Feel the FEAR but DO IT anyway!

Today's post is inspired by a challenge I am participating in, created by one of my favorite guides, Erin Stutland.  Her SAY IT SWEAT IT GET IT challenge is a FREE, one-week challenge to get your body and soul moving.  Not only do you receive daily emails with actions to take, but you also get a free 5-minute workout to get your heart and mind pumpin! Who doesn't have 5 minutes to dedicate to themselves; to work on their goals and desires.  The best part is that as you're moving your body to the workout you also have to state positive affirmations out loud.  The movements are in perfect sync with the words.

I'm currently on day-4 of the challenge and it has been my favorite so far.  One movement is to acknowledge that I am feeling the fear.  I feel the fear; it's present and I'm not avoiding it or backing down.  With the next movement you loudly and proudly state I DO IT ANYWAY!  That's my favorite part!  I laughed out loud when I first heard it.  The little rebel inside of me was jumping up and down excitedly.  It's like challenging fear itself; eff you fear!  I feel you, but guess what?  I don't care I'm gonna do me!  I'm gonna DO IT ANYWAY!

This mantra/affirmation really stuck with me for many reasons; the most present reason being my fear of lack.  Lately money has been great.  I've been creating abundance for myself just by changing how I view money.  It's a daily mental workout to change your thought patterns and behaviors, but I know I've come a very long way.  I'll give you an example.  I used to feel so angry at receiving what I called "pocket change".  I would randomly find dimes on the ground, or I'd receive a "cash-back" reward of 50 cents from my bank; I felt as though the Universe were mocking my desire for prosperity by presenting me with "minuscule" amounts, as if to say you want a million dollars but this is all you're ever gonna get.  Until very recently when I realized, oh shit!  I'm actually receiving without even really trying!  These "little gifts" from God are my desires manifesting.  I am actually creating magic after all.  Now whenever I pick up a dime on the ground or receive anything else I would've taken for granted, I say THANK YOU!

So, now I am creating abundance but WHAT DO I DO WITH IT?  I pay my bills.  I budget.  I plan how to spend every dollar.  This is something I'm working on to change.  I want to actually enjoy my money rather than be fearful I won't have enough.  I FEAR enjoying my wealth and then the next day being hit with a huge unforeseen bill or emergency.  Do any of you out there feel like this around money?  It's not a good feeling.  If the message I'm sending is money = fear, and I don't want to live in fear, then guess what?  I won't be receiving the money I desire.

I started changing the energy by doing some small acts of enjoying my money.  I bought myself some earphones I've been wanting and then the voices in my head started.  What if I'm gonna need this money later on, for an emergency?  Is this something I really need?  Can I live without it?  I would keep checking my account afraid that I'll find it negative (because of my past negative energy around money).  I couldn't even enjoy my purchase the first week I had them.  I kept going back and forth with myself on whether I should return them or not.  I finally decided to keep them and flexed my money muscles a little further by buying other things I DESIRED.  I am so used to buying things out of necessity that desire became a luxury I "couldn't afford".

When Erin commanded me to state out loud, "I feel the fear but I do it anyway" I took back my power.  I felt the shift immediately.  And I acknowledge that I already possessed this power when I challenged my fear by taking that leap of faith last year. Now whenever that nagging voice of fear pops in my head I tell it "I'm doing it anyway!".

By the way, have you checked out my FREE E-BOOK? It's called "Greens on the Side" and will help you get started with your weight loss goals in just 5 easy steps.  Check it out!

A simple act of KINDNESS goes a long way

Today I am inspired by the note I received from the Universe:

You just never know, Katherine, who in the crowd, standing beside you in line or passing you in the street, might be raised in spirit, or even lifted from despair, by the kindness in your glance or the comfort of your smile.

I enjoy reading my daily notes from The Universe, which you can receive as well by signing up for free on TUT.  Some notes make more sense to me than others, but all messages are welcome.  This note reminded me of a time when I was "down in the dumps".

When I first moved to San Diego (last year) my eyes were filled with sunshine and my heart with hope.  I had little bouts of loneliness and doubt, but kept on going.  The hardest period for me here was from March to the beginning of May.  I was having a hard time finding a job, the funds were running low, and I didn't have a stable home.  I was living in fear and despair.  I cried almost every day, uncertain of whether or not I would make it out here.  One day I felt like I had hit rock bottom.  I was in a constant state of anxiety and went for a walk to clear my head.  I sat outside of a coffee shop and called one of my best friends to vent.  I was sobbing loudly and I guess some people walking by noticed, but I didn't notice them.  A few minutes into my crying session, this lovely young woman quickly stopped in front of me and gave me flowers, then walked away.  I only caught a brief glimpse of her; smiling back at me as she walked away.  At that point I felt like she was an Angel sent to comfort me.

A complete stranger turned things around for me. In that instant when she gave me the flowers, I started crying tears of joy. I was so astonished by this small gift and small act of kindness, which for me was like she had given me a million dollars. From then on I reminded myself of my mission, and that day when someone I didn't know or had even seen before made me feel like the most special being on Earth.

Sometimes I get caught up with wanting to do BIG things for the people I love, to show them how much I care.  Buying them big gifts, giving them money; I need something TANGIBLE to give to them.  I think it's so easy for all of us to get caught up with showing our love through objects.  Sometimes all it takes is to check up on someone and ask "How are you doing?  I miss you".  And what about showing love to people we don't know?  I don't know what motivated my Earth Angel to give me flowers that day, but I'll ever forget the gesture.  What if all it takes is a smile?  A concerned glanced? I think in order to truly be present and live in the moment we have to be aware of our surroundings and the people in it.  We have to truly treat people how we want to be treated in order to create miracle moments in their lives, which can be achieved through something as simple as daisies.

Please share in the comments below any miracle moments you may have caused for someone, or if you've ever had a similar experience?

By the way, have you checked out my FREE E-BOOK? It's called "Greens on the Side" and will help you get started with your weight loss goals in just 5 easy steps.  Check it out!

One year ago today...

Happy December all!  December 1st marked my 1 YEAR anniversary here in San Diego.  One year ago today I left everything I knew behind to start something new.  I’m actually in shock.  I still can’t believe I did it; I can’t believe I moved and have been here for a year already.  I thank God every day for this opportunity and for the unconditional support of my family and friends, whose love and comfort kept me going when times were rough.  I made it!

In one of my previous posts I share with you how I made the decision to move and how I followed my dream.

With 2014 right around the corner, I have a few goals I want to accomplish before the start of the new year.  How will you end 2013?  How will you feel looking back?

By the way, have you checked out my FREE E-BOOK? It's called "Greens on the Side" and will help you get started with your weight loss goals in just 5 easy steps.  Check it out!

