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!