Detox, Cleanse and Rebuild - Day 1

I am finding it difficult to get back on board with a healthy lifestyle, despite all my best intentions.  I had allowed sugar into my system a few months ago and now my body wants.it.every.day.  and because I have allowed the monster to take over, it has resulted in weight gain and feeling sluggish.  This certainly is not what I want or need....I need a fresh slate....so I figured it was time for a cleanse.

I trekked on out to my local health food store and purchased this:

Image from here http://www.michaelshealth.com

I was looking for Fresh Start Cleanse by Nature's Plus, but despite the website's claim that I could buy it at the health food store nearby where I live, the store does not carry that brand....and I am not one to drive around town looking for the product when there was a staff member here with the answers to my questions about all of the different cleanses that they did have in stock.

I chose this Cleanse for a few different reasons.

Image from here http://www.michaelshealth.com

1.  The pills are conveniently pre-packaged which means I don't have 4 different supplement bottles to keep track of and I take them with my Breakfast and lunch only.
2.  I don't  have to try to remember to take them a half hour before a meal, etc.  I can swing breakfast and lunch, it's the late afternoon, early evening supplements that I always have a hard time remembering to take.  Once I am away from my desk with stuff in front of me, it's out of my thoughts....out of sight, out of mind.  Yes very much so!
3.  It's 7 days...I think I can manage that!
4. Bonus - there is a super foods powder that comes along with it.....not the best tasting stuff in the world, but I bet it will make me feel so much better!

Image from here http://www.michaelshealth.com

I'm going to try to keep a log of how I feel....starting Now!

Day 1 - At the moment I am feeling heavy, sluggish, and bloated.  My pants are starting to get way too tight....like going up a size too tight.  I am PMSing and hoping its just bloat from that, but still....I am no fool, and this is not my first time at the rodeo.  I had Cheese Eggs and Bacon for Breakfast with a cup of coffee with half and half and Whey Low Gold.  I don't think I was supposed to have the bacon...or the cheese....the directions suggest increasing consumption of fibrous fruits and veggies while decreasing consumption of processed foods, meat and dairy products....but I am PMSing...cheese and bacon are a a necessity.  anyway,  I took the first of the pills and powder shortly after eating breakfast.

For Lunch I had a plate of fresh broccoli and cauliflower.  Yes I covered it in cheese and I dipped it in Honey Mustard.(Dairy and processed foods) I'm still on day one and I have increased my consumption of Fibrous veggies....as soon as I run out of cheese, I will stop, but they're not taking my half & half away...no way!  I tore open the second packet of pills and chugged a bunch of water.  Time to refill my bottle.

Now I really should plan what dinner will be.  Perhaps I can grab some veggies at Kroger before heading off to school so that I am not tempted to eat at the Jamaican restaurant.....I need a plan!  That's part of my problem...not having a plan and not being prepared.

Here is where I set my intention.  I intend to follow through this cleanse for the 7 days that it will take (including the weekend!)  I intend to be prepared and have a plan for all meals from now til next Monday.  Here's to me!

12/15/2011 - Making Fat Cry

I abso-freakin-lutely LOVE when my body decides it's time to get up and my mind says "Okay, let's workout"  That's what happened. again. this morning.  Yes, I woke up at 5am and decided I should go workout. And I took a cycle class for the first time in my life.  And I made my fat cry.  I also made my crotch cry.  Ouchieee!  But the amount of sweat I produced was worth it!  And I may invest in a gel seat pad to help with the Ouchie factor....if I can get up that early again next Thursday morning and the Thursday morning after that.  If I can get through 3 5am classes, then I will make the $15-$20 investment for the gel pad.

I went to see Dr. Dell last night.  There were 2 less bones out of alignment then there were 2 weeks prior...AND he was able to tell that I had a portion of my jaw out of alignment.  I didn't even tell him that I had been experiencing a film over my right eye causing blurred vision (not too terrible)...but he found it.  That's pretty amazing if you ask me....it makes me feel like this is not all hocus pocus, because even though I continued to see him, I was a bit skeptical, but wanted to give it a chance.

