New Month, New Goals Hello July

Hey all!

I'm still here, obviously having trouble balancing everything and I think that will get harder before it gets easier.

 Anyhow, June was a good month for me. I logged in several workouts and overall I was pretty consistent with eating clean. I'm still loving the TapoutXT workouts and the results I'm getting with them, but I'm not sure how long I will be able to keep up with the hour long workouts. Last week I didn't work out once. That was in part to the Fourth of July holiday, but also to how our family schedule is starting to change. I'll figure it out, but I'm thinking I may have to go to a 30-minute workout and if I have extra time later that day do another workout or do a quick run on the treadmill.  I'm thinking of doing some Jillian Michaels DVD's since I have them or doing some that I've found on YouTube. Either way, I still need and want to be active I just have to figure out how and where to fit it in.

I'm also still working on eating a mostly clean diet. I'm cracking down pretty hard on this and watching portions closely as I'm wanting to lose 5-10 more pounds. Since the inches have been coming off pretty consistently, I haven't been as focused on the scale and I think that is good. I'm still having to buy new clothes so I'll take it. I would just like to lose some more fat and I think naturally the scale will go down with that so I think 5-10lbs is a reasonable amount and I think I'm giving myself plenty of time to lose it in.

So here are my goals written out. You can follow me on Facebook or Instagram to help keep me accountable!

Do you have any at 30-minute at home workouts you like? 

What are your July goals?

What I'm Up To and Why So Quiet?

I have been a little quiet lately, and honestly I haven't been feeling well for the last couple of weeks and at first I wasn't sure what was up. Then this past week I got really sick with a sore scratchy throat, coughing at night then I lost my voice and then I felt even worse. What's up? Allergies is what's up!!! I totally didn't even realize that this tree is a Lilac

and I am VERY allergic to them and we actually have two trees in full bloom right now. Ack! These things have seriously kicked my booty! So hubs has graciously agreed to start to hack off all the blooms until we can figure out what to replace it with.

So, what have I been doing lately? As far as workouts, I've  pretty much done nothing and it's been very discouraging. I even had my own pity party of one over the past couple of days and well, it pretty much sucked. So, party is over I'm going to be proud of what I am doing with my meals and keep moving forward. Once my body is ready to start working out again I will... and I'm hoping I can get in a short run tomorrow. It really has been hard to not be able to work out. I'm really surprised I've missed it as much as have, but I do!

Anyhow, this is why I've been somewhat quiet and I'm doing my best to not be discouraged. I know these things happen even if I don't like it, that's just part of the process. I have had a lot of people ask me if I'm losing weight which has helped encourage me. And you know what? That stinkin' scale isn't moving much, but my clothes are fitting different! I say this to encourage you and to encourage me, it really is the little things and as long as we stay focused and consistent it will all come together! 

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By the way, when I was trying to have a pity party I really wanted some sweet goodies to go with it but for good reason I don't have many in the house. 

Just curious what are some of your favorite guilt-"less" treats are? I typically have an apple or banana with Almond Butter and cinnamon but I wanted something more like a cookie or ice cream! Anything, like that?

I would LOVE for you to share your favorite sweet treat! 

National Running Day 2015

Did you know that today is National Running Day? I had no idea and was pleastanly surprised when I woke up today and found out! I would love for you to join me. I have set up an event on Facebook for you to share your celebratory run. You can join by clicking HERE or you can join me on Instagram @itstartedoutastherapy. Be sure and tag and hashtag #itstartedoutastherapy or #ISOAT

The nice folks over at Running Day have even designed  a bib we can were for our run today! Print it out HERE, write in why you run,  where it proud and don't forget to post pictures on the event page.


It doesn't matter how far or how long you go, just get out there and run. Never forget it all counts!

Eating Clean Meal Plan June 1-6

Hey All,

I'm a little late getting this out there to you, but I spent quite a bit of time planning out my menu for the upcoming week and just thought I'd share what I came up with.

I have breakfasts, lunches, snacks and dinners planned. I'm trying to eat at specific times, something that can be VERY hard with 3 littles, but I'm hoping it will help me regulate my hunger and glucose levels so I'm not all the sudden starving because I haven't eaten yet. 