Shitty Job problems - make the job you hate work for you

So I have a friend who, like me, moved from home to seek a better life and opportunities.  He started his own, home-based business, and was doing alright for a while until the bills started piling up.  He got a shitty job that basically slaved him out and only paid minimum wage, so he quit.  Now he's considering moving back home because the money is running out.  He figures he can go back home, try his business there, work part-time, and save up to eventually move out again.  The problem is that he really doesn't want to go back home.  He loves it here.  And also he doesn't want to work a shitty job but feels that's his only option without a degree.

Being that I've worked many jobs, and many of them shitty jobs, I gave him some words of wisdom. I first asked him, "Would you rather work a shitty job here or back home"?  He didn't really have to think hard about that one.  It was clear he'd rather be here, so he chose to find a job here.  Now to tackle a "shitty" job versus a "decent" job.  Since he has no choice but to get a job, he would rather get something that wasn't so bad.  The problem is clear, and one that I've dealt with my whole professional life.  We are entrepreneurs with dreams and goals of owning our own businesses.  No matter what job we work, it will always be just another job.  So I told him, any job you get is just a job; something to pay the bills and possibly help you save up.

How can you make a job you hate work for you?

2013 wrap-up

Hello all!  We are 46 days away from the New Year!  2013 was filled with many blessings and transformations.  I share in a previous post how I took a leap of faith and turned my life right-side up.  16 days from today will mark my 1 year anniversary since changing my life and moving here to San Diego.  I don't know yet how I'm going to celebrate but I will keep you posted!

Once November started I felt my energy shifting into "hibernation" mode.  I was feeling kind of stuck and indecisive.  Once the time changed, it just felt like the darkness was lingering longer and I am such a sun worshiper that it makes me a little sad.  It's so easy to put yourself into a pit of fear and despair; so easy for me to do to myself.  But thankfully I have some great resources to help me stay focused on my goals.  I always turn back to my Magical Manifestor notes and training for guidance.  I am also working with Laura Yamin of Joyful Shimmy on a 21-day "fear detox".  She's such an inspiration, overall great listener and extremely supportive.  I highly recommend working with her.  I recently also began following one of the people from my MM class, Martine Holston, who wrote this powerful post on taking action when it seems like you have no control over a situation.  It really hit home because sometimes it's so hard for me to make a decision, especially when it's something that worries me.

My job responsibilities will be winding down soon, so I'll have more ME time to focus on my goals.  I am 100% focused and dedicated to "getting it done" as Shaun T would say!

Re-cap on my status:

Earn some cash for the Holidays on Craigslist

Hello all! The Holidays are rapidly approaching; there will be plenty of available gigs to help you get some great presents for yourself and your loved ones.  This can be a very stressful time, especially if you're unemployed. Don't lose hope though!  I wanted to write a very quick post announcing my new e-book!
To give you a little background, I've been working gigs on Craigslist since my college days.  "Gigs", or short-term jobs, can be real life savers when you're running low on funds.  A lot of people have asked me for guidance regarding gigs, so I decided to write a quick, detailed guide for finding the best gigs on Craigslist.

AVAILABLE NOW via Amazon! Especially made for Kindle which you can download the app for FREE if you don’t have one. You can read on your computer, phone, or tablet.

By the way, have you checked out my FREE E-BOOK? It's called "Greens on the Side" and will help you get started with your weight loss goals in just 5 easy steps.  Check it out!

Your Wish is my Command

Ok, so right now everything is coming together.  In my previous post I discussed with you my FML moments and how I was having a negatively charged week.  After self-reflection I realized my trigger was work/money related.  Here is a snippet of that post:

"For me this week was all about being in a negative space related to my career path and finances. I still feel insecure about my financial situation and my job isn't my "dream job". Don't get me wrong, a job is a job and it can help in may ways. I'm grateful for the opportunity and all of the blessings that have come along with it. But I know deep inside that I'm meant to be my own boss. I don't know what that looks like exactly, but I know a job will keep me satisfied for only so long. A job to me is a snack; it satisfies you temporarily but you can only snack for so long. You need a real meal. A job does not feed my soul, but again I'm grateful for having one and take it as a lesson". - See more at: http://fatfabfit.blogspot.com/#sthash.WlOrL5QW.dpuf

So last week was all about feeling the feelings and letting it ride out.  This week is all about action for me.  I decided to convert that negative energy into productivity.  Instead of drowning out the noise with TV, movies, reading, any distraction, I chose instead to deal with my issues and emotions head on.  I started by simply tuning in to some meditation music on Pandora, lighting a white candle for peace and clarity, lighting some incense, and taking deep, cleansing breaths.  I then made a list of things to do, related to my issues with money/career.  The first was visualization; I set aside a few minutes to close my eyes and visualize myself living the way I want.  I chose to focus on my ideal financial situation and what that looked like, how that felt. Afterwards I recorded a video diary entry (I usually either write or record) on everything I felt to kind of release that energy.  I then came up with some other activities for the week, such as refreshing my vision board and create a virtual vision board on my desktop, so I can view it from there as well.

I started with this process on Monday, first by starting my day with some meditation.  What I did was download some calm, healing, meditation music and listened to it on my way to work and then on my way home.  It helps a lot to just listen and then close your eyes.  Eventually I feel myself drifting away, but not in a sleepy way.  I feel like I'm connecting to my higher self.  Just for your information, I'll be posting something soon on how I first started meditating and the people/healers I follow to guide me, so stay tuned!

Well let me just tell you that the magic started to happen already. At first it started Monday morning, while I was calm I asked/wished for a calm day at work.  It turned out my supervisor was out for the day! It was so relaxing not having to deal with the pressure/demands of my supervisor. Yesterday she told me that they would have to end my temp assignment earlier than expected.  At first, for about 10 seconds, I felt a little bit of fear and doubt.  For those 10 seconds I let it take over; what if I don't have enough?  What if I can't find another job?  How will I pay my bills? Thank goodness it only lasted that long.  I reminded myself that I am taken care of.  I reminded myself of my wish and desire to be my own boss, of the action steps that I took on Monday to work towards my vision.  My desires are manifesting!  Think about it, how can I be my own boss if I work for someone else?  This is the Universe/God's gentle nudge in the right direction.  I just know this is the right move for me.

I then received an email from my good friend Laura Yamin, who sent me some feedback received on her site.  She featured an interview of me on her page (you can view it HERE) and reading the comments and even going back to some of the things I mentioned about my journey helped reignite my passion for working towards achieving my dreams.  Here's a snippet of that interview:

"The best piece of advice I can offer you is to keep the desire bigger than anything else. Let your desire drown out all fear and negativity, not only from within but also from your friends/family/loved ones who are scared for you. Keep the desire alive and present; let it be with you always".