I just weighed myself and can see that I am down a few more lbs.  a total of 4.4  Is this really working this fast, just 1 full day of Somersizing and my numbers are already going down?  Why am I surprised, I know that Somersizing works, and the fact that I'm getting in some exercise, this shouldn't be a surprise.  10.6 lbs. away from reaching my first 15 lb. goal!!

Workout 5:45 am- 42 minutes of 60 min Spin class

Breakfast  9:00AM (No Green Smoothie) :(

2 Fried eggs

Redbull

Coffee with half & half and 3 Xylitol
1 Total Leaky Gut

1 L-Theanine

1 Homocysteine Redux

1 Vitamin C

1 Vitamin E

1 Garlic

3 Adrenals

1 Biotin

1 B12

Snack 00:00 AM
none

Lunch 11:30 PM
Turkey, Ham, Green Beans and a minute amount of Scalloped potatoes
Unsweet Tea

1 Garlic
1 Vitamin C
1 Total Leaky Gut
2 Adrenals
1 L-Theanine
1 Homocysteine Redux


Snack 2:30 PM
Strawberries and a Grape


Snack 3:30 PM
Dr. Zevia

Snack 4:45 PM
SugarFree Jell-O Chocolate & Vanilla Pudding

*Snort*...both times this week I typed the word "pudding" with an 's' in place of the 'd'

Dinner 00:00 PM

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” - Maria Robinson

12/14/2011 - Back On Track?

I've been feeling like crap emotionally the past week or so, and I hadn't been making my morning smoothies.....nor have I really been keeping up with my supplements....which I can feel All.Over.My.Body.  Yes I've given in to temptations.  Yes I've fallen off plan.  Yes I have halted my workouts.  Yes I have gained weight. f-i-v-e nasty El Bees, though 1.4 of them have already found a new home.
....but I was feeling tired last night and so I went to bed at 9:30 pm.  I didn't try to fight it and wind up falling asleep on the couch.  I went to my bed and was asleep before I knew it.  And then it was 6:50 am....and I got up.  I was already wearing sweat pants and a comfy long sleeved shirt, so I just threw on a light jacket, Crest whitening strips and my sneaks...and I hit the pavement.  And I am proud of myself.  I LOVE walking in the morning.  I love the stillness of everything.  I love that I've already jumped in for an energizer and that I still have a whole day of me.  I walked up and down Morris Rd, which takes only about 10 minutes, but 10 minutes that really get me going!  If I'd said to myself that I should just stay in bed another 10 minutes, it would have turned into an hour and a half and I would feel even more sluggish.
I came home, enjoyed a little online time and then I made my smoothie.

Today's Green Smoothie: (wasn't very green at all, it was pink! and VERY delicious!)
Green Cabbage (fresh)
Cucumber (Fresh) -though on it's way to rotting because It's been sitting there...just waiting for me
Parsley (Fresh)
Ginger (Fresh)
Blueberries (Frozen)
Peaches (Frozen)
Pineapple lots and lots of pineapple...it too was about to go bad (Fresh)
Zico Coconut water

guess I forgot that I also had celery....oopsie

Back on plan today?  I hope so.  I went out to Harry's Market (aka Whole Foods) yesterday at lunch time specifically to buy Xylitol.  I tried the stuff when I was up in Charlotte last weekend.  Jessica had it, and I liked it.  I figured it was better for me than Splenda which is my sweetner of choice for my coffee.  I love the fact that this is even better tasting than Splenda and is a natural sweetener derived from the fibrous parts of plants.  instead of chemicals that they lead you to believe is better for you....

I got Xylo Sweet 100 packets.    They also sell the stuff loose, I just wanted the ability to carry some with me.  I am not 100% certain that it's on the Somersizing plan....but apparently it is safe for use in any sugar-controlled diet.  The only downside to the stuff is that you need to build up a tolerance.  It can cause gas and die of the rear....so far I have't had any issues with it that I've noticed.

I need to find that strength within to keep me on plan to achieve my goal.  There is a battle in my brain, and the fat girl is winning majority of the time....I've got to turn it around.  I've taken the steps this morning to get me back on track....I need to stay here!