I thought I'd share my menu with you as a guideline. I try to stick to my menus as close as I can because I work so hard on them and because I want to succeed. However, I do realize that life does happen and things come up so I've learned to give myself some grace on the days or meals that I can't follow through exactly and just do the best I can. We also have no problem switching days. This menu definitley is not set in stone, again it is merely a guideline that goes with the flow of our daily schedule but it does help to be prepared.

I write everything out on a Weekly Calendar. I like this one over at This Mommy Cooks Dinner. I print it out and just write in what I want to eat. Right now I'm basing my meals off of eating clean.  I am eliminating most dairy though, I just feel better with out it.

Here is my plan for this week:

Steel-Cut Oats w/ PB2 and Ghirardelli Bittersweet Chips

Garden Vegetable Soup, Taco Meat, Meatballs, 

Chicken Sausage, potato & Veggie Skillet

Monday:

     Breakfast: 
        *Steel-Cut Oats  (1/2cup) w/ PB2 & Ghirardelli Bittersweet Chips

        * Scrambled Egg + Egg whites w/ Spinach (1/4c) and 1/8 cup Turkey Sausage Crumbles
    AM Snack/Afternoon Snack**:
        *Protien Shake, Veggies w/ 3-Ingredient Hummus (recipe to come), Almonds + Fruit
        Veggies (This will vary from day to day)
     Lunch: 
        *Taco Meat made w/ half ground beef, half ground turkey and Homemade Taco Seasoning                  on a Low-carb Whole Wheat Tortilla
        *Garden Vegetable Soup
        *Fruit
     Dinner: 
        *Pork Tenderloin
        *Grilled Asparagus
        *Brown Rice (1/2cup)
     PM Snack: 
        *Apple with 1 Tbsp Peanut Butter

Tuesday:

     Breakfast: 
        *Same as Monday

     AM/Afternoon Snack: Same as Monday
     Lunch: 
        *Chicken Sausage, potato & Veggie Skillet
        *Garden Vegetable Soup
        *Fruit
     Dinner:
        *Taco Meat made w/ half ground beef, half ground turkey and Homemade Taco Seasoning                   on a Low-carb Whole Wheat Tortilla
        *Green Beans
        PM Snack: Apple with 1 Tbsp Peanut Butter

Wednesday:

     Breakfast: 
        *Same as Monday

    AM Snack/Afternoon Snack**:
        *Same as Monday
     Lunch: 
        *Taco Meat made w/ half ground beef, half ground turkey and Homemade Taco Seasoning                  on a Low-carb Whole Wheat Tortilla;
        *Garden Vegetable Soup
        *Fruit
     Dinner: 
        *Spaghetti
           *Meatballs ( I baked mine at 400degrees and used half ground beef/half ground turkey)
           *High Fiber Spaghetti Noodles
           *Roasted Brussel Sprouts
     PM Snack:  
        *Apple with 1 Tbsp Peanut Butter

Thursday:

     Breakfast: 
        *Same as Monday

     AM/Afternoon Snack: Same as Monday
     Lunch: 
        *Chicken Sausage, potato & Veggie Skillet
        *Garden Vegetable Soup
        *Fruit
     Dinner: 
        *Grilled Chicken
        *Green Beans
        *Brown Rice
        PM Snack: Apple with 1 Tbsp Peanut Butter

Friday: 

     Breakfast: 
        *Same as Monday

    AM Snack/Afternoon Snack**:
        *Same as Monday
     Lunch: 
        *Taco Meat made w/ half ground beef, half ground turkey and Homemade Taco Seasoning                  on a Low-carb Whole Wheat Tortilla;
        *Garden Vegetable Soup
        *Fruit
     Dinner: 
        *Pizza Night
     PM Snack: 
        *Apple with 1 Tbsp Peanut Butter

Saturday:

     Breakfast: 

        *Same as Monday

    AM Snack/Afternoon Snack**: 

        *Same as Monday

     Lunch: 

        *Grilled Chicken 

        *Romaine and Spinach Salad 

        *Fruit

     Dinner: 

        *Tilapia

        *Rice

        *Veggie

     PM Snack: 

        *Apple with 1 Tbsp Peanut Butter

I'm going to try to eat five meals a day, but depending on the day I may add in another snack to make it six meals. I'd like to space them out 2-3 hours apart. Having my last snack by 8:00pm, which would put me having my last meal roughly two hours before bedtime. I'm trying to revamp my whole daily schedule though so I can get my workouts done in the morning. This is going to be difficult for me at first, but I know it will be the best in the end and I know I can do it!