From this moment on, every time I feel fear and doubt creep in I'll remember that my desire is greater than my fear.  I'll continue to feel and believe that I am supported, and all of my desires are manifesting.

By the way, have you checked out my FREE E-BOOK? It's called "Greens on the Side" and will help you get started with your weight loss goals in just 5 easy steps.  Check it out!

What is Life? FML, Life Sucks ARGHH!

I ask myself and God A LOT about my purpose.  What am I meant to do?  Who am I meant to be?  I just found myself overwhelmed this week with worry and doubt; am I on the right path? Why do I feel so lost?

I am slowly feeling myself losing control.  Thankfully throughout my journey I've learned to just accept my feelings and listen to my inner self.  If my inner self wants to have a tantrum or existential crisis, then so be it.  I decided not to fight with these feelings, it just makes things worse. While yes, I do like to look at the bright side and be grateful, and all that jazz, I do believe that being in the "dark" is good sometimes.  I think being in a negative space kind of takes you out of control and out of your routine, to force you into assessing what is working/not working.  I think allowing yourself some time in the darkness can give you some valuable perspective.  When I'm feeling this way I like to ask myself WHY I'm feeling these emotions and WHAT has triggered them.

For me this week was all about being in a negative space related to my career path and finances.  I still feel insecure about my financial situation and my job isn't my "dream job".  Don't get me wrong, a job is a job and it can help in may ways.  I'm grateful for the opportunity and all of the blessings that have come along with it.  But I know deep inside that I'm meant to be my own boss. I don't know what that looks like exactly, but I know a job will keep me satisfied for only so long. A job to me is a snack; it satisfies you temporarily but you can only snack for so long.  You need a real meal.  A job does not feed my soul, but again I'm grateful for having one and take it as a lesson.  

My "trigger" into this negative head/heart space has to do with the fact that the work I'm doing just doesn't feel meaningful.  It definitely doesn't feel spiritually nourishing or like it's what I'm meant to be doing.  I also don't feel challenged in the sense of evolving.  I feel stuck and afraid of going back to being broke, like I was last year.  I'm trapped by fear and doubt.  But this fear and negativity has forced me out of being comfortable with a job.  It's forced me to look within myself towards my passions; to work towards breaking free from the check-to-check rut.  One of my passions is writing.  I'll share with you that while I love to write, I have such a hurdle to overcome; one that I placed on myself.  I take it day by day.  I decided to commit to entering a short story contest. Whether I win or not, at least I am putting myself out there, and who knows what'll come next?

I know I'll overcome but for now I accept where I am and continue to stay open to wherever the Universe wants to take me.  I ask you to challenge yourself.  If you're feeling bad/sad/mad at the world, at yourself, or someone else, assess the WHY you're feeling that way and WHAT triggered the emotions.  The more you try to understand your feelings, the closer you'll be to becoming a master of your self.  After you analyze your current negative thought pattern/behavior try taking a small action step; something to try to help you face what you're feeling and get you out of that darkness (you don't want to be stuck in the dark for too long).  Remember, a small, manageable step can help you take bigger steps; just take it day by day.

How are you feeling this week?  Is it just me or are emotions running high?

By the way, have you checked out my FREE E-BOOK? It's called "Greens on the Side" and will help you get started with your weight loss goals in just 5 easy steps.  Check it out!

Happy October! Week 9 T25 + Vegan Update!

Hellooo everyone!  I'm super happy it's October!  I love October, mainly for Halloween (best day ever!).  I have tons of juicy updates for you! I've been so busy with LIFE!  I started a new job and just recently interviewed for another position, so it seems like a lot of opportunities are coming my way.  I've been playing catch-up with everything, including my posts, but am glad to finally have a little break to let you know everything that's been happening.

It's the Fall now and I definitely felt the shift right before it happened.  I felt the days growing a little darker sooner, I felt more tired, have been feeling more drained than ever.  Also on the emotional front I've been feeling a little restless and like I'm "almost there"; like on the cusp of something (not sure yet what that is). I just entered on Monday, my 9th week of Focus T25.  I can't believe it's been 9 weeks already!  Actually it's been 10 since I began but I wasn't feeling so great one week, so I decided to do that corresponding week over.  The workout itself is my favorite so far.  There are so many days when I get home from work exhausted and decide to take it easy and rest.  I figure I should give myself a break from a hard day.  Then there's this tiny voice that says "cmon, you should really work out", and then I respond "but I'm SO TIRED", then the voice goes "It's only 25 minutes, just try your best", and that usually does the trick for me.  I play the DVD's on my laptop, so what I do is place a piece of paper over the screen to cover the timer.  I don't like watching the countdown because it feels like time moves slower then.  When I don't look at the time, the workout flies by and I feel amazing when I finish. Some days I am so tired that I only do about 15 minutes, but I don't feel bad because I figure something is better than nothing. My favorite Focus T25 DVD's (all included) are: Alpha stage: Cardio, Speed 1.0, Stretch Beta stage: Core Cardio, Speed 2.0 (MY FAV!), Upper Focus, and Core Speed.  They each have a lot of modifications if you're just starting out, and the best part is when you're consistent with the workouts you'll eventually find that some things which were hard at first become progressively easier.

I haven't weighed or measured myself. I actually decided last month to take a break from doing that. It may work for some people but it doesn't for me. I hate feeling like a slave to the numbers when it's really about the feeling for me. I don't want to let the numbers on a scale or measuring tape define me or my body. I am much more than a body. I feel myself losing weight; my clothes fit much looser, I have an easier time doing things like running after my bus when I'm late, and having more stamina to do things. I tried measuring myself week to week and weighing myself, but realized the numbers were controlling me. I discuss my "ego trip" and negative thought patterns and behaviors in my last post "I forgive myself for being fat". Whenever I weighed myself it was like opening a door I did not want to deal with. If the numbers were higher than the last time, my self-esteem would be momentarily destroyed. If the numbers were lower than before, they weren't low enough. I just thought it was too much to deal with, so I choose to focus on how I feel rather than how much I weigh or how much weight I'm losing.

Actually I will be honest with you and say that I've been looking at myself naked more often and....

yea...

I made this pic collage of my week 1 and week 9, and also the fact that I can actually fit in the door frame comfortably, whereas with week 1 I wasn't able to.  I still have a hard time seeing the physical changes in these pictures, but oh well, here you go!

As for Veganism, if you're just tuning in to my randomness now, I previously discussed taking a Vegan approach to my weight loss (check "Going Vegan") and needless to say I fucked up, and that's OK.  I'm not meant to be a Vegan, at least not at the moment.  I'm not a big meat eater and thankfully dairy is no longer a vice, but you have to have a lot of patience to be a Vegan.  You gotta be religiously aware of what you're consuming and the best option is to prepare your own meals.  As I've stated before, I am not a fan of cooking and I just don't care to cook.  I usually prepare 3 meals per 7-days, in large quantities to last me for a couple of days for lunch and dinner. But after a while I just get bored of the same thing, and I'm just lazy.  I'd rather buy frozen foods and just heat them up.  I know it's great to cook your own meals but I commute about 3 hours total, per day, by the time I get home I barely have the energy to keep up with life, let alone working out.  I think my next endeavor with consumption will be juicing.  I really like Shakeology and would love to do a juicing detox soon, before the new year.