Today's Goals:
Avoid sugar
Take all supplements
Drink Water
Eat all meals using the Somersize guidelines (You know this really does work, right?)
Move that body (DONE!) though I might get in a stretch and/or balance tonight.




I've got an appointment tonight at 7:15 with Dr. Dell.  Hopefully an adjustment will put me in check.  I love doing right by my body.  I really do...I wish I felt motivated ALL of the time.


Right now I've got 80lbs to lose.  I think I'll just focus on 15 to start out with.


Christa's 15lb. challenge...and GO!


I just ordered some of Suzanne's Chocolate protein powder...those will be good for nights that I don't feel like cooking and BF has a pizza or something else I shouldn't be eating.  This is "Being Prepared"  I need to stick to being prepared as much as possible...for when I am unprepared, I tend to fall back into my old ways.


Breakfast 8:45 AM
Green Smoothie
1 Total Leaky Gut
1 Vitamin C
1 Vitamin E
1 Garlic
3 Adrenals
1 Biotin
1 B12

Snack 11:20 AM
Kiwi Fruit

Lunch 12:30 PM
Spinach Mushroom onion tomato swiss cheese omelette
Bacon
2 cups of coffee with Cream and Xyltiol
1 L-Theanine
1 Total Leaky Gut
1 Garlic
1 Vitamin C
2 Adrenals

Snack 3:40 PM
Cream Cheese
SF Jell-O Choc/Vanilla pudding

Snack 4:50 PM
Dr. Zevia

Dinner 9:00 PM
Sage Breakfast Sausage, Green Peppers, Onion and Provolone
glass and a half White Wine

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit. - Aristotle

12-7-11 Running Late

Just as I had predicted, I didn't have time for a workout last night.....it's all good, I got to spend time with Allison and the kiddos and I accomplished making Christmas cards.

I used my fingerprint in different colors as a string of lights, they're cute and unconventional.

Knowing that I probably wouldn't get in a workout, I purposely parked my car in the very last row at work, which is quite a long walk.

I've never measured it, but maybe a lil less than a quarter mile?  Maybe my perception of distance is a bit off too...believe me, it's a  walk.  The nice thing is though that they preserved a little bit of the land that was there before, so you can have a slight feel of nature.

I usually don't walk through there if it's been raining or if I'm wearing heels because it can get a little too natural if you know what I mean.

We had a bit of rain yesterday, so I chose the asphalt driveway path.  I do need to walk through there a bit more..just to take in that nature.  It's raining today, so it's not gonna happen today.

Today's Green Smoothie:
Green Cabbage (Fresh)

Celery (Fresh)

Bosc Pear (Fresh)

Lime Juice (Fresh)

Parsley (Fresh)

Ginger (Fresh)

Peaches (Frozen)

Blueberries (Frozen)

Black Seedless Grapes (Fresh)

Zico Coconut Water

Today's Goals:
Avoid sugar - Though that may not be possible, being that it's Katie's b-day and she's made Paula Dean's Ultimate Coffee Cake - OMG!
Take all supplements
Eat all meals using the Somersize guidelines
Move that body

Breakfast

1 Garlic

1 Total Leaky Gut

3 Adrenals

1 Vitamin C

1 Vitamin E

1 L-Theanine

Green Smoothie

Seriously need to get in the shower now.....it's 10 after 9...time for work!  Picked out a cute outfit.  Denim dress with lime green long sleeve and my saddle colored boots.  Cute!  and comfy!

Monday 12-05-11 Starting Something New

So I'm going to try something new....well, maybe I've tried this in the past, I'm not sure cause even I can't keep up with myself sometimes.  :)

I've never been very good or consistent with keeping a journal.  My 5th grade teacher used to give me shit about it, now I give myself shit about it.  I mean look, the last time I updated this Blog was in July....I rest my case.

But I try.

This is my blog.  And it's called Becoming Christa for a reason, Oh I must have wanted to do this before or something.....I'm so smart, this is the perfect place for me to do this!

I'll journal about anything, so don't expect an outline or anything like that.  Really just want to keep track of my Green Smoothies, Workouts, Goals and my weight, which I'm really not very fond of having it out there for all to see, but whatever, it's reality and I always try to keep it real AND I am hoping that journal-ing will help me move that number down to a more pleasant range.  I might throw in a random bit of inspiration like as a quote of someone else, or something my own brain either came up with or has retained for the past and I just remembered it and think that I came up with it.