Friday nights are typically Pizza night at our house. I'm not sure if I'm actually going to participate or not. I'm trying to stay away from dairy again. If I get to the store and buy a dairy-free cheese then I may go ahead otherwise I'll just do something else and I'm ok with that.

I repeat a lot of the same daytime meals because it is easier!! I can meal prep ahead of time, I feel like I don't waste as much food or time and it just helps keep me on track.

Again, I've only shared this because this is what I'm going to do. These menu plans are Weight Watcher and Clean Eating friendly and you can certainly adapt them very easily to a Whole30 Menu.

You don't have to follow this at all, it's merely a guideline. Make sure to eat what is right for you and your life-style.

Do you meal plan? Do you find it helpful?

**Disclaimer: My blog posts are about my journey and what is working for me. I am not a Registered Dietician, a Certified Trainer or a Medical Doctor. Please always consult with your Healthcare Provider before starting any diet or exercise program. 

Mid-Way Through May

Well, we are just past the middle of May! Already?? Where has the month gone?!?
I hope this isn't any indication of how fast summer will go by. I don't even want to think about that. Day by day. One day at a time!

Anyhow...
I'm reflecting on my May Goals and how I'm doing with them and what is and isn't working. The first part of the month was extremely slow. After my 8 mile run I followed it with a 4 miler and that was it. I was out for a week I was extremely exhausted and was just plain wiped out. I slept a lot, ate a lot, and dealt with a couple of migraines. I think I wasn't eating enough of my calories back, I got dehydrated and maybe was overtraining or maybe just was ill? I don't know, but I had to step back and re-evaluate and see what was and was not working and started working out a bit slower. 

If you remember from this post, these were my May Goals: 

May Goals:

*Continue to increase my Mileage per week (Running goal)

*Continue to do workout DVD's 3-4x week (Strength and Endurance)

*Start adding in more free weight workouts (Strength)

*30Day Butt Challenge (Strength and toning)

*Continue Drinking gallon water/day

*Focus more on Clean Eating and eating the right amount

So When I stepped back to look at this it seemed overwhelming, it seemed like a lot, but I wanted to do it, so how could I do it all and not end up completely wiped out like I had been?? I looked to see the race dates that I would like to run and see how much time I really needed to train for them. I'm looking at doing a half-marathon in September and October. So That gives me about a month to work on all the strength things I wanted to before I really need to kick my mileage up again. 

My original goal was to try and get in 20-25 miles a week in running. I would LOVE to do this and I know many people who do, but for me right now I don't think this is realistic. I need something more then cardio right now and I don't have a lot of extra time to commit to the increase in mileage and the added strength program. I'm thinking more realistically 15-20 miles will be more attainable and that will just vary on the week and our crazy schedule. 

Now back to all that strength, endurance and toning. All those goals just exhaust me reading them! So  I remembered that a few years ago my husband and I bought a workout set called Tapout XT. It's an MMA type workout program that has 13 different workouts and is supposed to give you great results in 90 days. I don't know that I will be able to do all 90 days, right now that seems like an incredible commitment for someone like me. I tend to get bored after awhile and move on. Anyhow, I remembered it and how intense it was and thought that ought to do the trick. It's 40-50minutes long and I will hit everything I want to accomplish in those DVD's. And I finally will use the DVD's and not feel guilty about the money we spent and I only did like 3 workouts. so Score! 

So that's where I'm at. I've already competed week 1 of TapoutXT and am into week 2. It's harder then all get out, but I'm kicking butt and in the process hopefully losing some of it too! My runs are difficult to get in because the Tapout workouts wear me out but I'm working on it still. I'm sure in another week or so I will have figured out which days I can and cannot run. In the meantime I'm at least trying to get in some sort of walk or jog on the days I can't actually run. Everything counts! 