Speaking of which, we are less than 3 months away from 2014!  I've come so far and have accomplished so much; I'm at the home stretch and want to really focus my energy on the last few 2013 goals, which are:

1) Get my driver's license

2) Blast the belly bulge (would love to reduce it by half before the new year)

3) Finalize some short-term career goals, which include solidifying a position with a great salary

4) Create a plan of action for my writing goals

5) Would love to be in a solid relationship, at least starting out

I'm thankful I have my Magical Manifesters lesson plans to guide me through the last bit of 2013.

Whew!  I know that was a lot to take in, but hopefully you laughed, you cried, and you'll be back for more!  Till next time!

P.S: Check me out on Joyful Shimmy!  I was interviewed by my great friend and sister, Laura Yamin, on my journey from East to West (almost 1 year ago!).  Check it out and let me know what you think!


By the way, have you checked out my FREE E-BOOK? It's called "Greens on the Side" and will help you get started with your weight loss goals in just 5 easy steps.  Check it out!

I forgive myself for being fat

I follow a great deal of amazing teachers and healers, including Deepak Chopra, Sonia Choquette,

Mike Dooley, among others.  I receive daily messages of inspiration and compassion to help me on my journey, and I recently noticed within the last two months I've been receiving a lot of messages about forgiveness.  I read them but the messages didn't connected with me, so they get deleted.  I always thought, well I don't have anyone to forgive.  I thought of forgiveness as something you did when someone hurt you, when you want to release that toxic energy.  I never quite clicked with forgiveness, until now.

To back track a little bit, I noticed within the last 2-3 months, since I've been more serious about improving my health, my ego has been so negative and draining.  I find myself fighting constantly to remain positive, optimistic; to guide myself gently.  But the voice has become louder, more aggressive, berating; all around just putting me down and making me feel so low.  I get so low sometimes I don't even know how to continue.  Thankfully I've learned to just let things be and take a break when things get overwhelming.  I stop what I'm doing and enjoy stillness.  I'll take a walk or just lie down, to calm the voice in my head.  The more I try to fight, the worse it gets so I just let it be.  I let my Ego have a tantrum moment and then eventually it's over (at least momentarily).  I figure my ego is scared and feeling doubtful of progress.  She's so used to feeling like a failure that it's a natural tendency to prepare and plan to fail. 

So as I read one of the most recent posts about forgiveness it dawned on me so suddenly that the first person I need to forgive is myself.  I need to forgive myself for the negative thoughts, actions, and emotions that I've pretty much given to myself.  The first forgiveness action, which I think will help me with my weight loss, is to forgive myself for being fat.  I forgive myself for being hard on myself, for criticizing myself, for giving up on me, for seeing and treating myself like shit, for feeling guilty when I eat or even think of eating, for overeating, for craving junk foods, and the list goes on and on...I think what I'll do is write out a list of all the things in the "fat" category I need to release myself from and forgive myself for.  I think I'll create some kind of forgiveness ritual, maybe burning the paper I write on, and creating beautiful reminders to stay on the forgiveness train.

Let me know, what are some things you can forgive yourself for?

By the way, have you checked out my FREE E-BOOK? It's called "Greens on the Side" and will help you get started with your weight loss goals in just 5 easy steps.  Check it out!

Excuses are blocking your progress + Happy Anniversary!

I recently had a deep conversation with a loved one about her goals.  Every year she starts a new endeavor and quits before it's done.  She often finds herself in a catch-22 and then goes on to create 100+ reasons why she CAN'T finish/complete/achieve that goal.  I'll give you an example. She wants to go back to school. Her mind is so filled with obstacles and negative thoughts that she's convinced she won't get enough financial aid, so she decides she needs to get a job to save up to be able to go back to school.  Ok, so she gets a job. The job isn't paying her enough because she doesn't have a degree, which she'll get once she goes back to school, but she can't go back to school without the much needed money she needs to save.  So she quits the job to try to find another one which pays better, you know to save up.  She finds a better paying job, but guess what?  Now she sees she's not able to save as much as she wanted because she has a million bills to pay (oh yea, and we must include a social life, right?).

So another year goes by and the cycle of non-progress continues.  She doesn't realize she's been doing the same thing for a few years now, and I've witnessed and given advice to no avail.  A little tidbit about me, I was stuck in that same cycle of doom. I felt stuck, like I was living in an eternal "Groundhog Day".  Actually around this time last year was when I decided to STOP the hamster wheel and get out of it.  Last year I was suffering from deep depression due to being unemployed and suffering from low self-esteem due to the fact that I was broke and fat (negative body image).  I had no money and practically no hope.  I was at the point where it was give up and die, or change my circumstances.  I had NO IDEA how to even begin changing my circumstances, but all I had was a dream of moving out.  Moving out (I was living with my family at the time) meant change for me; it meant changing my environment, as if on some level that small change would lead be on a better path than I was on. But I was ready for a BIG CHANGE, HUGE!  I wanted (and needed) something drastic.  I had always wanted to try living on the West Coast.  I had only ever been to L.A. and San Diego.  I loved San Diego every time I visited (and it's the home base of Comic-Con!) so I decided, I'm moving to San Diego!  How the hell was I going to get to San Diego when I barely had $1 to my name?  I put my hands up and let the Universe take over.

Well don't you know within a week from making that decision and committing to the goal, I found a 3-month temporary job which started at the end of August and would end right before Thanksgiving.  PERFECT!  I would save the money from that job for my trip.  And the rest is history.  Was it an easy transition?  HELL NO!  It was one of the hardest transitions of my life!  Was it worth it?  HELL YES!  All I do now is look back and laugh.  I love to think of HOW FAR I'VE COME.  And this was all done in 1 year.  HAPPY (very happy) ANNIVERSARY TO ME!

