want to lose weight, but even then, your body needs additional protein and complex carbohydrates from grain.  Even for weight loss, you never want to go below 1200 calories.  There are definitely not enough calories if you are maintaining your weight.  But if you added all of those things (protein, carbohydrates, unsaturated fat) to parts of the cleanse, it would be the perfect diet.  So many fruits and vegetables that are loaded with antioxidants and fiber! 

10)  What did you discover?  I want to know.  Comments are encouraged! 

weekly {be healthy} challenge: 3 Day Cleanse

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I am very excited and pretty nervous for this first {be healthy} challenge.  If I weren't a little nervous then it probably wouldn't be very challenging...or at least this is what I'm telling myself.  I know it will be difficult because I love food.  Specifically eating food.  The different textures, the crunch, the chewing.  Oh the chewing!  I will miss all of these things.  And I may even want to curl up in the fetal position by day three.  So if this is how you feel, just know you are not alone. 

You may want to do a cleanse if:

-You are a sugar-a-holic

-You have digestive issues...aka diarrhea, constipation, gas, etc.

-You eat a lot of processed foods

-You don't like vegetables

-You often feel bloated

-You feel fatigued

-You are addicted to caffeine

-You have food allergies

-You want to jump-start healthy eating and/or weight loss

The main reason I want to do this cleanse is for the good ol' feeling that comes from "mind over matter."  I want to see if I have enough self-discipline to eat for nourishment alone.  Not for enjoyment or emotions.  Am I strong enough?  We shall see.  Are you strong enough?  I am sure.

 

A safe cleanse is one that doesn't make you starve yourself, take fancy pills, potions or expensive drinks.  All you need are 3 days, a blender, and $16 each day:

  

You may experience a few side effects including irritability, hunger, headaches (if you are addicted to caffeine), bowel changes, and fatigue.  These are all normal, but surprisingly enough, exercising for 30 minutes each day may help boost your energy.  Drinking plenty of water will actually help, along with getting enough rest.

 

Here are a few additional hints:

 

If you aren't a green tea drinker [like me], you can either choose an herbal tea of your choice or water with lemon. 

 

If you are pregnant or in the early stages of nursing, this cleanse is great for you too.  Please add the following to your detox each day:  3 egg whites, 3 ounces chicken breast, 1 cup shelled edamame

 

You may use frozen blueberries and raspberries as long as they are unsweetened.

 

Be sure to carefully measure cayenne pepper!

 

I really love Dr. Oz.  He knows his stuff and what comes out of his mouth is valid.  Sometimes he has wacky "experts" on his show, so we can't believe everything that is professed during that hour, but I think he does the best at combining the medical field with holistic medicine.  I trust him because he knows the science behind nutrition, exercise, and health.  He is a genius and logical, but open-minded. 

 

It doesn't matter to me what days you decide to do this challenge, as long as it is three days in a row.  Keep me updated on your progress and I don't mind listening to you complain as long as you don't. give. up.  

 

Who wants to join me?  Please leave me your feedback, progress, and questions in the comment section attached to this post.  I'm here to help.  And don't forget to follow this blog and join my facebook page for updates.

Be Healthy Challenge

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Maybe you are like me and work better under pressure, the good kind of pressure called a "challenge."  Without challenging ourselves, it is easy to get stuck in a rut.  In order to avoid complacency, we need something to work toward and accomplish, especially when it comes to our health.  My favorite challenges are short-term because the results are quick.  Plus these small attainable challenges help us reach our long-term goals.

 

Starting next week, I will introduce:

 

These weekly challenges are meant to take us beyond what we tell ourselves we can or cannot accomplish.  They will challenge us physically, emotionally, and mentally.

Notice, I keep saying "us" and "we" and "our" because we will most definitely be doing these challenges together.

 

In order to prepare for next week's be healthy challenge, I will give you a little hint.  Actually a big hint.  This will give you all weekend to build enough courage to join me and commit to these weekly challenges, and to go out and buy the ingredients. 

 

I bought my Kale today (the vegetable, not the husband)!

 

 

And speaking of challenges, I'm finally getting around to posting the results of my 6-week body challenge.  I was having a difficult time shedding those last few pounds of baby weight so came up with a plan and worked HARD to shed those last stubborn pounds.  Even though I lost those five pounds, I'm still not to my pre-pregnancy fitness level or muscle tone yet.  Getting there, slowly but surely. 

 

I worked really hard for those six weeks, and didn't miss a day.  It was long. and. argues.  But it paid off, and I said goodbye to those last five pounds.  I haven't missed them since! 

 

Once you get to those last 5-10 pounds before your goal weight, the fat becomes stubborn and you may need to step it up even more (both exercise and nutrition).  And keep in mind, losing these last five pounds was definitely more challenging now that I am well into my thirties and have had four children.  I am not looking forward to what happens in my 40s and 50s...and then menopause...aaaahhhh!  Even more work I imagine. 

 

{I did not edit these pictures, nor did I suck in.  Just tried to have good posture in both before and after pictures.  Look closely and you will see significant changes.} 

 

One of these days I'll do a post combining all 6 weeks.