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!

12/14/2011 - 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!

12-6-11 It's a New Day!

I didn't get to the gym last night BUT I did do a P90X workout with BF before dinner!  It wasn't too bad, I went at my own pace and didn't try to over do it.  I know that once my body is more active, I'll be able to handle more.  I did push myself a few times, I wasn't a total slacker.  At one point during the decline push ups, my arms completely gave up!  I found my entire upper body smashed on the floor!  It wasn't pretty, I am sure!  Not sure if it was the workout or what, but I woke up before 6am....and, you know I think I got a full 8 hrs of sleep last night!  That's something I've been striving for and I am always happy when I can get that.

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

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


Tonight I'm headed over to Allison's to make some handmade Christmas Cards.  I've always loved this tradition, we didn't do it last year, so I am glad we're going to pick it up again this year.  I probably won't get in a workout, which kinda stinks, but perhaps I can find a way to work something in there somewhere....maybe at lunchtime or something, even if it's a walk around the parking lot.


Breakfast 8:00 AM
3 Adrenal
1 Garlic
1 Total Leaky Gut
1 L-Theanine
1 Vitamin C
Green Smoothie


Snack 10:00 AM
2 Hard Boiled Eggs
Coffee, 1/2 & 1/2, 2 pkts Splenda

Lunch 1:00 PM

2 Adrenal
1 Total Leaky Gut
1 Vitamin C
Grilled Chicken w/ Provolone
Coffee, 1/2 & 1/2, 4 pkts Splenda

Dinner


Workout

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

Happy Happy Joy Joy!

I give you what could very well be my final cell phone picture

Nikon COOLPIX S3000

IT'S HERE!!!

Here's a nice test shot...pardon the mess.

I was actually headed out the door this morning when I snapped this, so it may be a little blurry but WAAAY more sharp and vivid than the ole camera phone dining room shots.  I used the night portrait setting being that the room was dark due to the dark & rainy weather we're experiencing in the ATL area.

In weightloss related news,  I am down 12 lbs.  HOLLAH!!!!

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!

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.

Facing My Fear

Last we spoke about my weightloss, I was telling you about how I reached ONEderland and stuff about goals and milestones etc. I also mentioned near the end of the post that I was scared....so I guess that's what I want to talk about, because it will help me get through.
But before I get into it, check out this picture of me from the weekend....down 20 something pounds....I can't really see it here...I really want to, but I don't.  That doesn't mean I look at this picture in disgust, it just means that I can't see the weightloss.  Though I did notice my forearms are looking slimmer ;)

What am I afraid of you ask? Simple....not going any further in my journey, and reason being because this is always where I get to. Right here, right where I am. This is the weight/size where people start noticing, I get comfortable and then slowly creep my way back up to 220 lbs. I've done this on more than one occassion, can't give it a number but if I sat down to think about it, I'd probably need two hands to count.
But my fears are a little more at ease this week and it's because my At Work meetings are starting again on Thursday. It is REALLY convenient and motivating to have this program at the office in addition several of my work buds are rejoining as well...so we've got a nice support system there.
I do believe I've "got it" this time. This time around it doesn't stop with just wanting to be a smaller size, it's an all around "I want to be better to me" thing. I am demanding respect from people around me. I am not letting anyone walk all over me or bring drama to my life and if they do, I am ridding myself of them. This is a more empowered version of myself that I am dealing with. Nothing is stopping me. But I believe it would be easier to slip back into my old ways of eating if the next session of WW wasn't starting at work, I know this because we've been out for a few weeks already and I am finding that I am not as stict with my food choices. So, I guess I don't really "have it" yet....but I am getting there. I hope.
I am quite sure I've put on a few pounds in the past few weeks. We'll see what the scale has to say on Thursday. I'm not gonna let it get me down though. I've got a whole journey ahead of me and I am not always going to be perfect and I need to continue to accept that. I can't get mad at myself for slipping, just pick up again and move forward.
I went to the gym last night. I always feel great after a workout. Proud of myself for taking care of myself. I deserve it. :D
Hope all are enjoying warmer weather and sunshine!!! Have a great week!

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

It's a beautiful day

Remember how I am working on self improvement?? Well a more active lifestyle comes along with that for me....I've been too sedantary for too long. So I've been waking up each morning with the sound of my friends voice in my head, speaking softly to me saying "It's a beautiful day for a power walk in the neighborhood"...ya know what??? It works! I am able to immediately get up, put on my workout clothes, apply my crest whitening stips and hit the pavement! I've NEVER been able to do this before, no matter how hard I have wanted to. This is pretty big for me. I've also been making more of an attempt to enjoy all that my gym facility has to offer. I'm not going as often as I would like, but I am there several times a week including the weekends.
AND YA KNOW WHAT??? It's paying off.
I ordered my Bridesmaid dress for Gretchen's wedding back in January before I left for Norway. They measured me and showed me where I fell on the sizing chart. I asked to order 1 size down....the dress came in last week. I went to the Bridal Shop to try it on and pick it up. I asked a store associate to help me zip it up mentioning to them that it may not zip up because I ordered one size too small.....and I hear "ziiiiiiip!" all the way up....it fits!
Last night after a full day at work and an additional 4 hrs sewing at Job #2, I came home and was feeling really good. I was looking through my closet and saw the dress and so decided to try it on again. I was able to zip it up myself by turning the back of the dress to the front, zipping it and then turning it around......WOW!!!! Have I lost that much in 1 week???? I wasn't able to do that at the bridal shop....a dress that I ordered 1 size too small 2 months ago is actually too big!

Go me!