Day 9- Getting easier all the time

Making good choices about what I do and what goes into my body sounds easy until you try to make it a habit. But it is true what they say... The more you do it the easier it gets. Take today for instance. I went back to work after a 3 day weekend and in the lunch room were 3 plates. 2 of cookies and one of brownie bites. A few weeks ago, you would have found me with napkin in my purse, with 2 or three cookies I'd be saving for later. It's really easy to say "no" now and it sorta freaks me out how easy it really is. Maybe it's the fact that I do not want to be getting diabetes and giving myself injections, but I really don't think about that part all that much. I think it's just that I'm not HUNGRY hungry. Does that make sense? I'm not urgently needing sugar like NOW! or I'm gonna kill somebody. My needs are being met through high volume, low fat foods and vitamins I wasn't getting before. Now since I'm not feeling those huge dips in bloodsugar that make me want to get chips, soda, a bag (I kid you not) of JELLY BEANS or whatever fast fix I can get, I am able to objectively sit back and say, wow they look yummy, but I'm not hungry so I'm not gonna eat it. Now I would be lying if I said I'm never eating cake or cookies or brownies again. I just don't feel the need to eat the whole pan of brownies or 3 slices of cake anymore. My absolute favorite all time sweet is baklava. If you've never had it, you are missing out. But I was thinking about that today and I could imagine what it tasted like, and that was enough, for now. Is that weird? I think it's pretty cool. I'm starting to mature with my impulse control issues, I think.
As for the cleanse, tomorrow is the last day of the fiber drink! then I'll be starting the advocare MNS pack of vitamins. It sorta seems like a lot of pills but I'm told I'll get used to them. These little magic beauties are supposed to aid in appetite control, boost my energy and fill in the gaps where I may need help nutritionally. The weight will really start melting off then. For tonight, I'm taking a much deserved break from excersize and relaxing with the hubster. LOVE !!! see you tomorrow!!

Day 8- the medium

(insert ethereal voice..)I see a even smaller size in my future......
I went shopping with the hubster today. Tried on some tops, just for kicks, and size MEDIUM FITS!! I used to be a large, so yay!! I bought a few little cuties and cannot wait to go get more clothes in a few months when I'm down to my goal weight. I'm noticing that my arms are firmer and fit into armholes better. I have a set of dumbells I've been using and now when I wave to someone, only a teensy little bit of my arm keeps waving when I stop, instead of a giant flap of "bye bye arm".
Anyway, Day 8, oh how I love thee! Back with the fiber drink, and probiotics in the AM, no more of the 3 herbal cleanse pills, and it'll be like this till day 10, and then the cleanse part will be over and the challenge of taking a strip of the Max E vitamins. Then the absorbing! OH how I look forward to that! Get in there, you little nutrients! Make me gorgeous-er.
I lost another pound, so the next one will put me UNDER 140!! squeeeee!! that's me, excited. That hasn't happend in 18 years. In fact I was 140 when I had my youngest son, and it sorta just hung on...
I've just started a pilates workout that I found on netflix! did you know you can watch streaming workouts? My favorite is Crunch Candlelight Yoga, it's a relaxing one. But today kicked butt!  it was called "crunch fat burning pilates" and I can totally see sticking with that! Super fun, and my asthma didn't act up, so that was a real plus. I will eventually coordinate my feet with what they are doing. It's  always hard the first few times, especially when they want you to contract this muscle, extend your leg, clench your butt, breathe when they tell you to, and stand tall. But, I'll get there!
That "thing" happened again, This time it was my son's friend who said I looked like I had lost some weight. This time I didn't start laughing, or thinking he was crazy,and I was actually happy to say that yes, indeedy, I am smaller than I used to be! I do want to speak to something though. With all the negative body image things and unobtainable bodies we all have to deal with from advertising and the media, I do not buy into that garbage, and neither should you. I am not trying to knock anyone's self image, and I can only speak for me. I am not trying to get to a size 2 or be unrealistic. I just want to be healthy and more toned.  I had gone through a period in my teens when I tried to starve myself because I didn't think I was pretty, or good enough or 100 other reasons that don't matter a hoot anymore at all. I think that might be why I never really went whole hog trying to really lose weight in my adult life. I always ran out of steam and gave up. I think I was scared I would go too far again. But now, with age I guess comes wisdom (and an egg roll?) I'm trying to be healthy, and I am not trying to be anybody else but me. If I end up looking the same, I don't care, as long as I'm healthy. I do see lots of changes in myself, and my attitude especially. I'm making better choices for myself, and trying to not go to extremes, and be sensible and stay centered. I really appreciate all your support and all of you who read my blog, so I do want to extend a heartfelt "thank you" to you. Keep Reading! I am excited to see how this turns out! LOVE!!! see you tomorrow!

