[[VIDEO POST]] A MUST WATCH!! For all parents!

If you are a parent ESPECIALLY, you should watch this clip. If you aren't a parent and you think negatively about your body image, you should also really watch this clip.

Please let me know what you think.

Does this speak to you?

Clean Eating and Weight Loss

I've had a LOAD of questions come from readers all over asking me, "Okay, so you did you juice fasts/reboots/cleanses and you've lost weight. That's great, but now what are you doing?"

And I never really thought it appropriate to write about eating on my juice blog but I guess it's my blog, and I guess since I get SO MANY questions about it.....people want to know, right? So why not?

Well, I "eat clean", leaning more towards a paleo type diet.

What does all of that mean anyway?!

Well, I'll admit, there are a lot of grey ares when talking about clean eating and paleo but what it means to ME is....

I personally do not eat processed foods.
I do not eat refined sugars.
I avoid dairy (I've replaced my dairy milk with almond milk) and I only use grass fed, organic cheese as a rare treat.
I do not eat grains (breads, pasta, beer, rice, ect) and instead use almond meal/flour and coconut flour.
I've replaced vegetable oil with coconut oil, a much healthier alternative.
We use FRESH fruits and vegetables, we don't eat out of a box.
Fried white potatoes are no longer a food group of ours.
I only drink water, kombucha, fresh-made juice, a smoothie or my nightly protein drink for dinner.
With poultry, we always try to get cage free, hormone/antibiotic free, organic and with all other meats, we try to go with grass fed, hormone free. It's hard feeding a family of 5 on an all natural and organic diet, trust me, until I became a coach, I wasn't able to DREAM of it!!! But if you stalk your butcher's counter (and if you are brave enough to ask them about the time of day and which day of the week they do their meat markdowns for the GOOD meat.....you can really get a GOOD deal! We have a deep freezer and because the SELL BY date (not to be confused with the USE BY date) was coming up, I was able to LOAD UP on some cage free, organic chicken legs from the grocery store today, saving 25% on at least 3 packages (I think I forced myself to stop at 3 because I knew I was going to buy some fancy nitrate free sausage@ La-de-da! :p)

What do you make with nitrate free sausage, you ask? I am SO glad you asked! I'd be happy to not just tell you, but let me SHOW you!

Grass fed, nitrate, nitrite, and MSG free sausage, snap peas, and baby corn. 

This meal was simple, easy and DELICIOUS!

I could sit up until 5 am sharing with you photos of the foods I've made recently, and I'm sure I WILL be staying up until 5 am sharing with you photos of the food I've made...but not tonight.

I've also started working out 6 days a week, for at least 30 minutes a day. I give it everything I've got for those intense 30 minutes and I've been committed to those exercises and I replace one meal a day with a really good tasting and nutritious protein shake.

I started working from home, getting paid to do what I am most passionate about, which is getting healthy, working out, inspiring others and then helping them get on the right track to good health with proper diet and daily exercise. My life has changed so much over the last 2 months and ALL for the better!

I now run these Clean Eating/Fitness Challenge Groups that are just AMAZING and that help me and my challenge members stay accountable and motivated because as a team we post our "sweaty selfies" or our post-workout photos, we post photos of our meals, we share our struggles and our success and recipes and ideas. It's just an amazing group of people that help support one another and when you are on Facebook, you can't avoid it. It's right there. You HAVE to stay accountable. I can't say enough about it, it's just great!

Here is my photo collage for BEFORE starting the 90 Day Challenge (which started March 3, 2014):

I finished my first "block" of my fitness program (the first 26 days) and was told to take measurements, photos and my weight.

 Ya know, it's crazy. Fitness wise, I've NEVER stuck with something this long, EVER. I've been working out 6 days a week during this. I think I  missed 2 days due to going camping and then getting sick. But other than that, I've stayed with the program and I am proud.

