Starting my Juice Detox :)

Today is Day 1 of my juice fast. After watching Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead, I decided that I didn't have anything to lose (except nasty toxins). When I get stressed out towards the end of my school year, just before vacation, I eat...a lot. The things I eat are usually sugar and fat laden caloric whoppers (not the burger...but, well, you get the idea). It's like I programmed my body to require these unhealthy choices, almost like an automated response. That's why I figured I needed a Reboot. I bought a bargain model juicer, loaded up on greens and some fruit, and started drinking to my health. Funny, I've been in the mindset that I wouldn't drink my calories, but I haven't been too discriminating on which calories I eat. So, my initial goal was three days. However, after some research, I am noticing that I should really opt for a 10 day detox to see noticeable results, and to get past the "fog.". It's mid afternoon right now, and I don't feel bad. I drank all my water throughout the day, but that was only 32oz. I had a 16oz morning juice of lemon and ginger, and a 16oz mean green juice for lunch...which I will also have for dinner in about an hour. I don't feel starved; but I can definitely tell that I haven't eaten anything in a little while. This is the first time today though, that I have felt at least bit hungry. Looking forward to positive results over the next 10 days.

Unstuff Your Life: Kitchen First

I have recently embarked on a new quest: unstuffing my life, and getting rid of clutter that is ultimately weighing me down.  My initial project was the kitchen.  It took more than a week to par down and organize the "stuff." in my kitchen.  This mini-project of mine reminded me just how obsessive compulsive I really am.  I remember back in my college days taking pictures of my cupboards and taping them inside the doors so my roommates could see how the items should be stored.  Frankly, if I had listened to Andrew Mellen's book back then, I may not have acquired so much stuff that required a road map to putting things away in the first place.

Mellen's book, Unstuff Your Life, is a simple, yet straightforward way to harness the chaos that encroaches on your life.  He breaks the book down into manageable tasks that allow you to set things in order one space at a time in your home.  The guiding principals are "everything has a home," and "like with like" help simplicity remain in the forefront of the process.  Once I was able to see the most logical place for things, it became apparent what needed to stay, and what needed to go.  After all, "I was not my stuff." 

Keeping up with my new system has been a lot easier than maintaining "clean" anytime before...mainly because everything has a definite home...not just an approximate space.  Last night, I was able to prepare, cook, and clean up dinner all before 6pm.  This is monumental because I would normally not cook or clean because the kitchen was such a disaster.  Cleaning is now becoming more of a habit rather than a chore that is done (if I was lucky) once a week.

It's 100% One Hundred Percent of the Time

Just recently, I agreed to join a personal/professional development group online via Beachbody from an invitation from my coach.  I have been seriously thinking about applying myself with the business end of my Beachbody Coach status, but I have been a little stuck.  I mean, I love my friends and family because they never (usually) push their agendas on me...so I have been a little nervous to sell my pitch to them...long story short, I felt this invitation was a great way to get me going in the right direction.

I couldn't have been more right.

One of the group's first requirements was to obtain and begin reading The Compound Effect.

  I downloaded it last night on my Kindle.  It's not a hard read, but makes some great points that force you to stop and evaluate where you are.  One of those points I had just read through a Simple Truths video.  The 100/0 principle for relationships...which can apply to any relationship you have: significant other, child, parents, friends, and yes...even business.  "You have to be willing to give 100 percent with zero expectation of receiving anything in return," he said. "Only when you're willing to take 100 percent responsibility for making the relationship work will it work. Otherwise, a relationship left to chance will always be vulnerable to disaster."

I can see how true this is...in my personal life, I can always find excuses for my behavior as an easy way out from solving my own problems...and as a professional I make excuses why my students don't seem to achieve at the level I'd like them instead of actively seeking out different ways to engage them.  This rings true for exercise and being healthy, and for being the best mom I can be for my children.  There is always someone to blame, but the only person I should be blaming is the only one I can truly hold accountable: myself.  The good news is, I only have to give 100% in the relationships that I want to work...the ones that matter most to me...like my family, health, friends, and finances.

What relationships do you want to work?

Rewards feel so good!

I told myself (and my challenge group) that in the month of March, I would break through a plateau I have been stuck in since before the holidays. Nothing feels better than self victory! This past Sunday, I finally weighed in under 200. It may not seem that big of deal to some, but I have struggled with my weight, since...well...forever. This time, after having my son, the weight did not just melt off like it did with my daughter. I have had to work. Hard. So, when that scale read 198 pounds, I did myself a little victory dance, and booked an appointment for a pedicure with all the fixings. I am not anywhere near my "ultimate" goal in fitness yet...but I am closer than I was yesterday.

New Year...New Me!

