Week 3: Weighing In

Today is day 16 of what is really going to be a 24 day cleanse, rather than 30.  I did the math wrong.  We're going to Auburn, AL in 2 weeks to watch the Bulldawgs have some tiger for dinner...we hope (other than Sunflower, who's our token AU fan).  Anyway, you can't have a weekend full of tailgating if none of us are drinking!!!  It could be dangerous.  Stay tuned for updates on how that goes.  I sure hope Lollipop and Tabby can handle us 3 light weights on their own.

I'm really getting the hang of this eating plan.  Every day is easier and easier.  Of course my night cravings are still kicking in and driving me CRAZY!!!  As of Sunday evening, I'm down 8.8 lbs.   I'm wearing jeans that wouldn't fit over my fat ass 2 weeks ago.  I'm feeling GREAT!!!  

I've had tons of people asking for information about this diet.  I think the most important aspect is the DON'T list.  It's much easier to pick out what you can have once you've established what you can't have.  I'll share that with you now....

DON'T EAT!!!

Meats: 
Pork/pork products
Ham
Sausage (pork)
Veggie Burgers
Imitation Meat Products (soy)
Bacon

Fish & Seafood:
Fried & Breaded Fish of any kind
Catfish
Eel
Squid
Shark
All shellfish

Poultry:
Fried/Breaded Chicken

Dairy:
Cow Milk
Soy Milk

Veggies:
Corn
Sweet Potatoes
White Potatoes

Beans & Legumes: (Basically NO Beans)0
Soy Beans
White Beans
Garbanzo Beans
Lima Beans
Pinto Beans
Navy Beans
Kidney Beans
Black Beans
Tofu 

Grains:
Avoid all grains and starchy foods, including bread, pasta, cereal, rice, oatmeal, pastries & baked goods.

Fats & Oils:
Lard
Margarine
Shortening
Soy Oil
Safflower Oil
Canola Oil
Sunflower Oil
Corn Oil
Cottonseed Oil
Any Partially Hydrogenated Oil

Nuts:
Honey-Roasted Nuts
Macadamia Nuts
Pecans
Hazelnuts
Brail Nuts
Peanuts
Peanut Butter :(
Any Nuts Or Seeds Dry Roasted In Oil

Fruits:
Avoid all fruits except those mentioned on the approved list....especially bananas, apricots, grapes, melon, peaches, oranges, pears, dried fruit and canned fruit

Sweeteners:
Sugar
Maple Syrup 
Heated Honey
Fructose or Corn Syrup
Equal
Splenda

Beverages:
Alcohol of any kind
Fruit Juices
Sodas
Coffee

I'll give you all a couple of days to absorb this list before I bombard you with the approved list.  One good rule of thumb is if it's processed, it's not approved.  For quick easy meal ideas, follow me on Facebook.
 

Week 2: Weighing In

It's day 9 in our journey to clean eating.  I'm shocked at how well we're all doing, especially me.  It's amazing the difference between doing something on your own and doing it as a team.  Sunflower & Chiquita are my support system.  We're on IM all day long and when we're not on computers, we're group texting.  We've cheered each other on.  We've given each other advice.  We've held each other accountable.  We've discussed our bowel movements...in great detail.

Here's a sample of what I've been eating - 
Breakfast: Total calories - 239
2 large eggs scrambled w/ 1 tsp of BUTTER & 1 cup of strawberries 

Morning Snack: Total calories - 207
1/4 cup raw almonds (unsalted) 

Lunch: Total calories -322
1 Turkey burger (no bun), 1 cup steamed broccoli & 1oz naked goat cheese 

Afternoon Snack: Total calories - 72
1 med. apple w/ skin

Dinner: Total calories -356
3 oz. rotisserie chicken, 1 cup steamed asparagus (1 tsp BUTTER), small salad w/ spinach, tomato, sunflower seeds & 1 tsp. balsamic vinaigrette.

Total calories: 1196

Now that I've bored you with the food, I'll move on to what you've all been waiting for...RESULTS!!!  In 7 days, I've lost...drum roll please!!!  I've lost 5.8 pounds.  I feel great!!

To follow me along on this journey, you can follow me here on GFC or on Facebook. 

Anti-Inflammatory Cleanse...

I know, I know , I know.  You've all been dying to know what's been going on with my motivation and goals, etc.  Yeah, nothing...until now.  Thank you to two of my best friends for encouraging me to join them in a 30 day anti-inflammatory cleanse.  I'm on the road to clean eating.

I was a little apprehensive to commit.  I was afraid that my dad would sabotage my efforts by cooking tempting meals every night for dinner...I'm still afraid of that, but so far so good.  Granted I had to eat my dinner and then get up from the table last night, rather than stay and visit with the family while they ate....to avoid the temptation to take a bite of their spaghetti.

As I've said before, night snacking is one of my worst habits.  Last night I took my sleeping pill early, in hopes of falling asleep before the cravings kicked in.  I broke down and had 2 tsp of peanut butter.  Of course it's not an approved food on the plan, but it was WAY better than what I would've normally eaten and it did the trick.

Now for the embarrassing part.  Please keep in mind that this isn't meant to be a glamor shot.  It's to show my progress.  Here is my before picture, taken after fighting the homework battle and scrubbing the kitchen.  My starting weight is....gah, this is hard for me to write for the world to see.  But in order for me to hold myself accountable, I've gotta do this.  My starting weight is 225.4. 

If you'd like to follow me along this journey, please either follow me here on GFC or on Facebook.  I'm planning on sharing more details about the plan as I find my groove and find more time to write.  Happy Hump Day!!!