Day -7 One Week in!

Seven days!
The cleanse is almost over, friends! I've got 3 more days and then.. the MAX phase, (which I am VERY excited about!!) The weight will just be melting off me, you'll see!
Today was a very laid back kind of day, I went to the pool and did my own version of water aerobics. I wonder what people must have thought watching me swim in place in 3 feet of water? I really don't care, I had fun. I did lots of kicks and knee lifts, and side steps,  and some under water marching. I am as happy as if I were in my right mind. :) Very low impact. Our pool here also has water aerobic classes, I am planning on checking those out.
I am really starting to notice that my tummy is toning up and I feel really energized and great about the changes that I'm making to my eating. It's coming more naturally to me to say no to overly processed foods and choose better options. My husband and I went to the store together and he had chosen a few things where I had to say.."no, I have to have whole grain, for the cleanse,that's not good for me" and he's being really supportive, even though he made the boo-boo face. (thanks, honey, I'll make it up to you, somehow.. :P and not with pie.)
Lifestyle change. That's what this is. I was ready. I am so happy that I found a way to do this without feeling like I'm missing out on anything. It really has nothing to do with willpower. It has everything to do with reaching that level within yourself that says, I'm done with feeling like this. I've decided to treat myself to a massage this week. I deserve it!  I checked my blood sugar and it was down from 190 last week, to (drumroll) 123 after fasting this morning when I woke up. A few weeks ago, I hadn't been under 130 waking up! Complex carbohydrates and whole foods are my new bestest friends! Tomorrow I wake to more fiber drink.. day 8, I'm gonna kick your butt!

Day 6- Remember Me?

You will be happy to know things are balancing out, and that little " tooty issue" is no longer happening, and the probiotics are doing their little dance all in there, making me much more confident in large groups, if you know what I mean.
I've been dancing around with my pandora radio station on and I've been cleaning and taking boogie breaks.  Just for giggles, I decided to measure again. I had not expected anything but I've LOST an INCH off my waist!  I've also lost an inch and a half off my hips, and things are looking more toned.
I am feeling great today, and now drinking lots of water is not feeling like a chore. I used to hate plain water. It just seemed boring. I am loving it, and now am constantly drinking throughout the day. It's just there, my little helper, helping things along. I've read that if you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated. So drink up, my friends!
I have a weird thing I want to share. I've even joked "watch what happens when I say "hi" to this person," and they do it, every time..Here is what they do.. whenever people see me after a long time, they say "wow, you look great, have you lost weight?" and truthfully, the answer has always been no. I haven't. I have never even dieted before.( I'm not actually dieting now, but I digress..) I do not have a clue as to why, but I think people "remember me" fatter than I am! So then when they see me again, I look smaller than I did in their head. (why am I in your head, random person? why? why?) Or maybe they were hoping to suggest that I NEEDED to lose weight, and so were trying to be encouraging about some imaginary fitness plan they assume I'm on.  I don't know..But now that story is gonna have a new ending.. Because the next time YOU see me and say "ooh have you lost weight? I'm gonna say, YES! and here's how..."
Now I know it's only been six days and that's really not long enough to ... Let me rephrase that.. ITS ONLY BEEN SIX DAYS!! are you amazed yet? I know I am. I am gonna see this through and nothing is gonna stop me from reaching my goal. I am basically a very happy person. I've got a great attitude anyway, but OMG! I am just over the moon. I feel awesome. Next time you think of me, remember me exactly as I am, please. LOVE!! see ya tomorrow.

Day 5 and still alive!!