This year is bringing about a list of brand new things for me...
 1. I moved from being an 8th grade teacher to teaching high-school
2. I have actually kept my resolution to become healthier by sticking with my 90 day Les Mills Pump Challenge
3. I have introduced healthy clean eating back into my diet
 4. I have decided to pay it forward by becoming a Team Beachbody Coach! I am looking forward to making the rest of this year just as exciting as the first quarter has been. Here's to healthy living...one day at a time :-)
Be fit...Be happy!

Beachbody Challenge Groups

My Team Beachbody Coach helped me by keeping me accountable with both my workouts and healthy eating goals!  Joining a Facebook Challenge Group is a fun, non-threatening way to fit exercise into my busy schedule.  Ask me how you can do it too!

10 Reasons to Try Shakeology

I have been using Shakeology® since the beginning of this year. I have noticed that I have not been craving sugary, fatty, or otherwise unhealthy foods. I stay full longer, and I have more energy to get through the day. That energy has helped me stick with my Beachbody Challenge group as I complete my 90 day Les Mills Pump Challenge at home, work a full time job, and take care of my family. As a result, I have lost over 15 inches off my body, and nearly 10 pounds in just over two months!  I can't wait to see my final results in a month at the conclusion of my challenge.

Check out the facts for yourself! 10 Reasons to Try Vegan Shakeology®

1. It's like your own personal cheat sheet. Get the benefits of a vegan diet without fully going vegan or even trying! The health benefits of a plant-based diet are well documented, from lower cholesterol and lower risk for heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, to easier weight management and fewer digestive issues. But you don't have to follow a 100% vegan diet to enjoy some of these health benefits. One vegan meal a day will put you well on your way to a healthier you!

2. No animals allowed. Chocolate Vegan is a completely plant-based formula with NO animal products. Give your system a break from heavy animal proteins by replacing one meal a day with Chocolate Vegan Shakeology®.

 3. Superfoods to the rescue! Chocolate Vegan includes 5 new superfoods: moringa, coconut flower nectar, luo han guo, Himalayan salt, and konjac root. All of the key nutrients come from natural whole foods. There are no added vitamin or mineral isolates and no fortification.

 4. Try all-natural chocolate for the first time. Ever wonder what cacao tastes like right out of the pod from the cacao tree? This shake is the way nature intended chocolate to taste. It's rich, earthy chocolate taste is derived solely from whole-food ingredients with no additional flavoring agents.

 5. It's FREE . . . lactose free and dairy free that is! If you're lactose intolerant or have trouble digesting whey protein, then this is the shake for you. Most people have trouble digesting dairy, whey protein, or animal proteins and don't even know it, until they try a plant-based protein meal and they just feel the difference!

 6. Fructose is a thing of the past. It takes all kinds of sugars to make the sweet world go round, but there are a lot of fructose haters out there. Chocolate Vegan is made with coconut flower nectar and luo han guo, two whole-food superfoods that are so naturally sweet, there's no need to add fructose! We won't get into the pros and cons of fructose, but suffice it to say that if you're anti-fructose, then Chocolate Vegan or Tropical Strawberry are for you!

 7. Protein PACKED. One of the first questions vegans get is "Where do you get your protein from?" Well, plants have protein in them too! And so does vegan Shakeology. 16 grams in fact. Chocolate Vegan and Tropical Strawberry are crafted from an easy-to-assimilate blend of whole, plant-based proteins including sprouted brown rice, pea, sacha inchi, chia, flax, quinoa, amaranth, and spirulina. Not only do they offer 9 essential amino acids, but together they are a complete protein source with sufficiently high levels of lysine and methionine, two important amino acids that are often a limiting factor in plant-based diets.

8. Kiss cravings goodbye. The new ingredient konjac root, in both Chocolate Vegan and Tropical Strawberry Shakeology, will help your cravings disappear! The fiber in this new wonder-food absorbs up to 200 times its weight in water, making you feel fuller, longer. No wonder places like Japan and China have been using it for centuries! Other perks include: help with regularity and healthy blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

 9. Take a bite out of the "Tree of Life." Chocolate Vegan's new ingredient moringa is called the "Tree of Life," because it is one of nature's most nutritious foods. This superfood contains 90 nutrients and 46 antioxidants along with ALL of the essential amino acids. Plus, according to some studies, moringa can help boost energy, lead to faster recovery, and balance out blood sugar levels.

 10. It's got the stamp of approval. Chocolate Vegan Shakeology is another addition to the Beachbody Ultimate™ line, a collection of the highest-quality products Beachbody has to offer. We are committed to putting the most perfect whole-food ingredients at your fingertips so you can operate at your highest level of nutrition, health, and well-being! Posted in Heather MacDonald, Shakeology® Product News. "10 Reasons to Try Vegan Shakeology®"