Overall, I just want to be healthy and look and feel good and I want to document the process.

So here goes:

224.8 - Yep....that's where it's at today.  I've seen that number higher and I've definitely seen it lower....let's concentrate on getting that number somewhere near the 150 lb mark...that's where I look and feel my best.

How am I going to do that?  Well it's certainly not going to be by sitting on my butt.  I've tried it, it doesn't work...ever.  Being prepared is how I plan to get that number down.  Being prepared with Food, supplements, inspiration, positive self talk, oh and workout clothes, or at the very least my sneakers....just keeping them available in case I spontaneously decide to bust a move, I'll be prepared and can't make any excuses.

That number up there that we've already discussed, yeah, not gonna let it get me down.  I'm still sexy, still have a great ass, definitely great teeth and smile (thanks mom)....and my personality, I've always got that!
 This fat doesn't define who I am, BUT it sure does get in the way of being able to wear certain things....and I've always been some form of a fashionista, I owe it to myself to be able to wear the things I am attracted to. My younger sister Jessica gave me a few garments this weekend that just weren't right for her.  I happened to love them but they don't fit at the moment.  While I can get them on, I can't wear them out of the house if you know what I mean....perhaps I should post a photo of myself in these garments at the size that I am at now.  And then, when I've seen some success, we can do a comparison so I can prove to myself and you that I am doing the right thing.

So today...yeah today....cause there's no time like the present to make positive changes.  I started my morning with my supplements.  Those include the ones Dr. Dell prescribed (he's my Chiropractor/Kinesiologist), and the ones I've prescribed for myself.  He's got me on quite a few that I hope are helping, either that or I am spending WAAAAY too much money on this stuff....whatever, it's better than spending it at the bar right?  well, maybe not as much fun ;)

Supplements:
Garlic
Adrenals
L-Theanine
Total Leaky Gut.

I've also prescribed some other things for myself which include:
B12
Vitamin C
Vitamin E

...and I think that's about it.  I'm also starting the day with a Green Smoothie of whatever fruits and veggies I've got in the kitchen.

Today's Green Smoothie:
Spinach (Fresh)
Cucumber (Fresh)
Cilantro (Fresh)
Ginger (Fresh)
Blueberries (Frozen)
Mango (Frozen)
Apple (Fresh)
Grapes (fresh)
Zico Coconut Water

I've made these green smoothies just about every day for a month or so since I purchased the Kitchen Ninja 1200 because I've become addicted to the feeling that I get when I've had one.  My body can tell when I haven't....I'm more sluggish and I crave things that I shouldn't be putting into my body such a Sugar Free Red Bull.

I just want to be healthy. I want to look healthy and I want to feel healthy.  I don't want to crave things that I shouldn't put into my body.  I want to crave things that I should DO for my body, the right foods and supplements and to move...I like to move it move it.  I love when I am working out on a consistent basis and my body craves that burn!  I need to get myself back there.

I packed my gym clothes.  There is a Body Works plus abs class at 7 tonight.  I have a membership and I have my clothes and sneakers.....even have my socks!   I have no excuses.

Today's Goals:


Avoid sugar
Take all supplements
Eat all meals using the Somersize guidelines (You know this really does work, right?)
Move that body


hmmmm...I didn't really mean to make an acronym.....  But AT EM makes total sense!  Up and AT EM!

Here's where I am at body-wise at the moment.  These pictures were taken on 11/7/11 but there's been no change since then.

Breakfast 9:00 AM
3 Adrenal
1 Garlic
1 Total Leaky Gut
1 L-Theanine
1 Vitamin C
1 Vitamin E
1 B12
Green Smoothie
Coffee, 1/2 & 1/2, 2 pkts Splenda

Snack
Roasted Seaweed
1 Globe Grape

Lunch - 1:00pm
1 Total Leaky Gut
1 Vitamin C
1 Garlic
1 L-Thenaine
2 Adrenal
Chicken Salad Scoop about a cup

Dinner 8:30pm
1 Total Leaky Gut
1 Vitamin C
Fajita Chicken with mozzarella
Green Cabbage Salad

Workout
P90X Chest & Back

Painting Pillows

My creativity has really been sparked this year, thankfully, as it is one of the things that I've written in my journal at the beginning of the year that I would like to use more frequently this year.  Ever since I put up those floating shelves in the dining room/sweat shop, I now have things within an arms reach.  Like those paint brushes...