Now as far as the eating goes...sigh... I wish I could do good at working out and at eating  right at...the...same...time!!!! Ugh, so frustrating. I am way more conscious of what I am eating. I'm a little slow still at making the better choices but I'm getting there. I finally have a weekly menu written out and have started some meal prep which is definitely key to any successful program for me. That's what worked before I just have to do it and stick with it!!! 

So, 

How is your May going so far? Are you sticking to your goals or have you had to readjust?

Watery Wednesday: Orange, Pineapple & Rosemary Infused Water

It's Watery Wednesday today! I hope everyone has been meeting their water goals!

I have found as long as I'm not super busy and I'm at home I meet my goal of a gallon of water a day with no problem. However, I'm struggling when I'm gone much throughout the day. I need to be sure and carry water with me everywhere I go and if my current water bottle isn't working I need to think about getting a new one. I don't know about you, but I do much better if I have a straw. It seems to go down a lot faster and I seem to get down a lot more.

Anyhow...
I and my family are loving the flavored waters and I need to keep making them and have them available so we I can get in more water.

This Orange, Pineapple & Rosemary Water "recipe" I'm sharing today is an absolute favorite and will be making over and over again. It's similar to one my husband and I have had at various hotels so I used that as inspiration and went with what I had at home.

You will need some pineapple, orange, rosemary, ice and water and of course a pitcher. 

Grab yourself some fresh rosemary, about 4-6 sprigs. 

I'm pretty lucky to have my own Rosemary and some little helpers. 

I know that this makes it taste that much better! 

Slice or cube some pineapple. You won't need much I just did a little bit, maybe 1/2 cup of diced. 

Slice up some orange, I used half of one orange. *One trick I use on all my lemons, limes or oranges when I want more of their juice is I roll them for a about 15-20 seconds before I cut them. It makes the juice just come right out. 

Add the Rosemary, Pineapple, and Orange slices with some water and ice in a pitcher. Stir and let sit. We ended up letting ours sit overnight. You wouldn't have to do this, but it gives the flavors more time to blend together.

It was so tasty! I hope you think so too!

How have you been doing with your water goals?

How I'm Feeling Right Now: Tapout XT Day 3 - Plyo XT

Holy flipping cow!!! Was this a tough workout!! 

Ok, first off I wasn't even in the mood to workout. The toddler kept hubby and I up most of the night and was up way before the sun. Then we had a soccer game, when we got home we were all STARVING and did I mention we were tired?? So we ate lunch, put kids down for nap, including wild sleep-deprived but adorable toddler... All is finally quiet so I decided to get my workout in because I can't quit on day 3 right and when else in this day am I going to fit it in???

So workout is commencing, I'm dripping sweat, I've already turned down the A/C at least twice, I have adjusted the fan a multitude of times, I keep getting sweat in my eyes, I keep reminding myself to watch my form, why did I wear these pants?, and about half way through I'm thinking the whole lunch then workout thing... Was NOT a good idea... 

I did't quit, I kept going. The last 15 or so minutes really were hard. My legs were already tired and those flipping 180 elbows just suck! But I didn't quit! I finished strong! And you know what? I'm so happy I did my workout today, because I killed it!!!

So if you don't feel like working out or you aren't sure if you can do it, push those thoughts aside and just do it! You never know how far you can push yourself, mind over matter people! Anything you do is better then nothing at all! Remember IT ALL COUNTS!!!! You got this and so do I!!!

Have you ever struggled to get through a workout?

New Month, New Goals and Balance

So here we are, it's May 4th, half-way through the first week of the new month already! Crazy!!!

As I'm writing this I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to get everything I need to get done this week let alone everything I want to get done this week. I think the hardest thing through this whole journey is finding the balance. There are busy seasons, there are extremely busy seasons, there are "normal" seasons (whatever that is) and there are seasons of rest. The hard part is finding balance in all of it and keeping consistent, and that is where I tend to struggle. 