Wow, I am feeling really good today. My energy is way up there and I feel physically great. I think the vitamins are kicking in, because today was different. I am just so excited to not be tired. People think I have a lot of energy, but toward the end of the day, I'm not all that peppy. But right now? I'm gonna clean the whole house after working all day, then work out.
I'd heard when you cleanse that you can feel a little more tired, but not me! I drank lots of water today. Breakfast was an orange, a banana and 2 rice cakes with Omega 3 peanut butter, (by skippy brand..yum) and I drank a SPARK, the Advocare energy drink. Filled me up. Even without the fiber drink! I had a yummy lunch of chicken (no skin) and veggies with a big salad. I am loving garbanzo beans. I never used to put them on salad, you should try it. I need to get some edamame. (soybeans in the pod) sooo buttery and yummy. Tonight, Chicken Pot pie with no gravy, I use fat free cream cheese. Making a whole wheat crust for the top only. each serving has about 1/3 cup veggies, and I used canned chicken but you can use breasts and chop it up and cook it first. I also put garlic and some italian seasoning in it. Not supposed to have dairy for the cleanse but a small bit of fat free cream cheese is not gonna mess anything up.
Fun fact, I went last night to buy workout clothes, and I usually wear size 12-14. I bought them before I tried them on and realized when I got home, they were TOO BIG!!  things are fitting differently even after five days. I keep wondering what has been hiding in my insides that in five days can make such a difference to the way my body is changing. I am not just sitting on my behind though. I'm working out. I think that helps. As I say, the weightloss for this part of the cleanse is not the issue for me. I will really start losing when I get into the Max phase and start the vitamin packets. I am proud of myself too, I passed up an entire plate of chocolate chip cookies, and was not even tempted. I looked at them and said "eh, not worth it.". I am eating all day, and I don't feel deprived at all. LOVE!!! Talk to you tomorrow!

Day 4- I put the "PRO" in probiotics!

So yesterday I told you there was a different step in the process today, and surprise! I'm so happy for me! I don't take the fiber drink again until day 8. Today I started the probiotics which are small and easy to take,and lemme just say that they are getting some bad bacteria out. I have been pooting (you might call it a toot or passing wind) a bit more today. I swear if there is something funnier than a poot, I don't know what it is. But, there you have it.  At least no one is  saying "um.. yeah.. can you like.. um.. go over THERE ?" Seriously it's not that bothersome, (at least to me, hee hee) and I'm not uncomfortable or anything, physically speaking. I mean we do it every day anyway, but I don't feel real "ladylike". I don't have a dog to blame it on anymore. Don't you wish we could choose what scents we omit? I don't know about you but, I'd rather hear "ooh, is that lavendar?" than "you did NOT eat that at MY house, shooo weee!" Honestly, doesn't deter me from my goal. Once my body evens out, so will the rest of me.
Until then, don't stand downwind...at least until day 8.
I guess to some people being gassy for a few days might be a deterrent to doing something like a cleanse. But think about it, you have to start somewhere, and you have to get rid of what you don't want to make room for what you do want. To me, that's sort of a life-mantra. It applies to pretty much anything in your life...household clutter, negative thoughts, relationships and even excess weight. "to get what you want, you must release what you do not want". I challenge YOU to release something today. Post a comment and tell me what you let go of that is no longer bringing you joy! P.S. I still weigh the same as yesterday but I'm feeling very energetic and that gets me exersizing.

Day 3- Let's keep things "MOVING" ...

So today, I realized... I've been forgetting to take the OMEGA supplement. Oh, sure, I can TALK about it, but I forget to take them! I did this morning, after breakfast. It's a big-ish capsule, and I did note that it was slightly fishy smelling, but that's because it's OMEGA 3 fatty acids which they get from fish to make the pills. It makes your skin and hair gorgeous. I'll keep you updated on that. Doesn't make me taller though...
The paper that came with the fiber drink says that I "may" see some weight loss during this time, but that the real change will come with the "max phase" which I start in a week. I have to change the way I eat, and that is the biggest challenge so far. Here, I was thinking I would hate the fiber part, I don't mind it. What I find is sorta hard is to find new and different ways to eat whole foods. I've been doing well though. No more bread, unless it's whole grain, no white rice and no white potatoes (basically simple starches and flour based stuff is a no-no, as well as anything dairy.) I did have a lunch of sushi today, which had white rice in it, but it also had seaweed, so the way I see it, it's not really a bad thing. It also had fish and veggies and avacado, so, as lunches go, it was pretty healthy, though not optimal for the cleanse. But, it was a birthday lunch (not mine) and as I said, as long as I modify, I'm not going to beat myself up if I don't follow it to the letter. I did have a teeny piece of carrot cake but I didn't eat more that a few bites. It was all organic, and it had raisins and carrots in it. Also part of my lead teacher's birthday, and I made it. What? why are you looking at me like that? lol  In the worlds of Scarlett O'hara, "tomorrow is another day". Actually for eating like I did, I still lost a pound, so :P Down by 3 now. I do need to drink more water, I wasn't as good with that today. See ya tomorrow!! New part of the process starts in the morning! ( it's a surprise!!) So for now, wish me luck, headed outside to hit the punching bag, then off to the grocery store to get some chicken breast to grill!