You know how sometimes you start to do an exercise and you can feel a difference but you get discouraged because you look in the mirror but you just can't see the difference??? About one week in I could feel muscles on my chest that I didn't know where there! I even joked about it on Facebook somewhere.

Then Day 26 came...... and truth be told, I was scared. I had told everyone on Facebook that I was going to be posting my progress photos online and I waited until the end of the day AFTER we were done with the workout....because, ya know, I needed those extra muscles, right? ;o)

My husband took the photos and hours later when I went to put the progress photos next to each other and I saw the photo of me flexing, I about died! And then When I saw that my stomach is flattening out! Oh my gosh! I am NOT sucking in in either of those photos. Because I wanted a real actuate track of how my body was going to change, I "let it all hang out" so to speak.

I've gained so much self confidence from all of this!! I am not focused on the weight loss anymore. I'm technically one pound away from my "goal weight" that I set with my doctor not too long ago, so I will me backing an appointment with her later this week. I am SO proud of where I am and how far I've come! SO, SO, SO proud. I feel like I can move mountains now! And yet, I still have work to do. And I think that's perfectly fine, don't  you?

I had a friend post something on his/her page about "when is enough ever enough? when you get to your goal weight, is it going to be 10 more pounds?" or something along those lines. And I think both the person who posted that and the person who wrote it might not understand because they have possibly never reached a goal of that magnitude before.

Let me tell you something.

Being 137 pounds is something the old me would have bet AGAINST!

Wearing a size 2/4 is something the old me would have bet AGAINST!

Going to a yoga class for the first time and doing a move that the yoga teacher couldn't do is something the old me would have bet AGAINST!

Lacing up my shoes and going out for a run is something the old me would have bet AGAINST!

Actually looking FORWARD to my nightly workout is something the old me would have bet AGAINST!

Giving up nasty junk food like chips, candy, soda and alcohol was something that the old me would have bet AGAINST!

Becoming a weight loss coach, becoming a fitness coach is something that the old me would have bet AGAINST.

but something in me has changed. I've always been a winner, but now I refuse to accept anything less than what I deserve. Plain and simple. And I won't let anything stop me from achieving my goals. I am improving myself, I am improving my family and I am improving those who are serious, dedicated and who want the LIFESTYLE change, not just the quick weight loss.

Life is amazing....how about yours?

If you are struggling and need help, reach out! I'm here!



Plum Berry Cooler

(This made about 20 ounces of juice for me) 

4 small black plums

12 oz raspberries

1/2 a cucumber

1/4 of a lemon, peel on

This was good! I think next time I will replace the plums with a Granny Smith apple. 

Burnt Orange Longhorn

(This yeilded about 35 ounces of juice for me)

1 grapefruit

6 oz of raspberries

2 Granny Smith apples

3 sticks of celery

1/2 cucumber

5-6 large carrots

1 lime

This juice was absolutely delicious! I couldn't taste the raspberry at all so next time I'll either use more or cut them out and use them in another berry based juice. Great juice for everyone, beginners AND kids! 

Good Morning, Granny!

This was a refreshing juice that I enjoyed one morning for breakfast. Although, I'm sure this would be just as good for lunch, dinner or snack! 

 

3 sticks of celery

1/2 cucumber

1 grapefruit

1 small Granny Smith

6 or so mint leaves

The celery and grapefruit are amazing for weight loss and the Granny Smith apple gives this juice a sweet taste. 

My 40 by 40

Personal/Family

1.  Write an autobiography.

2.  Do one new thing a year that makes me uncomfortable or challenges me. 

3.  See 10 concerts.

4.  Write more. 

5.  Take each kid on their own special date regularly.

6.  Start going on dates with my husband. 

7.  Get a hot stone massage.

(From today at 160 lbs.)

