Detox - Day 30!!! The FINAL Day

I decided to end my detox at 6PM tonight. A friend is having a Halloween party which seems like the perfect way to celebrate 30 days of self-restraint. I'm squirming in my chair at work with anticipation.

I made it to the gym every day this week. 1600+ calories burned; otherwise known as banked calories; I have every intention on enjoying a couple beers this evening.

I am down 11 pounds ~roughly 2.5 pounds lost per week. The inches I have lost have remained roughly the same as I mentioned in an earlier post. I feel great and have every intention on keeping up my current level of activity and eating wholesome foods.

Detox - Day 28 OCT. 28th, 2009

A few things I've noticed and other things I have come to enjoy:

Noticed:
• On this detox I have not had stomach cramping or, how can I put this?; bathroom issues.
• Less can be way more: Nuts, fruit and veggies can make meal time portions seem bigger than they are and keep you full so much longer. I realize this is posted all over the googles but hot diggity; it's really true.
• Veggie haters CAN do detox programs. Veggies can easily be disguised without Ranch dressing.
• Caffeine/Candy-high blood-sugar crashes are for the birds and I want nothing to do with them.
• Honey makes a great sugar supplement.
• Lemon makes a great salt supplement.

Enjoy:
• Yogurt topped with pecans, walnuts, sesame seeds, frozen berries, flax seed and maple syrup is delightful for breakfast and keeps you full until sunset.
• Multiple workout buddies
• Supportive friends, family and boyfriend
• Taking time for relaxation (Epson Salt Bath; candles; Relaxation music)
• IKEA Water glasses the size of a vase
• Multivitamins that don't hurt my stomach
• Exfoliating on a regular basis makes my skin feel beautiful
• My Health

Detox Day 27 - OCT 27th, 2009

I expected to have some lows during this detox but it still came as a surprise to me. I called my cousin and said, "I quit." I haven't missed bread or salt or the candy drawers at work. I miss the freedom to eat what my body and I are in the mood for. Also, I realized what an importance social gatherings hold for me. I miss happy hours with coworkers and close friends. I would recommend, if you are contemplating doing the detox, to pick a month where you have very little to no social obligations. I did not quit. This is the final stretch. 3. More. Days.

Debbie-Downer aside, I just eat the most delicious nicoise salad. To my beautiful cousin: You are an amazing cook and have made this an (overall) wonderful experience.

Out of boredom I discovered that heated brown rice topped with yogurt, maple syrup, soy milk and raisins is an amazing treat.

Dust off the skinny jeans and bottoms up!

Detox - Day 23 OCT. 23st, 2009 Part II - otherwise known as 7 days left!!

I took an amazing weight training class over lunch and to my surprise I burned 480 calories. That's close to a spin class or a 4.5 mile run.

I really enjoy having a baked potato for lunch. I top it with raw cucumber, a small amount of feta and some cilantro. It is divine. Also it is loaded with B6, potassium, vitamin A, fiber, iron, magnesium and vitamin C. It's filling and warm and oh my! You get the idea.

~ Health Happy Dance ~

Detox - Day 23 OCT. 23st, 2009

In my dream last night I ate two huge donuts. The guilt was heavy but it didn't stop me. That said, I must admit that I'm fantasizing about food a lot lately. I'm nervous for the day when all foods are back on my menu and I have to start making choices again. Will I have more self control? Will I feel gross after anything remotely sugary/salty/greasy? Can I keep my paws out of the candy drawer at work? Will honey still be such a treat?

I am feeling good about how my clothes are fitting but not entirely happy. I've decided that I need to add weight training into my daily workouts. I think my body has hit a plateau and in order to reach the next level of fitness I need to give my muscles a shock.

A (young)friend of mine had open heart surgery to correct a heart defect. He's now on a very low sodium diet for the rest of his life. I spend so much time and energy doing cardio workouts to strengthen my heart. Salt is something I never thought twice about but from now on I'll be reaching for low sodium foods.

Detox - Day 15, OCT 15, 2009

I'm feeling very in the swing of things lately. I am officially half way through the detox today!

I measured myself today and found some exciting results. My waist is down an inch-and-a-half; thighs are down an inch; hips are down two inches; tummy is down an inch and my bra line is down an inch (it's OK; I didn't have boobs to begin with). I'm down 6 pounds and the best part is I'm not hungry. I eat and eat and eat all day long. I don't feel deprived unless someone eats bacon near me. You know who you are.

I am certain that I will keep many of these recipes in my meal rotation in the future. I'm astounded day after day how flavorful food can be with out all the sugar and salt. If given the chance, a baked potato on it's own is quite good. I still find myself automatically reaching for the salt until I remember that I'm detoxing. It's programmed into me and I'm hoping another 15 days will drill it through my head that it is unnecessary.

