Day 33

So Monday....we meet again....its incredible how this day has such a bad reputation!! It's the day that 46% of people decide to start a diet. And........are you ready for this incredibly depressing statistic? By Tuesday night, a shocking 31% of those people have quit or cheated in some way and just say "next week", but never go back. That is an incredible amount of people unable to stick to it! So if you started something today, just because it was Monday, don't. I made my decision mid week and I gave myself a whole week to just cheat!! To cheat like I had never cheated before. Eat everything that I possibly wanted, and everything I craved. Cravings can be so bad that they are all you think about, so it is good to nip some of those in the butt.

Now, I'm not saying I don't have cravings, because I absolutely do!! Maybe even more than others. But I have found a healthy way to exchange those cravings for new ones. Like pizza, I LOVE pizza. I mean I could totally eat a nice cheesy piece of pizza today...heck I used to be able to down lots of pizza. BUT like I have said previously, I just see it as every other time I quit, and I don't want it anymore. So now we make nice healthy pizzas. They have all the same flavor, but almost 75% less calories and 100% more health benefits. We started making new ones on whole grain flatbread wraps as opposed to the pitas. Much thinner than the pita, but so many more health benefits in the wrap, but same concept!

Another food I love so much is a good, juicy, cheesy, cheeseburger!!! I was a sucker for Elevation Burger in VA, but I can't even tell you how gross it was to see the calorie count next to the burger, and I still ordered it!!! So we decided to make our own version! They are lean lettuce wrapped burgers. The recipe is below!

1 lb ground beef (93/7) you could use lean ground turkey breast as another lean meat, I just prefer red meat!
salt
pepper
garlic powder
worcestershire sauce
4 large lettuce cups (I used a head of lettuce and then made a salad on the side with the leftovers)
1 cup shredded low-fat mozzarella
4 slices of tomato
57 sauce


Mix the meat with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and worcestershire sauce (like a teaspoon or two). Mix well and form into four patties (make the patties with a small bump in the middle, they cook better that way since the middle tends to sink in). We grilled ours, but you can do it any way you prefer! Once both sides are cooked to your liking, add 1/4 cup cheese to each burger and melt. Once done cooking, put a burger in each lettuce cup and add a slice of tomato and about a tablespoon of 57 sauce (or less depending on what you like). Enjoy!

I have found out through this journey that it is all about making decisions that are better for you! Just because things taste great, and look great, doesn't mean they are the best thing for your body. And on the contrary, it doesn't mean you can't have them ever again! It's about the choice to make healthier alternatives!! Your body is a temple, and you are the only one who can upkeep it!! So I will leave you all on that note, since today was a little lengthy. Just remember, if you are part of that 46% that started today....keep to it! Be the 14% that make it!! Prove that statistic wrong! I hope you all have an incredible Monday!

Day 6

Well I have a few VERY small victories to share with all of you. Please....don't be too harsh, they are very very small!!

My wedding rings are MUCH looser, which is great!!

And

Yesterday at the gym, I ran....I HATE to run and I ran. I would walk for 4 minutes and then run for 1 minute, for a total of 45 minutes. I felt good. At a certain point it actually felt better to run than it did to walk!!

I know these are such small things, and there are much bigger things to come, but I just felt like I had to share. Sometimes I feel like looking at the small things is what keeps me motivated. Last night for the first time through this, I was actually very hungry. Hayden had made a frozen pizza and it took every single muscle in my body to not have a slice. I thought about it...over and over again. It's just one slice...what will one slice do?? But I didn't. I ate my dinner, I drank some water, and I had a banana and peanut butter as a snack later in the evening to curb any of those feelings.

I am so happy I did what I did. I am surprised I was able to stick to my guns and keep clean.

I have significantly cut out the amount of processed foods in my daily eating habits and I just feel better because of it! The only real foods I have been eating that are pre-packaged are string cheese, peanut butter, and cream cheese. I can't believe I am actually doing this!

Again, I know these are just some small acheievements, but they feel so big to me! I hope you all have an amazing Tuesday and KEEP MOTIVATED...no matter what little obstacle comes along!

Day 5

Today has started out really slow. It's usually about now that I start contemplating if I should really be doing this, and if it is all worth it. And then a couple days later I give up. This time feels different. While I am lagging today, I do not have that feeling in the pit of my stomach that says it's time to give up.