...the only thing I have done with the paint brushes in the past 7 years is move them from one place to the next....6 times....I have moved 6 times in the past 7 years and the paint brushes have managed to stick around despite my love for purging items every-single-time I move.  I find that is the case with most of my CREATE stash.  I won't throw any of it away...(oh except for thousands of dollars worth of fabric that got ruined in the basement of one of my dwellings....sigh....I'm still having a hard time with that almost 6 years later...) but anyway....what was the reason I am here posting???.....oh, right, the paint brushes....so yeah, I haven't touched those things in 7 years!!!!  Well, I found some time to start a little project that coincides with wanting to add more color to my place AND the use of my creative abilities.

I was in Wal-Mart the other night and was inspired by the design on this throw pillow

so I snapped a picture of it with my trusty camera phone and headed to the craft section for some fabric paint.    I figured I'd use some of the table cloth I had purchased 2 years back at a Goodwill in Savannah as the cover fabric since it will coordinate with the table runner I recently made for the dining room table and this other pillow I recently made using the same table cloth and some leftovers from the Duff Dress.

I'm not sure if I am in love with it or if it looks like a kids craft project.  It's now sitting on one of the dining room chairs until I have enough pillows made to throw them on the couches making it all look like I meant to totally throw things off by combining bright/loud/colorful throw pillows to our 1990s navy, hunter,tan, burgundy plaid sofa and love seat set BF purchased from a garage sale for $50 that we are happily working with until we can afford some new couches in a color and fabric of our choice.  I am hoping that by doing this, your eye is drawn to the bright and colorful pillows and you don't even notice the couches...we'll see if it works.  It's not like anyone comes over really, and if they do, they are coming to see us, not our couches.  :)

So anyway, back to the painting project (sorry A.D.D much?)...here's what it looked like Sunday night:

I have a long way to go before it will be finished.  I've already added another band of dots in orange since snapping this low-quality camera phone picture. (Sorry, my Real camera is busted.....I can't justify purchasing another one at this point, we just got over Christmas!)


So, I'm already having fun and being creative in 2011, but I can't believe that January is almost over with already!!!!  YIKES!!!

Oh and on a Weight Watchers side note, I'm down 5 lbs!!!  W00t!

AND  I love BF more and more everyday, it's amazing how much we grow on a daily basis...It's great to grow together with someone, instead of growing apart.  :)

Life is great!

More Organizing...Office Nook

In dealing with my ADD it was recommended that I journal.  As of the new year, I've decided to journal more, errrr get started?  So after coming across a blog or two on journaling I've decided to use a journal that I already owned (but never used), write down whatever comes to my mind as the moment strikes, attach pictures and draw that inspire me, create shopping lists, to-do lists......whatever I want to put in my journal.  So far it has helped tremendously with being more organized!  We're only 17 days into the new year, but so far I have journaled 11 of those 17 days and 1 day from 2010 (Dec 31st, I used up 5 pages jotting down all of the things I wanted to start to accomplish in 2011!)

I've already crossed off many items from the several "to-do" lists (one other being hanging those shelves in the Dining Room/Sweat Shop

Which brings me to another one of those items......Organize the office and front entry hall shelves

The apartment came with a built in office nook which is great because that means we did not have to spend money on a piece of furniture, and when we move, we don't have to move a piece of furniture!

I will admit though that it was becoming a catch-all and with that comes an eye sore.

I can no longer take the clutter....it feels like everything in life is chaotic when my environment is cluttered....

So after hanging those Dining Room/Sweat Shop shelves, I was still on a roll. I got to tackling the Office shelves and the front entry way built in bookcase/shelves (picture of that to come soon).