I used to almost give-up saying "I just can't do this, this is to much" and I would put my eating and work-outs aside then come back and pick up again. Anymore, I have my little pity-party, usually my husband coaches me through those and I get back up again and may just have an off day or two instead of an off week or month. But, IT...IS...HARD... The struggle is real my friends!!!! 

source

Today and all weekend for that matter I have been tired and not just "tired" I am EXHAUSTED and sleepy tired. I could sleep ALL DAY LONG! I get frustrated when I'm tired like this because I feel like I'm working out I should have more energy, why am I not out conquering the world?!?! Well, that's just not reality. The reality is I'm still human, I'm still a wife, and I'm still a momma to three little ones. My husband was so gracious and let me sleep whenever I could this past crazy, busy weekend and I am so thankful for that. Anyhow, I said all that just to let you know if you are struggling with the same thing I am right there with you. Just don't give up, do what you can when you can! No matter how small it may seem it all counts, every little change you do will add up I promise! 

So today is Move it Monday! My plan for today is  a walk on the treadmill and this month's Buttchallenge. I will start with that then see how I feel about doing any more workouts for the day. 

Source: ShrinkingJeans.net

image source

May Goals:

*Continue to increase my Mileage per week (Running goal)

*Continue to do workout DVD's 3-4x week (Strength and Endurance)

*Start adding in more free weight workouts (Strength)

*30Day Butt Challenge (Strength and toning)

*Continue Drinking gallon water/day

*Focus more on Clean Eating and eating the right amount

I will assess my goals weekly to see if they are working for me.

What are some of your goals for May?

Do you struggle with balance too and how do you deal with it?

May 30 Day Challenge

Hey Everyone!

Just a quick post to let you know about a challenge I will be doing in May. I've tried these challenges before and have only gotten about half way through them, this month I'm determined to finish the entire 30 days!!!!

If you follow me on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter you will know that I did my long run of 8-miles the other day. It sucked! I did so many hills in the beginning, I was wondering if my hill interval training had helped me at all! Of course it has, and I didn't give up and I'm not going to give up and this is why I'm doing this challenge. I need to continue to strengthen my legs. My knees need me to, they are seriously screaming at me. Well, they aren't now, but they were.. you know.

Anyhow... I found this 30-Day Amazing Butt Challenge from Shrinking Jeans and I thought this would be a great one to do to strengthen them up a bit.

Source: Shrinkingjeans.net

If you are beginning working out or aren't sure you could do all three then just pick one! It builds on itself so you will gain the strength as the month goes. I know I would LOVE to have the support so if you join in be sure and let me know in the comments. I will also be posting on the aforementioned (big word for me this late) social media sites as I do the daily challenge.

Look out May! Time for some stronger legs!!!

Have you done 30-Day challenge before?
Is there an area you would like to strengthen?

**Disclaimer: My blog posts are about my journey and what is working for me. I am not a Registered Dietician, a Certified Trainer or a Medical Doctor. Please always consult with your Healthcare Provider before starting any diet or exercise program. 

Watery Wednesday: Strawberry, Lemon & Basil Water

Hey Everyone!

It's Watery Wednesday so I'm just checking in on my water goal. I'm actually doing really well with this goal, and surprisingly after the first of couple days it's been really easy.


I was thinking it might be nice to mix up the water, so I made some Strawberry, Lemon & Basil water using this recipe from Natasha's Kitchen.

I just followed the recipe grabbing up a few strawberries, lemon slices (I used the whole lemon since mine was small), and some basil.

Added the fruit and basil with some ice then water and that was it. 

It was really easy to do and tastes pretty yummy too! You could adjust the ingredients to your personal taste adding less or more and the longer you let it sit the more intense the flavor will be.

I think this will be a nice weekend treat and I would imagine it would taste good with sparkling water if you are missing the "bubbles" from cutting out soda.

Do you have trouble getting in your daily water goals?
Have you ever tried fruit-infused water?

Progress & Goals Update

Well, it has been far to long since my last post! Goodness, I have to figure out how to work this in somehow! Ha

Anyhow, since I've last updated I'm doing much better. In an earlier post here and here,  I had talked about re-evaluating my goals and trying to figure out what I wanted to do. I can honestly tell you I have been doing so much better and feel so much better!!