I have had a couple people ask what I am using to track my caloric intake, and I just wanted to talk a little bit about my day to day. Seeing as I am just starting out, I am no expert, but this is how I do things every day! I use a website called www.myfitnesspal.com to track my calories, keep track of my water intake, and also track my exercise. It is free and really helpful to make sure I log every single thing that goes into my mouth. Please feel free to add me as a friend on there if you would like, my username is whocrux (nerdy, I know). It is really nice because it has a large database of foods both name brand and generic, and it includes all the nutritional information you would possibly want for a product.

Now, I used it a while back, and fell off the bandwagon then. I decided to delete that account because I was so embarrassed that I had just given up. I feel like that is what I am good at. So I will do everything I possibly can this time to make sure that giving up is not an option. I know I have what it takes, I am ready to stick it through to the end.

Now as for exercise, I am keeping it really simple for now. I am walking about 2-3 miles a day on a treadmill. I usually do a minute run/jog, and then 5 minutes walking at a comfortable pace. I repeat it a couple times, or until I know my body just can't do it anymore. I like to try to go for about an hour, or 3 miles, whichever I hit first. I know it isn't much, but believe me, my body would beg to differ. It works for me. I do some stability ball ab workouts as well, but I really do just enjoy walking/jogging most.

I hope to some day get better with my jogging and hopefully I can run some day...but for now....I just need to keep doing what I am doing until I feel comfortable. Two weeks and I should start getting more comfortable (and less sore!!).

Now I see on my stats page that my numbers are dropping :( If there is anything I can write that would keep everyone more captivated, or if there is something you are really curious about, I would love any suggestions on topics! Enjoy your Monday everyone! I know mine will involve job searching, cleaning, and prepping for the week!

Day 4

I know it is so silly, but one of my biggest fears is going to the gym. Everyone there is so fit and built up, and here I am, my flabby self just trying to do my best. I hate looking to my left and right and seeing that everyone else is running and I am at best strolling (sometimes a jog here and there). It makes me feel like they are all just looking at me with a "she shouldn't be here" thought in their head.

BUT, contrary to my beliefs, no looks were given. No words were said. And best of all...I felt really confident. I felt empowered by the sweat just pouring off of me. You know they say that pain is fear leaving the body...and if that's the case, my body is about to be terrified!

Yesterday I really didn't want to go to the gym. I was tired and my head hurt and I thought maybe I could just take one day off. Then Hayden and I talked and I realized that I am just making excuses. I think about Alayna, Hayden, my family, and it makes me just want to work harder. There is no excuse in the world that could be big enough to make this goal unimportant.

I don't know how many of you actually read this, and I don't think it matters. Maybe I am just doing this for my own selfish reasons but more importantly, I am doing this so that if I can just inspire ONE person to change something in their lives for the better, I feel like I'm doing the right thing.

I know I am not perfect in my ways. I know I am not a physical fitness or health nut, but I am trying. Harder than anyone will know. Some days it scares the living day lights out of me. Some times I get frustrated because I know there is a plate of fried cheesesticks out there, waiting for me to eat them. But I have to keep my head on straight. I HAVE to keep pushing and looking at my end goal. I know this is not a Diet, and I hate that word. This is a life change and life style choice. I am making that choice to change for the better.

Hope you all have a wonderful Sunday!! To my family (If you are reading this!), I hope you have fun at the beach this week! I miss you guys more than you know, but next year...I'll be bikini ready!!!

Day 3

What an adventure today was!!! I had down a list of all the new things I wanted to try and had been reading that eating organic was a better way to go when it came to putting all those veggies in your body. So I looked up the closest place to buy all organic and come across a store called Earth Fare...beautiful store, wonderful choices....but my oh my that price!!! For now I think we will just have to stick to our regular grocery store. However, most of what I did get was organic with a much more reasonable price attached to it (excluding cherries....those things are super expensive!! $9 for a small bag!). I am so proud of myself for getting all these new things to try! We got sweet potatoes, which in my head I swear I hate. I got spaghetti squash which I am also very weary of, but excited to try. And I got ginger! Not sure what exactly I am going to use it for, but I am excited to try!!

I am notorious for spending money on all these healthy foods, and then never keeping up my end of the bargain. I don't know what is so different about this time, but I feel so motivated. I feel excited and nervous but most of all ready. I am 24 years old and I am ready to start really living.

I hope that in some small way I am motivating other people to make smart decisions when it comes to what you are putting in your bodies. I know I am not one to talk because I am a sucker for a grilled cheese or anything fried, but I am accepting change, and finding that other things can be just as delicious as well.

So for your question today...what is your favorite vegetable and how do you like to eat it best?