I moved the books and board games to the larger built in bookcase/shelves in the front entry way and rearranged the other items.  I also condensed what was in that orange storage cube on the lower shelf into the Damask box from the top shelf.  I added a faux plant that was in the bedroom, yeah I got tired of Coco trying to eat it.  I actually really like the height that it adds to this space!

It's still a little cluttered and could use a burst of color, but SOOOO much better than it was.  I feel like I can breath when I look at the space now.

And because I know I enjoy a side by side before and after, here's one for you my wonderful reader(s).  :)

Now off to the 2nd job.  Hope everyone had a great MLK day!

Fat Losers

and because I've allowed myself to get away from myself again.....I have rejoined Fat Losers aka Weight Watchers.

Here we go!

I get to use their new program which I still need to learn.

How did I forget about myself so much over the last 5 months?  Oopsie...back to it!  Oh, I know, it's because I have 2 jobs...or at least that's what I am telling myself.

Ahhhhh......Organizing the Storage Closet

The next organizing project.....the Storage Closet.  Apartment living is great...lots of amenities, gated for safety, no maintenance, etc....but when it comes to storage, you're kind of screwed.  We do happen to have a decent sized storage closet (the largest I've ever seen in an apartment complex) however without shelving etc....this is basically what it becomes.

A complete nightmare when trying to find something that is stored.

I'd been ITCHING to get this somewhat organized...can you blame me?  Everytime I went to search for something in there I had to pull everything out, find it, and then shove everything back in.  So I purchased this Wonderful Invention

BF wasn't really on board for the whole organizing project as he thought it wouldn't make a difference.

I'll let you be the judge...

You can actually walk into the closet now....I can even dance in there!  Oh and I can find everything in a matter of SECONDS!

Here's the Before and After side by side

Countess of Points

Life is good.....of course there is bad, but life is still good. Starting Weight Watchers on Thursday...at work. I have very high expectations of myself. This just may be the final time I join....I think I've grown enough over the past year as well, I have a great support system this time.

Did I mention that I am in love. I've never known a greater love....ever

Baby Steps to Self Improvement

My first entry and I can think of so many things that I would like to start out saying. I will start with what brought me here today to start a blog.

Today I set up an appointment to see a counselor/therapist. I've thought about seeking therapy in the past, but today actually took the first step - finding a therapist and making an appointment.
Before I got in the shower this morning, I did a quick google search to see what was in my area. I was directed to psychologytoday.com. I was immediately drawn to the second therapist on the list. Her picture was displayed and she had a very warm and inviting look. She wasn't very clinical...she has a very friendly vibe. I was extremely happy to see that her office is less than a half mile from my office and as well her specialties are within what I am seeking guidance in. The original reason for my search was for relationship issues...not that I am in a relationship...which is exactly the reason why I am seeking therapy. One of her strengths though is in ADHD. I've been wanting to seek cognitive therapy for this to go along with being medicated for ADHD, but my searches in the past for a therapist didn't get me too far. Just about everything the therapist specializes in is within my main focus of improvement for my life.
These things inclue:
ADHD
Relationship Issues
Divorce
Infertility
Life Coaching
Spirituality
Hre list goes on, but these are what I would like to focus on.
Just my ease in finding her this morning has already given me a positive feeling that I am on the right path. Not to mention that she called me back before I left for lunch, we set up a 1pm appointment for this Friday and she has even discounted her rate for me as I had mentioned to her that I am pretty broke but hoping that through therapy life in general will be better for me and I will become more financially stable. I already see the light at the end of the long tunnel....strange though, I am not expecting this to be a short lived thing, nor am I expecting it to be a very smooth ride but I love to remain positive about things and I see this as one of the most positive things I can do for myself at this darker time in my life.

This is my first step into creating a new world for myself since my break up with Amir. An even more brighter day, an even more positive way. I am hoping to bring out my fullest potential, cause I deserve it! I am observing a lil deeper so that I can treat myself like the princess that I deserve to be treated like.....for once!

I hope to be able to keep this blog as a place to record my successes as well as whatever else may come my way. I've never been all that good at keeping a journal, but I think through this journey of self improvement I may find it easy as well as necessary and I certainly feel that it will be great to look back at and to see how far I've come.