I am still aiming to eat mostly clean, but I'm using the Old Weight Watchers Point system, from about 15 years ago, to help with portion control and my food choices.  I am totally ok with doing this old system. I lost about 40lbs when I used the old system and I never really gained the weight back until I got pregnant, so I thought I'd give it another go since it seems to be a lifestyle that works well for me.

I did join Weight Watchers in 2011 with the new Points Plus system and I just never could get into it as much. I have had to adjust the old way a little to the way I currently eat. You have to remember that when the old points system was out it was the age of "Fat Free" and "artificial sweeteners." I don't do Fat Free unless the food is naturally fat free and I don't do artificial sweeteners, so at first it was somewhat difficult to get around that but I have found a way and it works. Do you realize that most clean foods are naturally low in fat and high fiber? That helps to make the points count really low and still stay clean eating.

I am eating way more carbs then I have in the last year or so, but I make sure they are almost always 100% whole wheat or a heather carb. I even tried to make Eggplant Pizza the other night, but my Eggplant failed when I was roasting it. I will definitely be trying that again. I think with all the running I've been doing the carbs have been great. I'm able to go farther and faster with adding them back into my diet. I just needed more then what I was getting and that works for me, maybe it doesn't work for you, and that's ok.

I am getting in my water and I think that has helped me feel better too. My goal is a gallon of water and if you remember I was starting with a full gallon and drinking from the gallon to help me keep track. I still have days where I don't quite get the whole gallon drunk, but I'm always very close on those days.

So what is my progress so far... I'm down 5lbs from last week. Whether it be water weight fluctuations or because TOM left (TMI i'm sure), but that was the number on the scale. The best part is I tried on a smaller size jean and... they fit! I did not squirm or have to lay down to get in them, they simply went on and zipped up! YAY!!!! That is for sure a measure of progress!

Goals for the next week:
I'm going to keep going with what I've been doing.
Tracking my food regardless of whether it is clean or not and tracking regardless if I'm going to be over in points/calories.
I'm going to continue to aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise 3-4x week, regardless of the calories burned or the actual workout, I'm just going to move!
I'm going to continue to get in my water everyday.
And...

I am going to add in one thing that will be extremely hard for me, I'm going to start tracking my fruits and vegetables, read: "Dirt-by-products" Those who know me well, know that I am not a huge fan of dirt-by-products, especially the vegetables! You do not need to tell me how good they are for you what this one does and what that one does I already know. It is something I struggle with so I'm being open with this new goal of mine and I'm hoping you will be there to help support me to do better.  I WILL include more vegetables and fruits in my diet!!!  And I found this nifty chart, intended for kids, that I'm going to use to help me keep track and "reward" myself if you will.  My goal is to aim for 5 fruits and vegetables (preferably veggies first) ;)

Source: Andrea's Notebook

Have you been meeting your goals?
Do you have trouble getting in your fruits or vegetables?

Watery Wednesday

Good Wednesday to you!

It is the middle of the week and I'm reviewing my goals for the week and seeing how I'm doing.

So far I'm doing ok. I haven't really been journaling my food or at least I start then I don't finish out the day. I need to do this regardless if what I'm eating is "clean" or not, right now it's more about tracking and portions.

My littles have been sick so Monday was the first day I was actually able to exercise. I got in about 40 minutes of Billy Blanks Tae Bo DVD ( not an affiliate link), the kids wouldn't let me finish it all but I'm ok with that everything counts no matter how much it is. I also ended up running just a little over 3 miles on the treadmill. I plan on doing something today, but it will all depend on our schedule. Oh, and before I forget, be sure to join me next Monday for another MOVE IT MONDAY! I think it's going to be a great way to start off the week right! Actually, I would love to have you join me every Monday!  I will have a post up here and and also on my Facebook Page so you can post how you got moving, remember everything counts!!!

I didn't mention it in my last post, but I'm also trying to get in a gallon of water a day. I'm usually pretty good about getting in my water but there are some days when coffee rules the day and I would like to be more consistent with my water intake. So here's to Watery Wednesday, drink up! I have a gallon jug that I'm using for my water for the day so I have no trouble keeping track of the amount of water I actually drink. The only trouble I should have is keeping my littles from using the same cup. For some reason mommies cup is always better! :)

Anyhow, that's where I'm at.
How are you doing with your goals? 
Do you do well with drinking water or do you struggle?

