Nutrition

I tend to comment a lot on my daily food pictures about how I've done that day. But, I don't think I've ever really gotten into what that means. If I have, feel free to skip this post & let me know I'm already repeating stories in my old age, lol 

For many years, I did Weight Watchers. Every single food had a number. And I knew that number! I can confidently say for almost everything! It was rare that I needed to look something up. 

What I didn't know, is how each food affected me. YES, you could eat anything & everything you like so long as you had the points in your day for it. 

I used to eat microwave popcorn with butter flavored spray oil on it. Holy chemical shit storm! But, it saved my points for important things. Like, candy or booze. 

While I was pregnant with the twins & on strict bed rest, I started watching documentaries. I learned about factory farming & GMO's & organics & I fell into the rabbit hole. So. Much. Information! 

I started small. Or tried to. Once I knew what I knew, I wanted EVERYTHING changed ASAP! Our food, our personal care products, our cleaning supplies! Everything! I couldn't even process the amount of chemicals we were consuming in every which way! 

So, when I was ready to start losing the weight I gained from the twins pregnancy, I went back to what I knew worked for me in the past. My coach says something that recently struck me as sooooo very true! 'If it works so well, why are you doing it again?' Ouch! 

Now, I'm not bad mouthing WW. Not at all. It HAS helped me lose weight! But, I didn't learn a damn thing aside from how many points I could eat. I didn't learn about food. I learned about low cal, fat free, overly processed, chemical 'food'. Could I have done better? Of course. Their power foods list is basically clean eating! I didn't know that then. I just knew the points value for everything. 

NOW, when I say I had a pretty good day -- that means I've eaten clean & balanced. Enough veggies (I was WAY under eating), enough protein (also under doing it), not too much fruit (I can way overindulge there), not too many carbs (as a vegetarian, I was struggling there too) & just enough healthy fats (is a jar of peanut butter realllllly overdoing it?? lol). I've learned that when I overdo it in sweets or overly processed foods, I'm going to feel like crap!  And that's something I used to feel all. the. time. #mindblown

And, if the food I share is made in my kitchen, that means it's organic or at least non GMO. Do we eat non organic & GMO's? Unfortunately, yes..... when we go out to eat or have pizza. GMO's are EVERYWHERE!! I would LOVE to find & support a local organic restaurant! But, they're not easy to find. Anyone in the Pittsburgh or Detroit area (yes, two different states, lol) know of any, please send me the name so we can check them out!! :) #supportlocal

Piyo day 4

6 months, 3 weeks, 3 days of changing my life!

Day 4 of 60 -- PIYO

1. Post workout shakeology in the garden: vegan chocolate, frozen mango, & water 

2. Yogurt with vanilla extract & peanut butter 

3. Sautéed broccoli & spinach with a veggie burger & cottage chess

3. Errrrrr, the one below #1, lol. Ezekiel cinnamon raisin toast with peanut butter & cinnamon. And carrots.  

4. How'd that her there!? Veggie egg roll! That counts as a secondary veggie & a primary, right??? ;) 

5. Cheese, I just had 1 piece. It didn't taste great. 

6. More toast. 

7. Frozen peaches 

8. More yogurt with banana added 

Failure to plan is a plan to fail. My mother in law is in town for a short visit so I'm hoping to hit the grocery store solo in the morning! These snack meals as I go are dangerous. I still feel like I'm doing ok but I could be doing better!! 

Day 4 = Sweat! Oh yeah! That's what I'm talkin' about. :) 

#vegan #vegetarian #twinmom #homeschoolmom #momofboys #momofthree #pittsburgh #movingchaos #relocation #breastfeeding #me #food #commitment #progress #organic #nogmo #wanderingfit #family #homemade #michigan #gardening #selflove #trust

My 21 day fix experience.

Day 1 -- I realized quickly that my portions were WAY out of control! The containers & category breakdown are super helpful for getting a healthy variety of foods! 

The workout was very different from T25!! I liked the breaks & that she showed the workout first before jumping into it. Also, I LOVE that the modifier is a real girl. Someone I can watch modify & totally relate to!  :) 

Day 2 - I didn't feel like the workout yesterday was intense at all but I'm feeling it this morning. Yay for good soreness!