Don't get me wrong, I didn't do this all alone.  I had a ton of support and love, and even better amazing resources to help me really focus my all on my goals.  One of the best resources, I to this day do not regret investing in, is the MAGICAL MANIFESTERS course taught my Erin Stutland.  I still use the tools and resources given to check-in with myself, assess my goals and what I need to achieve them.  She approaches reaching goals in a way I've never thought of or experienced before.  This isn't simply making a list and then crossing things off.  She actually teaches you to look DEEP within yourself to assess what your fears and blocks are BEFORE you even begin to discover your goals and talents.  You are then taught to analyze your desires with a whole new set of eyes.  The way she approached things, for me, was innovative, creative, and just really thought provoking.  Best of all, once you take the course, you are a magical manifester for life, which means you can retake the course as many times as you want.  You get all the updated goodies, and still keep in contact with the vast network of other manifesters.  I took this course, for the first time, in September of 2012, right after I made the decision to move out West.  This course was presented to me by a great friend and sister of mine, Laura Yamin who is the creator of JOYFUL SHIMMY.  She is an amazing individual with a lot to offer for creative and passionate individuals.  Laura helped me (and still continues to help me) just take it day by day and stay present.  I highly recommend these two LIFE CHANGING resources, especially if you're fed up with your current situation and need to make moves.



By the way, have you checked out my FREE E-BOOK? It's called "Greens on the Side" and will help you get started with your weight loss goals in just 5 easy steps.  Check it out!

What a difference a year makes!

I'm wishing myself a very HAPPY ANNIVERSARY this month.  I'll share with you in a later post more about my story but just to give you a taste; last year I was unemployed, broke(n), depressed, and pretty much living in a pit of sorrow and self-pity.  The photo grid above shows pictures of me last summer (top row) and this summer (bottom two most recent).  Was my change drastic?  YES!  Maybe not drastic with the weight loss but definitely drastic with my LIFE!  I did a total bullshit makeover.  I got up, moved across the country and told myself I'M GONNA MAKE THIS WORK!

And guess what?  It did!  I might have gone through hell to get here but it's all worth it because now all I taste is victory juice from my P.I.M.P cup! So I'm raising my glass high because it's champagne and caviar dreams for me baby!

I just completed my first 5 weeks of Focus T25! I only have 5 more weeks to go and then I'm done!  I can't believe I'm already half way through.  Feeling so motivated and overall just excited about the great things to come.  Goals start out like that, a step at a time and then before you know it...complete.


By the way, have you checked out my FREE E-BOOK? It's called "Greens on the Side" and will help you get started with your weight loss goals in just 5 easy steps.  Check it out!

Meat Epiphany

So I went out to dinner with some friends on Thursday, and chose to use that as one of my "sinner" days (you can check out my "Saint/Sinner" tactic HERE).  I couldn't resist the smell of burgers in the air (I love me some burgers), so I ordered a "mushroom burger" with fries.  It had beef, swiss cheese, grilled onions, grilled mushrooms, and raw red onions.  It was so good but because I've become a little bit more aware of what I eat and how I eat, I realized I was more about the cheese, onions, and mushrooms than I was about the actual meat.  And now that I think about it, I've always picked off "excess" meat off of my sandwiches; I'm just not a big meat eater.  You know when you get a sandwich from a deli, they'll put 5 layers of meat and 1 layer of cheese?  Well I hate that and I would always tell them to put a little meat and more of other things.  Or when you eat a Philly Cheesesteak it has loads of steak and a trickle of onions, etc...I prefer all the other stuff over the actual meat. 

So right as I was about to take another bite of my burger I realized, this meal would actually taste the same even if I removed the beef.  Why?  Beacuse for me I like the taste of the char and juice of the meat on the bun, then enhanced by the flavors of the other grilled elements (onions, mushrooms, cheese).  I removed the remaining bit of patty (I had already eaten 75% of it) and yea I can deal with a burger (hold the patty) from now on.  This is great because even though it's not fully vegan/vegetarian, I can atleast have a meatless option when I go out with friends, instead of getting stuck with ordering a salad.

Also just to let you know, about an hour after I ate the burger my stomach took a turn for the worst.  I haven't had meat in 6 days prior to having the burger and I paid for that dearly.  I think it was a combination of the meat and the grease, and the french fries.  It was too much for me all at once.  I had some tea that evening to soothe my stomach and thankfully was able to make it to work the next day. 

I think this is a great way to start towards a vegan/vegetarian diet if you're used to eating meat. You can start by first eating less meat, then eventually remove meat all together. So, lesson learned, and now I am glad I have another tactic to use while I navigate towards a healthier me. 

By the way, have you checked out my FREE E-BOOK? It's called "Greens on the Side" and will help you get started with your weight loss goals in just 5 easy steps.  Check it out!

Vegan Challenge - the first 5 days

So I started my vegan challenge on 8/15, taking baby steps to ween off of certain things like dairy (yogurt and cheese) and meat.  I've already been living a semi-vegetarian lifestyle, only eating meat once in a while, so the transition for the vegan challenge hasn't been that extreme.  One thing I did notice was that I am definitely more aware of what I put in my body and what I'm buying.  I find myself checking ingredients, to make sure they are up to the vegan standards, as much as possible.  It really makes you stop and think about what you're consuming, and how much more careful you have to be when you're on stricter dietary regimes (whether for health or religious purposes).   However, being that I am just starting out I give myself some leeway to stray once in a while, but above all sticking with healthy options.  I really want to make this work.

So Thursday I started out good with some oatmeal and soy milk, as well as a granola bar.  For lunch I did have a vegetable panini but it did have cheese.  I had a plumb and nuts for snacks, and then Japanese fried rice from Trader Joe's for dinner (so good!).  After dinner I had a tall glass of Vanilla Shakeology.  Friday I had the same breakfast.  For lunch I had some Ezekial bread with peanut butter and a plumb.  I usually keep an extra granola bar with me in case I get hungry on the way home after work.  Dinner was left over fried rice and Shakeo, I also had some grapes.  Saturday I had some granola with soy milk, then I had an Indian meatless dish with naan bread for lunch (so good!). It was a frozen dinner from Trader Joe's, but it was not vegan (contained butter).   I had an apple, some coffee, and grapes throughout the day, and then for dinner I had my Shakeo.  I found myself not as hungry on Saturday.  Sunday was a different story.  I started out good with breakfast (granola cereal with soy milk), lunch I had another Indian dish (this time vegan). A little later throughout the day I was watching "Pulp Fiction" for the first time.  When Sam Jackson took a bite of that cheeseburger, my mouth watered.  I was dying for a cheeseburger; nice and juicy.  And since I live close to a Jack in the Box I could have made it happen...but I didn't!  I was tempted but I didn't give in.

I was super proud of myself!  I'm not gonna lie, I still dream about that cheeseburger, but like I said I'm more determined than ever to get to where I want with my health.  Monday started out with granola cereal with soy, I then went on a whirlwind of errands so when I came back I quickly fried up some vegetable potstickers.  I was starving, I don't even know if they were vegan or not put they were delicious!  I then had a cup of coffee.  I snacked on some pita chips and grapes.  For dinner had some Jap fried rice and fried up 2 eggs (not vegan I know, but I didn't want to eat the rice plain).