8.  Lose 5 lbs.

9.  Lose 10 lbs.

10. Lose 15 lbs.

11. Lose 20 lbs.

12. Lose 25 lbs.

13. Read 10 classic books.

14. Volunteer my time outside of church. 

15. Zip line.

16. Learn to dance.

17. Grow a garden. 

Education

18. Learn to sew.

19. Take a cooking class.

20. Go back to school.

21. And finish.

22. Learn 5 new hobbies.

Health

23. Learn to kayak. 

24. Go vegan for (at least) one month.

25. Become a better swimmer.

26. Start riding a bike again.

27. Go on a hike.

28. Try one new fitness class a year.

29. Take a yoga class.

30. Run a 5k.

31. Run a 10k.

Travel 

32. Travel alone.

33. Travel with my best friend.

34. Plan (and complete) a surprise trip somewhere. 

35. Go camping for more than 3 days.

36. Go camping as a family. 

37. Go on a road trip to somewhere far away (more than a 1 day drive).

38. Go on a family vacation abroad.

39. Go on a vacation without kids.

40. Go on a cruise.

My 30 Day May Juice Fast Journal (updated *usually* daily)

Day 1:



So far, day one has been okay.



I'm having to deal with some very personal issues involving my children so I've been on edge, moody, emotional and just pissed off BUT I know that these feelings have nothing to do with the fast.



I've had plenty of energy today. I did get hungry once, but I just made a juice and drank more water.



I think my personal issues are making it easier to not focus on the fact that I'm not eating. So yay for that, I guess.



I went for a 1.26 mile power walk and run today and it felt great. I'm not sure that I will feel up to it tomorrow, but I want to try to stay as active during this fast. During my first fast, I did very little as far as exercising. I was VERY active with my kids, running and playing, because of the over abundance of energy, but I didn't feel well enough to get out and really push myself. So far, I do. Only time will tell tomorrow.



My starting weight is 169.5 at 5'5 with a BMI of 28.2.



And now....the moment you've all been waiting for......my lovely "before" photos.

Day 2:



167.5- down 2 lbs



I trusted the principal at my children's school to...I don't know.....do what she said she would do and PROTECT MY INNOCENT CHILD. Today I found out today that out of EVERYTHING that was promised to me yesterday, NONE of it happened. Not one single fucking thing and because of that, today has been filled with rage. I've not been hungry, but I've been so incredibly pissed off that I doubt I'd notice the hunger pain over my rage! I've been yelling and screaming at everyone. I have no headaches, aches or pains. I have anxiety, fear, depression, fury, sadness, anger, and helplessness. I want to cry and cry and cry but it has nothing to do with juice. Today sucks beyond belief. And to add more stress to my already overflowing plate, I've withdrawn my children from their school where they are no longer safe and I'm now homeschooling them. Just what I needed. A school that doesn't protect the innocent. Lovely.



I could rant and rage all damn night but I'm going to just shut up now and go to bed. Irritable doesn't being to describe how I feel. I'm lost and hurt.



Day 3:

165.4- down 4.1 lbs



Today sucked on a personal level. I was so stressed out and worn out over all of the events that happened this week that even though I've been juicing exclusively, IF I'm detoxing, I don't notice it. Maybe part of my irritability is from detoxing? But it's also very possible that it's just who I am. I turn into a very different person when the safety of my children are concerned. I'm usually a vey happy go lucky, laid back, loving person. When my kids are in danger, it's like I turn into this fierce Mama Bear that will slice the throats of anyone in her way.



Emotionally today sucked. I wasn't concerned about me at all and at the end of the day, I realized I only had 2 juices the entire day. That's not good. Tomorrow I promise to focus on myself a little more.



Day 4:

164.5- down 5 lbs



My promise for the day is to focus a little more on myself. In fact, it's 6:30 am here now and I think I'll go on a brisk walk and run. I'll check in again later.



I went on a mile long run and power walk today in 13 minutes. I'm pretty proud of myself for that. I am NOT a runner and just started trying to run one week ago.





I'm not sure if it's because it's the weekend and I don't have to worry about my twins' school, but today was better than the previous days. Overall, today was BLAH vs being pure hell the last few days.