Planning my days meals already feels easier. I admit, I was super overwhelmed before starting & trying to get a handle on the containers/foods. The colors & corresponding food is still confusing but I'll get it. :) 

Day 3 - I'm down to 2 cups of coffee a day with 2 tablespoons of milk. The 5 day clean eating challenge helped me kick the 'liquid sugar' (I was using A LOT!) but I still filled it with milk! I'm shocked I don't hate the taste, lol I am almost out of the stuff we brought from New York though so hopefully I can find a new brand that is as good or better!  :)

The lower fix workout -- holy cow! I LOVE a workout that I know I'll feel later. :)

Must shop. Running out of green container foods! Pre-21 day fix, I would have stretched what's in the kitchen for another few days. Yep, DAYS without veggies! Oh my. 

Day 4 - I had to have Rob stop on his way home for veggies (the boys have been sick this week). He doesn't shop often so it was a big deal for him to go in & find everything! That's love & support right there. :) 

It hurts to walk, sit, stand, change diapers (2 sick babies in diapers!).... ow. This shocks me because I just finished 14 weeks of T25!! But makes me extremely happy because I know I'm working different muscles. 

I weighed myself this morning (usual weigh in day) & I'm down 2.2 pounds! I've been fighting with the scale for a while so this makes me very happy. 17.4 pounds in 16 weeks. Let's do this thing! :)

Day 5 - my first weekend day. This is when I normally indulge.... but, not this weekend! I stuck with my plans & feel great for not eating any cake with the boys (no special occasion, just grabbed a piece for them to share with lunch from Whole Foods). Yay!! 

I admit, I am not loving no rest day for the workout portion though. I'm hoping yoga tomorrow is relaxing & like a rest day. :)

Day 6 - I used to track exclusively in writing (well, when I first started, it was the only option, lol) but had since went to the convenience of the app. For this experience, I went back to writing & I love it! Messy & lots of scratched out plans but, it did the job! Here's one full week completely on the 21 day fix. :)

Rob snapped some pictures of me today doing yoga. I posted these on FB & IG (and now here)!! Oh my, lol 

Day 7 - Easter!! I didn't even think to plan around this holiday. I just knew I was spiraling on my eating, T25 was ending & I needed to fully commit myself if I wanted to see real progress! :) Overall, it was easy to stay on track & make healthy choices today. Yay! Happy Easter!! :) 

Day 8 - I can finally look at a food & know which container it goes to! I'm glad it only took a week. :) 

I experienced my first injury today. A surrender took me down! Thankfully I was able to finish. A little peppermint oil & some Motrin fixed me up. :)  

Day 9 - oops, spices are 'free' (except salt). Guess which spice I use the most often? Eek! I will be cutting back immediately! 

Also, I DRANK BLACK COFFEE today!!!!! This is unbelievable. I've always said 'I hate coffee, I just like what it does for me'. And, I do like the sweetness from my additives. lol So, this was a really big deal! 

Did the upper fix workout today - I love this one! My thigh is feeling better this morning (dr bronner peppermint Castile soap rubbed on it works miracles! ;), too. So relieved! :)

I'm feeling much more confident in what I should be consuming daily now. Much better idea what a real serving of veggies should be. Ya know, the important parts of nutrition & healthy eating! So thankful I took a chance & did this program! It's been very educational. 

Day 10 - I've had double shakeology yesterday & today. Sweet tooth!? Need more protein? Not sure why but I'm glad I have it when I need it! :)

Day 11 - my leg is feeling better! 

I'm down another 1.7 pounds! :):):)

Day 12 - nope, my leg is not feeling better. Lunges are painful! Modifying slightly so I don't get seriously hurt.  

Day 13 - TMI but I started my period last night. THAT explains the double shakeology!!! I'm SO thankful that I had no clue I even had PMS aside from the questionable amount of shake-O I was drinking. I normally only have one after my workout because I use a red container for it but I couldn't get enough the last few days!  