I definitely need to learn about more fast vegan options to heat up/fry up, whatever, because cooking is not really my thing.  I'd rather have something easily accessible.  Pretty much I have to treat my new way of living similarly to how I was eating before, in the sense that it has to be easy, quick, satisfying, and accessible.  The minute things get too overwhelming or hard, I would quit it.  So as long as I keep finding more vegan options for frozen foods/snacks, I'll be good. I'll do more research!

I don't see myself being full vegan long-term, but I can see myself leading a semi-vegan lifestyle.  I will keep you posted!

By the way, for you vegans out there, what are some good "fast food"/prepared/frozen options?  I usually shop at local supermarkets, Trader Joe's, and Wholefoods.  I'm in San Diego by the way, in case you have specific locations to recommend.  Let me know, and thanks!

By the way, have you checked out my FREE E-BOOK? It's called "Greens on the Side" and will help you get started with your weight loss goals in just 5 easy steps.  Check it out!

Going Vegan

Hola everyone!  I've been going back and forth for a while about Veganism.  I can give up meat, no problem (I'm not a big meat eater anyway), I don't drink milk (only soy/nut based), cheese is a bit of a problem for me; I don't have it often but I love pizza.  I also love Greek yogurt and Kefir.  I think I can work myself up to 90% Vegan only because I use honey to sweeten (I rarely use sugar and I'm not a big fan of how Agave nectar tastes) and don't see myself giving that up, or giving up yogurt.

About 3 years ago I was seeing a holistic nutritionist on a regular basis, and together we discovered some things which had adverse effects on my body and were sabotaging my weight loss.  Some were the "usual suspects" such as processed foods, white sugar, white bread and pastas, and the biggest of all MILK!  I was such a "dairy queen" back in the day! My eating habits were also having a negative impact on my body and spirit.  My biggest go-to foods were: pizza, cheeseburger deluxe, bacon egg and cheese sandwich on a roll, and a big bowl of cereal with 1% milk (sometimes 2%).  I drank soda with everything, put extra sugar and salt on everything, and ate a ton of candy.  Not only was I gaining weight, but I had a hard time having sustained energy and often felt dead inside.  What is it like to feel dead inside?  It feels like you're stuck in a deep pit of sorrow with no hope of getting out.  My brother (who eats wayy better than me) once told me "You feel dead inside because you eat dead foods.  Once you start eating whole, live foods you'll be more connected with nature and feel more alive again".  Isn't that deep?  I never thought about it that way, and I guess that's the biggest problem when it comes to your relationship with food; sometimes you just don't think about what you're putting inside your body!  I know I wasn't.  I wasn't making informed decisions about the type of energy I was putting into my body.  That's what food is at the end of the day; energy!

So while I've come a LOOONG way with my eating habits and intake, I still have more to go.  I still get bad cravings, I still binge, and most importantly I'm not losing weight like I want to be.  I am working hard and eating as best as I can most of the time, but the weight just isn't coming up.  I can be very hard with myself, but I believe, at least for me, food is my biggest obstacle on this weight loss journey.  Exercise is about 30% of what will help me lose weight, the other 70% will be from what I eat and how I eat.  So that is why I am taking my relationship with food up another notch and aiming to go Vegan.  I am going to slowly ween myself off of non-vegan foods such as meat and dairy, and slowly adopt the lifestyle.  I will keep you posted!  Here is a picture of my Trader Joe's haul:

I got some soy milk, Ezekial bread (which I've been told is awesome, so I'm excited to try), frozen dinners (Indian and Japanese), oatmeal, peanut butter, fruits, pita chips, and cereal bars, among other things.

I cook occasionally, mostly I buy frozen foods.  I LOVE most of the selections at Trader Joe's.  However I'll try to prepare more foods according to a Vegan meal plan.  I found some great ones on Oprah.com (a Vegan starter kit) and on Peeta.org. 

Do you guys have any tips for going Vegan?

By the way, have you checked out my FREE E-BOOK? It's called "Greens on the Side" and will help you get started with your weight loss goals in just 5 easy steps.  Check it out!

People on the bus think I'm pregnant

I've known this for a long time and it's semi-hilarious.
My belly jelly is bigger than my breasts, so depending on the clothes I'm wearing it can stick out a lot more than usual, creating the illusion of a pregnant belly.  I avoid all empire waists because of this.
So without fail, people on the bus (and trains back home) feel bad for me when they see me standing up and offer me their seat.  Maybe you'd be offended and ashamed by this, and while I'm not happy about my belly being so big, I choose to see the silver lining; I always have a seat on the bus! And I'll even admit sometimes I stick out my belly a little bit more if I'm really tired after a long day at work and want a seat.  It works for me.  I never confirm I'm preggo and no one asks.  If they did ask I would tell them the truth; I'm just fat.

I've come to rely on my belly for so many things.  I can push things out the way with it, I can use it to hold things up; I've learned so many little tricks to adapt to my situation.  I don't know when it became so "comfortable" to deal with it, until it became extremely uncomfortable, especially moving around in the summer.  It didn't really bother me that people would give up their seats and when I realized why they were doing it, I chose to see the positive rather than freak out about it.  At least they have nice intentions.  But it's also another reality check.  I don't want to go through life as a fake pregnant lady.

I've started to slowly let go of my "baby" and visualize myself without it.  I honestly don't even know what it'll feel or be like for me but I most likely won't be getting offered any more seats on the bus...and that's OK.

By the way, have you checked out my FREE E-BOOK? It's called "Greens on the Side" and will help you get started with your weight loss goals in just 5 easy steps.  Check it out!

Fat shaming and other NO-NO's

I just wanted to put this out there to clarify on where I stand regarding health, fitness, and nutrition.  I believe that everyone has their own path to take when it comes to their health.  I believe your relationship with food and your body is like religion in the sense that everyone finds what works for them and what doesn't, and people can get very defensive (or offensive) when their stance on food and diet is scrutinized.  What may work for me may not work for you, and I acknowledge and accept that.

I am on a path towards better health for me, for many reasons.  First I don't like the way my body feels.  I feel heavy; I feel every pound weighing down on me  The weight was taking a toll on my knees and I needed to do something about it.  I also didn't like the way I felt emotionally.  I've struggled with low self-esteem and at the end of the day I want to be comfortable with my body.  Don't get me wrong I love myself and I love my body, but I know I can look and feel better about myself.  If society has labeled you fat but you love the way you look and you feel great, more power to you. I am not a fat-shamer in any way and I will never try to impose my beliefs and my path on anyone.  If you ask me about what I'm doing and want to learn more, I'll gladly tell you what you want, otherwise I won't ever be giving out unwarranted "advice".