We ended the night taking our kids to the park and having fun. I wanted to walk more (I CRAVE daily workouts now) but I decided I needed to spend more time with my guys so we ended up digging for dinosaur fossils. Then, we started playing zombies and when I tried to outrun a 6 year old, I could feel the burn in my legs. I'm interested to see if I'll be able to walk tomorrow!! Hahaha

And on that note, goodnight.







Day 5:

163.8- down 5.7 pounds



Today we have church and I will be helping cook a luncheon for our congregation so I made sure to drink a big juice for breakfast filled with carrots and beets (love that energy) and I prepared and will take a mean green for lunch. No breaking the fast for this girl!



Church was fun! I had quite a few people ask me what I had been doing to lose weight and MOST everyone was either nice or kept their negative opinions to themselves. There was one woman who flat out said, "Yeah! That's not healthy at all." Now, usually I'd just keep my mouth shut and move along but I was fairly offended. This woman had a good 70 lbs on me and was quite a bit sorter, stuffing her face with bread and meatloaf. I just laughed and said, "Well, something must be working because I've lost over 30 lbs, kept it off, and I feel better, younger and full of energy!"



I will be loaning out our copy of Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead to another kind woman from our church. It feels amazing being able to prove people wrong. Juicing is unhealthy? Really? Go on and eat more of that healthy green bean casserole, bread smothered in margarine and your meatloaf. And tell me how full of energy you feel in a few hours when you have to unbutton your jeans just to sit on the couch.



Trust me, I'm not judging. I was once the very same way.....but I also NEVER told someone who was far healthier than I was, that what they were doing was unhealthy.



“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven" Luke 6:37. I choose the high road and forgive her rude and unhelpful comments. :)



Day 6:



Whew. No weight check today. My kids stayed with my mom last night so I got to *gasp* sleep in! I like to weigh myself at the same time everyday to get the most accurate weight so since I slept in, I decided to skip the scale.



I got out and ran/jogged for a mile today. I waited until almost 1 pm and it was getting really, really hot. I wanted to do more but I could tell I was really pushing myself in that heat. Plus, it is different running on pavement than it is running on gravel!



Not much else to report. See ya on the flip side!



Day 7:



163.8-down 5.7 lbs



Looks like I've stalled. I'm not going to stress over it because I know what I am feeding my body is very healthy AND I've been running, which I'm sure is building muscle in my legs.



My plan for today is to really step it up with my water consumption and get a walk or run in if possible.



I'll check in later.



Very stressful day. I had a green juice with kale, cucumber, celery, pineapple, grapefruit and orange this morning.



Then I went up to school to volunteer for 2.5 hours, went shopping for this ADORABLE dedication outfit for my son on Mother's Day, and then went by and made a police report against a child at my son's school. Just got home at 12:30 and made a quick juice of romaine, cucumber, strawberry and grapefruit. YUM!



Now, off to meditate for at least 10 minutes. I need to clear my mind.



PS I'm failing at upping my water intake.






Day 17:


162.5 down 7 lbs.



Wow! I'm officially the lowest weight I've been since High School! Woot! Woot!!



I had something very personal come up and I was unable to use my juicer for 5 days. And not just that, but I also was only able to eat the food someone else made....and that kind of food was just not healthy. Tons of processed junk. I didn't enjoy it at all and I started back juicing as soon as I was able. So even though it says Day 17, I had 5-6 days of junk and since then, I've been juicing full time. It took quite a while to get back to a normal weight and today I realized I was at my lowest weight! So yay me!



The last 10 days have been incredibly hard on me. Physically, mentally, and spiritually. To
day has been a bit better and I actually felt like blogging today. So maybe things are looking up, huh?


Thanks for all of the words of encouragement and thank you for asking me to update this. I'm glad to be back in the swing of things.

I've decided to start over.

Click HERE to see my continued progress and check to see if I reached my goal of being in the 150's by the twins' birthday party!!!!


And as always, thanks for reading!