We went out to eat again today. Made a plan, ordered & ate what I was 'allowed'!! YES!! Ok, I *did* hesitate but I took a bite of fried avocado. I knew it would be delicious & I was afraid I wouldn't be able to stop eating it. I was right about it being delicious!!!! But, wrong about my willpower. I stayed strong & only had one small taste of it. Yay! :) We WILL be going back there though, lol 

Day 14 - I bought new clothes today!!!! I had to admit mine are all getting too big. #happyproblems :)

Rob agreed to do the 21 day fix with me! He starts tomorrow. No more complaining about his weight because he'll be doing something about it with me. Yay! :) 

Prep for 2 people (1 being packed up to go) is a lot of work! I need to shop better. I keep running out of fruit & veggies! Stocking up tomorrow! :)

Day 15 - Rob started today! He didn't eat nearly all of his containers but major improvement from his usual days. We need to take some before pictures of him so he can see the progress for himself! :) 

I've decided to continue into round 2 after day 21. I'm having great results, I have more weight to lose, I love the variety in the workouts & someone in the private challenge group on fb pointed out that it can be hard to get back on track once you go off & allow yourself to slack. That's so me! So, full steam ahead (I'll post this after the end of my first 21 days)!! Mother's Day weekend in Michigan should be interesting. 

Day 16 - my 6 year old joined me for upper fix today! ALL of it!! That was so cool he asked to join in. :) 

Day 17 - my 6 year old joined me for lower fix today! ALL of it again! lol And the babies joined in for a little, too! 

Day 18 - oh my, the 6 year old is such a pusher. A workout pusher..... he's demanding we do our workout RIGHT NOW! How do I say no?? :) 

Rob weighed himself tonight (4 days in for him) & he's down NINE POUNDS!! That's way more eating than he normally does & that's it, I haven't convinced him that working out is as amazing as it is ..... yet! ;) 

Day 19 - I fell into some cake!

 I started off licking it from a lid 'just to taste' & ended up finishing off what the boys didn't eat. I felt like this after! 

Ohhhhhh, my rock gut! BUT, there was a positive to the experience! Normally, I would be concerned about the calories (or points, former WW) I consumed. Today though!? I only cared about how awful it made me feel physically! Lesson learned. :) 

Day 20 - got Dirty 30 done early today so we could spend the day with friends. We went to the science center where I carried one baby or the other on my back, running up & down the ramp. It feels great to be active without thinking about earning activity points or anything of the sort, just enjoying the moment. :) 

At bedtime, O asked if we had worked out yet (we had early & he joined me!), I told him yes & he DEMANDED we workout again! Turns out, he wants to be active when he's tired because he crashed a few minutes later. Great problem to have! :) 

I had a piece of fried avocado at dinner. I feel comfortable allowing myself a small variance now. Before, I would have eaten the whole plate & called it a serving so sampling is a major improvement! Plus I packed our lunch which I wouldn't have done before either. Yay 21 day fix! 

Day 21 - I DID IT!!!!!! I lost 6 pounds in 21 days (VERY healthy rate of loss, so happy with those results), learned a ton about nutrition & proper eating! And, I love the variations in the workouts still! Round 2 of 21 day fix begins tomorrow. :)

#crazyeyes #lol 

My ah-ha moment.

UI've always been a huge fan of Weight Watchers. When I restarted my get healthy journey, they were my go-to program. But, combined with the T25 workout -- I was not happy with the scale! It wasn't reflecting my hard work! I decided to forget about the scale (and measurements because those were jacked up, too), focus on the fit of my clothes & my progress photos. 

Then, at week 13 (14 of recommitting - I started T25 a week later to get my nutrition on track), I decided to take a beach body 5 day clean eating challenge. I ate pretty well before I started because of the WW simple start/simply filling programs. But, I could FEEL the difference after just 5 days of 'clean' eating. I allowed myself some indulgences on the weekend after the challenge (sweets, chips, etc) & decided to stick with the 5 days of clean eating again! It makes me feel SO much better! 

I remember reading that some people stick with Weight Watchers or any other program while doing T25 because it's what they're familiar with. But, they recommend following their nutrition guideline. I rolled my eyes, certain Beach Body was just trying to sell me something else & carried on my way. Whelp, I'm now a believer! They were only selling me real results! There was nothing to buy in the nutrition guide! Now I know better .... only 14 weeks in, lol It's a good thing this is just the beginning of my journey. :)