One thing I can't stand is people giving you their opinion and/or unsolicited "advice" about your weight and health just because they feel they are helping you.  I can't stand it because it's happened many times in my life and I consider this to be a form of bullying.  I didn't ask for your advice or judgement.  Just because I may be eating healthier doesn't mean I won't ever eat junk food again; it's a process and that will take time.  You can see my struggle with emotional eating and food addiction in my previous posts.  Also just because I may be eating healthier doesn't mean I'll judge you if we go out to eat and you order a pizza instead of a salad; to each their own!  My life is my own and I'll do with it as I see fit, and the same goes for everyone else.

My purpose with this blog is to chronicle my journey with weight loss and better health.  I find it therapeutic to share my struggles, fears, worries, doubts and also triumphs.  I want to be able to one day look back and see how far I've come.  My words are for those who may be dealing with the same issues and need some guidance, or just want a bit of a laugh (let's face it I'm really funny).  I hope it can serve to help you on your journey!

What forms of "fat-shaming" and/or bullying have you experienced because of your weight?

By the way, have you checked out my FREE E-BOOK? It's called "Greens on the Side" and will help you get started with your weight loss goals in just 5 easy steps.  Check it out!

Gluttony in the Workplace

What's wrong with this picture?  The fruits look great, I got some brown rice and mixed vegetables in the tupperware...could it be the sneaky croissant in the back?  DING, DING, DING!

So there you are, feeling awesome for eating healthy.  You've been sticking to eating clean for a few days and you're on cloud 9.  Then, BOOM...office party!  Or there's catering for breakfast, Or a co-worker brings in some goodies (which usually are evil little sweets which taste so good!)....the list goes on and on. What is it with junk food at work?  I've worked in so many different places (I'm a hardcore temp) and it never fails; always some sweet (or savory) temptations to knock you off your routine.

The food's not always "junk" but they always manage to sneak junky stuff in the mix.  For example, the picture above depicts the selection from my office's catered breakfast; fruits and pastries (muffins, danishes, cinnamon buns, you name it).  It's so hard for me to pass up FREE FOOD!  I was raised in a family which never wasted and it was ingrained in us to eat everything on our plates, take extras for leftovers the next day, and never, ever, ever pass up free food.  And then, there's always that one person at the office who sees you trying to avoid the fatty stuff, or knows you're trying to eat healthier and tries to thwart your routine.  They're like "no diet today" or "it's ok to take just one little bite"...evil!  They dangle the chocolate chip cooking you've been eyeing, or they eat that slice of pizza with the cheese dripping off, right in front of you (evil co-worker picture to the right).  You're trying to be good but then your stomach betrays you with a loud rumble.

I did good today because even though I had the croissant, it was only the croissant (and fruits of course, woohoo).  I'm not gonna preach to you on how to avoid junk food in the workplace.  There are tons of great advice out there on how you should take plenty of snacks and healthy treats with you to avoid temptation. Doesn't work for me!  I'm not gonna lie and say I'll pass...maybe one day if I'm truly not tempted to, but usually I take something.  The piece of advice I can give is to just take 1 "bad" thing if you absolutely must take something.  If I'm gonna take something "junky" I'm gonna take the best and enjoy it like the indulgence it is. I'll take my time eating it and enjoy every bite.  Also I've worked in places that had office parties every other day.  While yes it is awesome that they treat the employees to food, I aim not to partake in the festivities too often, only because I don't want to get caught up eating junk frequently.  I value that I've been able to ween off of junk food (for the most part) and I don't want to backtrack.  

Next time you're at an office function debating whether or not to have that piece of cake (or whatever), first get away from your evil coworker who wants to throw you off track, and then spot that one thing that you can't live without (at least for the work day), and enjoy it!  Once I come up with a better system I'll share it with you.

By the way, how do you handle the "goodies" at work?  And what does your evil co-worker say or do to try to throw you off track?

By the way, have you checked out my FREE E-BOOK? It's called "Greens on the Side" and will help you get started with your weight loss goals in just 5 easy steps.  Check it out!

Back to work post-detox

It's Monday morning and I'm feeling calm.  I had an interesting night with a ton of dreams; I slept good but not as good as other times.  Still, I didn't get up loathing Monday as most people do.  As usual I had oatmeal for breakfast accompanied by a small cup of OJ.

By the time I get to work (about 2 hours later) I have my instant coffee fix and a blueberry cereal bar (I got this one at a local discount store; not all-natural but better than let's say pancakes for breakfast).  My mid-morning snack was a nice, juicy peach which I've been dreaming about devouring since yesterday.  I take my time eating it; about 30 minutes between answering the phone and such.

So far so good; no low blood sugar or heavy cravings.  For lunch I have my leftovers from yesterday (brown rice with black beans, and a tomato and corn ceviche).  I follow that up with some black tea about an hour later, followed by my late-afternoon snack of a Red Delicious apple.

I eat another cereal bar on my commute back home but thankfully I'm not dying of hunger.

But then...

Attack of the Food Gremlins!!

There I was, getting off the bus to walk home when all of a sudden a wave of emotion takes over me.  I'm tired, I don't feel like working out, then I feel like a failure for having those feelings, guilt, and then I start to feel an anxiety attack build up.  I know it's cliche to blame these feelings on my period, and I know for a fact that's not the root of the problem, but it does make me feel more sensitive and vulnerable.  I feel less in control and let my emotions get the best of me when I have my period.  I know it's no excuse, but THIS is an every day battle.  That's what having an addiction is all about; you gotta face it every day until it becomes less and less powerful, but it never really goes away.

So anyway, I gave in and got a small bacon cheeseburger and large fries from Jack-in-the-Box which is right near my house (FAIL).  I was debating whether to post this or not, but decided to do so in case some of you out there are experiencing the same thing.  I want to be as honest as possible because at the end of the day this is my journey.  This blog is a chronicle of my journey because I know I will succeed, and I want to be able to look back at how far I've come.

I did manage to get a workout in; I didn't finish it but did something.  I gotta give myself some credit.  I decided to incorporate more snacks to take to work, so that when I feel hungry on my way home I have more options.  I learned to keep reading into my emotions and what's going on around me to spot the triggers, and to be gentle with myself above all else!  There was definitely a negative Nancy inside my head during my "anxiety attack".  I'm now sitting here typing this post, listening to some soothing meditation music, drinking my Shakeology, and being grateful for another day.  Right now just trying to release the negative, toxic energy and surrender to "the process".

By the way, have you checked out my FREE E-BOOK? It's called "Greens on the Side" and will help you get started with your weight loss goals in just 5 easy steps.  Check it out!