Random Thoughts and Streamlining Goals

So, I'm not sure where this post is going to end up going. Hopefully not to scattered, but my mind is kind of reeling with where I'm at now and what I want to do or should be doing.

Yesterday I completed Day 3 of my second round of Whole30, today it ended, and.... I'm totally ok with that! I did my first round of Whole30 in June of 2014. I followed it to a tee, not cheating one bit and had great results with it! The problem, the rebound. It... was... HORRIBLE!!! Once I was done I ate and ate whatever I couldn't have. Overtime got discouraged, stopped working out, stopped eating clean and gained most of the weight and inches back that I had lost.

The whole time I was on Whole30 I was not myself. I was in a bit of a fog, grouchy, and honestly the last week I hardly ate anything because I was so tired of what I had to eat but I still wanted to finish since I was almost done. But I lost weight, I lost inches, and I did actually "feel" pretty good. I don't have any allergies or intolerance and I did not cure my sugar addiction.

Fast Forward to January and I did a mini-Whole30 of 14 days. It was totally intentional to be so short as we had some family events that would be happening I knew I didn't want to miss out. I did great that time! I didn't have the headaches, the fogginess, I wasn't as much as a grouch and I even had some of that Tiger Blood the Whole30 talks about.

Now to this week, it was AWFUL! I have no idea why, I wasn't eating any worse now compared to  back in January but I was so disoriented and confused. I know it was all part of the detoxification process and getting rid of those sugar addictions but to me, at this point, it's just not worth it. I agreed with my husband that if I had an experience like I did the first time then I would stop. So, that's where I'm at.  I'm not doing another round of Whole30 at this time. Do I feel like a quitter? Absolutely not! If I gained anything from my first and complete round of Whole30 it's that I have an extreme attached relationship with food and although it's good to live without certain foods it's also not healthy for me to feel like I live in a food prison.  

I learned that I can live without certain things and function, even if it's not 100% of what I would like it to be. I've also learned what works for me and my body, I think that's kind of the whole point of Whole30 don't you? Even they tell you it's not meant to be long term. So even though I mostly felt crummy during the process, I did actually gain something from Whole30. It was more then just pounds or inches lost, it was me learning to be completely honest with the way I view food. Do I think everyone should give it a go? Sure! Do I think it's for everyone? Absolutely not! You will just have to try for yourself and see. Sorry if that doesn't help you much, but it really is an individual experience.

So, where does that leave me? Well, I know I will continue to eat clean that to me is simply the best. Eating clean means different things to everyone and for me I have an idea what will work and will continue to figure out what's best for me. I know I won't be 100% clean, but I will be at least 80% and realistically should be closer to 90% to get to my goal. 

I need to track my portions!!! I'm not sure if I will be using a Weight Watchers Points system or if I will just log my calories in My Fitness Pal or both until I figure it out. I need to be more consistent with my workouts. I have struggled with being consistent with my workouts for sometime now. My goal at this point is to just...get...moving! I will spend the next couple of weeks trying to narrow that down and get specific goals but for now I think 30 minutes 3-4x week would be good.

 I know there are no quick fixes and I want this to be a lifestyle change and this to me is what is going to work, for me!

What are some of your goals that you are working on?

**Disclaimer: My blog posts are about my journey and what is working for me. I am not a Registered Dietician, a Certified Trainer or a Medical Doctor. Please always consult with your Healthcare Provider before starting any diet or exercise program. 

Testing... Is this going to really happen??

Hi! Welcome to my little blog!!

Testing... not sure if there is anyone even going to read this thing... I'm not sure how this will all work out, but I'm on a mission to getting healthy through diet and exercise and thought I'd journal about it here. Not sure what the flow or direction of the blog will be for now, but it will be my place to share what I'm doing. I'm only hoping to motivate someone or be motivated.

This will be a JUDGMENT FREE place, a safe place for people to visit. We all have different things that work for us.  :)

Anyhow, I will blog what I can when I can but for now I plan on writing a post sharing my goals and how I'm getting there.

Be sure and stop back by to see what I'm up to!

Oh, I also have a Facebook page so look for me over there too!

Until Then...