Detox - Day 13 Oct. 13th, 2009

Yesterday was a great spin class with Brian; burned 540 calories. Today I ran 3 miles with Megan and burned 400 calories. My legs felt surprisingly well but getting my heart rate up to the mid 170s is where I start to feel like walking or kicking it on the curb. During spin my heart usually hangs around 155-165.

After giving olives more than a fair shake; I'm putting them on the shelf. Well, I still like the idea of them in a bag with cut up veggies to add some salt but that's it my little friends; bye bye.

I couldn't believe how easy and delicious the dill shrimp dish was to make. John and I, although eating different foods each night; have quite enjoyed our time spent in the kitchen together. It takes a certain amount of discipline to cook your own food and I have to admit I've been bad at that for the last few years. Eek. YEARs. How do we fall into such bad habits?

Detox - Day 8: Oct. 8, 2009

I'm sleepy today; mostly due to many consecutive days of hard workouts. I ran 2.5 miles today and my legs were heavy from kickboxing yesterday. I kept repeating the alphabet in my head to keep myself going but there were points where I didn't even have energy for that.

Luckily I'm wearing bright pink today so the glow from my shirt is keeping my eyes open.

I measured my hips last night and I've lost an inch! If I could just catch up on my Zs.

Detox - Day 7: Oct. 7, 2009 Carrot Juice

Growdy to the MAX. Super sorry liver but I just can't do it. It's super sweet and ohhh, my stomach..

Mr. Yuck stickers need to make a comeback.

Detox - Day 7: Oct. 7, 2009

That adage about waking up on the wrong side of the bed; um yea, I feel like I woke up underneath it with dust bunnies crawling into my ears.

In an attempt to pull myself out of this foul mood I took a kickboxing class over lunch. Punching the air just doesn't cut it I guess.

I'm want candy today. This is my default while in a mood. Hopefully hot honey water will cure my cravings. YAY honey. *grumble grumble

Detox - Day 6: Oct. 6, 2009 No Sweat?

Last night I discovered a new love; cilantro. It made my MexiSalad dance. Yum. The food has been a treat on this program and I can't wait to learn how to make it for others to try. I told Santa I would like a rice-maker and a blender.

I'm addicted to epson salt bathes now. I have my dream bathroom designed in my head; complete with yellow and white checkered flooring; giant tub; mini tubs for the cats, etc.

I am starting to shed some pounds which is a delightful, little side effect. Also, I noticed that my normally sweaty workouts are now completely drenched workouts. A two block walk and I'm dripping. So, who knows, maybe there is a correlation between the excess sweat and the weight loss. Ring me out and gimme a glass of carrot juice please.

Detox - Day 4; OCT 4th, 2009

With exception to two minor headaches; I feel normal/good. I have noticed that I haven't experienced blood-sugar drops like I occasionally do. Having a set diet makes it easy to say no to temptations such as apple donuts at the apple orchid this afternoon.

I took my first epson salt bath last night and even though I knew going into it that baths are relaxing; I couldn't believe how mellow I felt after soaking in it for a half-hour. My skin feels smooth and has a pink hue about it. Perhaps this is normal but I feel like any time you pamper your skin it is a good thing.

I decided to take the weekends off from vigorous exercise despite the daily half-hour requirement in the book. I feel like five solid days will suffice. Between cleaning and painting John's place that's plenty of working out for me.

Detox - Day 2: OCT 2, 2009 - MELON

On my list of Kidney tonics to consume was half of a cantaloupe. I've always regarded this stanky melon as a cheap-fruit-restaurant-filler. Hats off to the 'loupe. Did you know she's plump full of benefits? The list is long but to name a few this cancer-fighting; insomnia-preventing; anti-inflammatory melon is now on my grocery list. Super low-cal and wow am I full.

More later.

Detox - Day 1: Oct. 1, 2009

Who knew hot water with honey tasted so good?

I have enjoyed all the foods so far. I found the lemon with hot water to be a little hard on my stomach and will be curious to see how it goes tomorrow. Jess is incredibly organized and I feel like I'm going to genuinely enjoy all of the detox meals she has prepared. It's as though I have a personal chef; me and Oprah.

The cold showers are refreshing. Dry skin brushing leaves the skin with a slight burning sensation. I'm not so sure about it yet. Also, will my skin glow after wading in 2 pounds of Epson Salt? Really?

I've decided to take a photo of myself each night for the next 30 days. If there is going to be a visual change I think it would be cool to see flip-book style.

I weighed myself at the gym which was maybe a mistake. Perhaps I'll only do that once a week. I took a spinning class for 30 minutes & burned roughly 350 calories. Tiny Dancer was the instructor. Her pants had gemstones on the butt. Fancy. She didn't however dance up against the wall this time which is always a relief.

My hope is that this program will break some of my poor eating habits and introduce me to new ideas about healthy living.

I'm patiently awaiting my many Amazon packages: Body Tape Measure; Detox Book; Dry Skin Brush (my own! using Jess's feels like sharing a toothbrush)

I'm looking forward to shrimp marinated in dill for dinner.