2-day Detox - Day 2

Ok so Day 2 (Sunday) was another success!  I was feeling a little chocolate craving towards the middle of the day, but I don't have chocolate at home to give in to =)  

And the craving wasn't so bad; it went away pretty quickly.  So I started my day with a packet of Oatmeal. I currently use Better Oatmeal's "Oat Revolution" in Strawberries and Cream.  I like this instant oatmeal, even though it's not all-natural it's a better choice than the Quaker Oats instant, in my opinion.  It has flax and Omega-3, less sugar; it comes in a pre-measured packet and tastes so good.  Best part was I got a box of 5 packets for only $1 at Albertsons!  Can't pass a good deal!  I also had a cup of Trader Joe's Instant Coffee with non-dairy creamer and honey.

As a snack I had a peach, some grapes, and a cup of OJ.  For late lunch I had my version of a Chipotle "Burrito Bowl".  Everything made from scratch by yours truly; brown rice, black beans, and a tomato/corn ceviche.  I had left-over rice and beans from yesterday.  I tend to cook in bulk so I won't have to cook everyday.  I will be eating the same thing tomorrow for lunch (for work) and dinner.

For dinner I had Vanilla Shakeology with soy milk, peanut butter, a splash of OJ, and Kefir.  Then I had some light popcorn while I prepared my work outfit for Monday.

I feel absolutely great!  I feel proud of myself for sticking with my detox.  I think I will try to keep doing it this week, but incorporating a little more food because I get hungry at work.  I feel like I have more energy, I've been sleeping better, and best of all no headache or stomachache.  I can tell I've come a long, long way from last year where I would've quit a few hours in. 

Katherine- 1, Food Gremlins- 0

By the way, have you checked out my FREE E-BOOK? It's called "Greens on the Side" and will help you get started with your weight loss goals in just 5 easy steps.  Check it out!

2-day Detox - Day 1

I did so good yesterday (Saturday)!  I've detoxed before, unsuccessfully.  The hunger pangs would be too much for me and the cravings would get the best of me.  BUT today was awesome!

I had oatmeal for breakfast (around noon when I got up), and drank water throughout the day.

I kept myself busy by doing laundry and cleaning.  I then had a nice, juicy "Red Delicious" apple about 2 hours after breakfast. 

For a late lunch (around 4pm) I made some brown rice with black beans, steamed vegetables and Tilapia.  It was so good! I made sure to take my time chewing, to help me feel more satisfied.  I also drank a small cup of OJ.

Around 7pm I had a small cup of coffee with a bit of non-dairy creamer and honey (I love having coffee after eating).  I caught up on some emails and then around 9pm had a nice, tall glass of Shakeology.  I placed it in my blender with ice, 2 small cups of Soy milk, and a tablespoon of Peanut Butter.

I feel great, no more "food hangover", and best of all I didn't feel anxious/nervous about not "eating enough". One thing I struggle with is always thinking about food; when is my next meal and what am I going to eat? While it's great to plan ahead, sometimes I find my thoughts consumed with the thought of food, and it sucks. I'm slowly learning to let go and be present.  What does that mean?  Well for me it means to think about what to buy to have to eat for the week.  I like to be prepared so I won't be caught off guard and have to resort to spending money on prepared food (or even worse, fast food).  But once I buy what I need, I plan for the day and then try not to think/worry so much about what's gonna happen tomorrow.  I focus on TODAY and tomorrow will be for tomorrow.  Being more present takes away some of the stress and anxiety of planning.  I know some of you reading this can relate.

Anyway I will keep you posted on day 2 of my mini-detox (tomorrow's post). Stay tuned!

By the way, have you checked out my FREE E-BOOK? It's called "Greens on the Side" and will help you get started with your weight loss goals in just 5 easy steps.  Check it out!

2-day Detox: Food Rehab

Due to my recent binge I decided to do a quick detox.  The word "detox" makes me think of rehab, and in a sense it is like a mini food rehab.  Food can be just as addicting and damaging as drugs and alcohol.
Anyway I was feeling kind of down about my binge, like I am self-sabotaging my progress.  PLUS since I've been incorporating more healthy foods into my life, when I eat "junk" in larger quantities than usual it has a really bad effect on my body.  My stomach hurts, my head hurts; it really does feel like a hangover.

Not to mention the emotional distress I feel about not eating healthy.
So my binge lasted about 3 days total, the worst being on Thursday this week.  I pretty much just ate all of the junk foods I could find at home (I live with roommates), such as oatmeal cream pies, pizza, chips.  In all fairness, any binge I go through nowadays is nothing compared to the ones I had back in the day.  What's worse is that back then I wasn't even eating as good as I am now; I was a complete junk food addict.

So I would like to treat my body this weekend to some much needed TLC.  I am doing a quick detox Saturday and Sunday to remove as much toxins as possible.  Aside from the physical benefits of going through a detox, I also want to detox the negative emotional energy I am feeling.  I want to release it and start fresh for Monday, to get back on track with my routine (I'll share what that looks like later on).

There are a ton of ways to detox. I prefer to eat only fruits and vegetables, drink water, coffee, and teas.  I'll eat one healthy meal as a lunch (I'm thinking brown rice with steamed vegetables), and for dinner I'll have a nice tall glass of Shakeology (I have the Vanilla flavor).

So yes I go through the occasional withdrawals and setbacks, but you know what I learn, I grow, and move forward.

Wish me luck!  Hopefully I don't kill anyone out of a crazy hunger rage...

By the way, have you checked out my FREE E-BOOK? It's called "Greens on the Side" and will help you get started with your weight loss goals in just 5 easy steps.  Check it out!

Bitch, please! Where's my cheeseburger?

There are some days when I struggle with food, especially right before I get my period (yes I said "period" on my blog, whoa!).  I occasionally go on these crazy food binges.  I don't really go for sweets usually, I prefer savory over sweet, but when I get THAT feeling, I go in!  I'll go for "junk" food QUICK, especially my go-to comfort foods such as pizza, french fries, and chocolate chip cookies (can you say Cookie Monster)?

So I just give in to my occasional binge craze (since it doesn't happen often) and to try and avoid the madness I like to do what I call the "Saint/Sinner" technique.  Basically I'll be a Saint Monday through Thursday (avoiding processed foods as much as possible, drinking more water, incorporating more veggies, among other things), and Friday through Sunday all bets are off; I allow myself to be a Sinner those days.  I see these binge fevers as my inner child (my cutie-pie fat kid) having a tantrum.  She's like, NO MORE VEGGIES, WHERE'S MY BURGER BITCH?! So my Saint/Sinner technique works for me so she can stop trippin' so much.  Like today for example, it's Friday but I was "sinning" a little too much this week.  But ::sigh:: my little girl is not satisfied.  So what I think I'll do is try to compromise with her today.  I'll let her have that cheeseburger if she lets me add a salad on the side.

Let me know, have you ever experienced "tantrums" like this? If so, what do you do to get through?

By the way, have you checked out my FREE E-BOOK? It's called "Greens on the Side" and will help you get started with your weight loss goals in just 5 easy steps.  Check it out!